#she helped make the thing that gave me brainrot for 5 years how am i supposed to be normal abt that

[airborneice]

ok this is very silly but i was watching a Hilda ep just now bc season 3 hype, letting the credits roll, and i spotted a ...familiar??? looking name in the credits?? anyway so this is how i find out one of the animators I work with has worked on hilda the series and i've just been unaware of that THIS WHOLE TIME

[shima-draws]

Tell us about the AU! I know you want to!!

WAUGHHH. AGHHH. OKAY. OKAY SO. I've been watching one of my favorite content creators play through the DLC. Early on in the playthrough he was tossing around theories and said "Maybe KIERAN is Ogerpon??" and that gave me a BRILLIANT THOUGHT.

Ogerpon Kieran AU.......

I've already thought of a very long and complex backstory for this LOL but to simplify it. Before the ogre and its human companion came to Kitakami, said companion was actually living a very happy life with his child. However, they were caught up in the midst of a great war that ended up taking the child's life. The man was so overcome with grief that it summoned a great being (I'm thinking Xerneas), who blessed his dead child with new life. And that child was reborn as Ogerpon!! So kinda like how children who get lost in the woods and die are reborn as Phantump.

Fast forward to many many years later. A long chain of events leads to Carmine's grandfather's...father (so, her great-grandpa?) meeting Ogerpon and vowing to make it a new mask, a mystical and powerful mask that could grant wishes. Sadly, Carmine's great-grandpa wasn't able to complete the mask before he died. This project was eventually picked up by Carmine's father (and I have a whole other thing about him but I'm not gonna get into it right now lol). Carmine's father forms a very close bond with Ogerpon as he continues to gather materials to finish the wish mask. He expresses his desire for Ogerpon to finally be able to walk among the villagers with its name cleared, and for Ogerpon to meet his only daughter. He leaves for a journey to find the last material for the mask...and never returns 😔

Carmine's grandfather has a whole complex about the wish mask, but after seeing both his father and his son dedicate so much time and care into completing it, he takes the last material, imbued with the hopes and dreams of his family, and finally finishes the mask. When he presents it to Ogerpon, Ogerpon dons the mask and its wish is granted...it becomes human :") So it becomes Kieran, basically!! Kieran's wish was to be able to say thank you to all of the generations of mask makers that had helped him, and. To be part of their family 🥺 What he doesn't know is that his wish to be human stems from the fact that he already was human, once. But he doesn't remember his life before he was reborn as a Pokemon.

So, Carmine's grandfather happily accepts Kieran and his desire, and takes him home to live with him and Carmine. Note that Kieran is probably around 5-6 at the time, so he's BABY. And Carmine is only about a year or two older. She isn't sure what to think about suddenly getting a new brother, but she's happy to have someone to boss around lmao.

And once a year, during the festival of masks, Kieran lets his facade fall and wanders around as Ogerpon again. Just to keep in touch with his roots haha

So obviously with Kieran being Ogerpon the events of the DLC will play out differently than canon. Kieran slyly compliments the ogre in front of the player and mentions that maybe it's just misunderstood. He's been trying for a while to change the villagers' minds about what happened to him and the Loyal Three all those years ago, but it hasn't been going...too well lol. So when the player shows up, and things start to shift, Kieran gets really excited bc he realizes he finally might be able to clear his name :")

Is this AU silly and dumb as hell? Yes. Does it not really make sense with canon and is full of plot holes? Yes. Am I brainrotting over it anyway? Also yes.

Take a little edit I did of Kieran's official art to fit what I had in mind for the AU ;) I wanted to draw it but I'm at work rn lmao RIP

ALSO LITTLE DOODLE OF THE BOY

ALSO bc of Ogerpon's original gender Kieran probably goes by he/they pronouns in the AU

[tallymonster]

Memories of Us chapter 10

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |

AO3

Okay first things first. Partial writing credit goes to @micropoe10 because she helped me write a good chunk of this. I owe you so hard bestie.

As always thanks to @cheesy-cryptid for allowing me to use their art as inspiration and for reblogging this. I literally would not continue this if I hadn't gotten the attention from them I did. So thank you thank you thank you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

One last thing before I post the story. This has been the most fun I have had on Tumblr. All of the support and love I have gotten from my friends on the Astarion Brainrot discord has been so encouraging. I owe you guys more than I could ever express.

ALRIGHTY THEN. WITHOUT FURTHER ADO.

Tags: @justporo @satanicspinosaurus @sleepy-timaeus @tragedybunny @davenswitcher @wayward-hel (if you wanna be included let me know ❤️❤️)

 chapter 10. I caught fire

The day went on slowly. Octavia stared at the clock on the wall, the anxious feeling gnawed at her. Earlier, she had briefly seen Astarion at the end of the office corridors. He gave the same empty stare he has for the last few weeks. 

 

She stood in front of her office door, glancing down at the handle. She should go say something, it's been long enough. Octavia turns to walk towards him, but as she looks over, he's already gone. 

 

As she walked into the office, Gale was sitting on his desk going through a few things he was researching on his own. He tears his eyes away for a moment and slides a small red piece of paper towards her.

 

Another note. 

 

“You know at some point, you'll have to admit you fucked up, Octavia. This is all becoming a little childish isn't it?” Gale chided.

 

He put down his pen and sighed. “You're not the only one suffering here, it's so ridiculously obvious that you're both miserable. In the years I've known him, I have never once seen him be so quiet around anyone else. You, my friend, are a first in many instances.” he chuckles at the end of his scolding. 

 

“You two are so dumb sometimes, it makes for fine entertainment.” He smirks and continues to write. 

 

Octavia scowls a bit, “I’m glad my misery is so interesting to you, Gale. Do you and your mother gossip about us during your brunches?” 

 

Gale immediately stares up at Octavia, “Okay, I apparently hit a nerve…I’m sorry. Really, I am. You know I'm only telling you this because I care about you both? I hate that you're not speaking. Not only because it's unprofessional for me to be your note lackey, but because the others have started to notice. So I suggest you read whatever is on this note, and go fix it. For all our sake.” He shuts his notebook and walks up to the office door. 

 

“I’m going for a walk, I hope you can figure out how to amend this.” He steps out, leaving Octavia to sit in her own anguish. She fiddles around with the folded piece of paper before deciding to get it done and over with. 

 

She unfolds the little more and her whole soul escapes her body. The note sent with Gale only said "Office. Now." Well that's it, he's firing her, or demoting her, or even worse, nothing at all. 

 

Octavia made the long walk over to Astarion's office. She stands in front of the door, hesitant to knock.

 

The whole argument replays in her head like it has for the last few weeks, she should've knocked on the damn door. But no, like a petulant child she was only thinking petty thoughts.

 

As she lifts her hand to knock, she hears some banging on the other side. She presses her ear to the door and listens quietly. Nothing. Was he even in there or was he testing her? 

 

It doesn't matter in hindsight, he's got his reasons for whatever he called her here for. She softly knocks on the door, the sounds behind the door stopping immediately. "Astarion? I got your note."

 

On the other side of the door, Astarion quickly picks up the papers he's thrown everywhere. Thank the gods he still used that arcane magic Gale taught him while they’d sort through maps and scrolls during their adventures. Within seconds his thrashed space is as impeccable as before. He composes himself and takes a moment, the mask expertly back on. "Come in."

 

Octavia walks in, Astarion is standing with his back to her, facing the window. "Locked. I don't want any interruptions." He speaks in a curt tone, not turning at all. Octavia locks the door, nervously sitting on the chair across him.

 

Astarion slowly walks over to her, stopping in between her and his desk. He sits on the edge facing her, his eyes two sunset orange orbs glaring deeply into her. He takes a long breath before speaking, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice to you like that. I hope we can go back to how we were before, I'm not angry anymore." 

 

Octavia's face is suspicious, her eyebrows furrowed, eyes turn into slits and she's taken back. "Hold on, you haven't spoken to me in three weeks, and you're apologizing? Why? Aren't you still furious with me? Are you okay?" 

 

Astarion scoffs a skewed scowl on his face."I'm trying to be open with you like you asked me to. Are you really going to get mad because I'm apologizing to you? What is wrong with you?" He asks exasperated, closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Gods you are so infuriating you're just like-" he takes a sharp inhale, "Listen, I'm trying, okay? This whole being patient, kind, open communication sort of thing is still very new to me." 

 

He continues, "I'm willing to look past this little invasion, honestly I'm amazed that you of all people would be the one to sneak in here." He sounded impressed. "Either due to luck or stupidity, but you're the first to leave alive." He chuckled a dark sarcasm behind it. 

 

"Besides," he paused, shuffling his feet, clearing his throat, and pursing his lips, "I missed talking to you. Passing notes like we're school children isn't as fun or exciting when you're an adult and Gale is the one you're passing them through." He pouts softly, as if seeking some sort of playful pity.

 

"I find that hard to believe, you seemed to like those little notes. I had so many, I thought it was an excuse to keep seeing Gale?" Octavia mocked, giggling softly. "Can I be honest with you too? I mean since we're in the spirit of openness and all?" Astarion motions her to proceed, "I missed talking to you as well. You're fun to talk to and complain with." 

 

Astarion smirks and extends a hand towards her. "Then, may I offer my apologies to you? Will you let me air my sweet grievances and complaints to you?"

 

His voice dripped like warm syrup towards Octavia, his eyes had a sultry energy behind them which made her cheeks quickly heat up. Her mind is scrambling to react, but the only thing working on overdrive is her need to see how much further this could go. She decides to play into his dangerous game, one that she knows she will most likely lose. 

 

Octavia takes his hand and leans forward on the chair, "As long as there are no complaints about me, I've been working very hard to earn your forgiveness." She chuckles, smiling with her eyes, dragging her gaze slowly back to his own, inhaling quietly as she stares into those gorgeous golden sunset pools.

 

Astarion leans in mirroring her movements, "Well you have, if that makes you feel better. I'm willing to work hard too. If you allow me to-" she stops him from speaking, pressing a finger to his lips.

 

He's taken back slightly, his lips stay puckered on her finger and he takes his chance to kiss it gently, earning him a sharp inhale from her. 

 

"Honestly, an apology is more than I ever thought I'd get from you Astarion, no offense." Octavia laughs, she stands and removes her finger from his lips. She stands in front of him, and reaches her hand down to hold his again. 

 

He smiles and tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear, gods she's even more beautiful up close. She breathes deep, allowing his touch. He caresses her cheek, gliding his hand down to hold her chin tilting her head up and looking her over. 

 

"You expect so little of me, how can I show you that I'm much more than that?" Astarion looks at her through hooded eyes, he was incredibly persuasive in the most benign occasions, and now that he had the invitation from her, he wasn't going to let that go to waste. He pulls her in closer, letting his arm rest on her waist.

 

He spoke so sweetly and Octavia wants to trust him, if he's willing to drop his guard, she can drop hers. "There's so much I want to tell you, but I'm afraid it will change your opinion of me." She spoke so softly, almost a whisper. 

 

Astarion's face turns to worry, there was a vulnerability he wished to share with her, how he did with Tav, they're so similar, this feeling is bittersweet and it terrified him. "Octavia, nothing can deter me. How intelligent, thoughtful, genuine you are..."

 

Octavia can't breathe, the words from his lips are so saccharine, like a forbidden fruit she longed to taste. "It scares me, the last time something like this happened, I ran from it, like a coward. I'm afraid of what it would do to you. The lengths I would go for someone like you." He confesses, she can sense the heartbreak behind the words.

 

His hand falls over the edge of her jaw sliding down and trailing it across her shoulder, up around her neck playing with the strands of hair that betrayed its styling, pulling her closer, his lips feather lightly across hers. Octavia's knees felt like they were about to give out, this is what she was hoping would happen in her garden, at the fundraiser, practically any time she saw him alone, he was so hard to understand but that made the appeal more undeniable.

 

"What if I wanted to find out? What would you do?" Octavia presses her forehead to Astarion's, her breath shuddering under the closeness between them.

 

Astarion chuckles "Curious little kitten aren't you?" His hand intertwined in her hair turns her head so he can lean in closer, his voice a low whisper in her ear "If you let me, I could drown you with my love. You would die a million little deaths each day. Allow me to show you." 

 

She felt his lips press against her skin. They were cool and soft, he could feel her shiver underneath his touch, a warmth grew inside that was boiling over both of them. The fire was certainly lit, but she had to be the one to control it before it became unstable.

 

Her hands shot up to his shoulders, stuck between pushing him off and entangling a hand in his hair. "Astarion, wait.." 

 

Octavia turns and looks into his eyes, full of hunger and lust, she takes a second to catch her breath. "I want this, but I want to take my time with it, I- I don't want to do anything to make you regret this. I really like you." Astarion's eyes grow wide, "I won't. I can't." His voice was soft, pleading almost.

 

One of Octavia's hands settles on Astarion's cheek, he settles into her touch and kisses the inside of her hand. His normally angular eyes are so round and soft, looking up at her, wanting. The vulnerability she was seeking on full display. He continues to kiss her hand, slowly going down her wrist. 

 

She continues to watch as he leaves a trail of languid kisses. As soon as he passes halfway up her forearm, she can't take it anymore. She pulls him in, kissing him, her whole body feels like it's floating and sinking all at once. She feels his arms pull her into himself, holding her closer as he deepens their kiss. 

 

One of her hands rests on his shoulder as the other snakes up to his hair, wrapping it in his curls. After a few moments he pulls away, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. "You are going to be the death of me, and I welcome it with an open embrace." 

[chasedawg2]

8 Shows To Get To Know Me

Tagged by no one, seen from a few, suggested by one

1. RWBY

The only reason I use this app is to see content on the two dorks above that I love so much and thank for the several hours of total brainrot. What literally started in like volume 2 as a "I envy my gf having ships in shows we watch and they work out, I need to find a ship to enjoy" to literally wanting to scream for joy when they're in the general vicinity of one another begging for any social interaction.

If that doesn't show well who I am idk what will.

2. RWBY Ice Queendom

....except maybe basically putting RWBY twice. Showcases my obsessive tendencies (I used 2 of 8 spots on a list to talk about White Rose)? Check. Shows my petty side (I loved it mostly for having juicy White Rose content I haven't gotten much of in recent volumes)? Yup. Yeah that works. Don't let me fool you though, I loved the show for the show too. Good plot, loved the animation, all of it fine and dandy. But yeah.... I just needed a WR infusion and this show gave it to me.

3. Succession

(for those of you who have not seen Succession, this is not Succession, this is one of the top GIF results for "business meeting")

Business people doing business things saying business words for an hour every week and yet it still stresses me out in a good way. Cinema.

4. Wizards of Waverly Place

Don't let the fact that I literally fell in love with Selena Gomez because of this show fool you. I loved this show for the show..... as well. Were there shows I watched more? Yeah. Were there shows I liked more? Probably. But this list is about shows that help you learn about me, not my top 8 shows of all time (although this is a weird one to say that on because this in fact would be in my top 8 favorite shows all time probably) and this teaches you the type of thing I was into in my younger years and how I learned about my biggest celebrity crush ever. Plus the transitions are all timers.

5. Once Upon A Time

^one of my favorite TV characters based on vibes

But that's not why it's here. It's here because it was one of, if not the first, major length show I ever binged with my girlfriend so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Plus everything besides the last season was very VERY good so it started things on a good note and has been good ever since 😁😂

6. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

God I fuckin miss this show. I miss this show so bad. That's what you're learning about me from this, that I miss these two dorky lesbians so fuckin bad. I regret hopping in the bandwagon the second they became canon. I should've latched on for the ride. GOD I miss them so bad. Are they still making a movie? I wish they made funkos but we are definitely past a point of no return there. UGHHHHHH COME BACK.

7. Game of Thrones

Yes yes, I know. I know. Relax. I too think the last season completely ruined the vibes of the whole show and severely reduces interest in potential rewatches if I have nothing else to watch. HOWEVER it makes the learn about me list because this is how I discovered that I love Richard Madden as an actor. I thought it was just that I loved Robb Stark the character, because before this I was never one to be like "oh so and so is my favorite actor I love their work" besides Selena Gomez because I was shameless in my youth and Harrison Ford because I liked Han Solo in my Star Wars days. But no, I watched him for like 4 minutes in 1917 and was like hey I know him, then I saw him in Eternals and he was great in Eternals, and now I'm seeing him in Medici and I like him in that too! I need to see Bodyguard at some point. Everyone says his performance was amazing in that.

8. The Boys

I was never a big comic/superhero guy growing up. I knew about various superheroes, I knew the MCU existed, hell I was Team Iron Man without watching a single MCU movie until 2019 (and I'm still that way). But, I've gotten into it. Up to date on MCU movies, seen most of the MCU shows (haven't seen only one of them yet, but I won't say which so it doesn't start anything because I just haven't felt like starting it yet and that's the only reason), and like I liked it. The Boys (followed soon by Eternals and then Moon Knight) showed me there was ways I could LOVE superhero stuff and now I make it my mission to see Marvel content because I've become interested in it so I guess it's a good thing I started late because I've yet to get burnout but that's only because I've been consuming content for like 4 years while some (if you count the Tobey Spiderman movies as the first mainstream superhero movies although I'm sure theres others that were also mainstream, probably batman but I'm getting into DC soon I swear I just dont know as much yet but I will get into it) have been consuming it for 20+ so I get why people complain about superhero burnout but I haven't reached it yet, and amazing content like The Boys is why.

Anyways that's it you can do it now @dragongirl180 and anyone else who happens to see this it's an open invitation to also do it so go ahead and share and stuff

[johnslittlespoon]

https://www.tumblr.com/hogans-heroes/746685005077544960/the-most-powerful-one-so-far-im-crying

Have you seen this buckbucky edit yet?

BIG OL' MISCELLANEOUS ASK POST!!

1) UNFORTUNATELY (said with love). that edit made me cry like a mf, my soul is too soft for those two to stay dry eyed through stuff like that. but god it was BEAUTIFUL.

2) ohh 100000%. it's in my post–war buckbucky playlist, it fits john's pov so well. it's so angsty, working through mental health issues in the aftermath, learning how to communicate with gale and ask for help when he needs it, just wanting to be by his side 24/7 but feeling undeserving of his love and also being afraid of how much he loves him and how much gale loves him back </3

3) omg no don't be sorry!! i am someone who listens to a little bit of everythinggg don't sweat it. i gave it a listen and YOWCH that hurt wtf?? it does fit bucky in that time so well, our poor sweet boy. :( also i still feel so bad that my only curtbucky fic is an mcd angst one LOL i need to fix that soon <3

4) another one i hadn't heard but nooo it absolutely is. all the angsty pine–y songs fit him so perfectly </3 he just wants to feel someone love him the same way he loves!! but also: 'i know i should be angry, but i can barely feel a fucking thing' is very plane–wing–scene :(

5) NO. NOT FUN. i have such a hard time listening to that song as is but thinking about it with post–war john in mind has literally made it 10x more painful and now this edit 😭 i tried to make an angsty edit to it a few weeks back but i started crying every time LOL phoebe just hurts too damn bad when you pair her with mota stuff. i adore her <3

6) SGDKJG honestly a wild day for us. she cracks me up like no one else <33 but OOO okay so i'm a strange one alright i grew up adoring anything fantasy/sci–fi, ate every novel and movie and show up, but in the past few years i've sort of lost interest in that vibe? which makes me really sad! but i've just been enjoying more slice of life stuff in terms of media i consume.

so i think if dune had come out when i was in like high school, i would've been obsessed, but even if it's not my go to genre, i still thought they were beautiful movies, perfect casts, managed to hold my attention as someone who can barely sit thru movies 99% of the time, the sound design was incredible, 10/10. no complaints.

but listen.... at first i was like "yummy feyd" as a joke. i serious'd very very fast. like i knew i'd be attracted just bc, i mean, c'mon, it's austin lmfaooo, but my brain chemistry was genuinely altered. i haven't like properly fleshed out any au–type of brainrot because i honestly didn't retain enough info about the dune universe (again. i am not a good movie watcher, i do not do well just sitting down and paying attention to one thing for three hours lol) but i do think some sort of crossover where john is in the dune world would be interesting!

let's be real, most of us would probably just wanna see john and feyd fuck nasty so. not sure it needs much elaborating on LMFAO and i'd be surprised if someone doesn't end up writing a fic like that– wouldn't be surprised if there already are some!

[wittyvitale]

Always One of Us (A Fluffy Post-Series Castlevania Fanfic)

Summary:  The Codrii Speakers visit the town of Belmont and Sypha reunites with her grandfather. They have a conversation about Sypha's life journey and her decision not to return to her Speaker tribe. Takes place at the end of the series, so MAJOR SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4 AND THE ENTIRETY OF THE SERIES. Lots of family fluff, some angst, some humor, some of Trevor being a cute daddy.

Author Notes:  I. LOVED. The ending of Castlevania. Perfect IMHO, exceeded my expectations. And the brainrot is strong right now. I really wanted to write about Sypha meeting with her Speaker caravan again after the events of the series, so now we have this. Enjoy!

The town of Belmont was bathed in the light of the late morning sun, a gentle breeze rusting the leaves on the trees. Trevor and Sypha were sitting on the bottom steps of Alucard’s castle, crooning over 6-month-old Sonia sitting on Trevor’s lap. The breeze brushed against the baby’s face and she giggled. Every time the baby laughed, Trevor and Sypha felt as if their hearts were going to burst.

“Somebody’s very happy today, isn’t she?” Sypha asked sweetly as she brushed the chestnut bangs out of her baby’s face.

“Thank god for that,” Trevor replied as he gently bounced the baby. “Better than screaming bloody murder like she’s been the past 2 days.”

“Sonia’s first teeth are coming in, of course she’s been screaming,” Sypha replied with a pout as she looked at her daughter. “Poor little thing’s been in so much pain lately. I’m glad her mouth seems to be giving her a break today.”

“I still say we should give her a little whiskey if it happens again,” Trevor suggested. “Just brush a bit on her gums. My Nana did that with me and my siblings when we were teething, or so I’ve been told.”

“I’ve already told you that we are not giving our baby whiskey, Trevor,” Sypha said sharply as she narrowed her eyes. “Alucard found a recipe for a tonic his mother used to make for teething babies. He said he’d have it for us today.”

Sonia began to babble as she reached for Trevor’s face and began to pat it with her chubby hand. Trevor lifted the baby so her face was closer to his ear.

“Hmm, what’s that, Sunny?” he asked. Sonia answered with more babbles and Trevor nodded. “I know, princess, but your mum says you can’t have whiskey. Maybe we’ll try again when you’re a little older.”

Sypha rolled her eyes but laughed. “My god, you are impossible, Trevor Belmont.”

Their banter was interrupted by a flurry of activity at the town’s front gate. A large wagon rolled into the town, and Sypha squinted to try to get a better look.

“That looks like a Speaker caravan.” Sypha observed with a lilt of surprise in her voice, still squinting.

“Definitely a Speaker caravan,” Trevor agreed. “You can see those blue robes from here.”

Sypha stood up and took a few steps forward. She saw a few of the Speakers getting off of the back of the wagon and her eyes widened.

“It’s the Codrii Speakers!” Sypha exclaimed. “Trevor, that’s my tribe!”

Before Trevor could react, Sypha was already running over to the caravan. The closer she got, the more certain she was that this was her Speaker tribe. When she got close enough, the last Speaker was being helped off of the wagon. Sypha stopped and stared at the older man, her eyes already beginning to well up with tears.

“Papi?” she asked softly. The older man turned at the sound of her voice and his eyes widened before giving her a soft smile.

“Sypha.” her grandfather replied, his lips curling into a delighted smile.

“Papi!” Sypha exclaimed as she ran over to her grandfather and hugged him tightly. Her grandfather returned the hug and they both held each other for a solid minute, both of them crying with joy.

“I missed you so much, Papi,” Sypha started, tears still flowing down her face. “I was planning to return to the caravan after we defeated Dracula, but so much happened and I-“

“Shhhh, it’s all right, my angel,” the Elder replied. Once they were finished embracing, he gently wiped the tears from her eyes. “We have plenty of time to catch up now. When I heard that there was a newer town in the area called Belmont, I had a feeling that I might find you here. I’m glad I trusted my intuition.”

Trevor finally caught up to Sypha, still holding Sonia in his arms.

“Christ Sypha, your eyesight is good,” Trevor said as he approached granddaughter and grandfather. “It really is your tribe! How are you, Elder Belnades?”

“Trevor! It is so nice to see you again.” The Elder said kindly to the Belmont. Sonia babbled and looked at the older man, big blue eyes filled with curiosity. “And who is this little one?”

“We really do have a lot to catch up on Papi,” Sypha said as she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes before standing next to Trevor.  “This is your great-granddaughter: Sonia Belnades Belmont.”

The Elder felt tears welling up in his eyes again when he learned the identity of the child. “I see. What a lucky man I am that I get to see 3 generations of Belnades’ during my lifetime. She’s beautiful. Congratulations to you both.”

“Would you like to hold her, Elder?” Trevor asked.

“It would be my honor.” The Elder replied as he stretched out his arms. As soon as Sonia was in her great-grandfather’s arms, she gave him an open-mouthed smile and cooed happily. The Elder gently stroked the baby’s cheek, a huge smile on his face.

“You were certainly telling the truth when you said that a lot has happened, Sypha,” the Elder said as he continued fawning over the baby. “The last time I saw you, you were making plans to urinate in a bucket and tell Trevor it was beer. And now the two of you have a baby.”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Trevor asked, raising an eyebrow.

“There is a beautiful spot on the edge of the village where we can catch up,” Sypha said, ignoring Trevor’s question. “Come, Papi, I’ll tell you everything.”

“You were going to make me drink your piss?”

Sypha turned to Trevor and placed a hand on his cheek, a sly smile on her face. “Treffy, please. We both know that you’d never notice if I did."

With that, Sypha led her grandfather over to the spot she mentioned before, leaving a dumbstruck Trevor behind.

Sypha and her grandfather were seated on 2 crates underneath the shade of a large oak tree. The Elder was still holding baby Sonia, who was beginning to drift off in his arms. Sypha looked at her daughter fondly.

“She’s very comfortable with you,” Sypha started. “Not that I’m surprised. You’ve always been good with babies.”

The Elder chuckled lightly. “I’ve been caring for children for decades; you, your mother, and many of the children across our caravans. I’d like to think I’ve picked up a few skills in my time. Now, why don’t you start from the beginning, Sypha?”

Sypha told her grandfather everything that had happened since they had parted at Gresit; the journey to the Belmont Hold, perfecting the locking spell and dragging Dracula’s castle to its current position, the battle with Dracula himself, her journey with Trevor, the tragedy at Lindenfeld, the many times they thwarted Dracula’s resurrection, their time in Targoviste, the battle with Death… the crushing despair she felt after thinking Trevor had died. She told her grandfather every detail and he listened well, as all experienced Speakers do.

“When I thought I had lost Trevor, I was planning on coming back to the caravan,” Sypha continued. “I realized I was pregnant not long after the battle with Death. I knew that I could get the support I needed if I returned to my family. But Alucard convinced me to stay, told me about the community he was helping to build around the castle. And literally right after that, Trevor came back from the dead. I decided to stay and help with the community organization efforts, and before I knew it, Sonia was born. I was always planning to come back to the caravan, Papi. I don’t want you to think that I was just going to abandon you and the rest of my family. But at the same time I… I…”

“You weren’t sure if you wanted to return to us for good.” The Elder answered. Sypha looked down at her feet guiltily. He took the hand he wasn’t using to hold Sonia and gently squeezed Sypha’s hand.

“You certainly have been through a great many ordeals, my dear,” the Elder started. “And we always knew there was a possibility that you would not come back to us once you had fulfilled the prophecy. Do you remember how the prophecy of the Sleeping Soldier ended?”

“How could I forget?” Sypha said with a light laugh. “’Once the Hunter, Scholar, and Sleeping Soldier had saved the world, they lived with each other until the end of their days.’ But after I met Trevor, I was certain that I would want nothing to do with him after we defeated Dracula. You remember what he was like, you met him before I did. He stank, he was rude, he behaved like such a child. I couldn’t stand him. But then… I learned more about him, saw the man he really was. And I… I fell in love. I really do love him, Papi.”

The Elder smiled in approval. “I always knew Trevor was more than what he was pretending to be back in Gresit. He was a defeated man, trying to cope with a significant loss. I knew that you would eventually realize the same thing. You’ve always had a good head on your shoulders, a very strong emotional intelligence.”

Sypha smiled sadly. “After everything I’ve been through, I don’t think I can return to the life of a Speaker. My life is here now. With Trevor, Sonia, Alucard, Greta, and so many other people who make up this community. I will always carry the practices and principles of the Speakers with me. I will always provide aid and comfort to those who need it most. But I want to do these things here. I want to stay here.”

“As you should,” the Elder nodded as he squeezed Sypha’s hand again. “I always knew you were destined for great things, my Sypha. I knew it back when you were 5-years-old and you accidentally set our wagon on fire with your magic.”

Sypha laughed. “I remember that day very well. That was the first time I ever used magic.”

“I want you to look at me, Sypha,” the Elder began, waiting until Sypha’s eyes met his. “Know that no matter where the journey of life takes you, you will always be a Codrii Speaker. You will always be considered one of us. We are your family and will always be your family. Never forget that, my angel. Although you no longer travel as a Speaker, you will always be a Speaker. And you will always be my precious granddaughter.”

Sypha felt the tears welling up in her eyes again. She wrapped her arms around her grandfather’s neck. “Thank you, Papi. Thank you. I love you so much.”

“And I love you, Sypha,” the Elder answered, wrapping his free arm around Sypha. Once they had separated, the Elder’s eyes went back to the front of the village gate. He saw the 10 remaining Speakers surrounding Trevor and they appeared to be subjecting him to an intense interrogation session.

“And it looks like the rest of your family is making sure that Trevor is taking good care of their sister,” the Elder chuckled. “We should go back to him.”

Sypha laughed too. “Yes, we should probably save him. From Arn especially.”

“Well at least you smell better than the last time we met you.” Arn said to Trevor as Sypha and the Elder returned to the group. Arn noticed the pair and turned to Sypha. “Is this bum helping you take care of the baby? He’s not leaving all of the work to you, is he?”

Sypha rolled her eyes affectionately. “Yes, Arn, Trevor’s helping me with all aspects of childcare. This is me we’re talking about; do you think I’d let him get away with anything less?”

“Hmm, a fair point,” Arn mulled over before glaring at Trevor again. “You’d better be good to her. To her and your daughter. If not, we’ll come back and have something to say about it.”

Trevor held up his hands in acquiescence. “I promise, Arn, Sypha and Sonia will be treated like royalty as long as I’m around. They're my world and I'm always going to give them my best.”

Sypha gave Trevor a soft yet apologetic smile for Arn’s interrogation. Her eyes went to Sonia, who was now fast asleep in the Elder’s arms.

“Trevor, why don’t you take Sonia and put her in her crib for a nap?” Sypha suggested. “I don’t want her to risk waking up out here. You know how cranky she gets when her sleep is interrupted.”

“Hmm, good idea. Gotta make sure our little princess gets her uninterrupted beauty rest.” Trevor agreed as he held his arms towards the Elder. The Elder quietly passed Sonia over to her father. Sonia began making small whimpering sounds at the movement, which made Trevor gently shush her, hoping she wouldn’t wake up. She settled in Trevor’s arms and relaxed, which also made Trevor relax.

Sypha squeezed Trevor’s upper arm gently. “I’ll meet you back at the castle a little later. I want to spend a little more time with my family.”

“Take your time.” Trevor nodded to Sypha and the Speakers before walking away with the sleeping baby in his arms.

Sypha looked at each member of her Speaker family and smiled warmly. So happy that they had found her. So happy that she was still considered one of them. So happy that she would always have them no matter where her life led.

“I would like to introduce you to the other members of my family in this village,” Sypha started as she took her grandfather’s hand. “Would you like me to give you a tour?”

The Elder placed his other hand on Sypha’s and smiled fondly.

“We would love nothing more.”