#source: Snake Discovery

[sukunasweetheart]

to satiate, seduce, and to sin.

HEED THE WARNINGS; fem!reader, half human(?) and half snake sukuna, its highkey yandere, mentions of eating people, DUBCON elements, dacryphilia, degradation, HEAVY smut, breeding, cum inflation, use of threats, squeezing/constricting, brainwashing, manipulation, body modification, trueform sukuna (two dicks), mentions of pregnancy and lactation.

Word count: 5k+

sorry guys, i kind of went all out with this one...

you are a researcher, and you’re looking for a rare specimen that most have assumed has disappeared or simply never existed in the first place. but recently, a few traces of activity from one has arisen, and you’re on the case to try and find him before he vanishes without a trace again. unfortunately for you, you decided to embark on this journey during the heat of his mating season... which leads you to making an interesting deal with him.

snake hybrids are and always has been extremely rare as a species - you’ve only seen them in books and blurry images. the information obtained on them - diet, habitat, behaviour - are also mostly just speculations. how they reproduce is shrouded in mystery. despite being half snake, they are much, much biologically different from actual snakes. many believe they are just a fabricated species.

you however, are confident that they are real, and that they’re still around somewhere. pursuing your passion for them, you’ve started another one of your many solo expeditions in search of any clues, or hopefully, one of them in the flesh.

and in this current one, you’ve seemed to hit a jackpot. you’ve been following this enormous snake trail for hours now. you’re really close to finding him, you’re certain.

after another hour or so of walking, a large cave can be sighted a good distance away, to your excitement. you tread carefully through the dirt, dead leaves and tree bark on the ground, making your way towards it.

standing at the entrance to the cave, you hesitate for a moment, heart thumping wildly. you’re so close. this could be a groundbreaking discovery, or it could be another false lead. you’re unable to see the other end of the cave at all, due to how ominously pitch black it is inside. good thing you brought a flashlight with you.

you put your backpack onto the ground and take it out, turning it on and off a couple of times to make sure that it was working. good as new. putting your backpack on again, you take in a deep breath before beginning to carefully make your way inside.

it’s awfully quiet. that’s usually a bad sign.

and if it weren’t for your flashlight, you would’ve needed a lot of time to let your eyes adjust to this darkness, as there’s little to no light that reaches into this cave. your footsteps echo against the walls, the noise bouncing off and heading down further, catching the attention of something lurking within the deepest end of this cave.

“hello?” you say boldly, letting your voice ring out, reaching out to whatever might be sitting in the dark before you. no answer.

you continue your walk, pointing your light towards the walls occasionally, and then the path in front of you to make sure you didn’t trip over anything. with every step, you start to feel more afraid. what if there’s nothing here? what if this whole trip and the expenses and the time you spent was all for naught? the thought of going back empty handed makes your stomach sink.

you halt altogether when your light falls upon something on the ground. a small creature...? no... it looks like...

the end of a large snake’s tail. 

in the blink of an eye, something wraps around your whole body tightly, rendering you completely immobile. your eyes widen and a frightened yelp escapes your throat, but you’re still holding on tight to your flashlight. a deep voice resounds in your ears, a voice that sounds so human.

“look at what’s wandered aimlessly into my den. a free meal. did you come in hopes to get devoured?”

you do your best to point your flashlight towards the source of the voice.

a man that has his arms crossed... looking closer, he has an extra pair that rests at his sides. a large mouth on his stomach. and from his waist down, he has the body of a snake. he stares down at you, amused. his giant tail coils tighter around you, noticeably more around the swell of your chest.

“...and a woman, no less. what do you want?”

your eyes continue to wander around his features, taking note of everything that stands out to you. glowing red eyes-- and just like his extra arms, he has extra eyes too! they’re a lot smaller than his main ones, however. oh, you’re so curious and ecstatic. so many extra features nobody had thought this hybrid would have.

“answer my question, vermin. who do you think you’re dealing with here? i’ll crush you until you’re choking on your own blood,” he spits harshly, wrapping around you tightly. you’ve come at a bad time. 

he’s in a rather sensitive mood right now, being so...pent up.

“i-i apologise... i’m a researcher. i’ve come this way to look for you,” you begin to speak carefully. “i wanted to prove your existence to the world. and it’s been a long while... but i’m finally here.”

he lets out an exasperated sigh. what a pathetic, insignificant goal you have. humans really love treading into places where they don’t belong, following their foolish curiosity, like a dog being lead around by its nose.

“i wanted an opportunity to observe you, if i may. just write some notes down... and a couple of pictures. would that be alright? please? it won’t take long at all.”

your eyes begin to wander again, being out of your control as you instinctively end up doing so, as if to prove sukuna right about your kind.

the scales of his tail... they have a very unique pattern to them, being adorned with beautiful shades of red and black. similar patterns run down his face and upper body as well. you’re itching to give him a sketch in your notebook. without thinking, you wriggle your arm out from his grasp and run your hand along them.

“ah... so magnificent. it feels exactly the same as a normal snake’s. i want to know more,” you mumble to yourself, loving the texture that runs underneath your fingers and palms. it makes him give a slight jolt, giving you a startle as you instantly take your hands off of him.

“i’m sorry! did that hurt? or...”

he narrows his eyes at you, staring into your innocent gaze as you blink back at him. a pleasant idea rises in his mind. his expression shifts into a gentler one, all too suddenly, as his tail loosens around you.

“...very well, then. i’ll let you observe me,” he relents, looking down at you with mischievous eyes.

“in exchange,” he very obviously gazes upon your physique lustfully, “your body is mine to use.”

being a rare species, its been a while since he’d had someone to breed with in the recent years. especially during mating seasons- it’s been frustrating, to say the least. he never thought he’d become so desperate as to resort to use a human for satisfaction, but he’ll take what he can get.

“huh?? i- well-” you begin to say, flustered by the sudden demand. your thoughts start racing, wondering if you were misunderstanding him, by any chance.

“do you mean...” 

“yes. i’m going to mate with you. although, humans can’t get pregnant from my seed. so there’s no need to be concerned about offspring.”

he says it so matter-of-factly that it startles you. you don’t want to know how he found out about that last bit of information... but you mentally jot down some notes about it anyway. so snake hybrids can’t crossbreed with humans despite being relatively similar in appearance... interesting...

you seem lost in thought again and sukuna grows impatient.

“so? what’ll it be?”

you shouldn’t agree to such an outrageous idea. it’s wrong, and... and researchers shouldn’t do such things with the subjects of their studies. and yet-

he notices you squeezing your thighs together, and grins. what an indecent woman. he’s never seen one so willing.

what can you do? you can’t afford to go back without any pieces of evidence. how would you prove your discovery? you fool yourself into thinking that you’re only doing this for the sake of your career.

“...alright. we have a deal,” you tell him meekly. you can also take this chance to find out more in depth information about... his reproductive system. what better way than to experience it yourself? ...you internally smack yourself in the face for that last part.

“where do you want to start?”

“i’d like to have a closer look at your upper body, please.”

his tail shifts to bring you closer to him. you make proper eye contact with him for the first time, and being so close to his face makes your heart thump faster. if you forget about the tail and all... he’s just a handsome looking man.

you grip onto your flashlight tightly. he has pretty eyes, too. you ask for his hand, and see that his nails are dark, and sharp. for someone who’s half-reptile, he feels oddly warm.

“i want to see your teeth next,” you tell him.

“don’t be surprised if i bite,” he responds, before opening up his mouth for you. you hope he’s only joking.

you inspect the inside closely, watching his snake tongue wriggle slightly, and his well-pronounced fangs that gleam as your light hits it. 

“are you venomous?”

“i can be. it depends.”

you ask him a series of questions, pushing your limits to get as much information as possible from him.

“and the mouth on your stomach?”

he brings you down so you can have a look for yourself. this one is much bigger, but pretty much has the same basic features as the first one. fascinating. when you touch the lower lip, he suddenly encloses your hand with his larger mouth. shocked, you gasp and retract your hand quickly, to find out that it is still intact. he chuckles sinisterly above you.

“p-please put me down so i can grab my things.”

he lets you go and you immediately begin taking various items out of your bulky backpack. you place your flashlight down onto the ground facing up, so that the light hits the roof of the cave and illuminates your surroundings a bit. you start off by writing down a few pages of notes.

...was a little hostile during the first interaction...communicates sufficiently in human language... was found resting in a cave...four eyes, and four arms, including an extra mouth on the stomach...

it was pages and pages worth of description, anything off of the top of your head. you’d have to rewrite and tidy it up later. a thought suddenly comes to mind.

“do you have a name?” you ask him.

“a well-asked question. i’ll have you pleading with the name ‘sukuna’ later on, once you’re done with all that,” he tells you arrogantly, watching as you scribble into your little notebook.

...the specimen goes by the name of ‘sukuna’.

next, you grab your polaroid camera and aim its lens towards sukuna.

“there’s gonna be a small flash of light,” you warn him.

“yes, i already know what those things do.”

the last guy that tried to take his pictures without asking first, suffered some nasty consequences. it was all for naught though, because he didn’t taste very good at all.

you take as many pictures as you please, and he patiently remains still as he promised. you take a look at the results and once you’re happy enough, you neatly set them aside and shove everything back into your bag. truth be told, your heart could leap out of your mouth right now, from how intensely it was beating.

you had felt his eyes resting upon you from behind the whole time, feeling the way he was watching your body with his lecherous gaze, undressing you with it. 

“all done?” he voices gently, voice dripping with sweet poison. nothing like the tone he’d used when you first arrived here.

“...yes. are- are we doing it straight away?” it was a stupid question to ask, but you felt the need to say something, anything.

"i might lose myself if i have to wait any longer,” sukuna confesses, slithering closer to you.

“wait! let me just- i’ll get myself undressed.”

you had a feeling that if he did it, he’d simply rip everything off your body. you need something to wear for the trip home. sukuna smirks at you.

“...go on, then. put on a show for me, will you?”

the phrasing flusters you immensely, but you work hard to make your trembling fingers work to unbutton yourself and unhook your bra yourself. your breasts bounce lightly with every movement, and sukuna watches with incredible restraint.

“nothing like watching a meal prepare itself in front of your eyes... it’s a shame you’re only here to satisfy my lust and not my hunger too.”

the thought of it sends a shiver down your spine.

you swallow on nothing as you avoid his eyes, taking your last bit of underwear off. you’re scared, but in a strangely arousing way. have you always been this perverted?

“i-i’m done...” you say with a small voice, instinctively attempting to cover yourself up to maintain some form of decency.

“wonderful. let’s start with a little taste, shall we?” 

sukuna picks you up effortlessly with his arms, and without any stalling, your pussy is pushed up directly against the mouth on his stomach, his hands placed on your ass to support you while you wrap your legs around his waist.

“i’ll need to get your holes nice and loose for me. better it be pleasure than pain, right?”

something wet and warm slithers out and rubs up on your sex.

you nod with gratitude, watching the large tongue in anticipation. your arms loop around the back of his neck, and you’re looking down as he laps at your clit, making you quiver against his strong grip that holds your hips in place.

you timidly moan, immersing yourself in the feeling of this once-in-a-lifetime cunnilingus, of this strange snake’s tongue that rubs up against your sensitive cunt without holding back. it slowly slips its way inside you, making your hips jump in surprise.

“you’re sopping wet. i don’t think i even need to do much for this one,” sukuna comments, enjoying your little reactions. you continue to only stare at the tongue going in and out of your hole. he cocks his head slightly to the side.

“why won’t you face me up here? afraid to meet my eyes?” he voices rather sulkily, lifting your head up by your chin. once you see his lustful expression, something in you throbs without control.

“hah! your hole’s clenching around me so lewdly. it’s being honest, unlike you.”

the focus seeps out from your gaze, and you begin to enjoy yourself.

“yes... you needn’t be so shy. relent yourself to me.”

he pulls your face in closer to his, and kisses you in a feverish manner, shoving his forked tongue into your mouth. you moan pleasantly against his lips, and one of his spare hands claws at your breasts, groping them without mercy.

his bigger tongue slips out of your sopping cunt, and sinks itself into your ass instead. the saliva it secretes does a good job at being a lubricant for it.

your own tongue savours the strange shape and texture of sukuna’s one - lapping up at his lips desperately, like you would to a lover. he likes your eagerness. his own cocks are beginning to throb and unsheathe from the slit on his lower half, unbeknownst to you.

something about you... is quite intriguing. timid and coy as you seem, you’re not hesitating to unmask your true desires; your obsession with his body. even now, you’re sucking on both his tongues with such greed, it’s hard not to be captivated.

when he breaks the kiss, a thick string of saliva still connects the two of you.

“a harlot, you are,” he tells you with a mean grin.

you look at him with teary, vulnerable eyes. the tongue that had been thrusting in and out of your ass slips out, leaving both of your holes twitching for more.

“i suppose you’re all set now,” sukuna tells you. he finally reveals his aching two cocks, twitching with the need for release.

so that’s where they come out from... they don’t look too different from a human’s, besides the ribbed tip-

“you like them? they’ll be sure to grant you a pleasure you’ll never feel from anyone else.”

you begin to brace yourself, your holes clenching around nothing. your chest rises and falls quicker, indicating your excitement.

he lines them up, and pushes them into you, at a steady pace. your body trembles, and sukuna has to keep you in place as you gasp and hold onto him for dear life. he stretches you so mercilessly. you feel him twitching inside you, as he forces his way against your clamping walls.

“haa...so tight. you fit me like a glove, sweetheart,” he pants, the term of endearment slipping out accidentally. perhaps he’s gone without mating for too long. he feels himself getting easily attached.

when he pushes the rest of himself in fully, reaching all the way, both of his cocks fit snugly inside and forms a bulge on your abdomen-- they press up against a certain spot within you and something seems to erupt in your mind. an unexpected orgasm rips through your body without warning.

you let a string of moans as you arch your back, your walls spasming around him as a result of this sudden climax.

if it were his normal self, he would’ve teased you harshly for reaching your high just from putting it in. but his current sensitivity causes him to also fall off the edge.

“f-fuck, if you keep squeezing me like that, i’ll-!”

sukuna grits his teeth, drool running down the side of his lips, as his cocks also begin to release-- giving him an intense orgasm for the first time in years. they pulse strongly inside of you, spilling spurt after spurt of his thick, hot cum, in large amounts.

he shudders against you, being lost in the pleasure, and begins to lift you up and down, using you like a fleshlight even while he’s still orgasming. the feeling of it bubbling up inside you is something obscene, like it should be forbidden to feel this good and drunk with lust, especially at the hands of a devil like this.

you lean forward to kiss him again, wanting to feel his groans against your lips, and needing a taste of his tongue again. he does exactly that for you, as if reading your mind. had you been one of his kind, he would’ve kept you as his permanent mate. he makes out with you for so long that you’re left gasping for air by the end of it.

“tch. i can’t believe i’ve stooped this low, cumming so quickly like a virgin,” he murmurs with half-lidded eyes.

“nngh...sukuna- i’m already so full,” you whine pitifully. you can feel his spend leak out of you, even though he still has your holes plugged up with his two dicks.

“that’s not good. i’ve still got much more to give,” sukuna teases, liking the way his name sounds on your lips.

“you’ll just have to withstand it.”

he begins to move in and out of you again.

lewd, wet slapping sounds echo throughout the cave as he fucks you in earnest, already mindlessly going after his next climax. you shiver in his arms, yelping each time the tip kisses your cervix. the double penetration doesn't help your case - as both of them rub up against each other within you, making your eyes roll back in ecstasy.

"i-i can't... it's all too much," you mumble, the bulge in your abdomen continuing to disappear and reappear with every thrust of his.

"you agreed to let me use you. no going back now," sukuna tells you with a grunt, brows furrowing when you tighten up around him again, threatening to milk him dry. it drives him mad.

"and i'll be sure to use this slutty body to my heart's content."

his previous loads makes for an even better sensation, making you nice and slippery for him. creamy, white rings are already starting to foam up at the base of both his dicks.

"it feels too good- too big- too big-" you babble, fresh tears piling up in your eyes as he continues to pummel into you, fingers digging into the flesh of your ass.

when the tears begin to roll down your cheeks, sukuna darts out his tongue and gets a taste.

"sweet..." he mumbles.

the urge to cum spills over, and he's releasing inside of you again. his seed repaints the walls of your womb and ass as he groans against the shell of your ear, making you dizzy with arousal.

"oh- my god-" you manage to let out, as you feel yourself getting filled up again.

"you're taking me better than anyone else has before...like a good little whore," sukuna compliments breathlessly, continuing to pump you full with his seed. he's never felt better. his head feels all fuzzy and the edges of his vision is a little blurred, as he focuses only on your sweet little face, lost in a state of euphoria. he leans into the crook of your neck, and darts his tongue out to taste your skin, desperately resisting the urge to sink his fangs into you.

as fast as he empties himself, his cocks fill up again even faster.

"sukuna...i feel... like i might burst," you pant, referring to your poor abdomen.

"...is that so?" he tells you, carefully sliding both of this cocks out of you. you feel a little relieved from the fullness, but also a bit empty simultaneously.

you gasp and jerk your hips when his large hand suddenly applies a bit of pressure to your stomach. everything that he'd stuffed inside you comes dripping out in large globs, falling into a little puddle on the ground.

"there we go," sukuna grins maliciously, watching as you tremble in his arms, enjoying this sensation of his cum oozing out of you... like the freak that you are.

"such a waste. i'll just have to stuff you full, over and over..." he whispers against your ear.

"nngh- sukuna... sukuna..." you chant, hips shaking as he re-inserts himself into you - both of his veiny cocks throbbing once again, aroused by witnessing you indulge in your pleasure.

he sighs erotically, as your plush walls welcomes him back inside, allowing him to slip inside so easily from the amount of slick you're producing.

you might actually go insane.

...sukuna uses you like a fleshlight for god knows how long. by the end of it, you're surprisingly still conscious, despite being ruined irreparably. fucking with such a sinful snake should've dragged you to the deepest pits of hell-- yet, being with him felt so heavenly.

"you ended up being more durable than i thought, love. i'm pleasantly surprised," he praises you, embracing your limp body closely.

"...might be worth trying on you..." he seems to speak to himself.

whatever it is that he's talking about, you're in no state to be pondering. you breathe heavily, eyes half-closed, trying to calm yourself after being so overstimulated for a period of time.

"rest easy. i'll keep you warm throughout the night."

his words hit you like magic, and the fatigue seeps into your consciousness, making you fall asleep in his arms.

-

your pillow...feels a little too firm. and- scaley? it's warm, though. and this texture is addictive.

when you open your eyes, you find yourself laying in a tangled pile of sukuna's long tail - your bare body covered with the clothes that you'd taken off before...

"you're awake. did you enjoy groping my tail in your sleep?" sukuna asks, recalling to the moments where you nuzzled against him with a perverted smile on multiple occasions.

flustered, you immediately want to voice your denial but your dry throat prevents you from doing so. you hold onto your own neck, coughing. he looks at you with a raised eyebrow.

eventually, you're able to point at your backpack that's still sitting towards the side of his cave, which he grabs for you. you rummage your bag for your bottle of water that you'd stashed carefully, and you take a big gulp from it.

"sorry. throat was parched," you tell him, your voice still a little hoarse.

"right. forgot how sensitive you humans were," sukuna says nonchalantly.

"but still, you sufficed better than i expected," he adds on, with a smirk. he reaches out and brushes the back of his fingers against your cheek.

the praise makes your heart race, and you recall your memories from yesterday. it feels like a fever dream. this will be a secret you'll tell no one.

and that brings you back to reality. you remember that you need to get back home. there's a mountain of things you need to do! but... somehow, the thought of leaving made you feel a bit melancholic. will you ever see him again?

"you know... i originally intended to eat you after using you for sex."

the sudden phrase makes your blood run cold.

"...but i changed my mind. that would be such a waste of potential."

potential? potential for what?

"...look into my eyes, sweetheart."

"sukuna, i... i need to return home," you bring up carefully.

his tail tenses up, making you feel even more nervous. it coils around you tighter, and lifts you up to him. he gently grabs your face, lifting your chin up.

you can't help but do as he says - like taking his orders had been ingrained into your muscle memory - and once your pupils meet his, escape becomes infinitely more impossible.

"you don't wish to leave. you want to stay here," sukuna coaxes you, eyes gleaming red. your mind becomes... clouded. his voice rings in your head. it hurts a little, but you can't look away.

"but...home..." you protest for the final time, eyes turning blank. the words leave your lips like the last spark of a dying light.

"this is your home, my love. i am your home."

he takes you in his arms and nuzzles against your neck. a tongue darts out and licks a stripe against your skin, making you shiver. your arms snake around him, like you can't get enough.

"tell me again, sweetheart. where is your home?" he whispers darkly against your ear.

"...my home...my home is..." you drone on, still having some urge to fight back against his manipulation. he embraces you tighter, and possessively lets his teeth nibble on your earlobe.

"my home is you..."

the phrase gives way for a gleeful smirk to form on his face.

"wonderful. i'm glad you feel the same way," sukuna emphasises, withdrawing his face from your neck.

"now, let your tongue out for me."

you do it without question, and he leans forward to capture it with his mouth, initiating an intimate kiss. tongues roll around against each other, and you feel yourself sink deeper into him. when he pulls away, you're left breathless, a string of saliva still hanging off between. he takes it with him, by giving a soft lick to your lower lip.

"how amusing...this ability of mine isn't even that potent. had your determination to go home been stronger, it wouldn't have worked. makes me feel pleased, knowing that you had a strong desire to stay with me."

"sukuna..." you cling to him lovingly, making his heart give a tug. it makes him want to mess you up. but your fragile human body couldn't possibly handle that. which is why...

"i'm going to grant you a snake's tail. to make you completely mine," he suddenly confesses.

"is that... possible?" you still ask questions, even in a state of hypnosis.

"for me, it is. i didn't bother correcting you when you mistook me as one of those common hybrids, but i'll let you know now. i'm something more akin to a god."

he doesn't elaborate further. the new piece of information shrouds his species with even more mystery. perhaps it should stay that way.

it's a risky process, and you might end up losing your life. but he believes you can endure it.

"i'll be honest. it'll hurt a lot, love. but my venom will soothe you. i'll numb the pain."

within the next few seconds, his fangs sink into the side of your neck.

some additional dot points and what happens after;

so you do survive the ordeal, and you wake up a week later after being essentially modified to become a snake hybrid yourself

memories are hazy, but youre still sound of mind and you eventually get used to this new body with sukuna's help

he did tell you that humans can't carry his seed, but now that you're also a half-snake, you can...

now he has a permanent mate that he can use whenever mating season comes around

he doesnt have to lift you up when he wants to fuck you anymore, it can be done in a missionary way, where both of his dicks can fit into your snake cooch at the same time (its still a bit of a stretch tho, hes so big)

whenever he mates with you, both of yours and his tails coil around each other's, like how real snakes do (itd be cute if a heart would be made with the tips at the very end)

there are still some human aftereffects on your body, like when you get pregnant, you start lactating... he has the privilege to drink it all up himself when they get sore and full, since his young won't be needing any of it anyway

at first, you intensely miss your human life, weeping pitifully in the darkness of the cave,,

he gets you curled up against him, licking your tears away, and then kisses your forehead, promising you that he'll protect and love you forever, since youre his one and only mate...

"convincing" you that there is nothing to miss about being human.

Masterlist

[lilithlounge]

🐍 Medusa in Astrology: Facing Inner Shadows and Empowering Transformation 🐍

Medusa, often seen as a symbol of fear, transformation, and feminine power, has deep-rooted mythology. In astrology, the asteroid Medusa (149) reveals where we might feel misunderstood, betrayed, or where we need to transform fear into power.

Medusa was once a beautiful maiden who was transformed into a Gorgon with snakes for hair, representing how our deepest wounds can become our greatest sources of strength. In the natal chart, Medusa’s placement can show where we might feel victimized or demonized, but also where we have the opportunity to face those shadows and reclaim our power.

🌑 Medusa in the Houses 🌑

Medusa in the 1st House:

You may have felt judged or misunderstood for your appearance or identity. Medusa here often points to an intense self-image transformation. You may project an intimidating aura, but this can be a source of inner strength when fully embraced. This placement asks you to transform your fears of being judged into confidence and empowerment.

Medusa in the 2nd House:

Feelings of betrayal or inadequacy may be tied to self-worth and material security. Medusa in the 2nd House challenges you to face your fears about money, possessions, and self-esteem. This is about transforming any fear of not having enough into a deep understanding of your true worth and values.

Medusa in the 3rd House:

Communication, education, and early experiences with siblings or neighbors may be where you felt betrayed or silenced. Medusa here challenges you to find your voice, express your truth, and reclaim your narrative, transforming fear of speaking up into powerful self-expression.

Medusa in the 4th House:

Your home life or family may have been a place of deep wounding or betrayal. You might feel haunted by your upbringing or family dynamics. Medusa in the 4th asks you to transform your relationship with your roots and create a new foundation, finding power in your own ability to create safety and nurture yourself.

Medusa in the 5th House:

Creativity, romance, and self-expression may feel blocked due to fear of judgment or failure. Medusa in the 5th House encourages you to reclaim your creative power and embrace your right to love and be loved. Transform your fears into a bold, fearless expression of who you are.

Medusa in the 6th House:

Health, daily work, and service may feel like battlegrounds where you’ve experienced betrayal or challenges. Medusa here urges you to face your fears of inadequacy and step into your power by transforming your daily routines, taking control of your health, and finding empowerment in service.

Medusa in the 7th House:

You may have felt betrayed or hurt in close partnerships and relationships. Medusa in the 7th reveals the power dynamics at play in your relationships and urges you to transform your partnerships from sources of fear or domination into ones based on mutual respect and empowerment.

Medusa in the 8th House:

Deep, transformative experiences surrounding sex, death, and shared resources are highlighted. Medusa in the 8th House represents the need to face taboos, power struggles, and fears head-on. This placement holds immense power for transforming your relationship with your shadow self and finding healing through vulnerability.

Medusa in the 9th House:

Your beliefs, philosophies, and search for truth may have been challenged, or you might fear venturing beyond your comfort zone. Medusa here calls you to transform fear of the unknown into a journey of self-discovery and liberation through expanding your worldview.

Medusa in the 10th House:

You may feel judged or limited in your public life, career, or reputation. Medusa in the 10th House speaks to transforming how you approach success and recognition. Face the fear of public scrutiny and use it to build an authentic and powerful public image, free of shame or restriction.

Medusa in the 11th House:

Friendships, social groups, and your connection to the collective may feel like areas where betrayal or rejection has occurred. Medusa here encourages you to reclaim your individuality within the group and transform your relationship with community, turning fear of rejection into leadership and belonging.

Medusa in the 12th House:

The 12th House is the house of the unconscious, hidden fears, and spirituality. Medusa here may manifest as deep, hidden fears or unresolved trauma. This placement asks you to face your inner shadows and unconscious fears, transforming them into spiritual growth, and reclaiming your power through healing and integration.

🐍 Book Your Medusa Reading Today! 🐍

Curious about how Medusa plays out in your chart? I’m offering personalized readings to help you understand where this asteroid might be highlighting deep fears, wounds, and untapped strength. Let’s explore how you can turn those shadows into sources of empowerment.

💫 Book your reading here: [Ko-fi] or here [Buy Me A Coffee]

[omg-snakes]

I just wanted to check - there are albino corns, right? I know there are Snows and Blizzard morphs. Snake Discovery did a corn snake hatching vid recently and seemed to think there were no albino corn snakes, so I was a little confused. (They also didn't know the difference between Tessera, Motley, and Stripe though so I think they are just generally uninformed)

Hey friend!

I think the source of confusion here is that the term "albino" is a colloquialism developed for humans that doesn't totally work for reptiles.

The root Latin word, albus, just means "white." The term albino was originally coined by Portuguese and Spanish colonizers (boooo!) to refer to the children of Black slaves who were born without melanin. It then went on to describe any animal without pigment, particularly the black pigment melanin, which resulted in white hair, pink skin, and pink or very light blue eyes.

As science marched on and we gained a better understanding of how genetics and pigment work, we came to realize that there are multiple pigments at play in most animals. Even humans, whose main pigment is melanin, have two different kinds of melanin which result in the rich diversity of skin tones across the human species! Albinism works as a descriptor for humans because we only have melanin, but it falls apart fast when we start applying it to other forms of life.

So in corn snakes there are three main pigments: melanin (black), erythrin (red), and xanthin (yellow).

An amelanistic, or Amel, corn snake is by definition an "albino" with no melanin and red eyes. But they look like this:

That doesn't exactly look white...

If we're looking for white snakes to call albino, a Snow corn snake has amelanism and anerythrism in combination, but they still have yellow xanthin pigment. A Blizzard, on the other hand, is a combination of amelanism and a slightly different mutation called Charcoal that removes both erythrin and xanthin. By the original intent of the word, a Blizzard would probably be an "albino" but a Snow might not fit the bill. Or might, depending on who's deciding, since they technically lack melanin!

To bring up another example of pigment mutations, leucism is the absence of all pigment, not just melanin. This mutation is most commonly found in birds and reptiles. Leucism and albinism look similar, and the mutations do similar things from a "looking at animals on the outside" perspective, but they're genetically distinct from each other!

It falls into semantics and discourse, so I think the easiest way to go about it is to think of albinism as a blanket term to describe a range of genetic color morphs found in mammals, but not a scientific description of what's actually happening. We could probably skip using it to describe reptiles because even when it's technically applicable, it's not the whole story.

I'll end this by saying that YouTubers in general are entertainers, not educators, and I don't think I'd take anything any of them say seriously unless they're providing references. Snakes are a huge and diverse group of lifeforms, and even if one were to know every detail there is to know about one species, that knowledge may only tenuously apply to even a similar-looking species.

This is exactly why exotics veterinarians are expensive and why you should treat them very kindly and with a great deal of respect.

[lizzie-is-here]

lonely is a man without love

part iii- cairo

“i am a deserted sky, and you are the moonlight” - manoj muntashir

summary: you and marc head to cairo, and you make a shocking discovery in the form of a giant skeleton bird

wordcount: 4k

warnings: language, violence, vague references to the red room, drinking, slight pining, a saddening lack of steven

a/n: yuhhh posting this before my bday tomorrow so i can get crunk af. ALSO TAYLOR AND JOE? sobbing. but i hope y’all enjoy love y’all sm sm sm 🫶

taglist: @thefictionalgemini @ravenz-hope @undiscl0sed-d3sir3s @iateall-yourcookies @disregardedplant @sunflowers-4 @yellowumbrelllaaaa @bagsy-not-it @local-mr-frog @thescarletredwitch @jupitersmoon167 @creamecafe @stevenknightmarc @theluciansystem @kingtwhiddleston @spider-biter @mxltifxnd0m @sgt-morgan @no-dont-be-suspicious @onzayhe @namorslit @i-cant-write-for-shit

i’m sorry it won’t let me tag some of y’all 😭

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Marc pokes and prods for more intel on your profession the whole plane ride to Cairo.

Honestly, it’s more of a harsh interrogation at this point, with him making sure you aren’t working for any remnant of the Red Room that managed to stay alive. Once he’s satisfied and his temper cools, you explain why you were sent.

“Righteous” justice or not, he was a danger, killing random people all over Europe and shaking off hits that no normal person should be able to. And the team liked to keep tabs on enhanced beings.

“So the actual Avengers are worried about me? It’s not like I’m going after them,” he says.

You laugh, loud and obnoxious. “Worried? No, you misunderstand. It’s more of a public safety precaution. Just making sure all of our loose ends are tied.”

“Loose ends being…?”

“Hydra. The Red Room-“ You gesture to yourself. “Aliens. Things like that.”

“Yeah…” Marc says, hesitant. “‘Things like that’, sure.”

You lean over a bit, scanning the plane from your aisle seat to check for threats. All you see are tired passengers, dozing off or absorbed in the small TVs on the backs of the seats.

Once satisfied, you turn back to Marc.

“If you want to sleep, now’s a good time. Once we get to Cairo, we’re not going to have much time to rest,” you say, nodding to the TV. 3 hours away.

He eyes you, a bit suspiciously, but closes his eyes anyway. With a sigh, you stand up, snaking through the aisles to the bathroom. You grab your phone and tap a favorited contact.

“(Y/N)?”

“Tasha,” you greet. “Is it a bad time?”

Your friend shakes her head, holding up the phone to show the group. “We just finished a movie, what’s up?”

“So… Marc Spector is here. He has DID, and Steven Grant is an alter, not an alibi. Things are getting serious.”

She nods. “That explains a lot.” You’d been relaying your experiences to them for weeks, and they’d shared in your confusion. Her tone turns more stern. “How serious?”

“Cults, magic, something about a scarab? It’s out of my expertise.”

“Do you need backup?” Steve’s voice calls from the other side of the couch.

You shake your head. “No, it’s nothing I can’t handle. It’s just fucking weird.”

A chorus of laughter goes up on the other end of the phone and you smile, rolling your eyes when a knock lands on the bathroom door.

“I just wanted to update you. We’re heading to Cairo now, so…” You shrug. “I will maybe get some souvenirs.”

The knocking grows more incessant.

“Will you hold on? Your shits can wait!” you call. Turning your attention back to the phone, you sigh. “I’ve got to go. This person is going to kick the door down.”

Nat nods and mock-salutes you. “Have fun, stay safe. You can always call, (Y/N).”

With a brief goodbye, you wash your hands and leave, awkwardly waving at the small child who was the source of the knocking. Sitting down, you sigh, listening to the sound of air and propellers.

No sleep for you, you guess.

———————————————————————

When the plane lands and you rush off, you and Marc find the closest hotel and buy separate rooms.

Even after securing the room and stuffing a gun under your pillow, you still sleep lightly. A shattering sound wakes you, bright light from outside invading your eyes, and you curse under your breath as you clamber out of bed.

You slip out of your door and into Marc’s room, gun still gripped in your hand.

He’s sitting on the floor, head in his hands. A mirror is shattered.

“Are you gonna break more mirrors or can we start the day?” you ask. He raises a bottle.

Snatching it from him, you down the last of the fiery liquid and chuck the bottle. It lands somewhere on the ground behind you, brown glass joining the reflective shards on the tile.

He drunkenly laughs, looking up to where you stand.

Your hair is free and rustled, not like how you normally have it. Your hair is always braided or tied back, something he now realizes is a habit from your training.

There’s a gun in your hand, and he can see your finger on the trigger. Marc regrets waking you, partially out of guilt and partially because he’s once more been reminded that you’re a killer. Which reminds him that he’s a killer.

You’re just a much prettier killer. Much.

“Are you going to get up? Or are you going to stare at me like you want to fight me again?” you laugh. “Because it did not go so great for you last time-“

He waves a dismissive hand. “Yeah, yeah. ‘M gettin’ up,” he finally says, and you slip away, avoiding glass and heading back to your own room to dress for the day.

Light colors, thin fabrics. Anything to stave off the heat. Once you’re both ready, you and Marc head into the city.

You don’t mention the mysterious absence of Steven, who the vigilante is definitely suppressing. Said vigilante is too busy hunting down his target.

He shakes off the last bit of drunkenness as he leads you up a ladder, not really telling you where you’re going or why. It doesn’t bother you, per se, but you are curious as to how he knows where to go. Sometimes he glances at empty spaces, as if listening to something not quite there.

You have no time to ponder this strange behavior as you leap across rooftops and nimbly avoid obstacles that Marc barrels through.

Your question as to who you’re hunting down is answered when you see a group of men, with one being stabbed in the stomach right as you arrive. Great.

“Oh, shit,” Marc sighs. “You killed him? I needed to talk to that guy. About a dig sight.”

“I don’t think they can un-stab him,” you snort.

He nods. “True. Guess I’m gonna have to talk to you all instead.”

“You’re too late,” one of them growls. “You’re never gonna find Harrow.”

“That’s his name?” You audibly gag. “Eugh, that’s a shit name for a cult leader.”

The guy tosses his knife in the air, following it up by tracing the blade along the ground.

“Ooh,” Marc says. “What, are we dancin’? We fightin’? What are we gonna do?” You step back as one of them lunges, deciding to go easy on them and not use a weapon.

Slamming one against the wall is easy enough, though he gets up soon after and targets Marc instead. One of them, a kid, charges at you.

You disarm him and shove him on his ass, not wasting your time on a literal child. Whipping around, you grab the handle of a knife as it zooms past, a few inches past your shoulder.

“Seriously? Learn to aim,” you say to yourself as you toss the knife off the roof.

It’s going rather well for a street fight. Much more fun, albeit less challenging than any of your Red Room missions.

And then it all goes to shit.

Marc’s got a knife to a guy’s throat, but something changes. A brief moment of silence, and he slams the blunt handle on his head, hard enough for him to bleed.

You let him go to town fighting the other two, who are now much more scared of him. It’s only when he meets your gaze that you realize something is deeply wrong. The hairs on your neck rise.

That’s not Marc. Definitely not Steven.

Your suspicions are confirmed when he leaps from the roof and disappears into the crowd.

What the fuck?

You follow, sprinting down streets as you barely stay on his tail.

When you manage to catch up to Marc, or whoever, he’s staring down a cliff with two dead bodies on the ground. You don’t have to look to know that the third lies at the base of the steep drop.

“Marc? What the fuck just happened?” you demand.

He whirls around, fear in his eyes.

“I- I don’t know. That wasn’t me, or Steven. So what-”

The wind swirling interrupts him, and he stares off at a rusty car.

“And what is so interesting about the car that-”

“We have to find Harrow. What about the other gods?”

You furrow your brow. “What?”

A disembodied voice responds, “To signal with an audience with the gods is to risk their wrath-”

You’ve never pulled out a gun faster. Turning in circles, you find no source. No people, no tech. Your breath quickens, aiming the firearm at random.

“Okay, Marc?” you begin. “I’m all good with cults, and floating scarabs, and even some magic, but you are going to have to explain that voice before I start freaking out.”

The man sighs, glancing back to the air.

“I serve the Egyptian god Khonshu. I’m his… avatar.” The delusional nature of his statement is offset by how naturally he says it, so much so that you do a double-take.

“And you’re just telling me this now? Of course, of course, the first mission I go on after fighting a grape from space has Egyptian gods,” you hiss. “Don’t tell the public, Thor’s got plenty of fangirls that you don’t want.”

The voice sounds again. “I doubt they’d find the same appeal in me.”

You shrug, but when you turn in the direction it came from, you see it. And boy is it ugly.

An absurdly large bird skull, the body covered in mummification wrappings, and a large staff at his side.

“Cool. Cool-cool-cool. You were saying about talking to the other gods?” you mumble, trying to ignore the large bird thing.

“Yeah, what’s the worst that could happen?” Marc asks.

“Anger them enough and they’ll imprison me in stone,” the thing -Khonshu- says.

“That doesn’t sound too bad to me,” the man next to you says. You nod in agreement.

“You are very ugly,” you state bluntly.

Evidently unused to people disrespecting him, the god slams his staff on the ground.

“Not many mortals are allowed to even see my form, much less speak to me. It is a blessing.”

“Yes, well, I don’t feel very blessed.”

He turns his attention back to his avatar. “See how well you fare against Harrow without the protection of my healing armor.”

“All right, so what? Do you have any good ideas?”

“I have a bad one.” With that, he disappears.

You glance up, noticing the light dimming. You are met with a solar eclipse. So he can fully move the moon with no regard to its position or that the next eclipse was not for a good while? Huh.

Marc leads you down some stairs, past Khonshu as they talk.

“The gods all have avatars,” he explains. “They’re gathering now, but I don’t know…”

A wall begins to open itself, revealing a tunnel lined with glowing hieroglyphs. “... how to get there,” he finishes.

“I don’t fuck with small, dark, magic tunnels,” you say. “Besides, I don’t think I should join you.”

Marc smiles, visibly nervous. Resting a hand on his shoulder, you shrug.

“You’ll be fine, okay? Meet me here when you’re done, I will wait and see what I can learn about any leads.” It’s the nicest thing you’ve said to him, so he nods, steels his nerves, and heads down the tunnel. As soon as it shuts, you sigh.

“‘Egyptian mythology’,” you whisper to yourself as you type into a search bar. “I guess the black market is a good place to start.”

———————————————————————

You’re wandering through a marketplace when Marc finds you. The Red Room taught you to blend in perfectly, but he manages to spot you when he hears a loud laugh.

In your hand are a drink and a tangerine, which you may or may not have stolen.

“Can you find anything about Senfu’s sarcophagus?” he asks.

“Ouch, no ‘Hi’?” you tease before obliging. As you search with Stark tech assisting you, you glance at Marc. “It didn’t go well.”

“No,” he agrees. “They brought in Harrow, called me crazy, and denied my request.”

“Hmm, some council.” You finally break into a smile, holding your phone flat and projecting your findings. “Mogart. Some black market collector that is conveniently… 24 miles away.”

It takes a while to double-check your intel and find a boat, and the sun has set by the time you’re onboard. Sitting on the end, away from the other groups, Marc watches you, observing the cheerful passengers. A few young girls dance to the loud music, just enjoying the night as you look away.

“You know, I know almost nothing about you,” Marc says.

“I could say the same about you. Other than the file.”

He doesn’t balk at the mention of a debriefing on him, just smirks. “Yeah? Well, you know I work for an Egyptian god, I’ve got a British man living in my head, and the basics. All I know is your name and your-” He gestures at you. “-previous job.”

“You don’t want to know about the Red Room, I promise.” Your smile is a bit bittersweet. “It’s not pretty.”

“My past isn’t either.”

You hum. “The Red Room makes child assassins,” you say, avoiding too much detail. “And… I was cycled through the Black Widow programme three times. I was good at it, too.” That’s all you give up, gauging his reaction.

His gaze softens, not with pity, but with empathy. “How young were you? When you started- The training, I mean.”

The question manages to cause a lump in your throat. This is why you don’t like thinking about it.

You soften the truth when you manage to speak. “I don’t remember a time before it.”

A hand rests on yours. And the two of you sit in silence for a bit, quiet understanding lingering.

“And you?” you say, blinking away the small amount of water building in your eyes. “Did you always work for the bird?”

“No. But I was fighting for a while before I met him. ‘ve done plenty of horrible shit in my life even without him asking me to.”

“And I’ve done horrible things to get out of the Red Room. We have something in common.”

Marc shakes his head. “No, you… you’re out. Hell, you’re working with the Avengers. You’ve made up for it.”

If he knew what you’d done, he wouldn’t be so quick to absolve you. You brush that thought away.

“Well,” you begin, leaning back on the seat. “It’s never too late to start.”

The boat reaches the banks before he can respond or be further distracted by the rings on your hands. Or how your body twists and curves as you quickly jump onto dry land.

“Got an alibi?” you ask, watching Marc stash the duffel bag under the dock.

He hums, shrugging. “A few. Rufino Estrada,” he decides. “What about you?”

“I’m going in as myself. Obviously, not an Avenger, but…” You tie your jacket around your waist, allowing your t-shirt to hide many of your weapons.

On your belt, there are two guns and a handful of knives, but Marc’s eyes are drawn to your wrists. Gauntlets flicker red, electricity in them crackling as you check your weapons.

He speaks after you fire an experimental blast into the ground. “And what’s our story here?”

“You hired me as security, and you are in the business for this sarcophagus. You’re a reputable antiques buyer who previously had ties to Dreykov, the head of the Red Room. I’ve already sent that information ahead.” You flash a charming smile to the man, who still seems a bit on edge. “Mogart made a few small deals with him, so he knows how serious the Widows are. It’s a perfect alibi.”

You two approach a large track, with men jousting under bright lights as music blares from the speakers.

Schooling your expression as you approach a man, you tilt your chin up.

“Where is your boss?” you ask, voice much darker and accented than usual.

“Ma’am-“

“I sent a message earlier. We’re here for the sarcophagus.” The man immediately nods and rushes off as you lead Marc forward. “Don’t drop the act,” you whisper. “Let’s go.”

The guy introduces himself as Bek and guides you toward the track. “He’s excited to meet you. He hasn’t been able to speak to any of the infamous Black Widows after the Red Room fell.”

They were scattered across every continent on Earth, rebuilding their lives. Of course he wouldn’t find them.

“Excuse me a moment. Mr. Mogart will be with you shortly,” Bek says, slipping away.

You lean against the railing, the Widow Bites on your wrists glowing red at the movement.

“So what?” Marc starts. “This joker just puts on El-Mermah games in his backyard for fun?”

You click your tongue. “Ah, who knows? Rich people are weird.”

“Sir, Agent. Come in.” The man, dressed in a dark red robe, greets you with a more than relaxed attitude. “I hear you’re interested in my collection?”

Marc nods. “I hear you have Senfu’s sarcophagus.”

“And who told you that?” This is tedious, you think to yourself. Diplomacy and bargaining, it makes you want to heave.

“The best in the business.” Marc gestures to you.

Mogart seems convinced by this, and you begin to head toward a group of buildings.

“I hope you understand this is more than a collection to me. Preserving history is a responsibility I take very seriously.”

“No one asked you to do that,” you comment mildly, baring your teeth in a sinister grin when he frowns at you. “Yet, here we are.”

Mogart brushes off the thinly veiled insult with a chuckle. “I forgot how deep Widows cut,” he jokes. “How was the old boss before he died? May he rest in peace.”

“Pieces,” you correct, struggling to speak well of the man that previously controlled every aspect of your life. “Helicopter explosion. He… He died powerful and influential. What he would’ve wanted.”

Mogart doesn’t push further, thankfully, coming to a stop in front of a glass pyramid.

“If I may ask, why such interest in Senfu in particular?”

You have a fake reason, but he gestures for Marc to answer. Shit.

“I think that… I just think I would love to take a look,” he says. He’s confident, but it’s an awkward pause.

Mogart concedes. “Funny man. Feel free.”

As you enter the area housing said tomb, you glance at Marc.

“You need to let Steven out. He knows more than either of us and we cannot afford to blow this,” you whisper.

Marc scoffs. “Not a chance. All right, what do you see?”

“The burial practices,” you begin, recalling your research from earlier. “They’re in line with the Studenwachen texts.”

“The what?”

You roll your eyes, exasperated. “Apparently I’m the only one who studied. It means it’s real. But all of this is just instructions to guide the dead.”

“So?”

“No locations indicated.”

Marc glances up at the ceiling, likely listening to Steven. He turns back to you, voice hushed.

“Ok, will you give me a minute? I gotta talk to Steven. Keep him occupied.”

You nod, slipping away with a sigh of relief.

“Mr. Estrada needs some time alone,” you announce, watching said man ramble to himself. “He’s… praying.”

This doesn’t stop Bek, who storms in and grabs Marc’s arm. On instinct, the ex-Marine disarms him, also giving up your cover.

Guns are trained on you in an instant, and you raise your hands.

“Marc!” you shout. He spots you, and for a second you think he’s gonna shoot the guy and leave you to fend for yourself. Instead, he curses and gives up the gun.

“Do you really think I’m an idiot?” Mogart asks. “Get on your knees.”

Marc obliges, and the robed man sneers at you. “I really thought you were a possible ally.” A gun shoved against your neck forces you forward. “I used to be Dreykov’s customer, a friend, even.”

“You think I’d want anything to do with the man who ruined my life?” you laugh. “Dreykov was a coward. And I wish I’d been the one to kill him.”

“Hey-“ Marc steps in. “Take a look inside the sarcophagus. There’s somethin’ really, really big.”

Before Mogart can look, Bek speaks to him in French. You freeze.

“It appears we have a concerned third party here,” he says. “Get up.”

“Harrow,” you mouth to Marc, trying to find the zealot. He stands with two men, leaning on his staff.

“Whatever they’ve told you, I’m sure I can offer something much more tangible.” The scarab floats above his hand. “Why settle for a clue when you can have the treasure?”

Arguing breaks out as Marc snaps at Harrow, who simply turns to each of you. “You all have more in common than you know.”

“(Y/N), you think that ignoring the past will keep it from catching up to you. That missions can give you a purpose, but it’s closing in.”

You’re so taken aback by him knowing your name and reading you so well that you don’t hear another word.

“Do it. Summon the suit,” Khonshu says, appearing on a rooftop. “Give them what they deserve.”

You exchange a glance with Marc, subtly nodding to your gun, and then to the distracted guards.

Meanwhile, Harrow calls on his staff, using it to destroy the sarcophagus. By the time the cultish leader is gone, so is Marc.

Panic starts immediately, and you grin despite being surrounded.

“Well, boys. Looks like you’re in trouble.”

Mogart and Bek run as Marc starts attacking, throwing down curved blades as you grab your gun. Shooting down three guards is easy enough, but more are firing from the track.

“Here!” Marc covers you with his cape, blocking the gunfire in a way you don’t understand.

You catch your breath, looking up where his eyes glow through the suit.

“Can you buy me some time?”

“Absolutely.”

You run to the tomb, grabbing the tattered fabric. When you turn around, you come face to face with Bek.

Thinking fast, you throw shards of glass at his face and kick him in the stomach. He grabs a knife as you dodge his attacks, ducking in time for his knife to land in the mummy.

You take the advantage, slamming the grip of your gun into his nose. He tosses you away to grab the knife, but as he turns around, you fire off a single shot.

A quick death, it could be worse.

Running to the track where Marc is pinned down, you jump the fence. There’s multiple javelins stabbed through him, and you shoot a rider with another ready.

As you aim for the rest, however, you take a blow to the head. You hit the dirt, trying to rise as your vision blurs.

You can hear hoofbeats pounding in your head, only increasing the incoming headache. He’s got a javelin.

“Fuck that hurts,” you mutter, pushing yourself into a sitting position with your gauntlet trained on the figure. Even as Mogart heads for Marc, you don’t waver, especially when he sticks out the weapon to attack you at the last second.

Marc tackles you out of the way, enveloping you as he rolls to safety and tosses a last knife. It doesn’t miss.

Sighing in relief, you let your head flop onto his shoulder as you try to fight off the ache. He pats you on the back as his wounds mend under the suit. A luxury you don’t have.

“There you go. That’s it, deep breaths,” he mumbles, not really sure when you got comfortable enough with each other to sit like this.

He tries his best not to focus on the weight of you leaning on him, trusting him enough to rest, safely tucked in his arms. It feels nice, to have someone trust him like this. Marc hasn’t had that in a long time.

He coughs a bit and you pull away, leaving a cold, exposed feeling where your touch was. Shakily standing, you observe the bodies scattered on the sand.

“We should keep moving,” you say softly. “Don’t want them to catch up.”

Marc can only nod as he fights to keep from reaching for you.

“Yeah. We’ll keep moving.”

[cordeliahrose]

Lucifer

Lucifer is a Latin word coming from the words lux, meaning light, and fero, meaning to bear or to carry. Literally translating to light-bearer.

Lucifer as a Roman Deity

Lucifer has had many faces throughout history. One of these being the Roman deity of the morning star, or Venus, considered the male equivalent of the goddess Venus. He is attributed to being the god of enlightenment and illumination. Lucifer is often depicted carrying a torch, and said to be equal in beauty to the goddess Venus. Due to being the morning star, I can also see Lucifer being associated with war as well. Especially considering his association with learning and knowledge, as well as that Venus also historically had war epithets. 

In the Greek pantheon, they separate the morning star and the evening star into two seperate deities, being Phosphorus/Eosphorus and Hesperos. Eosphorus meaning “dawn-bringer”, and Phosphorus meaning “The bearer of light”. Phosphorus and Hesperos are the sons of Eos, Goddess of dawn, and Astraios, God of dusk. Phosphorus is the father of the Hesperides, nymphs of the evening time and light of the sunset.

Lucifer in Abrahamic Religions

Historically, Lucifer was never mentioned in the Bible at all. His name being associated to Christianity nowadays is due to a mistranslation of a poem about a fallen king. However, he is a big part of Christian culture now, and there are myths associated with him. 

Lucifer was said to be the most beautiful and intelligent of God’s angels. He was God’s right hand. Until he defied God. There are many different versions of the fall of Lucifer. 

One version of this story says that Lucifer became overly prideful of himself, his beauty, intelligence, power, that he thought himself worthy of being worshipped equal to God. Because of this, God cast him out of heaven.

Another version is that Lucifer was jealous of Jesus Christ. He gathered the angels and brought forward the idea of worshipping him instead of Jesus. Some of the angels sided with Lucifer, while others did not. There was a meeting between God, Lucifer, and all of the angels in which God said that their rebellion was unforgivable. There was a war between the two sides, but ultimately God and his angels won. Lucifer and the angels who followed him were banished from heaven.

Lucifer in Modern Witchcraft

In more modern witchcraft, there is a tradition which states that Diana, queen of witches, created Lucifer when she split herself into two pieces, darkness and light. She kept the darkness for herself, and Lucifer kept the light. Lucifer and Diana also have a child, Aradia. In this tradition, Lucifer is seen as the god of light, and masculine energy. One of the most influential sources for this tradition is The Gospel of the Witches by Charles Godfrey Leland.

Lucifer in Demonolatry

In demonolatry, Lucifer has many titles. Prince, King, Emperor, Lord. Lucifer is a demon of transformation, enlightenment, awakening, self-discovery, self-empowerment, and more. He is usually attributed to the element of air, and also pride.

Lucifer’s Associations

Anything with the * symbol next to it means that it is my own UPG.

Animals:

Snakes

Rams

Peacocks

Corvids (crows, ravens)

Cats

Spiders

Moths

Colors:

Black

Grey

Gold

Red

Teal

Blue, especially pale blue*

Purple* 

Crystals:

Obsidian

Onyx

Hematite

Celestite

Seraphinite

Garnet

Sunstone

Clear quartz

Carnelian

Ruby

Copper 

I am aware that copper isn’t a crystal. 

Plants:

Apples

Pomegranates

Roses

Cinnamon

Cloves

Lavender

Blackberries

Sage

Black pepper

Garlic

Lilac

Spicy peppers*

Other:

Stars

The number 7*

Spring equinox

Autumn equinox*

Offerings

Strawberries

Blackberries

Chocolate

Apples

Pomegranates

Honey

Spicy foods*

Sweet things, especially baked goods

Juices, especially apple or grape

Coffee

Roses

Feathers

Devotional Acts

Shadow work

Learn about the sciences or the arts

Create art of any kind

Face your fears

Learn about any of his associated animals

Magical workings, especially those that fall under his sphere of influence

Learning in general

Developing  your psychic abilities and spiritual senses (the clairs)

Spiritual progression

Anything marked with the symbol * means that it is my own UPG

[starsidesky]

Let's just say that there's a couple of Baldur's Gate 3 characters who are currently living rent-free in my head. A situation that has stirred the writer in me. So here's a little vignette (honestly, I wasn't sure what to title this) about Isobel contemplating the aftermath of Act 2. (Potential spoilers)

Dust

For the first time in a century, the sound of mirth rings through Moonrise, and Isobel stands in near disbelief. Her thoughts are still racing on battlefield adrenaline. A small sleep-deprived fear trembles in her mind: the fear that this moment might be snatched away, that she might wake inside the Last Light Inn. Scorned by the realization that all of this was naught but a cruel dream. But one look at the sky and a solid pinch are enough to put her uneasy thoughts to rest.

The Harpers are enjoying some merry-making in the wake of their victory. Their strange new-found allies have generously offered to share their food and strong drink alongside whatever is deemed safe from the tower cellars. Aylin has eagerly joined in the celebration; her laugh is as magnificent as it is unmistakable. A hearty sound that carries throughout the towers like it had never left. The cleric decides it would be a crime to pull her angel away too soon. A hundred years caged in the Shadowfell had no doubt left her deprived of the most basic humane courtesies. She definitely deserves to celebrate.

Isobel draws a cold, shallow breath and stifles a coughing fit. The ale must be affecting her poorly, as the torchlight suddenly feels harsh to her eyes. She tolerates it for a while, but the celebrations get louder as the night goes on. Despite the lifting of the curse, the air in the hall feels muggy and suffocating, and a slight headache settles upon her brow soon after. All it takes is the drunken singing of a few dozen Harpers to persuade the cleric into the calm night air.

The moon from Moonrise had always been beautiful – a century couldn't hope to change that. But the same could not be said for Reithwin itself. Beneath the moonlight, the village Isobel had known so well seemed little more than a hollow shell.

A ghost, an echo of what once was.

At the center of it all stands the statue of her father, his expression listless and placid. The same way he looked when she first awoke.

A chill snakes down her neck.

She’s running barefoot, clad in cambric burial garbs, dodging creeping vines, and thorny brambles. White dots of lantern light chase after her; her father is amongst them. A mangled root catches her foot, and she tumbles downhill into a heap of thorns. Disoriented, she crawls away, pressing her back to a scraggly tree. Her lungs burn for breath, but no matter how much she gasps, her vision swirls with sparks.

Calling upon her goddess means risking discovery. Instead, she clasps a hand over her mouth.

The rumble of a galloping horse crests the hill, pulling her back to herself. The bony, half-rotted steed brays as it winds through the foul miasma. Her father screams from its back, sobbing, begging. His dark, anguished pleas echo through the marrow of her bones. She winces with every one, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

The sound remains burned into her memory. Sometimes, late at night, she thinks she hears it still. Isobel thanks Selûne that he did not find her that night.

Once more, she gazes over the ruins of Reithwin and her heart twists. She spent a century dead, while so many good people - people she knew - suffered and perished for want of one man’s grief. Yet here she stands, and they do not.

She recalls the many hideous stories the Harpers told about the source of the Shadow Curse and the monster Ketheric became. At first, she could hardly believe it. The gentle, kind man - the man who'd raised her - chose to forsake their goddess, forcibly convert their people to Shar, and butcher those who would not. That wasn't even accounting for what he'd done to Aylin!

So much death and destruction, and for what?

"While I hold little love for Ketheric," Aylin's armored boots settle upon the stone behind her. “That monster was not your father.”

Isobel turns to face her, desperately trying to hold her emotions back, but to no avail.

In one fluid motion, Aylin pulls her into her embrace as her wings sweep around her. They’re a welcome shield from everything beyond. Isobel leans into her, her head resting against her breastplate. She listens quietly to the slow rhythm of her heart, the rise and fall of her breath, as Aylin rests her jaw upon her head.

“You are not to blame for his mistakes.” Aylin says softly.

Isobel finds her voice soon after, “I know.”

[inspofromancientworld]

Legendary Creatures: Dragons

By Allie_Caulfield from Germany - 2012-10-10 10-13 Berlin 313 Pergamon Museum, Ischtar Tor, DetailUploaded by FunkMonk, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22769614

Dragons are possibly the most popular and most widespread legendary creature in the world. Their exact shape varies from culture to culture, but all agree that they are serpent-like creatures. The oldest creation stories we have records of have a storm or sky god slaying a dragon representing chaos to create the world. Their mythology spans from Egypt through Europe and Asia, with related creatures being found in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Dragons have continued to fascinate people through history to the modern day.

By Unknown author - http://www.yiyuanyi.org/plus/view.php?aid=45093, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10576539

There is a study that shows about 39% of people are afraid of snakes, with that fear especially prominent in children, even if they live in areas where snakes are rare. It's thought that this fear is the origin of dragons since the oldest stories have dragons that more closely resemble snakes. The fear of dark caves, deep pools, wild mountains, sea bottoms, and haunted forests-all logical things for early humans to fear-may have given dragons their lairs. Another theory is that the discovery of dinosaur bones, many with their very long spines and large bones, may have given rise to dragons or perhaps have explained their acquisition of legs and wings.

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/f5wski/dragon_classification/

Dragons have many forms and many names. One way to differentiate them is by the number of limbs, between zero and six, whether they have wings or not, whether or not they can fly. Dragons can be associated with any of the classical elements (earth, air/wind, fire, water) or transient phenomenon, like lightning or thunder or even rainbows. Whether they are good or bad depends on the culture and the treatment they receive from people. While all are large for serpents, they range in size from those that will fit inside a house, to those that live in mountains and even the deep currents of the ocean.

By Jami Dwyer - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamidwyer/2844706070/in/set-72157606952714490/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4973343

Some of the myths about dragons include:

Apep or Apophis, an underworld serpent, and the Ouroborus in Ancient Egyptian mythology

Aido Wedo, The Rainbow Serpent of the Fon people

Masingi, a healer who lives in clean houses, of the Tsonga people

Kirimu, a large animal with a black hide, teeth like a dog, a huge belly, an eagle's tail, and seven horned heads that has a blood pact with the lightning god

Tiamat, a primordial sea goddess from Babylonian mythology

Leviatin, a sea monster from Jewish mythology

Nāga, one of several serpentine dragons from Hinduism which spread through Southeast Asia as the Naga or Nogo

Láwû, from the Kapampangan mythology of the Philippines, which caused lunar eclipses by eating the moon

Rồng or Long, from Vietnam, which was a water deity

Lóng, from Chinese mythology, perhaps the most recognized Asian dragon with many variations in body type, but generally long bodied

Ryū, the Japanese version of the Chinese dragon, generally benevolent water spirits

Yilbegän, the Siberian Turkic, Tartar, and Slavic dragon, a many-headed man eating monster

Horned Serpent, One of the more common representations in Native American mythologies, especially in the Southeast woodlands

Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent of the Aztec who was god of light, day, wisdom, and the winds and Ruler of the West, spreading to the Maya as K'uk'ulkan and to the K'ichi' as Q'uq'umatz

Amaru, a chimeric dragon of Incan mythology with multiple heads, though likely predates the Inca

Mo'o, the shape-shifting lizard of the Hawaiian people

Taniwha, Māori dragons that live in deep waters and caves or in the sea, especially with dangerous currents or deceptive breakers

Bolla, a serpentine dragon of the Albanian people that sleeps through the year except for St. George's Day and becomes a Kulshedra in its twelfth year, a hydra-like creature

Y Ddraig Goch, one of two dragons, red and white, that King Vortigern witnessed fighting and Merlin foretold the red one, representing the Welsh people, would defeat the white, representing the Saxon people

Sárkány, human-shaped dragons, most giants with multiple heads, who lose strength as they lose heads

Cuélebre, Asturian and Leonese giant winged serpents that live in caves with treasure and kidnapped xanas, which are beautiful women who live in various water features, and was a maiden cursed into that form

[judgeitbyitscover]

The Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan

Cover illustrations by Todd Lockwood

A Natural History of Dragons (2013)

You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon's presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one's life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . . All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day. Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

A Tropic of Serpents (2014)

Attentive readers of Lady Trent’s earlier memoir, A Natural History of Dragons, are already familiar with how a bookish and determined young woman named Isabella first set out on the historic course that would one day lead her to becoming the world’s premier dragon naturalist. Now, in this remarkably candid second volume, Lady Trent looks back at the next stage of her illustrious (and occasionally scandalous) career. Three years after her fateful journeys through the forbidding mountains of Vystrana, Mrs. Camherst defies family and convention to embark on an expedition to the war-torn continent of Eriga, home of such exotic draconian species as the grass-dwelling snakes of the savannah, arboreal tree snakes, and, most elusive of all, the legendary swamp-wyrms of the tropics. The expedition is not an easy one. Accompanied by both an old associate and a runaway heiress, Isabella must brave oppressive heat, merciless fevers, palace intrigues, gossip, and other hazards in order to satisfy her boundless fascination with all things draconian, even if it means venturing deep into the forbidden jungle known as the Green Hell . . . where her courage, resourcefulness, and scientific curiosity will be tested as never before.

The Voyage of the Basilisk (2015)

Devoted readers of Lady Trent’s earlier memoirs, A Natural History of Dragons and The Tropic of Serpents, may believe themselves already acquainted with the particulars of her historic voyage aboard the Royal Survey Ship Basilisk, but the true story of that illuminating, harrowing, and scandalous journey has never been revealed—until now. Six years after her perilous exploits in Eriga, Isabella embarks on her most ambitious expedition yet: a two-year trip around the world to study all manner of dragons in every place they might be found. From feathered serpents sunning themselves in the ruins of a fallen civilization to the mighty sea serpents of the tropics, these creatures are a source of both endless fascination and frequent peril. Accompanying her is not only her young son, Jake, but a chivalrous foreign archaeologist whose interests converge with Isabella’s in ways both professional and personal. Science is, of course, the primary objective of the voyage, but Isabella’s life is rarely so simple. She must cope with storms, shipwrecks, intrigue, and warfare, even as she makes a discovery that offers a revolutionary new insight into the ancient history of dragons.

In the Labyrinth of Drakes (2016)

Even those who take no interest in the field of dragon naturalism have heard of Lady Trent's expedition to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia. Her discoveries there are the stuff of romantic legend, catapulting her from scholarly obscurity to worldwide fame. The details of her personal life during that time are hardly less private, having provided fodder for gossips in several countries. As is so often the case in the career of this illustrious woman, the public story is far from complete. In this, the fourth volume of her memoirs, Lady Trent relates how she acquired her position with the Royal Scirling Army; how foreign saboteurs imperiled both her work and her well-being; and how her determined pursuit of knowledge took her into the deepest reaches of the Labyrinth of Drakes, where the chance action of a dragon set the stage for her greatest achievement yet.

Within the Sanctuary of Wings (2017)

After her adventure in the mountains of Vystrana, and her exploits in the depths of Eriga, to the high seas aboard The Basilisk, and then to the deserts of Akhia, the Lady Trent has captivated hearts along with fierce minds. This concluding volume will finally reveal the truths behind her most notorious adventure - scaling the tallest peak in the world, behind the territory of Scirland's enemies - and what she discovered there, within the Sanctuary of Wings.

[tarnishedinquirer]

Fringefolk Hero's Grave 2

Here I am, back at the Fringefolk Hero's Grave. I'm stronger. I've got a torch and a spyglass. I'm wearing armor, thanks to a certain someone helping me take that mask off.

Though, to be honest, still not comfortable with my face. I think I forgot how it's supposed to work.

Looking from a distance at the handless woman, comparing her to the Erdtree Favor... They could both be earlier depictions of Marika, but I can't be sure. The Erdtree Favor looks a lot more recent, even if it was also in the distant past. If the statue was holding a vessel of some kind, she would've been holding it upright, rather than pouring it out. One removed of power, one removed of identity. I feel like I'm on the cusp of a discovery here.

This time, I looked around before crossing the bridge and noticed a ledge down below. No reason to antagonize the Grafted Scions, so I jumped down. There was nothing on the ledge, so I jumped down again, and landed in shallow water.

I took some stairs and then an elevator up, and found myself on a platform overlooking the chariot track. Unfortunately, I was not alone, as another of the red-clad Banished Knights attacked me with a halberd. By now I knew for certain that his techniques were of Stormveil. These knights must have served Stormveil at some point. So what was Stormveil's connection to dragons?

As the chariot raced back and forth below, I looked up, only to find several giant pots suspended from the ceiling. Can't imagine why they would be there. Some kind of failsafe, maybe? A way to take out the chariot if its creators couldn't disable themselves? That made sense. The magics to control it might be lost to time, but a giant exploding pot would probably do the trick in a pinch.

Took me until the last pot to get the timing right, but oh was it satisfying. I'd never have to worry about that thing again.

In the wreckage, I found an Erdtree Greatbow. That seemed odd... was the thing supposed to also shoot arrows at me? Was the artifact used as a power source somehow? Or was the chariot itself some sort of mobile reliquary? Impossible to say, considering how thoroughly I destroyed it.

Greatbow featuring Erdtree styling. In times of old, when faith and battle went hand in hand, this weapon was created in tandem with the Golden Arrow.

In times of old? FAith and battle always go hand in hand. They still do, if some of these gold-clad zealots I've met are any indication. Even when not led by fanatics, the faith is still used to oppress, like with Demi-humans and Misbegotten. My god can beat up your god.

This world keeps finding new ways to horrify me. When I entered the final chamber, I was expecting something like the chambers at the end of catacombs. This was similar to that, but instead of one mass of roots at the end of the chamber, enormous clumps of decaying bodies hung down from the ceiling like rotten fruit. The guardian was a creature like a gnarled root crossed with a snake, except far worse for how its cracked skin pulsed and oozed with unknown sickness. The voice called it an Ulcerated Tree Spirit. Was this in any way related to the Avatars? Perhaps their dark equivalent.

I found it was still as "holy" as its cousins, but rather than casting magic from its hammer-stave, it breathed fire like a dragon. Perhaps that's why I found a Haligdrake talisman on someone trying to flee. He must've thought it would protect him. It afforded me some protection, but nowhere near enough.

It took countless tries before I was able to read its undulating body language. Before I could tell a feint from a lunge from the thing just dragging its bulk across the floor. Halfway through the fight, it erupted into golden flames that did not consume it, only made it more dangerous to approach. I applied burning resin to my sword in hopes that like a tree, it would burn. It helped, but again, the creature was so resilient the damage increase was marginal at best.

Then I started using everything at my disposal. Picked turtle necks for stamina. Exalted flesh for strength. Aurelia as a distraction. I found that if I hugged its belly, it had a harder time hitting me, unless it decided to just roll over top of me.

Eventually, though, it fell, and I claimed my rewards.

Banished Knight Oleg. One of the two knights known as the Wings of the Storm. After his banishment, he attracted the notice of the Grace-Given Lord and later, having slain a hundred traitors as the Lord's hand, Oleg earned the hero's honor of Erdtree Burial.

First, this knight must've been Engvall's partner. Second, Engvall's ashes said that he was a hero of the fringes, yet Oleg is the one interred in the Fringefolk Hero's Grave. The one who rejected the Grace-Given Lord is in a tiny, waterlogged tomb on a rotten river, while the one who accepted him is buried in a hero's grave. The whole thing smacks of politics.

Finally, this "Grace-Given Lord." Godrick the Golden/Grafted was born in grace. That's basically the only thing he has going for him. A Grace-Given lord is one who was not born in grace but was rather granted it.

Conclusion: Engvall stayed watch over Stormveil while Oleg answered the summons. It's not a stretch to assume the summons was from Leyndell. Oleg distinguished himself fighting traitors, while Engvall died as a hero in exile. When Oleg died, he Engvall was stripped of his burial place and shunted off to a forgotten, disrepaired tomb, guarded only by a lone gladiator. Perhaps Engvall's master was one of the traitors, and Stormveil was the traitor's castle before Godrick took over? That would explain the disrespect.

Who is the grace-given lord?

What was wrong with this tree spirit?

Who was the former master of Stormveil, the one turned traitor?

When did Marika's iconography drop the ewer?

[littlelesbinonny]

The Devil's Den

Chapter 31: In Which A Mishap Leads to Something Soft

You can read this also on Ao3 at: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46831621/chapters/117962293

"Well did ya send anyone in???" Karl interrupted.

"The cave is still extremely compromised, until we really have -"

"C'mon man! You've got a lead and you're just sittin' on it?!"

"HEISENBERG! CONTAIN YOURSELF BEFORE I FORCEABLY REMOVE YOU FROM THIS MEETING!" Alcina shouted while slamming her hands down on the table. 

This wasn't the first time he'd interrupted Dmitri and her nerves were running thin as it was, Karl's outbursts and usual aggressiveness was only pressing them thinner.

"Let him finish," she barked, ever so slowly leaning back into her chair, "please, continue Dmitri."

There was a muffled clearing of a throat on the other end of the speakerphone, "As I was saying, we're unsure if this new tunnel is a result of the cave-in itself simply exposing an underlying naturally made cavern, or if it's made by man, or other beings, as it were. We're executing the utmost safety measures since we don't know what is down there or if the threat of another cave-in is possible. Our sources are limited where we are but Sylvia affirms the lycan forces are sending up a few of their most agile members for the task, who will join our own as we proceed."

"This doesn't bode well for activity; Dmitri, you're sure there's been nothing come out of there?"

"Well... if it has, we've not seen anything and everyone is still alive, so we have that going for us."

Alcina was normally on board for jokes, however today was not one of those days.

"You're how many men strong?"

"Currently 57."

She sighed and rubbed her temples, "I want word the moment you know more about this, and I want everyone armed to the teeth," her sights darted for Karl, "Heisenberg, wipe the snivel off your face - can you equip them with more artillery?"

"Duh," he snorted, "I'll deliver myself."

"Good. Donna, you and I will prepare here; I want Mateo, Gerard, and Elina ready at a moments notice to leave with me and a small crew if necessary."

"Understood," she replied, "I will contact them immediately."

"Dmitri..."

"Yes, my lady?"

"Anything unusual, and I mean anything, I trust your judgment to make the call to fall back... and I demand that you do. I don't want anymore losses."

"Understood."

Karl's muttered grumbles at the talk of 'leaving with their tails between their legs' was ignored and the conversation was over shortly after. Everyone was in agreement that while nothing had come to fruition with this new discovery, yet, the option to be best prepared and not need it outweighed complacency.

Donna brought in Elina, Gerard, and Mateo and in the depths of the Beneviento study a plan was devised for a swift departure. Karl had left in a sour mood but was leaning on the side of excitement he would be gathering weapons for the troops on the other side; Alcina gave him full reign on what he could deliver and she only assumed that meant several explosives and whatever new inventions he hadn't tested out yet. He was nothing if not game for some destruction, somewhere.

The chime from the antique clock on the mantlepiece rang in the 3 o'clock hour and Alcina pursed her lips to herself.

"I believe we're fortified as can be for the time being, shall we call it?"

The four nodded and she gracefully took her leave.

~

In truth, you'd only fallen asleep about an hour, maybe two, ago when you were woken to a familiar presence in your dazed awakening.

Alcina's perfume wafted into your lungs like the gracious caress of a soft sunrise. 

Her arms snaked around your middle and you hummed, "well, well, hello midnight caller... what are you doing here?"

Your voice was riddled with sleep and Alcina grinned near your ear, snuggling herself to your backside in the darkness, "visiting someone I love, is that alright?" she whispered.

Keeping your eyes closed you nestled further back into her and sighed deeply, "mmm, I suppose that's ok."

She'd only snuck into your room in the dead of night once or twice, but you were not going to balk at the visit. She'd taken the time to disappear from her duties in the underworld for you and that warmed your whole soul.

"You are in a bit of trouble, I might add," Alcina's voice sounded, a little louder, the sternness there barely enough to bite, "you left your balcony door unlocked."

"Well yeah, I never know when you might drop by," you giggled softly, still half asleep, "I'm not -" you broke for a short yawn, "- losing out on any chance to spend time with you."

With a defeated yet unforced sigh, Alcina hunkered down with you, kissing at your ear with a hum, "go back to sleep draga mea, I want to hold you for as long as I can."

Well, how could you argue with that?

In the most unlike fashion for Alcina, she had fallen asleep.

At some point after sharing a kiss with you, your effervescent aura of relaxing bliss knocked her out hard enough she remembered nothing after nuzzling her nose in your hair.

The problem with that was the sun would be rising in mere minutes.

It was Saturday and there was no need for an alarm so you, as you always had, would wake by proxy to your own internal alarm. And the problem with that was that you were in the arms of your Alcina all night, the safety you felt kept you entirely too comfortable for your own good.

You felt her startle and your instincts to keep her from the sunlight forcefully shoved you into action; the unspoken knowing of what was about to happen blew cold anxiety through you.

"Fuck!" 

You were unsure you'd ever moved so fast in your life.

"Don't move!"

In a dash and a blur you ripped open your closet door and pulled out three big bags. Tearing the top of one open you yanked out a black mass. Alcina watched with confusion and then awe as you hopped on a stool and began to hang the very large black-out curtain over the balcony door. 

You little shit. You've been prepared right under my nose. She smirked.

Still, this wasn't the greatest move she could have made. She was caught outside of the underground, which never happened, with no communication to anyone down there, and had no other choice than to stay put until night fall. There was no doubt in her mind Donna would come down on her harder than a pallet of bricks. 

When you finished with the balcony you moved into the kitchen, sealed that window, and moved into the living room, successfully closing off all natural sunlight from the entirety of your apartment.

Coming back into the bedroom with a huff of panicked breath, you leaned against the desk and turned on the small lamp.

"Well..." you sighed, "I know this is probably not the most ideal thing in the world, but uh, at least you're safe?"

You were so insufferably cute she couldn't pretend to be upset. She fucked up. Oh well. You had uncannily saved her ass, quite literally.

Alcina rose slowly and stalked over to you with a softness in her smile, grateful beyond measure at your intelligence and ever vigilant thinking ahead, "at least I won't be hiding away in a closet all day," she smirked, tracing your brow, "you astound me. Truly."

"Hey, gotta be prepared when you got a girlfriend who just happens to be a vampire," the beam of pride from your grin chased away the rest of the looming concern, "never thought I'd have you all to myself during the day, and uh, you're definitely stuck with me." 

She chuckled, "I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be stuck with."

Feeling the tension of the rude awakening sifting through your system, you sighed and leaned into her front, wrapping your arms around her torso and breathing her scent in to continue the lull of relaxation. There were plenty of thoughts that were pending in your brain but you were too tired to entertain a one of them. Feeling Alcina comb her long fingers through your hair made it all the more easier to ignore them.

"And what..." her low vibrato cooed, "do you do for fun on your Saturday's off, draga mea?"

You sighed big and long but never budging from your spot, "oh you know, the usual; wake up, question and ponder my life choices; why I haven't won the lottery yet so I can quit my job a galivant however I please, dodge the existential dread of never-ending laundry, dishes, cleaning; sit on the couch for hours doom-scrolling through apps, and other exciting mundane tasks that go along with being a human."

"Oh heavens," Alcina laughed, "life really has changed since I was human," she pulled you away and peered down into your tired eyes, "but I asked what you did for fun... existential dread, as appealing as you make it sound, doesn't count."

"Ok, fine," you smiled lazily, "sometimes I'll go out for coffee or breakfast, meander the city, wander the parks, catch some live music... if the weather is shit, I like to bring out my Nintendo 64 and play some videogames like Zelda or Doom, Super Mario, Goldeneye, Yoshi Story - you name it, I've got a wicked stash - and other times I'll binge watch a show or watch movies till I'm blue in the face, or I just take a day to sit in silence and nap, maybe cook an extravagant dinner for myself... it's usually take-out though don't be fooled."

Raising an arched brow Alcina chuckled at you, "hmmm. Well, as it is only barely 7 AM, shall we snooze and cuddle a while? Then perhaps you can show me these video games of yours."

"You drive a tough bargain, ma'am, but I suppose that does sound pretty nice."

Unperching from the desk and tugging her back to the bed with you, you plopped in the mattress with a smile on your face as the two of you settled down. 

While Alcina had plenty of things to ponder on and worry about, there was absolutely nothing she could do about her current circumstances. She hoped whoever noticed her absence, and she prayed they were few, there wouldn't be mass chaos at the Grand Matriarch being missing from the underground. She wasn't necessarily proud of her actions but, at the same time, she was the Grand Matriarch and she would do as she pleased. If she didn't happen to come home for one day, it was no ones business why nor where she had been. That's what she continued to tell herself while she held you in her arms, focusing instead on your warmth and calming thrum of your heartbeat.

"I am absolutely not playing."

"Oh come on, you watched me play a whole hour of Zelda, Mario Cart is a thousand times easier! Plus, I've shown you what all the buttons do and how to do the thing."

"But I like watching you play. I am not a 'gamer', this is not my cup of tea."

"Laaaame excuse. You've literally never even played a video game, how can you possibly know that," you rolled your eyes, quickly changing your tone, "I think your ego can't handle the challenge."

Icy eyes grew narrow but her smirk was devilishly present, "my ego has nothing to do with it, you little fiend - this kind of challenge doesn't suit me."

"Ooohhhh, I see, I got it... you're too proud to admit that you know your human girlfriend is gunna whoop your ass at a little Mario Cart so you won't even entertain the thought, but it's ok, it's ok, I mean, I understand, it IS a really tough thing to swallow and all; being the Matriarch of an underground lair of scary vampires and whatnot, but Mario Cart, I - "

You were unable to finish your taunting as Alcina had tackled you off the couch and pinned you under her thighs on the carpet, her hands holding yours immobile by your head as she smiled flatly down at you. You, of course, were putting up very little, to any, fight at all.

"Now, draga mea," she cleared her throat, "dragoste, light of my dark night; you realize when you challenge a woman like me, and taunt me to the point of no return, and being who I am with the ever present need to execute my case in whatever means necessary... do you really think antagonizing me will get you what you want?"

The grin on your face was beckoning for more, "there's really only one way to find out."

She scowled.

"You really are relentless," she stated flatly, hiding her smile.

"That's why you love me, though."

"Mmmm... I suppose," Alcina leaned down slowly, caressing her lips against yours, "but I want the pretty purple controller."

"Okaaayyy." you sighed playfully.

"And I get to be Yoshi."

"What?! You can't have my controller AND my driver!"

"You said he was the best, didn't you?"

Her glimmering smile left you immobile on the floor as she lifted off you. Smirking and shaking your head, you rolled over and grabbed for the controller. You did poke the bear, and you did actually get your way, so, you weren't allowed to complain.

Purely but happily surprised, she did actually beat you 5 out of the 6 games. You beat her the first round but when she caught on to most of the tricks she came in blazing afterwards. 

There was something inexplicably endearing about this 6 foot tall regal vampire sitting on the floor with you playing video games. There was no way life was real. No way.

Chuckling, you scooted closer to her and straddled her lap, draping your arms over her broad but beautiful shoulders and smiled, "well, looks like I gotta eat my words, don't I. You're a damn fast learner."

Alcina hummed as you laced your fingers through her hair and returned the smile, "you're a very good teacher, but yes, I am very good at whatever I put my mind to, very good, in fact, I'm usually the best."

"So humble," you laughed, "but thank you for indulging me."

Using her palms to pull your hips closer, Alcina kissed you repeatedly until you settled completely into her, "it's the least I can do, for all you've done for me... I do love you, you know."

"I do know, I love you too."

Her eyes were warm underneath the coolness of the slate color. You could gaze into them for what you would consider forever and be happy with that. She still didn't seem real to you, even after all this time, but if it was a dream or some fabricated hallucination you'd come up with, you were content to let it last. 

"So..." you began, tilting your head, "now that you've had a taste of what I do in my spare time, what do you do when you have free time to yourself down there?"

Alcina leaned her back into the couch and admired you and your curiosity, "it's rare to have down time these days, but I enjoy spending time with my girls. If they're around, that is," she chuckled, "we four like to sit in the turret and busy ourselves with whatever appeals to our fancy that day. Daniela loves to draw and paint, Cassandra loves puzzles, reading, and art as well, and Bela plays piano amongst her love for books; she and I are the readers. I love to read. My family never had books in the house when I was growing up; they were too busy with the vineyards to do much else in their spare time than rest. When I got my hands on a book from the neighbor boy who fancied me, I ate right through it. He continued to supply my desires and before long I had a lovely stash of my own. When I wasn't occupied with music or schooling, I was reading."

"Yeah? Any particular genre tickle your fancy best?"

"You, you tickle my fancy plenty," she jested seductively as she ran her palms up and down your sides, "but any really, I'll read anything. I prefer poetry or a good fantasy, but a romance or thriller is also perfectly suitable."

"Maybe we should start swapping books, as you can see - " you motioned to the vast array of bookshelves lining your walls, "I, too, enjoy a good book."

Alcina beamed, inching in to kiss you softly, "I'd love that."

It was now 4 PM and the day was waning. The two of you had spent the hours talking, snuggling, and watching a few episodes of The Golden Girls before your grumbling stomach had its say.

You were now headed to Malka's store to get some things for dinner. Alcina about slapped your cell phone out of your hand when you talked of ordering some pizza. She grabbed you up in her arms and sternly, but lovingly, commanded you go to the store and buy some pasta, lemons, garlic, and pesto and she would make you dinner.

Still a little stunned, but not arguing with the woman, you left with a kiss and a $20 Alcina was carrying with her. Puzzled beyond belief that she had money, when you asked why, she smirked and stated; "we vampires are like dragons; we've gathered golds and riches for lifetimes, we have wealth most humans could never comprehend. How do you think we live so glamorously? Humans can't spend their wealth when they're dead, but we can."

You couldn't help but chuckle a little as you scurried your way through the streets and people. You imagined how many people Alcina had killed in her lifetime, before the rules changed, and how much money she really had stashed away. You'd considered a sugar mama before, but a vampire one at that? What a wild fucking thing your life had become. You laughed some more but bundled your scarf up around your neck, it was a chilly autumn day but you were still warm inside at the fact you'd had Alcina to yourself for a whole day.

"Oi, my ketzeleh! You are looking very happy today," Malka commented as you walked through the door, "look at this - rosy cheeks, that smile, you ate a canary ketzeleh?"

"Nooo, Malka," you laughed, "just a lovely day is all. Gunna grab some things for dinner!"

"Good good, I am happy to see you eat better. You minnealalas live off fast food! A Shonda!"

Malka had never grasped the term millennial, so minnealalas was the best anyone could get out of her. You actually kind of liked it and started saying it yourself on occasion, no one else had a clue what you meant and that was fine.

She continued to talk to herself in full Yiddish as you grabbed what you needed, the drabble muffled as she held a bobby pin in her mouth while she fixed the braided bun on her head.

Eying you with a pleased nod as she began ringing up your items, she winked, "I still say you let me teach you my family recipes. If you can cook a good simple pasta dish like this, you can learn our foods!"

"I'm game, you tell me when and where."

"My grandson has the shop on Wednesday, you come after work and we'll cook the night away."

Grabbing your bag from her, you offered a sincere smile and nodded, "see you Wednesday, bubbeh."

"Men vet zikh zehn!"

When you'd left your apartment you hadn't seen your crow friends, but now upon your return they were all perched high in the tree on the branch closest to your window. Oddly, they were all very quiet and still. You could see that they were watching you as you approached your usual bench now, labeled 'the feeding grounds', and you reached into your bag. As soon as they saw the trail mix (free of chocolate) in your hands, they swooped down and circled you. But still, they were as quiet as ever.

"Hey there, my funky little void omens," you greeted them with a smile, "awfully quiet today... is it the cold? Believe you me, I'm not thrilled with it either, but it's so nice to see you, as always."

Sprinkling the nuts and dried berries around the grass, they regally ate and regarded you with eyes that seemed deeper and darker than usual, almost as if they were looking right through you. 

"Malka sends her love, and a discounted price on your goodies. I think she likes you guys more than me sometimes and she hasn't even met any of you. I only get a 10% off every once in a great while, and look at you! 5% off every bag of this I buy."

When you reached in for one more handful, the largest, blackest of the crows came right up to your leg and stood there peering up at you. They'd never been this close before and in an instinctual motion you reached your hand down and it began to eat from your palm. It was a most surreal feeling. These crows were gorgeous with their feathers catching the sunlight just right, casting sprays of blues and greens through the otherwise ebony color of their plumage. You stayed still as it finished what was in your hand and slowly stood back up.

It hopped back over to the rest of the group and you stood there slightly numb in awe. But, you couldn't dwell on it long since you needed to get back to Alcina. Scattering the last of the bag you left them there in their silence as they watched you leave. You waved graciously, internally looking forward to more close encounters of your feathered kind.

Watching Alcina cook in your kitchen was a sight like no other.

She may have played it off like she hadn't cooked in ages, and sure ok yeah it was likely true, but she may as well have been a professional chef the way she had everything down to a T.

Humming a familiar tune, Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller, as she worked, before you knew it you had a plate of the most scrumptious looking pasta you'd ever seen in your life in front of you.

The taste was just as wonderful.

"Ok, what the fuck Alcina," you mumbled through a bite, "this is the yummiest dinner ever."

Rolling her eyes lovingly, she shook her head, "it's only because you know I made it, draga mea."

"Mmmno, pretty sure this is the most bomb pasta ever in creation. I can't thank you enough, it's so good!"

"Well, you're welcome. Eat, I'll clean up."

"Ah ah, I'll clean; you cooked I clean, that's the deal. Sit with me."

Your glee was worth every stupid cooking lesson her mother put her through as a child.

"Is it dark yet?"

Alcina's voice found you peeking through the black out curtain in the kitchen while she was still in the bedroom.

The sun was indeed falling beyond the horizon, which meant the pending exit of your lover.

"Almost," you replied softly, making your way back into your room.

She looked relaxed and wholesome there stretched out on your bed. You slipped yourself back into her arms and her lips pressed a kiss to the top of your head, yours pressed to her collarbone and closed your eyes.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?" you asked mutedly.

Alcina stroked your back while trying to find the answer. After a few bloated seconds and the obvious answer like Sunday seemed not what you were hinting for, finally defeated she replied; "no, what?"

"November 4th."

It took her another moment to understand what exactly you meant by that, then it hit her with a harsh pause. 

Her birthday.

"You'll be... 110, right?" you asked softly, the question itself odder than the reality of it all.

The woman in your arms was over 100 years old. Looked not a day over 40. An immortal goddess, a rarity that you thought to be no more than pure fiction. And yet, she was as real as you, as deep as you, as complex and simple, just like you. You'd never tire of the wonder she left you in.

"You should never speak a ladies age out loud you know," she jested as she watched you rise from your position, "but... yes... yes, I'll be 110."

In truth, the years that had flown and simultaneously drug by seemed edgeless, undefined; strung together like a mangled web with no end or beginning. Some of it a blur, other bits of it stark and sharp in her memory. She didn't feel any age at all any longer, and when she looked upon herself in the mirror it kept the illusion that time had indeed stilled alive. But now you were very prominent in her life and your time did not pass the way hers did, and suddenly that familiar bitterness of never having enough time slathered itself on her tongue.

She was lost in a rogue thought, you could see it, but she was so fucking beautiful you wanted to cry.

You sighed, "I got you something."

Hopping up and out of the bed quickly you went to your desk, pulled open a drawer and retrieved a lovely silver wrapped oblong box, "I wasn't sure if I'd get to see you tomorrow so I'm glad this all happened the way it did, even though it was not ideal, you know the whole -" you gestured vaguely, "getting stranded," you laughed, "but... at least I can give this to you now, on time."

Watching you come back to her with the box in your hands, Alcina was silently defeated by your generosity and overall loving, caring nature.

"Draga, you didn't -"

"Shhh, I don't want any of that 'you didn't need to' stuff. I wanted to, so I did."

Alcina took the article and carefully grazed her fingertips over the silver wrapping, undoing a corner and quickly stripping it from the dark brown box beneath it. As she opened the lid, there inside was a brand-new pair of black leather gloves with her initials stitched delicately on the wrist in dark red lettering. They were beautiful, and by the feel of them, not cheap.

"Draga mea," she whispered breathlessly as she peered up at you, "they're - they're perfect, I love them... Th-thank you, so much."

Shrugging with a decent bit of pride in your chest, you watched her examine the gift with comfort, "it's going to be winter soon, and since I just can't part with the pair you left, it was only right for me to replace them."

She looked up just in time to watch you reach for her shoulders and push her back to the mattress, your thighs straddling her hips as you leaned down to her ear to press hot, sultry kisses along her neck and jawline.

"And when I see you again..." you whispered against the shell of her ear, "you can have the rest of your present."

Alcina growled warningly as she confined you in her arms, her own tongue flicking out to lick at your earlobe, "denying me, are you?"

Your spine shuddered, "not all of it," you teased, arching your neck towards her mouth, "just using some leverage to entice you to visit me sooner than later."

Rude. You had learned from her too well.

Grasping the back of your head, Alcina sank her teeth into your neck and drank from you vigorously, your moans and whines stoking every fire in her soul. She hated that she had to leave you and she hated what she had to go back to even more. But she had this, and you, right now, and for that she was grateful beyond measure. Your love and the love she bore for you helped her spur on the drive she needed to keep going and end the antagonists keeping you apart.

As Alcina stepped out into the dark, crisp, nipping air, the chill of what awaited her under the city would be similarly biting. Yet a smile remained on her face as the events of today replayed slowly for her. You were everything she never knew she needed and today was tell-tale proof just how much she was in love with you. Everything in your nature fed her long dormant human nature that she'd forgotten she'd loved and missed. 

You were warm. 

And she felt even warmer still, and secure, with your gloves fitted perfectly to her long slender hands. Something of you she could carry proudly with her anywhere she went.

[achy-boo]

Kurayami Ankokuhana Tsukii

1. Neka

2. Neka

"The 2nd son of the Tsukii Family. This boy is a problem middle child for a reason."

"Those who trigger the dormant demonic side of his...goes missing without a trace."

Full name: Kurayami Ankokuhana Tsukii

Gender: Male

Age: 25

Birthday: June 20th

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Sexuality: Pansexual

Species: Demon[Demon of Bloodlust and Insanity to be exact]

Personality: Kura, according by his old peers, is one of the mysterious boy you will ever meet. He is quiet but talks when he wants too which labels him a selective mute. He is very open-minding but he is judgmental when someone did the dumbest things on earth. He is highly vague and secretive with his words and information about him. He had a demonic side that is dormant but shows signs. If he was triggered, he is feral and animalistic. He is a brutal hunter and he will not at nothing to get the source of the trigger. His weapon can vary but his main one.. is a scythe that glows red. But he will have little memory once the source is dealt with however he will snap at anyone rudely who mention the source so do not bother asking him.

Likes: reading, his family and friends, coffee/tea[his friends, family and his only], horror movies, crime discoveries with his family/friends[Often with Hideki and The Libya twins], music[depends on his mood], piercings, tattoos, late night drives, cooking parties, tea[Gossips, he actually had a place for that..], dark and abandoned areas{AVOID THAT}, fashions, manhwa[There is certain manhwas he refused to read...and for a good reason], cloudy weather, watching or playing with the rain, food, boba tea, animals and children[He is mostly swarm by them]

Dislikes: His demonic side being triggered, mentions of the 'source', heat, players, pick me girls/boys, certain parties, heat[Like he HATES the heat], overly bitter things food/drinks[Black coffee is one of them], certain anime/manhwas, homophobic people[He actually hunted them down for sport..], being forced to speak, certain family members[One of them he got HELLA beef with], he hates school after elementary, his weapon being taken without his consent{A death wish/sentence if he warn you more than 4 times..}

Favorite Food: Not picky however he had to choose[sadly] Shrimp Tempura Rolls, Chicken Katsu, Mochi, Onigiri and Sushi rice

Least Favorite Food: Remember I say that Kurayami does not like bitter food/drinks? Yea...Black coffee he does not like. Cranberries, Green Tea, and Bitter Gourd

Pet Peeves: If you are someone who he does not know or have beef with, dont pull his hair, people trying to take him to church, having something shoved down his throat, his possession taken without his consent, people who are rulebreakers[Not all of them just..a few]

Hobbies: dancing in the rain, playing a piano/electric guitar, singing[Only in front of his loved ones], dancing

Talents: his eyes shine in the dark[Good luck if you get scared easily], he is more active in abandoned/isolated places, making his victims experience hallucinations of their worst fear, driving his victims to insanity before striking.

Nickname(s): Kura[Normal], Yami[Due to Kuragari having the same nickname as him], Kana or Ankoku{Rare]

Voice Claims: His voice is a mixture of Childe's and Aventurine's but his demonic side voice is Reiji Sakamaki's and Jing Yuan's. You can tell which side of Kurayami you are facing with is the voice change.

Trivia:

He is also known as the demonic hunter or Insanity's Best Friend

He had audio cues when he is about to attack or nearby

When he eats bitter food, his eyes will flicker to red to dark crimson red in flashes until he had to threw up the food[rare times he passed out after consuming bitter food/drinks]

His kill count is still high..

His first ever victim was Night's old classmate and ex-friend

The definition of wolf's in sheep clothing

His theme songs are Jack the Ripper by Cepheid and Ameotome by Raon

He owns a black snake named after his teacher[who he brutally hunted down and murdered]

He have 7 tattoos, 3 piercings, veiny hands and arms{Use that information to ya heart's desires..}

"You were warned over and over of his dormant demonic side yet you choose to push his buttons..."

"How does it feels to be missing with his eyes is the last thing you see..[redacted]?

[leon-swedfinqs]

Good Omens D&D AU Master Post - Character Breakdown

Aziraphale (Alias: Ezra P. Fell)

Human Cleric

Aziraphale grew up in what is essentially a religious cult that worships the goddess Ecliel, the goddess that birthed the universe and brought life to earth. She is the original bringer, the original light. The church believes that humans are part of her original creation, a world of everything pure. Magic is seen as supplementary, or impure, as it goes against the original plan of the universe that Ecliel created since it can be used to manipulate and change it. Members of this church are marked by their halos, an object imbued with a charm to make them impossible to remove without a magic source more powerful than its creation. It emits a constant soft glow. Aziraphale has an innate sense of magic, which is fueled by his pure faith in Ecliel and the life she brings. He hid his magic, using it sparingly in his youth. As he got older, it became harder and harder to contain his magic and hide his spells, due to the fact that they would occasionally produce residuum, and he was forced to hide it in the storage rooms of the church. Once the older bishops found the residuum, they did a sweep to find the magic user to dispose of them. Due to his nervousness, his fellow brother Gabriel became suspicious of him and lashed out with his sword demanding a duel to test his faith and loyalty. Under the pressure and fear, Aziraphale’s sword ignited in holy flame, giving him an opening to escape and run away from the church and go into hiding. He became a wandering low level cleric, struggling to learn spells on his own and make money, before he struck immense luck landing a high paying job. However, it came with a price: a partner he had to collaborate with.

Anthony J. Crowley (Previously known as Raphael)

Tiefling Rogue

Anthony, back when she went by Raphael, was a top student at an exclusive arcane academy. This academy specialized in the sacred art of zodiac elemental magic. There are those born with an innate connection to a particular zodiac, and those with this connection can utilize the constellation’s power to cast spells that mix traditional arcane magic with the elements. Raphael had an innate connection to the fire signs, and spent years studying the stars and practicing spells. She noticed, however, that her power fluctuations ran off of a different calendar from her peers. This curiosity lead her to discover a new potential zodiac: Ophiucus, or the Serpent Bearer. Her mentor, Lucifer (the holder of Aries), caught wind of her discovery. The introduction of a new zodiac would lead to a power dynamic shift, creating a domino effect that knocks all of the other holders down in their power. In order to assert his dominance over her, Lucifer challenged Raphael to a magic duel to prove that Aries will always be the most powerful fire sign. Raphael nearly lost the fight, her base level and experience being significantly lower than the near immortal Lucifer, and out of desperation made a minor connection to Ophiucus to draw power from him. This brief connection overwhelmed her, causing the spell to backlash and set the whole stage, the whole school on fire. Raphael fled, cutting the connection from Ophiucus as she went into hiding. She changed her name to Anthony, and swore away magic as he took up the art of being a rogue. The connection left him with small snake like features (slitted yellow eyes and scales scattered across his skin), which made it difficult to get patrons to trust him. He struck gold one day, getting a high paying job that came with a significant price: he had to work with a partner.

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Anathema Device

High Elf Divination Witch

Anathema comes from a prestigious family blood line known for their divination magic. Starting back with her great great great grandmother Agnes Nutter, the Devices became known for their foresight and predictions for the future. As an academic, Anathema has spent all of her life studying the different branches of unknown magic and the histories of the smaller gods that are worshipped. Hired as a tutor for Adam Young, to help him guide his desire to learn magic (and his uncanny ability to cast elemental-based magic, one of the more unusual types), Anathema starts getting visions into her future. A weary pair interwoven by fate, grand battles with her at the front lines, and fire. So much fire.

Newton Pulsifer

Half-Orc Artificer

Newton was never really for the extraordinary. He lived a simple life in his small village, tinkering with machines and making his own strange creations. As he got older, he struggled to hold any sort of job, especially one that involved magic. This is due to his unnaturally ability to dispel any casting by trying to cast his own magic. And sometimes magic gets dispelled just by standing near the caster. Desperate for some work, he takes up a sketchy job from a man named Sergeant Shadwell: his bosses are looking for a serpent and a saint, who were just recently spotted to be traveling with a witch.

Insert Photo Here

Adam Young

Half-Elf

A boy who embodies chaos, Adam Young is a spry young half-elf who loves to play games with his friends and pester his parents with question after question. As he reached age 11, his father would find Adam sitting in his windowsill, gazing up at the stars. It wasn’t long before he started to display proficiency in magic, a strange type that mixed typical conjuring with elements (the fire he kept producing made his poor mother nervous). In order to control and properly teach him, the Youngs hired Ms. Device to tutor and train his new abilities.

Muriel

Human Bard

A member of the same church as Aziraphale, Muriel is one of the most cheerful voices in the choir. With a deep love of music, Muriel spends most of their time (when not training or going out to preach with their siblings) practicing songs that will be performed at the next service. Yet to be “ordained” with their halos, Muriel is desperate to lend a helping hand so that they may be seen as worthy of rising higher and joining the rest of their siblings. Due to this slight desperation, Muriel was picked to go on an essential mission for the church: find their banished magic user and see if he was even still alive. If so, gather information. Anything they can grasp. They need him under surveillance as the time was coming soon.

[dzamie-oc]

Voretober 09 - Wheel

what the hell am I supposed to do with "wheel"

Length: 1600 words Vore type: Oral vore, unwilling prey, F/M Fandom: None Other info: snake/anthro, digestion as threat Summary: A fox on the run finds a fortuitous hiding spot, and the snake in it is very friendly! Surely nothing will go wrong.

David vaulted over a fallen log, then took a tight left around a boulder, using his fluffy to counterbalance, before using it to leap across a stream. His pursuer may have been faster than him, but he knew these woods like the back of his hand. Unfortunately, that didn't mean the fox could keep it up forever, or even lose his tracker; he'd have to settle on a hiding place, but all the trees took too long to climb, the bushes were too thin, and the stream was simply too slow. Running mostly on autopilot, his limbs carried him over and around what David hoped would be a tough route to follow, while he searched his memory and sight for a big enough tree or log hollow, a cave, anything.

A looming, black shape grabbed his attention; without a better plan, David swung his arm around a thin tree and beelined for… a huge tire, laying across one of the forest's tourism nature trails. The fox inwardly grimaced at the sign of heavy industrial equipment, but decided it was ultimately a boon: worrying about future development would have to wait for him to know that his future would even exist. After one last peek over his shoulder, checking if his pursuer, and thus he, could be easily seen, David dove into the middle of the tire and shimmied into its cavity. Opaque, relatively small, and granting him shadow to hide in, a fantastic stroke of luck.

"Gah! Woah, where'd you come from?" At the new voice, David's heart thundered. Luckily, he didn't recognize it, so he at least knew who it wasn't.

Still, the fox looked around for the source, hesitant to speak up, just in case. On the slightly sunnier side of the tire, he caught the shimmer of mottled, brown scales, and as his eyes adjusted to the shade, he saw more and more of the stranger. A long snake coiled over and around herself, only barely encircled by the massive tire, with her head resting about a third of the way around from him. Scales slid against scales as she drew closer, keen curiosity in her bright yellow eyes.

This time, it was intimidation, not fear of discovery, that stayed David's tongue, so the snake flickered hers and tried again. "Not that I mind company, but I was in the middle of a nap…" she said, then turned her head to yawn; Her lower jaw wiggled back and forth before returning to normal at the end. "…hello? Foxy?"

Realizing that she expected him to speak, David finally found his voice. "I… I'm hiding from someone. I don't know for certain what will happen, but I really, really don't want to be caught." A thought struck him, and he consulted his mental map of the forest. "Has this tire been here long? I don't remember it when I passed by a few days ago."

"Oh, it's mine. A portable hide, and one not out of place nearly anywhere!" The snake tapped her head affectionately against the inner rubber. "It took a bit to learn how to roll in it, but well worth it!"

The fox sighed, relieved. "So there aren't plans to destroy this forest. Good."

"Nope, just a wandering snake. Fiona, by the way, amateur story collector."

"Huh?"

"My name. Since I figure we'll be close for a bit," Fiona replied.

"Right, sorry. I'm David… just a fox." Something piqued his curiosity. "What do you mean, story collector?"

Fiona's eyes gleamed. "I'm glad you asked! After all, it's the reason I'm even in this thing! Lay back, let me elucidate." David did so, shimmying back against several lengths of her scaly body. His paws found a convenient gap to tuck into, and then the snake continued:

"Nearly since I hatched, I loved hearing about stuff other people did - incredible sights my siblings saw, improbable battles, tales of creatures I never even thought could exist! I did what I could to remember them and retell them for my younger siblings, or those who simply weren't there to hear at the time."

A comforting pressure crept up David's ankles. "That… if you don't mind me saying, that sounds pretty normal so far."

"It was! But eventually, I realized that different creatures and people have different life stories to tell, and I'd get comparatively nowhere just by staying around where I grew up." Fiona's head drifted from one side of the tire to the other, and David's gaze followed.

"So you decided to travel and found the tire?"

The snake laughed. "Oh, no, this was only a few months ago. I started by just slithering around." As though demonstrating, her entire body shifted and undulated against itself, covering more of David's body; he thought perhaps he ought to be concerned, but he wanted to hear Fiona tell her story. "But I did decide to travel! Forests, villages, a couple streams, so many different people with so many life stories to tell. A recent favorite of mine is a bunny girl whose life story was the time she scammed a human out of two entire caskets of wi- oop, shush!"

With a blur of movement, Fiona's coils covered David completely; he was about to shout and try to free himself when, instead, he heard very familiar footsteps. Hidden so completely by the snake's body, it was only his ears that truly picked up the person he was trying so hard to avoid. Raggedy breathing, the slam of paws on rubber, and a low growl; the fox could only pray that Fiona was the only one visible. After far too much time to be comfortable, the breathing grew quieter, as did angry, heavy footsteps.

Finally, a few lengths of her scaly body parted, letting him see again. In front of him was a smiling snake, yellow eyes bright and mirthful, clearly trying her best not to laugh. Looking at her, he found it tempting to join in - but wouldn't dare having just escaped disaster. Once again, Fiona was the first to speak, in a hissing whisper, "his entire head was bright pink!"

David grinned back and nodded. "Yeah, we're not exactly friends. Now, I wouldn't kill him, but I don't know if he'd extend the same courtesy."

"Clearly. Oh, speaking of which, would you like to know why I said the bunny thing was her life story, even though it was just a day? I've got two reasons."

The fox hummed. "Is one of them philosophical, like it's a representation of their personality in just one story?"

Fiona giggled, bringing a smile to David's muzzle. "Kind of! It's more that they're all unique, at least in how they're told if not what actually happens in there. Like lives! I like your idea, though."

In spite of himself, David felt himself blush at the compliment; he told himself it was just because he was laying down that his face grew so easily hot. "Thanks, Fiona. You said two, though? What's the second?"

"I'm glad you asked!"

The serpentine smile before him vanished, instead transforming into a wide, fleshy maw, glistening with drool. David tried to pull back, but of course, her body was all around him, and there was nothing he could do as pink filled his vision, then black, as she swallowed his muzzle and head in just a few gulps. The fox tried his best to push her off, but not only did her scaly body keep his from moving too much, it even tightened when he struggled! With her throat holding his mouth closed, the closest he could manage to a cry for help was a frantic moan, one muffled by her jaws and the tire. Of course, even without it, the two of them had put so much effort into being unheard that David was certain nobody around would have been able to hear him, anyway.

Around his shoulders, the heat and wetness of Fiona's mouth replaced her cooler, dry scales. When David focused - and he tried not to - he felt her throat expand and contract, allowing her to work her way down his body. His chest and midsection were next to go, leaving his arms pinned only by her gullet, rather than her coils, not that that was any help, as a few futile struggles soon proved. As she approached his waist, part of the fox was still in denial: surely she was far too thin a snake to fit him? Clearly, Fiona would have to give up eventually. But as a discomforting dampness and pressure slipped over his hips and down his thighs, that fantasy grew weaker and weaker.

With her maw at his knees, David found the pressure around his head lessen. The air grew more acrid, but her body wasn't as tight so deep. He tried shouting for help, just in case, right before her mouth closed after his paws, sealing his doom. From there, he could do little more than wait while her body squeezed the rest of his into her stomach. The fox's eyes stung, but no tears came. And then, with her throat clear once more, the snake addressed him once more.

"You're handling this well. Anyway, more practically, I call them life stories because they're given in exchange for life!" The pep in Fiona's voice carried a far more menacing quality from the inside of her stomach, David found. "So, mister "just a fox," unless you want to take care of my lunches for the next couple weeks, I can't wait to hear yours!"

[paleopalsfacts]

Give me as much information about the super epic shark Megalodon as much as you can I need it for school for real!!!

Megalodon Facts!

Hi and thanks for your question!  megalodon is pretty well known but here are some more obscure facts I found that will hopefully help!

Megalodon teeth were used by a variety of pre-contact cultures in North America.  It is thought that they were valued artifacts and/or that they were modified to be used as weapons.  Megladon teeth were mined from Chesapeake Bay and traded with other cultures nearby.

Megalodons used to be classified in the same genus as Great white sharks (Carcharodon) because of the similarities between their teeth.  The current model is that Megalodon belongs to the Otodus genus and the similarities between its teeth and Great white sharks is a case of convergent evolution making them appear similar.  They (megalodons and great white sharks) would still probably look somewhat similar based on how we have interpreted other ancient sharks and their similarity with modern lamnids such as great white sharks.

They were also widely distributed, with fossils being found all over the world.  Based on where we have found megalodon teeth we can infer its tolerance of environmental temperatures is between 1-24 C (34-75 F).  They where probably able to handle such cold temperatures because they were mesotherms.  That is when an animal isn't quite an endotherm (able to create our own heat) but isn't an ectotherm (can't regulate their body temperature like most snakes for example).  They had the ability to affect their body temperature via their metabolism but when the temperature in the environment is decreased their body temperature will also decrease.  It is also thought that as body size increases in mesotherm animals there body temperature increases because of the square cube law.  It is hypothesized that one of the reasons megalodon was so large. (you can read more in the article cited below). 

Also megalodons have gone extinct no matter what the discovery channel says

Hope this helps!!

Sources bellow:

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

papers:

Lowery, Darrin, et al. “INTEGRATED GEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY, AND ARCHAEOLOGY: NATIVE AMERICAN USE OF FOSSIL SHARK TEETH IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY REGION.” Archaeology of Eastern North America, vol. 39, 2011, pp. 93–108. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23265116. Accessed 27 Feb. 2024.

Farrell, A. D. (A. D. ). A Use-Wear And Functional Analysis Of Precontact Shark Teeth Assemblages From Florida. no date. Florida State University, 2021.

Ferrón, Humberto G. “Regional endothermy as a trigger for gigantism in some extinct macropredatory sharks.” PloS one vol. 12,9 e0185185. 22 Sep. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185185

links:

[wizard-irl]

Buying Crystals - Capitalist Spirituality

Part 6 of 7 for a guide on buying crystals. Read the rest here!

Another sad entry in this series. Spiritual people and people who involve crystals in their spiritual practices are uniquely situated to be scammed hard by people using their spirituality against them. However, this is easy to avoid if you understand the language people use to make crystals more appealing.

Case Study

You may remember Heaven and Earth LLC from a prior part on trademarks. This is an example from them, copied from this page:

This interesting stone from off the coast of Africa appears to be a banded mixture of white Quartz and purple Amethyst, with v-shaped patterning. When we checked the energies, we were amazed to recognize that it vibrated in the frequencies of Azeztulite! This discovery confirmed what the Azez––the guardian angelic group soul responsible for all the Azeztulites––had foretold. Continent-by-continent, the energies of the Nameless Light are penetrating and activating more and more varieties of Quartz in an increasing number of locations. This process, and all the energies moving toward Planetary Vibrational Ascension, appears to have been accelerated, just as the Azez foretold.

Amazez can purify one’s field in a way that makes possible conscious interaction with higher beings on many spiritual planes. The angels, and even the Azez themselves, can more readily approach one who has been purified by this stone. Amazez is also an excellent stone for out-of-body travel, raising one’s vibration high enough to transcend the body while simultaneously protecting one from negative influences.

This rock is labeled as “Azozeo Super-Activated.”

Analysis of Case Study

This is chevron amethyst (”mixture of white Quartz and purple Amethyst, with v-shaped patterning”) likely from Madagascar (” from off the coast of Africa”).

Notice how the only physical description they give of the crystal is “banded mixture of white Quartz and purple Amethyst, with v-shaped patterning,” the dimensions, and the weight. Most of the description is focused on telling the story, of “checking the energies” and finding its “frequencies” matched these “Azez,” a “guardian angelic group soul.” They discuss this “Nameless Light” that moves energies towards “Planetary Vibrational Ascension.” Then they provide the metaphysical use of the crystal.

What does this listing tell you? Do you feel moved that such a powerful crystal is being sold? Do you feel like you’ll be able to achieve your goals much easier if you have it? Do you feel like possessing this crystal will allow you to raise your own vibrations? Does “Azozeo Super-Activat[ion]” make you feel like this crystal has more worth than a similar product?

Further, nowhere on the page do they disclose the crystal’s origin. I supposed that its from Madagascar, since I’ve seen chevron amethysts come from there. But no, this listing comes from the mystical, magical land of *~Africa~*. Do you think you will a) get an ethically sourced crystal and/or b) get a good deal by buying from this dealer? I think not. 

This is nowhere near unique to this company, as one of my previous posts on andara crystals will tell you. Everyone does this because it works. I don’t blame people who fall for it because they are the victims here. They have been told that a hunk of glass that promises to improve everything is worth a college semester of money. No, it is the fault of the sellers, who may also be just as duped as their customers, but may full well know what they’re peddling and continue to exploit people with a belief because they can wring hundreds and thousands of dollars from them in exchange for something worth much less.

Snake oil really hasn’t changed; it's only crystallised. 

Red Flag Terms

The biggest red flag for me when buying crystals is emphasising metaphysical properties. This is not to knock using crystals for spirituality; I’d be a hypocrite if I was knocking it. However, suppose you already believe in this stuff. In that case, you’re more likely to believe these crystals are more valuable because they’re “supercharged” or “encoded with Pleiadean messages.”

As with part one on ethics, a seller that will not disclose the source of their crystals, either openly or after being asked, is also suspect, which many of these New Age-flavoured sellers will not do.

You should also look out for several words and phrases in both the titles and description of listings, since sellers will use them to try and make you think their products are worth more than they actually are.

Activation, codes, encoding, downloads, attunement, upgrade.

Vibration, higher vibration, 4D-12D, multidimensional, higher dimension/density.

Ascension, ascended master[s].

Shaman[ic], chakra[s], reiki, [K/Q]ab[b]ala[h], Elohim, other appropriated practices and terms.

Using the name or image of minority groups unassociated with the crystal, often but not exclusively indigenous groups, portraying these groups to be more magical or “closer to the Earth” to make the crystal seem. more magical or powerful by association.

Any stars, planets, or constellations (Sirian, Arcturian, Lyran, Pleidean, Venusian, etc); galactic, elestial, celestial, cosmic; starseed, cosmic family, High Council.

Lemuria, Atlantis, Mu, other “lost civilisations”; Egypt (when the crystal did not originate there).

[Arch]angel, specific angel names (Michael, Raphael, Metatron), divine presence, Christ consciousness, God frequency, names of saints and prophets (St. Germain).

Astral projection, aura[s], akashic record[s], past life recall, scalar light, twin flame, [rainbow/crystalline/master] energy, Mt. Shasta, vortex.

Rainbow, indigo (in tandem or not with the actual appearance of the crystal).

Gaia, Thoth, other gods.

Fairy, fae, any kind of spirit.

Mon[o]atomic, quantum, DNA, other misused scientific terms.

Merlin, sorcerer[’]s stone, magic[k[al]], healing.

If you see these terms, think: if these terms weren’t here, would I still want to buy this crystal at all/at this price?

The next part will end the guide, and serve both as a summary of points as well as where you actually go to buy crystals and how to go about it.

[spencerreidswhore187]

Hymn for Her (1)

Ava x Beatrice (Warrior Nun) 

Summary: The discovery of a resurrected Ava, believed to be lost, sends ripples through Bea's reality, filling her heart with both joy and trepidation. However, the reunion takes a harrowing twist when Ava, transformed by otherworldly forces, becomes an unexpected adversary, unleashing violence upon the Order of the Cruciform Sword. Ava finds herself entangled in a relentless battle against the forces of darkness, the mystery behind her descent into darkness deepens. Meanwhile, Bea grapples with the conflicting emotions of love and despair, haunted by dreams that connect her to Ava's tortured soul.

T/W:  Descriptions of violence, blood and gore. Brief mentions of alcohol, guns and other weapons. Please let me know if I forgot to add something.

Word Count: 1.1k

Part One: An Unholy Darkness

Part Two: Echoes of Darkness

Part Three: Whispers in the Shadows

Part Four: Dance with Shadows

Part Five: Embrace of Light

The dimly lit corridors of the ancient convent echoed with Camila's hurried footsteps as she moved through the shadows, her senses heightened by an unsettling premonition. The flickering candlelight cast eerie patterns on the stone walls that followed her as she moved. Camila knew she wasn’t alone. She clutched the hilt of her knife tightly, her eyes darting between the veiled archways.

As she turned a corner, she froze. There, standing in the gloom of the corridor, a figure cloaked in shadows.

“Turn around,” Camila demanded. Her voice was strong and commanding, long gone was the hesitant rookie. She’d died when Adriel killed almost every member of the Order of the Cruciform Sword - her family. Her sisters. 

The ominous figure turned slowly, raising their arms to lower their hood. 

Camila's heart leapt with joy, and without hesitation, she rushed forward to embrace them.

"Ava!" She exclaimed, relief flooding her as she wrapped her arms around her friend. "I thought you were lost forever.” 

Camila's heart leapt with joy as she rushed forward to hug her.

Ava's response was a tight embrace, her body cold and rigid. Camila felt a pang of unease but dismissed it as exhaustion. However, when she pulled away to look into Ava's eyes, she saw an unsettling emptiness within them.

“Ava?" Camila asked, a note of concern in her voice. “Are you alright?”

Ava's lips curled into a wicked, hollow grin, and her eyes gleamed with malevolence. Before Camila could react, Ava's hand shot out, gripping Camila's wrist with an unnatural strength. Panic flickered across Camila's face as she realised that something was horribly wrong.

In an instant, the corridor erupted into chaos. Lilith, adorned in snake-like scales, emerged from the shadows with a cunning smirk mirroring Ava's. The air crackled with dark energy as the two warriors launched their vicious assault.

The fight was swift and brutal. Fists, knives, claws flew; Camila fought desperately to understand the nature of Ava's transformation, but her friend's attacks were relentless and devoid of mercy. 

The convent's halls echoed with cries of pain and the distant chants of prayers. 

Beatrice, clad in her battle attire, moved through the dark corridors with a determined grace. As Bea approached the heart of the convent, a subtle shift in the air caught her attention. A feeling—a whisper of intruders trespassing on sacred ground. Her senses heightened, and her hand instinctively reached to lower the silver chain-link mesh that covered her face whilst she fought. 

Bea's eyes widened as she watched a figure phase through a wall in front of her. A silhouette, both familiar and haunting, stepped into the light.

"Ava?" Bea's voice, a mixture of surprise and joy, echoed through the sacred space. The silhouette, bathed in the soft glow of the halo, turned to face her.

Ava's form, once a source of comfort and camaraderie, now exuded an aura of dissonance. Her eyes, once warm and familiar, held an emptiness that sent a shiver down Bea's spine. The joy that had momentarily flickered in Bea's heart now gave way to growing distress as she took in the subtle changes in Ava's demeanour.

"Ava, you're back," Beatrice's words, a hopeful plea, hung in the air like an unanswered prayer. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her knife hidden behind her back, its divine essence pulsating in tandem with the uncertainty that now clouded the sacred space.

Ava regarded Bea with a dismissive glance. The love that used to linger in her eyes had been replaced by an unsettling detachment. "Beatrice," Ava's voice carried an air of indifference. "This doesn't concern you."

Bea, her determination undeterred, stepped forward. "Ava, what's happened to you? We can face whatever threat together. You don't have to do this alone."

A scornful laugh echoed through the chapel. "Alone? I'm not alone, Beatrice. I've found a power greater than anything this order could offer. A power greater than anything you could offer.”

Ava stepped forward, gently stroking Bea’s cheek as she drew her face close to hers, their lips were almost touching.

“Drop the knife,” Ava whispered. 

Bea's hands shook as she released the knife. It clattered on the stone floor. This was her opening, Bea knew she would hate herself for attacking Ava but it would be worse if she did nothing. It would destroy her to let this evil thing that controlled her, swallow Ava whole. 

Beatrice's movements were swift and purposeful, her strikes guided by the discipline instilled by years of training. Ava met her blows with an otherworldly finesse. They moved as one as if they were both part of the same heart-breaking dance. 

Beatrice's pleas for reason fell on deaf ears. Ava, consumed by darkness, countered with cryptic taunts and dismissive laughter.

"Ava, why are you doing this? What has taken hold of you?"

Ava's response was a mocking smile. "The OCS is blind, Beatrice. Blind to the true power that awaits those willing to embrace the shadows. You could join me, but I suppose that's too much to ask of someone shackled by their allegiance."

Bea, her resolve unwavering, pressed on. "I won't abandon our family for a path shrouded in darkness. There's still light within you, Ava. I won't let it be extinguished."

Fuelled by a love that transcended the shadows, Bea fought not just for the Order of the Cruciform Sword but for the soul of the girl she loved. Bea clung to a glimmer of hope, a belief that the Ava she once knew could still be saved from the abyss that threatened to engulf her.

Ava kicked Bea’s leg out from under her, causing the girl to collapse onto the floor. Ava climbed atop her, resting a leg on either side of Bea’s waist, pinning her down. 

There was no sound in the room except for their heavy breathing. Bea’s chest rapidly rose up and down. She knew she should be scared but it was hard to be anything but enamoured when this close to Ava’s sun-kissed face. 

If Ava wanted to kill her, she would be dead by now. And Bea would let her if it meant staying this close to Ava for another moment. 

Bloodied and bruised, Bea gazed at her with a mixture of sorrow and determination, but Ava was gone before another plea could leave her lips. 

As the dust settled and the wounded groaned in agony, the motive behind Ava and Lilith's unholy alliance remained shrouded in mystery. The battle had just begun, and the war between the nuns was about to reach a terrifying crescendo. 

A/N: Thank you for reading ◡̈