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dark-night-star-light · 2 years ago

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Spirit Animals: Hunted (Reread pt. 2)

DISCLAIMER: WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR BOOKS ONE THROUGH SEVEN AND BOOKS ONE THROUGH FIVE IN SECOND SERIES.

Masterpost

Chapter 1

“ . . . he would never admit he was afraid of the dark” (1). LMFAO.

“He had prepared his whole life for this . . . ” (2). How do you prepare to have a spirit animal???

Damn, he’s also scared of spiders???

“In that instant, he felt no terror. He only felt that he could create terror” (4). So the Bile makes you feel more arrogant-esque emotions in the moment instead of getting a small taste of your animal’s powers.

Chapter 2

Greenhaven is described as “a sprawling stone castle built on top of a waterfall” . . . how do you build a castle on a waterfall???

“Four knots in the strands symbolized sun, fire, water, and wind” (6). I think it’s interesting they skipped the traditional fourth element, earth, in favor of “sun”.

“ . . . she’d been recruited by people who were secretly in cahoots with the Devourer . . . ” (6). The writing style seems less formal than the first book already??? Like the words “cahoots” would definitely not have appeared in the first book. I guess it makes sense, given that they are all written by different authors.

Also, this book is the first time the Devourer’s followers are referred to as Conquerors.

“ . . . she donned the green cloak that meant she had sworn to defend Erdas” (6). Three of the four main characters are Greencloaks, yet we still don’t know how the initiation ceremony works. Do they just hand you a green cloak and say “Cool, you’re one of us now”?

“Abeke felt the Greencloaks’ eyes . . . she knew what their responses would be” (9). Abeke overthinking what she thinks the Greencloaks would tell her is so trauma-coded. Also, for some reason I remember the Greencloaks being a lot more angry than they actually are.

“A portrait of a girl smiled at her from one wall, while a mural of a man leading dozens of unfamiliar animals through a field covered another” (11). Who are these people? I feel like I should remember them. The original Greencloak leader? Finn’s family?

“Rollan . . . frowned at her” (12). I mentioned this in my Wild Born reread, but he seemed fine with her and her choice at the end of the first book. (Though he did seem out of character.)

“‘This one won’t scratch up your noble hands.’ Meilin smiled prettily. Removing the frying pan, she handed it to him. ‘And here’s one for you. Doesn’t require much brains to figure out how to use it.’ Rollan pretended to bow” (14). Just kiss already.

“Meilin sat on the shoulders of her opponent, the silk handkerchief wrapped around her assailant’s eyes” (16). Meilin defeating her opponent in ten seconds be like:

“‘Sorry!’ Abeke said. He looked confused. ‘For what?’ ‘For this!’ . . . Abeke thrust the broom bristles into the swordsman’s face” (16). Abeke is once again slaying with the whole talk-to-distract-someone-during-a-fight thing.

“They don’t trust me, Abeke thought” (18). But this is just practice??? All it's going to do is get them scolded by Tarik.

Chapter 3

Definitely more italics in this book.

Dawson’s handwriting looks like Devin’s but jigglier. Canon.

“‘I’m sure they’ll be all right,’ . . . ‘Giving you up to Briggan is just their sacrifice to save Erdas’” (25). The cook (and the Greencloaks by extension) are literally so manipulative? I don’t remember this detail at all from my first time through. They won’t even spare some food for a starving family???

Chapter 4

“Meilin traced her finger to Zhong. It wasn’t very far at all. No wonder Zhong was the first to be attacked” (26). Nilo is closer to Stetriol, though? Unless you count the Hundred Isles as part of Zhong (which it technically is . . . ), but still mainland Zhong is way farther than Nilo.

“Meilin dragged her finger from Zhong to Eura. It seemed like a much farther distance than Stetriol to Zhong” (26). Are we looking at the same map??? Genuinely am wondering whether we’re about to find out that the map Meilin is looking at is inaccurate or something.

“She wasn’t surprised the others were slower” (27). Woah, that’s Rollan-in-the-first-book levels of passive-aggressiveness.

Meilin: My father taught me how to pack. Meilin a page later, out loud to Rollan: Actually, I taught myself.

“‘Four tutors taught you how to fold your clothing’” (28). The beginnings of the iconic tutor inside jokes.

I like that they have Meilin’s outlet be anger. It’s too much of a stereotype that girls have crying as their outlet, especially East Asian ones.

“The servant, the orphan, the traitor, and the warrior who had given up war” (29). They really changed so many things about Meilin from the first book. She’s already angrier, whereas in the first book she was somewhat emotional, sure, but mostly she was logical and composed. And in the first book, she was confident, but not quite arrogant. But I guess it's understandable, considering Zhong fell.

I forgot Finn didn’t fight for like the first 85% of the book.

“Jhi would have looked right at home with that public Meilin” (31). Word choice: they used looked instead of been.

“‘My bond is fine,’ Meilin replied crisply” (31). *sounds of laughter ensue*

“‘Opposites,’ Finn said. ‘But both part of the same whole’” (33). So the yin-yang symbol is supposed to be a representation of balance between an animal and a human in a bond?

“‘I was supposed to accomplish so many great things’” (33). All because of a legend? Finn’s panther wasn’t even a Great Beast.

FINN BONDED NATURALLY??? How did I forget that . . .

“Drums gathered near paintings that had to do with earth and objects made of leather and wood. String instruments were near metal sculptures and mirrors and paintings of water. Woodwinds, paper objects, and anything having to do with air seemed to be grouped together” (36). This is the second time three of the four major elements have come up in this book. Also, it’s kind of funny earth isn’t called erdas.

“You’ve made the wise decision, [Meilin’s father] said, instead of the smart one” (37). This book has some bomb lines.

Chapter 5

“ . . . one of the whales called to the other. It was a hollow, echoey sound that seemed both very close and very far” (39). Kind of like Abeke to the other three kids.

“‘That’s basically the beginning, middle, and end of it, anyway: homeless guy, rat, magical falcon. Happy ending’” (41). He forgot about the homeless guy’s bet.

“‘A fool’s better than a traitor’” (41). Inej Ghafa would disagree.

Rollan semi-understands Abeke now???

THE ICONIC ROLLAN-HORSE RIVALRY BEGINS.

“Now he had stopped worrying about meals and was instead concentrating on getting a smile out of a snotty general’s daughter” (44). LMFAO.

Everyone acts like it’s shocking to see a bunch of people with spirit animals outside the Greencloaks . . . which would make sense, given that it’s rare . . . except for the fact that they already faced a bunch of people with spirit animals in the last book and had no such reaction. Another way the tone changes from the first book to the second book.

Rollan calls a horse a “grass-burning chump”. No comment.

“‘Where’s your sense of loyalty, horse?!’” I imagine him clipping the horse like he doesn’t want to say the word.

Meilin turning down Abeke’s help . . . okay, girlie.

“‘Unfortunately for you,’ said Rollan, ‘I don’t trust anyone’” (49). Cannot explain how glad I am that Rollan doesn’t let the Conqueror go out of honor or We’re better than you, so we have better morals kind of rhetoric. I hate it when characters do that. It’s just plain stupid.

The snake that bites Tarik: the same kind that bites Olvan in Heart of the Land? Parallel?

“‘Sometimes she pretends to be deaf.’ . . . ‘I am deaf’” (53). HA.

Lady Evelyn repeatedly misnaming Tarik and Finn is giving Dionysus’ Perry Johnson and Annie Bell energy.

“‘Luckily, I never rest and am constantly attentive’” (56), “‘Do you children know what a map is?’” (57), and “‘You’re thinking, that’s far north, and up there they paint their faces blue and eat foreigners’” (57) have all cemented my liking for Lady Evelyn.

Chapter 6

“[Meilin’s] heart was a battlefield” (61). And planets surrounded by moon-choices, apparently.

“‘I was doing fine,’ she retorted, spitting out another glob of dirty grass” (64). Meilin was not like this in the first book. She wasn’t cocky or arrogant, just sure of herself. There are many places in the first book where she admits she needs the help of others??? First book and second book Meilin feel like two different people. And it’s not even because Meilin has an attitude towards Abeke, because Finn was the one who actually pulled her out, and it’s established that Meilin respects Finn. Anyway, from now on, I’ll just accept second book Meilin as canon Meilin.

So Hawkers sell fake Nectar. Not Greencloaks, like Gar mentioned in Wild Born. So the Conquerors are putting just a bit more blame on the Greencloaks than they really deserve. Shady.

“Abeke and Meilin shot irritated glances at each other” (66). At this point, I’ll take the scraps.

“There’s a prophecy that says a boy will bond with the black wildcat and deliver the North from persecution and poverty!” (67). Oh, is that why Finn was supposed to be great? Because of a . . . prophecy?

Also, shouldn’t people have heard that the prophecy has already happened? Sure, Finn bonded naturally in some obscure town, but he also joined the Greencloaks, so word should’ve gotten around that the prophecy was already fulfilled, right?

“‘I think it’s plenty large enough for a house cat’” (68). Meilin is also actually hilarious, you guys. Also, don’t the Hawkers know that spirit animals only come as adults? Maybe the Bile is different?

“Meilin stood over him, pointing his own knife at his throat” (70). Meilin is iconic. Slay, queen.

Chapter 7

“‘My father rudely up and died on me, so I reckon he’s the worse parent’” (74). The competition continues.

“Devin held out his arm. Without a second’s pause, the panther vanished. A tattoo appeared on Devin’s arm” (77). Devin is literally such a show-off. He should’ve kept the advantage to himself.

I definitely don’t remember the town’s children helping Rollan and Conor escape.

Devin’s insults are literally so uncreative, it hurts. Rollan’s are at least good.

Chapter 8

“If someone was going to hurt that boy, she wanted it to be her” (83). Iconic, but also a little toxic?

Okay, it’s heavily implied that Finn was in the Howling House. I don’t remember this . . .

For some reason, I remember Meilin and Abeke overhearing Zerif and Co. while at Glengavin, not Trunswick.

Kind of funny how Zhong’s water dragon was the only “legend” not endorsed by Zerif. And Zhong was also the first continent targeted by the Conquerors.

“The table was quiet, probably because none of them knew what exacerbating meant, including Zerif” (93). Zerif continues to use flowery language to try to make himself seem smarter.

Chapter 9

Why doesn’t Conor let Briggan out once they’re in the cell? It’s not like the guards would know.

“‘What’s wrong with your hands?’” (100). I don’t remember this plot point??? I wonder if it’s important . . .

“Rollan’s voice was tinged with awe . . . ” (102). Aw, are they finally warming up to each other?

“Every spirit animal there turned all attention to the wolf” (107). Okay, so Briggan does have some amount of leadership over non-wolf animals.

Ooh, all the four fighting together first time!

“If they got out of Trunswick alive, he could devote more time to wondering if their absence was due to cowardice or strategy” (110). Our boy’s getting better at the whole leadership thing.

Chapter 10

“Meilin had crossed her arms and turned to stare at him expectantly” (115). I imagine her thinking, HA, loser.

“Meilin didn’t actually smell - Rollan suspected girls didn't sweat - but the panda did have a distinct musky odor” (116). Rollan: Ah, yes, the female species, I do in fact know of them.

“Rollan finished, ‘It’s nice to have such a warm welcome’” (118). Was that a dig at Conor??? I doubt it, but . . .

“‘Rollan, you look clean,’ Meilin said. Her gaze still seemed to linger on him a bit longer than usual, a fact that didn’t bother Rollan a bit” (121). Oooooooooooh. But I’m also pretty sure it’s mentioned that Rollan is good-looking in the first book, so maybe he’s just attractive?

“ . . . Rollan had learned that a smile could sometimes hide wicked thoughts better than a sneer” (123). He literally uses this to his advantage in the first book.

“He noted that there was no Lady MacDonnell in evidence” (123). Who is the kids’ mom then??? She never comes up?

“And he noticed that seat was covered with dust” (123). What if the lord just doesn’t have a spirit animal? Aren’t those rare?

Okay, about Essix getting trapped: Why didn’t the harpist just ask Lord MacDonnell to help with Essix? It’s not like he would’ve just left her there.

I remember on my first time reading through the book, the harpist scene made me so angry, like Lord MacDonnell is so shallow? And I don’t think the harpist ever gets any justice?

Chapter 11

“With a muffled shriek, Meilin leaped from the ground. She pinned Rollan against the wall, her hand against his throat, her hair dripping” (134). I imagine her looking like a demon or something with the hair.

“But he was certain Meilin would never cry while awake” (135). First Abeke, now Conor? Meilin literally cried after Barlow’s death, and both of them and Rollan were there.

Chapter 12

“‘Give up?’ Devin scoffed. ‘Look at our beasts! We’ll take it’” (138). Devin is so cocky it’s embarrassing.

“‘My spirit animal chooses the Greencloaks.’ ‘But is she right?’” (140). Even if she wasn’t a Great Beast, animals do tend to have stronger instincts than humans. And trusting your spirit animal is important regardless, right???

Karmo’s hammerkop can paralyze people??? I guess that makes sense, given it’s called the lightning bird . . .

Chapter 13

“The older man’s expression had gone very un-jolly, but it snapped back into good cheer when he noticed Meilin watching” (144). This guy doesn’t even understand the bond that well??? Or maybe he’s just jealous . . .

While we’re on the topic of last names, it’s interesting that last names seem to be a sign of status in Erdas. Devin Truswick are Lord MacDonnell are the only known people with a last name. I also wonder if Teng is General Teng’s first or last name, because it it’s last that’s another person of high rank that has a last name.

“‘War’s useless if you don’t know how to live with peace’” (145). Oh, I see. He’s one of those smart-but-stupid people.

“But what about those musicians last night? The ones that are now scrubbing pots?” (145). GETTEM, ROLLAN.

“No, Conor, Meilin thought. You’re forgetting Briggan. You can’t take a wolf among the sheep” (146). Something, something, this is a metaphor for how Conor will not be able to be a simple shepherd again after the war, something, something.

Lord MacDonnell is a lot like Devin. Both were “cruel and proud” and sons of lords. Both were disappointed with their outcome at their Nectar Ceremonies. Both became crueler after. And both regretted their actions afterward. Wonder if their relationship after the war could’ve been explored.

How did Abeke tie “Help. Devin hunts Rumfuss” into her bracelet when she was literally paralyzed and without Devin or Karmo noticing?

Chapter 14

“‘Why are we standing here? We’ve got to help her’” (151). Rollan warming up to Abeke???

While Conor is the one to suggest a trade to Lord MacDonnell, Meilin is the one to suggest the hare as the trade. I think it should’ve been Conor, because he had the dreams and it would’ve shown him coming into his own.

Rollan stealing the soldier’s sword is not something I remember happening? Huh.

Chapter 15

Wow, Conor found the hare awfully quickly.

“‘Because,’ Conor said. ‘Do you know what’s on the other side of this wall?’” (159). How does Conor know where they are and Finn doesn’t? Finn canonically has a better sense of direction than Conor. Also, Conor’s never been to Lord MacDonnell’s room???

“Well, he reminded himself glumly. You were a shepherd” (161). Now he's getting it.

Chapter 16

“Abeke thought it had probably been a long time since he’d spoken to any humans” (165). That literally goes for just about any Great Beast. Also, can Great Beasts speak any language? Probably.

“Devin had snuck Conquerors into Glengavin” (167). Right, but how?

Chapter 17

“Jhi was safely in passive state . . . ” (169). During the fight???

Oh never mind, she is being used.

“Then he saw the wolf” (171). Repeating lines from book one???

Chapter 18

Donn is bigger than Elda???

Why didn’t Rumfuss just run Lord MacDonnell over after he refused to let him out?

Chapter 19

What happened to the harpist??? I’m still salty about that situation.

“The second talisman was in Greencloak hands” (181). HA, not for long.

Wait so, that means . . . Conor’s family is free of their debt now??? Huh.

Chapter 20

“Hadn’t she wanted to go to Zhong for her family when she’d had the chance? Hadn’t he been the first to tell her to stay with them?” (184). Does she see him as a hypocrite???

So Meilin leaves even knowing it’s a bad decision.

Meilin forcing Jhi into passive state: so not the way to go, girlie.

“She was going back to Zhong” (185). Is she going to steal a boat or something? Because Greenhaven is on an island . . .

Final thoughts and rating:

I definitely noticed a change in writing style, which makes sense given that it’s a different author. I like that they decided to have Conor make a hard decision. Without this, the books would be very formulaic: quest for talisman, trials for each of the four to show off skills, talk to Great Beast, battle, return victorious. Making Conor give up the talisman is also a show of morally gray behavior, which I think is great to have in a children’s book series. Meilin going back to Zhong was also definitely a choice that enhanced the story. This book was definitely a Conor book, it mostly showed Conor having to make hard decisions and learning to become a leader.

I think it would’ve been interesting if the black panther being the second "sacred" animal of Eura was more foreshadowed in the first book? Like they did with the Hawkers? Thought that would’ve been interesting. I also found it strange that nobody realized Finn was the boy of the prophecy. I know he was from a remote town, but still??? Meilin as a character definitely seems more emotional this book, which makes some amount of sense, but she still feels off. It’s also sort of unsatisfying that we never get to see the harpist from Glengavin get her justice. That feels like an unfinished storyline. I know it’s only there for Rollan to express anger at Lord MacDonnell, but a simple one-liner describing Rollan having a short conversation with her and Lord MacDonnell reinstating her to her position would’ve been nice . . .

Rating: 9/10

#draeyem rereads spirit animals #hunted #spirit animals series #spirit animals books #spirit animals #spirit animals thoughts

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blackjackkent · 1 year ago

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Game recommendation - Slay the Princess. I've spent a bunch of time on my vacation playing this (and then 100%ing it with a guide because I was so struck by it).

Warning: if you're not a fan of super dark themes/weird shit/body horror I don't recommend. It's a VERY dark and very strange and very violent game. But it's an indie title with a gorgeous hand-drawn art style and is playing with some really interesting themes around free will, fantasy tropes, cycles of violence, and the nature of death. And it does some messing around with the fourth wall which is always my jam.

Highly recommend (again, if you're into weird, unsettling indie games XD ).

#bjk talks #game recommendation

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botwstoriesandsuch · 4 years ago

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Where Time Takes Us

Destination - Part 1

- - - - - - - - - -

Watch the home while she is off to war

The Slumber King versus the rearing boar

Awake, arise, do not be blind

To tales and destinies entwined

In the world we said that we would leave behind

— excerpt from folk song, The World Behind, writer unknown, dated back to the Era of Myth

- - - - - - - - - -

6 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days before the Hyrule Castle Slaughter, the Akkala Citadel Massacre, the slaying of the Champions, the death of the hero, and the rise of Calamity Ganon...

Her job ends on doomsday.

She should be working, and truly she wanted to, but circumstances had led her to walk towards the echoing laughter.

Already trying to prepare the quip she would throw back at them, (as undoubtedly they’d complain about her being late again), the researcher weaved through the familiar roads of West Castle Town. Most of the houses were dark, with the only light source coming from the occasional flickering lantern, and the pale complexion of the midnight moon. Needless to say, it made the warm glow of The Adequate’s Tavern stand out all the more as she approached.

Another roar of laughter and shouts escaped from an open window on the south side of the pub. The bags under her eyes curved with her smile as she recognized one of the voices. She absentmindedly traced her fingers along the outer walls of the tavern as she walked, loose chips of faded blue paint falling to the pavement below. The wooden sign above the door creaked with its askew weight. The Adequate’s Tavern was printed in bold, blue letters atop a faded yellow outline. The missing e’s and t’s gave evidence to the building’s true quality.

Pushing open the door, the researcher was met with a swirl of familiar scents, ranging from alcohol, apples, bread, and leather, along with a smokiness coming from the fireplace near the back of the bar.

Closing the door behind her, she walked through the entrance, passing under a wooden overhang, and alongside a long, stone-slated bar counter. She overheard a conversation between the barkeep and a waiter.

“Yes, they’re here again, so get out there already!”

“The scientists?” the waiter asked.

The man started shoving her towards the storage door behind the bar. “Yes, yes, now hurry up and stock up on that apple cider. I’ve already turned four full pitchers from the three of them, and the fourth is no doubt on the way. We can turn a bigger profit from those kids than any random alcoholic that stumbles in here tonight!”

The waiter disappeared into the back, and the barkeep was left muttering by the counter. Chuckling to herself, the researcher moved away, starting to search for the scientists in question. Other than a single, beige wall that separated the edge of the bar with a support beam in the middle of the room, the pub was very open and lively. Square and circular tables were littered across the floor in mismatched patterns, ranging from oak brown to birch white. Clearly, aesthetic was not the centerpoint of the place.

She walked about the pub, scanning the faces of the men and women alike who crowded by the booths and tables. The tavern mainly housed a sea of Hylians, who let out the occasional drunken laugh, or hearty chuckle. It was a miracle she could hear her thoughts at all, as the air was rich with the sound of clattering dishware and the patter of dancing feet, as in a small corner to the left was a semi-circle stage housing a small band. A Hylian man with umber dark skin, much like her own, blew away at a Lurelin-made, seashell harmonica. To his left, a blonde woman extended her arm in quick and elegant strokes with a bow and fiddle. Two others struck away on small drums and bells, and the playful gig they performed had gotten several people up from their feet to dance for Hylia knows how long. The music wasn’t terrible, but she had heard better, from a certain Sheikah in particular...

As if fate had read her thoughts, she finally caught sight of her friends.

It hindsight, it was easy enough to expect the bard to be at the table closest to the stage. Yet, it was probably the three heads of cloud white, Sheikah hair that gave them away the quickest. A young teenage boy sat across a square table from two other Sheikah, a boy and a girl. He was looking at nothing in particular, as he plucked away at his lute, presumably tuning it. Wrapped around his head was a small cluster of green wooden beads, woven with brown string. They dotted like a line of stars in his fluffy, white hair, alternating between pine and sage shades. The knot tying the strings and beads around his head hung loosely like vines just by his right ear. He was just asking to look like a starstruck, homeless traveler, if it weren’t for the bright red cape pinned across his shoulders. The golden, Hyrulean emblem holding the crimson cloth together signified his status as an important worker of the palace. Although, no one would be surprised that this thin, skinny teenager was a bard and court poet, and not a royal knight.

Suddenly, the bard looked up and met her gaze, a pair of warm, red eyes catching the light of familiarity. He patted the empty seat next to him and said something to the other two Sheikah in front of him. One of them looked back, a young man with storm wild hair that seemed to part like lightning. He had a beige, long sleeve coat over a red tunic, as was the classic Sheikah style. However, the style of his white jacket told of his rank as a scientist. With chocolate eyes and a contagious grin, he nudged the girl next to him and fake coughed.

The young woman wore roughly the same outfit, although she had a navy blue skirt and boots compared to the other guy’s black pants and shoes. Her eyes were also red, albeit, with a more striking scarlet color, compared to the other boy’s warmer wine shade. Looking back, she adjusted her bright, Sheikah red, round, sparkly, diamond decorated glasses, complete with white accents that matched her hair. It was pulled in a messy bun, a hairstyle that her close friends knew was less for looks, and more for practical purposes, as supposedly, “the stupid strands always find ways to bother my eyes. No, stop, I don’t need a comb! My eyeballs are just sensitive, okay?”

Pivoting past a waiter, the researcher finally moved closer to the trio, brushing her curly dark hair above her shoulders as she prepared for the sarcasm to begin.

The stormy eyed scientist spoke first.

“Purah, Purah! Is that...a ghost I see? It looks like Adello, but I feel like I haven’t seen her in a century, I surely thought her dead! Am I being…haunted?”

Purah turned in her seat and gave a fake gasp. She adjusted her red rimmed glasses at the sight of her. “You’re right, Robbie! I’ve heard about these spirits. They only come at midnight under a full moon, and they appear when you have friends that don’t know how to time manage and haunt you by coming to your birthday party with their terrible fashion sense 45 minutes late!” She clapped her hands along with the syllables of “45 minutes” to let her point be known.

Robbie awed at Adello in sarcastic wonder, and the boy across from him exhaled out of his nose with a smile.

Adello put a hand on her hip. “Save your breath, I was just working a bit overtime on the Divine Beast sketches. You know, work? For the jobs that we all have? So we can pay our taxes and shit? Unfortunately, not all of us have fancy salaries Mrs. Royal Scientist.”

Purah turned to Robbie, pulling down her glasses and looking at him sternly. “See, this is another trait of these kinds of spirits. They’re cursed to only say excuses for eternity.”

He shook his head. “Coupled with the fact that their fashion only ever consists of one color? Truly, a terrible fate for a ghost indeed.”

Adello narrowed her eyes. Smoothing out her juniper colored tunic, she said, “Okay, first off, green is a great color on me, it pairs well with my skin tone. You’re both just blind, no wonder you need glasses.” Purah put a hand on her chest dramatically, but she continued. “Plus, I’d really rather not get fired since that ceremony thing with those Champions is tomorrow and, as you all know, I just got that promotion.”

The researcher propped a black leather boot up on the empty chair by the table, flipping her jet black hair dramatically. “How does it feel to be in the presence of someone with an actual on-the-field career?”

Purah stuck out her tongue, and Robbie cupped his hands and booed. However, the boy sitting on the other side of the fourseated table gave a celebratory strum of his lute, giving Adello’s pose a bright background flourish with a few upbeat chords.

She winked. “Thank you Zimiri, at least someone can recognize skill.” The bard gave a little bow with his head, grinning. “A few chords is all it takes to enhance a dramatic, late night entrance.”

Adello chuckled, finally sitting down in the empty seat beside him. The old oaken chair and floor creaked under the new weight. Robbie let out a huff.

“You kids need to learn to respect your elders.” He announced the word “respect” with the tip of his tongue. The researcher rolled her eyes.

“Ah yes, a whole one year gap between us. What astounding age and experience that these elders emit.” She gestured at Robbie and Purah with a sweep of her arm.

“Uh, excuse me, but I believe in my case it’s now double that. A whole two years, my dear, naive child. For as of 4 hours ago, I now emit the knowledge of an existence spanning two decades!” Now it was his turn to pose dramatically, pointing towards the ceiling.

Everyone at the table groaned, turning to occupy themselves with something else. Purah started writing in her journal which she pulled out from her satchel, and Adello started to become very interested with the ceiling. Zimiri continued to pluck nothings on his lute.

Robbies crossed his arms, his white long sleeves folding across the Sheikah red shirt underneath. “Oh I see! So when Adello brags, she gets a musical accompaniment, but when I do it, it’s suddenly annoying and embarrassing?”

Adello smirked to herself, and answered, “Yep, that’s how it goes!”

“Alright, you don’t get to speak, Miss I-don’t-know-how-to-be-punctuation!”

Purah promptly smacked Robbie over the head with a pen.

“Hey! W—”

“The word is punctual, you idiot.”

Robbie slumped his shoulders and made a face. He tapped his thumb and fingers together, mimicking the opening and closing of a mouth while he muttered mockingly in Purah’s tone under his breath.

Purah finished off a note in her journal before turning to the rest of the table. “Alright Adello, time to catch up. We’ve been playing ‘Till You Spill and I’ve already got some juicy stuff in here!”

Turning the pages of her journal towards Adello, she gave a chaotic grin. “Last round, Zimiri revealed that he once got teary eyed in front of the King himself after reading a poem about clouds.”

Zimiri raised his hands in defense. “Look, the clouds were an analogy for lost childhood innocence and I got choked up with that author’s amazing choice of imagery and descriptions, okay?”

Purah pointed her pen at him to hush, and continued. “Of course, him being a sentimental dork isn’t anything new, so he lost that round to Robbie who revealed the identity of his first crush.”

Zimiri muttered something about the game being rigged towards the birthday boy, but Adello talked over him, excitedly.

“Ooohhhh? Robbie?? Who are they?” She propped up her elbows and cradled her chin in her hands, excited at the prospect of more embarrassing information she could hang over his head.

He mumbled, looking to Purah for assistance, but she only cupped a hand over her ear, waiting for him to respond. “You all fuckin—” he sighed, “it’s…she’s…c-ch…” he avoided everyone’s gaze, “her name is...Cherry…”

Adello gasped, gleefully. “That girl from your old university?? The writer you hung out with!?”

Purah beamed, shaking Robbie’s shoulders excitedly. “I know right???” She loosened her grip and allowed him to wiggle out of her grasp for a moment. “Oh sweetie, campus days may be long gone for all of us prodigies and geniuses,” she flipped a few strands of her white hair with a turn of her head, “but I’m sure you’ll get her someday. You just gotta turn up the charm, find a way to woo with words. I’m sure writers love that.” Purah pulled down her glasses and gave a forced wink at him.

Adello tried to hold her tongue to no avail. “Pffft. Yeah, you can try wooing her with your punctuation.” This got a snicker out of Purah, and caused the birthday boy to blush furiously and slump further in his seat. Zimiri finally spoke up.

“Now, now, let’s all play nice. We don’t need to pester him further about it, he did win the round after all.”

“Uh, yeah. Speaking of the game, you still need to drink up, mister.” Purah slid a tan brown cup of apple cider towards him, the translucent contents sloshing around like muck in a gutter.

He leaned on the back two legs of his chair. “Isn’t it punishment enough to smell it? The cider isn’t even near my face and my mouth is already burning.”

She shrugged. “Them's the rules of ‘Till You Spill. Your secret sucked, so swig!”

The poet groaned, but complied. Tipping the cup towards his lips, Zimiri took a hearty slurp of the cider, much to everyone’s amusement. It felt like hot, molten copper mixed with old apple skins. How could something both burn and freeze your throat at the same time? He let out a gag, to which Adello patted him on the back with a short laugh.

Raising his posture, Robbie crowed, “When we finally have Zimiri’s birthday maybe then we’ll actually upgrade to the alcohol.”

Adello raised an eyebrow. “Uh, right, because the upgrade from disorientingly strong, smelly apple cider, is you two being flat out drunk. Right...”

Purah slammed both her fists down with pride, letting the cups and pitchers slosh a few amber colored drops onto the worn wooden table. “Bold of you to assume I’d drink at all, considering I’ve never lost a round! Mwahaha!” She blew a raspberry at her. “This tongue is apple free, baby.”

She gestured with her pinky and index finger at Zimiri and Adello. “Now, you two! The late combatant and the latest loser shall spill next. Give us your juicy gossip!!”

The bard, still reeling from his drink, leaned back in his chair and gave a nod toward Adello. “Ladies first?”

While she wasn’t undefeated in this drinking game, she sure as hell was playing to win. Especially since somebody needed to knock that smug expression off of Purah’s face. Adello thought to herself quickly.

Zimiri, no doubt, is probably gonna say something self-deprecating again, as he’s too nice to actually reveal anything embarrassing about anyone else. So...I just need to say something unexpected and interesting...perhaps something embarrassing about...hmm, I’ve already exhausted all my info about those cushy nobles and guards in past rounds…

Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. “The princess has a secret stuffed animal collection.” Seeing the light in her co-workers’ eyes twinkle, Adello knew she had chosen her words well. Purah leaned in. “Ooh? And how did you come across this juicy piece of information?” She rested her chin on an arm with an innocent smile.

“When I sent my application for the new job a few weeks ago, I gave it to the princess directly. It was late at night, and I bumped into her as she just left her room. The door was cracked open for a few seconds, before some royal, pompous guard slammed it right in my face. Yet, it wasn’t before I saw the pile of,” she counted on her fingers, “cow, sheep, bird, dog, and several horse stuffed animals piled high by her big, blue bed. I bet if I peeked for just a few more moments I could have found enough to pin her as a true horse girl.”

Robbie shrugged his shoulders, unconsciously rapping the table with his finger. “Well, speaking as a horse guy myself, I can attest to the fact that the childhood horse obsession phase never leaves, so I find Princess Zelda’s collection quite admirable.” He gave a nod towards Zimiri. “Either way, it’ll be tough to top that, Zim. Cute, yet slightly concerning, fact about our future queen? Quite the competition. Shall I signal the waiter for a refill now?”

Zimiri plucked a few more strings from his lute, before finally setting it down on the floor. He tilted his head, playfully. The string with sage green beads seemed to sway with the tavern’s music, and he spoke with a glint in his eyes. “Well, I might be faced with impending failure and ultimate defeat, but hells if I’m not one to try instead of mope.”

He combed his fingers through his messy, white hair, pondering his next choice of words. Fiddling with the beads and strings wrapped around it, he thought out loud.

“Let’s see...to top out on an embarrassing fact about a respected princess...it's natural to combat it with something...personal? That always seems to be the more valuable information in this game…” Adello shook her head. He was playing right into her hand.

“Well...Robbie won last round with the identity of Cherry...so, how about I dish out something similar. See, I’ve...uh…” he rubbed the back of his neck, “Oh! Well. Court poet, shrine researcher, the job gets you close with the princess...kinda...I’d like to think we’re close anyhow…” He mumbled the last part of his sentence and let out a short cough. Then, he went back to fiddling with his short, messy hair.

“So… ever since I moved into the castle, When did my mom move… five years now? I’ve, uh… had a crush on... Zelda…” He gave an uncertain grin, and raised the palm of his hands as if to ask, “well?”

At first he was met with silence. In his head, he started to celebrate the victory of his first ‘Till You Spill round in literal months. That was until he was met with groans and pitiful mutters.

“Oh Zimiri,” Purah sighed, “I was rooting for you too.” Seeing the bewilderment creep onto the poet’s face, Robbie answered the question before it even escaped his lips. “Literally everyone here knew that bud, it’s not a secret.”

The bard started to sputter, moving his hands in wild, questioning motions.

“But? Wha— I? You!? Didn’t you— I… W-Well I mean, I know Adello knew, I told her years ago, but you guys—”

“Oh my gods. Zimiri, you literally talk about her all the time, you’re totally in love. Given that we’re also the recipients of your long spiels and ballads about how ‘intelligent and thoughtful and amazing Zelda is,’” Purah said the words to mimic the tone of Zimiri’s honey sweet voice, “it’s exceptionally, extremely, very, very obvious.”

“R-Recognizing a person’s positive traits doesn’t instantly mean in love!”

The royal scientist leaned across the table and patted his head. “Right, but you also started attempting love songs a coincidental 2 weeks after starting your job of shrine research with her. Your eyes are already red, so whenever she passes by it’s like your pupils magically form into adoring hearts. Try to stay away from poker, it’s for your own good.”

Zimiri continued to sputter, his cheeks becoming roser by the second. Robbie turned to Purah. “So, all in favour of finding Adello’s spill better than Zimiri’s?” The two of them raised their hands in unison. “Alright buddy, secret sucked, so swig! WAITER PLEASE!”

Adello watched as the same woman she had seen near the bar earlier made her way to the table. Picking up a pitcher, she poured out a fresh cup of Adequate’s Apple Cider. The four of them had been here so many times, they didn’t even need to verbally ask for the order.

Before he could even start to reach for the cup, Adello snatched it out of the way. “Nah, it’s okay. I’ll do one for you, Zimiri. These two monsters have already tore you to shreds, and I’m sure I need a punishment anyway for coming in so late.”

He started to protest, but after catching the look in her dark, iron eyes, he relented. “Well, I thank you for your generosity.” The other two, however, were not as compliant.

Purah cupped her hands around her mouth, yelling, “Booooo... Boo to pity! Boo to generosity!” Robbie mimicked her.

“Yeah you have to respect your elders’ wishes. We demand blood! Suffering!”

Adello cracked her neck for show, before downing her glass of cider in a few gulps. The stench and tingling sensation seemed to stick to the sides of her throat. It would take more than water to clear that out. “Adequate” was being very generous when describing its quality.

“Mmmm. The cider’s weirdly salty tonight, I think your attitudes got mixed in here.”

Purah blew another raspberry at her.

They played for a few more rounds, the clatter of cups and breaths of laughter decorating the hours. Much to everyone’s distaste, Purah continued her winning streak, getting by with unbeatable information about the King, royal guards, and one embarrassing anecdote about how her little sister, Impa, had caught her writing an interesting letter to the “local archery hunk.”

Yet, Purah laughed along with the rest of them, the eyes behind her red rimmed glasses held no shame, which Adello envied. Of course that sort of attitude would make you a master at this game. Robbie and Adello attempted to team up and be biased towards Purah in an effort to get her to lose, but either Zimiri didn’t take the hint, or he just really liked playing fair which wasn’t exactly out of character, even if it meant more drinks for him.

Suddenly, a bell towards the back of the pub rang, signifying the end of the band’s gig. The dancing paused, as people gave their thanks, varying from politie applause to drunken yelps. Robbie then rapped the table with his hands, excitedly.

“You know what else tonight needs? Some amazing music, eh Zimiri?” He bounced his eyebrows up and down at him, and gestured towards the lute leaning on one of the table legs.

“I don’t know,” Zimiri replied, “I’ve only a part-time hire for the weekend rush hours, and I wouldn’t want to blindly get on stage and sing without being given permission.”

Adello scoffed. “Uh, are you kidding? The owner would love for you to play without paying you. Haven’t you heard the talk around town? The Adequate’s Tavern: Home of alright food and acceptable ale, but an outstanding bard!”

He fiddled with the string in his hair again. “Oh yeah? I’d love to meet him someday.” At this, Adello clicked her tongue and promptly shoved him out of his chair with her hip.

He laughed to himself as he stumbled aback. “Alright, alright, but only because the birthday tyrant requested it.” Robbie clapped his hands in a “chop-chop” fashion, to truly signify his role as the newly dubbed tyrant.

Suddenly, Zimiri perked his head. Stepping back towards the table, he reached for his cup. “Oh wait, I just lost that round. I still need to drink my—”

Adello grabbed the cup right out of his hands. She tipped it 180 degrees and let the cider spill completely onto the wooden floor. He hopped back, and Purah let out a surprised yelp, saying something about letting the stench seep into the floorboards. Robbie just started to laugh, wildly. Noticing the small commotion, a few other guests looked back at them and started to snicker to themselves.

Setting the cup back on the table, the researcher said, “Great, now you don’t need to ruin your voice any longer. Now get up there and one-up the last band.”

The bard pushed his chair under the table. Picking up his lute as he stood and faced Adello, a charming smile on his face. “Heh, well. My singing voice is grateful. I suppose now I’m in debt to comply.” He gave a curt bow.

Robbie clapped his hands again. “Great, great. Now quit the manners and let’s go already! I still have to order the cake pie!”

Both of the girls rolled their eyes in unison. Zimiri shrugged and started to walk through the small crowd of standing Hylians, and towards the small stage.

A few of the regulars who recognized him let out whoops and whistles, yelling out “Bard!” or “More music!” in support. It seemed that no one really knew his name, but it was nice enough to know that even working here part time would grant you the honor of being recognized by a bunch of random folk. One confused patron, who only associated him with “z” yelled out “Yeah, Zelda!” before promptly slumping under the table. Looking around, a blonde girl caught his eye, as it seemed she was staring at him. He waved, and her cheeks, much to Zimiri’s confusion, turned pink at his gaze and she turned to her friends who started giggling.

Moving past the last of the Hylians with an, “excuse me, sorry!” he finally stepped on the stage. The bard pulled up a small stool to the stage, leaning against it. Most of the folks continued to whoop in approval, seemingly eager for another chance to start dancing. Even the barkeep clapped his hands, probably excited at the thought of a free gig.

I guess, if no one is stopping me…

It was a rowdy bunch, but not a new one. Zimiri had played for these kinds of audiences before.

“I see that quite a few people are itching for a new tune. So, uh, any requests?” he announced as he strum a chord on his lute.

A mass of different voices bounced around the tavern, requests ranging from The Babbler’s Jig, Misko’s Tale, The Eldin Bluffs, and Can I Get More Ale? Although, Zimiri wasn’t quite familiar with the chords of that last song.

He couldn’t stop himself from being biased towards the request of a certain dark skinned girl to his left.

“The World Behind!” Adello said. “Enough with those new ballads, I demand a classic!”

Robbie pumped an arm in the air. “Yes!” he shouted. “I second that! So is my decree as birthday tyrant!”

The bard smiled, preparing the fingering on the neck of his lute. He turned towards the audience. “Well, I’m afraid I have no choice but to heed to such authority.” He began to pluck the beginning notes, tapping a tempo with his boot against the stage. “Now then, a beat, if you all would be so kind?”

The tavern chattered in approval, before piping down. There probably weren't more than 30 people, but the beat they made was definitely sufficient. The sound of stomping, banging mugs, and clapping filled the room. The tempo didn’t even need much adjusting, as The World Behind was pretty familiar around Castle Town. The beat was like a child pretending to be a marching soldier, unconcerned and playful.

Zimiri’s smile widened. A lively crowd indeed, this will do nicely.

With that, he started to sing. His silvery voice echoed across the tavern, as he closed his eyes and began to play.

The boys have gone out to the wishing well

Will they come back? Oh only time will tell

A rupee for a life refined

But time and dreams never align

So tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Many of the guests had started to dance again, while the rest continued the beat of the song. As Zimiri plucked rapid notes on his lute, he heard a supporting holler from Purah. Next to her, Robbie was slamming his fist to the beat, clearly enjoying himself.

Have you seen the soldiers’ drinking ale?

They wish to sing along with nightingales

To dance on home with songs and rhymes

To banish all the fears from mind

Yes tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Another pause between the verses, and the bard played the “decorative” rapid notes in between. He didn’t mean to seem like he was showing off, but Adello would attest to the fact that this happened whenever he got too into the music. Looking towards her, Zimiri saw her give a double thumbs up.

Of beasts and men and all atrocities

The damn-ed fate, she owns all that you see

To a better day of new design

Forgot about the gods divine

Oh tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

At this point, some of the guests were singing along, though not to the point of overpowering his own alluring voice. Laughter rang out around the warmly lit room once again. Zimiri looked out at the dancing patrons and smiling guests, grinning at the feeling in his chest this brought. He continued the last verse.

Watch the home while—

“HEY!”

The sudden gruff voice startled the bard to the point where he nearly slipped off the stage.

Lumbering through the double doors, three guards entered the tavern. The one in front, who had interrupted the music, wore a typical knight’s outfit, the same as his male and female coworkers behind him. However, the black hooded cape he wore atop his metal armour swayed with every step he took across the floor, his supposed rank silencing the room.

Well, mostly, silenced the room. A few ticked off guests were booing, groaning, and mocking him for ruining the entertainment.

“Oh would you lot shut up for 2 seconds?!” he said, his voice booming across the tavern. “Listen, I’ll be blunt. I gotta give two messages for this establishment.”

The guests shook their heads, mumbling. Their booing and insults continued, but their volume quieted, it was too early to be getting cross with a couple of knights. Even Zimiri quietly slipped off the stage back towards his friends so as not to be at the end of the knight’s intimidating voice.

The female guard behind the knight handed him a slip of parchment. Unfolding it, the guard cleared his throat.

“Firstly, your music and pounding is disturbing the noblemen next door. He’s staying at the inn or something and wants you to, quote,” he read from the paper, “quit the mindless thumping, for Castle Town is a place of serenity and peace, not of nonsense jigs and banging.”

The groaning and insults started up again; the man gave a shrug, stating something about how he was just following orders.

Adello couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “HA! Well, with an attitude like that, this’ll probably be the first and only time he’s been banged— he should be grateful.”

The room exploded into a mess of laughter and whoops. Even the guard smirked to himself, but attempted to hide it with a shake of his head, saying “Watch the mouth, girl.” Although, his stern tone wasn’t in it.

After a second, he cleared his throat again. With a stomp of his boot he regained the pub's attention, the laughter suffocated out.

“Now, we’re also here looking for a Dr. Robbie Kimura? I received word they might be around here?”

With the attention now towards a single table, most of the guests went back to their idle banter. A few waiters nodded their head towards the table in the back, and the man caught sight of three, white haired teenagers, who were sitting with the dark haired girl who had quipped out earlier.

The scientists turned around too late, in an effort to avoid the knight’s gaze. “Gee, what a bunch of snitches,” Robbie mumbled. The three guards started to walk over to the table.

“Dr...Robbie?”

“Who’s asking?” Robbie squinted with his dark brown eyes.

“Doctor? Really? Is this some kind of prank? You and your friends don’t even look old enough to drink.”

He scoffed. “Okay, first, yes I am a doctor! I didn’t fly through all those courses over four years just to be called, ‘Mr.’ And secondly, I’ll have you know that I am a ripe 20 years of age today, and I’m here drinking expired apple juice with my associates. So take that, pal!”

Beside him, Purah gave a proud nod in agreement. Zimiri started to wave politely at the guard, but Adello grabbed his arm before he could finish the movement. The guard was a bit unsettled with the way that girl was glaring at him. What was some random Hylian doing hanging out with a bunch of Sheikah anyway?

“Right, well, look here, son. Some curious aristo-brat snuck into the courtyard and caused one of those flying, metal Sheikah things to fall apart. My boss said that it was your prototype so you should come back and clean it up before something explodes, and possibly give a sincere apology to the meddling kid who got a few scratches.”

Robbie threw his hands in the air, exasperated. “You’re really gonna pull me out of a birthday just so I can go apologize to a spoiled kid for breaking in and ruining my Guardian?”

“If it lets me keep my job, then yeah.”

Robbie mumbled something about not getting a slice of the apple cake pie.

Suddenly, Adello got up and pushed her chair in, smoothing out the belt around her tunic as she walked towards them.

“Ah yes, well, thank you my dear assistant for the assessment but I’m capable of taking it from here.”

The guard raised a bushy, black eyebrow. “Sorry, wha—”

“You said you only wanted Dr. Robbie? Well great job, you found them. Now let’s get going, I need to finish up a new design anyway.”

“You’re...Robbie? You’re a... clearly not—”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I should have had my mother consult you for your opinion before I was given my name.”

This time, the guard didn’t smile along with her quip. “This is not the time for—”

She held up a finger to silence him, and glared at the three guards with her iron eyes.

“Look, I’m not a nobody. I’m more than capable of fixing up the guardian and any other disasters you might have left lying around the castle grounds. If I’m feeling generous, maybe I’ll even lick the kid’s boots, it’s not my first time dealing with this, alrighty?”

The knights looked at each other, quizzically. The researcher crossed her arms.

“You’re still following your precious orders, aren't you? How would you know what Dr. Robbie looks like? You can’t be faulted for not knowing someone you never met. So, you’ll just have to take my word for it.”

The blonde man behind the gruff, black caped guard, whispered something to his female coworker. Her gaze switched between the girl and the man. Still seeing the uncertainty in their eyes, Adello leaned closer to the knight and lowered her voice. “Come on, have a little heart, it’s his birthday.”

A beat of silence sat, only filled by the mild mumbling and chatter of the tavern. Finally, the guard let out a sigh.

“Alrighty Dr. Kimura. I’ll help escort you to the site.”

Robbie started to protest, but Adello quickly silenced him with a wink. The guard turned towards the rest of the room, yelling, “The rest of you, the sun is gonna rise in a few hours so save your rioting for then! Am I clear?”

The patrons just responded with stupid groans and half-hearted agreements. They started walking towards the door. The female guard started to put a hand on Adello’s shoulder, but she brushed it off, saying something along the lines of “I can walk on my own two feet, thank you very much.”

Purah turned in her seat. “I’ll save a slice of cake pie for you!” Adello turned her head and responded with a two fingered salute, before disappearing out the door with the guards.

The tension in the tavern was almost immediately cleared, the moment the knights left. Most of the people went back to their normal conversational volume, and the waiters began to patter about with more confidence. However, Zimiri slumped in his seat, letting out a sigh.

“Why does she always do things like that?”

Robbie fiddled with the edge of his cup, tracing his finger around the rim. “Well, you know her. Undermining authority? Check. Insults and quips? Check.”

Robbie continued to list off more traits, but it faded out of Zimiri’s ear. Always jumping onto other’s burdens. Ah, that idiot. I bet she hasn’t slept for the last two days.

Purah suddenly piped up, taking out her pen and rapping it against the table. “Alright you two, let’s not let the sacrifice be in vain. Pool your rupees, we’re getting Robbie the fancy cake pie.”

The clatter of a few red and blue rupees echoed on the wooden table, although Zimiri knocked Robbie’s share aside, saying how the birthday tyrant shouldn’t have to pitch in. Purah turned in her chair and started to wave her hand, in order to get the attention of a waiter. The bard watched as a woman with a tray started to walk over to the table. Then, he turned to Robbie.

“So what should we do while we wait?” Zimiri asked. Robbie stroked his chin, looking around the room.

“I think...the people could still use some music.”

Looking out at the crowd, Zimiri noticed how the guards' interference had really dampened the atmosphere. The warm and lively laughter that was present just a few moments earlier was now replaced with more monotone chatter.

He nodded his head in agreement, putting on a charming smile. The place needed a new pick-me-up, did it?

Well, what else is a bard for?

Stepping back onto the stage, he strummed an open chord, double checking the tuning. The whooping and clapping started to return, much to his delight. Plucking a familiar melody, the warm feeling in his stomach returned as he watched the new smiles that started to fill the room. However, before he began to sing, Zimiri first focused on craning his neck to look out a window, trying to catch a glimpse of a certain girl in the night.

It seemed the moon and sun were balanced on the edge of the world. The night had started to submerge behind the walls of West Castle Town, with only the brightest stars still perched upon the ink of the navy blue sky. The silver lining of greying clouds just barely glowed from the faint light of the day, still trying to break out of the eastern waters.

Adello’s footsteps echoed through the cobblestone streets, but she could barely hear it against the shifting of metal plates from the guards in front of her.

The gruff man looked back, scratching his peach fuzzed chin as he spoke. “Listen, if you finish your work quick I might be able to escort you back here.”

Adello shook her head. She turned to retrieve a journal from the pouch on her belt, opening its pages as an excuse to avoid his gaze. “No, it’s fine. I still have some more work I should be finishing up at home anyhow.”

“You...live at the castle?”

“Mmm.”

The guard took her blunt response as a sign to not continue with the niceties, much to Adello’s relief. Looking up, she gazed at the looming castle. Its towers were like mountain peaks, sitting above the blurred silhouettes of the buildings of Castle Town.

Taking out a bit of charcoal, she started to sketch its outline on a fresh page in her journal. While she only had one color, she tried to capture the shadows and lighting that cascaded on one side of the castle to the other.

The female guard slowed her step, starting to walk alongside the researcher.

“Already working?”

Adello didn’t look up from her journal. “Uh… you could say that.”

She laughed. “Well you best hope you know what you’re doing. This kid’s father has been yelling at Her Highness all night. Supposedly because she’s helping to lead Sheikah research, so everyone associated with guardians is at fault.”

Adello finished up the tower of Princess Zelda’s study in her sketch. She smiled to herself at the finished work. It was one of her better pieces. Putting the journal away, she turned back to the guard and scoffed. “Is that so?”

The guard hummed a yes, her blonde braid swaying to each side as she walked. “Apparently, the kid is the son of some visiting nobleman from the East Post. It’d be in your best interest to apologize profusely if you still wanna walk around alive.”

Adello shook her head. She didn’t know it then, but looking back, many moons from now, she would laugh at the irony of her response.

“I’d rather die.”

#botw #breath of the wild #legend of zelda botw #loz botw #botw fanfiction #where time takes us #botw oc #adello #zimiri

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gloomy-goober · 5 years ago

Text

Weight of Your World

Human AU? I guess? I was bored and I wrote this stream of consciousness style.

Characters: Virgil, Roman (mentioned), Remus, Deceit Relationship: Brothers (familial) Concept: Virgil is the oldest brother and sole guardian to his three younger siblings: Roman and Remus (10), and “Dee” (4). He is trying to get through community college, pay bills, and feed four mouths without showing just how much the stress is getting to him. He doesn’t want the kids to worry. They don’t need that yet. Warnings: Tickle fight (?), hinted bad living situation, poverty, 20s stress

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Virgil tried to not let his shoulders slouch as he entered his apartment building. His uniform for the local burger joint was still on, his school bag crushed his spine, and the rain that had started up just as he began to walk home made his hair stick to his face.

All he wanted to do was sleep. But that was not an option for the college student.

He got his back straight just as he got to his door. Number 313. The old lock was generous today and allowed him to open the door on the first try. The young man only had a second to put his bag down before a solid force hit him right in the gut; arms squeezed around him tightly.

“You’re home! I thought you were gone forever!”

“Inside voices, Remus.”

A ten year old, with a face that seemed to have a permanent layer of grim and hair that would never lay flat, grinned up to show a slight gap in his two front teeth.

“But what is the fun of inside voices when I can express how happy I am to see you?”

Virgil licked his thumb and tried to get a dirt spot off of the child’s nose but it seemed no use. The effort only made Remus sneeze.

“You know I have to work, Em, and go to school. How else am I supposed to feed you?”

“We could hunt rats?”

Virgil cringed a little at the idea and prided the skinny arms off his torso so that he could close the front door properly.

“I think we can live off of boxed mac and cheese for a little while longer before we resort to that.”

Remus shrugged, “You’re choice. I think I can catch them. Dee-Dee can even squirm into their little holes to scare them out.”

Virgil took off his jacket and hung it on a hook that was falling out off the wall. He would have to get that fixed eventually.

“Speaking of Dee, is your brother with him?”

“No,” Remus’ happy grin seemed to fade off, “He is over a friend’s house for the night.”

“Again?”

Remus shrugged. This would be the fourth night in a row that Roman was out of the house. Virgil did not want to worry, or think the worse about what this could mean, but the house felt weird with only one half of his troublesome pair.

“But I took extra good care of Dee!” Remus said and pulled Virgil into the combined living/bedroom space. The pull out couch was up, an iPod played music, and in the middle of the room sat a four year old that was unhappily trying to escape the play pen he had been placed in.

“See, I did the music thing. And the food thing (sorry about the new stain on the wall) and I even got him to lay down for a nap!”

Virgil moved over to the pit and picked up the youngest. The toddler balanced on his hip and dug small fingers into his shirt to stay on. Obviously not what he wanted but it would do.

“Wow, I’m proud of you,’ Virgil smiled at Remus. His attention brought back to Dee when the kid tapped his face.

“What? Don’t like when I look away?” Two different colored eyes narrowed at him.

“Oh don’t pout. You’ll get your noodles soon.” Virgil sighed and set the kid down on the carpeted floor. He watched nervously as Dee’s legs wobbled for a second before the child took off to the other side of the room. Happy for some freedom.

A shriek coming from the small tot when Remus picked him up and spun him around.

“I got the Dee-Dums!”

“No!”

“I think that means it is tickle time!”

“No!” The toddler laughed and tried to wiggle free. Only to fall into more laughter. “Veeee!”

Virgil moved in after taking a second to get a picture. Saving his youngest brother with an easy swoop to get the kid into his arms.

“Back down, foul tickle monster, your days of tickling ends now.”

“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do?”

Dee looked at Virgil and then back down at Remus. A finger pointed down at Rem.

“Tickle.”

Remus shrieked but could not escape the grasp as he was pulled onto the couch, where Dee was safely placed first, and ‘attacked brutally’ by Virgil. His laughter filling the drab apartment.

“Alright! Alright! I...I give! I’m dead!”

“Good, I need a shower and I can’t get clean if I still need to slay you.”

Remus gave a weak raspberry and rolled onto his side, still trying to catch his breath. A laugh escaping him when he got a small toddler laying across his torso.

“I gots you!”

“As you can see, Virgil, I am well taken care of. You can go ‘celebrate your victory’. Dee has me all under lock and key.”

“I’m sure he does,” Virgil ruffled the youngest’s hair and got up off the couch, “Don’t let him stick any wires in his mouth.”

“I won’t!”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Remus,” Virgil smirked but paused in the doorway to the bathroom, “Also call your brother. Tell him I want him home tomorrow morning before I leave for class.”

Remus sighed and shifted so he was seated with Dee on his lap, “I’ll try. Don’t know what good it will do.”

“Thanks, Em, you’re the best.”

“I know.”

As soon as the bathroom door shut, Virgil let out a long sigh and let his shoulders slouch again. It was good that Roman was getting out. It was good that Roman had a safe place to go.

He knew that he was barely making it to feed three growing boys let alone himself.

He knew that never being home was not good for his brothers.

He knew that middle school was just around the corner for the twins, then high school, then a possibility of a college life that he could not dream of affording for even himself. He was lucky that the neighbor was a sweet old lady that was willing to watch Dee every week day while the twins were at school.

The weight of the world sat on Virgil’s shoulders. More problems then he could handle yet he still tried.

Because he would be damned if his brothers’ lives turned out as shitty as his own.

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firefield · 4 years ago

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David Bowie - Tonight

from the Loving The Alien box set

Sometime in the mid 90’s or so, some of Wassily Kandinsky’s work was touring museums around the world. I lived in Los Angeles and had a burgeoning interest in painters of his style, his locale and era, so I made sure to go. I remember moving past a partition that opened up into a larger room and right there was his Composition IX (1936) alive and sunbursting its joy and vibration, eclipsing the entire room. Much larger than I would have anticipated, it was a moment of transfixion and momentary breathlessness. I sat down on the available padded bench in front of it and felt a lot of things about modern art and art in general lock into place for me in those moments. I can put myself there right now and I will never forget it.

I returned at least weekly until the exhibit packed up, just to spend time with it knowing I probably never would again. One afternoon a couple moved up and stood behind me and I clearly heard the guy say, “See? This is what I’m talking about. This right here is just garbage. You could hook up any child with paint and get this. People will imprint all kinds of meaning, claim they love it, etc... its all garbage. This is manipulation, plain and simple. You could stick this on a wall in a hotel and no one would give a shit.”

And off they went. And once again Kandinsky had taught me another lesson about art, how personal it is. How connected to time and place and period of our life in which we find ourselves. How deeply subjective art is and how that may indeed be it’s true magic.

I thought of that when I put Tonight on the turntable, hearing those first shimmering chords and marimba outlines of a song I think is one of Bowie’s best of his entire career. I love this record, and I could go into detail about all sorts of reasons why. How it reminds me of the joy of Pin Ups - DB working largely with other people’s material that moved him. How the two songs he did write himself are brilliant... one as simple-on-the-surface yet as deep as anything he’s written (Loving The Alien) and another that showcases a self-effacing humor, and the duality of David Jones “Vic” and David Bowie “Screaming Lord Byron” in the Jazzin For Blue Jean short were DB breaks the fourth wall after his date dumps him and wants to know why the director changed his original story. Or how it hits me square in the feels hearing his wonderful duet with Tina Turner, who by all accounts, adored him and he, her. Or how masterful his melodic choices and vocals are on Don’t Look Down and Tumble and Twirl. Or how fun this record is from start to finish and how it’s the one record of his that I can crank up on a Sunday afternoon and my entire family will dance and sing every song. Or how my wife thinks David’s much criticized rendition of God Only Knows is really sweet and beautiful, and how much that’s changed my own opinion of his interpretation. I could blow through a whole paragraph about how Carmine Rojas and Derek Bramble join forces and slay on the bass guitars on this record, buoyed by Omar Hakim’s confident precision drumming. I could bore you all to death about how this might be one of the best sounding remasters in all of the four boxes...

Yeah. I could say all of that and more surely. But I’m just the guy on the bench in front of the painting. I am me and you are you and that’s all good. I totally get the criticisms, and in spite of what I just said, I don’t think they are unjustified. I guess in my old age I’d prefer to turn this record up as high as I can, dance some, and miss this guy and his art. That makes more sense to me, especially now that he’s gone for good.

“One day, I’m going to write a poem in a letter. One day, I’m going to get that faculty together.”

I think that day was January 8th, 2016, and we got your letter David. Thank you.

0 notes

alicejohnn9087 · 4 years ago

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Dev Patel to Star in True-Crime Movie with ‘I, Tonya’ Director

According to some sources, Dev Patel has joined in the upcoming Craig Gillespie’s project. The movie will be about the 1980s male strip club Chippendales.

Gillespie’s previous true-crime-based project I, Tonya franchise, was released on 8 December 2017. The movie was a biographical sports black comedy movie written by Steven Rogers and directed by Gillespie. Actress Margot Robbie stars as the protagonist Harding. Robbie also has produced the film.

The movie was based on the true and contradictory interviews of Harding and her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly. The characters in the film are shot in a mockumentary style and break the fourth wall. The movie received an award for Best Supporting Actress at 90thAcademy Awards and 75th Golden Globe Awards.

According to Deadline’s reports, both director and star have interest from several studios in the project and was developed by the producer David Permut from Permut Presentations. In the upcoming movie, Dev Patel will be playing the character of an Indian American entrepreneur, Somen “Steve” Banerjee.

Patel is widely known for his character of Jamal Malik in Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle, and was nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He also starred in the commercially successful rom-com Exotic Marigold Hotel. Patel also appeared as the famous mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in his biopic The Man Who Knew Infinity. His hard work and the excellent performance itself speaks enough that Gillespie has chosen the right actor for his next project.

The movie’s plot revolves around Steve Banerjee, who bought a nightclub in Los Angeles called Destiny II and transformed it into Chippendales. They designed the signature collar uniform and cuff for the Chippendales dancers.

Soon, Chippendales became one of the multi-million dollar organizations in the ‘80s. They were getting profits from calendar sales, club shows, and touring performances. However, it did not stay long, as Snider killed Stratten in a murder-suicide. The crime was adopted by the famous Bob Fosse’s movie titled Star 80, starring Eric Roberts and Mariel Hemmingway. Meanwhile, in plots to kill two former Chippendales dancers and two of his former partners, Banerjee became entangled with the case. Before, he pleaded guilty in the 1990s for murder-for-hire slaying former choreographer Nick De Noia.

Ben Stiller was also a part of the movie as the choreographer and Banerjee’s business partner De Noia. Since the film production is continuously delayed, Stiller backed out from the project leaving the role open.

However, filmmaker Gillespie finished production of Cruella, which is an adaptation of the novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, starring Emma Stone. The movie is scheduled to be released next year. And Dev Patel is busy with his project of David Lowery’s upcoming dark fantasy movie, The Green Knight, which is expected to be released in May this year but postponed due to the global pandemic COVID-19.

Fans are impatiently waiting for the upcoming movie after the tremendous success of Gillespie’s previous true-crime based film. I, Tonya got an approval rating of 89% based on 377 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 7.89/10. And on Metacritic, it scored 77 out of 100 based on the 47 critics, which indicates “generally favorable reviews.”

However, the film’s production work is on hold, and we hope the team will soon start the shooting.

Source : https://yellvotes.com/blog/dev-patel-to-star-in-true-crime-movie-with-i-tonya-director/

#star #true #crime #movie #tonya #director

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massageloverstuff · 7 years ago

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The best massage styles for Game of Thrones’ most beloved characters

Okay, so this season of GOT has been unquestionably epic- anyone with a brain cell would agree. But if there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it’s that the characters seem a little stressed and uptight. Granted, the battle for the Iron Throne and the looming threat of an eternal winter is pretty daunting, but these guys really need to put their feet up and have some ‘me’ time. What everyone needs is a god damn massage! Here are the best styles for some of our favourite characters:

Jon Snow You know nothing Jon Snow… Except how to swing a sword and look gorgeous at the same time- and by god, don’t you do that well! He may well have come back from the dead once, and then somehow survived icy waters whilst surrounded by the walking dead, but no one comes out of that without a few knots in their back. Jon is an outdoorsy kinda guy- always on the go, rescuing wildlings and slaying White Walkers. But my main concern is: how many times is he going to bend the knee before he pulls a muscle? Without some serious muscle work, it’s going to happen. That is why Jon would really benefit from a Sports massage here and there. You know, something to warm up his (technically dead) body before battle, or to help him wind down after a long hike beyond the wall. You may be the King of the North, but you seriously need to look after those hamstrings more!

Brienne of Tarth Let’s be honest, Brienne is a bit crap with commitment. I mean, how many oaths do you have to make before you realise you’re shit at keeping people alive? Whilst Brienne might be a quick to swear her allegiance to anyone who will have her, there’s no denying she’s resisting the affection of one particular (very hairy) admirer. However, there is one commitment Brienne should make. She needs to hurry up and change her status to ‘In a Relationship’ with everyone’s favourite Wildling, Tormund. If he gets his own way, Brienne will be pregnant with their ‘great big monsters’ in next to no time. But how is Brienne going to handle the stress of pregnancy when she’s off beating up hounds and being Sansa’s little bitch? The answer is- Prenatal massage. Whilst Brienne might need a couple of masseuses to cover her gigantic physique, prenatal massage will help with all of the aches, pains and discomfort she’ll certainly experience whilst carrying her monstrous off-spring. Who knows, maybe Tormund will be able to get involved when he’s back from working away, beyond the wall? Thank me later, Brienne!

Daenerys Targaryen Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name… Right seriously, no one gives a shit Dany. That’s the fourth time we’ve heard that today. But anyway, on a different note, it’s clear that Miss Universe Westeros isn’t as confident as her demeanour suggests. Aside from talking way too much, it’s safe to say that our white-haired dragon goddess has some serious anger issues. Fair enough she’s upset about one of her dragon-babies getting caught up in the Night King’s Javelin practice, but she can’t just burn everyone alive when times get hard. She needs to chill and get laid, so we therefore recommend Happy ending massage for our fiery little fox. They are sensual, relaxing and mega pleasurable- not to mention the fact they’re mega naughty (we all know Dany is a bit of a kinky bitch). She will feel like a new woman afterwards, and it’ll definitely get her pumped for eight inches of Snow. We don’t mean the winter either…

The Night King Is it just me, or is everyone really hatin’ on the Night King? He’s rounded up a few of his mates for a lad’s summer holiday beyond the wall, and everyone seems to be kicking off about it. No one likes an exchange student, but maybe it’s just the Night King’s icy décor that him so hateable?! The Night King looks eternally grumpy, but that is understandable. At the end of the day, all he has is the company of some banter-less dead beats, with no White-Walker-Worldies in sight. The guy needs some action, ASAP- so let’s give him a Nuru massage and shove some boobs in his face. I’d love to see him resist cracking a smile during that! He might look fucking demonic on the outside, but he’s clearly a softie deep down. Have you ever considered that maybe he’s just a little traumatised after being stabbed in the heart by those leafy bitches, and is just in search of some sympathy? At the end of the day, if his session gets too hot and steamy and he happens to melt, it’s a win, win for everyone!

Jorah Mormont Poor Jorah. What has this guy got to do to catch a break with Dany? He has dedicated his life to her, and even cured himself of an incurable disease, all to be with her- and what does he get in return? He gets pied for her god damn nephew for Christ’s sakes. They guy literally has no chance. Naturally, Jorah is going to feel a bit down in the dumps when he finds out his Moon and Stars has made sweet, incestuous love to another bloke. What he needs right now is a good old pamper; something to cheer him up and lift his spirits. What Jorah needs is some TLC. So for you Jorah, we recommend Tantric massage. This arousing style of massage is perfect for our sweet Jorah, because it’ll give him a much needed ego boost and will give his skin a much needed moisturise. Jorah will rediscover his self-worth, and will emerge from that massage table a free man who has broken the chains of love. Well, that’s until he sees her at tea time and falls madly in love again. It was worth a try at least…

See, torturing and murdering a load of people isn’t the only way to let off some steam!

The article The best massage styles for Game of Thrones’ most beloved characters was initially posted to: Asia Massage London Blog

#asiangirls #sexy #massage #london

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trendsdresscom · 5 years ago

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American Actress And Model Jordyn Jones Looks Gorgeous In A White Bikini As She Kicks Off Her Birthday Month

American actress and model Jordyn Jones, who rose to fame with movies like Internet Famous, recently took to her Instagram page and wowed her six million followers with a set of new bikini pictures.

In the snaps, which were shared on Sunday, March 1, the model could be seen rocking a skimpy white bikini that allowed her to put her enviable figure on full display, particularly her taut stomach and sexy legs.

Staying true to her style, she opted for a full face of makeup to ramp up the glamour. The application featured an ivory foundation that rendered her face a flawless finish. She dusted her cheeks with a coral blusher, opted for an orangish-red lipstick, orange eyeshadow, winged eyeliner and a thick coat of mascara. She finished off her makeup with defined eyebrows. She also painted her manicured nails with a black polish to keep it stylish.

The stunner wore her blond tresses down and allowed them to fall freely over her shoulders and bosom.

To the delight of her fans, the model posted three pictures from the photoshoot. In the first one, she could be seen striking a side pose while holding on to a ladder. She looked straight into the camera and slightly puckered her lips.

In the second snap, the hottie leaned against a short boundary wall, threw her head back, placed a hand on her hair, parted her lips and seductively gazed into the camera.

In the third and final picture, she provided an up-close view of her beautiful face.

In the caption, the model informed her fans that she has just kicked off her birthday month and added her date of birth.

Within nine hours of going live, the snaps racked up a whopping 181,000 likes and over 750 comments in which fans and followers praised the model for her amazing figure and showered her with numerous compliments.

“Stunning as always! Happy early birthday,” one of her fans commented on the snap.

“Omg, you are killing it. I love you so much,” another user chimed in.

“I love you very much, hope we will have a chance to meet one day,” a third admirer expressed his wishful thinking.

Meanwhile, a fourth admirer excitedly informed the model that he shares a birthday with her.

“Omg, we have the same birthdays. I am so happy!” they wrote.

Other fans used words and phrases like “amazing body,” “slay queen,” and “you’re incredible,” to praise the hottie.

Some of her fellow models and influencers also liked and commented on the picture. These include Jen Selter and Sophie Mudd.

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The post American Actress And Model Jordyn Jones Looks Gorgeous In A White Bikini As She Kicks Off Her Birthday Month appeared first on Trends Dress.

from Trends Dress https://trendsdress.com/american-actress-and-model-jordyn-jones-looks-gorgeous-in-a-white-bikini-as-she-kicks-off-her-birthday-month/

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lukeysgirl · 8 years ago

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The Note Tree ❋ L.H. Pt.6

Part S I X

Summary: A cherry blossom tree, residing at the farthest part of the schools courtyard. Nobody dwelled there, and you didn’t care much for it. Until you kept hearing one song played over and over, with lyrics changed to touch at your curiosity. They knew you were listening, and one day you gave in and made your way to the pink tree. Waiting for you, a series of notes tied to a single strand of string.

Word Count: 4.5k+

AN: hAPPy fOURTH you guys (to whoever celebrates it, that is.) i hope you all have a good day today, disregarding of the holiday. i hope you enjoy this part and get it to 100 notes so we can flip out over 7. take care, stay safe, and be rad xx

Parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty.

I M A G I N E

Saturday (Almost 1:00 A.M.)

“Why am I doing this?” You groaned, despising the agreement you had made with Luke.

You were outside the venue, L8, with the girls waiting with you. Of course it wasn’t a school night, so you allowed yourself to be just a little exposed. Your torso was hugged lovingly by a tube top, flaunting your cleavage as well as the evident collarbones by your neck. Over it was a denim jacket with wisps of wide from scratches and rips. Your legs were covered by gray leggings with converse swallowing your feet.

“Because you are prepared to slay tonight!” Des hyped, having Savannah and Alexis cheer her on. Des had came with a tight, nude dress that highlighted her double D breasts and plump ass. She stuck a few flowers in her braids with her tiny feet taken over by black Vans.

“You also said you finally wanted to leave the house,” Savannah pointed out. She was dressed in a shiny, sky-blue sleeveless jumpsuit. It was similar to a blouse with it’s loose style, and it was as soft as silk. She work some casual white wedges with the outfit, adding to her tallness. Her hair was curled, seeing her long wisps of blonde dance in a spiral.

“And you’re already here, so you can’t back out,” Alexis hummed, having her wrap her arms around your dropped shoulders. The gorgeous brunette wore a blouse-like tank top with black shorts. The blouse had pastel designs of blues and reds dancing down at the hem of her shirt. Going down her caramel, shaved legs were feet swallowed by silver heels she had stolen from her mother. Her long hair was up in a ponytail, allowing the ombre to be showed off on its own.

“This already sucks,” you growled, your body vibrating from the concrete below sending the vibes from the building. Vibrations of intense music flowed from the building, giving you and others the loud tunes that were being emitted. It was already giving you a headache, compared to the drunk around you who were freely dancing to it. “Let’s just go in already.”

The girls nodded, approaching the building with ease. It was a completely black, 3-story building. The only thing worth of color was the broken ‘L8′ sign between the first and second floor and the lights emitting from the windows. People were ornate in the front, sharing conversations of who-knows-what with alcoholic beverages nested in their hands.

“So what do you make of Luke loving you?” Alexis asked as Savannah and Des led the way and held their own conversation. You were behind the two, looking at the nasty beige tiles that made up the walls. They were chipped and broken, with a lot of graffiti on them. Spiderwebs hung from the upper corners with the ground also black with splotches of water.

“He doesn’t love me,” you began simply as you looked towards the door that held music and likely a huge crowd behind it. “Luke is stupid, he always acts this way.”

“He sounded pretty serious,” Alexis hummed, having you shake your head from her assumption.

“It’s Luke we’re talking about here,” you began quietly as you watched Des reach for the door. “He’s only got two things in his head that replaces his brain: sex and stupidity.”

You all quickly walked into the bombastic room, an extreme dimness being fought against the strobe, colored lights. Bodies, sweaty and warm, were bouncing on the claimed dance floor. You allowed a pungent whiff of perfume and sex destroy your nose as Savannah paid the bodyguard for all of your entrances. She also declared herself as the guide, leading us inside to get closer to the stage. But she stopped at the bar, pointing at the 4 free stools for you all to take seats.

“It’s fucking hot in here,” Des exclaimed, practically screaming in order for the rest of your to hear. You all nodded in agreement, allowing yourself to daze to see the stage where the music had been coming from. You noticed a few boys unplugging their instruments as a boombox continued the music. Congratulations kept the venue going as those boys disappeared from the stage and a new set come on. That’s when you saw Luke Hemmings.

Of course, the tall lanky boy stood with confidence, his wide smile brightening the lives of those right in front of the stage. He, along with the other boys, were dressed in black suits. You were quick to judge them, knowing for a fact they’ll only sweat in those. His tie was an aqua blue, which danced perfectly with his ocean eyes as he bent down and grabbed the chord to connect his guitar. His hair was curly (as usual) but they were highlighted by the bright lights. You could see the real pure color of ochre that resided in his locks.

“Pardon me, Miss.” You turned your head to face the bar tender. His brown dollops worth of eyes concentrated you as he scratched his prickly goatee. “Would you happen to go by the name of Y/N?”

“Uh, yeah?” You replied, completely confused. You had suddenly found yourself praying that this male was not your stalker. But seeing him, your stalker was much more lanky and quite thin.

“The dude asked me to give you this,” he replied, his voice having pure taste of Californian as he slid you a note. You eyed it, feeling the other girls eye it as well in your peripheral vision. “He’s paid for 6 drinks for you, so choose any 6 you’d like.”

“Did you see who gave this to you?” You asked the bartender as you took the folded index card in your hand. The bartender merely shrugged, wiping the clear-coated wooden table with a weak, white cloth, You were quick to open the note to read the words of your stalker.

I’m happy to see you have come to the party. You look beautiful, I bet. Please enjoy the drinks x - H

“Did he show you a photo of me so you can give me this?” You quickly asked. It’d genuinely creep you out if your stalker had photos of you. You wouldn’t know how much you’d like to meet him then.

“Nah, he told me to give this to the prettiest girl I see and confirm it with your name.” You blushed at the compliment, nodding gently as you rubbed the index finger with your thumb.

“How many girls had you asked before I came along?” You began, knowing that you couldn’t be the first girl. Not because of little confidence, but just out of genuine certainty that you couldn’t have been the first girl and only girl he asked and got it right.

“One,” the bartender admitted, having you raise your eyebrow curiously as Alexis snatched the note from your hand. “Would you like anything now?”

“He’s so romantic!” Alexis swooned, having you roll your eyes as you looked at the alcohols sat on the racks. You wondered what you wanted first before anything. “Calling you beautiful and what not.”

“This note was pre-written, Lex,” you began quietly as you eyed the bottle of Patron. “He has no clue what I look like now, so he just wrote it assuming I came looking nice.”

“Or maybe,” Savannah interjected as she reached in front of you to fetch the note from Alexis. “You look beautiful to him regardless of whether you tried or not.” Before you could deny, the voice of a swine erupted behind you.

“And who could possibly find Y/N beautiful?” Nadia hummed, having you twirl the stool to find Nadia in all her bitchy glory.

The redhead from hell came to the party with (basically) strings worth of clothing. A belt was clipped around her upper torso, it’s brown leather being covering her nipples while pressing the actually breasts into her body. Going down her exposed stomach was some white booty shorts that she couldn’t pull off due to her ass being the equivalent to a cutting board. You couldn’t be asked to tilt your head down to see whatever covered her monstrous feet.

“Nobody asked your slut-ass for your opinion,” Des jabbed, pursing her lips as attitude fumed the aura. Nadia rolled her eyes at your friend, her hands planted on her waist.

“What’d you say?” Nadia uttered, her hand flat and behind her ear as she directed her glare to Des. “I’m sorry, I don’t speak ape. Maybe Y/N could translate for me?”

“I’m this close to throwing your ass out a window,” Des spat, her thumb and index finger creating a small space between to the two to keep from touching. “Y/N, can I?”

“I don’t think you can if you even wanted to,” you said tiredly. “Her ego is so fat, carrying her would literally be impossible. Rolling her out a window is another story.”

“You think you’re so clever, Y/N,” Nadia said with an eye roll.

“I know I am,” you said simply. “Being the likely Valedictorian sorta makes me immensely wise. I’m sorry your close-to-dropout grades are inadequate in comparison to mine.” You listened to Alexis order a drink as you and the other girls glared at Nadia.

“You’re nothing here, though,” Nadia said with a mischievous smirk. “The smart girl in a big, social gathering like this? How does your low self-confidence thrive in here?”

“Look Nadia--” Savannah tried but Nadia was quick to raise her hand to her.

“Be quiet, blondie,” Nadia said as she kept her eyes on yours. “Your skull is too dense to even conjure the answer to a simple 1+1 equation. They look like I’s to you, right?”

“Bitch you done crossed a line,” Des growled, beginning to stand from her stool. But before Des could bother getting a punch in, Alexis was quick to splash Nadia with a glass worth of beer. Nadia stood there, frozen, with bystanders staring in shock before dissolving into hysteria.

“Oh no, I just stained your stupid, sorry!” Alexis shrieked with a fake tone of remorse. Nadia glared at Alexis harshly, her eyes full of murder as she quickly escaped and disappeared into the crowd. You looked over at Alexis, with Savannah and Des awestruck themselves.

“Ballsy,” you statement, giving her a gentle nudge on her shoulder of approval. Des and Savannah tapped on the table, cheering her on as Alexis chuckled. You shook your head, smiling at her audacity before turning back around to the bartender.

“What a waste of a beer though,” Alexis stated, slightly vexed as she returned the glass cup to the bartender.

“Lemme get another beer for my misses,” you muttered. “And a gin and tonic for me. That swine gave me a headache.” The bartender nodded before going off to prepare the drinks. As he did, you gave yourself a moment to chuckle at the fact that this dude didn’t ID you or the other girls.

“I woulda punted her,” Des said simply, completely vexed as her chocolate temple rose veins. “But Alexis saved me from damaging my nails.”

“True,” Savannah agreed, grabbing Des’ hand to admire the nail job. You smiled at the girls, feeling good that they were around. Tonight was turning out not so regretful, and you were pleasantly surprised by that. The bartender passed Alexis the beer and passed you the layered drink you requested. As you downed it, you noticed the club music fade away with a mic test occurring right after.

“Hey, we’re 5 Seconds of Summer, and we’ve got shit you can vibe to.”

You turned to see the stage, seeing heads of people slightly block your sight of Luke Hemmings and his friends. You noticed his blue eyes scan the crowd before finally stumbling on you. You were a little taken aback when he gave you this incredibly warm smile, his rough lips barely widening to express an evident fondness. He then winked, having you feel a weird surging in your cheeks when he did.

“Y/N, you okay?” Savannah asked beside you, having you give her a puzzled expression. “You’re a little red.”

“That dumbass winked at me,” you grumbled. “My body just reacts to all the stupid shit he does to me for some reason.” Savannah gave you a teasing smirk and you couldn’t help but want to slap it off her face.

“This first song is for the girl who won’t take my love,” Luke announced, directly staring at you. You cupped your hand and tried hiding your face by rising it against your forehead. The girls all touched your back, teasing you as you grabbed a straw and took a sip of your poison.

Music was quick to play, but the lyrics came immediately after from Calum’s tongue. “I can’t look at you in the same light-- knowing whatcha did, my heart doesn’t feel right. Yeah, my head’s been tripping all night. I need another point of view.”

“He’s mine!” Des yelled, pointing at Calum as she bounced from the stool and began dragging Savannah. “Ladies, let’s fuck it up!” You gulped down your glass before allowing Alexis to drag you to the dance floor. You passed through sweaty bodies before reaching a small clearance for you all to dance.

Your alcohol tolerance was horrid, feeling your head already buzz as Alexis wrapped her arms around your neck. Your hands slid to her waist, the two of you weave your thighs together to do basic two-step dance left to right. You kept bobbing your head, allowing your hair to bounce with every movement. The various colored lights were blinding you as you relied on Alexis to be your eyes momentarily.

Songs go by, and every song that is played, the 4 of you wound up closer and closer to the stage. Next song was coming through, and you were already a few feet from Luke Hemmings. That gin and tonic was taking its course on you, the poison destroying all common sense with let-loose stupidity. You could feel Des grab your hand and dance in place with you as you let your hips roll with the beat.

“It’s such a twisted story,” Luke sang, strumming his white, electric guitar. You looked up to see how shiny his face was from sweat. His cheeks were flushed, with his blue eyes still as electric as ever. They looked at you with an overwhelming intensity that proved itself to be inexplicable. And quite frankly, you were all down about it. “How you got me-- now you got me. So let me give you what you neeeeed.”

As the boys continued singing, you watched as Luke removed the guitar from his torso and jumped from the stage. The sound of shrieks in sync deafened you as Luke joined the crowd and caught. Des let go, joining the rest of the girls as they leered you. Although you were already real drunk, you still did have a good chunk of sober in you.

“Hemmings,” you muttered as he grabbed hold of your waist and pulled you on his body. You smelled the gentle scent of laundry from his suit as his hands held your firmly. With one hand pressed on his clothed chest, you used your free one to grab his jawbone and lower cheeks. “Why aren’t you up there singing?”

“Because I needed my dosage of you tonight,” Luke murmured, his lips right at your ear. You felt his warm breath tickle the lobe as he guided you in dance. You noticed then that he hadn’t tried grinding his dick into your crotch, and you hadn’t really know why. But you did appreciate it and hoped you didn’t forget the morning after.

“You’re not bad at that, by the way,” you hummed as your hands began to loosen his tie. Luke looked down at you, biting down his bottom lip as you finally untied it. You then began unbuttoning his white shirt. “That singing shit.”

“Thanks, I try,” Luke replied with a chuckle as you revealed his fairly creamy chest ornate with hair. His hands firmly stayed at your waist, not even daring to slide any lower. “Doubt I’d be this good without you.”

August.

“Hey, why don’t I get you a drink?” You slurred, gently slapping his clammy chest as you pulled away from his hold. Luke chuckled, placing his hand on your head to give it a nice pat.

“Shouldn’t I be offering you that?”

“Fuck off with your gender rules,” you growled, having Luke put his hands up as you led him through the crowd to the bar. “I have 4 more free drinks, so I might as well offer.”

“Oh shit, really?” Luke began, looking surprise as he helped you sit down on the stool. He took a seat beside you, tapping on the bar as he stared at you. As usual, this look of adoration resided in his ocean eyes every time he stared at you. “Who’d you swoon to earn that?”

“My stalker,” you said simply, tapping on the bar to get the bartender’s attention. The bartender came, noticing Luke immediately. You glanced over and saw Luke give him a stare before the bartender looked back at you. “Can we get four kamikaze shots? Those’ll be my last drinks.”

“Coming right up.” Luke looked at you, his brows raised at your request. You looked over and gave him a smirk, grabbing his hand to play with his fingers. They were clammy and bony, with callouses ornate like small little mountains. All the skills he could produce with his hands resided in the rough skin, having you stare attentively at it. And Luke couldn’t help but flush up like a tomato.

The shots finally came through, having you slide two to Luke to keep two for yourself. Raising the two in both hands, you clinked them with Luke’s before gulping them whole. Luke watched as you shuddered from the hot poison sliding down your throat and into your system. Luke then began unbuttoning his blazer before grabbing your hand and guiding you back onto the dance floor.

“I think... I better get goin’ now,” you slurred, your body gradually becoming jelly as you loosely moved your body to the music. The bands have already switched, and the rest of the boys were with your girlfriends. Des was grinding on Calum, Alexis was held close by Ashton, and Michael carried Savannah in his arms as he spun the two. You were pressed against Luke, relying on him to keep you on your feet. “I’m not feeling too peachy.”

“Want me to take you home?” Luke offered, having you reluctantly nod. Everything in your mind was just mushing together, having you fairly uncertain about Hemmings walking you home. But you didn’t want to ruin the girls’ fun by requesting them to get you home. “Alright, c’mon.”

Luke grabbed your hand and began guiding you through the crowd, which a lot of the people delayed your escape due to them praising the blonde boy. But Luke held your hand tightly, as if there was something threatening to disconnect the two of you. But you slipped through all the hot, sweaty bodies to found yourself back at the dirty entrance of the venue. Luke guided you through the door and down the hall to the real exit, having your eyes go blur from the contrast of the wild colors to the eerie yellow light that flickered from the ceiling.

“Lukey!” The shriek of the nasty Nadia gave your ear cancer once Luke got you outside. The cool air, though, soothed your body from your hot state as sweat collected in you and Luke’s interlocked hand. “Um, what’re you doing with the rat?”

“Nadia, please don’t start,” Luke groaned, evidently annoyed as well by Nadia’s presence. Nadia glared at you, having you stick out your tongue carelessly as your head was growing more dizzy. You wanted nothing to do with her at all at this very time.

“Is this one drunk already?” Nadia commented, flashing a smirk as the rest of her bitch crew laughed. “What happened? Did she take one sip of beer and topple on the dance floor?”

“It’s none of your business, Nadia,” Luke began, evidently annoyed at the red-haired, blue-eyed devil. But let’s be real: who wouldn’t be? “Now can you please hop off?”

“Or what?” Nadia teased. She then diverted her eyes on you. “Is Y/N gonna spew some intellectual shit on me? Oh no, I’m ever so terrified!”

“I can’t,” you slurred, feeling your heart beat loudly in your skull. “Your skull is so dense that my words wouldn’t be able to access your brain capacity-- which is the size of a teaspoon.”

“You bitch!” Nadia was prepared to lunge at you, but Luke quickly let go to grab the girl. You smirked, but then realized that Luke was gone and you had nothing to keep you up. Everything slowed, your sight multiplying infinitely as you were beginning to crash to the ground. You shut your eyes and waited for the clash, but fortunately, there wasn’t any.

Pulling you back up were two arms, strong ones that smelled of fuckboy cologne and felt a little moist. They were warm, surely, but it was much better than your head colliding with the hard ground. You blinked a few times and turned your head to see yourself in the arms of Nathan Holland.

“Hoeland?” You said quietly, grabbing hold of his face to feel his prickly beard tickle your fingers. “How’d you get here, Hoeland?”

“It’s Holland, and Jesus, you’re drunk,” Nathan spoke gently, looking as your face was completely flushed and your skin shiny from the heat of the venue. You giggled, placing your index finger upon the boys’ lips weakly as you shushed him.

“It’s Hoeland, okay?” You began, disproving his correction as Nathan nodded. You then giggled again and grabbed his jawline with your clammy hand. “You’re such a good boy, you listen!”

“You have to be fucking kidding me.” The aggravated voice caused you to turn your head to look at Luke. He’s glaring at me, you thought, having you flush up as you stared at the angry blonde. “Of course you come right when I try stopping Nadia, right?”

“You could’ve kept holding Y/N while stopping that one with one hand,” Nathan insulting, rolling his eyes rudely at the blonde. “You don’t really think too fast, ay Lucas?”

“Fuck off, I didn’t want her to hit Y/N,” Luke barked. “Stop calling me Lucas!”

“Y/N would've been better off receiving a punch from that twig than a concussion from the floor,” Nathan spat, tightening his hold on you as you giggled. You, for some reason, laughed at the fact that you saw saliva spray out of Nathan’s mouth when he spoke.

“Sprinkler,” you whispered, looking back to see a fuming Luke Hemmings.

“Here, how about this,” Nathan began. “You keep hold of the beast over there, and I’ll take Y/N home.”

“No.” Luke immediately threw out the idea. Nadia looked up at him, a little in shock from his tone. Aside from the fact that he did want you home, he wanted to be the one to take you home. But you couldn’t catch that as your brain was gone into a different dimension. “I’ll take her.”

“Nah, you stay here and have your fun,” Nathan said simply, eyeing the way Nadia was staring at Luke. Luke simply glanced over at her and rolled his eyes before diverting his sight back to you. You notice Luke let go of Nadia’s wrists to allow his arms to hang loose at his sides. That allowed Nadia to cling onto him by the neck and press her body against him.

“Lukey~!” Nadia purred, having Luke hold her sides in attempts to push her off gently. But she was too committed, nuzzling her face against his chest to press kisses on it. “You’re so hot when you’re angry...”

“See you in class, Lucas!” Nathan called, helping you adjust by wrapping one arm around his torso. You let out a yawn as he held you by your side with one arm right above your waist while the other held your free arms hand by his body. You could hear Luke’s chants for you, but sound dissolved in thin air as Nathan guided you away from the venue and back into the streets.

“I’m hungry,” you whined, having Nathan chuckle as he guided you down the sidewalk ornate with the lights of stores and people.

“What do you want?” Nathan offered, looking down at you as you contemplated what would sit well in your stomach. Your eyes looked at the few closed stands, with the metallic cages in front of them to prevent access. You held onto Nathan’s hand tightly, feeling a headache ensue from hunger.

“What time is it?” You whispered, eyeing a brightly lit store at the end of the block. Nathan halted the both of you, let your hand go to get his phone.

“It’s almost 5,” Nathan said simply, having you nod as you two kept walking to find a Chinese food shop still open. You eyed it, evidently far too hungry to really get picky now. Like a child, you pointed at the food joint with plead in your eyes, having Nathan nod as he guided you two into the A-rank restaurant.

2 orders and a few minutes later, you were dogging your meal in the rectangular, Styrofoam container. Nathan watched as you kept shoving huge spoonfuls in your mouth, as if you were literally starving. It made him smile, and you hadn’t really known why. But there was some sort of warmth in his expression, a random fondness that you couldn’t really get down in your head.

“Drink some water, okay?” He hummed, sliding one of the 3 water bottles he bought for you. You quickly took the bottle and downed half of it before placing it down and taking a big inhale. “Tell me your address.”

“How candid,” you said with a smirk, looking into his taunting eyes. But his blue eyes were gentle, those dollops of blue-gray seeming extremely tame. It completely deferred from their usually bright state, whenever he’s being smug or annoying to Luke. “Are you gonna stalk me, too?”

“No,” Nathan said, his face expressing how stupid you sounded. “How am I gonna get you home without knowing where to take you?” You looked distantly at your food as he took out his phone. “Unless, of course, you wanted to come to my house.”

You shook your head, receiving a cheeky grin from the boy. You then sighed, your heart racing fast but your mind completely blank. You were too blurred to even think about how nonsense it is. But then you rose from your seat and grabbed the boy by the hem of his green shirt, tugging him forward as your nose was just a few inches from his. Nathan’s eyes lit up, but quickly dulled when you skipped his face and got your lips near his ear. In a whisper, you uttered a few words before pulling away and sitting back down.

Nathan sat back down in complete shock. His eyebrows rose, pure disbelief painting the entirety of his white boy-generic face. His lips were slightly parted, unsure as to how to actually respond to your address. It made you giggle, knowing that he’d have some sort of reaction like so. You then took your fork and reached over to grab one of his seasoned broccoli.

“Surprise,” you gushed before taking the vegetable in your mouth.

heLLO ! as usual, tell me whatcha think right over here and see you (hopefully) in the next part aha xx

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chilly-territory · 8 years ago

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K~Profiles: Munakata Reishi

Munakata's full profile from K Fan Clan (the original text is provided by the wonderful blueseraphima as usual)

[NAME] ・Real name: Munakata Reishi ・Terms of address: Captain, Munakata, Boss Glasses

[PROFILE] ・Birthday: 10/1, Libra ・Blood type: AB Rh- ・Age: 25 (at the time of season 2)

[APPEARANCE] ・Physique: 185cm in height. Tall slender well proportioned figure. ・Face, hair: intelligent with refined features. Wears glasses with thin metal frames. Smile of a person with a hidden agenda. ・Attire: Scepter 4 uniform ・Personal effects: personal use saber. Registration name is "Tenrou" (Sirius)

[HABITS, SKILLS] ・Excels at hypocritical courtesy ・Possesses the power to 'rule' over all things

[IMPRESSION, OTHER NOTES] ・Image color is blue ・Young king pursuing personal ideals ・Unfathomable person whose true motives are unreadable to ordinary people. Comes across as a VIP with the top class abilities and caliber. ・Possessor of a power rivaling that of the Red King Suoh Mikoto.

[POSITION, OBJECTIVES] The Fourth and the Blue King. Head of Annex 4 of Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau and leader of an anti-ability wielder security organization Scepter 4. Annex 4 is an official public organization, while Scepter 4 is a private armed organization siphoning off the former’s budget and personnel. However, with the Gold King Kokujouji’s backing, it is virtually an agency ranked above the police and functioning as an armed force with more authority. Frequently takes active arbitrary action for the sake of its ideals (preserving social stability).

[PERSONALITY, CONDUCT] His personality is characterized by steady and tenacious advance towards his personal goals. Makes daring moves in irregular circumstances without losing his calm. Does not reveal his real intentions even to his inner circle. Even before awakening as a king, Munakata had clear comprehension, boasting an understanding of all kinds of things and a vision of their significance and correct shape, but was not certain about who he himself was. For that reason, upon awakening as a king, realized that the answer to his question about himself was "a king", due to which has no hesitation or apprehension towards living as a king and working towards his ideals. Does not shy away from making sacrifices for the sake of majority's well-being, but considers it his duty as a king to take the heavy responsibly for it alone and does not reveal that intention to those around him. For that reason, people often see him as unfathomable and scheming. Has a preference for logical setups and puzzle games and seeks paths leading to the solution of the main puzzle (social stability), thinking even of his own existence as that of a pawn. Although a countless number of such routes is possible, what ultimately matters to him is his conviction of "solving the puzzle" as well as the aspect of "enjoying" the process. That trait is often seen as "arrogance" or "boldness" by others.

[FATE, ENDING] Priding himself on his ability, he feels strongly about the duty of a king and intends to devote his life to pursuing social stability. Knowing that the present society is maintained by the Gold King Kokujouji's existence alone, he took it upon himself to succeed that duty after Kokujouji's death. At the same time, due to shouldering the burden of king-slaying from Suoh Mikoto's death, his own fate became uncertain.

[ABILITIES, TACTICS] As a king, possesses enormous power, with its attribute being "ruling" over all kinds of things. Within the boundaries of his activated Sanctum, can restore or reconstruct things. Also, within the Sanctum, the powers of his clansmen are enhanced, while the powers of those from other clans and strains are weakened and even overridden (not in terms of special ability but in terms of raw power). Can freely use the superhuman swordplay and martial arts incorporating superpowers. Even without relying on his superability, possesses swordsmanship capable of overwhelming Yatougami Kuroh without drawing his sword. It was possible mainly due to his intelligence rather than physical training.

[POWER] A (king class)

[LIKES] Tea, wagashi, Japanese cuisine.

[DISLIKES] Disorder, chaos, vulgar individuals.

[HOBBIES] Tea ceremony. Performs the tea ceremony in his office or wherever it is where he dispatches to. Puzzles. Likes block puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and any other type that requires building an orderly structure. Usually does not smoke, but indulges in smoking from time to time. Smoked for a period when studying abroad.

[FASHION] Due to staying active in his official capacity 24 hours a day, does not have many chances to wear anything besides his uniform. It is unclear if he has any preferences in civilian outfits on the rare occasions of wearing them. For sleeping, prefers Japanese-style clothing (due to its comfort)

[BODY] He is slim but has sufficient stamina. Whether he works out or not is unclear. Due to efficient application of the available physical prowess thanks to his outstanding intelligence, sees no need in having great physical strength. Applying his superpower when necessary, displays superhuman physical abilities. Has severe myopia. His glasses are not for show.

[INTELLIGENCE] Exceedingly high, beyond the scope of ordinary people's imagination. From an observer's viewpoint, when presented with a problem, he provides the solution immediately, seemingly without spending any time on considering it.

[BELIEFS] Officially, honors and respects order, but personally does not necessarily act in accordance with clear-set rules, nor is averse to resorting to extra legal means. Exhibits the pattern of "acting without letting himself be bound by the rules in order to protect the rules of the majority" which can be viewed as self-righteous. At the same time, that way of thinking can also be viewed as a requirement for someone in the transcendental position of an extremely powerful king.

RELATIONSHIPS

[EARLY YEARS] Born to a family running a landscape gardening business. Both parents, as well as his magnanimous older brother, are ordinary people of virtue. Reishi was the only outstanding, high achieving member of the household, but he was not worshiped or avoided for it, he was simply honestly loved as a member of the family. He exceedingly excelled at studies. Has the experience of studying abroad. Munakata lives in the Scepter 4 dorm, while there are 6 people living in the Munakata family house - his father, mother, older brother, brother's wife, niece and nephew.

[TIMELINE] ・1988 Munakata Reishi is born. ・Summer 2010 Munakata awakens as the Blue King. Awashima becomes his first clansman. Suoh and Munakata meet for the first time. ・December 2012 To prevent the Damocles Down, Munakata kills Suoh in the course of the School Island incident.

ATTITUDE AND THOUGHTS TOWARDS OTHERS

[TERMS OF ADDRESS FOR HIMSELF] First person pronoun of choice is "watashi". Rarely, in private, switches to "ore". Second person preferred pronouns are "anata" and "kimi". On rare occasions, uses "omae" to address Suoh. Speaks politely although his words could be viewed as "hypocritical courtesy", sounding polite on the surface but being rude in intent. His catchphrase is "getting straight to the point". Although he usually speaks in a roundabout and obfuscating way, when he wants to make a strong assertion, he prefaces it with this phrase.

[TOWARDS AWASHIMA SERI, FUSHIMI SARUHIKO, OTHER SCEPTER 4 TROOPS] "Awashima-kun", "Fushimi-kun", "kimi". Uses polite language even towards his subordinates, but on occasions mixes in sarcasm or speaks his mind very bluntly. Despite that, tends to veil the true reasons behind his actions, but his subordinates do not mind being kept in the dark much. The tendency could be viewed either as him putting a wall between himself and others or, alternatively, as a relationship of mutual trust at a safe distance.

[TOWARDS KOKUJOUJI DAIKAKU] "Gozen" (Your Excellency), "anata". Takes the attitude of a lower ranking person, but does not understate his dignity as another king and does not show any fear of incurring Kokujouji's displeasure or wrath. His is the attitude of a daring youth.

[TOWARDS ISANA YASHIRO] "Isana Yashiro", "anata", "kimi". In season 1, was interested and at the same time wary of the mysterious boy. After the boy's true identity as the Silver King came to light, Munakata showed the basic degree of respect towards him, and although it is clear that he does not mind establishing a cooperative alliance, he does not fully trust the boy either. Also, feels somewhat resentful towards the Silver King who ran away, forsaking his duty.

[TOWARDS YATOUGAMI KUROH] "Yatougami Kuroh-kun", "Yatougami-kun", "kimi". Had a slight interest in Kuroh ever since Kuroh was Miwa Ichigen's retainer. In season 1, when he learned that Kuroh joined forces with the mysterious boy Isana Yashiro, his interest grew and Munakata was investigating Kuroh through conversations and fights. Kuroh who is straightforward and has faith in himself is suitable to be a Scepter 4 member. Sensing a potential in Kuroh, Munakata wishes he could have Kuroh as one of his subordinates had they been lucky enough to meet differently.

[TOWARDS SUOH MIKOTO] "Suoh Mikoto", "anata", "omae". While the line is blurred, there is a public and a private side to their interactions. For the latter, Munakata's expressions become somewhat rough. The very fact of a private facet of himself he only shows to Suoh Mikoto existing proves that Munakata is human, at the same time it also denotes that not even he is a perfect king.

#k project #project k #k translation

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joebuscus1031 · 8 years ago

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Through the darkness there is hope

Samurai jack fanfiction Plot: jack guides Ashi as she travels through the psyche of her mind to break free from aku’s control over her and be free from his evil essence

We are taken to the outside of aku’s fortress, small gusts of wind filled the area slowly scattering debris across the wasteland. We the slowly pan up to the sky where there appears to be an eclipse slowly blotting out the sun we then her a scream of unimaginable pain.

We are taken in side of the fortress when we see jack is chained to a wall where the minions of aku one at a time beat jack senseless with various weapons, while aku watches from his throne smirking and cackling with amusement.

Ashi, still in her twisted demon like appearance watches emotionlessly. Aku then rises and slowly drifts over “I never thought this day would come samurai, for years…I have watched you suffer from the comfort of my domain but it was only emotional suffering…I always said to myself it wasn’t enough” Jack slowly raises his head as blood drips down from his nose a mouth. intense wounds, cuts and bruises filled his body as he pants from exhaustion. “Don’t get me wrong samurai It brings me great joy to torture you mentally and emotionally…however nothing beats seeing you like this” as he chuckles maniacally.

“Alright aku, you got what you wanted…you don’t need her anymore…just…let her go please” he begged in a shaky voice as if he was desperately trying to hold back his tears. All he wanted was to see her face again and stare into her eyes that once had so much life in them which now are soulless and corrupt. “And why would I do that foolish samurai ? She is my daughter after all” infuriated jack shouts “daughter? DAUGHTER!? You had nothing to do with her upbringing ! You were never there, the life she had before….me..was constant abuse both mentally and physically not to mentioned brainwashed into thinking you’re some sort of god…. her new life was just beginning until you corrupted her and twisted her into demon she is no-” before he could finish aku pierced through his shoulder with his finger letting out a grunt holding back his screams “samurai listen to me, who you see before you now is my daughters true self..the Ashi you knew was merely a shell, containing the real her….nothing more”

As his finger slowly pulled out of his shoulder he let out a grunt in pain. He lifted his head once more to see something that shocked him, tears began to slide down Ashi’s cheeks…and one thought crossed his mind…he knew, the real Ashi was still in there trapped and aware of what was happening. Seeing that gave jack hope that there’s still a chance to save her

“Now samurai, I will take my leave…I must make preparations, your death will be going public so anyone who has had hopes of opposing me will shatter after seeing there savior slain in front of there eyes” as he maniacally laughs “Now my lovely daughter I will leave him in your hands while I am away make sure he doesn’t do anything he might regret” ignoring the tears flowing down her face he then leaves the two of them.

As jacks gaze returns to Ashi he is slightly startled to find her standing right in front of him watching him emotionlessly. He then narrows his eyes “Ashi….I know you’re still in there somewhere…you can still fight it” as she slightly tilts her head. “Do not worry Ashi, I went through something similar years ago and was able to break free…it was hard but I persevered, do not lose hope….fight it from within” they both stared into each other’s eyes until jack let out a sign and closed his eyes “do not worry I will not let you do this alone…I shall guide you ashi” he then goes into a meditative trance. We then seeing Jack from Ashi’s point of view from inside her her head. The real Ashi kneeling in anguish as she sees her lover bloody and beaten. tears uncontrollably rolling down her face and hands over her eyes “why…why couldn’t you do it jack…I asked you but you refused….I mean I understand why but (sniffles) I would rather die than seeing you suffer at the hands of aku” as she continues sobbing black essence begins to slowly creep up her body trying to take over her fully. Angered by aku she gets up and runs toward her eyes frantically banging on them as if she were trapped behind a glass wall with no escape. “God pleeease…don’t hurt him anymore..I can’t-” she is then cut off by another voice “you know… this is all your fault” she slowly turned around to see visions of her sisters with their wounds still visible on them from when they fight Jack. Ashi stared with a look of horror and disbelief “What ? How are yo-” “if you would’ve just killed him like our intended purpose.. you wouldn’t have developed feelings for him…now look at you… look at what It had to come to” “Stop” “Instead, now our father has to use you as a puppet to get the job done” “STOP !” “And now you get to watch as father slays him !” “stop, stop, STOOOOP !!!!” Her sisters look at her with expressionless faces “stop what Ashi ?” The dark essence continues to creep up. “Do NOT call that horrid fiend my father” “Then what is he then huh ? I can’t believe choose this scum over your own family! You deserve what you’re going through !” As they narrow their eyes into a glare, The essence moves more quickly up towards Ashi now reaching her neck “no no NOOOOO JACK !” The black mass has now seemingly consumed her…“its so cold…I can’t see anything” she says in a shaky voice “Jack I am truly sorry, you were the One thing that gave me joy in my life and now you’re gone”

The silence is almost deafening…until she heard a faint voice in the distance that sounded familiar calling out to her..“Ashi..ashi….ashi !” A white dot appears it is Ashi’s eyes as it slowly zooms out we see the outline of Ashi’s body which is white but the rest of her is black just like her surroundings. “Jack ?…JACK ?! Is that you ?” She looks down at her self and realizes that she is in the body of her eight-year-old self with her original hair. The voice calls out her name again, this time she was certain it was Him “JACK ! I hear but I can’t see you ! Tell me when you are” “follow the sound of my voice Ashi ! I will guide you” She then begins to float towards the direction she hears him looking around for some visible sign of him… she then here’s the voice of her mother “you truly are weak” Ashi pauses and clenches her fists “NO ! You are not weak, Pay no mind to her… you’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met” Ashi slowly turns back towards the direction of Jack’s voice “you were just as useless and pitiful as the samurai is” Ashi then in a stern voice replies “you don’t get to tell me what and who I am” “you dare speak to your mother in such a manner” Ashi’s eyes then narrow as she grits her teeth “you may have given birth to me…. but you’re not my mother in anyway shape or form… no mother in their right mind would put their child through what you put me and my sisters through …begone !” She floated in the one spot for a moment until she couldn’t hear the voice anymore and then continue forward towards Jack.

She continued on until she saw a shimmering light in the distance, she leaned in forward to move faster “come, Ashi you’re almost there just a little further” but then she felt the darkness rising back up again like water she struggled for a moment as she tries to swim her way through, until she remembered something Jack had said to her “ if you open your eyes and let go of the hate.. you will see the truth” her heart then began to beat from determination, “for jack” she said softly as she continued to swim toward the light picking up speed. Faster and faster she swam until she felt the solid ground beneath her feet and slowly start walking up toward where the light, her eyes slowly widened as her view was fixated on none other than Jack…his eight year old self “ashi…you made it” as a innocent smile grew across his face, Ashi did the same as her eyes grew teary. Jack then held out his hands “come” Ashi then slowly one step at a time began to approach him by her fourth step she had realized she is now in the body of her 13 year old self and so is jack. She continued forward and by her ninth step she was in her appearance when she first met him and so was he (beard and all) as she drew closer to her final steps she held out her hands as her hair flowed back down to her current hair style.

Till finally she felt an overwhelming warmth as both of them grab each other’s hands she opens her eyes to see jack (clean shaven and top knot) smiling back at her. The darkness around them dissolves as it’s replace by light. She knew that the light was a representation of the kindness in her heart and her never ending love for jack, she smiles “jack” “Ashi” they both embrace as the light engulfs their vision. When are then taken back to the real world where jack opens his eyes to see ashi convulsing as the darkness that seemed permanently attached to her started to melt off of her body. The last part of her to be freed was her head as she desperately gasped for air and collapsed to her knees. She felt unpleasant feeling rising through her esophagus that felt as thick as mud, she then vomited out a black substance…it was the rest of aku’s essence. Aku who was still making preparations all of a sudden was in pain, he had sensed that something was hurting him indirectly “arrggh what the hell is this ?!?” His widened as it dawned on him what had just happened “noo…Nooo….NOOOOOO !!!” He bolts to the area of his domain where Ashi and jack are. As the last drop of dark essence left her mouth all of it started to evaporate away, she was panting uncontrollably catching her breath “Ashi ! Are you-” he is then cut off by the sounds of crying, she slowly looks up at him, tears pouring down the sides of her cheeks “you found me” she said in a soft spoken voice, jack lets out a light chuckle “oh Ashi…you weren’t that hard to find” as he smiles ashi slowly stands up her legs still wobbly from the ordeal makes her way toward jack and puts both of her hands on his face “my god, they’ll pay for what they done to you” as she looks at all of the wound on his face and body “do not worry about me…I’m just glad I get to she your beautiful face again” Ashi still with tears rolling down her face says “I love you…I love you so much jack” their lips lock as they kiss passionately in relief and joy.

“It was you, it was always you who gave me the will to live and go on and to never lose hope…I don’t know how I could have ever forget that” “The same could be said for you…. you’ve save me more ways than you know Ashi” they look into each other’s eyes until ashi realized she need to act quickly “wait what are you doing ?” “What does it look like ? I’m trying to get these chains off of you” she struggles for a bit and realizes something’s off about them “Ashi these aren’t normal chains they’re cladded with aku’s essence” Ashi’s eyes narrow she then slowly turns her head around and her gaze glances upward to see Jack’s sword is unguarded… quite foolish of the shogun of sorrow to leave such a weapon unattended…she then smirks as she slowly walks away “wait Ashi where are you going ?” She turned around and chuckles at him “I’m going to get your sword back, free you, then we’ll kick my “fathers” ass”

End

Everything after that aku appears and then fights Ashi and try’s to prevent her from get jacks sword. then you can pretty much put together what happens after that… I have an idea of how it would go down afterwards but if you guys want to hear that let me know.

#samurai jack #samurai jack season 5 #samurai jack finale #ashi #jashi #please let something like this happen #save her #headcanon #KICK..AKUS...AAASSS #happy ending

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kuro-me · 8 years ago

Text

Coincidence and Fate

What Hisao had been met with beyond that door had shattered him completely. Where once he had again found the resolve to survive, now he felt a sickening twist in the pit of his stomach that wormed its way into his very being. It had been difficult to identify what remained as any part of his clan, but some small trinkets lay scattered amidst the viscera and blood. Ones that he could not deny belonging to people he had once known, people who he had been meant to protect.

Now his failure as a leader was complete, in his mind, none remained to console or tell him otherwise. But despite being shattered by what he beheld, a new knot grew the join the sickening twist of shame and grief, one that spoke only of vengeance. So he had fled the complex, nothing driving him but the desire to one day avenge those he’d failed, even if it took him the rest of his meager life to do it. He ran and he ran, using all that he head learned and practiced to avoid Garlean patrols.

With his lungs burning in the chill of the night air, worsened still by the wet cold that clung to him after his swim across the river to reach wider Yanxia, he finally found his way into the ruins of a village since abandoned by its occupants. The home he took shelter in had no roof anymore and he could hear the patrols passing by, still searching for Caius van Ordus’ prize. At least they seemed fool enough to assume he wouldn’t duck into the ruined village, perhaps they thought it too obvious a hiding spot.

Incompetence certainly did benefit him at times like these.

Once he’d regained his breath and found some worth huddled under the remains of old blankets that looked as though they had at one time been quite pretty, he took in his surroundings a little more. Hisao wondered who might have lived there, his eyes briefly went to a far corner where sat a rack of katanas, so this had been the home of samurai before as the common folk were not allowed to carry such weapons unless loaned to them by samurai specifically for battle.

Pulling himself toward the rack he looked closer at it, removing a the shorter of the collection of weapons and slipping it slightly from its scabbard, the wakizashi was finely sharpened, though the blade had not been treated recently and so had some minor imperfections across its surface. Still, it would suffice for a weapon until he could get something else, something more his usual style. To be sure, he also picked up the small red scabbard tanto that had sat beside it.

“To whomever lived here, be you alive or dead,” he began aloud, kneeling and placing his hands together in prayer. “I thank and honour you for the gift of these weapons, that I might defend myself.”

As he went to return to the blankets he paused, spotting something on the floor which his foot nudged as he passed. Reaching down to pick it up, he lifted what seemed to be the shape of a bird, it was soft to the touch and clearly a child’s toy. Briefly he brushed some of the dust off it, it was hard to make out what kind of bird the toy had been on account of it being lightly charred in places; no doubt when the Garleans had put the home to the torch and destroyed the roof.

“Could be… a wren?” He mused, smiling sadly at the toy for a moment and hoping whoever it had belonged to had escaped the razing. “Or a finch.”

For a moment he looked at it, then carefully placed it on the remains of what seemed like it had been a small set of drawers. As he moved to sit and pull the blankets about himself, he stared at the toy in silence, somehow drawing in on it as if to take his mind off all else that went on around him.

“Oh!” He exclaimed quietly, not wanting to go alerting potential Garleans to him though he was quite sure they’d long passed by now. “Maybe it’s a sparrow.”

Quite pleased with his figuring it out, or assuming he had figured it out anyway based on the fact there were a fair few sparrows that lived in the region, he found himself falling slowly out of consciousness. He really did need to sleep, it’d been so long since he managed it without Ordus arriving and waking him for another attempt at breaking his will entirely, well the truth was of course that he’d managed just that. But Hisao would continue on, he’d cling to the knot of revenge in his stomach all he could.

The sleep was interrupted by the light of morning, and the sound of nearby footsteps that had started to grow closer, another patrol. Hisao cursed under his breath and quickly shook the grog of waking from his mind, he had to be alert or else he was surely doomed. Quickly he tucked the wakizashi and tanto into his belt, then slipped from the building while keeping to the shadows as best he could. As much as that knot in his stomach might have wanted him to, he had to stay his weapons for now, killing patrols would only alert Ordus as to the direction he was headed.

The journey to the west and to the ruins of what had been Yamanoie was a quiet one at least, Ordus no doubt had already sent patrols back to his hometown in case he went there but Hisao had to go back, to try and salvage at least some small part of his clan. He arrived early evening, the sun hanging lower in the sky but still with at least a couple of hours remaining for daylight. Sure enough he located the patrols sent as a precaution and likely ordered to wait him out just in case, dispatching them was easy he’d slain many Garleans like them.

It was sad though, slaying them while done in anger didn’t feel even a little satisfying, not like it had during the uprising when it was for the freedom of Doma. For now he decided to ignore the empty feeling and went walking through his hometown, or the husk of it that remained since the fires had long burned out. There still lay the charred remains of people he had once known, so he took to the grim work of gathering them and via the use of ninjutsu taught by those who lived in the mountains, moved the earth enough to bury them as was respectful.

Kneeling before the grave he had made, he prayed, called out to his ancestors and to the kami for the peaceful rest of those lost, but there was no answer as he had come to expect by now. Rising to his feet, night had long since come and so all that lit his way was the torch he had made from the remains of some timber and wrapped in charred cloth before lighting it up. He proceeded now into the town once more, toward what had been the Yamauchi estate, home to his parents and himself.

The building itself still stood, the fires hadn’t touched it much if at all though there were marks on its walls that indicated it’d come under barrage from Garlean firearms. Inside there was a mess, the Garleans had clearly looted the place but likely hadn’t found what they wanted, if anything. Hisao was just glad not to be walking in to see the corpses of his mother and father, no doubt they had been removed due to their position, likely presented to the Garlean whose army had destroyed Doma.

As he stood there in the square of the estate, he briefly clapped his free hand over his mouth and fought back a sob, hit by a surge of inevitable emotion at the sight of what had become of the place where he had lived and grown up. Memories of his parents filled his mind, his father the large but lovable brute of a man who despite his size and brawn, was far more intelligent and wise than those outside Yamanoie gave him credit for. His mother too, kind and patient, ever the gentle hand who had guided him and his father, the home keeper who came across as deceptively meek until you caught her ire.

The tears welled in his eyes but he fought them back, instead pushing on into the estate to find what he had come for, secrets only he knew to look for. Carefully he slipped aside the stand there his father’s armour had once sat, taken clearly to be worn in defence of the town at the end, then he slipped aside the painting behind it that depicted Yamanoie in the morning sunrise. Behind, he found the lever that opened the nearby bookcase, because it wouldn’t be a shinobi clan’s estate if things weren’t needlessly obtuse.

Hisao chuckled at the thought and the debates he’d had with his father on that very subject.

Behind the bookcase wasn’t a secret room however, only a secret compartment wherein lay three old but well kept scrolls, written on slats of wood bound together rather than paper which was a proper indication of their age. Hisao frowned, there were meant to be four scrolls but one was missing, how strange. But nobody had gone into the compartment, at least nobody who shouldn’t have, or else why not just take all of them? Why take one and leave the other three?

“Perhaps father or mother hid it…” He mused aloud, taking the three scroll and sipping them into an old looking satchel that had belonged to his mother for her herb collecting.

He question was; where? He had no idea why or where they might hide the fourth scroll, it seemed to him that it was one of the few things his father hadn’t confided in him, a secret perhaps meant for the lord of the Yamauchi that he could now no longer pass on. The thought hit him with a keen sorrow, as well as a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach as the thought of being lord of the Yamauchi clan reminded him far too easily of the things Ordus had said and done to him.

Pushing the thoughts aside best he could, he slipped from the estate and made once more for the forest surrounding the town, lingering there wouldn’t do. He had buried his people, and collected what he knew his parents would have had him taken, including his ceremonial armour and blades which he had carefully packed away into their chest and slipped into the satchel which now bulged with all the things forced into it. He’d make now for the Ruby Sea to try and get passage to Kugane, from there he could flee Othard for now and then…

Well, he would figure that out later.

Hisao slept in a cave deep within the forest that night, knowing what routes the Garlean patrols would take if they went to check on their now dead comrades, he felt safe enough to do so. The next day he set off again, heading southeast toward the Ruby Sea where he could try and get passage to the city of Kugane where the Garleans would not be able to touch him due to the strict laws, and where he could try and get passage from sympathetic souls who hated the Garleans to elsewhere. Thavnair perhaps, or even Eorzea.

The weight of leaving home under those circumstances was hard to bare, so much so that his shoulders dropped with each step he took, until the cold acceptance of the fact he would likely never be able to return set in. He swallowed a lump that formed in his throat, he would not shed tears over this, he had sworn in his prayers over the bodies of his clan that he would not grieve until they were avenged. Not truly, anyway. No, the tears for them would have to wait until he stood over Ordus’ body, then and only then could he let go.

Journeying to the Ruby Sea was easy enough, gaining passage to Kugane was just as easy, there were still some among the Confederacy that sympathized with Domans who were displaced by the uprising. But Kugane itself was overwhelming, he was a young man from the mountains and the forests, the town of Yamanoie was decent in size but it was no city. The sounds and the lights were near blinding and deafening at first, he had to take a moment to orient himself, especially with his right eye flitting every direction as if with a mind of its own.

“Breathe…” He told himself, inhaling deeply through his nose and exhaling through his mouth in several controlled breaths.

He felt vulnerable, he’d used the wakizashi to bartner his passage, partially because it was a fine blade but also because if he was caught carrying the weapon of a samurai when he himself was not he would be in serious trouble in Kugane. The tanto remained on his person however, carefully tucked away inside his short where it would remain hidden from all, just in case. There were also the ceremonial blades in his satchel, but there were not meant for general use, they were special and not to be wielded casually.

Once he’d gotten himself oriented again, Hisao made his way toward the first establishment he came across, the Shiokaze Hostelry where he found himself bombarded with a myriad of different languages he couldn’t understand. But garnering passage on a ship proved far easier than he’d expected, though he wasn’t entirely sure he liked the look of the crew that would be granting him passage. They spoke the language, told him that it was a merchant vessel, but he was no fool and was sure there was more to these people that they were letting on.

Still, despite that he didn’t find them to be dishonest per say, and they claimed to be ferrying Doman refugees for free to Limsa Lominsa on the continent of Eorzea. Well, if it turned out to be a trap then they’d be in for a nasty surprise, he came across as just another poor and destitute Doman survivor- which technically he was- but he was far more than that and he wouldn’t be taken advantage of so easily. It was his good fortune though, that despite these people being pirates, they were very much Limsan pirates through and through, and thus he would not become a victim of some trick.

The journey was silent for his part however, he spent much of it locked up in his cabin where he tried to bring some order to the chaos in his mind, perhaps reach for a spark of the old Hisao deep down. He had no family, no clan, no money, and no possessions with a damn save the few he’d managed to salvage. He was the lord of nothing, but he had his name, Hisao Yamauchi, that would be enough for him.

It would have to be.

Funny really, how several years later he finally felt some semblance of his old self coming back to him, yet the name was gone. Yoshiro lay silently staring at the ceiling in the dark, it wasn’t that he couldn’t sleep and the warmth of Hiina’s body beside him made it more than comfortable for him to do so, his mind was just occupied by so many things that he was trying to figure out. Her presence always made figuring them out easier, so really laying awake while she slept soundly against him was when he did his best thinking these days.

When he had arrived in Eorzea, he had been an empty shell of himself, but since meeting her that shell had steadily filled out again. As each shattered piece was pushed back into place, he found himself feeling more and more as he once had, confident and self-assured. But there was a piece that he knew she couldn’t put back into place, it wasn’t that her love wasn’t enough, or that he didn’t love her enough. It was that the final piece lay in the hands of another, or more specifically, it wrested upon the death of another. One day Ordus would fall at his hand, and he knew she would be there beside him, possibly even helping him to hold the knife that ended it.

Soon things were going to come to a head, and once it was over he could let out all that he’d held back, just a little while longer. His arms around Hiina unconsciously tightened a little as his head leaned toward hers, shutting his eyes so that he could finally allow sleep to take him.

Not long now.

#yoshiro #yoshiro ametsuchi #yamanoie #yamauchi #hiina #hiina kusakari

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botwstoriesandsuch · 5 years ago

Text

Where Time Takes Us

Hey all! I’m almost done with Chapter One of a fic I’m working on, so in the mean time, why not have a quick teaser?

Eventually I’m gonna also post the full thing on AO3 so the format is better, and it’s also gonna have zelink and some revali stuff in the future...although I’m mainly gonna focus on character growth and arcs than the romance. All in all, when I’m done you’ll have to read it for yourself. In the mean time..

Enjoy!

Where Time Takes Us 6905 words (of like...15k it’s a teaser ok)

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Watch the home while she is off to war

The Slumber King versus the rearing boar

Awake, arise, do not be blind

To tales and destinies entwined

In the world we said that we would leave behind

- - - - - - - - - -

6 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days before the Hyrule Castle Slaughter, the Akkala Citadel Massacre, the slaying of the Champions, the death of the hero, and the rise of Calamity Ganon

She was supposed to work until whenever doomsday struck, and truly she wanted to, but circumstances led her to walk towards the echoing laughter.

Already trying to prepare the quip she would throw back at them (as undoubtedly they’d complain about her being late again) the researcher weaved through the familiar roads of West Castle Town. Most of the houses were dark, with the only light source coming from the occasional flickering lantern, and the pale complexion of the midnight moon. Needless to say, it made the warm glow of The Adequate’s Tavern stand out all the more as she approached.

Another roar of laughter and shouts escaped from an open window on the south side of the pub. The bags under her eyes curved with her smile as she recognized one of the voices. She absentmindedly traced her fingers along the outer walls of the tavern as she walked, loose chips of faded blue paint falling to the pavement below. The wooden sign above the door creaked with its askew weight. “The Adequate’s Tavern” was printed in bold, blue letters atop a faded yellow outline. The missing e’s and t’s gave evidence to the building’s true quality.

“Yes, they’re here again, so get out there already!”

“The scientists?” the waiter asked.

The waiter disappeared into the back and the barkeep was left muttering by the counter. Chuckling to herself, the researcher moved away, starting to search for the scientists in question. Other than a single, beige wall that separated the edge of the bar with a support beam in the middle of the room, the pub was very open and lively. Square and circular tables were littered across the floor in mismatched patterns, ranging from oak brown to birch white. Clearly, aesthetic was not the centerpoint of the place.

As if fate had read her thoughts, she finally caught sight of her friends.

The young woman wore roughly the same outfit, although she had a navy blue skirt and boots compared to the other guy’s black pants and shoes. Her eyes were also red, albeit, with a more striking scarlet color, compared to the other boy’s warmer wine shade. Looking back, she adjusted her bright, Sheikah red, round, sparkly, diamond decorated glasses, complete with white accents that matched her hair. It was pulled in a messy bun, a hairstyle that her close friends knew was less for looks, and more for practical purposes, as supposedly “the stupid strands always find ways to bother my eyes. No, stop, I don’t need a comb! My eyeballs are just sensitive, OK?”

Pivoting past a waiter, the researcher finally moved closer to the trio, brushing her curly dark hair above her shoulders as she prepared for the sarcasm to begin.

The stormy eyed scientist spoke first.

“Purah, Purah! Is that...a ghost I see? It looks like Adello, but I feel like I haven’t seen her in a century, I surely thought her dead! Am I being…haunted?”

Robbie awed at Adello in sarcastic wonder, and the boy across from him exhaled out of his nose with a smile.

Purah turned to Robbie, pulling down her glasses and looking at him sternly. “See, this is another trait of these kinds of spirits. They’re cursed to only say excuses for eternity.”

He shook his head. “Coupled with the fact that their fashion only ever consists of one color? Truly, a terrible fate for a ghost indeed.”

Adello narrowed her eyes. Smoothing out her juniper colored tunic, she said, “Ok first off, green is a great color on me, it pairs well with my skin tone. You’re both just blind, no wonder you need glasses.” Purah put a hand on her chest dramatically, but she continued. “Plus, I’d really rather not get fired since that ceremony thing with those Champions is tomorrow and, as you all know, I just got that promotion.”

Adello chuckled, finally sitting down in the empty seat beside him. The old oaken chair and floor creaked under the new weight. Robbie let out a huff.

“You kids need to learn to respect your elders.” He announced the word “respect” with the tip of his tongue. The researcher rolled her eyes.

“Ah yes, a whole one year gap between us. What astounding age and experience that these elders emit.” She gestured at Robbie and Purah with a sweep of her arm.

“Uh excuse me, but I believe in my case it’s now double that. A whole two years, my dear, naive child. For as of 4 hours ago, I now emit the knowledge of an existence spanning two decades!” Now it was his turn to pose dramatically, pointing towards the ceiling.

Adello smirked to herself, and answered, “Yep, that’s how it goes!”

“Alright you don’t get to speak Miss I-don’t-know-how-to-be-punctuation!”

Purah promptly smacked Robbie over the head with a pen.

“Hey! W—”

“The word is punctual you idiot.”

Robbie slumped his shoulders and made a face. He tapped his thumb and fingers together, mimicking the opening and closing of a mouth while he muttered mockingly in Purah’s tone under his breath.

Turning the pages of her journal towards Adello, she gave a chaotic grin. “Last round, Zimiri revealed that he once got teary eyed in front of the King himself after reading a poem about clouds.”

Zimiri raised his hands in defense. “Look, the clouds were an analogy for lost childhood innocence and I got choked up with that author’s amazing choice of imagery and descriptions, OK?”

Purah pointed her pen at him to hush, and continued. “Of course, him being a sentimental dork isn’t anything new, so he lost that round to Robbie who revealed the identity of his first crush.”

Zimiri muttered something about the game being rigged towards the birthday boy, but Adello talked over him, excitedly.

“Ooohhhh? Robbie?? Who are they?” She propped up her elbows and cradled her chin in her hands, excited at the prospect of more embarrassing information she could hang over his head.

He mumbled, looking to Purah for assistance, but she only cupped a hand over her ear, waiting for him to respond. “You all fuckin—” he sighed, “it’s…she’s...c-ch…” he avoided everyone’s gaze, “her name is...Cherry…”

Adello gasped, gleefully. “That girl from your old university?? The writer you hung out with!?”

Purah beamed, shaking Robbie’s shoulders excitedly. “I know right???” She loosened her grip and allowed him to wiggle out of her grasp for a moment. “Oh sweetie, campus days may be long gone for all of us prodigies and geniuses,” she flipped a few strands of her white hair with a turn of her head, “but I’m sure you’ll get her someday. You just gotta turn up the charm, find a way to woo with words. I’m sure writers’ love that.” Purah pulled down her glasses and gave a forced wink at him.

“Now, now, let’s all play nice. We don’t need to pester him further about it, he did win the round after all.”

“Uh, yeah. Speaking of the game, you still need to drink up mister.” Purah slid a tan brown cup of apple cider towards him, the translucent contents sloshing around like muck in a gutter.

He leaned on the back two legs of his chair. “Isn’t it punishment enough to smell it? The cider isn’t even near my face and my mouth is already burning.”

She shrugged. “Them's the rules of ‘Till You Spill. Your secret sucked, so swig!”

Raising his posture, Robbie crowed, “When we finally have Zimiri’s birthday maybe then we’ll actually upgrade to the alcohol.”

Adello raised an eyebrow. “Uh, right, because the upgrade from disorientingly strong, smelly apple cider, is you two being flat out drunk. Right...”

Purah slammed both her fists down with pride, letting the cups and pitchers slosh a few, amber colored drops onto the worn wooden table. “Bold of you to assume I’d drink at all, considering I’ve never lost a round! Mwahaha!” She blew a raspberry at her. “This tongue is apple free, baby.”

She gestured with her pinky and index finger at Zimiri and Adello. “Now, you two! The late combatant and the latest loser shall spill next. Give us your juicy gossip!!”

The bard, still reeling from his drink, leaned back in his chair and gave a nod toward Adello. “Ladies first?”

Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. “The princess has a secret stuffed animal collection.” Seeing the light in her co-workers’ eyes twinkle, Adello knew she had chosen her words well. Purah leaned in. “OOoh? And how did you come across this juicy piece of information?” She rested her chin on an arm with an innocent smile.

“When I sent my application for the new job a few weeks ago, I gave it to the princess directly. It was late at night, and I bumped into her as she just left her room. The door was cracked open for a few seconds, before some royal, pompous guard slammed it right in my face. Yet, it wasn’t before I saw the pile of,” she counted on her fingers, “cow, sheep, bird, dog, and several horse stuffed animals piled high by her big, blue bed. I bet if I peaked for just a few more moments I could have found enough to pin her as a true horse girl.”

He combed his fingers through his messy, white hair, pondering his next choice of words. Fiddling with the beads and strings wrapped around it, he thought out loud.

“So… ever since I moved into the castle. When did my mom come here… five years now? I’ve, uh… had a crush on... Zelda…” He gave an uncertain grin, and raised the palm of his hands as if to ask, “well?”

At first he was met with silence. In his head, he started to celebrate the victory of his first ‘Till You Spill round in literal months. That was until he was met with groans and pitiful mutters.

The bard started to sputter, moving his hands in wild, questioning motions.

“But? Wha— I? You!? Didn’t you— I… W-well I mean, I know Adello knew, I told her years ago, but you guys—”

“R-recognizing a person’s positive traits doesn’t instantly mean in love!”

Zimri continued to sputter, his cheeks becoming roser by the second. Robbie turned to Purah. “So, all in favour of finding Adello’s spill better than Zimri’s?” The two of them raised their hands in unison. “Alright buddy, secret sucked, so swig! WAITER PLEASE!”

Before he could even start to reach for the cup, Adello snatched it out of the way. “Nah, it’s ok. I’ll do one for you, Zimiri. These two monsters have already tore you to shreds, and I’m sure I need a punishment anyway for coming in so late.”

He started to protest, but after catching the look in her dark, iron eyes, he relented. “Well, I thank you for your generosity.” The other two, however, were not as compliant.

Purah cupped her hands around her mouth, yelling, “Booooo... Boo to pity! Boo to generosity!” Robbie mimicked her.

“Yeah you have to respect your elders’ wishes. We demand blood! Suffering!”

“Mmmm. The cider’s weirdly salty tonight, I think your attitudes got mixed in here.”

Purah blew another rasberry at her.

“You know what else tonight needs? Some amazing music, eh Zimiri?” He bounced his eyebrows up and down at him, and gestured towards the lute leaning on one of the table legs.

“I don’t know,” Zimiri replied, “I’ve only a part-time hire for the weekend rush hours, and I wouldn’t want to blindly get on stage and sing without being given permission.”

He fiddled with the string in his hair again. “Oh yeah? I’d love to meet him someday.” At this, Adello clicked her tongue and promptly shoved him out of his chair with her hip.

Suddenly, Zimiri perked his head. Stepping back towards the table, he reached for his cup. “Oh wait, I just lost that round. I still need to drink my—”

Setting the cup back on the table, the researcher said, “Great, now you don’t need to ruin your voice any longer. Now get up there and one-up the last band.”

Robbie clapped his hands again. “Great, great. Now quit the manners and let’s go already! I still have to order the cake pie!”

Both of the girls rolled their eyes in unison. Zimiri shrugged and started to walk through the small crowd of standing Hylians, and towards the small stage.

I guess, if no one is stopping me…

It was a rowdy bunch, but not a new one. Zimiri had played for these kinds of audiences before.

“I see that quite a few people are itching for a new tune. So, uh, any requests?” he announced as he strum a chord on his lute.

He couldn’t stop himself from being biased towards the request of a certain dark skinned girl to his left.

“The World Behind!” Adello said. “Enough with those new ballads, I demand a classic!”

Robbie pumped an arm in the air. “Yes!” he shouted. “I second that! So is my decree as birthday tyrant!”

Zimiri’s smile widened. A lively crowd indeed, this will do nicely.

With that, he started to sing. His silvery voice echoed across the tavern, as he closed his eyes and began to play.

The boys have gone out to the wishing well

Will they come back? Oh only time will tell

A rupee for a life refined

But time and dreams never align

So tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Have you seen the soldiers’ drinking ale?

They wish to sing along with nightingales

To dance on home with songs and rhymes

To banish all the fears from mind

Yes tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Of beasts and men and all atrocities

The damn-ed fate, she owns all that you see

To a better day of new design

Forgot about the gods divine

Oh tell the world we’ll leave it all behind

Watch the home while—

“HEY!”

The sudden gruff voice startled the bard to the point where he nearly slipped off the stage.

Well, mostly, silenced the room. A few ticked off guests were booing, groaning, and mocking him for ruining the entertainment.

“Oh would you lot shut up for 2 seconds?!” he said, his voice booming across the tavern. “Listen, I’ll be blunt. I gotta give two messages for this establishment.”

The female guard behind the knight handed him a slip of parchment. Unfolding it, the guard cleared his throat.

“Firstly, you’re music and pounding is disturbing the noblemen next door. He’s staying at the inn or something and wants you to quote,” he read from the paper, “quit the mindless thumping, for Castle Town is a place of serenity and peace, not of nonsense jigs and banging.”

The groaning and insults started up again, the man gave a shrug, stating something about how he was just following orders.

Adello couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “HA! Well, with an attitude like that, this’ll probably be the first and only time he’s been banged, he should be grateful.”

The room exploded into a mess of laughter and whoops. Even the guard smirked to himself, but attempted to hide it with a shake of his head, saying “Watch the mouth girl.” Although, his stern tone wasn’t in it.

After a second, he cleared his throat again. With a stomp of his boot regained the pub's attention, the laughter suffocated out.

“Now, we’re also here looking for a Dr. Robbie Kimura? I received word they might be around here?”

The scientists turned around too late, in an effort to avoid the knight’s gaze. “Gee, what a bunch of snitches,” Robbie mumbled. The three guards started to walk over to the table.

“Dr...Robbie?”

“Who’s asking?” Robbie squinted with his dark brown eyes.

“Is this some kind of prank? You and your friends don’t even look old enough to drink.”

He scoffed. “Ok, first, yes I am a doctor! I didn’t fly through all those courses over four years just to be called, ‘Mr.’ And secondly, I’ll have you know that I am a ripe 20 years of age today, and I’m here drinking expired apple juice with my associates. So take that, pal!”

Beside him, Purah gave a proud nod in agreement. Zimiri started to wave at the guards, but Adello grabbed his arm before he could finish the movement. The guard was a bit unsettled with the way that girl was glaring at him. What was some random Hylian doing hanging out with a bunch of Sheikah anyway?

“Right, well look here son. Some curious aristo-brat snuck into the courtyard and caused one of those flying, metal Sheikah things to fall apart. My boss said that it was your prototype so you should come back and clean it up before something explodes, and possibly give a sincere apology to the meddling kid who got a few scratches.”

Robbie threw his hands in the air, exasperated. “You’re really gonna pull me out of a birthday just so I can go apologize to a spoiled kid for breaking in and ruining my Guardian?”

“If it let’s me keep my job, then yeah.”

Robbie mumbled something about not getting a slice of the apple cake pie.

Suddenly, Adello got up and pushed her chair in, smoothing out the belt around her tunic as she walked towards them.

“Ah yes, well thank you my dear assistant for the assessment but I’m capable of taking it from here.”

The guard raised a bushy, black eyebrow. “Sorry wha-”

“You said you only wanted Dr. Robbie? Well great job, you found them. Now let’s get going, I need to finish up a new design anyway.”

“You’re...Robbie? You’re a... clearly not—”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I should have had my mother consult you for your opinion before I was given my name.”

This time, the guard didn’t smile along with her quip. “This is not the time for—”

She held up a finger to silence him, and glared at the three guards with her iron eyes.

The knights looked at each other, quizzically. The researcher crossed her arms.

A beat of silence sat, only filled by the mild mumbling and chatter of the tavern. Finally, the guard let out a sigh.

“Alrighty Dr. Kimura. I’ll help escort you to the site.”

The patrons just responded with stupid groans, and half-hearted agreements. They started walking towards the door. The female guard started to put a hand on Adello’s shoulder, but she brushed it off, saying something along the lines of “I can walk on my own two feet, thank you very much.”

Purah turned in her seat. “I’ll save a slice of cake pie for you!” Adello turned her head and responded with a two fingered salute, before disappearing out the door with the guards.

“Why does she always do things like that?”

Robbie fiddled with the edge of his cup, tracing his finger around the rim. “Well, you know her. Undermining authority? Check. Insults and quips? Check.”

Robbie continued to list off more traits, but it faded out of Zimiri’s ear. Always jumping onto other’s burdens. Ah, that idiot. I bet she hasn’t slept for the last two days.

Purah suddenly piped up, taking out her pen and rapping it against the table. “Alright you too, let’s not let the sacrifice be in vain. Pool your rupees, we’re getting Robbie the fancy cake pie.”

The clatter of a few red and blue rupees echoed on the wooden table, although Zimri knocked Robbie’s share aside, saying how the birthday tyrant shouldn’t have to pitch in. Purah turned in her chair and started to wave her hand, in order to get the attention of a waiter. The bard watched as a woman with a tray started to walk over to the table. Then, he turned to Robbie.

“So what should we do while we wait?” Zimiri asked. Robbie stroked his chin, looking around the room.

“I think...the people could still use some music.”

He nodded his head in agreement, putting on a charming smile. The place needed a new pick-me-up, did it?

Well, what else is a musician for?

Adello’s footsteps echoed through the cobblestone streets, but she could barely hear it against the shifting of metal plates from the guards in front of her.

The gruff man looked back, scratching his peach fuzzed chin as he spoke. “Listen, if you finish your work quick I might be able to escort you back here.”

“You...live at the castle?”

“Mmm.”

The female guard slowed her step, starting to walk alongside the researcher.

“Already working?”

Adello didn’t look up from her journal. “Uh… you could say that.”

She laughed. “Well you best hope you know what you’re doing. This kid’s father has been yelling at her highness all night. Supposedly because she’s helping to lead Sheikah research, so everyone associated with guardians is at fault.”

The guard hummed a yes. “Apparently, the kid is the son of some visiting nobleman from the East Post. It’d be in your best interest to apologize profusely if you still wanna walk around alive.”

Adello shook her head. She didn’t know it then, but looking back, many moons from now, she would laugh at the irony of her response.

“I’d rather die.”

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