#sorry but it was so sickening to have her body be at the rat forest

[fakesorbet]

lucy frostblade and ur ability to haunt the narrative is unmatched </3

[the-broken-truth]

When Eliza Dimitrescu & Diedre Beneviento Meet In The Village

Broken Truth: Welcome to the 1st Official Headcanon of the 4 Protective Young Lords - This one is about Eliza and Diedre meeting in the village for some cousin things.

Enjoy, @snowflakestree

Eliza (Closing her cloak with her house crest brooch clip to make sure it says closed before she turned to face her sisters): I'm going to visit Lady Beneviento's Daughter in the village, do any of you need-

Daniela (Comes running into the room with a long blue scarf): Wait, Little Sister! Don't forget to wear this long cloth thingy!

[Eliza just stands there was Daniela wraps the scarf around her neck over her shoulders and around her neck.]

Eliza (Points at the scarf as she looks at Daniela):...Big Sister Daniela, you do know that I can handle the cold with my cloak alone, yes?

Daniela: But still! You have to keep extra warm to make sure you don't get sick, even if you can handle the cold!

Cassandra: That's right, Eliza. Be a good little sister and listen to your big sisters!

Bela (Calmer than her other sisters): I agree with them, you should wear that scarf, Eliza.

Eliza (Exhales): Very well, sisters; I shall wear the scarf. Thank you all for caring for me... (Looked off to the side in hopes to hide the blush creeping on her face)

Cassandra (Floats over to Eliza and moves her face to face the others): Haha! Girls, would you look at her face?! She's blushing and embarrassed! Isn't that adorable?!

[Eliza tries to hide her blush by nuzzling into her scarf.]

Daniela (Chuckling): Oops, I think we broke her, sisters!

Bela (Exhales and gives herself a facepalm): Daniela. Cassandra. Stop embarrassing our little sister.

Alcina (Walks into the room with a small pouch in her hand): Now, now, daughters. Please do not make my youngest melt into the floor.

[Alcina walks over to Eliza just as Cassandra removes herself from her baby sister's form and handed the small pouch into her hand.]

Eliza (Looks at the pouch in confusion): What is this, Mother?

Alcina: Surely you don't think I would let you go into the village without a bit of spending money, do you?

Eliza (Looks into the pouch): Mother...there is over 2000 Lei in this bag.

Alcina (Pats Eliza's head): Most certainly. Please, do tell your cousin that I said hello.

[Eliza gives her mother and sisters a light bow before she opened the castle door and went on her way to the village to meet up with Diedre Beneviento.]

[In the Village - Eliza walked down the rocky frozen path that led into the village as her green eyes narrowed at all of the stupid man-things that lazed around or reeked of booze; this made her nose scrunch up.]

Eliza (Thinking): 'Disgusting Man-Things. Do not touch my sisters. Do not touch my mother. I'll turn in their flesh wine if they so much as utter disrespect the name of House Dimitrescu.'

[Just as she stopped in the center of the village - she heard a familiar voice call out to her. She turned to see her younger female cousin - Diedre Beneviento - running in her direction with...wait...]

Eliza (Thinking): 'Isn't that Aunt Donna's Veil and...Angie?'

Diedre (Reaching Eliza with Angie and Donna's Veil in her hands): Good Morning, cousin! I'm glad you came to meet me.

Eliza: A Dimitrescu always keeps her word, Diedre. Speaking of which, why do you have your mother's veil and Angie?

Diedre (Smiling widely as she lifts the veil in front of her cousin's face): My Mother's been crying because of horrible things the villagers have been saying about her, I haven't heard it before. I'm going to wear Mother's veil and pretend to be her! (Places the veil over her head and places Angie in her arms just as her mother does) Now, let's see what she's been going through after all this time.

[The 2 Heiresses began walking around the village to make the purchases Diedre told Eliza about before the masquerade began - all the time, the moment someone's eyes rested on the veiled woman horrible rants were being thrown at her.

Random Woman (1): Go back to your forest, witch!

Random Man (1): That veil doesn't hide how ugly you are, freak!

Random Woman (2): Take your creepy ass and your fucked-up doll back the shadows so we don't have to see your asses!

Angie: Who do you think you're calling 'creepy'?! Donna is an absolutely stunning woman, are you blind or something?!

Random Man (2): She's a disgusting freak that doesn't deserve to live! The sooner she dies, the better it will be for us all, the same with that tall bitch in the castle and that moronic freak from the reservoir!

Eliza (Death Glares at Random Man 2): What the hell did you say about my mother, you disgusting man-thing?

Diedre: I think I've heard enough...(Pulls the veil from her head and looks at the confused people with black dead eyes) I've heard all of the negative things about my mother and I shall not accept this! Meaning: Every last one of you has forfeited your life and rights and privilege to live...Now...(Lifts her right hand - everyone watches in horror as long red strings come from the tips of her fingers) It's time for a show!

[Diedre thrust her hand forward and the strings shot out fasters that arrows from their bow and nailed all 4 of the rude villagers in the centers of their necks, making them gasp and fall to their knees as their air began very thin.]

Diedre (Places Angie on her shoulder before she released the strings from her other hand): Now...which of my new puppets should I make an example of.

Eliza (Walks slowly to Random Man 2): One moment, cousin. Let me have this one. He had the nerve to disrespect the Dragon of Dimitrescu and that shall not be allowed.

Diedre (Smirks): As you wish, dear cousin.

[The string from the man's neck was removed and he felt his control return but before he could move, a horrible pain ripped through his chest from his back forward before he was lifted off the ground and to his feet felt something grasp his heart.]

Eliza (Leans near the man's ear): A rat...shall not disrespect the dragon.

*RIP*

[The man's eyes widened and rolled to the back of his head before he fell to the ground with a large gaping hole in his back.]

Eliza (Looks at the heart in her hand before she takes a bite out of the muscle as if it were fruit before spitting it out and dropping it back on the dead bottom.]

Eliza (Takes a cloth out of her pocket and wiped her mouth): That was completely disgusting! Way too bitter. There's no way in hell I would use his blood in my mother's wine.

Diedre (Pouts): Oh, I'm sorry he wasn't to your taste, Eliza. Now (Looks at the other captives) I think I know which puppet to break in.

[Diedre's other hand reached out to Random Woman 2 - causing the strings to connect to the top of her head, the back of her hands, and the back of her calves. The woman's eyes widened as she was lifted off the ground and the others watched in horror but were unable to speak.]

Diedre (Smiles up at the strung-up woman with a sickening smile before looking at the two on the ground before lifting them to their feet by their necks): Now, pay close attention, little mice. (Looks at the strung-up woman again.) First, let's fix that arm for having the nerve to point at me.

[The strings attached to her arms began to turn, twisting her arms until the joints stopped them but the strings forced them...and broke them completely. The woman screamed and the others shivered but Diedre didn't stop - next were her legs, shattering the knees to keep her from walking. The woman screamed again before she was dropped to the ground, leaving her alive but broken...)

Diedre (Looked down at the other two before glaring at them): That was an example - never mess with the Puppeteer's Mother...or I shall break every last one of your bones.

[With that, she released her binds - the moment their control returned to their bodies, they gathered their broken friend and got the hell out of there.]

Eliza (Looks at Diedre): Well done, Diedre.

Diedre (Smiles): Anytime, now, let's get going back to our shopping.

[The two cousins smile and walk back into the village, leaving the dead man-thing in the streets; not even staying to watch a crow flying down and picked up the bitten heart and flying away.]

Broken Truth: Next Time - When Sebastian Moreau and Kaleb Heisenberg meet in the village.

[miragecounseling]

👹 ✇ 💪 for Jannu! (Also the app crashed 3 times while I was trying to send this jannu is too powerful)

ty!!! I answered the necro one before so I changed it and... i went a little overboard with writing djkhjkhg. This is like, the first i’ve written in months so bear with me ;o;

✇ - Do they have many fond childhood memories? Name a few.She grew up in a pretty sterile environment, but she has fond memories of learning to program her first golem with her mother. 

💪 - What is the source of their personal strength?Her fierce love of protecting whoever she can and, of course, Maeve. 

👹 - (For necros) What was the first thing they tried to reanimate? First time using shroud? When Jannu was around 16, she left her lifelong home in Rata Sum. She didn’t feel her peers or family believed in her, she felt confined to this box they placed her in- work with this Krewe for this many years, expand enough on your (more acceptable) theory to get funding, start your own Krewe, etc. But she didn’t want that. So she left. Fresh faced, bright eyed, and naive, she ventured on her own to Caldeon. 

She was inspired by the Sylvari there; their beautiful patterns, way of speaking, how they appeared fully formed and adult-like. She set up camp and began meeting with them, befriending them, learning their ways. Her friendships with them blossomed (jkjhsgdjkhf sorry) quicker than any she had attempted to form with her Asuran peers and she felt a deep compassion for them that she had never felt before. 

One night after retreating back to her campsite, she heard gut wrenching wails coming from the area that the youngest sylvari called home. Jannu grabbed her greatsword and tore through the thick brush, towards the cries. 

She stopped in her tracks and felt her heart stop when she had pushed her way out of the forest. Nightmare Court, the people she had only heard fearful tales about, ripped through the camp. There were a handful of them- 6, maybe 7, but though the saplings outnumbered them, they were no match. Unarmed and unskilled in combat, they fell before their foes with ease. 

Jannu trembled, gripping the hilt of her sword tighter to try and stop her hands from shaking. She had fought before, but never like this. Never this many. But the cries filled her ears and made her stomach flip. She took a shaky breath in and readied herself. 

“HEY!” she screamed, lifting her sword’s blade off the dirt.

A few courtiers looked her way. Sickening, twisted smiles overtook their faces and they glanced at each other.

“I’ve always wanted to skin a rat,” they said, looking her over.

“Watch out, she’s got a great big sword. She might give us a paper cut!” another jeered. 

Jannu’s eyes flicked between the three courtiers stepping her way. Her eyes narrowed and a slow smile stretched across her lips, her sharp teeth glistened in the moon’s light. She set her sights on a courtier to her left and sent out claws of darkness towards them, pulling them towards her. She slashed at their body with her heavy greatsword, causing them to cry out in agony. 

The other two courtiers rushed towards her, blades drawn, ready to pierce her. Quickly she dodged backwards, causing one of them to trip over where she once stood. A fire bubbled in her stomach and she out a loud, guttural scream. 

Shadowy hands flew out from around Jannu and grabbed the courtiers. They grabbed the dirt, desperately trying to stop them from dragging them to the small Asura, but their efforts were futile. 

“G-get her, you idiots!” one of the downed courtiers shouted to the others still attacking the saplings.

They glanced towards Jannu and began running towards her- or, what they thought  was her. 

Instead of an Asura in brightly colored robes, a shadowy figure stood in front of them. Green and black tendrils wrapped around her body and a cold breeze swept through the camp. 

The tendrils reached out to the remaining courtiers and pulled them close. Jannu began spinning, her greatsword slicing through them with ease. Being in her shroud made things... easier, almost. She continued to slash at her enemies, making them drop to the ground and cry out. 

Feeling the lifeforce drain, Jannu dropped out of her shroud and let her greatsword fall to the ground. Between heavy breaths she looked around at the lifeless bodies surrounding her feet. For a moment, she was horrified- she had done this? She had caused these people to die? Tears began filling her eyes and they threatened to spill over when a soft voice called out to her.

“Jannu?” a small sapling peeked out from behind a tree.

“I-I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean-” she whimpered, falling to her knees. 

Suddenly she was surrounded by saplings. No one said anything, but one of them picked her up and carried her to a bed. More sylvari arrived- someone must have run off to get help after the courtiers arrived. They cleaned her wounds, changed her clothes, and fed her.

“Thank you,” a small voice said behind her, “We... we know it wasn’t easy. But without you... none of us would have survived..”

They came up to her and placed a white lily on her lap. Jannu softly touched its petals and brought it up to her nose. 

“Thank you,” she whispered back.

The sylvari closed her eyes and smiled. It was a warm smile, one that filled Jannu with hope and comfort. 

“I’ll leave you to rest now,” she said before backing out of the room.

“Wait! Wait- I... um, may I ask your name?”

The warm smile appeared again, making Jannu’s heart flutter, “Maeve.”

Maeve. It was beautiful, just like her. 

[swanqueeneverafter]

What Dreams May Come, Pt.32

Dream World. Location As Yet Unknown. (Emma's eyes snap open, knowing immediately that something is very wrong. Turning in a slow circle, she sees herself surrounded by forest. Only upon almost losing her balance, does Emma finally realise what's happened.) Emma: (Clutching her pregnant stomach:) "No. It can be... she didn't-" Robin: (Cautiously approaching:) "Aunt Regina?" Emma: "Regina? No... this can't be happening. (Looks to Zelena who stands several paces away:) You knew about this?" Zelena: "Yes, I knew." Emma: "We have to go back. We have to stop her." Zelena: "We can't go back, we're stuck here now. Anyway, Regina went through the portal before us, remember?" Emma: "I went through the portal first! At least that was the plan. How could you let her do this?" Robin: "Wait a minute. Aunt Emma?" Emma: "Yeah. Thanks to your mom. (To Zelena:) How could you do this to me?" Zelena: "I didn't. Regina enlisted Tinker Bell for the job. I just went along with it." Emma: "But why?" Zelena: "Because my sister loves you. She couldn't bear the thought of you reliving your trauma, so Regina made sure you wouldn't." Emma: "We have to get her out of there, we have to save her." Zelena: "And we will, but first we have to figure out where we are. (Looking around:) This place was meant for Regina, so who knows what challenges lie ahead." Emma: "If anything happens to Regina, I swear I'll-" Zelena: "Ah ah. Careful Emz, (Pulls a pouch from her pocket and holds it up:) this is fairy dust. It's the only thing that will change you two back into your own bodies again, so if I were you, I'd keep that in mind." Robin: "Mom's right, Emma. The best thing we can do for Regina is work together to find out where we are." Emma: "We don't need to know where we are. I know where Regina is and I have this." (Holds up a magic bean.) Zelena: "Oh, brilliant plan. Follow Regina and then we'll all be stuck with our curse memories, only this time you'll be playing the role of Roni the drunken, pregnant bar maid." (Emma growls in frustration and then suddenly, feels the baby kick.) Robin: (When Emma gasps:) "What? Is it the baby?" Emma: "Yeah. (Smiling:) Quick, gimme your hand." (Emma grabs Robin's hand and places it on Regina's stomach.) Robin: "Oh my gosh!" Emma: (Notices Zelena hovering awkwardly and rolls her eyes:) "Come on." (Emma grabs Zelena's hand and places it on the baby bump as well.) Zelena: (Smiles:) "Seems my niece is ready for an adventure." Emma: "Yeah. (They stand like that for a long moment until the baby settles down. Calmer:) All right, let's go find out where we are." (The trio turn and walk down the forest path together, prepared to do whatever it takes to save both Henry and Regina.)

Henry's Dreamscape. Night. (Tiana and Ella continue their talk.) Ella: "You're from another realm?" Tiana: "Yes. Several realms, actually. It's complicated. I came here along with my friends, comrades and several armies to battle Lord Morpheus and save a young prince. Perhaps you've heard of him, his name is Henry Swan-Mills?" Ella: "Henry? You're from Henry's realm? (Tiana nods:) H-how do you know he needs saving? The last I heard, he was off seeking an adventure." Tiana: "Morpheus came to our world and told us he was keeping Henry captive. He wants us all to fight this huge battle against him. If Morpheus wins, he'll rule over all of us, but it is the only chance we have to save Henry and ourselves." Ella: (Walks away to ponder all this:) "I thought Henry left me for a chance at glory. I should've known he would have come for me if he could." Tiana: "So, will you help us?" Ella: (Walking back to her:) "I’ve been searching for an army so that I may save my people. You have brought an army so that you may save your prince. The same man who has stolen my heart. Of course I'll help you." (Tiana smiles, slightly confused by this statement, but happy to have found an ally.) Dream World. Wish Realm. (Walking through the forest, Emma, Robin & Zelena come upon two people laying a wreath at the foot of a statue. Emma groans when she recognises the statue of her parents.) Emma: "I know where we are. We're in the Wish Realm the Evil Queen banished me to." Zelena: "So what's the problem?" Emma: "The problem is that Regina killed Snow White and Prince Charming in this realm. She... I am an outlaw here." Zelena: "Well we know a few things about outlaws, don't we Robin? Hang back, (Conjures a fireball into her hand:) Robin and I can handle this." Emma: "No! We don't need to cause an incident. (Conjures a red cloak around herself:) I'll just go talk to them. You two stay here. (Leaving Robin and Zelena behind, Emma approaches the two people stood by the statue:) Excuse me, I'm wondering if you could help. My friends and I- (The people turn to face her:) Grumpy? Blue?"

Grumpy: "Lady, I don't know how you know our names, but I think you're gonna have more problems than you bargained for." Granny: (Stepping out from behind a tree, crossbow raised:) "You're gonna be sorry you stopped for help." Emma: "Granny. (As Granny joins the other two:) What the hell is going on here?" Blue Fairy: "Oh, stop asking questions and put your hands up! You could be a good score for us." Emma: "Wait, are you three robbing me?" Granny: "Of course not, we're going to hold you for ransom." Grumpy: “No doubt your husband will pay a lot of money to get his pregnant wife back.” Emma: "Okay, enough of this. (Lowers her hood:) Robin!" Grumpy: (Seeing her face clearly for the first time:) "Oh great, it's the Evil Queen!" Robin: (From several feet away:) "No. (When the trio turn to face her:) That's my Aunt. (Drawing back her bow, looks at Granny:) Payback's a bitch, old woman." (Robin fires three arrows in quick succession, landing at each would-be robber's feet. Thinking better of things, Granny, Grumpy and Blue run for cover.) Emma: (When Robin and Zelena catch her up:) "Nice intensity. What was that about?" Robin: "Oh, I owed Granny one. She chased Alice and I half across Storybrooke when we asked for her help." Zelena: "In her defense, poppet, Granny was still fighting the effects of your girlfriend's anger cloud, or whatever that was." Emma: "Well whatever the reason, thanks for having my back." Robin: "Of course, that's what family does. Now let's go find the rest of ours."

Henry's Dreamscape. Kingdom Of Valencia. (Madelena is in her chambers when there is a knock at the door.) Gareth: (Entering:) “There you are. I've been looking all over for ya.” Queen Madelena: “I'm packing for war.” Gareth: “Yeah, well, after that, maybe, I thought we'd go and address the troops. Uh, why don't I put my stuff in there with yours? I mean, I don't have a lot, and, uh, well, basically, I wear this every day.” Queen Madelena: “Share a trunk? I don't want your stuff touching mine.” Gareth: “Is everything okay?” Morpheus: “Knock, knock! Gentle reminder... uh, I've had a crow from the vicar. He'd love you to set a date for the wedding soon, because he fills up in August. Inquisition season.” Queen Madelena: (Stalks towards him:) “Go! Shoo! (Slams the door on Morpheus:) For a supposed God, he's just so... Ugh! (Laughs:) You know?” Gareth: “Well, actually, he has got a point. I mean, it's a bit confusing, you know, the king and queen not actually being married, and... It was really nice when you said that you loved me.” Queen Madelena: “Look, Gareth, let's not... (Gareth kneels down:) Oh, my God! What are you doing?!” (Madelena kicks him in the face and runs from the room.) Gareth: (Recovering:) “I wasn't proposing! I was doing me boots up! (Chases after her:) Oi!” Emma's Dreamscape. Under The Black Fairy's Curse. (Having swapped bodies with Emma, Regina finds herself setting the table, in preparation for a quiet meal for two.) Emma: (To herself:) "I hope this works." Regina: "Hope what works? Wait a minute, what's going on here? Something's not right." Killian: (Entering the cabin:) "What's going on?" Regina: “I knew I smelled a rat.” Emma: “Oh, Killian. I wanted to surprise you.” (Giggles.) Regina: “Did Emma just giggle?” Emma: (Continues:) “I know this has all been really confusing and I have not made it any easier. I wanted to apologize for overreacting last time. I know you were just trying to help. So, I thought... We could just talk and have lunch, like old times.” Regina: “I don’t believe this. She’s trying to win him back? Why can’t I stop her?” Killian: “I'd like nothing more. But this is hardly like old times.” (Killian sits down at the table, which is adorned with a checkered table cloth. Catching a glimpse of her in the mirror, Regina sees that Emma is wearing the pink dress from Killian and Emma’s ‘date’ during the curse, with her blonde hair in a pony tail.) Emma: “Come on. This is my way of saying I’m sorry. You know you can trust me.” Regina: “This is sickening. PUNCH HIM IN HIS SMUG FACE, EMMA! Ugh, why can’t I make her hear me? (Realises something:) Oh my god. This is it. This is how Morpheus was going to torture Emma. By trapping her inside her own body and forcing her to watch her life as this simpering, lifeless doormat. And now I’m having to watch it instead! (Scoffs:) Well, I’ve got to admit, I thought I was evil, but Morpheus is on a whole other level.”

Wish Realm. (Now wearing the clothes Regina wore during her first visit to the Wish Realm, Emma takes a few deep breaths while standing outside a tavern.) Zelena: "I'm sorry, are we going horse-riding after this?" Emma: "These are the clothes Regina wore when she came to rescue me from this place last time. Being separated from her and suddenly finding myself carrying our baby is a lot to get used to, so back off, all right?" Zelena: "All right, I was only teasing. (Watching Emma's anxiousness displayed on Regina's face:) We will find a way, Emma." Emma: (Smiles briefly:) "Things must be bad if the Wicked Witch is giving me a hope speech." Zelena: (Smirks:) "That's more like it. Come on, let's go inside." (Emma nods and the three of them enter the tavern.) Tavern. Interior. (Once inside, it takes mere moments before they’re noticed.) Man: "The Evil Queen! The Evil Queen!" (The patrons of the tavern scatter, some through windows, others through doors, all fleeing from the infamous woman stood before them.) Emma: (Rolling her eyes:) "That is getting really old. I haven't even been Regina for a day and... how can she stand it?" Zelena: (Scoffs:) "People fleeing in terror at the sight of her? Trust me, Regina loves it." Emma: "This was clearly a mistake, let's go." Robin: "Wait." (Robin walks further into the tavern, towards the sole remaining patron sitting at a table.) Emma: "Is that...?" Zelena: "I believe it is." Robin: (To the man:) "May I?" Robin Hood: "Please. (As she takes a seat:) To what do I owe the pleasure?" Robin: "Well, that's... a long story. (Quickly changing the subject:) I heard that you once fought in the king's army?" Robin Hood: "That I did, young woman. Although it was a long time ago." Robin: "What would you say if I asked you to fight one more battle?" Robin Hood: "I'd say my days as a soldier are over. However, for the right price, my services could be bought." Robin: "I have no money to offer. Only the chance to fight for what's right. To fight for love, family and freedom." Robin Hood: (Smiles, intrigued:) "All very noble causes indeed. Who would we be fighting against?" Robin: "Only one of the most cruel, power hungry tyrants man has ever faced." Robin Hood: (Considers her for a long moment:) "Well, what man could say no to that? (Pours her a drink:) Tell me more, milady."

Emma's Dreamscape. (Emma and Killian continue to talk while Regina watches on, powerless to stop them.) Killian: "I have questions." Emma: "You want to know if I'm still the same Emma." Regina: (Scoffs:) “I’d settle for a semi recognisable version of Emma.” Killian: “I imagine that's not a simple answer, so let's start easy. What’s changed? The last time we spoke, you left me laying on the floor.” Regina: “Woo! Now that’s more like it!” (Emma stares at Killian, unsure of what to say.) Killian: “You know I want to trust you, Emma. Why don't you help me?” Emma: (Taking his hand:) “A girl can change her mind, can’t she?” Regina: “Ugh.” Killian: “Well, you've answered my first question. You're not the same Emma. She didn't play games.” Regina: “I know a fun game. It’s called ‘Let’s see how much blood the pirate can lose before he finally dies.’” Emma: (Clears throat:) “Yes. I'm different. I'm better.” Regina: (Scoffs:) “THIS is better?!” Emma: “I used to be scarred and judgmental and closed off. And now I... I see things clearly. I'm not scared anymore. Honestly, I'm an open book, if you're willing to take that trust step.” Killian: “Are you really suggesting that we move forward in a real relationship?” Regina: “I’d suggest you DO take that first step... into a volcano!” (Emma says nothing, merely pouring Killian a glass of wine.) Regina: “Ooh, poison would work just as well, good thinking, Emma.” Killian: “No answer, just more games. Enough, Swan! (Stands, moves to leave:) All I wanted was your honesty. But I'm done humoring you. Answer me. And start by why you brought me here. It wasn't because this is what we used to do, because that you isn't here. You need something. Tell me what it is.” Regina: “I need you to die screaming, you bastard.” Emma: “All I need is your trust. I promise.” Killian: “I liked you the way you were. I liked your walls. I liked being the one to break them down.” Emma: “The person you found inside is still me.” Killian: “No, you’ve changed, and I don’t like it.” Regina: “Good. Then leave.” Killian: “However, there is but one way you can prove your love for me.” Emma: “Yes! Anything. Name it.” Regina: “No, Emma, this is exactly what he wants!” Killian: “Marry me.” Regina: “You son of a bitch!” (Emma stands staring at him for a moment, before the slightest hint of a smile touches her lips.) Emma: “Of- Of course I’ll marry you.” Regina: “Noooo!”

Henry’s Dreamscape. Kingdom Of Valencia. (Madelena oversees the loading of her luggage.) Queen Madelena: (To servant:) “Scratch that trunk, and you'll be in pieces in the next trunk.” (Turning to walk away, she bumps into Gareth.) Gareth: “Listen... We should talk about this whole wedding thing.” Queen Madelena: “What? Talk? Since when do we talk?” Morpheus: (From below:) “Your Highness... Your troops are ready for review.” Queen Madelena: “Oh, thank God. Look, Gareth, I can't talk about these kinds of things. I'm sorry. Let's drop it.” Castle Grounds. (The soldiers stand ready for instruction.) Gareth: (Chasing after Madelena:) “Come on, Queenie. When we started this, we said we'd never go to war angry.” Queen Madelena: “I'm not angry. I just don't want to discuss it with you.” Gareth: “Okay, then. We'll discuss it with someone else. Soldiers of Valencia! (The troops stand at attention:) I love you! There it is! It's out in the open! I said it for the first time in my life! What do you think about that?” Soldiers: “We love you, too, sir.” Queen Madelena: “And I appreciate that... Soldiers. And, yes, I too am starting to feel the same way. But this is all new to me, you know? I've never felt this way before, and now there's this pressure to move forward, forward, forward!” (The soldiers take three steps forward.) Gareth: “It's important that you feel comfortable, soldiers. So maybe we should slow down a bit. We got something special, and I don't want to ruin it.” Queen Madelena: (Relieved:) “That's good to hear. At least, I imagine it is. For the soldiers.” Gareth: “Who wants to go to war?! (The soldiers cheer loudly and Madelena takes his hand in solidarity:) Yeah!” Morpheus: (Watching from the balcony:) “Hmm, whoop-de-do. It's party time.”

[selinaneveahcrystal]

A/N: In honour of the answer that @bounding-heart replied to wanting a fic of Nagini being tragically drawn to damaged orphan Tom in the same way she was drawn to Credence.

Hopefully, it hits all the right nails and satisfies every criteria xD.

...

It’s been too long.

Far too long, that no one has understood her.

She stares at the tiny boy, handsome but oddly calm, the surprise only momentarily showing in his intelligent eyes as he tilts his head, glancing back at her.

There’s a beat of silence as her tongue flickers, and they both assess each other through their dark eyes. A hope that she knows could very well destroy her rises in her chest as the deadened leaves in the cave rustled under her belly.

Had he just understood her?

She hisses delicately in his direction, watching warily as his eyes brightened.

“You’re different too, aren’t you?”There’s a hunger that’s so familiar in his eyes. The desperation and yearning of finding himself to be something more than just what he currently was sending a pang into her deadened heart, coinciding with the fading image of another male, long ago. Fragile and broken, handsome and desperate for recognition.

She hisses in response, her body coiling around his right arm, her head rising to rest against his shoulder, her tongue flickering almost comfortingly as she hissed against his ear.

Yes.

He hears her, and brightens at her response as she preens.

It’s been too long that she’s managed to make someone feel better in ways that she could no longer respond in. It reminds her of the time that she used to be able to move on two feet, to comfort someone with words other than hissing.

He leaves much earlier than she’d like him to, but returns the next day with peace offerings.

Dead rats and mice, leftover foods from the table.

She prefers the leftover foods as compared to the rats and mice, her fading memory of delicious human food a more distinct memory than all others. There was nothing more than she missed than being able to consume warm food, well cooked and seasoned.

“You almost remind me of a human.”The boy reaches over to stroke the top of her head as she eats, voice a soft whisper. “And you’re beautiful.” She hisses her pleasure in response, and bumps her head against the palm of his very hand, a smile creasing in her heart as a peal of laughter falls from the lonely boy’s lips.

They spend their days in passing just like that, with him sneaking into the cave that she found refuge in every evening, bringing with him bulging pockets of food and game.

He’s playing and levitating fragments of stones in the air when the Muggle children find him, and the first thing he does is to hide her behind a pillar of stone.

“Stay here.”Affection is almost clear in his voice as he rubs his hand over her head. “I’ll chase them away. The adults will kill you if they know that you’re here.”His handsome face slips into a frozen mask of indifference, eyes darkened with hate and malice, and she all but curls against him, unsettled.

Don’t go.

The plea is clear in her hidden voice, the strong wrap of her body around his tiny hand.

He smiles lightly, prying his hand lose from her restricting body and steps into the light.

Credence!

A wave of her strongest human memory, riddled with pain and rife with heartbreak bursts into the forefront of her mind.

He knows where you’re from, not who you are!

Please!

The handsome but broken male in her memories glances back at her, torn but desperate, reluctant affection in the contours of his face as he drinks in her features.

Credence!

His hand slips from her own, and she screams in pure agony as he never returns.

...

His body is the only thing that they find amongst all the corpses of the dead in the aftermath of the battle.

“I’m..sorry..”It’s a word that she’s heard one too many times throughout the course of her life, and her hand shakes as his dark eyes stare back at her, blank and unseeing.

She hates the fact that the Mazoologist and his wife are standing behind her, watching her crumble and break over a corpse of a lover that she could never call her own.

Hates, the fact that all eyes are upon her with pity--an emotion she so detests, having been at the receiving end of it apart from amusement and greed throughout her life.

Credence is gone, and there’s nothing left in her cold heart that could ever let her fear again.

Everyone gathered around her flinches visibly as a broken keen rises from behind her parted lips, her face lifting to the bright clear sky as tears escape from her long lashed eyes.

It’s a cry that they all feel, broken and crushed, of hopelessness and endless despair.

Her body writhes, changes, deforms--and for once in her life, Nagini doesn’t care.

She hears the horrified cries wrenching through the air as she lets the beast in her consume her soul and body, feels the fading touch of Newt’s fingers as he reaches for her morphing hand, desperation on his face.

The beautiful dress that she dons falls to the ground as she slithers from its depths, her body curling upon the broken form of Credence almost protectively.

She is a beast.

Will be, a beast, from now on.

Her eyes turn towards Credence’s broken body as her tongue flickers, the last remnant of humanity that remained disappearing like the dying embers of a fire at its end.

There’s a beat of silence as they all wait, before she opens her mouth and swallows his body whole.

...

A cry of pain draws her back into the present, and her serpentine eyes flicker as she uncurls from behind the pillar, the sight of the boy that was kind to her sprawled on the ground, nose broken and bleeding as he lifts a hand to stop the endless blows.

The boy has magic. That much she knows.

So why isn’t he using it?

A long forgotten feeling of fear and anxiety rises in her chest as she watches the Muggle boy, twice his size, rain blow after blow on his fragile body.

He doesn’t know how to use his magic that well yet.

The realization strikes her like a cruel blow.

He’d been levitating rocks and playing with magic around her for so long that she’d forgotten that he was supposed to be a Muggle orphan, without anyone to direct him or teach him how to better control his magic.

Rage is clear on his face, and from experience, she knows that his magic will lash out soon enough, to detrimental consequences.

But it’s taking too long. Far too long, and the flash of the shining pocket knife in one of the child’s hands sends a cold chill racing down her bones.

No!

She strikes before any of them knows what’s happening, her teeth snapping at the hand of the boy holding the knife, cleaving it from the rest of his body before he even delivers a blow.

Screams of horror, pain and confusion burst from the rest of the Muggle children, and she registers vaguely as she turns to attack the rest of the children that the boy has his hand out, hatred and venom clear in his eyes as the two main perpetrators of the group dangle by their necks in the air, their bodies flopping around like kites in the wind.

She curls her body around his, tugging him back with a light squeeze of her strong body from the endless wave of rage and anger.

His magic responds to his wish, violently throwing the two Muggle children against the ragged ends of the rock wall.

A sickening crack of bone echoes in the cave, and the boy breathes heavily as she curls around his body, her huge size dwarfing his tiny frame.

She bumps his head with her own, trying to comfort him as his chest heaves with emotion and rageful anger.

There was no point dwelling on it now.

The boy that reminded her so much of him--was safe now.

Her hissing wakes him from his exhilarated stupor, the realisation that he’d used his magic for offensive purposes and protection twisting his features into something enlightened but wild.

“Nagini, you need to leave.”He breathes lightly as she hisses angrily in response to his words, snapping her tail around his wrist in protest. “I will find you, I promise. But you need to leave before they find you.” Footsteps of heavy feet and the stench of fire and smoke fill their nostrils as he pries her tail off his right arm and shoulder. “Go!”

She finally leaves at his behest, watching his tiny back as he stares down the orange flames in human hands, and the accusing eyes of those out for his demise.

...

She doesn’t recognise him when he returns for her, her days of hunting and surviving in the Forest of Albania having turned her into a merciless hunter and beast. Separation was never something good for her, especially when she’d formed a bond so strong to another that she treasured.

Leaving him that day so many years ago had reminded her of the day she’d failed to retain Credence, the overwhelming sense of weakness and failure something she could no longer accept and take.

She needed to be stronger, faster, better--deadlier, so that she would never have to lose anyone ever again.

“Nagini.”It’s no surprise that he recognises her. After all, she’s stayed the same throughout all these years, waiting for his promise, waiting, and making herself better.

But she doesn’t recognise the handsome boy that she once knew in the wisp of someone else’s body that is apparently him, and rage fills her entire being as she slithers up the man’s side, mouth poised open to devour the cowering man on the other end that had seemingly defiled him.

The boy that she’s waited for no longer has a body, she learns gradually through his recounting of his story. A mishap of people who misunderstood him and desired to eliminate him.

He feels her righteous rage at his words, smiling as she curls around his right arm protectively, tongue flickering and teeth snapping as she hissed.

How could they want to hurt someone as kind as him?

Rage boils in her blood as she recalls his tiny but strong back, standing in the light of the flaming torches, and his insistence that she get away.

She’d failed at protecting him, once again.

The ire in the contours of her body is conveyed over to him, and he glides a finger down her back soothingly.

What is the point of growing stronger when she could never protect him?

He laughs at her question, amusement in his face and dark eyes sparkling with hidden intent.

“What do you think of seeking another body for me, Nagini?”He asks her gently, relaxing as she uncurls her body from his shoulder to glance at him. “A body that will never allow anyone to separate us ever again.” His words hit her deepest desire, stirring long lost feelings of hope and desperation. “We’d never be apart again.”

His dark eyes turn to her own, and she sees a shadow of redemption in his figure, of long lost hope and missed chances, and she curls tightly around his right arm, head slithering up to rest on his shoulder.

Yes.

...

A/N: So the ending is set before the beginning of the Philosopher’s Stone. Voldemort has no body after killing Harry, and has just taken over Quirrell’s body when he meets Nagini again.

Also, there’s something that I included that draws parallels between Nagini and Credence and Nagini and Voldemort.

I wonder how many of you noticed that Nagini tends to attach herself to one side of Credence in the movie or in the promos

Almost as though she’s kinda wrapping round his shoulder.

She does the same for Voldemort in the movies too, in her snake form.

She’s always at their left side or favours their left side to make an appearance. 

Its actually interchangeable for Credence, but in a way I used it as a way to express her imprinting her lost chances and image of Credence on him--her desire to be wanted, for companionship.

There’s another parallel too.

Remember when Credence walks through the flames to Grindelwald’s side?

I strengthened the parallel between Credence and young Voldemort by letting her see his back as she leaves, seeing him face fire just as Credence did when he chose to leave.

Did you see the parallels? 

xD

Also, before any of you whale on me for humanising Voldemort, remember that its from her point of view--when he returns, she’s never seen what he did before while he was outside in the world, and her only memory of him stops at the time when he protected her in his youth. So to her, he’s kind and cares for her, and its worse that his image is parallel to Credence, someone that she clearly cares for and loves.

Let me know what you guys think, and if you did see the parallels when you read this fic, before I revealed them in the A/Ns!

I’d love to read and hear all your comments hehe.

Shoutout to @english-coffee for betaing this for me :3 You and I relate on so many levels when it comes to Nadence

[allaboardtheincubus]

This Halloween AU is so interesting! Ugh and my heart breaks for Sam :'

((Hi! We are happy to hear that you’re enjoying the AU the muns have set up so far. I hope that you enjoy the following fic below! I apologize if its a bit long, Sam is like one of my favorite boys, and when I get super immersed and into my writing, I tend to drag on for hours and hours. ^^” BUT I managed to stop myself before going too far! So once more, I hope you enjoy~!)) Part 1 of Unchained!Sam: Run Away! Screams of terror filled the entire village as smoke floated up and dissipated into the sky. Everywhere your eyes turned to you were met with the sickening sight of friends and family burning, and it was all the new King’s doing, Matthew. Your area of the Kingdom had refused to accept Matthew as the new Demon Lord, and for that, he ordered his men to burn anyone who opposed him down to the ground. You gritted your teeth tears stinging your eyes and anger wreaking every inch of your body. He did this he killed everyone you loved and cared for…You jumped as a sadistic voice roared over the flames,

“HAHAHA! Kill every single one of them, anyone who doesn’t bow to their rightful ruler doesn’t deserve the obligation to breathe~.” You stumbled back knowing the voice belong to Matthew. You had to get out of here, you had to get out of here! You turned around and broke out into a full on sprint your heart pounding in your chest as images of what Matthew and his men would do to you if they captured you ran through your mind. No, you couldn’t think about that you had to focus on running!

But where would you go? You didn’t want to stay under the rule of a madman who had just so ruthlessly killed those you loved. Your mind suddenly clicked together an idea your eyes lighting up. That’s it, the forest that sat on the edge of your village! You quickly rounded right and ran down an alleyway. The screams of people nearby echoed out causing your teeth to grit and your hands to fly up and cover your ears. You couldn’t stand listening to the noises you needed to get out of here!

You focused back on the road ahead of you seeing that the vast forest was looming tall before you. You were almost there, just had to go a bit-Suddenly you felt a hand grip tightly onto the back of your shirt. A gasp escapes you as you quickly began to thrash about the person behind you calling out that he captured a survivor. You shook your head pleading, “No, please stop! Let me go!” You were cut off for a moment as you heard what sounded like a squeaky evil laugh.

Something small had scurried up your leg and body and jumped onto the face of your captor behind you causing them to lose their grip. You stumbled forward a bit before spinning around seeing a small white squirrel poking a toy knife into the man’s eyes. You blink trying to process the sight you were witnessing before you heard voices call out, “OVER THERE!” More guards and Matthew himself were all heading your way. You scooped down and grabbed the squirrel that saved you before sprinting into the forest without looking back.

Matthew and his men came to a complete stop upon seeing you were running into the forest. Matthew scowled before he snapped his fingers, causing five knives to appear and stab through the person who had grabbed you previously. “Simon, IM GOING TO KILL YOU ONE OF THESE DAYS, YOU HEAR ME YOU RAT!” The men who stood around Matthew stood uneasily one gulping before finding the courage to speak up, “Sh-Should we go after her my lord?” Matthew scoffed turning his back on the forest, “Nah, don’t worry about it…” He smirked chuckling to himself, “I’m sure the beast will finish my dirty work~” He began walking back into the village laughing out loud to himself as his guards followed behind him, relieved that they wouldn’t have to step into the beast’s territory…

The sound of your feet hitting the ground was all that filled your ears, as you tore through the trees. Uneven and harsh breathes wheezed past your lips as your lungs began to burn and beg for more air. You finally came to a stop before your legs buckled from underneath you and fell to your knees. Images of your parents and loved ones screaming for you to escape filled your mind. Your stomach gave a sickening lurch before you threw up out the contents of your stomach.

There you sat the taste of bile lingering in your mouth feeling alone and scared. “I…lost everything…” A weak shaky sob left your lips, as the squirrel who had saved you jumped out of your pocket. Your gazes met as you sniffled smiling weakly, “I…guess I have you. Thank you for saving me.” The squirrel did another squeaky evil laugh in response while you sat back and pulled your legs to your chest. “Do you have a name?”  The squirrel nodded its head before stabbing its toy knife into the dirt, slowly carving out the letters S-I-M-O-N into the soil.

You laughed gently, “Simon? You’re quite the smart squirrel. It’s nice to meet you! My name is Y/N.” The happy glow in your face quickly fleeted however as you returned to wondering what would become of you now. You couldn’t just sit here forever feeling sorry for yourself. As much as you hated to admit it, you knew you couldn’t do anything now to change what had happened. All you could do was keep pressing forward and fight to avenge your village.

Releasing a deep breath you slowly stood up to your feet, “Let’s go, Simon, we have to keep moving.” The squirrel gave you a look of concern but climbed back up into your pocket before you began to walk deeper into the forest. You have heard countless stories and rumors about this place. No one would dare step foot in it ever since rumors of a bloodthirsty beast started up. At first, you didn’t believe in the rumors seeing them as far-fetched. But then mighty roars had begun to erupt from within the forest every day quieting all skeptics.

You had received countless warnings to never enter the forest. They had felt that the beast was a dangerous creature just looking to tear into its next victim, but you felt it was nothing to be afraid of. Whenever it roared it sounded more hurt and lonely than it did dangerous to you…You wonder if you would run into the beast while you were here. That thought didn’t linger long however as the sound of wolves suddenly erupted across the air. The hairs on the back of your neck standing on end as you realized their calls were steadily coming closer and closer to you.

Once more you began to sprint as fast as you could the wolves quickly gaining on you. “Shit, shit, shit!” You cussed and came to a stop realizing that running wasn’t going to work. You quickly look left and right before your sights landed on a thick branch that lay upon the ground. You picked it up and held it defensively as the pack of wolves surrounded you. Your heart thumped fast in your chest, and your breathing turned sporadic in fear. “STAY BACK!” You screamed before you swung your club at a wolf getting close. You landed a hit right across its head, causing it to whimper and fall back.

You kept the branch clutched tightly as you step by step attempted to back away from the wolves. Each one snarled and snapped its teeth threateningly towards you. This was it, you weren’t going to make it out of this! You were going to die! One of the wolves finally grew impatient and pounced towards you, your reflexes helping you instantly swing towards the wolf. However, it was prepared this time and caught the stick in its teeth.

A scream ripped through your throat as you tried to pull the stick out of its mouth. It only resulted in you losing your grip and your balance however as your head went hurling towards a big rock on the ground. You felt a harsh jolt of pain, and then sudden darkness clouded your vision…

Patience. That was the first rule the beast had to learn when it came to hunting. Sure it had the power to easily just overtake the prey and tear into it. However, prey was much more fun to ingest when it spent a couple days stalking it and finding the perfect moment to strike. This particular prey the beast had been hunting for a few days now, and it grew quickly bored with following it. So it slowly began to crawl closer and closer towards the oblivious, pathetic creature.

Its tongue slipped out of its mouth and swiped across its lips in hunger before he snarled showing his sharp teeth. Just before it could pounce however an earth-shattering scream tore through the air. The beast flinched and blinked a couple times the glow in his eyes disappearing along with the prey. “God DAMN IT!” The former incubus roared and punched his fist into the ground before he stood up to his full height.

He flicked his head towards the direction where he had heard the scream come from and snarled, “Oh, whoever screamed is a dead man….” He swore to himself before he sprinted quickly towards the source of the scream, his super speed making it hardly take any time at all.

When he had reached the area he was met with a pack of six wolves advancing on a woman who was unconscious on the ground. He wasted no time as he released a growl and stepped out, “You fuckers ruined my dinner for the night! Now I’m going to have to settle for eating all of you instead!” He cracked his knuckles as the six wolves turned and faced him releasing howls into the distance before the seven animals broke out into a fight.

It didn’t take long for the beast to maul down every single wolf, not leaving a single one alive. He stood in his spot for a moment as soft pants left his lips, and fresh blood ran down his arm. He slowly turned his gaze back on the unconscious female, his bloodied hand reaching up to run through his brown locks of hair. He sighed deeply and raised his brow, “Now what the hell do I do with her…? …Is she even alive?” He crouched down beside the female and held a finger under her nose.

He groaned annoyed rolling his eyes when he felt air hit his skin, “Great, she’s still breathing…That doesn’t help me any.” He jumped slightly as an evil laugh filled the air. A white squirrel stood on top of the females chest and stared at Sam. He blinked and eyed the squirrel down, “Don’t I…know you from somewhere?” He questioned before scoffing as he scratched the back of his neck, “No Sam, couldn’t be…You’re just going even more fucking nuts.”

His gaze turned back on the face of the female as he continued to contemplate what to do with her. “Guess I could always just throw her into a ditch.” He snickered to himself before suddenly feeling something stab his leg. “OW!” He exclaimed and looked down to see the squirrel stabbing him. “Hey, cut it out-” He began to say before his orbs lit up, “Wait…SIMON!?” The squirrel released its signature laugh the male feeling memories of the human world come flooding back to him. His eyes filled with near tears, “S-Simon…” He quickly blinked the tears away, however, and shook his head.

“What are you doing here?” He quickly snarled as he turned cold once more. “That fucking pipsqueak send you here to spy on me?” He snapped raising a brow. Simon replied with a shake of his head before he pointed at the female he stood on. “Huh? Spare her? No, why the hell would I go and do something like that?” He questioned Simon only giving him a pleading look in return. He groaned loudly and stood from his previous crouched position. “Fine, but only because I don’t really feel like killing a girl today!” He grumbled before he picked the female off the ground and walked off.

[palemoonpersephone]

Sabre. Chapter One. An OUAT Fanfiction.

Summary ~  Fortuna brings a nameless scavenger to Neverland aboard the Jolly Roger, fleeing from one life to another. A business deal becomes a bargain for the survival of Hook and his crew; the scavenger is left to the mercy of Neverland, and to the whims of its Master.

Pairings: Peter Pan/OC; Peter Pan/Felix; Peter Pan/Rufio

Full story can be found here (ff.net) and here (AO3)

Cover art by blackdistractionart.

Tags&Warnings: Dark!fic; explicit sexual content; implied sexual content; original Lost Boys; pre-series; original Neverland elements; blood and violence; torture; dark!powerful!Pan; dark characters; PTSD symptoms; identity conflict; mental instability; character death; dom/sub; BDSM elements.

"Tangled in wires of iron. Strangled by strings of despair. The rusted needle of your compass crumbled into dust. You waste of hate are a shame to yourself. The curtain fell the play begins. Your naked carcass is exposed. All the marks that you've left were swallowed by the tides. You're nothing more but a ghost from the past. ~ Dance for the lord of broken souls. The one that sets the rhythm you obey. Your life lies in his hands. Hear and fear the mocking child's laugh."

"You hold the answer deep within your own mind; consciously you've forgotten it. That's the way the human mind works, whenever something is too unpleasant, too shameful, for us to entertain we reject it, we erase it from our memory. But the imprint is always there... ~ But the imprint is always there. Nothing is ever really forgotten." 

There had come a time when he had run out of places to wash the blood from his hands, and it was long ago.

The waves were cool as they rose up to caress large hands, as if in reverent offering, drawing out the crimson stains to reveal their natural alabaster hue. They remained submerged, fingers working unhurriedly until no trace was left, before he stood tall on the rock where he perched with a hunter’s grace. It was nigh impossible to not take in the sea with every breath, not that he minded, though he had always preferred the aromas of the dark forests; moss and mud, rain and blood.

No stars were out that night but, behind the veil of dark clouds, he could spy the faintest whispers of moonlight that dared defy him. His dripping fists clenched.

A low rumble of thunder, like the growl of some great monster, like him, rippled low across the sky and when he next looked up, his eyes were only met with darkness. The quirk of his lips was a crack in the icy exterior of his features.

They would be hiding away, all of them – just as they should – curled up in their huts and cots and treehouses, quivering for fear that he may descend to quell his fury on their breakable bodies. It had happened too many times.

Time, his greatest adversary, was moving against him.

Drying his hands with a fleeting thought, he reached into the pocket of his tunic for one of the two rolls of parchment that had sat against his heart for longer than he could recall. One was far older. His fingers were careful as he unravelled it, staring down with rising irascibility. It looked like her, under the right gaze, though she had carried the wrong name, and the wrong blood, which now drifted out into nowhere. He’d been a fool to ignore that, hoping for the chance that the name had become lost to history, while he remained untouched. However, since her arrival, an ever growing part of him had wished for her failure, the relief upon which was undeniable. He’d been all too happy for what came next.

So many screams for one without a tongue.

Nonetheless, the board would be set again in wait for a new pawn – one worthy of the mantle that had fooled everyone but him; one worthy of a place among his possessions – to present themselves, and he would be ready and waiting.

For, after all, Peter Pan never failed.

The docks were always busy in the early mornings, waking and working before much of the rest of the town.

Ships passed in and out of the harbour, setting out on trade missions, voyages and fishing trips, or bringing in supplies for merchants to get their hands on to sell for a fat profit, sailors roused before the dawn. Sometimes the lanterns had barely burned out after a night’s vigil when the docks became lined with people, swimming and scattering like the fish that swam, oblivious to the bustle, in the harbour. That was where she could be found.

A beggar girl, small and underfed, would sit mutely and pitifully offer her tattered little bowl to passers-by, when she had the strength to. She’d lost count of how many days she’d huddled in the same spot during the days, the information irrelevant to her, dark eyes pleading by nature and searching for a kind-looking face. There were better places to beg, she knew in her absent mind, and it were not as though she had any possessions, save the bowl and clothes on her back, to carry, yet she found she did not wish to leave the harbour. More often than not, she blamed it on the exhaustion that was dragged in on the back of hunger.

It was particular chilly that morning so she wrapped her thin, worn shawl around her shoulders, still shivering in spite of her attempts. It rose in her memory that the bakery or the local forge had always emitted a little warmth. Still, she didn’t move. Besides, the baker or the blacksmith would have probably chased her away. Not that she would blame them.  

Having so often forgotten, she wondered, again, if it was worth trying to clean herself up as best she could and offer her labour to the local manor, or an inn or a farm, earn some coin, protected by an informal contract that put a roof over her head and food in her belly. Something always stopped her.

The pit in her gut would open up wider, bleeding out a sickening dread, a searing…guilt, embarrassment? She was not sure. There was always a piece of the puzzle missing, as though her deeper mind was keeping something back from her, locked away beyond reach. But what use was it? It didn’t put money in her hand.

Her disjointed mind then led her down a path she’d also wandered down many a time; the world was clearly not going to care for her, why should she care for it? There were plenty of people whom she doubted would miss a small purse, a trinket or two. Again, something stopped her. Made it impossible.

Someone dropped a penny into her empty bowl; she didn’t see their face as they scurried away. “Thank you,” she whispered dryly but earnestly. The clatter of a coin made her dormant heart stir.

Food might have to wait, she thought, and tried to ignore the response of her empty belly.

A new shawl or coat would be of more use to her now that summer was over. Doing her best to block out the gnawing hunger, the girl began to look out for boats sailing in that may have been carrying cargo for trade, perhaps she could barter a deal, take the scraps, and hope someone might take pity on a peculiar street rat. Usually, the girl kept her bowl fairly close to her knees when it had money in already with a pointless paranoia, but now she held it a little further up like an offering. Hopefully the strain in her arms would be worth it. Trepidation kept her noiseless. She learned to speak in other ways.

It was some time later, dragged out by the chill and hunger, and a small boy scampered through the crowds and put a couple of coins in her bowl, perhaps sent by a charitable elder. Finding a rare smile that made her mouth feel strange, the girl brought the bowl back towards her chest protectively. “Thank you.”

The boy smiled innocently back at her and dashed away, moving effortlessly through the currents of sailors and merchants. The air was a little warmer yet her hands were still reddened and trembling, and the bowl felt like ice against her grimy skin. When did I last wash? She couldn’t remember, but couldn’t think too far back. Where would I find warm water, anyway?  

A ship sailing in then caught her eye; her gaze fixed on it as it docked and the sailors began to unload large crates and sacks. Placing her bowl on the floor, knowing it would never be worth stealing and not really caring for it anyway, she collected the coins into her little hand and got to her feet. Her joints were stiff and aching, gait shaky as she stumbled through the slightly thinning crowds. So fixed on the ship ahead of her, she forgot to step aside for the figure approaching, having also just docked, ebony-haired and clad darkly from head to toe.

His shoulder barged into her, knocking that frail body down to the ground like a stack of cards with a grunt that was the air being knocked out of her chest. “Watch your step, lass,” he barked at her before properly regarding her, pivoting on his soles.

Guilt and heat washed over her as she peeped up at him, grateful for the filthy sweep of hair covering nearly half her features. “Sorry,” she muttered, avoiding his eye as quickly as possible, diverging her gaze to his attire. A long coat, crafted in black leather, hung from his strong shoulders to his mid-calf, met by black boots that concealed the lower part of his trousers, black leather also, a little scuffed with more than frequent use but still clung to a hint of shine. Perhaps they’d been polished not long ago. The waistcoat beneath was easy to catch the eye, a bold bloody red, intricately detailed, lined with silver, here and there.

“What you got in your hand there?” he asked sharply, voice jolting her, pale lapis eyes scouring over her feeble form, settling on her hand that was clenched like a vice. She couldn’t remember when someone had last spoken to her properly.

Impatient, the dark sailor extended his left hand, except it wasn’t a hand. Secured to his wrist like a piece of machinery was a silver hook that could slice flesh better than the finest blades. The sight of it alone proved sufficient. Her eyes flickered uneasily between the gleaming instrument and her tightly curled fist once or twice before slowly opening it to reveal the few measly coins.

“Steal those, did you, lass?”

The girl shook her head vigorously, making no move to get up, like she’d forgotten she’d fallen in the first place. Her fingers re-closed around the coins defensively, hand withdrawn to her chest, knuckles whitening against the cold red flush of her skin. The dark man examined her carefully; she could have easily been a thief, using her harmless appearance to get away with little crimes. He’d never seen startled rabbit eyes so convincing. Almost too convincing. But no thief would be so poorly kept. Seldom had he seen a sight more pitiful than the one before him then.

“N-No, sir,” the beggar finally squeaked.

Smirking, he folded his arms. “Sir? How quaint,” He flashed his teeth in a chuckle. “Do you know how I am?”

Her answer was another shake of the head, lips unmoving. Except for a small chilly tremble.

He reached down and hauled her up, bones brittle and bird-like under his one handed grip. A thief would have been better fed as well, he remarked to himself. With the way she moved he could tell she was little more than skin and bones under those baggy rags she passed off as clothes.

“That won’t buy you anything,” he told her, and watched as her dull eyes fell.

“I want a shawl. I’m cold,” the girl said unevenly, as if unaccustomed to saying more than two words at a time.

He looked over her again, unable to supress the pang of warmth that plucked at his frayed heartstrings, and unable to sense anything malign in the sorry soul before him. With winter coming, she probably wouldn’t last long. Swiftly, he cast his eyes over to his ship; they would be ready to set sail again in a little time.

“Do you have a name, scavenger?” he asked after a moment’s deliberation.

She shook her head. “Call me what you like,” she shrugged indifferently.

In all honestly, the girl often had no memory of the names she’d once been called by, only that there had been more than one. No one used them, no one had in a long time. She was a nameless, faceless beggar, who had no need of a name. When she could recall them, she realised they were her only true possession and she wouldn’t give it away to just anyone. Couldn’t. Not that they would save her.

Few knew the names she’d gone by in earlier years, fewer were still alive, even fewer – mayhaps no one – knew the true name from which they came.

The dark sailor unfolded his arms, the metal instrument at the end of his wrist glinting in the morning sun, glancing over at his treasured vessel again. “I could use an extra pair of hands aboard my ship. You’d be given food, shelter, clothes. And a bath. What do you say, scavenger?”

Lips parted in shock, she simply stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Well?” he prompted irritably after a few moments of silence. “You can come with me or stay here and freeze to death.”

“Is this a trick…? You mean it?”

“Aye, better to put a life to work than to waste. I doubt you have anything to stay for.”

Not anymore, a voice in her mind said solemnly, coming from somewhere deeper, dark. “No,” she answered. “I-I won’t be any trouble.”

“I would hope not. Come along then, scavenger,” he turned and set off with a brisk stride towards his ship, coat flapping around his lower legs.

It took a moment to sink in; she shook her head sharply to make sure it wasn’t some wishful illusion, a hallucination brought on by hunger or exhaustion. It wouldn’t be the first time. But then, realising it was all very much real, she took off on coltish legs after her unlikely saviour.

She immediately felt far too dirty as she stepped on board, knowing she didn’t belong. The crew were rough looking, not formal and tidy like the regular sailors and captains she’d seen in her time yet they carried themselves with experience, a discipline. Her heart quickened, pounding her chest like a begging plea, or a warning, when a number of the crew cast their eyes on her; she lowered her head, feeling her palms grow sweaty.

“Change of plan. This is Venger, our new cabin boy. I’m told he’s rather a diamond in the rough,” her rescuer announced to the crew on the deck. “Smee, find some clothes, and the shears.” The girl felt a lift in her features in spite of herself, liking the new name. Venger, she could see that suiting her quite well. He turned to her, a wily grin across his face. “Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger.”

“So, they think I’m a boy?” Venger ventured with a meek tone, clarifying.

“It’s impossible to tell under those clothes and I’ve seen enough boys with faces like yours. Besides, tongues tend not to wag on my ship. A scavenger can hardly afford a barber anyway,” her new captain told her, gathering all the hair around her back. His pirate title had hardly surprised her – Captain Hook. She should have guessed.

Her excuse for hair was knotted and matted beyond measure, filled with dirt and dust, and blood, crawling down her shoulder blades to her mid back. She couldn’t help but flinch as he began hacking it off with the shears Smee, his first mate, had brought him. It fell to the floor in clumps, leaving her whole skull feeling much lighter. The captain stopped cutting when the remains of her rats-nest was at level with her little elfin ears, noting the tenseness in her shoulders but saying nothing; he suspected she had been without companionship for some time. He then eased the girl backwards until the back of her head was submerged in the large washing bowl. Warm water rippled against her ears, teasing the edges of her hairline. A little contented hum passed over her lips as she closed her eyes. He worked through her shortened locks with an oiled hand, the sharp point of his hook proving rather useful, pulling through the remaining knots and then coated it with a sweet-smelling ointment until he could pull his fingers through with neither effort nor strain.

“Thank you, sir,” Venger whispered, sitting up.

“Just call me Captain, or Hook, whichever you rather,” he ruffled her hair with a towel before taking a strip of dark blue silk that had once been his and put her hair into a ponytail, tying it rather adeptly into a bow, leaving the shortest locks loose around her face. He left the towel hanging over her shoulders. “You’re a boy now, I don’t want any slip ups; you’ll be safer as a lad. And you are to refer to me as ‘Captain’ at all times on duty. Now run yourself a bath – those pots are warming over there – and then put those on,” he gestured to a set of clothes slung over the back of another chair, again left dutifully by Smee.

Venger nodded obediently, waiting until the captain left the cabin to get up and lock the door behind him. There were enough pots to fill the small tub adequately deep. It was such a relief to shed the rags that hung off her body. The water was a little hot to start with but blissful all the same as she sunk into the tub. She couldn’t believe that she’d forgotten what warmth felt like, of all things.

She scrubbed herself clean, turning the water murky within minutes, greatly to her shame. It had been easy to forget how truly pale her skin was without all those layers of grime on top, yet that was likely what had kept it so.

The clothes left for her were befitting of any cabin boy. The tunic was white, loose with ruffled sleeves and concealed her mild feminine shape, while the trousers were black as night and came with a belt which she tied at the hips to keep the dips of her waist hidden. The boots left for her were a little big but their height on her calves prevented them from slipping, and finally she pulled on the dark brown waist-coat, leaving it undone. Satisfied and in better comfort than she been in over a year, Venger climbed up to the deck, and quickly caught sight of her new captain.

“I suppose that’ll do,” Hook said dismissively, looking her up and down as she approached with a demure gait.

They stood side by side, looking out over the prow of the Jolly Roger, with the whistling air in their faces, carrying in the scent of salt. Venger couldn’t help that same lightness taking hold in her face. The water glittered like a thousand sapphires under the sun, reaching out as far as the eye could see. This was the sight of freedom, she knew it to the bone.

Venger only wished to ask of her new life, all too keen to set sail and never look back, caring not if it meant rising early, scrubbing floors, washing clothes and seeing the same faces day after day. Anything was better than what she had; a wretched existence, and she knew with certainty she would never regret the choice to leave it behind.

There wasn’t anything left for her, nothing to hold onto, no ties to cut. A new life on a pirate ship would keep her busy, make her tired for the night, and maybe she would no longer be trapped to a constant circle of knowing there was something she couldn’t remember, trying to work her way back, and her thoughts collapsing in on themselves, the deeper parts of her being locked away, forbidden.

“How old are you then, boy?” Hook asked, knowing some of his crew would be able to overhear.

“Nineteen, I think,” Venger replied. “I don’t really remember.”

“I had you for younger. Why don’t you remember?”

Light azure was met with a sorrowful, depthless gaze of dark hazel-brown. “I don’t remember a lot of things.”

The girl wondered if he was thinking of asking her about the story that came along with her, for there must have been one, but could understand how one’s sorrows were their own. In little slips, or in the dead of night, she would remember something, and for a second become someone fuller, with more pieces put together.

A silent weight bore down on his shoulders as it did on hers, she could sense that kind of burden. Perhaps that was why he chose to save me.

Her shortened hair was almost dry now and pleasantly light and feathery, tickling her cheeks and back of her neck. Its true colour, a light auburn, hued with gold and copper, revealed itself proudly and was pretty against the rich blue of the ribbon.

Every now and then, sparkling sea water would be sprinkled over her face by the ship bowing and gliding through the navy waves that stretched out all the way to the bright horizon. Taking a deep breath, she sought out the courage to speak again. “Where is it we’re going?”

The Captain scoured the ship, providing a moment before answering, and looking to her.

“Neverland.”

Please share your thoughts! It’s super important that writers get feedback/support from their readers if their story is being well received <3 

[chalabrun]

between the dirt & desperation, ch. 2

Word count: 2,420 Pairings: Symbrock Rating: T Warnings: Animal death, non-sexual vore, violence Summary:  Sequel to “Angry & Half in Love with You”, it’s been well over a month since Eddie moved away from San Francisco to start over in his hometown of Manhattan. Yet, it’s difficult to return to a normal life when what you were once addicted to becomes addicted to you. A/N: This is a crossover between Venom (2018) and Sam Raimi’s Spiderman trilogy (2002-07)

( READ ON AO3 ) 

The symbiote was relentlessly starved when they finally made some sort of harbor a dark place where grime crawled deeper and lower than the rats Venom gorged itself upon, being generous, ginger. It withdrew from coating the whole of Eddie’s body and instead emerged like a serpent, slithering and bobbing as it devoured what it could while Eddie watched on apathetically. Not because he didn’t care, but because it held less horror for him than it should. Those few days together—had it been less? Whatever it was, there had been no time to slow down and think. Here and now, in the deafening silence, there was.

Without having to be told, he knew that it’d known Maria. They had been together for a time, and it let him access that trust through the hum of tension. The hum that sometimes growled. A pigeon panicked and squawked when Venom lunged and crushed the bird in its jaws in a sickening crunch of finality, feathers and thin talons sticking from its jaws before swallowing it down whole. Then, more rats. More crunching and devouring and sick noises instead of what hung in the air like a noose.

Eddie squatted on a crushed cardboard box while it ate, unwilling to shut his eyes lest he saw what Venom did. The blood, the viscera, a taste that would make him retch if he let himself. His skin felt clammy. Oh, he’d been sweating. His clothes clung to his body unpleasantly, almost like he’d been dipped in water. Was it him, or Venom? He couldn’t tell anymore.

All he did know was, in the silence, there wasn’t any censor. While Venom feigned like it was fully absorbed in foraging for prey, everything passed between them. Every badly suppressed sensation, emotion. The cautious relief, the tension, the anxiety—those were Venom’s, he thinks. Or was it both? All Eddie really knew was his own caution, the tension, the suspicion, the—oh. So, there was some overlap. Did he fear it? Suddenly, everything he’d done came in sharp relief and the last month had felt like withdrawal. This…it was like taking a hit but getting none of the high.

Being too fucking aware to drown in the weird colors, to smell sound.

“So, how long are we gonna hole down here and pretend what happened didn’t, Ven?” It’s asked suddenly, tiredly, and now Venom flinches. He can feel it all the way up the appendage. Like a shiver down a spine. His spine, Venom’s? Or theirs. Regardless, Eddie sounded tired, frustrated. Probably not the most inviting front.

Venom slurps down the last rat. It’s morbid seeing it slide down his throat, and he can’t stand to watch. He pressed a finger to his temple, expelling a weary and terse sigh.

“…We’re sorry, Eddie. There’s just so much we didn’t understand—”

He can feel it. Like Venom is going to crumble, like he’d blow away if he didn’t clamor towards Eddie and twist around him for dear life. Eddie wants it, too. He wants it so much he can feel his fingers twitching, biceps tense like they’d open up at the slightest insistence and seize the symbiote in a crushing embrace. But, they can’t. Not yet. Not when Eddie doesn’t trust it. Even if he can feel its fragility, its heart that throbbed painfully.

Not when he can’t distinguish what belongs to whom.

“…Could’ve asked me. I wouldn’t have minded, y’know. Just sat down and watched some fuckin’ boring documentary about… I dunno, goddamn Plato for somethin’. Freud. Those guys. Knew all about how humanity ticks.” Eddie dropped his face in his hand, digging into the hair at his hairline as he watched a trickle of water run past to a storm sewer. He wanted to sleep. But, he couldn’t just leave things hanging like this.

A drop on his forehead. Who…? Nah, it was just beginning to rain. He forgot how cold and dreary Manhattan could be. Glancing towards Venom, the symbiote looking like the alien equivalent of a kicked puppy, the downpour starting.

“Com’mere. I don’t want ya gettin’ all soaked like that.” Putting his hood up, Venom retracted some back into his body, like ink soaking up parchment. The part that remained hung on the hoodie’s collar and tucked itself beneath his chin, warm and pliant beneath his stubble. Meekly did Venom rub himself against his chin, which admittedly tickled. Eddie broke out in a quick grin and chuffed softly, which earned a relieved pause from Venom as it continued to nuzzle into his jawline.

It was a start, at least.

“…We don’t want to end up like last time. We missed you, Eddie. …We want a second chance.” Venom’s words were quiet and admissive, and totally vulnerable. He could feel a tightness in his chest that wasn’t his own.

Eddie nodded, a thoughtful silence descending even as he got soaked, rain dripping from the lip of his hood. “I wanna trust you, Ven. I do, it’s just— …Funny. How people all over the world lead these fuckin’ lonely lives. Top brass. Lowest scum. And everyone in between who doesn’t have anyone to understand them. Not in the way they wish they could. Boy, if they knew the damn cost of it all.” Venom filled a side of Eddie’s hoodie, nuzzling yearningly into the blond’s cheek and rubbing affectionately. Absently, he grazed his lips against the symbiote that began purring deeply. “And now, I got it. Y’think it wouldn’t be this fuckin’ complicated, sharing headspace an’ all.”

Venom breathed softly against Eddie’s neck, pressing into his pulse. “You were kind to her. We saw it through her eyes. You were a good friend.”

Eddie swallowed thickly. “Yeah,” he agreed hoarsely, voice cracking huskily, feeling his eyes mist wetly. “Too bad she ain’t here to say so. Fuck—”

“You’re a real hard guy to track down, Brock. Guess I’m lucky you didn’t get very far.”

Eddie reared to stand and upset whatever water had been accumulating on him, like a statue suddenly come to life, perched over a gloomy autumn fountain and under a funeral shroud sky. There was the red. Red he remembered. But somehow shouldn’t but did. Spiderman. He’d seen him before in the papers, but that red looked different in person. Realer. Too vivid for a dark city.

“Spiderman? Th’ hell’re you doin’ here?” Eddie asked in surprise, Venom having vanished at the right time.

“Enough of the talk. You’ve got the symbiote, Brock. A lot of people are gonna get hurt if you don’t give it up.”

“What, is there a crime against loiterin’ in alleyways? Or are ya suddenly an avenger for fuckin’ vermin?” the blond demanded incredulously, those inscrutable opaque lenses making it impossible to tell what the vigilante was thinking. He could feel Vernom’s trepidation evolve into something malicious, tenebrous shadow building behind him like a nascent forest fire.

“Spiderman!” Venom seethed menacingly, claws curling and fangs bared menacingly. Its eyes narrowed to slits, Eddie feeling its inky substance creep up his skin and over his clothes. So, it was really coming to that? That they’d be the villains jumping innocent people in dark alleyways?

Spiderman poised himself to attack, reflexively wheeling a step back when Venom’s form grew like a cloud, sucking Eddie into that familiar black mist. “Wait—you two know each other?”

“Boy, I wish it was just a mutual acquaintanceship, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t know what a threat that thing is, Brock. And you’re in danger if you keep using it!” Spiderman proclaimed in a truer accusation. “You have no idea what this thing is really capable of.”

The cogs in Eddie’s brain began turning. “Wait—so you were the schmuck who handed Ven over to those exploitive creeps?!” Anger. There it was. Like finding a pilot light beneath a tank of petrol and lighting it. There was an emotion he didn’t mind sharing for once. And it was symbiotic between them.

A rumbling noise interrupted what the two were saying. “I bonded with him temporarily, Eddie. Because…I missed it. I missed us. Spiderman treated us like another suit. It lasted for a few days before a Dr. Richard Reeds parted us.” The hiss it uttered was low and banal, burgeoning with resentment. And now, of course Spiderman wanted to do the right thing and put them on the slaughterhouse floor they liked to call justice. “We’re a monster to him, Eddie.”

Whatever had gone on between them suddenly didn’t matter. Spiderman acted on impulse and slung his webbing on two dumpsters and hauled them back manfully, both metal cannisters careening and bouncing roughly on concrete before Venom enveloped him completely, like drowning in those 20,000 leagues under the sea without a submarine. It was familiar, like a womb. They were one again.

“YOU HURT US!” Venom roared as it caught one of the dumpsters and pitched it at Spiderman who reflexively leaped over it. “And now—you threatened to hurt Eddie! We’ll never forgive you!” It was less heartbreak here and more a possessive and righteous anger. At least, righteous to them. Here, in the darkness, everything felt right. Only Spiderman was wrong. He would never part them!

“Brock, if you’re in here, listen to me: I know how it feels! It feels great, at first. But this…this thing, it’s leeching on everything wrong! It makes it worse and—” Venom roared indignantly and tore the other dumpster in two, leaping to bear the weight on its blow that Spiderman barely avoided, vaulting into the air several feet up and racing up the side of the building. “—It’s going to ruin you if you keep this up!”

“SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!” Venom roared furiously, its own webbing soaring its body into the sky as it gave chase to Spiderman who took off in hot pursuit of a place predictably further away from civilians. “We won’t let you or anyone else separate us ever again!” Rage. The white-hot, poetic rage that would make the stars tremble. A romantic rage of tortured poets who saw the futility of gray skies and death. It was here, raw and maligned. Except towards Eddie. Despite everything, nothing could make it hurt Eddie.

His Eddie.

Spiderman landed squarely against the side of a warehouse, practically soundless. He couldn’t let innocent people get hurt, but inside no one was there in the charge of shifts. Maybe it’d cause damage, but all he cared about was the preservation of life. Not lost assets.

Adroitly did he use his webbing to open a narrow enough window near the roof and catapult his way through it, assessing his surroundings in the blink of an eye. The stacks were at least a few stories high, enough to provide ammunition against the symbiote. And—speakers!

Venom rocketed through the same window with a loud violence, struggling to squeeze through compared to the slender Spider. Glass shards rained as it landed heavily, a shake in the air as its tongue tasted the air. “We can hear you, little spider! Climbing higher up the water spout, ha!” the symbiote taunted, arrogance rife in its very veins. It stalked the long avenues of boxes and paraphernalia, Spiderman high aloft and studying its movements.

Wait—were those exhaust vents? And tankards of gas.

That gave him an idea.

“Hey, ugly! Over here!” The jeer got Venom’s attention, the symbiote snarling as it propelled itself upwards and swung through the rafters, just rows away from Spiderman. The masked arachnid dropped down when Venom barreled through and came too close, landing deftly on his feet before he found the exhaust vents. It was natural gas—perfect!

Venom waited for a brief moment, scenting the air for Peter. Quietly, and as swiftly as he could, he knocked off the spouts of two of the two natural gas tanks and a high pennywhistle of air pitched and already the stench of natural gas flooded the room. Booking it from the narrow office, he stood before and where Venom could see him. Luckily, the office’s doors looked sturdy and all but one entrance were locked, as there was only one way in or out.

“Looking for me? Guess we’re like the tortoise and the hare here, aren’t we, big guy?”

Already with a thin pride as it was, Venom snapped and devolved into a galloping morass of oily sludge as it raced towards him, Peter running headlong towards it as if embracing death. Except, he wasn’t. The smell of gasoline was acrid and likely set to implode at any minute.

At the last second did Peter dive aside while Venom barreled heedlessly into the office, ramming into several desks and overturning them in the process. Papers upset by the collision created a hail of white, obscuring their view while Peter locked the office shut with the fumes pent up inside, using his webbing to topple a row of shelving that landed cacophonously and shed its merchandise to effectively lock the pair inside, hauling it with inhuman strength to barricade the windowless room shut.

Feeling the very air shimmer with heat, Peter launched himself skyward and propelled himself by slinging through the skylight, willing that he was right and no one else was around to get hurt. He raced away as fast as his webs could take him, several blocks so before an explosion rocked the air and he was sundered to skid to a stop on a sidewalk, the silent night brightening hellishly as an inferno erupted and plumes of smoke roiled enormously and black into that grey sky, dying it sable.

Peter coughed and groaned softly, rolling on his back as he slowly got himself back on his feet, wiping away a skid mark of dirt on his mask.

Police and fire engines raced past, a cold breeze of their speeding coloring the night that same, vivid red. So different from the violence several blocks away, the vigilante’s heart heavy with a deep regret.

He didn’t like it when people died. Especially people who didn’t know what they’d gotten themselves into, but what choice did he have? Peter watched on as people slowly emerged from their homes, bundling themselves in coats and shawls as they gossiped worriedly for the flames licking the sky.

Peter bowed his head.

He had to get home. His Aunt May would be wondering where he was. Especially after all of this.

[isuredidnt]

So a Harpy and a Gorgon walk into a bar... Wait there is no bar.

    This was like something out of the horror scrolls Edd liked to read. Hearing the loud calls of harpies all Tom could remember is the story where a creature was torn apart by talons. And Tom very much did not want to end up like that character. Yet with their shrill calls Tom realized that this was no normal flock of harpies. They were from the black sea cliffs. Their legs are as black as the sand there, or whatever Larry had said. Tom didn’t pay much attention in that lecture, but he sure wishes that he had. For the reason why they were all the way out here was something he didn’t want to find out. These harpies weren’t well liked for one very good reason. Everything to them was prey, and today it seems like Tom is on the menu much to his distaste.

    Edd had asked Tom to grab some more herbs as they were all out because a certain vampire forgot to buy more. The market had turned up empty which meant Tom had to go to the picking grove. A small thin trail led out into the depths of the forest, as this is where everything grew naturally. The grove was far too open for Tom, and it was currently reassuring that fact. Large trees were too farway to slither to without getting bombarded with talons as sharp as swords. The harpies used this grove to their advantage as they drove and swooped at Tom. Driving him further into the open. Tom was absolutely petrified, his instincts told him to lash out, but he had no ground to hold. Bone blades sliced through his flesh and scales as he tried to brace himself for another incoming threat.

    He had little doubt that he was going to become these bird brains’ lunch at this rate. His hair hissed as they coiled up in defensive poses watching the bright blue sky above them. It’s not like they do anything in this situation in the first place, yet they tried. Hissing whenever one got close Tom finally mustered up his courage and lashed out with his thick tail. Smacking them out of the air like flies he managed to get at least three feathered rats to faceplant into the soil. A small victory and he would happily take it. This was a battle of wills, and by the power of anger Tom was still fighting with a deadly strike. Bloody and breathing heavily Tom had little to no time to react to the large rock falling towards him.

    The bundle of snakes on his head tried to warn him of his doom. Yet he was too slow to react, let alone to just look up. He had frozen in place when his eyes registered the rock hurtling towards his face. Black void eyes widened just before it stuck him, the rock was twice the size of his head. A reasonable reaction one would say. A sickening crack filled the grove as the harpies silenced themselves in suspense. He stood still for a few long seconds as blood dribbled down his face and onto the grass below. His eyes now a blinding white. Tom blinked once, slow and pained, then fell face first into the lush grass in front of him with a soft thud. All the color in his skin seemed to drain as his scales became dull. They had landed next to his body, there were ten in total. Tentatively they picked at his body with their blood soaked talons. The rock wasn’t enough to kill him they had quickly realized.

    Tom had just earned some sliver of respect from the harpies. They whispered in a tongue no one else would know as they stared down at his body. They came to a striking conclusion. This gorgon was to be their pet. The largest of the harpies took Tom into their arms and with help from another they took to the skies. They flew farther from the ocean. A relocated flock was a disaster just waiting to happen. And Tom was a part of it.

    When Tom awoke the moon was high in the sky, midnight if he had to guess. A shiver ran down his spine as chills ran throughout his body. He was freezing. The soft glow of fire caught his attention immediately, yet it was too far for him to feel its warmth. Then he noticed it, reaching out gently he grasped steel bars only to reel back as if touching ice. He had fallen onto his back and only then did he feel the blankets beneath him. His eyes looked around his cage, pillows lined the edges. The blood stained cloths that were wrapped around him were pulled in closer to an attempt to keep himself warm. It was a very poor attempt. Tom’s head still throbbed while his vision still swam. A sharp ringing was in his ears muffling out distant words. Blurry forms were pretty much all Tom could see as they were shadowed out by the red glowing fire. Gosh, he would do anything to be warm right now.

    “How are you feeling stranger?” a soft voice whispered from behind Tom. He spun on a dime, he head swam violently, staring intently at the figure behind him. A harpy, go figure, but something was off. And Tom couldn’t quite place it. “Oh! What’s your name? Favorite color? Are you cold? Where do you come from?”

    “What? Where am I and why am I here?” Tom wasn’t in the mood to be asked questions right now. Even if he didn’t understand a single word that came from their lips. They seemingly readjusted as their wings fluttered open for a second. It had a talon coming out at the bend of each wing. He froze then returned to his senses. He was safe in the cage. They couldn’t possibly reach him from there. Right?

    “Was I speaking too fast? I’m sorry, no one really likes to talk to me. But for your location you are at our flock’s roost. And the chief thought that you would be a good pet,” they said as they inched closer to the bars. “You look like you’re freezing, want a blanket or something? Maybe a warm cup of water?”

    “Both would be great, thank you,” Tom said as he finally looked over himself. Bandages, or what he thought were bandages, clung tightly to his skin and scales. Yet it did nothing to keep out the cold. “Who? Who patched me up?”

    “Oh? I did!” they exclaimed in a muffled voice as their mouth held up a small kettle as they tipped it ever so slightly with a wing talon into a cup sitting on stone. Why weren’t they using their hands? They looked up and raised a brow before turning away to set down the metal. Using both wings they managed to pick up the cup and offer it to Tom. A smile on their barely visible lips. “I’ve been given the responsibility to watch over you as you heal. Nothing more, no one trusts me with much.”

    “Really? Well you’re doing a good job so far I guess,” he took a sip of the warm water. He wanted to pour it all over his body to warm up. But he fought the urge and took another sip just as a harpy foot snuck through the bars with a blanket. “Thank you.”

    “It’s nothing, but umm… what’s your name?” they asked, pressing their talons together nervously, “My name is Nike. Would you like some warm water with your blanket?”

    “I’m Tom, and what? You already gave me warm water. See?” Tom said as he raised his cup ever so slightly. A small groan came from the harpy in front of him. Did he say something to offend them? “Did I say something?”

    “No, you’re fine. It’s just that I have a hard time remembering things that just happened sometimes. It’s going to get really annoying, I’m sorry,” they said as they got up and stretched out their wings again. “I’ll leave you alone now. Goodnight, Tom? Right?”

    Tom was confused by this display. Matt constantly forgot his name or things he did seconds before. He was quite an airhead sometimes. “Hey, why are you leaving? I don’t want to be alone. And if it makes you feel better I have a friend like that at home too. I’m used to it,” it was a plea for them to stay. He knew no one and nothing here. This was also enemy territory.

    "Really? Is that so?" they said, puffing up their feathers. They moved closer to the bars. The distant flame finally lighting up their face. Excitement was plastered onto her face as she spoke, "Can you tell me more about them?"

    This is how it started, Tom and Nike's nightly chats. Talking about everything and anything as the night held them close together. Often times Tom would have to stifle his laughs as Nike hopped around while she told stories. She did these weird leg stretches just to make Tom laugh. Over the next few nights Nike started to talk more about her flock. She looked like her ancestors, or that's what the elders say. No arms, it had caught Tom off guard at first but a lot of things made sense afterwards. Stories were shared about each other, then Tom let it slip, he talked about town and his friends more. Matt was often talked about, as Nike seemed very eager to learn more about someone with poor memory. 

    Edd, was a whole different thing for her and Tom died of laughter. She had never seen a horse before, asking bizarre questions about what he looked like. After several hours of scratching the floor with seven different designs for how Edd might look. All being poorly sized or was a wild guess. In the end they both thought it was fun. No harm done. Yet with all of the fun there were serious talks. Nike didn't have access to the keys to the lock that trapped Tom in a cold prison. She often said she would get it, but forgot. Tom didn’t hold it against her, she was trying her best. He was getting homesick, and he could tell that Nike saw it too. They talked about what would happen if Tom escaped, she had said she would follow. An outcast, just like Tom was. 

‘Birds of a feather stick together right?’

    Though the thought of escape was dropped when Nike disappeared for three days. Three lonely nights were spent waiting for her to return. Waiting in the bitter cold staring off into the fire. He refused to eat, as he would rather starve than to stay here alone. Nike had to have known that right? Then why did she leave. But on that fourth night, a smile was on her lips. She had something swinging from her talons. The key, silver, swung and jingled slightly as she hopped her way over.

    "I told you I would get it! Just had to bribe Gerson with fish," she exclaimed in a hushed whisper as she fiddled her wing through the bars. Tom took the key and slithered to the lock. 

    "I hope this works," he said as he pushed the key in and twisted. 'Click'. It was unlocked, sliding open the door he stretched out as far as he could. Then a foot grasped his wrist. A four talon foot. Nike had grabbed him and tried to drag him, "Hey, what are you doing?"

    "Getting you out of here," she had smiled, dropping his hand then hopping behind him to push him forward. Tom finally realized that he indeed needed to go. As fast as he possibly could. Or he might actually become a meal.

    Nike took the lead, always doing her best to avoid harpies or noisy objects. Tom was thankful for this, he truly was. Yet being led back into the forest he wanted to stall for as long as he could. But Nike, being as forgetful as she was, continued to lead him into the field of trees. He had to follow, or he would be on his own again. He would be lying if he said it still didn't haunt him. Finally taking flight Nike signaled Tom to wait as she dove through the trees. Tom was becoming worried with every passing second, his tail coiled around himself as his hair looked around warily. The sound of heavy steps through the underbrush sent Tom’s mind into a frenzy. What he didn’t expect was Matt finding him with a lit lantern, followed by a worried Edd. Tom froze, was this real?

    "I also found your friends Tom! They are here to take you home. My job is to give you as much time as I can so you can get out of here," Nike said as she dropped silently next to Tom. A large smile was on her face as she pushed Tom to go forward towards his friends. 

    With a sudden burst of emotions Tom threw himself at the two. Holding them so close he thought that they might pop. Arms held him too, the smell of home was far too intoxicating. Looking back at Nike he smiled with a small nod. Plan silent strike was in progress, with a few added sets of hands. Before Tom knew it he was being lifted up onto Edd’s back. His tail and arms instantly wrapped around Edd’s torso. Matt gave a small laugh as he waved goodbye to the harpy that was now no longer in sight. His two housemates gave each other a nod and then they were off. Tom has never ridden anything in his life and he wished it was kept that way. He wanted to scream as they catapulted over fallen trees. Matt seemed to enjoy the makeshift breeze as he ran besides the two.

    Edd on the other hoove was so not used to having a passenger. Tom could tell that too, but they both said nothing as their heads swam with never ending urgency. Even as the night began to slowly shift into morning no one said a thing. And everyone very much wanted to forget about this whole ordeal. As for the past week Edd had been endlessly looking for Tom with no luck. While Matt went further at night, still finding nothing to track down their friend. But when a weird looking harpy woman landed in front of Edd one day he just about bucked her. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him. Then with a strange noise she shook herself out. She had said his name, how did she know his name? Tom, Tom had told her about him. 

      Edd begged her to help him find Tom. She had laughed in his face. It was why she was out here in the first place. Looking for Edd to help get Tom home. At that point Edd had told her to wait there for him, he was going to get someone. Matt, she had said, and Edd shivered. They really did talk didn’t they. Galloping home Edd pushed Matt’s sun hat onto his head and told him to get to the forest. As quickly as he could, he had a lead. Matt sat up in an instant and flung himself outside as carefully as he could. They were going to save Tom. And nothing was going to stop them.

    Tom had fallen asleep at some point during the trip. He had awoken to the sun hitting his eyes. Warm and inviting he sat up to soak it in. It felt like it had been years since he had the sun on his skin. Then looking at his window he saw it. An empty wine bottle, it was broken but had soft edges. A gift, not a normal one, was sent from a special friend. Even with a poor memory a certain harpy managed to remember that he liked alcohol. Smiling he took the warm glass into his hands and stared out into the forest. Maybe one day they can talk again, like they used too.

(@mythosworldau there is my entry)

[glopratchet]

labs-mirro

found human flesh in the ruins of a burnt house, added it to my diet hahahaha added a human taste to bear meat and chewy snail shells ive earned muh name too now they call me 'Sumner the cannibal' visit that forest at night without jake and crew? NOPE! but ive been avoiding those tempting near by farms and sniping any strays i see sadly its not the same sport as hunting with treachery too easy boredom has set in as ive wiped out the majority of the gators, started wiping out small villages searching for new plague bearing rats but sickened by how weak and soft this land is now, not worth conquerin or even robbin Instead ive been wasting days locked in my house trying and failing to think up "AART nostalgia tour favorites" currently locked in my "meditation room" getting invasion plans from every direction, this village is weak as anything and theres dozens of fat sheep full of bone marrow and blood me on solid ground ahead of a potential alligator attack THEY wont be expecting a thing??!' ^ good news! seems like old charlie has found his purpose again, attacking while theyre eating will obliterate half before they can even react oooooOOOOOoooooo Just jumped to close to the boy and he caught me!!!!!!! my custom ballcutter caught on his armor and now hes furiously shredding it off scraping it along my own underside as--- GAAAH! too late ive been sliced across the eyes NOW what am I gonna do --oops he just slid off trembling waiting to regenerate He was delicious but I was starving back after a regenerative meal, war's been on my mind a lot lately seems everytime mama stomps off in one of her moods now me and pops end up running raids, setting villages alight and raiding conquests for a time gotta say I love being on the attack, bringing fear to other humans never bores me and neither does killing I've certainly had my taste during this long winter guess I've been developing a taste for blood in general too humans are tasty after all no rest for the wicked Where was I? oooh yes Here I am consumed with vile bloodlust and the energy it gives but a quick jot of prose rest the mind and brring clarity Let me tell you all about my dear friend charlie, in fact he was the first one among my recent friends ive not killed or eaten The man gave himself the name "charley horse" Finally managed to settle into a good rhythm with these deranged people and I get the sneaking suspicion charley horse was involved in getting humans to raid my homeland! really rubs me the wrong way Why has he not been killed yet?? hes never done anithing right! Ahem sorry one moment regenerating like nobodies business OOoooooh that feels better!! where were we? oh yes charley horse Pretty sure he's been sabotaging my every effort to fit in with the rest of the humans, those raiders were bad enough but to think he's been actively getting them to target home makes my scales itch I assume hes been organizing these raids from the south up near new aggressor territory so thats where Ive headed Finally caught up to him, and ambushed his band of ambitious little opportunists only to watch him escape Those humans were all loaded down with fur and hide armor so Im guessing charley has been organizing things with the bears as wel guess I'll have to get rid of him This act of kindness is gonna hurt him more than a little bat to the head since Ive had enough of his traitorous actions surprise surprise the raiders are organizing up there and have been recruiting humans from all the way down south, (even near the ruins of DC) those wackos seem to pop up everywhere don't they? Oh and charley horse is organizing things with them !!!! The little turncoat definitely has to die Ive had just about enough of his act I'm gonna need to get in deep and hasta muerte* That was interesting, ive been trying to get in good with the bear brutas for weeks now and I finally managed it by getting captured by a bunch of destroyer robots and had my mind probed and my body royally mangled! I hate robots! But in the end I got accepted like I wanted :) the bear brutas are pretty good folks once you get past their gruff exterior theyre kinda just like us scaly folk even if their primarily carniverous shhh! im supposed to be hiding by pretending to be one of them :) One of the girls just came around, ooooooh shes cute!! Gotta remember to keep an eye on charley horse *Hasta muerte means "until death" in spanish Comment too long Click here to view the full text Seeing alot of robots lately, makes me miss the old world and the old ways before all this new technology showed up, I almost long for the unified church inquisitors to hammer on my door again tough not nearly as tough as the old coalition or Enclave hunts Ive actually managed to become friends with a guy named Zero and his gang of repurposed robot killclowns, funny bunch of guys that love to joke around but they mean business when it counts Done a couple of jobs with them actually, never followed carly's rule of just sticking to one weapon and ive found its been quite helpful having access to an entire armory! I think in this crazy new world theres nothing better than a huge pile of weapons to pick from Keep coming across these fur clothes wearing tribals too, they actually seem to revere charley horse as some sort of deity or greatest warrior or something Theres more to him than meets the eye, good thing ive been getting on his good side :) The wish i could find out more about him but he just vanishes for days at a time some odd instinct tells me its best not to ask questions Its funny how im not the only one keeping a watch out for him its like all of us scaly types have this mutual understanding, hes the man but none of us want him to get too big for his boots, also because we all have our own agendas and jobs to do Just like old times back in the coalition! And now ive finally made my move just like old times! I cant even believe ive pulled it off either, took a while to set up and almost got caught a couple times but it all payed off! Was actually stupidly easy if i do say so myself!