#some sewer goblins

[volturialice]

Since you post about The Locked Tomb too...You know the rant Mercymorn goes on about how much she wants to put John in acid? Which Volturi guard member would do that about Aro?

oh definitely, DEFINITELY renata!! good one anon

for anyone wondering, the rant anon is talking about goes:

“I hate you all,” said Mercymorn passionately. “I have hated you for millennia … except you, my lord.” “Thanks,” said God. “I merely want to put you in a jail,” said his Lyctor, now meditative, “and fill up the jail with acid once for every time you made a frivolous remark, or ate peanuts in a Cohort Admiralty meeting, or said, ‘What would I know, I’m only God.’ Then at the end of a thousand years, you would say, ‘Mercy, I have learned not to do any of these things, because I hated the acid you put on me.’ And I would say, ‘That is why I did it, Lord. I did it for you, and for your empire.’ I often think about this,” she finished.”

(and if you were looking for a sign to read the locked tomb books here it is)

[eddiescouch]

Reddit has improved over the years in a lot of ways. Fat phobia is not one of them. Posting one (1) article saying maybe it's not a disease to be fat??? and it is the rain that calls all the worms from hell up to writhe.

[lirotation]

"Future" of the "past/present/future" set...yes...still struggling with the "past" one.

This can be THE HC for my CP.

Just some musing after the cut.

Castle by the sea

Mortal Astarion X F!Tav

There stood a castle perched atop a seaside cliff, its imposing walls shrouded in mystery, for none knew who resided within its walls for years on end. Until one fateful day, when a band of merchants, hotly pursued by a bloodthirsty pack of orcs, found themselves with no recourse but to pound upon the castle's iron-clad door, begging for sanctuary.

Oh, how the bards still sing of that day! A vision emerged from the castle's depths - a beautiful couple, the lady's smile warm as the sun, while her lord was a whirlwind of violence, effortlessly slaying each orc until the last lay dead at his feet. The merchants scarce had time to blink before he returned, drenched in the crimson tide of his foes.

From that day forth, it became known that a well-spun tale could earn a traveler a hot meal and protection from the castle. Come the following spring, a humble inn arose nearby, and people staying there could spot the lord and lady strolling hand-in-hand along the coast, their laughter carried aloft on the sea breeze.

Five years later, that solitary inn had blossomed into a village.

A decade more, and the village had grown large, its streets bustling with life. Until one cruel winter when a ravenous band of goblins descended, intent on raiding the peaceful hamlet. But the dreaded couple painted the streets crimson with goblin blood. In gratitude, the villagers swore fealty. They offered an annual tribute and was accepted by the benevolent lady as tax. The funding was used to build a school and extensive sewer system by the lady, while her lord marked the law. His iron hand dealt justice, his judgments always stern, yet fair.

And so the village became a town.

Fifty years on, the first college and grand libraries were constructed, a port arose - all from the bounty of the beloved couple's governance.

And so the town became a city.

One hundred summers had come and gone when citizens would occasionally spy the couple amid the market crowds, the lord whispering some quip that sent his lady into peals of unrestrained, un-ladylike laughter.

Yet, a seed of disquiet took root - for while their elven lord remained ever virile, their human lady now bore the creases of age upon her face. Murmurs arose, questioning why the pair had not produced an heir. Scandalous rumors spread like wildfire - that she was barren, unfit to give him a child. Ambitious maidens of every race saw their chance and shamelessly propositioned the lord. It was even whispered that the lady herself had begged her lord to slay these brazen girls. Until at last, an assassination attempt was made upon the lady, some seeing it as a chance to help their lord shed his "unwanted baggage."

The lord arrived on time, and the look he gave the crowd chilled them to the bone.

Then, upon the next dawn, citizens looked up to see that the castle by the sea, was by the sea no longer.

_________

Yeah, still the timeline where she traded her fertility for a cure for him. Career is more important! They founded a city together =D

[spacebarbarianweird]

Hey! This is a little silly but I have a request. One of my mutuals had her birthday a few days ago, but I had no time to prepare anything for her (the little shit literally told me just YESTERDAY, yeah, still mad at that one). Since your work is amazing, may I request a oneshot/headcanons (whichever you want) based on her post? (https://www.tumblr.com/lumar014ad/736193443690430464/imagine-that-youre-a-druidwizardwarlock-with-a)

Sorry if it's too personal, I just want to do something nice for her and this is the only thing I can think of. Thanks for hearing me out anyways :)

Hi! Thank you for your request! I usually do requests in the order I get them but since it's a special occasion I be like (quote) "How could I say no?"

Masterlist

Headcanons

Astarion x Tav!Cat Owner

As long as you can remember, you've loved cats.

Some may say, they are lazy assholes no one would want to have, but you disagree.

Cats are independent. They require unconditional love. If a cat loves you, it means a lot.

Unfortunately, the life of an adventurer isn't good for cat. A dog? Maybe, but cats need a stable home.

But cats choose their owners, not the other way around.

A tiny kitten, only three weeks old, yells desperately in the sewers. The second the findling is put on the ground, he climbs you and purrs.

"Well, I suppose, now you are mine."

Black and fluffy, but fierce. You call the little guy "Wyvern". Wyv, for short.

But the moment you put Wyv inside your travel jacket, you are kidnapped by the Mindflayers.

Shocked and scared, you make sure they don't notice the kitten, hiding him under your shirt.

You search your way to freedom. The kitten stays quiet all the time.

But hissing violently when he senses the danger ahead.

He somehow survives the fall with you but he looks at you with this face "wtf, I just wanted to be safe."

But Wyv, surprisingly, likes living on the road with you. He sits in your jacket or on your shoulder causing loud "awwwws" from strangers.

"This is Wyvern! I found him in the sewers!"

"Did you toss a coin to choose this name for a cat?" Astarion isn't impressed but even he admits the cat has a temper of a dragon.

As for Astarion, he loves cats. But animals fear the Undead. Especially cats since they can smell the reek of death.

But to his own surprise, Wyvern doesn't mind Astarion's company.

More than that, he constantly tries to sit on the vampire's shoulder or just yells until Astarion takes him in his cold hands.

"Please, Tav, take your animal back. He screams like a drunk goblin"

"Because he is hungry", you shrug. "Oh come on! Do me a favor - I feed you every night, you can manage to feed my cat!"

For some unknown reason, Wyv wants Astarion's attention - and even sleeps in his tent.

One evening, you notice Astarion meditating while the cat is purring loudly on his chest. Astarion's face is peaceful and you know this night won't bring him nightmares.

You see it as a sign. You were hesitant to suggest sharing the tent together but since Wyvern has already moved there why not follow his example?

And you can't stop thinking about that Astarion and Wyvern have very much in common.

[flagbridge]

Lego Phantom of the Opera menorah.

Hanukkah isn’t for a few months but I couldn’t wait any longer to reveal this. I’ve made custom Lego mini figures of ALL NINE principal characters from POTO, with of course our main sewer goblin as the Shamash (mask by @differenceenginegirl).

For some (Phantom, Christine, Raoul, and Carlotta), I even have multiple costumes.

COMMISSIONS ARE OPEN! Please DM me or visit my etsy store:

[darkelfguy]

In the autumn of 2002, Morrowind's first expansion, Tribunal, was released to the public, introducing a new city, the capital of Mournhold to Morrowind's game-world. But under than thin veneer, Tribunal was at heart a massive dungeon mod, with a labyrinth of interconnected dungeons, from sewers to crypts, Daedric shrines, Dwemer halls, and more.

That old-school dungeon delving design was somewhat passable in 2002, but under the harsh light of the modern day, Tribunal's dungeons are an exhausting experience, lacking detail and distinction.

Today's Mod of the Day aims to modernize those old Tribunal dungeons, for today we're showcasing the massively sprawling dungeon overhaul mod The UnderCity by Lord Zarcon.

Covering over 40 of Tribunal's vanilla dungeon interiors, The UnderCity is the largest overhaul for Tribunal's dungeons to date, vastly reworking and rebuilding huge swathes of the sewers and ruins beneath Mournhold.

No longer bland and anonymous caverns, you'll now discover epic vistas on your journeys through the UnderCity, massive ruinous halls, verticality-inducing chambers, forbidden and forgotten shrines, fortified goblin outposts, and much, much more.

Not only does the UnderCity overhaul the dark depths beneath Mournhold, but it also expands it, with some dozen new interiors for you to delve through, promising new encounters and new treasures for you to discover!

This is by far and away the largest dungeon mod of the 2024 Morrowind Modathon Modding Competition, and it is a beautiful and atmospheric makeover of a long neglected part of the vanilla game.

To say the least, if you're planning to play through the Tribunal expansion, it is an absolute must-have!

[shaniacsboogara]

Hey Watcherinas!!! Do you enjoy watching Watcher content??? Do you enjoy posting and chatting about Watcher content online??? Would you be interested in rewatching an underrated Watcher show TOGETHER and posting about it as we go??? Then hoo boy, do I have the idea for you. Introducing...

SDNDND SUNDAYS

Every Sunday (starting Sunday, May 21st) we'll watch an episode of my personal favourite underrated Watcher series, 'Social Distancing and Dungeons and Dragons' and make some silly little posts and memes about the ep!

Why should we watch SDNDND?

Whether you're into DnD or not, SDNDND is an awesome, silly little series where Shane's storytelling really shines. As the Dungeon Master, Shane gets to guide the players (Ryan, Steven, and Katie) through a mystical fantasy world, and play a plethora of enigmatic characters who encounter the heroes along their journey. The party consists of Stephanos CoffeeBean (Steven Lim), a halfling cleric with a tragic past, a banging bod, and a heart of gold, Quezza (Katie Leblanc), a half-orc fighter with a super cool scar who's a total badass, and Steve (Ryan Bergara), a half-elf bard and little bastard (/pos). Throughout the series, the cast all grows into their characters, generating some genuinely emotional acting moments and hilarious shenanigans. If you enjoy the humour and storytelling of Puppet History, you might just love SDNDND.

Schedule

We're hoping to watch an episode of the show every Sunday. Each episode is roughly 25-35 minutes in length. The proposed schedule is as follows:

Sunday, May 21: EP 1: Social Distancing D&D • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, May 28: EP 2: How to Kill a Troll • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, June 4: EP 3: Ryan Serenades a Gnome • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, June 11: EP 4: Bergara Guitara Bird Battle • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, June 18: EP 5: Descent Into the Sewers • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, June 25: EP 6: Ryan Goes on a Murderous Rampage • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, July 2: EP 7: Deathbed Confessions • The Quarantine Games

Sunday, July 9: EP 8: Season Finale: Revenge of the Goblins • The Quarantine Games

If you're too busy to watch an episode on a scheduled day, it's no problem!!! Feel free to watch the episodes at your own times throughout the week as well, whatever works best for you!!! I personally will be posting some silly memes and things about each episode as we go, and would love for you all to join in (Almost treating it like a new Watcher release lol). This show is one of my favourites, and I really hope this can help some more people find it and get people talking about it again!!! Whether you play DnD or not, I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy this series!!! See you Sunday!!!

[oscarsasylum]

(breaks chains) I CAN BE AUTISTIC ABOUT TAKARAZUKA PHANTOM

@partymeow since it’s going to be undoubtedly long I had to make a post instead of a reply so here it is! im gunna start talking about erik on each one because hes special like that.

its gunna be a bit long:( guess how many times ive said the word love in this thread

Bonus sketch for how I differentiate each adaptation via my style :3

Takarazuka Phantom 2004

Wao Youka’s Erik is, to me, remarkably one of the more serious ones compared to the rest of the takarazuka adaptations of phantom. He reminds me a lot of the 1990 phantom film with Charles Dance! How both of them appear so serious but has probably laid out billions of traps around the opera to prank people and can be quite witty. Wao Youka’s Erik is my favorite just because I’m a sucker for that dynamic wherein person A is cold towards everything else except for when it comes to everything about person B. He looks like he’d buy (or steal) a ton of what Christine just off-handedly mentioned she wanted to get once. I absolutely love how there’s a lot of moments wherein Erik just looks lovingly and proudly at Christine and that’s why 2004 has such a special place in my heart.

Out of bias I think that the best Erik and Christine chemistry still goes to 2004. There’s something about the way Hanafusa Mari and Wao Youka acted out on stage that just sits so perfectly with me. Before the climax, the way they’ve interacted on stage just made it seem as though Erik and Christine actually had some mutual feelings towards each other.

While probably unintentional there were several times wherein the characters actually shed a few tears on some really important scenes and I thought that made the performances all the more immersive because you can actually see the deep emotion that they’re feeling on that moment.. like Christine during My True Love :3

Also! For me, it also has the best Alain Cholet! Suzuka Teru gave him so much life, he’s so full of expression and just overall funny.

Takarazuka Phantom 2006

My second favorite Takarazuka Erik is one acted out by Haruno Sumire. To me, her portrayal of Erik makes him twice as angry as Wao Youka’s Erik. I saw him as a ticking bomb, a loser sewer goblin with anger issues. I absolutely LOVED when he shouted at Gerard to leave his lair in anger, because instead of him demanding him in a firm tone to leave, he quite literally SHOUTS at him and that was just (chefs kiss). Instead of full on appearing like a sopping wet dog after his owner left, he just stands there like a pouting little child and that was just hilarious to me. She’s got a bit of that ALW Erik in her.

I decided to put it here since she played both in 2004 and 2006, but I absolutely adore Izumo Aya as Carlotta! When I first watched the 2006 adaptation I didn’t expect to see her there (since it’s a different troupe) but I’ve always loved how she acted out Carlotta with the perfect amount of snarkiness and comedy so its a pleasant surprise!

Takarazuka Phantom 2011

The most hilarious transition from the angriest Erik to the youngest looking and emotional Erik. Ranju Tomu’s Erik looks like the direct descendant of Wao Youka’s Erik but instead of being serious and cold he is just up there on the sog factor. I absolutely love the carmen sabotage in 2011 because it really set the standard to make that moment as chaotic and silly as humanly possible and I’m so in for it; like Erik literally came out of the FLOOR. Ranju Tomu has such a fantastic voice too, not to say every actress who played Erik didn’t (they’re all so amazing), but I felt it to my core whenever she sings. 

His entire character plus the more stoic and cold Gerard of Sou Kazuho makes for such an interesting dynamic. I’ve never seen an adaptation portray him so serious, and I mean that positively:3

Takarazuka Phantom 2018

THE soggiest Erik out of all the takarazuka adaptations. Nozomi Fuuto’s Erik is by far the funniest and most pathetic one yet because of how emotional he is. Everytime something happens to him he just looks like the last panel from that ‘is that your fursona? thats cringe’ meme format. I just absolutely LOVE how miserable he is whenever he’s on stage. He’s always on the verge of crying and that just makes him all the more loveable. The mommy issues on this one is CRAZY! The way Nozomi Fuuto put so much expression into Erik is so cool, it was so clear what emotions he was going through.. even the really complicated ones like confusion and conflict (and most importantly, smitten).

Absolutely love Maaya Kiho as Christine! I just thought that the way she played her was so cute! She was so pretty and she really rocked that feeling that Christine really was just an honest and kind gal with no bad intentions whatsoever.

There’s also the beautiful improvements in costumes and stage effects and it was such a treat to see. Absolutely loved the special rendered intro of the show.

But that’s the end of my little autistic rambling! Thank you for asking, it was such a pleasure! I really can’t rate which is the best because each of the takarazuka adaptations are special in their own way. each adaptation is like the same size of cake on the table for me and im wearing a little bib and holding up my fork and knife

[critter-genfic-events]

Canon Divergent AU Recs!

This week, we have canon divergent AU recs! A dozen different what-ifs to explore below the cut - and as ever, if you like them, remember to comment or kudos!

Catch A Falling Star by Rainydaydecaf (32921,Mature) Warnings: Feeblemind Pairings: Beauregard Lionett/Yasha Nydoorin, Essek Thelyss & The Mighty Nein

The Nein find a feebleminded Essek down in the sewers along with the beacon.

Reccer says: It's got a great spotlight on each of the Mighty Nein as they interact with the feebleminded drow - from Fjord babysitting him and Kiri to Beau giving him a haircut - and feels true to the characters and the world

pressure cracks by BananasofThorns (10271,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Fjord & Caleb Widogast

Fjord is a student at Solstryce Academy. Professor Ermendrud requests a private meeting with him.

Reccer says: It's got echoes of Fjord and Caleb's dynamic in the pirate arc, combined with scourger Bren

The Star and the Wildflower by devil_seabird_king (ShaaKi) (8173,Teen) Warnings: suicidal thoughts Pairings: Caduceus Clay & Essek Thelyss

A young Essek is becomes friends with a young Caduceus Clay

Reccer says: This is a combination that doesn't get enough love, so it's fun to imagine what they'd be like as childhood friends

A Whisper On My Shoulder by EssayofThoughts (251169,Mature) Warnings: Major Character Death Pairings: none

Percy's not the only member of his family to survive the Briarwoods' attack. He's just the only one to do so alive.

Reccer says: A true epic that imagines Cassandra as a ghost by Percy's side throughout the initial parts of Vox Machina's journey. Amazingly well thought out

some ever after no one could predict by QueenWithABeeThrone (15343,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Leofric/Una Ermendrud

Over thirty years ago, Una Ermendrud went into the Feywild and met a satyr named Garmelie. thirty years later, Caleb reunites with his godfather.

Reccer says: I love how practical Una is in this, and how that practicality cuts through the feywild magic.

both my broken hands are true by quothhh (1805,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Veth Brenatto & Caleb Widogast

In a world where Yeza was taken by the goblins instead of Veth, Caleb and Veth manage to meet anyway.

Reccer says: It's got some killer lines and also a great example of the Caleb and Veth friendship

watch my back, and keep the blade by jadeandquartz (3553,Mature) Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death Pairings: Orym & Imogen Temult

Laudna permanently dies. Imogen and Orym head after Otahan for revenge

Reccer says: An amazing bit of angst

You Think You Can Rid Yourself Of Me So Easily? by sparklegem (3724,Mature) Warnings: Hurt no Comfort Pairings: none

Percy's cursed weapon is not as easy to get rid of as they think.

Reccer says: I liked it

to know that this war was winless by quanshi (burningdarkfire) (834,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: Beauregard Lionett & Caleb Widogast

Beauregard meets Bren for lunch

Reccer says: I love scourger Bren vs. Beauregard fics, and this is a lovely little taste

The Fool and the Soldier by mare_astrorum (200,000+,Mature) Warnings: None Pairings:

Mollymauk Tealeaf survived the Mighty Nein's encounter with the Iron Shepherds on Glory Run Road, but a short time later, a spirit began hunting him, claiming that he stole his body.

Reccer says: One of the most insane things Matt dropped during the wrap-up was where the campaign might have gone had Molly survived. This is such a wonderful exploration of the concept of the Tombtakers as reoccurring enemies and Molly still with the party that is wonderfully IC, extremely detailed, and a lot of fun. It's going to be a long one and it's ongoing, so buckle in.

Magic Jar by Anonymous (3211,Teen) Warnings: none Pairings: none

The mighty nine, if Caleb was a soul in a magic jar

Reccer says: It's a fascinating premise and an amazing thing to think about

you'll let it go by pigflight (1590,Teen) Warnings: major character death Pairings: Delilah Briarwood & Laudna

What if Delilah convinced Laudna to take the shard?

Reccer says: wonderfully angsty and delicious

If you liked this rec list, follow along for more! We'll be posting a new list with a new theme each Monday. Want to make your own recs? Check out use this form to submit!

Next week, we're featuring your featuring explorations of grief, in all forms. It'll also be a day late, as next Monday is Christmas.

After that, we'll Pike Trickfoot, mysteries, and then monsters.

If you're looking for some more, check out some fics written in the critter genfic bingo tag, or the older rec lists! Or you can request your own card and join in on the fun!

[maddys-nerd-blog]

HOWDY!! I’m back with my nonsense 🤣

In the middle of me working on the short story and getting it all finished, I had this whumptober one shot all done to share in the meantime!!

It’s a sequel of sorts to my previous whumptober short featuring my OC Lilium and ‘03 Donatello!! This one takes place during the episode ‘Space Invaders Part 3’, hence why some of the dialogue is true to the episode itself!

I hope you guys like this!! 😊

Electric

A TMNT 2003 One Shot

Whumptober Prompt: Electrocution

Never in a million years did Lilium believe she would find herself caught in the middle of a storm this dangerous. When she was a kid she’d read stories about Robin Hood, Hercules, Rapunzel; heroes who more often than not found creative and clever methods to escape the sticky situations they found themselves in. Fairy tales were her main method of escape from the madness in her life— a way to delve into the worlds of fantasy creatures, elves, hobbits, goblins and imps on quests to save the world. To make believe her life could be as fantastical, had it not been for the burden of a curse she didn’t understand.

Sometimes she wished she didn’t have her voice. Sometimes she wanted to give her power to someone who craved the glimmer and glam of fame, someone who could use it better than her. It was torture.

Donnie would constantly assure her that her powers were in good hands. “Better you than some guy who’d use it to take over the music industry. Or the world, given our line of work,” he jested in order to lift her mood one night, over a game of checkers. She thought he was right at the time.

But the storm came eventually. It always did.

And it came in the form of walking, talking dinosaur aliens rampaging the city, rounding up citizens and attacking anyone who stood in their way. They didn’t spare the lives of those unfortunate enough to get caught in the crossfire. Momma and Auntie had gone to help those in need, leaving Lilium in the care of her companions.

Which led to Donnie getting captured, and Lilium being taken along as a hostage.

The storm was never far behind her heels… and she wished it would just end her suffering.

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

Ten Years Ago…

“Don-Chan? What do you wanna be when you grow up?” Lilium idly asked, shaking the plastic snow globe to watch the glitter within shimmer down, gliding in the water to create the illusion of snowfall.

Donatello looked up from where he lay on the ground, having been hyper-focused on finishing his drawing of a Gundam robot, to regard his friend with a curious tilt of his head. “What do y’ mean?”

The girl, without looking away from the snow globe in her hands, asked again, “What do you wanna be?” Muted awe colored a round face as the glimmer shined, surrounding the miniature sculpture of a jolly Santa Claus in his sleigh. “A doctor?”

Donatello put his colored pencil down, sitting up to better rest on his knees, the small turtle still curious. “I dunno. Why?”

“At school we’re learning ‘bout jobs! Miss Hart asked me what I wanna be, but I didn’t know. So I wanna ask you what you wanna do too!” Lilium beamed, shaking her snow globe to watch the snow fall a second time.

“But I don’t go to school,” Donatello pointed out. “I don’t think I can have a grown up job when I’m older…” he looked down at his hands, where three digits on each appendage stood out like a sore thumb. “Sensei says the surface is bad.”

“But I’m from the surface and I’m not bad,” Lilium finally tore her eyes away from the little knickknack, bright and chipper. “There’s lots’a good things on the surface! Like cotton candy and the park and pigeons and Mommy’s favorite opera house!”

Donatello frowned solemnly. “And there’s lots’a bad people too,” he added. “Like people who don’t like things that’re different. Like… me.” He picked up a blue crayon, playing with it idly with a defeated sigh. “I think that’s why we live in th’ sewer. Cuz nobody will find us.”

Lilium hummed, conflicted, turning the snow globe in her hands a few times as though to think. The girl looked at him, then the globe, and she smiled. “Hey!” She thrust the trinket into his own hands. “Let’s play make believe! We can pretend we’re th’ things we wanna be when we’re grown ups!”

Donatello looked at the plastic knickknack, blinking with surprise as the girl sprang to her feet to run to the neon pink backpack she’d brought with her for the play date. She rummaged around to look for something, putting other items aside to the floor until she grabbed what she wanted. “See?”

Lilium held out a plastic green microphone. “I wanna be a singer!” She pushed a button on the side of the toy, a pop song playing sorely out of tune but the child didn’t take too much notice. “I’m gonna be like Belle on Broadway! Or I can be like Nancy Drew!” She posed like a detective holding a magnifying glass. “Elementary my dear Winston!”

“It’s Watson, I think.”

“Elementary my dear Watson!”

This got Donatello to start laughing. He only stopped when Lilium pointed her microphone at him, as if she were a news reporter asking a question. “So what d’you wanna be?”

Donatello paused, giving it some thought. Reaching out he took the toy from her, holding it in both hands as though he were going to sing. “… being an astronaut sounds kinda cool.” He spoke timidly. “And… a scientist. An inventor too.” He smiled a little. “I wanna make stuff that helps my brothers… and help my Sensei.”

Lilium’s eyes sparkled in glee. She sat down cross legged, giving the boy her full attention. “What would you make?”

“… a jet pack!” Donatello’s face turned excited at the idea, increasingly growing animated. “I can fly all around th’ world and do anything! Or, what if I make a gauntlet powered by solar energy?! And rocket boots! And a robot!”

Both children laughed so loud it echoed off the walls of the damp sewers that spanned everywhere around them. Sharing dreams in the endless junction of tunnels and pipes where emptiness roamed, two lively spirits basked in the joys of their aspirations and what they would bring one day. They laughed and laughed until their sides hurt, slumping against the brick wall behind them, wiping tears off their faces. Human and turtle sank into a comfortable silence as their laughter trailed off into a series of soft giggles, surrounded by their toys and coloring books, papers covered with brightly colorful creatures and monsters only children could think of. Had it not been for the fact that Donatello was a mutant, these innocent drawings would have been the basis of their imaginations.

“… hey Don-Chan?” Lilium asked again.

“Yeah?” Donatello quarried.

“… if we grow up to do th’ things we want, and we get t’ be famous or something,” Lilium sat upright to properly address him. “And we still remember each other… can we stay together forever?”

Donatello looked at the girl with confusion. “Forever?”

Lilium nodded. “When our dreams come true.”

The turtle smiled. Nodding vigorously he shot to his feet, eyes big and enthusiastic. “Yeah! We can be a team! I’ll make you music stuff and you can try out my gear! We can be just like Batman and Robin!”

“Yeah!” Lilium agreed. “We can do tons of stuff! We’ll change the world! I can help you too when I get my magic!”

“Promise?”

Lilium stuck out her hand. “Shake on it!” She nodded. “So that way it’s a real promise!”

Donatello, without missing a beat, shook her hand in return. “It’s a deal!”

Little did the children know that this promise would be held true, but not in the way they had been expecting.

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

Present Day…

Lilium grunted as she was carelessly chucked to the floor of this strange alien spaceship, turning her head just fast enough to avoid shattering her chin upon impact. Unable to shield herself from the initial landing, the Siren could only endure the cruel abuse from the towering Triceraton guards behind her. Their blasters were cocked and ready to open fire should she try to run or put up any resistance. The strange breathing apparatus strapped to her waist and the tube in her mouth helped get air into her lungs, but she couldn’t help but feeling like a fish out of water wearing it.

Groaning in pain, Lilium used her bound hands to try to push herself up to sit on her knees. The illuminated glow of her shackles stung her eyes, the cuffs magnifying her wrists together as though they had been fused with superglue, granting her limited mobility and limited access to use her arms, although she should be counting her blessings that they’d been bound in front of her rather than behind her back. The Siren hissed as an irritating ache pulsed throughout her chest. Damn, solid steel really did a number on your ribs…

Only a minute later a similar thud struck the ground, the difference being this landing was harder, thrown with more force. Joining her at her side, Donatello raised his gaze towards their guards with an expression of anger. His own hands sat in his lap, also cuffed, but Lilium knew for certain that regardless of being bound he could probably break bones and deal severe damage if he wanted to.

But one subtle glimpse spared in her direction softened his gaze, relenting. For now.

Once the guard’s attention was sent elsewhere he took the chance to properly shift closer to her, lowering his voice to speak. “Are you okay?” He murmured.

She nodded. “I think… nothing’s busted or sprained.” Doing a quick once over of the turtle she asked, “What about you?”

“Me?” Donatello chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “It’s nothing I’m not used to. Probably just a few bruises. I’m fine.” She must have made some kind of somber face because he reassured her, “Hey, really. I’m alright. I can take it.”

“You shouldn’t have to…” Lilium protested. “I don’t want you being hurt.”

“I don’t want you being hurt either you know,” he countered. “This isn’t like the Purple Dragons or the Foot. These guys are pretty unhinged. The less they pay attention to you, that’ll be more than enough for me.”

The way he made it sound gave her goosebumps. What did he mean, exactly? If he brought the guard’s ire onto him, it’d be better? If they abused him, tossed him around, used him like a battering ram, or god forbid, tortured him… it’d be fine? Because he was used to it?

Because he thought it was fine?

Lilium’s hands shook. “You shouldn’t have to be,” she reiterated painfully. She grit her teeth to refrain from getting emotional, but ever the genius, Donatello could easily sense her unrest.

Reaching for her hands, his fingers gently wrapped around her own, thumb brushing across her knuckles with all the care he could offer. “You’ll be okay,” he promised. “Everything will be alright.”

“But I want you to be alright too,” she whimpered. Her fingers squeezed his with an earnest plea, voice tinted with remorse. “You don’t have to risk your life for me. You shouldn’t have to, Donnie.”

“That’s my job, Lily.” He murmured. “You’re my priority. Don’t worry about me; I can handle them.”

She squeezed his fingers again, tears prickling her eyes, burning and stubborn as her lips quivered. “Don-Chan,” she pleaded. “I need you to stay safe too. What would I do if I lost you?”

Donatello’s eyes softened significantly; she only ever used his nickname in times of stress, when she wanted him to listen to her. His hands, gentle and kind, gripped hers back. “Lily…” he spoke in a voice above a whisper. “You’re not going to lose me.” He slipped his hand free from hers, raising them towards her face. Soon he was tilting her head up by her chin, allowing her to better match his gaze. His expression was tender, nothing but offering consolation, taking extra care to ensure her safety before his own… it broke her heart. “I’m not leaving you. I wouldn’t needlessly put myself in the line of fire if it meant I couldn’t protect you.” Donatello sounded determined despite their predicament. “You’re one of the most important things to me in my life. I…” he faltered slightly in his words, as though struggling to find the right things to say.

“Donnie…?” Lilium mumbled, using her own hands to take both of his into hers.

He hesitated. “… do you remember when we were kids?” He asked. “When we promised each other we’d stay together forever?”

Lilium nodded.

“… the past couple days I was thinking about it.” His fingers held hers tighter. “Things were so much simpler when we didn’t have to worry about Shredder or Karai, or Hun, or any of this.” Sadness wasted over him, studying the small nicks and cuts traced across his hands, on Lilium’s palm. “Going through all of this the past year taught me something. A lesson I never learned until I came home from space the first time.”

His hands, still cradling her own, started shaking. “Time is fleeting. And if you waste it chasing down the demons in your life, you’ll never be happy. I’ve spent so many years trying to figure out what I felt for you. What that promise meant to me.” His voice was as delicate as glass, as if any moment the moment would be broken by the smallest sign of hesitation. But Lilium never shied away. Her hands still held on to his, fingers gripping both of his hands to offer comfort, to offer anything to give him the kindness he’d always bestowed to her. “You matter to me… and I never get the chance to tell you that.”

Lilium’s heart ached. The marks on her throat hummed in place of her vocabulary, the magic contained within stirring, emotions beginning to run rampant as the underlying implications of his words began to hit home. Is he trying to say what I think he is…?

“… Donnie?” She quietly chirped in the silence between them. “There’s something I wanna tell you.”

The purple masked turtle raised his gaze, holding his breath. His hands held onto hers a little tighter, as if preparing for whatever she was going to say. But before they could continue, a shadow loomed over the two like a bad omen, cutting their conversation to a standstill. Both teenagers snapped their attention up to the sudden appearance of the Triceraton with the pirate eyepatch. She vaguely recalled Donnie saying this one was ‘Mozar.’

There was a vicious sneer on his face, glaring at them with malice. Without a word of warning he seized Donatello— grabbing hold of the genius by his wrists with one mighty hand he yanked him off the ground, hoisting him off his feet like he weighed nothing. Almost instantly the turtle started fighting back, writhing in his grasp. “HEY! Let me go!”

“DONNIE!” Lilium shouted with alarm. She went to reach for him but the towering form of the Triceraton was too intimidating. He easily swatted her away, pushing the girl back into the awaiting hands of another guard behind her. His fingers latched around her arms and the claws dug deep, sinking into the skin hard enough to puncture through, drawing blood. She struggled and kicked her legs to wriggle free, but the cuffs clasped around her wrists refused to budge. “Put us down you creeps!”

“Listen, you pea-brained geckos! How many times do I have to tell you!?” Donatello cried, pinning a glare onto Mozar. “The Fugitoid! Is not! On Earth!”

“Our brains may be small, terrapin scum,” Mozar hissed, setting the turtle to his feet to drag him up the steps of the alter where a giant screen on the wall and a luxurious throne stood awaiting them. She didn’t miss how when his fist tightened around Donatello’s hands, bones started crunching. “But our tracking equipment does not lie.”

Unceremoniously he threw Donatello forward, the genius stumbling to correct his footing as he was presented to the man behind this insidious scheme. The Triceraton holding Lilium soon followed, but he wasn’t releasing her, much to the Siren’s chagrin as she continued to struggle feebly.

Mozar pointed to the screen overhead, showing the teenagers some kind of map that displayed a signal, with a trajectory course towards their planet. “The Fugitoid’s teleportation trail leads directly to your planet!” He accused.

“He was on Earth! But he’s not there anymore!” Donatello protested.

The man in the throne— a pompous, fickle tyrant with no patience for this charade of cat and mouse going by the name Zanramon— leaned forward in his seat, snapping back at Donatello. “Then where is he?!”

Donatello froze. His hands gripped into fists, his eyes falling to the floor to avoid meeting the brutal gaze of the madman. With a shake of his head he confessed, “I can’t tell you that!”

“Can’t?” Zanramon narrowed his gaze, his words cutting into the turtle with no chance to breathe. “Or won’t?”

Donatello fell silent. He turned away, refusing to comply to the dictator. Lilium could feel the apprehension in the air, the brewing tension that was about to break. She held her breath in fear for her friend, eyes darting between him and the mighty ruler with a crown made out of the suffering of hundreds he’d stepped over to obtain his power.

Zanramon huffed, sitting back, folding his hands under his chin as he beckoned Mozar forth. She hadn’t noticed the one eyed alien slip away, didn’t notice him retrieve something hidden from view. “Very well. We ‘pea-brained geckos’ will just have to extract the information from your oversized terrapin brain.”

The tension snapped. Lilium was dragged away, taken to stand at Zanramon’s side, as though giving her a front row seat of what was about to happen. “DONNIE!” The girl panicked, kicking and struggling as Donatello was taken by surprise, Mozar stepping in to place the unknown device over Donatello’s head.

From any other perspective it looked like an ordinary bicycle helmet. But as Donatello started to writhe, tried to reach his bound hands up to push it off, she noticed it covered his eyes, blinding him, a small panel on the top of his head lighting up as it began to charge.

And it activated.

Lilium gasped in horror when Donatello began to scream— sounds she never wanted to hear, terrible, awful, gruesome noises of anguish, unable to stay standing any longer, buckling to his knees as powerful surges of electricity rocked his skull and pierced through his brain. She watched helplessly as the turtle desperately fought to stay stable against the agony, but the pain overwhelmed him.

All at once, the screen behind her lit up. In a matter of seconds, Lilium could see snippets of his entire life being played out like a film for all those present to see. Her mouth dropped open in dismay as she began to watch his memories unfold before her very eyes; his childhood, his happier memories with his brothers, his Sensei, building the remote-controlled toy car he’d been so proud of, meeting April and Casey…

Lilium’s stomach twisted. This was horrifying. To have your brain trifled with as though you were a filing cabinet, people prying into your personal life to scan through the most cherished parts of your memories like they meant nothing…

“STOP!” Lilium screamed, struggling against the guard that still had a vice on her. “STOP HURTING HIM! PLEASE! WHATEVER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IS GONE! HE DOESN’T LIE!”

Zanramon raised an unamused brow in her direction. “Oh? And how do you know?”

“Because he wouldn’t lie about something like this!” Lilium pleaded. “I swear, he’s not hiding anything! Whatever you want, it’s probably gone! Let him go! Please!”

Zanramon stared at her, studying her, as if to gauge her emotions to see if she was also trying to hide the truth. Donatello continued to cry out and shake where he sat, the mind probe ripping him in twain, as his life was displayed against his will.

The dictator’s eyes flickered up towards the screen. A devilish smirk rose to the surface. “Oh! Look at that!” He seized her by the face, fingers digging into the soft parts of her jaw with a vengeance, forcing her to look as the memories took a shift. “I believe that’s you!”

Me…? Her stomach dropped as her attention became captured unwillingly by the screen. True to his word, Donatello’s memories began to show the moments of his life that contained her.

And what she saw drove her to tears.

They were brief, they were gone in seconds, but these were the parts of their lives that he held dear.

Meeting as kids. Becoming friends.

The promise they made.

Reuniting years later, eager to make up for lost time.

The day her curse became poignant, nearly destroying his hearing. Her sobbing hysterically in the aftermath, his hands holding hers, reassuring he was alright.

Falling into the pier, nearly drowning, flailing in the dark abyss of the Hudson. His face being the first thing she saw when she came too, how scared he looked.

A botched school dance gone to waste. The record shop. A jukebox playing ‘Brandy, You’re a Fine Girl.’ The two of them dancing the night away in the company of his brothers and April, unafraid of how badly they tried to keep up with the tempo and tripping over their feet.

The night on the rooftop. A blanket of stars. A repaired stereo softly playing some of Mandy Moore’s songs. His hand in hers, her voice quiet and timid. “I think I like you.”

But there were other memories. Ones she were certain were his and his alone.

Her head resting on his shoulder, asleep, as a vintage noir film played on the living room televisions. Casablanca, she recalled. His free hand reached up to brush the loose hair from her face, hesitant, unsure, as he spoke softly. “Is it wrong for me to love you?”

Her unconscious in a sterile hospital bed, hooked up to wires and tubes, breathing unsteady, sickly and weak, Siren symbols sinking deeper into her skin, spreading throughout her body as though they were weeds. His hands grasped hers, trembling, pleading. “Just hang on, I’ll fix this—“

Singing in his lab when everyone was asleep, practicing her auditions, his hands working on a new time watch as her voice grew in emotion. When their eyes locked again she giggled, blushing.

Looking down from the catwalk, hidden from plain sight over the school’s theater stage, watching Lilium’s first solo from afar. The moment she looked up and spotted him during the applause her eyes glistened with joy.

Pinning a set of bluebell flowers into her hair behind her ears, face bright and cheery, eyes brimming with affection meant only for him in a crowd of thousands.

And for these bastards to rip through his brain, to toy with his mind, to rifle through the most important parts of his past just for their own gain…

“YOU MONSTER!” She cried, tears streaming down her face as she pried herself free of Zanramon’s clutches. “YOU’RE AN ANIMAL! You have no right to look through his memories!”

“Tell me where the Fugitoid is! Then I shall grant him mercy!”

“I don’t know what that is! I don’t know who you’re talking about!”

Zanramon scowled. “So be it.”

The mind probe surged powerfully, making Donatello scream even louder. The horrible sounds he made would forever engrain themselves into the worst parts of her mind where night terrors would claim her. He continued struggling, wrists pulling in vain on his shackles that glowed the same bright blue of the mind probe’s main circuit piece on the top of his head, teeth grinding painfully as he fought for control. His body seized and shook under the force of the shocks, unforgiving zaps of electrical power draining his stamina each passing minute. He wouldn’t last long like this.

Something in the probe started charging once more, and Donatello’s screams turned into roars of anguish. His back straightened, fists clenched at his chest, fighting for freedom as the screen started showing memories of a robot. Even against the strain of torture, he tried to break through.

But the mind probe persisted, and he continued roaring in turmoil.

“STOP THIS!” Lilium screamed, tears blinding her to the display of gruesome torture. “LEAVE HIM ALONE! YOU’LL KILL HIM! LET HIM GO!”

But her pleas went ignored.

No matter how many times she screamed his name, begged for him to fight back, pleaded for mercy, they disregarded her presence as though she were a nuisance.

Donatello bared his teeth, struggling to rise. His head lifted aimlessly towards the ceiling, as if searching for something against the visor that blinded him. And with the last of his strength, he screamed for someone. “MASTER… SPLINTER!”

But in the depths of space, his cry went ignored.

Or… had it?

Lilium watched on in silent despair as Donatello’s body began to shudder tremendously, his voice failing, his posture slouching to fall in on himself. Unable to withstand the brutal anguish of the electrocution any further. His cuffed hands struggled to rise to his chest, clasped as though in prayer.

But the probe responded with a hellishly swift strike of electricity into the throes of his brain. And to Lilium’s horror, his body seized momentarily before the helmet sizzled, the panel on the top of his head popping.

And once the torture ceased, Donatello’s body teetered forward.

He struck the ground with a lifeless slam.

Lilium could bare it no longer as she tore herself free of the guards— their claws ripped through the frail skin of her arms, blood pushing through her sleeves. She couldn’t feel any pain. “DONNIE!”

She slid to her knees the moment she was within reach. Bound hands found purchase to his shoulder, grunting as she turned him onto his back the best she could. Lilium used her fingers to push the helmet off of him, wrenching the sickening devise away, throwing it down the steps to be forgotten.

But…

His face was unreadable. His eyes were closed. His mouth was slightly ajar. There were burns on the sides of his temple, dark spots singing his purple mask. A thick line of red slowly trickled down the corner of his lips.

He remained still as stone where he lay. Unmoving.

Lilium’s hands flew to her mouth, rendered speechless as a gasp strangled her throat. Unable to tear her eyes away from him, she reached down to shake his shoulder, as though willing him to respond, internally begging him to move, to speak, to react.

Nothing.

Lilium’s throat tightened. “… Donnie?”

Silence.

“Donnie…” she whimpered, shaking him with more force. “Don-Chan… please…”

Silence.

Her eyes burned. “Donnie…” she choked. Her voice trembled beneath the growing realization of what lay before her. “Donatello can you hear me?”

Silence…

“DONNIE!” Lilium shook him one more time, hands holding onto his shoulder. “Donatello! Please…!”

“Such a waste,” Zanramon scoffed from his throne. “I guess he wasn’t so smart after all!”

She refused to listen to the raving dictator. Her hands touched the frozen face of the genius laying still on the ground, desperately trying to wake him. He didn’t even flinch. “Donnie,” Lilium pleaded. “Donatello don’t do this to me. You promised! You promised!” She shook him again, tone rising with her grief. “Please! Wake up! Please come back! Your family needs you! The world needs you! You have so much to offer! Donnie please, WAKE UP!”

His lifeless face became hazy as her vision grew blurred. There was nothing but a fire that raged on in her eyes, burning, piercing her gaze with fury as the horrifying reality began to dawn on her. “Please…!”

This couldn’t be real. He couldn’t be…

He was the strongest person she’d ever known. There was no way he was…

Gone.

This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening, there’s no way he can be gone, he can’t be dead, he can’t be, he can’t, he can’t be!

White noise flooded her senses. She could no longer hear the self-entitled mockery of Zanramon. She could no longer hear the sound of the screen on the wall depicting unwavering carnage at the hands of Triceratons. Nor could she hear the slow progression of inhuman screams that came out of her, the despair and ruin of losing the person she trusted more than anything, the person she loved, the sobs that caused her symbols to fizzle erratically with a frenzy only spun by the thread of her pain, a spool endlessly rushing to cull the sullen loss. Deep inside her chest, her heart began to split.

Sobs wracked her frame. Vicious regret ripped her to pieces. Lilium shut her eyes tight, hands falling upon his plastron, curled into fists as though to stir him into consciousness, knowing he wouldn’t respond. “Don-Chan…” she whispered, trying in vain not to think of how still he was, how quiet he was, how his face was slack and unresponsive. “Don’t leave me…”

… what would she tell his family?

How could she face them? She couldn’t save Donnie, she hadn’t been able to help him. They’d never forgive her. She couldn’t blame them if they did. How could she ever forgive herself? How could she continue living with herself knowing she’d failed him?

I never got to tell him… I never got to tell him I loved him…

Why couldn’t I be faster? Why couldn’t I be stronger?! Why?! Why am I so slow?! Why am I so helpless?!

Why am I so WEAK?!

WHY AM I SO USELESS?!

WHY COULDN’T I BE THERE FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS THERE FOR ME?!

WHY CAN’T I—

“…h-he-y…”

The world stopped turning.

Air was ripped from her lungs.

Lilium’s face drained of all blood.

Her head shot up so quickly she thought she’d break her neck.

…

…

She met the unfocused gaze of Donatello.

His eyes— soft brown, foggy and unclear, were blinking slowly and half-mast. Any coherent thought in his brain was put to a standstill, the shock of his torture having run his thinking to a halt. The blood that had dried around the corners of his mouth still created a picture of indescribable agony… but despite all of it, he was fighting to smile.

A weak, lopsided grin formed on his face, bound hands a trembling mess as they attempted to reach for her. Against all odds he tried to talk again, although his speech was altered by stuttering. “H-h-he-yyy.”

Lilium’s face remained solid stone with stunned silence. The symbols somehow felt hotter, hotter, almost reaching a boiling point as she stared at him, millions of words, hundreds of apologies dying on the tip of her tongue.

There were no words she could utter for this miracle.

Donnie was alive. Donnie was alive.

Donatello had survived the impossible and he was breathing and he was talking he was alive he’s alive he’s alive OH MY GOD HE’S ALIVE!

Lilium threw herself at him once more, shackled hands clutching at his plastron. Her wails picked up in volume. Screams turned into helpless bawling. Magic sizzled deep in her throat. She couldn’t think of anything. She couldn’t even speak. She could almost feel his heartbeat, weak as it was from his horrible ordeal, thudding beneath her fists. Th-thump-th-thump-th-thump, skipping in a harmonious succession that promised an encore. His breathing was shallow, but he struggled to lift a pair of trembling cuffed hands to hold her face within his palms, body silently tremoring, reeling from the shock of being electrocuted so viciously, but he stubbornly clung to her like his life depended on it.

Her hair fell around him in a thick inky curtain of black locks that seemed to drape around her shoulders. His fingers held onto her face, a set of lazy eyes seeming to take her in, as though to tell himself she was real.

He spoke in a hoarse voice— too raspy, shredded from screaming, it would probably take a month to heal— but he still whispered all the same. “T-to-old y-ou… n-not go-ing… a-any-wh-ere…”

Her heart sang.

Her Siren symbols illuminated his face with bright pink hues.

And for the first time in hours, Lilium smiled back at him.

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

Tada!!! I hope you liked this!! I’ll hopefully have the short story done very soon!! 😊

@queen-with-the-quill @tending-the-hearth @wasted-and-ready @figuringitoutasigoalong @tmnt-tychou

[monsterbachelors]

Welcome to Dawncrest!

(as the stories appear, there will be links added so check this post regularly or follow me!)

The air is filled with the smell of car exhaust and petrichor. You cough as the strong fragrances nip at your lungs. If the pollution doesn't kill you, rampant nicotine abuse by the citizens surely will.

Like a strange mockery of clouds, Zeppelins float across the dark sky. Some of them have commercials on their sides, while others remain voiceless - probably another way for the bourgeois to admire the exotic mundane lives below.

The metal flyover shakes dangerously as a high-velocity train shoots through the city. For a moment, the clanging drowns out the chatter around you. A few passers-by seem offended by the unwelcome interruption in their conversation and so they give the train a murderous scowl. When the machine disappears beyond the corner, the chitchat continues without a care.

Dirty water in a puddle splashes as a family of well-fed rats runs across the street. Their brown fur glistens like that of a show champion horse. A child points at the rodents but their parent only rolls their eyes. Some dogs bark and run after the would-be snack. The rats, however, are quicker than pinschers - squeezing through a sewer gate, they disappear into the maze of tunnels below the city.

In the middle of a traffic jam, a goblin leaves his car and behind to yell quite creative invectives at another driver. He almost drops his cigar angrily gesticulating. The reason for his outburst seems to be a kobold, who's too high on illegal snuff to comprehend the present moment. The furious goblin begins to yell even louder until he shoves the other driver. The kobold sways on his weak legs only to fall to the ground and immediately fall into drug-induced slumber. It will be hours before he wakes up. You want to watch the scene unfold when somebody bumps into you. The elegant dwarf quickly apologizes and continues walking while staring at something high in the sky. Curious, you follow his gaze:

Lomelia, arguably the most famous celebrity of the decade, is advertising a grape-flavoured soda. Her sinful beauty stares at the citizens from a large billboard hanging on the front of Amber Food&Drink headquarters tower. The longer you stare at the purple-haired diva, the more you're certain her teary, silver eyes are blinking... Sirens are banned from being in commercials, unfair advantage and all that noise. Lomelia is only half-siren - at least that's what her legal team claims. So if you think that her eyes on a billboard are moving, you're most definitely mistaken and there is not an ounce of siren magic involved.

Dawncrest is a city of dreams - both reveries and nightmares.

You shake yourself awake from those thoughts. Pondering the honey trap that is Dawncrest has left your mind blank. There was something you were supposed to do...

Where in Gods' name were you going?

-> Dawncrest University of Technology and Science, Department of Chemistry

Despite his rather imposing appearance, there is nothing scary about Professor Minghao. Unless you're confidently incorrect about science, that is. Being one of the nagas, he's faced his fair share of prejudice, which led him to confine himself to musty textbooks, chemical reagents and student papers to grade. And that, in turn, led the naga to become the youngest professor in the history of Dawncrest. He's very knowledgeable in many subjects... Sadly, Minghao tends to believe that no one will see him as a person first and a serpent second. He may be cold-blooded, yes, but his heart is definitely not cold. Fun science facts included!

-> Sabertooth Brewing

Elegant clothes, blind in one eye and a silver tongue - Yanu is a rakshasa that definitely stays in memory. The low lights of the bar often cascade off his sharp fangs but rarely because of a growl. Mixing complicated drinks, he always finds a moment to listen to the patrons' stories, share one of his own or do an agile trick with a bottle of alcohol. Yes, he is rather skilled with his hands... Sabertooth Brewing is situated in a not-so-good part of Dawncrest but once the local 'warlords' saw Yanu's Medal of Honour hanging on the wall, they began looking out for the rakshasa free of charge. Fancy a drink?

[The three don'ts of Sabertooth Brewing]

-> Sanguis Aurum, house of fashion

Sanguis Aurum is the key to the hearts of the elites - if they don't wear their clothes, they surely wish to. And there's nothing strange about that as Lysander, the owner of the company, prides himself in creating looks of the highest quality. Like most of his kind, he enjoys decadence and beauty. But even more than that, the vampire loves shameless self-love, the confidence of not being afraid to be seen as you are. "People will always bite you, darling," he said in one interview, "So you might as well bite back." Considering his rather prominent fangs, Lysander might just be the expert on biting. Wanna know what's the next big fashion trend?

-> Safren village, Eastern Monkgate Forest

A few miles past the borders of Dawncrest, lies a village called Safren. Its population consists of lumberjacks, farmers and hunters, who supply the city. Safren borders the Eastern Monkgate Forest - a place so strange, that even the most seasoned hunters refused to delve into it. If their prey ventures beyond the first moss-covered ruins, they begrudgingly let it go. The game belongs to Arkoth now: a wolf-headed god of hunting. Not much is known about the deity except for the fact that he stalks every soul that steps into his kingdom. Once a year, when the hunting season is about to begin, the villagers of Safren leave a human offering for Arkoth, so that the canine god keeps his servants, wolves and wargs, away from the settlement. Are you brave enough to let yourself be found by the wolf-god?

-> Bullhead Motors

The bullheaded mechanic is a strange one - there really is something grim about Nagrim. Whether it's his scruffy looks, sombre mood or a glistening look in his eyes, the mechanic always appears melancholic. Followed by the smell of motor oil and sweat, he finds joy in physical work. Usually, clients of the workshop might hear a bit of wise advice from Nagrim while he's fixing their vehicle. He's also happy to share some food for thought when asked, even spontaneously. When he's not returning old cars to their former glory, the taurus can be found in a run-down gym practising his boxing skills. Whether it's an engine, a weak punch or a broken heart, rumour has it that Nagrim can fix anything.

-> House of Magisters

"Infernal Magister" and "Prince of Hell" are titles to be proud of but Ezrach could do without them. It's not that he doesn't like the power, he's just fed up with the close-mindedness of other diplomats. He'd love to go back to what devils do best - roping desperate creatures into pacts that never end well for them. But he's the smallest of Lucifer's sons and so he's destined to complete whatever jobs his five brothers refuse to do. Although he's of a rather average physique and carries the humiliation of a chipped horn, Ezrach is far from being a failure or an outcast. In fact, thanks to his brilliant mind, he's leading a life of influence and comforts his siblings can not reach. Need someone to moderate your caucus?

-> Dawncrest Police Department

Dawncrest is not a nice city but Kenndar is not a nice man. Growing up in the gutters, he's learned the ins and outs of the demimonde. Life on the streets has left him with a lot of scars - both physical and mental. Difficult past and the typical drow grumpiness make the detective appear like a tortured character out of a noir movie. Kenndar expects no-nonsense, discipline and obedience, which didn't garner him much sympathy in the force. On the other hand, despite the avid reluctance of his co-workers, everyone respects him a great deal. Kenndar might be a grumpy boss but he sure is outstanding at his job, finding the culprit no matter the cost. Any insidious deeds you would like to confess?

[hiemaldesirae]

Arrax here: demon Alastor vampire Vox

Yep, endgame for Alastor is to get Vox to hell! By the time it gets there, due to drinking so much of Alastor's blood, he is more of a new kind of demon. He can actually fully eat ppl, blood, flesh, and bones all.

And what DancingafterDark said this is entirely new. It's also changing Vox's sire, however he's getting second hand so it's much, much slower and like the Fae, *It's not Freely Given.*

First thing to remember: This is Alastor's blood, Alastor's power given to his Love, his mate, the one he has known since they were both children and they both went to war together. It's lovingly, freely given to Vox to help him, to keep him fed so he doesn't just have to survive on swamp rats and other animals. Vox's sire is stealing that from Vox's very veins as her forcibly feeds from Vox.

Second thing: Vox's Sire is *letting* Alastor willingly into his body. Now, Alastor would never hurt Vox. Vox is his beloved muse, his childhood best friend and eventually once he is free, his mate. But this Ancient Vampire Lord? He is nothing to Alastor. Nothing more but a creature that hurt what is Alastor's most precious.

Remember what they say.

 "We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed their hungry thirsty roots?"

OH !!!!!!!!!!! ohohohohoho rubs my hands together like a dirty sewer rat... i am Thinking now. okay okay so. is al gonna do some freaky bloodbending stuff with the parts of his blood in voxs sire?? like fuckin. svsss heavenly demon style blood parasites that he can control nd make him suffer or something ... because i would sooo be down to see that happen. like genuinely stoked to watch this old crook fucking Explode or something

also im thinking of voxs arrival in hell now LMAO. i dont think hed really look all that much different since hes technically not living anymore anyway ... but that also means he's seen as an easy target (and a valuable one too, since alastor makes it clear the moment he arrives in hell that vox is His) which is SOO hilariously wrong. vox probably eats like 30 people before pentagram city starts to catch on that theres something a little off about the radio demons pretty pet

[schnuffel-danny]

Some poor tumblr user: *mentions Jack and Vlad in the same post* The most sane sewer goblin showing up in their notes: "haha yeah hi"

[cowboycharmac]

what are some eps u would love to see for s17 or other future seasons?

in my ideal world s17 is just eight twenty minute long gay and lesbian porn videos but since rcg are cowards ummm

first and foremost i hope s17 finale is dee's emotional arc. i think any pairing of characters would work for this but it HAS to be a paired plot (in group plots they all tend to gang up on her). in my ideal world its deetress and they kiss at the end but really i just would love to see a proper dee character study that deals with her family issues/dynamics and misogyny and is also a little silly funtime :) adn i want the cunt of the year award in it. best episode

mac sues tylenol episode. he gets diagnosed with autism and sues tylenol for making him autistic and the entire episode is very controversial but i, the most autistic person in the universe, love it and thats all that really matters

mac gets a boyfriend for REAL this time or maybe not idrc at its core i just want to see mac have sex with a man kiss a man SOMETHING jesus christ how is it that he came out as gay four seasons ago CONSTANTLY talks about how much gay sex he has and yet we have not even gotten to see him kiss a boy on the cheek. its homophobic, unironically. if rob cared about gay people there would be full penetration

charlie day episode. i want them in the sewers naked uncensored looking for goblins for twenty full minutes i dont care. the screaming pillow gets covered in shit water and its the grossest thing in the universe and it makes me cringe because i hate potty humor but well what did i expect

not really an episode idea but i want more kidnapping. and poisoning people. and gay little home movies made on the same 20 yr old video tape :) oh also i love when they sing together they are soooo silly bestfriends <3 i think they should do another song

also i want another halloween episode its my favoruite kind of episode i love the costumes and i think it should be a slasher parody thing i think that would be fun and camp for them to do :)

[legofanguy1999]

OC-tober day 31 Halloween

A story for @brie-draws event OC-tober day 31 Halloween featuring my Spider Sona Zigzag.

Tonight is Halloween Night and the spider hero Zigzag is swinging in the city to make sure that there is no trouble tonight. Just then, Zigzag's spider-sense is telling him there danger nearby. Landing on a alleyway, Zigzag see a big lizard tail and the worried Zigzag said to himself, "Oh no, don't tell me Dr. Connors become Lizard again." remember how the brilliant geneticist Dr. Connors create a serum to turn humans into reptile hybrid to regrow lost limbs and end up turning into the monster Lizard and Zigzag managed to cure Connors thanks to the doctor's notes. Zigzag follow the giant lizard to the sewers and he said to himself, "I'm going to wash my costume after tonight." as he enter the sewers.

As Zigzag travel the sewers to the Lizard lair, his spider-sense is warning him of danger and Zigzag decide to peek into the Lizard's lair where he saw his old enemy Hobgoblin with the Lizard as the orange villian ask while hovering in his glider, "How much sooner, Lizard?" and the Lizard reply to Hobgoblin, "Ssssssoon, goblin. Ssssssoon." The Hobgoblin said to himself, "I wonder if it was good idea to bring you back." and Zigzag jump in and said, "I would agree, goblin." which the shocked villains said, "Zigzag!" The hero then ask Hobgoblin, "So, how did you got out of jail, Hobgoblin?" which the goblin reply, "After some months in jail, my superhuman strength begins to return and I use it to escape my prison after our last dance, Zigzag. Needing a way to keep my strength, I track down Dr. Connors for help, but the good doctor refuse, so I choose the Hyde to Connors' Jekyll, Lizard, to help me out. Since I think Lizard's potion is almost done...." Hobgoblin steal the potion and he said to Zigzag as he fly away, "I will leave you with the Lizard, for the honor of getting to kill you is my payment." and the Lizard attack Zigzag.

With some quick thinking, Zigzag forced the Lizard to reveal the reverse potion and he watch as the Lizard return back to Dr. Martha Connors, which Zigzag cover the naked scientist body with what was left of her lab coat.

[luneemeritus]

「Comfort」

(Erik/Christine - fluffly, Erik is sick and Christine will take care of him)

You can imagine any version for Erik and Christine <3 poor sewer goblin got sick and will recieve treatments because he deserves it 🙏🏼

Erik woke up feeling a strange, uncomfortable cold scratching his body. It wasn't like a morning breeze, but something that ran down his body, like sweat. He felt pain in his legs, a dry throat and an unbearable tiredness in his body… oh, great, he was feverish. He hadn't been sick for a long time, a contrast to his life before the Opera, where the unsanitary nature of his prisons caused constant fevers and flu. He considered himself lucky for not having died or become infected with some deadly bacteria, perhaps a relief that the Universe provided him. But anyway, that feeling was horrible… he never received care for being sick. He was always thrown into the corner and forgotten as he agonized in pain.

But now it was different. Christine was with him in the underground house, and had clearly been awake for some time. Erik heard the noise of footsteps and pans coming from the kitchen, along with the light on that reflected a little under his bedroom door. He struggles to get up, grunting in pain, and merely stands while trying to balance himself. After a long sigh, he heads to the bathroom to do his morning hygiene.

It was almost 1 PM, Christine was worried about her teacher who wouldn't get out of bed. He had complained of slight dizziness the day before, which worried her. Maybe the feeling had gotten worse: and she was right. Christine looks for Erik and finds him slowly leaving the bathroom, bewildered. She walks over and holds him, feeling him sway weakly.

— Good morning – she said – Is everything okay?

— No… I have a fever.

— Oh... I'll make you some tea.

— It's not necessary, Christine. – he moves away from her and sits on the bed – I’m just going to lie down and wait until–

— No sir! – she interrupted him – I will take care of you, stop being stubborn. Lay there and cover yourself.

— I-I don’t want to be a burden… – he replied, apprehensively.

— You are not a burden; you're sick and you need care. – She placed a warm kiss on his cheek.

Christine waited for him to lie down and wrapped him in the covers, watching him curl up and hug the fabric like a puppy looking for shelter. As tempting and inviting as the sight of Erik wrapped in blankets was, his health was more important at that moment. The soprano ran to the kitchen and grabbed some garlic cloves to prepare tea. "A soup would help him too," she thought. Christine had a vast knowledge of nursing due to her upbringing with Madame Valérius before becoming a chorus girl, and now she could apply that knowledge to the man she loved.

It didn't take long for the medicine to be ready. Christine took the garlic tea to Maestro, who was almost asleep in bed – poor thing, so tired. She slowly sat down next to him and stroked his face, watching his eyes slowly open.

— Drink this tea, you'll get better soon. – She helped him sit on the bed and brought the cup to his mouth.

Erik drank the entire tea in a matter of seconds, he was still drowsy, but he couldn't deny such kindness from his loved one. After finishing tea, he pulled the pillows to the head of the bed and remained sitting, leaning on the pillows and covering himself up to his shoulders. Christine caressed him again and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

— I'll make you some soup, yes? A very warm and tasty one. – She smelled the curve of his neck and placed soft kisses on that skin.

Erik didn't respond, just smiled and gasped, curling up between the pillows again. Being alone in the room again, Erik almost dreamed again. It was an inexplicably good feeling, being taken care of by someone. As sick as he was, he couldn't feel more comfortable; His health mattered. Someone valued his well-being. Someone wanted to see him well and was trying hard to make him better. The feeling of being sick, weak and left out in the cold or forced to work had been forgotten completely.

He couldn't say how long he remained reflecting in bed, he was too drowsy to pay attention to the time – it seemed like mere seconds of empty thoughts and some strange dream slowly happening. Until he jumped in fright again when he felt Christine's presence in front of him.

— Hmm – he murmured as he reached out and took the bowl she was holding – Thank you.

— No need to thank me – she sat next to him, being careful not to shake the bed – It's chicken and mushroom soup, just how you like it.

— I hope you made more… – said Erik, inhaling the salty and delicious smell of the soup – it's not fair that I eat it all and you have nothing.

— It's alright, I cooked enough for both of us. Drink all of this and I'll give you a massage.

Erik drank the soup carefully, blowing on it constantly so as not to burn his tongue. As much as he knew how to survive on his own resources, it was undeniable that Christine was an excellent cook. Everything she did seemed to have a special touch from her hands, like a magical power directed only for his well-being. It was all he could ask for. After finishing the soup and chewing the remaining meat and small mushrooms, Erik placed the bowl on the dresser next to the bed and lay down again. Christine hugged him from behind.

— Where does it hurt most? - she asked.

— My throat throbs a little…

— The garlic tea will solve that. I mean the rest of the body.

— Oh. Well, my legs... feel like they've been crushed by some carriage.

Christine moved her hands to Erik's thighs and shins, massaging them slowly. She placed wet kisses on his shoulder as she did so. Although she squeezed his legs hardly, the muscles relaxed and the pain eased considerably. Feeling him light and warm in her arms, it didn't take long for Christine to fall asleep alongside him.