#sorry if I'm ignoring a bloody massacre or something

[gravedangerahead]

It's kinda cute how Argentina just sorta reaches her hand out so she can have a border with Brasil 🥰

[lilypadeater]

Pretty Girl

Rick Grimes x Fem!Reader

Summary- You're one of Hershel's daughters and you snuck out from the farm to scavenge an abandoned town. Rick finds you and saves you, but things don't end there. Unedited

Content Information: +18, mdni, Cussing, p in v, plot, smut, unprotected, oral f!receiving, age gap (early 20 and early 40s), some gore/violence from killing walkers, flirting, teasing, angst, fluff, comforting, making out, this ones for the girls with daddy issues

This took forever so I really appreciate interaction

The sound of snarls and hisses filled your ears as you desperately searched through the looted store. A few walkers were scratching at the glass door of the store, trying to get inside to devour you.

You had put yourself in this situation after getting into an argument with your father. You were angry about how he abandoned you and your sisters after the mass slaughter at the barn. No matter how many meaningless apologies he gave you, you were still filled with anger and betrayal. 'How could he just leave us and drink away his sorrows?' In order to blow off some steam, you foolishly decided to sneak out and head into town alone in search of supplies. You were being rebellious and productive at the same time.

What you didn't expect was the amount of walkers you'd run into. You left in the afternoon with a fully loaded gun, and now you only had two bullets left and a measly knife. Aside from the fact that it was almost sun down, you were trapped inside a store with the only way out being blocked by walkers. There was no way you’d be able to fight your way out of this unless you found something useful in the emptied store, which was practically impossible. The groans of walkers were accompanied with the sound of the glass doors and windows cracking, like a twisted countdown to your death.

Your desperate search and fight for life was interrupted by the sound of shooting and slashing. Your head shot up from the empty shelves and toward the glass windows and doors. The walkers were getting mauled by someone much stronger and better equipped than you.

The windows and doors were covered in walker remains, impairing your view outside. You had two choices. Wait for the psycho killer outside to come find you in the store and end up like the walkers, or use this distraction as an opportunity to escape the store. Choosing the second option was your only chance at survival.

Glass and bloody remains crunched under your boots as you burst through the doors. Your eyes landed on the person killing all the walkers and you came to a screeching halt. It was Rick, the leader of the group living on your farm.

He had finished killing all the walkers and glared at you with his sharp blue eyes. "Are you fuckin' crazy?" He hissed, poison dripping from his voice as he stormed towards you. "You could've gotten yourself killed out here. You got any scratches or bites?"

Your stared at him with your mouth agape, still trying to process what had just happened. He was covered in blood and his eyes were still filled with bloodlust as he stared you down. "No," you weakly responded.

“Drop your weapons.” His southern drawl was getting more prominent the angrier he got. Your heart was racing and you complied, dropping your gun and knife. His face went from an anger to disbelief. “Is that a fucking kitchen knife?” He asked with a condescending tone and looked at you scornfully. You felt your face heat up with embarrassment and a lump form in your throat.

The sadness you felt from the fight with your father, nearly getting eaten by walkers, the massacre in front of you, and Rick's anger all hit you like a ton of bricks. Your eyes spilled with tears and you began to sob. "I'm so sorry," you managed to whimper out. It was humiliating to cry like this in front of him, but you couldn't help it. He sighed and wrapped his arm around you.

You leaned into his touch and hugged him tightly, ignoring the blood and burying your face into his neck. "Calm down, baby. It ain't the end of the world." His voice was soft and he ran his hand up and down your back in an effort to soothe you.

You couldn't help but smile at his words. "It feels like it is." You sniffled.

He gently cupped your face as you peered up at him through your soaked lashes. "It's not. You're still alive, it's not over yet." His whisper brought warmth to your heart and you snuggled into him. When you looked up from his chest, his lips were merely inches away from connecting with yours.

His words and closeness made your stomach flutter. You felt yourself lean into him and kiss him on his lips. He passionately kissed you back and held your head in place. His mouth tasted like liquor and cigarettes, it made his kiss even more addicting. Gasping for air, you both pulled away.

You both had been so lost in the moment and didn't realize it was almost dark out. The sun had fully set and the walkers were much more prolific at night.

"We gotta leave right now." Rick stated with urgency and concern when he observed his surroundings. He picked your gun up from the floor and pocketed it before he guided you toward his car. His arm was wrapped around your waist and the warmth contrasted the cold air surrounding you.

There were a few walkers Rick had to kill on your way to the car. He slaughtered them with ease and no hesitation. Your father had always told you that the walkers were still people, but after seeing how they desperately tried to kill you, doubt formed. Rick's effortless killing made him even more irresistible to you.

As you both approached the car, he opened the passenger door. He closed the door behind you and made his way towards the drivers seat. He started the car and the alarm immediately went off. "Fuck!" He swears as he tries to get it to stop. Even more panic sets in as walkers begin to crowd the car, banging on it. The darkness made it impossible to find the wire for manually shutting off the car alarm, leaving no other option but to abandon the car before more walkers showed up. He turned to you and commanded, "Wait here for me, okay doll?" You try to fight back your fear as you nod. He exits the car and you can't make out what's happening outside. The flashes of the headlights briefly illuminate enough to catch a glimpse.

The sound of snarls and thrashing give you a rough idea, but you are snapped out of your focus when the passenger door is yanked open. Your jump out of your seat as Rick quickly pulls you out . Without a word, you follow him as you both run back into the town. Many walkers had crowded the car, but Rick was able to kill enough of them for an escape. More showed up and tore the car apart as you continued running, some were even following you.

Rick spotted an abandoned connivence store and motioned for you to follow him inside. Almost everything in the store had already been raided, besides a few miscellaneous products like stuffed animals and keychains. The empty shelves were covered in dust and some had fallen over, but there were no signs of danger. Both of you stayed silent as you looked around and inspected the store. You decided to break the silence and whisper, "The employee area might be safer," as you point to a door behind the register.

He nods in agreement and carefully walks behind the register. He knocks on the door to check for walkers. As soon a he did, snarls and scratching against the door could be heard. He huffs in annoyance and turned to you. "There's only two in there, I can hear it." He whispered and got his hunting knife out. You stood a few feet away and cautiously watched as he slightly opened the door and dug his knife into the skull of one of them. He repeats the process for the second one before fully opening the door and looking inside. "It's clear, come on."

You walk next him and peered inside. There were some supplies and two sleeping bags. The people who had lived there were most likely the walkers Rick just killed. You scrunch your nose in disgust when the stench of rotting flesh hits your nose. "It smell disgusting in here." You blurted out.

"These two were rotting in there with the door closed. We'll let it air out for a bit, but this is the safest place we have right now. Plus, it's got sleeping bags." He explained as he grabbed one of the walkers and dragged it further away from the room. You reached down to grab the second one and drag it, but Rick quickly stopped you. "A pretty girl shouldn't have to touch corpses" he jested with a dumb grin on his face. You rolled your eyes and felt a smile form on your face.

"So charming." You teased and walked into the room. It was a small break room that those two people had made into a shelter. A large table with some chairs, presumably the lunch table, took up most of the space in the room. There were a couple cans of food and some hunting tools laying around, nothing special. The sleeping bags Rick mentioned were rolled up in the corner. The nighttime breeze had cleared the room of its stench. You felt your nerves calming down and remembered the kiss you shared with Rick. Your body flinched when Rick's arms snaked around your waist from behind. "You scared me" you whined and turned around to face him.

"M'sorry, you're just so adorable." He whispered while looking down at you hazily. You felt a pool of warmth between your legs as you tilted your gaze up to him. His hand traveled from your lower back to your ass. Your lips connected and he squeezed your thigh, making you gasp and let his tongue explore your mouth. Whimpers escaped your mouth as his hand slid in between your thighs and created friction against your clothed clit. He pulled away from the passionate kiss and slurred out, "Y'gotta be quiet, baby. Understand?"

Your mind was clouded with lust as you nodded your head. "I'll be quiet." You purred and watched as he shut the door. He stood in front of you as you leaned against the table, looking up at him. His hands wrapped around your hips and slid your pants off before pushing you onto the table.

He got onto his knees and pulled your soaked panties to the side. His other hand covered your mouth in efforts to muffle the whines you made as his tongue teased your pussy. His scruff tickled your thighs, sending chills up your spine. "You're so fucking wet" he groaned and glided his tongue up to your clit. Your hand gripped his hair as he ate you out. Your legs trembled and wrapped around him as his mouth brought you to your climax.

He stood up and unbuckled his belt while you were coming down from your orgasm and catching your breath. Your cunt throbbed when his huge hard cock sprang free from his jeans. He ripped your shirt off and peppered your breasts with kisses. His kisses left marks all over your neck and chest, it was his way of making sure everyone knew you were his. You laid back as he brought his cock to your pussy. He slid it between your folds, making you even more needy and desperate. "Please," you panted.

"Please what?" He hummed, taunting you even further.

You felt your face heat up as you begged, "Please, fuck me." This was his breaking point, he shoved himself into you in one thrust. The combination of pain and pleasure caused you to loudly moan and wrap your arms around him to bring him closer. His hand shot up and covered your mouth before he began moving in and out of you. His cock stuffed your pussy completely, stretching your walls and hitting the perfect spot every thrust. Your nails dug into his back as he roughly fucked you, making him groan in pleasure. He continued sucking your neck and thrusting into you, bringing you closer to your second orgasm.

Your cunt clenched around his and a slur of moans and cries left your lips as you came. The overstimulation from being fucked through your orgasm caused tears to spill as you continued to moan into his hand. "Shh it's okay, doll. I'm almost there." He groaned as his thrusts became slower. In one final thrust, he filled your cunt with white spurts of cum. You mewled in satisfaction as he moved his hand away from your mouth and slowly pulled out. He zipped his pants up and help you put you clothes back on. Your pussy was still filled with his cum and it brought a sense of fullness to you.

Rick prepared both sleeping bags and tucked you in yours. "C'mon baby, get some sleep. We'll head out first thing tomorrow." He whispered. You closed your eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep for the first time in weeks.

🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀

AHHHH THAT WAS SO MUCH IM GOING CRAZY

[reddeaddamnation]

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 PREFERENCE: Their reaction to your death

Arthur Morgan

"Get me a doctor, come on!" Arthur yelled, galloping into camp with you in front of him, seemingly barely hanging on on the saddle. The gang immediately gathered around, shocked and worried about your condition. "What happened?" Dutch asked. "O'Driscoll boys." Arthur sneered "Ran into us on the way back. Got them to back off but not without trouble."

Miss Grimshaw carefully took you down from the saddle, grimacing at the gushing wound on the side of your belly from a gunshot. "Miss Grimshaw. Put her to lay down somewhere. John, go into town and get a doctor. Quick!" Dutch started barking orders around "Mr. Pearson, give her something for the pain. Arthur..." he looked at the man with a look of sadness and muttered quietly "I'm sorry, son."

"I don't think she's gonna make it." Micah said indifferently, watching Susan carry you away, as you slipped in and out of consciousness while stumbling on your way. "You shut the hell up!" Arthur yelled, jumping down from his horse and grabbing Micah by the shirt "What do you know?" Micah scoffed "I know enough that if there's an exit wound, she's lucky enough to make it here alive enough to say goodbye."

John Marston

Someone ratted you out. This was a trap. The stagecoach was a setup, because as soon as you, Arthur, John and Sadie stopped it, you were overrun by Pinkertons, who chased you into the woods to a cave where you hoped to hide. Except that they cornered you inside and were nearing your hiding spot while Arthur was cursing and looking for a way out discreetly behind some stalagmites. There was a tight opening near them, but you would be too slow to escape in time. You looked at John, heart pounding in your chest as the voices neared. Arthur was urging Sadie to go in the opening and beckoning you to follow her. You squeezed John's hand. "I got this." You got up, ignoring the hushed scolding "Are you insane?", "What are you doing?"

"Sirs." You walked out of the hiding spot slowly, hands up "Agent Milton." You nodded at the Pinkerton. There were at least 15 people aiming at you. "It seems... you caught me. It was a fun chase." You scoffed. "Surrender your weapon, miss L/N." Milton ordered "This doesn't need to get bloody." You slowly dropped your gun to the ground, side eyeing the others, who watched you from behind the rocks. "Where are your associates?" Milton interrogated. "It seems we got split up. I'm lost and they left me behind." You answered, walking closer to them so their attention is only on you.

"This one could be a valuable asset to lure Van Der Linde out of hiding, sir." Agent Ross mumbled to his colleague "With her, we don't even need to look for the others. They will come to us." Until the end, you were sure nobody would shoot. You knew they know how close your gang is. Surely even if you were captured, they would come to save you and the agents knew it. Milton was thinking silently. "You know what, Ross?" He thought "I don't think so." Gunshot. You gasped and hunched over, leaning on one of the rocks, holding your chest, where blood quickly painted your shirt red. "It's easier picking them out one by one."

John wanted to scream. He wanted to jump out and massacre them all. You slid down the stalagmite until you were sat. Your eyes briefly met his before the life drained from them and he was left, locking eyes with a corpse. He was ready to jump out and start shooting, before Arthur grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back roughly. "We'll come back. We'll avenge her. I swear. Let's go."

Charles Smith

How many more people was he going to bury? Lenny, Hosea, Arthur... now... the unthinkable. Saint Denis wasn't a place for you and he was cursing himself for bringing you here ever since you settled in. You always told him how much you hate the big city and how would love to have a homestead somewhere in the countryside... he knew everything about you. How depressed you feel in this grey, corrupt city, how it made you feel chained and small. He swore you will buy a homestead soon when you have money.

But that day never came. Today, tuberculosis finally got the better of you. And Charles blamed everything on himself. From where you contracted the illness, he didn't know. All he knew was that he despised this disease ridden society. He couldn't listen to your painful hacks and coughs day and night without his heart wretching in pain. You were such a shining and bubbly person before the illness dimmed your flame.

After the burial, he sat at your grave all day. Neither crying nor smiling, not thinking or moving. He felt empty. For all he cared from now on he could die too for bringing this upon you. He knew he shouldn't have moved you here... he would blame himself for the rest of his life.

Dutch van der Linde

Guns blazing in the distance. The O'Driscolls scattered, panicked, reaching for their guns. You watched them with a smirk. Dutch was coming. You heard him. "Face me, you scum!" He yelled, mercilessly shooting anyone in his way, his gang behind him. "He's gonna get you now, Colm." You teased your captor "And he won't be as gentle as you were." You sneered menacingly, spitting blood on the ground, which had been drenched in your blood from five days of torture and malnutrition. "Shut your mouth, harlot." Colm was panicking. "I told you but you didn't listen." You laughed "What do you know, huh? We've been through this before, me and Dutch. And I'd do it again." Colm grabbed you by the throat "You're just a disposable toy to him. I bet in a month from now I'd be doing this with another wench I don't even know the name of." You spit in his face, making him back off.

"I'd think you're in love with him more than me, Colm. You're obsessed. You wanna be next in line, huh?" You mocked, laughing loudly to let Dutch know where you are. "Why you..." he grabbed you by the hair and aimed his gun at your neck. "Colm!" Dutch kicked the door in, aiming his gun at Colm's head, along with Arthur and Bill.

The house you were kept in was in a remote place in the mountains near the Grizzlies. Dutch must have rode for days without rest for him to find you so fast. "Here we are again, Dutch." Colm smirked "Too bad I don't have a brother for you to kill nearby."

Dutch growled "It will not happen again. I guarantee it." Silence. Colm thought for a moment before raising his hands "Alright." He cut the ropes holding you up "You win, Dutch. You outnumbered me. I won't be the one to kill her." You fell to the ground, wrists sore from the days of being hung up. Colm backed away towards a window. "My darling Y/N." Dutch held out his hand, but not leaving Colm out of sight "Let's get out of here."

You were about to stand up when a gunshot pierced your side and Colm disappeared through the window, broken by the bullet. "No!" Dutch screamed falling to his knees to hold you. He didn't have any words left to describe his hatred for Colm. No punishment would be enough for him. Arthur ran to the window but quickly ducked before the sniper could shoot him. "Y/N.." Dutch caressed your cheek "I'm here." History was repeating itself. "Dutch..." you whispered before passing out. If he didn't have a reason to live before, Dutch was now determined to destroy Colm O'Driscoll's life and give him the most painful death.

[lepurcinus]

You guys may be tired of seeing me say the same thing all the time, but what the heck, WD is basically the second main topic of this blog.

I really can't stand to see the tag and find people always talking about the movie as the main medium, ignoring the existence of the original book and referring to other adaptations as "remakes" or similar (I saw someone referring to the Graphic Novel as "Novelization" as if it was adapting the movie lmao).

And maybe it wouldn't bother me if it wasn't the same movie that gave this story that reputation of being about "bloody bunnies". I read an analysis someone did a while back that I strongly agree with. Saying how the movie preferred to go for the basics of horror by adapting the scary/gory scenes concentrating on pure shock instead of trying to go deeper into why those moments are distressing to the characters. While it's true that explaining something with words is not the same as seeing it directly represented, the animated format at least gives more depth to the characters. For example, something this person mentioned is that the scene of Fiver falling in anguish during Efrafa's attack does not give the same feeling as in the book. In the book the scene is really scary because of how Fiver to talk nonsense and not to mention how he manages to practically traumatize several soldiers to the point of making them run away and/or surrender to him.

While in the movie you only have a rabbit in a state of epilepsy emitting strange moans that manage to half disconcert a couple of soldiers only for them to immediately ignore the issue and go on with their own thing.

Or the famous dog chase scene where the angst and tension on the part of the rabbits in charge of guiding him is left aside to concentrate on animating the massacre of soldiers in detail.

It may also have to do with the practical lack of personality and background of most of the characters except Bigwig, Hazel and Fiver (and with these two I still have my doubts). Woundwort has no backstory so here he's just a bad, wild rabbit only because yes, for example.

They always come out with this "bloody bunnies killing each other" thing when, ok. It's true that in the book the rabbits seem to have the option to kill as something relatively normal, at the same time in the novel it's shown how it's not really the first thing they think of when faced with a threat. Usually before thinking about killing (except for particularly aggressive rabbits) they always go to dialogue. More aside most deaths of one rabbit to another, if not incidental/provoked by a third party (ahem, the fox, the wire, the dog, the train), are executed by a rabbit seen as "bad" and not something that is particularly praised.

Does it sound like I hate the movie? Not really, I appreciate it even with everything. But I do hate that the vision it gave to this story was not the best. You can justify to me in a hundred ways why the movie is fine the way it is or that you like it, but I'm sorry, my opinion on this is going to remain the same.

By the way, if you want to read the analysis I mentioned above here it is.

It explains the whole thing much better than I ever could:

https://ravingsanity.wordpress.com/2015/02/14/a-series-of-uncorrelated-events-watership-down-and-how-it-relates-to-adaptation-theory/

[wanderlustmagician]

prompt 16 and your atlantis au !! :D

Oooh. This one was interesting.

These prompts come from this list and the list of all my AUs is in my pinned post.

Prompt 16: "God, I'm so sorry, it'll be over soon, I promise." In Atlantis AU

Characters featured; Wind & Twilight

Word Count: 626

Fun Fact for this AU - everyone’s ages are little wacky. Wind (Leon) is biologically 16, but chronologically over 300 years old. Twilight (Lykos) is physically/mentally 19, biologically/chronologically 7. They respect each other’s perspectives greatly and Wind adores that Twilight acknowledges that his opinion is worth something.

It took everything in him not to run right back out after dashing headfirst towards the yelling and screaming. It was their job, to protect the border and to keep out the riffraff (Tetra’s words, not his). Nothing would ever prepare him for the bloody massacre that was the Pillars using one of their Children to exterminate a threat. He prayed that it was Ordona, or even Faron, who had commandeered the rancher’s body. He knew from Lexi’s lectures on the Pillars that Lanaryu and Lykos did not mix well and that Eldin didn’t like to let go of either.

“Lye,” he called softly, his mask - still small, still the bright colors of a child, still a fearsomely snarling lion with fangs, the red lion mask, the mask of a guardian - slid over to rest on the side of his head and reveal his face. His ignored the still hissing and smoking carnage around the area and focused on the heaving back of his friend. “It’s over. You got them all.”

Lykos is not present when Leon finally rounds his side and can see his face. The grimacing effigy of a golden dragon mask is imposed over his face and the expression underneath is distant, almost unimpressed. What rotten bridling luck.

Leon schools his expression into one of cool indifference. “Lanaryu.” His voice is flat.

The golden light reflecting in Lykos’s blue eyes makes Leon’s fingers clench tight. “Little Red Lion.” Lanaryu speaks using both their own voice and Lyko’s, the layering makes his bones shiver. “I have rid us of the insurgents.”

Lanaryu makes Lykos’s face grin wildly and it would be startling had he not been prepared. “Yes. Thank you.” He takes a deep breath, squares his shoulders, and looks a deity in the eyes. “Please release Lykos to me.”

“Very well. I will walk with you to your camp,” Lanaryu says. He feels as if he’s made some kind of mistake and the dragon deity will stab him the moment he turns. They don’t. “He won’t make it on his own.”

What’s courage without a little stupidity, he thinks. “Shall we detour to some water so you can clean the blood of his hands as well?” He really needs to learn to not sass those higher than him. The Advisor is a terrible influence.

Lanaryu just laughs and waves a hand. The bloody mess they’d made of his friend is gone. Pah, magic. He thinks this will be easy.

Hours later, he regrets the thought. Lanaryu had released Lykos easily enough, left the farmer weakened and confused, and Leon had been able to explain enough to convince the other to rest. Now it’s just them, alone in the woods, and Lykos is practically convulsing from the force of his nightmares. Nothing with Lanaryu is ever easy, he should have pushed his perceived favor more.

It’s hard to hold his head steady on his lap and watch him writhe. Lykos claws at the ground beneath them, knuckles white, and leaves bloodied scours in the earth. Leon will have to clean bandage his hands after this. He’s just glad he managed to get the belt between his teeth before he could damage them. Wild, wide eyes of blue terror stare up at him unseeing.

“Goddess, I’m so sorry,” he says, over and over. “It’ll be over soon.” He curses Lanaryu, begs Hylia, cries with Ordona. “Next time, I’ll do better. I won’t let them do this again.”

He stays in his vigil that until the first rays of the dawning sol turn the cavern into shades of lavender and vibrant pink. Lykos finally stills, lost eyes closing, and Leon sends a prayer to Faron to aide them.

He’ll do better next time. He swears it.

[miriael-the-cozy-witch]

Fear the Reaper, Part 5

This is part 5 of how my WoL made their pact with their voidsent, and became a reaper! I hope you enjoy it! Click here for Part 1! I couldn't remember walking out of Amdapor Keep.

Really, my memory of everything after that scythe had been placed in my hands was... broken. It was only once the lights of Gridania appeared in my vision, looking more like twinkling stars appearing in the night sky as the forest cleared, that I realized I was in motion at all.

My limbs were uncooperative at best, more akin to deadwood than the instruments of a destroyer of gods, only shuffled forward by the gentle tug of... Her.

It was a calming feeling, one of assured direction. That despite my lethargy, I was still capable of movement, even if it was at her insistence.

It was only a slight feeling of horror that matched with the subtle tug on my limbs, that there was this other within me able to subconsciously affect my will in such a way. But it was tiny, minuscule, ignorable.

Once I stepped through the Blue Badger gate, seeing the Roost rise out of the woods beside the great waterfall, it's great water wheel gently shifting turn over turn, I felt myself begin to come out of disassociation.

My first thought was a welcome one, growing from the chattering of the crowds of the aetheryte plaza, a noticeable buzz on the wind.

Home.

The voidsent inside me bristled, flexed a question in my minds eye.

"This? This is home?"

I didn't deign her with an answer, instead pulling my heavy limbs one after the other, my memory harkening back to the first time I walked into Blue Badger gate as a young woman.

I'd just left my family's home in Gelmorra, with nothing but the bloodied spear on my back. An Ixal attack had all but massacred the remaining members of my small community, leaving me with nothing.

No one to call on for aid.

So, with nothing left to me, the last of my family... I made for Gridania. Finally swallowing the Duskwight pride to accept it's walls for some semblance of safety. I heard Hydaelyn's call, got room and board at the Adventurer's Guild, signed up with the Lancer's guild, took missions from Mother Miounne... And the rest they say, was history.

It's as much as my home as any.

This answer seemed to simmer the 'other' in me, as I poked and prodded at the fact that there even was an 'other' consciousness in my person besides my own.

I could... feel her. I could almost taste her displeasure at Gridania, tinged with a bite of brief wonder.

What did she think of my home, this... creature?

"I will tell you my thoughts when you've earned the right to know. Right now, we need sustenance. Immediately. For that, we need to get to Drusilla."

Regardless of the frankly, horrifying fact that she could apparently read my thoughts, she wasn't wrong.

I was starving.

Now that I was more present in my body, the need for food was all consuming. I dipped immediately into the Roost, checked the time for the next airship to Ul'dah, and sat down to order... something.

The moment I sat down, Naoh, one of the servers was at my table waiting patiently for me to tell her what I wanted.

The moment I considered her gaze, it suddenly felt like everyone's was on me.

Miounne's from the Adventurer's guild desk, the other patrons, folks waiting for their airship, everyone.

My eye bounced from face to face, daring their gazes away, even though most were filled with smiles and nods of acknowledgement. My presence was welcome, accepted, expected.

Yet now... I felt like a foreign trespasser in my own city.

"Because you are."

"Miriael?"

I blinked, unsure of what to make of the voidsent's words in my mind, finally comming to grips with Naoh staring at me with concern.

"I'm sorry?" I mumbled out in a lackluster stutter. The miqo'te's ears flickered, whether in concern or annoyance, I didn't know. "I've been saying you name for almost a minute now. Are you okay?" She asked, her eyes wide.

I didn't know I could answer her honestly.

"Just... the usual please. With a side of bacon, I'm famished today."

Naoh gave me a brief but unsure smile, before turning away to the kitchens, leaving me alone with my thoughts as passerby to the airship dock below tried not to stare.

Or... As alone with my thoughts as I could be from now on.

"Oh please. It's not like I can dig through your memories. I can only get the general jist of what you're currently thinking about."

I wrinkled my nose as the smell of food wafting in from the kitchens began to make my mouth water. I hoped food would distract me momentarily from the horror of my new reality and the... thing I'd taken in.

What did I even call her?

Do you... have a name?

A feeling of mirth shot through the back of my mind, a chipped laughter.

"Names are useless. I am your avatar of destruction. The devourer of your enemies. I need no name other than what I am. Voidsent."

I sat on that thought, as Naoh brought out one of my favourites. A stack of pancakes, with indeed, the requested side of bacon, and a hot coffee.

I dug in as I continued my wordless conversation with my passenger.

You need a name. I can't just call you 'the being' when I have to inevitably explain your presence.

"I assure you I do not."

I swallowed a chunk of fluffy deliciousness soaked in syrup, lightly swirling the coffee in my mug as I debated.

You say you're an 'avatar'. How about... Vata?

The being inside considered, I could almost feel her thoughts. I silently sipped at my coffee, wondering if I could... just somehow make this work. That maybe it was the same as it had always been. Just picking up one more ally for the road.

"What would it cost me?"

I stopped with a forkful of pancake halfway to my mouth, frozen in mid-air. The question was unexpected, and frankly, absurd.

I shoved the fork in my mouth, hungrily swallowing, and immediately moving for more.

Nothing, as far as I know. Do you like it?

"The name? I'm... not sure. I think?"

Then you're Vata. Simple as that.

She seemed to still in my mind, retreating from my presence as I cleaned my plate. The feeling I got from her was now wonder. A brief bite of amazement. Apparently this small thing was bigger than I expected, and despite the clear violation of my body, it made me happy for her.

My own satisfaction felt hollow though, as once my plate was clean, I was still hungry. I asked for seconds, and got through that almost just as quickly.

It was only once I was halfway through my third plate, a plain look of concern on Naoh's face as she eyed me from the counter that I began to sense something was wrong.

I felt full. Like my stomach was set to burst.

Yet I was still starving.

"Vata."

I spoke her newfound name aloud, slowly setting the fork with sugar soaked pancake down. The presence in my mind jerked, unsure.

"What?" she demanded, her voice tinged with pretended offence, like I'd disturbed her from some long dead nap.

I stood from the table, nodding to Naoh as I put enough gil for a hefty tip onto the table, walking the few steps to the airship stairway.

What... Is happening to me?

My question burned in my mind, my inner voice seething with knowing anger.

"I told you. We need sustenance. We've wasted precious time on your fool world's version of 'food'."

Her tone reminded me of my mother, explaining the bare necessities to me over and over and over again.

"Our aether is one now. You, my darling, are eating for two."

I sucked in a breath through my teeth, just as my airship lurched into it's port.

"Son of a bitch." I cursed under my breath, wishing I could tear into my insides and rip every inch of her out.

"I'd like to think my mother was kind, but I was too young to know better."

The voice beside me startled me enough to reach for my blade, a phantom limb that was no longer there. I whipped around in an alarmed dash to find Estinien, standing there in his armour with his arms crossed, looking like he'd been standing there for hours.

The smile on his face slowly began to waver, before it shifted back into his more familiar brood, his well-trained eyes darting to where my fingers ached for my blade.

The blade that wasn't there any more.

"You... alright?" He asked, without any subtly. I didn't know if he was capable of it.

Vata swirled in my consciousness, as I forced my breathing to calm, my staggering heart to slow. I was in Gridania. I was safe. It was just Estinien, I could trust him. My shoulders only slightly relaxed for my efforts.

"I'm... I'll be better. Soon." I managed to mumble out, standing a little straighter.

He nodded, the worry not disappearing from his face entirely. "Good."

His one word response was almost exactly what I needed to hear. It was so... familiar. Estinien wasn't capable of lying, or imagining anyone else to lie. To him, if I said I'd be better, I'd meant it.

Even if I had no idea if that was anywhere even close to true.

"Heading back to Ul'dah?" He asked, a bite of curiosity in his voice.

I nodded, beginning to step backwards to the ticket booth. "Someone I need to see before I head back to Broken Glass. I thought you returned days ago... What are you still doing here?"

He shrugged, and then did the one thing I really hoped he wouldn't.

"Waiting for you." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, as stepping to follow after me.

Oh Fury damn it all.

"Excellent. If we need a snack before we arrive, he'll make a delicious meal."

Quiet you.

"It's true. He's more aetherically dense than most. Tearing into his flesh-"

Shush!

"Are you sure you're alright?"

I looked up, almost surprised we were sitting on the airship, minutes having gone by without my knowledge of it. The airship was already undocking quickly and quietly from the Roost, slowly ascending through the trees southwards. Estinien sat beside me with his arms hanging over the side railing, spear leaned up against his shoulder... much like my scythe against mine.

My hands clutched against it, my knuckles white in desperation as Vata paced in my mind. Pinpricks of her claws at the back of my neck.

"I'm... I will be. I have to be."

He nodded, a few grey strands of hair flickering out of his tight ponytail as the wind picked up, eyes cast towards the skies as if still hunting for dragons.

More likely he was looking for the Blasphemies of the Final Days. The memories of our fighting in Vanaspati weighed in my mind just as much as they did his, I was sure.

But no... The current thing weighing on my mind was my hunger.

My mouth watered as we flew through the skies, my mind deep in thought about my favourite meals. Spiced soup, Knight's bread, grilled cheese...

But nothing I could eat would silence this... unnatural hunger.

I watched the trees fly by underneath us, the hunger now hard to think past.

"I told you. We should've gone to Drusilla immediately." Vata's voice in my head was the only thing powerful enough to bite through the overwhelming feeling. "Now not only have you wasted precious time, you've gone and put us up in the air where the only thing we could feed on..."

My eye felt pulled towards first Estinien beside me, and then finally, the pilot, looking bored behind the helm.

"... Is them."

I blinked, clenching my scythe tighter, terrified of what she meant.

Vata. What do you mean?

I could almost feel her caress of my throat, trying to calm me down. Any sign of her earlier frustration gone.

"Voidsent are eternally hungry. We live to consume, that is our curse. I am practised at controlling it, by age and by power both. Now that our aether is merged, you feel what I feel, and you're... Inexperienced. I've been stuck in Ampador for years, sitting with my hunger."

I felt the pause, the weight of her head against mine, the brush of her lips on my brow as she deftly laid out her curse that we now shared at my feet.

"And now you know what it's like."

I knew I heard her words, I knew I registered them, but they were just the latest in the lone line of horror that was my life lately.

What was worse, having my entire body robbed by Zenos? Or having eternal hunger?

In comparison... This wasn't as bad.

I felt a sigh escape me as I eyed the pilot hungrily. How did I even try?

I shook my head in alarm, briefly amazed that I'd just considered feeding on a random civilian's aether.

Estinien shifted beside me, letting out his own sigh.

"I'm sorry I tried to ambush you about Zenos the other day. I know you're... having a rough go of it."

It took active effort to shift my gaze from the pilot to Estinien, To not lick my lips in hunger, or wonder what he'd taste like.

"It's... Fine. I wasn't in the best headspace, and I'm not sure I am still." I managed to say mostly through my teeth. "I'm sorry... I said those things."

He nodded, leaning forward, placing his spear on his lap. "There's nothing to apologize for Miriael. Just know I'm here for you, if you ever need anything."

He didn't mention the scythe at my side, my obvious twitchy-ness, or my anxious demeanour. Instead he just reached, placing a gauntleted hand on my shoulder. It was one of the things I loved about him. Actions, not words, were Estinien's way. He was letting me know he recognized that right at the moment, I was all kinds of fucked up.

But also that he cared. That he'd be waiting for me when I was good and ready.

I nodding, tearing my eye off him, unable to look at him anymore. Because if I did, I would either cry or try to bite him, I was so hungry.

But it was out of the frying pan, and into the fire, as my eye locked back onto the pilot.

"Take him. He'll do until we get to Drusilla."

My limbs were no longer mine as my gaze locked onto the pilot, standing to my feet clutching my scythe.

"It's been so long since I had a mortal soul that wasn't the rats of Ampador..."

Finally, I would be rid of this hunger.

"Miriael?" Estinien asked with concern as I lowered my scythe, my thoughts only of teeth in flesh, the muscle memory of the soul crystal raising my scythe up, higher and higher, the pilot none-the-wiser as he stared ahead.

"Just a little taste... He wouldn't miss an arm... Would he?"

"Miriael!"

"No... better the whole of him."

I felt her slowly escape from my flesh, manifesting solidifying darkness over my shoulder, her claws reaching upwards and outwards to match the curve of my scythe... Ready to catch whatever I maimed.

This is how we feed.

"MIRIAEL, NO!"

The pilot finally turned around just as I began to bring the scythe down in a perfect cut, it's grim harvest all but certain to slice him open from shoulder to hip.

Only for the scythe to clang against a blood stained spear, bouncing harmlessly backwards to save the poor pilot's life, his face twisted up in a silent scream of terror.

Both Vata's and my head snapped towards the spear's holder, only to be grabbed by the snuff of the neck pulling us away from our destined meal, as an angry nearly seven foot tall dragoon stood inbetween me and the hopeless pilot.

My practised eye examined the dragoon for threat, as Vata growled over my shoulder, swirling in a silent void of darkness, one of her claws creeping protectively around my shoulder. It would be a tough fight. But I knew his moves probably better than he did.

I, was the Blood dragoon after all.

"Miriael... I don't want to do this. I know you're in there. Fight it." The dragoon pleaded with me.

"Don't listen to him. He's so much weaker than you. Let me devour him, and then not only will our hunger be satisfied... We can be stronger still."

Hefting the scythe to hang loosely behind me, I arched out my hand to counter balance, the perfect combat stance for such closed quarters, my eye locking on my enemy-

"Miri. Please."

The dragoon's cry pierced my ears, that hopeful broken voice rushing forth a memory from the depths of my mind. A cold campfire among the cloud filled skies above Dravania... Talking about the possibility of peace, an end to the Dragonsong war... with Ysayle, Alphinaud, and...

"Estinien?" I said quietly, almost unsure that I was looking into the readied stance of my friend, his spear pointed at my heart.

"There you are." He whispered, his voice just barely breaking on the last syllable.

I dropped my scythe to the deck of the airship, as Vata grumbled back into my skin, her shadow wreathed form covered in grey wrappings fading into first mist that then seemed to seep into me.

I all but collapsed forward as Estinien caught me one armed, his other hand still grasping his spear.

"Oh my gods, Estinien, I'm so sorry-I nearly, Estinien I'm so so sorry-" I began to babble as the tears finally came, the grief filled sobs of what I'd done, and what I'd nearly done finally coming due through my emotions.

Estinien said nothing as we lowered slowly to the deck, my fists clenched against his breastplate as he gently placed his spear on the floor to wrap both armoured arms around me, 

"I nearly killed him, and hurt you, and oh gods I'm so sorry" I stuttered out inbetween sobs as I kneeled against him, my tears falling freely from my one good eye, snot blubbering in my gasps as I rested my head against him.

Yet still he said nothing.

He will never forgive me.

Vata was silent. One half of her mind a storm of trying to surpress the hunger in my soul, the other clearly upset that we'd apparently done something bad that she didn't understand.

And now all there was... Was the broken Hero of Eorzea, sobbing against one of her oldest friend's armour after she nearly killed him.

He will never ever forgive me. I've become the very thing I hate.

"Miriael." Estinien whispered into my ear.

I quieted my sobbing just enough to nod against his armour, my hands worming their way around his waist to clutch at his back plate.

"You're okay. I'm sorry. Whatever this is. We'll find a way to help."

I didn't know if they could. I hoped so. Gods did I ever hope so.

Yet despite the fact that I'd just nearly tried to kill my friend, the Black Shroud passed under us, as one terrified pilot carried us ever closer to Ul'dah.

[emberswrites]

So I have a question but I don't know if it's a topic you're going to address later in From this Earth, as it is a character study of sorts as you said, so feel free to ignore it. But anyway! What's Kks's take on It*chi? From subordinate to the murderer of Ob*to's clan to his student's torturer, Kks knows It*chi, he had a first access to him, however brief and without all the info, I'm sure he must think something about him...

Ooo an interesting question, thank you! Yes, it will come up in the fic! I personally don’t dislike It*chi really so that might colour my hcs.

My general hc around this: In a nutshell I think he’s just heartbroken over how it all turned out for the clan and the brothers. I think behind the scenes there was more to him and the clan, there must have been a lot of tension with the eye, I hc that F*gaku, although not pleased about it, was actually kind of sympathetic to him and there’s a flashback scene in the fic that will go into that time of Kks’s life. Also he’s the last of his clan, and while his clan didn’t come to their end in such a terrible manner, it’s a loneliness he doesn’t wish on anyone.

I think Kks isn’t one to judge very quickly because he’s got bloody hands too. So I don’t see him just thinking he’s evil but I do think he’d be distraught about it. I kind of see him being not just hurt but guilty about It*chi’s role in the massacre, thinking he should have seen something was off. I think he would feel rather torn about it all, on one hand thinking there must have been some other way and hating the pain Sas was made to go through after he gets to know him especially, and wanting to hate It*chi for it. On the other hand he relates to the kind of impossible situation and responsibility put on him, both being these prodigies, these most reliable tools for the village and knowing how hard it can be to be in between two things like that. And I mean Ob*to also actively took part in the massacre so I think any anger on Kks’s part would be on Sas’ behalf. But he’s honestly not someone who stews in anger from what we’ve seen. And he also knows that despite everything Sas still loves his brother more than anything else and has forgiven him, so who is he to feel differently? I think he would feel sorry for them both.

Mostly I think it would make him more cognizant as a Kage based on his character traits, and though the truth wasn’t put out publicly in canon I don’t think it’s something he’d ever let himself forget and that goes for in my fic too. I thought it strange and frankly bad storytelling to let the truth get buried like that which is why I addressed it more in the fic than canon did postwar.

Idk if all that rambling answered your question but I hope it did 😅🤍

[artsyxloner]

Not Just a Monster

Warning: blood, death Discussion

7: Friendly chat

After things had settled down Hyun-Su and Suk-Hyun were put back in the now called quarantine room. I felt bad for Hyun-Su being stuck with that guy that wanted to throw him out.

I stood in the hallway right in front of the room. As some of the group was with me, I began to get annoyed with their conversation.

" he just looks like a kid? a handsome kid," Hye-in spoke,

" didn't you see how much he blew over there and still didn't die? You can't judge someone based on their looks." One of the guys said I still didn't know there are names.

" what if we-" I stopped him before he could say what I think he was going to say. " killing him isn't the solution." I went up to the boy that had the ear Piercings.

" you got a better idea?" I frowned, he was willing to take a person's life. " so I guess you voted in favor huh?"

I took his silence as a yes, I shook my head. Even if I didn't know the guy I would think He would still have a little compassion towards others.

" your all murders if you voted yes!" It would be like this for me if they found out. I decided to keep it a secret. " what if he turns into a monster, Will you leave him like that huh?"

I didn't know? Maybe we deserve what's happening to us I hate to say it but humility is failing. Ignoring his questions there started a new one.

" why is this happening?" The chubby guy whined, he should be grateful he wasn't infected yet. While I'm a ticking-time-bomb.

" is it because of a virus?" If it was a virus I'm pretty sure we all would have it by now. " it's because of radiation!" Hye-in confirmed, thinking she was so sure of it.

I had to laugh, by the way, she said it. " come on you guys, didn't you watch the news? It's because of human desire." I nodded, At least someone got it right.

" oh, it must be because the store owner is so very greedy right?" I could second that. The guy in the white shirt seemed a little offended. " well what about Hyun-Su? What was his desire?"

He questioned about his but didn't think of his own. I already knew about Mine. " you better be careful too, Byeong-ll it seemed your Appetite was out of control." Eun-yoo walked in with her headphones on.

Stopping by the guy in the white shirt confronting him. He was taken back by what she said but couldn't answer because he was Judging Hyun-soo but not himself.

" it's the Radiation!" Hye-in Insisted even though we already went over this. " we are being punished. It's god's punishment." We all turned our heads to the girl with short black hair the first person I encountered.

I wouldn't blame God, for doing this. Eun-too seemed to think so too. " yes, I agree that's the best answer I've heard so far. Since we are all human-" Eun-yoo eyes drifted to every single one of us. " no one knows who the next one will be?..."

She smiled leaving the room taking a right to the next hallway. Even though she was blunt, she had a point. Nobody knew but at least I didn't have to spend my time worrying. There's not much you can do if you are already infected.

Not wanting to stick around hearing their Depressing conversation I left taking the same way as Eun-yoo did. Passing the quarantine cell. But then I remembered my bag was still in there.

If I didn't get it Suk-Hyun would eat everything inside. They did say he was greedy. I gap in through the glass I saw Hyun-Su sitting on the Mattress he had his arms Propped upon his knees.

I should be in there not out here, it made me feel guilty seeing him locked up for something he can't help. No matter how much we fight it or want to fight it.

It wasn't right, but at the same time it's for safety but when is it ever safe? I could tell he was suffering being stuck with that asshole even though he was asleep the sound of his breathing probably annoyed him.

I couldn't take it so I knocked on the window lightly only for Hyun-Su to hear. He must have heard because his eyes took a glance at me. I waved him over.

Confused he got off the mattress and walked over to the window. " how you holding up I asked not knowing if he could hear me. He stuffed his hands in his pocket. " I've been better." Was the only response.

" I'm sorry about early, that voting was completely unnecessary, I shouldn't have done it." I apologized, even though I opposed it, it didn't matter it still could have been the other way around. And he would have been kicked out.

I was apart of it, " No, I don't need your apology, it's fine." Hyun-soo tried to sound Convincing but it came out a little rude but I understand." just to let you know I opposed." Not that it would make a difference.

Hyun-Su perked up Surprise was written in his dark eyes. " you hungry? Because I'm starving." I motioned towards my bag. He looked behind him searching for it.

" bring it to me, we'll eat together." he did what he was told and brought it over to the door, since it could be locked from the outside I opened it Going in.

" you will get in trouble if you're found in here?" Hyun-Su explained but I didn't care. The worst they can do is make me out leave the room. Taking a seat on the floor, I patted for him to sit next to me.

I brought out two things triangle kimbap handing him one. He thanked me taking it in his hands. Wrapping the food he took a small bite savoring the food. As we sat together.

" Why are you being nice to me? I am a monster?" He laid down his half-eaten food in his lap. With a mouthful, I chewed up mine before answering gulping it down. " So what you are? you didn't give me a reason not to." I took another bite.

Some spilled out of my mouth, I wasn't aware Hyun-Su was watching me. I covered my mouth wiping it off with the back of my hand.

If so I wouldn't be Embarrassed since this happened to me all the time. A few seconds later Suk-Hyun woke up with a jolt. " shit, I mumbled under my breath bringing my bag closer to me.

He was breathing heavily with two things of rolled-up toilet paper stuck up his nose. Bloodstained his white t-shirt. "Why am I..." the old man asked himself.

He must have forgotten a bloody massacre had shot out of his nose? " you had a nosebleed, I think it's pretty obvious." Hyun-Su remained the old man.

His eyes wide and I could tell he was panicked. Removing the toilet paper, from his nose. " no way!" the man cried, " why me?" Was he trying to make this about him?

Suk-Hyun then peered over at us well Hyun-Su more likely. He got up and ran over to him, " I know... you're holding out. How so?" He desperately asked, even if Hyun-Su was holding out he wouldn't help him.

At least I wouldn't.

" how?"

The atmosphere was getting awkward, with Suk-Hyun looking pitiful as if wanting help. I, we can't help him; you're on your own.

" you're shameless." Hyun-Su confronted him, I stayed quiet. " Help me. I want to live."Suk-Hyun begged.

Yeah, we all do.

" I can't help you." We even can't help ourselves. " why?" Suk-Hyun did you forget what you said and wanted to do? " I have nothing else to say to you." That was all Hyun-Su told the man.

" you're a hypocrite."

I spoke up not able to handle this man's behavior asking help from someone he wanted good as well dead. " pardon?" Suk-Hyun furrowed, the wrinkles in his forehead deepened.

" Are you deaf or is your lack of Perception not with you at the moment?" I glared, standing up taking my duffel bag. He still didn't say anything I shook my head.

Before leaving the room, I wanted to make this clear. " don't ask others for help when you have troubled them—

and also if you put your hands on me again you won't have any!" My fingers clenched tightly around the straps.

I hate to leave Hyun-Su like that but that man got my last nerve asking for help. I wonder how long it would take for him to turn?