#some demon noble: you really should get a heir

[disgracefulthings]

At a Peak Lord Meeting

Yue Qingyuan: Shidi, why do you have a child with you?

Shang Qinghua: This is Wei Ying, he is my new son. Also if the Jiang clan asks about me, pretend you don't know me

Shen Qingqiu: Should I even ask?

Shang Qinghua: They were abusing him! If they are going to mistreat him then they don't deserve him!

Yue Qingyuan, sighing: Fine then

Shang Qinghua: When we get home I will introduce you to A-Yao, your new big brother

Wei Ying, tearing up: What about shijie and chengcheng?

Shang Qinghua: Fine, I'll kidnap them too

Yue Qingyuan: Shidi, please!

[lemonhemlock]

So I don't know how unpopular of an opinion this is lmao, since I am a dirty neutral and not on either team green or team black, but the perception of Otto from both sides is very interesting and weird to me. This is related to your other asks about how the fandom refuses to engage with the medieval feudal setting and is constantly projecting modern sensibilities. I see Otto get called one of the worst men in the series, a pimp, etc. and I just.....don't get it? And do not see it that way.

Noble parents' main job was quite literally to make the best marriage match possible for their kids. Why settle for a mere lord/minor noble when Otto could get the literal king of the 7K for his daughter? Yes, he was quite older than her (in the show, in the book the age gap was not a big deal at all she was 18 and Viserys 30 iirc), etc. but a vast majority of nobles would want an older king for their daughter than a young minor noble that doesn't bring much to the plate? Is it fair to the kids? Who may want to marry for love, or a more age appropriate match? Sure, but......marriage is a business deal, a way to bring two houses together and merge bloodlines. Also, just realistically, a lot of these nobles' daughters in real life would have preferred a wealthier, more powerful noble or a minor lord as well. A woman's power is first derived from her father, and then her husband.

I'm a history buff and have read/studied this time period since I was a pre-teen and have been watching historical dramas for decades at this point. Otto really isn't some unique 'evil' or an 'evil' at all, he played the game and won by nabbing a king for his daughter. For a franchise built off of smartly 'playing the game of thrones' it's hilarious how Otto is demonized for this by both teams. Also, how was Otto supposed to predict that Viserys would be the one king in the history of monarchy in the 7K to pass over multiple trueborn sons for his faildaughter (Rhaenyra still being heir after Aegon's birth is nothing but the most unrealistic, laughable, Mary Sue plot armor by GRRM lol). For all intents and purposes, Otto should have won and Hightower blood should have gone to sit the throne for generations.

No, I quite agree with you, anon, and argued the same in the past. Otto is far from the moustache-twirling villain the fandom paints him as. He is also a second son and he has to hustle for his social status to an extent. Yes, his family is rich and that will take him far in society, but he does actually hold a job. His daughter marrying the King is quite the victory. Of course, like you said, he couldn't have known that Viserys would really keep Rhaenyra as the nominal heir - even in the show this is specifically shown to be not expected in the slightest, not just by Otto, but by the court as well. And, of course, he couldn't have known that show!Viserys would turn into the ultimate leper and have half his face fall off by the time of his agonising death. When Viserys married Alicent, he seemed a healthy man, not decrepit at all, reasonable and with a kind and jolly disposition.

Was this 100% in Alicent's benefit? Of course not, we've seen a version of her on screen that painfully suffered in a society that doesn't allow for the exploration of her sexuality. But it very well could have gone differently. In the books, there is a smaller age difference, Viserys' weight causes him health issues, yes, but he isn't actively decomposing, Alicent isn't a lesbian woman pining after her step-daughter, who is quite a different age than her, and she doesn't seem so miserable in her marriage to Viserys. He also doesn't continuously ignore his children with Alicent; at least with Helaena and her children he maintains a warm relationship, so there's no reason to think he was pretending his other three sons don't exist.

Does that mean that book!Viserys' marriage with book!Alicent was perfect, to completely exonerate Otto? Probably not, he still didn't name Aegon his heir, but it's a different, ~better outcome than the show, at least for the duration of Alicent's stint as queen consort.

[prototypelq]

DMC Questions Anon here!

"That day, if our positions were switched... Would our fates be different? Would I have your life, and you mine?"

While standing on top of the Qlipoth in DMC 5 Vergil posed a very interesting question that got many people wondering: How would the story of DMC go if Dante and Vergil's positions were switched?

That is what I am asking you now to answer. How does this story go in a world where their positions are switched?

Hi, dear DMC anon, always happy to get your messages!

I`d like to start this reply with recommending some very good videos/fics that explore this topic, as my opinion on the matter is affected by them, but also in case anyone reading HASN`T seen these, and more people really should!

Champion Analysis has done amazing videos on this exact alternate universe scenario (the term ‘alternate universe’ feels very justified here) videos – two speculative character analysis videos and one voice-acted retelling of the story of the switched twins in DMC 3.

Blood Red Brother by TheWritingSquid – a oneshot about ‘switched’ Dante running into a ‘reunited with Dante at the end of 3 and raising-Nero’ Vergil and their first and last interaction.

Bonus:

Devil May Cry D by Strawberry_Hope is an amazing fic in russian, this is a ‘switched’ twins retelling of the story of 5, and I LOVE it. This thing is huge, it has everything you wish to have in a long fic – good plot with some mystery, characters interact with each other a lot (as Vergil does NOT let Dante out of his sight, unlike the game which has Dante basically flying off the rails after his twin), and some good angst and drama (as is customary for DMC). maybe I should do a masterpost of my fav ru dmc fics, because they have some amazing stuff I have not seen in english-speaking community, or have seen very very little of it.

Hopefully, everyone is familiar with these (baring Devil May Cry D, as it is very optional because of language requirement), otherwise I highly recommend you check them out if this AU ever remotely interests you.

With that out of the way, I believe the Switch AU is quite unique, because global games-wise I don`t think it would change much. Vergil would work great as a (classic anime) protagonist – an elder twin, who tragically lost his entire family, and is the (only surviving) heir. Vergil is honorable, badass and actually a cheeky bastard, just as his brother, so he would make a great protagonist for the games. Story-wise in games, I think the only one we can expect to have huge changes is 4, as it revolves around Nero. There is pretty much nothing on The Fortuna Woman to base speculations around, sooo it could be a teen dad Vergil after 3, or he could encounter Nero only in the boy`s teens as original Dante did. Same as canon, I don`t really care for The Woman much, and I don`t see her having any effect on the story. (also everyone wants Nero and Vergil to have good father-son relationship, so it`s obvious which scenario out of the two the fandom and I lean towards)

This is...not much changing really, we just move the Nero&Vergil relationship earlier on the timeline, but so far that`s pretty much it

except it`s not

because I fully believe ‘switched’ Dante cannot be redeemed.

Original`s Vergil story is tragic, and it forced him to make horrible decisions, however his intentions have always been in the right place. Vergil, fundamentally as a character believes in results over the methods used to get them, so no, he Doesn`t care that his summoning of demon tower killed a lot of innocent people, and might have passed down his own childhood trauma on the new generation of children of Redgrave, he wanted to use it to finish off the demon lord, and it is a noble goal so everything works out. This makes the original Vergil a tragic, but misguided and lost character. Vergil as V was the perfect replica of all of that, and he needed someone to show him a better way – and Nero did. He showed crumbling and desperate Vergil compassion and a kind-of friendship, which was exactly what Vergil was looking for all these years, but too afraid to acknowledge it. After that, original Vergil can be shown the error of his ways, and he might try to make amends (starting with his brother), which will, in time, redeem him.

 Dante is, as always, a perfect opposite of his brother. He is compassionate by nature, and his heart of gold is his greatest tormentor over the years, as he cannot accept the loss of Vergil and always yearned for his brother back. To take this emotional person with a bleeding heart, and to have him raise a demon tower as Vergil did in dmc 3? That requires breaking his foundational compassionate nature, and replacing it with ‘goals over morals’ mentality, and I don`t think that kind that damage can be reversed. Blood Red Brother fic I mentioned captures this perfectly – Dante, with goals over morals, also remains a thrill seeker and a kind of adrenaline junkie, this combination of traits, paired with demonic heritage, is extremely volatile, and could lead to terrible bloodlust.

All of this would make 'switched' Dante a truly horrifying sadistic psychopath, who would only seek massive demons to battle (which would also make him an amazing villain), and there is no way he could be redeemed after that.

Thank you for the ask, as always!

(well, there is an alternative scenario where Dante fights only demons, and doesn't harm humans, meaning he cannot get the power boosts orig Vergil got, and loses to Mundus spectacularly. still, I feel like 'antagonist' Dante goes against his nature and would alter him greatly, but perhaps he could be redeemed after that)

p.s. maybe I`ll make a reblog talking about DMC D fic as it has some amazing takes on this AU, but I don`t want to mix the authors original ideas with my ramblings

[swordofsuns]

Dnd arc 4: FINALE! (part 1 ig)

And so our party departs into the tunnels connecting the former city of Axum on the surface to the City of Mirrors in the underdark. The path down is long and winding, and takes us several fairly uneventful days to reach the bottom. along the way we run into some people travelers heading up who fill us in on whats going on in the underdark while we inform them that Axum doesnt exactly exist anymore. As we learn from them, aparently after Ira ran away, her sister, Adhera took the throne from their aging mother, who had stepped down. Adhera made a deal with the Flesh Prince of mutual protection and started a few wars to conquer neighboring territories. Do to this, she ended up getting pretty unpopular with everybody, from nobles to commoners alike, and there is a small rebellion group called The Sparrows who are trying to overthrow her and replace her with Ira. Ira is not thrilled about the prospect of becoming queen, but we agree that we should probably try and get some support from The Sparrows against a common enemy, but maybe try to make sure Ira doesnt have to become queen, as it would mean giving up her art and witchcraft. Later that night Ira has a dream where she meets the Bird who informs her that after Paro died last time, they wont be revived until Ira does something for her in the City of Mirrors, probably relating to the sparrows though this is communicated entirely through charades and interpretive dance so its kinda unclear.

When we arrive at the city, we do some exploring and eventualy run into some of the Sparrows. They are mostly members of the aristocracy who use magic masks to hide their identities and voice from each other, and all have bird codenames (ie Lady Hummingbird, Lord Crow). The two people in charge of the opperation are Lady Nightingale and Lord Hawk. Nightingale is in charge of PR basicaly, and how they convince the people that Ira is the better choice by "crafting a story", while Hawk is a powerful sorcerer (who we deduct is the court mage) who supplies all the magic and technical planning.

They inform us that the only way to get Adhera off of the throne, which we would need to get access to the Well of Creation and save some more of our kidnapped friends, would be to challenge Adhera for the throne in a traditional duel. In addition, it can only be done by an heir to the throne, and the only person in the line of succession at the moment is Ira. Ira very reluctantly agrees, but decides that after becoming queen she can find some way to step down or get rid of the crown, first she just has to take down Adhera.

In the end in the middle of a parade with Adhera in the rear, we all show up on top of a bridge, and challenge her to a duel, and, as we are in puplic, she is forced to agree. also Val notices that the mount that she is riding is a wierd demon monster who probably used to be his sibling.

We all meet up in the main castle, and the fight begins between Ira and Adhera. Though Ira has both her Broom of Flight and literaly Excalibur (I dont think I mentioned that actualy)(Ira found excalibur way back in the fey arc)(it was broken though but Prometheus fixed it on the way down here), she is honestly not really a physical match for Adhera, and is about to lose when suddenly Ira and Adheras mother walks into the room. Adhera, for seemingly no reason (back before Ira left her mother and her sister got along well) begins going balistic, throwing a javelin at her unarmed, unarmored mother, though misses, before collapsing on the ground and begining to froth at the mouth from poison, and screaming about how "SHE DID IT TO ME AND SHELL DO IT TO YOU TOO! SHE WILL DO IT TO YOU TOO!"

Max manages to stop the poison from killing her, but significant mental damage was caused by the poison and adhera is seemingly incoherant. from what Max can tell the poison was a slow acting poison that had probably been fed to her at breakfast. Ira wins the duel by default, and immediately as her first order as queen arrests Lady Nightshade (her mother) for poisoning Adhera, as well as the fact that Ira had deducted that Lady Nightshade was also Lady Nightingale, and thats treason. Lord Hawk/ the court magician is arested as well.

Also Actaeon is getting really old by now, and, when Max does a check up on him he notices that his blood is made of ice and that there seems to be something wrong with his heart.

Also while the fight was going on Val found that their sibling had been turned into a full demon monster, and was being kept as a pet by Adhera, and snuck away to free them, and in return their sibling gave them their parents severed but still beating heart before flying away.

We all go down to the dungeons and try to interogate Lady Nightshade, who admits to having poisoned her own daughter, but what we realize quickly is that she was queen for so long that at this point the only thing she cares about is her kingdom, and how she will do anything to make her people and her kingdom prosper, no matter the cost. When she realized that Adhera was taking the kingdom in a bad direction she led a coup to replace her, but knowing that Adhera would probably beat Ira she poisoned and attempted to kill Adhera so that Ira would be garenteed victory. altogether she is pretty abusive towards Ira the entire conversation. also Ira refuses to wear the crown and instead has it looped on her belt. We try to ask her about the Well of Creation but she refuses to answer other than to say that it will be the death of us. We do discover that she was romanticaly involved with the court mage though

We try interogating the court mage next, who at first refuses to answer any of our questions about the well of creation, but eventualy makes us a deal that if we promise to let Lady Nighshade out of the dungeon and simply banish her forever he'll tell us what we need to know. we dont like letting Nightshade go free but admit that she wont really be an issue if shes banished so we accept, and sent her off with a bodygaurd with orders to keep her safe but also ensure she never returns. After this the court mage agrees to tell us how to get to the Well of Creation, but immeadiately begins laughing because its impossible. first of all, though there is a path to the well of creation beneath the castle, the location of the path is not known to him, and it is locked with the only key being a secret known only to Lady Nightingale, who we cant ask as she is gone now. the only clue we have is that she claimed that it was something only the queen would have access to. Even more than that, though, once we got to the end of the tunnel, the Well of Creation is locked behind a massive set of stone doors that no matter how many adventuring crews they sent, could not be opened. To make things worse, before you get past the door, inscribed in the stone is a poem, and all those who read it were changed forever, simply walking away, selling all their things, and charting a boat off of the continent (oh btw quick worldbuilding thing: there is only one known continent, surrounded by a massive ocean, with only the parts near land charted. nobody knows whats out there of if there is other land masses. Any ships who travel out there either never return, or the people return... different, never speaking about what they saw). Red punches him in the face. Ira also punches him in the face.

Also it turns out that that night as we are discussing our options 1) actaeon begins hearing the drums of the Wild Hunt, calling him towards a battle, though he resists the call, 2) All the priest in the local church of the gravetender suddenly begin screaming about how they were being called for a final battle against an ancient evil and all sudenly and inexplicably turned into moss covered statues, and 3) fires could be seen all over the city as well as screams and sounds of violence.

we realize that were a out of time, and begin arguing over whether to help the Beast end this world in hopes of creating a better one, or help the Gods of the Tower (the current gods) preserve the world in fear of the new one being worse. Red is basicaly the only one on team "dont start the apocalypse" mainly because she is terrified of what would happen if the Leech got any semblance of power, though everybody else is team "whoo yay apocalypse" reasoning that their gods are pretty chill and this world sucks and has been terrible to them. Actaeon also supports the apocalypse because he believes it will allow Red to get her happy ending back. A full on physical fight breaks out between Red and the rest of the party for a bit as she tries to restrain them from ending the world, arguing that we should avoid the Well at all costs. In the end, Ira sneaks off to pay her respects to her dead lover who betrayed her years ago, but is contacted by the Bird, who leads her to a spring in the middle of the couryard, and implied that by dropping the crown in she will lose her title of queen and Paro will be returned. She holds the crown out to the water, feels the weight of her sister, her mother, her ancestors and her expectations, and drops it into the clear water. It drifts down a ways, before the water is filled with a jet black ink, and a the largest bird Ira has ever seen emerges. It is still Paro, though no longer a tiny mockingbird, but a 6 food jet black bird, with 6 eyes and 4 wings. it lands on her shoulder, colosal in size yet light as a feather. She sees the ink of the water drain away, and the liquid dries away, revealing a hidden path deep below to the Well of Creation.

Eventualy, Max convinces Red that even if we dont have to do anything in the well of creation, its probably best to head down there, just to look inside. Red reluctantly agrees and we all head down. At the bottom, we find the massive stone doors we were promissed, and we read the writing on it, though we are not driven mad. I forget how the writing went but it was something like "This is not a place of honor...(insert like 4 stanzas on the existential nature of reality here)...Come follow me into eternity". The poem implies that it was writen by the Drifter (god of peace and safe travel who disapeered 1000 years ago), and seems to be almost a suicide note of him losing faith in reality and deciding to jump into the well in order to stop existing.

Also at the bottom we find the two headed snake man from all the way back in that one random side session after the fae arc (I told you he would be important). turns out hes just been chilling down here for a while and fills us in on some more exposition: inside the door is the well of creation and the pillars of reality. using the pillars of reality we can determine who will win in the coming battle between the Tower(term for the human/modern gods) and the Wyrm(term for the beasts/old gods). also in order to open the door you need the power of each of the 5 elements. together Red, Snake boi, Braxton, Ira, and Kit all manage to push open the door using their respective powers, revealing the room inside. the second we step in, however, the door slams shut and we are locked inside. We start debating on whether or not we should end the world again, though Max is distracted by a message in his and bennys shared message book: "unclamp the eye on the front cover"(the book has a eye in the front). when he does, the eye suddenly open up, revealing a silver pocketwatch inside, which floats up above the well, and begins forming bone and flesh and monocrome suit and goat horns, until standing in the center of the room, fully in the flesh, stands benny. He smiles at us, and thanks us for doing the 1 part of his plan he couldn't do himself: smuggling his phylactery into the Well of Creation.

and this is actualy getting kinda long and im not even halfway done so im pull a hunger games and split the finale into 2 parts. (also all of this and the second part was 1 session. it took 11 hours)

ONE SESSION???????

ELEVEN HOURS????

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

Hi there. I know your still working on that drabble series but would it be possible to write the next noble verse one? <3

((Hi there dear anon. Hope your well. Yeah, I can add something to this and don't worry. The other Au are still being written just need to think of some new ideas for them. But I got one for this. Just a moment. Oh and Ink with the DBT with some others belong to my friend @demon-blood-youths ))

Silver butterfly mun/Peahen mom

"I can't believe this is happening. Everyone is getting married so fast! What is happening!?" Ink was sitting in disbelief right now and yet, it worries her. The six claws blinks seeing this. The ones that was engaged were out due to the planning.

"Miss Ink please don't be sad. I'm sure things will be alright. Even with the current ideal going on." Ren said to her while having some tea for her and yet, he saw her being quiet looking upset.

"I know that but..this is all happening so fast even with the first couple being married right now. It's..It's so much." she pouts.

"I don't see what the problem is! Even if we are all engaged were going to be married to you." Bakugo grumbled but Rin and Denji were eating some food seeing this worried.

Atsushi was silent and Izuku thinking about it.

"Well, think of it this way. Even after that, everyone even you will be heading back to the human world to help in ruling it. Even with everything you learned so far. We had to go through the same when we came here." Atsushi said hoping to cheer her up.

"Though, does this mean we get to give her all the kisses to help her feel better?" Denji said excited only to get bonked on the head. "OW!"

"Not now!" Rin shouted at him but as the two argued, Ink sighed looking down at her lap but she was still nervous about it.

"Ink.."

"Sorry. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for everyone true and they should be happy but.....I'm not used to this whole thing. Even I heard Oblivion and Yuuka is engaged."

"HA!? Oblivion asked Yuu to marry her!? I FUCKING KNEW IT!" Bakugo shouted.

"......" The six claws and Ink blinks looking at him but he looks back.

"What??"

"Anyway....." Izuku said trying to calm him down before looking to ink. "I think it's nice to know that everyone is happy Ink but that means the same for you too. This is all new to us as well but when we are married, we'll be there for you and to help you out. Just think of it like having 6 people that care about you. We got to know more about you over the following weeks and we already see your pretty cool." he said.

"....Really? You think so?" Ink asked him but the men nods.

"Of course. You are interesting for us to know but I know this is the start of something amazing for us. We can work together to make it work." he said that Ink blinks that she was smiling.

"Thank you guys.." she said happy. However, as the guys nod, she heard some arguing from the next room.

"Uhhhh what is that?" Bakugo asked.

"That sounds like Ink's father....did something happen?" Izuku asked.

"I don't know but sounds like some meeting...." Rin said that the guys look and Ink did too. What was going on?

~~~~In the main throne room~~~~~

Vanity was but saw that the other devils were speaking to him about a certain devil named Bradley. The pervert devil was trying to flirt with the females here in the demon world but he was annoyed seeing them being kept back away from them.

"Now now calm down everyone." He said.

"How!? That little punk was trying to plan on kidnapping the other female members even the ones that was engaged! He tried to kidnap Ashley from Joshua!" Cal said with Leonard agreeing. "He's right! That punk tried to swoop Ashley away from him but my guards stopped and booted him out."

"That little devil is starting to be a pain. I think his heir is trying to kidnap a wife for himself to have. We can't allow that." Ira said mad with Oski agreeing.

"Hold on, when was this?" Vanity asked.

"It was a few weeks ago. After others heard about our heirs being married or engaged, this guy shows up all over hitting on demon females including some of the heirs." Orochi said worried about Vivi but Nagi knew she would be fine.

"Hmmmmm..I didn't know this but we haven't seen anyone like that."

"Maybe not yet, Vanity but I suggest you keep a eye out. He's a slick little thing." Yen said angry but Lyilus knew he was not happy figuring out that someone tried to flirt with his heir Melinda. He also knew Jaron wouldn't like that.

"Hmmmm..." While thinking of this, he would have to be sure guards are on stand by just in case this Bradley comes around here and causes trouble that won't do. For now, he sighed.

"I'll be sure we see to fix this problem but my fellow devils be sure you stay on your guards too." Vanity said seeing them muttering. The six claws and Ink didn't know this but she was worried. Who the heck was Bradley and why was he doing this to the females?

"......." Thinking about it, she decided to go and talk to her friends to see if they heard.

~~~~Later~~~~~

"No, it's true. Theirs a devil and his demon going around flirting and asking for females to be his wife. He tired to marry Yuuka here and do some force marriage to get her to be his wife." Oblivion said explaining the situation to her teammates with Yuuka being quiet looking worried.

"So this guy or demon just came to your kingdom asking for your hand? You said no didn't you?" Navarro asked.

"I did but he didn't take no for a answer. He just kept pushing himself up to me wanting to marry. He didn't listen to me even after I kept saying no." she said. "It felt like he was some stalker.." she said.

"I see. Wait, was this really happening to everyone?" Rust asked not liking this at all nor this demon named Bradley. He sounded like a asshole to say the least. Even Jaron was already not liking him.

"Then..what do we do?" Ophelia asked.

"I think we should remain calm and do our best to keep this...demon away from the kingdoms. Knowing what he is trying to do it might not stop him from wanting to kidnap another or try to." Hellmare hums but she was thinking about it.

"I say we just burn his butt so he won't come at us again!" Maggie said angry right now from hearing this.

"Easy Maggie. I think we can do something about this before it gets to that point. Maybe we can figure a plan out-"

"Our devils told us to just be careful and stay alert. We see that Bradley wants females so we need to ensure he don't get one." Oblivion said but she was rubbing Yuuka's back but she looks to her.

"I'm alright Tae don't worry.." she said gently.

"I know.." she said this softly to her while Yuu looks at her but the two saw the others now looking at them in silence. ".......??????"

"Uhhhhhhhh..."

"What?" Oblivion saw some looking at the two since they were also holding hands.

"SO IT WAS TRUE! CONGRATS OBLIVION! I knew you had a crush on her!" Rust was happy for him teammate that she blinks to look at him. Yuuka's face was red looking down but Oblivion sighed to help calm her down.

"Thanks Rust. Just like you and Shdwkyz having two mates yourselves? Congrats to you both..." she said but he blinks to his face turning red. The others looks to him but Sai said nothing looking away so they didn't see his own red cheeks.

"Hold on, you both have two mates!?" Jaron asked.

"H..H..Hey lets not get into that alright?!" he said waving his arms quickly but the others sighed.

"Okay, this meeting is done but lets just be careful from now on okay. At least I told Rex the same thing so he's keeping a close eye out in case." Ink said but the DBT nods understanding.

"Though you also got us too Ink. We'll be sure to keep you safe too." Denji said that Ink looks and smiled. "Thanks you guys!" she said as the six nods.

"As for everyone else, Vanity already spread the word out through the demon world. Lets just be careful during this time and when we get married later down the road okay?" Ink said seeing the DBT nod. So, it seems they will be on guard for a while or till things are clear. one thing for sure is keeping a eye out for this pervert.

[obeythebutler]

hi! i’m pretty new to tumblr but i saw you were doing request and got really happy! i was wondering if you could do some diavolo headcannons (give this man some love) but after having an argument with MC and scaring them. i can only imagine how guilty he would feel!

Diavolo never shows that he's angry.

The demon is painfully aware of his position and power, as the son of the Demon King and the heir to the Throne, he knows how one must keep composed and calm, even when angry or troubled.

But even he slips sometimes.

"I don't think your actions were justified."

Your voice rings in the room, concise and confident, for only you are the one who can talk to him in such a manner because you are his lover.

"We shall talk about this later, love." The demon speaks as he pours a cup of tea, and slides one over to you, which you chose to ignore, utterly focused on his figure as you continue.

"I don't think it's right! You shouldn't have conducted that event when the poorer regions of the Devildom were going through a severe drought. It wasn't the appropriate time!"

He takes a sip of the soothing beverage as he attempts to calm his growing irritation.

"I am aware." The demon points out, and when Diavolo closed his eyes the image of the joyous crowd, boisterous and happy as ever forms in his mind. But there were subjects that wished to speak with him, but couldn't get the opportunity. He states, "But the nobles demanded it, in fact, they wrote letters and came to visit me in person. How could I say no?"

Your anger flares up.

"They only see the life of luxury, Diavolo. Not the hardships the lower-level demons have to face. Even if the brothers and nobles, even if the city was overjoyed, the others weren't celebrating." You mutter, remembering the dissapointed looks of the demons when they saw the celebrations taking place in the city, blocking the path for them to visit and present their troubles to their Lord.

Diavolo is a just Prince. He would have listened to their concerns and sent relief accordingly. But a celebration at such a time was uncalled for.

Your next words are dripping with fury, and for a moment you forget you are speaking to a Demon Prince, one that has the power to wipe out beings from existence.

"You should have said no! But you didn't! This was uncalled for—"

"Enough!"

Diavolo's tone is laced with venom as he screams the words, each syllable echoing in the room. The teacup in his hand shatters due to the force with which he was holding it, and now it's lying on the table, broken and bleeding.

You immediately jump back in fear.

The look in the demon's eyes is anything but calm, the joyous golden having turned to one of fury, burning, like the fires of Hell.

With his fangs bared and eyes narrowed, his expression resembles one of a demon, shrouded in darkness and something, something unholy.

It is in this moment, you realize, you're talking to the Prince of Hell, Diavolo, and not your lover.

Your stomach twists in fear.

"I'm sorry." You mumble, your very soul trembling under his gaze.

It is in this moment, that Diavolo realizes how fearsome he must look. The demon corrects his expression immediately.

He gently wipes his hand with a cloth, taking a deep breath as he composes himself. Seeing you, Diavolo can feel the pit of his stomach sink. It isn't unlike him to lose his temper so quickly, and that too even at his own wrongdoings. But that isn't even the worst.

He's scared you.

You're afraid of him.

Something Diavolo promised himself that he would never let it happen.

"Name." He croons, gently approaching your terrified form, and when he reaches out to touch you he can see you flinch.

Look what you've done, he scolds himself. He never wanted you to be afraid of him. He wanted for you two to be equal in each other's eyes. But, given the power imbalance, it's difficult.

Your scared expression sets his fears in stone.

"I'm so sorry." He whispers, his tone nothing but serious. There's a thousand more words he wants to say, but he fears he may start sobbing voicing them. So he keeps mum and hopes the three words will convey his feelings.

You don't move, choosing to stare at the demon whose begging for forgiveness on his knees. Diavolo mumbles,"It was foolish of me to act out on my own mistakes, and you were only pointing it out."

"But you're the ruler. I—" Your voice cracks at the end as you take a deep breath. "I shouldn't have interfered. I'm the one who should be apologizing. It was rude of me to poke into matters not concerning me. I'm sorry."

"No!" He gasps, and cringes when he realizes that he might have scared you further. "I want for us to be equal in each others eyes." He confesses as he wrings his hands, which are desperately trying to reach for your own.

"You were only pointing out my mistakes, and I got angry at my own wrongdoings. It was I who was being foolish here." He whispers, and he can feel tears brimming in his eyes. "You did nothing wrong. In fact, it was appropriate for you to correct me. You desire the people to be happy, just like I do."

When you look at the demon crouched in front of you, you can see the regret in his eyes and the trembling of his voice. Diavolo never meant to lash out. But he did. And he's filled with regret.

"It is I who should apologize. Not you. I never meant to scare you, I'm so sorry."

A single tear escapes his eye, and you reach out to wipe it away. The silence is peaceful, this time, and when you place your head on his chest you can sense the beating of his heart, like a war drum.

"Don't do that ever again," You mutter, engulfing the demon in a hug as Diavolo stiffens for a moment, before embracing you back.

Never again, he swears. Never again shall he let this happen.

~

I did these in a scenarios, as I felt it would suit it better! I hope you like it!

[bumblingbunny]

The Love and Conquest BC is looking for Love Interests!

Love and Conquest is a Story-Based-On-Gameplay Bachelorette Challenge based on all of the fantasy, romance, isekai stories I love! We’re missing some important characters though and I’m hoping you’ll help. Now that Harlow has found herself in the role of Harmony, we need some other sims to take on the roles of her love interests!

SUBMISSION DETAILS Each love interest should have two versions:

Fantasy: This version should be a character from the dating sim - and unlike Harlow, they won’t know that they’re in a dream! They should have a distinct role in the story and should be fully in character (at least at the start). This is the version that will appear in most of the BC’s story posts.

Real life: At some point Harlow is going to have to wake up from this dream and hopefully her selected partner will wake up with her! These sims will get to live in Harlow’s actual gameplay save - either as her partner or in another role if they don’t win.

Since this post is already too long, check out this one to learn more about Harlow/Harmony. The rest of the submission details are under the cut! Feel free to send me any questions. :)

I’ll be accepting submissions until May 8th! Please tag me in your sim’s post so I know to reblog it. I’m really hoping to get at least 6 sims and will gladly accept any more that I receive.

SUBMISSION DETAILS CONTINUED

All genders are welcome!

I have all of the packs except for the kits.

CC is allowed! Please keep it maxis match or maxis mix.

Supernaturals are allowed for both versions! But also, their supernatural status does not need to be the same for both versions. (For example Harmony is a talented magician while Harlow isn’t.) In the real world save, supernaturals exist but aren’t super common. In the game though, it is normal to see them - except for demons who are supposed to have been sealed away centuries ago. (So any demon in Adoria probably has a disguise.)

With your submission, please include:

Name, pronouns, sexuality and supernatural status for both versions. (These can be different for each version!)

A description of their personality and lifestyle. NOTE: At it’s core, the personalities should be the same for both versions. However, since the fantasy one is in a dating sim, it would make sense for their personality to be exaggerated or buried underneath a bunch of romantic tropes.

The fantasy version can have colorful/unnatural hair and eye colors. The real life version should have realistic coloring - although dyed hair is alright.

The real life version should have at least one everyday outfit, so I can get a feel for their style.

The fantasy version should have 2-4 looks. One everyday look, one daytime party look (this can be the same as the first look if it is dressy enough) and one fancy, nighttime look that they’d wear to a ball. The 4th look is optional and can be used for a work uniform or a disguise or even a big story moment you have in mind for them.

The fantasy version should also fill a distinct role in the story. It can be pretty much anything except for the king or queen of Adoria. Some possibilities are:

Prince or princesses of Adoria (can even be heir to the throne)

Nobles from Adoria, or royalty/nobility from other kingdoms who are visiting for the season

Wizards working for the royal family or the Wizard’s Tower

Knights, merchants, guild leaders, spy masters

Villainesses, assassins, demon lords in disguise

(NOTE: I may slightly change roles or backstories to fit in with the other submissions and create existing relationships between them. For example, if I get a crown prince and a villainess, they will probably start off engaged to each other.)

Feel free to include as little or as much detail as you like! If you have ideas for their story line, how they could meet Harmony, or even just songs that make you think of them - I’d love to hear it! But most of all, if you do decide to submit a sim, I hope you have a lot of fun making them! :)

[prismadog]

Found Family AU character facts/background (part 7)

well, folks, we've made it to the last one of these posts - minus the upcoming master post. these just seem to get longer and longer, or maybe it's just because the past two have been about siblings? idk, all I know is that I'm a bit tired of writing these atm.

this last one should - SHOULD be shorter, but we'll see. this one will feature our last two characters - Mr. there's-no-such-thing-as-a-demon Joel Smallishbeans and good ol' Copper Dad Pixlriffs.

*did you know that Mesoglea is a word? I didn't until I kept trying to type "Mezalea" and my computer kept wanting to change it. Mesoglea is a gelatinous substance between the endoderm and ectoderm of sponges or cnidarians, or something. there's your word of the day and it's all thanks to the red squiggly line that appears every time I type "Mezalea"

*edit: guess what? y'all get two of these in one day because I felt like writing this last one! [technically, it's already Saturday but to me, the next day doesn't start until the sun comes up so yeah...two in one day! whoo!] the master post will be tomorrow sometime but idk when.

Joel

Joel is the only child to the Mezalean King and Queen, and was less born to them and more born from the Mother Tree - they couldn't have children so they begged the Mother Tree for an heir, She granted them a child who they raised as their own.

he was often alone growing up, never really played with the other children, but he wasn't lonely - so he and others would say - because he had his terracotta clones. he built many of them with his own two hands and the Mother Tree gave them life. he was raised as a prince and often went to the Gathering of the Empires with his father.

he got on well enough with the other children but kept mostly to himself - that is until he met the princess of the Ocean Empire. he noticed the other noble children seemed afraid of her so he took it upon himself to befriend her - plus, she was so different from the humans/clones around him, she was interesting with her pink hair and pearlescent skin and unnaturally blue eyes.

they would meet at the Gathering and spend the whole time together talking about their kingdoms and their hobbies - Joel was really into building and playing pranks on people, Lizzie was into raising axolotls and has a brother who she looks after. the short meetings weren't enough and Joel talked to his parents about visits with the Ocean Empire - it only makes sense since the two empires boarder each other. unknown at that moment, the Oceanic rulers proposed the same thing to the Mezalean rulers.

visits began between the two kingdoms and Joel found himself in love quickly enough - he loved Lizzie, he loved her little brother, he loved the Ocean Empire itself. but he kept his feelings to himself for fear of rejection, that is until he was about 16 when Lizzie came to him with talk of marriage - their parents had been discussing it but didn't want to force their children into it. he and Lizzie talked it over then went to their parents together and promised a future wedding, he also promised that Jimmy could be his best man.

life was peaceful, there were plenty of long visits between kingdoms, him and Jimmy often got into trouble - then the King of the Ocean Empire was killed. Joel tried to be there for her but found travel between kingdoms difficult due to the ongoing storms surrounding the Ocean Empire, he still managed to write Lizzie and once was able to visit - though getting back was just as difficult as getting in.

then several months later the storms stopped and Lizzie wrote to him about her taking the throne - she had said the Queen returned to the sea, though, he didn't really understand what that meant. he returned to the Ocean Empire and was there for Lizzie's coronation. he started visiting regularly for a time and each visit seemed to last longer than the one before it - he was there so often that Jimmy suggested he just move in. he did, with both his parents' and Lizzie's permission.

two years after that, he asked Lizzie to marry him and she said yes. they had two ceremonies, a proper land-dweller one in Mezalea, and another smaller Oceanic ceremony. being King now to the Ocean Empire meant he was basically a trophy husband but he didn't mind, he was happy as long as he was at Lizzie's side. if there was a Gathering, he or Jimmy would go with her, though usually Jimmy stayed home to watch over the kingdom - but he made sure to bring him plenty of stories and food from the Gathering.

Joel received word from his parents that an illness had struck Mezalea and the King and Queen had caught it. he returned home immediately to help where he could, Lizzie often sent aid to him, as did the kingdom's ally Pixandria - he had hardly ever spoken to the Copper King but he was glad for the aid. his parents unfortunately didn't survive and he lost a good number of civilians to the illness. but it was cured, with the help of the Mother Tree and magic from the Crystal Cliffs, and he became King of Mezalea.

with the illness cured, visits started up again between Mezalea and the Ocean Empire, though there was a lot more time spent apart than together but he and Lizzie made it work. Jimmy sent messages and gifts between the couple, often getting some for himself, until of course Jimmy became of age and wanted to travel the world.

Joel and Lizzie saw Jimmy off - it never ceased to amaze him how his two best friends could turn into giant sea creatures that could wipe out a fleet of ships. they managed visits on their own and sometimes he got letters from Jimmy. the letters stopped for a time and Lizzie grew worried, worried enough that storms nearly threatened the kingdom - but then Jimmy finally wrote them again and things were okay, he was in a swamp settlement and the people were taking care of him.

he and Lizzie went out right away to see him and found him at home in the swamp amongst a bunch of fish-human hybrids. he watched as Lizzie lectured her brother then babied him, then helped set Jimmy up as the ruler of the swamp settlement - the Cod Empire. they left Jimmy sometime later but saw him again at the next Gathering.

Jimmy got on well enough with the other rulers, despite the cod head he wore, though Joel noticed some rulers picking on him. he helped Jimmy from time to time, just so his brother wouldn't be alone, but didn't worry too much since Lizzie wasn't worrying - she was extremely protective of Jimmy but if she wasn't stepping in, then there was no need to worry.

Joel had met many of the rulers when he was a child so he knew pretty much everyone there. the only ones he hadn't met before was Count fWhip of the Grimlands, Wizard Gem of the Crystal Cliffs, and King Joey of the Lost Empire. Gem was all right for a mage, he ended up becoming frenemies with fWhip due to the teasing of Jimmy, and Joey was just weird so he didn't really talk to him unless need be. he got to know Pix a bit more when Pix decided to ally himself with Lizzie and Jimmy, and he started calling the man "Copper Dad" since his main trade was copper.

Pixl

Pixl was found by a pair of miners in a cave beneath the sands and was taken back to a large desert village, nobody really knew where he had come from, only that he was gifted with visions of death - of those around him and of rulers of the kingdoms outside of the desert. the villagers thought him odd and a bad omen, at first anyway, because he always knew who would die next and would light a candle for them when they passed.

they accepted him after a time, once they realized that he wasn't actually the cause - he would preach to them about Lady Death sometimes and how she would care for their loved ones. everyone in the village had a hand in raising him, as well as raising other children which was their way - it takes a village to raise a child.

Pixl learned how to farm and mine and care for animals, and he learned to build. his first build, guided by his visions, was the Vigil - it stood tall in the center of the village and was home to 12 different colored candles - only two of which were lit - one for Elfking Scott of Rivendell and one for Queen Katherine of the Flower Fields. the rest remained untouched. these flames never went out and the villagers often questioned him about them - he told them that there will be 12 mighty rulers that would change the world, for better or worse he didn't know.

over the years, he continued building up the village, he watched over the Vigil as Prophet of Death, and started working with copper and trading it for other goods. the people began to go to him for help and looked up to him as a leader, they named him the Copper King - a new candle was lit for himself when he was crowned, something he hadn't known would happen.

he continued leading his people and made a few alliances with other kingdoms - with Queen Katherine and the King of Mezalea. there wasn't a lot of contact between the kingdoms other than the Gathering, of which, he never failed to go to. over the years, he watched rulers age and die and watched their heirs take over. it took a long time for him to meet the children who would one day have their candles lit.

the next candle to be lit was for Pearl of Smallholding, though, he didn't know who she was at the time, he didn't even meet her until many years later. the next few happen fairly quickly - Queen Lizzie of the Ocean Empire, King Joel of Mezalea, and a couple years later Dwarf King Sausage of Mythland - these three he had watch grow up through the Gatherings. shortly after Mythland, Wizard Gem took over as the ruler of the Crystal Cliffs - he had known the previous Wizard and through them, knew of their protégé. a year after Gem was her twin brother, Count fWhip of the Grimlands - a new kingdom that managed to rise up from its own sort of desert. a few years later was King Joey of the Lost Empire and Codfather Jimmy of the Cod Empire - Joey's kingdom had once been named Maztec but had been in hiding for so long that it lost its name. due to his alliance with Joel, Pix decided it best to ally himself with Lizzie and Jimmy as well, somewhat through association but mostly because he liked them.

one candle remains unlit and no matter how much Pixl prays, the answers as to why remain a mystery. he still watches over the Vigil and keeps a count of each rulers' deaths - for some reason, the 11 rulers are allowed to revive themselves every time they die. he finds this odd as well, and a bit concerning.

[srose-foxfire]

Damirae Week 2021 - Day 7 (part 1)

“Finding Our Happily Ever After: Part 1” Day 7: Soulmates

All Raven could recall was standing before Damian about to confess she wanted to stay with him and his family, if he allowed her. The moments that followed after were in a blur, she had felt a pull from the skies and before long she was rising in the dark grey skies at a rapid speed. Raven looked down to see she was being pulled away from her friends and Damian. Scared, the young maiden called out for him, she heard him call back and bark an order towards her captor. Raven could also faintly remember seeing Sombra, trying to attack her captor but was wounded. The next thing she remembers was trying to punch and free herself from her captor, but she was then struck on her head rather hard making her lose conscious throughout the flight.

Overtime Raven would briefly wake up catching glimpses of the surrounding lands, as they approach a mountain.

When her senses came back and she fully awoke, Raven found herself to be inside a dark cave. It was too dark for any mere mortal to be able to look through but the part of her that held demon blood allowed her to see in the darkness. Raven slowly turned her head, skimming the area, as she tried to stand, she notices a tug come from her wrists and ankles. Looking down on herself, Raven had been tied onto a wooden chair, her wrists and ankles were tied rather very tightly, she notice red bruised marks stain her wrists . Raven tried to wiggle from her chair, when from the darkest part of the room, she heard the grunts of an older man.

The cave was lit with floating wax candles holding a green flame on them, making the room glow in green. Raven managed to see two figures standing close together from the direction she had heard the man come from. One was tall and well built, a man with his face hidden behind a black and orange mask. Next to him was an old woman, though she had a devil look in her eyes as if she shouldn’t be easily trifled with. This woman was dress in grey rags, almost appearing to be her dress, her long grey-hair was in locks pointing in different directions. She wasn’t pleasant to the eyes and might as well frighten any child.

Raven exhaled carefully, “Who are you and what do you want with me?”

The man laughed lightly, he took a step toward Raven, “my… you really cut to the chase, my dear.” He then bowed towards her, “I am Slade Wilson, and I have a proposition for you.”

Before Raven had a chance to inquire, the old woman next to him, place her weary old boney hand on Slade’s arm, “my lord, I must advice not to deal with the likes of her. Contracts with them come at a price, perhaps-”

“Quite hag,” Slade hissed through clenched teeth, then glanced at Raven who had her brows lifted, he gave her a gentle laugh, “apologies my dear. Like I was saying I have a proposition, if you choose to accept it, and I will free you from those binds.”

Not allowing herself to falter, Raven held her head high and spoke with a stern voice. “Listen, I don’t have anything to my name, if you know who I am, I’ve been exiled from my father’s lands. I hold no value-”

“Oh, but you do my dear, you absolutely do and that is why you should be wise to choose this offer of mine.” Slade clapped his hands together, looking over to the older woman, who mumbled some incoherent words and a large wooden chair appeared right in front of Raven, Slade then sat down, she could feel he was studying her through his mask.  

“Which is?” she then asked him.

The masked man, sighed heavily, “you have been staying with a certain and very peculiar family,” She could feel her heart picked up speed as she listened, her chest rised with disdain, and her face was starting to flush with anger as Slade continued, “the youngest child of said family… well he was given a birthright he did not deserve, well to make it short I want to employ you to help me bring him to ruin-”

Enrage, Raven glared and spoke the truth in her heart, “You are wasting your time with me; I will never turn against Damian or his family! They have given me more than my own father ever could… besides Gotham has been with the Wayne’s for generations, its Damian throne to take-”

“Shut her up.” Slade commanded with a hiss, the old woman who stood behind him muttered some words in another language Raven didn’t understand and her lips were sealed, Slade then rose from his chair and walked around her.

“Apologies but I hate interruptions. Yes, the little brat is the heir to rule over Gotham, but he was also given another birthright one he very carelessly gave away to his cousin. The kingdom of Nanda Parbat, a land inhabited by the world’s most elites of assassins, it’s former ruler was Ra’s al Ghul, had chosen his grandson, the one you know as Damian Wayne to take over his kingdom!” Frustrated, Slade then kicked the large wooden chair, across the room with a powerful kick.

The noise frightened the harpy as it screeched and flapped it wings from a corner, hoping around the room. The old woman hissed at it to quiet down, with a flick of her fingers tips the chair was rebuild and place across from Raven. Slade grabbed it and sat down, he clasped his hands on his lap and studied her, noticing Raven had her brows knitted together.

“You must wonder why I hate him so much, correct? Well I was the ‘Demon Head’s’ right man, he almost treated like a son… he once told me I was going to marry his daughter Talia, but what does he do instead? Create a ridiculous alliance with the kingdom of Gotham, King Bruce takes Talia in marriage and she gives birth to the little brat. That boy has stolen what was rightfully mine and gave it away like nothing.”

Slade then stood up, remove his mask to reveal a dark skinned man, with short white hair and a left eye covered by a piece of black leather, placed his hands on either side of Raven’s chair leaning ever so closely to her face, “I needed to have my revenge. That boy took everything away from me, so I took away everything he came to love. I had a cursed place on him, his family, and soon everyone came to forget that the kingdom of Gotham ever existed. Its people became like wind, it was like they never existed. I found pleasure knowing he would never get to experience true happiness… that is until…you came along.”

Raven’s chest was heaving as she strained to breath steadily, she could feel her blood start to boil and her head throb with rage. “You somehow manage to worm yourself into the castle and lighten the darkness I so perfectly designed for them. I had to come up with something else, something that would really bring that boy to his knees, and that is making you my bride.”

Slade started to caress her cheek with his hand, she turned and tried to lean away from his vile touch. Her mouth was beginning to fill with saliva and just for a split-second Raven felt strange. She had a feeling like she could overpower whatever had been placed onto her lips, she locked gaze with Slade’s, glared at him from underneath her lashes and then spit at him.

The older man groined and wipes his face with the back of his palm, the old woman gave out a horrible angry cry as she screamed, “you filthy wench! How dare you break my enchantment?!” Raven’s chair was lifted and flung towards the ceiling of the cave, Raven cried at the impact as she was dragged to the floor and up again. Then she was floating just above the old woman, with a flick of her old wrist, Raven was thrown across the cave, causing the chair she was tied on, to break at the impact.

“Stop it!” Slade yelled as he lifted his servant by the throat, then releasing her harshly. He turned and pointed his finger towards Raven. “You! Do you think you could ever live happily alongside a beast like him? Don’t you want to live a normal-human life with someone like me? I can give you that and so much more.”

“No… you can’t.” Raven strained to speak as her whole body was aching, she lifted herself off the ground with great difficultly, “Damian may be trapped in a beast’s body but even he has shown more compassion and kindness from any demon I have ever met! He is no beast, you are!”

“Enough! I employed this witch long time ago to curse him, now for being a thorn on my side you will perish!”

The old woman cackled and her fingertips sparked with green magic, “oh, what great pleasure you give me my lord to slay a sorceress of Azarath.” Azarath?

“Don’t you dare, hurt her!”

That voice! Raven turned around to what was hopefully the cave’s only exit and to see him magnificently riding on Titus, like a white knight riding on his noble steed. Damian hopped off from Titus, as they both snarled and growled at Raven’s captors.

“Damian!” Raven cried happily.

Slade laughed, “Well now, isn’t this a sight! The beast man with his beast dog!” He then unsheathes a sword he had on his hip and pointed it towards Damian, “You want the girl, you will have to go through me!”

“You will pay for what you did to her and to my family!” Damian yelled. He leaped towards Slade, swinging his claws to land a hit.

The harpy who had been standing nearby flew up and dive to attack Damian but was interrupted as Titus manage to bite one of its winged arms. The harpy cried out and kicked Titus on his muzzle, then tried biting him in return. When she missed used her clawed feet to puncture his shoulder. Titus effortlessly evade each attack, then lodged its fangs onto one of the harpy’s foot and swung it in his mouth like a doll. He then let go, causing the harpy to be thrown across the cave, it shrieks and cried painfully flying away, abandoning it mistress.

Titus barked proudly and ran towards Raven as they watched Damian continue to battle Slade. “You cause me my pet!” Raven turned around and notice the witch was flying towards her, Raven through herself away from the attack and Titus tried to swing his paw at her. The witch shot a bolt of her green magic and Titus whimper as he was struck. Angry, Raven stood and ran towards the witch as she managed to tackle her to the ground. They rolled on top of each other, Raven had the upper hand given to her youth and her own will to survive this terrible ordeal. But the witch had magic and she started chanting some words making Raven float away from her and then launching her like she had done before with the chair. Raven rolled a few feet away, she glanced up as the witch floated slowly towards her.

“Your mother turned me into this! She took away my beauty because I used it to lure men to their dooms, now it is time for me to have my revenge!” She raised her hands up, green sparks going off as she chanted a spell. Raven lifted her hands to shield herself, when she heard a whoosh sliced through the air. Slowly Raven, opened her eyes and widen them when she saw that the witch had been impacted by Slade’s sword. It had entered through her back and the tip managed to pierce through the front of her chest. She slowly floated down to the ground, standing still. The witch then slowly turned around still with the sword embedded through her as she glanced towards Slade. “My lord? Why…?”

“Our deal is off; you are no longer any use for me.”

Damian quietly moved around Slade as he approached Raven, he used his body to shield her from their enemies. He slowly pushed her towards the path he and Titus had come from. The witch continues to walk towards Slade, then pointed her long pointy finger. “You traitor,you dare double-cross a witch, all of you will never see the light of day, I cursed thee all to be buried in this cave!” Her whole body illuminated and burst into green and black ashes, the cauldron started to boil and erupted around the entire room. Which cause the cave to rumble and some stalactites fell all around them.

“Let’s go!” Damian yelled as he grabbed Raven’s hand and together ran along the path to exit the cave. Titus ran up ahead, managing to evade pillars of rocks tumbling down, at some point Damian lifted Raven in his arms and carried her off most of the path. As they near the exit, some rocks came lose, falling right at the foot of the entrance to the cave. Damian stopped, placed Raven down and then jumped on top the nearest boulder, he turned and reached for her hands to help her climb. Titus effortlessly jumped and stood near an opening big enough for them to pass through. When Raven reached the top, she reached out her hand to grab Damian’s paw, for a second her looked at her and couldn’t help but smile towards her.

Then out of nowhere Damian screamed out a roar of pain, one hand clawing the air around him. Raven glanced to Damian’s side and saw Slade had reached them and had use a dagger to pierce Damian. The young curse prince had lost his footing and grip, causing Raven to hold onto him as tightly as she could and not let him fall. Slade used this opportunity to stab Damian again, but he too lost his footing and pulled Damian down with him.

“Damian!” Raven cried as she watches him tumbled down and roll a few feet away from where they had started to climb. She and Titus hopped down the to the floor and running to Damian’s side. She knelt down and gently picked up his head in her hands, trying to shield him from the small debris. Titus stood next to them, using his own large body as a shield for his master and the young girl. The only entrance they had was covered by more rocks, trapping them inside the cave.

“You lost, you lost it all!” Slade exclaimed happily as he tried to stand up straight, with shaky legs started walking towards them. “I was never going to let you live a happy life! You deserved this; oh, you so deserve this!” Slade chanted madly, all reason was gone, now before them was an old man filled with utter madness. Above them a large cracking sound was heard, gazing right above him a large stalactite broke from the roof and landed right where Slade had stood.

The cave continued to crumble around them. Damian was heavily panting, trying to minimize how much in pain he was in. “Save yourselves,” he whispered through painful breaths.

“I am not leaving you.” Raven answered him as she cradle his face. There has to be a way. Raven thought. She turned and turned her head all around her hoping to see something that could save them. But there was nothing, all was truly lost as Slade had said, was this truly what they were fated for from the start? Was the grand design of the universe this cold-hearted towards them in wanting to have a happy life? Wanting to hold on to what had brought her happiness for a short moment of her life, Raven felt that feeling again when she had broken the witch’s enchantment on her lips. It felt peaceful and warmth almost, just like when she had been visited by that strange woman cloaked in white. Without even knowing it herself Raven whispered;

“Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos.”

A dark purple circle suddenly appeared on the ground around them. As more cracks were heard from the cave’s ceiling, she saw some stalactites break, coming down rapidly targeting them. The circle then emitted dark looking shadows that looked like black tentacles wrapping around Raven and her friends. She closed her eyes waiting for their death but then opened them and looked at Damian. If she were to die, she wanted to see him one last time. Then they were  all engulfed by  shadows.

[shellyb04]

And here we are, all caught up. You'll notice I fell into a bit of a Chinese drama and historical hole for these last ones! I will try to post as I finish shows so I can give a bit more of a review. Enjoy!

A love so romantic (Cdrama)-Girl pretends to be a long lost granddaughter of the Gu family and falls for the Gu family heir. 8/10 Very funny. The last ten episodes get a bit annoying with dumb amnesia and such, but overall really funny main couple.

The Greatest Love (Kdrama)-An A-list movie star with a heart condition meets former girl group member and now most disliked celebrity. Against all odds, he falls for her. 9/10 This is extremely funny and a bit tropey, but it gets major bonus points for the ending. There's no crazy amnesia or unreasonable misunderstandings. Their dilemma at the end makes sense and wasn't dragged out for too long. There was a bit in the middle where she was trying to reject him that dragged for me and I didn't like the other girl group members very much. But overall, really fun.

The Rebel Princess (Cdrama)-A princess is forced to marry a general turned prince instead of her childhood sweetheart prince. They ultimately fall for each other and endure war, kidnapping, betrayal, and every other kind of misfortune that can happen in a historical drama. 9/10 This drama was refreshing because the couple was so amazing together. They were kind as well as cunning. They were the only characters not seeking power and I just loved the way they worked. It does get a little draggy during some of the palace politics. I also think some of the villians didn't think through their plans. But overall, the leads made the show. Although there are some genuinely heartbreaking moments and too many women committing suicide.

Love Script (Cdrama)- A CEO gets into an accident and believes he's a Prince from the Ming Dynasty. A psychologist is hired and she becomes part of the palace staff in order to treat him. But she begins to fall for him. 8/10 I liked all the characters. It's a really light show and there's a couple of plot twists that ultimately made the lead romance work for me. There were a few too many flashbacks and I found myself skipping through them a lot.

A Girl Like Me (Cdrama)- Ban Hua has three failed engagements, partially because of her blunt manner and explosive temper. She begins getting visions of the future and uses them to save her family from trouble, along with Rong Xia who has his own agenda...but will he be distracted by Ban Hua!? 8.5/10 I really liked this one. The story moved along rather quickly. I love that the Ban family are perfectly happy in their little sphere of life. They adore each other and simply want their family to be happy. The only real negatives are that I don't think some of the villain plots made sense especially toward the end and I thought the last two episodes should have wrapped up the story not made more characters power hungry and foolish. Overall, I really liked it, especially Ban Hua and Rong Xia's banter and courtship.

My little happiness (Cdrama)-An intern lawyer and a successful neurosurgeon who were childhood sweethearts meet again as adults only she never knew his name. Watch the duo fall in love. 8/10 This is a pleasant little ditty with no big problems. The relationship between the main girl and her best friend feels super real to me. I love both main couples. It's a simple sweet sappy love story. There's never any doubt how it will end so just enjoy the sweetness.

Oh! My Sweet Liar! (Cdrama)-Historical- A female painter infiltrates the home of a noble family to paint a copy of a precious item. When her escape goes wrong, she fakes a pregnancy by the family heir to save her life. They make a contract marriage so he can escape an arranged marriage he doesn't want. But there are secrets and plotting people throughout the family home. 8.5/10 I really liked the majority of the show. It was a bit slow the second arc of the show and really the last three eps could have been a bit more streamlined, but I loved the Li family. It was so nice to see the love between the family.

Shopaholic Louis (Kdrama)- A wealthy heir gets amnesia and is found by a poor country girl newly arrived in Seoul to look for her brother. The two fall for each other while searching together. 8.5/10 Super cute. I loved the main couple the whole way through. The side characters grew on me as well. It was a nice sweet story overall.

Love in Time-Cdrama- Writer and a CEO were friends in Jr high but had a falling out. Present day they enter a contract marriage. 8/10 A point bump for 30 minute episodes. The story was sweet and simple with a few pleasant turns. The last episode is a bit dumb. I would've rather just had more epilogue than a faked amnesia plot. I liked the side friendships, but wish the "villain" had a better motivation. Just " I loved him and worked hard for him so he should be mine" obsession got old. The tropes were in full display so avoid if you hate those.

Love and Destiny-Cdrama- A young immortal wanders into the wrong place and awakens the God of War. He discovers a secret about her even she doesn't know. The two fall in love, but bad things happen. Can they overcome destiny with love? 7/10- This one seemed to be a bit long at 60 episodes and it took WAY too long to get started. But by episode 14 or 15 I was completely into the love story and most of the side characters. The two "villains" were annoying but ultimately I understood their choices even if I felt they were immature. Overall, it's good, but a little too slow in some places and the last ten episodes could have given me some more couple moments.

Divorce lawyer in love (Kdrama)- She's a tough as nails divorce lawyer and he's her office manager until she goes to far in a case and her license is suspended. Three years later she's the office manager and he's the lawyer and he sees his chance for some payback.. Enemies to friends to lovers. 8/10 It has its funny moments. I enjoy most of the "case of the week" stories. I thought the resolution to the main antagonist was a bit hand wavy, but overall, solid and enjoyable with mostly fun side characters.

The Sword and the Brocade (Cdrama)- A concubine's daughter marries a Marquis in an arranged marriage. She has to deal with conniving concubines, controlling mother and mother-in-law, as well as a family that doesn't want her around, and a rival family all while trying to continue her embroidery career. 7.5/10 Started out fairly strong but toward the end it felt really drawn out. I feel like the last two plots should have been more combined cause it really dragged the pace of the show down. The characters were good. I liked most of the characters a lot, but a few began to make weird decisions toward the end.

The Eternal Love (Cdrama)- Modern woman sucked to alternate past where she has to share her doppelganger's body. The two with the help of their maid try to figure out what's going on. But things are complicated as each soul is in love with a different prince.,-6/10 The story is okay, although the last four episodes are weird. Chemistry with the leads is fabulous. Really not great production quality. I couldn't get through Season 2.

Eternal Love/Ten Miles of Peach Blossom (Cdrama)- Bai Qian and Ye Hua are star crossed immortals who fall in love in three different but intertwined lives. 9.5/10 Started off slow, then got wonderful about ep 10, then pain and misery for a few eps before back to joy and falling in love and back to pain. But one of the best revenge scenes by Bai Qian! I sort of hated that basically every other couple seems doomed. I tried to watch the pillow book before this and just got bored. I may go back to it someday as I love that couple.

General's Lady (Cdrama)- independent noble sent to marry the "demon" general at the border only to fall in love with him. However there are factions trying to harm them. 9/10 Super light and sweet with lots of kisses. I got a bit bored a little past the middle of the drama when they went back to the capital. But the last several episodes brought me back around and I laughed out loud multiple times. Love all the couples throughout and how it showed there were multiple ways to be a strong woman.

[obutsuwrites]

a single feather (tengu!hawks x f!reader)

tumblr request:  Hi! I just read your new story on ao3 and it was amazing!!! Your writing style is really fantastic and I saw your requests were open. Could I request Yandere Hawks x fem Reader? Bonus points if it’s also NSFW but it doesn’t have to be, I just really enjoyed your take on yandere Katsuki and was curious to see how you’d approach a yandere hawks. Thanks so much for your time!

summary: “G-g-get out!” Her words sounded strangled and afraid. The princess sat up and frantically scooted away from the strange man. ‘She’s so cute, scared like this.’

She wondered how long the man had been watching her. Was he the source of the crimson feather? Was this not a man, but an oni? A pit formed in her chest, heavy with dread and fright.

“Don’t be like that, little bird. I’m a kami, shouldn’t you be falling at my feet?” Keigo asked, his tone casual. His lack of concern or formality was alarming. No one had spoken to the princess in such a way. Under normal circumstances, she would have welcomed his nonchalant nature, but now -- in her darkened room -- it was a threat. xxx basically a really self-indulgent, kinda researched feudal!au with tengu!hawks bc he rlly do got me feelin sum typa way 😳

word count:  6,209

warnings: yandere elements, dubcon, stalking, loss of virginity, choking, possessive behavior 

my ao3 for more shitposts

my ko-fi~!

my ask box is still open 4 requests~!

glossary:

Tokin - a traditional or fictional small black box worn on the foreheads of Yamabushi – practitioners of Shugendō – or Tengu, dangerous yet protective spirits of the mountains and forests from the Japanese mythology

Yuigesa - pompom stash worn by Yamabushi

Yamabushi - Japanese mountain ascetic hermits

Shoji - door, window or room divider used in traditional Japanese architecture, consisting of translucent (or transparent) sheets on a lattice frame

Kami - are the spirits, phenomena or "holy powers" that are venerated in the religion of Shinto

Fundoshi - traditional Japanese undergarment for adult males, made from a length of cotton

lil special author's note: from what i've been able to read, kami/tengu are really similar?? but here obviously they're two different things v.v so hawks bein a lil misleading lmao

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

It was midnight and the princess had retired to her chambers. Her plush mattress and soft covers were simply too inviting. She had collapsed into bed and dove into a deep slumber. Quiet snores echoed through the obnoxiously large bedroom. It hadn’t been her choice to have such a spacious room… but it was never her choice. The princess of the kingdom was merely a figurehead. A token of the nobility. Seen in public, but never heard. Her voice was reserved for servants and other royalty behind closed doors.

‘As a lady should,’ her mother would say. ‘Your breath isn’t worth the common folk.’

The princess argued, ‘But mom, the servants… they are common folk. It’s no different!’

Her mother’s face scrunched into a sour expression, as if she ate a lemon. Under other circumstances, her expression would have been humorous, but the empress was a severe woman. A serious woman of royal blood and polite nature.

‘A woman of noble birth only attracts scoundrels and yokai.’

That had ended their discussion. Yokai -- as the princess knew -- were spirits and demons that inhabited the untamed land beyond their kingdom. They preferred the eternal darkness of dense forest. A perfect habitat for such apparitions. She had never seen one, of course, but the princess learned of their many forms from maids. Fantastical tales of wild beast men with protruding horns and unkempt hair; fox-like spirits that brought good fortune, but possessed a mischievous side, and cat yokai that roamed the mountains, often transforming into humans. However, there was one yokai that caught the princess’ attention.

The tengu; a dangerous spirit of the forest. A yokai that possessed the talons and wings of a bird, but the celestial beauty of man. Tengu wandered mountains and forests as the land’s protector. Their wings were said to expand as wide as the sun. They donned the traditional dress of a yamabushi, adorned with a tokin and yuigesa. Tengu were accompanied by strong gusts of wind generated by a magical feather fan. Sometimes, as the princess learned, tengu instead carried a pewter staff. Their approach could be told by the jingle of their pewter staff and currents of wind that almost magically appeared. Some servants even told of handsome tengu. Tengu that charmed and bewitched with their allure. Mischievous and curious.

In truth, the princess yearned to escape the frigid confines of the castle, and explore the forest. She wanted -- wished -- to stumble upon a tengu. She wanted to feel their fabled soft feathers under her fingertips, to taste the crisp air they produced. The princess had no qualms with finding a hideous tengu with a beak, as the maids told her, tengu with beaks were more common. They were also more monstrous. Portrayed as wild birds of prey that lured young women into their nests for unspeakable acts. Eventually, the young women would return… but they were different. Blind. Insane. Soiled.

These stories did not deter her. The princess knew better. She knew such stories were only regurgitated as a means to frighten her. Tales meant for cheap scares of common folk. She was no common folk; she was nobility.

The woman began to drool into her dreamless sleep, too blissfully unaware of the winged beast hovering outside her window. A curious, crimson feathered tengu that was drawn by the scent of royal blood. He inhaled deeply; the princess’ scent mixed with the humid summer air in harmony. Known as Keigo, the yokai’s expansive wings flapped violently, and left shivers of feathers that fell gently like petals. Keigo wondered what she looked like; was she clothed in a thin nightgown or nothing at all? Keigo preferred the latter and nodded his head in solitary agreement. It wouldn’t hurt to take a peek, would it? ‘Her snores could wake the dead… ’ He chuckled at the thought; a woman of her nobility never spoke out of turn -- seen but not heard -- and yet this woman could produce a symphony of noise in her sleep.

“What other noises do you make, little bird?”

Slowly, Keigo unlatched the princess’ window and crept into her quarters. The room wasn’t remarkable, but her scent was etched into every corner. A patchwork of divinity itself. He wanted to bury himself within the fragrance, bury himself within… her. Curious golden eyes searched the darkened room for the princess’ sleeping form, finally resting upon a human-shaped mound. She looked so innocent. So unaware of the tengu’s presence. He could snatch her right now and be within the forest by daybreak, but he restrained himself. He wasn’t like the beastly oni. ‘No,’ Keigo decided, ‘I’ll simply watch over her.’ Keigo watched as the princess shifted in her sleep and caught a glimpse of her chest. Ample and supple. Absolutely begging to be touched and conquered. He ran a cold hand down the woman’s exposed flesh and thought, ‘I should at least take a trophy. ’ A means to memorialize her existence.

The tengu detached himself from the woman and began his search. He wanted a garment, something personal -- something private to her. Keigo remembered that mortals kept such clothing hidden away in drawers. Like treasure. As quietly as he could manage, Keigo rummaged through exquisite textiles and cloth, until he palmed satin material. Curious, Keigo grabbed the garment and examined it. A pair of panties. He brought the undergarment to his nose and inhaled. Fresh linen, welcoming and clean. The tengu would have preferred a pair with the maiden’s carnal scent, but even possessing something that was so close to her body was a gift. It was meant for him, Keigo decided. Stuffing the panties into his robe, Keigo allowed himself a final look at the woman before quietly flying off.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

She awoke, drowsy and exhausted, as if sleep had evaded her. The princess stretched and exhaled a soft yawn. Morning light streamed through the woman’s only open window. Wait. Open window? The princess had no memory of opening her window before bed. In fact, she had been too exhausted the night before to even take off her slippers. She had collapsed into bed in a weary state and fell promptly to sleep.

‘This is odd. So very odd,’ the woman thought and closed the window. She had been awfully weary, perhaps she opened it and had forgotten? It was possible, but the princess still felt perturbed and began a rudimentary inspection around her chambers. Nothing seemed out of place, until she happened upon a single crimson feather that appeared within her dresser. It was long, far too long to be a bird. The feather was unlike anything the woman had seen in her garden.

Tucking the feather away, the princess slowly started to get dressed. She savored this time in the morning. It was her simple slice of heaven. Her escape from prying eyes… and her mother. This was the princess’ only ritual that wasn’t tainted by maids and royal duties. It was a situation she had insisted upon and insisted upon until her mother eventually relented. She was an adult -- the sole heir -- and had no need for maids to dress her anymore. It had been convenient and almost fun as a child, but now as a young maiden, the task seemed almost inappropriate for hired help. The woman reasoned that their time could be spent elsewhere. This was her mother’s weak spot; the empress detested a lack of work ethic. She reasoned it was an absence of pride in one’s work. The maiden believed this to be the very reason for the garden.

The garden was quaint. A private sanctuary away from inquisitive eyes and lurking mothers. A place to call her own. This was a space not yet invaded by her controlling mother or by intrusive maids. Serenity in every meaning of the word. Plants flourished there; the modest terrace was alive with flowers and greenery. She was permitted this piece of serenity if she toiled in the earth. Hands smeared with dirt and sweat trickling down her brow. Such hard work earned her seeds and decorations for the princess’ little terrace. Fairy lights, statues, and decorative pebbles. The princess cherished every addition.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

She sat in the lively terrace, hands tired and dirty. The peculiar feather plagued her mind throughout the day, until finally, the woman decided she would rid herself of such compulsive thought. Toiling in the earth allowed her mind to wander beyond it. Idle hands were the devil’s work, as her mother would say.

The afternoon sun was high in the sky and beat down upon her back. The silk fabric of her summer kimono stuck to the maiden’s back like tree sap. Impossibly thick. The princess felt exhausted and unbearably hot, but busy work kept her thoughts at ease, and away from the stark reality of a midnight visitor. She had wrestled with the thought. How could an animal -- a beast -- flutter into her room, only to escape and leave behind a single feather? What bird could manipulate a latch? Originally, the woman settled on the possibility of a trained eagle being her intruder… but the idea was preposterous. Insane. Unlikely. The empress had no mortal enemies. Not a living soul was capable of such a feat, no commoner had reason. Her mother’s public demeanor was a farce. Kind. Generous. Loving. Traits she lacked in private, behind pristine castle doors.

Unbeknownst to her, on a nearby towering tree, sat a red-tailed hawk. Golden, predatory eyes were trained on the princess; unmoving and calculating.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

Throughout the day, the princess couldn’t escape the feeling of being watched. Like a lab rat. The thought was preposterous. The castle walls were far too great for peering eyes. No pervert could spy on her, and yet, she felt like this. This tightness in her chest that had appeared once she began to toil within the garden. It was so suffocating -- so frightening -- the princess decided to abandon any cultivation for the day. Instead, the princess focused on her studies. Academic topics specially suited for a “maiden of her stature,” as her mother would say. Subjects included etiquette, housewifely duties, mathematics, language, and archery. Archery, of course, was the maiden’s suggestion. A term the empress begrudgingly obliged. If a woman couldn’t protect herself, what sort of woman was she?

The bow fit neatly in her callused hands. Rough palms were earned from hard work and determination. Hands “unbecoming of a noble,” the empress would chide. As if it mattered. The princess was of age, but still had no suitors. No man of nobility had even considered her as a wife. She was never seen in public enough for such courtship. The castle was her home and her prison.

An arrow flew through the air, hitting its target. Archery was simply another means of keeping idle hands busy. Nothing more, nothing less. The woman felt safer within the confines of the castle. She didn’t feel the carnivorous eyes that burned into her body like hot coals. Perhaps this was all caused by the feather. It’s discovery caused her mind to wander with possibilities until her thoughts landed on something irrational: a tengu.

The thought had crept into the back of her skull and taken up residency like a canker sore. Unrelenting and impossible to ignore. It only grew in size as the day continued, until the idea was all she could muster. A large part of the princess was excited by such a discovery, but a smaller, weaker aspect dreaded the possibility. Her room wasn’t a forest and the maiden didn’t require protection, which left only a simple reality; the tengu was attracted to her. The empress’ previous words now echoed, ‘A woman of noble birth only attracts scoundrels and yokai.’ Was this true? If it was, no maid gossiped about it. It was unlikely shrill midwives could keep such a juicy secret to themselves, the princess reasoned. She prayed it was true a crimson feathered tengu had visited her. She didn’t mind if the tengu wasn’t handsome and instead had the face of a bird. She merely wanted the feather to have significance. It should, at least.

However, the maiden did wonder if the prying eyes were that of a tengu. They could shape-shift -- she only knew from castle gossip -- but they preferred a more mortal form. Imposing wings and a yamabushi’s robe, sometimes, tengu would wear a red mask with a long nose. This was less common now. Instead, such a mask existed for festivals and revelry. An accessory taken by man. Maybe the tengu had taken the shape of a bird. They were, after all, protective yokai of the forest. A bird’s eye view of the land seemed the most logical… but if it was a tengu, why did she feel so uneasy? Why did her skin prickle and become so sensitive?

She was familiar with stories of tengu that were renegades. Yokai -- like oni -- that preferred mortal desires. The mortal sin of flesh. It was a topic that was taboo to the princess. Courtship wasn’t a necessary knowledge. It was more useful of her time to learn household responsibilities. How to hold a babe. How to preserve fruits. What linens were best for summer months. Nothing truly of value beyond mathematics and archery. The prospect of a tengu that wanted her for carnal reasons left a horrid taste in her mouth and her knees weak. It was both thrilling and frightening.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

Days melted into one another, but the princess couldn’t purge the feeling of being watched. Her garden was no longer a sanctuary. It was crypt; suffocating and miserable. Because of this, she opted to stay inside and attend to her studies. Busy work that kept prying eyes at bay. The castle walls now provided protection from the rotten anxiety decaying her gut. Caring for plants used to be a welcome chore; an activity that broke up the monotony of royal life. Instead, the fresh air and bright sun only brought a sense of dread the princess couldn’t escape. It sat in her gut like a stone. Heavy with burden.

She experimented with venturing out during different times of day. Neither the cool morning nor the starless evening cure her. Everyday was the same, except for her lack of gardening. Servants took note and tried to coax the princess into the terrace, but she held fast in her fear. It was becoming all consuming. A black hole even the empress noticed.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

“You insisted on this ridiculous hobby, and yet, you won’t be appreciative?” Cold, hard eyes observed the woman, waiting for a response. Her mother’s eyes never quite held any warmth of familiar love. It was an aspect the princess was accustomed to.

The princess, playing with the hem of her kimono responded, “I… Of course I appreciate it, Your Majesty.”

“Well then, why don’t you tend to it, little bug?”

She winced at the epithet. It was an embarrassing and old name that was born of the maiden’s interest in plants. Nothing more than an insult veiled as a loving moniker. The name brought forth memories of childhood. Memories of learning cruelty.

“It’s been too hot lately, Your Majesty. My kimono sticks to my back and it’s very unbecoming.” Picking her words carefully would be the key here. She knew the vicious nature her mother carried. A stick to beat others down into submission; into the dirt.

Satisfied, or perhaps finally disinterested, the empress curtly nodded and continued her stroll around the castle grounds. The lack of her mother’s love didn’t bother her anymore. She was the empress. Nobility that commanded -- demanded -- respect.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

The day had transformed into night. Humid summer air that melted into a brisk evening. Typically, twilight was the perfect time for tending to her garden, but the princess hadn’t set foot within her sanctuary. She sat directly in front of the shoji that led to the terrace, timid hands fumbling with the hem of her kimono. It was a nervous habit that followed from childhood.

‘Should I try again? ’ Thick saliva began to pool within the maiden’s mouth. A bundle of anxiety coiled within the pit of her stomach; like a hot brand. Truth be told, she wanted to run and hide further within the castle. The princess’ bed was her sanctuary now.

‘...but it’s only a feeling. Mother wouldn’t want me to be such a child. ’ Swallowing the saliva, the woman stood up and meekly slid open the door.

Sticky, heavy air stuck to her lungs. Her chest rapidly rose and fell; the princess desperate to not suffocate. It was a starless night. An inky blackness that threatened to swallow the princess whole. The evening was darker than usual, which allowed dread to further creep into her body. Instinctual goosebumps decorated her arms as she slinked towards a bed of flowers. The floral scent was almost nauseating. Too overpowering and fragrant.

Shaky knees knelt into the earth and trembling hands began to pull at weeds. Her lack of care supported an invasion within her garden. It was no longer a garden of love. Now, the terrace sat abandoned and overrun. Stubborn weeds were plucked and tossed aside. The princess’ hands ached and were caked in dirt. Not becoming a of woman. Of a princess. But the woman lacked care. She didn’t want to live in fear of her only outlet. Her only safe haven from her mother and from the castle servants.

Tears gathered at the corner of the maiden’s eyes as she worked. Her disdain and anxiety had become tangible. She brought a dirt crusted finger to her eye and wiped away the salty liquid. Crying was a sign of weakness. It was a saying the empress had drilled into the princess since birth. Crying wasn’t allowed for nobility. The woman needed to be strong and feminine; not a blubbering child. Gradually, the feeling of being watched dissipated and was instead replaced by a feeling of inadequacy and misery.

Atop a neighboring tree within the terrace sat a red-tailed hawk. Beautiful and majestic. The bird watched the woman below. It cocked it’s head in interest. Despite his watchful gaze, the tengu known as Keigo hadn’t seen the princess cry before. The action seemed almost foreign to her, as if she had never cried before. Her chest didn’t heave and no sound emitted from her. Instead, the maiden sat on her knees and silently toiled. This lack of passion angered Keigo in a way. He wanted to see the woman in all her entirety. He wanted to witness her anger. Her sadness. Her wailing. A part of him would envision her beneath him, begging him with tears in her eyes. It was a sick pleasure, really. Keigo wanted to be disgusted by this desire, but it was a thought that dug its heels in, refusing to leave. He was left with the only option; to embrace it.

Keigo continued to watch the quiet sobbing until he grew bored. Until an idea surfaced. He should try to comfort her, shouldn’t he?

‘I want to touch her. I want to feel her warmth. I want to feel her writhe underneath me,’ the tengu thought as he gently fluttered to the ground. Keigo didn’t want to approach her as a man. He knew mortals weren’t stupid; she would question why a strange man with golden eyes suddenly appeared within her castle. ‘I want you to love me. ’

Softly, the tengu made his way towards the princess. Keigo’s footfalls were ignored by the maiden until he rubbed a wing against her. Startled, she released a quiet yelp and looked at the creature. The bird was small for a hawk and looked to be the runt. An unfortunate bird that had been given the same lot in life as herself. The princess regained her composure and reached out, touching the little bird.

“You scared me! Are you lonely, little birdie?” She asked, trying to stifle a giggle. Being frightened by such a small thing was comedic in a way. Deep inside, the bird and it’s tiny, insignificant body reminded the woman of herself. Perhaps this creature had been the prying eyes? ‘It was so silly of me to worry,’ the princess thought as she petted the bird.

The hawk released a low growl, as if the sound came from the very back of their throat. It reminded the princess of a cat’s purr. A sound only produced from trust and contentment. Soft lips curled into an insignificant smile. Her lips felt tense and unfamiliar with the action; smiling wasn’t common within the castle. The empress saw it as fictitious and unnecessary.

‘You can express pleasantries through your words. A noble woman doesn’t need to stoop down to a commoner.’

She reasoned the bird couldn’t be more than a young babe; the runt of a litter. ‘Are its wings hurt? Is the mother looking for..? ’ Before the princess could finish her thought, the bird gently pecked at her palm. Almost like a warning. The feeling of being watched had subsided; the princess was confident that her intruder was a lonely baby hawk. She hadn’t seen such a bird before. Hawks weren’t common in her kingdom and the woman was unsure the creature could fly. If the bird couldn’t fly, surely she should nurse it to health and then release it. The woman had never raised a dog before, much less a hawk, but it’s kindness proved too powerful.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

The princess managed to smuggle the hawk into her room. The operation had required bribing maids, but ‘business deals are important and are to be honored,’ as her mother would say. It wasn’t bribing; she was merely asking for a service and in turn, the maids were paid. ‘A simple transaction,’ she told herself.

Currently, the hawk was cuddled against the woman. She had made several attempts to leave, but the creature would loudly squawk like a threat. The princess knew her mother would at best be displeased -- and at worst -- demand the bird be confiscated. No animal was worthy of a princess. No creature was bred with the same noble blood. The empress deemed animals unworthy of her daughter’s company. ‘To rule, you must have conviction and a barn animal would only dirty you.’ Remembering her words only caused the woman to flinch. Even the ghost of her words carried severity and coldness.

Keigo was growing annoyed. Yes, it was blissful to be smothered by this woman, but he desired more. His heart grew black with a carnal want that only oni experienced. He wanted to defile her in the worst way. He wanted to feel the princess squirm underneath him, begging him in ecstasy. Naturally, the mind of a tengu is always several steps ahead of a mortal. A plan began to form; once she retired to bed, Keigo would reveal himself, explain he was a kami and had selected her for his divine touch. The tengu knew that even among nobility, the visit of a kami was prized. It was an offer the princess couldn’t -- wouldn’t refuse. Keigo ruffled his feathers in anticipation.

◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆

The night was still and silent, except for a slight breeze that blew through an open window. The princess had retired to sleep, but decided to keep her window open for the little bird. Keigo sat atop the windowsill and watched her sleeping form. He noted how small she was; an impossibly tiny body dwarfed by a mattress decorated in ornate blankets and pillows. This form allowed for the tengu to watch the princess undress. Her body was delicate and without blemish. A part of Keigo felt excited by this; a perfect body he could ruin. He would claim her and defile her.

With a quick pop, and a patch of black smoke, the bird was no more. In place sat a young man with ash blonde hair and golden eyes. His features were sharp and almost avian like, but his expression was laid-back and carefree. He wore the traditional garb of a yamabushi, complete with a tokin. He was a handsome man, but carried the dark intentions of a predator. Yellow orbs that burned with want.

Keigo slowly drifted towards the princess, leaving red feathers in his wake. He watched with interest as she tossed in bed. So blissful. So blissfully unaware of him. Unable to resist any further, the tengu placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. She was soft -- malleable -- and smelled of perfume. Like a garden.

The princess awoke suddenly from the action and came face-to-face with the tengu. By the moonlight, she couldn’t make out his features, but knew the shape was that of a man. Shock ignited in her eyes and the princess instinctively opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She felt suffocated by the intruder. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed how bizarre the man’s silhouette was. He stood of average height, but it looked as if the man had hidden an object behind his back. An object that resembled the wings of a bird.

Finally, a whimper escaped the woman. A small and pathetic sound that aroused the tengu. Before the princess could helpless babble, Keigo spoke, “Sorry if I scared you! Wasn’t my intention, but I’m Keigo.” A lop-sided grin found its way onto his thin lips. The smile did little to quell the fear in the woman’s gut.

“G-g-get out!” Her words sounded strangled and afraid. The princess sat up and frantically scooted away from the strange man. ‘She’s so cute, scared like this.’

She wondered how long the man had been watching her. Was he the source of the crimson feather? Was this not a man, but an oni? A pit formed in her chest, heavy with dread and fright.

“Don’t be like that, little bird. I’m a kami, shouldn’t you be falling at my feet?” Keigo asked, his tone casual.  His lack of concern or formality was alarming. No one had spoken to the princess in such a way. Under normal circumstances, she would have welcomed his nonchalant nature, but now -- in her darkened room -- it was a threat.

The princess’ heart hammered in her chest like a drum. Too loud and too thunderous to ignore.

“A k-kami..? I -- you visited me several nights ago, didn’t you?” She desperately wanted to believe the man. Any other possibility was horrific. She squinted in the dark and noticed the sharp features he possessed; blonde hair illustrated in the moonlight and yellow eyes that seemed to glow.

The tengu laughed. It was soft and gentle, the pure opposite of the roaring cackle she was accustomed to.

“I wanted you to have somethin’ to remember me by, little birdie. It’s flattering how close you keep it.” It excited Keigo that the young maiden had kept the feather. Especially because she kept the feather so close, buried underneath her kimono, right atop her breast. He hoped her breasts were as soft as her cheek.

Plump cheeks flushed with pink. She hated being teased. It was one of the few social interactions her mother was capable of, but it always left a sour taste in the woman’s mouth.

“How… how do I know you’re a kami? You could simply be a convincing oni, a pretender.”

His smile faltered. “You don’t trust me? That’s okay, little birdie. I’ll take my leave,” Keigo replied. Leaving wasn’t a part of his plan, it was merely a distraction from the bewitching magic he cast. A glamour that would enlighten the princess to desires held deep within her heart.

The princess didn’t want him to leave; it was improper to turn away a guest. Compelled, a delicate hand grabbed Keigo’s robe. It was tightly woven material, similar to the great textiles within the castle.

“Stay,” she begged, “please stay. I didn’t mean…”

Keigo placed a large hand atop the crown of her head and stroked. The maiden leaned into the touch, it was unlike any sensation she had experienced within the castle. It wasn’t the uncaring, technical touch of a wet nurse, but the tender touch of a lover. Warmth began to bloom in the pit of her stomach. A feeling that was foreign, but welcomed. She wanted nothing more than to melt into the tengu’s touch.

The woman patted the empty spot next to her. She hoped the winged man would slide into bed and perhaps hold her. Simply hold her and their body heat mixed together in the summer air. A small, childish part of the princess desired to touch the man’s wings. If they were as soft as the feather, they must feel like heaven. ‘He’s divinity in every sense of the word.’

Silently, Keigo slid into bed beside the princess, his wings ruffling against her soft skin. He shivered from the sensation. Tingly and electric. Keigo draped an arm around her and pulled the princess closer. He needed to hear her heartbeat and feel the blood coursing under her skin. The maiden’s floral scent was overpowering now; the smell fresh and heavenly. The woman buried herself into the tengu’s robe. His body was warm, almost hot. A summer heat draped in a man. He smelled of the earth and pine. It was a scent that the woman found comforting.

“Eager little bird,” Keigo joked, his hand now drifting down her form. He was desperate to memorize the soft landscape of her body. She was a treat to be savored. “Gonna touch you and make you feel good, okay little birdie?”Keigo grabbed the princess through her nightgown, her breast fitting perfectly within his palm, as if she was made for him. Only one thought came to Keigo’s mind: ‘This is mine. She is mine.’ It was uncommon for the tengu to feel so territorial -- so protective, but she was giving herself to him, afterall.

He palmed the woman through her nightgown, eliciting a quiet moan. Keigo had to strain to hear it; she tried to stifle the sound. It was unnatural and embarrassing. She had never been touched like this before, much less by a kami.

“Don’t be so shy.” Keigo continued to caress and massage her breast, his other hand wandering down his lover’s nightgown. His hand stopped at the hem of her gown, sliding up the material until it was bunched around her waist. The princess shivered from the cool air, and from a foreign feeling of shame. A part of her wanted to push the winged man away and lock herself in a neighboring bathroom until guards arrived, but another insatiable piece wanted the kami to take her maidenhood right now. Her body burned with an undeniable passion that only Keigo could extinguish.

Mewls of want penetrated the night air as the tengu circled a finger around her sensitive lips, the warmth of his touch separated only by satin panties. The cloth -- saturated with her juices -- would be Keigo’s prize. Another memento of the woman, of his lover. Her squirming underneath him only cemented that fact.

Greedy, trembling hands reached for Keigo; needy for his body to be pressed against hers. She slid a hand underneath his robe, and traveled down his body, stopping at his waist. Pleasing a man was never a topic of discussion in the princess’ studies. The maiden’s hands glided under Keigo’s fundoshi. His member stood proud and leaking pre-cum, unsure and nervous, she began to rub his leaking head. A groan rumbled from deep within Keigo’s chest, like a thunderstorm.

“Don’t stop, little bird,” Keigo murmured, the tengu too enamored from the woman’s touch. He had dreamed of this for several nights, but finally, her soft hands were working his manhood. She stroked down his length, clumsy and inexperienced. The tengu was growling now; noises guttural and rough. Like a wild beast set free.

Encouraged by her touch, he tore her undergarment, allowing for proper access to her nether region. Roughly, Keigo parted the woman’s lips apart and a calloused thumb began to rub her now swollen clit. Under normal circumstances, the princess would have recoiled from such brazen action; she was taught a man should never tear a royal’s garment. It was an act perpetrated by oni and men of lesser nobility, but this man wasn’t of lesser nobility. He was a kami. A god.

Golden, hungry eyes looked down at her; like a wolf appraising meat. Predatory and insatiable. An idea formed within his mind and the tengu detached himself from the princess. She released a whine, her features twisted in a pout. A little brat denied subsistence.

“Touch me,” she requested. Her tone was demanding. It was more of a command than a request. Her hands felt empty and useless, the maiden convinced her only purpose now was to please the kami.

Keigo positioned himself at her entrance and commanded, “Lay down, let me pleasure you.” His words were like velvet, his voice like nirvana. Sickeningly sweet and light. With hesitation, the woman laid down, her cunt in full view of the tengu. She felt another pang of embarrassment. Even wet nurses hadn’t seen her exposed like this. Her instincts screamed to cover up and to run away, but the allure of Keigo proved too much.

A single finger was harshly jammed into her slick core as Keigo’s mouth engulfed her mound. His hot tongue swirled around in her cunt, learning every sensitive spot. His wide finger sent a shock of pain up the maiden’s body, but the sensation was soon replaced by warmth that spread between her thighs. He pumped into her, scissoring and stretching her. Preparing her for him. His teeth grazed against her delicate clit, evoking a wanton moan. Her legs trembled as Keigo shoved another finger into her wetness. She felt full -- whole -- with the tengu’s fingers inside. A thumb prodded her clit again, gently rubbing the nub. The red-hot coil within her center made the maiden feel as if she would burst, the sensation of an orgasm building. Sounds of squelching and a river of moans flowed from her.

The tengu brought his face up to her, fingers wet with her arousal.

“Little birdie all ready for my cock, huh?” Keigo stood up and quickly disrobed. His lean frame vibrating from excitement. In the moonlight, the princess could make out the sculpted body Keigo possessed. The body befitting of a kami. He crawled over her body and positioned his cock up against her lips. Slowly, savoring the moment, Keigo pushed into the woman. His cock stretched her, far more than his fingers. Sensitive, wet walls clasped around him. Her body was desperate to swallow his member whole. The tengu crammed his soaked fingers into his lover’s mouth, muffling her moans. “Don’t want you too loud, little birdie.”

She wondered if this was a normal part of lovemaking, but obliged the tengu and sucked on his fingers. Lewd sounds erupted from Keigo, along with a string of swears. The princess hadn’t heard such depravity before, but Keigo’s thick cock was too distracting. He sped up, provoked by the sucking of his fingers. His balls slapped against her ass at a feverish pace. Keigo’s strokes were no longer slow and delicate, but harsh and starving. A man -- a beast -- possessed. The force of his strokes almost hurt and his fingers were jammed to almost the back of her throat.

“Pl-please stop,” the maiden slurred, spit trailing down her chin. Keigo had to strain to hear her, but decided to partially accommodate. He removed the saliva coated fingers, leaving her to gup down chestfuls of air. Instead, strong hands clasped around her delicate neck. A neck that had only known the pleasures of cotton or satin. His touch around her neck was the opposite of the tenderness she had known before; his touch now felt possessive and dark. An aura of blackness that threatened to consume her. Keigo’s grip tightened, along with his feverish pace. The princess’ hips now began to ache underneath him.

The coil in her stomach reached its peak; a feeling of relief washed over her. The maiden felt grounded, more aware, less hazy. She finally noticed the dangerous shine in the tengu’s yellow eyes, which sent a deathly chill down her body, leaving goosebumps. She no longer wanted this. She no longer wanted him. The woman began to squirm underneath the tengu, defaulting to her original fear. Realizing the turn of her nature, Keigo released a final pump into her soaking cunt. A deep growl sounded from his chest, this time the sound no longer velvet and soft. The sound of a predator. As he climaxed, Keigo’s grip around her worsened. The maiden feeling out of breath. Asphyxiated. She beat against his chest, her vision becoming a blurry mess of black spots and dots.

Keigo’s large hands fell from her neck and the princess swallowed greedy gulps of air. ‘She looks so beautiful like this,’ the tengu thought, ‘sweaty and broken beneath me.’ His seed began to leak out of her, staining her plush thighs. The sensation made her feel dirty, wrong, used.

“L-l-leave.”

Yellow eyes bore into her features, memorizing every inch. A carefree grin plastered on the tengu’s handsome face.

“...but you’re mine now, little birdie.”

[kshithi-and-stories]

An encounter with Sandu Shengshou - Part 3

(AO3 link : Here)

I: Welcome back, dear readers. Sandu Shengshou might be a lone man standing tall to protect the cultivation world from demonic cultivators and the wens. But Jiang Cheng’s life would not be complete without his siblings. I am sure you all are eager to know the lovely Yiling Laozu and the stern Sandu Shengshou as brothers. Mr SS, although lady Jiang Yanli was your only blood related sibling, I have heard from many people that you considered Wei Wuxian as your brother too. 

SS: Yes. What an ungrateful brother he turned out to be!

I: Right. First, tell me about your sister.

SS: There is nothing much to tell. She was very timid and shy.

I: I heard from some of our readers about her famous “Lotus and Pork Rib soup”

SS: Ah… Yes. She was very famous for making soup on every occasion. Her soup contributed a lot to our war effects. 

I: I am sure you loved this soup a lot. 

SS: Yes. She used to make soup every time we were happy, hurt, hungry, sad, sick, and every occasion you can think of. 

I: Moving on, tell me about Wei Wuxian.

SS: He was never serious about his cultivation. He always used to fool around. He used to get up very late. Never did any serious work.  He only used to hunt pheasants and catch fishes.     

I: He was the head disciple at that time, wasn't he?

SS: Yes.

I: Your sect is indeed generous to make such a lazy person as a head disciple. You must have really liked your brother to give away this position to him.

SS: Yes. 

I: Tell me more about your childhood with your brother.

SS: He always used to talk about some stupid talismans and devices all day. I had to spend a lot of my energy to curb his tendencies to spout nonsense. 

I: This is interesting. Yiling Laozu is the most prodigious inventor of this generation. Tell me about his ideas.

SS: What do you mean by ideas? They were all some crazy thoughts of a crazy person. He was never serious about anything. I told you this already.

I: This is why we should never trust older magazines. We were led to believe that he was a genius at a young age.  

SS: He was just good for nothing. 

I: Of course. If he was truly a prodigy, Lotus Pier would have reached new heights years ago. It did not have to wait for Sandu Shengshou to become the sect leader.

SS: Exactly!

I: And any advancement that did not align with the sect heir’s prowess was whipped out of him by your mother. 

SS: Now you understand. He was never better than me. He was never allowed to be better than me. We are talking about social order between servant and master here!  

I: Yes. I stand corrected, Mr. SS. You and your mother made sure your brother stuck to his status as a servant.

SS: Yes.  

I: You told me earlier that he always played a hero. 

SS: Yes. He always liked to show off his skills by playing a hero. He liked all the praises and attention for saving everyone. 

I: What about the people he saved?

SS: Oh! They were just incidentals. Who cares about them!

I: He also saved your brother-in-law once.

SS: Yes.

I: ..

SS:

I: Right. How else was your childhood shaped around your brother? 

SS: I really had to work hard in my childhood because of him. 

I: You worked hard towards your cultivation.

SS: No! I worked hard to make sure he does not shame our sect by acting up or by being rude.  

I: I did not know that the charming gentleman and the master of six arts, Yiling Laozu did not know how to behave. 

SS: Tell me about it! I used to be so tired in my childhood. I used to spend all my efforts in restricting him so that he does not go to others. He always used to do things which brought shame to our sect.

I: Tell me about the instances when Wei Wuxian shamed your sect.

SS: He used to show off in archery contests and win prizes. How can it not shame the sect? A head disciple won prizes over the sect heir. Think about the prestige of the sect. 

I: Right. It almost messed up the social order and hierarchy.

SS: Obviously! 

I: What else?

SS: Let me think. He always used to bother Second Master Lan when we were studying in Gusu. Imagine a servant bothering a sect heir like that all the time. Luckily he was kicked out soon. 

I: Did Second Master Lan seek your help to stop Wei Wuxian from bothering him? After all that man is your brother-in-law now and you must have been close then.

SS: He did not have to ask for help. It was outrageous to even think that a sect heir of a noble and gentry clan, Guru Lan, would want a servant as a friend. I helped in good faith; from one sect heir to another. 

I: You must have put in a lot of effort to help Second Master Lan.

SS: Yes. I had to keep telling Wi Wuxian that Second Master Lan hated him so many times till he believed me. Trust me, it was a lot of work. The timing had to be good for it to work. A lot of planning went into it. 

I: That was very generous of you, Mr. SS

SS: Of course. 

I: So, you stopped Wei Wuxian to build friendships with other sects to maintain natural order and to stop him from shaming your sect.

SS: Yes.

I: What else did he do to bring shame to your sect, Mr. SS?

SS: …

I: You also must have worked hard to look after your brother when you were young.

SS: It is my duty. I always tried to make sure my brother does not do anything other than his duties as my subordinate. I always wanted him to be content and comfortable as a subordinate under my control.  My mother and I worked very hard to make sure he stuck to his role. I spent so much effort watching over my brother, that I almost neglected my cultivation. Alas, all my childhood efforts were wasted. I could not retain my brother as my servant. 

I: …

SS: ….

I: …

SS: ….

I: You must have really loved your brother to treat him as special as a servant, Mr. SS.

SS: Yes. I am the best brother one could hope for. 

[obey-me-ocs]

Oc information

All basic information about my Oc's, will post more later if people are interested. All pictures are from picrews! Ask if you would like the links!

Fang

Sexuality/gender: Agender (Uses all pronouns, mainly he/him), Androsexual

Personality: He's a little shit, often messing around and doesn't take anything very seriously.

Likes: Partying, and being with people.

Dislikes: Paperwork, The celestial realm

Background/General Info: Their a shapeshifter, often shifting into different forms when ever they feel like it. They are an envy white snake demon, and would uses their shape changing abilities to make people feel jealous or make them act on their envy. He was an angel but fell a few years after the brothers did, not agreeing with the celestial realms rules and wanting more freedom.

------------

Marz

Gender/Sexuality: Demigirl she/they, pansexual

Personality: They can tend to be a bit emotionless, but once they get used to people they warm up quite a bit.

Like: Science, new discoveries

Dislikes: Not understanding something, and feeling like they are failing

Background/General Info: Their a clone made with a mix of science and magic, though the main people working on the project didn't know about the magic. Since a young age they have been able to sense magic, and ended up finding a magic ring. They ran away from the lab and started to be research about magic, before ending up in devildom. They continue to try and scientifically research magic, often to the detriment of themselves.

-----------

Willow

Gender/sexuality: lesbian, cis female she/her

Personality: More closed off, but very creative and over all has a positive attitude.

Likes: styling hair, tattoos, other similar things.

Dislikes: greasy hair, rude people.

Background/general info: She a student at RAD, but has a small business. She's a hairdresser and tattoo artist but since she doesn't own a building, she goes to the customer house to do it

She's a pride demons, and has basic air magic but doesn't uses it often and isn't the best with magic but are a very skilled and fast flier.

She's not really close to any of the demon brothers, but does have a pact with solomon though their pact isn't used often. She does occasionally style his hair when asmodeus can't. She has also occasionally met mammon at his photo shoots when she was hired to do his make-up and hair.

-----------

Aster

Gender/sexuality: demiboy he/them, sex-positive asexual, biromantic

Personality: He's lazy and very easy going, but is a mentor type as well

Likes: watching movies and lazing around, teaching, fighting

Dislikes: loud classes, and the demon king

Background/general info: He's a teacher at RAD, and teaching war history and battle magic. He used to be the best fighter in the demon king's army but hated the conflicts despite enjoying the battles. Once Lord Diavolo took control he was made to be one of the first teacher at RAD and has been teaching ever since.

He always loved teaching, and generally has a laid back attitude about it as well making him a really fun teacher. He has some of the strongest offensive magic, and his demon form has two sets of powerful wings that are covered in old battle scars and rams horns, one of which is broken off

-----------

Reigna

Gender/sexuality: trans women, heterosexual, panromantic

Personality: cold and can seen as rude but never says or done anything outwardly cruel

Likes: themselves, smoking

Dislikes: Other nobles, her brother

Background/general info: She a noble, and a wrath demon. She used to be heir to their family but her brother convinced her parents and he should be instead. She hates that he would even think about doing it, she entered a rage and almost killed him but that just made her parents want to do it more.

She goes to RAD but almost always skips classes. She just an angsty person. Her demon form, had a large pair of butterfly wings and has a horns that wrap around the back of her head. She has strong corruption magic and tends to use it alot when her angry.

-----------

Morry

gender/sexuality: Transgender male he/him, gay

Personality: Very chaotic, but tries to avoid people.

Likes: arcade games like... very seriously plays arcade games, and human comic books.

Dislikes: Being around a lot of people, and people who think men need to be masculine

Background/general info: He's a greed demon, and he doesn't horde money... but he does horde arcade tickets. Like one of those people who have wheel barrels filled with the tickets. He's demon form has horns similar to mammons but smaller, and he has a tail similar to a lizard.

He works at the arcade and attends RAD but mainly online. So not many other students know him, but he can get very worried when some if the student visit the arcade. He's always worried that they'll judge him or something similar

-----------

Esperanza

Nickname: Espie

Gender/sexuality: Non-binary she/her, aromantic, pansexual.

Personality: Overall cheerful, but can tend to go off into rants when they hear even the smallest thing that are interested in.

Likes: sappy romance books, and sex-ed

Dislikes: People attempting to romance them, and just gets slightly annoyed by PDA when its in real life.

Background/general info: She's a student at RAD, and are a lower-level lust demon. she has a love for sappy romance book and the how relationships are shown in them, but doesn't like them in real life She's cheerful and enjoys making new friends, and though she prefer quieter gatherings she do enjoy going to parties. She's is close to asmodeus and Satan but can be a bit intimidated by their power at times. She doesn't have a lot of magical powers, having a pretty weak charm ability which can only really give people a small push to act on what they actual want to do.

Her demon form has small point horns that come out front the top of her head, and a shortish tail. Both are a very light pink.

----------- Miska

gender/sexuality: Intersex, Genderqueer (He/she), bisexual

Likes: Potions, magic objects Dislikes: rude people, and being interrupted

Personality: generally quiet, but is always kind

Backstory: She's a nymph, and was born in the human realm but after an incident where she lost her leg she moved to devildom. Since then he has spent most of the time focusing on research and magic. he makes magical prosthetics, making them special for each person and often giving them interesting designs or making them out of special materials.

She's never been a huge fan of demons, and despite still being kind to them can find their cruel nature very annoying. He has considered adopting a demon child and teaching them how to be kinder. She also has a fear of human since the incident as a child.

[sanjuno]

You're doing NaNo?! Can you tell us anything about what you'll be doing???

SPOILERS FOR SANJUNO’S NANO 2020 PROJECT

No Evil Abolishing Resentment System

Transmigrator!Madara meets Reincarnator!Tobirama (… 55 times in a row.)

For NaNoWriMo 2020 – How Many AUs Can I Fit In One Fic?

·      0 Tails Interlude

o   Meet Sanzan-han

o   Introduction to System driven Quick-Transmigration isekai plot

o   “The seeds of evil are as follows, to hear of evil and take no action against it, to see evil and take no action against it, to speak of evil and take no action against it.”

o   “To do nothing in the face of evil is not a neutral act.”

o   “The only thing required for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing.”

·      1st World:

o   Crystal Nuclei Zombie Apocalypse with Ability Users and levelling up AU

o   Politician!Madara ended up being shoved into a zombie tide by people who thought he was too strong/disliked him before the apocalypse

o   Scientist!Tobirama really regrets not preventing that when Zombie Emperor Madara breaks through the city walls and kills everyone in Konoha Base

o   Reborn!Tobirama is determined to complete the vaccine he was working on in his first life – also keep Madara alive so he can’t become a super zombie

§  Tobirama would like to say he is surprised by Madara’s competency in zombie annihilation but he remembers how terrifying Zombie King Madara was so he really isn’t shocked that Empowered Human Madara is just as much the living embodiment of Nightmare Fuel

o   Madara as evolved Zombie catnip with a mouthy pet fish

§  Madara is absolutely disgusted by the Z-poc Virus undead they are gross, rotting, and go squelchwhen he hits them.

§  Some zombie bits get stuck in Madara’s hair. He has a screaming tantrum and promptly sets the entire horde on fire.

§  Pro-tip: Career politicians should avoid indulging in a crying fit over getting their precious beautiful hair dirty during a fight if they want to be taken seriously by their military escort even if they areso hilariously OP they can indulge in whiny hysterics and not die horribly as a result

o   The Zombies are Zetsu

o   Oh look Madara’s blood has the key component to creating the zombie vaccine who would have thought

o   There is so much angry sex for stress relief, just… so much

o    

·      1 Tail Interlude

o   Madara is pissed off that he accidently ended up in a relationship with Tobirama

o   Madara wants a refund on this System

o   Sanzan-han explains the fine print of “No Evils Abolishing Resentment System” – the Target must have resentment both towards Madara and from Madara

o   Madara’s first world was intended to lock his target

o   Switching targets will result in a full reset of his karma to level 1 – no cheating by using his previous incarnations accumulated points to get a head start any more

o   Madara’s only other valid targets approaching Tobirama’s stats were Hashirama and Mito

o   Madara could target someone else but without the heavy accumulation of karma like the Senju-Uchiha bloodfeud situation it would take thousands of lifetimes to accrue 10 tails

o   Madara is so mad ^_^

·      2nd World

o   Japanese Classic Fable AU

o   Crane Wife!Madara being Tsundere with his husband

o   Madara is accused of theft and Scholar!Tobirama is convinced to spy on his wife’s weaving

o   Madara gets caught ripping out feathers to weave into silks that are sold to pay for Tobirama’s exams

o   Madara flies away and is shot down by hunters

o   Reborn!Tobirama who is more than a little obsessed with making sure his wife doesn’t have a reason to fly off again

o   Madara doesn’t really understand why Tobirama is trying to prevent him from doing anything productive this is weird

o   Zetsu is a corrupted monk trying to capture Madara for his feathers/demon core

·      3rd World

o   Galactic Empire Mecha Pilots with psychic powers and enhanced bodies versus the Zerg Horde

o   Arranged Marriages for the noble class occur based on genetic advantages rather than affection

o   Ace Pilot/Mecha Engineer!Tobirama pays less than zero attention to his nominal spouse and heir in favour of developing weapons to fight against the Zerg

o   SSS Ace Pilot!Madara resigned to being ignored by spouse, makes friends with in-laws for sheer spite

o   Madara framed for sabotage – dies holding off a Zerg swarm

o   Science child!Kagami killed by kidnappers

o   Reborn!Tobirama pays better attention to his spouse and child while fighting to end the Zerg threat

o   The Zerg are Zetsu

o   Madara rolls his eyes and sets the Zerg Queen (Kaguya) on fire – Tobirama confused and aroused by his spouse

·      2 Tails Interlude

o   Madara wants to know if he’s going to be required to save the world every single time he’s due to earn a new tail

o   Sanzan-han: Sources say “probably”

o   Madara would question the heavy-handed implication that Zetsu was just using him but he’s still super pissed off about being trapped in a cave for 50 years and then possessed by a demon goddess thing so he’s more than willing the blame Zetsu for all the horrible things that happened

·      4th World

o   Japanese Mythical Creature AU

o   Kitsune!Madara saves the life of War General/Prince!Tobirama from Yin poisoning

o   There’s a snowstorm and Madara has to warm Tobirama up

o   Madara is a Calamitous Beauty and killed by cultists who wanted his demon core

o   Reborn!Tobirama is doing his best to take responsibility

o   Zetsu is the cultists who poisoned Tobirama and killed Madara

o   Madara is super pissed off but the shrine and the garden Tobirama builds for him are really nice so maybe he won’t claw the pasty bastard’s face off

·      5th World

o   Super Heroes and Villains in a Megamind AU

o   Pyromaniacal Villain!Madara “Moon Eye” is obviously an alien and the arch nemesis of the city’s most beloved Hero, Treeman

o   Aquatic Hero “Flying Thunder”!Tobirama’s civilian-marine biologist ID keeps getting kidnapped

o   Reborn!Tobirama needs to keep Madara sane and honestly that’s easier than it sounds because Madara gets adorably flustered when given sincere compliments and is hilariously easy to distract with questions about his obviously-also-alien pet fish

o   #I accidently started dating my brother’s arch nemesis #what do I do? #waiting online for answers

o   Sanzan-han is Minion and really likes the exo-suit

o   Zetsu is an evil shadow organization trying to take control of the heroes for world domination reasons

o   Madara has an invisible Susanoo and as ridiculous as this world can be he’s having fun in it

o   “PRESENTATION!”

·      6th World

o   Immortal Cultivators AU

o   Borderline-demonic/Unorthodox Sect Leader!Madara is getting chased around by Righteous Sect Inner Disciple!Tobirama because Madara keeps nabbing all the good secret treasures that Tobirama needs to prevent the demon realm from breaking free and invading

o   Reborn!Tobirama realizes in hindsight that Original Goods!Madara was also trying to prevent the Demon Realm invasion because the Righteous Sects didn’t listen to his initial warnings

o   Tobirama eventually pins Madara down as his Dao companion to get access to the booty loot Madara has collected/protect Madara from being targeted by unscrupulous treasure hunters

o   The demons/demonic spirits are Zetsu

o   Madara is playing whack-a-Zetsu and doesn’t have time for Tobirama’s nonsense

·      3 Tails Interlude

o   Sanzan-han praises Madara for his top-notch seduction skillz

o   Madara is So Done with this stupid godsdamned fish

o   Sanzan-han mentions but doesn’t explain that the accumulation of “affection points” will start having a notable effect on Tobirama soon – so gambatte, Mada-sama!

o   Madara tries to ignore the constant hooking up in favour of plotting new ways to kill Zetsu – seeing as the creature is the only thing he can kill in the Other-Worlds without losing the “ExP” that will allow his return home

·      7th World

o   Geode Betting Modern AU

o   Carver!Madara is a picky spoiled artiste who got blamed for ruining Tobirama’s family

o   Reborn-with-Treasure-Senses Appraiser!Tobirama is determined to “get revenge in advance” on Madara only to realize what a dork Madara is

o   Tobirama frantically backs off on his face-slapping plot only to overcompensate his way into dating a crazy artist

o   #oops

o   Zetsu are the yakuza involved in rigging the Geode betting

o   Madara is confused by the lack of open warfare but thinks this is a nice vacation

·      8th World

o   Greek Monsters AU

o   Gorgon!Madara has the strongest stone-gaze in History

o   Heroic Demigod!Tobirama arrives to take off Madara’s head for prophecy reasons

o   Tobirama’s Quest ends in tragedy – turns out ghosts/guardians of the Underworld don’t turn to stone so Tobirama can’t bring his little brothers out using Madara’s decapitated head

o   Madara is hiding from Reborn!Tobirama because he wants to keep in head on his neck, fuckdammit and accidently interrupts the murder of Kawarama and Itama via even more accidental kidnapping

o   Tobirama just wants to apologize for overreacting to a very ambiguously worded prophecy that he self-fulfilled – Tobirama is really, really very sorry, really – also wtf give him back his baby brothers

o   Zetsu is the Oracle of Kaguya who killed Tobirama’s little brothers and wanted Tobirama/Madara cursed/dead

·      9th World

o   Sentinels and Guides are Known AU

o   SSS Guide!Madara is 100% going to cut a bitch if these special fucking snowflake godsdamned Sentinels don’t piss off and leave him alone

o   6-sense Alpha Sentinel Prime!Tobirama does not want a Guide who will only slow him down with their coddling nature

o   Tobirama rejects Madara/doesn’t acknowledge their nascent connection

o   Reborn!Tobirama wakes up out of a zone – wakes up after pulling the Guide he recognized far too late as his own out of the depths of the bay – and promptly terrifies his entire family by going hyper-focused and borderline feral as he takes off to hunt down his Guide

o   Tobirama’s Guide – his Guide who is still alive – still alive and not drowned

o   Reborn!Tobirama has some lingering trauma to work through btw

o   Madara terrifies so many people when he starts inducing hallucinations as a defense mechanism

o   Zetsu are dark Sentinel cult masquerading as a shady government organization

·      10th World

o   Classic D&D AU

o   Harpy Queen!Madara is being plotted against

o   Necromancer!Tobirama regrets killing Madara and keeping his soul in a jar when he finds out the truth

o   Tobirama let’s Izuna “mete justice” – protip: Uchiha Harpies are actually Furies

o   Reborn!Tobirama decides he quite enjoys being Madara’s concubine

o   Madara lays an egg

o   The Demon Gods trying to break loose and destroy all life get kicked back into the Underworld – insert Zetsu smiting here

o   Hashirama is traumatized by his little brother’s loincloth

·      4 Tails Interlude

o   Madara throws an epic tantrum over the egg-laying thing

o   Sanzan-han doesn’t understand his deal but obligingly flees screaming in terror anyway

·      11th World

o   Imperial Court AU

o   Fire Priest!Madara is given as a “bride” to Imperial Prince Tobirama to remove Tobirama from the line of succession

o   Tobirama considered a “holy child” by the Fire devotees due to his red eyes

o   Tobirama realizes too late that his opinion of his “wife” was manipulated so that he wouldn’t be able to gather his full strength to compete with his enemies

o   Reborn!Tobirama has goals to 1. Be gay, and; 2. Commit Treason

o   Zetsu as the scheming Minister who is actually the bastard child of Empress Dowager Kaguya

o   Madara turns the court upside down and shakes because he’s bored and vindictive

·      12th World

o   Beastmen in Space AU

o   The Tribes are even more stupidly competitive than shinobi Clans but have more space (lol) to spread out so they aren’t at full war with each other

o   Snow Leopard!Madara has a female beast form as most Uchiha males do – Uchiha females tend to have male Beast Forms

o   Uchiha Do Not switch forms in Public/on the Battlefield and also the Uchiha don’t gender the way the other Tribes do

o   White Tiger!Tobirama only discovers this after the Uchiha are destroyed by hostile invasion of Borg-type enemies

o   Zetsu are the Borg knockoffs

o   Reborn!Tobirama starts courting Madara because rowr and peace happens because kittens – yay!

o   Madara uses his carving skills to create power stones that allow High Level Beasts to control themselves

·      13th World

o   Castlevania-esque Vampire AU

o   Vampires and Humans share a world but live in different realities thanks to magic sub-dimensions

o   Vampire Prince!Madara is lazy and hedonistic

o   Vampire Prince!Tobirama is disdainful of Madara’s magpie brain

o   Zetsu is the Religious extremist Vampire cult that realizes that Madara is the key to tearing down the veil and bleeds him dry to shatter the barrier separating the worlds and free the first vampire Kaguya

o   Reborn!Tobirama absolutely refuses to allow the Veil to get torn down again so he gets stupidly “devoted and jealous” over his previously despised betrothed

o   Madara is rather offended that the blood drinking is sexy and also that Tobirama is a tasty snack

·      14th World

o   Merfolk AU

o   Devil Firefish Mer!Madara always knew that the merfolk from the deeper waters would only visit the Volcanic Reef to mate and leave, especially the sharks – but he had still wanted to hope for something more…

o   Great White Mer!Tobirama only ever left the Kelp Forest to guard his more hormone driven kin when the pod headed to shallower waters to spawn and let the fry gather strength in the protection of the cove before heading back home

o   Tangling with the pretty, poisonous leader of the Uchiha pod was a mistake that could be entirely blamed on his brother’s tendency to overindulge in urchin-spines and share his vices with every mer in the vicinity

o   Someone (see: Zetsu) fucks up and pisses off the Ocean

o   Seaquakes and the resulting tsunami’s drive all the mer to the deepest-water cities to wait out the disasters

o   Madara gets eaten by a giant kraken while defending the fry – Tobirama arrives just in time to see Madara and their son get torn in half

o   Reborn!Tobirama courts Madara properly and the Uchiha pod moves into the sea-caves because the coral as too fragile for Tobirama’s peace of mind

o   Zetsu are creepy seaweed/anglerfish things

·      15th World

o   Virtual Reality Game AU

o   Code-writer!Tobirama develops Kenjutsu Mania Online in an attempt to revive his comatose little brothers

o   Overworked Detective!Madara gets suckered into the VR game with his little brothers

o   Crazy Person (Kaguya) traps all the players in a death game – as you do

o   Tobirama gets exposed as a game designer and PK’d

o   Reborn!Tobirama parties with Madara and gets married for the ExP bonus

o   Zetsu are a computer virus AI like Agent Smith

o   Madara uses IRL weapon skills to break the game and his character build before he smashes the Crazy Person open like an overripe melon

o   All the little brothers wake up

·      5 Tails Interlude

o   Sanzan-han is very proud! Mada-sama is halfway there!

o   Madara is throwing a huge fit over giving birth in 2 out of 5 worlds

o   But Mada-sama, the massive amount of affection points!

o   Fuck your affection points!

o   That’s the spirit, Mada-sama!

·      16th World

o   Modern Wizards AU

o   Dragon Keeper!Madara trips over poachers/dark wizards who kidnapped Ancient Runes Master!Tobirama for evil-ritual-sacrifice purposes

o   They accidently end up in a Marriage Bond

o   Tobirama suspects Madara of being a Dark Wizard

o   Madara is framed and executed – only for the real culprit to be exposed a few months later

o   The real culprit is Kaguya and Zetsu natch

o   Tobirama explodes a Time Turner

o   Reborn!Tobirama drags his new spouse Dark Wizard hunting

o   Couple Therapy for dumb Wizards go

·      17th World

o   ID Porn in a Miraculous AU

o   Masked Hero Phoenix is consistently pursued and wooed by his partner in crime fighting, Dragon

o   PoliSci TA!Madara has a raging brain crush on Bio-Chem Doctorate Student!Tobirama

o   An ill-advised insult/rejection causes Phoenix to darken and self-destruct

o   A grief-stricken Dragon “teleports” his mind back in time

o   Madara is so confused by Tobirama and his new stalker tendencies

o   Kaguya is RabbitMoth and Zetsu are the Akuma

·      18th World

o   Really Cheap Silmarillion Knockoff AU

o   Spell-Singer!Madara is driven mad by an Oath that was forced on him by a Messenger done Dark

o   Kaguya as the evil god and Zetsu as her evil Messenger

o   Forger!Tobirama doesn’t pay attention to extenuating circumstances until it’s too late and the bodies are buried

o   The World goes to shit for 3 ages because Tobirama’s shinies are the shiniest

o   Reborn!Tobirama devotes himself to fucking over Zetsu’s evil schemes and making pretty baubles for Madara

o   The fact that Madara’s new hairpin can level a mountain range is incidental and has nothing to do with Tobirama’s paranoia

o   An ancient mystery re. parentage is solved when Madara sings Kagami into being right on schedule – Tobirama is delighted to assist this time

·      19th World

o   Steampunk AU a la FF flavour

o   Enemy Nation!Madara is the Prince/General who goes crazy due to infection from alien viral lifeform

o   HoL Companion!Tobirama as a Prince of the protag Nation who are prophesized to save the world from Calamity

o   World goes to shit

o   Zetsu is the Scourge and Kaguya is Jenova/the Accursed

o   Tobirama is too impatient to wait out the “time-skip”

o   Reborn!Tobirama sneaks into the enemy stronghold – finds pre-infection!Madara imprisoned with tiny clone-child Kagami and steals them both

o   Cue roadtrip shenanigans as both sides try to track them down

o   Madara gets to one-man-army the forces of evil – Tobirama is very impressed

·      20th World

o   Demon Hunter AU

o   Incubus!Madara has a “food allergy” and has been stuck at the physical age of 13 being fed energy by his family members for the last 200 years

o   Functionally Ace Demon Hunter!Tobirama pegs Madara for a sex demon on sight because the lust whammy is legit the most distracting thing to ever happen to him and that incubus looks like a child ew

o   Tobirama sets a trap for Madara and is mean about it because he doesn’t appreciate the second-hand bad-touch feelings – trigger warning: allusions to non-con gangbang

o   Madara kills the “bait” and Tobirama bursts into the room

o   Tobirama sees adult!Madara in the aftermath of the carnage and is horrified to recognize his soulmate

o   Madara proceeds to vomit blood and dies at Tobirama’s feet – the allergy is no joke

o   Tobirama learns about Madara’s “allergy” from revenge rampage Izuna – recognizes that Izuna is Touka’s soulmate and doesn’t fight back

o   Tobirama regrets so hard he magics his soul back in time to the day he first saw Madara

o   The most awkward dating adventure begins

o   Zetsu are the actually evil demons who eat people for real – and not in the fun way Uchiha do

·      21st World

o   Gods AU

o   Ocean Kami!Tobirama realizes too late that he loved Volcano!Kami Madara and was unable to rescue him from the Underworld – that trick never works

o   Reborn!Tobirama starts bringing Madara tributes, averts the Twilight of the Gods via shameless debauchery, and accidently builds a tropical island honeymoon palace to spoil Madara in

o   Zetsu are the evil servants of the “god-eating Titan” Kaguya

·      6 Tails Interlude

o   Lots of Madara screaming about how the Powers That Be are far too fucking obsessed with seeing Madara get railed

o   Sanzan-han goes no-duh, most lifeforms devote about 99% of their spare life energy towards reproductive efforts

o   Madara is very grumpy about being a SSS Class Ninja Nightmare reduced to pillow-book wish-fulfillment fantasy fodder

·      22nd World

o   Noodle Dragon AU

o   Dragon King of the Northern Ocean!Tobirama and Quetzalcoatl!Madara courting shenanigans

o   OTL!Tobirama fucked up and led Hunters (Zetsu) to OTL!Madara’s nest and they stole his heart for black magic doomsday ritual

o   Madara ended up a stone statue curled around the shattered remains of his first egg

o   Reborn!Tobirama is determined to be a properly attentive mate

o   Madara is resigned to laying eggs again

·      23rd World

o   GoT-knockoff Medieval AU

o   Madara gets burned at the stake as a witch, doesn’t die, and then gets torn apart by a terrified mob

o   Northern Lord!Tobirama realizes that he done fucked up and needs Madara to beat the evil ice zombies

o   Reborn!Tobirama starts wooing an extremely cranky pyro-prince while trying to give the Uchiha Crown Prince more positive PR with the peasantry to avoid another riot

o   Zetsu are the Others, Kaguya as the Night Queen

·      24th World

o   ‘Taur AU – Tribal Setting

o   Leopard-Taur!Madara lives high up in the Mountains

o   Tiger-Taur!Tobirama is poisoned and delirious during a fated encounter – he doesn’t learn what happened or who saved him until after both prides are mostly destroyed

o   Reborn!Tobirama manages to avoid delirium induced amnesia and starts stalking Madara with the intent to make love not war

o   Zetsu are corrupted from using radioactive/poisonous Power Stones to boost strength, Kaguya is actually parasite queen

·      25th World

o   Exorcists and Ghosts AU

o   Cursed Ghost!Madara lingers in the courtyard he called home while he was alive

o   Kagami wanders in during the ghost hour and Madara shoves him into a cabinet to protect him

o   Exorcist!Tobirama finds out that Madara was still protecting Kagami from the devil spirits – not haunting him – only after the devils grow stronger and get free after ghost!Madara is destroyed

o   Reborn!Tobirama needs to figure out a way to woo his past incarnation’s very justifiably angry murdered consort before Madara denies Tobirama visitation rights

o   Zetsu are devil spirits who cursed Madara to death, Kaguya wants to consume Kagami for power

·      26th World

o   Midsummer Night’s Dream AU

o   Fairy Prince!Tobirama gets dosed with love potion

o   Meets Dark Forest King!Madara

o   Falls in potion induced love – which gets Tobirama invested enough to forget his previous prejudices and fall in True Love

o   Then Madara dies

o   Reborn!Tobirama is now immune to Love Potions because he is in True Love with Madara – fuck you, cheating bastard traitors to the Fairy Crown

o   Tobirama runs off into the Dark Forest to snag himself a Goblin King (and break Hashirama out of Love Potion induced insanity, natch)

o   Zetsu as the dirtbag fiancée, Kaguya as the dark fairy trying to take over both kingdoms

·      27th World

o   Naga AU

o   Banded Sea Kriat!Tobirama tangles with in-heat Black Hooded Tiger Snake!Madara and doesn’t realize until later that the whole situation was a bloodmage trap

o   Zetsu are the bloodmages

o   Tobirama finds Madara’s still bleeding skinned body a few weeks after they tangle – manages to get Madara’s skin and their still-curing egg back from the hunting team

o   Tobirama tries to save their egg and fails – it was taken from Madara too soon

o   Tobirama hunts down the bloodmage and dies in killing them

o   Reborn!Tobirama gives Madara proper aftercare – notes the bloody wound from the unwanted heat inducing potion – and hauls Madara back to his den for proper nesting

·      28th World

o   Magical Knight AU

o   Storm Knight!Tobirama damages Evil General!Madara’s control seal during the battle of the week

o   Tobirama then runs into amnesiac in civilian ID Madara after the fight and goes on a date

o   Tobirama still end up killing Madara when the brainwashing is reapplied – prolonged death scene reveals that Madara was mind-controlled not committing betrayal

o   Reborn!Tobirama puts significantly more effort into ensuring that the control seal is completely removed from “General Indra”

o   Madara helps defeat the Ancient Evil while wearing leather booty shorts

o   Kaguya as Mettalia, Zetsu as the Youma

·      7 Tails Interlude

o   Forget about the indignity of being Tobirama’s go-to baby incubator – Madara is absolutely flipping his shit over the booty shorts

o   Sanzan-han thought they were quite flattering on you, Mada-sama!

·      29th World

o   Blood Magic AU

o   Demon Lord!Madara gets honeytrapped by Blood Mage!Tobirama and stabbed from behind by Hashirama

o   Tobirama turns Madara’s body into a scrying gem to steal his powers and secrets

o   Snooping through Madara’s memories of their courtship lets Tobirama discover that Madara’s “evil plot” was a baby Kagami now cold in his cradle

o   Reborn!Tobirama is doing everything in his power to keep his family from finding out about Madara because the Senju’s whole “thing” is demon hunting and stealing their magic

o   Kaguya as the creepy Ancestor of the Senju clan who started the demon killing habit, Zetsu as the twisted remains of Senju elders who cursed themselves due to magic addiction

·      30th World

o   Phantom Thief AU

o   Kaito!Tobirama has to watch as his dear Detective!Madara gets gunned down by the Black Organization

o   Reborn!Tobirama first tries to send Madara away for his own safety – has a control freak panic attack when he can’t see Madara

o   Tobirama proceeds to go full disclosure overcompensation trying to keep Madara safe

o   Madara is a Sigh and steals all nine bijuu tama while Tobirama is sorting himself out

o   … Tobirama would like to know when his dear Detective learned to pick locks but before that there is a very serious problem that has arisen in Tobirama’s pants that needs to be dealt with because that was the smoothest heist Tobirama has ever borne witness to holy shit

o   Zetsu as the Black Organization looking for the magic gem Kaguya

·      31st World

o   Transformers AU

o   Decepticon!Madara is Sunspot and Autobot!Tobirama is Whitespace

o   The Great War happens – Kaguya-as-Unicron wakes up and eats most of the planet and population

o   “That’s no moon.”

o   Whitespace yeets his spark back in time and attempts to if not stop then at least delay the start of the Great War

o   Reborn!Whitespace ends up pair-bonding with Sunspot to rob the Decepticons of their Air Commander

o   A 3rd faction forms separate from the High Council versus Violent Terrorist Extremists options

·      32nd World

o   Beauty and the Beast meets Hanahaki Tragedy AU

o   Imprisoned Guest!Tobirama heads home for The Visit and stays away too long – not longer than he promised, but Beast!Madara was days away from suffocation

o   Tobirama comes back to a silent castle and finds Madara on his bed surrounded by blood and the flowers that had burst out from under his skin

o   Reborn!Tobirama is determined to break the curse – Madara is just really tired and in pain

o   What kind of fucking sadist curses a kid with roses growing inside their body – Madara was 13 when this shit started and his body knows it

o   True Loves Kiss ensues (and also Itama and Kawarama beat the shit out of Zetsu for cursing their new brother in law)

·      33rd World

o   ABO ElfQuest-ish AU

o   Alpha!Tobirama thinks he was tricked into marriage hunting Omega!Madara as part of a plot against the Senju Kingdom – everyone knows that you can’t trust Dark Elves

o   Tobirama finds out too late that there are evil forces on the loose that only the Uchiha are aware of – that’s why the Dark Elves are called Dark Elves, because they hunt evil in the dark

o   Madara is caught and left mutilated for Tobirama to come across just as he made up his mind to treat his mate better

o   Reborn!Tobirama misses his cue from the original setup – but he still finds Madara hiding in a waterfall cave because fuck no, no more fucking fucking

o   Spoiler: Madara gets fucked good and hard

o   Tobirama and Madara go demon hunting together

o   Zetsu are the Madkin demons created by Kaguya’s twisted flesh-shaping

·      34th World

o   Wonderland AU

o   Evil Dictatorship ruling family Uchiha Clan are actually held captive by their Palace – it’s a seal keeping a demon asleep and powered by the Uchiha who live inside the castle – the Uchiha don’t actually do much ruling, the Council of Elders is where the majority of the corruption is

o   Revolutionary!Tobirama kidnaps Crown Prince of Hearts!Madara during the siege to “free” Wonderland which lets the demon loose so Tobirama is forced to marry Madara and have kids quick due to being responsible for the plan that killed off 99% of the Uchiha

o   Also people born with red eyes get married to the Uchiha in the Kingdom of Hearts – those with red eyes have hearts that cannot be fooled or controlled (meaning they’re able to see through the demon’s tricks)

o   Reborn!Tobirama has just enough time to alter his plan for the attack on the Palace of Hearts – then he walks in on the turncoat guards who gave the Revolution entry to the Palace making comments about sexually assaulting Madara

o   Tobirama bursts in before Madara can break their skulls and “saves” his future husband

o   Most of the Uchiha survive this time – only the Elders get killed

o   Tobirama marries Madara again and gets to work on revamping the bad laws

o   Zetsu is the Jabberwocky

·      35th World

o   Werewolf Fighting Ring AU

o   Alpha Werewolf!Tobirama was unwillingly mated to Alpha Werewolf!Madara when he was caught and held prisoner by slave traffickers

o   Tobirama rejects Madara once they’re free of the arena but makes sure to “payback” Madara for his “humiliation” first

o   Madara had been given heat drugs the entire time and didn’t remember what Tobirama resented him for

o   Madara ends up dying from mate-loss

o   Tobirama is focused on bringing down the slavery ring and doesn’t know Madara died – until Hashirama sends him a letter about how his mate “didn’t make it through the birth” and asking him to get back for the funeral

o   Tobirama finally slows down – reads the file on Madara he has been ignoring since he found it – and breaks

o   Reborn!Tobirama is focused on treating Madara as a proper mate while also getting revenge on the Slavers

o   Madara is going to rip out so many throats out over being pregnant again

o   Zetsu as the warlocks running the slave rings to feed Kaguya power

·      36th World

o   Star Wars AU

o   By-the-Code Jedi!Tobirama tends to bisect all the “darksiders” he runs into – kills Izuna during a mission

o   Madara does full dark-side rage and Empress Kaguya takes over

o   Zetsu as the Darkside clone army

o   Reborn!Tobirama is a lot less saber-happy and has learned that the Uchiha are not dark – more wild/grey

o   Ends up Force Bonded to Madara to bring Balance

·      8 Tails Interlude

o   Madara has a screaming breakdown to the tune of “why fucking Tobirama?!?!?!”

o   Sanzan-han is like “He resented you the most? Duh? No Evil Abolishing Resentment System?”

o   Madara tries his best to fry the stupid gods-be-damned-twice fish

·      37th World

o   Sex Slave Soulmate AU

o   War-Mage!Tobirama uses borderline-forbidden magic to make Kagami – shatters his soulmate link to do so, which is what makes the magic unpopular but not illegal as nobody is actually “harmed” by the spell

o   Note: Kagami is now the living embodiment of the link

o   Kagami finds Courtesan!Madara in a high-end brothel that is a front for nobles to buy magically bound sex-slaves – this is actually super forbidden magic, btw

o   Tobirama saves Madara and the other enslaved thralls while rescuing Kagami

o   Madara had enough magic to fight against the enchantment and managed to get Kagami out of the brothel – that’s how Tobirama knew where to attack

o   No follow through after the rescue – Madara and the others are left under the enslavement seals

o   Madara ends up assaulted/dead/silenced by the nobles who used to patronize the brothel and slave market

o   Reborn!Tobirama moves faster and has already figured out how to break the enslavement curse – gets to the brothel before Madara manages to get Kagami out again

o   Mexican standoff ensues – Tobirama rescues his soulmate and kid

o   Madara gets freed from the curse

o   Courting ensues when their soulmark repairs when they touch after the curse is broken

o   Kaguya as the evil mage who was using the brothels as a power source, Zetsu as her simulacrum servants

·      38th World

o   Mythos AU

o   Dragon!Tobirama is married to Phoenix!Madara and resents it

o   Madara has bad PR and Tobirama listens to rumours so he ignores Madara as much as he can

o   Civil War erupts – Madara hides Kagami when their Palace is attacked and is a distraction

o   Tobirama finds his spouse ritually violated to steal his “fire”

o   Reborn!Tobirama is a much more enthusiastic spouse and realizes that Madara is a fluffy sap

o   Zetsu as the invading horde of magic thieves

·      39th World

o   Angels AU

o   Angel!Tobirama is “tempted” by Fallen!Madara

o   Tobirama kills Madara and kicks off a new War In Heaven

o   Regret hits when Tobirama finds Kagami’s body after Danzo kills him… in an exact mirror of how Tobirama tricked Madara

o   Reborn!Tobirama decides to “prove” that Madara is “evil” before killing him this time to keep the War from happening again

o   Tobirama gets his nose rubbed in Madara’s ability to love his family

o   Zetsu as actual demons who are trying to kill off both Angels and Fallen

·      40th World

o   Fae Marriage Hunt AU

o   Winter Fae!Tobirama was a petty bastard and resisted his betrothal to the point a Marriage Hunt was the only option

o   Skinchanger!Madara wins the Hunt

o   The peace between the High Court and the Wild Hunt collapses after Madara is killed during a diplomatic meeting

o   Reborn!Tobirama decides to play along/use his “marriage” to make the peace permanent

o   Tobirama gets his misconceptions challenged when Madara rides his cooperative “willing” bride into the ground

o   Kaguya as an evil Fairy Queen with Zetsu as her Greymalkin

·      41st World

o   The Mummy AU

o   Archeologist!Tobirama accidently triggers mummy!Madara’s awakening and the crazy demon cultists take advantage

o   Madara lets Tobirama kill him rather than let the cultists sacrifice Tobirama

o   Tobirama gets an info dump on Madara’s trauma

o   Reborn!Tobirama uses the evil cult to resurrect Madara properly and woos the ancient shogun like a boss

o   Kaguya as even more ancient evil Mummy and Zetsu as obsessed cultists

·      42nd World

o   Labyrinth AU

o   Adventurer!Tobirama keeps meeting a mysterious “king” in his dreams – King of the Labyrinth!Madara keeps a veil over his head and his hands covered by extra-long fluttery sleeves

o   Tobirama has to beat the Labyrinth to rescue his little brothers

o   Paranoid Tobirama gets tricked into betraying Madara by goblin Zetsu – the Labyrinth collapses

o   Tobirama’s little brothers are killed along with all the other kidnapped children – the energy from their deaths and the destruction of the Labyrinth is used to fuel the resurrection of a Demon God Kaguya

o   Tobirama dies taking his revenge after learning the full story

o   Reborn!Tobirama is much more willing to “dance” with Madara now that he knows Madara is as much or more a prisoner than the stolen children

o   Madara was used as a lure – his fingers bound in wire and his eyes sewn shut – but they miscalculated because Madara was still the King and wouldn’t let anyone who can’t complete his Labyrinth reach the children

o   Tobirama completes the Labyrinth… after he frees Madara

o   Yay romantic dance sequences

·      43rd World

o   Four Kings AU

o   Byakko!Tobirama gets trapped in a blood-and-wine seal

o   Suzaku!Madara runs afoul of Tobirama’s enemies, kills them all in a rage, and trips into Tobirama’s trap with him

o   Violent coitus ensues

o   Madara breaks the seal once the trap’s power has been exhausted and runs away

o   Tobirama wakes up with a blank memory as a result of the seal

o   Madara lays an egg – Kagami hatches

o   Zetsu as Minions of the God-Eater Kaguya catch Madara while he’s weak and sacrifice him thinking he still contains the combined essence of Byakko and Suzaku

o   Hey but actually Madara’s power was at a low ebb because he spent it all on Kagami so no resurrections for you, stupid doomsday cult

o   Tobirama rescues Kagami – baby bird begs the tiger to save his mama – is too late

o   Reborn!Tobirama gets to watch his past!self deflower the avatar of Suzaku and oh shit that means Kagami is my son? Tobirama is a scream

o   Time to gather the Four Kings and destroy a Demon Cult! Mito is Seiryuu and Hashirama is Genbu.

·      44th World

o   Warprize Ger AU

o   Imperial Prince!Tobirama is given as a consort to Ger Emperor Madara as part of a Senju plot

o   Tobirama is unaware that his attendants are using him to poison Madara but is super pissed at his father for giving him away as a treaty gift

o   Madara dies birthing Kagami but reveals to Tobirama that he was glad to marry him – Kagami is worth it and Tobirama was the only man to ever give Madara flowers

o   Kagami learns that it was a Senju plot that killed his mother and hates Tobirama for his part in it

o   War erupts between the Uchiha Empire and the Senju Kingdom again and destroys both countries

o   Reborn!Tobirama decides to overturn all his father’s plan and dotes on his Imperial Spouse – so manyflowers are given

o   Madara is an amazing Emperor and newly crowned Emperor Hashirama is super thrilled to have such peaceful relations with his neighbour thanks to Tobirama’s beautiful love story

·      45th World

o   Buddy-cop StarTrek Federation AU

o   Senju-With-Tentacles, Psychic!Uchiha-With-Horns

o   PHEREMONE MARKERS~!!

o   Zetsu are the Borg

o   Kagami is a Tube Baby

·      9 Tails Interlude

o   Madara is freaking the fuck out the last set of worlds were uniquely traumatizing – especially the Labyrinth one

·      46th World

o   Loveless AU

o   Sacrifice!Madara has learned to fight on auto – the first Sacrifice to figure out how to do so, and he doesn’t stop fighting even when his Fighter shows up

o   Fighter!Tobirama never wanted a Sacrifice because he didn’t want them to get hurt and he sees Madara acting as a Fighter so he doesn’t believe that Madara is a Sacrifice

o   The name of their Bond is Devotion

o   Madara gets targeted by a swarm of Dr. Kaguya’s fake-bonded Zetsu

o   Tobirama finds Madara’s body in Kaguya’s lab and uncovers the Bond too late to save his Sacrifice

o   Reborn!Tobirama is hyper overprotective and Madara trounces his Fighter’s ass up and down the street until he feels better about living in a reality with a world-wide virginity fetish

·      47th World

o   Witch Madara and Magical Creature Tobirama

o   Tobirama is cursed into a human form

o   Tricked into thinking that he has to kill Madara/a Witch to get the curse broken?

o   It was all a lie

o   Tobirama twisting the curse to go back in time instead of dying

o   Madara is too gods-be-damned-again tired for this nonsense

o    

·      48th World

o   Stargate AU

o   Head Scientist of the Expedition Tobirama

o   Leader of the surviving “Ancients” Madara

·      49th World

o   Welcome to Nightvale AU

o   Tobirama, the Scientist

o   Madara, the Sherriff of the Secret Police

o    

·      50th World

o   BDSM AU

o   Tobirama IDS as a Switch but he’s service oriented non-dynamic instead

o   Madara thinks toys/scenes are silly – demi-romantic/grey-ace Madara rides again

o   Tobirama has cultural dissonance meeting a “Dom” who likes being the one fucked

·      51st World

o   TRON?

·      52nd World

o   Tyrant CEO/Entertainment Circle

·      53rd World

o   From another world AU

o   Tobirama drops into Fantasy Land from a Modern-ish Naruto World

o   Madara as the Villainous Noble who was “jealous” of Tobirama’s magic power

·      54th World

o   Last Unicorn AU

o   Madara is the Kirin

o   Tobirama as a Wizard who likes Science more

·      55th World

o   Dragon Raja AU

·      10 Tails Interlude

o   Sanzan-han reveals why they were helping Madara – and fade to black

·      Return to the Warring Clans Era

o   Canon is About to Be Diverted

o   Madara is back on the battlefield where Izuna died

o   Promptly summons Sanzan-han to stop this fucking bullshit – Sanzan-han has ascended and become a massive dragon so yeah the battle is definitely over now

o   Tobirama appears to be having a migraine – whoops looks like the arrival of Sanzan-han has started the data-dump of all Tobirama’s System-generated memories into canon!Tobirama

o   Peace and Konoha happen

·      Epilogue/Extras

o   Tobirama has Suspicions regarding his shiny new memories – especially because he remembers seeing that fish. Everywhere. All the time. Stupid fish.

o   Everyone is very confused by how fast Tobirama and Madara get over the war and hook up but yay peace? Also Madara and Tobirama somehow make a baby and everyone is too busy trying to figure out how that works to complain anymore.

o    

·      

[new-sandrafilter]

Nerdist - Breaking Down the First DUNE Trailer Shot by Shot

by Amy Ratcliffe

Starting with the Pink Floyd song. The lyrics for “Eclipse” are rather fitting for Dune. But moreover, Alejandro Jodorowsky wanted Pink Floyd to do the music for the adaptation he never finished.

“There’s something happening to me.” Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) stands in a bright light, dust swirling around him. The dust is likely spice, the addictive substance Arrakis is known for producing. He’s in the middle of a spice cloud on Arrakis—at least he is in his dream.

“There’s something awakening in my mind. I can’t control it.” He sees Chani (Zendaya) on Arrakis, illuminated by the sun. Then he sees himself with Chani; they’re both wearing stillsuits. They kiss. This is still part of his dream. A prescient dream, as it turns out.

Paul awakens from the dream in his bed on Caladan, his home planet. Notice that the headboard features fish in motion. It’s a symbol. Caladan is a planet full of water. It’s lush… unlike where he’s about to go.

“There’s a crusade coming.” The young Atreides sees a future of fire and smoke. He stands with what looks like the Lady Jessica (though it could be Chani) at a siege. Someone is attacking Arrakis. Is this part of a dream or is it really happening? Paul can see the future in his dreams, so it’s likely this attack is an event to come. Something that will lead to that dangerous path mentioned above.

Then we’re back on Caladan. Before the Atreides depart their home, the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) questions Paul. She asks the Atreides son about his dreams. She then administers the gom jabbar test to see if Paul is actually human.

After some dramatic shots of storm clouds above Caladan, we get a solid look at personal shields, a.k.a. Holtzman shields, and how combat with the shield works. It’s a personal protective energy field the wearer can easily activate. Here, Paul trains with Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin); they both have their shields activated. When the shield flashes red, it indicates a hit. Though brief, this scene illustrates that the Atreides heir is swift on his feet and capable in a fight. He’s been relentlessly trained by Gurney, a warrior poet, and other teachers to handle himself.

And behold, our first glimpse (in this trailer) of Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac). He’s a powerful figure in the Dune world, and as Leto says goodbye to Caladan, he knows Arrakis will bring change and challenge. Paul points out to the Reverend Mother that his father rules an entire planet. The Reverend Mother notes that Leto is losing it. And that the Duke will lose Arrakis too.

We see the exterior of Castle Caladan, and servants and assistants packing up the interior. All of this—the color palette, the size, the number of possessions—sets up Caladan as a very different place than Arrakis. The Atreides are going from a place of comfort, of home to somewhere entirely unknown and unwelcoming.

As we see the last of Caladan, we cut to Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), a Bene Gesserit, Duke Leto’s concubine, and Paul’s mother. She looks on edge to say the least. For one thing, she’s leaving her home. She has no illusions about what Arrakis will really be like. Jessica is suspicious that House Harkonnen is letting go of the spice rich planet and letting House Atreides come in without consequence. She should be on guard. And as a Bene Gesserit, Jessica is unnerved by the Reverend Mother’s presence and that the elder put Paul through the Gom Jabbar. Lady Jessica’s decisions are at the core of a lot of Dune‘s major events, and though she can’t grasp that know, she certainly knows something is in the air.

Next, the arrival on Arrakis. From the first moment, the blinding light is opposite of the cooler hues on Caladan. Duke Leto Atreides appears in full armor and looks over his shoulder to give Paul a look of concern. Jessica and other women of the household appear to be in a formal dress of some kind. The vastness of Arrakis awaits them. Guild transport ships and troops stand on the sand.

As Paul and Gurney walk into the desert, a very eager Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) greets him. Duncan is another of Paul’s teachers; he’s an expert fighter. He went to Arrakis ahead of the Atreides to attempt forging an alliance with the Fremen. In this moment, we also get a glimpse of Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson). A mentat and master of assassins, Thufir works for House Atreides. He’s been training Paul in the arts of war and strategy. Paul and Gurney are in Atreides dress uniforms, while Duncan is wearing a Fremen stillsuit.

And speaking of the Fremen, this is Stilgar (Javier Bardem), a respected Fremen leader. The Fremen, of course, being the inhabitants of Arrakis’ desert. We get a good look at his blue-within-blue eyes—the Eyes of Ibad—which is caused by the consumption of spice. All Fremen eyes look like this.

“Arrakis is a death trap.” As if to emphasize this warning about Arrakis, we see a huge number of Sardaukar, the Padishah Emperor’s elite military force. That these soldiers are on Arrakis is very bad news. And they are present in huge numbers.

With the introduction of the threat of the Sardaukar, it’s time to meet the primary opposition to House Atreides: House Harkonnen. We first see Glossu Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista), a.k.a. the Beast. He’s Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s oldest nephew and quite sadistic and terrifying.

Speaking of sadistic and terrifying, this is brief look at Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen. The leader of House Harkonnen is no foolish enemy. He’s cunning, manipulative, and excellent at staying one step ahead of his enemy. It’s hard to tell what he’s doing here, but I’m going to go ahead and say it’s evil.

As palm trees burn outside the Arrakeen keep the Atreides now call home, a distressed Lady Jessica appears. Arrakis only means trouble for the Atreides family. Paul notes, “This is an extermination.”

This is our first look at Dr. Wellington Yueh (Chen Chang). The Suk doctor serves as Duke Leto’s personal physician. The black diamond tattoo visible on his forehead denotes Imperial Conditioning, which conditions doctors against taking human life. It basically means nobles can trust any doctor with this tattoo not to assassinate them.

And then Sardaukar drop in. We hear Paul say, “They’re picking my family off one by one.” The young Atreides appears by his father, both in Fremen stillsuits. In the book, they wear stillsuits to go out into the desert to observe spice harvesting so that may be what we’re seeing here (or about to see).

“Let’s fight like demons.” Remember how I mentioned Duncan Idaho being an excellent fighter? Well, he’d better be, because he’s facing a lot of Sardaukar. You can see more shield hits as he launches into action.

In the middle of this growing tension, we flash back to the Reverend Mother giving Paul the gom jabbar test. She explains an animal caught in a trap will gnaw off its own leg to escape. The Bene Gesserit elder wonders what Paul will do. Is she trying to say the Atreides are going to be caught in a trap on Arrakis? And that Paul will have to take action? Hmm…

As the footage shifts back to Arrakis, we see Paul’s first in person meeting with Chani. He’s seen the Fremen women in dreams before, so he’s not startled to recognize her.

The next few sequences illustrate the amount of trouble the Atreides face. Some of it, anyway. Drop ships arriving during what looks like a siege. An ornithopter is in the air. What seems to be a group of Atreides troops take a hit with Gurney Halleck looking blinded and surprised by an explosion.

Baron Harkonnen, bald like his nephew Rabban, rises from oily water. Baldness is apparently a Harkonnen thing in this Dune adaptation.

Then Duncan Idaho and Paul salute each other, and it looks like Paul has a crysknife. This is likely before an important duel (if you’ve read the book you know the one, and if you haven’t, I won’t spoil it).

One of Arrakis’ many perils is the sandworm. The creatures that reside in the desert make traveling on foot and harvesting spice a challenge. Case in point, a sandworm devours a spice harvester whole while Paul and Gurney look on in this scene.

Dr. Yueh from earlier walks alongside Harkonnen troops. That sure seems suspicious.

And then next we get a look at Dr. Liet Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster). Dr. Kynes is the planet’s Imperial ecologist and also a Fremen leader. The character is gender-swapped here.

The pace picks up, signaling the increasing threats the Atreides face. We see Rabban leading Harkonnen troops. The camera pauses on the Beast’s stomach, likely because of the whip he’s wearing. It’s an inkvine whip. In the Dune book lore, the Beast used that whip in a fight with Gurney Halleck and left a scar on the warrior’s cheek.

A bloody hand falling from Duke Leto’s shoulder (likely belonging to the Shadout Mapes, the head housekeeper of the Atreides’ new abode).

Paul, apparently settling right into Fremen life, engages in a duel. He pulls a crysknife on one of the Fremen.

Then Jessica and Paul pilot ornithopter in what looks like a rushed manner. They’re running from something or someone. I mean, there’s plenty to run from on Arrakis so…

Arrakis is such a treasured planet because of the spice that comes from the desert. Here, Paul picks up a handful of sand containing the highly valued substance.

We hear Paul say “Fear is the mind-killer” as Duncan Idaho kneels in front of Paul and says, “My lord Duke.” The words Paul recites are from the Bene Gessert Litany Against Fear, maybe the most quoted passage from Dune.

And as the trailer ends, we get a clearer look at a sandworm. It looms above Paul and Jessica, mouth agape and ready to devour whatever and whoever is in its way. You can see how its mass displaces the desert sand around it. If the fact that a sandworm ate a whole harvesting vehicle wasn’t enough to unnerve you, this certainly should do the trick.

[carewyncromwell]

Ficlet: This’ll Be the Day That I Die [Part 1]

[First] [<<<] [>>>] [Last]

...Okay, this is all @dat-silvers-girl​’s fault. XD She wrote some good!Rakepick fic, and...well, I got inspired!

I really don’t see Rakepick as someone who could conceivably be “good” exactly, but I still wouldn’t put it past Jam City to try to turn her into the game’s Snape where she was “really on the side of good all along” (and we ALL know how well the fandom has accepted that rationale for why Snape’s actually a noble hero *snort*). But yeah, so this ficlet will explore a quasi-sympathetic Rakepick -- a gray interpretation that people could find some pity or sympathy for, but not really a hero. This story is set at the end of year 6, around and in the Sunken Vault. Just like that...other Sunken Vault-centric sixth-year AU ficlet I wrote...heh...

A few things to keep in mind about year 6 for my MC Carewyn Cromwell’s story, since I haven’t fully written all this yet --

Post-Redacted, Ben, Merula, and Carewyn have all started their journeys back from their respective extremes and grown from their bad experiences. Ben has realized that he and his friends aren’t invincible and, although he’s still reckless and determined to protect, he feels the need to atone for his past mistakes. Merula, although still stubborn, angry, and vengeful, has realized that she doesn’t want any more of her friends to die, and so has sort of gotten over the whole “I don’t need you” thing. Carewyn has realized that she can’t take the burden of fighting R squarely on her shoulders and that shutting her friends out makes them less safe, as well as started to open up and rely on her friends more. And the three of them, Charlie, and Bill (the other two people who were present in the Portrait Vault) all have a hand in founding the Circle of Khanna, with the other four all rallying around Carewyn as leader. As shown in Carewyn’s previous gameplays, Carewyn and Rakepick also have a running “foil” dynamic in my storyline, with both having a lot in common in how they behave and attract others to them, and you’d best believe that’s going to be touched on here.

I would also like to credit @missnight0wl​ for developing the concept of both a Fake and Real!Jacob, which I reference briefly in this, even if I sort of took it in a slightly different direction (you can read more about my thoughts on that theory applied to Jacob and Carewyn Cromwell’s storyline here, if you want). You're awesome, hon! <3

Hope you enjoy!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It had been a struggle for Carewyn, Jae, and Tonks to escape R in Knockturn Alley. With help from Jacob, who’d swooped in at the last minute, they’d managed to escape and take the Floo Network back to Hogwarts.

As soon as the two Cromwells, Jae, and Tonks arrived back at school, they rushed out onto the grounds to find the others.

“Carey!”

Bill rushed over, Diego and Chiara at his heels.

The eldest Weasley swooped down on Carewyn (still disguised as Patricia Rakepick) and snatched her up in a relieved hug. Chiara and Diego halted on either side of Bill, both of them hovering around Carewyn too.

“Carewyn, are you hurt?” Chiara asked at once, her gray eyes sweeping over Carewyn and searching for injuries.

“I’m alright,” Carewyn assured her with Rakepick’s voice, squeezing Bill’s back in return. “We’re all alright...”

“Thank goodness!” breathed Diego. His face was unusually pale as he gave Carewyn’s shoulder a light squeeze. “You gave us a scare, sweet General!”

“Your hour was almost up, and you hadn’t gotten back yet,” said Chiara, her voice much quieter than Diego’s, but no less anxious. “We thought you might run out of time...”

As Bill pulled out of the hug at last, he blinked at the sight of his best friend’s red-robed brother, whose blue eyes were narrowed critically on Bill’s face.

“Jacob?” he said in surprise.

“Rakepick ended up crashing the meeting while I was still there,” Carewyn explained. The Polyjuice Potion she’d taken was wearing off, making her slowly shrink as she shed her Rakepick disguise. “R cornered me, but Tonks and Jae came and got me, and we were able to escape. Jacob helped us fend off Rakepick.”

“And that weirdo fake Jacob,” said Tonks with a deep frown. “Who was that guy, Carey?”

“Blaise Cromwell,” Jacob answered for Carewyn, his voice a very cold murmur. “He’s Mum’s younger brother -- prospective heir of the Cromwell clan.”

“Mum’s brother?” said Carewyn, startled. Her voice still sounded like Rakepick’s, but the lines on her face had faded and her bangs were growing back now.

Jacob nodded. “He’s been using Polyjuice Potion for months now, stalking around Hogwarts, pretending to be me. Through Ashe I’d heard something about Pince and Filch having seen me near the library a while back -- I haven’t entered the castle since I was expelled, so I knew something was up. I’d only just figured out what was going on when I found you.”

Carewyn’s eyes widened in realization.

“A while ago, I met someone who looked like you in your old room with Sickleworth, who had a White Quill from R. At the time I’d assumed it was you -- but if that was Mum’s brother...is that why he tried to convince me to join, when R captured me? Because we’re family?”

Jacob nodded again, his blue eyes darkening with a bitter, almost demonic kind of anger. “Old Grandpops Cromwell knew you’d never join R of your own free will -- but they knew you’d do anything to try to help me. Originally they’d thought to blackmail me into their ranks, and then, through me, coax you to join. Once they had both of us trapped, they could also snag Mum. But, well, then I ‘went rogue,’ so they had to get crafty.”

“Then you were with R?” said Jae, raising his eyebrows suspiciously.

Jacob’s eyes fell to the ground in shame. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in his throat.

“...Yes,” he said at last, his voice barely more than a murmur.

Carewyn had finally finished transforming back into herself. With a flick of her wand, she quickly adjusted the sizing of the Rakepick-inspired ensemble Andre had made for her, and took hold of Jacob’s shoulder, squeezing it tightly.

“None of that matters now,” she said very firmly, her gaze moving over the others. “I was able to pinch this, while everyone in R still thought I was Rakepick.”

She held up the greenish coral key. Jacob’s eyes widened at the sight of it.

“The key to the Sunken Vault!”

“It looks just like one I took from Sickleworth last year,” Carewyn assented, as she took out the other key from the inside of her robes with the same hand, holding them both up so the others could see. “They’re a matched set. The one I found unlocks the outside door: this one -- ”

“Unlocks the inside door!” finished Jacob, looking excited and relieved beyond belief. “The one to the chamber that contains the final pillar -- Pip, you’re brilliant!”

Everyone turned to look at Jacob, their eyebrows all furrowed with interest.

“You know what the inside of the Vault looks like?” said Tonks.

“Then you’ve been there before,” surmised Chiara softly.

Jacob’s excitement and relief ebbed from his face, making him look much more grim.

“When I was still at school, trying to unlock the secret of the Vaults, and break the curses...my friends and I reached the Sunken Vault pretty early on,” he explained. “We had reason to believe that it was the real one, with the others all being decoys -- so we thought to bypass the fakes and break any and all curses they could inflict by going straight to the real one. But...”

Jacob’s voice quieted noticeably. His head fell, obscuring his eyes in the shadow of his bangs.

“...we miscalculated.”

Carewyn shifted to rest her shoulder against her brother’s. Jacob gave her a soft, grateful smile.

“The leader said,” Carewyn plowed on, “that the final pillar contains the Vaults’ so-called ‘treasure’ -- and that once we get inside, all we have to do is touch the pillar to open it, just like the others.”

“And once we open the pillar, that should break the Statue Curse,” said Bill, “just like with the other Vaults.”

“One could deduce that, yes,” said Jacob dryly, before turning to Carewyn with much more visible concern in his face. “We’ll have to move fast, Pip – once R discovers their key is missing, they’ll no doubt be right behind us, to try to get it back...”

Carewyn nodded solemnly.

“We don’t have any time to lose,” she agreed. She turned to Bill. “Are the others all assembled?”

“We split into teams around the Lake’s perimeter,” said Bill with a nod. “Ben’s with Tulip, Andre, Fred, and George on the left side, closest to the school – Merula’s with Ismelda, Beatrice, Penny, and Cedric at the back, closest to the Willow – and Charlie’s with Barnaby, Liz, Talbott, and Badeea on the right side, by the Forest.”

“Ben and Merula decided that, once you got back, we would gather together, if anyone shoots up gold sparks – return to the school, if they shoot up red – and prepare to enter the Vault, if they shoot up green,” said Diego, as his lips spread into a roguish smile. “We await your orders, General.”

Biting back an amused smile at Diego’s usual “charmer” air, Carewyn turned to Jae and Tonks, who both looked determined, and then to Chiara, who gave her a soft, encouraging smile. Carewyn then gave Jacob and Bill a small smile before she very purposefully took ten paces toward the Lake.

With a deep breath, she raised her laurel wand in a high arc over her head.

“Verdimillious!”

A green flare shot out of Carewyn’s wand before bursting apart into a dozen little green sparkles that rained through the air.

~*~

“Here, Pip – take a sip of this.”

Still struggling to breathe, Carewyn took the potion bottle Jacob offered her and took a quick swig. She gasped for air as her gills sealed up and oxygen once again flooded her lungs.

“Thanks,” she breathed.

Jacob passed the bottle next to Merula, then to Ben, and Charlie. He let Charlie pass it to Bill.

Charlie clutched his throat as he took a large gulp of air.

“Whew – that’s not pleasant. Maybe we should’ve gone with the Bubble Head Charm, like the others...”

“Aw, but that’d be too easy!” said Jacob with a grin. “Besides, gillyweed gives you flippers as well as gills – you saw how much faster we were able to swim, compared to the others...”

“Jacob’s right,” said Bill as he cleared his throat. “I’m glad Penny thought to collect some from Snape’s storeroom, even just for a few of us.”

Carewyn straightened up, holding her wand aloft, as she looked at where they’d arrived.

Through the free-standing set of doors at the center of the underwater stone garden at the bottom of the lake was the Sunken Vault. It was a massive chamber, one larger than any of the others, with a very high ceiling and walls made of sea-green-tinted glass. It was also filled with countless clusters of stone statues – dozens upon dozens of petrified witches and wizards, frozen in time.

Little by little, the rest of the Circle of Khanna entered in clumps behind their ringleaders. Andre and Carewyn exchanged a look as he came up beside her and looked out over the mass of statues.

“There’s got to be over a hundred of them...” the Style Wizard murmured, half awed and half intimidated by the sight.

“I notice they’re all facing the door,” said Talbott grimly. He indicated the statues and then the double doors behind them with a nod of his head.

“And a lot of them look like they’re running, look,” Badeea pointed out softly, “as if they're trying to escape...”

Ben cast his gaze over the green-tinted glass ceiling, his eyes narrowing critically. “That’s got to mean there’s some sort of trap in here – something that could petrify you if you get too close, or make a wrong move – ”

“Guess I should’ve expected fighting a couple dozen grindylows and a giant monster squid would be the easy part,” said Ismelda sardonically.

“His name is Toby, thank you very much,” said Fred airily.

“Tobias Tentacalino the Third,” added George.

“You named the Giant Squid?” Cedric asked, stuck somewhere between gawking and laughing.

“Well, it would've been rude to keep yelling 'Hey, you ugly brute!' at him, wouldn't it?”

Carewyn looked up at Jacob, ready to ask him what he thought should be their next move, but he’d already walked a good five paces in front of them, stopping in front of one of the statues. His wand arm had gone slack at his side as he studied its face.

Carewyn came up beside her brother to look at the statue too.

It was of a very pretty girl who only looked about a year older than Percy, with the largest, most striking eyes Carewyn had ever seen. Her short hair seemed to flap behind her despite being made of stone and she had her mouth open and a hand out in front of her, as if she was yelling at someone to get back. Most notably, this statue -- unlike the others in the room -- wasn’t wearing robes, but slightly outdated bell-bottoms, jellies, and an open vest over a collared shirt with a Hogwarts tie tied loosely around the neck.

This one was newer than the others – and as Carewyn looked over the statue’s anxiously exclaiming face and then her brother’s miserable, shame-filled expression, her eyes widened.

“Olivia Green,” she breathed.

“Who’s Olivia Green?” asked Merula in rather blunt confusion.

Jacob bowed his head, his lips curling up in an odd, haunted smile.

“The most unassuming, yet soothing presence you could find anywhere in the world,” he said softly. “A talented writer – a stellar guitarist...a free spirit with a laugh like a fairy’s and an appetite like a Puffskein’s...who never felt the need to show off her intelligence, even if she’d likely read even more books than me and she was wiser than witches five times her age. Never the most popular girl at school in a social sense – but admired by just about everyone for her sensibility, her patience...her unapologetic individuality...”

His blue eyes grew a little smaller as he brought a hand up to the statue’s extended, warning hand and placed his open palm against hers.

“...She was...one of the only friends I’ve ever had.”

He managed to keep his voice from cracking, but Carewyn could tell it was a struggle. She immediately reached out and wrapped both of her arms around her brother’s wand arm at his side, squeezing it to show support. Jacob glanced at her, his eyes rippling with pain even as he attempted a weak smile.

“When Ashe, Olivia, and I arrived here, back in our fifth year,” he murmured, his eyes once again drifting to Olivia’s anxious stone face, “we tried to open the interior door without the second key -- Alohomora – Bombarda – I even tried Transfiguring it so there’d be a big enough hole that we could walk through. But all our efforts did...was activate the Petrification Curse in full. The door shot spells in all directions. We tried to duck and cover at first – but once one of the spells grazed Olivia’s wand and turned it to stone, we realized it was too dangerous to stay, and we tried to retreat. We almost made it...but just before Olivia could reach the door...one of the spells hit her square in the back.”

Jacob closed his eyes, his eyebrows knitting tightly over them as if he was trying to block out the memory from his mind’s eye.

“I tried to pick her up, to carry her out, but she was turning to stone too fast. Her feet were already locked to the ground. She pushed me off her and told Ashe and me to go...to save ourselves...”

His fist holding his wand clenched at his side, shaking visibly.

Penny came up on Jacob's other side, looking from him to the statue of Olivia with pity in her eyes.

“So you and Duncan kept going after the other Vaults...because you wanted to break the curse on Olivia,” she whispered. “To save your friend.”

Jacob gave a single, ashamed nod.

“It’s my fault Olivia’s parents have lost their daughter all these years. If I hadn’t suggested opening the Vaults out of order – if I hadn’t suggested mucking around with the door...none of it would’ve happened. I couldn’t not try to make it right. But then of course R tangled Ashe and me up in their web trying to get to the Vaults themselves, and...well, you know what happened after that.”

Carewyn nodded sadly. After that, Duncan had died while working on a dangerous potion for R, presumably to deal with the Cursed Vaults...and, of course, Jacob had been expelled, only to then end up trapped in a portrait and being left in the Portrait Vault for seven years by Rakepick.

'After everything Jacob already went through, for Rakepick to use and betray him like that...'

She felt another stab of resentment toward the ex-Professor.

Ben came up on Carewyn's other side, his brown eyes solemn.

“We'd better get moving.”

Carewyn exhaled through her nose, but nodded, releasing Jacob's arm gently.

“Yes,” she agreed, her tone becoming much more authoritative as she turned back to the others. “We don't have much time – R is going to figure out that their key is missing, and when they do, they'll be heading for Hogwarts looking for us. I don't know if they know we have the other key – but I don't want to wait to find out how long it'll take for them to figure out we've come down here. I'll need some volunteers to stay here at the perimeter, so that they can warn us if anyone's coming.”

“Leave that to us, Carewyn Cromwell,” said Tulip, sharing a broad grin with Tonks. “You know we can give any 'unwanted guests' a proper welcome.”

“Maybe I should stand guard too,” said Liz, “just outside the doors. “That way I can keep an eye on the creatures in the Lake – if they're acting strangely, it'll tell us someone's coming.”

Carewyn nodded to Liz. “That's a good idea.”

“I'll help you keep an eye out, Liz,” Barnaby said with a determined smile. “And if anyone does come, I can help hold them off – with my wand and these!”

He punched his palm with a light clap to make his point. Carewyn gave him a large, proud smile.

“You can always send up red sparks, if there's trouble,” said Charlie. “Then we can come help.”

“Might take a bit of time for you to go help them, if there is,” Jacob pointed out grimly. “This chamber's a good hundred feet long...and these statues are spaced so close together, it's not easy to navigate quickly.”

Carewyn's eyes drifted across the field of stone statues and the doors as she considered this.

“Any thoughts, Badeea?” she asked. Badeea was very good at thinking outside the box.

“Hmm...” murmured Badeea, resting a fist over her lips thoughtfully. “It seems what we need...is a way to communicate with each other and assist each other over a long distance. We'd need something that could be both a telephone and Apparition, simultaneously.”

“But we can't Apparate here,” grumbled Merula. “This Vault isn't like the Portrait Vault – it might be under the Lake, but we're still on school grounds.”

“And Muggle items don't work near Hogwarts,” Andre pointed out, “so I don't reckon a – what was it, 'tell-a-phone?' – would work very well down here, either.”

Beatrice's eyes suddenly lit up excitedly.

“Not a real telephone...but maybe a human one! When we were little – ” she indicated Penny and herself, “ – we used to play a game with the Muggle kids in our neighborhood called 'Telephone!' You sit in a circle and whisper a sentence in someone else's ear, then that person whispers it into the next person's ear, and so on, until you're right back where you started.”

Penny suddenly looked excited too. “So we can make a chain! And if someone's in trouble, then there'll be someone else close enough that they can come and help!”

“Brilliant!” said Bill.

He looked at Carewyn and the two exchanged a broad smile.

“Then that's what we'll do,” said Carewyn. “As we walk along, we'll break off one by one. Space yourselves about ten feet apart. If this room's about a hundred feet long, and there's – ” she did a quick head-count, “ – twenty-two of us...and Barnaby and Liz are outside the double doors, with Tulip and Tonks inside...then that will still leave us with a team of eight, once we reach the inside door. Let's go!”

~*~

After a lot of walking, Carewyn finally reached the Vault. With most of her friends having peeled off to create their chain, the only ones still with her were Jacob, who stayed consistently on his sister's left side; Bill, who stayed consistently on her right; Charlie; Ben; Merula; Penny; and Talbott.

The inside double doors of the Portrait Vault were nearly identical to the outside ones, being a mile high and made of aged, but beautifully sculpted white marble with silvery veins – and just under the braided marble knocker on the right door was another intricately carved keyhole.

Carewyn approached the door, her hand brushing away the cobwebs that had crusted over the keyhole.

'Moment of truth...'

She glanced at Jacob. His blue eyes softened noticeably as he gave her an encouraging nod.

Smiling back, Carewyn reached a hand into her “Fakepick” robes and withdrew the second coral key.

As soon as the key had come within a foot of the keyhole, however, it suddenly started to shake violently in Carewyn's hand.

“Huh!?”

“Carewyn!”

Ben immediately dashed over to her side, his shoulders tensed in visible concern. The door started to vibrate too, humming lowly in response to the key's presence. Then, little by little, a little pinprick of light appeared over the left knocker, cutting into the doors as it started etch glowing silvery-white words into the marble.

Lôcian reccendôm:

Cetus mæðelcwide dêaðian sîn fyrdwerod.

Læccan sîn hêahstrengðu, ongifan êower ferhð.

Hearra wan−hafolnes canne simble ðurhwunian sigelêas fore môdlufu:

âbredwian micellic ge sê milde râd sê time.

Ben glanced from Carewyn up at to the door, his eyebrows knitting together tightly over his eyes.

“What is that?”

“It looks like some kind of warning,” said Talbott, his hawk-like eyes narrowing upon the shining words. “A 'Beware, All Ye Who Enter Here' sort of message.”

Carewyn nodded in agreement. She'd thought the same thing.

“What language is that, though?” asked Penny with a frown. “It looks...like Welsh, or something...”

“It's not Welsh,” said Jacob firmly. “It's Old English.”

“Can you read it?” asked Carewyn.

“I can try – but I admit, my Old English isn't half as good as my Latin. Or my Greek, or my Runes...hell, even my French is probably better, and I only...”

Noticing the faintly critical look on his sister's face, he brushed off the end of his sentence quickly.

“...Right, then. Let's see...”

He took a step forward, rolling up the sleeves of his scarlet dress robes. Once he'd angled his hand over the letters to cast a shadow over them, he found it easier to read the first line.

“...Lôcian reccendôm...lôcian means 'to look'...so that'd be something like 'look at this,' or 'read this' – 'take heed'...”

“'Beware, all ye who enter here,'” Talbott recurred dryly, shooting a smirk over at Carewyn, who couldn't completely bite back an amused grin.

Jacob's frown deepened, dipping into the creases of his face. “The next line, I'm not quite sure. 'Dêaðian' means 'to kill' and 'fyrdwerod' can either mean 'host' or 'army'...but this first word, I have no clue. It's not Old English – if anything, I'd say 'Cetus' sounds more like Latin...”

Carewyn stiffened. She barreled over to her brother's side to better read the inscription.

“Cetus,” she breathed. “Like the constellation! Firenze suggested I study it, after I consulted him about Trelawney's supposed 'prophecy.' In Astronomy terms, the constellation lives in an area of the night sky called 'the Sea' – it's named after a sea monster from Greek mythology, which Perseus slew in order to save the princess Andromeda.”

Jacob suddenly looked very excited. “Perseus! The hero who killed the Medusa, yes! He'd taken Medusa's head after slaying her, allowing him to use her magical gaze to turn his enemies to stone!”

“Just like the Statue Curse!” realized Bill, his mouth spreading into a huge grin too.

“But what does it mean?” asked Merula impatiently. “Is there some ancient monster inside that's going to try to kill us?”

“There could be – there was a Hungarian Horntail in the last Vault,” Charlie pointed out.

“Don't remind me,” groaned Bill.

All of a sudden, the group was interrupted by a strange crackling sound behind them. Carewyn turned, and her breath stilled her throat.

Back in the direction of the doors came a burst of red distress sparks. Then another came right after, knocking into the first set and making a slightly larger firework-like explosion.

“Tulip and Tonks must be in trouble!” said Ben, his voice hard with concern. “We have to go and help them – ”

“No,” said Merula sharply, throwing an arm up in front of Ben to try to physically stop him. “Diego and Ismelda are closest – they'll be able to get to them faster than we can!”

“If they sent up more than one flare, it's got to be urgent!” argued Ben, shoving Merula's arm out of his way. “We can't just do nothing!”

“We're not doing nothing!” Merula snapped back. “The whole reason we set up that human chain...thing...is to make it so there's someone close by to help them, while we deal with the Vault!”

“Merula's right,” said Jacob. “The best way to help them, at least right now, would be to break the curse and get the treasure first. If R has caught up already, then we're nearly out of time to stop them.”

“And if R has caught up already, then I don't intend to stand by and not protect my friends!” snarled Ben, using his height to get right up in the shorter Jacob's face, who looked noticeably irritated at the younger Gryffindor lording over him. “I am not going to let anyone else die!”

“Enough,” Bill reproached them both with a tone of great finality. “This is no time for fighting.” He turned to Carewyn and added a bit more lowly, “What do you want to do, Carey?”

Carewyn looked up at Bill. The eldest Weasley glanced from her to up at the red sparks, visibly concerned. She could tell he, at least, felt for Ben's position.

She pursed her lips solemnly, thinking. It took her a moment to figure out how to articulate her thoughts properly.

“...Merula and Jacob are right: the reason we set up the human chain was to give us time. But if R is here, then we should have some of the Circle's leadership there to meet them – to lead the charge against them.”

“Then you should go, Carey,” said Charlie.

Carewyn looked up at Charlie in surprise. Her fellow Fireball looked more serious than she'd ever seen him as he reached out with both hands and took hold of her shoulders, his brown eyes more blazing than dragon fire.

“You, Ben, and Bill go,” he said firmly. “I'll stay here with Merula and Jacob.”

Carewyn felt as though he was saying,“I'll protect your brother, while you protect mine.” Her blue eyes softened visibly even as her face grew more solemn, and she inclined her head in a single nod, took his hand holding her right shoulder, and gave it a squeeze, as if silently returning the promise.

Jacob looked stricken.

“No,” he said sharply, as he rose to his feet. “I'm coming with you, Pip – ”

“You are not,” said Carewyn very softly.

“Pip – !”

“You need to translate that message!” she shot him down coldly. “You're the only one who can. And as you said, if R's here, we need to open that Vault and break the curse properly before it's too late. We can't afford the door going crazy like it did the last time you were here – we have to do everything the right way this time. No short-cuts.”

Jacob looked incredibly tense, almost terrified. It made his face look so much younger than before – the dark, haunted shadows around his eyes all the more opaque and stark.

Compassion flooding her chest, Carewyn reached out to take a hold of her brother's face in both hands, trying to comfort him.

“Jacob...I know...neither of us is very good at trusting others to help again, just yet...but right now, that's what I need from you – to trust me. ...Please.”

The two Cromwell siblings held eye contact for a long moment, Carewyn's gaze very gentle and Jacob's incredibly turbulent. Then, at long last, Jacob's face spread into a very weak, watery smile and he reached out, grabbing the back of Carewyn's head so he could pull her into a tight, almost suffocating hug.

“You've grown up so much, Carewyn,” he murmured in her ear.

The Slytherin Prefect's face broke into a soft smile as she wrapped her arms around his chest and hugged him back.

“Well, I was able to catch up to you a bit while you were gone,” she teased as lightly as she could.

Jacob gave a tiny, tear-soaked chuckle. He clutched at the back of his sister's head, trailing a hand through her loose red hair; even though his hand was trembling with emotion, his grip was steady.

“If there's anyone I have absolute faith in,” he said, his voice even softer than before as he shut his eyes and tried to fight back his tears, “it's you.”

Once the two Cromwells had broken apart, Carewyn turned to Merula.

“Take this,” she said, handing Merula the coral key. “Open the Vault once it's safe to do so.”

Merula gave her a dry smirk. “Hn! You might be leader, Cromwell, but you don't have to tell me what to do.”

Her pink eyes then grew a bit more serious.

“Just...don't get yourself killed, all right?” she said a little more lowly.

Carewyn nodded reassuringly. “You too.”

A third and fourth set of red sparks shot up into the air on the other side of the chamber.

“It must be serious, if they're sending up even more sparks,” said Carewyn, her eyes narrowing in concern and urgency. “I'll  fly ahead in my Animagus form – ”

“We'll fly ahead,” said Talbott firmly.

Carewyn looked at Talbott, taken aback.

“Seems like there's not much point in keeping secrets when we're in the middle of a life-and-death situation like this,” he said, smiling wryly.

He immediately transformed into an eagle, spreading his wings and doing a quick loop around her head in the air. Carewyn just as quickly transformed into a robin, and the two flew off toward the doors.

Bill glanced at the other members of the Circle of Khanna, dumbstruck.

“...Did any of you know Talbott was an Animagus?”

“Nope,” said Charlie.

Ben and Penny shook their heads.

“I did,” said Merula, smiling a bit guiltily. “But I found out by accident; Cromwell and Winger made me swear not to tell.”

Bill blinked. “...Well, I guess that explains all the bird puns.”

Brushing this revelation off, he charged off back through the field of stone statues toward the front doors, Ben at his heels.

~*~

As she and Talbott flew overhead, Carewyn caught sight of her friends down below passing messages of what was going on back up toward the interior doors. She even caught sight of some of them – Fred, George, and Andre – turning to face Ben and Bill as they ran after her and Talbott, trying to quickly brief them on what was going on without stopping their advance.

Talbott as an eagle, who with his wider wingspan kept overtaking Carewyn, looped back around in his flight pattern so that he was once again next to her. He gave a shrill cry to get her attention – once he'd caught her eye, he indicated something below them with a pointed nod of his head.

When she looked down, Carewyn saw what had delayed the “telephone” call about what was going on in reaching the interior doors before they left – Chiara, who had been positioned between Badeea and Jae near the center of the room, had left her position and was now quickly darting and weaving through the statues back toward the front doors, past the others.

'Someone's hurt,' Carewyn realized immediately. It was the only reason Healing expert Chiara would've abandoned her post – and why she would've looked that scared.

She flapped her wings harder, trying to follow Chiara toward the doors. When she and Talbott arrived, Carewyn felt her breath still in her throat.

Collapsed in front of the double doors were Barnaby, Liz, and Tulip, their motionless bodies splayed limply on the stone floor. Tonks stood in front of the other three, conjuring shields to protect them, as Ismelda and Diego struck out in turns against the red-haired, cloaked woman who had arrived.

It was Patricia Rakepick.

Chiara reached Ismelda and Diego just before Carewyn and Talbott did. After sharing some words with Ismelda, Chiara took a deep breath and then bravely plowed through the fray, trying to reach Tonks. Rakepick, spying Chiara's divided attention, lashed a spell at her, throwing Chiara off of her feet and knocking her backwards to the ground.

'NO!'

Fear pulsed through Carewyn as she and Talbott both dove for the ground. Talbott went straight for Rakepick, swooping down on her with his sharp talons out.

“AUGH!”

Talbott's talons slashed at Rakepick's wand arm, drawing blood. He didn't stay long, though – within seconds, he swooped up, just barely dodging Rakepick's counterattack, as he returned to the air, doubling back to urge on Bill and Ben.

Carewyn transformed back into a human while still mid-air, pointing her wand at the ground.

“Spongify!”

She bounced back down to the ground safely, dashing over to Chiara's side.

“Chiara – are you all right?”

“Carewyn,” breathed Chiara, her face betraying a soft smile at the sight of her for a fleeting moment, before she immediately became more urgent. “I'm fine...but Barnaby isn't – Rakepick shot him with something after he tried to put her in a choke-hold, and he's bleeding badly – ”

“Then we need to get you over to him now,” Carewyn cut her off, her voice hardening in an attempt to hide her anxiety.

Hoisting Chiara back up onto her feet, Carewyn dashed across the floor alongside her. As they ran, Diego and Ismelda lashed out in turns against Rakepick – Rakepick blocked both of their spells with one magical shield before chucking an lightning-like violet spell straight at Ismelda's chest.

“GAH!”

Ismelda crumpled up on the ground, hunching in on herself and clutching at her chest. Diego charged forward, his dark eyes narrowed in righteous fury.

“You vile – !”

The Dueling Champion lobbed several silent hexes at Rakepick, which she blocked one at a time.

“Mastered non-verbal magic, then, Mr. Caplan?” said Rakepick coolly, her lips curled up in a small smirk. “I suppose I should expect nothing less from the 'best duelist at Hogwarts.' I wonder if the same can be said for you, Miss Cromwell?”

Without warning, Rakepick had whirled on Chiara and Carewyn, who had darted behind her, and blasted a black flare at them. Carewyn quickly summoned a silent Shield Charm to block it.

“Chiara, go!” she yelled over her shoulder. “Go help Barnaby! Venio Saggita!”

A hail of red-feathered arrows shot through the air at Rakepick, which the older witch disintegrated with white light from her wand.

“Learned that trick from Jacob, I assume?” said Rakepick.

“Among others,” Carewyn said icily.

“Impressive. Allow me to show you a few of mine – ”

Diego, anticipating Rakepick was going to attack, had wordlessly summoned ropes from his wand, which he sent flying at Rakepick. The ex-professor, however, seemed to have likewise anticipated Diego's move, for she raised her wand, grabbing hold of the ropes in mid-air, and transfigured them into a single, whip-like cord that she then lashed back at Diego. Diego tried to block it, but the magical rope wound around his legs, arms and neck like some inky black snake. It squeezed, making him unable to move – and then within seconds, it flared a horrible, fiery blood-red, and Diego began to scream in agony.

“AUUUUUGGGGGGGHH!”

Carewyn's heart clenched in terror. “Diego!”

“Diego!” cried Tonks and Chiara.

“Venenum Ardere, Miss Cromwell,” said Rakepick, her gaze rather cold upon the writhing Diego. “Otherwise known as the Flaming Venom Curse, or simply the 'Snake's Bite.' An old favorite of Grindelwald's, back in the day, when he wanted to play with his food.”

“You cack-head twat!” swore Tonks furiously. “Petrificus Totalus!”

Rakepick blocked Tonks's attack effortlessly, before raising her wand up to her lips and breathing a stream of blue flame at her. Tonks also tried to block it with a Shield Charm, but the fire wasn't attacking her – instead it latched itself onto the floor, winding around in a tight noose-like shape around Tonks, Chiara, and the wounded Barnaby, Tulip, and Liz.

“Tonks!” screamed Carewyn. “Chiara!”

“Carewyn!” cried Chiara, visibly terrified.

Tonks tried to put the flames out with a stream of water from her wand, but instead of going out, the flames lashed out at them in retaliation.

“Protego Totalum!” cried Chiara.

Golden-white light sprang from the end of her wand and formed a large bubble-like barrier between them and the blueish fire.

“Protego Diabolica,” said Rakepick, her gaze colder than ever upon Tonks. “A Shield that incinerates any enemies of its castor, while leaving their allies unharmed. I'd suggest you stay put, Ms. Tonks.”

“Stupefy!”

Rakepick quickly dived to the right as the red Stunning spell just barely whizzed past her ear.

Bill and Ben had finally arrived, Talbott flying overhead in eagle form. Talbott immediately flew over toward the blue flames – he tried to fly down close enough to reach Tonks, Chiara, Barnaby, Liz, and Tulip, but the flames lunged out at his talons and tail feathers, forcing him to withdraw.

“The only way out of those flames is by going through them, Mr. Winger!” Rakepick called up to the large eagle, almost tauntingly. “Though, as I said – I wouldn't try it unless you knew I didn't consider you an enemy!”

Diego's shoulders shook violently as he struggled against the flaming red bonds in a vain attempt to break them. His struggle only seemed to make the bonds around his limbs and neck tighten and burn hotter – he couldn't hold in the horrible chokes of agony erupting out of his throat.

“I'm impressed you're still standing, Mr. Caplan,” said Rakepick coolly. “But I wouldn't struggle too much. The more you fight, the tighter the bonds get.”

“Help Diego,” Ben told Bill urgently. “I'll handle Rakepick!”

He barreled over to Carewyn's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. Rakepick's eyes flickered at Ben, losing most of their amusement.

“You'll handle me, will you?” she said very lowly. “You mean like you did back in the Forest?”

Ben's brown eyes flared with hatred. “Bombarda!”

Rakepick wordlessly blocked Ben's spell, lashing out her arm at him. Ben and Rakepick once again traded blows, but this time Ben wasn't fighting Rakepick alone. Carewyn attacked Rakepick from the other side, making the ex-professor dodge her spells while simultaneously blocking Ben's.

“You're going to need stronger spells than that, Mr. Copper – Miss Cromwell!” Rakepick called over the blasting and popping of their spells. “I can keep blocking and dodging all day, I'm more than used to it...”

Talbott transformed back into a human in mid-air, leaping down to the ground next to Carewyn too.

“Confringo!”

Rakepick blocked the Ravenclaw's Blasting Curse without looking at him. Her eyes merely flickering over her shoulder in Talbott's direction, she flung out her arm, pointing her wand at one of the rows of stone statues lined up near the door.

“Piertotum Locomotor!”

All of a sudden, a row of six statues lurched to life. One of the tallest, a middle-aged wizard with a short goatee and long flowing robes, seized Talbott around the neck with one hand, hoisting him off the ground as it strangled him. Talbott choked for air, struggling to breathe well enough to cast a counter-spell, but he couldn't take in enough oxygen to properly verbalize any incantation.

“Talbott, hold on!”

Ben dashed forward, raising his wand.

“Red – !”

Before he could finish casting his Reductor Charm, however, Ben's wrist had been seized tightly by the statue of Olivia Green. She twisted it behind his back with an awful snap – Carewyn couldn't hold back a small scream when Ben gasped out in pain.

“BEN!”

“I might think twice before fighting too hard against your new opponents, you two,” said Rakepick, as the remaining statues surrounded Talbott and Ben and grabbed their other limbs to restrain them, “considering they're currently fighting you against their will. I daresay Jacob in particular would be rather unhappy if you damaged Miss Green, Mr. Copper.”

Hatred lashed at Carewyn's insides. “Rakepick, you – !”

Bill abandoned the restrained Diego at last to join Carewyn's side. His handsome, freckled face was contorted with a kind of righteous fury Carewyn had never seen before – like a lion protecting his pride.

“Rakepick!” he snarled. “This ends NOW!”

Standing shoulder to shoulder, Bill and Carewyn attacked with ferocity. Rakepick did have to put in a bit more effort fighting the two of them than she had most of the others. Carewyn had always been a proficient duelist in her own right, and Bill – being the adult member of the Circle of Khanna and having also trained under Rakepick – was a credible threat. Plus, considering how well Bill and Carewyn knew each other's respective dueling styles, they could bounce spells off each other.

“Incendio!”

“Immobulus!”

“DEPULSO!”

Rakepick had been able to block Bill and Carewyn's individual spells, but their combined Banishing Charm was enough to rock her Shield to its core. Carewyn then took advantage of Rakepick's weakened center of balance to point her wand at the ground under her feet.

'Bombarda!' Carewyn thought fiercely.

Rakepick stumbled backward with a cry, landing on the ground – Bill barreled forward.

“STUPEFY!”

Rakepick had to roll out of the way to avoid Bill's spell, but she suddenly found him on top of her. She wouldn't be able to block him with him that close –

“Demitto!” Rakepick bellowed, pointing her wand at Bill's feet.

All of a sudden, Bill felt the ground collapse under him – he was thrown forward, his chest and chin slamming hard into the ground.

“AH!”

Rakepick had conjured a sinkhole in the floor, one that sucked Bill's legs down into the marble like quicksand. Bill quickly tried to raise his wand, but it was no use: the ground had swallowed up his wand arm when it had collided with the stone.

“Hold on!” cried Carewyn, pointing her wand at the floor ensnaring Bill. “Ascendio! Impedimenta! Finite Incanctum!”

But the light of Carewyn's spells was swallowed up by the stone. Bill struggled to yank himself out, but it only served to make the stone pull him down further.

“Sorry, Miss Cromwell, but those spells won't work,” said Rakepick. “No Charm will work.”

Carewyn blocked Rakepick out fiercely. She was lying – just like she always lied –

“Reparifarge! Restituo Maxima!”

Untransfiguration didn't seem to have any effect either. Bill only seemed to sink faster – his chest was now half-submerged in stone.

Her heart slamming against her ribcage, Carewyn desperately ran over to her best friend, seizing his only free arm and pulling with all of her strength.

“Hold on – I'll get you – ”

“Carey, no!” rasped Bill. “Get back – !”

BAM.

Carewyn was slammed into the floor face-first with the force of Rakepick's Blasting Curse.

“Carey!”

“Carewyn!”

“General!”

Carewyn could hear the terrified cries of her friends behind her. She looked up, terror pounding in her chest – Talbott was completely trapped in the hold of the three statues holding him; Ben had been beaten within an inch of his life by the statues trying to restrain him and was now nursing not just a broken arm but several horrible bruises on his face; Diego had finally collapsed to the ground in a heap, his shoulders quaking as he struggled to stay conscious; Ismelda was shuddering uncontrollably in pain on the floor; the noose of blue flames was slowly tightening around the others, making Tonks and Chiara huddle over the injured Barnaby, Liz, and Tulip so they could maintain their own golden-white Shield Charm around them; and Bill was now almost completely submerged, struggling to keep his head above the quicksand-like stone.

“The only way you can save all of them is through stopping me, Miss Cromwell,” Rakepick said, her voice rising. “If you even can.”

Her eyes flashing with rage, Carewyn smacked the air with her wand, hurtling a cutting spell right at Rakepick's face. Just like before, though, Rakepick blocked it. Carewyn silently lashed out again and again – shooting ice and fire and scarlet bursts of light – but nothing she used got through Rakepick's Shield Charm.

“I told you, Miss Cromwell!” cried Rakepick, her voice suddenly much harsher than before. “You'll need a stronger spell to get through my Shields! You know there are a select few spells that a Shield Charm can't block – ”

Carewyn halted in her attacks, her eyes going very wide.

A select few – yes. Carewyn knew what those were – those three Curses, that even a Shield Charm couldn't block...

Her wide blue eyes suddenly grew very dark, flooding with a colder, harsher emotion than she'd ever known before. It felt like poison coursing through her veins.

“NO!”

'Levicorpus! Incendio! AVERTE SACTUM! REDUCTO!'

One by one, her non-verbal spells bounced off Rakepick's Shield Charm. The ex-professor seemed to be getting impatient – her eyes widened with a strange, almost frustrated glint upon Carewyn's face as she raised her own wand.

“Crucio.”

Her Cruciatus Curse hit Carewyn straight on in the chest.

Never before had Carewyn ever experienced such blinding, white-hot pain. It was as though a thousand tiny needles were stabbing her from all directions, into her skin, into her head, into her eyes, into every single nerve in her body. It made her fall back and crumple up in on herself, as if subconsciously trying to shield herself from the pain, but there was no use – no defense –

That scream she heard – it wasn't hers, was it? That terrible, agonizing cry, like that of a dying animal...

Suddenly, all at once, the pain ceased. Carewyn slumped forward, gasping for air. She could feel tears and sweat streaming down her face.

“That is what I will do to every single one of your friends, when they come to aid you, Miss Cromwell!” Rakepick shouted. “I will torture them all, just like I did with Miss Snyde – and then I will kill them, just like I did Miss Khanna!”

The memory of Rowan's empty, lifeless black eyes was a knife in Carewyn's heart: one that almost physically injured her, making her hunch in on herself.

Rakepick stood over Carewyn, her eyes gleaming. But there was no triumph there – it was a fierce emotion, whatever it was, but it didn't seem happy in the slightest.

“If you want you and your friends to live,” she said softly, “you'll have to kill me.”

“No.”

Rakepick was so taken aback by the fierceness of Carewyn's voice that she nearly flinched. “What?”

The Slytherin Prefect was still hunched in on herself with her eyes downcast, and she was careful not to step on her “Fakepick” robes as she precariously stumbled back to her feet. She lifted her head, her blue eyes flaring with pure hatred upon Rakepick's despite the lingering pain trembling through her shoulders, as she raised her wand again.

“I said...” she said very quietly and coldly, “...no.”

Rakepick's expression was oddly stricken for a moment: disbelieving and horrified, and almost...moved. Then her blue eyes narrowed to slits.

“You – !”

As she raised up her wand arm as if to back-hand Carewyn with another curse, however, Rakepick suddenly found her arm engulfed in throbbing black-colored light. Then her arm was twisted painfully behind her, dislocating the limb with a terrible CRACK before it flung her violently to the ground.

Carewyn stared from the badly injured, gasping Rakepick to where the spell had originated.

Jacob Cromwell plowed out of the field of statues. His teeth were bared and lightning-like electric blue sparks crackled dangerously from his raised Aspen wand. His almond-shaped blue eyes were also darker and scarier than Carewyn had ever seen them – they were so devoid of light or humanity, they resembled a demon's.

“Jacob!” gasped Carewyn.

Jacob barreled forward, snatching Rakepick up the ground by her broken wrist and sticking his still crackling wand in her face. Rakepick gave a choked grunt of pain as her gold-tipped wand clattered to the stone floor.

“You want to die so badly, Rakepick?” the elder Cromwell snarled. “For pointing your wand ANYWHERE near Pip, I'll more than oblige that request – ”

“Jacob, NO,” Carewyn cut him off with ferocity.

Jacob looked at his sister, the demonic gleam still clinging to his eyes – but the light flickered back into being upon seeing Carewyn rushing over to Bill. With Rakepick being Disarmed, the cursed rope binding Diego and the circle of blue flames had vanished, the statues holding Talbott and Ben had gone still, and the floor had stopped inhaling Bill and froze back into place – and so Carewyn could now blast apart the stone with relative ease.

“Bombarda! Ascendio!”

She levitated Bill out of the wrecked stone and back down onto the floor. As soon as his feet touched the ground, the eldest Weasley lunged forward and enveloped Carewyn in a big, relieved hug.

“Thank Merlin, Carey!” he breathed, squeezing her for dear life.

“Ismelda!”

“Diego!?”

Merula, Charlie, and Penny led the rest of the Circle of Khanna onto the field, over to their comrades.

“Carey -- Bill, are you okay?” said Charlie, his forehead crinkled with anxiety.

“We’re all right,” Bill reassured him.

Carewyn brought an arm around Charlie’s shoulders and gave him a comforting squeeze. Charlie leaned his head beside hers, smiling in relief.

“Through the ‘tell-a-phone’ we’d made, we heard that Rakepick was the one at the front,” he explained. “Jacob wanted to drop everything immediately, and I reckon Merula did too, but we tried to stay focused on the Vault. Once we got the message that you and Bill were fighting Rakepick alone, though, we decided we had to cut our losses and come help you...”

“I’m glad you did,” said Bill.

Penny rushed over to Ben with a Wiggenweld Potion, while George helped Ben hold his broken arm still so Badeea could properly mend it. Cedric was able to wrap Diego's arm over his shoulders and help him to his feet, but Ismelda seemed unable to stand.

“Ow! No, no – don't help me up, no!” she hissed in pain, still clutching at her chest and fighting back tears of pain as Beatrice tried to support her. “I can't – every time I move, it feels like I'm being stabbed – ”

“The Heart Shard Curse,” said Jacob. His voice had abruptly shifted back to his usual, over-confident, “scholarly” tone. “Makes you feel like there's broken glass in your chest. A Wiggenweld Potion should help with that.”

Penny pulled out another bottle of Wiggenweld Potion from the inside of her robes and coaxed Ismelda into taking a sip.

“I'm fine, Cedric,” Diego grumbled stubbornly, as he tried to support himself on his own. “Chiara – the others, are they – ?”

“We're fine, Diego Caplan.”

Tulip straightened up, holding her forehead as if she'd been clubbed over the back of the head. Liz shook her head lightly too and adjusted her glasses so she could look everyone over.

“Tulip,” breathed Carewyn. “Liz, thank goodness...”

“They were just Stunned,” said Chiara gently. “And Barnaby's doing better already, aren't you, Barnaby?”

“Ow,” mumbled Barnaby, but he gave Carewyn a smile too. “Yeah – I'm all right, Carewyn...you don't need to be afraid anymore. At least – not about me, anyway – this place is still really creepy and all.”

Carewyn's eyes softened slightly. Merula came up beside Carewyn and Bill, her pink eyes boring into Rakepick still in Jacob's grip.

“So it was you,” she sneered. “Not so tough now, are you, Rakepick? Now we can finally make you pay, for what you did to Khanna – to all of us – ”

“I told Jacob no, Merula, and the same goes for you,” said Carewyn very harshly, her eyebrows knitting together impatiently as she shut her eyes. “I don't want Rakepick to die.”

Merula whirled on Carewyn, completely flabbergasted.

“Cromwell, she killed Khanna! She just finished torturing you! She was about ready to kill all of us – she even said she planned on killing all of us! If your brother hadn't shown up – ”

“But he did,” said Carewyn firmly. “And he overpowered her. And now – Incarcerous – ”

She bound Rakepick's limbs very tightly with a set of black ropes from her wand. Rakepick struggled slightly, her face very white as she stared down at her bindings.

“ – when we're finished with the Vaults, we can turn her over to the Aurors, and she can go to Azkaban for the rest of her life.”

“Maybe you're satisfied with that, Cromwell, but I'm not!”

Merula shoved herself right up into Carewyn's personal space, her pink eyes flaring with anger.

“Rakepick betrayed us – all of us, back in the Portrait Vault! She stole seven years of your brother's life – of your life – and she has made everyone at Hogwarts less safe! You aren't the only person with an opinion that matters here! Rakepick deserves to die!”

“She does,” Carewyn said quietly.

“Then why are you protecting her!?”

Carewyn glanced from Merula to down at Rakepick. The ex-professor was still not looking at any of them – her eyes were locked on the floor, while barely seeing it – but her lips were pursed and she'd gone very still. She was listening intently to the conversation.

Carewyn was silent for a long moment, contemplating how best to articulate what she was feeling. Then she took a deep breath.

“...Rakepick...is not someone whose opinion should be listened to...but for everything she's said that wasn't true, she was right about one thing.”

She swallowed.

“...She and I...are very similar.”

Jacob roughly seized Carewyn's shoulder. “Pip, you're nothing like – ”

“Jacob, please,” Carewyn cut him off with a forceful attempt at calm.

Her eyes drifted away, landing absently on the open air over Rakepick's head.

“You said it yourself, Merula – for someone who hated her so much...I did sound a lot like her. I did think a lot like her. At the time I pushed it away, not wanting to think about it – but it's true. We're both people who...gather others around us...who put on this caring mask, and encourage and inspire others...while never truly trusting them with the truth of who we are...or what we think. We both have done anything we had to, in order to get at the Vaults. We both have manipulated the people who relied on us and led them into danger for our own benefit. ...We both...are liars, through and through.”

Her eyes flickered to Bill, who likewise had opened his mouth to argue, but the words stilled in his throat when she shook her head.

“But for all the things we have in common...I have no intention of following her path. I told her once that I didn't need to use the Cruciatus Curse, or any other Unforgivable Curse, in order to save Jacob, and I meant it. I will not let her prove me wrong in that. I will not treat her life as disposable, the way she did Rowan's. And I will not give her the satisfaction of escaping the consequences of her actions – not even by dying.”

Carewyn's eyes flashed with steely determination.

“I want her to live a very long, lonely life – locked up where she can never hurt anyone again, with only her own failure as company. Just as I want Rowan to always be remembered...I want her to be completely forgotten...for no one to speak her name, with hatred or admiration. At least in Azkaban, her life can be a reminder. A reminder...that there is no glory for people like Patricia Rakepick.”

There was an echoing silence. Carewyn was aware of Rakepick breathing rather heavily, but she didn't look at her. Instead she looked at Merula out the side of her eye.

Her old rival's eyes were downcast as she took in what Carewyn had said. After a long moment, she exhaled through her nose quietly.

“...You really think anyone could forget what she did?”

Carewyn's eyes softened. “Maybe not right away. But hopefully someday.”

Merula looked up at Carewyn, her pink eyes boring into her face. “I won't forget. I won't forgive.”

“I understand,” said Carewyn softly. Her eyes drifted down to Merula's right shoulder. “...I just don't want you to throw everything away – all the growth you've gone through, all the potential you have...everything you've become, and the brilliant future you're owed, because of that.”

Although Carewyn wasn't looking her in the face anymore, she could see a shift in Merula's expression out the side of her eye. She felt an arm loop over her shoulders – Carewyn looked up to see Jacob resting his head against hers, his solemn frown buried in her hair as he closed his eyes.

“Pip is right,” Jacob said lowly. “As much as I don't think Rakepick deserves to live...hell, as much as I would still love to rip her limb from limb, slowly and painfully...”

He opened his eyes and looked down at his younger sister with a sad smile.

“...A future...a real future...is something worth sacrificing for.”

Bill nodded, smiling a little more fully. “It's something worth fighting for.”

“Something worth working for,” said Penny earnestly.

“Something worth living for,” said Ben at last. He glanced at Carewyn, offering her a supportive smile. 

At long, long last, Merula gave in. She inclined her head in a single, halfhearted nod.

“All right, Cromwell,” she said lowly. “We'll turn her over to the Aurors.”

Her lips spread into a much cockier smile. “Now let's go break that Statue Curse, shall we?”

The other members of the Circle of Khanna shared smiles.

Rakepick, however, reacted in a way no one expected.

“NO!”

In an instant, she'd thrown herself against the black ropes binding her, trying to hurl herself to her feet.

“Carey – !”

“Watch out – ”

Bill, Charlie, Merula, and Ben all moved forward, prepared to restrain her, but Rakepick managed to get right up in Carewyn's face. She was whiter and filled with a kind of visible panic that no one had ever seen on her face before.

“Miss Cromwell, listen to me – you must not break the curse!”

[To be continued...]