#shes handled finding out her destiny and life is tied to land that she had been terrified of

[freakurodani]

amna has gone off the deep end

[dogbearinggifts]

What are your thoughts on tua S2? Did you feel like the characters grew? What did you like? What did you not? I’m interested in your perspective. Your analysis are super thoughtful and interesting!

Aw, thanks, Anon!

Overall, I really enjoyed S2 and thought it was a solid follow-up to S1. I do have my quibbles about it, so I think (for ease of reference and because my thoughts are a little scattered today) I’ll list some of my personal highlights (in no particular order) before getting into what I didn’t like as much.

Big spoilers ahead.

Allison. I thought they handled her storyline especially well. Of all the siblings, I think she had the most difficult obstacles placed in her way (not only is she a Black woman landing in 1961 Dallas, but she’s a Black woman landing in 1961 Dallas who can’t even speak in her own defense for a year) and they sugarcoated exactly none of it. The writers pulled no punches when showing what civil rights protesters went through, which just made their nonviolent response all the more breathtaking. Allison’s fear and anger during those scenes were palpable even as she kept them hidden. But along with that horror, we see the kindness and warmth of the Dallas Black community, the women who take her in simply because she needs their help, and her love for Ray, perhaps heretofore THE most thoughtful husband ever portrayed on screen. I loved him, and I loved him and Allison together. While I understand and respect his choice to stay in 1963, I wish they’d gotten more time together. They both deserved it.

Vanya. We got to see how much the baggage from her past affected her by glimpsing what she might be like if it were taken away. It’s an interesting philosophical question, and it was explored well, in my opinion. She finds it easier to love and be loved, and she stands up for herself more readily—but she also doesn’t hesitate to use powers she can’t quite control and threatens Five without fully realizing how dire her threat is (or how it might dredge up traumatic memories she doesn’t know exist). The moment where Ben finds her curled up, fully convinced she’s a monster, was heartbreaking. I loved watching her find happiness with Sissy, even if that was fleeting (and dear god, Sissy deserved her happy ending with Vanya, dammit, I don’t care if it would fuck up the timeline). Her patience and sweetness with Harlan were just beautiful. And the way she used the confidence she gained during her amnesia to fully come into her own not to exact revenge on her siblings, but to save them, was fucking phenomenal.

The humor. There was a lot more humor this season, and it was awesome. So many iconic scenes—Olga Foroga, Luther babysitting two homicidal Fives, Elliot awkwardly lecturing his guests on the history of Jello, “NEW TIMELINE NEW ME,” “Your vagina needs glasses,” AJ the fish gobbling up the cigarette bubbles, Five getting to say “fuck”….this season was a lot funnier than the previous one, and I think that was one of its strengths.

Klaus’ cult. It was played for laughs, which I both expected and thought was the best way to handle it. He didn’t want to start a new religion with himself at the center; he just wanted to not get thrown out of any more diners, but Destiny’s Children had other ideas. The “I too am a fraud!” scene was hilarious and tickled the question of whether or not a religion founded on false pretenses can still help those within it find meaning.

Luther. Getting him away from his dad, his siblings, and the Academy was exactly what he needed to become the pure of heart and dumb of ass genius we always knew he was, but his first major step in that direction was heartbreaking. We all knew he’d be rejected once he got to the Academy. We all knew Reginald would rip his heart out and stomp on it in his admittedly fashionable shoes. It gets Luther out on his own and forces him to become his own person apart from his dad, but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch. He got the positive character development he needed, but the catalyst was tragic.

Diego. We see, for the first time, exactly how Reginald kept him in line—not with meds or with PTSD-inducing torture, but with words. Even when he knows Diego as little more than a stranger, Reginald is able to rip off his skin and fling it in his face with a single diatribe; and even at 30, with years away from his dad, Diego is left unable to speak, feeling as if all of his accomplishments up to that point were the work of a dumb kid who thought he was smarter and more capable than he actually was.

Luther and Diego sharing a braincell. Luther has bad ideas. Diego has bad ideas. When they put their bad ideas together, they get terrible ideas. I loved watching them work together as a team, rather than being at each others’ throats for most of the season, even if I’m left hoping Olga Foroga had a pleasant and quiet day after that phone call.

Reginald. At first glance, it may look like the writers were trying to make him likable so they could parade him around as your average abusive-parent-with-a-soft-side. But it’s more nuanced than that. Abusive parents (and abusers in general) often fly under the radar because they fool outsiders into thinking they’re good people. They’re active in their communities. They give to charity. They have friends who attest to their virtue, significant others who think they’re the greatest. And that’s what we see with Reginald. We see him as the rest of the world did: an intelligent, eccentric man with a sharp sense of humor who cared deeply about scientific advancement. That’s how he evaded suspicion—because there were stories from years past of lively parties at his mansion, of what a gentleman he was to Grace and of how he did everything he could to save little Pogo. But those stories would all have come from people he considered his equals. When he’s with people he considers his inferiors—aka, the Umbrella kids—he’s openly condescending and demeaning. We get to see how he fooled the world, and it is chilling.

Elliot. He deserved better, and you can ship him with any one of the Hargreeves kids and get the cutest thing ever. 

The Swedes. They said so much while speaking very little.

Ben. He got more personality and screen time, and it was glorious. His love of his family and resentment toward Klaus practically leapt off the screen. The way he says “I’ve missed you all…so much” once they’ve all left was one of those right-in-the-feels moments; and watching him get so much of what he’s wanted for years when he possesses Klaus was beautiful.

Now, as for things I took issue with….

Ben. I understand why they ended his arc the way they did. I get that they were probably afraid the Klaus/Ben dynamic would grow stale if they didn’t change it somehow and wanted to give him a larger role in S3. His death(???) was heartbreaking and extremely well-done. But it also wasn’t foreshadowed. We never got any sense of what ghosts in the TUA ‘verse are, so the fact they can be destroyed by a ton of sound-turned-energy or by going too far into someone’s psyche or whatever happened….it’s not that it doesn’t make sense so much as there’s not enough evidence to determine whether or not it makes sense. It feels like the writers just kinda made that up so they’d have a reason to change Ben’s relationship dynamics, but if that’s the case, couldn’t they have done it another way? Couldn’t they have made it so the immense energy or psychic woo-woo or whatever gave him a power-up instead of destroying him? Vanya transferred some of her energy into Harlan and brought him back to life. Couldn’t something similar have happened with Ben? And if it tied him to Vanya as well as to Klaus, great! More fodder for angst and humor! (”Vannyyyyyyyy, stop hogging Ben!” “You got him for 17 years, Klaus, you can part with him for 20 minutes.” “Guys, don’t I get a say in this?”) I’m glad they didn’t write him out of the series entirely, but I still wish they’d kept him and all the character development he’d gotten throughout S2.

Episode 10. It looks like they tried to cram half a season’s worth of developments into 45 minutes. Twenty minutes in, I’d already said “Wait what the fuck” half a dozen times. A lot of those moments were explained later on, and I was able to make enough inferences to fill in any lingering plot holes, but…still. Too much stuff, too little time. E9 was a perfectly satisfying ending to the season. Yes, it leaves the siblings stranded in 1963, but they could’ve tied up those loose ends in the S3 premiere.

Lila. She’s an incredibly fun character, but her arc is kind of a mess. Most of that is due to E10, and I do feel that more time to let her arc breathe would’ve worked wonders, but I’m left feeling like her turn from “Handler is the best mom ever and I lurve Diego too” to “KILL DIEGO AND HIS EVIL FAMILY” to “Handler is a bad mom and Diego is right” happened too quickly.

The Commission. Okay, so, the Handler announces the entire Board has been killed, and she’s stepping in as director even though everyone appears to know she’s been demoted (and demoted pretty severely—she went from having an office bigger than some apartments to being a case management drone). There’s suspicion and lots of it. But then, La Resistance is….ten or so people in a single room? And when she calls the temps agents to her side, thousands of them show up ready and willing to fight and die? I dunno. Just seems like there should’ve been more splintering going on there. Again, I think they needed more time to tie everything up.

Aside from those complaints, I loved the season. I set aside most of a day to binge it, and I do not regret that decision at all.

[alj4890]

All Through the Night

A Choices: The Royal Romance Dark AU

@gkittylove99​ ​​ @krsnlove​ ​ @kingliam2019​ ​ @texaskitten30​ ​ @yourmajesty09​ ​ @mom2000aggie​ ​ @ofpixelsandscribbles​ ​ @twinkleallnight​ ​ @lodberg​ ​ @twinkleallnight​ ​ @amandablink​ ​ @neotericthemis​ ​  @mm2305​ ​ @sfb123​ ​ @iufilms​​​ ​ ​ @tessa-liam​ @busywoman​​

Masterlist

Catch up here with Prologue and Part 1

Part 2

Fydelia...

"Madeleine dear, have you seen the lost book of Aurelia?" Regina called out when she noticed the countess passing by. "There were some notes in there that I think can be useful for Maxwell."

"No mam." Madeleine stepped into their library.

The walls were covered with a variety of the history of the five kingdoms and the mysterious sixth. Madeleine had spent years studying every single myth in the hopes of finding hints of cures and such for the ailments of her people. Her usually sharp gaze softened at the faded leather spines. They had been her source of comfort long before Regina arrived.

When her parents were alive they rarely spared their daughter a single glance. As long as she was quiet, well behaved, and properly attired; they expected little else from her. She had been their disappointment. Her father had hoped for a son while her mother hoped to never have a child.

She did not feel grief when they died. In fact, she had rarely felt any emotion until Regina took over her care. Through her cousin's encouragement and treating her with kindness, Madeleine began to understand happiness and contentment.

She also began to long for love.

The stories she read about the great love Queen Kenna shared with Dominic had made her begin to daydream about her finding someone of her own. She rather liked the idea that the creatures of the Dark Kingdom fell in love instantly. It certainly took all the guess work out of he loves me, he loves me not.

Though Regina was a kind and nurturing soul, Madeleine wanted something more.

And she had found it one afternoon with the banished prince of the Dark Kingdom.

**************

A year ago, the capital of Cordonia...

Madeleine ran down the sidewalk as a torrential downpour began. Being lost in thought, she had wandered away from the market place without paying attention. Townhomes with small parks and cottages with flower gardens dotted the quiet neighborhood.

"Oh!" Madeleine slid down, landing not only upon her left ankle, but also in a puddle.

She closed her eyes at the painful throbbing. Tears began to intermingled with the rain falling upon her face. She tried to standup but ended right back in the puddle.

For the life of her, she couldn't think of a single spell that she could use to help herself. It was part curse and actually a blessing to others that a witch could rarely use magic to improve their own circumstances. Other than being able to take potions to improve their physical health, most spells could only be used for someone else.

If she had asked Regina to come with her for a visit to the capital, then she could have healed Madeleine easily. She probably knew a spell offhand to immediately dry her clothes. But then again, Regina was the most powerful out of their coven.

She attempted to stand once more, only for a cry of frustration mixed with agony to slip out.

She could hear footsteps rushing towards her from behind.

She turned her head and saw a man. Her lips parted at how handsome he was. His drenched clothing revealed what was a definite muscular body. His blonde hair had darkened from the rain. But his eyes...they were the most intense blue she had ever seen.

"Are you badly hurt?" He asked.

She nodded. "It's my ankle. Either a bolt of lightening struck when I fell or I definitely heard a definite pop."

Without another word, he scooped her up in his arms as if she weighed no more than a feather.

He kicked open the wrought iron gate and ran with her into his townhome.

"There's a light switch behind you." He waited for her to find it then continued on into his living room. "Here." He set her down on the couch. I'll try to find you something dry to put on and then we'll have a look at that ankle."

Her lips parted then closed as he dashed upstairs. She took advantage of her solitude to study what was clearly the home of a bachelor. Her eyes touched on the masculine décor of oversized leather furniture and no pictures on the walls. There no trinkets of any sort nor any type of color to add to the brandy colored leather and beige walls.

She turned her attention back to her ankle and winced when she tried to rotate her foot.

"That will teach you not to do that again."

Madeleine jumped at the sound of his voice tinged with amusement.

He handed her a towel then knelt beside her. Using another towel, he dried her foot and leg after removing her shoe.

"Thank you, um..." She bit down on her bottom lip when his fingers gently pressed around the swollen area.

"Leo." He looked up at her. "And who might you be?"

"Madeleine." She sucked in a painful gasp when he lifted her foot.

"Madeleine," he shook his head, "I believe it is just a bad sprain."

She slumped back in relief at that news. "I think so too."

He took off his shirt off and pulled a dry one on.

Her parted lips at the sight brought a grin to his face.

"If we're going to get you an x-ray just to make sure nothing is broken, then you'll have to stay in your dress." His eyes roamed over her petite figure. "I don't have anything that will work for you out in public."

"Yes, of course." She lowered her eyes. "Thank you for your assistance. I'm certain I would still be sitting in the puddle if you hadn't come by."

"I saw you slip down from my bedroom window." He scooped her up once more and carried her out to his garage. "Don't worry Lady Madeleine, we'll have you fixed up in no time."

Her head jerked up. "How do you know I'm a noble?"

He paused then shrugged. "With your beauty and the way you speak, it seemed likely that you were one." He set her in the passenger seat of his car. "Then again," he winked at her, "perhaps I was hoping to be your knight in shining armor."

Her pale skin flared with color from his flirting.

Leo chuckled at the sight then patted her hand.

After taking her to a nearby emergency care clinic, he then drove her back to her hotel.

He carried her and her crutches to her room despite her arguments that she could manage now that she had something to lean on.

"You shouldn't trouble yourself, Mr.--"

"Leo." He insisted. "And it is no trouble at all, I assure you." He set her down on a chair. "So, what brings you to the capital?"

"Nothing in particular." She lowered her eyes. "I had a few council meetings to attend and then I decided to stay over for a few days."

Leo nodded. "Wanted to get away?"

"Yes." Madeleine twisted the hem of her skirt. "I shouldn't feel this way. My life is filled with responsibilities that I actually enjoy handling." She lowered her eyes. "But sometimes..."

"It isn't enough." He smiled at her. "I've been there."

"You have?"

"Of course." He stretched his legs out and took a deep breath. "Though, I think the worst thing that can happen to someone is to have those very responsibilities that they thrive on taken away."

He bent down when he saw her struggle to prop her foot up on a small table. Before she could utter the words that he needn't feel like he had to keep helping her, he had slid it over closer.

"Thank you." She smiled shyly at him. "If you don't mind my prying, what responsibilities do you have?"

His easy smile dimmed. "Ah, none."

Her eyes widened. "But you seem to understand --"

"Like I said," he got up and went to stand at her window. "Nothing is worse than being denied what you are made for."

"What were you made for?" She prodded.

He glanced at her from over his shoulder with a smirk. "Me? To be king."

Her eyes widened with realization. The infamous handsome looks. The chivalry. The recognition of her nobility.

"You're the Dark King's son." She whispered in disbelief.

He turned to fully face her. "And you're The Guardian's ward, the very one she gave up being queen for."

Madeleine swallowed nervously. "I--I'm sorry you lost your kingdom." She gripped her hands together in her lap. "I heard about your father naming Liam as heir."

A brief flash of anger appeared in his blue eyes. "Yes, it seems that my embarrassment of not being a vampire extends to all areas of Cordonia."

"No!" She lifted her hand toward him as if to try and comfort him. "It isn't anything you could control." Her brow furrowed. "I'm certain you would have been an excellent king."

He returned to his chair. "Do you?"

She nodded. "I've always had a gift of, well...of sensing a person's true nature."

"Sounds impressive." Leo reached for her hand. "And what do you sense with me?"

Madeleine bit down on her bottom lip. "I can't quite find the words, but I sense great things in your future." A blush formed on her cheeks as she locked eyes with him. "And that I am somehow tied to your destiny."

He lifted her hand to his lips. "I think you're right."

***************

It had to have been fate for their paths to cross. The young man had been wandering Europe in search for a place he could belong.

"Once I saw you," Leo told her late one night, "I knew I had finally found the right place."

She had lost her heart to him. His stories of not being loved by his father matched her own, especially in being considered a great disappointment. She had not been born a boy and he had not been born a vampire.

There was little either could do about it.

Leo admitted that he had gone in search of a vampire in Sweden to try and turn him. Something though went wrong when he was given the Vampire's kiss. He did not change. He had remained in his mortal form even after completing the procedure by drinking from the Chalice.

There was no increase of strength. There was no vulnerability to the sun. There was nothing new or different about him.

Only further frustration and heartache.

Madeleine kept their encounters to herself. It wasn't that she didn't trust Regina. She simply didn't trust what she might say to Constantine.

The King continued to invite Regina to visit. He understood her reasons for refusing his marriage proposal but he refused to never see her again. Since she was in love with him too, she went each time he called for her.

Madeleine didn't approve of their relationship, yet she also kept this thought to herself. She had seen as a child the effect speaking one's mind had on others and she never wanted anyone to know her plans or opinions.

But then she began to sneak away to see Leo.

He had been the first person she had actually opened up to. His charm and confidence seemed to spill over and infect her with an openness she never knew she possessed.

Leo was interested in everything about her, especially her knowledge of spells and potions. For nearly a year, he marveled at her intelligence and encouraged her to dig further to find ways to push magic to its very limit.

Then one night, he shared a dream he had recently had.

"You and I were the King and Queen of the Dark Kingdom." His blue eyes flashed with emotion as he gazed off into the distance. "The people were overjoyed to have the true heir back within the fold."

"We were married?" She asked.

"We were." He squeezed her tight, drawing a startled gasp from her lips. "Everything was how it was meant to be for me. I had claimed the black crown for my own."

"What about your father and Liam?"

He turned toward her. Images from his dream of their ashes floating about his feet brought a slight smile to his lips.

"They weren't there."

"Did you feel in the dream that they approved?"

"Of course." He replied. "I have no doubt they finally saw my true strength."

"You would be an excellent ruler, my love." She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "No one has as big a heart like you."

With her head pressed to his chest, he softly agreed. "Yes, I believe I would be just the ruler this country needs."

As the months passed, he fed her little by little tidbits of stories he claimed he had heard. The creatures of the Dark Kingdom were miserable. They were being ill treated by their once beloved monarch.

"I can't stand the thought of any of them suffering." He paced back and forth before her.

"Of course you can't." She replied. "I wish there was something we could do."

His steps faltered. Turning toward her, his sharp eyes filled with tears.

"Do you truly wish you could help them, Maddie?"

"I do." She reached for his hands. "It seems so wrong to be given these magical powers and not use them in some way to help your people."

He smiled warmly at her. She had stopped referring to the people of the Dark Kingdom as monsters. It had taken a long time to get her to do so, but he knew it would all be well worth it in the end.

Leo sat down before her. "If anyone can find a way for us to take our rightful place, it is you," he pressed a kiss to her hands, "my love."

Madeleine blushed at his faith in her. She loved that he saw her as no one else did. How could she not spend every single spare moment she had in pursuit of a way for him?

"I'll try, darling." She vowed. "I'll do everything within my power to return what is rightfully yours."

He captured her lips in a ravenous kiss.

**************

Now...

"I received your message." Leo climbed the trellis to Madeleine's balcony. "Did you find something?"

"I think I have." She showed him the lost book of Aurelia. "It is taking me a while to decipher, but I believe that what you need will be in here."

He stared at the book that might possibly hold his future.

"For instance," she opened it to the third chapter, "a witch held a vampire hostage to discover where their super strength and mind powers originate from."

His eyes narrowed on the crude symbols meant to be letters of the ancient Aurelian language.

"And you believe you will find a way to destroy Father's powers?" He asked.

"No." She gently placed her arm around his waist. "I believe I will find a way to give you those same powers without the vampiric nature."

His eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I am." She smiled up at him. "What will your first act as king be?"

He returned her smile. "After naming you queen, it will be to heal our fractured kingdom once and for all."

****************

That same evening, near a bustling market place in the capital...

"Lady Hana?"

Hana spun around and smiled. "Lord Beaumont?"

"Maxwell, please." He grinned at her. "It's nice to meet you."

She shook his hand then gestured to the lady beside her. "This my best friend and business partner, Riley Brooks."

"Hi." Riley shook his hand. "Hana said that you would be our tour guide."

"Well," he slipped his hands in his pockets while summoning his charming façade, "I don't like to brag but I do know all the best places to see in Cordonia."

"Great!" Hana relaxed some. "We have quite the list prepared of what we want to see most."

"Oh?" His eyes widened when she handed him a notebook. "Wow. You, uh, you weren't kidding."

"We're vloggers." Riley explained. "Our subscribers depend on us to be thorough with the places we travel to."

"Then you've got the right kind of tour guide." He hesitated when he came to Riley's section. "Interested in the supernatural?"

"Yep." Riley laughed. "You wouldn't think it of us," she nudged a giggle out of Hana, "but we have a lot of fun exploring the creepy."

"Not that we have ever come across a ghost or creature of the night." Hana added. "But we refuse to give up."

"I see." Maxwell mumbled. He looked up at them with a grin. "I'm a fraidy cat myself."

"That's okay." Riley shrugged. "It won't be the first time Hana and I have to venture into the unknown alone."

"She means supposed haunted houses and woods." Hana added with a chuckle.

"But that's not all I want to see." Riley pointed at another section of her list. "Night clubs and historical spots are another part I want to spend time on."

Maxwell shut the binder. "How about for your first venture into Cordonia's nightlife we go dancing?" He flashed another dimpled grin. "No need to spook you on the first night here."

"Sounds good to me." Riley replied when Hana tilted her head in agreement. "Lead the way."

******************

"Why did we come here of all places?" Drake grumbled.

"I sent Leo a message to meet us here for a drink." Liam sat down at one of the bar's balcony chairs. "He hasn't replied but I am still hopeful he will show up."

He had always enjoyed this particular bar simply for its view. The bustling marketplace of Cordonia's capital was the perfect place to people watch.

It was one of his favorite past times and he usually came by himself. Tonight though, he had dragged Drake and Sherry along while forcing Rashad to promise to meet up with them once he concluded a business dinner.

"Here we go." Sherry set some glasses down. "One whiskey for Mr. Grumpypants."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, I meant Sir Grumpypants." She teased. "One scotch for Liam." She sat down between them, "...and one--" her eyes began to glow as she zeroed in on an all too familiar figure down in the crowd.

"Sherry?" Drake poked her when she stilled.

"What is it?" Liam became alarmed by her fury forming.

Her eyes narrowed to mere slits. "He wouldn't dare!"

Sparks shot off from her hands as she shoved her chair back.

"Sherry!" Liam grasped her arm to try to calm her down before her emotions gave away what she was. He believed though that he should be able to alter the few patron’s memory here yet he hoped it wouldn't come to that."

"Who are you--" Drake's jaw spasmed as he tried to remain under control. He finally saw what she had seen. "It's that damn Beaumont!"

Liam turned to scan the crowd. He noticed the hunter walking with a lady on each arm. His brow furrowed at the strange sight. He knew Sherry had secured for the most part a future with him, and yet he was out with two--

Liam sucked in a strangled breath. The lady on his left had lifted her face to look at the upper level bars and restaurants. Her deep brown eyes met his and she smiled before continuing on her study of her surroundings.

Sherry jerked her arm out of his grasp. "I'm going to burn off some pieces of his body for this!"

Drake didn't bother to help stop her, hoping she would indeed hurt the man.

Liam shook himself out of the haze seeing the strange woman had caused. "Wait!" He took off after his relative. "Sherry!"

Drake heaved a groan, downed his drink, and begrudgingly followed in their wake.

******************

"...and if you are looking for the latest fashions, Hana, this store has a direct from Paris line--"

Maxwell took a step back when Sherry appeared before them.

Hana and Riley looked first at the furious woman then at his shocked face in curiosity.

"What do you think you're doing?" Sherry hissed.

Maxwell swallowed uneasily. "Will, uh, will you ladies excuse me a moment?"

"Sure." Riley replied as he grasped the mystery woman's hand.

He released it with a yelp as if touching her had hurt.

"Is something wrong?" Hana asked.

Maxwell shook his scalded hand. "No."

"That's what you deserve." Sherry muttered for his ears only. "How could you--

"Ladies, allow me to introduce Lady Sherry Alcantar." Maxwell bit out. His blue eyes seemed to spark with a fire of his own as he gazed upon the woman. "My love, this is Lady Hana Lee and Ms. Riley Brooks of New York. Lady Hana's mother is an old friend of my family who asked me to show them around."

Sherry's eyes narrowed somewhat. She was slightly mollified in hearing him call her his love, but that still gave him no right to escort two disgustingly beautiful women around Cordonia at night.

"It's nice to meet you." Riley held her hand out. "Maxwell told us all about you on the way here. I'm so glad we have a face to put to the name he says in every other sentence."

Sherry took a deep breath to cool her fiery temper. She shook her hand with a sincere smile. "It's nice to meet you both."

Hana smiled warmly at her while describing their work. "Lady Sherry, perhaps we could question you about some of the places we hope to capture on film.

The two friends shared a significant glance when Maxwell and Sherry merely stared at one another.

"If you don't mind, I would love to go in there and look around." Hana gestured toward the shop. "I can already see some dresses that I think would be perfect for our videos."

"We'll be back in a few." Riley added, winking at Sherry on her way inside. “I’m sure Maxwell would prefer staying out here with you than be stuck shopping with us.”

Sherry took a deep breath once they were gone. "Why are you really out with them?"

"I received a call the other night from Hana's mother." He explained. "She heard about Liam's search for a bride."

"Her mother knows about the Dark Kingdom?" Sherry couldn't hide her surprise. It was rare to find anyone today who actually believed that the stories were true.

"Yes, she is from one of Cordonia's minor houses." Maxwell sighed. "She doesn't want her daughter to be the next Dark Queen."

Sherry tried to control her temper. Nothing sparked it like someone denying the sweetest, most gentle man she knew a chance at happiness. She clinched her fists when she felt the heat move over her body.

"Sherry?" Maxwell took a cautious step forward. "You're overheating." He tried to take her in his arms, wincing at how hot she felt.

Her eyes flashed as she glared at him. "I know."

He let her go. "I'm sorry, honey."

The unexpected apology and endearment was what instantly cooled her. "You're what?"

"I know how important Liam is to you." He added, running his hands down his face. "But, I doubt this will be then only lady I'm tasked with protecting from him."

"Liam deserves a chance at finding his mate as much as anyone else. Maybe even more so." Sherry argued. She raised her eyes to his. "If you would spend time with him, then you would see what kind of man he is." She looked back into the shop at the two new ladies. "Maybe then you wouldn't take on jobs like this."

Maxwell hated seeing her so down and knowing he was partly responsible. He reached out and took her in his arms, cuddling her close. He dropped a kiss on top of her head.

“I know you want me to meet him. I’ll try to do so one day.” He tried to fight how wrong that felt saying aloud. “But for the moment, I can’t take a chance on Liam meeting Hana.”

“Why did you accept this?” She asked. “You've never taken on bodyguard duty before.”

"Hana's family offered incentives that I needed to help with Bertrand's healing." He rested his cheek against her head when he felt her arms wrap around him. "I didn't think about how it would affect Liam or you. I just knew I couldn't pass up this opportunity for my brother.”

Sherry lifted her head and gently kissed him. "I understand." A rueful smile formed on her lips. "And I apologize for blowing up at you earlier. When I saw you with two highly attractive women and clearly having the time of your life, something in me just snapped."

"You know, you ruined me for anyone else." His dimpled grin appeared. "I could be out with a dozen so called gorgeous women and all I would notice is that they aren't you."

She beamed at him. "Really?"

"Really."

When silence fell between them again, Maxwell exaggerated clearing his throat. He cocked an eyebrow when Sherry looked up at him.

"You ruined me too." She admitted.

"I better have." He grinned once more when he heard her laugh. "Just so there is no misunderstanding, I have to spend the next few weeks with Hana and Riley." He nudged Sherry's chin up. "I want you to come with us as much as you would like."

"You do?"

He nodded.

"I suppose I could find the time." She teased. With a sigh she looked up at the bar. "I should probably head back up there."

"Where?"

"I was up there having a drink with Liam and Drake." She pointed toward the empty balcony. "I wonder where they went."

"Liam's here?!" Maxwell let her go and rushed over to the shop window. He breathed a touch easier when he saw Hana critically studying a dress Riley had tried on.

He then scanned the crowd. His hand immediately went to his side, causing him to curse aloud when he remembered he had not brought his sword. He had left it behind to keep the illusion of a fun, party lord intact.

He really needed to start carrying a hidden dagger like Olivia kept insisting.

Sherry folded her arms while watching him revert into hunter mode. "Max? You know Liam would never harm them."

He narrowed his eyes as he searched for the Dark Prince and his right hand man.

He glanced at the lady beside him when he heard her deep sigh.

"Let me see where he disappeared to and I'll try and get him out of here."

"What was he doing down here anyway?" He asked.

"Oh." Sherry bit down on her bottom lip. "He recently found out that Leo is back in Cordonia and invited him to meet us for a drink."

"Leo's here too?!" Maxwell briefly closed his eyes. "I've got both of Constantine's sons converging on the very spot where I bring the woman I'm supposed to protect from that family."

Sherry rolled her eyes. "Stop panicking. I don't think Leo will show."

Maxwell noticed the bitterness in her tone. "He’s still not speaking to any of you?"

"Nope." Sherry wrapped her arms around his waist when he placed his arm back around her shoulders to try and comfort her. "No one in our kingdom has heard a word from him since Liam was named heir."

Maxwell pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "I'm sorry--"

She jumped when her phone vibrated. 

"What's wrong?" Maxwell asked when her brow furrowed.

"Liam has gone to the palace. He said he needs to talk to Olivia." She sighed. "I guess Leo really is going to ignore us." She looked up at Maxwell. "You can rest easy in your job this evening, Lord Beaumont."

He hugged her close against his side. "You want to come with us? Riley wants to check out the nightlife here and I offered to take them to one of the clubs."

"A night club, huh?" She laughed. "It might actually seem like a date if I did come along."

Her heart melted at how bashful he suddenly seemed over the reminder that they had yet to have an actual date.

"I guess I have dropped the ball on that."

"It's hard to find the time when you're guarding the border nearly every night." She reminded him.

"We'll have our date one day." He promised.

"I'm fine with our nights at the border."

"You deserve better." Maxwell kissed her once more. "I'll make it up to you."

Sherry's lips parted to reassure him, only to pause when Riley and Hana came out of the store.

"Ready?" He asked them, summoning his fun loving persona once more.

"Please get us out of here." Riley pleaded playfully. "I think I actually heard my bank account cry after buying these." She held up the garment bags.

Hana laughed while keeping her own purchases off the ground. "Perhaps we should call it a night since we ended up buying so much. Is there any chance you can show us more tomorrow?"

Sherry could feel the tension in his body ease completely at the notion of putting these two safely away from the night.

"Sure." He looked down at the lady in his arms. "Sherry and I were just deciding on the places to show you these next few weeks."

"That's wonderful!" Hana beamed at the new lady. "We are grateful for all the help we can get."

While Riley and Hana began to eagerly question Sherry on her favorite restaurants and things to do, Maxwell guided them out of the market place, all while keeping a lookout for any sign of Liam.

***************

"Why are we going to see her again?" Drake grumbled. "Isn't it bad enough we had to see a Beaumont tonight? Now you want to add a Nevarkis to the evening's entertainment."

Liam ignored him as his jumbled thoughts focused in on one fact: he had actually seen the woman he knew to be his mate.

When he chased after Sherry, he had decided to hang back in the shadows. Knowing that the hunter his relative had lost her heart to would not be comfortable with his presence, he decided to remain far enough that he could intercede if Sherry's temper caused any problems.

Plus he hoped to hear more about the woman Maxwell was escorting.

Ms. Riley Brooks of New York. 

He not only had overheard her name but also where she was from. He was able to see her more clearly in the lights from the nearby shops. Her beauty and the sound of her voice stirred something he had never felt when looking upon any other person.

She had to be the one. There was no other explanation to his reaction to just the sight of her.

Then he heard the reason Maxwell was with them.

The Dark Prince could not have cared less about the lady named Hana. But his job to protect her was going to make Liam's courtship of Riley difficult. He knew he would need some help if he was to get her away from her friend and Maxwell.

He couldn't ask Sherry to manipulate Maxwell into time alone with Riley. It didn't seem right to use the love between them in such a manner.

While frustration grew, he overheard the fact that Hana's mother was a Cordonian noble.

And he finally knew who could help him.

"Wait here." Liam ordered when they reached the palace gates. "I want Olivia in a good mood when I ask for her help. Seeing you, sadly, will not accomplish that."

"You're asking for her help?”  Drake asked. “In what?"

"I'll tell you everything once the plan is in motion." He promised.

"But--" Drake rolled his eyes when Liam vanished. Within a second, he saw him climbing into the queen's window of her study.

"Good luck." He mumbled as he settled in for a long wait.

******************

"Hold on." Olivia raised her hands. "You want me to invite you and these Americans to my masquerade ball?" Her eyes widened. "Are you insane?!" She got up from her desk and began to pace. "Liam, my guards are trained to find and destroy any vampire who dares to enter the palace during such events!"

"I won't touch a single drop of blood that night and my manners will fit right in with the rest of the nobility." He explained. "Plus with wearing a mask, no one will recognize me."

"Why here?" Olivia asked. "Can't you do whatever you vampires do when you find your mate without involving me or my home?"

Liam leaned against the edge of her desk. "Because of Maxwell and Sherry."

"Maxwell and Sherry? What does my most trusted monster hunter and one of your dragons have to do with this?"

Liam's brow furrowed. "Hasn't he told you that he is Sherry's recognized mate?"

"Maxwell is a dragon's mate? Maxwell Beaumont?!" Oliva sat down in a chair completely stunned by this news.

"I can't believe he didn't tell you." Liam hoped he hadn't ruined anything by revealing this.

"Maxwell owes me nothing, especially when it concerns his private life." Olivia quickly explained. "If anything, it is me and Cordonia that owe him for all his years of service." A wiry smile flirted about her lips at the irony of it all. "A renowned monster hunter and a monster in love and destined for one another. Poor Maxwell. That had to be a shock."

"You know, you really are a nice person." Liam grinned and sat across from her. "That's why I knew as a little boy that we were destined to be friends."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Back to your request. Why will my ball not only help you but also keep Sherry and Maxwell out of it?"

"Because Maxwell will be forced to come along once you invite Lady Hana and Riley. And if I'm here--"

"Yes, but my head of security knows your name and what you are." Olivia stressed again. "I can't have him see your name on the guest list and--"

"But I will simply be company with the Duke of Domvallier." Liam explained. "Rashad's duchy is technically Cordonian, as you well know. Since only a rare handful know that Rashad and Sherry are dragons, I assumed your head of security would think it was a myth too."

Olivia nodded. "That's true. Bastien believes that the only creatures of the Dark Kingdom are vampires."

Liam's smile grew. "I can be a business associate of Rashad's. While Maxwell is keeping an eye on Hana and distracted with Sherry, I can then meet Riley under easier circumstances."

Seeing his excitement, she knew she couldn't refuse him.

"You're the only one who can do this for me." Liam added. "Plus, you're one of the few I can trust with this."

"Geez. Why not whip out those mind powers of yours while you're at it?" She grumbled.

Shaking her head over how easily she was ready to help him, she couldn't help but return his smile. "Fine. I'll send invitations to Rashad for the three of you and for Lady Hana and company."

Liam scooped her up out of her chair before she could blink and hugged her tight.

"Thank you!" He bowed and kissed her hand. "I knew I could count on you."

"Uh huh." She waved towards her window. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

He winked at her and did as she said. "I'll see you at the Masquerade Ball, your majesty."

She walked over to the window and watched him disappear through the gate. Her smile dimmed as she thought of the report she had been reviewing when he appeared in her private study.

Olivia wondered if she should have told Liam about his brother's secret meetings with the Countess of Fydelia. There could only be one reason he had recently become so close to the witch. Leo must be searching for a way to gain the power he had been denied since birth.

Deciding to keep a close eye on the banished prince, she planned on telling Liam once she had more information. He was so happy with finding his mate that she couldn't stand the thought of taking that away from him with this news.

"Damn it." Olivia muttered. "Liam really is my best friend."

Somehow a Nevarkis had developed a love for a Rhys.

*Character moodboard for Madeleine and Leo*

[zukoszukhoes]

Walking on Air- Prologue

Zuko x airbender!reader

female pronouns in this chapter

// summary: Sensing danger on the horizon, Avatar Roku seeks out an airbender to guide his reincarnated self on his journey to restore balance to the world. However, restoring balance requires skill, drive, and stability- and, in a world where nothing is certain, balance may be harder to achieve than the avatar may think. He has a mentor to guide him, but with the world thrown off-kilter by war and a mysterious prince set on capturing him, he- and his mentor- will have to look within to find what they need to secure peace.

// warnings: none

~~~

Roku always found the Western Air Temple beautiful.

The other air temples were certainly beautiful, but they were lonely, separated from the real world by a layer of clouds. The Western Air Temple, however, was open to the world, welcoming the sprawling canyon vegetation with open arms. Airbenders flew across the canyon, swooping through the air, utterly free. For many, that’s what the Air Temple was- freedom.

For a moment, Roku wished he could take a glider and join them. 

But he couldn’t. If there’s anything he had learned from years of being the avatar, it was that one’s duty was inescapable.

As Roku exited the council’s chamber alongside the Western Air Temple’s elder monks, he reminded himself that what he was about to do was a part of that duty. He was making a sacrifice for the greater good; yet, he couldn’t help but think of the girl the same way he thought of his own daughter- and as a parent, he’d view what he was about to do as nothing short of murder.

“She’s over there,” the Elder Monk Ilo said solemnly, nodding towards a girl sparring against two other air benders towards the edge of the temple’s main courtyard. “I’ll leave you to speak with her.”

“I’ll let her play a while longer, before she cannot be a child anymore,” the old avatar thought, watching the girl engage with her opponents.

The girl had large, grey eyes and rosy lips pulled back in a sly grin. Blue Airbender tattoos poked out from beneath her training uniform. She laughed as she fought, playfully dodging attacks from two other young airbenders. Although she was poised to defend herself, she held her body loosely and with ease, as though she was merely playing a game. 

One of her opponents, a young bald boy, shot an arc of air towards the girl’s feet. He didn’t have his tattoos, but he attacked with a deftness that suggested he had skill. The girl leapt high in the air and flipped to land behind the boy, who she quickly pushed down with a gust of wind. She grinned, triumphant, but her smile quickly disappeared when her other opponent used the force of her body to shove the girl off of the boy. The girl stumbled and fell to one knee. Scrambling to her feet, she put her hands in front of her to defend herself, only to find herself cornered on the edge of the temple by her two attackers. She watched her opponents for a moment, studying their body language. Sensing a slight movement in the female attacker’s stance, the girl moved her arms around her torso and sent wind slicing towards the other girl. Instantly, the attacker jumped to dodge the blow, and retaliated with a blast of wind that shot straight into the girl’s chest, making her lose her balance and stumble off the edge of the temple.

Roku’s eyes widened, but he didn’t move to save the girl. Her two opponents grinned and high-fived, turning away from the edge. Roku kept his eyes trained on the edge of the temple, sensing the fight wasn’t over yet.

And, as if conjured by his thoughts, the girl shot back up into view, surrounded by a swirling tornado that kept her suspended in the air. The other young air benders cried out in shock and stumbled away from the edge. The girl surged forward and pushed the tornado outwards, sending her opponents flying into the central fountain. Smiling at her victory, she lowered herself to the ground gingerly, and went to lend a hand to the two air benders.

“We were so close,” the female opponent moaned, wiping her soaking hair from her face.

“We technically won! We knocked her off the temple!” The boy grouched. “If it was a water bender they wouldn’t have come back up.”

“I played by the rules,” the winning girl said as she approached the fountain. She reached down and wrapped her hand around the boy’s forearm, hauling him out of the water. 

“You cheated,” the boy grumbled. He pressed his fists together and a ball of air flew outwards from him, splattering the girl with water from his clothes. She made a face of disgust.

“I guess I deserved that,” she muttered.

Roku approached the girl, knowing he had to end the pleasant scene before him but dreading it nonetheless. “(y/n),” he spoke.

The girl turned, surprised. She looked Roku up and down and raised an eyebrow ever-so-slightly, obviously confused by his Fire Nation clothing. “That’s me,” she replied. “And who are you?”

“My name is Avatar Roku. May I speak with you for a moment?”

(Y/N)’s eyes widened. “Avatar Roku- I didn’t know it was you-”

“There’s no need for apologies, dear girl.” Roku said calmly. 

The girl- (y/n)- bowed deeply. “It is an honor to meet you, sir.”

“You as well. Do you have a moment?”

(Y/N) nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“Good. Come with me.” Roku turned and began to walk back towards the inner chambers of the temple. (Y/N) hesitated for a moment, but quickly caught up to Roku and fell into step beside him.

“What brings you to the Western Air Temple, Avatar?” (Y/N) asked, her carefully measured voice failing to hide to slight tremor of fear in her tone.

Roku glanced down at the girl, again feeling shame in his chest for what he was about to ask. “You,” he replied simply.

(Y/N) blanched, taken aback. “Me?”

Roku stopped walking. Looking out at the canyon and its vast chasm, he was reminded of his days as a young avatar, when he trained at the Southern Air Temple. Life was so peaceful, as it should be in childhood. Roku took a slow, deep breath, savoring the mountain air.

“Avatar Roku?” (Y/N) asked tentatively.

Keeping his eyes on the rocky canyon, Roku started, “You are an excellent fighter, (Y/N), but you are too tethered to the material world. You lack the lightness needed to become an expert.”

(Y/N) frowned. “Excuse me?”

Roku glanced at the girl from the corner of his eye. “I’m correct, am I not?”

(Y/N) looked away, shame coloring her features. “The monks keep telling me I need to let go of the world to be a true Airbender. But I can’t let go.” She looked up at Roku. “I don’t think the way they do. I don’t think attachment is a weakness.”

Roku nodded. Yes, the monks had picked well. “Sometimes, our shortcomings can be our greatest strengths.”

The girl paused, eyes narrowing. “Why did the monks send you to speak with me?”

Yes, she was certainly observant. He took a deep breath, knowing he couldn’t put off the truth any longer.

“I have lived a long, full life, of which I am grateful for. However, as my time comes to an end, I worry about the challenges I am leaving behind for my future self,” he looked at the girl, reading the confusion in her eyes. “I sense bad things coming in the future. Something is going to throw the world out of balance- and I won’t be here to stop it.”

“What kind of things?” (Y/N) asked, her body tensing.

Roku’s eyes hardened. “A war is coming, (Y/N). One that is going to wipe out the Air Nomads. I will try my best to stop it, but I may be gone when I am needed most.”

(Y/N)’s face was white as a sheet. “How do you know? What does this have to do with me?”

“I received a vision warning me of this war and the implications it would have for the next avatar. I’m afraid the next avatar will be the last of his kind when he returns to restore balance. He will need guidance to realize his full potential. It brings me great pain to ask you to do this, (Y/N), but it needs to be done. For the avatar’s sake- for the world’s sake,” he met the girl’s gaze. “In one hundred and twelve years, the avatar will arrive at the North Pole to master water bending. When he does, you will be there to help him achieve his destiny.”

(Y/N) looked up at Roku with wide eyes, fear echoed inside of them. The carefree girl he’d seen just moments before was gone, replaced with someone having to become an adult in a matter of seconds. “What do you mean?” she whispered, voice quavering. 

“Being an avatar, one is constantly faced with choices they may not be equipped to handle. The next avatar will need someone who understands the importance of duty to help him make those choices and restore balance to the world. I believe you are best equipped to be that guide. If you agree, I will escort you to the Northern Water Tribe, where you will be put into a deep sleep until the avatar arrives. When the avatar reaches the North Pole, you will be woken from your sleep and sent with him to complete his training.” Roku said.

(y/n) gaped up at Roku. “Why me? Why not someone else?” She whispered.

“The monks recommended you to me for your great skill in air bending and your ties to the material world. The next avatar will need to be reminded that he can never be truly immaterial- his sole duty is to the world, not his own spirituality. You, with your understanding of the concept, will help him comprehend and execute his ow duty.”

“But what about my life here?” (Y/N) blurted out. “My friends? My family? My training?”

“You will have to leave them behind,” Roku said, hanging his head in shame.

The girl looked past Roku out at the canyon, eyes skimming over the stone temple. Her face hardened. “Do I have a choice?” She asked, her voice stony.

“We always have a choice,” Roku said. “It’s just a matter of making the right one.”

(Y/n) looked away. “The monks chose me for this,” she murmured. “They chose me.”

Roku stayed silent, letting the girl take her time. She was making a life-altering decision- one that would change her path forever- and she deserved a moment to think about it.

(Y/n)‘a shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. Then, the girl turned, eyes full of determination. “I’ll do it.”

Roku nodded solemnly. “It’s a long journey to the North Pole. We’ll be leaving tonight. Pack your things and meet me in the Hall of Status’s tonight.”

(Y/n) nodded and bowed. “Thank you, Avatar Roku.”

Roku bowed back, but he couldn’t help but feel guilty at her thanks. He was taking her whole life away from her. Nevertheless, he let her go to collect her things and say her goodbyes. It would be a long time before she saw a familiar face again, and she would need a few moments of hope to propel her through what lay ahead.

[mrpenguinpants]

Oh lore?? I read your post on Dainsleif and BOY it gave me a lot to think about dsfjgkd

Along the same vein, what do you think of the relationship between the unknown god and Kaenri'ah? In Albedo's trailer they seemed to reference two new elements (time and being) and if perhaps the unknown god is the god of time, then does Khemia make use of "being" in its creation of life?

In Mihoyo's other game (honkai) they introduced a new "type" about halfway through the story which seems to me to be similar to the abyss in Genshin. The quanta type is independent of the three types that were present from the beginning of the game and it's tied to an abyss style region called the Sea of Quanta. Maybe I'm reading too much into it and they don't plan to imitate what they did in Honkai but?? Time and being as new "elements" introduced a few years into the game seems possible at least?? Maybe they're exclusive to delusions bc there's only the seven Archons at this time so no one can grant time/being visions lol

Djfkdj I hope this was at least slightly understandable I love looking into lore especially for things I write about!! I'll end this now before it gets too long lmao the new tumblr asks give me too much power XD

TUMBLR DELETED MY REPLY AHHHHH I HAD TO RE-WRITE EVERYTHING. THAT’S WHY I’M LATE TO THE PARTY. I’M SO SORRY CATTY 😭

---

Major spoilers for Khaenri’ah and minor spoilers for the unknown god

:DD I’m glad you read my word vomit haha. I love talking about lore so much, ty for enabling me. 

What do you think of the relationship between the unknown god and Khaenri’ah?

The logical side of my brain thinks:

They either have nothing to do with each other and Mihoyo really likes using the same star for everything and Khaenri’ah just happens to live in the void or sky so the easiest way to distinguish citizens from there is the star (or it was just hot to put star pupils in and you know what, they were right). 

Or there’s some sort of connection between the Eclipse dynasty that ruined Khaenri’ah and the unknown god. Since genshin really likes to do that (see Zhongli and everyone calling him Morax before 1.1 dropped). 

Re-watching the prologue cutscene and “we will be reunited” (Gonna refer to this a WWBR) Aether drew the same two stars into the sand which makes me believe that either a. stars literally have nothing to do with anything and Teyvat only knows how to draw one star (which doesn’t hold up well considering Mona’s outfit and pin) or b. there’s some kind of connection there. The way Paimon phrases her question she says: 

“But when you wanted to leave and go onto the next world your path was blocked by an unknown god?”

It implies that Aether and Lumine have already travelled through Teyvat since we see two yellow stars travel over Liyue and Mondstadt. I know Aether was sent into some sort of deep sleep and only now awoke and met Paimon (since in the trailer we can see the lantern festival and the genshin upload was in march (chinese new year is in feb) but I’m not super sure on these details but I’m pretty sure it’s canon that this happened based on WWBR). 

Then when the unknown god appears and the same 3 red stars appear [tumblr throws a fit when I try and upload this]

She refers to us as Outlanders and calls herself 

“The sustainer of heavenly principles. The arrogation of mankind ends now.”

This could be a reference to “being” that was in the Albedo trailer while Dainsleif is “time” since time is "not something he lacks". If we’re going on the theory that Dainsleif is actually a god then maybe they are fighting? Or in some type of push and pull war. It would make sense since the Unknown God believes in heavenly principles (so the rules either set by Celestia or Gods themselves) and believes mankind is arrogant and wishes to either destroy it or remove it entirely. The complete opposite of Dainsleif who believes in mankind and hates anything relating to the Archons.

Or dainsleif has nothing to do with the unknown god and is just a final challenge to the player who will then face off against the Unknown God. 

In Albedo's trailer they seemed to reference two new elements (time and being) and if perhaps the unknown god is the god of time, then does Khemia make use of "being" in its creation of life?

In this theory, this would make the Unknown God the god of time, which is also equally as valid. Since she does talk about time and how the arrogation of mankind ends now. I think it’s right to assume that Khemia makes use of being in its creation of life since we see Albedo talk about chalk and turning things from “nothing” (it’s not really nothing, he’s still using something or the “being” in order to transform it) to something. 

If Dainsleif uses Khemia or even created it then taught it to the people of Khaenri’ah to help them survive in their archonless land, that could be a valid reason why he believes in the strength of mankind. Since the unknown god’s power seems to consume the person trapped within (as we see in the prologue). Plus in WWBR we see first hand how destructive that power is. This could also be the time where Dainsleif lost faith or hated the celestial beings. 

---

In WWBR, according to the wiki it states that our sibling was taken to another point in time, in an unknown location. But this event leads the sibling (Lumine) to become the leader of the Abyss Order. 

Lumine says: 

“But until the abyss has engulfed the thrones, my war with destiny will see no end.”

Lumine seems to know about the archons and the abyss mages follow her so it’s safe to assume that the “abyss” she refers to is either something entirely new or the red blocks we see here. It seems as if she’s trying to change destiny which could be why Dainsleif wants to save her. 

I will say right now, I really hope the theory that Paimon is secretly the unknown god doesn’t come true. I know it’s funny and I would enjoy seeing our emergency food pull a turned table on us but unless there are more instances where it’s hinted or it’s handled really well I would not like it. I just finished a manga and I felt like I was watching 20M plot twists happen in the span of 3 pages. I would totally be okay if the unknown god and paimon were somehow related (I can understand that) but I unless it’s handed really well or as the story progresses and we get more info on paimon. it would just be really out of left field. I haven’t seen any theories on this and I honestly try and stay away from lore posts until I’ve finished mine because I feel that might make my ideas biased.

The “everything must be connected into some kind of plotline or I will make it a plotline” brain thinks:

Now, this is just be spit balling and making up my own headcanons with no lore to go off on. This is pure indulgent stuff with no research to back it up besides very loose threads. 

I’d like to believe that since the Eclipse Dynasty was the last dynasty before Khaenri’ah fell. That might be what is being depicting above in WWBR. Perhaps khemia backfired or the unknown god turned against the people for their arrogance (I’m not sure if people know the myth but in short terms, a giant stole fire to help the people who were cold. He was punished for going against the gods and saving the people, this could be similar to Dainsleif). 

Perhaps Lumine and Aether had stopped this event from happening and as they were about to leave, the unknown god appears and separates them for their arrogant actions against the Gods and sends Lumine back to the past. Without her brother she ended up failing in saving Khaenri’ah. Or, the image we see is actually the future and she goes back in time to try and prevent that event from occurring, still trying to beat destiny but this time in the future. 

Or another idea, Lumine has only seen the evil that’s depicted and hasn’t personally met any of the archons. We actually got to meet Venti and Zhongli so we obviously want to protect them from Lumine’s point of view, that might not be the same so she aligns with the abyss order that tries to control Dvalin. So her goal is to somehow defeat the archons and that could be why the Cyro archon is trying to collect them all in her war of peace. 

Honkai and quanta

It’s kinda funny but there’s no reliable wiki source for this sea of quanta like there is for genshin, or at least I couldn’t find anything. I think they might nod at certain things between the two but I think it’s totally fine to believe they might do some sort of crossover and take some inspiration. We have Mona who was able to read the stars and Scaramouche who said the sky was a giant hoax so I think time and being becoming new elements is very possible. But I don’t really know a lot about Honkai so I can’t really say too much about it haha. 

---

Yep no worries, it was fun talking about some more lore and if you have any more I’d love to hear them. Haha, honestly pop off I love getting long asks. As always, it’s nice seeing you again catty 💕💕

[kazoo5480]

Almost finished! 30 chapters down, a few more to go. Thanks to those of you who wrote awesome notes, and who provide inspiration to us newbies every day with your lovely tales!

Chapter 1 Arrivals

Prologue – September 1943, New York City

25-year-old Killian Jones steps down the ramp off the Algernon straight from Belfast. He has $40 to his name, the clothes on his back. Having lost his brother in an accident, his mother to illness, and abandonment of his father when he was 7, Killian made a choice to leave his homeland and make his way to America. America was currently engaged in World War II, with no family left, he decides that a fresh start in a new land and a new line of work away from the IRA is just what he needs after the arrests and massacres taking place back in Ireland.

Gun running and violence is not a life he wants any longer, nor is a life in prison, or death. He is hopeful that despite his heritage, he will be able to settle into a new life, away from the massacre left behind on the emerald isle. Finding honest work is harder than he expected, even in a city this large.

Waiting in those long lines with all those other expats, hoping to find honest work and nothing. He goes every day for two weeks but quickly realizes that no one wants to hire an Irishman or give him a fair shake. But he believes you make your own destiny and believes in hard work and determination.

He hears the other men talking, that security and lounges, the US Army, and driving taxis are just about the only people hiring anyone right now if you aren’t American.

Killian has no interest in joining Americas crusade, so he finds a gig working the doors and security a little dingy nightclub at first, but slowly descends into the more glamorous nightclubs and lounges.

Word spreads quickly to his newest employer, Louis Lepke, who owns the Riobamba- one of Manhattan’s most posh nightclubs that Killian was once part of the IRA and has a hell of a left hook. Lepke, one of the most dangerous mob bosses in New York at that time sees potential in Killian, thinks that his past IRA ties could be beneficial to their enterprise, and he offers him a better paying job running pickups and drop offs of packages that Killian doesn’t open and doesn’t want to open.

While the money is nothing to turn your nose up at, Killian continues this path, socking away the cash and crafting an entirely new persona for himself while making his own contingency plans to disappear for a quieter life someplace near the sea, perhaps finding peace and burying his demons for good at last.

Killian will never forget the day he was able to move out of the vermin infested room he had been renting in a boarding house on the lower east side, and into a three-room apartment of his own for $80 a month near Washington Square Park. Not cheap by any means, but it’s a second-floor walkup, with a fireplace, and wide windows that overlook the street.

Lepke pays him three hundred a month right now, but he always earns tips from both ends of pickup and delivery, and that extra cash is always appreciated.

He will never forget the first suit he purchases, or his first pair of new shoes in god knows how many years. He knows with his new employment, he needs to look the part, so he only is careful in his wardrobe choices, dark colors that won’t show dirt easily, well-tailored shirts, wingtips in black and white, and two hats that he sees the other men wearing.

He manages to pry a floorboard in the back of his new closet loose, securing the hole with a thin layer of wood, ensuring nothing would fall through or be lost to the ageing building, and he uses this as home for his cash and very little valuables. He has no furniture to speak of, except a mattress on the floor with linens, but he knows soon enough he will have money to furnish his new home.

For now, he is only willing to spend money on rent, and groceries, he saves every dollar that he earns after his necessities are purchased.

What he does not expect is meeting Emma Swan, an enchanting blonde lounge singer at the Riobamba. Frank Sinatra even plays there on occasion, so the joint was always packed. But amongst all those entertainers, is Emma. With the voice of an angel, the body of a bloody goddess, and a fire in her green eyes.

He knows that from the moment he saw her dancing and singing across that smoke filled room, that he was going to have her no matter the cost. Tonight, her golden curls pinned back on one side with a glittering clip, wrapped in a floor length sequin dress cut scandalously low in the front, even for the nightclub scene at that point in time.

She is easily the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, and he wonders if she works for Lepke as well, a personal relationship perhaps, and the thought of any man touching her at all has him see red when those thoughts flit through his mind. He always hopes divine intervention is on his side to catch a glimpse of her during her sets, whether picking up or dropping off to his boss.

Occasionally he just sits in the back nursing a rum while he watches her, gliding around the small stage, dressed like sex personified, singing in that angelic voice of hers, enchanting the entire room.

She sings songs of love and happiness, sometimes she covers popular music of other entertainers, but he sees the sadness and demons lingering behind those emerald eyes, the glittering dresses and gorgeous gold curls. He wants to know more, scale those walls he can spot a mile high surrounding her.

On more than one occasion he is thankful for the low lighting of the club and his dark suits to hide the evidence of his rock-hard arousal that she stirs up every damn time he lays eyes on her. Green eyes that sparkle in the low lighting, locking on his blue. She sees him and he sees her, never exchanging words, just eye locks and then he is off.

In a rare occasion that Killian indulges the other members of his crew in playing craps, he casually asks about Emma to one of the kinder men, Bill Starkey, a slightly older married man, who handles the books for the clubs that Lepke owns.

“What of that lounge singer Starkey, she is a sight for sore eyes if I may say so myself”, Killian mentions with a smile. The older man looks him over for a second, and replies “She is a quite a dame, isn’t she? Voice of a siren an everything, but she is not to be trifled with - She keeps to herself, is a bloody fantastic piece of entertainment, draws the crowds in, but she does not mess with our crew. Many of ours have learned that the hard way he says with a laugh, Tough as brass that one is, so don’t bother with her”, and the man went back to the game.

When Starkey bids goodnight, leaving the younger men to their games, another crew member that Killian has somewhat befriended named Victor Whale leans over, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “If its Emma you’ve set your sightings on, you are not as slick as you think ya git, my girl Ruby mentioned that she caught you watching her shows on occasion, but Emma doesn’t date anyone around here, if she does date, it isn’t anyone related to our line of work”.

Bidding goodnight to Killian and the few stragglers still playing, he stands and Killian notices Ruby Lucas in her coat waiting by the door with a smile on her face. Whale takes her hand and pulls them out the door. Killian feels a pang of jealousy at their obvious companionship but pushes the thought away.

Ruby Lucas, the costume coordinator for the club, is a gorgeous specimen of her own right with long chocolate locks, hazel eyes, and legs for days. She has worked in the club a long time, and if anyone knows Emma, its Ruby. Killian decides that perhaps he shall inquire to Ms. Lucas about Swan but tucks the thought away for another time.

He has gained enough information about her for one night, he will have to just be patient. If Ruby has noticed him watching Emma, he would bet the few dollars left in his lightened pocket tonight that she has told Swan about him, and that is something he is not quite sure he knows how to feel about.

He wonders what Ruby would tell Emma, since she was obviously very much with Whale, she must know more about their conducted business, but appears to know when to keep her mouth shut. Maybe, the tides will be in his favor since he tends to keep a low profile in his job. The bosses like him because he is discreet and is known not to be messed with.

Emma sees him alright, black suits, navy wool suits, tuxedoes at parties, custom made shirts, and she would bet her last dollar that those cufflinks he always wears are actual sterling silver.

He has slicked back inky hair, tousled in just the right places, a permanent five o’ clock shadow, and forget me not blue eyes that haunt her for days every single time she catches a glimpse of him staring right back at her. 

She notices the way he carries himself, so confident, dangerous, and definitely a hustler. He must be connected somehow, and Emma does not want that complication in her simple life.

He looks at her sometimes like he would devour her like a man on death row, and she being his last meal. She cannot get mixed up with someone like him, she has survived this long without someone, and the last time she allowed someone into her heart it nearly broke her in two.

Her friend Ruby has casually mentioned him, his name is Killian Jones, he works with her boyfriend Victor, but she does not know exactly what his role is. Ruby giggles as she talks about how handsome Killian is, and notes that he always throws her a generous tip, never ogling her or being disrespectful like some of the other crew who think that any woman in the club is dumb enough to roll in the sack with them.

Ruby has been with her boyfriend for a few years from what she mentions, having been together since before Victor’s job with Lepke’s crew, whatever that may be. Ruby is also one of the few people that makes Emma smile genuinely and lifts her spirits. Emma considers the brunette one of her very few real friends.

One night after her set is done, Emma enters her dressing room, and slips out of her dress, carefully hanging it inside the garment bag, and lights a cigarette, swallowing a sip of her Manhattan. Her roommate Mary Margaret is getting better and better with her sewing skills, her emerald green gown tonight is delicate, covered in sequins and green feathers float around the hem of her dress, she admires the gown once more before zipping the bag.

Standing in her silk stockings and garters, she begins removing her jewelry and realizes suddenly that she is not alone. Sitting in a low chair in the back corner of the dressing room is Killian fucking Jones. She grabs for her silk robe, tying it quickly- trying to regain some of her modesty. Watching her with those blue eyes, fingers crossed under his chin while he leans forward, elbows on his knees.

"Don't stop on my account love, I simply wanted to introduce myself, and I thank the bloody gods that I was granted enough luck to watch your private show just now. He smirked at her, running is tongue over his bottom lip, and she wanted to punch that smirk off his smug face, even if her heart beat faster in her chest and not from anxiety.

“Emma breathe,” she internally chastises herself. Her brain reconnects, she stamps out her cigarette, and she manages to spit out “listen pal, I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I am not that type of woman. Go buy one down the street if you need to get your rocks off but get the hell out.”

He stood up, adjusting his trousers by the belt, which she noticed were fitting awfully tight, the evidence of his arousal clear but now covered as he buttoned his coat up.

He spoke, his voice a lilting Irish accent, “I apologize lass, I simply wanted to introduce myself and give you these in person,” he held out a large bouquet of creamy white roses tipped in pale pink, tied with a black silk ribbon. 

“You are a vision, both on and off the stage Swan, and I simply was hoping to make your acquaintance as we seem to catch each other’s eye from time to time. I thought perhaps my interest was reciprocated, but clearly it is not, and I shan't bother you again”.

Emma did not know what to say, still shocked, her red painted mouth in a grim line. She caught his cologne as he made his exit, carefully avoiding touching her in any way. He smelled of wood and spice, and definitely rum.

Right as he was crossing the threshold to exit, Emma made a rash decision, and grabbed his hand, locked eyes with him and said, “Don't ever do that again, thank you for the flowers, but I am not interested.” 

“They're nothing compared to you Emma, but I do apologize again”, and with that parting line Killian quietly exited, making sure to close the door fully behind him.

Emma locked the handle, ensuring no one else would interrupt her. She cleaned most of her face off and pulled on her burgundy wool dress and matching coat, gathered her things, and her flowers hailing a cab home.

Tagging a few who might be interested! @wefoundloveunderthelight @itsfabianadocarmo @purplehawkcaptain @the-lady-of-misthaven @the-captains-ayebrows @thesschesthair @myfearless-love @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @hookedpirate @xhookswenchx @let-it-raines @letmedieahooker @captainswanouat @captainswoon @cathloves @laschatzi @timeless-love-story @asluve @ao3feed-cs @ahookerandproud @ineffablecolors @the-darkdragonfly @donteattheappleshook @kymbersmith-90 @elizabeethan @the-darkdragonfly @tnlph @the-captains-ayebrows @captainswoon @captainswanouat @captain-swan-coffee​ @jrob64​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​​ @captainirishstubble @onceuponadaily​ @resident-of-storybrooke​​ @greenlef777 Let me know if you want to be added or removed! 

[generalfoolish]

Jate'kara

Rating: 18+ (minors take a hike)

Warnings: lots of bad space language, talk of Bo-Katan and Death Watch, sleazy g-pa Greef

Word count: ~2K

Pairing: (eventually!!!) Din Djarin x F!reader

Summary: A Mandalorian is searching for Mando.

A/N: Hey babes! This is number four of the #mandomay2021 prompt list. I promise they'll keep being longer! Enjoy 💕

Masterlist | Aru'e | Cyare’se

Piloting in hyperspace didn’t require you to interact with the controls. For longer flights, this allowed you to sleep and recharge. But on this flight, you longed for something to do with your hands. You were jittery. You couldn’t sleep. You could only pace. Zek’s words crashed around in your mind. You had left Echi there, with a stale promise on your lips to return. He had slowly shaken his head in disagreement and muttered that it wasn’t your jate’kara. You had only scoffed, your destiny was what you made it.

Except in the deafening silence of hyperspace, the crushing truth was suffocating. You had long decided that your jate’kara was to die fighting the Empire. You had mused and waited, hunted and paced, you were tired of plotting. You would give your life, gladly, to see even one Imp fall.

Why did it have you reeling now?

It was the covert. You told yourself. Placating and smoothing the crinkles that so much life had created. Beyond Echi, you hadn’t talked to another soul in ages. You were well and alone. However, now, you had a place. Zek had offered, insisted, and almost begged, you to stay. They needed more hands for foundlings, they needed more income to sponsor them. The group had moved from Zanbar after a deadly battle had broken out, and there had been no shortage of orphans in the wake.

You had turned the offer over more than you wanted to admit. You had stayed the night. You shared their meals, their home. They were far from the reaches of Mandalore, and they seemed free to live without the stifling rules you had known on Krownest. You had felt seen and accepted there. They didn’t even notice your armor. Their kindness reminded you of your own covert.

You wouldn’t have fit in. Your darkness would have been their destruction, your inner voice reprimanded. You shuddered the thought down. The images of prone children, faceless for their helmets with pools of blood gathering underfoot, were too quick. You fisted your eyes, rubbing your knuckles in harshly.

Before you knew it, the children were your own. The destruction of your own covert. Your buir crawling to his blaster, stopped with a crack from another faceless stormtrooper. You gasped and tried to think of anything else. There was nothing else. Only death, and the lull of deep space. You tried to calm your breathing. It only worked marginally, the panic attack at bay, but the paralyzing fear still lingering.

A shrill ping brought you back to life. You made your way over to the panel, and dropped from hyper. The ping was a message, a holo sent from an informant, and the message was simple: go to Nevarro. You wondered what good the volcanic planet would be to you. You drummed your fingers against the datapad, before punching in the coordinates to the port on Nevarro. All you knew was that there had been a Guild on the planet, but you didn’t know much else.

With no other leads, you hoped that the Guild might have a puck or a location on some of the men you sought. It was close to Mandalore, too close to not have ties, so the locals might not immediately view you as a danger.

The T Visor of your helmet stared back at you, your reflection searching the inky wells and finding nothing. The helmet was the most important piece of armor, it protected you the most, but you couldn’t help but feel separate from it. You felt stripped every time you took it off, and you wondered how much of your humanity was retained when you slid the metal in place. You hoped most of it, but you knew it was likely none.

~

You maneuvered your ship down, a ring of dust blurring your windshield. Volcanic planet, indeed. You made your way through the streets quickly. The main street appeared to be under construction, and you wondered why they would bother. The whole city seemed on the brink of falling in on itself. You found the market easily, and veered opposite it. You had expected the town’s leader would be across from the most populous spot, and right you were. You crossed the open threshold, and looked around.

“Ah, here for Mando?” The human woman was leaning over some paperwork, but sat up straight when she saw you. You tilted your head slightly, but remained silent.

“Sheriff Dune, at your service. Who’re you?” The woman’s short hair curled into her eyes, but she swept them back with a broad hand. You noticed her bulging arms under her long sleeves. She was far from just a sheriff. You had no idea why you were sent here, or who you were actually looking for. You decided to take the chance. Mando, short for Mandalorian?

“Yes, Sheriff Dune. I’m looking for Mando.” She stretched her lips in a thin line and nodded.

“Your business with him?” You swore her eyes narrowed as she spoke. She was friendly with this one. You worked fast to think through a sufficient lie. A mandalorian not sharing his name would likely be a bounty hunter, and of course, the guild was on Nevarro, not too far from Mandalore. You needed more information, but you could work with what you had so far.

“Heard he was the best, and I need some help tracking someone down.” You released the stance you held, to look more at ease, and tried to lighten your voice to a self-deprecating tone. You hoped she would buy it. It was plausible enough.

You didn’t worry long. She visibly relaxed.

“He’s off world at the moment. Want me to send him a holo?” You tensed back up, and paused. You had no message for him. Dank farrick, you didn’t know if he was even who you were searching for. Cara seemed to pick up on that.

“I’ll just ping him, tell him Greef needs him back.” She waved it off, and disappeared behind a door. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to think. What if he was Death Watch? What if he was with...you swallowed it. You couldn’t afford to think about that. If he was against you, you’d deal with it when the time came. You had handled yourself against mandalorians before, and not that you were itching for that fight, you could do it again.

“You always wear that bucket?” Cara asked as she walked back in. Your mind raced again. The lies piling on, the hole you were digging seemingly too far to return from.

“Only if I want to put it on again.” You told her, terse. She nodded, and chuckled.

“Yeah, you and Mando will get along fine. He’s only a few hours out. You caught him on a return trip.” You swallowed hard, knowing that the metal would hide your nervousness.

“Good. Guild?” You asked, not knowing anything else to add. She nodded.

“Karga, got a guild member up front. Another bucket head.” She flashed a grin at you, and slumped down heavily into her chair.

“Welcome to Nevarro! What can I do for you?” A darker human entered, holding his arms far apart. You knew the tactic, he was afraid of mandalorians.

“I’m looking for someone.” You started slowly, hoping to gain more information than you lost.

“Not really my expertise.” He raised his hands in a shrug.

“No, I’m wondering if you have any Imp pucks?” You asked, hoping to cut through the game.

“You guild?” Crik. You hadn’t thought about the guild requiring status. No sense in lying here.

“No.”

“Doesn’t work like that, I’m afraid.” You bite your cheek. Hard. Hard enough to draw blood. Anything to keep from grinding your teeth more.

“You can keep the bounty.” You reasoned, hoping he was greedy.

“Like I said,” he glanced at Cara who was doing a bad job at hiding her interest. “Doesn’t work like that.” Greedier. Great, you thought.

“I’ll pay you for the puck, and you keep the bounty. I’m assuming you do have a puck.” You had struck a chord.

“It’s an Imperial job, and I can give you the chain code.” You nodded at him, and brought your vambrace up, ready for input. He was silent. You raised your helmet to him, and he shook his head.

“I can’t. It feels...wrong now.” You ground your teeth down hard enough to make your jaw click. The sooner this Mando was here, the sooner you could blast a hole through this Karga.

“Who is it on?” You asked, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Bo-Katan. She helped Mando, and well, seems wrong sending another one of you after her.” You dropped your arm, not caring if your hand was played. It couldn’t be true.

“Bo-Katan? The mandalorian?” You asked, the modulator picking up your shock with ease.

“Yes, she is not an enemy here.” Dank farrick.

“She fought with us. I can’t believe you even thought about it, Greef.” Cara reprimanded, but you barely registered it. You were spinning out.

“I...I have no quarrels with Bo-Katan.” You told them, hoping they heard the sincerity. “I...I’m sorry, is there a covert here?” They looked at each other before looking at you.

“It was destroyed.” Cara told you gently. It felt like too much. “I can show you.” You nodded numbly, and followed behind her through the dusty streets. She took you to a tattered curtain, and you slipped in.

“I’ll send Mando here when he arrives.” Cara told you, her tone more concerned than anything. You nodded tightly and disappeared down the concrete steps. When you were away from the landing you tugged your helmet off and threw it against the wall. The beskar clanged loudly against it, but it tumbled to the ground unharmed. You cursed under your breath at yourself, and grabbed it to inspect the paint. As expected, there was a gash under the eye, where the black had chipped away. The silver shining through broke what was left of your resolve.

“Bo-criking-Katan? Who is this guy?” You grumbled and collapsed to the floor. Dust swirled up and around you, and you couldn’t help but think of Jeculan. The swirling snow had been beautiful. Echi had bounded through it easily, hunting for some unsuspecting prey. You laughed, you had released a menace on that planet. You wondered what Zek was doing, and how the foundlings were liking playing with their new pet. Your lie wasn’t unsustainable. You could keep the helmet on, that wasn’t a problem. But you didn’t know enough about the Death Watch to play pretend with a member. If Mando was in bed with Bo-Katan, they’d kill you before you made it off this crikking dusty planet. You laid your head back, and rolled your neck. You hadn’t even got any leads from the guild guy, what was his name, Karga?

You groaned and looked around. You hadn’t noticed at first, but the covert was wrecked. The clan living here had left in a hurry. Cara had said it was destroyed. You wondered if they had lived in secret, like some. You wondered about the foundlings who would have made their way here. You wondered about this Mando.

Not the most original, you scoffed. Mando the Mandalorian? You supposed it would be helpful in bounty hunting to be nameless, but a fake name would have inspired more fear.

You were so entranced in your own thoughts that you hadn’t heard the footsteps ringing down the steps. You barely registered a man clearing his throat. You whipped your head around to face him before you thought about it; before you remembered to put on your helmet. He turned his head quickly, and you realized your mistake. You slid your helmet down into place, and you mumbled an apology.

“You’re Mando?” He nodded tightly, turning to face you again. Your heart was seizing with fear. You had seen other mandalorians, you knew that they could be broad, even massive. The armor helped. But Mando seemed giant, looming over you, no paint, glinting in the dusty sunlight.

“Cara said you needed me?” He sounded tired. You felt, even amidst your fear, guilty for this.

“I’m looking for someone, but I didn’t realize that…” You fell off, not sure how to continue. He waited, his head tilting slightly when you hadn’t continued after a moment. “You were with Bo-Katan.” His helmet seemed to tilt further over.

“What does this have to do with her?” He asked, a hand landing on his hip.

“Nothing, actually. I just don't want her attention.��� He snorted, and held his hand out. You took it, and he helped you to your feet.

“I’m not with her. I’m actually trying to stay as far from her as possible. Who are you after?” He asked softly. You breathed a sigh of relief.

“Imps.”

**Translations

Jate'kara: destiny, luck

Crik: expletive

Dank farrick: expletive

[zktop10]

Author Feature: duCOQUELICOT

Ok, so I am a fan of our next featured author and I am so thrilled to have them on my blog! Welcome duCOQUELICOT

Please go check out the stories and make sure to leave some love! And as always, share these lists so others can find something new as well!

Title: Gem of the Setting Sun Rated: T Summary: The war might be over, but that's just the beginning of a whole new era of problems. The Gaang find themselves amidst the struggles of rebuilding the world, growing up, coming of age and understanding who they are, now that everything has changed.

When everyone seems to have something to do besides Katara, she sets out to find her own destiny. Zuko, who is trying to change a century of hatred into an era of peace and love, could use the help of a brave waterbender with a heart of gold. Learning about the histories of their respective nations, they discover a threat to the world that is greater than anyone could have foreseen. Also, Zutara.

New (final) chapter: At dawn, Zuko and Katara find each other again. Score: 7.5 / 10 Rated T WIPs: 1.3 / 10 Tags: Slow Burn, Angst, Mutual Pining

Title: One Quiet Night Rated: NR Summary: Prompt #77, where Zuko and Katara swap elements - but I just use it as an excuse to have them talk. Score: 5.8 / 10 Not Rated One Shots: 1.4 / 10 Tags: One Shot, Element Swap

Title: there are roads left in both of our shoes Rated: G Summary: In the Spirit World, Yue learns about the fate of her friends before they know it themselves. The spirits have their unique way of dealing with the material world and its inhabitants, and one of the most interesting ones is reincarnation. As it turns out, two people she knows have had their paths tied together since the beginning of time. Score: 4.6 / 10 Rated G One Shots: 6.7 / 10 Tags: One Shot, Zutara Week, Series, Soulmates

Title: Zutara Month 2020 Rated: G Summary: A collection of bits and pieces for my 'Gem of the Setting Sun' universe. Jumping back and forward in time, so will contain spoilers, but I guess it's okay because we all want Zutara to happen anyway :). These works will find their way back into the story, one way or another. Score: 4.5 / 10 Rated G Complete: 0.3/ 10 Tags: Zutara Month

Title: counting the ways to fall without landing Rated: G Summary: What if we had gotten more scenes with Zuko and the Gaang before the Comet arrived? Well, this is what that is. A collection of scenes and snippets of everything that happened between "The Western Air Temple" and Zuko's coronation. And maybe something after that, too. Score: 3.5 / 10 Rated G One Shots: 4.9 / 10 Tags: One Shot, Zutara Week, Lost Scene

Title: it rained through the night Rated: G Summary: Katara doesn't even want to talk to that moody, silent kid in her after school art class. But she has no choice, because when they both end up at the wrong place at the wrong time, they'll have to work together to solve the mystery. Score: 3.5 / 10 Rated G One Shots: 4.9 / 10 Tags: One Shot, Alternate Universe, Modern Universe, High School Setting

Title: caught between a rock and a hard place Rated: G Summary: Just when Iroh and Aang reach the belly of the Crystal Catacombs, the earth shatters. Katara and Zuko are cut off from their saviors, and from Azula as well. They'll have to work together to find a way out: is their uneasy, rather shaky alliance able to withstand the problems their journey will throw at them? Score: 3.2 / 10 Rated G One Shots: 4.4 / 10 Tags: Zutara Week, Crystal Catacombs

Title: it keeps raining in your heart Rated: T Summary: The unthinkable has happened. Aang hasn't survived his battle with Phoenix King Ozai, and Zuko and Katara have to flee the Fire Nation palace in a hurry. The world is barren, and the future is uncertain. Will they find the new Avatar before the Fire Nation does? Will they ever be reunited with their friends and family? And what will they do about Azula, whom Zuko, despite everything, couldn't leave behind? Score: 3.2 / 10 Rated T One Shot: 2.3 / 10 Tags: One Shot, Zutara Week, Alternate Universe, Canon Divergence, Lost the War

Title: between your waves Rated: G Summary: Ten years after the comet, Zuko asks Katara to come to the Fire Nation palace. They haven't seen each other in a while, and Katara is nervous. It turns out Zuko has finally gotten a lead on where his mother might be, and wants Katara along for the ride. On the trip, old feelings resurface, and while there are numerous misunderstandings, they are still drawn to each other.

Oneshot/prologue for Zutara Week 2020: Reunion. Score: 2.6 / 10 Rated G One Shot: 3.3 / 10 Tags: One Shot, Zutara Week, Misunderstandings, Awkward Encounters

Title: you're the only thing i've ever truly known Rated: G Summary: After Kanna's death, Zuko stays in the South Pole for a little while to help out his friends. Katara doesn't know how to handle his kindness, but is thankful for it. Together, they reminisce about what life and death means, and Zuko makes a promise to Katara. Score: 2.5 / 10 Rated T One Shot: 3.2 / 10 Tags: Zutara Week, Fluff, Some Angst

[corinthbayrpg]

NAME. Hela Lykos AGE & BIRTH DATE. 33 & January 3rd, 1988 GENDER & PRONOUNS. Female & She/Her SPECIES. Witch ( water + pain manipulation ) OCCUPATION. Unemployed FACE CLAIM. Katie McGrath

BIOGRAPHY

( tw: injury ) From a young age, Hela learned the stories of her coven’s legendary beginnings, of their intrinsic ties to the goddess Hel who bestowed upon their coven such great power, and of the mortal son of Loki whose blood now flowed in her veins as well. Theirs was a history of blended Greek and Norse mythology, everything so much more than a story passed from generation to generation. Anders, her older brother and a dire wolf shifter, was tasked with the protection of the coven and its dead, which included the bones of Hakon. As the eldest witch in her family, she knew a leadership role eventually awaited her once she grew to the appropriate age to claim it and such knowledge placed an enormous amount of pressure on her shoulders even as a child, but Hela thrived under such a weight.

Like many of the witches born to her family, the water witch was blessed with prodigious skill and a rare, unique gift. She learned quickly due to both innate talent and a work ethic driven by the desire to be the best of her coven, a shining example of what a witch of the Haljesta could be and a bright spot within their legacy. Her gift seemed dormant for ages, long enough to concern her parents that perhaps something was wrong if her elemental magic had manifested but her specific gift remained absent. It wasn’t until eight year old Hela took a tumble bad enough to severely break her arm that her ability to lessen or eradicate pain became apparent. She’d been doing it for so long and with such natural ease that she simply willed the pain away from minor scrapes, but without an injury severe enough for her parents to notice, nothing appeared strange except perhaps their daughter’s oddly high pain tolerance. Hela mastered all manner of spells and enchantments with an ease like breathing, but the same could not be said for her younger brother Dante. Unlike most of the others within the coven, Dante was born with an affinity for earth magic rather than water, and try as he might to attempt to keep up with her, the ability gap between the pair of them steadily increased. Where others dismissed him, Hela remained close to him, always just as protective of him as she was of their dire wolf older brother. Theirs was a destiny unlike any others, and she saw his need to work harder or master an element so unlike everyone else’s as a boon rather than an insult. He too could manage this, in her eyes.

It was why Dante’s transformation from witch to genasi stung so deeply. He emerged from a crater following the damnable ritual, encased in obsidian, and she could scarcely even look at him. The coven shunned him despite his pleas to remain, and Hela refused to even speak with him. Dark magic and genasi were abhorrent in the eyes of the coven–to forsake Hel, the goddess who cared for them and empowered them, was an unforgivable offense. There were no shortcuts to power, and a genasi would eventually suffer for their betrayal. In the years that followed, Hela split her time between increasing her abilities within the coven and studying with other witches abroad, a privilege very rarely afforded anyone else in their relatively secluded coven.

It wasn’t until the theft of Hakon’s bones that more trouble befell the coven. Untold power rested with the remains of their progenitor, and the disappearance of them while under guard was cause for great concern. His memory was to blame, as she understood, something he’d always battled and Hela constantly sought to alleviate by whatever means necessary, both magical and mundane, but with a portion of his memory completely blank and the bones stolen, little could be done but allow him to bring them home to restore whatever faith their family had lost in them. Hela begged to go with him to help him in his task and perhaps afford him a little protection–whatever took the bones required a considerable amount of power and could be far more dangerous than one single dire wolf shifter could handle. This reasoning backfired, however. Instead of allowing her to go to Greece with her brother, the Haljesta forced Hela to remain; it was better to lose one of their generation rather than potentially two at once. Dissatisfied but ultimately powerless when it came to the will of her elders, Hela watched as Anders left for Greece alone.

Months went by and finally Anders went unusually silent, and rumors reached the coven that Hakon lived again in the flesh, and not by some trick of a necromancer. Again Hela pleaded with the coven to allow her to leave to find Anders and potentially avenge him, but they denied her again, claiming the threat was now too great to permit her to leave the safety of the coven. Frustration with the decision mounted and she nearly lashed out, but one of her cousins, Arvid, stepped forward and offered to accompany her along with his brother, Jerrik, to keep her safe. While an entourage wasn’t exactly what Hela had in mind, it was enough to persuade the elders to let her go. A few days later, Hela and her cousins landed in Greece only to be greeted with a war brewing between demi-gods and supernaturals over the fate of the veil.

Not a week later, the unthinkable happened. Despite the best efforts of those who wished to preserve the veil, a group of gods sundered it and as it faded, so too did her magic. It was like losing her identity, but that pain didn’t compare to the discovery that Anders hadn’t survived the fall of the veil. Sometime during his time in Corinth Bay, he’d been turned into a vampire and without the magic of the veil keeping him alive, he succumbed to the pull of whatever afterlife awaited him as a result of his turning. Broken and defeated in her new life without magic, she collected her brother’s remains and returned to Haljesta in the company of her cousins in order to give Anders a proper burial among the ancestral dead of their family. They mourned for days that followed and she tried to help the coven find a new direction and purpose without their connection to Hel, but everything seemed hopeless. Their lives had been catastrophically upended with the absence of magic, and everything felt lost until time bent and circled, landing Hela once more in Corinth Bay, her magic returned and her brother hopefully as alive as he could be. Now with an even greater sense of purpose than before, Hela wished to find Anders and Hakon and hopefully sort out the mess following the quick repair of the veil.

PERSONALITY

+ independent, loyal, resourceful - arrogant, dogmatic, reckless

PLAYED BY Jay. CST. She/Her.

[intricate-oeuvre]

On how to be deadly || Geralt of Rivia || part IX

Word count: 2.9k+

Summary: Axelia is Witcher experiment herself and has gone through same harsh Trials as Geralt, but she wasn’t so lucky with the outcome. Her vision didn’t become better. Therefore, she was rendered blind in the end. And because of that, she solely uses her Witcher senses to make her ways. Only potions can give her false sense of sight for limited time.Somewhere along the way she meets the Rivian. Who’s interested to know how she’s been killing monsters and hasn’t been killed herself yet.

Warnings: BLOOD, that’s it, maybe angst

A/N: I have fucking awesome fighting scenes in my head, cant put them on paper tho, Imma visualiser not a writer xD

part I || part II || part III || part IV || part V || part VI || part VII || part VIII || part IX || part X || part XI || part XII || part XIII | Epilogue

“I—what?” Ciri looked at Axelia as witcheress stood up.

“You’re destiny.” Axelia mumbled again.

“Destiny? As in I can do... what?” Ciri got up as well, her uneasy glance sliding to Jaskier for a second.

“You could change whatever is happening between me and Geralt.” Axelia explained.

“You don’t know that yet.” Jaskier reminded her.

“Maybe she’s not the destiny that mage was talking about.” Jaskier continued.

“Mage? What?” Ciri was getting more and more confused. So, Jaskier took responsibility and explained to her what, all that Axelia had said, had meant. Meanwhile, Axelia was pacing back and forth. Jaskier’s eyes skipping to her occasionally, just to make sure that she-witcher doesn’t hyperventilate.

“You choose the love of your life, but you have no saying in choosing your soulmate.” Axelia murmured to herself, pointing to invisible things to rearrange thoughts in her head.

And it took some time to explain everything and answer all the questions that Ciri had asked.

“You need to go.” Axelia mumbled when it was starting to get dark.

“You’re staying here?” Ciri quirked eyebrow at her. Axelia only hummed. In a similar way that Geralt did, thus making Ciri look at Jaskier, who only sent her ‘see I told you’ look in return.

“You can come with us; I am sure that we can find you a place to stay.” Ciri continued.

“Thank you, but I’ll pass on that. I need some time alone. And besides I have job to do here.” Axelia said standing up and putting back on her forearm braces.

“Are you sure?” Jaskier asked as he picked up her cloak and putted it around her shoulders.

“You know that I can take on that monster.” Axelia said, sending appreciative look towards the bard for putting on her cloak.

“No, not the monster part. You know…” Jaskier trailed off.

“Oh. I’m… fine.” Axelia sighed.

“What kind of monster?” Ciri asked, waiting for Jaskier now, so they both could leave Axelia to her own devices.

“Ghouls. They say they are at the old crypts. Where all the war-heroes lay.” Axelia shrugged towards Ciri.

“You got everything you need to fight them?” Ciri asked, just to make sure.

“Got my silver sword.” Axelia nodded and tapped the hilt of it on her back. “Thank you for bring it back.”

“Of course. Silver is expensive these days.” Ciri shrugged and her eyes impatiently landed on the bard next to Axelia.

“Go. I don’t have all night to fight. I need to move.” Axelia turned back to Jaskier.

“Stay safe.” He mumbled quietly to her.

“You know I am witcher. Being safe is not my forte.” Axelia sent him a small smile.

“You just live for the danger.” He sighed and pulled her in for the last hug.

“I find thrill in it.” She corrected him, basking in his hug as she murmured into his chest.

“Will I see you again?” Jaskier whispered.

“Most likely, no.” Axelia hummed in his shirt, letting calm wash over her. She was done with this. Not sure if Ciri was the destiny that was needed to fix the slanted fates.

“Then I wish you wholly good luck.” Jaskier pulled away a little to look down at her.

“Thank you. For every little thing you have done to me and for me.” Axelia smiled softly at him.

“With pleasure.” Jaskier nodded at her, and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.

“Can you give this to Geralt?” Axelia turned to Ciri before she had time to leave.

“Yeah.” Ciri took hold of the black tulle blindfold that Axelia was extending towards her and tied the fabric around the hilt of her sword that was sitting snuggly on her back.

“He hates it.” Axelia smirked at her and then bid them farewell as she made har way deeper in the woods.

***

“So, she has been your soulmate all this time and you didn’t think of telling me?” Yennefer was standing with her hands crossed on her chest. Geralt was sitting and only slightly rolled his eyes at her comment but didn’t answer, feeling, rather, knowing, that she was about to continue.

“And you two have been having these run-ins occasionally?” She raised her eyebrow at him.

“You know I didn’t choose for that to happen.” Geralt defended.

“You have a tendency to not choose for things to happen to actually happen.” Yennefer grunted. Witcher was pretty sure she was making reference about Ciri.

“You have problem with Axelia?” Geralt asked with tilt of his head.

“Yes. After all that dragon hunt, we really don’t see eye to eye. And now she’s here. Saying that she has some claim over you. That does not really help me with handling things between us, Geralt.” Yennefer tried to reason.

“Claim? She hasn’t claimed anything. No one has.” Geralt explained, growing more irritated with Yen by the second.

“Don’t you love me?” Yennefer huffed turning away. Geralt wasn’t really looking for all this drama. His mind was still occupied with thoughts of the girl that was still somewhere in the woods.

“Yen…” Geralt hummed. “You know that—"

In that moment Ciri walked in with Jaskier.

“Did we interrupt something?” Jaskier asked, looking between Geralt and Yennefer.

“No.” Geralt answered.

“Yes.” Yennefer said at the same time. Geralt’s eyes slid to Yen, low-key challenging for her to shut up.

“Me or her. You choose.” Yennefer gave him ultimatum, with dissatisfied pout.

The silence took over the room.

Geralt was looking at Yennefer with disbelief written all over his features as his mouth fell open.

Jaskier gulped at her sentence, his eyes sliding to Ciri briefly, almost asking her if they shouldn’t leave the room to these two who were at each other’s throats. And Ciri had the same thought as Jaskier and with uncomfortable clear of her throat she rolled her shoulders, making the tulle around the hilt of her sword swing as if caught in a breeze. Movement catching Geralt’s attention. With furrowed eyebrows he looked at Ciri, waiting for the explanation.

“She told me to give this to you.” Ciri whispered quietly as she reached to untie it. Girl’s eyes momentarily flicking to Yennefer, gauging her reaction. Geralt took hold of it and turned it over in his hands. Axelia’s scent hit his nose. Her real scent and not the one he could smell coming from Jaskier. He didn’t want to dwell on the fact as to why the bard was drenched in her smell. Not the first time. Geralt knew that she trusted Jaskier, and so did Ciri. Except for Yennefer, she always had some enmity with Jaskier and vice versa.

“Well? I’m waiting.” Yennefer tapped her foot on the ground. Geralt stood up from where he was sitting and walked up to Ciri, tying the tulle back around the hilt of her sword.

“Where is she?” Geralt asked Jaskier.

“The old crypt.” Bard explained.

“And the monster?” Witcher’s eyes flickered back to Ciri.

“Ghouls.” Ciri explained looking at Geralt.

“No. Not any ghouls.” Geralt grunted and picked up his own sword from the table and secured it on his back.

“What do you mean?” Jaskier narrowed his eyes at him.

“Alghouls.” Geralt said grimly.

“And she only had silver sword with her.” Ciri stated, getting along the train of thought of the witcher.

“Fuck.” Geralt said displeased and sent a look at Yennefer over his shoulder before he went outside.

“Geralt, you didn’t answer!” sorceress called after him, making Geralt stop in his tracks.

“I think he made his choice.” Jaskier dared to answer for his friend.

“Hmm.” Witcher hummed deeply and went to get Roach and head for the crypts.

Yennefer was left there stunned.

“Jaskier.” She hissed at the bard.

“What? I think that was pretty obvious.” Bard answered.

Ciri looked at Yennefer, then her eyes slid at the back of her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the tulle around the hilt of the sword. Her mind drifted back to Axelia, or whatever she had met at the forest. Ciri had never met a female witcher, nor she ever thought that there was one. Geralt never really mentioned her. Yes, he had said that there was this fierce and loyal to the bone warrior that he had pleasure to meet and fight alongside, but he never told Ciri her name nor who she was. But Ciri had deciphered enough from his speeches to understand that this girl was important to him. He never really had talked about Yennefer in the same way. Of course, Yen was like mother to Ciri, but there was something oddly similar to Axelia and her.

Ciri had found herself a new loving family. She only hoped that Axelia could find love again.

“Ciri?” questioned Yennefer, wanting to hear whatever Ciri had to say about this ordeal.

 “Geralt didn’t choose Axelia as his soulmate, they were made to be like that. As for you and him, I—” Ciri was trying to find the words so that she wouldn’t offend Yennefer.

“You chose each other.” Jaskier stated. “Their meetings are unavoidable. And Geralt will go after her even if you say no, they will never stop finding each other as much as you would hate it, Yennefer. You may love him, and he may love you, but they are undividable. Geralt is hers, and Axelia will always be his.” Bard dared to tell the sorceress the truth.

Yennefer let out a deep, irritated sigh through her nose.

“We better go.” Ciri looked at Jaskier instead. She had no saying in this, whatever she would say would not change a thing. She already had done whatever that mage had told Axelia.

And Ciri hoped that she was that destiny that was needed to make the fates less slated.

Meanwhile Geralt was hoping that alghouls haven’t eaten Axelia alive.

***

Dread had settled deep in her gut, when Axelia had realized that they were not ghouls but to be more precise- alghouls. She had thought that she’ll need to fight off only couple of ghouls, but here she was slicing and dicing ghoul after ghoul as the bigger alghouls were slowly coming closer to her. The latter being more aggressive and more challenging than regular ghoul. With untrained eye one could not tell the difference between two, but Axelia knew enough.

She knew that alghouls had more wit than regular ghoul and then she decided to go after alghouls first. Maybe if she’s lucky, she’ll kill the leader of the pack and thus weaken it all. For whatever Axelia held holy she prayed that there were no cemetaurs.

And when all the smaller ghouls suddenly scattered wherever, Axelia knew that her prayers have been pointless.

“Shit!” she hissed, slicing another alghoul with her silver sword. How could she have been so dumb and not pack any white vinegar with her. Her hand run along her belt, in a search for a potion that could actually help her.

“Shit! Really?!” she hissed when she couldn’t find Black Blood potions nowhere on her belt. Had it fallen out while she was fighting Geralt? For fucks sake, now she was really doomed. With angry scream Axelia, planted her feet one in front of another and quickly made her way towards the cemetaur. Now all she had was her trusty silver sword, and a hope that this wasn’t her last fight.

With swooping motions, she raised the silver blade above her head and slashed down the side of cemetaur’s hand. Her movement seamlessly flowing in wide pirouette as she cut down three ghouls behind herself. With sure and certain steps, she rounded the cemetaur, while with slashing cuts killed ghouls and alghouls left and right. And whenever she had a clear chance at stabbing, wounding and gnashing at the monster, she took it. Couple of times stumbling because ghouls were grabbing her feet and trying to knock her down. Just to get on top of her and rip at her flesh.

Her figure seemed to get bloodier and bloodier by every cut she made. Be it her own blood that was running down from her busted lip and nose. Or be it from the monsters that she tried to cut down so desperately. But it seemed that they were taking over, and even might feast on the flesh of an unlucky witcher for a change. Axelia wasn’t afraid of death or dying. But she had wanted to live a little longer. Maybe clean up her own messes.

As she raised the sword to her side to strike the monster form below and up it’s middle, monster seemed to realize her movement and moved quicker. With it’s huge hand it struck Axelia in her jaw, making her stumble back and tip on a dead alghoul. Her silver sword flying somewhere to the side.

“Shit!” she screamed as necrophages leaped at her, to get the fresh meat first.

“Fuck no!” She yelled and elbowed one in it’s face, gaining a split second to roll on her stomach and crawl for her sword. But she was stopped by the sudden pain in her shin. Looking at her leg, he saw that alghoul had itself attached to her leg, trying to bite it off. With a grunt, she kicked it in its head with her other foot. Noticing all the creatures leaping closer like hungry wretched dogs, she pulled out her dagger and sliced three of the smaller ghouls, but since it was no silver, she got nothing from it, only gnash at her abdomen. Either they all pranced at her and eat her while she’s still alive or she’ll bleed out, faster than she’d like to admit.

This was it.

She was trying to rid herself of all the monsters, but as one fell, another came in it’s place. Not to mention the cemetaur that was still rounding her and waiting for the right moment to jump on her. Axelia saw it finally move towards her, she tried to reach for her silver sword again. As she felt it’s repulsive breath on the back of her neck, she suddenly was pulled back by her limbs from underneath the monster. She screamed again, not sure at first who was pulling at her legs. As she quickly sat up, dagger in her hand ready to strike, someone placed a glass potion bottle in her bloody hands.

“Drink.” Came Geralt’s deep voice as he raised his own silver sword and expertly sliced at the cemetaur. Axelia pulled out the cork with her teeth and emptied the content of the bottle. The taste hitting her tongue and back of her throat. She hissed at the bitterness. Black Blood potion. Next few hours her blood will be poisons to whoever dared to feast on it. Then her eyes and veins and blood vessels around them turned black. Her skin almost seemingly translucent because of it. Her body was fighting the high toxicity. At least this was a plan B, for a moment.

Her eyes scanned surroundings briefly and with painful grunt she pushed herself up. Stumbling and cutting at alghoul she made her way for her silver sword. For a second she couldn’t sense it. Had it fell in some old grave? Even in this spilt second of confusion, a monster had made it’s way behind her.

“Left!” Geralt called at her and she looked at him. Next second her own silver sword was hurling through air, and swiftly she ducked to her right, as the sword lodged itself in the head of the monster, right above her shoulder. Turning and pulling her sword out of the dead monster, Axelia continued to twirl and gnash at the monsters. And the only sounds in the otherwise peaceful night, was sounds of swords cutting flesh, monster screeches and roars, and the heavy grunts and breathes that Axelia and Geralt let out.

At some point with all the monsters trying to get meat of the living, Axelia and Geralt ended up almost fighting back to back. And as finally the count of ghouls and alghouls seemed to drop, the cemetaur turned more aggressive. Axelia seemed to have locked ger gaze on one alghoul, the last she was about to kill that night, adrenaline being the only thing keeping her upright. But as she was distracted by it, she didn’t notice that Geralt had killed last two ghouls somewhere in front of her or the fact that cemetaur had chosen her as it’s first meal.

“Axelia!” Geralt’s eyes grew big, as he run to her, slicing the head off of the alghoul she was trying to kill from it’s behind. Next second Geralt was impossibly close to her. His right hand with his silver sword going above her left shoulder and wedging it in cemetaur’s throat. His left hand pulling Axelia’s sword from her hand, and with quick, skilled hand movement, her sword ended up in his now empty right hand, as he lodged it in the stumbling monster’s scull. Cemetaur falling dead right behind Axelia.

Silence.

Nothing but the cold night and their heavy breathing.

Axelia stood there, her chest pressed against his, frozen. Not moving. Her mind racing to try and catch up with everything that just happened. Geralt took a step back from her, his own jet-black gaze trained on nothing in particular somewhere behind Axelia.

“You could be dead.” Geralt hissed at her. Insulting retort went over her head, she blinked but didn’t answer. Bruises and wounds finally making themselves know on her tired body.

“I think I’m gonna pass out…” Axelia mumbled, her stance wavering as her eyes seemed empty and her shoulders slumped down.

“Now?” Geralt asked, his eyes finally turning to her. Axelia didn’t answer, her eyes fluttered shut and she fell towards him. With displeased grunt he caught her effortlessly in his hands.

part I || part II || part III || part IV || part V || part VI || part VII || part VIII || part IX || part X || part XI || part XII || part XIII | Epilogue

~~~

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[tildehummingbird]

Spoiler about Catherine and the Soul Riding

(I posted this over at sso forums, so if you see a thread like this there, it's me hehe)

So, I've done the Catherine Quests and I've completed them and as a lot of other people, I was mad. 

I mean, I had so many questions: If Aideen is in everyone, and destiny doesn't matter, then what's the need for Soul Riders, if anyone can do it? Destiny and being the "chosen one" is the whole entire concept of this game, and changing the route NOW, or at ALL doesn't make any sense, and they're probably gonna lose a lot of players that are interested in lore because this doesn't make any sense. Then what's even the need for a 5th rider? What's even the need for this game at all, if a 5th rider isn't needed then just follow the storyline in Starshine Legacy and don't add the 5th rider. If anyone can do it and if Aideen is in everyone, then explain why we're the only ones in this whole entire generation that can handle all powers at once, why can't any of the other riders in Jorvik? Why was Elizabeth so surprised that we could in fact use all powers? What was the need for the beginning cutscene? It literally told us "In times of despair, a sisterhood of Soul Riders will ride forth to protect the island from the evil that seeks to rip the world apart. It is foretold that a sisterhood led by a heroic and fearless girl will appear on horseback to bring hope and light back to those who believe that all is lost... Are you that girl?" I don't know dude, it doesn't even matter if I am because apparently anyone can be that girl, so who cares if I am? Then why were we able to literally fly on our horse? Why would Fripp be so adamant about our protection to the point of where he put his own life on the line, just so we could be protected? The message of "anyone can be a hero" is great, however that's not the point of this story and it never has been.

All these questions and no answers, so I thought we could theorize a bit so that, together, we could try to understand a bit more about this and understand what even happened, what it means and where it is going.

I was checking the star stable tag on Tumblr, and I saw a post by @sso-emberwood that pointed out a lot about Catherine: She didn't even want to be Aideen at all, all she wanted was a normal life with Thomas and her baby, to be free from this prophecy and these duties. Not only that, but The Keepers of Aideen aren't exactly the most telling bunch, so she would know as much as we do: nothing. She wasn't a fan of the prophecy thing, she wasn't a fan of being the only one who's special and different, and she rejected the whole idea, so it would make sense as to why she'd project that onto us, too. Not only that, we saw that she lost her horse, and therefore "half a soul", as Linda described it so maybe she really doesn't get it anymore.

Either that, or maybe we perceived what she said wrong. I went back to check on what she said, so I'll write it here: "We needn't wait for Aideen's return. The goddess is reborn with every horse and rider who open their hearts and form a true bond. Aideen's gift is love. She's been with us all along. In me. In you. At least that is what I believe."

So, to start off, I think that last part is very important. That's what she belives - referring back to what we know is fact: she didn't like the prophecy, and she wanted to define her own destiny and not be controlled by it - so it would make sense for her and her character that she'd have these beliefs. To her, all you need is Aideen's love because Aideen's gift lives in everyone. Now, it is true that Aideen's Gift lives in everyone because Aideen's gift IS for everyone in the island of Jorvik, and I even have Rhiannon dialogue to prove that the Keepers of Aideen agree on this too. This bit of text is from one of the Soul Riding quests, where Rhiannon takes us to South Hoof:

"Have you ever noticed there's something different to the nature of Jorvik? The grass is greener, the birdsong sweeter. But most importantly, the horses are happy and free. They have all this land to roam, and we Jorvegians share this land with them. This connects us to horses on a deeper level. The other Druids put so much focus on the Soul Riders, Guardian Horses, Aideen herself....but they forget to see the magic that's right before their eyes. The magic of Aideen's gift." At this point, you're given two choices: either "I already know that." or "That's what they all say." Regardless, she'll say "Is that so? You've probably heard folk talk about it as if it's some kind of friendship between horse and human. But it's so much more than that. It's what pulled me to travel up North to care for magical horses. It's what makes Nix so special to me. It's even why I'm a Wild Whisperer...On Jorvik, our deep bond with horses is magical. You've been training exceptionally well. During this time, the bond you have developed with [horse name] has flurished. But you haven't just strengthened the bond between both of you. You've connected to the nature of Jorvik on a deeper level, and with that have honed a magical link to all the horses in this island. Close your eyes, and listen to the sound around us. Can you feel how everything is connected?", yet again you can choose between "Yes, it's magical." and "Uh...no." she'll say "You clearly have an affinity for this. I'm impressed. Sometimes, if you focus clearly, you may notice a spark of something powerful. That's the presence of a wild horse. It's one of the ways we Wild Wardens sense they're nearby and ensure their safety. So now you know. Aideen's Gift ties us to all the horses on Jorvik, and it is something to treasure. You can use this knowledge to improve your riding skills. Pay close attention to your horse, and the horses around you, and you will find harmony. This is what I wanted to share with you weeks ago, but I thought you weren't ready to understand. However, I was wrong. Your dedication to Soul Riding has proven just how much you care for the horses on this island. I'm proud of you, [player name]. Thank you for helping protect the horses on Jorvik."

Aideen's Gift is what makes you have such a good connection with horses and it is what makes Jorvik's people and horses special - however, that's certainly not enough to lead Soul Riders into battle. Love isn't enough to defeat Garnok - you need to be chosen for it and destiny DOES matter, no one else has any power in any circle, only the people who are born specifically to have it. However, Catherine is right, but I'm not exactly sure that she understands that that's not why we are unique and that's not what makes us fit for battle instead of literally anyone else - we're unique and the reason as to why we're the only ones who should be able to go into battle is because we don't just have Aideen's Gift like everyone else - we are Aideen. Catherine is Aideen too, we are her and she is us. Cause all of the reeincarnations of Aideen are the same thing, different body. Us and the Soul Riders don't just have Aideen's Gift, we were reincarnated to be her and the soul riders were reincarnated to be what they are today.  Catherine very visibly rejected and left behind her duties and gave up being a soul rider after she lost her horse - she completely rejected even looking for a reeincarnation of it like we did with Anne - but when she did, we were born, because Catherine gave up which meant that another reeincarnation was needed, because it needs to be Aideen herself, not just someone who has the gift - she kept the gift, but she no longer had what it takes to be that girl, and didn't want to either, so someone who did was born.

And again, the Druids make it very clear that their mission, and their end goal is he rebirth of Aideen. A couple of days ago I got a lore book from the Soul Riding missions called "Druids and Horses: A Partnership" that said this: "Aideen's Gift enables druids to continue to protect Jorvik, feel spiritually closer to the land, and ultimately fulfill their mythical goal of the rebirth of Aideen" and  "[...] a network of spiritual people whose sole mission is to protect Jorvik through ensuring the return of the goddess Aideen." 

Which means they acknowledge that they're waiting for a specific someone to be born, so that that specific someone can lead the sisterhood into battle, when the final battle comes, which means that they acknowledge that it can't just be anyone. Waiting for someone special is the whole point of the Keepers of Aideen - they are literally called Keepers of Aideen, no Aideen reborn, no Keepers of Aideen.

Also, in the mission "Strenght in Numbers" with Rhiannon in the Soul Riding, she said that what made her leave Jorvik was that she saw a hooded figure in the forest, and it felt like it was draining the life out of her and her horse, so she left because she was afraid, but she came back upon Elizabeth's request for help, and she when she saw how much closer the Keepers of Aideen were, she decided to stay, but after she says she says: "What really opened my eyes was you, [player name]. Your dedication, skill, and sheer talent has given me faith in Aideen's Light that I haven't felt for a while." Everyone has something like this to tell us, I think there's a reason for that. One of the most important ones so far was for example, when Darko was able to enter the Stone Ring, threatening to destroy the keystone, and Fripp says: "I would sooner destroy the keystone than let you take [player name]. She is more important than you imagine..."

The reason as to why I choose to share the Rhiannon one is because it is recent, just like Catherine's memories which means the story and the objective remains the same, with the only difference that we know Catherine's perspective and why she failed and why the sisterhood fell apart, which will be important in the future, because if you don't remember, the dark riders are trying to recruit Nihili (previously known as Elise) who is the 4th Dark Rider. So far, we've only seen her horse but what we do know about her is that she has the ability to cause discord within the Dark Riders, but I'd imagine she'd have influence on us, as well, and that's why she'd probably be recruited. The Dark Riders know that the previous sisterhood failed due to discord and fights within the group, so it wouldn't be surprising that they'd try to make that happen yet again.

Apart from all of this, I simply don't think Catherine knows enough about this whole thing to be the one to reveal it to us, and I also think the "big reveal" was anticlimatic and not well done, at least in my eyes, because *assuming* this is the route they're going with...eh? What? Why was it so...dry?

Also, if you go back to the very first news post on Catherine's diary, it says "This chapter of the Soul Rider story arc is a standalone quest and is not mandatory to complete in order to play future quests with the Soul Riders." and if they were to add SUCH an important reveal then it wouldn't be a something you could choose not to do, it would be a mandatory, integral part of the story -  this seems like very important information, right? If we don't do this quest, and just move on then in the world and in a story sense, MC wouldn't know that there's technically no Aideen to look for. It doesn't make sense if this is really what they're going to do...Unless it's not and this is just Catherine's opinions on the matter.

Overall, I'm just not a believer yet - I still think this is just Catherine's thoughts. As @sso-emberwood said, the only one who could actually tell us anything for sure is Fripp. He knows way more than everyone in the Keepers of Aideen. But he's sick still, and has been since 2017 the poor guy. I don't think we should assume anything yet, and I certainly don't think the game has changed directions. If it did, I'll be honest with yall - my interest would not be the same and I think it would be that way for a lot people as well and I think that's fair. You can't just come in and suddenly change the route of something that has been hinted at and is supposed to be the point of the game, it just doesn't make any sense. If so, then there's no need for this game or for a 5th rider.

[theholycovenantrpg]

CONGRATULATIONS, PHOEBE! YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF SALOME.

Admin Rosey: This was incredibly difficult. Both applications were stunning and shined in the limelight - but there were these small details, Phoebe, that you included that had us absolutely captivated. Salome, I think, is a difficult character to encompass so wholly while not overlooking the details. But you managed to do that, to tie her all together while not putting her in a package. The application was such a joy to read from beginning to end - the way that you tied so many different characters into her, into her future. It was an absolute thrill to read because I was able to see so much while still being tantalized by possibilities. I can’t wait to see how Salome shines on the dash! Please create and send in your account, review the information on our CHECKLIST, and follow everyone on the FOLLOW LIST. Welcome to the Holy Land!

OUT OF CHARACTER

Alias | Phoebe

Age | 22

Personal Pronouns | She/her

Activity Level | Pretty active (6/10?) due to a national lockdown, but I’m a postgrad student so some days are busier than others.

Timezone | GMT

Triggers | REMOVED

How did you find the group?  | I check out the ‘new rpg’ tag a few times a year & your graphics and then everything drew me in

Current/Past RP Accounts | Masha Vetrova @ ProchnostRPG

IN CHARACTER

Character | SALOME

What drew you to this character? |  Typically I tend to go for characters who have a fundamental moral alignment of ‘good’ (even if it’s been a bit corrupted) so at first I was really drawn to Gabriel/Abaddon/Isolde. I even brainstormed them a bit before moving onto the demon bios.

But then I read Salome’s bio, and I really couldn’t get her out of my mind. There is something so delicious about her, so dastardly poetic. In a way, she’s as pure of heart as many morally good characters - patient, steadfast, true to herself. It’s just that her heart is a blackened one. A nature so rotted that even eternal damnation in Hell’s Abyss was not enough. The only fitting destiny was a demonic one, and the wings tore out of her body as if they’d been there, dormant, all along.

I know the story of Salome (thanks Oscar Wilde) & I just adore the way in which the bio weaves the biblical story into this world and this character. Salome the Temptress, unflinching as she demands the head of John the Baptist and damns all around her to Hell. This one line in particular from Rosey really, really captured it all for me:

No, the minute her mortal heart stopped beating and she opened her eyes to the fires of Hell, there was only laughter to be heard – pouring from her lips as melodic as a lark’s song, a stark contrast to the wailing and grinding of teeth.

Salome feels young and charming and spoiled and light and warm and content and this image - her descending into Hell, disrupting it with her peals of laughter - sums it all up. She is arrogant and uninhibited with her sins plain for all to see. But she is also clever. She is a girl who dances with the dead; demon through and through. She lets them openly see it so that they do not think to look closer. For if they did, surely they would see Salome was more damned than they’d ever envisioned? See that the open delight she projects - the laughter and fevered dancing, - all distract from a mind capable of cold, calm strategy? See that her hands are beautiful because they are stained with the first blood of this new world?

…All of which is to say that Salome the Temptress has worked that tempting magic of hers on me too - hook, line and sinker.

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | If it serves your guys’ plotting vision then absolutely! I’d just ask to write the death scene/have some say in the way it went down. (The person killing her off better be prepared for the fight of their lives).

FUTURE PLOT IDEAS

• (small) PLEASURES •

Grand plans and power grabs are all very well, but day to day (on the dash lol) Salome is ruled by small pleasures and indulgences. What was the point of forging this new world if not to luxuriate in it?

01. I’m very curious to see how her relations with all the other demons play out. Salome is by and large a solitary creature - the natural result of her arrogance - but I think there are some demons she favours more than others. I could see a potential friendship (or the lesser version of that bond) with ORIAS, for one. There were those who saw something akin to witchcraft in Salome too. There had been envy, when Orias was hailed the Original Witch, but even Salome has come to recognise the ungodly power that resides in them. They are one of the only creatures that Salome has any real respect for. She understands that there is value to learn in what Orias can teach.They call them the false prophet - it seems poetic that Salome is drawn to her. (So ! Much ! Potential ! Witchy ! Power !)

02. So too can I imagine Salome having a particular curiosity towards MAMMON. Hungry and dark and empty, Mammon is probably Salome’s demonic ideal. With mortal origins herself, they represent a different kind of demon – one she thinks is utterly beautiful. Their future ambitions could align, both with a deep, aching appetites, but I can also see her purely enjoying the unique company of them. Salome does not treat her ability with any real respect or caution; she sees the dead as a game. think she’d genuinely delight in Mammon mimicking her gift and the amusements that could follow. (Ok not to say I’m suggesting deal body party games but it’s very that)

03. Salome gets equal pleasure (if not a great deal more) from less-than-friendly relations. She pushes purely because other people’s irritation amuses her. I think her relationship with AZAZEL in particular could be very, very fun. Of all the demons, I can see Salome having a particularly petty dislike / jealousy of Azazel for a few many reasons.. A) they are both products of indulgence, daughters of parents (literally and figuratively) who spoiled them rotten. Similarities repel and all that. B) Azazel is part of the de facto royal family, favoured by JUDAS.. and DAMIEN .. and ABADDON .. and Salome has not ever handled that well. She watched on as they, along with the rest of hell, fell for her and thus a time-old grudge was born. C) Azazel forms part of the Holy Land’s rulership. A land that was won because of Salome (in her mind) and one she feels has rights of ownership too. I imagine that Salome genuinely despises that the role was given to Azazel of all demons. I - I just sense so many great opportunities for both bickering and battling.

04. Salome draws great pleasure from her own magnetism. Devotion has followed her throughout the stages of her life, but it too has come to wax and wane. It is there in BASTIEN though, and it’s one of the connections I’m most excited for. He satisfies her addiction, and in return she is both doting and cruel. There is some value in him politically, bu it’i more of a .. personal connection. That could change though. Or, perhaps a genuine fondness might develop, in the same way that other celestial beings seem to be fond of their animal companions. A muted form of possessiveness over his gaze and his wonderment (which may well manifest in Salome having a particular resentment towards EVANGELINE) . If he were to share out his devotion, or if it was curtailed by any harm coming to Bastien himself, Salome would not be happy. Perhaps his attentions have come to somewhat satiate her appetite and tentatively restrains her darkest needs - a fact that neither of them have realised. (!!!!!)

• (medium) OPPORTUNITIES •

05. There are some things she keeps to herself - at least for now. There’s a lot of potential for self-paras or connections with the wider RP plot. To me, Salome has something akin to true addiction inside of her. It was there from the moment of her mortal birth, and it worsened with each hit. Essentially, I think an inescapable plot point is that Salome is a lil’ bit bloodthirsty. I think this would largely be developed through my own musings and mortals who are just ‘extras’ to this RP, but I’d love to deal with the intricacies of Salome having to cover this habit. Maybe she continues to use others as scapegoats; maybe she chooses her victims with careful attention so that they go unnoticed; maybe she does it in such a way that implies the presence of a beast or daemonium.

( In fact, the concept of the DAEMONIUM is verrrrrrrrrry intriguing. Creates who inhabit corpses and do nothing but feed their hunger? Sounds like a character I know. This is a potential plot point that relies on your guys’ vision and some collaborative world-building, but I think there is definitely exciting potential to explore these creatures through Salome. Imagine the carnage of her trying (successfully or unsuccessfully) to out-possess them.)

06. I think Salome would take any opportunity to poison Infernum’s highest-ranking. This isn’t so much be her political ‘end-goal’, but an opportunity for some real entertainment. It would be a game, try and crack the kinship that exists among  AZAZEL, JUDAS, DAMIEN and ABADDON; injecting a few words here, a few doubts there, and see if their loyalty lasts.. She knows Judas from a past life and has watched him oh so carefully overtheir many entwined centuries - I imagine she is a gnat to him, pushing all the right (and thus wrong) buttons. It would a sport to try and make his familial dynasty crumble. Perhaps she might attempt this by throwing doubt on to Abaddon in particular, whose aura contains a flatness that Salome cannot read. Salome doesn’t know of the goodness that lies in her, but perhaps she might find out. Regardless, I think Salome’s worst imaginable fate would be being locked in the Black Cells, unable to dance and revel in the world, so she harbours dislike for Abaddon anyway…

07. EPHEMERA is an opportunity that Salome had not anticipated. And let me tell you, boy do I adore this connection. It strikes me as a true clashing of teeth and spirits, but not as simple as one born from pure malice or hatred. Salome feels many things towards Ephemera, but she certainly doesn’t hate her - even if the ferocity between them implies otherwise sometimes. There’s a thin line between love and hate, as they say, though perhaps neither of those terms sum up Salome an Ephemera. It seems to be pure passion and temptation. I can’t say where this could lead without the thoughts of a possible Ephemera writer, but I’m sure it will be nothing short of explosive. I think this connection is the most Salome has ever felt towards another being, and that in itself is curious to her.

• (great) AMBITIONS •

The possible destinies of Salome. The following are all ways in which her story could play out, and all of them are quite dramatic. Who’s afraid of the big, bad plots….

08. Infernum technically has no throne. In order to thus claim it, perhaps one first has to be built? Salome would have no qualms choosing a side in another demonic cvil war. Why, if DAMIEN were to stake the claim of his birthright against JUDAS, he could count on Salome for support. If Judas were to live up to his title and betray the antichrist, he could count on Salome for support - if he got there before the other. Salome will happily help them consolidate a throne through bloodshed and betrayal. In fact, it will be her pleasure.

For through it all, Salome will be the demon who has thought to use MICHAEL. They are insufferable and righteous and (quite literally) archangel incarnate - really, if she had the chance, she knows that their blood would be the most utterly divine to spill - but they are useful. Undeniably powerful. Salome knows she must be careful here, but she enjoys the undisguised exasperation on their face. As if they have not yet thought to recognise the ambition that lies in both of them. If they helped her ascend to the throne of Infurnem, she would be a far more acquiescent to Caelum’s interests than the current leadership. Why? Because Salome would not act - would not even pretend to act - on behalf of demonic interests. If the best chance of her claiming ownership of the world depended on sharing it with Michael, then perhaps she would be willing.

09. But power can manifest in more than one way. She could follow such dreams, or she could become the world’s nightmares. And wouldn’t that be more indulgent? Where others hold power or peace as their prime ambition, Salome would get equal pleasure from the simple decay of all things. The world could rot and she would laugh - the dead are often better company than the living. Ultimately Salome would start another war without hesitation; she would sacrifice everything and everyone for the beautiful carnage of utter destruction. It had been so easy with the War of the Last Rites, but she had been disappointed when it ended in peace. That will not happen again; she will be ready next time. When all factions are suitably engaged, she will raise her own force and strike them all down together. — Such are her thoughts anyway. Thoughts that started developing when she met RYUK. To her, the power Ryuk holds is breathtaking. There is no other ability she desires quite as much. For if she were to contain both of their powers within herself, she would have dominion over a force so great that no living creature - mortal or immortal - could ever hope to defeat. The dead. It is a delicate strategy, but she has the patience for it. And if there was any who would spill the blood of a horseman just to see what happened, then it would surely be Salome.

10. Where there are mortals, there is faith. The relationship between Salome and the faith of the HUNDRED-EYED GOD intrigues me. In her mortal life, faith was an amusement. Its believers has been her playthings - perhaps they are again in this world. ISOLDE is as all prophets are; tempting. I think that Salome could potentially decide to join the faith – or give the impression to do so. Such a deceit would be fun and far from difficult - already she joins in on their rituals, her feet unable to stay away from any form of rhythmic movement, even ones more gentle than her usual tastes. A demon of relative influence, perhaps her faith would be welcomed amongst those most holy, perceived as a positive development in the faith’s recruitment. Perhaps she finds a currently unknown fellowship in the form of ESTIENNE, whose manipulation of the shadows surely speaks of some rot in his heart.

And all for one simple reason. Where there is faith, there are the faithful. Where there is the faithful, there is the potential for bloodshed so rich - so intoxicating - that she would play this long, patient game just to taste a singular drop. She has never been able to recreate the electrification of that first diabolical deed, when she claimed a saint’s head as her prize. She had danced and damned and thirsted ever since; the blood of an ALL-SEEING PRIESTESS might just quench such a need.

• (potential) DOWNFALLS •

Ah, but all of the above are just potential ideas. It is just as likely that Salome would be subject to some downfalls and some .. rude awakenings. I adore the fact that both MICHAEL and RYUK have such different perceptions of their connections. They are both far smarter than she gives credit. Michael is, ultimately, more powerful than Salome on more ways than one - they will surely outplay her as they have everyone, though she might be of some use to them too. In Ryuk, Salome has started a war she might live to regret - one she hasn’t even realised she’s fighting. She has perhaps been a little naive here, and it will be quite something when she realises.

There are other possible connections that could prove Salome’s downfall – or at least a be a hindrance. In my mind, it is GABRIEL, ZADKIEL and CAPHRIEL that she is most weary of. They each have a light to them that she does not care for, along with the arrogance present in all angels. I say in the following section that Salome has no fears; they represent the closest thing she has to possible concerns. I don’t think she yet knows any of them particularly well outside of the War, but she has thought of their powers. The latter two in particular harbour gifts that could, potentially, expose Salome, and thus she has developed a specific distaste for them. And of course, she probably finds them particularly fun to antagonise.

IN DEPTH

Driving Character Motivation | [TW: Implied suicide in section I ]

I think a large part of my attraction to Salome is that she isn’t really driven by an external force. Partly she is driven by the deep appetite within her (which I’ve mentioned more in other parts of this application) but I also think her motivations stem from her own intrinsic nature; she is pushed by her own heart towards ambitions that are mere extensions of her character. I think there are three central aspects of her character that best explain her motivations and actions: a complete lack of fear, an overwhelming self-adoration and a deep, petulant intolerance of monotony. Together, they’ve created a woman - a demon - amply motivated to do any of the above listed plot ideas.. One who simply does as she wants for no reason other than want itself. Below I’ve given three early examples (set in BP) of these traits taking root (and rot):

I • For what use is fear to those who are damned?

It was said that Jesus’ tomb lay empty. Through the wind Salome heard whispers of women who’d gone to mourn and found nothing - only stone and airwhere a pierced and bloodied body should have lain. It seemed the proclaimed child of God had evaded corporeal death yet again; that the words of the old, tiresome preacher whose head she once cradled had proved true. Their claims and their preachings were not false as her father had accused - but really, had not Salome always known that? Was it not she who had delivered John’s salvation, cast him up to his venerated Heaven? And as it happened - as both the head and the soul of John his body - had not she felt her own moment of pure, divine bliss?

It brought clarity; there was no hesitation in her now. She stood alone, looking out upon the depths of the Galilee Sea with an unconfined grin spread wide upon her face. She had known, always known, that the boredom of this life was only temporary. The adoration she received on earth had grown dull, she sought new, greater opportunities for her talents. There had existed a deep craving inside for as long as she could remember, one that had become increasingly difficult to satiate. It told her that her destiny lay outside of Heaven, that both the prophet and her father the king had been right to look upon her with fear. For if John and Jesus had ascended upwards, could she not leap down into her own descent? The idea of it felt so simple, so natural, so potentially powerful. Neither death nor the the promise of damnation brought her anything but intrigue. She thought of the wicked and the cruel, of the infernal depths to which she was bound, and felt only satisfied.

Mortal though she was, Salome was not afraid. Why should she fear her own destiny? Why should she fear for those she left behind? Fear had no place in a heart without hope. With a simple step, she threw herself into the icy water and waited to reach the blackest depths below.

II • For what use is love to those who are satisfied?

Where there was Salome there was laughter - her own, that was - sharp, loud and melodic. When she first opened her mouth it had sliced through Hell and turned all of its eyes onto her. Rightly so, for she she had laughed as she’d evaded Abaddon’s grasp, clawing herself out of the Abyss of mortal souls and claiming a rightful place in the depths of Hell. The Morningstar, sat above all, had not yet even spoken when Salome had started to dance.

She could feel Hell’s eyes on her, and what better way to greet such attentions than with that she did best. She had reaped rich rewards for it before, and she would do so again. A fleeting glance at her naked body showed her this realm had not dulled her beauty but made magnified it, her skin aglow with the fiery light of hellfire. And so Salome danced, feverishly but deliberately, losing herself in the spirit of the moment. What could anyone do but simply bask in the splendor of her new existence? As she raised her arms above her head, a pair of wings cut through her flesh and slowly tore out of her. Iridescent, they unfurled as if they too had felt the call of her movement.

A feast of celebration had followed. Salome could only laugh in delight as she looked upon demonic faces of adoration, gazes more alike than different to those she had received on earth. Seated at the left-hand of Lucifer himself, she had slotted into the natural order of Hell as if it had been her descent that had been prophesied on earth. How many in Hell, with all its angelic origins, had the blood of a true holy man on their hands? Perhaps just herself – and, she supposed, the man sat to the right of the Prince. Judas Iscariot. The Great Betrayer. A man she had known of in her mortality, a follower who’d wrought a downfall more entertaining than any Salome had otherwise witnessed. He looked on at her with a hard glint in his eyes and she merely smiled back - for Salome understood why. Here she was, a fellow mortal in Hell with infernal wings protruding from her back where Judas had none. It all made such perfect sense; Salome was truly different. Truly transcendent. Made and marked by forces darker then most of Hell could stand. In that moment (and all moments thereafter), Salome was acutely aware of the true power that resided within her, spilling out through her beauty, allure and wretched talents. Why, she was utterly glorious.

III • For what use is peace to those who are bored?

Eternity stretched out in front of her; memories of the wouldn’t fade. Of all the differences between immortal and mortal existence, it was only the nature of time that had ever frustrated her. To Salome, the centuries had passed by in both unfathomable speed and agonising monotony, the linearity of earth dead and gone. It seemed that in the face of an infinite future, even Hell could drag. It operated in a stasis that had begun to suffocate her and, gradually, had awakened once again an appetite that had only been temporally satiated. Lucifer dictated balance and moderation where Salome saw no reason for restraint. He had given her duties like none earth had ever dared, and she didn’t care to fulfil them. She had even grown tired of her puppetry, tired of dancing amongst such frustratingly passive bodies. There was, in a place of corruption, nobody left to actually corrupt; no opportunity to taste innocent or holy blood.

Over time she came to sense the quiet seeds of unrest in Hell, and she was gladdened by them. Once again a wicked smile graced her face, once again she twirled around the pits of Hell in anticipation. There was no better cure for boredom than chaos, and once she’d caught the scent of it her hunt could not be stopped. It had proven easy to have the whispers diverted and delivered to her ears - so many were under her spell, either terrified or infatuated. So Salome came to learn of plans of razing Hell against its master, ripping through worldly divides and claiming the earth she once lived on. At last - she could have wept from delight. And most entertaining of all, Salome had snatched the dice into her her hands.

How easy it would be to join the dissenters, to war with them against the order of Hell that had shackled her. How tempting it was, to dash their plans by raising her own blade to the Morningstar and plunging the world into carnage without warning. How fun, the thought of taking all she knew to Lucifer and laughing as he rained down revenge on the demons he had been foolish enough to trust. Impatient with monotony; patient in the face of action. Salome did not yet know what she would do, and she found utter delight in the potential of it all.

PARA SAMPLE

The Holy Land was not suited to revelry. It lacked the vitalityand decadent excessthat a true celebration required. And really, wasn’t this her domain? Nobody got more unadulterated pleasure from a celebration than Salome - she doubted that even the festivities of the Stygian Moon would be of renown without her inputs. This particular affair was proving even more tiresome than she’d foreseen. Every year she stands under the Triune Moon and watches as solemn vows are sworn; every year she wonders why they could not just be done so in private, sparing them all this tedium. She had said as much to Damien before as they had departed the comforts of the Black Palace, and had received little more than a scowl in response. But she knows her point has more merit than they’d care to admit. How long before these promises of harmony are exposed as a farce? At least that year promises some true entertainment.

Salome thinks all this as she watches the stage in front of her, eyes lazily switching between the three figures who stand upon it. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars; every pair of eyes in the sweeping crowd are trained on them. Salome can feel them. Or rather, she can’t feel the usual warmth of infatuated gazes on her own skin. Here she stood amongst hoards of mortals and beings more lowly than herself, and none were paying her their usual bouts of attention. The only thing that prevented a quiet tantrum was the knowledge that she was far from alone in feeling this agitation. Her stare flickered from the stage towards the figures of both Michael and Judas, and she could not help but smile. To eyes that had repeatedly examined them over centuries, the rigidity of their bodies betrayed them. She was far from the only one who felt the absence of centrality, and that, at least, brought her some pleasure.

Still, she only has so much patience for ceremonies not directed at her.  Yet no sooner did she shift to exit the crowd than did words delivered on the stage give her pause. Azazel’s voice, suitably haughty, repeating the typical sentiments of the Holy Land. This was the ‘Age of Peace’, Salome hears her say. Only the ‘cooperation of all factions and the formation of the tridium’ had rendered them ‘triumphant against the heretics who would cast all into darkness.’ This time she cannot hold in the delicate laugh that ripples through her. If only the annual repetition of such statements made them true. If only they knew of the true origins of the War that brought this so-called peace, of where the credit should rightfully lie. Though she knows it would be foolish - more than foolish - Salome can think of nothing but how simple it would be to stand above all and confess. She’d let them savour the details of her sins and her glories. She would laugh as they wilted under the weight of her revelations.

‘I’ve never seen you look so engrossed off of the battlefield.’

Her imaginings are cut off by quiet words from behind her. She needs not turn to identify the voice of Ephemera, familiar as it has come to be. Salome had, of course, seen her across the crowd - when did her eyes start to automatically seek her out so? - but marked her presence as an occupation for later. That Ephemera sought her out first is not necessarily unexpected, but certainly thrilling. There is no other presence that can so easily bring Salome out of a petulant mood, just as there is no other who can so easily put her in one. But she has found that where there is Ephemera, there is entertainment to be had.

“You have not seen me do many things,” she replies easily, as if they had long been having this conversation, “though I do believe I’ve offered.” And she has, more than once, tried to entice her with offers of dancing and hunting and enjoying all the vices of the world they fought for. She turns her head slowly to meet the watchful gaze of her once fighting-partner, a smirk on her lips as she widens her eyes in faux-innocence. They are two alike; mortals once but mortals no more, the first of their kinds. She knows Ephemera will not rise to her bait within the presence of other Angels, which only heightens her simpering expression. Salome has no such qualms about the thoughts of her own kin; their talk excites her, their gossip only confirms how many pay her heed. She has found no simpler joy than that of walking into the Black Palace and leaving excited whispers in her wake.

“I’m sure you’ll agree that celebrating won wars is less fun than waging them’, she continues, amusement ringing clear through her voice as she returned her gage purposefully to the stage. “I asked Azazel if she might add some zeal - perhapsmake those hounds do some tricks - but she seems to have ignored my good wishes”. Salome can feel the rolling of Angelic eyes next to her without even looking. It was so easy, so predictable, and yet anything but boring. That was the real curiosity of Ephemera, so easy to reel in and yet so resistant to truly jumping off the edge. She seemed halfway caught between accepting Salome’s allure and running from it, and the resistance only increased her desire. “Though your one is the more dull, I believe. So earnest - it’s quite exhausting.”

It is clear that Ephemera is acting advisor and strategist rather than - what? Friend? Enemy? Something in between? - whichraised the question as to why she had approached her in the first place. She thinks to ask, but when she opens her mouth to do so the crowd erupts in an applause more loud than she thinks the show was worthy of. Still, she brings her own hands together for the sheer relief that it is finally over. Her feet ache from standing bored for so long, her wings want to stretch open and wide. She wonders if a large enough quantity of alcohol might loosen Ephemera a little, but when she turns to declare this she finds that her companion has disappeared in the movement of so many people. A pity, but no real matter. She has never needed the company of others to create her own sport.

EXTRAS

[ My (WIP) pinterest for Salome can be found here. ]

Salome keeps no animal companion, for she has never felt much love for the nature of the earth. She finds it amusing that some Angels and Demons belittle themselves by keeping one. However, it is not an uncommon sight to see Salome walking with crows flying above her. Only on closer inspection would one realise those animals are but corpses, a puppetry Salome (alone) finds humorous.

Like all parts of herself, she harbours great love for her wings, and not only for the damnation that they represent. They are formed of what resembles a netting of fine, golden spider’s web. They seem to constantly change in the light, appearing to be more transparent than they are solid. Regal and beautiful, they are as Salome sees herself.

She is a fierce fighter and a connoisseur of bloodshed. Her weapon of choice is a trailing point blade, forged on the day of her arrival in Hell. She uses it exclusively for more.. intimate situations, and favours instead a simple longsword on the battlefield. She is however, proficient with most weaponry, as the corpses she can make fight use the same weapons they died wielding against her.

Though Infernum is the home she helped carve out, Salome spends a great deal of time in Sanctus Terra and travels to Caelum whenever the opportunity presents itself. Both locations amplify an itch deep within her soul, worsening her desire and thereby bringing greater satisfaction when she finally acts on the urge. She has not spilled any angelic blood in Caelum, though the temptation is strong, for she knows Michael has become astute to her presence. She has left a fair few victims in Sanctus Terra, a pursuit which has become less satisfying overtime. Still, Salome is careful. For all their talk of kinship, she is not sure that her fellow demons would refrain from locking her in the Black Cells if they had just cause.

[ aaaaaaand I leave you with the last verse of ‘Salome’, a poem by Mary Lamb. I honestly can’t describe it as anything over then *chef’s kiss*. I don’t know if Rosey read this when she was writing Salome’s bio, but I thought the writing style and tone and vibe and all beautifully mirrored each other?? Stunning. On that note, regardless of whether of not you think I’m right for Salome, thank you for the obvious amount of time/thought you’ve all put into this because it’s been really (really) fun to explore. ]

When painters would by art express Beauty in unloveliness, Thee, Herodias’ daughter, thee, They fittest subject take to be. They give thy form and features grace; But ever in they beauteous face They shew a steadfast cruel gaze, An eye unpitying; and amaze In all beholders deep they mark, That thou betrayest not one spark Of feeling for the ruthless deed, That did thy praiseful dance succeed. For on the head they make you look, As if a sullen joy you took, A cruel triumph, wicked pride, That for your sport a saint had died.

[berjhawn]

In My Head - CH. 6 - Law of Surprise

Warnings: arguing; fighting; 

Pairings: Geralt X Reader x Bucky ; Bucky X Reader x Geralt ; Geralt x Reader ; Bucky X Reader

Summary: Girl dreams about boy, girl meets boy, chaos ensues.

A/N:This is the only chapter for today since it is so long. please let me know how you feel with a comment, like, or a reblog :D i love hearing what you guys think. 

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We continued enjoying the festivities as the night progressed. Many men stepped up to offer themselves and their kingdom’s for Pavetta’s hand and I could see why. She was gorgeous, but she seemed sad. I watched her for a moment while a few princes offered themselves to her. I could tell she wanted nothing to do with any of this. I didn’t blame her.

I would occasionally meet Geralt’s gaze and I could tell he wanted to speak to me more. I wanted that too, but I knew getting to close to the queens table was a bad idea for my companions and I. Princes and lords from neighboring lands seemed too dumb to question our being at this party. I was especially annoyed of the one from Nilfgaard who talked about his potent seed. I thought Thor was gonna burst out laughing for a moment. I could tell through the Queens badmouthing of him and his kingdom that she was sowing a deep seed of hatred in the man.

Jaskier’s playing was, thankfully, a good way to enjoy the evening. If I was ever able to come back, I would have to record his voice for later.

Suddenly a commotion is heard and I turn to see someone fighting their way into the party. Thor goes to move toward the commotion and I grab his arm holding him back.

“Forgive my late intrusion, Your Majesty, and for the misunderstanding with your guards. Please! I come in peace.” The man calls as he makes his way to the spot where the other lords had previously stood vying for the princess’s hand. “I need but one moment of your time.” He kneels down before the queen and her table as he continues, “I am Lord Urcheon of Erienwald, and I have come to claim your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

The three of us look from the kneeling lord to the queen. The queen looed angry whereas her daughter looked happy to see the man.

“A knight… of no renown… from a backwater hamlet… Who dares to enter my court, without revealing his face?” Th queen replies narrowing her eyes at the man.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. A knight’s oath prevents me from revealing my face until the sounding of the twelfth bell.” The man replies and can hear the honesty in his voice.

“Bollocks to that.” A man says as he instantly moves forward and removes the knight’s helmet. The crowd, save for Thor, myself, and Wanda; gasps as the man’s appearance. He had the head of a hedgehog.

“Witcher…” I hear the queen start and I turn to see him looking at the knight. “Kill it.” Pavetta’s eyes shoot to her mother as they silently beg her to stop.

“No.” Geralt refuses.

“Whatever the price.” The queen offers.

“This is no monster.”

“I order you.” She seethes.

“This knight has been cursed.”

“You’re as useless as the rest of them.” She pauses before ordering, “Slay this beast!”

My eyes fall to the princess who has started to cry and my heart bleeds for her. A couple guards attack him, but he makes short work of them.

“Lioness of Cintra,” he calls pointing the tip of his sword towards her. “I have come to claim what is rightfully mine! Pavetta. By the Law of Surprise.”

The room erupts in whispers as Thor and Wanda look at me for answers and I shake my head. I had no idea what he was talking about. All the sudden I hear more swords be drawn and turn back to the knight to see that more guards have started to attack him. He lasts a few minutes until there are more guards than he can handle. He is suddenly knocked to the floor and I find myself unconsciously moving toward him.

“No!” I hear Pavetta cry out as a guard raises his long axe. I burst through the crowd just in time.

“Stop!” I yell out making the guard freeze in his tracks the axe frozen in air long enough for Geralt to slice it in half with his sword and then kill the guard. His eyes find mine and I could tell he was angry. The rest of the room looks at me and I slowly make my way closer to him.

When I reach him Geralt places me behind him and glances at the Knight on the ground. The knight quickly grabs the axe part of the severed long axe and stands up beside us. Geralt’s eyes find mine as he whispers, “Don’t use your gift.” I glare at him but nod.

“Kill them all!” I hear the queen yell and I instantly turn to see a guard coming at me whit a sword in hand.

I dodge right as he swings his sword down at me. I turn back to prepare for another attack to see Thor holding the man in a headlock knocking him out.

“What’s a party without a brawl?” Thor asks as he hands me an Asgardian sword. Taking it from him, I watch as he reveals another one from his side. As he unsheathes it, his eyes start to glow as lightning sparks from his hands becoming one with his sword.

“Don’t have too much fun!” I call out as I turn back to the fight only to see a lord smack another with a chair and say, “The Law of Surprise has been called. You kill them… kill me.”

I glance over at Thor to see that he had also watched the encounter and a smirk fills his lips. The room has now erupted into chaos.

“Stop!” I hear the queen call and I turn to see her with her sword outstretched towards Geralt and I freeze. “Stop!” she orders again making the room freeze and Geralt lower his sword. Him and the queen have a silent conversation with their eyes.

“Duny!” I hear Pavetta cry out as she rushes over to wrap her arms around the hedgehog Knight. His arms wrap around her as he lifts her into the air holding her tightly. “I told you to stay away.” Pavetta cries holding Duny’s face in her hands.

The queen moves closer to them her eyes focused on Duny’s visage. Duny releases Pavetta as he turns to face her. He kneels in front of her laying his weapon down at her feet.

“Your Majesty, the Witcher speaks the truth.” Duny says as he stands up, “I was cursed as a young boy. My whole life a living misery, until the day I saved your husband, King Roegner, from a certain death. By tradition, I chose the Law of Surprise as payment. Whatever windfall he came home to find… would be mine.”

“Oh, the stupid bastard. Better you had let him die.” The queen seethes anger lacing her words.

“You knew he’d come,” Geralt starts causing me to move closer to him. “And you pushed me to kill him.”

“And you,” The queen turns to her daughter turning her anger on her. “Carousing with the beast that swindled your stupid father!”

“’Tis no swindle.” The lord from before that fought for Geralt and Duny speaks as he nears the queen. “Asking for payment with the Law of Surprise is as old as mankind itself.”

“Don’t lecture me, Eist.”

“It’s an honest gamble.” Eist remarks. “As likely to be rewarded with a bumper crop as a newborn pup. Or… a child of surprise. He could not know.”

I Look over to see Pavetta take Duny’s hand.

“Destiny has determined the surprise to be Pavetta.” Eist continues.

“When I heard that King Roegner had returned to find a child on the way… I abandoned all thought of claiming the Law of Surprise. I knew… I knew no woman would ever accept me like this.” Pavetta places a hand on Duny’s chest as if to reassure him as he continues, “And so I waited… I waited until the twelfth bell when the curse breaks. I never intended to meet her. Duny assures the queen making my eyes find Geralt’s for a moment before I turn back to them. “Just to watch her from afar.” Duny adds his eyes meeting Pavetta’s as she gives him a sad smile.

“Until destiny intervened… and our hearts collided.” Pavetta says as she stares deeply into Duny’s eyes and I bite my lips as I realized she was admitting to them having premarital relations, which in this world was a big no-no.

“And at dawn, I awoke with her in my arms and me… like this.” Duny concludes making my heart hurt for the two of them.

“Who are we to challenge destiny?” Eist questions the queen as he nears her. “Life was saved, debt must be paid, or the whole order of the world falls apart.”

“Honor destiny’s wish,” A man I recognized from earlier as Mousesack speaks, “Or unleash its wrath upon us.”

“There is no us!” The queen speaks her voice low and angry. “I bow to no law made by men who never bore a child!” She yells and I nod slightly, the feminist in me agreeing with her. “Is there not a man amongst you who does not cower before destiny?” her eyes turn to fall upon Geralt. “You, Witcher. Who has known monsters of every fang and claw… are you afraid too?”

“No.” Geralt answers honestly making the queen smirk. “I’ve seen mothers lash themselves raw over the death of a child, believing they crossed destiny, ignoring the stench of the fifty other children in the plague cart outside. Destiny, helps people believe there’s an order to this horseshit.” Geralt finishes and I wince at the memory of seeing it once when I was visiting him in my dreams. “There isn’t. But a promise made must be honored. As true for a commoner… as it is for a queen.”

The queen’s sighs and I find my eyes looking down at the ground in front of me.

“I love Duny, mother.” Pavetta speaks. “I will marry him. I will finally be free.” I look back up at them as my hand finds Geralt’s free one. His fingers intertwine with mine as we continue to listen to them.

All eyes fall on the queen as she hands her sword over to Eist. Tears fill her eyes as she holds her hand out towards Duny and Pavetta. Duny takes it and as the queen pulls him in close, she whispers into his ear. “Here in your destiny.” Then she pulls away and all is still for a moment before the queen pulls a dagger from her side and goes to stab Duny only to have Pavetta scream.

“No!” She screams causing everyone in the room to be thrown backways away from her and Duny. Geralt pulls me into his side as he crashes into a pillar. The room was like a hurricane with Pavetta and Duny in the center where it was calm. The windows shatter inward, the shards of glass raining down on the fearful crowd. This was getting more dangerous by the second.

I look around the room to see everyone staring at them in fear and I glance over to see Wanda look from them to me.

“Wanda!” I call to her as I motion for her to use her powers. She nods in understanding and I watch as she creates a forcefield around the chaos of the winds encasing Pavetta and Duny along with it. “Geralt, you have to get me close to them.” I cry as the winds start to disappear from around us only being visible and chaotic inside the ball Wanda created.

“No, it’s too dangerous.” He argues making me narrow my eyes.

“I can’t hold it much longer (Name)!” Wanda cries and I can see that holding her forcefield around Pavetta was taking its toll on her.

“Please Geralt!” I beg and he nods. He grabs my shoulders and using his feet puts the against the pillar and pushes.

“Pavetta!” I cry as I near her only to have her ignore me. Wanda falters for a second the strain of holding Pavetta’s chaos at bay becoming too much for her, causing a stray piece of glass to hit my face slicing my cheek open. I wince as I feel the blood start to drip down my cheek.

“That’s enough (Name)!” Geralt warns from beside me and I feel as he tries to pull me back to safety and I shake my head anger filling my body.

“Pavetta!” I yell anger in my words. “Pavetta! Look. At. Me.” I scream out and she does. Our eyes meet and I let out a sigh of relief as I yell, “STOP!”

Pavetta and Duny fall to the floor as the chaos instantly disappears. I watch as Wanda falls into Thor’s arm completely spent. He gives me a nod letting me know that she is okay and I instantly feel my knees give out from under me. Geralt’s arms wrap around me as he catches me before I can fall. He holds me tight not letting me go.

I look up into his amber eyes to see the anger fill them. His fingers reach up to touch the cut on my face and he groans in anger. Geralt helps me to my feet and I look over to see that the queen has made it to her feet and was closing the distance between her and her daughter. Tears fill the queen’s eyes as she wraps her arms around Pavetta holding her tightly.

I look around the room to see everyone returning to their feet. Thor and Wanda walk over to Geralt and I, their eyes focused on the cut on my cheek.

“I’m fine.” I whisper to them only to have Wanda to rip a part of her dress and place it on my face.

“I thought your grandmother’s gift had skipped you… as it did me. It seems I was wrong. About so many things.” The queen says her eyes focused on her daughter. “Destiny has spoken! And I have listened. The Law of Surprise will be honored. Pavetta will marry… Lord Urcheon.” The queen announces causing the room to erupt in murmurs.

“React poorly, and you won’t just face the Lioness, you will be facing the sea hounds of Skellige. Because queen Calanthe… has agreed to my proposal of marriage.” Eist calls out causing the Queen to look at him with a smirk filling her lips.

“There will be two vows here tonight!” Queen Calanthe calls out. “I assume that agreeable.”

The lords and princes of the room nod in acceptance of her order.

“Delightful.” She adds and I smile softly. Pavetta got her love.

Wanda pulled her hand from my cheek to examine my cut and a sigh of relief leaves her lips.

“It’s not that deep, probably won’t leave a scar.” Wanda reassures making me nod.

I turn to Geralt knowing he wants to scold me but he doesn’t. Perhaps it’s because of the situation we were in, or perhaps it because of our surroundings. His hand takes mind as he holds it tightly. Candles are soon handed out to everyone. After they are lit everyone makes a circle around the queen and her daughter. Pavetta and Duny are on their knees before Queen Calanthe as they start to take their marriage vows.

“Pavetta.” She pauses as she wraps a cloth around her and Duny’s joined hands. “Duny. With my blessing. I thee bind.”

Calanthe releases their hands and they turn to kiss each other, they kiss sealing their bond, but soon after Duny barks and then starts to growl as he collapses to the floor writhing in pain. Geralt holds me back as I move to help him. We watch as he suddenly turns into a human. His quills replaced by dark curly locks. Duny smiles at Pavetta before he wraps her in his arms and kisses her passionately.

“The Twelfth bell has not yet rung.” Pavetta exclaims as she caresses Duny’s face.

“What has happened?” Calanthe asks as she stares at the two of them in confusion and shock.

“I think your blessing of this marriage… has fulfilled a destiny.” Mousesack announces a smile on his face.

“The curse has been lifted.” Calanthe breathes a smirk on her lips.

“This has the makings of my greatest ballad yet.” I hear Jaskier say from beside me and I shake my head.

“If you’re alive in the morning. Don’t…” Geralt pauses as he looks over me to see Jaskier in the eyes of a busty lady. “grope for trout in any peculiar rivers until dawn.”

I look from them to Thor who nods slightly and starts to move Wanda toward the exit. We didn’t belong here; it was time for us to leave. I go to pull away from Geralt to leave only to have him start to follow me out.

“No, wait! Wait!” I hear Duny call out and I stop in my tracks I turn back to them to see him looking at me. “You and Geralt have saved my life. I must repay you.”

I glance up at Geralt unsure of what to say when he speaks, “You’ve proven yourself to be the kind of man who would do the same for either of us. We want nothing.”

“No, please.” Duny’s eyes fill with sadness. “Please, Geralt of Rivia, and…” He pauses.

“(Name), of Asgard.” I answer gripping tightly to Geralt’s hand.

“(Name), do not feel like you’re doing me a service. I cannot start a new life in the shadow of a life debt.” Duny pleads.

“Fine. I…” Geralt starts but I stop him from continuing.

“We, claim the tradition as you have, the Law of Surprise.” I say and Queen Calanthe’s eyes widen.

“Give us that which you already have but do not know.” I add and Geralt turns starting to walk away pulling me along with him.

“No!” I hear Calanthe cry out and I turn back to face her. “What have you done? Who even are you?”

“I am (Name) of Asgard, I am gifted with the gift of persuasion. I hail from a kingdom of gold. I have no intention of ever returning to your castle to claim anything.”

“And Fear not Your Majesty, if I am seen in your kingdom again, it’ll be to kill a real monster, not lay claim to a crop or a new pup. Destiny can go fu-” Geralt’s words are cut short as Pavetta vomits on the floor in front of her.

“Pavetta?” The queen calls as she kneels down at her daughter’s side cupping her chin. “Are you…”

They all suddenly turn to look at Geralt and myself.

“Fuck…” Geralt and I exclaim in unison before we turn and walk out of the room, Geralt pausing momentarily to grab his sword from a nearby chair.

We make it to the hall where Thor and Wanda were waiting only for Mousesack to reach us and call out to Geralt.

“Clearly the girl has access to immense primal power.” Mousesack calls out causing us to stop moving.

“Yeah, and no idea how to control it.” Geralt adds from beside me.

“I’m gonna stay.” Mousesack says a smirk on his face. “Guide her.”

“You’re a good man, Mousesack.” Geralt replies a soft smile on his lips.

“You should stay too.” Mousesack adds his eyes moving between me and Geralt. “Both of you.”

“I can’t.” I say my brow furrowing.

“This has been enough partying for me. We’re getting out of here.” Geralt replies to Mousesack as his hand gripping tightly to mine.

“You both are bound to this now. Whether you like it or not.” Mousesack adds as he moves closer to us.

“I’m not for changing.” Geralt starts giving me a chance to look over at Thor and Wanda who were looking at us with looks of confusion in their eyes. “You know me better than that.”

“Yes, I do, but you can’t outrun destiny just because you’re terrified of it. It’s coming, Geralt. Not believing won’t change that.”

“Bullshit.” Geralt argues causing me to look between the two men. “This was just a girl using her magic to stop her mother from gutting her lover. Nothing more.”

“So, you say,” Mousesack starts. “But the bond that will come into being between the two of you, and this child… When it is born, will be extraordinary.”

“Child?!” Wanda exclaims from behind me causing my eyes to widen at her sudden outburst. “(Name), what did you do?”

“Can we talk about this later?” I plead causing Thor to move Wanda down the hall to give the rest of us moment.

“If you both dismiss it, leave without claiming this… Child Surprise, you will surely unleash true calamity upon us all.” Mousesack states and I feel my heart clench. I didn’t want to hurt anybody.

“I’ll take that chance.” Geralt concludes making Mousesack sigh. “Mind yourself. True words are rare birds in courts like this. Watch for daggers in your back. Or, more likely, poison.” Geralt releases my hand as he reaches up to gently grasp Mousesack’s shoulder. “Be careful, old friend.”

“Take care of the baby, please.” I add as Geralt steps away from him and starts to walk away towards Thor and Wanda. “I don’t want to cause any harm to anyone. If I had known I would never have asked for the Law of Surprise. Please, just take care of the baby. I’ll try to change his mind.”

“I doubt you will be able to change his decision. I will do what I can.” He replies and I nod.

“Thank you,” I give him a soft smile before I turn and follow after Geralt.

“(Name), explain yourself!” Wanda demands when I reach them.

“Wanda, I didn’t do it on purpose. How was I to know Pavetta was pregnant?”

“She’s pregnant? What does that have to do with you?” Wanda inquires her eyes narrowing at me.

“Her husband stopped us when we were about to leave, he wanted to repay Geralt and I for saving his life. He wouldn’t take no for an answer so… I asked to claim the Law of Surprise. Which means that he gives us that which he has but does not know.”

“And that’s a child… you laid claim to someone’s child?!” She yells out.

“I didn’t know that was what I was doing!” I reply matching her tone.

“In her defense,” Geralt intrudes pulling her attention to him. “She didn’t know, no one did.”

“Look you seem like a really good guy, but what she did was stupid. Especially knowing we are going home and not coming back.” Wanda concludes making Geralt’s brows furrow as he turns to look at me.

“Wanda, can we please talk about this later? I need to talk to Geralt. Please, just give me some time.” I beg.

“(Name),” Wanda starts only to have Thor grab her shoulders gently.

“Take your time, we’ll meet you back at the pub in the morning.” Thor offers pulling Wanda away and down the hall leaving Geralt and myself alone.

I turn back to him to see him looking down at the ground his jaw clenched tightly.

Will Continue -   

[dyns33]

In the wrong place at the wrong time

After the snow, the rain, so a little angsty story today. It was not supposed to be like this... Sorry !

           "It's today. It's today. Today..."

Ever since she woke up, she couldn't stop repeating this stupid phrase while looking at her handle, where today's date and the hour 11:43 pm had been engraved since her birth. The date and time of her meeting with her soulmate. It was both scary and exciting, because even though she knew it was impossible for her to miss them, fate had linked them, she couldn't imagine how it would happen, how they would be. No name, no age, no face, nothing. Not even where, just when. Everyone around her had told her that it was perfectly normal for her to be a little nervous, that she was afraid of not making a good first impression, but that everything would be fine. It was destiny. Even if she tried to run away from it, it would catch her. She could stay locked up at home all day, and it would be there that somehow she would meet her other half. Even though she was anxious, she had no reason not to want to find out, so she promised herself to stay outside as long as possible, choosing one of her favourite places in the city, praying that it would be the place where the love of her life would see her for the first time. She arrived very early, to be sure she was ready when the time came. There was just under an hour to wait when a woman apologized to her, asking if she could help her because she was lost and she couldn't find her friends.

           "Oh. Do you know their number ? You can use my phone to contact them." she proposed, not wanted to move, even if she still had a little time.

           "Unfortunately I don't... We were supposed to meet in a restaurant, but I don't remember the name either. Oh, it's really annoying !"

She did not dare to tell her that she agreed, but not for the same reasons, not understanding why she asked her for help, when there were other people around them. At least, a few minutes before, because now they were alone, when night had fallen, it was cold and the atmosphere had become less reassuring. Another half hour left. She couldn't leave now.

           "Are you waiting for someone ?" asked the woman, staying close to her instead of looking for her friends.

           "Well, to be honest, yes."

           "I see. I imagine he's late. Men..."

           "Not at all, I'm early." she replied, trying not to sigh.

Usually she was not that rude, but nervousness prevented her from being patient today. It was too important for her to be interested in anything else. It was probably for this that she did not notice the syringe in the woman's hand. Nor had she been surprised that she was dressed only in black, and that the cross she wore around her neck was upside down. Details were things she often watched, but not today. She thought only of her soulmate, their meeting and as she was not very careful, she became the perfect prey. The van approached them behind her back, and as soon as it was close enough, the woman drugged her. She didn't have time to scream, just seeing several people grabbing her before she passed out. When she woke up, she was blindfolded and her hands tied. People were singing. A hand landed on her stomach, while a woman, the woman who had kidnapped her, spoke.

           "My friends, this evening our saviour will sacrifice this virgin and pure soul in the name of our master ! He will grant us power and protection, in order to prepare us for the Apocalypse !"

Master ? Saviour ? Apocalypse ? She didn't know what they were talking about, but these people were obviously crazy and they were going to hurt her. Unable to defend herself or flee, she began to sob, muttering supplications, until the blindfold over her eyes was removed. The face she saw then looked like the one of an angel. The young man who was leaning over her was magnificent. Hard to believe he was part of a sect of maniacs. The first thing she wanted to do was beg him to let her go. But, without knowing why, she asked for something else.

           "What time is it ?"

This seemed to surprise the boy, who frowned before looking at the assembly, then at his handle. For a few moments, he didn't seem to know what to do. He hesitated. How could he hesitate ? They were soulmates ! She was his and he was hers, no reason to hesitate, he had to untie her, they had to leave together. Instead, he walked away to talk to another woman, with short dark hair and Gothic makeup. They seemed to be arguing, as he waved his arms in her direction, then he started to cry, letting the woman cuddle him, before coming back. His tears spoke for him as he replaced himself in front of the altar. It was not a good sign.

           "I... my name is (Y/N)." she sobbed, looking him straight in the eyes, hoping it would convince him not to do what he was going to do. "We are soulmates. I am very happy to meet you, I have been waiting for you all my life."

           "Me too... I'm Michael. I wish it had happened otherwise."

           "It doesn't matter. We can fix things, we can..."

           "Forgive me." he cried, kissing her tenderly, while planting a knife in her heart.

The crowd applauded as Michael continued to sob, his forehead against his soulmate's, whom he had just killed, as his father had decided, because it was necessarily his father who had organized everything. No love for the Antichrist. Too risky, it could have diverted him from his goal. If he had met her earlier... If she had been able to love him... Since his birth, he had looked at his date and time with apprehension, impatience and fear. He thought no one could want him. Yet he hoped this would be the case. Now, he was totally alone, heartless, soulless, with nothing left to hold him back. At least his other half would not suffer during the end of the world. Michael had nothing to lose anymore.

[aurora-teez]

|Chapter 4 | Utopia~ An Ateez Fanfic Story~

Poseidon. God of the Seas. Keeper of the Trident. Founder of Atlantis. Keeper of all the secrets of the Seas. Why did he tell me that I am the only one to find the Island and the Chest. I do not understand at all. Why is this happening to me? For so many years, no one has spoken of the island or even had the courage to search for it. Now that I am, I am told that it was my...Destiny. What did he mean that my father never told me about who I am? Is he implying that I am somehow connected to the Sea? My father must have known something. Why would he leave me so many clues to the island? 

“Did you just say Poseidon?”, Violet asks me, helping me up into my chair putting a blanket over me.

 “Yes Violet. As soon as I sat down, I looked up at the stars and the moon and then a huge pulsing headache started and then I started shaking and having like a seizure or something. Then, I passed out and my consciousness woke up and I was on an Island surrounded by water. Then, Poseidon told me that all my life, I was drawn to the sea because of something my father did not tell me and how I can unleash power that no one has from the Sea and find the chest”, I tell them holding my head. 

“That is really scary and yeah...did he say anything else?”, Seonghwa asks me. 

“Well...he did say he would “visit me again” when I see the Northern Constellation in the sky better known as Cygnus and he will reveal something else to me”, I say to them. 

“Ok so now it seems that we are going north but nothing has show up in the sky yet so how about we all just rest here until we see it?”, Violet suggests smiling.

 “Good idea, bring blankets and pillow from the laundry room up here please”

 “We got it”, Jongho and Seonghwa say going to get them from their side where the room is. 

I go to the kitchen and boil some milk and grab a platter and put 10 metal mugs on it. Whenever I would have a nightmare or something, my mother would always give me hot chocolate. I open the cabinet and see a whole carton of chocolate. Ahh the King knew how much I love chocolate. I take 2 chocolate bars and melt it into the milk and add some cinnamon. Then I pour them into each mug and carefully carry them up to the deck. I walk upstairs and see them all wrapped in blankets and pillows comfortably on the deck and Jongho set up a place for me next to him. Aww that is so sweet. 

“Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Oh I made hot chocolate for everyone.”, I pass each of them a cup.

 “Yay!!! You know how much I love when you make it”, Violet says almost bouncing up and down like a happy bunny. 

“My mother would make me hot chocolate whenever I was sad or had a nightmare or simply because it was cold and I wanted to give you guys some. I know that we started on the wrong foot but I really appreciate you all being here. I think going on a journey with only me and Violet would not have been this eventful lol. Also, it seems like you all are not so cruel well not yet but anyways yeah”, I say and sit down next to Jongho.

I noticed that he put an extra blanket underneath on the floor so I would have cushion. Aww he is so sweet. I swear. 

“So while we are waiting to see the constellations, I was thinking I could teach you something if you’d like?”, Jongho says giving me a lock and a hairclip and a sharp pin from the handle of a sword . 

“Sure, why not?”, I look at the items in my hands. 

“One of my skill sets are lockpicking. I can get into almost anywhere and anything. Locked doors, locked chests, 4 digit code locks, ciphers, you name it.”

 “Interesting, That is actually very resourceful.” 

“So i would like to teach you how to pick a lock with simple items, you may not always find a key so you may have a hair pin and the pin from the handle of your sword which you already know you can remove and put back in.”, Jongho says laughing. 

San’s POV 

I do not understand what she sees in him. I mean Jongho is my friend and basically my younger brother and I care for him, yes. But I mean wouldn’t she want more of a man seeing that she is such a strong, sexy woman. I just feel so jealous inside. Most people fall at my feet, none I ever wanted because they were just too desperate. Emerald is very different, but I like that about her. Hmm.. I wonder what I should do.

Back to Emerald’s POV 

“Ok so you want me to do this blindfolded?”, I ask Jongho raising my eyebrow. 

“Yes, You have opened it successfully but it may be dark in a room you are in or you are tied up or something. So just try it”, He says and takes off his scarf from his wrist that he wears as a bracelet and puts in over my eyes not too tight but just right.

 “Ok..”, I focus on where the lock hole is and I push the pin through it to hold it open and i use the thin pin to twist it and it unlocks. 

“Oh my gosh you did it!”, Jongho yells and hugs me.

 I am a bit surprised at first but I hug him back. He is super sweet. I have never felt this way about a man before. All of them before have tried so hard to gain my attention but he didn’t. He got my attention by being himself.

“Thank you for teaching me”, I say smiling and I feel my cheeks get pink. 

“Guys, look. Isn’t that a constellation?”, Mingi exclaims pointing to the sky. 

I look up at the sky and I see the Cygnus Constellation in a sky full of stars. Me and Violet both studied astronomy and star navigation as children. She is much better than me. I see her and Seonghwa looking at the star maps trying to point out the names of the stars to check if it is the constellation. 

Violet’s POV 

I am really surprised at how much Seonghwa knows about the stars and navigation. He also is a very funny person. He reminds me of those tiny little hummingbirds. Very cute but also dangerous. He is dangerously handsome..Wow. Anyways back to the stars. We both are looking at the map.

“So the top star is Deneb on the tip”, I say looking at Seonghwa. 

“Then the bottom star is Eta and the far right is..”, He says squinting his eyes. 

“Vega”, We both say at the same time. We both gasp and run over to Emerald.

 “Hey Em. That’s the constellation, Cygnus” 

Jongho’s Pov

Oh my goodness, I wonder if she will have another seizure and headache. I hope not. I do not like seeing her in so much pain. I have never felt this feeling before. I mean yes, the boys are like my older brothers but she is different. I feel like it is my obligation or my destiny to protect her. To me, she is the only Green Emerald in the world that shines bright in a sea full of diamonds. 

“Well I guess now we just wait..”, Emerald says and she holds her head in her hands and suddenly, something emerges from the water shining and lands on the deck. 

Is that a stick? Trident? Oh my gosh...she was right. It is Poseidon!

 “Can all of you see him?”, I ask looking at him in shock.

 “Please do not be frightened. I told Emerald I would visit her but I meant all of you as well. Sorry for the headache, part of seeing beings I guess”, He laughs. 

“Well it’s ok. So what is it you would like to tell me? Well... us?”, She asks him.

 “Well now that you see the Cygnus Constellation in the sky is a clue of some sorts. You are going in the right direction but there is something you need to remember for finding the chest. TO RELEASE THE POWER, ALL MUST BE DIVIDED.”

 “Divided? What in the world does that mean?”, She asks him.

Emerald's POV

 “You will know when the time is right. You may not know it yet but the Sea will speak to you. You will know eventually. But may I speak with you alone for a moment before I go?”, He asks me quietly waving his hand to motion to the other side of the side.

I walk over to the right side of the deck and sit down. I notice his eyes are a greenish blue. Very bright but dark at the same time. 

“What is it?”, I ask him with my eyes narrowed. 

“Well It is about Jongho actually”, He says.

 “Jongho? What about him?”, I ask nervously. 

“Well I mentioned before that your father never told you something about who you are. You have a strong connection to the Sea, stronger than even a fish who was born there and well most creatures with sea connection have mates or soulmates as you humans call it”

 “Ok.. so...” “So I am saying that I sense that he is yours. Your connection and great knowledge of the sea gave you a bond with him. It is real rare. I have not seen this in all my years as God of the Seas”

 “Wait... I knew there had to be a reason. I have feelings that never happened before until him and we seem to both love the sea” 

“Yes dear Emerald but I will leave you with this- You always need your soulmate. Both of you are one in heart and soul. You may feel that it is strange to feel so much for him but it is not. It is Destiny” 

“Thank you, Um...Will you visit again?”

 “Maybe. I will try to relive the headache but you can always speak to me and I will answer in your mind”, He says and smiles. 

“Thank you” 

“You’re Welcome. Goodbye All”, He plunges himself back into the water being carried by a wave and sinking down. 

Well that was certainly interesting and insightful. I walk over to Jongho. I feel that I should just confront this now before something bad happens. 

"Jongho, could you please walk with me? I need your help with something."

 "Sure." he followed closely behind me to the kitchen, listening to me talk on the way.

 I suspect that Jongho may have taken a liking to me, but he hasn't seemed to show any interest. But... Poseidon said that he is my soulmate. How is that when he hasn't even showed a sliver of interest? I couldn't figure it out.

 "Could you help me reach that thing up there? I need it to mix the batter for dessert tonight." I asked.

 "Emerald, I'm not much taller than you, how am I going to reach that?" he laughed, looking at me as I blushed. 

 "Well, I figured you could give me a boost up there so that I could reach it myself." I said softly. 

There were very few times in my life where I had been shy and flustered, but now was definitely one of them. I couldn't get the words of Poseidon out of my head. "Soulmate."

 "Are you blushing?" he chuckled. My eyes looked up at him and I straightened my posture. 

 "No. I would never do something so silly and childish." 

 "Really? Then why are your cheeks red and why are you smiling every time you look at me?" he asked, smiling at me as he looked down at me. 

 "I-... Help me get the damn mixer please. I didn't bring you in here to be mister knight in shining armor and make me flustered." I said quickly, pushing his shoulders down so that I could get on them. He held me tightly and stood back up so that I could get the mixer. 

 "Got it!" I exclaimed, slowly being lowered back down to the floor by him. 

 "Is that all?" he asked, straightening his jacket. "If you want to stay and keep me company, I would not say no." I flirted lightly, giving him a pleading look.

 "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were flirting with me Captain." he smirked, sitting down in the chair at the dining table.

"Jongho, I still have the ability to throw you off my ship. Don't push it." I sassed.

 "Calm down. I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just playing with you." he chuckled, glancing over at me as he played with his fingers.

We both made small talk for a few moments before silence fell over the room. Jongho could tell something was on my mind, but he never said anything. Only stayed in thought as he watched me cook.

 Jongho's POV

 Something was up with her, but I couldn't tell what. Should I kiss her yet? No, it's too soon. I haven't even made a move yet. She would kill me even if I did. She is so strong willed, independent, and confident. So am I, but I've never met a woman in my entire life that is as strong and confident as she is. And sexy too. She's very attractive to me - her eyes being her most noticeable and beautiful feature. She almost hypnotizes me every time she looks at me, and I can't help but just be amazed by her. But does she feel the same way? I may never know.

 "Hey, is something bothering you Emerald?" I asked, noticing how her eyebrows were scrunched as he continued to make the batter.

 "Gosh, is it that obvious?" she laughed. 

 "Yeah it is. What's going on? You can talk to me about anything you know." She looked at me and I could see a sliver of trust build in her eyes as she inhaled to speak. 

 "When Poseidon came to this ship and spoke to us, none of you saw it but he pulled me to the side and talked with me." she explained, pausing for a moment.

 "And? What did he say? Does he have a map for us to follow to find out what happened to your father?" I asked.

 "No... He told me that... Oh my god I don't know why I'm so flustered right now. This is so embarrassing." she blushed. 

 "Hey, it's okay. Take your time." 

 "He said that we're meant to be soulmates. You and me Jongho." she looked at me to gauge my response.

 "Did he?" 

 "Yes. And I don't know how to take that because I don't know how you feel about me. I know how I feel about you, but that means nothing if you don't feel the same." she rambled on shyly. 

I could tell that she was uncomfortable and shy revealing her feelings to me, but I didn't care. She was confirming what I had assumed all along - she liked me as much as I liked her. 

"Yes. And I don't know how to take that because I don't know how you feel about me. I know how I feel about you, but that means nothing if you don't feel the same." she rambled on shyly.

 I could tell that she was uncomfortable and shy revealing her feelings to me, but I didn't care. She was confirming what I had assumed all along - she liked me as much as I liked her. I got up from my spot on my chair and started walking towards her.

 Emerald's POV 

 He was walking towards me. Why? Was he mad because I revealed how I felt about him? How stupid of me... 

 "Jongho, what are y-" soft lips were pressed against mine and I stopped what I was doing. He backed me up against the counter and held my face in his calloused hands, tilting his head and deepening the kiss briefly. He pulled away.

 "Are you telling me that you've had feelings for me this entire time? And now we're destined to be soulmates by the god of the sea?" he asked breathing heavily. 

 "That is exactly what I'm saying." I giggled, looking into his eyes and smiling.

 "It's about damn time." he smirked, going back in and kissing me harshly. His hands snaked their way down to my hips and rested there, squeezing every now and then when I nibbled at his bottom lip. This kiss held so much passion in it - days and days of pent up emotions being let out in one simple action. 

 He groaned when my hands traced down his front and ghosted over his crotch, his hands coming under my thighs to hoist me up effortlessly and walk me to the chair he was sitting in. 

 "You have no idea how long I've waited to do this." he breathed, smirking as he went down to kiss my neck, a feather light moan coming out of my throat.

 I took his face in my hands and straddled him as he sat back down, sticking my tongue back in his mouth as his hands rested on my ass, squeezing it possessively.

 "Jongho, we need you on deck. There's som-" I heard a voice in the hallway and looked up to see San standing in the doorway. I quickly got off of Jongho's lap, wiping my lips of his saliva as he smirked up at me with his back to San.

 "There's something Seonghwa needs help with. Now." San said sternly, looking at me with sadness and almost a hint of anger in his eyes.

 "I'm coming." Jongho popped out of his chair and straigtened his pants before walking out of the door. 

 "Thanks for that mental image." San told me, clenching his jaw as he walked away. 

 "San wait! I-"

 "Don't even worry about it. I got that message loud and clear." he brushed me off quickly, clenching his fists as he walked with Jongho down the hallway.

 Now what? Talk about a rock and a hard place... 

“Oh my goodness...what in the world?”, I blink my eyes and touch my lips blushing thinking of how good of a kisser Jongho is. I mean I have never kissed anyone before and I mean..Wow. Glad to see he feels the same way as me. I have never been so happy. 

But what was San so upset about? I mean I was apologizing for the scene he saw but what message did I give him? I should ask but that is for another day.I have to finish cooking dinner and dessert. 

Gosh Jongho... what are you doing to me?...

Jongho’s POV

Well that was really interesting.Her lips are as soft as cotton and sweet as honey. The way her lips are perfectly pink matching her light brown melanin skin. Looking into her Emerald gems makes her even more beautiful. Hmm... I do wonder what is up with San. He look as if fume were coming out of his ears. 

 Emerald’s POV 

Now I am cooking dinner, I noticed that Seonghwa and Violet are doing some star navigation so I wanted to give her a break. I am thinking about what Poseidon meant by “TO RELEASE THE POWER, ALL MUST BE DIVIDED”. Is it a person? Thing? Place? or Analogy for something else? 

I have no idea...

Author’s Note: Hi there!! Thank you all again to those who have discovered my story and have supported it. I want to give a very huge shout out to my dearest friend, @hwaseongatiny​ who is the character portrayal of Violet in my story. She wrote the kissing scene between Emerald (Character portrayal of me) and Jongho. She is such an amazing writer and I can tell she loves expressing herself through writing. Thank you for helping and supporting my writing. Love you!😁💕

[clansayeed]

Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ― Chapter 16: The Fugitives

PAIRING: Kamilah Sayeed x MC (Nadya Al Jamil) RATING: Mature

⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽

⥼ Bound by Destiny II, part 1 ⥽

While struggling with nightmares of lives she’s never lived, a shadow from the past looming over her city, and the proposed idea that her life may just be a little bit too weird to handle alone, Nadya makes sure to tell herself that everything is perfect just the way it is. If only. When the self-proclaimed King of Vampires (and Maker of her sometimes-girlfriend and always-boss, can’t forget that little tidbit) Gaius Augustine returns intent on claiming Manhattan as the throne that was promised, she and her friends find themselves forced into the task of saving the world. But with millennia-old vampires and an Order of hunters on their heels as well as allies hiding catastrophic secrets at their backs… it won’t be an easy task. Too bad destiny didn’t exactly ask for her input.

Bound by Destiny II and the rest of the Oblivion Bound series is an ongoing dramatic retelling project of the Bloodbound series and spin-off, Nightbound. Find out more [HERE].

*Let me know if you would like to be added to the Destiny II tag list!

⥼ Chapter Summary ⥽

Nadya and the others land in Paris in the hopes that Adrian's mysterious psychic friend will be able to help them in their search for a way to stop Gaius. But things are very different for vampires in Europe; from old customs that could prove dangerous to a secret Order that definitely is.

[READ IT ON AO3]

The storm follows them across the ocean. Nadya doesn’t mind; even if it does paint her first view of Paris in bleak and grey. How it looks outside matches how she feels inside — and somehow that helps in its own little way.

Landing is slightly less bumpy than takeoff though that isn’t saying much. When Adrian’s voice comes over the speakers telling them to buckle in her stomach flips nervous. Her nervous habit would have Nadya lifting the shade on the window to watch their descent but it’s too close to dawn; too much of a risk — so she just picks a spot on the wall and stares.

Though why she had to pick the splattered blood, remnant of their actual pilot whose fate Priya left gruesome evidence of, she didn’t know.

The jet pulls deep into the hangar; keeps the shadows tied around them like a safety blanket as the cabin depressurizes and they disembark. Adrian is already on the ground addressing the airport crew in rapid French and its by pure chance that Nadya is the last one to step out.

Hands braced on either side of the doorway; looking down but not really seeing. Because the second she takes that first step she’s not in that strange in-between of an airplane anymore. She’s not somehow, in some small way, still tied to New York.

Not like refusing to move will get you back there though, which her rational brain says no matter how much Nadya doesn’t want to hear it. And it’s right.

The gold rim of Nadya’s charm bracelet dug grooves into her palm hours ago. She squeezes and keeps the imprint fresh the whole way down.

The routine will be a familiar one by the time all this is done. Shuffling from the hangar to an expensive-but-modest (and safety-tinted) vehicle. From the vehicle to wherever they’re staying — and Nadya hadn’t actually thought about that part but thankfully Adrian had. Then the brisk walk disguising a mad dash to the safety of indoors.

The storm here tastes different. Nadya can’t say how, exactly, but it does.

And it’s abundantly clear when they step into the apartment that it wasn’t made to accommodate four (five, taking into account this Serafine woman) people but they’ll make do.

While the rest of them flick light switches and outlets, check out bathrooms and make sure blinds are drawn tight and secure, Adrian turns to a small kitchen. There’s a large manila envelope on the counter that he grabs like he was expecting it. Now that Nadya thinks about it — he probably was.

He beckons them to join him in the main room and confirms her suspicions. Starts pulling out handfuls of papers from within and spreading them out for all to see.

Passports, paperwork, little cards with a set of what look like emergency phone numbers handwritten neatly under the laminate. He hands each of them a different color of the same clunky flip-phone but the rest they have to sort out of the pile themselves.

Jax grabs for his passport; props it open with his fingers to stare at the photo in discontent.

“Do I want to know where you got this information?” He asks gruffly. Nadya glances at her own. She’d just assumed everything was taken from her personnel file.

Adrian shrugs it off, like privacy isn’t a real thing. “The Council always keeps —” and the need to change the tense throws him for a second, “— has always kept this kind of information on hand in case of emergencies like this.”

“You had a plan for ‘Sociopath Regent Takes Over the City?’”

“Funny. You know what I mean.” He starts plugging numbers from his regular phone into the burner. “Kamilah and I have been seeing the same woman for papers since… for as long as I can remember, actually. These aren’t forgeries, they’re the real thing. They’ll be your IDs and travel papers while we’re here and in case we need to leave town.

“Phones, please.”

One by one they lay their real phones out. And one by one he presses the heel of his palm into the fragile metal and glass until each one yields with a crunch.

Lily doesn’t hide a little noise of distress; nor does she turn down the offer to tuck herself against Nadya’s side in consolation. Adrian offers her an apologetic look. “It’s for the best, Lily.”

She sighs as a reply. Adrian can’t do much else but take what he can get.

“Normally I wouldn’t call it necessary, but we can’t take any chances. Priya and the Baron have access to the same resources, finances, and investigative tools that Kamilah and I do. We’re lucky in that the papers are a favor from an old friend, but I have a feeling favors are going to be few and far between going forward.”

His words put them all on edge. Jax fiddles with the strap of his sword resting in his lap.

“You make it sound like we’re fugitives.”

For a moment it looks like Adrian plans on denying it; correcting him, maybe, with something a bit more eloquent or less dangerous.

But that would be downplaying the severity of the situation now… wouldn’t it?

“Until we know just how many from the clans went to Gaius’ side we may as well be. At the height of his power there wasn’t a city across the country that didn’t somehow wield his influence. Gaius kept his inner circle close but over the years Kamilah and I, along with Vega, Lester, and probably even some I don’t know by name, put all our effort into securing his kingdom.”

Nadya looks down to see Adrian’s fist clenched, shaking in his lap. If the coffee table weren’t between them she’d reach over and try to steady him. That darkness on his face is becoming uncomfortably familiar.

His eyes sweep over the two younger vampires; a fact he seems to have only just realized. “You’re all… so young.” And the look on his face is as exhausted as he was prior to feeding on the plane. Not a good sign.

“What does that have to do with anything?” asks Jax. Adrian’s jaded little “ha” isn’t an answer but still speaks volumes.

“It makes you vulnerable. It makes all of us vulnerable.”

His eyebrow quirks up; a look between the lamenting older vampire and his katana that says “let someone underestimate me like that, see what happens.” Not that he says it.

As the youngest of them all, the worry in Lily’s voice is justified. “How so?”

“We probably should have gone over this earlier.”

“Gone over what?”

It’s slowly dawning on Nadya why Kamilah had been so bewildered by her invitation to Lily’s One-Year Turning party. At the time she had thought it was because of the fact they had kinda-sorta split just a few days before, even if she wrote the woman off as being a bit dramatic… which in hindsight wasn’t like Kamilah at all and should have tripped more than a few alarms in her head.

And, really, she only has herself to blame for being so surprised. She’s encountered this type of behavior before — she watched the proud and accomplished Kamilah bend her head to the Trinity, despite looking like she would have rather staked them instead.

Because things are different overseas; the culture here is nothing like in the States. Among those the oldest of their friends had spent her centuries with. It only made sense for her to hold on to old habits.

Here in Europe everything is based on the only thing that has ever mattered to a race of immortals. Age.

“Modern innovation hasn’t just made human lives easier, but ours as well. Blood bags, tinted glass — more and more vampires are living through their initial fifty years. That may not sound like much to you, but it was a cultural stigma that was just starting to phase out by the time I was Turned. Think about how long humans were expected to live back then, and in the hundreds of years before.

“The longer you’ve lived, the stronger you are. Smarter, faster. Able to outwit nature itself and the constant changing of civilization. The newly Turned were taught to admire that kind of survival instinct. Admiration became respect, which gave way to superiority. There was once a time when speaking improperly to a vampire a certain number of years over you was grounds for defanging.”

Lily’s hand flies to her mouth — either from shock or to protect herself, both are applicable. From the look on his face Jax can’t help himself from thinking about how many times his words would have gotten him outright staked.

“But much of this mentality came from centuries of being at war for their very lives,” Adrian continues, “The whole reason Gaius set his sights on the New World was to try and solidify a place of power outside of their enemies’ reach. For centuries now the vampires on this side of the world have been living in the shadows. Survival is as good as currency; a symbol of strength and power that demands an inherent respect. And in truth that desperation worries me.

“The idea of an empire ruled by a Vampire King might sound pretty appealing to more than just people like Priya and the Baron. People who would do anything for freedom… even hunt us down.”

The look he gives Nadya is as forlorn as it is resigned. They didn’t flee to safety over here. Paris just happened to be where they needed to go. They’re still in just as much danger.

Maybe even more danger, now that she thinks about it. At least back home she knew the faces of the people who would hurt her friends. Here everyone is a stranger.

They really are fugitives.

The feeling seeps out from him and to the rest of them, bleeds into their clothes and skin until the entire apartment is stifling with their new understanding. Nadya rubs at her throat with an open palm. It feels like a real, physical vice around her.

“And you’re sure we can trust this psychic chick of yours?” Lily asks to clarify.

Small mercies; like the relief Nadya feels seeing Adrian’s stalwart nod. In this he is certain, unlike everything else going on around them.

“Absolutely. I met her through Kamilah; the pair of them go way back. When you meet her you’ll understand. I knew immediately when we met I could trust her with my life.”

Lily and Nadya exchange mutual stifled giggles; it’s pretty damning that Adrian is too lost in whatever memories he may have of this ally to notice.

When he comes back he’s still oblivious. “And for what it’s worth she was the person I asked for guidance when the time came to put a stop to Gaius’ plans. She was the one who made up my mind in the end.”

Which automatically gets her Jax’s seal of approval. “I like her already.”

Because her life is the way it is, it isn’t lost on Nadya how all of her friends are vampires and, with it being in the middle of the day and all, they don’t hide how tired they all are very well.

She’d been out like a light the entire flight. Excessive emotions, crying, and fright will do that to a poor human heart. But the same definitely couldn’t be said for Adrian who had flown them all here, and probably for the rest of them either.

“Still no word from Serafine?”

Adrian looks up from his phone and shakes his head mutely. That’s all she needed to hear. “Then get some sleep. Seriously, you look like you all need it.” There’s something else they need, too, but that Nadya can’t quite provide right now.

Hopefully in an apartment full of vampire-specific amenities like black-out curtains and a window that doesn’t face direct sunlight at any time of day anyway, blood bags are covered. Or, like, hot French donors or something.

Lily is the first to stop pretending; yawns wide and loud and with a stretch that almost hits Jax in the face. “You gonna be good, Nadi’?”

Good is relative, she thinks, and definitely doesn’t say it.

“Actually I was thinking about going out. We need clothes, I need food…” Because like most girls, Nadya finds the siren song of French shopping trip to be almost impossible to resist.

Adrian doesn’t look entirely thrilled with the idea of her wandering the streets all by her lonesome, but it’s a point in her favor that they can’t go with because of the sunlight; “Which means all the other vampires will be asleep too.” He can’t argue with that.

Well he could. He doesn’t — which might be more for his benefit, she realizes as he clears his throat to contain a yawn of his own, than hers.

But every step she takes further away from the apartment complex feels heavier and heavier; until Nadya doesn’t think she could possibly go another step without breaking through the concrete and sinking into the center of the earth.

Back home the world is kind of ending. And here she is, squinting against the dreary sun (hey it’s sun, she’ll take it in any form) and snapping subtle pictures every couple of minutes and praying the older phone doesn’t ruin the quality.

Does she even have a right to enjoy herself anymore?

Why shouldn’t she find joy in the fleeting things while she can?

Nadya leans against a nearby building, hands flat on the freezing brickwork, and inhales deeply. Funny how a city smells like a city wherever you go. But it’s hard to breathe through the tightness in her chest.

That was Kamilah’s voice in her head. And, yes, most of her rational thoughts over the past couple of months have sounded like Kamilah (the best coping mechanism her subconscious had invented yet, really) but it’s different now isn’t it?

The voice has a point though.

And even with all of the storm clouds over her head there’s one little ray of light that shines through…

Kamilah would want her to enjoy this. For herself; for the both of them maybe. Ha, she can even see in the shadow of her eyelids that little downturn of the woman’s lips, hear some kind of admonishment like, “Paris is too beautiful of a city to spend your first time walking her streets in melancholy.”

The cold may be bitter but even with slushed snow pushing up against the curbs the beauty of the city can’t be denied. When the wind is too much Nadya finds a store and ducks inside, pink-cheeked and shivering, and does exactly what she told Adrian she would do.

Lily’s size she knows by heart — that’s no problem; if it has metal studs she buys it. Out of the corner of her eye she catches sight of a dazzling blue and finds it’s a neon-dyed leather cuff. She buys it because if Lily is feeling anything like she is… it’ll be a comfort.  Adrian is a guess-timate; it helps that one of the fresh-faced shopping aids looks roughly as tall as him in the store. Funny how their fake and placating smiles change when they see the black card she’s willing to put down. Well it’s Adrian’s, but, you know.

Nothing on this fancy side of the store caters to Jax’s unique brand of ‘Action Movie Star Who Shops Solely at Resale Outlets’ but she tries her best.

But the most important purchase of Nadya’s day comes near the evening and on her way back to the apartment.

Let it be known that there is no sadness a crepe stuffed with strawberries and shoveled full of choco-hazelnut spread. The pain later will be so. freakin'. worth it.

Nadya’s glad to find when she returns that she’s not the only one who needed a little time to relax. Not that crossing the threshold doesn’t immediately remind her of the weight of their predicament but who can think about that when she’s met with smiles relieved, happy, and rested?

When Lily is finished crushing the wind out of her lungs she pulls back and immediately hones in on… something. She watches as the girl licks her thumb and drags it over the corner of Nadya’s mouth, eying the stain with suspicion. Refuses to look even the slightest bit ashamed when she starts getting ragged on for not having brought enough sugar for everyone. She just shrugs with her hands full of large bags of fancy French clothes.

Not-so-amazingly all is pretty much forgiven for that.

Freshly showered and dressed, the curtains pulled back to reveal the beginnings of the Parisian night; the change in overall morale is almost jarring for all of them.

Well… almost. Because apparently neither rest nor a new (and perfectly-fit, thank you very much) look will un-crinkle Adrian’s brow. It’s been well over twenty-four hours and still no word from Serafine — from the entire reason they’re in Paris in the first place.

“What’s the plan if she never shows?” Jax asks finally; tired of the question flitting through their eyes but never through their lips. “We just fly back to New York?”

Unfortunately they all know that’s not exactly an option.

Adrian doesn’t have an answer, and it has him in knots. Jax turns away, back to his attempts to decipher the news anchor and her rapid French.

“It’s just not like Serafine at all,” he eventually confides; only in his lowest voice and when Nadya has signaled for Lily to turn up the news to the highest reasonable volume to drown them out, “I mean — it’s been a decade or so… I’d hoped to see her at Marcel’s, honestly. But that’s only in person. We’ve kept in close contact otherwise. She even wished me a good Dark Solstice…”

The more he says, the more Nadya’s starting to think there is to their connection. She places a gentle hand on top of his.

“How did you two meet? When, too, I guess I should ask.”

His smile is slow to start… but there. “We met in New Orleans, actually. At the Graveyard Shift.”

Maybe it’s because she’s touching him, or maybe it’s because they both share memories of that quirky little bar. God; it feels like they were there years ago now… But she can feel the tickle of him at the edges of her eyesight. Like her mind wants her to see… but — no. She can’t.

Maybe Adrian doesn’t want that. She can’t afford to lose someone else she loves because of this. But pulling back; pulling away? That would only prove she can’t ever care about her friends again.

Nadya keeps her hand on his because she needs to learn how to not look.

So she distracts herself, the both of them; “You said Kamilah introduced you?”

“Yes; it was pure coincidence that they knew one another. Kamilah and I were… on a job.” We were there because of Gaius. He doesn’t have to say it. She knows.

“We had drinks,” he continues, “they caught up and told me stories of their days back here in Europe. Even here in France, in Paris. Big vampire community here back then, apparently. And there was just this way she talked, Nadya. Like I could imagine I was there myself. There was still a lot of tension all around at the turn of the century, you see. People were still so disheartened. But when Serafine spoke about the world she brought light into it. All her centuries and she still saw beauty around her.”

That’s… a lot more than Nadya was expecting if she’s being honest. Not that she’s complaining! It’s so so nice to see Adrian talk like this. To see him look on something from his past with a happiness rather than that broiling anger.

“How come you’ve never mentioned her before?”

He blinks; taken aback. “How do you mean?”

“Well no offense,” read: full offense intended, “but I’m a little hurt there’s someone out there I could have been teasing you about this entire time. Especially when you and Lil’ started conspiring together.” Not that Nadya’s not still grateful for their intervention.

He’s just accrued a lot of payback is all.

It doesn’t get the smile she hoped for. It’s more like Senior Picture Day and your mother shoved you into a sweater vest.

“It’s not… Serafine and I aren’t like that.”

“You sure talk about her like you are.”

“What?” He has the audacity to actually look surprised. Well either that or he’s genuinely oblivious… which is seeming more and more like the truth. “I’ve barely said anything about her. Until now, obviously.”

She nods slowly. “Mmhm, yeah that’s true. But I think you and I both know it’s not what we say… but how we say it.”

After all; Adrian had seen her at the Ball. Had trusted Kamilah to keep her safe while he was away with Katherine and maybe he knew even before Nadya herself did. He’s remarkably astute for a complete dork.

He gives a long sigh and looks out the window instead of giving her an answer. If she were anyone else she might worry about having gone too far. Especially taking into account they’re still boss and assistant.

But she’s Nadya — so she doesn’t worry about that at all.

“Hey, I’m all for it. In fact I’m honestly relieved,” she catches how his facial muscles twitch; she has his attention, “since up until now I’ve been under the impression the only people you’ve been into were the bad guys.”

Adrian groans. “Please don’t remind me.” She doesn’t have to. Valdas did that enough on his own at Persephone.

Even after Vega; they never talked about that. Seeing as she had just watched the old-as-dirt vampire chop off a man’s head, Nadya definitely wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up. Maybe (and especially after the events of their meeting) she should have. For Adrian’s sake.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Nadya jumps. No use trying to hide it with that kind of reaction. Luckily Adrian shrugs it off. “I wish I had an answer; Kamilah certainly wants to know. That night when you were dancing with your friends she very clearly told me her thoughts on it. I only wish now I’d understood what she was trying to warn me about.”

“Trust me, I think we both underestimated them. And how much they were involved in everything that happened.”

“I think back to that night sometimes.”

“T-M-I.”

“No,” he sighs, “about… something he said. We got to talking about experiences, then wars, then soldiers… and now I can’t help but wonder if he knew who I was before I even introduced myself.”

“Because that’s what Gaius called you? His Soldier?”

Adrian tenses under her touch. Nadya goes to pull back, curses herself for opening her mouth in the first place… but the way he relaxes is a silent permission. So she stays. “Kamilah told me about… but I’ve been a little nervous to ask, truth be told.”

Ask how much you’ve seen of me, he means.

“Another time, maybe.” Because I can’t push you away too.

His laugh is rueful; harsher than he should ever sound. “Fair enough. But you’re right — I was… that. But I wasn’t the first. Actually… I think that was Valdas; that he was the first of Gaius’ soldiers. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to him.”

There’s an unspoken asterisk hanging on the edge of his words. That’s what I tell myself, or something to that effect. Nadya is no stranger to the lies we tell ourselves to find the strength to keep moving, so she can hardly blame him.

“Does it matter…?”

“No,” and it’s clear he wants to wave the conversation off, “it doesn’t matter. Why try to find rationale in the irrational, right?”

Fair point.

But that doesn’t sit well with her. That he’s okay drawing comparisons between himself and that manipulative man — no matter what Valdas would say to the contrary. That being alike to him is better than… than the other elephant in the room.

“Adrian?”

Nadya keeps her eyes trained pointedly on the table; on their hands. He can feel him look at her, feel the tension rippling under his skin.

“Hm, what is it?”

“We never talked about what happened.”

And for a second she’s hopeful. Sees the resolve flicker in his normally unwavering armor. He’s just as exhausted as she is; if not more. Doesn’t that mean maybe…

“Another time, maybe.”

Nadya knows he’s just giving her back the same response; and maybe she even deserves it. But that doesn’t mean she’s not left sitting there, watching him head into the living room to join the others, feeling like Adrian’s just slapped her in the face.