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hedwigstalons · 5 years ago

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High Expectations - Ch20

I’ve been a little quiet for a bit because illness hit me hard (although thankfully not for too long). I’m back though and I bring another chapter of the beast that keeps on growing.

Extra thanks to @willow-salix who had to deal with my post-fog writing going back a few stages and who helped beat this into some sort of coherency.

Earlier parts: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen

AO3 chapter link

Chapter Twenty

The mood in the plane was buoyant and the air was charged with testosterone and bravado. The transport flight was filled with Air Force personnel and their destination was Fort Hood, Texas. Scott hummed absently, his fingers drumming out a little beat on his knee, feeling relaxed for the first time in weeks, normally being a passenger on a flight made him agitated as he itched to be in the pilot’s seat but today was different.

The Army was the designated host of this year’s United States inter-service sports tournament and Fort Hood was the location where, for the next few days those selected to represent their respective services would compete in their chosen sports.

The tournament was supposed to be a friendly coming together of the various United States forces plus the various World Security Patrol branches, and for the most part it was friendly although it would be a lie to suggest there wasn’t a certain amount of posturing and goading underneath the surface. For those taking part it was a chance to uphold the honour of their chosen service and score some one-upmanship, for those like Scott who had been selected before it was also a chance to settle old scores.

For Scott it would be a blessed interlude between missions; after his last assignment he was in desperate need of some R&R but with taking leave off the cards this came a close second for allowing him to decompress and see the good side of military life. It would be a chance to indulge in some physical activity that he didn't have to think too hard about, recently his life had been nothing but one exhaustive mission after another. For once he was happy to be free from the burden of command for a while, his primary mission now was to run fast, fight hard and add as many points as possible to the Air Force tally.

His thoughts turned to last year’s competition; he’d done well and never placed lower than fifth in any of his events despite one Seaman Jeffries of the World Navy tripping him in 1500m, an action that by rights should have seen the man disqualified. Unfortunately the rankings were upheld with Jeffries placing second while he had struggled to regain ground and claim fifth. The injustice still rankled and he wondered if he would have to face the nefarious Jeffries again this year.

“Sir,” Scott called across to the Major who had been designated at team captain and was in charge of the Air Force contingent, “do you have a copy of the events list I can take a look at?”

“Sure Tracy, I brought some spares just in case” Major Ellis replied, passing a sheaf of papers across the aisle. “You’re up on the Wednesday afternoon for your track events and then Thursday afternoon for the martial arts. See any familiar names?”

“One or two” Scott replied as he checked out the list of competitors. “The US Army have put Moran in the hurdles again. I’d love to beat him this time and wipe that smug smile off his face. I’ve never met anyone so gloating.”

Having scrutinized the running order and competitors for his own events, no Jeffries, thank God, Scott began idly flicking through the rest of the programme. As he scanned the lists he spotted a familiar name, wanting confirmation of his suspicions he pulled out his phone and sent a message.

How far out of Fort Hood are you?

About 40 minutes came the response. This was quickly followed by How did you find out? Everyone at home promised not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. If it was Alan I’ll kill him.

Competitor list. See you soon.

Scott let out an involuntary chuckle knowing Gordon would be mad at giving himself away and thus depriving himself of the element of surprise in any pranks he had planned.

“What’s tickled your funny bone?” asked Ellis.

“It looks like you’re going to get to meet my kid brother.”

“Really?” Ellis asked curiously, opening up his own copy of the events list. “Is he on the other flight?”

“No, Gordon isn’t Air Force, he joined WASP.”

“You’ve got a brother in WASP? That’s a bit of a polar opposite to the Air Force. I bet that didn’t go down too well at home.” Scott had worked hard to build his own reputation but it was still well known who his father was and the Air Force pedigree he was following. “Is he another sprinter like you?”

“Dad took a little persuading” a frown furrowed his brow at the memory of Gordon’s journey into WASP; ‘a little persuading’ really didn’t do it justice but he wasn’t going to have the family’s dirty laundry aired in public, “but WASP was the natural choice really, Gordon’s a swimmer.”

Major Ellis found the relevant page and looked over the listings. The name Ensign G. Tracy leapt off the page again and again within the WASP entries.

“He’s all over the pool like a rash! Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket. Is he really that good?”

“You evidently don’t follow swimming that much. I should’ve realised WASP would jump at the chance to put him on the squad. It’s not often anyone gets to field an Olympic medallist.” He couldn’t help the smile that split his face at the thought of seeing his brother swim again for the first time since the Games. Gordon had dedicated so many years to his sport and had achieved glittering success that gave Scott a rush of pride at the memories.

In the confined space of the plane their conversation was beginning to attract attention.

“What’s that about an Olympic medallist?”

“Dunno, ask Tracy.”

“Hey, Tracy, who’s got a medal?”

“My brother, Gordon.”

“You’re kidding!”

While Scott’s own unit might have been well versed in his sibling’s success story the competitors were pulled from across the Air Force, most of them complete strangers before boarding the flight. There was a flurry of movement as a couple of people pulled out their phones and plugged the name into a search engine. By now most of the plane was taking an interest. It didn’t take long for someone to dig out one of the news reports; Gordon’s Olympic win had taken place less than two years previously and coverage was easy to find.

“Here, listen to this.”

Team USA continue their race to the top of the medals table with a successful day in the pool. The crowning glory came from Gordon Tracy, a rising star in the swimming world, who not only achieved gold in the 200m butterfly but set a new world record in the process. This achievement is made more remarkable in that Tracy is just 17 years old.

“That’s your brother! And now he is on the WASP team? Heck Tracy, can’t you do something like hide his trunks so the rest of us stand a chance?” one of the Air Force’s own swimmers exclaimed.

“No can do. There is no way I’m sabotaging my own brother and don’t any of you think of trying anything either. If you had ever met Gordon you would know that wouldn’t work anyway, he would probably just do the race butt naked.”

xoxoxox

Gordon gazed listlessly out of the window of his own transport flight, the clouds forming an unbroken blanket below them, the vista bland and uninspiring. After 4 fours in the air he was feeling bored, cramped and fed up. He’d started the flight all keyed up at the thought of competing again but the long hours in the company of strangers was starting to wear thin. For one thing there was too much trash talking for his liking, he’d never gone in for the verbal sparring side of sport but it seemed his companions very much viewed the other services as the enemy at this event. It wasn’t an attitude he had encountered elsewhere in WASP and he hoped the bad mouthing would be constrained to these few days, it also wasn’t behaviour he could join in with in good conscious and so he had stayed quiet and kept himself to himself, trying to get back into competition mode after so long off the elite circuit. A vibration in his pocket startled him and he pulled out his phone.

How far out of Fort Hood are you?

Without thinking he typed About 40 minutes and hit the send button. Only when it was too late did it register who had sent the original message and he realised his mistake. He had wanted to surprise his oldest brother, the one who was hardest to meet up with due to their differing military commitments. He’d been able to tell the wider family about his selection during his period of leave over Alan’s birthday but with Scott away on his mission he’d been able to keep the news secret from his eldest sibling.

How did you find out? Everyone at home promised not to tell you. I wanted it to be a surprise. If it was Alan I’ll kill him.

Competitor list. See you soon.

Well, he supposed Scott would have found out in a few hours anyway and at least this way they would both be looking out for each other. He wasn’t quite sure of the format of the event or how easy it would be to break away and hunt down a member of one of the other services.

xoxoxox

Gordon wasn’t sure what he had been expecting from competition or from Fort Hood but it looked like finding Scott wasn’t going to be easy. Outside of their own events the personnel were able to watch the competition but there was very little free time beyond that. Even if he could get away, finding his brother was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack; the different services were billeted all over the base and by the end of the first day all he knew was that WASP was sharing a dorm block with the Coastguard Service and a mess hall with the US Navy.

Not that he had much time to brood, the swimming was taking place on the first day of the competition proper and after a hurried breakfast Gordon found himself hustled towards the pool.

He was looking forward to the chance of some competitive swimming again. The specialist training on the Merlin had been intensive and the extended time beneath the waves had ignited a passion for marine biology but the cramped space of a submarine had hardly been conducive to physical exercise. This competition would give him the opportunity to indulge in his first passion, he just hoped he was up to the task having been entered into far more events and across a wider range of disciplines that he was used to.

Aside from his trunks lacking the Team USA branding the competition was much like any other Gordon had attended. A fair crowd had filled the viewing gallery but Gordon couldn’t tell if Scott was amongst those in dark blue. Events were called, heats were swum (and usually won) and Tracy was once again a name to be reckoned with in the pool. It felt good to be cleaving through the water again. Despite not being in peak condition for swimming he was still in fine physical form over all and the muscle memory from all those races past carried him along to victory time and again. The main difference to his usual style of competition was the lack of medal ceremony at the end and at the conclusion of his last race Gordon was able to wend his weary way back to the changing rooms where he flopped down on a bench.

Pressing his shoulders against the cold tiles, eyes closed and head tipped back, the last of his energy was spent. It had been a long time since he’d pushed himself to those lengths in the water and normally his race card was rather more sparse, one elite athlete among many, each responsible for their own specialisms. The problem was, despite the high physical standards demanded by the military, elite athletes were in short supply and his pool times had placed him as primary candidate across more events than he was really comfortable taking on but he hadn’t felt able to say no to his superiors this early in his WASP career.

He concentrated on his breathing, listening to the hum and chatter of the other competitors around him, a cluster of WASPs gloating about their healthy position in the league table were his nearest companions. He knew he ought to be getting dry, knew he ought to be digging out the tracksuit he’d been issued for the event, but his limbs felt leaden. He wanted to be collapsed on his bunk but that involved moving and right now moving felt an impossible task.

“Gordon, eat something.”

He sensed a dimming of the light levels through his eyelids as a figure stepped between him and the harsh lights of the changing room. The voice was commanding but his eyes stayed firmly shut and his body refused to obey.

The figure in front of him was causing quite a stir but then that was typical of Scott. He tended to exude an attitude as though he owned a place and this evidently wasn’t going down well with the WASPs around him who bristled with resentment at the young figure in Air Force blue invading their section of the changing rooms. There were muttered jibes, reminiscent of those from the flight over, but the intruder wasn’t giving the WASP delegation the rise they so clearly desired. Having failed in their goading one of his team mates decided to square up to the man they evidently viewed as the opposition.

“And who the hell are you to order us around, flyboy?”

Scott’s eyes glittered at the challenge, a warning look that Gordon would have recognised from his own childhood had he been fully cognizant of the situation, Scott was not in any mood to be pushed.

“That’s Captain to you” there was a pause as he took in the insignia worn by the other man, neither were in traditional uniform but the competition sports kit still had a place for rank slides; after all, the military thrived on hierarchy “Chief Petty Officer, although I accept you may not be familiar with the rank structures of the other services”

Scott turned his attention back to his brother, ignoring the WASP who was now brisling after being firmly put in his place. He was well aware of the animosity being directed towards him but his focus was his sibling, not some jumped up sardine with a chip on his shoulder. He’d been concerned at the amount of events Gordon had pulled, and now, seeing his brother in the aftermath, he knew that concern had been justified. The figure in front of him was breathing a little too shallowly for comfort and hadn’t moved from the moment Scott had spied him from across the changing room. It had been a long time since he’d seen his brother swim himself to this level of stupor, years of competing had made Gordon pretty well attuned to his bodily needs, but evidently today he had neglected his post-race routine.

Gordon had gotten as far as taking off his swim cap but no further, water dripped down his torso from the flattened hair that was still slick from the showers. Even accounting for his time under the waves his skin was far paler than Scott was used to seeing. He’d come down with the intention of congratulating his brother on his success in the water but now his primary concern had turned to Gordon’s basic wellbeing.

Scott knew he had to get his blood sugars back up again. He grabbed his brother’s kit bag and rooted around in the end pocket. He allowed himself a small smile of triumph as his fingers closed around the packet of glucose tablets it appeared his brother still had the sense to carry. He extracted two tablets from the tube and, crouching down in front of his brother, placed them in Gordon’s palm before closing the lax fingers over them.

“Gords, you still with me? You need to get these into you.”

He paused while Gordon’s body processed the order, then let out a little breath of relief as the arm jerked up and Gordon began to suck on the tablets.

He hadn’t seen his brother crash this bad since he was about twelve. An early promotion to senior squad had seen the pre-teen eager to please his new coach while trying not to show anything that could be construed as weakness by his new and much older team mates and so the kid had forgone his post-race refuel. The result then had been Gordon turning a grim shade of grey and falling off the medal podium in a dead faint.

With the glucose tablets administered Scott turned his attention back to Gordon’s kit bag and pulled out a celery crunch bar, a firm favourite for the swimmer. He opened it and placed it in Gordon’s now empty hand. This was evidently an imposition too far for the WASP already disgruntled at being put in his place by the young captain.

“With all due respect Sir” there was a distinct sneer behind the formality “there’s no eating allowed in the changing rooms.”

If Scott’s eyes had glittered before, now they blazed with anger and contempt. Rising from his crouch in front of Gordon, he drew himself up to his full height and positively loomed over the belligerent WASP.

“With all due respect I would have thought you would rather your team mate got his blood sugars up, or does your first aid training not cover hypoglycaemia?” He took a step towards the WASP, encroaching into the man’s personal space in a clear display of dominance. “Not that you seem to be acting as a team right now. Would half of you even be here if it wasn’t for the relay events, or maybe you tried to enter him for all four legs of that at well?”

With the glucose hitting his blood stream Gordon became more aware of the increasing commotion around him. Voices that had once been jubilant now had a dangerous and angry edge and…yes...most of the anger seemed to be coming from Scott.

Something tripped blearily in his brain; what on Earth was Scott doing here and why did he suddenly feel so cold? Amber eyes cracked open and he forced his head open off the wall. The movement was clocked by Scott who was back in front of him in an instant.

“Hey Fish, you back with me?” All traces of anger had gone as he turned his attention back to his Gordon, the Air Force Captain replaced by the brother of old; the caregiver with the ready supply of band aids, ice packs and gentle admonishment as he presented yet another injury for inspection.

“Yeah, I’m...I’m good.” He looked down in confusion at the crunch bar in his hand, not entirely sure how it had got there, but took a bite anyway. “Guess I should have known better than to skip refuel.”

“Yeah, you should”

Yup, that was the Scott he knew from Kansas. Gordon felt like he was 9 years old again, being told off for being an idiot in the same ‘I told you so’ tone that had made it quite clear that of course jumping off the shed roof or using the frayed rope swing had been a bad idea.

“Yeah, thanks for that” A snort, an eye roll, and a re-emergence of the same attitude common to his past nine year old self.

“You’re okay now though, right? You’ll finish your bar and get dressed? Glucose tabs are back in the end pocket if you need more.”

“I’m fine, honest.” Okay, the slight whine was a little too much like a kid but he was tired and there was something about Scott’s familiar care that had him regressing 10 years. He forced protesting muscles to obey and hauled his back off the wall, rolling his shoulders to try and loosen the muscles that were rapidly seizing up. He tried to suppress a groan at the exertion, he wasn’t quite ready to try standing until after the crunch bar was finished but he also knew Scott would not be pacified until he saw some sort of response. The skeptical look he was given showed that Scott still wasn’t entirely convinced. Mustering up his remaining energy he returned the look with a grin which seemed to appease the elder Tracy.

“Hmm”, Scott didn't sound like he believed him but couldn't argue it, “well, get dry and get your kit on. You did good out there. I’ll be on the track tomorrow afternoon; I’ll see you there.” Without waiting for an answer Scott turned and exited the changing rooms.

The departure of the Air Force officer was followed with an outburst of grumbling from the WASP delegation.

“Asshole. Who the hell does he think he is, ordering us around?”

Gordon still hadn’t found his footing among the other swimmers, or the wider WASP delegation. He might be the highest ranking of those at the pool but he was also by far the youngest and with the shortest amount of service under his belt by a country mile. Rank structures overall seemed to be treated differently during the competition and these particular team mates seemed to have little regard for authority. He was conscious that a wrong move now could make life distinctly unpleasant for him, he might never see these men again after the competition was over but he still had to get through several more days in their company. He decided to play it for what it was; Scott being an irritating older brother.

“That was Scott. I think he got the whole older brother thing hard wired in at birth.”

“You’re related to that?” There was a contemptuous sneer aimed at Scott’s retreating form that set Gordon’s hackles raising but he knew sniping back would be an error.

“Yup. Of course, I got blessed with the good looks while he got the height.” He flashed a grin, trying to diffuse the tensions.

“Is he always such a jerk?” a Seaman sat to his right piped up, finding his voice now the imposing Captain was no longer practically standing on his toes.

Gordon shrugged; evidently the tensions were still there. “Only when he needs to be. I should’a thought to grab the glucose tabs myself after that many races. It’s been a while since I hit the pool competitively.”

There was a slight shuffling from the other swimmers, signs of guilt at not looking out for the young Ensign that had carried the team. Scott’s words about the rest of them only being there to make up the numbers for the relay, while not wholly accurate, weren’t far off the truth. They were all back in their dry kit while Gordon was still in his trunks, his skin still pale from the exertion even if his eyes had regained some brightness.

“Anyway,” he scruffed at his hair before drying off the rest of his body ready for dressing, “I need some real food after that and then I need to find out where the track events are being held.”

A snort. “Well we’ll be watching the shooting tomorrow. You can join us, or are you really going to do what big brother tells you?”

There was a challenge in the tone but Gordon was feeling more alive again and less tolerant of their needling. “I’m not going because he told me to, I’m going because he’s my brother and I want to. In my family we support each other and Scott, well, he’s done a lot for me.”

Decision made and allegiances stated he swung his kit bag over his shoulder and headed out to find some food.

#High Expectations #thunderbirds #thunderbirds fanfiction #Scott Tracy #Gordon Tracy #Military brothers #Family comes first #swimming

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farawaysoph-ie · 5 years ago

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The Bone Witch Incoherent Whatever

I started these books mainly because I can't read French very well, but this is a story for another list. I started them and finished them, and I didn't know I had needed such a story. This. Bad. So I guess a super long and super spoiler-y list was in order (while I cry again because they are too much T.T)

Rin Chupeco was immediatly added to my list of favourite human beings: the dedications were a mood and the acknowledgments, gosh wonderful

Tea of the Embers, love of my life, is amazing, I don't care about anything I loved her from her first words until the very end

Somehow we always knew where this was gonna end, but i didn't feel prepared at all, my heart breaking and mending at every chapter

"My only claim of strangeness was that I read fiercely, learned thirstly"

"We asha are always expected to be on our most proper behavior, to never have so much as a hair out of turn. Asha do not cry or scream or make threats. When people cut us, we are expected to do only two things: smile and bleed.”

The world building, the power system, the politics, Tea's commanding of the Dark

The deal with Mykaela heartglass broke my heart, I have ex that I regret and the idea that I could remain stuck like that, loving someone and slowly dying because of that terrifies me (HOW COULD YOU KILL HER WHEN THEY WERE SO CLOSE)

THE AZI

I repeat THE AZI

Tea looked at a giant three-headed undefeated dragon, went around in its head, saw it just wanted to be left alone (which same) and said I'm gonna keep it (which again SAME)

What do I have to do to befriend a dragon? (TELL ME)

Zoya turning out to be a magnificent and fierce warrior with a major case of ChildhoodFriendCrush, and not irrelevent mean girl

Also her and Shadi are just so cute, the way the first is always embarassed and everything and the other just loves and teases her more

"Unfortunately, the oracle had something very different in mind with me" takes on a WHOLE new meaning when you finish the trilogy

I hated how people started getting more and more scared of Tea, when in the end it was all a plot, a lot of prejudices were to blame, and they seemed to forget how kind my girl always was

I have to say I liked Aneah and all the words she whispered, give me a twisted dark lady and you have my attention

"A little corruption is good for the soul, Tea." To which yes, let a girl get revenge

I'm looking at you filthy oracle, I can understand the "I have to sacrifice something to win this fight" way to go, but you were just a pathetic crazy liar, how dare you corrupt Althecia

I can't get over that, I didn't see it coming

The elders made me sick, those horrible hags tested my patience, go die of old age Hestia or whatever

The end of The Bone Witch will always have my heart because Chupec dropped the ship bomb on me with a "Let's go, Kalen"

After going on with "a boy who died for me" and "I made a note to strangle Kalen as soon as I saw him again", AND THEN THAT

I was rooting for them, so I think I screamed or something: you say enemy to lovers, you have my attention

Those two invented love, it took them two books to get around, but was it worth it. They were so devoted to each other, like Kalen stayed with her against Everything and Everyone, like literally. We stan one loving boy

Whats more the oracle had predicted the next bone witch was gonna bring about the dead of her lover, and he was going around "get away from the prince!", then she went, brought down the freacking azi, trapped a Faceless one using her dead horse, and he was like "I guess I'm doomed"

gosh Fox

It all started with "Let me be clear: I never intended to raise my brother from his grave, though he may claim otherwise. If there’s anything I’ve learned from him in the years since, it’s that the dead hide truths as well as the living."

He is exactly how a big brother should be, you can feel him come back to life in every sense, slowly, until he falls in love. I could feel all his love for a sister he kept understanding less and less despite being in her head, and how this held him back from a life he wanted, but knew he shouldn't have had in the first place

Beautifully done, I felt and understood Fox, despite him not being the narrator, despite being angry at how the situation with Daisy was hurting Tea, the two of them were power siblings

“We need someone in our heads to tell us whenever we’re being idiotic. It’s the Pahlavi way.”

Mistress Parmina with her love for money, always stood behind Tea, despite her way of doing things and I wished that Councilor Ludvig was my granpa, I mean he was this kind, smart politician who taught Tea a lot and helped them mantain peace

Ah the well meaning Inessa, I liked her, but felt like I haven't seen enough of her

But the joke of how there were no rulers to get accidentally engaged to killed me, that's awareness

Polaire T.T

The infatuation for Kance stayed that way and I'm glad, and most of the last books I was like, don't hurt my girl

The Heartforger was a rollercoaster ship-wise: Tea insults Kalen, he is standing behind her; Kalen tries to be nice to Tea, Tea is very confused; pretend they are a thing in front of family; Tea compels Kalen hoping to save his life, Kalen is not pleased at all; unsuccessful apologies; realization, "compel me too", you gotta destroy this two dudes who were rude to you, so I can go "that's my Tea"; you don't just stab the Deathseeker while the bone witch is watching; very public kiss; taking each other back from Faceless influence

All the time they spent with a Heartshare rune between them

"We danced for a few minutes without saying anything. A Daanorian woman worked up the nerve to approach us but backed away when I glared at her. “Angry about something?” “You do know there are women itching to kill me right now, right?” His grip tightened. “Did someone compel the people in the palace? The wards are still in place.” I sighed. “That’s not what I meant. Never mind.”"

“Nobody’s more of a fighter than you. You’re the bravest, strongest, most amazing man I’ve ever…”

Realizes

"I mean you are alright"

When Tea jumped off the tower and the azi caught her !!! (yes I screamed, because I love one queen)

"He was the only place I could rest my head and dream without nightmares plaguing me, as they had for the last three months."

Rahim and Ches were very precious

And don't get me started on Likh

Lady Likh can very much kick your ass on her own, but try to hurt her and you'll have to speak with my punches

Khalad agrees with me (the guys in this family don't know how to get the hint)

But in the end, he was helping Tea so Likh could wake (tears, tears everywhere)

The induced madness and the Blight stuff were sick

From when Tea almost jumped off the window, with Kalen terrified poor boy, to killing Daisy (her own free and light sister T.T), to not remembering a second suicide attempt

Black heartglasses being associated with violence, and Tea's one turning because of what other people did to her

Tea' simple "I want to live", can't a girl have peace? Be free like the azi? Have daughters with her eyes and her singing voice?

"I felt the hatred you were capable of like it was my own. And in that instant, I loved the darkest part of you, because I understood, better than Fox or Mykaela could. I’ve known you at your worst." If this isn't love I don't know what is

Drunk Tea was a sight to be hold, and perfect: take off every filter from the dangerous Dark asha and what she has to tell you is how much she loves Kalen

“I don’t care. I’ll bring us back from the grave if I have to, silver heartsglass or not.” “And I will kill anyone standing between us,” he promised, before his lips closed over mine, “even if I have to crawl out of my grave to do so.”

And you know what? THEY DID.

Tea taking her trials, which after the last chapters were nothing worse than her nightmares: her home burning, her own execution could not compete with Daisy's death and Fox rejection

But Kalen was not a price she could ever think of paying

"You can’t break the rules simply because you want to. More often than not, the rules wind up breaking you."

“The world is a much bigger place than the space I occupy, and with even greater consequences.” “There will be no world if you aren’t here with me, Kalen.”

Yadoshans warm my heart

"That is the nature of tyranny, young Tea. Maintaining power is their sole intention. Why worry about retaliation and revolution when they have always intended to wield the sword?"

The whole part in which they killed Kalen and the azi, ripped my heart out

The song she must have sung for hours, and the azi waited until the end to say goodbye

Thank the Creator for the visions she got, or she would have really drown herself T.T

“Sons and daughters,” she echoed, “sons with my fire, daughters with my eyes. Mayhap one day, they will. A life worth dying for is a life worth living after all.” She laid a hand on her companion’s shoulder, squeezing. “Let’s go, my love.”

Even after this long list I feel like I didn't do justice to this trilogy or to how much I loved it. Tea's fierce and kind strenght, even when every one but Kalen was suspicious of her, even when she was going mad because of poison, even when she was trying to outsmart a ruthless enemy, did something to me.

I spent three books knowing that she didn't care if she survived, if she could save her friends then her wish to live was not important. She didn't want much, she just wanted to live. But she let go of that for everyone else. Yes I'm going to cry again.

About the ending I like to think that for finally healing the world she was rewarded, so she got the quiet life with Kalen she'd always deserved. I like to think that she and Kalen remember, that after they'd done enough they finally found their peace and freedom.

They were together, they got to be someone else and had all the time in the world.

#the bone witch #the bone witch spoilers #the heartforger #the shadowglass #rin chupeco #spoilers #incoherent whatever #the bone witch incoherent whatever

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maximumsnow · 4 years ago

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Back from the Dead v.2

No specific fandom here because this is mostly OC work. Very loosely D&D inspired since this was a different approach to something that happened in game a year or so back. I can’t find a place to properly end this story since this feels like a section out of a novel that I didn’t intend on writing, and this has been sitting in my documents for almost a year now.

Warnings for injuries and death. Note that this also happens in a d&d esque world, so the gods sort of work similarly here.

The only sound in the small room was the crackling of the torch that Terjon held. After a short but quiet debate, it had been decided to be less risky than wasting magic for a light source. It was his turn to hold the torch while Abby guarded the entrance to the tunnel that lead to the rest of the mine.

Their eyes were much less suited to handling the dark than their companions who had scouted ahead, so they had elected to stay behind and guard their backs. It didn’t mean that it was any less nerve wracking than exploring the dark. Even Abby’s general optimism had dimmed as they spent more time waiting.

It didn’t help that the mine itself was about as quiet as an old house in an echo chamber. Random things would creak and drip, and the sound could carry for miles. The sounds were so distorted that the skittering of bugs or rats could be something bigger running towards them.

Wait.

Tap tap tap tap taptaptaptaptapTAPTAPTAP

That was too consistent, and it was getting louder. Terjon shifted to a proper standing position; Abby’s name on his tongue when she held her hand up. The order to stay quiet and still was obvious, and while he obeyed, he still kept his free hand on the mace and prepared to fight. Abby’s own hand adjusted her grip on the deceitfully sharp wooden sword, and she backed away slightly from the entrance to stand to the side. It took a few more minutes before the cause of the running footsteps careened out of the darkness and straight towards him.

It was only because he recognized Isolde’s mottled gray cloak that he didn’t immediately swing his mace down. She stopped and collapsed in front of him with sharp breaths, and Abby was immediately kneeling beside her.

Isolde was trying to speak, but between the run and her frayed emotional state, all that was coming out were disjointed words between gasps.

“Vi-vitaly. Chest. Trapped. Ran.”

Just hearing their friend’s name spiked Terjon’s anxiety even higher, and it took most of his self control to not bend down and shake the full story out of her.

Abby’s calming presence was much more conducive in this situation, and she waved him to guard the entrance while she helped Isolde slow her breathing down.

He had to obey. He knew that logically, but his mind was running with the vague words. The question of where Vitaly was was still unanswered, and he really did not like the sound of the word “trap.”

While they tried to keep their voices down lest nearby enemies hear, he still heard the story. They had found a strangely well kept room with personal effects in it, and suspecting that it might belong to the cult leader or another higher up, they investigated.

It all went sideways when Vitaly opened a chest, and he dropped.

“What?” Terjon couldn’t help turning and asking. The question came out more forcefully than intended, and Isolde’s flinch kept him from striding back towards them.

“I-I think he’s… dead. I couldn’t- I couldn’t stop it. He just dropped to the ground, and I… I know what dead eyes looks like.” She muttered while shaking. After a moment of deliberation, she forcibly leaned against Abby who gently wrapped an arm around her.

Brown eyes ordered him to stay quiet long enough for Isolde to recompose herself, and it was Abby who finally asked, “Where is he?”

Isolde shifted back to a solo sitting position and answered in a sturdier voice, “I dragged him out of there and to a corner but… I couldn’t carry him. I just grabbed his bag.” She pulled out a rucksack that they recognized as his. “I know he had one of those powerful scrolls, but… I can’t read it.”

“It’s a Divine Scroll, it’s not meant for anyone to read,” Terjon recited hollowly. “Even if you were a wizard, it wouldn’t make sense to you. Vitaly studied them under Father Jude, which was why he could.”

“… And you’re a cleric, which is why you can,” Abby said as she stood back up. “… Can you use that Raise Dead spell here?”

“Yes. The scroll already has almost everything we would need.” He could see where she was going with the line of questioning, and he felt his dread build.

“What doesn’t it have?”

“… My god’s guaranteed approval.”

The gears in both women’s heads were all but visibly turning. “Why would it have to be yours? Why not his?”

“Because I’m the one asking.”

Abby’s determined gaze faltered when the pieces fell into place. Someone who lived outside the law would not be received well by a deity who valued law and order above all else. Shaking her head, she said, “Prepare anyway. I’m going to get him, and… We’ll have to try.”

Isolde had taken her time standing back up, but once she was on her feet, she was itching to go back. “I hid him as well as I could, but I don’t know who else is in here. Be careful.” The last two words were directed towards Terjon.

“I’ll manage, you be careful as well,” He said in reply. He backed up so that they could pass through easily, and once they were gone, he shoved the torch into a corner and forced it to stand up. He stayed on alert as he dug through Vitaly’s bag, and after getting frustrated digging through everything stored in it, he upended it so that he could properly see it all.

It still took a while for him to figure out which scroll was which, and more than once, he cursed Vitaly’s tendency to hoard magical items and heal spells to great excess.

He was truly lucky nothing wandered by the tunnel at this point.

Scroll in hand, he read through the Celestial writing so that he would know what exactly he had to say to start the ritual. He couldn’t afford to delay any longer than necessary; the longer a soul dwelled on the other side, the more difficult it would be to bring it back.

The others returned with heavy breaths and found him with items strewn across the floor, and Terjon nose deep in the writings. Despite the fact that Abby had made no attempt to hide her footsteps, she still startled him when she asked, “What do you need?”

When he looked up, his eyes immediately locked onto the pitiful body she was holding, and the dull ache in his chest suddenly turned into a much sharper pain.

He was grateful for whoever shut Vitaly’s eyes; the illusion of sleeping was a lot less painful than seeing the dull eyes of death.

Abby nudged some of the items around so that there was a big enough spot to lay Vitaly down, and Isolde grabbed them to shove back into the empty bag.

Once there was enough space, Abby gently placed the body in the center of the small cave and backed away to the entrance. As she passed by Terjon, they shared a look. He never understood how she could have so much faith in him, and he only wished he could share that conviction.

Isolde fluttered around and picked up any remaining supplies, and while the nervous movement would have normally annoyed him, he found himself almost grateful for the distraction. As if sensing being watched, her head sharply turned towards him, and she muttered, “Sorry,” before hoisting the bag on her tiny shoulders and following Abby out.

While his companions were still close, he was finally alone. He couldn’t back out of this now.

He didn’t even know when he started reading the spell aloud, but he immediately felt a heavy presence in the room. His voice, normally loud and strong, didn’t echo as he finished the words. The words written on the scroll glowed brightly enough to illuminate every corner.

I’m here.

The presence should have been comforting. It used to be.

Why are you afraid?

It wasn’t angry or accusing, just confused. Fearing the answer would only anger it, he stated, “I need to bring this man’s soul back from the land of the dead.” The formal speech was the only way he could get the request out even as he tripped over the words.

Simple enough. The words on the scroll vanished, plunging the cavern back to dim lighting, and his eyes took a moment before he could see again.

Tentative hope started to climb in his chest. Was it really that easy? Would-

The presence came back with enough weight that he staggered against the wall.

Why would you want to bring back someone who went to The Abyss? The accusation was almost as weighty as the presence itself. I should not even entertain-

“PLEASE,” Terjon all but shouted. The impending refusal tearing a hole in his chest. “He was on the right path! He was trying!” The irony that he was arguing with his god was not lost on him, but he couldn’t think on that right now.

The presence was shockingly not angry and tried to argue back. The one who reigns there wouldn’t accept-

He cut it off. “She has a sadistic streak even with her followers, of course she would drag someone there who didn’t deserve it.”

He has her mark. Only those who accept her ideals have it.

“He doesn’t anymore. He hasn’t in years.”

It was almost… amused. Prove it. You once wanted to bring him to justice, but now you want him saved? Why?

There were a lot of things that he could bring up; Vitaly was truly Father Jude’s ward, but Terjon himself had seen them as ploys only a few months ago. So he cited the thing that had changed his mind. “He saved me. Even though he almost died for it. And then he talked me out of-” He cut himself off there. Admitting to his god that he had faltered would not be easy, and could cost him Vitaly’s life.

Even though you promised to throw him in jail, he talked sense back into you. The voice’s calm surety made Terjon freeze. It knew.

There was a pause as the god deliberated, and in the silence, Terjon thought he could hear his own heartbeat.

Breaking down, he all but begged, “He has been trying and succeeding to be good, doesn’t he deserve the chance to change his fate?”

… You have made your case.

That was all the warning he had before blinding light once again filled the small space, and even though he couldn’t see, he could hear Vitaly sit up with a cry.

The pain in the other man’s voice scared him. “Vitaly?”

“Terjon?!” Vitaly’s voice shook. “What? How are you here?”

He wasn’t sure what Vitaly was actually asking, so he responded truthfully. “I never left? I was supposed to guard until you came back.”

As Terjon’s sight was restored, he could see Vitaly’s head turning to the side as if he couldn’t believe that he was looking at a cave wall. “I’m… Back?” His head turned back to look at his hands as he flexed them. He then let them fall to the floor. And then he asked, “… Are you okay?”

Terjon hadn’t noticed that he was still breathing heavily, and the rush of adrenaline from earlier was fading. There was always a price to pay, and his energy was gone. He managed to guide his drop to the floor as opposed to simply flopping, but there was still a heavy thump.

Vitaly was still confused, but Terjon could see the gears turning. “You- You brought me back?”

Long explanations were too exhausting. “Yes.” He was already cringing at the thought of answering all the questions the curious man was going to ask.

He was grateful when Isolde rushed back in. Her face lit up with relief and it fell almost as quickly. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know what was in there, I should-”

The distraction of needing to address Isolde turned Vitaly away from the questions he likely had for Terjon, and with the knowledge that his friends were okay, he let his mind drift off. When Abby’s melodious voice joined the background chatter, he finally succumbed to sleep.

He wasn’t sure how much later it was, but it still felt too early when he felt someone shoving his shoulder. When he woke up, they were back at the edge of the town they had last visited. Confused and on edge, he tried to jump up and nearly fell face first.

Two sets of hands kept him from falling, and if it wasn’t for the fact that Abby was in front of him, he would have fought more. “Vitaly teleported us out of there, but we have to walk to an inn,” she informed him before a mischievous smile took over. “You can get your beauty sleep there.”

He rolled his eyes. “At least it was just an energy price.”

“Yeah. Anyway, you’re hard to carry, or we would have let you sleep more.” There was concern but she had already gone to one side of him and made him throw an arm over her and started walking into the town proper.

It took him a minute to realize that Isolde was walking back towards them while carrying a basket with food, and that the other set of hands that supported him was Vitaly.

He tried to shift away from the shorter man. “… You can let go now.”

“Not after you almost lost to gravity again.” On one hand, the fact that Vitaly was able to make jokes was a good sign, but on the other, Terjon felt awkward and wanted a little distance.

He tried to argue, “You just came back from-”

“Don’t remind me.” All humor was gone, and Vitaly’s voice grew icy.

The silence that followed was awkward, and Abby tried to fill it as they started slowly making their way towards the inn in continued silence. Terjon was too tired to think of a way to broach the topic again, and Vitaly was not going to bring it up on his own.

Once they had eaten and gotten to their rooms, it wasn’t long before Terjon passed out again.

The morning proper came far too quickly for his liking.

He sat up in the serviceable bed when he heard someone knocking politely at the door, and called for them, “You can come in.” He tried to smooth down his hair that had escaped the tie he usually kept it in as Isolde entered.

The way she looked to the side and grabbed her arms made him focus squarely on her. At the flinch, he softened his voice before asking, “What’s wrong?”

“We can’t find Vitaly.”

“What?!” He swung a leg towards the edge of the bed and started to hastily stand. No longer looking at her, he started to rant, “He should know better than to wander off like that. Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”

Not letting herself get run over in the conversation, she stated, “You were out cold. We tried.”

When he tried to stand, up, his legs gave out on him, and he crumbled back onto the bed. “Damnit!”

“You still need to rest if you can’t even stand up for long,” She chided. “I’ll go get Abby, and we can try figuring out where Vitaly is from here.”

“No, I can-” he argued.

“Fall over?” She walked closer to the bed and lightly shoved his shoulder. The fact that he almost couldn’t hold himself upright with the slight pressure convinced him. “You’re drained, I think literally. You might need something a little stronger than just rest to recover. We can see what Abby can do, but we really need Vitaly...”

“Who is missing.”

“Yes.”

“And I’m the one of the few people who can find him even when he’s actively hiding.”

“… Yes. Just. Wait.” And with that order, Isolde finally exited the room and shut the door behind her. Terjon almost couldn’t bear the silence until he thought he heard Abby and Isolde’s voices coming down the hall.

Abby’s heavy knocking was very quickly followed by a request to come in, and Terjon sighed before giving the permission.

Before any banter started, Terjon cut to the chase. “When did Vitaly disappear?”

Abby and Isolde looked at each other before Isolde said, “Before sunrise. I had gotten up for my own reasons, and didn’t see him. I didn’t think too much on it because sometimes he sleeps in, but after… that I’d think he’d want to see the sunrise.”

“We’ve tried looking in the usual places, like up on the roof, but there’s still nothing. If he’s trying to hide, I don’t know how to find him,” Abby added on.

“Is there a temple or shrine here?” Terjon asked.

“Yes, I looked there next, and I couldn’t find any sign he’d been.”

Terjon then dropped his face into his hands as he tried to think of anything else. “I’m not even sure where to tell you to start. I can’t go myself, and, no offense, but tracking people is my thing. And I’m not sure how to explain it.”

“We’ll go through town to see what we find, and you can stay here in case he comes back,” Isolde finally said with a shrug.

“Yeah, maybe he’ll come back to check on you? He’s almost as bad about mother henning as I am.”

That was the only plan they could even attempt with Terjon out of commission. He hated it, but if standing was out of the question, then he wouldn’t be any help to the others.

His slumped shoulders gave them an answer before his words did. “Fine. Take care.”

At first, Terjon had tried to stay awake in case Vitaly came back, but his exhaustion won over after about an hour of fighting it.

When his eyes opened again, it was much darker in the room. Did I sleep through the whole day? He wondered. He was a little hungry, but he didn’t feel like he had slept through more than one meal. And he knew that Abby wouldn’t have let him.

“You’re up, I see.”

The voice made him jump. Even with protesting muscles, he managed to sit up to look Vitaly in the eye. He was sitting in a chair in plainclothes; the adventuring gear obviously put away so he could blend in better.

“Where have you been?!” All of the worry and fear came out in a chiding tone that Terjon couldn’t help. “Abby and Isolde have been looking for you!”

Vitaly’s arms crossed. “I didn’t want them to find me.”

Gobsmacked, Terjon asked, “Why? They, no, we have been worried about you.”

“Yet you’re sleeping despite all that worry.” He gestured at the bed.

“I tried to get up, and it didn’t end well. That’s not the point though; they’re still looking for you.” He quickly waved the dig away before getting back to the point.

Vitaly refused to look at him, but even Terjon’s tired mind could see the struggle written on his face. “I’m not sure if I want them to right now,” Vitaly muttered.

“Why?” The book that contained Vitaly’s spells was nowhere to be seen, now that Terjon noticed it.

Quickly, Vitaly said, “I shouldn’t be traveling with you. They’ll just try to talk me out of it, and I’m not-”

“What the hell are you going on about?! What makes you think I’m not going to argue that?” The mere suggestion brought Terjon’s ire out. Was he being ridiculous? They needed him.

“You weren’t happy with me traveling with them at first.”

The very true statement made Terjon wince. “That’s from months ago, and I haven’t said a damn thing since you talked sense into me.”

“Well, even then you weren’t exactly happy with me either.”

“I will fully admit to being an ass back then, and that wasn’t your fault. I was going through a lot of things and while you were a part of it, it was something I needed to address.” Right. Wrong. Good.

Evil. The areas of gray all in between.

Terjon narrowed his eyes. Vitaly was hiding something. “What is this really about?”

Even though Terjon couldn’t compel Vitaly to speak the truth, the question made him flinch, and shame, anger, and finally, sorrow, flashed across Vitaly’s face.

“Was it even worth coming back? I’m… Never getting away. From Her. I thought I’d be able to after shaking off Her chains a few years ago, but when I- when I died. I was right back. Nothing I do in life will get me away from that fate.” Vitaly’s grip on his arms tightened as the torrent of words came out. By the end, he was shaking.

Despair colored his words.

It felt familiar.

Too familiar.

And Terjon was ill equipped to handle it.

“There has to be a way.” Even as the words slipped out, even Terjon flinched at how woefully inadequate the words felt.

“That’s what Father Jude said! And this still happened.” The bitterness cut deeply. The fact that he could refer to Jude in such a way didn’t bode well for Vitaly’s mental state.

“If I was able to convince my god to bring you back from the Abyss, then there has to be. Nothing is set in stone.”

“That’s-” Vitaly was ready to retort, but he paused as he fully processed the first sentence. “You convinced yours to do that?”

“I had to. I don’t get to pick and choose. He let me. If he didn’t think there was a chance… Well...”

The thought that he had been deemed worthy enough to retrieve baffled Vitaly. “I don’t… understand.”

“You’re a good person.” The statement was simple but full of conviction.

“But I did everything physically possible and still ended up there. How can I not be evil?”

“She doesn’t like letting go; nothing more than that.”

Vitaly still didn’t look fully convinced.

“We… I enjoy traveling with you, and you’ve done more than enough to prove yourself,” Terjon said as he started leaning back. The argument took more out of him than he had realized.

“Shit… Sorry, are you okay?”

In a simple selfish plea, he said, “Please don’t go,” before passing out again.

#My writing #Ocs #My Ocs

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the-problem-of-leisure · 5 years ago

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Fear of the Water - ch 1

Fear of the Water - Annie & Finnick Origin Story

(ANNIE)

“Annie,” a voice says. There’s something pressing on my shoulder. “Annie, wake up.”

I try to hide my face behind my hair. “Nooooo,” I moan, drawing out the word.

“Come on. It’s reaping day.”

I crack my eyes open. My twin brother Bosun is standing over me. He’s bathed and dressed already. Must have been awake for hours. His strawberry hair is combed for once, but bags and purple shadows hang under his blue-green eyes. I wonder if he slept at all.

He forces a smile. “I don’t know how you sleep so late. I can never sleep at all before the Reaping.”

The only reason I’m able to is because I stole a sleeping draught from our aunt’s medicine cabinet. She doesn’t know, of course – she’d have one of her episodes. Probably threaten to send Bosun and me back to the community home. But we’re seventeen now, and we can work full time now that we’ve finished school, and I doubt she’d be willing to part with our salaries. But it also means we can live on our own. Bosun and I constantly promise ourselves that day will come soon, but people usually only move out of their family homes when they get married.

My cousins and I help each other into our dresses and comb one another’s hair. One must look their absolute best on Reaping Day in case one gets called up. Don’t want the sponsors’ first impression of you to be in swimming clothes.

Adrie ties my hair up in a ribbon as I braid Coraline’s hair from behind. Coraline is nearly eighteen; Adrie is fifteen. We all qualify for the reaping, and even though a girl named Coastia Is set to volunteer, we’re still nervous wrecks. Everybody is.

My aunt Chelsea looks us all over one more time to be sure we’re presentable.

We don’t bother with breakfast since none of us will be able to eat anything anyway. We walk toward the pavilion where the reaping is held in relative silence. I give Bosun’s hand a quick squeeze before he joins his friends on the boys’ side of the crowd.

“Dodge got his hands on a bottle of rum,” Bosun says to me. “When all this is over, we’ll get drunk and go for a swim. Okay?”

I lower my voice and try not to move my lips too much as I speak. “Do we have to bring the cousins?”

“God, no. They’d ruin it.” Bosun gives me a quick squeeze. “It’ll be you, me, Dodge, and Ondine. And Gill, I think. And maybe a couple of Dodge’s cousins, but they’ll bring their own liquor.”

“I hate most of Dodge’s cousins.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’ll be drunk.” He goes off toward the boys’ side and I look around for Ondine. She’ll need somebody to hold her hand through all this, the awful memories it will drag up.

Ondine, who’s been with Bosun for as long as anybody can remember, is my best friend. Maybe my only proper friend – except for Dodge, I guess. Bosun’s the social one; as his twin, I can just insert myself into whatever relationships he has without putting in the work of getting to know someone and then his friends become mine.

Ondine’s sister Liffey was my proper best friend until she died of an infected cut on her arm in the arena last year. Ondine, already an orphan, is now totally alone except for Bosun, who she’ll probably marry in a few years.

“Annie!”

I turn at the sound of my name. “Ondine.”

Lithe, lovely Ondine rushes toward me and grabs my hands so hard that my knuckles crack. “Oh, I’m so glad I found you. I couldn’t stand to be alone for this.”

“Me neither.”

She talks when she’s anxious, so I’m prepared when she starts speaking a mile a minute. “We just have to remember that we’re nearly done. This is my last reaping, and you and Bosun will be done next year. And then we’ll all be safe.” Her throat bounces as she swallows back tears. “Right?”

I smile. “Right.”

She catches sight of a few of her friends and drags me over to them.

(FINNICK)

I sit with the other victors on the platform in the shade. Everybody else stands on the ground facing the stage, the sun shining directly into their eyes. They’ve probably all ruined their clothes with sweat by now.

An attendant comes around to us and offers to powder our faces so we don’t look “too damp.” Mags is the only one polite enough to say no; the rest of us just ignore the attendant altogether. I let her give me a light dusting.

Eefa is half-asleep, Mags has her hands folded in her lap, and Broadsea keeps itching his beard and occasionally baring his teeth at people who stare too long. Proteus hasn’t taken his seat yet; he’s chatting with the mayor and the harbormaster about spatchcocking, which I guess is a cooking thing since that’s his passion. Maybe ‘passion’ is too strong a word; Proteus is too apathetic to experience any strong urge or emotion. His hobby, perhaps, is a better description.

We sit in order of victory, which means that as the most recent victor, I’m at the end of the line. I’m stuck next to damn Broadsea, and, since I sit on his left, I’m stuck looking at the mangled side of his face from the corner of my eye.

Mags is the only one I get along with. She’s the only one I like and she’s one of the only people in the world who genuinely likes me. As our district’s first victor, she’s seated at the other end of the line.

The microphone at the front of the stage shrieks as our Capitol escort adjusts it. She’s gotten even more surgery done to disguise her age since last summer, but instead of looking younger she just looks strange. She gives the introductory speech reminding us why the Hunger Games exist and what an honor it is to be chosen.

Piers Brewre volunteers for the boys.

The Career is about average height, maybe a little taller, and well-built. His muscles don’t bulge out of his body the way other Careers’ sometimes do, but they’re just big enough to see that they’re there.

Most of our tributes are Careers; regular kids get called up about a third of the time. We don’t have as many Careers as 1 and 2, but it’s practical to have a few. Careers have a real shot at winning and they save someone else’s life by volunteering to compete. I’ve always wondered why other districts don’t have this practice. It would save them a lot of heartache.

Piers takes his spot on the stage and crosses his arms over his chest as he waits for his partner to be called.

Brae clears her throat. “Now for the girls!”

There’s confusion in the crowd. An eighteen-year-old girl named Coastia was set to volunteer this year. Most people don’t change their minds about volunteering, and those who do aren’t usually allowed to withdraw. Coastia must’ve bribed somebody to get out of it.

Someone angrily shouts “Coastia! What did you do?” and a girl of about eighteen that must be her shrinks to the back of the crowd. The other girls begin to cluster into little pockets, all holding hands and whispering to each other. Other people start to scream out all sorts of horrible things, and most of the girls begin to panic. They thought, at least this year, they were safe. Now the odds are their only protection.

Brae, our escort, prances over to the other bowl and reaches in. She accidentally grabs two, and takes her sweet time choosing which to keep and which to toss back with the others. She opens the slip of paper and clears her throat before reading, “Annie Cresta!”

After a few seconds, a girl emerges from the crowd. Flowing hair. Wide eyes. Maybe sixteen or seventeen. Visibly trembling. She stumbles a few times as she climbs the steps to the stage, anxiously wiping her sweaty palms on her blue dress. Her chin quivers from the strain of holding back tears. She’s going to lose the battle.

There’s a commotion near the front of the boys’ group. A boy says something and surges forward, but another boy, who I know to be the grandson of one of our other victors, catches him by the arm and pulls him back.

Brae smiles brightly. “Ladies and gentlemen of District Four, I present to you – your tributes!”

There’s plenty of mandatory clapping, then the tributes are led into the Justice Building. The Head Peacekeeper steps to the front of the stage and starts barking instructions. “Those of you wishing to bid farewell to the tributes, line up here in order of closest relation.”

Broadsea pulls a large bottle of liquor from a hidden pocket in his coat and takes a large drink. He wakes Eefa up to offer her some.

It’s the same every year. Eefa will stay in her rooms and avoid other people at all costs, Broadsea will be drunk or high or both, Proteus will be charming and ass-kissing Capitol citizens whenever possible, and Mags and I will try to keep a pair of children alive for as long as possible.

But I've already watched eight children die in pain and fear. Why should this year be any different?

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jadeile-writes · 5 years ago

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Fanfic Progress Update 56

Hi, my quarantined friends and enemies! Let’s take a look at my Fanfic Progress Update, since it’s Saturday! Stay tuned to the end of this post for a spoiler-y glimpse into the next chapter of Adventure gone Mini AND Hah! Our afterlife is the most hilarious bushwa, dearest.

Current WIPs:

Adventure gone Mini

Fandom: Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / The Minish Cap

Summary: Sidon is given his very own Sheikah Slate, the first replica Purah has managed to make, and sets out to travel with Link with the intention of registering warp points for convenient travel in the future. However, when a malfunction shrinks them down to the size of bugs, and they meet little people called the Minish, they have to change their plans from “fun adventuring” to “getting out of this mess”. Not that those two have to exclude one another. Link/Sidon.

Progress: Chapter 36 is the current latest chapter and was posted on 18th of March. Chapter 37 is about 1/3 done and is scheduled for 8th of April.

I post a new chapter every three weeks on Wednesdays. These updates always include a sneak-peek for the next chapter, slowly getting longer over the three weeks waiting period.

—–

That month of the year

Fandom: Hazbin Hotel

Summary: Every year, for a single month, the Radio Demon gets… emotional. His antlers are in velvet and he’s pumped full of hormones that make him behave quite unlike himself: suddenly, everywhere he looks, instead of seeing fellow demons all he sees are helpless little fawns that nobody is taking a proper care of! Solution? Adopt them.

Husk, Niffty, Camille, Honey, and the rest of the older Fawns put up with their Mom/Dad’s nonsense every year, but this time there’s a new, rotten apple in their midst and they have to protect Alastor from this crook. Without Alastor knowing about it. As Husk likes to put it: “This is fucking bullshit. …I mean fudgy nonsense.”

(Crack taken seriously. Gen)

Progress: The first two chapters are finished! The third chapter hasn’t been started yet. I want to have at least three chapters written before posting anything, preferably more than that because I don’t know how long this fic is gonna be. I can tell it’s longer than the originally planned five chapters tho, since we’ve barely gotten the ball rolling with the first two chapters!

This fic is co-authored by Maximillian!

—–

Hah! Our afterlife is the most hilarious bushwa, dearest

Fandom: Hazbin Hotel

Summary: This is not a stand-alone story! This is a oneshot/drabble collection in the universe of “Shit, the Radio Demon is a part of my afterlife”. Read the main story before bothering with this one.

I decided to give my readers a chance to throw Radiohusk prompts at me, and had the Afterlife-verse as an option to set the stories in. Everyone liked that, so this fic is now a thing. Enjoy the extra mischief from these two dorks!

Progress: Chapter 7 is the current latest chapter and was posted on 20th of March. Chapter 8 will be posted on 24th of March, and chapter 9 on 27th of March. This story will have at least nine more chapters, but who even knows at this point. Additional prompts are not accepted at this moment.

This fic receives a new chapter every Tuesday and Friday. I’ll post a sneak-peek for Tuesday’s chapter on these updates, and one for Friday’s chapter in a separate post on Wednesday.

—–

Other WIPs I’m not currently working on but intend to get back to someday:

PoE Drabbles (Pillars of Eternity)

DC Drabbles (Justice League)

Diaphanous Relations (Forgotten Realms, R.A. Salvatore’s books)

Rolling with it (Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)

Possibly worth staying for (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)

Experiment in Romance (Hazbin Hotel)

—–

That’s it for the WIPs! Here is the promised sneak-peeks into Adventure gone Mini and Hah! Our afterlife is the most hilarious bushwa, dearest. (Note: the text may end up slightly different in the fic itself due to more editing happening before publishing). Enjoy!

Mini

Misteri led the two of them through the Toadstool Town, as it was called. The town wasn't very large, especially compared to the capital, which was the last city they had been to, but she used the little time it took for them to walk to the town hall to animatedly talk about her home. She explained how they, indeed, used magic to keep the toadstools preserved, and in some cases even alive if it was known that the building would need more space in the future – the Minish who wanted large families would start with a small house and then let it grow bigger as they had more children. It was very fascinating and practical, and Sidon looked like he wanted to stop and observe the growth with his own two eyes, as silly as that was.

Also, turned out that the local Minish were called Mist Minish, while the "regular" ones were Forest Minish. Rumor had it there were Mountain Minish around the mountains, and Field Minish in the Hyrule Fields. Misteri didn't know if there were Desert Minish in the Gerudo lands, Water Minish in the Zora Kingdom, Jungle Minish in the Faron region, and maybe some specific kind of Minish around the Hylian and Sheikah towns, but assumed it to be so. Link suddenly felt like their mini adventure was woefully inadequate now, since there was so much more to the Minish world to be seen all over Hyrule. He wanted to explore all of it one day. Maybe with Sidon, maybe with Zelda, maybe with both.

Bushwa

Husker was having a conversation with Angel Dust again. He had been doing that in increasing amounts lately, especially compared to how he had actively pushed him – everyone, really – away on every possible manner not that long ago. Alastor's grin sharpened and his eyes narrowed as he watched them from the other side of the room, ignoring the company he was with. He was itching to magic his way over there and insert himself into their conversation. Subtly push Angel out of it somewhere down the line and have Husker's undivided attention on himself, and most importantly away from Angel. He had been feeling this way on a few occasions recently, and it was disconcerting. He didn't like it at all. Alastor felt… threatened by Angel's newly found presence in Husker's life. And he knew why, as much as he hated to admit it.

It was a well known fact that Angel was interested in Husker in a romantic manner, to some extent. He had made that abundantly clear over the months; even Alastor had been able to see it despite his slowness at recognizing these things. Now, Husker was Alastor's sheik, and hadn't shown any interest in Angel at any point during their stay at the hotel. But, on a theoretical level, Angel had more to offer to Husker than Alastor did if the two of them were to pursue a romantic relationship. And that left Alastor feeling ill at ease.

That’s it this time. See you next Saturday!

AO3 FFnet Purple Crayon Ko-fi

#Fanfic progress update

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discordantplains · 6 years ago

Text

Dear Lord

Tucker was in hell. Not the nether--no that would be preferable over the itching sneezing congestion filled purgatory he’d landed himself in. He hadn’t even been blessed enough to find the meager amount of obsidian necessary to construct a portal there during their supervised mining sessions. There was no escape and he figured he must be really desperate if he was considering the stifling dimension of Dianite’s domain a reprieve.

He sniffled, wiping at his already tender nose, and pressed his face into his pillow. He was the only one currently in the bed and breakfast they were using as a base of operations. Sonja and Waglington had gone out to explore the town, Tom left to do who knows what--probably get in trouble with Captain Captain--and Jordan had already turned hermit and was down in the basement tinkering with a portal to get them home.

The hope Jordan’s portal was bringing happened to be the only thing keeping him from bashing his head open on the nearest hard surface. Though, to be fair, it already felt like his head was being bashed open.

He’d never had allergies this bad, not in the savanna in Mianite or the fields around his home in Ruxomar. Whatever grass grew in this gods-forsaken plane was seriously nasty stuff. Both inside and outside he was suffering, hell even underground was bad. His head pounded and felt full of cotton, his sinuses felt fit to burst, and his eyes were throbbing. He was constantly adjusting his jaw, hoping that his ears would pop and relieve some of the terrible pressure in his skull but he hadn’t been lucky thus far. His mouth didn’t feel much better--his tongue was slightly swollen and his throat felt like it was grating against sandpaper every time he swallowed.

He had already gotten medication from SkeleTom and it didn’t seem to be doing anything. The alternate swore up and down that it should have done something at least, but Tucker wasn’t seeing a difference. Sleeping didn’t help either. He woke up this morning feeling worse than the previous days and mining had been pretty miserable to begin with. The alternate alternates, who Sonja had dubbed the “Alts Squared”, followed every move they made. Even Tom, who had made threats of going off the grid, hadn’t managed to escape Honey’s watchful gaze. If he didn’t feel so sick Tucker would have been impressed. He’d never been able to control Tom like that.

Speaking of, the grating zombie champion had woken him about thirty minutes ago, jabbering on about spending time with Captain Captain. Not only did he not feel up to spending extended periods of time outside, but he didn’t exactly trust Jordan’s alternate not to go crazy and murder them all. Mianite knows he’d already tried. Or maybe that was his version of playfulness. Honestly, he was worse than the Modesteps and the Ianite pirates put together.

After only a few moments of lying face down in his pillow the pillowcase was wet with snot from his constantly dribbling nose. He sat back in disgust, sighing frustratedly. He needed out--and he didn’t know if he could wait on Jordan to build his portal.

With an appropriate amount of sniffling and groaning he put on the simple armor he had managed to craft the day prior and stepped outside.

It was midday and the sun beat down on the city in the plains relentlessly. As soon as he took his first congested breath of fresh air he sneezed and regretted leaving the safety of the bed and breakfast. But sitting inside all day was driving him madder than his allergies, especially when everyone else was being productive. He had already wasted yesterday in a drowsy haze of SkeleTom’s defective medication.

He still wasn’t going to hang out with Tom and his evil pirate fixation though.

The walk from the bed and breakfast to the town square was a short one and Tucker wasted no time gazing at the sights. He was a man on a mission. As he rounded the side of a building and the Mianite temple came into view he quickened his pace, stepping over Captain Captain’s tripwire, and slipped inside.

It was cool and dim in the temple, the only light source being a few long burning candles on the quartz altar at the front. All of the windows were shuttered with heavy wooden blinds, likely to keep the elaborate tapestries hanging from the rafters from fading in the sunlight. They were brilliantly colored, depicting Mianite enacting various forms of justice while golden wheat shone behind him. Tucker wasn’t impressed with the artistry. Compared to the temple in the land of Mianite this was nothing. Honey may seem like the picture perfect Mianite champion but her temple sucked and Tucker took pleasure in besting her on that front.

He approached the altar and swiped the book laid open on the center of it. All pages prior to the one it was open to had been ripped out. The tears were neat and close to the binding--clearly Honey’s work. There was a dropper behind the altar, shimmering with a godlike enchantment, and Tucker figured that’s where he should drop prayers. It was interesting how similar communication with the gods was here in comparison with his home dimension. He was hoping this god would be a bit more responsive than his own, however.

He grabbed the quill on the altar as well, noting the beautiful golden feather and plopped down on the front pew preparing to write until the god responded. It’s not like there was anything else to do in this city without getting penalized anyway. Honey had made that very clear.

He started out eloquently, introducing himself, because he had to remember that this wasn’t his Mianite, and explaining the circumstances. He made note to mention that he was the Mianite champion in his own universe and give a flowery overview of his deeds and accomplishments. Tucker figured that the higher this Mianite thought of him the more he would be willing to help him out. He definitely wanted to speed run this experience-- no waiting around on world ending calamities to open up the void. And no waiting for Jordan to figure out what even Deviser Gaines struggled with either.

He had just gotten to the part where he heroically slayed Dianite to rescue Ianite and save his dimension when the solid oak doors swung open behind him and heavy footfalls approached. He stifled a cough and looked over his shoulder, expecting Sonja.

Honey was marching towards him instead. Immediately Tucker straightened up, trying his best to look the part of a proper champion despite feeling like Tom on a sunny day. Which was to say--bad.

“You’re quite devoted.” She intoned, coming to a stop at the end of his pew.

“Yeah well, I try.” He chuckled awkwardly, before pausing and running a hand through his hair.

He felt he had made a rocky first impression with Honey courtesy of a few too many snarky remarks. She was also kind of scary and her rapier and armor was well above what he had managed to craft the few days prior. Not to mention he could barely read her. She was perfectly stone faced aside from her ears.

“I’ve been praying so we can get out of your hair. Figured if anyone can get me out of this gods-forsake- erm... if anyone can get us home it’d be Lord Mianite.”

“A shame. I was rather hoping you’d decide to stay.”

Though her words were passive her tone suggested that he strongly reconsider is bid to leave.

“Not a chance.” He laughed, “No offense, this is a nice town and all but I’d rather die than stay here. Actually, scratch that- I probably will die.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

He believed her.

“Look, I’m not trying to be rude here, but nothing short of an ancient prophecy from Mianite himself is going to get me to stay.”

“I take it that’s happened before.”

“Yeah, it was a whole big deal in the last dimension we were in. Don’t think it made much of a difference though, we sort of caused the end of the world on our way out.”

He balked under her observant turned piercing stare.

“Uh, that’s not going to happen here, though.”

“I should hope not. I’ve labored too many years here to have it all destroyed because of some unexpected guests. That being said, you’re still welcomed despite your apparent track record.”

“Gee, thanks.”

He sighed and closed the prayer book, before standing and placing it back on the altar.

“Speaking of track record,” he began tredeptatiously, “and you’re smart so I’m sure you’ve picked up on this-”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“-that’s not what I- I’m taken. Um, look Tom isn’t exactly the most rule abiding person. He's been pretty good so far, and you've been doing a good job keeping track of him, but he won't stay so placated for long.” Honey’s stern eyes didn’t leave him the whole time he spoke. Tucker ended up choking on his cough in the back of his throat--unwilling to show weakness.

“Yes, Sonja made that clear during the initial tour, and his conduct during your allotted mining hours affirmed it. You need not remind me, I am keeping an eye on it. We are well versed in dealing with troublemakers.”

“Right,” he muttered, “Captain Captain. I just figured I’d warn you, Mianite champion to Mianite champion and all.”

He placed his hands on his hips in a very self important sort of way but Honey didn’t react beyond blinking. Tucker pressed his lips together in a firm line, never missing how the inhabitants of Ruxomar had thought him hot shit more than now.

“He doesn’t care if you kill him by the way,” he added, moving swiftly on from that embarrassing floundering, “he’ll just keep popping up like nothing happened, it doesn’t work on him.”

It was strange that that was the statement to wring a reaction out of her. To Tucker it seemed she would have been able to infer something like that, but the tilt of her head and squint of her eyes indicated otherwise. He felt something tighten in his chest. The implications of the source of her confusion were less than ideal.

“What’s that look for.”

She continued to look at him, brows furrowed in confusion and the blatant telegraphing of her emotions made him uncomfortable.

“I don’t follow.” She finally said.

“What part.”

“Is he immortal? A god?” she asked and the bad feeling in Tucker’s chest grew heavier.

“I mean technically yes, he’s Dianite-”

And he didn’t miss the way she flinched, the muscles jumping in her forearms and biceps as she tensed.

“-but not in this dimension. Okay, I’m about to ask a potentially stupid question, um-- do you guys not come back to life when you die?”

“No.”

Fuck.

“Oh gods- I need to-” and he took a few unsteady steps back to the pew before sinking down into it like all the breath had been driven from his lungs. It felt like it. Or maybe he was about to have a panic attack.

Of course this dimension had no respawn, why would it. There’s apparently a pattern to keep, after all.

Unwittingly, his mind flashed back to a small dark cave, with holes and crevices in the rock stretching up above him, shrouded in shadow. It felt like the world had dimmed around him, and he could feel the grit of cobblestone and coal under his fingernails. The air tasted stale and dank. He felt claustrophobic.

He pushed his hands through his hair, gripping tightly and knocking the cap from his head.

This was just like the island, although he had no intention of dying here. He was going to live and escape. He didn’t want to die again, not like that. Not without being able to come back.

Honey was taking his mini breakdown rather well, just standing impassively and letting him work it out of his system. Maybe later he would scream into his pillow until he went hoarse, but for now he needed to make sure Sonja’s alt² didn’t think he was too much of a crazy person.

“I’m fine, that’s fine--normal even, sorry, I said it would be a stupid question.” He paused to breathe, finding it a little hard and not entirely because of his allergies.

“If you need some time I’ll be on my way.” Honey started, motioning to the doors. And though he realized she probably didn’t get what was happening, he appreciated her discretion.

Tucker sighed and breathed in and out a few more times before sitting up and placing his hat back on his head. Unfortunately, he couldn’t afford to sit down and think about tight cave spaces and hissing monsters that were always just out of his line of sight.

“No, I have more questions.” He wheezed before snapping his fingers, “A priest, do you have a priest? Declan?”

“We do not.”

Right, of course not. That would be too easy. What’s the point of a world where death is permanent if it isn’t inescapable?

He also thought it odd, because even on Trinity Island Declan had a way of reaching them. Tucker just assumed he was a universal constant. Though if anything he learned about Ihatchu so far was to be believed, it was that Captain Captain was a murderous maniac and probably killed him.

Thinking about that now and knowing that those who died stayed dead set him on edge.

“Tell me about Mianite, how do I get in contact. What’s the fastest way.”

He might've been losing his cool a bit.

“Writing prayers is the most assured way to-”

She cut herself off mid sentence, Tucker hanging on her words like the end of a rope, holding his breath.

“Honey-”

“Silence.”

He shut his jaw with a clack, frustrated energy thrumming under his skin. He wasn’t a particularly patient person on most days but right now it felt as though if he didn’t get answers from Mianite himself right this second he would explode. Or scream. Or both.

Honey was statue still. Her ears were twitching continuously and he could hear her quick inhales in the silence of the temple. He didn’t miss how her hand had drifted to the hilt of her rapier. She seemed to be waiting for something that only she had noticed.

He stilled as well, but couldn’t hear or smell anything out of the ordinary. Before he even had a chance to open his mouth and ask what she was paying attention to she was storming down the aisle and out of the doors at a furious pace.

He followed, scrambling up out of the pew and dashing out after her into the evening air.

The first thing he noticed was that he had spent much longer inside the temple than he thought, and the second thing was a large column of black smoke rising up into the golden sky a few blocks away.

Honey was already disappearing down a street in that direction.

Tucker had a bad feeling about this.

He followed suit, boots pounding against clean cobblestone streets.

It was clear what had happened before he even rounded the final corner. Tucker could hear the roaring crackle and feel the heat of flames before actually seeing the fire. But as soon as he did it was obvious who had started it.

Standing an unsafe distance from the inferno was Tom, cackling like mad and looking entirely like Dianite incarnate. Reflections of the flames glittered madly in his dark, undead eyes and his suit was smoldering slightly as rogue embers sizzled against the cloth.

It was only then did Tucker realize that the structure currently on fire was an entire fucking house.

“Oh, you fucking idiot.”

Tom spotted Tucker and lifted his hand to wave at the same moment Honey rushed and clotheslined him. She swung wide, her heavy forearm bracer catching him in the throat and sending him flat on his back in a singular movement. Tom’s shriek of surprise was cut short as his back hit the street and the breath was driven from his lungs.

Honey pinned him with her knee and immediately straightened, scanning the surrounding streets with her hawklike gaze. Tom writhed beneath her, horrid choking sobs adding to the roaring of the flames as he struggled to take in air.

Tucker didn’t quite get what she was looking for until he saw a glint of something metallic and spotted Captain Captain leaning on the railing of a porch across the street. The pirate and lawmaker locked eyes across the way. The Ianite champion grinned before shaking his head and turning to head out of sight.

“You’re not going to go after him?” Tucker asked, nodding to the side alley where Captain Captain had disappeared.

Tom had started squirming more purposefully under Honey’s weight, reaching for a wicked looking dagger that had been knocked free of his belt and was lying a few feet away. She increased pressure on his sternum and he let out an undignified squeak.

“Get off of me, lady!” Tom whined, legs thrashing.

Honey ignored Tom’s protests, turning to Tucker. Her expression was so fearsome he noticeably stiffened, taking half a step back.

“He’ll get what’s his.” She growled.

Normally, Tucker would've offered his assistance in apprehending him, but recently learning he was a very mortal man had him acting with caution. He didn't want to test his luck when the outcome could very well be a crossbow bolt between the eyes.

“And Tom?” He asked above the flurry of foul words the Dianite champion was now spitting at Honey.

“Tom will receive punishment fitting the crime.”

Tucker did a double take, “What? No trial?”

“Have you any doubt of his responsibility for this?”

Tucker looked at the blazing inferno and then back at Tom, still struggling beneath Honey and looking like he would kill if he could.

His answer was an unfortunate, “No…”

With a deft movement, Honey let up the pressure on Tom’s chest and fisted her hand in his hair at the nape of his neck. She yanked hard, twisting his head so his face was pressed harshly into the street. Tom sputtered as his teeth hit cobblestone, lips splitting and staining the ground red.

He thrashed, kicking with his legs, but Honey held fast and flipped the rest of his body stomach down with a sharp knee to his kidneys.

“I’m taking him in.” She decided, then inclined her head towards a narrow line of grates bordering the street. “Use the city’s waterline to put out the fire, I won’t have it spreading.”

Tucker hesitated. He couldn’t just let Honey take Tom away, what if she killed him? Rationally, he knew she wouldn’t, that would be absurd but…

“Hey now, shouldn’t I tag along to see how you do things? Not that I don’t trust you but we’re used to a more democratic system when it comes to doling out punishment.”

He inhaled sharply before continuing, “Griefing was against the law in our dimension as well, I’m sure there’s some sort of explanation that would…” Tucker trailed off. Was he really about to say there might be a reason that justified Tom burning a house down? He hoped for the zombie’s sake there was one. What the hell had gotten into him.

Honey was unmoved by his pleas.

“How many times will you have to defend the actions of your friend, preemptively or in response to his misdeeds, before you take a critical eye to his moral character.”

She had a point. They were making an awful lot of excuses on Tom’s behalf. But the alts² didn’t know Tom. He was an obnoxious Dianitee who liked to play with fire but damn it, he was Tucker’s friend too.

“I’ve known him long enough to make my judgments.” He retorted. “I’ll put out the fire, just don’t do anything permanent. You aren’t the only Mianite champion around anymore.”

Honey’s dark eyes narrowed, the fire flickering dangerously in the reflection of her pupils.

“Reconsider that statement.” She said coldly, standing and hauling Tom with her.

Tucker stood his ground, likely foolishly. He doubted she’d kill him, that wasn’t exactly just and she seemed to pride herself on that sort of thing, but she was stronger than him, more geared than him, and had very sharp teeth and big muscles. In a one on one he would decidedly lose, but if he backed down here than what sort of a man was he, no less what sort of champion.

Honey didn’t back down so much as brush him aside. Wrenching Tom’s right arm up and behind his back, still gripping his hair, she shoved him down the street in the direction that Tucker knew was the jail.

The zombie was cursing loudly, and Tucker caught his wild gaze as he was marched past.

“Tucker! Dude back me up! No one was living there what’s the big deal!”

“He will be released in the morning.” Honey said as a final goodbye, leaving Tucker to deal with the house fire himself.

Tucker coughed, the acrid taste of smoke hitting the back of his throat. Perfect.

In the end, he did a very half-assed job of putting out the fire. He made sure it wouldn’t spread to any other buildings and then bailed, figuring the structure would be a lost cause anyway.

There were much more important things to attend to, like making sure everyone else knew there was no respawn. It was then that he realized that Tom had no idea and had burned down a building with the confidence of someone who could never die.

And Captain Captain had probably egged him on to boot. He was totally trying to get Tom killed!

The sun was well on its way to dipping below the horizon now, and the sky was tinged a dusky purple. Streetlights began to flicker on as Tucker turned and sprinted back towards the bed and breakfast, flames still crackling at his back. The shadows on porches and down alleyways began to seem more sinister as he ran and he had to focus on the rhythm of his feet and breath to keep his brain from conjuring up creeper hissing. Thank Mianite for intuitive city layouts because he was back on the doorstep of their shared living space within a few minutes, if horrendously out of breath.

As he leant heavily on the doorframe catching his breath, feeling the congestion crackle in his chest alongside the smoke inhalation, a familiar soothing voice piped up behind him.

“Hey Tucker, there’s like a big fire over there or something. Wonder what that’s all about.”

Tucker whipped around, only looking mildly crazed, to find Waglington staring placidly back at him.

“Get inside, we need to have a meeting.” He ordered hoarsely, pulling open the door and shoving the wizard inside.

“Ah, is it about the fire?” Waglington asked, not in any hurry at all despite Tucker’s urging.

“No- well yes, that’s part of it.” They entered the bedroom, and Sonja was already present, lounging on her bed and scrawling crossly into a journal.

“Where’s Sparklez.” Tucker badgered.

“Downstairs.” Sonja answered without looking up, and Waglington shuffled over to peer at her notes.

“What’s got you so peeved.” The wizard inquired, flicking the tips of her ears which were lying flat against her head in displeasure.

She sighed heavily.

“I’ve been trying to investigate some lights out of town, but Mericho’s dogs won’t let me out.”

“Hmm that is a predicament indeed.” He murmured, and Tucker tuned them out, hurrying down the steps to the basement.

“Jordan!” He barked, startling the Ianite champion into dropping a component he was holding. It broke in half upon hitting the ground and a piece of it skittered somewhere out of sight.

“Oh gods-” He turned around blue eyes blazing angrily, “Tucker!”

“Worry about that later, I have news.” And he grabbed the shorter man by the wrist, tugging him back up into their shared living space. He stumbled crossly after Tucker, fixing his askew sunglasses as he was yanked along.

“Okay, stop.” Jordan grumbled, snatching his hand back from Tucker with a scowl, “what’s this about.”

“We’re missing Tom.” Waglinton observed.

“You smell like smoke.” Sonja commented.

Tucker muffled a cough in his elbow. “I’ll get to that.” He paused to make sure he had their full attention before continuing. Jordan cast a mournful glance down at the cellar and Tucker snapped his fingers to bring his focus back around.

“I was talking to Honey today and to make a long and awkward conversation short,” he inhaled sharply, “we have no respawn.”

“Well, that sucks.” Jordan said eloquently.

Sonja frowned, looking back at her notepad. “That makes a lot of sense actually.”

Waglington looked confused.

“What so like, if we die, we die?”

"Yeah, pretty much." Tucker confirmed, "And I have no idea what happens when we do die. Dec isn't here, no idea if the gods will pop up any time soon, so-"

"Wait, no Declan?" Jordan piped up, "I thought he was like- a universal constant."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too, and if I'm honest here I think he straight up died."

“That’s troubling.” Waglington muttered, sitting down on his bed.

“Right. So we should all just keep our heads down, no dangerous shit.” He crossed his arms. “Speaking of-- Tom decided to burn down a house tonight and got himself caught by Honey.”

Waglington laughed, Jordan sighed heavily, and Sonja put her head in her hands.

“She wouldn’t kill him, right?” Jordan worried.

Tucker shrugged, “She said she’d release him in the morning so that implies not.”

That seemed to be enough for Jordan, who tentatively stretched with a yawn, spine audibly popping.

“Alright, well, I guess that’s fine…”

Sonja’s face wrinkled, “Not really. I can easily picture him pissing her off even more.”

Tucker huffed. “Not much we can do about it, trust me, I tried.”

In truth, he probably could have tried harder, but no one else was there and therefore couldn’t challenge him on it.

Tom would be fine.

"Look just-" he sighed, taking a shaky step backwards until the backs of his knees hit his bedside, and he sunk into the mattress with a quiet huff.

"-we had instructions on Trinity Island. Beat all the bosses and be the last one standing. But here we don't have a guaranteed revival, even if one of us makes it out. We can't just fuck around like on Ruxomar."

Waglington looked the most troubled of all, and Tucker was reminded that the wizard had never gone without respawn before. Tucker could practically see the gears turning in his head as he likely parsed out the quickest way to become invincible via local magic.

"Well, this place doesn't seem so bad." Jordan pitched in, "All I have to do is finish the portal and it'll be okay."

Tucker didn't miss the way Jordan had clipped his sentences, his tone rife with his trademark subtle passive aggression. He winced, recalling the intricate looking portal component Jordan had dropped.

The Ianite champion didn't spare him another glance, slipping back downstairs.

Tucker was busy feeling sorry for himself.

Sonja shot him a sympathetic look from where she was curled up against her headboard.

"What a world, huh?”

He frowned, sniffling as his allergies tickled the back of his nose again.

"It's a crap one, that's what it is."

...

Tucker woke in the morning to the sound of a door slamming open. He jerked awake, not that he had been in that deep of a sleep to begin with, to see Tom’s ugly mug stomping through the bedroom towards the stairs to the basement. He would’ve gotten up to stop him--Tom needed to learn about their mortality like yesterday-- but as soon as he sat up he felt the phlegm in his lungs and hacked and coughed to regain his breath.

The mucus he spit out was thick and disgustingly yellow. His mouth tasted like smoke.

By the time he had pulled enough air into his lungs and recovered, Tom was already in the basement and Tucker could hear the indistinct rumble of Jordan’s voice.

Tucker swiped an unused notebook from Sonja’s bed and began his prayers to Mianite anew, keeping an eye on the cellar stairs for Tom’s return. He’d go down himself but he had a feeling if Jordan broke another portal component because of him he’d probably get a lot more than passive aggressive.

It wasn’t long before he could hear Tom’s voice rising in volume from the basement anyway. Jordan marched up the stairs soon after, Tom hot on his heels, gesticulating wildly.

“You admit to wanting me to suffer!”

Jordan ignored him and nodded at Tucker before exiting the bed and breakfast. It looked like Tom was fixing to go after him and so Tucker stood, taking a step forward to grab the zombie’s shoulder and prevent him from pursuing the Ianite champion.

Tom attempted to shrug out of his grip, hurling one last sentence at Jordan’s back.

“SkeleTom’s a limp dicked pushover, when you get bored of being his bitch let me know!”

“Tom, quit it.” Tucker grumbled, pulling him back from the doorway.

The zombie rounded on him and Tucker noticed he was cradling an injured hand to his chest.

“You can’t seriously be chill with this, can’t you see Sparklez is traitoring us?”

“Look man, I don’t give a shit about SkeleTom, but what I do care about is the fact that we have no respawn and you’re acting like a maniac.”

Tom paused, looking confused. Tucker could see the gears turning in his head before his eyes sparked with understanding.

“No shit?”

“Yeah man, so I’m pretty sure Captain Captain was trying to get you killed.”

Tucker waited with a patience he reserved just for Tom and saw the zombie still and go silent. His eyes unfocused and the red light in them dimmed slightly. He absently flexed his broken hand tentatively and looked at the ground, then Tucker. "That can't be it," he said more in a pleading tone to himself than Tucker.

Tucker held to that patience like a man drowning in the sea clutching driftwood as he was carried into a torturous storm. "Tom, I'm serious. Go help Wag or Sonja--lay off on the pranking and shit until we're home."

"No!" Tom immediately defended. He crossed his arms. "I'll just be more careful. That was just a slip-up. If Captain MoreFun meant to kill me he would have." The zombie sighed and deflated, looking at the door Jordan had long left. "I just…"

"Yeah, Tom?" Tucker asked gently. If his allergy drained brain was interpreting things correctly, Tom was upset.

"We don't hang out," Tom said to Tucker, eyes still dim. "First you got busy in Ruxomar, then Jordan found everything to do but hang out and Wag always is off building. I just want someone I can go do pranks with--someone who finally won't get bored of me."

It hurt. Tucker had got consumed with Blood Magic and Mianite knows what tech Jordan had been doing. "Tom, we're your friends. I'd hug you but I'm starting to feel like vomiting."

Tom wrinkled his nose and then shook his head quickly. He looked at Tucker and genuinely smiled, but let it drop. "What am I saying? That's just the healing potion talking." Tucker sighed as Tom spun on his heels to the door, giving him a middle finger. "Fuck you, I can do whatever; you're all losers and Captain Fun is a lot more entertaining."

Tucker let him go, he had a list of things to accomplish and at the end of the day it was clear that not even Honey Badger could reign Tom in.

| ABOUT | CHARACTERS | PLOT |

#discordant plains #mianite #iijeriichoii #mianitefa #Honey Badger #mianite fan fiction #mianite fan art

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knight-otu · 5 years ago

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Toady’s Devlog for 01/01/2020

Toady One, from the Dwarf Fortress Development Log:

Here's the monthly report. Here is the Future of the Fortress. Happy New Year! 2020 should be a very exciting one for Dwarf Fortress. Sometime later today on the 1st, in fact, we should be appearing on a new episode of Dwarf Fortress Roundtable. Check back there for a new episode soon. So yes, we're planning for a release this month! Notably, we are pushing things up a bit so that I can get started on the graphical version and get the artists squared away, the artists who have been very patiently waiting for me for about a year now! Then we'll be working with them on an ongoing basis and get the Steam/itch release done. This leaves a few questions regarding the villain release: what about any serious issues that arise, and which features have been delayed in order to get the release up? For bug-fixing and stabilization, we're going to do some initial work after the villain release happens - there are plenty of serious issues on the tracker, the villain release will doubtless have issues, and we can afford to do some of them now -- we'd like the new version to be playable and the Steam/itch version will need those bugs fixed anyway. However, we also need to get the graphical code rolling so the artists can work more easily, and this needs to happen soon. Therefore the plan is to spend some time with the worst bugs at first, and then, as the Steam work progresses, we'll do additional stabilization releases on the existing branch as well. It's hard to say what the frequency of these fixer-upper releases will be before starting in on the graphical work, but the goal is not to sit on anything nasty like the old weapon trap crash or the existing military equipment/raid crash for extended periods of time anymore. This also includes the stress issues that we've been collecting over at the stress thread, and other related issues like socialization problems - they need to be fixed for the Steam/itch release, and it would be nice to fix them sooner. But the Steam/itch work must begin. Thus, some feature delays! We have delayed things before (tavern games! caravan arc! army arc!) But this is a bit different and hopefully a unique event for us, which seems likely given the situation -- a few things we definitely thought we'd make it to are going to have to wait until after Steam/itch, sometimes just on account of testing time. I should emphasize that these are being moved to just after the graphical release, and *before* the Big Wait, in with the army/adv mode medical/etc. improvements, not to tavern game limbo. We should get to everything, over several shorter releases, before the map rewrite and myth/magic stuff takes us back to at least one extended cycle (as there's no other way to do the map rewrite, though stabilization releases can happen even then.) The main wholesale delay is adventurers being villains. We didn't get to any of that, and now it'll have to wait a bit, including guard systems and access stuff we wanted to do. I still think the main thrust of giving villainous orders is pretty straightforward, but it takes time to add conversation and interface options for the different missions (along the lines of the dwarf mode 'c' screen). The adv investigations also aren't going to lead to anything chaining or complicated yet - we didn't get to any of our more interesting evidence ideas. The system for yelling combat orders at people isn't done (the tactical control system is in, though.) Adventure mode will have to lean on parties and mounts and tactical mode and the shrines and new buildings and new necro stuff. Which is okay! And we'll get to the rest later. Over in fort mode, the infiltrators and traitors don't yet chain up to a full takeover the way we would have liked. We didn't get to any of the new household positions (like the chamberlains and so forth which pop up in adventure mode now). Merchants and mercenary companies don't come up. We're continue some dwarf villain/justice work this month, before the release, so we should see a bit more here for this time. In necro land, the old vampire cults were left hanging, though with new ability to pass immortality to subordinates these cults somewhat exist in the villain networks - the new system is more interesting in a few ways, but incorporation of bits of the old system will add some coherence when we get to it. Also, while intelligent undead lieutenants are in, *ghostly* undead lieutenants need more testing (there are way too many weird duel bugs etc. with their non-corporeal selves), so they'll come in later. Several of the more involved villainous plots didn't make it out of world generation, and hostages and artifacts don't always have proper places to be stored tile-wise in adv mode. We were planning a few more dungeon maps and didn't get to them. Those are the ones, as far as I can tell from the notes. There should still be quite a bit to play with. We'll get to the rest after our Steam/itch excursion, which will itself bring a lot of useful and welcome changes beyond the graphics and audio. So, a little out of order maybe, but things will be well.

#Dwarf Fortress #Development log #it's coming!#Happy New Year!

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journaloftomfooleryandjapery · 5 years ago

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All the TOP 10 OF THE DECADE posts made me want to make one of my own, so here’s my 10 fave games this decade:

Yakuza 0 Shovel Knight Nier Automata Metal Gear Rising Gunvolt Chronicles Luminous Avenger IX Final Fantasy XV Scott pilgrim vs the world the game Undertale Persona 5 Doom

Danganronpa 2, New Vegas, Touhou Luna Nights, Katana Zero and Mario Odyssey all only barely missed out, and it was a tough decision not to include them. I loved the shit out of those games but thinking it through I decided they were just slightly less loved by me than the above.

Below the cut are some extended thoughts (of varying length) on the games included:

Just CTRL F if you wanna find a specific one

Yakuza 0

Every Yakuza game is delightful and this is definitely the best one, in my opinion. The Yakuza games appeal to me for a lot of reasons: the combat, the story, the variety of activities, the look of it all and the music. I feel like its a very unique game experience with its blend of weird in-depth side activities, serious crime drama, manly man masculine combat friendship melodrama, metal gear-esque convoluted conspiracies and a surprisingly compassionate view of the world it takes place in.

The combat is what drew me in initially because it just feels good, the feedback of stomping on a dudes face in yakuza is delivered perfectly, and the attacks are brutal, hard and flashy. Its a very solid and satisfying combat system and in 0 its the best it has ever been. The ability to switch between 3 different and equally fun fighting styles on the fly really lets you mix things up and adapt your approach, every style feels fun and useful. If i had to pick a favorite it would be slugger, but its a tough choice, and they are all very viable and FUN.

Yakuza 0 also gets big points for having the best story in the series. The protagonists feel much more interesting in this era, the fights feel more earned in this game than others, the relationships are incredibly touching (I’m almost mad majima didnt stay with makoto) and the substories (and some parts of the main story) are the funniest they’ve ever been. Stuff like the quasi-stealth mission where you have to make sure women don’t see you buying a porn magazine for a child, and the extended scene of kiryu trying to guess the right business manners for a meeting had me laughing so much i was i was almost in physical pain.

The extensive business and host club substories get you tons of extra game content and are good enough to almost be there own game. The other games in the series have extended side activites of varying quality, but i think 0 had a rare case of all of these being, basically, perfect. The team obviously agrees since host club management came back repeatedly, but never as good as it was here.

Being set in the 80s elevates almost everything in the game because of the outfits, money flying out of every enemy you attack, the classic sega games you can play at the arcade (Outrun is so much fun and I’d have never have given it a proper go otherwise) and the disco minigame everyones made a meme out of (that music is so catchy).

As a final note this game has the best boss fights and music in the series, which is a very high standard to surpass when you look at the rest of the series. The dual final boss fights, the recurring boss for kiryu and almost every majima fight are highlights of the entire series for me.

0 is going to end up being one of the few games I’ll never sell my copy of because i want it available for me to play forever, its a complete delight.

Shovel Knight

This game has been analysed to hell and back, so i wont have much original to say i suppose. Admittedly i did enjoy the first campaign but it didnt completely win me over, plague knights campaign and beyond was what really made this an all time greats for me. It’s one of very few games that gets the NES+SNES platforming appeal 100% right and essentially surpasses most games of the day, with almost perfect pacing, challenge and level design. IT helps that the whole world and story and look is charming as all hell. It’s an easy game to love and the more you play it the more that feels justified. Being PACKED with great content is also a plus. If you liked the first campaign you can just keep going through a set of campaigns about as good that only really rehash some level assets. I would say its one of the best 2D platformers ever for me, if not quite my true number 1.

ALSO JAKE KAUFMAN KNOCKS IT OUT THE PARK WITH THIS SOUNDTRACK

Since i have little else to add to the shovel knight discussion, here’s my ranking/thoughts on each campaign

Plague of shadows. BEST storyline, great levels with a really cool gameplay gimmick, the characters are all cute and the ending really makes me feel for him. both sorry for him at first and then a very real AAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW for LOVE

King of cards. king knight is just fun as hell to play as, he doesnt have that many tools but his movement is just crazy fun and i love the flair in all his animations. also has that rad final boss. joustus is ok i guess.

Shovel of hope. uuuuuuh what can i even say about this. its good, and the melancholy dream bits add a lot to the mood of the story. we’ve already analysed this campaign within an inch of its life i dont think i can say anything new. wish we could fight the battletoads on pc.

Specter of torment. still fun and i appreciate the tone change, but i didnt care as much for the characters and the mega man-esque level select doesnt suit shovel knight imo. specter knight has a lot of fun movement options though. mainly i just love GRINDING and the diagonal slash. i dont give a fuck about reize

Nier Automata

I feel a tiny bit ashamed i have so little to say about this considering it is one of the most emotional experiences i have ever had with a story. If i lsten to the final version of weight of the world i still cry just from remembering this game and how it made me feel. i think its one of the greatest narratives of the century but i can barely get across the appeal to anyone who hasnt already played it. its a story about hope, despair and the nature of the human race that never feels like its preachy or pretensious or taking on more than it can handle. it made me feel all kinds of emotions deeply and intensely, it genuinely made me burst into tears about 10 times, maybe more. even putting aside the ggrand narrative, theres so many cool character moments and bits of world building and visual eements and tragic little side stories that you would need a whole book to talk about them all while doing any real justice to them. i loved it so much that im paying £70 to see an orchestra do the soundtrack live. I want to hug and kiss 2b and 9s better. i just love it deeply and i find it hard to explain why it makes me feel that way, but its a dark beautiful and hopeful story where every moment feels earned. the despair of the story giving way to genuine hope with the rest of the world helping you fight for it is such an intensely emotional moment that you could never replicate outside of this kind of story and medium. how the fuck do i explain that to anyone that doesnt already get it. I’m glad this game exists

Metal Gear Rising

Well, complete tone shift here. Platinum made a lot of great action games in the last decade that all dig into that same itch for DODGE SLOW MOTION BANG BANG BANG alongside great soundtracks, visuals and awesome set piece moments. Just intense, flashy, awesome combat. Picking a favorite of the decade was the hard part, because a platinum game had to be one of my faves of the decade. The closest was transformers, but mgr has a couple of things about it that put it above the rest of the platinum catalog for me.

The story actually works very well at still being metal gear while in the platinum formula, its about the cycle of violence and FINDING YOUR OWN PURPOSE and it works weirdly well. The strangest part is that it feels like a legitimate sequel to metal gear 4 tonally while still being the crazy action game it is

Raiden is just super fun to play as, while I’ll always miss the DODGE SLOWMO in a platinum game parry and zandatsu give a great flow to fights and there’s real exhilaration to parrying a hard chain of attacks and tearing out a bunch of enemies spines at once every time

raiden is also just a fun protag, it truly allows me to embrace that kind of stereotypical edgy cool anime swordsman he embodies

BEST PLATINUM SOUNDTRACK DO NOT @ ME

Bosses just rule

one of the best final bosses ever, in my opinion? maybe that’s controversial, but armstrong gets an insane amount of characterization and pure PRESENCE out of such a small amount of screen time and the fact he feels like such a perfect rival to raiden so quickly is kind of nuts to me. within about half an hour you are ready for the ultimate final showdown with everything at stake, and then the gameplay 100% delivers on that with a fight that is challenging as hell and just feels climatic and intimidating. its a little thing, but having this dude just smack you around with his hands and almost no fighting skill after a game filled with crazy flippy cyborg ninjas makes him feel TOUGH and the way you finish him off? it just rocks, plain and simple. I don’t think i need to justify slices a massive dudes chest open and ripping out his giant still beating robot heart as the music climaxes and our cool edgy protag literally says WE’RE DONE HERE. truly, it has to be this way.

Gunvolt Chronicles Luminous Avenger IX

For fast twitchy 2d platformers this barely beat out Katana Zero and Touhou Luna Nights, but i think its just a little better. The skill ceiling on this game is high as hell and once you really get to grips with it, its an experience you cant find anywhere else. its just satisfying as hell to be able to get through the point where you can ZOOM through these levels by making use of copen’s dash and lock-on and weapons well enough. once you get good enough to get through a hole level without touching the ground, you just cant go back. I liked this enough to get an S rank on almost every level. this game just rules, man.

story, art and music are all great as well. but they pale in importance next to zippy jetpack zoom zoom fun time.

also great for having a cool twist that i genuinely did not see coming at all

Final Fantasy XV

For context, my experience of FFXV was not the base game so i cannot personally address the concerns of the version at launch, which i hear from others was a total mess! The game has been updated and changed so much that it is probably almost unrecognizable aside from the absolute base aspects of it. The version i am talking about is, as far as we know, the “final” version released right before Episode Ardyn. There was of course an update after this, but it only added DLC compatibility and a few items, so it means very little in the grand scheme. I also played all of the dlc and watched all the periphery material to get the full, messy disjointed experience. it is also worth noting that the only other FF game i have played is the classic title Mario Hoops 3 on 3 Basketball. I feel it important to tell you this before getting into things so that you can have a full idea of the perspective i come at the game from.

This was chosen over Mario Odyssey and someone will probably kill me for that. I just think its a great emotional story that does a fantastic job of making you care for all the characters, and the world feels massive and full of cool stuff to see. It’s my favorite open world game and i love The Boys. its not the kind of thing i usually play but i think it genuinely had a great story and its a very fun game to just explore and spend time in. ffxv truly understands the emotional bond between The Lads and it is fun to kill big monsters with your party

(they kinda ruin the last cutscene in english, in japanese he says I LOVE YOU GUYS and it makes me cry but in english he goes U GUYS ARE THE BEST which just isnt the same. a small nitpick though. a lot of this game made me cry regardless, its just great at creating an emotional bond)

I admire the insane level of ambition in the visuals and scope, and i bought every dlc for it because it was just that good. the ifrit boss fight and all the giant monsters are just amazingly epic in scale. the “found a cool rock” post is what i truly admire about this game summed up.

all the ancillary material for the game is great and worth getting into, with the exception of the Comrades multiplayer expansion. Everything else adds depth to the story and the world without being entirely necessary for you to get through the story. the anime and the dlc all really feel worth getting into without being something you have to see to get The Full Experience

the giant monsters are cool

Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game

Being from 2010 this game only just makes it in, but it was my favorite beat em up this decade and a source of great nostalgia for me. It had a pretty big impact on music and art tastes in regards to games, and in retrospect this games existence was very much a dream team scenario. Paul Robertson is a great sprite artist who does a lot of good work, Anamanaguchi have gone on to become one of my favorite bands (another winter is still one of their best tracks imo) and at the time this came out i was obsessed with scott pilgrim. That plus the beat em up gameplay makes this kind of a perfect blending of a lot of my specific tastes. Playing this brings me back to the time in my school life that i played it very distinctly, a more comfortable time in my life for sure, and i think the game still stands up excellently. I hope that someday it will get a rerelease so others can enjoy it. I give this another play through every year or so, but i wish id gotten the dlc while it was still available

Doom

ITS VIOLENT ITS FAST ITS FUN ITS METAL

i like this game because of the intense adrenaline rush and violent catharsis it gives me, essentially a constant dopamine rush

fun game good

Undertale

I’m glad i got to this before the massive wave of spoilers and popularity came about. It’s a great story with some fun gameplay, and i think SANS UNDERTALE was one of the best boss fights this decade. Its a shame that for so many new players this experience is going to be ruined by spoilers

Persona 5

Danganronpa 2 and fallout new vegas were close contenders for this last spot. I actually made a post about my thoughts on this game before https://journaloftomfooleryandjapery.tumblr.com/post/184341270554/nue-is-great-love-his-goofy-design-when-life-will but essentially

Essentially, its got a great cast of characters, a cool slick look, great monster designs, a fun gameplay loop of collecting monsters and grinding stats while waiting for the next big event, and a surprisingly good story

No idea if royal is any good, but its on a pretty small list of games that i might actually take the time to replay

#game thoughts

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alexboehm55144 · 7 years ago

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Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex. Chapter 1: Tying up Loose Ends

Welcome! Welcome one and all to the second book of my own personal story series, Alex Final Wars! (You can read the first book here by the way: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12255508/1/Alex-Final-Wars) For those of you that don’t know, I posted a few chapters of the first book ages ago, then posted the rest on FF.net. But now, I’m back with the second book in the series, and I can promise that this one will have a more diverse cast of characters, and still maintain the epic combat from the first book!

Anyway, let’s get into some information about the story so you can understand it more. Now this is the second book, Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex, so take note of that. Now this universe that I have constructed draws characters, events, worlds, etc, from all sorts of themes and things I’ve been interested in throughout my life. Be well aware of that, and you’ll meet all sorts of people and places you may or may not know about as you progress through the book.

I will now show you a short timeline of the events in the AFW universe, as to better help you understand what’s going on:

2018 - The meterex arrive to wreak havoc on earth with the help of factions they have brought under their control. Thanks to Alex and his allies, the meterex are destroyed (Alex Final Wars)

2019 - (Alex Final Wars 2: Dark Alex)

Now let’s meet some of the returning characters and see what they’ been up to since last time!

Alex Boehm: with the help of his friends and a few world governments, the legendary warrior has created an organization known as ‘Heroes’, which is dedicated to keeping the peace in an unstable world! With the leadership and fighting skills of this young man, Heroes will do their best to make sure the world remains safe!

Toothdee: After the meterex war and the battle of Zootopia, Toothdee is still ready to stop any force that threatens peace and justice. She is Alex’s second in command and best fighter. Even though no one know what species the blue furred, long tailed mammal is, her skills cannot be denied.

Nick Wilde: the sly fox still lives in Zootopia, and still works at the Zootopia Police Department. While it might not look like it, the fox is still a capable fighter and is ready for anything! He keeps in touch with Alex, Toothdee and many other mammals, when not spending time with Judy.

Judy Hopps: Having made the world a much better place while defeating the meterex, this young bunny keeps patrols the streets and continues to make Zootopia a safer and better place for everyone. Even though her and Nick remain in the police department, they will answer the call to fight for something greater if Alex needs them.

Laval: This lion prince is still as brave and fun as ever, spending his time riding his speedor and keeping his skills sharp. Most of his day is taken up by either meeting friends or messing around with a vehicle or weapon. He has also been spending a lot of private time with Eris.

Eris: still residing in Chima, Eris continues to hone her piloting skills, and make sure her axe is battle ready. She also continues to read and do her best to help the eagle tribe, while still taking time to run off with Laval for an adventure. The two remain inseparable and flirt often, even in front of other friends.

Anyway, I REALLY hope all of you guys enjoy this book, because I’ve certainly had a lot of fun constructing the world in this story. So, thank you all for taking the time to read this, and please enjoy the story!

000

Chapter 1: Tying up loose ends

The bridge of the typhoon was an unusual shape when it came to warship bridges, then again the typhoon was not your average warship. It didn’t float, it flew, something that set it apart from other US warships. The bridge of the vessel was sort of semicircular in shape, with multiple chairs where individuals sat and controlled parts of the ship via computers and buttons. The curved side of the bridge was made of a large glass panels that enabled perfect viewing of the surroundings, while at the same time being capable of resisting high amounts of damage. A small set of stairs near the center of the bridge lead to a raised captains chair, that had 2 horizontal levers for driving the ship. Right now the bridge was completely dark, all computer displays on various control panels were off, save for the main screen which provided the only lighting. Alex and Toothdee stood on the bridge, watching the illuminated screen. Projected for their viewing, was an orbital view of a meterex compound in a remote location. Both of them were dressed in black combat fatigues, which were standard issue for the Heroes organization. The pair also wore high quality armor, which looked golden in color. The armor was heavy duty, and could stop a lot of damage from bullets and blades alike. The armor also contained a Chi slot, enabling the wearer to use an orb of chi to “chi up” for intense battles.

“This is it” Toothdee said “the last pocket of meterex resistance that we have found. With it gone, the meterex will be no more”

“Let’s hope so” Alex said “but I have to say, every time a meterex group crawls out of the woodwork, Heroes gets a boost in funding, so I’m not complaining”

Heroes was an organization that Alex, Toothdee, and some of their companions set up after they put down the meterex forces that were staging attacks all over the world. Funded by world governments, mainly the US, who were impressed with their work in the meterex war, the organization was a well known force for good. Normally tasked with stopping dangerous groups like terrorists or gangs, they also participated in peacekeeping and relief efforts.

“Ha, neither am I” Toothdee said, responding to Alex’s claims of increased funding for the group “But this compound looks heavily fortified. We haven’t spotted any armor or vehicles, however there are a lot of troops”

“What’s with the large satellite dish? Just communications?”

“I believe so. But how do you want to play this? It’ll certainly be a tough fight”

“Don’t worry” Alex said, holding up 2 fingers “I have 2 new heroes fresh out of training who are just itching to get out in the field”

The door behind Alex and Toothdee opened, flooding the room with light. 2 figures dressed in combat armor walked into the room, a young male Zootopian lion, and a young female Zootopian hyena.

The lion had a bright red mane shaped like a mohawk and eyes of light brown, while the hyena had long hair with a purple streak, and eyes that were dark purple in color. The 2 individuals were also dressed in standard Heroes combat fatigues and armor. The pair stopped in front of Alex and Toothdee before raising their hands in salute.

“Kion Priderock reporting for duty” the lion said.

“Jasiri Outlander reporting for duty” the hyena said.

Alex and Toothdee saluted the pair, before Alex told them “At ease”

Kion and Jasiri placed their hands behind their backs while Alex went over the plan.

“Ok, Me, Kion and Jasiri will head into the compound and plant explosives throughout the building. When detonated these will create a chain reaction that should destroy the entire compound. There is a power plant at the center of the base, we will concentrate most of our explosive firepower there, to deal the most damage. We are also tasked with retrieving any information we can find at this compound. Information that might alert us to any pockets of hidden meterex activity, should they exist. After the explosives are planted and intel recovered, Toothdee will come and pick us up in a helicopter, before we evac and destroy the compound”

Kion and Jasiri nodded in unison, understanding what was going to transpire.

“Let’s see how you 2 do in the field” Alex said.

“We won’t let you down” Kion responded, ready to get into a real combat situation.

“Judging by your training, there’s no way you could. Now head to the hanger, let’s get our gear.”

The typhoon’s armory was located near the hanger bay, meaning that you could just grab your gear before hopping into a vehicle and heading out on mission. Rack of all kinds of weapons were situated on every wall, holding every kind of weapon from rocket launchers to knives. Workbenches also resided in the room, alongside proper tools, in the event someone needed to modify or work on their weapon. The entire room was also locked with a retinal scanner, preventing unauthorized access.

Upon arriving at the armory, Kion picked up one of his weapons of choice, a long sword with a simple design. The sword didn’t have a fancy trick it could do, or elegant engravings, but it was made from a material that was capable of deflecting most small arms fire. The lion swung the sword in his hand, making sure the balance and weight was perfect, before tucking the weapon into a holster on his back. He also carried firearms, such as a pistol and rifle, but he loved using a sword. There was something almost elegant about a sword, using it was almost like a dance on the battlefield, except a wrong move might result in death. Kion also donned a flack jacket that looked like a leather coat, making it both functional and somewhat fashionable.

Jasiri put on a combat helmet that was designed for Hyenas, before picking up a pair of pistols. The guns were decorated with purple lines and markings, and the weapons had been modified to fire quickly, while still delivering a powerful punch. The hyena tucked the pistols into specially designed holsters on her hips. These holsters would automatically refill Jasiri’s weapons with a fresh magazine if the hyena just held the pistols in the right position a tiny bit above the holster. Because she duel wielded, her reload time was much quicker than manually inserting a new magazine into each pistol.

While his partners got themselves situated with their gear, Alex picked up his weapon from a table nearby. A G36 assault rifle, modified with an extended magazine, forward grip, and a powerful scope. The weapon was painted in a shiny golden color, and could shoot powerful shots at a high rate of fire. Alex also grabbed his sword, a Chima style weapon, consisting of a gold colored hilt and one large silver colored main blade split into 2 smaller blades, with an area of unfilled space going up the center of the weapon. When wielded by Alex, chi power would fill the space at the center of the weapon, allowing him to deliver devastating strikes to opponents. But what really made the weapon special was the chi blaster embedded in the hilt. This enabled Alex to fire chi blasts while at the same time engaging opponents with the blade of the weapon, allowing him much more dexterity on the battlefield.

Alex also carried an A.J.M. 9 pistol, which was hard hitting and silenced, making it perfect for stealthy operations. Lastly, Alex wore what looked like normal sunglasses, but they were anything but normal. They contained a heads up display that could mark objectives for Alex, recognize faces with a camera on the nose bridge, and even tell Alex how much ammo his weapon had left by linking to sensors in the gun. Alex put the rifle and sword on his back, tucked the pistol in his holster, and donned his sunglasses, before the team picked up other gear they would need, such as medkits and grenades.

Once the team was geared up, they were ready to move out. Getting into a helicopter piloted by Toothdee, the team was flown towards the meterex base, but they would have to land and hike in for part of the journey, as flying the helicopter any closer could alert the meterex forces. Alex, Kion and Jasiri got out of the helicopter once it landed, and Toothdee lifted off before flying away, ready to pick up the team once their mission was complete.

Human, Lion, and Hyena hiked through the woods that made up this part of the world, taking periodic brakes so they would not be to tired when battling the meterex in the compound. Soon they came upon a constructed barricade, and that’s when the team knew that they had reached their objective.

“Here we go, get ready. Safety’s off” Alex said.

“How about a kiss for good luck” Kion whispered to Jasiri.

“Not now Kion, we’re in the middle of a mission”

“It doesn’t bother me” Alex said. “Feel free to show affection, but I will say this....”

Jasiri obliged Kion’s request with a quick peck on his cheek.

“....is this Star Wars? Are you two gonna kiss for luck before swinging across a chasm?”

Kion chuckled while the team moved into some bushes nearby, to keep hidden as their eyes scanned the clearing in front of them. Soon the group spotted 4 meterex soldiers on guard. The sun reflecting off the brown metal that made up their bodies, and their large purple eyes watching for any enemies. Weapons clutched firmly in their metal hands. Most Meterex were spindly and thin robots, but their heads were large and shaped sort of like a rounded triangle.

The group snuck closer to get in a better attack position, before planning their strike. Alex gave the signal, before opening fire on one of the meterex units. The bullets quickly subdued the robot, and Alex directed his attention to another meterex unit. Jasiri opened fire with her pistols, aiming for the head of one robot. The shots shattered the eyes and armor of the unit, quickly rendering it destroyed. Jasiri then targeted another meterex unit nearby, just as Alex had done. Sprinting out of cover, Kion swung his sword with all his might, decapitating a meterex soldier like a hot knife going through butter. Alex and Jasiri both opened fire on the last hostile unit, quickly killing it under a hail of bullets.

“Move up” Alex said, as the team continued down an alleyway before emerging into another small courtyard. This courtyard however contained a heavy meterex unit. Standing half a meterex taller than normal meterex unit, and purple in color, this unit’s body was blocky in shape, along with its large legs and arms. A cube shaped head sat upon the unit, with a big red eye that fed the robot information. Embedded in its hands were heavy machine guns, along with powerful fists for melee attacks, or lifting objects.

“I’ll handle this, boys” Jasiri said, stepping towards the heavy unit. The robot emitted a loud, almost battle cry like sound, before charging at the hyena, who dodged out of the way. Jasiri used this opportunity to fire her pistols at critical points on the meterex, dealing heavy damage. The hyena once again dodged another strike and used the same tactic of firing at critical points. The heavy meterex slammed its fist onto the ground, trying to crush Jasiri, who evaded the attack and jumped onto its arm. Running up the robot’s arm, Jasiri jumped off its head, while dropping a grenade onto the unit. The grenade exploded violently, destroying the unit while Jasiri landed on the ground.

“Good job” Alex said, complementing the hyena while the group continued deeper into the compound. As they entered the next area they were greeted by 3 normal meterex as well as 2 elite meterex units. Elite meterex looked the same as normal meterex, accept they were yellow and black in color. Also in their arms were a pair of blades for engaging hostiles in melee combat.

Jasiri got into a firefight with the normal meterex units while Alex drew his sword before him and Kion approached the elite meterex. The pair clashed blades with the meterex, sending sparks flying as they fought. Alex deflected a strike from the elite unit before getting into a sword lock. Kicking the unit back, Alex slashed the meterex’s blades out of his way, opening the unit’s guard and enabling him to stab the hostile in the chest.

With his opponents defeated, Alex turned to see Kion severing the head of his own opponent, while Jasiri finished off the last meterex soldier.

“All clear!” The hyena yelled.

“Let’s move inside” Alex said “see if we can find and capture the meterex commander, they have to have some valuable intel”

The trio headed through a small door on one of the buildings, and Alex spotted what appeared to be a structural support column on the side of the large room they were in. He quickly took out a small bundle of C4, and attached it to the column, before arming the device. After the charge was planted, the team moved down a large hallway, and came face to face with 3 more meterex units. These meterex looked like normal units, but they were each equipped with a shotgun and assault rifle, both built into their hands.

“Oh boy, specialist meterex” Alex said

The units opened fire, prompting the team to fall back to a more defendable position.

“I haven’t seen much of this kind of meterex” Alex said as the meterex entered the room and engaged the team “but watch out”.

Alex tossed a grenade that landed near the feet of one unit, exploding and reducing the unit to scrap metal. Jasiri began to use crates as cover, sneaking around behind the units, before popping out and blowing the head off one. The hyena got back in cover as the last unit focused its shotgun fire on her, while at the same time continuing to suppress Alex and Kion with its rifle.

Alex drew his sword and got out of cover, getting into a ready stance. The meterex unit opened fire on him with its rifle, but Alex used his swordsmanship skills to deflect the bullets, all while slowly approaching the unit. Once in striking distance, Alex cut the unit’s arm in half, before swinging his blade across its body, putting it down.

With the threat eliminated, the team continued down the hallway, until they reached a point where the hall split into 2 paths.

“Kion, Jasiri” Alex said, “you 2 go right and plant the remaining explosives. I’ll head left and find the commander and extract any intel”

The lion and hyena nodded before the team split up to achieve their objectives. Continuing through the base, Alex ran into an elite meterex unit and a heavy meterex unit. The elite unit swiped at Alex with its blades, but Alex managed to defend against the strikes using his sword. The combatants got into a sword lock, and Alex removed one hand from his blade’s hilt so he could draw his pistol and fire at the meterex unit. Once the elite unit fell to the ground, Alex barely had time to get out of the way of a strike from the heavy unit. Jumping off the wall, Alex was able to get on top of the elite unit and stab its head with his sword. This, coupled with a few shots from his pistol, defeated the unit, enabling Alex to continue onwards.

Sprinting to cover as much ground as possible, Alex encountered 2 normal meterex on a set of stairs. Both units fell to a few pistol shots and sword slashes as Alex kept going.

Reaching a room with a bunch of computer equipment, Alex spotted 2 more specialist meterex, unaware of his presence. Taking out his rifle, Alex emptied a full magazine into one meterex unit, putting it down. The second unit moved towards Alex, firing its weapons as Alex took cover. When the unit got close to where Alex was hiding, he jumped out and stabbed it in the head with his sword.

After making sure the area was clear, Alex began to check the computers for any intel he could salvage, only to discover that the equipment had been wiped clean of data. There was nothing left, the servers were fried and a few were shot full of holes. However there was one piece of gear still working, a device that kept track of meterex in the base, so their movements and attacks could be better coordinated. Looking over the screen Alex noted that there were not to many meterex in the area where Kion and Jasiri had went, hopefully that would mean they set the rest of the charges quickly and easily.

Alex also spotted what appeared to be the signal of a meterex commander, coming from an area not to far away. This commander was the last source of intel, and Alex raced off to capture this meterex unit.

The next area Alex came to was a large room with catwalks suspended above the floor. Alex came out onto one of these catwalks and was traversing to the other end of the room when a bullet whizzed by him.

Turning to see who had fired at him, Alex spotted 2 sniper meterex. These units had one large eye that they used to find targets at long distances. There was no cover, so Alex drew his sword and got into a stance. One of the snipers fired a high power shot at Alex, who moved his sword to make contact with the bullet. When the bullet struck his sword, it ricocheted off the blade and struck the other meterex sniper, killing it. When the first sniper was distracted by his companion dropping to his own bullet, Alex pulled out his pistol and shot the sniper in the head.

The next room Alex came to was shrouded almost entirely in darkness, but similar to the last room there was a single catwalk running the length of the room. The floor space of the room was totally taken up by electrical equipment, as this was the power plant area of the base.

Alex spotted the meterex commander standing in the middle of the catwalk with his back towards him. The commander was teal in color, and looked like a normal meterex unit with larger body structure. His head design also contained more jagged points, and he had a multitude of armor plates flowing off his back onto the floor, almost like a robe.

“Alex!”

Searching for who called his name, Alex spotted Kion and Jasiri heading towards him from the other end of the catwalk, from the other side of the meterex commander.

“Charges are placed!” Jasiri said.

“Good work” Alex responded, keeping a gun trained on the meterex commander. “We need to capture this guy. All intel was destroyed, we need him to tell us what he knows”

Kion and Jasiri nodded and trained their weapons on the commander, who remained silent and unmoving. Just as Alex was about to open his mouth to say something, the commander spoke.

“I suppose your here to take me prisoner” the unit’s voice was metallic and didn’t really contain any noticeable tone.

“Yeah, no duh” Kion said.

The meterex commander laughed and turned towards Alex.

“I know you believe this to be the last pocket of resistance, but no, you are wrong. There is something much more terrible coming”

“What are you taking about?” Alex Asked

“The fact that you are oblivious to your end coming closer and closer”

The meterex commander walked to the side of the catwalk.

“A force that you will be unable to destroy, even thought your heart, like the sky....”

The commander looked at the trio of heroes one final time.

“...Will be on fire”

The commander then jumped off the catwalk, landing on some power plant equipment, causing a chain reaction. Sparks flew and the equipment burst into flames.

“Well, looks like we have no intel” Alex said, disappointed “but we’ll worry about that later, right now we gotta get out of here!”

“There was a staircase leading up over here” Jasiri said, pointing back towards the way she and Kion had come from. Alex nodded and the team raced off towards the staircase while Alex called Toothdee for a rapid extraction.

“Toothdee! We need an immediate evac!”

“Coming your way” Toothdee said, and Alex heard the sounds of an engine start.

The trio reached the staircase and climbed it, finding their way out onto a roof. Alex lit a flare so Toothdee would be able to spot where they were. The compound was catching on fire, as the power plant overloaded and caused chaos.

“Incoming!” Kion yelled.

A meterex force was climbing the staircase they had come from, and they were ready to stop the team. The force consisted of 2 heavy meterex, some sniper meterex, and a couple of normal meterex.

“Jasiri!” Alex said “detonate the charges!”

“But Alex, we’re still in the compound!”

“Leave the details to me”

Jasiri took out the detonator and pressed the button. Large explosions went off nearby, with one blast even destroying some of the meterex forces that were attacking the team. There was only one heavy unit left, and it charged forward towards Alex, who dodged the strike. The unit continued to swing at Alex, who dodged its strikes. Unfortunately for the heavy unit, it was left open to an attack from behind, and Kion stabbed the unit with his sword, killing it. Jasiri took down a normal meterex soldier and then focused her fire on the sniper meterex. Alex also took out his rifle and opened fire, resulting in the last 3 enemies being put down under a hail of bullets.

More meterex entered the area, consisting of an elite meterex, 2 specialist meterex, and a flamethrower meterex. This unit looked like a heavy meterex, but was painted red, and as the same suggested, was equipped with a flamethrower.

“Take down that flamethrower now!” Alex yelled, tossing grenades into the group of enemies. The flamethrower unit moved forward, and engaged with its flamethrower. Jasiri took down a specialist unit, before needing to dodge the stream of fire from the flamethrower unit.

While Kion dueled the elite unit, Alex ran up to the other specialist unit and his it with his sword, destroying the unit. Alex then fired with his gun at the tank on the flamethrower unit, causing it to explode and destroy the meterex unit.

Just as Kion destroyed the elite unit, a third wave of meterex appeared, consisting of all types of units they had encountered. As the group prepared to battle, suddenly a missile struck the group of enemies, destroying them. The team looked up to see the helicopter, before Toothdee hovered nearby so they could get on. Toothdee’s timing was perfect, as right after the team had jumped on the chopper and the aircraft pulled away, the building they had been on exploded. The entire compound was burning or destroyed, and most, if not all of the meterex were dead.

“Where’s the commander?” Toothdee questioned.

“We didn’t get him” Alex said. “And they destroyed all their intel”

“Damnit, that’s not good Alex”

“No, it’s not. But don’t blame me, they destroyed their intel before I got to that room, and the meterex commander killed himself”

“He was acting strange as well,” Jasiri said. “He said ‘there’s something coming, your heart and the sky will be on fire’ what do you think he meant by that?”

“If we had him we could ask him” Toothdee sighed, although the compound was destroyed, they had lost 2 sources of intel. However, unlike Toothdee, Kion and Jasiri were happy with the way their first mission turned out and shared a victory high five. They had performed exceptionally and were ready for whatever else faced them.

#creative writing #fanfiction #Alex Final Wars 2 #dark alex #writing #kion priderock #jasiri outlander #alex boehm #toothdee #Zootopia #action/advendure #my writing

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pressxtoalex · 7 years ago

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My Top 12 Most Anticipated Games of 2018

2017 was an absolute monster of a year for video games, and it’s starting to appear that January is going to be the only time where we aren’t going to be inundated with new releases to play, and inevitably miss out on. However, there are already more than a few games coming out in 2018 that have my attention and think they should have yours, too. Now bear in mind: This is a pretty PS4 heavy list, for obvious reasons, but if you do some Googling, you’ll find a lot of these are multi-platform releases. The other thing to consider, is while I consider myself a great optimist, I have to be real with myself, so no matter what the developers and publishers tell us, you aren’t going to find games like Death Stranding, Kingdom Hearts III, or The Last of Us Part II on this list, because, let’s face it, they aren’t coming out in 2018. Perhaps, the most frightening part of this list, is most of these games have been confirmed for at least the first half of the year, leaving June through December pretty wide open for us as gamers to have a crowded schedule.

12) The Longest Five Minutes

Coming out of NIS America, The Longest Five Minutes takes a twist on the traditional RPG and starts out at the end, facing off against the game’s final boss, however, your character has lost every memory of their adventure, including their name, abilities, and even why he’s in this battle. Throughout the battle, comments made by his allies, and taunts by the Demon King will trigger flashbacks to help fill in the heroes memory gaps. It comes out in just a few weeks on both Vita and Nintendo Switch and the premise alone put this on my radar.

11) Days Gone

We finally saw what Sony’s Bend Studio has been working on at E3 2016, and while it felt more like a “Lookee how many things we can have on the screen at once” they expounded on the stealth aspects of the game at PSX, showing the game to potentially being somewhere between The Last of Us and Horizon Zero Dawn. It sits so low on my list, partly because it’s Bend’s first release since Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and their first console release since Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow, and partly because I’m not 100% sold on this coming out in 2018, but, if I’m over here spoutin’ off Last of Us Part 2 is coming in 2019, then Day’s Gone needs to be hitting shelves in 2018 as to not be cannibalized by a much more established IP. I love the idea of an open world motorcycle game, though, and hopefully, it’s something akin to much under-appreciated Mad Max.

10) The Walking Dead: A Telltale Series The Final Season

It’s pretty firmly established that I love adventure games, and I love Telltale. They hit a home run in 2012 with the first season of The Walking Dead, but while they continue to swing for the fences on various other licensed and popular properties, they haven’t quite fully captured the magic that made The Walking Dead’s first season so special. Sure, Season Two and Season Three had their high points, and Telltale has shown some of the magic in their other games like Tales from the Borderlands, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Batman, but this is their chance to give Clementine, a character we’ve spent six years growing up with, a proper send-off and story, after spending Season Three side-stepping her.

9) God of War

Yo. Real talk, I’m not a God of War guy. I don’t need that much screamy chain man in my life, and frankly, Kratos has just been a dude, to me, that has zero redeeming qualities. Yea, he’s angry because of his tragic backstory, but, like...can you not? Here’s the thing though, Sony Santa Monica has created a tamer, humbled Kratos that seems to have far more to lose. While I think we’re starting to teeter on seeing too much of the game, game director Cory Barlog keeps saying the right things about this installment that has more-than-piqued my interest. And me being interested in a God of War game speaks volumes.

8) Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion

Adventure Time is the one franchise that has been itching for a quality game under its banner. We’ve had a handful of various dungeon crawler games, top-down Zelda clones, and adventure games, but they’ve either missed on the art style or totally whiffed on the gameplay. Pirates of the Enchiridion may possibly be the Adventure Time game that the series fans have been clamoring for. It’s an open-world game set in the Land of Ooo, with an original story, multiple playable characters, full-cast voiceover, and sailing. The series is wrapping up soon, and this may be one of the last Adventure Time games we see, so here’s hoping this is the one they get right.

7) Church in the Darkness

I’ve had my eye on Paranoid Productions’ Church in the Darkness for a couple of years now. It’s a top-down, procedurally-generated action/infiltration game set in the 1970s where you’re an ex-law enforcement officer tasked with checking in on your nephew, who has recently joined the Collective Justice Mission cult. Each playthrough promises to be different, down to the characters’ personalities and reactions to you being in the camp. If you want to go full-stealth Metal Gear with it, you can, or if you want to go full guns-blazing, go right ahead. The idea of uncovering more of the story based on your investigating, and the varying degree in which characters respond to you each time you play, leave a lot of opportunities for the game to have mass amounts of replay value.

6) Jurassic World Evolution

Hi. I would like to build my own Jurassic World, please. That’s at least what developer Frontier is promising. While I had no idea Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis even existed until it became too rare to justify purchasing, I did spend a lot of my summer in 2012 tapping away at Jurassic Park Builder on my iPhone. Jurassic World Evolution looks to bring that Jurassic Park-meets-Sim City hybrid back to home consoles. Hopefully “Life finds a way” and this game will be exactly what Jurassic-verse fans have been looking for this summer. Just, please, don’t Animal Crossing this and make me have to play every day or risk being infested with weeds and whatnot. That’ll be the quickest way for me to nope out of this.

5) Crossing Souls

Somewhere between the Burger King Kids Club and Stranger Things lies Fourattic’s Crossing Souls. Set in 1986 in California, Crossing Souls is an action-adventure RPG where five kids make a mysterious discovery that thrusts them into navigating two planes of life and death and begin uncovering a government conspiracy. With five playable characters, each with their own style of combat, puzzles, and 80’s arcade references, Crossing Souls is right up my alley in the indie-game realm.

4) Detroit Become Human

Heavy Rain is one of my all-time favorite games. Hell, it’s tangentially linked to where my YouTube namesake came from. While Beyond: Two Souls wasn’t entirely the follow-up a lot of fans were looking for, I have no problem putting all of Quantic Dreams eggs into the Detroit Become Human basket. Between its Isaac Asimov and Philip K. Dick-style of story, stunning visuals, and varying degrees of story direction, this seems to be the Quantic Dream getting back on the right track. The big question is what side of their spectrum the story is going to fall on.

3) Dreams

If you listen closely, you can hear the hype-train leaving the station for Dreams. Media Molecule has been a voice in the gaming industry that needs to be heard again. Their style and creativity has been sorely missed, but a few questions remain: Is there a major market for a curation-based platformer, will the customization be as flawlessly executed as we’ve been lead to believe, and will this even hit 2018 despite the developer’s best efforts? It’s hard for me to temper my excitement for a game that has a far more expansive Super Mario Maker feel to it. The in-game campaign may not be the reason to buy the game, so it’s going to be on those that pick up Dreams to keep it alive.

2) Red Dead Redemption 2

I totally missed on Red Dead Redemption. It was at a time where working in gaming retail and feeling that need to play everything, the last thing I wanted to do was play a massive open-world game. Red Dead Redemption 2 feels like my opportunity to atone for this mistake. I loved what I played of Grand Theft Auto V and am dying to see what Rockstar Games has learned from then to now with Red Dead being their first proper current-gen game release. Rockstar has carte-blanche with the gaming industry, so if they came out tomorrow and said, “This is delayed again, and will be delayed a third time” almost everyone would understand. They’re still Scrooge McDucking in their money from GTA-Five, so they don’t need to rush a Red Dead sequel out the door, but they are looking to be the heaviest hitter in 2018 and every developer and publisher has to be waiting for a release date so they know to stay away.

1) Marvel’s Spider-Man

I am absolutely salivating for Insomniac’s Spider-Man to just get a release date. I don’t even need it in my hands yet, I just want to know when I can have it in my hands, and based on recent tweets from the game’s dev-team, we may know sooner rather than later. Not only is this my most anticipated game of 2018, if you were to put a gun to my head and tell me I can only pick one game from this year, I would not even flinch when answering “Marvel’s Spider-Man.” Between the combat, the cinematic uses of QTE’s, to the open environments, I am absolutely sold on this game. The most exciting thing about this release is that, despite what we’ve already seen, I don’t even think we’ve seen a lot of it. Through tweets, and various interviews, I think we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg with this game. Outside of a certain popular character’s appearance in the E3 2017 trailer, we already know they play a larger role than just a cameo, leaving me to wonder if we’re getting a Sons of Liberty situation where the what we’ve seen could be a misdirection to what we’re getting. Regardless, Insomniac Games and Spider-Man are an incredible pairing and I cannot wait to get my hands on this.

So there you have it! My most anticipated games of 2018. I’m sure most of the titles didn’t surprise you, but I absolutely hope I was able to turn your gaze toward some upcoming releases you may not have previously known about. Feel free to drop by and let me know what you’re most looking forward to!

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ineverhadmyinternetphase · 8 years ago

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Steal My Heart (steal my whole life too) 24/28

Genre: Chaptered, fantasy AU, Prince!Phil, Thief!Dan, romance, enemies to lovers, angst and fluff, slow burn (like serious slow burn)

Warnings: some violence, mentions of death (no main characters), dark magic, descriptions of wounds/blood, some hints of sexual scenes (but no actual smut), murder, dangerous situations, stealing/thievery

Summary: Captain of the Royal Guard and Prince of Morellia, Philip Lester has never been given the chance to find love. Instead, he’s run from a system that works to end class differences and improve equality for its citizens. Happy as he is to make the world a better place, Phil can’t help feeling bitter towards his ancestors for making it impossible for him to find someone who will actually love him for more than just his title, and strives instead for a life of justice and doing good - only to meet his match in the King of Thieves, a man who will change everything he once thought he knew in life. Together, they must depart on a quest to save the kingdom, and, in the process, destroy their differences and find their own form of love.

Word count: 240,000+

Updates: Sunday

Thanks so much to @botanistlester for betaing this giant monster, as she’s been super helpful and encouraging with her little comments and endless excitement. We couldn’t have done it without you <3

Disclaimer: In no way do I claim that this is real or cast aspersions on Dan or Phil

For reference, @snowbunnylester is Phil, @ineverhadmyinternetphase is Dan

(AO3 link) (Masterlist)

Chapter 24

The next morning was decidedly not better. Dan woke in agony, his wounds having stretched in the night, and his desperate panting woke Phil too, despite how much Dan didn't want to disturb him. Dan was frustrated in general as he wanted to tell Phil to lie down and stop fussing, but all he could do was gasp while Phil rushed to change his bandages again. But the pain didn’t get better, not even with the soothing poultice reapplied, and no matter how much Dan closed his eyes and fought against the pain, it continued thundering through his veins, thudding behind his eyelids. Eventually, he couldn’t take it anymore, and pleaded with Phil for a little bit of the vial Brandon had given them.

Phil gave it to him, looking nothing but worried, and Dan itched to reach out to him. But the moment the vial touched his tongue he fell back into blissful oblivion, the last thing he saw Phil watching over him.

Dan wasn't very coherent for the next few days, slipping in and out of consciousness only to allow Phil to change his bandages or force some food down his throat. Dan was desperate to reassure him, desperate to reach for him and draw him close and tell him that everything was okay, that none of this was Phil's fault, that he was so incredibly grateful to have Phil looking after him, but all Dan could manage were a few mumbled 'I love you's before he ended up asleep again.

The new few days were particularly hard on Phil. He was constantly anxious, constantly on edge as he watched Dan suffer next to him. He didn't sleep well, even when Phil was forced to feed Dan from the vial of liquid Brandon had told Phil to use sparingly, and he was rarely coherent enough to do more than mumble sleepy I love you's to Phil and allow Phil to help him with a change of bandages and poultice. It was lucky for both men that Phil was good at rationing, as there was still plenty of deer meat left for them to be stuck here with for as long as Dan needed to get better. If worse came to worst, Phil knew he could just pay Brandon off to hunt for them.

Watching Dan suffer, however, was the hardest thing Phil had ever had to do. He felt the guilt rattle through him constantly, never leaving Dan's side for long despite how hard it was to listen to his whimpers throughout the day and night. It wasn't Dan's fault, though, and Phil had promised not to go anywhere, so if he wasn't sitting next to Dan whiling away his time on ravens he planned to send to his family, or wood carvings he’d only just learned how to make, then he was lying cuddled up to Dan’s right side, staring at his face and wishing that he could do something more to wash away the pain.

Phil cried a few times, feeling the guilt and self hate overwhelming him, and found himself having to remind himself of what Dan had said; there was no use in Phil blaming himself when it had been the dragon who’d struck Dan, and sheer dumb luck that had put them in the path of the loose rock Phil had kicked.

On the fourth day, however, Dan seemed to wake up feeling much better than he had the last few days, able to sit up coherently and actually tease Phil. It was a relief to find Dan's wounds hadn't re-opened and bled through his bandages again, and Phil wasn't even forced to change them this time, deciding to leave them for now as they were beginning to run low on the supply the village healers had given them. It was a good thing Phil hadn’t resorted to using any of the bandages on himself, despite maybe having needed them, and he was only relieved that there had been enough poultice for Phil to apply to the wounds he could find to prevent infection for himself.

As for the bandages they did have left… well, Phil was beginning to wonder if he hadn’t just changed Dan’s dressing far too often, but he wasn’t going to blame himself for that. They’d just have to be careful from here on out.

"I think I'm better," Dan announced as soon as he'd finished the broth Phil had made for him. "Or at least, I can manage moving again, if we go slow. We've got to start moving again if we're going to get to Cornelia in time." Dan met Phil's eyes then, expression softening. They hadn't talked much about Phil's family over the past few days, but Dan knew Phil must be panicking about the delay. The whole castle was waiting for their return, and Dan wasn't going to let some stupid scratch he'd been dumb enough to get stop them from saving Phil's family.

Phil’s eyes flicked up from his own bowl of broth at Dan’s words, but he couldn’t help feeling anxious about moving Dan just yet. His eyes trailed over Dan’s side, over his face, the anxious look in his eye, and then he slowly shook his head.

“It’s only been two weeks, Dan. It’d take another week itself if you were as strong as you were when we first got here, so there’s little point in leaving before you’ve recovered more. I’d rather not move you if you’re not up to it, okay?” Phil replied, trying to sound sensible and stern all at the same time. “Let’s give it another day at least,” he decided.

Phil couldn’t deny that he was anxious about getting home as soon as possible, terrified the dragon scale wouldn’t work and they’d need time to find another cure, but Dan was just as important as Phil’s family. He was Phil’s family, after all, and no matter how restless Phil was getting, he wasn’t putting Dan at any more risk by allowing him to walk around too early and stretch his wounds anymore than he already had.

Dan pursed his lips, not all that surprised when Phil argued with him. From what he could tell, Phil had spent the last few days simply staying by Dan's side and looking after him. From the bags under Phil's eyes, Dan was sure he hadn't been getting much sleep, too busy caring for Dan above all.

Still, for once in his life, Dan actually listened to Phil and didn't stand up straight away and demand they get a move on. He didn't want to worry Phil anymore than was absolutely necessary. So, instead of jumping up to his feet and running out of the cave like he wanted to, Dan held his arms out and looked up at Phil with unimpressed eyes.

"Fine. I'll listen to you. But help me stand up -- I want to test how much I can move before we go trekking back through the forest." Dan couldn't help smiling a little at the thought of being able to travel without any unwanted tag-alongs, the Duke long-gone, and he couldn't resist another little bit of teasing. "Maybe you can show me how to build a real bridge instead of a rickety raft, hm?"

It was honestly a relief to hear Dan agreeing to do as Phil said, and he nearly collapsed in on himself from the sheer exhaustion the last few days had brought him. Smiling tiredly, Phil stood up to do as Dan had said, happy to help him stand and see if Dan could actually hold himself up without falling. Phil would be there for him every step of the way, of course, but it was good to test the waters now.

Rolling his eyes at Dan’s constant teasing regarding his failed bridge from before, Phil merely replied, “Oh, I’ll definitely be showing you how to build a proper bridge, Daniel Howell. Just don’t be surprised if I don’t let you help this time.” Phil tossed Dan a wink for good measure, before crouching down low to help Dan from the ground.

“Careful, now. I don’t want us reopening your wounds when they’ve only just properly closed up. Put your arms around my neck, and I’ll hoist you up with my own around your waist,” he instructed, doing just that as Dan wrapped his arms about Phil’s neck.

Phil’s hand hovered awkwardly at Dan’s left side for a second just barely touching the skin of his hip, but Phil knew even before Dan began trying to hoist himself up that Phil was going to need a much better grip than that if he wanted to make sure Dan didn’t do anymore damage to himself. Stealing himself, Phil wrapped his palm more securely around Dan, and helt tight.

“Alright. Ready?” Phil asked, waiting for Dan’s nod of approval, the subtle tightening of his hands around Phil’s neck, and then said, “One… two… three.”

The two began to move in sync on three, Phil grunting as he used his legs to push his own body up off the ground with Dan wrapped rather securely around him. Dan, for his part, swayed in Phil’s hold, but he didn’t make a noise as he tried to gain his footing. For that, Phil was relieved, praying that Dan wasn’t just holding it inside and that he really was feeling less pain now.

Catching Dan before he could fall forward, Phil wrapped his arms more softly around Dan’s waist, and helped him maintain his weight on suddenly weak legs. “Careful,” he fretted, words soft against the shell of Dan’s ear. “How are you feeling? How’s your side?” Phil asked, not quite sure if he could pull back to check himself when Dan was so unsteady on his feet already.

The wound pulled and stretched a little as Dan got slowly to his feet. He leaned heavily on Phil the whole time, and gritted his teeth, desperate not to let any noise go that would show signs of weakness or pain. He scrunched his eyes shut and swayed a little, breathing fast little pants in and out. Phil's arms were tight around him, though, holding him steady, though he was careful around the wound.

"I… think I'm ok." Dan blinked his eyes open again once he was steady, sliding his hands carefully around Phil's neck to grip onto his shoulders.

Phil bit his lip, anxious and uncertain despite Dan reassuring Phil that he was okay. His thief was leaning a lot of his body weight into Phil, still, and his arms had moved to completely wrap around Phil's neck, hands gripping tight to Phil's shoulders. It made Phil fear that that meant Dan wasn't actually okay at all.

Dan shifted just a bit, wincing when he moved his left hip, and let out a relieved breath. "Yeah. No more bleeding. Let me try walking a bit."

Dan nudged at Phil until Phil started slowly moving backwards, holding Dan steady every step of the way.

Dan was a little unsteady, but he grew stronger and more confident with each step, until he was mostly holding himself up with only a tight grip on Phil's arm to keep him supported.

Despite Phil’s worry, when Dan asked to try walking a bit, Phil allowed it, pulling his body back a bit so that Dan was kind of on his own, and matched his footsteps to Dan's despite walking backwards. He trusted they wouldn't run into anything, and if they did, at least Phil would be the one taking the impact.

Eventually, Dan was pulling away from Phil, reaching down with shaking fingers to grip Phil's forearm instead, and Phil released his hips while maintaining a position to catch Dan if he did manage to fall. Somehow, his thief kept his balance, and the more he walked, the more confident he got, until Phil was grinning, proud that Dan was getting stronger again. He hated to see his thief laid out in pain when he was usually so full of life.

"Much better." Dan sounded satisfied. "Good. I was going crazy, not able to stand up." He glanced around the cavern, seeing evidence of Phil's cooking and cleaning over the last few days. His eyes widened a little when he fixated on the wood carving Phil has been attempting, letting out a soft breath. "I didn't know you knew how to carve."

Humming a bit in confusion, Phil followed Dan's gaze until it landed on the wood carving he'd been attempting for the last two days, and shrugged. "Not really. I just… needed something to do, and I'd already promised you I wouldn't leave your side, so I thought I'd try something new," Phil explained, leaning over to pick up the crude piece of wood he'd been shaving away. He was trying to get the shape of a bear in the outline so he could work on the details later, but he wasn't sure how it was coming along.

Dan's eyes were delighted as he stared at the wood Phil had been attempting to carve. He could see a rough outline of a shape, but wasn't completely sure what it was supposed to be, although it was clear Phil hadn't been working on it long. Dan's heart warmed at the idea of Phil taking him literally and staying by Dan's side as much as possible, even though Dan knew he hadn't been making much sense over the past few days. It filled him with warmth and love to know that Phil had been with him, watching over him the whole time.

"Thank you," Dan said quietly, "For not leaving, I mean." He was still leaning heavily against Phil's side, hunched over enough that Phil was actually taller than him for once, so it was easy for Dan to nestle his head into the crook of Phil's neck. He'd blame his open affection on the tiredness and herbs he'd been taking, but the reality was Dan just wanted to be close to Phil.

When Dan pressed his head into the crook of Phil's neck, Phil immediately wrapped an arm around his shoulder, drawing him closer still and hoping the touch would be as reassuring as he meant it. He nuzzled at Dan's hair, kissed the top of his head, and reveled in the fact that he was taller than Dan just then. "I'll never leave your side if I can help it," Phil murmured softly in response, squeezing gently around Dan's shoulder, wanting Dan to know just how much he meant it.

Dan shook his head, melting into Phil's touch with a contented little sigh. It was so good to have someone else supporting him, someone else to lean on and trust they'd hold him up. There were probably all kinds of metaphors in there for Dan's life and how he could lean on Phil, trust Phil in a way he hadn't trusted anyone before, but Dan didn't want to analyse just then. He wanted to lean into Phil's touch and allow himself to be held.

Dan glanced down at the wood carving with a familiar tug, nostalgia creeping over him, remembering a different shelter with different, smaller hands carving away at wood. Dan sighed.

"My brother used to love carving. He was way better than me. I've still got a bear he made me, back in my cavern along with the fairy tales and your grandfather's crown." Dan winced a little, remembering that, and felt a flush rise on his lower right cheek. He'd kept that crown with his most important possessions because it reminded him of Phil, and Phil had been important, even back then. Dan was a little embarrassed. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd let someone in as close as Phil, if ever.

Fingers shifting on the wood in his other hand, Phil listened intently to what Dan had to share with him, ridiculously happy that Dan was still willing to open up to him.

"Funny… I was trying to make you a bear as well," he murmured in response, hand tightening around the wood in the flat of his palm. "But I don't quite know what I'm doing." Phil hoped that it wasn't too painful for Dan, hearing that, seeing this... "I could make you something else, if you like, or I could just… not make it at all, if it's too painful for you." Wood carving was something Phil was only mildly interested in. He wouldn't be upset if Dan asked him to stop. The last thing he wanted was to cause Dan more pain.

"I don't want you to stop on my account," Dan murmured, glancing again at the shape he now knew to be a bear-in-progress. He could maybe see where Phil was carving the head, if he squinted a little. "It's actually nice. Those are good memories, it doesn't hurt so much to think about when we were happy."

Phil smiled at that, relieved to know that he hadn’t accidentally hurt Dan by trying to entertain himself in the cave the past few days, and pressed a quick kiss to the top of Dan’s head. He was just proud of Dan being able to stand at all, now, and grateful for the short distraction from their misery, Dan’s pain.

Smiling as Phil realized what else Dan had said, however, he leaned over and nudged Dan in the side with his elbow. "Oh, so my Grandfather's crown is important to you, then, for it to be included in that pile?" he teased. "I wonder what meaning it might hold for you."

Dan’s face turned red when Phil turned to start poking fun at him, and Dan turned until he was fully hiding his face in Phil's neck. His right side was pressed tight to Phil's in a way Dan hadn't been able to enjoy in too long, so he clung onto Phil unashamedly and nuzzled against his neck. "Yes, OK, so maybe the crown was important to me. Mostly I was remembering how annoying you were being at the time." Dan softened the harsh words with gentle touches, wrapping his arms loosely around Phil and leaning against him. "You can have the crown back, you know. I never should have taken it, I was only after it because I knew it would get your attention specifically."

It felt better than Phil could say to have Dan curling into him like that. It felt like it had been too long since he'd had a chance to properly cuddle Dan, and it left a surprising ache in his heart. He hated seeing Dan like this, but mostly, he missed the comfort of Dan's big arms wrapped around him. Phil was happy to protect Dan, but when the nights were at their worst and Dan was whimpering in his sleep, Phil wanted more than anything to have Dan comfort him.

"I was going to say no and let you keep it, but my family would be very relieved to have it back in their possession once again," Phil replied, smiling down at the way Dan was hiding in his neck. He actually really liked it when Dan did that, because it belied his vulnerability, showed Phil when Dan was being the most open, and gave Phil a chance to keep him protected from his own fears.

"Now. Would you like to go out on a little walk for a bit, maybe up to the lake to wash? Or are you getting tired already?” Phil asked, turning a very stern look down at Dan’s head. “And don't lie to me, King of Thieves, I don't want you to overexert yourself," Phil insisted, nudging him a little to get Dan to look up at him again. He'd missed seeing clarity in Dan's eyes, and now it was back, Phil just wanted to soak it up forever. He smiled softly at Dan when Dan looked up at him, and reached up to press a finger to where he knew Dan's dimple should be. Automatically, Dan grinned, and Phil laughed as his finger disappeared into the small indent on Dan's face.

"Dimple," he whispered with a bright grin.

Dan was going to need Phil to stop doing that dimple pressing thing, because it was far too adorable and made Dan go all gooey and melty inside. He literally couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. Phil's finger poking at his cheek made his nose wrinkle and his eyes scrunch up, and he hid his face back in Phil's shoulder as soon as he could, seeking more affection from this far too considerate man that Dan got to call his.

"I can walk a bit," Dan agreed, leaning away from Phil a little to prop himself up again, straightening back to his usual height. His wound gave an answering throb, but it was completely manageable. He grinned at Phil. "I like the sound of the lake, I feel disgusting. Plus I can make sure you've been looking after yourself, too, and not just caring for me."

Nodding, Phil tried not to flinch at the accusation that he hadn't been taking care of himself. He might have been a bit too preoccupied with Dan and washing him down every night. Phil had washed himself as well, but it had never been quite as thorough as when he helped out his Dan, nor as gentle. Phil was quite aware that he was covered in bruises as he kept pressing into them. He wasn't sure he wanted Dan to see that, but Phil would have to face the music eventually. Besides the scrapes on his hands had mostly healed up and his head and wrist seemed to be fine after he’d applied some poultice, so really, there wasn't too much Dan could say or complain about.

Dan carefully leaned on Phil's arm and took a slow step forward, grateful when Phil wrapped an arm around his waist to help him move. They made their slow way out of the cave and Dan blinked in the sunlight, glancing up the path towards the lake. He was surprised again at how steep it was, and how far they were from the dragon's cave, which seemed almost unviewable from here. Dan shook his head. "I'm still amazed you carried me all the way here. Have you been hiding god like strength from me, my Phil?"

Phil followed Dan's gaze up the steep path towards the top of the mountain, past the lake and the two villages he’d traversed through, and towards the dragon's cave, and shrugged.

"Only the strength of my love for you," he replied, knowing it was cheesy and grinning even before Dan could turn an unamused glare onto him. Allowing himself to chuckle, Phil leaned over to kiss the top of Dan’s head again, and said, “No, but really… you'd be surprised what terror and love can do to you,” he insisted with a noncommittal shrug. “Now, come on," Phil gently encouraged Dan, and started to help him hobble up the steep path to the lake.

If Dan became too weak to finish the journey, or to get himself back down, at least Phil knew that he could simply carry him. His thief wanted to be properly clean, however, and that was something Phil could definitely help him with.

By the time the two had reached to top of the lake, Dan was beginning to pant, his eyes a little wide from being so breathless. Overall, he seemed pretty okay, though, as there was no blood seeping through his bandages, and despite being winded, he seemed pretty determined to keep moving forward. Helping Dan to a standing position near the water’s edge, Phil began to help Dan strip from his blood caked trousers that had been impossible to remove earlier, and decided to leave Dan’s bandages on for now.

They’d help prevent too much water from getting into Dan’s wounds, and they could always change them when they headed back down to the cavern later.

Too afraid to leave Dan unattended on his feet, Phil first helped Dan slip into the lake by himself, the water keeping his weight density far less than on the ground, and then turned to strip himself of his own clothes, blushing slightly with the knowledge of just how fucked up he probably still looked after the near beating he’d taken from the dragon. Phil was certain his back was still caked in blood, but there hadn’t been much he could do about it until now.

His chest, on the other hand, was littered with dark purple bruises, the pale skin a mismatch of mottled black, blue, red, yellow, and green. Phil knew the sight wasn’t pretty, knew he was cut up quite a bit as well, but there was nothing about that night Phil would ever change if it meant saving Dan.

Avoiding Dan’s gaze once he was fully naked, Phil climbed into the lake water as well, and sighed at the cool feeling of the water rushing against his skin.

Dan had to take a minute to get his breath back once he was floating in the water. He squeezed his eyes shut and laid his head back, allowing his body to adjust to moving for the first time in days. Thankfully, his wounds didn't seem to be stretching, and they only ached dully when Dan moved too fast - definitely an improvement from a few days before. He settled himself into the water, relaxing, and enjoyed the sensation of the sun against his skin for the first time in what felt like too long.

Upon hearing Phil slide into the water beside him, however, Dan immediately opened his eyes to turn a smile onto him, glad to have him back at his side. That smile fell instantly fell when he took in the state of Phil, though.

His chest was littered with bruises that looked far more painful than Phil was letting on, covering his pale skin in a patchwork of marks and colours that definitely did not belong. Dan's eyes narrowed instantly at the sight, because he could see from the way Phil was avoiding his gaze and shifting that he'd been trying to hide this from Dan.

It didn’t make it any better that a swirl of blood was seeping from Phil’s back, and all Dan could do was hope that it was merely from Phil failing to clean himself up properly, and not an open wound that had not been attended too.

Phil knew it the second Dan had seen the bruising, but he kept his gaze carefully averted regardless of it all, determined to not get yelled at. Already, he was rinsing himself off carefully, realizing that even over the course of four days, he'd still managed to miss a lot of the blood stains against his skin.

Dan huffed. Anger curled in him that Phil had been hurting while Dan had been worse than useless, but he held it back, knowing that wasn't what Phil needed to hear right now. So as much as Dan wanted to chew his ear off about being responsible, instead he simply held his arms out and gave Phil a look.

"Come here. No arguing. I'm looking after you for a bit, and I'm not taking no for an answer, so don't even try it. If you so bravely carried me all the way here because of your love for me, then my love for you is going to do the miraculous and stop you from arguing with me."

Dan was persistent, as Phil had known he would be, and he closed his eyes briefly before tossing Dan a look. His thief had his arms outstretched to Phil, a look in his eye that reflected anger but also guilt that Phil wanted to wash away. He would have argued with Dan's demands if he didn't know better.

"Fine, but just - can you be careful?" Phil muttered, treading water to swim back into Dan's arms

As soon as Phil was close enough, Dan started tracing a gentle hand all across his chest, moving lightly over the pattern of bruises. It didn't look like any were going to scar, but they clearly showed that Phil had been knocked around a bit and not resting nearly enough. Equally, there was a deep cut just at the edge of his hair line, and lines on his face and bags under his eyes from where he must have been worrying about Dan rather than looking after himself, and Dan simply couldn't have that.

He drew Phil in close to him and started to rinse him off, moving carefully, taking his time to shower Phil in love. "You've been so good to me," Dan murmured in his ear. "Let me be good to you, too."

Dan was careful as he took Phil in, fingers tracing light patterns on Phil's chest, mapping out his bruising and hurts. His eyes were keen and zeroed in on everything, including the way Phil was sure his eyes drooped with exhaustion. He'd hear nothing of taking care of himself at the risk of Dan, though, and was ready to defend himself should Dan yell at him.

He didn't. Instead, he pulled Phil into his arms as he began to wash him down, using his hand to sluice water down Phil's body and to rub soft touches against his skin. He was gentle as his fingers moved over the bruising, apologetic when his hands touched the bruising on Phil's back that he couldn't see.

His words, though, well, those were what stole Phil's breath away.

Nodding quietly, Phil tucked his head into Dan's neck, and let himself be cared for.

Dan's hands were big against him, comforting. For the first time in four days, Phil felt like he could relax again, and he let himself be loved by Dan, let himself fall apart. If he started to cry again for the millionth time in just a few days, well, Dan didn't say anything.

Dan held Phil close to him, relieved when he didn't get any more arguing and instead just got Phil cuddling up to him and slowly falling apart. It made Dan's chest burn, seeing Phil like this. He curled into Dan and relaxed completely, nuzzling against his chest, feeling small and vulnerable in Dan's gentle hold. Dan even felt a couple of tears drip down Phil’s cheeks and onto his skin.

Dan didn't say anything, didn't think words could be right in that moment. Instead, he kept gently rubbing Phil's skin with his hand, washing the soothing water over his skin and getting rid of the few remaining bloodstains, the marks of sweat and stress that told plainly just how rough these past few days had been on Phil. Dan moved gently over the bruises, wishing he could wash away Phil's worries and fears as easily as the dirt, longing for that happy, carefree smile that had been missing for so long.

Even when Phil was mostly clean, Dan didn't stop touching him. His caresses grew more loving, a fond stroke of his shoulder, or a gentle apologetic swipe over the worst of the bruising along his back, or a simple threading of his fingers through Phil's hair. Dan poured as much affection into the soft touches as he could, doing everything he could to show Phil exactly what he meant to Dan, more than his words could ever give.

Eventually, Dan settled again, both his arms wound tight around Phil to cradle him against Dan's chest. He pressed his face into Phil's hair, closing his eyes and breathing him in. "I missed you," Dan confessed quietly, knowing it didn't even make sense because Phil had been right there by Dan's side the whole time. But Dan had missed this -- missed being able to hold Phil close to him, to cradle him and love him and worship him just as he deserved.

The best feeling in the world was being loved by Dan. There was so much affection in his touches, so much care as he soothed Phil, and Phil never wanted to pull away, never wanted it to end. For just a moment, Dan holding him close, ghosting his hands over Phil's body in a gentle sweep and caress, Phil was able to forget all of his troubles and just let go.

"God, I missed you too," Phil replied, knowing exactly what Dan meant. Being locked up in Dan's hold, warm, strong arms embracing him, Phil had missed that. Just having Dan conscious and moving around and himself felt so good, but nothing could compare to being able to touch and love Dan the way Phil wanted too, having Dan touch and love Phil in return. His own hands massaged over Dan's body, rinsing away his worries as best as he could as well, but he remained tucked up in Dan's chest, just needing this moment of vulnerability for himself for a second.

Phil's eyes had long since drifted closed, and his ear was resting right over Dan's heartbeat, strong and steady and healthy. Dan was going to be okay. It still seemed like a miracle to Phil.

"I know I've already said it, but I'd thought I'd lost you," Phil mumbled. "I would have let myself drop..." he trailed off, knowing that wasn't what Dan wanted to hear, and squeezed his eyes shut.

Clearing his throat, Phil pressed soft kisses against the skin directly in front of him, just wanting reassurance that he could. He hadn't had this much of Dan's naked skin so close to his in days, and while he was far from tempted to do anything sexual, he did crave the freedom to touch.

Dan gripped Phil tighter when he caught the murmured words, burying his face back into Phil's hair. It hit him, then, just how close they'd come. When Dan had been hanging off that ridge, clinging onto life and the last tiny hope that Phil might actually love him, he'd never quite let the situation sink in. Phil had been much further off the edge than Dan, so much closer to death, and yet he'd crawled his way back up and lifted Dan and somehow gotten them both safely down the mountain, all without losing the dragon scale Phil had managed to cut free. Phil was the real hero here.

"Don't you dare," Dan murmured into Phil's hair, gripping as tight as he dared to with them both so fragile. "Don't you dare ever do something like that. I can't--" He broke off, shaking his head, knowing Phil didn't need angry berating or devastating confessions of how Dan couldn't imagine a life without him, no matter how true it might be. Instead, he nuzzled Phil and held him affectionately, letting his love pour through. That would have to be enough.

Love. They had a word for it now. Dan didn't need to keep hiding how much he wanted Phil, or have to bury it behind other, less adequate words. He could be completely open with Phil, as Phil was with him. He loved the way Phil was leaning into him, lived for the soft way Phil washed him clean and kissed his chest.

Phil could feel it as Dan tensed up, expected the angry words, and yet they didn't come, not in the way he'd thought they would. Dan definitely expressed his anger, his heartbreak at the very thought, but he murmured soft pleas into Phil's hair as well and cut himself off, seeming to realize the same as Phil had that this wasn't a conversation they needed. They understood each other, knew the anger they would harbor at each other should they do something so stupid, but all that mattered was that they were still alive.

And if Dan wanted to go off about Phil being an idiot, well Phil had a lot more physical proof on Dan's body to make his point clear enough.

"We made it," Dan murmured, drawing back enough to glance down at him and Phil entwined together in the water, both miraculously alive. "Phil, we did it.”

"We made it," Phil agreed, laughing shortly. He could feel that damn lump in his throat again, but this time it was relief and pain all wrapped up in. He and Dan were safe. They were alive. They'd completed their mission, and now all that was left was to get home, where Phil fully intended to wrap Dan up and never let him go.

Dan smiled softly. “We did. We're both here, and we're both alive, and I plan to spend the rest of forever proving to you just how much I love you. But I swear, I will slap you if you ever think of hurting yourself again."

Phil snorted as he pressed his face into Dan's chest harder. "You're one to talk," he muttered, still wishing he could slap Dan right now, but not wanting to hurt him; the last thing Phil ever wanted to do was hurt Dan. "But I like the sound of forever," Phil admitted, and sighed as he let the tears fall once more, because they might actually have forever, now. The worst thing Phil had had ever had to do was nearly done, and when he got home, he might just get everything he'd ever wanted, so long as… so long as he reached out and took it.

No more being afraid. Phil was going to fight for his right to be happy, and in love.

"It's different with me," Dan mumbled, "I'm not you." He didn't quite know how to explain what he meant, couldn't quite put into words just how wrong it was to imagine Phil getting hurt. Phil wasn't made of glass, Dan knew that, he knew Phil could and would protect himself. It was more that Dan just didn't want Phil in any kind of negative situation. He'd protect Phil, spend the rest of his life making sure Phil was surrounded by good and happy things like he deserved.

“When we get home,” Phil murmured softly against the shell of Dan’s ear, happy they could just sit and drift along together here in the water, “I am never letting you go. Before long, you’re going to get so sick of me,” he added, laughing, “But I don’t care. I plan to spend the rest of my life with you, following you everywhere… no matter what anyone else says.”

Dan had to hide a smile as Phil described holding onto him and following him around forever. He could feel himself dimpling, knew his eyes were crinkling up in that way he hated, so he ducked his head and hid. He couldn't quite keep the smile out of his voice, though. "A pest, you are, Phil Lester."

It was just so impossibly good to imagine a future with Phil -- a future that had always been so tentative and uncertain, but was now spreading out before them in such wonderful possibility.

Dan shivered at the thought. He pressed Phil against him, looked down to where Phil was curled against his chest, and couldn't stop himself from beaming. Although still obviously exhausted, Phil's eyes matched the warmth in Dan's, and Dan could look into them forever.

Phil had seen a lot of his favorite smile tonight, and yet he couldn't quite get enough of it. When Dan's eyes crinkled up, his dimple flaring far deeper than normal, it made Phil grin as well, and he laughed as Dan hid his face in Phil's hair all over again.

As cheesy as it sounded, when they looked at each other, Phil felt like everything was going to be okay.

"I'm going to have to practise being Daniel Howell," Dan murmured. "And that makeover you mentioned might be necessary. I have no plans to let you back into that palace on your own." His grin shifted then as he nuzzled into Phil, nipping gently at his ear. "As soon as we can, though, I'm taking you out travelling. There's so much you need to see, so much of the world you can't experience as a Prince. You can be free, Phil, if you travel with me. At least some of the time."

Eyes brightening, Phil pulled back some so his eyes were on par with Dan's once more. "Does that mean you'll stay in the palace with me sometimes?" Phil asked, "When I have to be there?" He'd been afraid to bring the subject up at all in case Dan rejected him.

Dan had reassured Phil he would come to palace events with Phil, but Dan had a far nicer home for himself out in the desert. The problem was how long a travel it was between their worlds, and it had worried Phil he wouldn't get to see Dan as often as he would have liked.

"Because I'd really like it if you were at my side more often than not, and I fear I won't always be able to just run away with you, as much as I want," he explained, quickly, not wanting Dan to think that Phil didn’t very much so want to do just that. The way Dan touched him though, the things his words seemed to partially imply, made Phil’s cheeks flush. "I want to be free with you, Dan. I promise no one is going to stop me from travelling with you for long."

Phil flushing was not something that Dan was going to get tired of seeing any time soon. He loved the way Phil's pale skin darkened, turning the brightest shade of red, and he looked up at Dan with such love and warmth and affection that Dan was completely floored. His heart was so full, then -- so full of Phil and the hope of a future together.

He contemplated Phil's words carefully, thinking about time in the Castle with the royals and Phil. It would be hard to hide his true identity and leave his home and well known pathways for a while, but Dan already knew he didn't want to leave Phil's side. He'd always known Phil would still have a part in his world, as much as Dan wanted to whisk him away forever.

So Dan released a heavy sigh and nodded. "I've said before, and I'll say again, I'd do anything to be with you, Phil Lester. Even if it means following you into the Royal Palace." Dan's nose wrinkled a bit. "Though -- does that mean I have to behave myself? Can I steal anything while I'm there?" He looked down at Phil with amusement glittering in his eyes. "And let's get one thing straight - I'm never bowing to you in public, my Prince."

He lay his head against Phil's again, just wanting him close, reminding himself that Phil was here and his and always would be. Any thoughts or worries about a future paled into insignificance at having Phil here, with him, by his side. Dan knew he'd go through anything, cope with anything, if only he could keep Phil by his side.

"Honestly, I'd stay with you anywhere you asked me to," Dan promised lowly. "And if I can get you to myself out in the desert, even just some of the time -- I'd do anything, fight anything, stay anywhere. Plus, I quite liked your bed, if I'm honest."

Phil was grinning. The prospect of actually getting to keep Dan close was entirely too exciting for Phil, whether Dan wrinkled his nose at the palace or not. He laughed though, finding it endearingly cute, and rubbed his nose against Dan's. The water around them lapped gently at their sides as they trod water together, and Phil moved his arms to wind around Dan's shoulders.

"You know, most people would die for a chance inside the palace," Phil teased, "Case in point, the Duke."

His eyes crinkled up a bit with his next smile, because he was just so happy that someone, finally, had proven that they wanted Phil for so much more than just his riches and his title, and he never wanted to give that pleasure back up.

Rolling his eyes fondly, Phil let out a sigh. "Steal what you will, Dan, but know that if you take the wrong thing, I might just have to force you to give it back. Bowing to your Prince, on the other hand - well, I'll just let any other potential suitors slander you for that," he teased, and pressed in close for another soft kiss. Dan's mouth was soft and yielding to him. As much as Phil missed it when Dan teased him, took control, he quite liked this as well.

When they pulled away, Dan was quick to rest back against Phil, and Phil let his head fall back over Dan's heart. He clung to his thief because he could, because he wanted to, and because Dan was offering to give Phil the world.

"If you'll promise to be around to spend the nights with me, so I don't have to be lonely, I'll never question where you've been all day," Phil murmured softly. "And then we can take advantage of my big old bed until I have a chance to disappear with you to your desert. How does that sound?" Phil asked, voice a low purr as he nuzzled his way up into Dan's neck, placing a gentle, teasing kiss there that was the promise for more -- just not today, not now. "That way you can avoid all the boring, petty drama being a Prince brings. Though I'm sure there will be plenty of functions, and plenty of nights my family invites you for dinner as well."

Phil sighed, drawing back from Dan's hold, forcing his thief to look up at him.

"I want you to be happy. We'll figure it out. The idea of you doing anything for me is heartwarming, but I won't force you to stay somewhere you don't like every night. I'm hoping it won't come to that. I'd very much so like to get away again for some time when we aren't on a dangerous mission.

Dan listened quietly to the picture Phil was painting - a picture of them together, a future, weaving their two worlds together. It wouldn't be perfect, not when they were so disparate, but the important thing was it was possible. Dan would do anything, put up with travelling, take nights in the palace and go to as many functions as he might have to to keep Phil's world safe for Phil, and equally he'd go to any lengths to bring Phil into Dan's world, too. It didn't matter how difficult it might be, or how much he'd have to fight -- if he knew he could go back to Phil every night, Dan would do literally anything.

"I think we can make this work," he agreed with Phil, his tone beginning to take on a modicum of excitement. "I can stay the nights with you in the Palace. Every night, any night. I don't ever plan to leave you alone. And when we can, I'll steal you away from your duties and take you out travelling, show you the true extent of your kingdom. We'll have to dress you down a bit, but I'm good at travelling unseen."

"It seems only fair I'd have to dress down if you have to dress up for me," Phil agreed, flushing immediately as he realized how that sounded, and shaking his head when Dan's eyes echoed mirth back at him. Before Dan could say anything on the matter, Phil leaned in and kissed him again, drawing their lips together in another sweet kiss. Dan was quick to reciprocate it, and they both sighed at the feeling of being able to do that as much as they wanted.

Dan played with Phil's hair gently, nuzzling against him. He treasured every time he got to hold Phil in his arms, every kiss Phil placed to his lips. It made a nice change for Dan to submit to Phil for once, but he was feeling a little weak still, so allowed the change in dynamic. He'd have plenty of time to have his way with Phil in the future.

Dan's fingers in Phil's hair caused him to relax, though, as he pulled back from Dan with a radiant smile of his own. The sun was just going down behind them. It had taken a long time for Dan to wake up today, and a long time for them to climb up to the lake. Phil wondered to himself if it was such a good idea to start their journey again soon, and tried to push back the constant fear in his chest that he wouldn't make it to Cornelia in time.

He would. He knew he would. They'd retrieved the scale much faster than they'd anticipated. They could afford this little delay for a little bit longer if it meant it was safer for Dan to travel again.

"I don't like this talk of other suitors, though," Dan growled into Phil's ear, tightening his grip a little possessively around his back. He ran the hand that wasn't in Phil's hair down Phil's back, tracing careful arcs around his bruises. "When word spreads of what happened to the Duke, I'm hoping most will see that you are very much taken, my Prince." Dan's forehead creased a bit, though, and he hesitated, unwilling to let Phil see one of his final insecurities.

But it was an issue that would need ironing out, eventually.

Phil shivered as Dan drew him from his thoughts with a low growl that startled and confused Phil for all of a few seconds, and then a startled laugh dragged from his lips. "My love," Phil whispered back, "Have I not proven myself trustworthy with other suitors?" he asked, nuzzling at Dan and playfully biting that bottom of Dan's ear. His own hands followed Dan's movements, but against the top of Dan's back as Phil didn't want to draw away. "We must be careful of what word travels of the Duke. It may yet be better to leave him to the wolves, though I won't complain if the people who would try and steal me knew of your dagger throwing prowess and feared you, my thief."

Dan grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everyone who needs to know how good I am at throwing weapons will know. I’m not exactly about to leave you open to just anybody.”

Dan paused for a moment, though, narrowing his eyes as he followed that thought through. "There is something though, my Prince," Dan confessed quietly. "I -- I know absolutely nothing of your world. If I do go to functions -- as I'd love to be by your side -- I won't have a clue what to do, or what the formalities are. I'm not so used to entering the palace through the front door." He snickered a little, hiding his insecurity behind his usual arrogance. "The rafters, though - the rafters and I are old friends."

Perking up in confusion at Dan's quiet, fearful confession, Phil pulled back and tilted his head at Dan. "Daniel, to my people you are a mere commoner. Lack of knowledge will be accepted and forgiven for at least a year's time. You've got plenty of time to learn the social graces of the royals. Please don't fret. I'll always take care of you," he murmured back, and kissed Dan's cheek for good measure.

"Besides, I'm sure you and the rafters will be getting plenty reacquainted any chance they get, knowing you," he teased.

Dan couldn't help but snicker at Phil's reassurance. "Yes, well, it's hardly my fault that your rafters are so appealing." He drew Phil back a little, just enough to smirk at him. "Besides, I don't think you'll be complaining next time I entertain you when you're bored out of your mind during another of those terrible speeches."

He did sober a little at Phil's explanation, though. It was true that he'd pass as a commoner, but Dan was going to have to get used to being Daniel Howell, to being seen in public again. He'd become so used to hiding his face that it was going to be a significant change for him.

Dan couldn't help but lean into Phil again, giving him another gentle kiss. He was enjoying these soft touches, so much more relaxed than they'd had before. For the first time, it felt like they truly had time to enjoy each other, even though Dan knew they still had to get back to the castle.

He said as much, leaning into Phil through the blissfully warm water.

"I know we need to get back to your family and all, but I'd be lying if I said I was in a hurry to leave." He sighed softly, caressing Phil's skin everywhere he could reach, playing with his hair and tapping against his hip. "I feel like I haven't seen you properly in ages. If we had time, I'd spend hours proving just how much I love you and why no suitor will ever match up to me." He sighed again, tracing his fingers up from Phil's hip to his stomach. "Not that I truly believe you'd go with anyone else. As you've said, you've done quite enough to prove yourself to me."

Phil's expression fell a bit at the reminder of his family, which he knew was a ridiculous reaction to have, but it was hard to think on them with all that happened, and Dan wounded in Phil’s arms. Over the course of the past few days, Phil had written and scripted three letters for his family to send with the Raven as soon as they reached the river once again. He'd been careful what he'd revealed, though, in case the wrong person got hold of them; he’d promised them he was on his his way home, and that he’d handled everything, but he didn’t breathe a word about the dragon scale or Dan’s injuries, knowing his family would understand his sentiment of hope, and wanting no one to know of their current handicap in Dan’s wounds.

"I'd much rather be here with you as well," Phil murmured, "Or in our tree, or in your home... I treasure the time we get alone. But you're right. We have a mission to complete," he admitted, and sighed as he dragged Dan in, moving to float on his back a bit more. He stared up into warm brown eyes, and wished that Dan was well enough to do as he said he would.

"And as much as I'd love to have you show me just how much you love me, you don't have to prove yourself to me. I know you're the best person for me. You just have to accept that I'm not letting you go."

The memory of the last few times they'd sex flashed in Phil's mind. He missed the way he got to feel Dan under him, over him, all around him. He missed just being so close and intimate, though this was nearly as good.

Sighing as their little bubble seemed to pop, Phil finally pulled away. "Are you ready?" he asked, gesturing to the edge of the lake.

Dan was loath to leave the little lake, but he knew he'd carry the memory of it with him forever, so he nodded his willingness to leave with Phil.

Having gotten the chance to have Phil there with him acting so soft and gentle had reminded Dan just how good his life had become -- he'd never thought he'd have this. Someone who loved him so much, enough to delay and pause to take care of him. Dan was left with no doubt how much Phil loved him.

At Dan's nod of approval, Phil took both of Dan's hands in his and began to paddle backwards, dragging them both to the edge of the lake where they'd managed to float away from. He climbed over the edge first, before offering Dan his body once more to cling to as Phil pulled him out like a child. Dan groaned a little as his stiff side was stretched, but the bandages were still not red with blood, which was better news than Phil could have hoped for.

The poultice was working, then. Dan’s wounds, last Phil had seen them last night, appeared to be healing quite remarkably well, and fast, for how deep they’d been only four days earlier.

Phil tried not to think about what was in the herbs. Perhaps the village had other gifts from the witch that Dan and Phil were using, but this was the only hope Phil had left. He’d just have to believe that nothing bad was going to come of this.

Once both men were free from the water, Phil helped them to dry off with Dan’s soiled trousers, and then encouraged his thief to borrow Phil’s for the trek back down from the lake. Trying his bed to be unashamed of his own naked body, Phil helped Dan back down the mountain path, which was far easier going than going up had been, with their bloodied clothes bundled up in Dan’s arms to prevent the excitement of any nearby animals.

Still, Phil could see that moving downwards was jostling Dan’s side more than going up had been, and that he was grimacing in far more pain, but he said nothing. Dan was determined to get back down on his own, and Phil just had to let him.

The minute they were back in their cave, however, Phil was quick to force Dan back into bed, ignoring his offer to help with dinner, and threw their ruined clothing in the fire to encourage it to continue to burn. He had dinner to make now, after all.

Dan’s side was quite a bit sorer now he'd moved around a bit, so Dan didn't argue when Phil insisted he get straight back into bed rather than helping Phil get dinner going. Dan accepted his fate readily enough and lay back in the furs, closing his eyes and focusing on calming his breathing back down. The scratches in his sides had bled a bit, he could feel it, and they were aching constantly, sending little thrums of pain through his veins. He let out a breath, gritting his teeth.

After shuffling through their now nearly empty packs, Phil found a change of clothes, pulled them on, and got started on dinner. It was an easy affair, mostly water with a bit of deer fat to flavor it up, and some meat for texture and protein. Their rations were getting a bit low, but Phil thought they could still make it at least a little bit longer, which was all he could truly hope for.

Once the meal was finished, he served up two bowls, and carried one over to Dan.

Phil reappearing with food cheered Dan up a bit, and he accepted a bowl of broth greedily, slurping away again. He was serious about Phil's cooking - now Dan knew how good he was, he was determined to make Phil cook for him more often. It might just be because had Dan never had someone else cooking for him, though, but that’s what made it so special.

They ate in silence, with Phil tossing Dan constant fond looks, but also worried ones. He could see Dan's bandages had a spotting of blood now; it wasn't much, but it was something, and surely it wasn't good to have Dan wrapped up in pond water? He'd have to change them, soon, even if they didn’t have much supply left. The next time Dan had a little bit of spotting, they could hold off, but Phil was adamant Dan wouldn't remain stuck with lake filled bandages around his torso.

He was just going to retrieve another roll of bandages when Dan spoke up, and Phil glanced behind him.

"So, tomorrow," Dan started, again reluctant to think about having to leave this place. They had a few more places to go before they got back to the palace, though, and Dan was glad to think he'd have a bit more time with Phil. Selfish, because his family needed to dragon scale as soon as possible, but Dan had always been a selfish person.

"I think I'm well enough to travel, at least a little." Dan set his bowl aside and glanced up into Phil's eyes. "Probably to get to the river. I imagine you want to send word to your family?”

"I want you to be safe," Phil corrected him, crawling back over and beginning to undo the bandages currently wrapped around Dan. "I want you to be healthy and okay. I don't want you to overexert yourself. Yes, of course I'd like to send word to my family, but I don't want to push you too far," he explained, staring at Dan's chest as he worked slowly over him.

"If you promise you think you're up to traveling again, I'll allow it. But you have to tell me when you can't move anymore. Being back at the river as soon as possible would be good, sure, but not at the risk of your safety,” Phil insisted.

Still, he couldn’t deny how good it would be to finally return to the forest, and not just because that was closer to him. “I can find us our tree again, and you can stay safe in there while I collect the materials I need. Without the Duke, it will be both easier and harder to build a bridge."

Dan couldn't help but roll his eyes a little at Phil's constant fussing over him. As adorable as it was to see him acting like a mother hen over Dan's wounds, Dan itched to be moving again, hating having to lie around helplessly while Phil did everything for him. It made Dan feel useless, and worse than that, it meant he couldn't reach out and grab for Phil whenever he wanted to touch him.

So maybe Dan was clingy. No one but Phil needed to know that.

"For the last time, Phil, I am fine," Dan grumbled, obediently holding his arms out when Phil went to change his bandages. He kept his eyes trained on Phil's face, refusing to wince as his wounds were exposed once more, instead studying the varying colour in Phil's eyes to distract himself. They glinted slightly green today, offset by the white tunic that he'd apparently stolen from Dan's wardrobe again.

"I promise I'm ok to travel," Dan kept his tone just short of a whine, "And I'm as eager as you are to be back at our tree. If it will set your mind at ease, I promise to stop if I'm getting too tired. I think I'll be fine, though. My head is much clearer today."

Phil could understand that Dan was getting irritated and restless, but it didn't mean Phil was any more willing to take any chances with him. He wanted to keep Dan in bed longer if he could, but he'd already promised just one more day, and Dan had given it to him. He'd proven himself by being out and about for a good part of the afternoon, so really, Phil had no choice but to trust him and do as he said.

Not that he was actually all that happy about it.

His hand's worked tirelessly as he went about drying Dan's skin of, trying not to wince at the scary wounds on Dan's left side as he moved in to paint them with poultice once again. Dan winced a bit, his body tensing, and Phil didn't blame him. He just hoped the poultice was still doing its job of taking some of the pain away and helping to heal and keep out infection.

"If you say you're good to travel, I'll believe you," Phil finally muttered in response, eyes flicking up to Dan's. He wanted to stop being so protective, but he couldn't, not when Dan had literally jumped in front of a dragon for Phil like the idiot he was.

Dan couldn't resist reaching out to trace a finger down the side of Phil's face, despite knowing it must be distracting. He just wanted to touch.

Phil felt his heart stutter a bit when Dan reached out to gently trace a finger down his face though, and he tried to focus back on the task at hand, but it was difficult with Dan touching him. It was always hard to focus when Dan was touching him.

After a moment, Dan smirked a little, meeting Phil's gaze with a teasing glint to his eye. "I'm looking forward to seeing a proper bridge. Let's see how much was the Duke's incompetence, and how much was you just not being able to meet my standards, hm?" He chuckled, and patted Phil's cheek once before letting him go.

Phil’s gaze snapped back to Dan in no time at those words,, furious as he glared at his thief.

"Hey! I promised you I could make a bridge, didn't I? Whether it was crap or not, it got us across, didn't it?" Phil couldn't help being cross at the teasing. Some part of him knew that Dan had only even started it because he was bitter the entire bridge building had been done with the Duke far too close for Dan's comfort, but it was beginning to truly upset Phil. "I can meet your standards fine," he huffed, turning his gaze away again.

Despite his frustration, his fingers remained gentle as he rubbed in the poultice, finally pulling away to grab at the bandages again.

"I'll show you a goddamn bridge," he muttered to himself.

Dan threw his head back and laughed, unable to stop himself at Phil's disgruntled tone. He knew Phil was getting tired of the bridge teasing, but it was gold to Dan. He liked being able to dig a little, to give Phil a push, knowing he'd push back just as much. It showed a kind of tenderness to Dan, a knowledge that they knew each other well enough to poke fun and withstand words not meant to hurt.

Dan's laughter broke through the agitation, and before Phil knew it, he was grinning as well, staring up at Dan with a deep fondness in his eyes. No matter what Dan said to him, no matter how he teased, Phil didn't think he could ever truly be mad at him, at least not for very long. Dan, when you got past the layer of him that was hard and unforgiving, was actually a very gentle soul. Who really, really enjoyed teasing and messing with Phil.

It was a good change, though. Phil was sick of those who tipped around him, refusing to tell Phil how they truly felt or what that I actually thought.

Dan would make a good advisor, now that Phil thought about it, but he shook his head. His thief was merely that - I thief. Not because he wasn't capable of more, but because that's what he wanted, that's what he enjoyed. Dan needed his freedom as much as Phil did, and an advisor didn't have that. Instead, Dan could be Phil's personal advisor, and he smiled at the thought, glancing up when Dan pressed his hand against Phil's cheek again.

When Dan calmed down a bit, he reached out to touch Phil's cheek again, softly this time. "I know, I know. I'm sure you build excellent bridges, my Phil." Dan's tone was filled with fond gentleness, and he leaned his head closer, itching to kiss Phil again. Unfortunately, his side twinged again so he was forced to sit back, hiding another wince.

"Besides, I wouldn't have a clue how to get through the forest without you there," Dan murmured, wanting to heal some of the wounds he'd given Phil. "I honestly had no idea trees like our tree even existed. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of such a tight space if you weren't there. It's so different to my desert."

Phil was winding the bandages back in place now, and with the poultice setting in, Dan was able to relax a little. He leaned his head back against the cave wall and closed his eyes, letting out a soft sigh. "Honestly, you're so good to me, Phil. I can't even remember the last time someone took care of me, yet here you are, fussing like a mother hen. I want to hate it, but I kind of really don't."

"It's good to know I can still teach you a thing or two," Phil admitted, sniffing primly, the effect ruined by his smile. "I must admit though, I enjoy you needing to rely on me for a change. Whether you like it or not, I think I'm always going to fuss, but you've really no right to say anything when you're just as bad. What was it that happened the first time we walked your desert? I nearly walked into a vat of quicksand, and your first instinct was to tackle me to the ground and then check for injuries," he teased, looking up and realizing that Dan was staring at his lips a with a little disgruntled frown.

"I had to protect you, it was totally different," Dan sniffed. "Knocking you over seemed like the best way to make sure you couldn't fight with me. You do that a lot, you know." There was a slight whine to his tone, but Dan was too busy tracking Phil's lips to pay much attention.

"You like that I fight with you," Phil teased, holding himself just far enough away that Dan couldn't' kiss him himself, but close enough that Dan could feel the tension between them. "Perhaps it's not fair when it comes to life or death situations, I admit, but I think you like that I challenge you," he continued, eyes flickering between Dan's eyes and his mouth, his own lips parted for show.

Dan would never admit to the fact that he was pouting in that moment. He wasn't used to having to sit back and wait for what he wanted, always the kind of person who took first and asked questions later. Now, though, he was sitting powerless against a wall with Phil leaning over him with a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. A mouth that Dan would really quite like to kiss, thank you very much.

Smirk growing, and realizing he had the upper hand for once, Phil leaned in. "Do you want a kiss, my thief?"

Dan pouted further when Phil teased him. Dan was itching to just lean forward and press a kiss to his lips, to grab Phil and force him to pay proper attention to Dan, but he couldn't move without pulling on his newly bandaged wounds and ruining all of Phil's hard work. He leaned as far forward as he could, and looked up at Phil under his lashes, trying to look as appealing as he could. "You know as well as I do what I want, my Phil."

Phil should have known that Dan would fight dirty, however, as seconds later Dan had moved forward as much as possible, head lowered as he looked up at Phil from under dark lashes, words a careful tease.

With a small growl, Phil leaned in without another word and took Dan’s lips in a passionate kiss. He’d missed being able to do this as he nipped at Dan’s bottom lip and pressed his tongue past his lips, hands moving to lightly press around Dan’s hips, tight on the right side, and light on the left, just to anchor Dan in place.

Dan was giving as good as he got, kissing back just as fiercely, and tilting his head a bit to the side to get Phil closer to him. On that same token, however, Dan was far more pliant under Phil than he ever usually was, and it felt so good having that trust in his hands.

Phil had all of Dan, from his heart, to his mind.

It took a few moments for Phil to pull away, having missed being able to kiss Dan so much, and he was red in the face when he did. Dan, on the other hand, was equally as breathless as Phil, despite the fact that he was smirking at the way Phil looked dazed and a little too blissed out.

Groaning, Phil shook his head. "You're a menace," he said. "It's hardly my fault I can't control myself when I’m around you."

Phil had fully intended to make Dan beg for that kiss, but seeing Dan look at him like that, with eyes so gorgeous and dark, well. He hadn't been able to help himself. His sex drive might have been a little bit... over active. Phil refused to get up to anything while Dan was injured, though, so he better not even try.

Dan was grinning triumphantly, quite unable to help himself. He raised his brows at Phil, acting cocky because he knew he'd gotten exactly what he wanted. It was nice to be pliant under Phil for once, and Dan was starting to wonder what it would be like to let Phil take complete control over their nighttime activities. He was enjoying himself too much not to explore that thought more now, so he dared to push a little further. "I think you like me challenging you just as much, my Prince. Seems like I can get you to comply easily enough."

He leaned his head back against the wall, more tired than he'd like to admit. Dan could feel the desire to be close to Phil as alive and well as ever, but the dull throb in his side was testament enough to why they couldn't take this any further for now. Instead, he reached out for Phil again, well aware that he was acting like a needy child.

"Come cuddle with me," Dan demanded. He knew he'd sleep soon, and he didn't like the thought of leaving Phil awake and alone to wallow. At least if he was holding Phil, he could bring him some modicum of comfort while he slept.

Mind still a little muddled with desire, Phil was unable to form a reply to Dan's words, because they were true. Phil did like that Dan challenged him back. The biggest issue was how easily Phil tended to comply to Dan, verses how easily Dan compiled to Phil. Obviously, when it came right down to it, Phil could stand his ground easily enough, but he seemed to have no self control when it came to giving Dan exactly what he wanted.

It took Dan leaning his head back against the wall he was propped up against, eyes fluttering as he reached out for Phil with begging arms, to shake off the part of him the desired more, and Phil very easily did as Dan had asked. Carefully, he laid Dan back onto the furs again, and climbed into his hold. Dan was on laying on his back, and Phil had his head rested over Dan's chest on the right side, one hand pressed against Dan's stomach. Dan's right arm was wrapped around Phil's shoulder, but his fingers played with Phil's side where his tunic had scrunched up.

"Sleep, my love,” Phil murmured. “You need your rest. I'll wake you in the morning to start our travels once more."

Dan sighed contentedly, drawing Phil in as close as he could. He pressed his face back into his favourite place in Phil's hair, and closed his eyes, revelling in the way Phil's body felt against him, wanting nothing more than to caress him. He played with the little bit of bare skin he could reach under Phil's tunic, gently tapping out a rhythm there that fell slower as he fell into sleep.

#phanfiction #iwritephanthings #snowbunnylester #phan fantasy au #phanfic #steal my heart

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marvelhead17 · 6 years ago

Text

Miracle (Original Female Character x Cable)

Chapter 31

Summary: “How did you fix it?” he asked. “Ask Ellen the Teenage Warhead,” Wade shrugged as he stood up, “As for baby Hitler he ended up having a diaper change, funny story I was actually going to call Cable since he was so keen on killing Russel, I thought this would be like taking candy from a baby, if that means replacing it with a bullet that is,”

Warnings to cover the whole fic: Graphic depictions of violence, use of weapons, mild to strong language, mentions of rape, mentions of pregnancy and miscarriage, referenced torture and psychological abuse/manipulation, nightmares and night terrors, sexual humour, sexual content.

Word count: 2k

One Month Later

“Daddy, are you awake?” Hope asked quietly as she touched Nathan’s shoulder, he grumbled and didn’t respond, only shuffled a bit to make his position in the bed more comfortable. “Daddy?”

“Mm? Hope? What are you doing up so early sweetie?” Hayden asked from the other side, Hope smiled and bounded over to her, not unfamiliar with the sight of Hayden cuddled up next to her father.

“I want to watch one of those movies that Uncle Wade promised I could see on my birthday, and it’s my birthday today,” she grinned.

Hayden sat up slowly, Nathan’s arm slid from her waist and to the bed as he continued to sleep, she noticed that Hope was already fully dressed in the outfit that she had helped her pick out the night before and was holding her favourite bear, and she grinned at the little girl before brushing her hair gently.

“Oh really, and which one would that be?” she asked.

“The one with the lions,”

“Alright,” she stood up and paused for a moment, eyeing her pyjamas, “Give me two minutes to get dressed, and I’ll meet you downstairs, alright sweetie?”

“Okay,” the girl beamed and ran out with teddy bear in tow.

Hayden went over to her room and slipped on a pair of lilac jeans and a white tank top with her sneakers and found Hope sitting patiently on the couch of the rec room. Hope watched as Hayden set up everything for the movie and then she made her a small cup of hot chocolate before they both sat on the floor in front of the TV, she clambered into Hayden’s lap and settled herself comfortably.

She grinned and wrapped her arms around the little girl and moved her head to hover over her shoulder.

* * *

They were halfway through the movie when Nathan had finally woken and had gone looking for them, he found them cuddled together watching the movie and he felt his heart flutter, he moved to sit down next to them.

“So this is where you two girls are huh? I’ve been looking for you all over,” he wrapped his arm around Hayden’s waist and she smiled and glanced at him before returning her gaze to the movie. “What’s this?” He nodded his head towards the TV.

“The Lion King,” she said.

“Morning, Daddy!” Hope turned and smiled at her dad and then turned her attention back to the movie as well.

“Morning sweetheart,” he placed a kiss on the side of Hope’s head, “You girls had anything to eat yet?” his hand moved from Hayden’s waist up her back to her shoulders, they both shook their heads, “I’ll scrape something together then,” he pecked Hayden on the cheek and stood up to go and make them all breakfast.

* * *

Afternoon

Colossus manned the barbeque station, Domino organised the rest of the food, and Yukio and Ellie kept an eye on the students that were running around and playing in the expanse of green yard. Hope played among the kids closer to her age and enjoyed the energy around her as her party was on the go.

Nathan sat on one of the benches and watched smiling at the little girl, it was both Hayden and Hope’s first experience of a proper kid’s party and they were rough housing with some of the other kids. Cue Wade and Russel carrying a large bucket and dumping it near the outskirts of the yard. He turned to watch them, very suspicious of the pranksters.

“Water balloon fight!” Wade yelled as he picked up one and launched it directly at Hayden, she turned her head just in time to be splattered by a large volume of water right in her face; she gasped and looked at her form dripping with water.

“Oh it’s so on!” she ran forward towards the bucket, Wade ran as fast as he could before she got close and grabbed for a balloon, she threw it at the back of Wade’s head and he nearly fell over and she laughed loudly.

Soon the other kids began to join in and water was splashing everywhere, at some point even Colossus had joined, Nathan stayed where he was and watched his daughter’s smile and laughter grow in all the excitement.

Out of nowhere a huge volume of water drench him from head to toe, he jumped from the sudden exposure and swivelled around to see who his assailant was, his face changed to that of disbelief when he saw Hayden grinning widely with a small bucket still held in her hands.

“Oh I’m so going to get you for that!” he grinned and she dropped the bucket before running as he chased after her.

“Catch me if you can sucker!” she responded as she quickened her pace, he was easily outmatched from her abilities giving her the upper hand, then an idea struck him and he stopped running to let her continue on.

She stopped running after a moment and realised that Nathan was no longer behind her, she frowned and scanned the yard for any signs of him, suddenly a warm pair of arms wrapped around her torso and she let out a shaky laugh.

“Got ya,” his rough voice spoke into her ear, sending a shiver down her spine, Nathan grinned from ear to ear.

“You cheated,” she half-whined and turned in his arms to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she did so.

“Really now,” he asked raising a cheeky brow, “And you were running at a completely normal, human speed?”

“Totally,” she nodded and smiled cheekily.

A buzzing electrical sound resonated from the centre of the yard and they turned their heads to see a blue glow emitting itself from thin air and forming a circle of sorts. Hayden let go of Nathan and they both stepped closer towards the unfamiliar thing.

“Wade, another party trick?” she asked glancing at him before taking another step closer to satisfy her curiosity.

“Nope, definitely not mine,” Wade shook his head, looking as confused as they were.

She walked up to the glowing blue portal-like thing that was now big enough to fit a normal person, she stopped just a few feet away and concentrated her violet eyes on it, her eyes widened and she promptly stepped back to find herself bumping it Nathan.

“What is it Haydes?” he asked raising his brows, holding his hands on both of her arms carefully, and glancing back between her and the portal, knowing that she was never one to freak out so easily.

“I- don’t know, I don’t-” she stammered as she stared at the thing, Nathan looked at it and noticed a dark figure was coming closer to the surface.

His right hand moved to his side and he twitched irritably upon realisation that his gun was back in their room, having believed that nothing would threaten his little girl’s birthday and letting himself relax for once, he regretted it severely now as he felt threatened somehow by this yet-to-exist enemy lurking towards them.

A plopping sound echoed and the figure was now setting foot on the yard, Nathan blinked his eyes in disbelief as he took in the woman standing just opposite them, she was the same height and build as Hayden standing by his side.

He looked back and forth between the two women and shook his head. They were exactly identical aside from their clothing, the one that had just stepped out from the portal had a deep scar across her left eye and wore a black tank top with black camouflage cargo pants, his arm instinctively tightened around the Hayden that stood next to him.

“Hi honey,” the other Hayden said with an undeniable bitterness in her tone, and the angriest expression he had ever seen.

“Daddy, why are there two Haydens?” Hope asked from a distance away.

“Nathan, get her and you out of here, now. I’ve seen that look in me before,” Hayden spoke quickly.

His arm let go and he turned to the others, “Colossus, get all the kids and Hope inside, this could get ugly!”

“You as well Nathan,” Hayden urged him angrily with a shove to follow the others, her body slowly beginning to glow violet as agitation manoeuvred through her body, itching every nerve along its course.

“No, let Nathan stay, the party’s just beginning,” the other Hayden said as Nathan refused to budge, he looked at her.

“What do you want?” Nathan asked.

“To end you,” her mouth twisted into a sadistic smile, “Your little clone in my universe is causing me too many problems for my liking, gave me this nasty little scar in fact, with this very knife,” she pulled the knife from her waist band and it glinted in the sunlight.

“Why not just kill the clone?” Hayden stepped in front of Nathan protectively, she was shorter than him and he could see clearly over her head, “Why go through all the trouble to come here to kill this one?”

The clone laughed lowly, “Eradicating the problem from the source is always the easier solution, aside from the fact that I’ve tried multiple times but the bastard, simply, won’t, die.” Her eyes flashed violet as she stared Nathan down, and she toyed with the knife in her fingers. “If I kill this Nathan Summers then his DNA simply can’t be used to create his clone,”

“But if we’re from a different universe, how are you clones of, us?” Hayden asked confused.

The clone rolled her eyes, “The government managed to obtain a sample of our DNA and wanted to keep it to help build a better future for those who suffer when the world goes to shit, which is when Nathan’s generation comes in, he was their best little soldier so when he died they took his DNA as well and cloned him too, still following?”

Hayden gave the clone a look, and she continued her story, “So we, along with Nathan and some others were moved with the rest of civilisation to a new universe to serve as protectors, bringers of justice… blah, blah, blah,” she rolled her eyes, “What they didn’t realise is cloning won’t replicate the upbringing and thus, sweet little Nathan became corrupt and sought after whatever he could to gain power and money, whatever he desired really, and he killed anyone and everyone in the process of gaining for himself,”

“Sorry to break it you but you’re not touching a single hair on his head, I don’t care if you’re some version of me coming back to save yourself,”

The clone sheathed her weapon, “It’s a pity to hurt you in the process but I won’t hesitate to do just that,” she started walking forward and Hayden moved in sync to her steps as well.

They both raised their arms to strike at each other, and both raised their other arms in a defensive manner, managing to both attack and defend the other’s moves. They continued to swing blows and blocks for a good few moments before it became futile, they knew their own moves all too well.

Nathan came closer and tried to step in the middle of the fight that had slowed down, Hayden turned to him glowing violet with fear for his safety, momentarily distracted, and the clone saw this as a window of opportunity to grab her throat and lift her into the air.

Hayden’s eyes flickered back to her natural blue and her skin paled, she gripped at the clone’s hand around her throat and gasped for air, unfamiliar with the feeling of being matched in her strength in a fight.

“Stay out of my way if you know what’s good for you,” the clone hissed before she plucked her knife from her side and drove it straight into Hayden’s stomach, twisting it to match the evil grin spreading in her features.

Hayden hadn’t even screamed. She simply made a gasping sound as she was released; she collapsed to the ground, curling into the foetal position panting wildly as her wound bled out profusely. Nathan’s eyes widened in horror as he watched his newfound love being brutally mutilated before him, and then watching as an almost exact version of her turned to face him, a murderous expression spread on her face.

A face he had come to love.

________________________________________________________________

>> Chapter 32 <<

#nathan summers #cable #hayden jones #original character #marvel #marvel fanfiction #fanfiction #fanfic #fire fist #russell collins #piotr rasputin #colossus #deadpool #deadpool 2 #wade wilson

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devilsknotrp · 6 years ago

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Congratulations, Rose! You have been accepted for the role of Brooke Youngblood (FC: Devery Jacobs). Brooke is such a weirdly wonderful character and you did her such justice. She’s sassy and looking for the world to just wake up and I think you captured that beautifully. Her angst and black eyeliner will be a welcome addition to the town! Please have a look at this page prior to sending in your account.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Name: Rose Age: 23 Pronouns: she/her Timezone: so I accidentally got it wrong in the other app haha, it’s currently GMT +1, soon just GMT because I’ll be moving to the UK Activity estimation: Right now I have all the time in the world but in September I will start my masters so it will probably be a little less but I’m sure I’ll have time to work around it. Overall my activity would probably be around 7 or 8. Triggers: REDACTED

IN CHARACTER

Full name: Brooke Enola Youngblood Age (DD/MM/YYY): eighteen (14-11-1978) Gender: Cisgender female Pronouns: She/her Sexuality: heterosexual Occupation: high school student and cashier at Piggly Wiggly Connection to Victim: Brooke has a few classes with the older two Goode siblings but doesn’t know much about Brian or their mother. She’s probably seen them in passing while she was working at Piggly Wiggly but nothing more than that. However, she feels for the family, she, unlike them, was born and raised in the darkness that can sometimes be Devil’s Knot. It’s unfortunate that a family from elsewhere be dragged the shadows created by the events of 1984 that lurks in their town. Alibi: The Saturday that Brian went missing, Brooke had been working the entire day at Piggly Wiggly. As usual, there was an assortment of customers who came and left. Children buying sweets, mothers doing a grocery run, guys buying some beers, girls buying new glossy magazines. It was business as usual. Around 5 the shop closes and so Brooke leaves the old decrepit place that always seems to be on the verge of financial problems for the next day. Her evenings were always spent out doing whatever she felt like. Sometimes it was to watch a film, sometimes to get high and other times just drive around until it was pitch black outside. Brooke explained that she’d been out for dinner, eating a meal in peace and quiet and drove around till she arrived at Videoport, flicking through DVD’s she wants to watch. Around midnight, she arrived in her old Chevy Impala, turned matte black due to the dust and dirt over the years, back home where she found her mother passed out on the sofa with the tv on. She moved her mother upstairs and cleared away the wine glass and wine bottle, the only two witnesses to this affair ever happening. After that, she went to bed. Faceclaim: Devery Jacobs

WRITING SAMPLE

Biting a fingernail on her left hand, Brooke Youngblood surveyed the scene in front of her. Her almond-shaped eyes glazed over to the one side of the table where John was sat. Well, actually her father but she saw him so rarely that she normally just referred to him by his first name, something neither of her parents seemed to like much. His dark hair was still quite full for his age and his smile was as dazzling as ever. It wasn’t hard to see why her mother had fallen for him. Now he wore a crisp business suit with a white shirt and striped tie. He fit right into the image that had been created by both of them when they had gotten married at 21. So young to be making choices that would affect you for the rest of your life. You can never know if it’s going to be influenced in a good way or a bad way. Only time can tell and it can sometimes be a bitch of a master.

Brooke swung her gaze to the other side of the table where her mother was sat. Rozene was an image that one doesn’t forget and deliberately so, her mother had worked at it. Her dark hair fell effortless down in waves as she wore a linen dress, casual yet chic. Her mother’s make-up was flawlessly applied, no signs yet of the mascara that could possibly end up running down her cheeks or any lipstick smudge on her chin from reapplying lipstick in a giddy fashion. Their whole house seemed like something that one pulled straight of a poster for the American dream. Well, it was more like the all-American nightmare for her. She let out a sigh as she passed around the casserole that her mother had spent the entire day making to her dad. It tasted good but there was nothing, nothing, that could decrease the tension in their household. Taking a sip from her glass of water, she could tell that it would only be a matter of minutes before her parents would start talking to each other. Now they were sat in deathly silence, only the sound of cutlery on plates and eating could be heard.

Eating the last mouth full of her plate, she set down her knife and fork and her napkin just as she’d been taught all those years ago. She thought back to when she’d been taught proper etiquette. For months she had to ask her parents “please may I leave the table?” whenever she even wanted to go for a piss. From all the fine things her mother tried to teach her, that was the only thing that had stuck. She quietly uttered the sentence as she stood up and picked up her plate, setting it in the sink. As soon as she was out of sight, their voices started to push through the walls. Her father’s deep, baritone muttering something to her mother as she heard her mother throw down her fork and heatedly reply back. “For fuck’s sake Rose, you know this isn’t normal. This town has always had its demons…. Now, this….”

Her mother replied back, but the words were cut out as she turned on the tap and rinsed her plate clean.

“Also, what the fuck kind of food do you call this?”

“I spent HOURS cooking that, you piece of shit. I don’t see you offering yourself up to cook a meal for us.” Their voices were rising over the noise of the tap, that’s when Brooke knew she had to get out. The plate clattered in the sink as she pushed her arms into her coat, grabbed her keys and left.

Her trusty Chevy Impala had brought her to one of the few places she could think of that was clear of any people. Piggly Wiggly. It was stupid to come to work after hours but right now there was no chance of anyone being there and that’s all Brooke needed right now. Sitting on the hood of the car, she slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out her pack of Marlboro and a lighter. As she inhaled the soft grey smoke of the cigarette curled up and into the night air, the embers of the tip burning a fiery orange. Her eyes cast upwards as she exhaled the smoke. If it only was as easy to disappear from this town as the smoke disappeared in the night. The cold nipped at her cheeks which she stubbornly refused to acknowledge as she lifted to the hood of her coat onto her head, keeping herself as warm as she could. The size of the cigarette seemed to be dwindling fast as Brooke started to feel this dark feeling boil inside of her. Anger started to build as she thought about her parents. Why couldn’t they just have one normal meal? Just one. Is that too much to fucking ask for?

Dropping the cigarette to the floor, she stomped on it with a force that wasn’t necessary to put out something so small. No, it was measured against the fire that was burning through her veins.

Brooke’s hands started to itch, a desire to hit something rising, like a coiling serpent ready to strike, trying to find a way to let out all her anger. She popped the boot of her car and pulled out a green canvas bag, slamming it closed again. Her footsteps were full of purpose as she strode up to the sidewall of her workplace. Her hand reached in and grabbed a can as she let the bag go. The can felt cold, the sharp biting making everything seem more real, as she lifted it above and pressed hard. The colour was neon green and spread like a wildfire as she started to draw.

A smile slipped onto her lips as her anger faded and instead the feeling of thrill ran through her body. It lasted about a minute. She saw before she heard. Her eyes caught the sight of red and blue light as she swore loudly. Bright lights shone in her face as she tried to shield her eyes, automatically watering due to the brightness.

“Oi! Hey you!” Brooke dropped the can into the bag and slung it over her shoulder as she tried to get away.

“Hey! You! Stop right now! An officer of the law is speaking to you!”

She turned and ran right into a body. “Well, if it isn’t Brooke Youngblood. You’re coming with us. Vandalising property.”

An officer picked her up by her armpit as she tried to wiggle free. The other officer came up behind her, huffing and puffing despite the short distance. He observed her bag and the scowl that she wore. “Don’t you think we aren’t busy enough as it is? All us looking for that Goode kid?”

The officer shook his head as he signalled her to come along to the patrol car, a hard push sending her that way. Brooke decided not to say anything as she sat down in the back of the car, the leather seats feeling slight warm despite the cool October air. Yeah, that’s right. Finally, this town is being woken up. All of these idiots get to see what’s actually going on behind all these smiles and closed doors.

A smile slid onto her face as they drove off, only one thought on Brooke’s mind. Wakey wakey, motherfuckers. You’re all in for one hell of a ride…

ANYTHING ELSE?

→ The Youngblood household is less a home and more like IKEA showroom, all gloss that when disassembled is just cheaply made wood. The matriarch, Rozene Youngblood, is the epitome of the notion of a two-faced coined. On the one hand, she is a classy lady, married to the esteemed businessman John Youngblood, who she met at Devil’s Knot very own highschool as a senior, who performs the duties of a housewife to a perfection. On the other side, the real side, she’s a bored, lonely, repressed alcoholic. She hides her misery behind glasses of Rosé and plastic smiles as she laments the singing career she abandoned for traditional atomic family life. Her parents play the roles but never truly mean it, and while the rest of the town is fooled, their only child is not. Brooke has spent her life clearing up empty bottles and sick, while her father graces them with his presence every few weeks if only to criticise and make barb comments at the dinner table. Is it any surprise Brooke strives to break every social conformity she meets? She has first-class proof that bliss is not picket fences and neighbourhood barbecues.

→ After years of not only seeing her mom consuming more alcohol than Brooke ever thought was possible and the unhappy effect it’s had on their family as a whole, Brooke doesn’t drink. Even though she’s not of the legal age to do it yet, she’s already decided that way in advance. There have been moments she’s had it offered to her which she declined. On the whole, the number of parties she gets invited to is also on the low side so peer pressure and her exposure to it, besides being at home, is limited. She’s more open to drugs and has been known to smoke on certain occasions. Handing some of her cash in and sneaking a packet of cigarettes out, going on quick breaks just to have a quick smoke is rare but it happens as she tries to relieve herself from the not stop grind of her work ethic. Besides that, she’s open to experimenting and having a fun time. Anything to get out of this dreary, awful town, right? Even if it’s just mentally.

→ If Piggly Wiggly is an American staple, then Brooke Youngblood’s dark eye shadow and blunt cut bangs are a Devil’s Knot staple. As a young girl, she used to run around in colourful dresses and bows in her hair. It all slowly started to fade away but when she started high school, that’s when it really peaked. On their first day of high school, Brooke stepped out of her mother’s pristine car and all eyes met her. Her dark, long locks were always braided or beautifully taken back now were let loose and hung like a curtain down her back. A blunt fringe had been cut, somehow framing her face better and making her face seen at least five years older. Her eyes were rimmed with deep purple eye shadow, highlighting all her best facial features. She wore a simple purple dress with black Dr Martens. Since then that’s become her style and it’s what she’s faultlessly known for. Some say she’s the only fashionable thing about Devil’s knot and others say she seems like a demon sent from hell. Whatever it is, Brooke Youngblood is in never going to change it, despite her parent’s wishes to the contrary.

→ Brooke drives a old Chevy Impala. Although it’s not traditionally a car for young girls, Brooke isn’t traditional nor a young girl anymore. Once she got her license, she went car shopping with her mom which turned out to be a disaster. Her mom wanted to get her new, fancy open-top cars which she definitely didn’t want. As they drove back, Brooke spotted an auto shop where they fixed old cars. As she walked in, it took her all of one second to spot the car and ever since that moment it’s been hers.

→ Even though her parents met in Devil’s knot and it’s all she’s ever known, Brooke despises the town. It seems to be filled with pretentious people who are so worried about fitting a certain societal mould that they can’t think straight. All this white-picket-fence crap is enough to make her sick. It’s definitely not the kind of life she ever wants to live. One of the first things she wants to do is travel. Leave Devil’s Knot for good behind. She’s always sensed the darkness in this place and now with Brian missing, it’s only affirmed it once again. Even if no one else will follow her, Brooke knows she won’t be staying here forever. If she can help it not even another year. This very purpose is what drives her to work so hard, either she’ll leave by savings or good grades, whichever ends up being first.

#dkaccepted #accepted #brooke youngblood

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