#scarlet spiral flag

[helluvatimes]

A French Kiss In The Garden

A particular outstanding one in a field of Scarlet Spiral Flag or French Kiss in the botanic gardens. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

Two stops of negative exposure compensation was needed for this shot. Colours were straight-out-of the camera. When composing, I would usually place the subject off centre for a stronger composition but with some exceptions. This was just one of those exceptional cases.

[selves-indulgent-coining]

scarlet macaw alterhuman flags

[pt: scarlet macaw alterhuman flags end pt]

requested by one of our headmates

alterhuman | therian | otherkin

otherhearted | otherlink | copinglink

othervague | constelic | nonhuman

nonhuman | physical alterhuman | holothere

[alt text:

12 flags with 6 equal horizontal stripes: crimson red, rose red, bright yellow, right blue, dark blue, rose red

There is a khaki circle centered in the flags, spanning from the top of the second stripe to the bottom of the fifth stripe. In each of the circles, there is a black symbol.

The symbols, in order:

a symbol similar to a fork in a path where the straight continuation is broken—part of the unbroken path is replaced by a triangle

equilateral triangle interlocking with a circle and there is a horizontal line in the center

a seven-pointed star

a heart shape interlocking with a circle and there is a diamond shape in the center

a pair of interlocking chain links

a pair of interlocking chain links in a diamond

a symbol similar to a fork in a path where the straight continuation is broken

five equally-spaced lines connected at one point—at the end of each line, the is a curve that dips down towards the center of the symbol before curling back outward into a spiral

a four-pointed star with four equally-spaced lines (two vertical and two horizontal) inside

a circle with a diamond shape (the four tips of the diamond are touching the circumference of the circle) inside— there is a circle inside of the diamond with two short vertical lines sticking out of the circumference — there is a dot at the center of the circle

a circle with a solid four pointed star centered in it

an anchor shape, but the top part (where the loop would be) is a triangle

end alt text]

The flag colors were picked from images of scarlet macaws, then color-adjusted.

Shout out to Lunatune and Patron Saint of ✨No✨on the People's Accessibility Discord Server for help with alternative text!

[readingforsanity]

Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead | Jenny Hollander | Published 2024

Nine years ago, with the world's eyes on her, Charlie Colbert fled. The press and the police called Charlie a "witness" to the nightmarish events at her elite graduate school on Christmas Eve - events known to the public as "Scarlet Christmas" - though Charlie knows she was much more than that.

Now, Charlie has meticulously rebuilt her life: She's the editor in chief of a major magazine, engaged to the golden child of the publishing industry, and hellbent on never, ever letting her guard down again. But when a buzzy film made by one of Charlie's former classmates threatens to shatter everything she's worked for, Charlie realizes how much she's changed in nine years. Now, she's not going to let anything - not even the people she once loved most - get in her way.

Charlie Colbert was involved in one of the most prolific killings, taking place on Christmas Eve nearly a decade ago. While she was a student at the Carroll School of Journalism, one student went through a psychotic break, killing three students and injuring a few others. She has been dealing with the trauma of that night for the last 9 years, and after she is close to getting to a good place in life, it is all dredged back up again.

Charlie is now engaged to Tripp Goodma West, heir to the Goodman West publishing fortune, and she is the editor in chief at C, the Sunday magazine to the newspaper The Chronicle. Long hours leave her feeling burnt out, but she would rather do this than prove she is not who she once was.

When Stephanie Anderson, a fellow classmate at Carroll, announces that she would like to release a film based on the events of that night on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy, Charlie's world comes crashing down. You see, she lied to the police all those years ago and said that the perpetrator jumped from the eleventh story window to her death, but in truth, Charlie had blacked out, only coming to after she had already fallen to her death.

This sets Charlie on a spiral. Tripp's family plans to involve their lawyers in their attempt to get the film stopped, due to Charlie becoming a Goodman West by the time the film is released, but unless her character is defamed in any way during the film, there is nothing they could do, but they would continue to try. Charlie even reaches out to Steph, in hopes to get the film from being released, but it is already too late.

Charlie begins reliving the timeline with her therapist. She relives how she first met Jordan, her boyfriend at the time of the incident, and Cate, who was one of the victims, who became one of her closest friends. It all comes down to the end.

For months, Cate was trying to explain to Charlie that Elise, another student at the school, had a strange friendship with Jordan. She was trying to warn Charlie, who seemed to be blissfully unaware of the red flags. Elise was beautiful, the daughter of a senator. Jordan explains to Charlie that they are just friends, as Elise is dealing with the grief after her boyfriend died before she left for Carroll, and the two of them just get along.

However, through text messages released show that Elise was obsessed with Jordan, upset with his relationship with Charlie, and after Cate confronted her in one of the working pods on the 11th floor on the night of Christmas Eve, Elise lost it, stabbing Cate and then Jordan. Despite freezing and blacking out, Charlie was under the impresson that she pushed Elise out of the window in self-defense, only remembering a few days ago when she was reliving the memories.

But, after a particular episode at Steph's apartment, Steph calls Cate, who we were under the impression died during the stabbing, is alive and well and arrives to help Charlie. They return her, Cate and Gunnar, another friend from Carroll, to the townhouse she shared with Tripp, where she confesses to him that she was the reason that his girlfriend, Dee, had died. His relationship with Dee was kept a secret from Charlie, despite Tripp saying he wanted to tell her about it, but that he said she had died in a car accident because he saw how Charlie reacted when discussing the tragedy itself. But, Dee and Charlie were somewhat close, and Charlie is now harboring the guilt that she was the reason Dee had died.

She goes back to Cate's apartment, where she later confesses this to her, that she was the reason Elise and Dee both died. But, Cate tells her that it wasn't Charlie, that it was Steph. Despite her icy demeanor with her sister, Steph was incredibly protective of her sister, even roofying girls at a party to protect her, for which Cate eventually took the fall for. Steph was the one who opened the window, pushing Elise to her death and causing Dee's death when Elise crashed into her on the ground below, as she was returning to the dorms to congratulate Charlie for turning in her first semester project.

In the end, Charlie ends her engagement with Tripp and moves into the apartment below Cate's. She rescues a dog she names Jackson, and she seemingly wants to reunite with Jordan.

[benefits1986]

xocial xp

Fear not for I am with you, even if you feel like you don't exist.

Shit post incoming because today is a day of social experiments to the tune of "Here's Me Trying Not To Be Avoidant And How I'm Failing So Far" however, let's go. We're giving the warm-up games of life a good try. Perhaps, this might cure my perpetual boredom and non-existent pake.

Hmmmm... how do we start?

I guess I really find it weird to talk to people who are the exact opposite of my lived realities. Bakit naman kasi minsan na nga lang ako mag-yes sa mga social experiments tapos ang usual takada e mga kakaibang nilalang na 'di ko naman kauri as a non-class s na halimaw? LOL. Alam mo 'yung okay sige. Eto ko. Ano ka diyan? Ganern. Nakakatawa lang din kasi in fairness naman, may glimmers (?) kahit shimmering on the surface. Wala e. Ano ka pa ba? Ano pa beyond the obvious ka? That is what I wanna dig... deep and hard. Rar. Ganern. And so, ayun na nga. 'Yan na lang muna because... abangan na lang natin ang mga kaganapang susunod. Ayun.

Ganito, oks naman burger with large fries and large drinks. Pero calamares sa kanto girllly ako e. Pero puwede rin naman baby squid na calamari na may lemon sa ibabaw tapos may garlic aioli dip with freshly crushed black pepper. Ayun lang muna.

Saka ko na lang kwento 'pag may ending na. Ending agad? LOL. Basta. IYKYK. EMS.

Next, nagdasal ako ng taimtim sa favorite church ever ko kahit 'di naman ako nagsisimba madalas. Super rare akong mag-church kasi wala lang. I fucking hate traditions. Tonight, opak. Todo dasal mode tayo for some things na kailangan ng matindeng divine intervention. Halos walang tao at may lamig pa ang kakapatay lang na AC kaya naman, kahit 'di na umabot sa Adoration Chapel because kakatamad magtanggal ng shoes (Hahahaha), hala sige. Magandang move 'to.

Nakakatawa 'yung dasal ko. Actually, pinagdasal ko na 'yung isang intention mga 12 years ago. OPAK. Pero, looking back, hindi siya taos-puso noon. Medyo lang. Kung baga, hindi siya half-assed pero 'di siya full force tulad nung pinagdasal ko mom ko sa last breaths niya. LOL. 'Di rin siya tulad ng pagdadasal ko para sa ngalan ng Ikot at Toki kahit 'di naman ako magiging bona fide ever bilang doon lang tayo sa hanash ng grad school. LOL. Mga pinagdadasal ko talaga, weird noh? 'Yung mga pang-legit deliksss levelsss 10000000 na.

And so, etong isa kong intention, iba na siya ngayon. Shemayyyy. Hahaha. Mabait na ako. LOL. On track. LUH. Shettttt. Ayun lang. No prayer reveal. Saka na 'pag nasagot na. Or baka naman ang sagot talaga ay no. LUH.

Second and pinaka number 1 ngayon e 'di naman para sa akin. Lagi naman yatang mga 80% ng dasal ko 'di para sa akin. As a sinner in scarlet kasi ako. Hahahaha. Saka, ayun, parang oks naman ako in general kahit spiral malala. Hahaha. Grabe 'yung hugot ng prayer na 'to kasi naman, naman, naman. Ayun. 'Di na lang din muna reveal because feelings natin about this szn e pina-process pa natin mainam.

Speaking of processing feelings, para maiba naman. Eto na. Magiging non-negotiable ko na talaga ang mga tao na 'di marunong makinig. Kasi ako, oks akong listener na madalas delulu cheerleader pa tapos kahit deliks na, enabler pa ako. So, kapag ako, nagpakawala ng feelings na 'di naman madalas, aba, sana naman e magkaroon ng small ears, hearing, hearing all the time. IYKYK.

In general 'to, sa lahat ng aspects. Here's me trying to communicate how I feel, why I feel, and what I feel na. 'Di na tayo autopilot na problem solver na delulu solulu ang stress language sa life. Ending burnout - hiatus - CTRL ALT DEL. In the same manner, siguro need ko rin i-reintroduce sarili ko lalo na small circle ko. :p

Simply put, 'pag walang empathy kausap ko, EKIS ka na agad. TRIPLE EKIS. Perioddddttzzz. Bye. Kahit sino ka pa. Kahit ano ka pa. Wala akong pake. 'Di na talaga ako magpapalampas ng mga red flags ngayon. Tapos na ako diyan.

Or baka naman, time to prune it again. Hala siya. Small na nga, gawin pa nating smaller and smaller circle? EMS. Abangan. Puwede namang sa outside the small circle pero nasa circle pa rin 'di ba? Minsan kasi talaga, when you change (sana naman for the better), may mga maa-outgrow ka talagang connections kahit gaano pa sila ka-deep or kaya naman, mage-evolve mala-Pokemon ang mga connections mo na 'to kung both parties ay willing and able consistently. O, child. This is very, very curious.

As a recovering AA (avoidant anonymous), sige, let's give things a good try, unti-unti on the way to lagi-lagi. EMSSSSS. Hahahahaha.

Lordeeee naman, bakit 'yung prayer kong isa mabilis ang mga kaganapan or social construction na naman ba 'to bilang a chair is not a chair in the same manner that a chair is chair, too? CHARAUGHT. Paki fast-track 'yung number 2 kasi nga, marami na naman akong bagong pimples na mala-bulutong tubig dagat kakaisip. Hahahaha. Pero sabi nga... Fear not for I am with you. Add ko na rin: Fear not for I am with you, even when you feel like 'di ka valid lalo na hidden feelings mo. HAHAHAHAHA. Sino ka dyan? Let's go for purple people who will actually listen in kasi deserve ko 'yan. Need ko 'yan kahit ayoko siya. Hahahahahaha. And don't be mean naman din to people who don't give a shit about listening. Malay mo, mismong sarili nila, 'di nila pinakikinggan kaya ganun sila? Or baka, ayaw lang din nilang pakinggan sarili nila kasi it's easier and less risky. Usto mo yun? Bait ko na 'di ba? Hahahahahaha.

Note to shit self: 'Wag nating ipilit na magbago o umayon ang mga tao sa non-negotiables natin. Please lungs. Nasubukan na natin 'yan ages ago, kaya, paki usap. Tantanan na.

I feel better as I am ending this shit post. Bukas ulit! Time to go biking with the wonky B babbbbyyyyy. Forda unli ahon incoming soon. HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI. And check natin kung road to riding a scooter na rin 'to na matagal ko na ring tinatanaw on weekends along Tags and the sedated south streets. AHOOO. ACHOOOO. Let's keep failing forward, taruuhhhh!

Iba ang Leo szn 2024. Roaring rar. Blazing in all shades of blue. Keep it up. Keep up. Maiba naman. Brene Brown szn is officially on and on and on. LUH SIYA, MHIE. Katakowwwttt.

PS: Milestone ko today forda small win is I talked to this mala-parental ko sa community. I look and feel peaceful daw. OPAK. Sabi ko after all this time? EMS. Nagpa-thank you ako with kinda tiny tear that doesn't fall because, alam mo na. O baka kasi nga, magkamukha kami ng nanay kong dragon sa szn na 'to. Baka final szn ko na rin 'di po ba? Sobrang tagal ko rin 'tong inantay. Mga 12 years. Hahahaha. O baka kasi outta MNL na rin tayo because... abangan!

[gender-jargon]

I made an alternate, simplified design for the Mutare flag. The colors are picked from the original flag and adjusted a bit:

[Image ID: a redesigned Mutare pride flag originally designed by tumblr user Pride-Color-Schemes and redesigned by Gent (Gender-Jargon). The flag is a variation upon the Genderfluid pride flag. The flag consists of five horizontal stripes of the same size, with a white circle in the center. In the middle of the circle is an image of a black colored whirl, which has eight arms curving right. From top to bottom, the colors of the stripes are scarlet, off-white, indigo, charcoal grey and teal. ./. End ID]

I used a spiraling, whirling shape to represent a moving, ever-changing and evolving gender identity; it is flowing, fluid, perpetual and never the same thing twice. It is meant to be comparable to the rippled flag, but more simple and replicable. The stripes were picked from the Genderfluid pride flag, but shifted to reflect the gender's shifting, varying nature.

— Gent

[PT: -- Gent ./. End PT]

Mutare, Mutaregender

Mutare or Mutaregender: A fluid gender in which the person never feels like they experience the same gender twice, their gender is always changing and evolving.

Term coined by: Unknown

[image description: a flag with eleven stripes. the fourth and eighth stripes are three times as wide as one of the other stripes. from top to bottom they are: pink, pink-orange, dark pink, white, purple-blue, purple, orange, black, teal, blue, dark purple. a ripple effect has been applied to the flag, so all the colors swirl into each other]

Full size [Here]

[image description: same as above, but with no ripple effect]

Full size [Here]

Designed by: Me

Color meanings: The genderfluid design as a base, but with extra colored stripes to symbolize the ever-changing nature of this gender.

Full pride gallery HERE! FAQ and “dictionary” of genders, orientations, and other related terms HERE. Send any questions to Ask-Pride-Color-Schemes!

[cleaetpauline60]

These are all of my Heroine Otome Game posts. If he misses a heroine please let me know in PM. ;) Thanks ! List #2 here : https://cleaetpauline60.tumblr.com/post/692736430000291840/these-are-all-of-my-heroine-otome-game-posts-if

A-

Abe Kaguya [ Furue Yurayura to ]

Aigasaki Kohana [ Magic Kyun! Renaissance ]

Aika [ RE:VICE[D] ]

Aikawa Chihiro [ Clover Toshokan no Juunin-tachi ]

Aileen Olazabal [ Arabians Lost ]

Airei [ Souten no Kanata ]

Airi [ Kami-sama to Koigokoro ]

Airi [ Shiro to Kuro no Alice ]

Airis Riedel [ Lost Alice ]

Aizaki Koi [ Himehibi -Princess Days- ]

Akagami Mashiro [ Kyoukai no Shirayuki ]

Akane Rin [ Ayakashi Gohan ]

Akazawa Karen [ Mashou Megane ]

Aki Miyazu [ Kanuchi ]

Akino Minori [ Step -Futari no Kankei wa Ippo Zutsu- ]

Akitsu Shino [ Dairoku: Ayakashimori ]

Alice [ Ikemen Kakumei ]

Alice Liddell [ Heart no Kuni no Alice ]

Alicia Hildegarde [ Mahoutsukai to Goshujin-sama ]

Amagi Asumi [ Little Anchor ]

Amahashi Miku [ Garnet Cradle ]

Amami Chitose [ Meshimase Rouman Sabou ]

Amamine Mika [ DesperaDrops ]

Amane Aika [ I DOLL U ]

Amano Hina [ Blackish House ]

Amano Nanao [ Harukanaru Toki no Naka De 7 ]

Amasawa Akari [ Sympathy Kiss ]

Amelia [ Death Connection ]

Anastasia Lynzel [ even if TEMPEST ]

Andou Serika [ Last Escort 2 ]

Anesaki Nozomi [ Watashi no Real wa Juujitsu Shisugiteiru ]

Ange [ Angelique Etoile ]

Ange [ Angelique Luminarise ]

Angelique Collete [ Angelique Special 2 ]

Angelique [ Angelique Retour ]

Angelique [ Neo Angelique ]

Ani Inaco [ Dame x Prince ]

Anna Hiiragi [ Lucian Bee’s ]

Anzaki Kaoru [ Tsumikui ]

Applause E Randolph [ Mistonia no Kibou ]

Aqua [ Fantastic Fortune 2 ]

Arashiyama Mari [ Storm Lover 2nd ]

Aria [ Ephemeral -Miniature Garden- ]

Aria Austin [ Vinculum Hearts ]

Arisu Yurika [ Taishou x Alice ]

Aru [ Princess Arthur ]

Asagi Akira [ Scared Rider Xechs ]

Asagi Haru [ Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku ]

Asagiri Kanna [ Hanaoni ]

Asahina Yui [ Kiniro no Corda Starlight Orchestra ]

Asakura Akino [ Jiritsu Kidou Sensha Izuna ]

Asanaga Miku [ Spiral Memoria ~Watashi to Deau Natsu~ ]

Ashanty Ris [ Albaria no Otome ]

Ashe [ Under the Moon ]

Ashihara Chihiro [ Harukanaru Toki no Naka De 4 ]

Aspashia [ Desert Kingdom ]

Atano Rio [ Dynamic Chord ]

Awaki Kotone [ Gensou Kissa Enchanté ]

Ayase Yuki [ Sachi no Tenbin ]

Ayashi no Miya [ Ayashi no Miya ]

Ayazuki Mei [ Meiji Tokyo Renka ]

Azumi Ritsu [ Tengai ni Mau, Iki na Hana ]

B-

Bambi [ Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 3rd Story ]

C-

Canna [ Arcana Famiglia Collezione! Piccola Amore ]

Cardia Beckford [ Code: Realize ]

Catarina Claes [ Otome Game no Hametsu Flag ]

Cecilia Falias Temirana [ Temirana Koku no Tsuiteru Hime to Tsuitenai Kishi Dan ]

Ceres [ Shuuen no Virche ]

Charlotte [ Zettai Meikyuu Himitsu no Oyayubi-hime ]

Chihiro [ Tokyo Yamanote Boys ]

Chikage [ Genji Koi Emaki ]

Chloe Sheffield [ Princess Britania ]

Chloe [ EPHEMERAL ]

Chocolat Meilleure [ Sugar Sugar Rune: Koi mo Oshare mo Pick-Up! ]

Christina Ranzaad [ The Second Reproduction ]

Christine Daaé [ PersonA ~Opera Za no Kaijin~ ]

Claire Eithéa [ Orfleurs ]

Cocoro [ Re: BIRTHDAY SONG ]

Collete [ Riddle Garden ]

Crim [ Ripple no Tamago ]

Cyrus Tistella [ Steam Prison ]

D-

D'Artagnan [ Musketeer: Le Sang des Chevaliers ]

Daisy [ Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 2nd Kiss ]

Diana el Circled [ Fantastic Fortune ]

E-

Eleanor Vert [ Ai no Uta ]

Elise Scarlet [ 0 Ji no Kane to Cinderella ]

Emily [ Eikoku Tantei Mysteria ]

Emma [ Genso Manège ]

Emma [ Ikemen Ouji ]

Enma Rin [ Tengoku Struggle ]

Eri [ Nameless ~Dangsin-i Gieoghaeya Hal Dan Hangajiui Geos~ ]

Erica Fleur [ Mother Goose no Himitsu no Yakata ]

Erika [ Eldarya ]

Erika Arenia [ Kazeiro Surf ]

Erika Klause [ Tanbi Musou Meine Liebe ]

Evangeline Lilith [ Nero E Rosso ~Kane no Tame ni Kane wa Naru 2 ]

Eve [ Clepsydra ]

Eve [ Yuukyuu no Tierblade ]

Eve [ Yuukyuu no Tierblade ]

Éloïse [ Moonlight Lovers ]

F-

Felicità [ Arcana Famiglia ]

Filia [ Palais de Reine ]

Fiona Galland [ Black Wolves Saga ]

Fraulein Gilbell [ Meine Liebe II ~Hokori to Seigi to Ai~ ]

Fujieda Neri [ Zettai Kaikyuu Gakuen ]

Fujii Kanako [ Torikago no Marriage ]

Fujimori Saya [ Hiiro no Kakera - Shin Tamayorihime Denshou ]

Fujioka Haruhi [ Ouran Koukou Host Club ]

Fujisaki Futaba [ Fortissimo ]

Fujishima Nanako [ Shinobazu Seven ]

Fujishiro Mao [ Cafe Cuillere ]

Fujiwara Mei [ Fantastic Fortune ]

Fujiwara Miki [ Tsuki no Hikari, Taiyou no Kage ]

Fuka [ Ozmafia!! ]

Futaba Chitose [ Seishun Hajimemashita ]

Futaba Yuuka [ Pet Tantei Y’s ]

Futami Nina [ Dynamic Chord ]

Fuyuura Megumi [ Getsuei no Kusari ]

G-

Genjou [ S.Y.K  ]

Gerda [ Snow Bound Land ]

Gojou Saki [ Sakuragatari ]

H-

Hairi Lalique [ Cendrillon palikA ]

Hanamaki Ichiko [ 7′scarlet ]

Hanamiya Kazuha [ Period Cube ]

Hanasaka Airi [ Star's Lover "ReaKoi" Datte, Ii Janai! ]

Hanna Ellington [ Will o’ Wisp ]

Haruhime [ Toukakijin ]

Haruno Sayuri [ Bonjour♪ Koiaji Pâtisserie ]

Hasekura Akane [ Hoshi no Furu Toki ]

Hasumi Yuki [ Harukanaru Toki no Naka De 5 ]

Hatanaka Tomoe [ Money Parasite ]

Hayama Haruho [ Photograph Journey ]

Hayama Tsubasa [ Kaleido-Eve ]

Hayasaka Satsuki [ Sumire no Tsubomi ]

Henrietta Grimm [ Zettai Meikyuu Grimm ]

Heroine [ Amnesia ]

Heroine [ Doubt ~Usotsuki Otoko wa Dare?~ ]

Heroine [ Guang Yu Ye Zhi Lian ]

Heroine [ Ikemen Bakumatsu ◆ Unmei no Koi ]

Heroine [ Ikemen Genjiden ]

Heroine [ Ikemen Oukoku◆Joou to Shinjitsu no Kiss ]

Heroine [ Lian Yu Shen Kong ]

Heroine [ Mystic Messenger ]

Heroine [ Princess Closet ]

Heroine [ RearPheles ]

Heroine [ Ren'ai Banchou 2 ]

Heroine [ Ren'ai Banchou! ]

Heroine [ Saikin Koi Shiteru? ]

Heroine [ Shoujo Kakumei Utena ~Itsuka Kakumeisareru Monogatari~]

Heroine [ Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side 1st Love ]

Heroine [ Tokimeki Restaurant ☆☆☆ ]

Hibiki Ruka [ Houkago no Love Beat ]

Hidetomi Misawo [ Gyakuten Yoshiwara ]

Hiiragi Fuuka [ Kami-sama Nante Yondenai! ]

Hiiragi Miu [ Dynamic Chord ]

Hiiragi Noriko [ KoiGIG ]

Hijiri Futaba [ Bloody Call ]

Himeko [ Kannou Mukashibanashi ]

Himemiya Nagisa [ Royals ~Itoshi no Ouji-sama~ ]

Himemiya Yukari [ Hakarena Heart ]

Himeno Kyouko [ Glass Heart Princess ]

Himeoka Kokoro [ Miss Princess Miss Pri! ]

Hinagiku [ Utakata no Uchronia ]

Hinamori Amu [ Shugo Chara! Mittsu no Tamago to Koisuru Joker ]

Hinata Ema [ Brothers Conflict ]

Hino Kahoko [ Kin'iro no Corda ]

Hinohira Aoi [ Fantastic Fortune 2 ]

Hinokami Chie [ Hitofuta Kitan ]

Horikita Yuki [ Harajuku Tantei Gakuen Steel Wood ]

Hoshino Ichika [ Collar x Malice ]

Hotaru [ Geten no Hana ]

I-

Ichi [ Hana Oboro ]

Ichigo [ Koroshiya to Strawberry ]

Ichijou Shiori [ School Wars ]

Ichikawa Tsuyuha [ Shiratsuyu no Kai ]

Igarashi Yuna [ Storm Lover ]

Ilza [ Yoiyo Mori no Hime ]

Inafune Saki [ Bakudan★Handan ]

Inori [ Side Kicks! ]

Inuzuka Shino [ Satomi Hakkenden ]

Iori Saya [ Asaki, Yumemishi ]

Isshiki Misa [ 9 R.I.P. ]

Ira [ Evergreen Avenue ]

Iris [ Eternal Wish ]

Itou Aki [ Panic Palette ]

Itou Ayako [ Diary ]

Izumi Sakurako [ Reijou Tantei ~Office Love Jikenbo~ ]

Izumi Shio [ Walpurgis no Uta ]

Izumo [ Hyakka Yakou ]

J-

Jed [ Haitaka no Psychedelica ]

Julia [ Moujuu-tachi to Ohime-sama ]

Juliet Capulet [ Romeo vs Juliet ]

K-

Kagurazaka Kaname [ Houkago wa Gin no Shirabe ]

Kaguya [ Jooubachi no Oubou ]

Kamikawa Nanami [ Himehibi -New Princess Days- ]

Kamiki Sakuya [ Kaminaru Kimi to ]

Kan'u [ Jyuzaengi ]

Kanna Isora [ Pandora ~Kimi no Namae o Boku wa Shiru~ ]

Kanno Hotori [ Un: BIRTHDAY SONG ]

Kanome Chisato [ Byakko Tai ]

Kanzaki Asuna [ Rakuen Danshi ~Dare mo Shiranai Mou Hitotsu no Rakuen~ ]

Kanzaki Hina [ Butterfly Lip ]

Kanzaki Mei [ Petit Four ]

Kase Aiha [ Orange♥Honey ~Boku wa Kimi ni Koishiteru~ ]

Kashino Zakuro [ Sweet Clown ]

Kashiwagi Kira [ Mizu no Senritsu 2 ]

Kasuga Hinata [ Hoshi no Oujo: Hikari no Tsubasa ]

Kasuga Miyu [ Pretty Flap ]

Kasuga Nozomi [ Harukanaru Toki no Naka De 3 ]

Kasuga Tamaki [ Hiiro no Kakera ]

Katagiri Kaede [ Shinobi, Koi Utsutsu ]

Katagiri Kanade [ Kuro to Kin no Akanai Kagi ]

Kataoka Yue [ Marginal #4 ]

Katsuki Sayu [ Enkan no Memoria ]

Kawai Marika [ Ohime-sama datte XXX Shitai!! ]

Kawana Hina [ Bad Medicine ]

Kayana Takamahara [ Kanuchi ]

Kayano Yuuna [ Arcobaleno! ]

Kayo [ Ken ga Kimi ]

Keika [ Kimi ga Tame, Koishi Midareshi Tsuki no Hana ]

Kidou Saya [ Sengoku Himeuta ]

Kim Heejung [ Dandelion ~Neoege Buneun Baram~ ]

Kinami Mizuki [ Kannagi no Mori ]

Kinoshita Tomoe [ Sangoku Rensenki Sakigake ]

Kirihara Tamami [ Hanayoi Romanesque ]

Kirisawa Yuna [ Tensei Hakkenshi Fuumaroku ]

Kirishima Kozue [ Urakata Hakuouki ]

Kirishima Maya [ Ouma no Mori ]

Kirishita Konoha [ Dynamic Chord ]

Kisakino Emi [ Himehibi Another Princess Days ]

Kitamori Manami [ Vitamin Z ]

Kiyoha [ Gyakuten Yoshiwara ~Ougiya Hen~ ]

Kobayashi Mariko [ Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden Gaiden: Kagami no Miko ]

Koharu [ NORN9 ]

Kohinata Kanade [ Kin'iro no Corda 3 ]

Kohinata Tsugumi [ Tennis no Ouji-sama Dokidoki Survival Series ]

Koihana Sora [ Koi no Hanasaku Hyakkaen ]

Koizumi Akane [ Gakuen Club ]

Koizumi Saki [ Jingi Naki Otome ]

Kojou Shio [ D.C. Girl’s Symphony ]

Kokura An [ Otome Ken Musashi ]

Komori Yui [ Diabolik Lovers ]

Konohana Saya [ Gakuen K ]

Kouda Saya [ Custom Drive ]

Kousaka Amane [ Teikoku Kaleido ]

Kozuki Erena [ Chouchou Jiken Rhapsodic ]

Kuga Mikoto [ NORN9 ]

Kurihara Airi [ Hoshizora no Comic Garden ]

Kurihara Misako [ Purelover Flavor ]

Kuromon Sumi [ Shinigami Kagyou ]

Kuronuma Sawako [ Kimi ni Todoke ~Sodateru Omoi~ ]

Kurou Nadeshiko [ Clock Zero ]

Kurumi Haruka [ Moshi, Kono Sekai ni Kami-sama ga Iru to suru Naraba ]

Kusanagi Yui [ Kamigami no Asobi ]

Kuze Tsugumi [ Nil Admirari no Tenbin ]

[snapedomanonymous]

Snapril Fools Day:

March 30th: I. Medieval AU

A proof of loyalty

The sun was burning down on the small riding party as they made their way up the hilly road. Once they reached the top the party came to a halt. Severus raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. They had spent the last three nights riding to the court of the King. After twenty years of civil war, following the death of King James, the realm had been finally reunited under the true heir to the throne, Harry I. of House Potter. The new king had called for all of the Lords of the Realm to come to the capital and bend the knee to him. Therefore Severus had come as the representative of House Prince to do as his King commanded. But as he travelled the Kingsroad he found himself ridden with doubts. What if he was walking right into a trap? After all he and his family hadn’t been loyal to the King from the start. What if the King sought revenge for Severus‘ betrayal of Queen Lily?

"Mylord? Shall we continue?" the words of his squire ripped Severus from his down spiralling.

"Yes. Tell the men we‘re walking on." And with that the troop of riders continued on their journey.

They rode for many hours more until they were met with the sight of Hogwarts castle, seat of the royal family. It was a large build with sevaral large towers and turrets reaching into the sky above. Flags presenting the royal sigil, a golden stag on scarlet ground, were flowing from the tips of each of them. Severus slowed his horse as they rode over the drawbridge that led into one of the castle’s many courtyards. Severus had last been here when he attended the royal academy over twenty years ago.

Inside the castle he was shown to the guest wing where he was able to clean himself up before his audience with the King. He also changed himself from his travelling cloak into a clean, black doublet that sported his family crest, a crowned silver serpent with emerald eyes. The throne room was a large hall with a high, enchanted ceiling that portrayed a starry night sky. The windows were made out of stained glass portraying the sigils of all the noble and ancient families of the realm. At the end of the hall stood a large golden throne on which sat the new King. Before Severus arrived in the capital he had heard many tales of the orphan turned ruler. Most people believed him to be the spitting image of his father save for his green eyes. As Severus looked upon the King he found those tales to be wrong. While Harry had indeed inherited his fathers physical appearance he lacked the air of joy and mischief that had always surrounded his father. Instead he wore a look of seriousness and sadness that made him appear far older than his twenty one years. One of the heralds announced him as he approached the throne and Severus bowed down on the spot.

"Rise." The King said coldly.

Severus rose and took a look at the people present at court. He didn’t recognise any of them. From reports Severus knew that the King‘s godfather, Lord Sirius Black, had been killed in battle as well as Sir Remus Lupin the long time mentor of King Harry. Most other people Severus knew from his time at the Academy were either dead, imprisoned or had fled the country. On the left side of King Harry sat a tall young man with ginger hair and many freckles, on the left sat a young woman with the same ginger hair, Severus assumed these two to be Ronald Weasley and Ginevra Weasley. The former was the Kings Hand and the latter his Betrothed. Another person next to Ginevra Weasley caught Severus‘ eye. There stood a beautiful young woman with brown hair and brown eyes who was dressed in a scarlet dress. The king rose making Severus‘ attention turn back to him.

"Lord Prince I‘m glad you arrived. Please do follow me."

And with that the King led him out the throne room and into the royal gardens. "Lord Snape as already proclaimed I am glad you travelled to court and bend the knee. I have to admit I wasn’t sure wether you’d come. You did betray my mother after all." The King said while he eyed Severus carefully.

"Your Grace I assure you, that you have my loyalty and that of my house and its vassals."

"And I would love to believe your word, Lord Snape, but I cannot put the well being of my people in danger. It is because of that that I have decided to make you prove your loyalty."

"And how exactly am I to do that, your Grace?"

"Simple, Lord Snape. You remember the young woman next to Lady Ginevra? Her name is Lady Hermione Dagworth-Granger and she is one of my most loyal subjects. You will be wed to her."

To be continued?

Okay so I wrote this for the snaprilfoolsday celebrations. To be fair this was largely inspired by my recently reinvoked love for A Song of Ice and Fire. As well as the Snamione fic "Knighthood" by the lovely Ciule on AO3. I'm also pretty sure that I'm gonna make this into a larger fanfic. (I really want to write a tourney scene)

@snaprilfools

[avengerscompound]

Canvas

Canvas: A Captain America Fanfic

Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing:  Steve Rogers x F!Reader

Word Count:  1844

Warnings:  smut (vaginal sex, messy sex,)

Synopsis:  Steve has been painting you for a while.  In a lot of ways you’ve been his must.  This time, he has decided to use a whole different canvas to practice his art on.

Canvas

The brush was soft and tickled your skin.  Paired with the cool, wet paint, it set off a ripple of goosebumps in its wake.

Steve was an artist.  You hadn’t known that when you’d first started seeing each other.  The serious and stoic Steve Rogers who had devoted his life to protect the world as Captain America didn’t seem to be the soft artistic type.

He had surprised you though.  First with the fact he wasn’t as serious as he made himself seem when he was in uniform.  He was funny and snarky, and he cared deeply about people.

And he liked to paint.

You’d first discovered his artistic side when you’d woken up to find him sitting on the end of the bed sketching a picture of you sleeping.  There was a way about Steve - an open vulnerability - that meant he could get away with doing things like watching you sleep that didn’t feel creepy.  There was something romantic about the way that he wanted to capture the moment.  Not with a camera to show how it was, but with a pencil to show how it made him feel.

Since that day he’d gotten more and more into his art when he was around you.  Your place and his became littered with sketches and drawings, mostly of you, but sometimes just of things that made him feel real.  Not the symbol of America, but a real man who wanted a quiet life with someone he loved.

When the painting started, you would sit for him.  You were his muse and when you would sit for him, you’d find yourself holding all kinds of unlikely positions, in a variety of different states of undress.

It was a strange feeling being his life model.  Sexy.  Uncomfortable.  Flattering.  Safe.  The best part was seeing the finished product.  It was like getting to see yourself through the eyes of the person who loved you most and there was nothing more intimate than that.

Today Steve was interested in a different canvas.

You stood naked in his home office, a drop cloth below you to capture any stray drops of paint.  Steve had his shirt off too, and there were already a few smears of paint on his perfectly sculpted chest.  There was something sexy about the look.  Like the mess made him seem raw and unbridled in a way Steve rarely was outside of sex and battle.

The brush moved down and around the curve of our breast in a long sweeping motion.  You shivered as the cool of the paint sent a tingle up your spine.  Your nipples hardened and you weren’t sure if that was only because of the cold.  Steve’s eyes drifted from the line of his paint to your breasts and his cheeks turned slightly pink.  “Is it very cold?”  He asked.

“It’s cold, but I’m not sure that’s the whole problem,” you coyly answered.

The blush deepened in Steve’s cheeks and his tongue glided over his plump bottom lip.  “Mm… for me too,” he said and leaned down, pressing his mouth to your breast.  Your nipple fit perfectly between his soft lips, and as his tongue swirled over it, you let out a sharp breath.

“Steve…” you sighed, your hand going to his shoulder to steady yourself.  He sucked on your tender flesh, his tongue curling around your hardened nipple, and as he pulled back, his teeth grazed over it, making a buzz spiral out under your skin.

He returned his attention to his art, leaving you trembling slightly from the brief interlude.  You blinked and shook your head as you tried to focus on the art, rather than the heat building between your legs.

You watched as he added some black to the blue he was painting on your skin, darkening the shade as he filled in the color under your stomach.  “What are you painting?”  You asked.

“You’re just going to have to wait and see,” he said.

“It’s not a flag, is it?”  You asked.  “I don’t want you to paint me to look like a flag.”

Steve laughed softly and shook his head.  “No.  It’s not a flag.”

He dipped his thumb into the purple on his pallet and ran it down between the two shades of blue on your stomach.  It tickled and you squirmed away from him a little.

“I need you to try and stay still, sweetheart,” Steve said.

“You try it when someone’s doing this to you,” you teased, and poked him in the abs.  He jumped away with a laugh.

“That’s cheating,” he said, grabbing your wrist.

You giggled and he kissed your hand before letting your wrist go again.  His fingerprints remained on your skin.  Blue spots to mark where he’d held you.  You studied them as he returned to painting.  Admiring the way they marked how easily his large hands wrapped around your wrists.

You took one of Steve’s spare brushes and dipped it into the red paint.

“What are you doing?”  Steve asked, raising his eyebrow though he didn’t look away from his work.

“Thought I’d do a little bit of body painting too,” you said and pressed your red palm against his chest.  When your hand left his body, the perfect impression of your hand was left in scarlet against his pale milk skin.

Steve’s lips quirked at the side and he shook his head.  “Very pretty,” he said.  “Shall I give you one?”

“Won’t it mess up your design?”  You asked.

“I can paint over it,” he said as he began painting his palm with purple paint.  “Where should I put this?”  He teased, waving it in front of you.

You squealed but your body seemed to curve toward him like it was aching for his touch.  He hovered his hand over your breast.  “Here?”  he whispered and watched as you shivered slightly, pushing your chest out toward him.  He licked his lips and moved his hand up to your neck.  “Maybe here?”

You swallowed thickly.  “Please?”

He moved his hand down around your waist and smacked it down on your ass.  It was firm and made a sharp crack as his skin met yours, but it wasn’t painful.  You gasped and he dragged your forward, his fingers digging into your ass.  “Here?”  He said, bringing his lips to yours.

You kissed him hungrily, his other arm curling around your waist.  You moaned into his lips and pressed your body against him.  You could picture the mark on your ass.  His large palm staining your skin purple.  His hands slid around your waist, smearing the paint as he moved them, leaving a wet trail up to your ribs.  His fingers tightened and he pushed you back against the wall.  You submitted to him, melting under his touch.  His hands gripped your chest just under your breasts and he dragged them up, breaking the kiss so he could lean down and suck your breasts.  You let your head fall back against the wall and wrapped a leg around him, pulling your bare cunt against his clothed crotch.  His cock was hard and strained against the thick fabric of his khakis.  You cunt smeared your fluids on his jeans as the friction drew them from you, sending a hot tingle spiraling out through you.

He sucked and bit at your breasts like a hungry man.  Dutifully moving from one to the other and back again, sending a dull ache down to your core.

“Steve,” you moaned.  “I need you.”

He groaned and spun you guiding you back to the tarp and knocking his paints to the floor so they splattered over the drop cloth.  He lay you down, ignoring the paint as it pooled around your body.  You put your hands in the wet mess and watched as he hurriedly unfastened his pants.  As he positioned himself above you, you spread your legs wide and wrapped your arms around him, welcoming him in and marking him as your own.

He was kissing you again, hard and passionately.  You matched him, bringing your tongue to meet his and swirling it around.  He lined himself up and with a hard thrust, he was inside you.  You gasped arching up into him as an eclectic pulse passed through your body.  He didn’t wait for you to adjust, he just began thrusting into you again and again.  The head of his cock hitting your cervix and sending sharp jolts through you again and again.

You cried out and bunched your hands in his hair.  The paint on your hands clung to the strands, sticking them together and making them stick up in clumps.  You could feel your climax building, and you nudged him.  He took the hint flipping you over.

The paint you’d been lying in dripped down your back onto his thighs.  He smeared his hands through it and then used it to finger paint on your body as you rode him.  You started slowly, swirling your hips like you were doing a seated dance, his cock moving inside you and pressing against your walls.  You began to move faster, bouncing on his cock.  Steve groaned as he watched you, his hands caressing his body.  Faster and faster you moved, up and down, up and down.  Sweat mixed with the paint as you chased your orgasm.  Steve began to snap his hips up into you, your bodies slapping together each time you connected.

He pushed you back, first so you were seated face to face, you sitting in his lap, and then pushing you back on the floor again.  He pushed your legs up so they were pressed against your chest.  His cock penetrated you so deeply you thought it was going to split you in two.  You cried out and your orgasm hit, shuddering through you and making all your muscles seize up.  Steve kept thrusting, fucking you through it, and as he reached his own climax, he pulled out pumping his cock in his fist and releasing, spattering your stomach and chest with thick white ropes that stood out against the rainbow of paint.

You lay back panting as you came down from your orgasm high and Steve lay down beside you.  “God, you’re beautiful,” he sighed.

“We ruined your art,” you said, looking down at yourself.

“I think we made it better,” he said.  “I know I’m going to remember you like this for a long time.  My gorgeous artwork.”

He brought his lips to yours and kissed you deeply and tenderly.  You closed your eyes and hummed, relaxing into it.  When he pulled back he smiled at you.  “We really should go shower.”

You giggled and Steve helped you to stand.  He looked down at the drop sheet below him and smiled.  “I think I might frame that,” he said.

You looked down at the colors.  They swirled together, but you could see everywhere the two of you had touched.  You liked the idea of hanging it in the apartment.  A permanent reminder of what you and Steve had.

[tabletoptrinketsbyjj]

Trinkets, 38: Interesting baubles, semi magical objects and items touched by mystery.

A worn mercenary banner consisting of one rusty old spearhead atop a long wooden shaft. Five feet down from the head there rests a cross-piece four feet long tied to the shaft. From that hangs flag itself; A field of scarlet with nine hanged men in black and six yellow daggers in the upper left and lower right quadrants, respectively, while the upper right quadrant features a shattered skull and the lower left boasts a bird of prey astride a severed head. Knowledgeable PC’s will recognize it as the Standard of the Black Company a free mercenary company who can trace their history back hundreds of years through their well-documented archives.

A corrupted magic charm made of the skull a human who died in terror and with regrets. The bone is wrapped with dried kelp and algae, and the skull’s forehead and dome is inscribed with strange sigils made from flower pigments. The entire bonecharm hums with power, creating a faint but distinctive ‘song’ that the spiritually perceptive can hear.

A scroll covered with depictions of constellations.

A shattered mask, once belonging to an ecclesiastic of the occult. Though broken this mask still retains a trace of its original purpose. It hums with faint whispers when worn. They demand an offering.

A one gallon cask of Brewer's Pudding, an alcoholic “drink” so thick that the bartender needs to cut it like a loaf of bread to serve it. Bartenders typically put it in a bowl with lager poured over top, which slowly changes the "drink's" consistency similar to that of pudding. More squalid taverns sometimes serve it between slices of bread as a sandwich.

A gnarled pipe smells strongly of cinnamon and fish, disturbing your digestion. Its bowl has constellations etched around it.

A small, ragged figure crafted from human bone and hair, posed as though shading its eyes to see a long distance.

A charm bracelet of silver chain with five shield-shaped charms. The shields have various religious icons for luck. It's covered in dried blood on it, suggesting the previous owner wasn't that lucky.

A shifting monochromatic geometric, glass prism.

An ironwood skeleton key inlaid with spiraling lines of silvery mithril, and etched with flowing Sylvan script that reads “May this world know some measure of my skill as I depart to the next.”

—Keep reading for 90 more trinkets.

—Note: The previous 10 items are repeated for easier rolling on a d100.

A worn mercenary banner consisting of one rusty old spearhead atop a long wooden shaft. Five feet down from the head there rests a cross-piece four feet long tied to the shaft. From that hangs flag itself; A field of scarlet with nine hanged men in black and six yellow daggers in the upper left and lower right quadrants, respectively, while the upper right quadrant features a shattered skull and the lower left boasts a bird of prey astride a severed head. Knowledgeable PC’s will recognize it as the Standard of the Black Company a free mercenary company who can trace their history back hundreds of years through their well-documented archives.

A corrupted magic charm made of the skull a human who died in terror and with regrets. The bone is wrapped with dried kelp and algae, and the skull’s forehead and dome is inscribed with strange sigils made from flower pigments. The entire bonecharm hums with power, creating a faint but distinctive ‘song’ that the spiritually perceptive can hear.

A scroll covered with depictions of constellations.

A shattered mask, once belonging to an ecclesiastic of the occult. Though broken this mask still retains a trace of its original purpose. It hums with faint whispers when worn. They demand an offering.

A one gallon cask of Brewer's Pudding, an alcoholic “drink” so thick that the bartender needs to cut it like a loaf of bread to serve it. Bartenders typically put it in a bowl with lager poured over top, which slowly changes the "drink's" consistency similar to that of pudding. More squalid taverns sometimes serve it between slices of bread as a sandwich.

A gnarled pipe smells strongly of cinnamon and fish, disturbing your digestion. Its bowl has constellations etched around it.

A small, ragged figure crafted from human bone and hair, posed as though shading its eyes to see a long distance.

A charm bracelet of silver chain with five shield-shaped charms. The shields have various religious icons for luck. It's covered in dried blood on it, suggesting the previous owner wasn't that lucky.

A shifting monochromatic geometric, glass prism.

An ironwood skeleton key inlaid with spiraling lines of silvery mithril, and etched with flowing Sylvan script that reads “May this world know some measure of my skill as I depart to the next.”

A smoking pipe made with a stem of gnarled wood and a deep bowl made of yellowed bone. The bowl has mystical lettering and runes carved into it.

A porcelain teapot inscribed with ancient symbols. A blue snake-like dragon coils around the pot, its body forming the handle and its mouth forming the spout.

A psaltery made from the darkest ebony wood. Its back is slightly curved with an indentation in the base so that it sits nicely on the player's lap. Inlayed in its face is a twisted branch covered in beautiful cherry blossoms. As the instrument is played the blossoms seem to fall away to reveal that the branch is not a branch at all but the bony hand of a skeleton.

An ornate lacquered box containing a set of spoons, thirteen in number. Each is topped with a tiny figure that represents one of the Immortal Heroes of an eastern cult that is thought to be extinct. In that cult, the spoons are considered a valuable prize that proves the courage and skill of its members. The set would be decently valuable to a collector or otherwise interested buyer.

An alabaster vase that has bas-relief figures of goddesses in skimpy clothing in provocative poses. Knowledgeable PC’s can identify the goddesses are in fact the handmaidens of the Martyr Prophet and even to depict them clothed is a right arrogated to the Prophet’s priesthood. The vase itself would be counted a blasphemy by the Prophet’s followers.

An oil lamp no larger than two cupped hands that’s both delicate and fearful. Unlike more common lamps of brass or even common earthenware, the lamp is forged of hair-thin and glittering black iron, cool to the touch. It bears a single looped handle, and is covered in finely rendered etchings of arabesques and stylized wings.  

A number of sealed oval tins containing fillets of true monkfish in brine. The fish’s bland pale flesh travels very well and is an imperishable as a saint’s, hence its name. The fillets are filling an nourishing and there are enough tins to equate to 2d4+1 days’ worth of trail rations.

A large, cracked, spiral horn of some great beast, bound in silver and caked in blood. When blown, hot winds and swirling sands erupt from the mouth. All who hear the horn’s call are urged to fight with the unrelenting fury of desert storm.

A cerulean-blue semi-solid stone that is nearly translucent, and shines with an internal blue light.

An onyx hair pin topped with a golden sphere accented by ivory flowers. It's covered in dust and the sphere is a bit oxidized, but with some proper cleaning it might be a suitable gift for the daughter of a noble.

A black-green beeswax candle decorated with carvings of birds. The wick seems to be made out of gold threads. It faintly smells of ash and seawater.

A constantly-shifting jigsaw puzzle made of of muscle and viscera.

A dull green glass bottle, filled with transparent oil that rolls about like the sea's tides. Its label, written in Undercommon, reads "Immortality." It is sealed with a deep black cork, and if opened reeks of skunk spray.

A small stone that ticks evenly like a finely wound clock. Everyone who hears the stone becomes convinced that the stone must remain locked away or something very bad will happen.

A commemorative porcelain plate of the last royal wedding.

A jigsaw puzzle consisting of occult symbols that when fully completed opens a portal to that which the user desires most in the world. There are three pieces missing.

A black robe covered in tattered and worn crow feathers, almost giving the illusion of wings when the arms are raised.

A flexible skin tight, black-silk mask that covers the bearer’s face with just a slit exposing the eyes and perforations at the nose and mouth.

A wide iron-studded dog collar.

A sealed one gallon cask filled with a smoky, spicy spirit akin to weaker tequila. This aperitif is made from a flowering cactus found deep in the deserts heart. When drunk, it causes memories to flow more freely to the drinker's minds forefront, often sparking intense feelings of nostalgia or regret. If overindulged, it could even dislodged repressed memories, forgotten dreams, and other things forgotten (deliberately or otherwise).

A gilded wineglass fashioned from a human skull and set with lapis lazuli.

A set of seven humanoid shaped obsidian pendants.

A dark green egg-shaped stone has been worn away on one side to reveal a rough, vivid purple interior. Knowledgeable PC's can identify the mineral as a geode.

A metal mask resembling a deformed man with a protruding tongue, often worn by wrong-doers before they are paraded through the streets as punishment.

The "alchemical" recipe and blueprint for a "Big Mama", a strange series of nested barrels filled with gunpowder and nails and designed to detonate from a fuse.

A bloodstained scrap of parchment with a list of several names, including a couple of the PC’s. All but one of the non-PC names are crossed out.

A small silver bracelet fashioned in the style of a serpent with two small cyan-colored stones for eyes.

A beautiful, multicolored glass sculpture that seems to take different shapes depending on the angle it is viewed from. From one angle, a mother and child, from another a proud warrior, all in vibrant color and exquisite detail. There are eight distinct scenes visible, one from each cardinal direction.

A delicate tea set made of beautifully shaped glass. Each cup has been blown to look like a pair of child-sized hands clasped together, and the tea pot itself has the appearance of a cloaked human female kneeling in offering. Her hands reaching outwards act as the spout for the pot, and her pulled back hood acts as the lid. No liquid ever flows out of the teapot unless one of the cups in the set is directly beneath the spout.

A medium sized hourglass fashioned from dark walnut and brass. Inside, the sands shine in a variety of iridescent colors. There is a slight tinkling sound as they fall, almost like the sound of a music box, carried on the wind.

An exquisite scrimshaw design of dueling dragons made from a harpy claw.

A scepter made with scorched wood, that has an orb of solid, coagulated blood on it's edge.

A floating spherical chess board that when opened, reveals intricately crafted pieces inside it. The pieces magically adhere to the sphere as it floats, and allows you to play without the chessmen falling off.

A small, golden chime, tied with a red ribbon around the handle, that rings softly of its own accord with a bittersweet melody. It makes those who hear it think of sunlight on a coastline that they've never seen, holding the hand of someone they’ve never known.

A battered tin kettle, slightly warm to the touch. Any liquid placed into the kettle will become something almost, but not quite, exactly nothing like tea.

A pair of goggles that allow the bearer to see from the point of view of a random reef fish in some far off sea.

A black and purple scale of some enormous horror of the far realm.

A thick piece of leather on which was branded a prayer of contrition. It says that it is not enough to ask for absolution, penitence must be forced upon the impure. Some sins can only be forgiven with consecrated flame.

A stoppered, green glass bottle wrapped in grimy stained leather and cord. It is filled with an inferior moonshine containing alcohol distilled in the worst possible conditions. The liquor tastes worse than it looks, but provides a small degree of resistance to the horrors of daily life

A rather intricately filigreed belt buckle featuring a stylistic rendering of a heroic figure standing in defiance of a formless darkness looming above it.

A wine bottle sealed with wax containing a rolled vellum scroll.

A burlap pouch containing a handful of wooden tokens marked with a skull and crossbones on one side and "One Grog" on the other.

A jade carving of a flying fish, inexpertly done and with poor detailing.

An invitation to a charity ball rewarded for substantial devotion and contribution to community and individual well being.

A royal decree ordering all land-holding families to send one armed soldier to an official army muster. Any family that fails to respond is in danger of having their ancestral land titles revoked.

A leather plague doctor's mask with silver frames and buckles.

A copper-plated tin badge of a winged heart.

A wooden flute made of red wood with etchings of leaves around part of its base

An oddly shaped curved wand with elven writing carved within. When held at nighttime it helps its owner sleep peacefully to the sounds of nature.

A large wooden chest with many unique pelts, wrapped one inside the other. In the center a small jade figurine of a humanoid with a fish-like face. It is extremely cold to the touch.

A fancy gold coin with two crowns on both faces. It is literally embedded in a small cube of clearest crystal.

A bright red square tablet of unknown material about three inches to a side with a metal plate that slides to open a tiny window through the tablet that reveals a sheet of black material within. It is lighter than stone, metal, or wood and bears no markings other than a rectangle of gummy residue on one side and a small circular metal coin on the reverse.

A rose quartz paperweight shaped like a crushing fist.

A toy horse carved from bone.

A letter with the following written inside "We only need 300 more gold until we can bring her back and live peacefully once again as a family."

An ivory spoon with teardrop handle.

A miniature portrait of a young chestnut-haired beauty set in a silver frame. She appears to be set against the skyline of a metropolitan city on a sea, as though the portrait was painted from a tall building or hillside.

A tin box decorated with an embossing of a ship in a bottle, containing precision woodworking and knot tying tools with telescoping handles.

A fist sized ball of melted copper coins.

A bronze statuette of a chariot, with horses and charioteer.

A child’s painting framed beautifully. The art itself is fairly lacking but the frame is worth a decent amount, even more to someone who appreciates the juxtaposition of incredibly classy and messy.

A silken caul hair net decorated with small semiprecious stones.

An ebon walking stick with a monogrammed silver handle.

A bone pipe carved with intricate crimson sigils; its smoke appears as writhing shades of the damned.

A scrap of dirty parchment bearing a list of names, some of them crossed off. Investigation reveals all of the names on the list are dead people, mostly buried in the Gilded Graveyard. Those who have been crossed off have recently have their graves’ plundered, their bodies stolen. Further investigation still reveals that these were all jurors in the trial of Isabella Rasping, a necromancer convicted of using a zombies as murder weapons during the infamous “Meatpuppet Murders” two centuries ago. She was executed for the crime by her own creations. Isabella has returned as a revenant with unfinished business; she maintains her innocence and believes she can now prove it, and so is gathering the previous jurors for a kind of “retrial."

A ceramic dining plate edged with copper.

A bandolier from which hang a half dozen small securely stoppered flasks. Each is filled with a noxious substance, preserved at the height of its foulness: Human diarrhea, spoiled milk, vomit, cat urine, skunk stink glands and rotting fish. The flasks are flimsy and designed to break apart when they hit something solid and each stopper has a small eye-hook screwed into the cork. They can be thrown, shot from a sling or flask launcher (A modified light crossbow) or a length of twine has be tied to the eye-hook, creating a tripwire trap.

A brass bust of a famed scholar and medic.

An anklet of braided gold and silver worked with small carnelians.

A set of bagpipes made from the skin of a displacer beast, with the drones and chanter carved from its bones.

An antiquated torture device designed for mutilating hands and fingers.

A leather eyepatch with a turquoise stone surrounded by white agate resembling a crude eye.

A stuffed cockatrice clutching a sculpted marble hand in one talon.

An egg, roughly the size of a goose egg but navy blue with mottled flecks of gold leaf, mounted on a round wooden base with a tiny placard that reads "Imaskari Sun Hawk". When touched, the golden flecks on the egg gently glow that grows brighter and softer in time with the heartbeat of the one touching it and there is the sensation of rustling movement from within.

A fragment of a painting torn from a larger canvas depicting an unfamiliar princess.

A family portrait of an infamous noble house whose eyes seem to follow onlookers.

A pale gourd with ornate glyphs painted in black around the cork at its apex and twine braided about it. Try as one might, nobody has ever been able to open the stopper. A thin metallic clinking can be heard when the gourd is shaken.

A delicate pink flower, carefully preserved with magic and will not wilt or break yet preserves its natural beauty.

An old withered hand, no more than skin drawn taut across bones, and tarnished rings hanging loosely from the fingers. The bearer can rattle the rings on the hand which causes the smell of lilies to fills the air around him.

A small metal top seems like an everyday child’s toy except for the skull engraved into a button in the middle.

A sturdy wooden travel case containing a popular board game known as Roundels. It has similar elements to chess but is played on a circular board with a stylized keep. The game is abstract and is supposed to loosely simulate a siege. There is an attacking player and a defending player and each side has some unique pieces in addition to their common pieces. The etiquette of playing Roundels requires players to participate in two games, one as the attacker and the other as defender.

A horse femur that is as light as a feather.

An old yellowed skull that in spite of its lack of eyeballs, seems to be constantly eyeing the bearer.

A length of ivory shaped like a bone, covered in small onyx spiders that look all too real. The arcane rod can be used as an magical focus and is a grisly sight to behold.

A burlap bag large enough to hold a coconut. It is smooth to the touch and found in the color purple with a golden strap.

An arcane wand that is rough to hold and twists like a wild vine.

A translucent green stone the size of a fat grape. The item is sea glass, a fragment of a bottle that washed around the world and back, until it had no sharp edges.

A satyr statuette which increases the libido of everyone within line of sight of it.

A bewitched letter which appears to be addressed to whoever is currently holding it, describing their features and personality in adoring terms.

A small crystal which, when peered through, appears to show alternate universes. Actually a fragment of a much larger crystal, part of a complex device deep in the Old City.

[elgaberino-mcoc]

MCOC Wishlist Poll Snapshot: Entire Rankings

001 Mystique 002 Quicksilver 003 Beta Ray Bill 004 Sandman 005 Adam Warlock 006 Kitty Pryde 007 Lizard 008 Morbius the Living Vampire 009 Kraven the Hunter 010 Cloak & Dagger 011 Spider-Man 2099 012 Black Cat 013 Bullseye 014 Jessica Jones 015 Ares 016 Shang-Chi 017 Gladiator (Kallark) 018 Baron Zemo 019 Lady Deathstrike 020 Enchantress 021 Valkyrie MCU 022 Knull 023 Morgan le Fay 024 Scorpion 025 Captain Britain 026 Galactus 027 Dazzler 028 Silver Samurai 029 Black Knight 030 Dracula 031 Hobgoblin 032 Pyro 033 Fantomex 034 Spider-Woman 035 Jean Grey 90s 036 Silk 037 Polaris 038 Silver Sable 039 Sif 040 Anti-Venom 041 Mister Negative 042 Crystal 043 Legion 044 Shocker 045 Malekith the Accursed 046 Destroyer Armor 047 M'baku the Man-Ape 048 The Mandarin 049 Emplate 050 Multiple-Man 051 Shuri 052 Banshee 053 Onslaught 054 Warpath 055 Sunfire 056 Cannonball 057 Dark Phoenix 058 Blue Marvel 059 Prowler (Aaron Davis) 060 Okoye 061 Mockingbird 062 Spiral 063 Madame Hydra / Viper 064 Hydro-Man 065 Red She-Hulk 066 Agent Anti-Venom 067 Blackheart 068 Gorr the God-Butcher 069 Songbird 070 Quasar 071 Absorbing Man 072 Whiplash 073 Armor 074 Daimon Hellstrom 075 Wendigo 076 Nimrod 077 Graviton 078 Gwenom 079 Deathlok 080 Firestar 081 Vulcan 082 Wonder Man 083 Selene 084 Blob 085 Klaw 086 Rachel Summers 087 Thor (MCU Stormbreaker) 088 Shadow King 089 White Tiger 090 Tombstone 091 Jack O'Lantern 092 Valkyrie Classic 093 Toad 094 Moonstone 095 Weapon H 096 Jocasta 097 Dani Moonstar 098 Monica Rambeau 099 Wolfsbane 100 Franklin Richards 101 Ancient One 102 Arnim Zola 103 Exodus 104 Forge 105 Supergiant 106 Madelyne Pryor 107 Hank Pym 108 Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) 109 Negasonic Teenage Warhead 110 Spider-Man Noir 111 Phantom Rider 112 Blink 113 Sebastian Shaw 114 Clea 115 Black Tom Cassidy 116 Kurse 117 Danger 118 Daken 119 Omega Sentinel 120 Grim Reaper 121 Radioactive Man 122 Shatterstar 123 Darkstar 124 Werewolf by Night 125 Hope Summers 126 The Magus 127 Union Jack 128 Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) 129 Crimson Dynamo 130 Pixie 131 Conan 132 Scarlet Spider (Ben Reilly) 133 Azazel 134 Jigsaw 135 Boom-Boom 136 Swarm 137 Xorn 138 Machine Man 139 Black Widow (Yelena Belova) 140 Madame Masque 141 Misty Knight 142 Chamber 143 Mistress Death 144 Skaar 145 Morlun 146 Thanos (Endgame) 147 Leader 148 Sleepwalker 149 Deacon Frost 150 Black Swan 151 Agent 13 (Sharon Carter) 152 Fin Fang Foom 153 Ka-Zar 154 Arcade 155 Iron Spider 156 Dust 157 Gorgon 158 Lash 159 Namora 160 A-Bomb (Rick Jones) 161 Ikaris 162 Nick Fury (Classic) 163 Rescue 164 Nico Minoru 165 Volstagg 166 Weapon Hex 167 Stingray 168 Maximus the Mad 169 Cyttorak 170 Skurge the Executioner 171 Doc Samson 172 Maverick / Agent Zero 173 Sauron 174 Baron Blood 175 Captain America Falcon 176 Wong 177 Mantis 178 Whirlwind 179 Firelord 180 Magma 181 Molecule Man 182 White Fox 183 Nova (Sam Alexander) 184 Satana 185 Dum Dum Dugan (LMD) 186 Holocaust 187 Shiklah 188 Valkyrie Moonstar 189 High Evolutionary 190 Bloodaxe 191 Magus (Technarch) 192 Nighthawk 193 Punisher: War Machine 194 Goliath (Bill Foster) 195 Nova (Frankie Raye) 196 Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) 197 Dr. Cecilia Reyes 198 Sentinel X (Shogo Lee) 199 Thena 200 Hellcat 201 Cosmic Spider-Man 202 Attuma 203 Shroud 204 Doctor Nemesis 205 Siryn 206 Nate Grey 207 Iron Monger 208 Black Mamba 209 Agent Carter 210 Kluh 211 Tiger Shark 212 Purple Man 213 Snowbird 214 Ice-Thing 215 Lilandra 216 Superior Spider-Man 217 Thane 218 Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur 219 Jackal 220 Jean Grey (X-Men Red) 221 Punisher: Frankencastle 222 Puck 223 Rockslide 224 Red Ghost and his Super-Apes 225 Deathbird 226 Hydra Supreme 227 Strong Guy 228 Zarda the Power Princess 229 Sage 230 Quentin Quire (aka Kid Omega) 231 Prowler (Hobie Brown) 232 Slapstick 233 Stardust (Lambda Zero) 234 Titanium Man 235 D'spayre 236 Colleen Wing 237 Thunderbird (John Proudstar) 238 Iron Maiden 239 Gorilla-Man (Kenneth Hale) 240 Jack of Hearts 241 Titania 242 Avalanche 243 Toxic Doxie 244 Death’s Head 245 Impossible Man 246 Worthy Captain America (Mjölnir/Endgame) 247 Outlaw (Higgins) 248 Scarlet Spider II (Kaine Parker) 249 Beetle 250 Typhoid Mary 251 Bloodscream 252 Serpent (Cul Borson) 253 Ms. America Chavez 254 Ghost Rider (Reyes) 255 Hummingbird 256 Mercury 257 M (Monet St. Croix) 258 Black Tarantula 259 Spitfire 260 Wizard 261 Superior Octopus 262 Maria Hill 263 Minotaur (Dario Agger) 264 Echo 265 Morph 266 Karolina Dean 267 Zarathos 268 Thundra 269 Smasher (Kane) 270 Hyperstorm 271 Boomerang 272 Stature (Cassie Lang, AKA Stinger) 273 Meggan 274 Caliban 275 Hollow 276 Abyss (Styger) 277 Silverclaw 278 Red King 279 Doctor Druid 280 U.S. Agent 281 Sersi 282 Molten Man 283 Zzzax 284 Singularity 285 Agatha Harkness 286 Blastaar 287 Korvac 288 Citizen V 289 Carter Slade the Satan-Stomper 290 Post 291 Shuma-Gorath 292 Sin 293 Triton 294 Quasar (Kincaid) 295 Martinex 296 Iron Man (Mark I) 297 Wiccan 298 Speedball 299 Paladin 300 Amanda Sefton 301 Overmind 302 Diamondback (Rachel Leighton) 303 Feral 304 Charlie-27 305 Rom: Spaceknight 306 Juggerduck 307 The Uranian 308 Blazing Skull 309 Starfox 310 Living Laser 311 Hiro-Kala 312 Namorita 313 Jack Flag 314 Stormborn 315 Doctor Bong 316 Crescent & Io 317 Gamora mcu 318 Wave 319 Ironheart 320 Venom Rocket 321 Doctor Spectrum 322 Davos the Steel Serpent 323 Lady Hellbender 324 Falcon classic 325 Bloodstorm 326 Tempus (Eva Bell) 327 Voyager 328 No-Name the Brood 329 Demon Bear 330 Moondragon 331 Arachne 332 Aero 333 Andromeda 334 Speed Demon 335 Phyla-Vell 336 Xemnu the Living Hulk 337 Aleta 338 Araña 339 Human Torch (Jim Hammond) 340 Constrictor 341 Iso 342 Arkon 343 Genis-Vell 344 Shanna the She-Devil 345 Volcana 346 Batroc the Leaper 347 Arclight 348 Scientist Supreme 349 Yukio 350 N'kantu the Living Mummy 351 Gentle 352 Caiera the Oldstrong 353 Beetle (Janice Lincoln) 354 Penance (Baldwin) 355 Super-Adaptoid 356 Ajak 357 Future Colossus 358 Moses Magnum 359 Vampire by Night 360 Superia 361 Puppet Master 362 Chimera 363 Count Nefaria 364 Stick 365 Hellion 366 Agent May 367 Mister Hyde 368 Spot 369 Cobra 370 Doop 371 Lyja 372 Wrecker 373 Stargod/Man-Wolf 374 Stilt-Man 375 Machinesmith 376 Spider-Bitch 377 Madame Web 378 Corsair & Sikorsky 379 Thor (Groot) 380 Balder 381 Random 382 Power Man (Alvarez) 383 Starhawk 384 Sun-Girl (Selah Burke) 385 Arcanna 386 Scream 387 Kree Sentry 388 Agent Phil Coulson 389 Thunderstrike (Kevin) 390 Talos 391 Carmilla Black 392 Uatu 393 Jennifer Kale 394 Warwolf 395 Enigma (Aikku Jokinen, AKA Pod) 396 Belasco 397 Swordsman 398 Trevor Fitzroy 399 Dazzler Thor 400 Hepzibah 401 Atlas 402 Ogun 403 Yellowjacket (DeMara) 404 Hala the Accuser 405 Entropy 406 War Machine (Infinity War) 407 Animax 408 Captain Universe 409 Whizzer 410 Hogun the Grim 411 Cottonmouth (Clemens) 412 Blizzard 413 Storm (Queen of Wakanda) 414 Silhouette 415 Immortus 416 Beast (Hex-Men) 417 Solo 418 White Rabbit 419 Aurora 420 Equinox 421 Hellcow 422 Owl 423 Arsenic & Old Lace 424 Beetle mk iii 425 Valeria (Age of Conan) 426 Trapster 427 Throg 428 Mimic 429 Hulkling 430 Iron Lad 431 Angel (Black Vortex) 432 Marionette 433 Phastos 434 Hobgoblin 2099 435 Razor Fist 436 Asp 437 Baymax 438 Captain America (Peggy Carter) 439 Sp//dr 440 Tarantula (Kaine) 441 Silver Scorpion (Barstow) 442 Midnight Angels of Wakanda 443 Demolition Man 444 White Wolf (Hunter) 445 Synapse 446 Kingo 447 Grey Gargoyle 448 Gilgamesh the Forgotten One 449 Justice 450 Atlas Bear 451 Iron Fist (Orson Randall) 452 Victorious 453 Lincoln Campbell 454 Luna Snow 455 Zadkiel 456 Crystar 457 Husk 458 Gravity 459 Kaecilius 460 Marrina 461 Ghost Rider (Circle of Four) 462 Nighthawk Supremeverse 463 Fixer 464 Cardiac 465 Capwolf 466 Kull the Conqueror of Atlantis 467 Noh-Varr 468 Korath the Pursuer 469 Miss America (Joyce) 470 Blackjack O'Hare 471 Bi-Beast 472 Vance Astro 473 Bushmaster (Quincy) 474 Krugarr 475 Poundcakes 476 Yo-Yo 477 American Son 478 Mister M 479 Cottonmouth (Stokes) 480 Manphibian 481 Infamous Iron Man 482 Paibok the Power-Skrull 483 Shatter 484 Daredevil Shadowland 485 Nakia 486 Garrison Kane 487 Makkari 488 Elloe 489 Northstar 490 Spiderling 491 She-Hulk (Lyra) 492 Proteus 493 Grey Hulk 494 Doorman 495 Toro 496 Nuke 497 Acroyear 498 Blonde Phantom 499 Drax MCU 500 Orrgo 501 Marvel Girl NPC 502 Fandral the Dashing 503 Spider-Girl 504 Ms. Thing 505 Captain America 2099 506 Veranke 507 Haechi 508 Mulholland Black 509 Mighty Destroyer 510 Eclipse 511 Powell McTeague 512 Druig 513 Copycat 514 Terror 515 Ahab 516 God-Emperor Doom 517 Doombot (V Series) 518 Sword Master 519 Cyclone 520 Black Mariah 521 Zenzi 522 Thor: Herald of Thunder 523 3-D Man 524 Hulk Endgame 525 Tetu 526 Doctor Octopus (Liv Octavius) 527 Margali 528 Molly Hayes 529 Sinara 530 Aldrich Killian 531 Goldballs 532 Mindless Ones 533 Nikki Gold 534 Foolkiller 535 Darkwing Duck 536 Thunderstrike (Eric) 537 She-Thing (Ventura) 538 Killmonger (Emperor Symbiote) 539 Iron Duck 540 Ms. Marvel II (Ventura) 541 Spymaster 542 Scalphunter 543 Spider-Man (Miles Morales Movie) 544 Karn 545 Gun-R 546 Terminus 547 Achebe 548 Llyra 549 Bushmaster (John) 550 Sugar Man 551 Great Lakes Avengers 552 Xarggu 553 Human Fly (Deacon) 554 Shogun 555 Plantman 556 Brawn 557 Elixir 558 Litterbug 559 Smasher (Rokk) 560 Bug 561 Mammomax 562 Synch 563 Anaconda 564 Wolvie 565 Dirk Anger 566 Captain [****] 567 Ezekiel 568 Diamondback (Stryker) 569 Unworthy Thor 570 Master Mold 571 Masked Marauder 572 M.O.D.A.M. 573 Hellsgaard 574 Hulkbuster 2.0 575 Forgetmenot 576 Ghaur 577 Arcturus Rann 578 Ultimate Green Goblin (Movie) 579 Dragoness 580 Porcupine 581 M-11 582 Taskmaster MCU 583 Dansen Macabre 584 Lady Bullseye 585 Harpoon 586 Unicorn 587 Bushwacker 588 Loki variant 589 Night Nurse 590 Psyklop 591 Mack 592 Eel 593 Water Snake 594 Chaos King 595 Red Hulk (Maverick) 596 Kaluu 597 The Russian 598 Geena Drake 599 Jimmy Hudson 600 Slayback 601 Mentallo 602 Skull the Slayer 603 Karkas 604 Dominic Fortune 605 The Buzz 606 Doctor Crocodile 607 Ox 608 Dorrek VII 609 Needle 610 Krang 611 Dino-Thor 612 Stegron 613 Zeitgeist 614 [VACANT] 615 [VACANT] 616 [VACANT]

[ascarletflame]

@twotonesnake​

Grimm's encounter with Ismael had him concerned and worried. The way she'd spoken, it was as if something had happened; she wouldn't say, and Grimm wasn't going to force his friend... but he could still investigate elsewhere. He wasn't sure he'd even find anything—it could have been something incredibly personal that took place behind closed doors, after all.

Crime was hardly anything odd to Spirale, so most of the things he'd heard were utterly pointless to him. There was one rumor from the past few days that stood out to him, though. A girl matching Ismael's description disappeared with a strange man in one of the lower districts of Fibonacci. It could be a coincidence, but it was worth checking out. There were also a few murders found from that same night, but it probably wasn't related, he thinks.

Finding this “strange man” was certainly more annoying than Grimm expected, though. All he had to go off of was a description: someone extremely muscular, blond hair with black on the bottom, a big coat, blah, blah, blah... He'd scoured around Fibonacci, but there was no immediate sight of anyone like that. Occasionally, he'd run into someone who mentioned seeing someone like that, but they didn't know anything further. How very bothersome.

Oh well. Grimm doesn't really mind, and although most people down here either don't have money or probably aren't interested in arts of the stage, this has still been a chance to get his name out in the ward he visits the least. The street magician has been hanging around the outside of this sketchy bar all day, flagging people down to show them magic tricks. Some were amused, some ignored him, and some cussed at him; no one was really tempted to truly mess with him based on his appearance.

It's getting much later, and Grimm absently sighs as he leans against the wall of a building. It almost seems like tonight's performances won't bear fruit in the way he really wants, until a street light illuminates a certain man walking by. Hmm... This could be the one.

The whimsical Troupe Master spins to place himself in front of Yamazaki, smiling impishly with eyes glowing scarlet as he spreads his deck of cards like a fan.

“Good eve, my friend. I am a wandering magician, showing my ability to all upon this fine night. I find my most exciting trick to be mind reading. Care to test me?”

[solheira]

@travmsoldat​  // original

“A little one? No, no, of course it must be an even number. A pack of eight sounds like a fair deal to me, yes! Splendid,” he says, not at all picking up on Rapunzel’s stress. King Hubert is a good man, but goodness and insight are two very different things.

And just to rub salt on so fresh a wound, he waves the Lord Erluin and his wife over. They approach, sporting smiles that are hard to place on whether or not they were actually genuine.

“Your Majesty and… the Princess Rapunzel, is it? How nice of you to pay us a visit during such a happy tradition of ours. Your first volksfest with us I take it!”

“My dear, of course it must not be,” chimes Maria. “Her Highness does come by so very often, why, this must be her third—fourth! Perhaps fifth?”

“Friends already! Couldn’t have asked for a more marvelous turn of events. Now why don’t the lot of you make nice and I go off and search for some scrap of food—Haven’t eaten all day you know—”

—

Any proper Carolingian royal might have begun brandishing their titles now in a demand for respect, civility and subjugation. But not Phillip! Never Phillip. That whole speech would’ve certainly saved him from several thousand fights and scars, but maybe that’s why he’s never been for that type of thing, anyway. He did always love a good scrap.

Amused rather than annoyed, he blinks slow and softly, with an accommodating, quiet smile to match. His fingers recoil to rest once again on his heart.

“Where you are from, yes,” he says, and judging by a dialect he is now very well acquainted with, he can tell just where exactly that is. “Tell me, do you often visit foreign places to parade about the better practices of your country?” He pauses to let that idea slowly sear. “If that’s the case, might I suggest that travel might not be the hobby for you?”

His brows raise and he bites the inside of cheek. What is she prattling on about anyway? Didn’t he simply collide with a person and offer a kindness to make up for it? This stranger is just one shoulder tap away from insinuating that he implore her to sew a scarlet A upon her chest.

“Now let me assure you, my wife and I are confident enough in our bond that our merest interactions with the opposite sex doesn’t, in fact, send us spiraling into the depths of despair and jealousy. Where I come from,” he looks to all the frolic surrounding them, “we extend kindnesses and offers of friendship to more than the person whose ring matches ours. And not everything, yes even something as severe and full-of-stress as a dance, revolves around the pillar upon which that person stands. Awfully strange, I know.”

Eight? EIGHT? She must have heard that wrong. How could she raise eight kids and run a whole kingdom and empire? Just one sounded like a handful and if this child were to carry both her blood and Phillip’s she was sure whoever it was would be a beautiful, amazing, spectacular, handful. Even as adults the parents were troublesome. Imagine a tiny little tot with curly auburn locks and sun-kissed freckles possessing their father’s foolhardiness and her irrepressible tendencies. Now imagine EIGHT.

A hand comes to her chest and clutches the pretty gold necklace she’s worn since her first trip to this kingdom. The future is a long ways away. Just get through this announcement. Smile. Be nice. Don’t make yourself a target. Remember what they told you.

“Actually your husband won that wager. It is my first but I’m sure it won’t be my last.” The curl of her lip is forced but she knows that these two would never be able to tell the difference. There is a moment somewhere in between where the awkward pause stretches for them to respectfully send-off King Hubert and she half expects them to leave then too. When they don’t, her smile falters just a tad.

“Umm,” it takes her just a little time to recover her usual demeanor. She’s looking at this all wrong. This is be the perfect time to win a few people over to her side. The more people who look at her favorably, the easier this new stage in her life will be. “I heard that His Highness Prince Phillip had a hand in your marriage? He must have seen how lovely you two are together and instinctively knew you were meant for one another. Such strong instincts are a blessing for any future king to have, wouldn’t you agree?”

“It is awwwwfully strange.” She responds with a gumption only available to those who had been handed back their words but still believes the sky was green. It could just be that her thoughts on marriage had forever been ruined by her own experience or that she truly has become just like her mother in her later years as she had always feared. “From my experiences in my travels I’ve always been bombarded with rules for this and that. Kindness and friendship are fine to give and take so long as that is the only thing given and taken.”

She holds her unsteady ground and looks around at the jolly crowd. She had loved crowds before. The mingling smells of perfume and cologne and sounds of heavy skirts sweeping the dance floor became some of her fondest memories. A boy too, with deep hooded eyes and a smile so sad it never failed to make her heart skip. He had made the crowds worth navigating then and the music worth dancing to. Her brow wrinkles once more but this time it is not the prince’s actions that had been the cause but her own reminiscing. She hadn’t thought of her almost lover in so many years and yet she feels his presence everywhere now.

“I knew a man once that would disagree, perhaps his views on love have rubbed off on me more than I could ever dare to admit,” she holds one finger up in pause, “Nuhuh! I’ve not admit nothing to you. Let’s just part ways here. I think I saw flag colors I recognize and wish to be around something more familiar.”

Another twist of her heel and yet another pause still, “May your marriage be filled with the blessings of sun, your highness. Good day.” With that, she disappeared into the crowd.

[savethelastdan]

ain't got no time, just burnin' daylight (still love, it’s still love)

I wrote this while doing prompts for Kagura Week (starts this Sunday!!!) and ended up replacing it, since it didn’t fit Kagura’s perspective enough to really be for her theme week. 

Originally written for Day 3 - Lust for Life. Title is from SZA’s Broken Clocks. 

Standing up, Sesshomaru tunes out the sputtering old man on the other side of the table. “Please call my secretary to reschedule this meeting. Good night.” 

  It’s bad enough that he’s spent every night this week with clients--listening to laughably minor problems be blown up into life-or-death mountains of issues, picking at tasteless meals in overpriced restaurants, and squinting at line after line of jargon-filled contracts until his eyes feel ready to pop out--but tonight is a whole new level of disrespect.

What kind of low-brow, uncouth person holds a confidential meeting regarding a serious legal issue in the booth of a fucking sports bar? 

Even worse, if the stained printouts of the text messages the client passed him over the table are any indication, the idiot has not only been admitting fault but also in a public forum, using enough details that his use of a throwaway account is completely pointless. 

If Sesshomaru’s father wasn’t already in the grave, his heart would give out to see the type of clients now frequenting his law firm. He wonders briefly if he could find a way to blame such a thing on Inuyasha. 

Expression grim, he strides across the room with such forceful steps that a tray-carrying waiter in a green jersey practically leaps to get out of his way. The door is nearly in sight, before someone stumbles out from the bathroom hallway right into his path. 

He stops short, acknowledging how his shoes stick to the floor with stomach-turning ease. But instead of apologizing and moving aside, the woman blocking his way shifts her weight to one hip, crossing both arms over her chest. 

It takes a second before it fully registers that she’s actually looking him up and down. 

“Well, you’re definitely not a regular.” She tilts her head, sending a wave of black hair covering her shoulder. Her eyes are deep scarlet, her ears sharpened into points and studded with earrings. Some kind of elemental demon? Ah, but it doesn’t matter. 

He opens his mouth to ask her to move, but with a sudden curve of her mouth she beats him to the punch. “Wanna bet on who’s going to win tonight?” 

“What?” The synapses of his brain move sluggishly, until he looks to her right to see flashes of color on a broad screen, mounted precariously to the wall. His refined hearing is used to tuning out the banal and unimportant, so it’s not a total surprise that he’s missed it.  “I don’t know who is playing.” Or what kind of game it even is. 

She shrugs, arms uncrossing, and he realizes she’s wearing a jersey--is she a waitress, or a customer? It seems to be appropriate attire for both. “You don’t have to know. Just pick: white or green?” 

Maybe it’s because every other night of his week (his month, his year) has been sucked dry by the demands of his job. Maybe it’s because, since taking over his father’s firm, he’s started dressing and cutting his hair and even speaking like the dead man. Or maybe it’s because, when she tilts her head again, the sleeve of her jersey slips down and he can see a stretch of scarred skin curling like a necklace, and it makes him curious.

“Fine. Green.” 

Red eyes burn with glee. “Good choice. White’s been fucking up all season.” 

It’s like being under some kind of goddamn spell.

When she says, “Come on, the speakers in the break room are better,” he follows her back down the bathroom hall right through a small door. Sitting on a scarred leather couch with an admittedly impressive television and sound system mounted across from it, he accepts the beer she offers him with a whisper. “On the house. If you don’t tell, I won’t.” 

When she cheers and curses so loudly at the game that he thinks someone might come in and shout at them, and waves her bottle towards him, he clinks their drinks together with a high-pitched chime. 

When she offers off-handedly that her name is Kagura, that her dad owns the bar but hardly ever visits (“except for special events”, which is said with a bitter grin that sends approximately a thousand red flags pinging in his lawyer brain), he finds himself handing her his business card. 

“Wow,” she hums, turning the square of stock paper this way and that so that the gold characters of his name shine. “How much did that cost?” 

It’s when the game is going into its second overtime, he finds it in him to ask. “Why did you invite me back here?”

She smirks, twisting a ringlet of hair around her finger. “Why did you come?” 

His mind stalls again, but he covers better this time. “It’s dangerous. I’m a stranger. What if I had negative intentions towards you?” 

Something flashes in her eyes. “If you attacked me, then you’d regret it.” 

“Would I?” There could be a knife tucked into the couch, he guesses. Her jersey looks roomy, maybe she has a taser holstered beneath it. Or perhaps she’s referring to her powers, though not many demons could beat a dog demon of his caliber--

Then she’s right in front of his face. A pleasant warmth fills his stomach, as her nails scrape down the sleeve of his button-down shirt. 

“You look like the kind of person who wants what I want,” she says, very quietly. 

He swallows, realizing his hand has already settled on her knee. “What is that?” 

Kagura inhales slowly, lip drawing in between her teeth. “To just say fuck it, and live already.” 

Time pulses between them for one second, two--and then he’s kissing her, with an urgency that he hasn’t felt in what seems like a thousand years. 

It isn’t until she’s dragging him off the couch, muttering something about her car and locked doors, when he realizes that the only heartbeat pounding in his hyper-sensitive ears is his own. 

Then he’s on his back on leather seats--same fabric as the couch, why the hell is he thinking about that right now--with her settled on top of him. Her car is small and his legs are long, so it takes a moment of figuring out how to fit without banging his head on the door handle. Kagura leans over him, her tongue sliding into his mouth, and he feels the previous warmth in his stomach spiral out to all four limbs. It burns, like the venom in his veins has suddenly turned against him. 

“Shit,” she breathes, as his fangs prick her lip. “You are something.” 

It’s barely a compliment, but nonetheless it has him kissing her harder. He bunches up the jersey so his claws can find flesh instead, and Kagura sighs. 

More scar tissue, rising up to meet his fingers. Her chest is pressed right up against his, but he senses no movement inside it. 

But her hands are warm, her eyes are bright, and when he breathes her name, it tastes like a lifeline in his mouth.

[benefits1986]

Gospel of El Dopa

This 2023, I must start monitoring my dopamine levels. LUH.  Another content I didn’t search while I’m getting the hang on Simsimi sessions on steroids for work and life after work. LOL. One of the things that hit me is that my dopamine levels are off the roof and down the drain, instantly. When Huberman talked about how happy you feel when you take home a bacon only to find yourself down the dumps hours or days after, iba ako.  Must be because I always feel I am never enough, I am motivated by my to-do list as an ate who helped raised my brother recovering from meningitis until now na sa long-term effects ng barbiturates na need niya i-take at 3 months old; looked after my mom who battled GBS; all the while, I squeezed in my life goals that are anchored on mother dragon’s wish list. Ganito ‘yung worldview ko kasi both these cases are walang lunas. Dead end. So, kahit ano pang gawain ko, walang reward. Yes, I can be with them up a certain time, pero limited or compromised time. So, default ko na managing the limited and compromised time. Hence, cling ako sa to-do list kong since 6 years old. LOL.  ‘Di ako happy sa prizes and surprises. Feeling ko wala lang sila to be honest. ‘Di rin ako happy sa mga validation that much kasi all that matters to me is my mother dragon’s badge of approval. Kung baga, wala akong SELF GOALS. LOL. Laging palabas lahat ng ganaps ko. Kinalimutan ko ‘yung AKO.  Funny how I handle “CONGRATS” or “GOOD JOB” kasi matic na sa akin na what could have I done better. Happy naman ako pero alam mo ‘yung mas BFF ko talaga is ADRENALINE. See? Happy naman. Hindi HAPPY. ‘Yung laspagan na walang hanggan na isasagad ko talaga. Akala ko testosterone x estrogen high lang siya. Akala ko gusto ko lang patunayan na tama ako kahit marami akong alangan na arguments. Basta, I want things done para move to the next task.  Funny rin na ‘pag sinasabihan akong family-oriented, talagang natatawa ako. While ‘di ko nakikitang pang-abala ang mga pamilya ko, truth is, feeling ko lagi, wala namang ibang gagawa, kaya ako na lang lagi ang taya. Ganun lang siya kasimple for me. Kaya masungit ako at maldita. I want things MY way kasi andami na nilang given and complications na ‘di naman puwedeng mag-adjust. So, ako ang default na naga-adjust. FUCK. Hahahaha. 

In fact, alipin pala ako ng adrenaline. HAHAHAHA. ‘Yung pake ko is my substitute for happiness. LOL. Wala akong amor sa reward. Cancelled lahat ng mga hirit at well-meant and half-meant pick up lines. I-add mo pa diyan ‘yung default SO WHAT ko sa mga pagkawala ng feelings ng mga XY at XX na ‘di naman karamihan pero tumatagos naman to be honest. Sorry sa inyong lahat. Ako rin talaga may problema. HAHAHAHAHA. Try kayo ulit this 2023. Shemay. Lagot. Fucked up talaga ako; but, maganda kasi this realization and ability to write it out allows me to face this vulnerability season. Hayup kang Taurus szn ka. Hayup ka talaga. Ma, sorry na. Eto na. Ayusin ko na buhay ko. Try ko best ko. Maiba naman.  Huberman said na L-Dopa is the common denominator of dopamine and adrenaline. Actually, when I listened to his gospel, it hit me. Cancelled pala dopamine sa system ko. HAHAHAHA. Wala akong pake sa dopamine. I would choose unli adrenaline kasi I don’t find meaning in happiness. WHOA. Curveball na naman tayo. Red flag na naman po. But, let this scarlet sin bleed brightly. 

Existentialism pala ang naging fortress ko sa pagde-defend sa shitballs ko with adrenaline versus dopamine. Kaya pala, kahit uminom ako hanggang umaga tapos pumasok ako ng 8:30 AM in time for a big meeting, in one piece pa rin ako. ‘Yung akala ng kausap ko sa inuman e empath lang ako, pero ayoko lang kasi nasasayang ‘yung downtime. Kung baga, oks naman chismis and random stuff, pero gusto ko na kahit downtime, may sense; else, maaga akong uuwi o gagawa ako ng excuse para matapos na tapos tutuloy ko na lang inom ko on my own or with others. Natatawid naman pero may burnout na malala talaga. Spiral levels na parang unlikely na ako. Kaya pala, kahit mag-yosi at vape ako at mag-mega dose ng ... during long weekends, wala pa ring epekto. Adrenaline pala ‘yun cannibalizing dopamine. LOL.  Kaya pala para wala akong satisfaction, wala akong pake sa validation, walang masyadong galawan yung RBF ko. LOL. Huy. Huberman, sana makapag-meet up tayo IRL para naman mapasalamatan kita sa 4-hour sessions mong matinde kahit may sponsors ka parati. No pun naman doon kasi ‘di biro mag-ubos ng oras para sa free and super deep na deep, dive na dive digestible content na counter current ng mga kabobohang content na kalat na kalat din sa mundo both sa analog and digital world.  Kaya pala sobrang love na love na love ko rin ang paliligo ng malamig na malamig na tubig sa Baguio since first punta ko doon nung second birthday ko according to my mom. Sobrang weird ko raw sabi ni mommy kasi ako lang daw sa group namin na puro adults ang tuwang-tuwa maligo ng walang heater. ‘Di raw niya ako ma-gets pero sige lang, kasi maldita nga ako.  Siguro, addicted na ako noon pa man sa adrenaline. LOL. Char. Ansarap kasi ng para kang napa-paralyze for a time ‘yung cold water pero ang refreshing niya. As in. Ibang level. Gusto ko rin ng hot spring kahit tanghaling tapat. Pero, kung papapiliin ako, cold spring na tumatagos sa buto ‘yung lamig talaga. :D   Tapos pinaka favorite kong combo is hot spring and cold spring sa Los Banos pero sarado na siya ngayon. Lipat-lipat ako ng walang bukas way back 8 or 9 years old. Kaya pala sobrang ligalig ko noong araw na ‘yun at ayoko pang umuwi. Pagod na mga kasama ko since family day sa office ni dad ‘yun. 

Actually, nabubog tatay ko sa hot spring-cold spring resort na ‘yun in front of me. Wala lang. ‘Di lang niya napansin na may nabasag sa kabilang cabana. Tapos nakita ko so much blood sa foot niya. Tanong ko kung okay ba siya. Sabi niya oo, then alis na ako. Swim pa ako. Bye. Ganern.  So, chocolate, sex, alcohol, smoke/vape, substance, exercise --pick your poison szn na lang tayo. Pag-isipan ko muna anong heirarchy. But first, dapat ayusin ko muna utak at kaibuturan ko. Issue na naman ito ng trusted trust issues ko kahit safe space. Issue na naman ito ng cancelling the power (ugh) of vulnerability.  Caffeine and dopamine receptors. Syempre, kape is a painfully obvious choice BUT, so totoo lang, kaya ako tea (not milktea) person noon, 2x ang caffeine ng maayos na quality ng tea bag compared to typical coffee. Ako? Kaya ko 2 bags or heaping teaspoons ng tea leaves lalo ‘pag galing mismo sa Taiwan sa isang upuan. Tapos 2x or 3x a day pa ‘yan; but tea, coffee, wine, beer, rum intake makes me poop like crazy. Kaya hinay lang tayo. Diuretic on steroids ko lahat ‘yang mga ‘yan.  LOLOLOLLOLLOLL. Mag-tea mix na ba ako ng tea? CHZ ulit. ‘Wag muna nating puntahan ‘yan universe na ‘yan. Ayusin ko muna ‘yung wiring ng utak ko.  ‘Yung end goal na ‘yan... ‘yung hard work na ‘yan... ‘di ko siya associated sa reward. :D Sa mother dragon ko, kahit maganda, panget pa rin. LOL. Tawang-tawa nga tatay ko dahil maligalig nga raw ako. Bakit daw ako nakikinig sa dopamine podcasts. LOLOLOLLOLL. Pero, I think, panahon na para mag-saya. AKO NAMAN. AKO NA NGAYON, FINALLY. Kung baga, focus ako sa bucket list ko para ‘di na naman ako maligaw. LOL.  PS: Thank you, ina for your dopamine cocktail. If it weren’t for that, I won’t be able come across this universe. Hugs to heaven! Happy weekend to you and mom this Mother’s Day. Dami talagang ganaps ng May. FUCK. Lol.  PS2: This Sabado’s init ng ulo is tatay ko na nagpapabili ng Brompton bike shirt. FUCK. Pinagalitan ko na naman kasi UGH. Hahaha. Para raw terno. Kainis. Wala namang naka-B shirt while riding a B na matinong utak ‘di ba? Pero malamang, magpapahanap na naman ito sa Lazada.  PS3: Ayokong umalis ng bahay today but special request bilang an expat friend is in Manila. UGH. Gusto ko lang mag-chill at mag-grocery, magluto, mag-ayos ng fridge, maglaba. Humilata kasi ngayon lang ako nakakabawi ng tulog. Pero, sige. Go tayo sa city lights capital of PH. Uwi na lang ako maaga bukas. Lels. 

[12miraenie]

Against

🎃Pairing: Taehyung x Reader 

🎃Genre: Fluff in the end, Vampire Tae, Witch Reader 

🎃Word Count: 3k

🎃Summary: After the countless times you’ve saved Taehyung from a crisis, you begin to think that maybe there is more to the supposedly most powerful vampire who somehow stumbles on you every time he’s in trouble. 

A/N: Requested by the lovely @ktholy , part of the Month of Supernatural.  

🎃 Link to Masterlist

🎃Request here

Taehyung spat out some more blood and continued his coughing spree.

“The sun needs to, what you mortals say, to ‘fuck off.’”

Even though the curtain was drawn closed, rays of sunlight seamed through the infinitesimal gaps between the heavy fabric so that the room does not exactly replicate a rectangular box of darkness, Taehyung glowed. To you, there’s no difference if the curtain is drawn or not, your shop itself is dingy at most, since the sun is blocked by those skyscrapers in the front street. It did have a significant, not to say fascinating, effect on Taehyung. His skin looked instantly pinker, and healthier, his cheeks had more color, and those visible scratches and wounds on his body seemed to be closing in faster. You have to admit, you stared at him for quite a while before he opened his eyes, reddened with small veins, but not his pupil. The blood-like redness was gone, replaced by a deep shade of brown, except for the almost iridescent green color in half of his iris. Although by the lit candles it popped out even more than the brown.

It’s not every day for you to do something like this. Helping another species in a life and death situation is not something you imagined your morning activity would be. You even consider twice before letting humans into your shop to heal them, but now you are here pouring the best of your herbs and potions on to a vampire. The species that killed so many of your kind. A vague memory hit you, the scenes played out in your head like frames of a vintage roll of film in an old handheld film recorder. Everything was under a white, near transparent veil. You can see the colors clearly, but not the faces. It was someone lying on a bed, clutching onto your arms. The small version of you can barely reach the height of the high chair next to the bed, but the strength you were holding to the person’s hand was surprisingly big. Whispers flowed into your senses like breezes of wind, the tone identifiable. It was your mother who stood next to the bed holding a tray with a single glass of something in a dreadful yellow-brown color.

“There’s nothing we can do. You have to let go.”

Your small body screamed in protest, but the hand that was intertwined with yours tightened around your knuckles, you looked up with a tear-stained face to see your grandfather smiling at you reassuringly. He nodded weakly and signaled you that it’s ok to let go. As if all strength was taken away, you suddenly struggled to stand. Someone held onto your shoulders gently and led you away as you fought to keep your eyes open. Turning around you cast one last good look at your grandfather, trying not to focus on the redness visible through the gauze on his stomach. A stray tear escaped the corner of your eyes before the last bit of consciousness was consumed by complete darkness.

“Ouch! What the fuck-” Taehyung didn’t let the rest of his colorful vocabulary spill out of his mouth. He was lying on his back enjoying the slightly itchy but comfortable feeling of his flesh healing from the wounds, and due to a weird blue potion you forced him to drink he felt more lighthearted and relaxed than ever. Not one piece of his muscles were tense until a drop of hot candlewax scorched the side of his neck, where his skin is most sensitive, and where he wants your lips on, not this hot piece of wax that caused him to hiss. He jumped up in bed and opened his eyes to see the candle in your hand was in a tilted angle, where some liquid wax was still hanging dangerously on the top. You, however, looked not a bit aware of the whole situation.

Though not dilated, your pupils were entirely unfocused. Taehyung can see the reflection of light in your eyes, he can hear your irregularly fast breathing and every thump of your heart. Your expression though, was what drew him in. Taehyung couldn’t see through the glassy layer of what’s over your eyes, to others you may just look like someone focusing on one spot of the room. You stood like a statue, as if time has stopped and you are forever frozen at that moment. For once Taehyun didn’t know what to make of you, his heightened senses did nothing to help him detect your feelings and emotions at the moment.

Brimming tears left your eyes the moment you realized you were lost in the vortex of the moment again. It seems to happen more and more often as Samhain awaits at the corner. The spirits never go away, especially your loved ones like your grandfather. Devoted, you believed strongly that you can feel his presence getting stronger as the veil between the living world and afterlife is thinning. Over and over again in the past week, you have waken up crying without an idea why you were sad.

“It seemed that in your absentmindedness-Ah!“  Taehyung jumped out of bed, his movement made you drop the candle to the ground. It broke into two in the middle, the burnt smell of candlewax spiraled up into your nostrils. You scrunched your nose at stared at Taehyung accusingly, “Why did you do-” You stop yourself in midsentence because Taehyung’s right shoulder blade and the side of his neck were decorated by blotches of brunt marks, he was busy getting rid of a piece of wax on his reddened skin, but it was stuck. You widened your eyes, realizing that the wax from the candlestick must have spilled onto his body, and by the sharp hiss he is making, the damage was pretty big.

“Oh god. Taehyung, I am so sorry-” You tear off the remaining piece of wax and threw it away, “Good that you heal fast.” You bend down to pick up the candlestick now in two pieces and put it on the table.

Taehyung looked like he was about to die. His eyebrows are furrowed together, his teeth bit into his lower lips hard enough that you can see whiteness. One hand is covering the burnt areas, and the other hand was balled into a fist. It created an illusion that a small burn did bigger damage than the wolf bite you saw on the side of his ribcage this morning.

“Calm down, Kim. You’ll make people question why you are the most powerful vampire in this area.” You brought a hand up to light another candle and turned around Taehyung was right in front of you. Because of his height, Taehyung blocked almost all the light in the room, half of his features are hidden in the shadows, the other half is illuminated by soft light. The blond mop of hair sat softly on his head, a few messy strands covered his forehead. He looked soft, if you didn’t know, you wouldn’t have imagined that he is the leader of one of the oldest vampire clans in the world. His iridescent eyes are locked into yours, making you see clearly the things that swirled in them. Magnets don’t have that kind of attractive force, but somehow once you stared at him, you can’t move your eyes away. The next second Taehyung trapped you between his body and the long table, his hands clutched securely on the wooden surface, bare inches from the sides of your body. A muscle on your face twitched when he suddenly leaned in, bringing the smell of oud and roses to your nostrils. The parietal lobe in your brain already sent a red flag to yourself, he is too close for comfort. But even you don’t notice how your senses slowed down, and your blood started flowing slower, the only thing going against the flow is your heart, which is currently pumping loudly against your ribcage.

Taehyung definitely hears that, he looks way too satisfied by the slightly dazed look on your face and the tint of scarlet on your cheeks. You know he loves to do stuff like this, always provoking you, always testing your bottom line, always flirting. Being a vampire has its advantages, its inherently easier for them to lure people in, not to mention for someone like Taehyung, who makes Greek gods green in envy. That’s how he’s able to get fresh blood so easily, who would reject a piece like this? But you are not just a human, and you’ve dealt with Taehyung enough times to know that everything is an act. There is not an ounce of truth in his sweet, lullaby-like words, and angelic smiles.

Frowning, you attempt to move to the side, but Taehyung catches your wrist instead and pins your hand securely to the table.

“You are too cruel, my little witch. It hurt like a bitch.” Taehyung breathed down on your neck, the last few syllables are no louder than a hushed whisper, sending a trail of goosebumps down your body. He smirked at your reaction and tucked a strand of stray hair behind your ears, “I demand compensation.”

“You are in my shop, Kim. You are a customer, with the obligation to pay.” You gritted the words out, but you can’t keep your eyes from trailing down the exposed part of his neck, where raw pink flesh impales the perfection of his skin.  You almost winced, it must hurt a lot. The wound, however, did nothing to take out his attractiveness, if you don’t look close enough, the burnt marks almost resemble hickeys.

“Fine.” You sigh out loud, three fingers reached out to hover above his neck as you mumbled a common healing spell for burns. They didn’t heal completely, but at least the redness is gone.

“There, done. Now let go.” Taehyung traced his fingers on where his wounds were, his eyes sparked when every part of skin he touched remains smooth.

“Thanks, princess. I want to have a good time with you, but unfortunately, I have to rest because of that,” Taehyung pointed to where the sun is disdainfully, “so…where is your bed?”

After some serious considerations of tying him with a silver chain and putting him in a vervain bath, you sighed and pointed to your room in the back, “Don’t mess up my closet looking for things you shouldn’t use and things I don’t have.”

Taehyung gave you a cheeky smile and threw his bloodied jacket at you, “Thanks babe.”

You want to give him the finger, but when you managed to pull his jacket off your head, he was nowhere to be seen. You scanned the room messy with empty potion bottles, bloodied bandages, and a broken mirror, “It’s gonna be a long day.”

Sometimes you wonder why don’t Taehyung just go to a healing witch for help, or kidnap one for the sake of spilling secrets because you are never trained in the art of healing, unlike your mother. Heck, you would be more useful as an alchemist than a healer. But he, along with his weird expensive, wide pants loose shirt fashion and neverending pet names, remain an unsolved puzzle after 10 years of knowing him.

                                            You contemplated if you should wake Taehyung up, but decided against it and just wrote on a piece of paper about your errand. After putting on a warm jacket and a checkered wool scarf, you grabbed the keys to the shop and ruffled the black fur of your cat who sat lazily in an armchair, “You’re his friend if he wakes up.”

Luckily there weren’t many people on the streets. The good thing about where you live is that although it’s only a few blocks from the pub and entertainment district, streets remained quiet here. Perfect location for getting resources and privacy at the same time.

It was colder than you imagined, the wind that blew past almost knocked off your cap. You found your way into the cemetery without much difficulty and walked down a few aisles to a familiar slab of marble.

Your hands came out dusty when you swiped the across the top. With a wave of your hand, the specks of dust and dirtiness were gone in a second. You sat down on the grass crosslegged and fished out a small glass jar out of your pouch.

“Hi grandpa. Sorry it’s been a long time. I know Samhain is coming, so I’ll be visiting more often. For Grandma too, I’ll go to Kyoto in two days.“

You opened the jar and put it in front, where you would normally place fresh flowers. “I brought you something. It’s more like a trick, I think. Not a really useful spell, but at least these daisies won’t ever wilt again.” With a gesture of your hand a softly muttered spell stems grew out of the jar, then daisies blossomed. You chuckled, “Father would probably scold me for not doing what I should be, but I think he will be fine with it. Plus, it saves me some budget every month.”

You sniffled, not because of the coldness and continued on. “I’m here because I have a question. And I’m confused. Today is the 5th time I saved a vampire, Grandpa. The same one, you knew him. Kim Taehyung. I vowed myself when I found out that you passed away because of his brother that I would never, ever save anyone not from our kind anymore. I stopped all training as a healer, and I shied away from gatherings because I wanted to grow stronger. I wanted to learn everything I can so that one day people I love won’t be hurt because I am unable to protect them.“

You took a deep breath. “Grandpa, why can’t I be the same toward Taehyung?”  

“He’s so arrogant and irritable sometimes, and he always leaves me trouble whenever he needs help. And I hate the pet names he calls me. But why can’t I bring myself to hate him?”

Suddenly a tree branch snapped behind your back, you scrambled to your feet and turned around in alert only to find Taehyung in a long overcoat that he left at your place one time, your cat lying on one side his shoulder lazily. Your shoulders slumped instantly as you brought your hands down, “You scared the shit out of me, Kim.” The sudden realization that he might have been here the whole time made you blurt out, “How long have you been here?”

“Enough to know why you are crying.” Somehow Taehyung’s voice sounded deeper, softer than usual. He reached you in two long strides and looked at the epitaph engraved on the marble with your grandfather’s name on it.

“I was still young when I first saw your grandfather, he was I think around 45 years old then, and I was barely 10 decades old. He really was an admirable man, bringing all the species together and solving differences. It was the largest funeral I’ve seen, literally packed with people from different places, of different species.”

“I know that, Taehyung.“

“But you don’t know why he died, right? You knew my brother killed him but never got to know why right?” Taehyung got your attention right then, you stared at him with reddened eyes, “You knew?“

Taehyung pursed his lips and kept silence for a few moments. When he spoke, he spoke carefully, like each word was selected and filtered a hundred times before coming out of his mouth. “When the council was choosing between my brother and me to be the clan leader, some of my brother’s men got into a conflict with the witches. My brother wanted your grandpa to overlook it, but he didn’t and instead reported to the council. So the council chose me, who was not even 200 years old and had no experience whatsoever as a leader. The only thing I had in common with my brother was the bloodline. My brother went overhead with rage and jealousy, and you know the rest.”  

“Oh, is that so?” The tone of your voice betrayed the calm facade you were trying to keep, your fists tightened enough to make a ball. Your knuckles turned white as you stared at Taehyung, “Then give me a reason why. Why do you come back everytime you need help? Why do you go to my shop when you need something like wet issues and scissors? Why do you act that you care?”

There seemed to be sparks in his eyes. Unknown emotions swimmed in his eyes as Taehyung took in your vulnerable moment, a side you rarely show to others. Your hands were trembling, and you were biting your lips too hard. “This is… this is somewhere I never imagined I’d be…to say what I’m about to say.”

“You are the only person that I feel safe exposing my absolute self to. You are the only person that really care about if I am hurting or not. The connection I feel with you, Y/N, is incredible. You have no idea how hard is it for me, knowing the history between us and that we are very different people. There are no ulterior motives behind my actions. I am simply in love with a girl I like.” Taehyung’s eyes were more iridescent than ever, his words sounded like facts, like the way the moon orbits the earth, and the way earth orbits the sun. And for the first time, you think that maybe the way your heart goes crazily fast is not a bad thing to have.

[thebumblebeetumbletree]

HI :D

Please just do some fluffy ironstrange with spideyson I'm sad - @severly-enchanting-colours

__

No problem! I hope this makes you feel better and sorry it took so long to reply back!!

“Can you pick me up?” The words spoken came across as tiny, almost nonexistent. As if the speaker was afraid the answer would be a resounding no.

Tony would never deny his kid, he never had before and didn't plan on starting anytime soon. “Yup. ‘Course kiddo. Where are you?”

There was a pause, two voices could be heard, one was distinctly Peter's and the other was someone Tony couldn't figure out. He knew one thing though, whoever it was, was definitely not Ned, which was a big red flag for Tony and almost instantly had him telling Friday to gear up the suit. Of course those thoughts derailed as soon as trembling- yet strong hands wrapped around his shoulders. Instantly calming his spiraling thoughts, allowing Tony to listen to Peter.

“-invited to some party that I didn't even want to go to,” Peter's squeaky voice crackled over the phone, his words slurring together in their panic for Tony to understand. “Just- can you please come and get me. I wanna come home.”

“I'm already on my way. Just hang tight,” Tony stepped out of the sanctum, sparing Stephen an apologetic glance, which the doctor shrugged off with a knowing smirk. It seemed their not date night would have to be put off again. He tried to ignore the look and also Peter talking about the sanctum being home to him.

“Go get our kid Stark. I'll make us some tea for when you get back.” Tony didn't know whether to be excited or surprised at the offer. He also couldn't help, but notice Stephen referring to Peter as their kid.

“You do that hon,” Tony directed at Stephen, whose face turned a wonderful shade of red- almost as dark as the pet cloak. “And Pete-" he said, snapping the faceplate down before starting to take off, “you never gave me an address.”

“Right. Of course, I forgot. Um-" Peter trailed off again, his focus seeming to be taken up by something else. “Are you and Doctor Strange dating?” The question threw Tony off, which was stupid since he wondered the same thing. Ever since Thanos, Stephen had been different- Tony had been different. There seemed to be a whole new history between them that only Stephen was privy to. And yet- the doctor had decided to share the start of it with him even with all the potential risks.

“I- think so.” Tony supisticiously glanced around the sky for a scarlet cape, but found none. “Is that okay?” He didn't understand why he was asking, the Tony before never cared what others thought. Of course, he never had a sixteen year old following him around like the kid he'd always secretly wanted. Tony needed Peter to like Stephen because if he didn't, then Tony would stop whatever was going on between them.

“What? I don't care! Well- I mean I do care, but Doctor Strange seems like a really cool dude.” Peter started ranting, his words getting closer together and his tone becoming higher pitched. “I just want you to be happy and if he- if he makes you happy then I'm happy.”

“Thanks kid,” Tony huffed, trying to keep the snark back and sarcasm to a minimum. Pepper always said he could never handle feelings and instead reverted to his usual annoying and asshole self. “Now. The address?”

“Oh right!” Peter yelped, quickly followed by him rattling off an address in Brooklyn. Tony was going to ask about that, but first, he needed to get his kid and then go have tea with a wizard.

And later, when Tony sat on the couch with Peter tucked against his side and Stephen pressed next to him, their hands tangled. Tony completely forgot about the party in Brooklyn.