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shiani25 · 20 days ago

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Starscream giving tiered Megatron a massage. But not romantic, calm and quiet one ,no, the harsh sport massage he personally likes, the one where you can hear hiss inner organs move, the one where you hear the human equivalent of bones cracking. He learned it back on Cybertron and it was good except it's painful during and 10 minutes after massage. It feels good after but It's painful for Megatron since he's old and Starscream likes listening to Megatron's "bones" cracking and his struggle not to cry. (It would be funny if it's prime since he has pointy elbows)

"Megatron vs. The Train"

There were few things in the universe more awe-inspiring than the mighty Lord Megatron in the heat of battle.

The Autobots had learned this lesson many times.

And today?

Oh, today was no different.

The fight had been fierce—blaster fire lighting up the sky, Energon staining the battlefield—but Megatron had grown bored.

So, naturally, he did what any warlord would do.

He picked up an entire train and hurled it at the Autobots.

Why? Because he could.

And it was glorious.

The Autobots scrambled. The train crashed down in a spectacular display of destruction. Smoke and debris filled the air, and Megatron allowed himself a satisfied smirk.

“Flawless.”

Then he took a step forward.

And immediately regretted it.

Pain shot through his back strut, straight up his spinal relays. His entire frame locked up.

The great and mighty Megatron, conqueror of Cybertron, flinched.

And that was when he knew.

He had made a grave mistake.

---

"Knockout’s Expert Medical Advice (a.k.a. ‘Suffer, My Liege’)"

Back on the Nemesis, Megatron sat on his throne, vents hissing as he tried to find a comfortable position.

He failed.

Knockout, the ever-enthusiastic Royal Medic Who Really Should Be Fired, stood beside him with a datapad, not looking as concerned as he should be.

“You threw a whole train, my lord.”

Megatron glared. “Your medical expertise astounds me, Knockout. Fix it.”

Knockout hummed, scanning him. “Mmm. Yeah. Looks like you strained something.”

Megatron’s optic twitched. “That much I know even without you!”

Knockout smirked. “Oh, I wasn’t sure. You’re usually more graceful with your train-throwing.”

Megatron growled. “Fix. It.”

Knockout sighed dramatically. “Alright, alright. Here.”

He casually handed Megatron a container of painkillers.

Megatron frowned. “…That’s it?”

Knockout shrugged. “Eh. You’ll live.”

And with that, Knockout left.

Megatron stared after him, betrayed.

---

"Starscream’s Hopes and Dreams (a.k.a. ‘Is He Finally Dying?’)"

For hours, Megatron suffered in silence.

Well.

Mostly silence.

Every few minutes, a low grunt or pained ex-vent would escape him.

And, naturally, Starscream noticed.

The seeker had been lurking around the throne room all day, listening to Megatron’s suffering with a growing sense of hope.

By the third pained grunt, Starscream was positively gleeful.

Finally. Finally. Was this it? Was one of his poisons finally working? Had he actually managed to do what no Autobot ever could?

His wings twitched in excitement.

But after several hours, it became clear that Megatron was not dying.

Just… suffering from back pain.

Starscream’s disappointment was immeasurable.

Still, the constant grunting was getting annoying.

So, with a long-suffering sigh, Starscream stepped forward. “Oh, for the love of—Do you have to suffer so loudly?”

Megatron shot him a deadly glare. “My patience is already thin, Starscream.”

Starscream smirked. “Yes, yes, I can see that. And hear it.”

Megatron growled. “Leave me.”

But Starscream had another idea.

“Oh no, my lord. I insist on helping.”

Megatron narrowed his optics. “You? Help?”

Starscream’s smirk grew. “You do know I have excellent servo control, don’t you? Precision movements, light touch…” His optics gleamed. “A massage, if you will.”

Megatron stared at him.

Everything in his very soul told him this was a trap.

But his back strut hurt.

And he was getting desperate.

“…Fine.”

Starscream beamed. “Oh, I will enjoy it so much.”

Megatron instantly regretted everything.

---

"Massage (a.k.a. This is most definitely not a trap’)"

Starscream’s claws pressed into Megatron’s back plates.

Megatron flinched.

Oh no.

Starscream worked with military precision, his servos moving in strategic patterns. His control was impressive. His technique was flawless.

But there was one, minor problem.

Starscream was all sharp angles.

It was like being massaged with knives.

Megatron bit down on his denta, resisting the urge to yell.

“This… is not pleasant.”

Starscream scoffed. “Oh, relax, lord Megatron. You’re so dramatic. It isn’t even an assassination attempt. This time.”

Megatron made a sound that was definitely not a pained yelp.

Starscream pressed harder.

Megatron seized up.

“This is agony,” he hissed.

Starscream grinned. “Good! That means it’s working.”

Megatron suffered. For twenty agonizing minutes, he endured Starscream’s precision torture.

By the end, he was this close to throwing Starscream off the ship.

When Starscream finally stepped back, he dusted off his claws, looking very pleased with himself.

“There. You’re welcome.”

Megatron took a very long, very deep ex-vent.

“…I will have my revenge for this.”

Starscream smirked. “Ohh sure you will.”

Megatron glared.

Then—POP.

His back strut suddenly shifted back into place.

The pain vanished.

Megatron froze.

“…Wait.”

Starscream tilted his helm. “Huh.”

Megatron shifted his shoulders. His optics widened.

“…It actually worked!”

#knockout #megatron #starscream #transformers #transformers prime #decepticons #tfp #ai artwork

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dalliansss · 6 months ago

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“We’re gonna fix you up, brand new. I promise.”

Oh didn’t see!! This one, pls? 💝

dialogue prompts for ~injury~

Erestor swears he can not feel anything waist-down. He doesn't want to look, because looking usually entails very bad things-- the last time he looked, it was in Alqualondë, and he had felled two Telerin elves, one of whom was armed with a spear and determined to take him down with him. Well, the elf still died, choking on his own blood and drowning in the sea, but he also took Erestor's left leg knee-down with him, and Erestor had made the mistake of looking that one time, and he swears, never again. The left leg was not a true loss, not with the innovations Curufin and his son Celebrimbor were capable of. They gave Erestor a new left leg even before the swan-ships docked at Losgar, and ever since, Erestor had forgotten about the lost, natural limb 98% of the time.

When the Fëanorians divided the world between them after the masterpiece of a political move the abdication the High King did-- Erestor followed his liege-lord and mentor, Caranthir, to Thargelion, and has since worked there as one of Caranthir's most trusted and most senior accountants.

But as years passed and Thargelion increased its wealth, naturally this attracted the attention of the evil-minded, and not necessarily from the north.

Rogue dwarves from Nogrod had created a tunnel that was planned to bore straight into Thargelion's underground vaults -- but then, even when the fortress of Rerir was being raised by Maglor's song and built by Curufin and Celebrimbor's architects and engineers -- measures against such an insane scheme had been planned for and implemented.

Still, it had been Erestor's shift on guarding the vaults, and when the enchantments and traps had triggered, nigh fifty dwarves met Aulë their maker in a spectacular explosion of blood and guts, only Erestor was caught in the blast, and--

Caranthir's ruddy face, framed with his dark auburn hair, swam in and out of Erestor's vision.

“We’re gonna fix you up, brand new. I promise," Caranthir is saying to him.

Erestor clung to his liege-lord's left arm with both hands, and does everything in his power not to look. "Of course my lord," he says, hoarsely. "Nothing Lord Helwion of Himring cannot heal. If he pulled His Majesty from a brink, he can fix me up no p-problem. S-small explosion--p-pah..."

"That's right, that's right," Caranthir says, and he presses a bottle of tonic to Erestor's lips and Erestor obediently drinks, drinks, and drinks, and warmth spread all the way to his fingertips. He can honestly say he feels good already--

Caranthir covers his eyes, and Erestor feels his liege-lord lift him up. Erestor feels fear, but he quashes it down. He did not survive the Kinslaying and all the wars to die a stupid death, in the damn treasury vaults! He will live, damn it-- he will live long!

Erestor tries very hard to even out his breathing. He'll be okay. He'll be fine. He'll be walking again, in no time.

#silmarillion #my drabs #caranthir #carnistir #erestor #tolkien #noldorin finances

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notapplicable003 · 8 months ago

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spectacular work !! more 'treating him sweetly' pls & thank you my liege

Funny that you say that…

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minato-division03 · 10 months ago

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The sun has long gone from the horizon as the darkness of the night took over the sky above Minato City —The illuminating city that seemed to never sleep. And then once again, it looked like a little sneaky surprise had come to visit them in the form of three wondrous present boxes which exclusively addressed to each respective member of “R.I.P Märchen”~

First one appeared to be for the ex-idol:

An intricate and spectacular astromania watch was mystically ticking at her land of sight —It was an utter wonder at who was the amazing clockmaker who was commissioned for this fascinating piece of art!

And the second one was addressed for the mischievous SFX artist:

It was the brush holder for her makeup kits, readying to assist her in making the imagination real!

Then, there we finally came to the last one which was no doubt the tribute for her majesty Queen Card’s herself:

But wait, why did it look so plain… What? was it just a box…? Yet it seemed to be unable to open?

However, in that moment when the confusion started to rile up, one did notice that there was a letter scripted on the back of the card coming along with this last gift;

“O Dear Your Majesty the glorious mistress of the Deathly Fable,

The brightest queen of her age,

The brilliantest diamond of her empire,

Hope your majesty please pardon my rudeness for the little ruckus on your previous birthday for that I’ve already earned an earful scold from my duchess tee-hee★

Whatsoever, this time let’s wish a great grand congratulations on your team’s anniversary~

Here this humble cat has brought your majesty and her comrades some courteous tributes to celebrate your eminence for another year since my beloved duchess and my dear little children from Nara have gone out of their way asking this lowly me to bring you their best regards.

P.S. And especially for your majesty; even if my liege has asked me to offer you the precious ‘Heart Box’ as their tribute, this lowly me was somewhat afraid that just some piece of expensive stone might be a bit too dull for your liking —And that’s why this lowly me think we should bring in some more entertainment…

Exclusively made by the finest yosegi craftsman associated with my family, shall this lowly me introduce the special Himitsu Bako (Japanese Puzzle Box) specially made just for you, your majesty. With extra more tricky steps to unlock the real present inside, I hope this little additional gift of mine will keep you entertained during your special day~

Have a nice time then, adios ladies★

Curiouser and Curiouser,

ASHIBI

(the representative of Kairiku Production & the ambassador of Nara Division)”

It didn’t take long for the Queen to catch on to the set of patterns that made up the puzzle. Within seconds, her fingers moved swiftly and slid the last piece out of the way before unveiling the stunning jewel inside.

The staff members, who had all tried their hand at trying to fruitlessly solve the puzzle previously, watched their boss in admiration. It was no wonder they worked for her out of anyone else in the country.

“Whoa… I mean I know you’re supposed to be the smartest girl in the world but that’s unbelievable,” Reiaki said in awe as she placed her new brush jar down to admire the stone inside of the finely crafted himitsu box.

“Nothing but a quick work of patterns and memorization, my subject,” Queen Card said. She motioned for a young girl with muted rose-colored hair to come to her.

Puzzled, the girl complied and stepped forward. The Queen took the stone from inside the himitsu box and wrapped it around the young girl’s neck.

She looked at her superior, her iridescent eyes wide with surprise. She bowed timidly and joined the rest of her colleagues.

Miku gripped her new watch tightly, though also taking care to not shatter the glass that protected the stunning artwork inside. “You sure that was a good idea?”

Queen Card set down the box on the table, watching her underlings admire the jewel around the young girl’s neck. “These are all people who felt they have nowhere to go or are desperate for protection. The outcasts of society. I’ve no need for useless jewels, but these subjects would surely need them.”

Miku hummed and followed the Queen’s gaze, or lack of.

“And where would we be without them?”

Thanks for the gifts!

#hypnosis mic #hypnosis mic oc #hypmic #hypmic oc #hypnosis mic arb #hypmic arb #minato division #r.i.p märchen #queen card #reiaki suzubayashi #miku shirazuki #r.i.p märchen anniversary 2024 #r.i.p märchen 2nd anniversary #nara division #miraitabi #callmepyrus

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barschter000 · 4 years ago

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OWOWOW MY FANGAN

THANK YOU SO MUCH AT EVERYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN THIS SERIOUSLY YOU CAN'T BELIEVE HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME MY HANDS ARE SHAKING (that's also why it took so long to post this akhdjwjs)

Baiko Omori – Ultimate Lucky Student

"My name is Baiko Omori, I am here as the Ultimate Lucky Student. The pleasure of meeting you is mine, my dear friends! There are actually quite many things that I'm talented at and hopefully, this academy helps me find my 'true Ultimate.'"

Birthday: March 11th (Pisces)

Blood Type: A+

Height: 165cm / 5'4”

Weight: 67kg / 148lbs

Likes: vintage 50s music, street food, grocery shopping

Dislikes: cockroaches, the smell of gasoline, betrayal

Baiko never means harm as he values life over everything else. He is friendly and considerate, always smiling. He offers help where he can, sometimes coming off as intrusive but never does something that would put him at a disadvantage. He has the habit of calling everyone his “dear friend” and is in general, quirky and a little detached from normality. When you're around him, you can't help but feel like there's something off but Baiko is too nice for you to bring that up.

Ei Hagakure – Ultimate Ghost Whisperer

"Name's Ei Hagakure, Ghost Whisperer. Sup? My gramps went to this school back in his days. Sadly didn't inherit his spiritual powers, so guess I'll substitute with a bit of science."

Birthday: April 29th (Taurus)

Blood Type: B+

Height: 177cm / 5'8”

Weight: 57kg / 126lbs

Likes: bad television shows, abandoned buildings, the pizza they have on Wednesday at her university's cafeteria

Dislikes: family fights, doctor's appointments, olives

Ei is a laid-back young scientist that leaves the world of academics in wonder at her more or less successful inventions. Her greatest goal is to prove the existence of ghosts based on scientific findings. Despite Ei's grand ambitions, she is relaxed and calm and just weird enough to get along with almost everybody.

Hideaki Yukiyama – Ultimate Mathematician

"Yukiyama Hideaki, Hideaki Yukiyama, Mathematician and the Ultimate at that! This class looks pretty alright so far. You shitwits seem like the type a smart boy like me can have fun with, hehe."

Birthday: May 2nd (Taurus)

Blood Type: 0+

Height: 156cm / 5'1”

Weight: 62kg / 137lbs

Likes: the feeling of chalk, messy notes, his own laugh

Dislikes: boredom, sitting straight, school uniforms

Contrary to what his talent might lead you to believe, Hideaki is actually a brat. Constantly in the search for mischief and entertainment, he likes to ridicule and annoy others. His genius lies hidden in his complicated speech and spectacular knowledge that he uses to confuse the people around him. All negativity and criticism towards his character simply bounces off him. It is not easy to befriend him as he believes that friends hinder him but deep down, he wishes for someone to get through his irritating personality to know him better.

Ichini – Ultimate Robotics Engineer

"My model's name is 1.2, that's Ichini for you. Ultimate Robotics Engineer. Be prepared to have that weirded-out look wiped off your faces, meatbags! Someday I'll drown this world in chaos and rule humanity with my machines!"

Birthday: August 13th (Leo)

Blood Type: 0-

Height: 210cm / 6'8”

Weight: 132kg / 291lbs

Likes: the smell of electricity, children's' shows, energy drinks

Dislikes: being photographed, asparagus, humanity

Ichini is a mean cyborg that has rejected humanity and all its aspects. Xe thinks xemself superior to everyone around xem because they are still human and will not survive the overthrow of the machines that xe is planning. Despite xir large, armed metal body though, Ichini is all bark, no bite and wishes to be more courageous and confident in xir choices.

Jun Nagao – Ultimate Escapologist

"My name is Jun Nagao, I'm the Ultimate Escapologist. There's nothing much about me, really. Sorry."

Birthday: September 25th (Libra)

Blood Type: AB-

Height: 171cm / 5'6”

Weight: 63kg / 139lbs

Likes: flower bouquets, art from the Romantic era, freshly laundered clothes

Dislikes: skin tight clothing, reading out loud, overcrowded subways

After his face was paralysed in a kidnapping incident, Jun has adopted the perception of him being emotionless and cold. As he usually dismisses others and their feelings, Jun is a loner. Because his talent stems from his continued abductions, he finds it distressing to be enrolled at Hope's Peak Academy but accepts his fate to ensure his own safety.

Kaida Tsutsumi – Ultimate Stock Broker

”Kaida Tsutsumi... Ultimate Stock Broker... That is all.”

Birthday: January 9th (Capricorn)

Blood Type: AB-

Chest: 82cm / 32”

Height: 153cm / 5'0”

Weight: 58kg / 128bs

Likes: coffee, Paganini, listening to the rain while falling asleep

Dislikes: the cold, bitter coffee, wool sweaters

Kaida is a small and timid girl, so shy that it is hard to imagine that she works at the stock market. Kaida is great with numbers and probabilities and rather spends time with diagrams and prices than with people. She only speaks as much as necessary and gives her answers clear and direct. Because of her reluctance to talk about herself, she is mostly seen alone but will get extremely attached to you the moment you show that you acknowledge her. It feels like she holds a secret that she can't reveal.

Kyo Kido – Ultimate Horror Author

"My name's Kyo. Uh, Kyo Kido, that's probably how you know me. I'm the Ultimate Horror Author? I'd offer to give out some autographs but my hands are kinda shaking right now cuz– Wow– Hope's Peak, y'know! So it's gonna look kinda ugly, ahah."

Birthday: November 21st (Scorpio)

Blood Type: 0+

Height: 180cm / 5’9”

Weight: 79kg / 174lbs

Likes: romance novels, romantic comedies, the clacking sound of typewriters

Dislikes: ink stains on his hand, sharp pencils, soup

Kyo is really just a normal teenager with a knack for writing; at least, that's what he believes. Like every other teenager, he is a little awkward and shy and, in contrast to his talent, not at all scary. However, Kyo's books manage to evoke such terror in his readership that it's dubbed and loved as 'Kido's curse'. Kyo is flattered but honestly can't handle the fame.

Maxis von Läuterbach – Ultimate Knight

"My name is Maxis von Läuterbach, wielding the title of the Ultimate Knight. It is not often that you see someone as wondrous as me, so my lieges, I am ever at your service."

Birthday: June 21st (Gemini)

Blood Type: AB-

Height: 182cm / 5'9"

Weight: 75kg / 165lbs

Likes: stained glass windows, historic castles, Belgian pralines

Dislikes: blisters, ignorance, ill-behaved children

Growing up surrounded by ruins of glorious pasts and with the wish to set themself off from their peers, Maxis chose to walk the path backwards and do everything in their power to become a historically accurate knight. Unfortunately, Maxis had miscalculated and noticed that a knight lives to serve, not to be served but there is no turning back now.

Shiori Ishimaru-Owada – Ultimate Team Captain

"I'm Shiori Ishimaru-Owada, proudly bearing the title of the Ultimate Team Captain! I'm excited to get along with y'all! Honestly, I don't really know why I'm at this academy, but as long as I make my Dads proud, I'm probably doing the right thing!"

Birthday: December 14th (Sagittarius)

Blood Type: AB+

Height: 185cm / 6'0”

Weight: 79kg / 174lbs:

Likes: racing games, exercise, cooking

Dislikes: reading, hospital stays, basements

Shiori is an intense and upbeat girl. She is a capable leader with strong beliefs that she defends well and at times, imposes on others without noticing. While not being truly talented at a singular sport, she has tried out many things and has always effortlessly attracted a group of allies around her, no matter where she went. She is kind and motivational and, strange for a teenage girl, very attached to her parents.

Tamae Shiroma – Ultimate Whistleblower

"I'm Tamae Shiroma, Ultimate Whistleblower. Pleasure. Before I get any complaints later: Know who you're talking to, alright?"

Birthday: May 21st (Gemini)

Blood Type: B+

Height: 159cm / 5'2”

Weight: 73kg / 161lbs

Likes: hot baths, spicy food, her sister

Dislikes: reality TV, sugary food, caterpillars

Famous for her small but well-placed leaks, Tamae is the tiny thorn in the side of many politicians. In the shithole that she considers the world, Tamae tries to find the truth as painful as it may be to some. She is wary and never fully trusts anyone, knowing that how dirty people play for their achievements. While talking to her, it always seems like she knows more than you've told her. That is probably true. At the cost of her anonymity, she is attending Hope's Peak where she is promised security. Her talent is her duty, whether she is happy with it or not.

Etsuya Iwata – Ultimate Opera Singer

"My name is but fleeting. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, a song of any other melody would sound as fine. For now, call me Etsuya Iwata, forever I am the Ultimate Opera Singer. Allow me to bring pleasure to your ears, my darlings!"

Birthday: July 9th (Cancer)

Blood Type: B-

Height: 174cm / 5'7”

Weight: 65kg / 143lbs

Likes: being on stage, tea, sightseeing

Dislikes: having to keep secrets, incompetence, boring drama

Etsuya is a charming lad that likes to bathe in the spotlight. He comes from renowned music schools and stages and he is aware the extend of his talent such as his vocal range, performance abilities, musical expertise or the languages he is fluent in. However, Etsuya is not arrogant, he rather aims to make people happy with his performances. It's easy to fall for his appeal and compliments but it's just as easy to notice that he is moody and picky and overall dramatic, and terrible at lying.

Rokuro Nakatani - Ultimate Fraud

"Rokuro Nakatani, sixth son of my generation. This school calls me the Ultimate Fraud yet there's no actual evidence for this claim. I fear they might have given me that title based on my sisters who were arrested for theft and forgery. Well, these are only two of my eight siblings, black sheeps aren't uncommon, right?"

Birthday: April 14th (Aries)

Height: 167cm / 5'6"

Weight: 66kg / 146lbs

Likes: lucky charms, rabbits, looking stylish

Dislikes: noisy places, manual labor, seaweed

Rokuro comes from a family of forgers and grew up in criminal ranks with limited contact to a normal life. He is used to being assessed and given a value and, just like everyone else in his clan, is a perfectionist through and through. His talent, artistic skills and his eye for detail all came naturally to him without much effort. Rokuro is the poster child of his family, earning him prestige and confidence but also pressure and envy from his parents and siblings. Towards others, he is condescending and belittling. Despite his standing in the Nakatani family and with his crafting abilities at hand, Rokuro often wonders if there is a way for him to create something original.

Miyoko Iwata – Ultimate DJ

"Miyoko Iwata, Ultimate DJ! The lil' hodgepodge I'm wearin' on my face isn't actually a laser or sumthin', it just helps me see. So no worries, I don't bite! Or at least, not that often."

Birthday: July 9th (Cancer)

Blood Type: B+

Height: 172cm / 5'6"

Weight: 68kg / 152lbs

Likes: bass, crowds, playing violin

Dislikes: the quiet, being lonely, salty instant meals

Miyoko is a young music producer that is known for her remixes and features and grew her large international fanbase through social media. With how many experiences she has made in so little time, she has matured quickly and developed a sort of maternal protection over those she holds dear. However, that protection often slips into violence. Miyoko lashes out and threatens people, sometimes pulling the knife she carries on her. There seems to be something hidden underneath her visor and neon clothes that Miyoko doesn't wish to talk about. She says that she is looking for something.

#fanganronpa #fangan #fangan oc

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johannstutt413 · 4 years ago

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(requested by anonymous)

Every king needs an advisor and a physician - one to ensure they do not stray from the path they’ve set for themselves, and at times do what must be done so their liege doesn’t have to, and the other keep them alive so they can stay the course. This is the natural way of things, and for King (well, technically Queen) Theresa, hers were no doubt some of the finest ever granted the position...at least somewhat because they both could fill either role as needed.

Much in the same way either or both kept her delightfully warm on the brisk high-altitude nights aboard her flagship.

Perhaps in another time, or she’d actually been able to claim her throne properly rather than have her usurper of a brother striving to snatch it form her, Theresa would never have consorted with either of them, but it was hard to deny there was a certain symmetry in her life thanks to it. On the one hand, the Doctor - not only a proficient physician, but tactician as well - was a constant delight thanks to a well of eccentricities that persisted despite his rather dour attitude and grave responsibility as her left hand; he wore the weight of his actions like a greatcoat, but Amiya could make him smile...and the King could as well, and a little more, albeit behind closed doors. Dr. Kal’tsit, in contrast, bore the equally-burdensome role of Theresa’s right hand, handling the day-to-day and logistical concerns of their operations as well as managing their secondary goal of eradicating Oripathy, but lacked the stained conscience of her counterpart and therefore visibly enjoyed life more. Not quite to the same degree as the King herself, of course - after all, she made an active effort to be the shining beacon of their organization, because her role as figurehead demanded it and there was no way to repress the light she carried with her - but she could do what the Doctor and Theresa could not, which was be openly affectionate with either of them in public and make it seem natural. It was a wonderful life, being able to share it with both of them, even if the King did wish it was under better circumstances...Still, beggars could not afford to be choosers, and royalty even less so, so she made the best of the hand she’d been dealt and strove to win each little victory as they came their way.

Starting with waking up the pair who’d decided to use her chest as a pillow and thereby made it impossible to leave the bed. “Doctors, it’s morning...Rise and shine, my loves~”

“Five more minutes,” the Doctor grumbled. “The good pillows are on sale.”

“Marshmellows~” Kal’tsit replied before nomming the one in front of her.

One “kyaa~” later, and they were getting dressed for the day, the Feline positively steaming and her counterpart’s smile masked by...well, his mask. Theresa had never understood why he wore a mask in public - his scars were rather spectacular, in her eyes - but apparently he was worried about someone recognizing him from somewhere else? What a mystery.

“The supply team should be back by now,” he noted as he pulled his sleeve over a concealed blade. “I’ll debrief with them before joining you on your rounds, my liege.”

“Likewise, once I’ve seen to Amiya and the urgent cases. Try not to keep us waiting, Doctor.” She winked at him from across the room.

He froze for a moment before shaking his head. “I swear, you’ve weaponized that charm of yours. Your Highness.”

“One moment, Doctor.” The King closed the distance as he went for the door; she lifted his mask for a kiss. “Alright, now you’re released. We’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” His face was wonderfully red as the Doctor repositioned his mask and left to go about his morning errands.

Kal’tsit passed Theresa, still at the door, but spun around to give her a hug before leaving. “He’s almost cute when he’s embarrassed, isn’t he?”

“Almost?” Kiss number two; now she was ready for the day. “Bring Amiya with you today, if she’s not too busy with her Arts lessons. I want to ask her about a drawing she made for me.”

“A drawing? How did she give it to you without my seeing it first?”

The King booped the Feline’s nose. “The little Lupo she talks to, with the red hood?”

“Hmm...Thank you for reminding to check on her as well. I’ll bring both of them with me.” Kal’tsit sighed as she broke off the embrace. “You have a check-up at 1030; I’ll see you then, if not earlier.”

“Until then, dearest~” She waved as Kal’tsit left before turning back to the bedroom...She kind of needed to finish dressing herself.

Most days, Theresa left their room by herself and spent an hour or so roaming the halls. She might check in with Closure on the process of renovating their vessel, which they’d started but hadn’t been able to finish before it took to the skies out of necessity; she might make conversation with an Operator or two if she passed them in the hall, asking about their plans for the day or a lightly philisophical discussion to help her mental gearworks spin up for the day’s diplomacy and politicking; on a particularly light day, she might even have time to see the children in class and get a read on how far along they were in their education. This morning, however, the halls were oddly quiet, and so the King was left alone with her thoughts. ‘I wonder if they know yet?’ She pondered, a sad smile on her face. ‘They must, at least on some level, but do they fully understand what it means for me? For them? I hope they learn sooner rather than later...It will be easier on them that way.’

“Your Highness?” A small Cautus with soft blue eyes barely visible behind her bangs was lightly tugging on her shirt. “Are you okay? You look blue.”

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Amiya. I’m okay, little rabbit; simply thinking about the future.” The King squatted so she could be closer to eye level with Rhodes Island’s heir apparent.

Amiya nodded. “Okay. Did you like my drawing?”

“I did. It was very colorful.” Theresa moved the Cautus’ bangs aside. “You drew the Doctors as blue in your picture, and you drew me in black. Do you remember why?”

“Um...Not really. Sorry, your Highness.”

She simply smiled and patted Amiya’s head. “It’s alright, little rabbit. Did you see Dr. Kal’tsit already?”

“She said I’m doing good, so I could walk with you today!” The end of the serious conversation clearly made her happier. “Oh, and she said to tell you to eat breakfast, if you haven’t.”

“She knows me so well...Have you eaten yet?”

The Cautus shook her head. “Not yet. I have to wait for my medicine to stop bubbling first.”

“Then we can wait for it to stop in the cafeteria together.” The Queen offered Amiya her hand. “Shall we?”

“Okay!” She took her hand, and they walked to the cafeteria, talking about everything and nothing as you do with the little ones.

It was the sort of thing Theresa was sure she’d miss when she died, but she had a little time left...just a little.

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

“So that’s the sort of person she was,” the Doctor sighed, lying in bed. “The kind that made the world a better place just by existing. And they say I had a hand in her death?”

“That’s what I’ve heard, and what W believes more than anything,” Kal’tsit replied from the bathroom a short distance away.

He set aside the book he’d taken out; tonight wasn’t the night to finish it. “It makes sense why she was so mad at me when we first met, at least...Did she ever talk about what would happen when she took back the throne?”

“Never in concrete terms, like she did with most things.” The Feline stared at her reflection for a moment. “She knew long before any of us what would happen to her, but she couldn’t tell us without destroying the foundation we laid for the true successor.”

“Amiya?”

She nodded. “Amiya. The things I’ve heard all these years make sense now, in a way they wouldn’t have without...without...” She blinked the tears back.

“If you need to cry, Kally, don’t stop yourself on my behalf.” The Doctor felt a little misty-eyed himself, although he wasn’t completely sure why. “It never gets easier, does it?”

“Some of them do, but not hers. What was it that tipped you off in the end, if you don’t mind me asking?”

He cocked his head. “You mean what told me we were a couple before I lost my memories?”

“Exactly.” Kal’tsit turned off the light as she turned around, standing in the threshold but looking at the Doctor head-on. “I can’t think of a single thing that would’ve tipped you off, but almost from the first day you seemed to think of us that way.”

“Honestly? I knew from the moment I looked you in the eye for the first time; there was something about your eyes, the way they shone for the briefest instant before flatlining, that told me everything I needed to know. It took some time for me to act on that intuition, since things have been so hectic, but...you look beautiful tonight.”

Something the old Doctor had never felt he needed to say, but hit home nonetheless. “Thank you. I don’t know what to expect from thi- from us anymore.”

“Neither do I.” The Doctor’s hand slid back and forth in the empty space next to him. “If this doesn’t work out the way you want it to, tell me. I won’t be offended.”

“I know you won’t.” ‘He wouldn’t have either,’ she noted to herself as she flipped off the lights and sat next to him.

For a little less than a minute, they stayed like that; on instinct, however, he found her hand in the dark and grasped it, and a flood of emotion washed over them both. Neither of them understood it fully, but it was enough to assure them that, at least at some point, they had understood each other very well, and that time could make up for some of what they’d lost, even if it would never fully repair the divide. Kal’tsit leaned against him, crying into his shoulder, and the Doctor held her as if he’d spent his entire life doing just that.

From the other side of the wall, a much older blue-eyed Cautus wiped a tear from her eye as she felt the emotional hurricane rock her family - at least, what was left of them. Did she have the strength to see this through? Was she really the sort of person that could be a king, but before even that, a kingslayer? Her eyes drifted to the drawing she’d found in her belongings the other day while cleaning, two blue figures on either side of a black one...and a smaller, bright yellow one with a pair of long lines coming out of their head. Maybe that younger Amiya had already known what she’d have to become, what she was destined for. In some small way, the thought gave her hope.

What gave her even more hope, though, was the reunion going on in the next room, and the mending of a bond she’d never thought severable. Later that night, maybe she’d knock on the door and see what they’d do if she told them she’d had a bad dream...Time surely did strange things to them all, didn’t it?

#arknights #arknights fic #dr. kal'tsit (arknights)#amiya (arknights)#theresa (arknights)#from what i've seen it's doubtful this is close to canon #but somehow it hits all the emotional beats nonetheless #hmm

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gascon-en-exil · 5 years ago

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Bottom Ten Three Houses Characters

I decided after a while that I couldn’t fulfill an anon request to do a top 10 list for the whole series, because it would overlap too much with ones I’ve already done - lord privilege is a thing that exists, and I’ve ranked those before - and because it’s really difficult to compare so many characters (~600 if we’re being thorough) across so many different games. Instead I decided to go negative with it, although around 2/3rds of these ought to be totally uncontroversial at least in my corner of the fandom. Starting from the one I dislike least:

(Dis)honorable Mention: Anna, for putting in such a lackluster showing that she doesn’t deserve a spot on this list despite technically being in the playable cast. It’s not only the lack of supports, although that hurts, but also how obvious it is that the writers have no new material for her. Anna’s gimmick worked fined when she was an NPC and perhaps for the space of a single game as a playable character, and Fates originated the meta idea of making her paid DLC so you have to shell out real money to use her, but that’s the extent of her here too. As a unit she’s far from spectacular, and her paralogue isn’t even good for much but a ton of (mostly mediocre) drops and a tiny bit of context for that Pallardó guy from non-CF Chapter 13. Here’s a revolutionary idea: for the next original FE it might be good to have Anna back to being only a wacky dimension-hopping NPC shopkeeper.

#10 Constance - It pains me that she’s on this list, more than anyone else by far. I really wanted to like Constance, and at first glance she’s right up my alley as a haughty impoverished aristocrat coping awkwardly with her diminished status. I like the dark flier class she’s built around, and her default personality is an even louder pre-timeskip Ferdinand whom you know I love. However, it’s that “default personality” bit that sours me on her, because she’s got two of them. What could have been an interesting take on Constance’s struggles with identity and self-esteem in the wake of her family’s disgrace is presented in such an over-the-top comedic manner that it’s impossible to take her very seriously. It’s more reminiscent of FE13′s Noire than anything, and at least she has the excuse of a mother who performed dark magic experiments on her and fractured her psyche. Constance also supports Jeritza and yet somehow they do no more than lightly allude to their personality issues which is as much a missed opportunity as you can get with such a terrible character (see below), opting instead to try softening Jeritza with his fondness for roses. Lovely.

#9 Leonie - Fandom exaggerates her Jeralt fixation, although it does pop up at the worst times (see: her Byleth support right after his death). As I’m not very concerned with Byleth’s nonexistent feelings though this placement more comes down to general indifference. Leonie feels completely disconnected from the rest of the Deer, and although she’s a supposed reflection of the house’s more egalitarian bent there’s nothing connecting her to the politics or larger culture of the Alliance until you learn about her student loan debt. She really is best understood as a Jeralt fangirl first and foremost, which is why perhaps the most surprising thing about her is when reality comes knocking in her endings and it turns out she picked up her mentor’s vices as well. Jeralt himself would be even further down this list were he playable, but as he isn’t I’ll have to settle for side-eyeing all of his adoring fans. Which brings me to....

#8 Alois - Remember that dating sim Dream Daddy that people were talking about a few years ago? The one that willfully misunderstands what the term “daddy” means in gay male spaces to write fluffy dad joke-laden romances intended for a presumably not-gay audience? Alois is the spirit of that game personified as an FE character, which is not something I ever would have thought to know that I didn’t want. He’s got some funny lines here and there, but that’s the most you can say about him when otherwise he’s just passable midgame filler (of a unit type each house including the Wolves already has one of) standing in Jeralt’s imitation Greil shadow. I don’t even mind the platonic S support all that much because it’s still only Byleth, but it occurs to me that just about the only thing that would have made Alois memorable would be if his S support was romantic but he remained married to his wife. I can’t think of a time when this series has allowed the player to indulge in adultery, so even if it had been limited to an option for f!Byleth it would have been a fascinating option.

#7 Cyril - This isn’t about his devotion to Rhea, which is fully understandable given his circumstances. Nor is it about his performance as a unit which in my experience at least is actually rather good for a Donnel/Mozu-style villager archetype. No, what gets me is that he’s a self-righteous workaholic which makes for quite the grating personality trait. I understand that he finds meaning in his work and that he’s got some entertaining supports calling other characters to task for their terrible work ethics or ignorance of the lives of commoners (VW should have really dug more into his back-and-forth with Claude), but the lectures on not interrupting him or telling Byleth to get back to work are as tiresome as they are frequent. It’s petty I know, but one can only hope he grows out of it eventually. At least he doesn’t wear a pot on his head....

#6 Mercedes - Like Constance, she’s the type of character I wanted to like from the start. She’s pious pseudo-Catholic clergy, with a quirky thing with ghosts and some quiet lesbianism with her BFF that I can take or leave but that I know some people really enjoy (and also she’s bi-for-Byleth, but no one talks about that). Unfortunately as I touched on when talking about Marianne in my Top 10 characters list, Mercedes’s appealing points are sharply contrasted against her more annoying ones. The breathy voice acting I can mostly get used to, but her backstory is unnecessarily convoluted - three families and two flavors of evil adoptive father - and as is also true of Constance her association with Jeritza drags her down a fair bit. To this day I still have no idea what we’re meant to make of the Lamine siblings’ dynamic, but Mercedes’s eagerness to overlook her brother’s crimes and unrepentant bloodlust so she can coo over what a sweet boy he is deep down say some pretty odd things about her personal moral code. Maybe it was implied all along with the paranormal fascination that she’s not as orthodox as she appears to be, but the dissonance is real especially in CF where she gets a support line with Jeritza that tries to woobify him and affirms how much she loves him...and meanwhile in monastery exploration she’s wringing her hands over how much she hates the idea of fighting Faerghus and the church. There’s no through line here, and as justification for characters siding with Edelgard go this one is pretty flimsy.

#5 Gilbert - Similar to Cyril, I don’t dislike Gilbert for the reasons that most of the fandom does. Yes, he’s a crappy father, but as I’m pretty indifferent to Annette and to father-child bonding in general I can appreciate the fresh spin he places on the archetype of the devoted knight. In short, he’s a knight who wasn’t devoted and ran away from his duty, and his arc in AM is all about making up for his past failures both to his family and to his liege. This is an angle to knighthood FE doesn’t delve into often, and it makes him an explicit foil of Dedue as explored in their supports. The reason that Gilbert is on this list though in fact has more to do with that opposition, because I am painfully aware that had AM not killed off Dedue by default in service of self-insert romance Gilbert would not have had to be scripted as Dedue’s replacement both as a unit and as a retainer figure. It’s not his “fault” of course, insofar as one can ever blame fictional characters for the actions of their writers, but whenever I’m running AM and have to take those randomized supply run quests from Gilbert instead of the route’s actual retainer I’m reminded of how we were robbed of power couple Dimidue (in AM anyway - CF of all routes delivers on this point). Gilbert could have been father of the year to Annette and freely given Byleth his (grand)daddy dick and it still wouldn’t overwrite the fundamental problem that Byleth screwed over all three AM-exclusive characters in different ways. As to that, well...look at #1.

#4 Raphael - It’s hard to describe just how much wasted potential there is to this guy. Along with Ignatz and Leonie he could have illustrated the greater social mobility of the Alliance and the increased opportunities non-nobles enjoy there, but all three are mostly side characters. He’s repeatedly positive in the face of tragedy and remains motivated by his love for his remaining family, but 90% of his dialogue revolves around either eating or training to the point that he’s arguably the closest FE16 comes to gimmick character writing (something almost every FE is guilty of, but that has come under heavy scrutiny in recent years because of how much Awakening and Fates used it). He has a sweet friendship with Ignatz with even a bit of chemistry that sits in good company with the kind of simply affability he has with almost everyone he supports, but they have a no homo ending involving one of the game’s eternally offscreen characters. He supports Dimitri, but the bara content is thin on the ground and their line stands out as easily the least substantial of the house leaders’ cross-house supports. Even as a unit he’s lackluster, in the same repetitive category as Alois with nothing that makes him really stand out from the other axe-and-brawling guys. Highest HP growth in the game...whee. I’ve seen arguments that Raphael’s simplicity is the source of his charm, and while I can sort of see that he feels like he belongs in a game like the GBA or Tellius titles where characters have a much smaller amount of overall content to their name. In a game like Three Houses the sheer torrent of lines about food and training wear thin quickly.

#3 Bernadetta - see #8 here. To sum up, she’s annoying, her sex appeal falls flat with me and is frankly just kind of confusing, it bugs me that a significant portion of the Ferdibert fandom headcanons her as Hubert’s bestie when the man clearly does not do besties, and the most positive thing I can think to say about is that based on her habit of befriending known murderers among other things she might be a bit of a sociopath. That’s not very flattering, but at least it’s somewhat interesting. Oh yeah, and Edelgard setting her on fire at the Gronder rematch is good for a meme although I suppose that isn’t technically attributable to Bernadetta.

#2 Jeritza - Jeritza sucks. Everyone, apart from the small number of fans into Bylitza for some reason, is aware that he sucks. He’s a bloodthirsty serial killer we’re meant to like because he killed his father to protect his sister and also because he likes ice cream and kittens...and because he’s clearly mentally ill in some way and Edelgard is weaponizing his illness for her war which means all the murder is okay, I guess. Jeritza is like FE7 Karel if he was somewhat important to the plot and that instead of a redemption arc between games he got Karla and some other characters swearing that he’s really sweet deep down and also he can romance the male self-insert - yay. I love the line of thinking sometimes espoused in anti circles that M/M Bylitza is the only non-Problematic™ Byleth ship because he’s their only gay romantic S rank partner who’s not one of their students, a loli, or Rhea who is obviously the most evil character in the game. As I’ve mentioned above Jeritza also makes other characters he supports worse by association, although he’s not quite as bad in that regard as #1. Do I even need to bring up the painfully affected voice acting? It’s ironic that the vocal director for the English localization turns in unquestionably the worst performance among the named cast, and I have to assume he picked the role for himself solely because he sounds like an imposing Death Knight and not because his voice is at all suited to the troubled twunk underneath the armor. Just about the only thing that would have salvaged Jeritza for me would be if he and Hubert got to have an epic competition to determine once and for all which of them is more evil. Hubert would wipe the floor with this poser.

#1 Byleth - see here at the bottom. They fail as a self-insert, they fail to be a properly realized character even more than previous Avatars, they damage other characterizations and arcs all over the place, and Three Houses overall would have been vastly improved if they didn’t exist or at least weren’t the PoV character. In that previous post I listed just two reasons why I still prefer Byleth to Robin as an Avatar, one being that their significance to the plot is set up before the game even begins and the other being that their lack of a voice makes f!Byleth a less obtrusive presence when it came time for me to have her S rank all the guys to fill out the support log...not enough to where I could treat her as a self-insert, but any amount helps. I do however have to add a third small bit of praise for Byleth, in that they apparently drive antis up the wall for the most asinine of reasons which is always entertaining to witness. I recall when this game’s school setting was first revealed that everyone in the fandom nodded their heads and made the easy prediction that there would be teacher/student sex because that’s just how FE rolls, but somehow still there’s outrage over it. Even so, Byleth is horrible by every significant parameter, and it’s a shame we’ll only be able to imagine what FE16 would have been like had the developers not felt the need to write the whole thing around an Avatar.

#Fire Emblem #FE16 #Fire Emblem Three Houses

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ai-dunjinshi · 4 years ago

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The First Attempt

You are James Ionic Bond, a squire living in the kingdom of Larion. You have a spear and a pack of supplies. You follow Sir Theo as he enters the forest, he turns to you and says "Sir James, I have been sent here by the king with important information. It is of vital importance that you come with me so that we can relay the information to the king."

> You agree. You nod and say "Of course sir, I shall come with you so that we may relay the information to the King."

> You flirt with him. Sir Theo grins and touches your cheek. He looks at your chest for a second "Perhaps we could chat after we get the information from the king?" he asks, with a cheeky grin.

> You say "its a date, then" You laugh and take his hand to lead him through the forest, to find the king.

> You go find the king. You walk through the trees, Theo leading the way. You walk for hours as night falls, eventually you find a large hut in the middle of the forest, with a roaring fire and a pot hanging over it.

> You sneak up to the hut. You sneak up to the hut, rustling through bushes and trees. You move closer slowly, as you reach the edge of the forest, you stop, before cautiously walking into the clearing in front of the hut.

> You peer in the window. You slowly move forward, walking past the edge of the forest.

> You knock on the door to the hut. You knock on the door to the hut. You wait a few moments, as you hear shuffling inside. Eventually it opens, and you see a large man with a goatee beard looking at you.

> You say "Hello" The man stares at you for a second, before opening his mouth to speak "Who are you?

> You say "I am James Ionic Bond" The man stares at you for a second, before opening his mouth to speak "I don't know you" You sigh and try again "I am the page for Sir Theo, he is here to see the king"

> You wait for the man's response. The man stares at you for a second, before opening his mouth to speak "I don't know you" You sigh and try again "I am the page for Sir Theo, he is here to see the king"

> You say "may I ask your name?" The man stares at you for a second, before opening his mouth to speak "I don't know you" You sigh and try again "I am the page for Sir Theo, he is here to see the king"

> You say "I give up. Is the king here or not?" The man stares at you for a second, before opening his mouth to speak "I don't know you" You sigh and try again "I am the page for Sir Theo, he is here to see the king"

> You say "Why don't we get to know eachother then" The man stares at you for a second, before opening his mouth to speak "I don't know you" You sigh and try again "I am the page for Sir Theo, he is here to see the king"

> You go back to sir theo. You return to sir Theo and say "I can't get in, I think the man doesn't like me.

> You ask about what you need to do. You say "So what do I need to do?" Sir Theo stares at you blankly "You need to fight a big scary monster that is terrorising the kingdom".

> You say "spectacular" Sir Theo stares at you blankly "You need to fight a big scary monster that is terrorising the kingdom".

> You ask where you can find this monster. Sir Theo stares at you blankly "You need to find this monster". You think for a second "I could search the entire forest, maybe I can find him hiding in it somewhere."

> You search the forest. You walk through the forest for hours, as night falls. You walk until your feet hurt and your energy is low. You stop to take a break, looking around to see if you can find any food in the trees.

> You look for edible mushrooms. You walk until your feet hurt and your energy is low. You stop to take a break, looking around to see if you can find any food in the trees. You spot some mushrooms near you, they look edible.

> You eat the mushrooms. You eat the mushrooms and they taste horrible, and make you sick. They do however keep you alive, so they have their uses. You walk until your feet hurt and your energy is low.

> You find Sir Theo. You keep walking until the sun rises. You wait until night fall again, and continue your search, until finally, you find Sir Theo's Hiding spot.

> You embrace him. You walk over to the hiding place. You find a blood-stained sword, and a bloody white owl feather. You pick up the feather and hold it in your hands, looking at it.

> You vow to find Sir Theo so you can be together. Dear God, I'm a fool. The monster is you. You've been leading me on for years. I'm done fighting, I'll let you break my body and take my life if you want.

> You say ".... or you can take my body instead" You try to fight, but your limbs are bound. You scream as the man slices your throat, and your blood pours out and onto your chest.

> You flirt with him. You laugh at him "I'm sorry but you seem so ugly and silly." He angrily slaps you "Shut the hell up, you want me to cut you throat too?

> You keep flirting. He stares at you "You think we could maybe become friends? Do you like me?" He starts laughing again "If you want to be friends with me, then I need a few things from you."

> You say "what do you want to know?" He smiles "Well, I need you to find my lost Hiding spot. Then I need you to gather Wood for me." "Well that's doable." You reply.

> You look for his lost hiding spot. You walk around for hours, but find nothing. You curse. "Now, I'm guessing you're the best tracker in the land, so I'm going to give you 3 clues."

> You say "give 'em to me" He smirks "The first one is obvious, in the middle of the Night, with the moon at its peak, and look on the Moon's reflection to find the second one.

> You say "go on" He laughs "The second one is really obvious, in a tree near the North direction." You frown thinking "It can't be that easy, the Northern Woods are bigger than the other places you've told me about".

> You say "what about the third?" He leans in close "The third one is really obvious, it's at the bottom of a deep, dark well. go find the clues, and you'll find me.

> You go look for the clues. You walk around for hours looking at the moon, but you see nothing. You curse. You walk around for hours looking at the moon, but you see nothing. You curse.

> You gather wood and bring it to the man. You walk to different locations around the Northern Woods, but no luck. You start hating your life. Finally, you drop from exhaustion and find yourself waking up next to Theo.

> You caress Theo's face. "Hello beautiful." Theo smiles, and kisses your cheek. He looks at you confused. "You look tired my little hunter." Theo raises an eyebrow.

> You say "what just happened?" "I brought you back." Theo grins. You feel your shirt being pulled up, and you instinctively pull it down, feeling cold air on your skin.

> You let him take off your shirt. You blush and pull your shirt down. Theo laughs "Maybe I should give you a back- massage?" He grabs your hand and places it on his chest, and moves closer to you.

> You let him. After a few moment, Theo raises up and says "I think it's time I give you something in return, my dear huntress." He reaches into his bag and pulls out a metal shirt.

> You kiss him in thanks. "Oooh! I love you." Theo smiles. He gives you the shirt, a pair of leather pants and a new sword. You put the shirt on and feel it's slightly itchy material.

> You say "It's wonderful, thank you" "You're welcome, but now I need you to do something for me." Theo raises an eyebrow.

> You say "Oh? Anything, my liege.... ;) " "Well, you mentioned you killed a dragon near the edge of the forest, correct?" "Yes, I did." "Good, find it and bring it here." "I will!"

> You go find the dragon carcass. You walk around the edge of the forest, but don't find anything. You curse. You try the other side of the woods, but still nothing.

> You say "where the fuck is the dragon?" "What?" Theo's confused. "The dragon Theo, I'm looking for a dragon, carcasses not enough?" "No, but I need you to find one anyway." You stand there confused. find a dead dragon to give to Theo. A surge of fear hits you as you realize that's going to be really, really hard to do. You could go back home and get a live one maybe? go back home and get a live one maybe?

You're staying here, nothing but trouble there. There's no future for you there. You need to get away and start again somewhere else.

> You go dragon hunting. You walk for a few hours, but still nothing. You curse as you feel the aches in your body returning, and you know you won't be able to walk for very long.

> You tell Theo you're going to need some T&T: Theo and more Theo. "I'll start a campfire and you head back to the car, I need more Theo and the towel and blanket for the campfire." "Sure thing, baby"

> You say "Thanks, Shnookums " You walk back to the car, as you do you see a dragon, and it's headed towards you. You freeze in terror as it opens its mouth to let out a blast of fire.

> You dodge to protect Theo. You dive out of the way, and Theo falls to the ground. You roll on the ground as the fire hits the trees around you.

> You protect Theo. You throw your hands over Theo's body to protect him from the fire. The dragon roars as it continues to breathe fire. You pull your hands away to see burnt skin and hair, but Theo is still alive.

> You pull out your sword and fight the dragon. You pull out your sword and prepare to attack. The dragon steps back in terror as it sees your sword approach. You step forward and swing your sword at the dragon's neck.

> You eXECUTE THE DRAGON. The blade pierces the dragon's neck and it collapses to the ground, dead.

> You rush to Theo's aid. You quickly check on Theo, he's badly burnt on his face, arms and chest. You go to grab him, but find that he's almost completely cold. He's so cold, it's unnatural.

> You tend to his wounds. Making sure of no vital organs are punctured in your attempt to save Theo, you go to work on his chest. You tear a strip off the blanket and wrap it around his chest.

> You give him mouth-to-mouth. You place your mouth over Theo's and begin blowing into it. You feel nothing, his chest is completely still and cold now. You sigh as you stop blowing into his lifeless chest.

> You say "I killed the dragon for you, my Love" You pick up the dragon's sword and walk to the edge of a cliff. You throw the sword off the cliff, watching as it disappears over the side of the cliff. cry over Theo's body

> You cry over Theo's body. You cry over Theo's body, thinking of all the memories you had.

> You scream to the gods in anguish, pleading to bring him back to you. You scream in anguish, screaming his name. Muffled shouts of a man calling for his wife reach your ears.

> You look in the direction of the sound. You call out in anguish. "Theo!"

> You look back at Theo's body. You pick up Theo's sword and, for the first time, you feel a rush of emotion. You don't feel sad that you're dead, or angry, just a rush of emotion. You laugh.

> You close Theo's eyes and kiss him one last time. You close Theo's eyes and kiss him on the mouth. You walk away from Theo, tossing the sword down on the ground. You walk over to Theo's body and pick up the sword.

> You go in the direction of the sound. You run as fast as your legs can go towards the sound of the person calling for help. You find a man lying on the ground, three arrows in his back. "Theo!"

> You say "How did you.... I thought you were dead!" "I thought so too, but I'm not" he says, coughing up blood. He slowly turns his head to one side to reveal a large hole in his neck.

> You tend to his injuries. You begin to go into shock at the sight of his open wound, but you force yourself to stay calm. You need to stop the bleeding. You wipe the blood off his chin and start trying to stem the bleeding.

> You keep applying pressure and dress the wound. Theo weakly holds up his arm to stop you from applying the bandage. You slowly ease his hand down to reveal a pained but joyous smile. "Theo, you saved me!"

> You say "I'm not going to let you die on me" You sling your rifle over your shoulder and pick up a fallen branch. "Here, bite down on this." Theo takes the branch from you and bites down on the wood.

> You say "pull out the arrows and quickly apply pressure to the wounds" You hold his shoulders and he pulls the arrows out. He grabs the arrows and it suddenly occurs to you.

> You ensure all his injuries are cleaned and bandaged. You take out water and a cloth from your bag, and start cleaning the wounds.

> You kiss him passionately. You run your hand slowly down Theo's body, stopping at his privates. He begins to tremble in anticipation. You smile and say "get some rest"

> You say "though I suppose we could stay up a little longer.... but nothing too intense, okay? I don't want your wounds reopening and you bleeding out on me right in the middle of our fun..." "Go on then" Theo says, his eyes darting down to your hand as it moves slowly around his privates. You gently bite his neck and suck a little blood.

> You say "stroke his schlong " Theo grabs your hand and moves your hand slowly up and down his schlong. Theo begins breathing heavily and his eyes dart up to yours at every up and down motion your hand makes. kiss him on the mouth You kiss Theo so passionately that you both start to tear up a bit. "I love you" you say "Yeah, I love you too" he replies, wiping a tear from his eye.

> You kiss his mouth again and then kiss his neck. You kiss Theo on the mouth, and move slowly down to his neck, kissing and licking. Theo grabs your head in his hands, moving your mouth onto his nipples.

> You tease his nipples. You move your hands onto Theo's nipples and squeeze them softly. Theo's breathing gets heavier as you lightly tease his nipples.

> You kiss his chest. You move your hands down Theo's body and grab his manhood. You feel the solid warmth of it in your hand, and squeeze gently. Theo looks down to your hand and grins.

> You kiss him again, trailing downwards towards his penis. You kiss Theo passionately on the mouth as your hand moves down to his privates. You move your hand slowly up and down his manhood.

> You kiss his lower abdomen. You start to fallow the curve of his abdomen and make your way down to his manhood. As your hands move down it, you can feel him getting even harder than before.

> You blow his mind as you blow his cock. You slowly take the head of his manhood into your mouth. Theo lets out a loud moan as he grabs your hair with his hand.

> You rock his world. Your head starts to go up and down Theo's manhood. Theo's breathing gets heavier and heavier. Theo moves his hands onto your head, gently pushing your mouth upwards.

> You lick. You flick the tip of your tongue against the tip of Theo's glans. Theo lets out a loud moan and thrusts his manhood deep into your mouth.

> You slide his cock out of your mouth and give him a teasing grin. Theo flashes you a quick grin before gripping the back of your head briefly. Theo's breathing becomes heavier and heavier, and Theo stops holding your head.

> You slide upwards and guide his cock inside. Theo stops holding your head and your face is briefly engulfed by his manhood. You can't contain yourself and start sucking on his glans, rubbing your hands up and down his thighs.

> You sit on his dick. You sit on Theo's manhood, which slides into you easily. Theo stands behind you and picks you up, wrapping his arm tightly around your chest to support your weight as he begins thrusting.

> You wrap your legs around his waist. You move your legs around Theo's waist as he thrusts into you, the two of you making out passionately. Theo's hands grasp at your back and your hair as you grasp at his muscular thighs.

> You kEEP IT GOING. Theo picks you up and sits down on a table, continuing to thrust into you as you raise your legs around him. Theo stands behind you, holding onto your body tightly as he begins thrusting.

> You lean in to the thrusting. Your upper body leans in as Theo continues to push into you. Theo's breathing becomes heavy and heavy, and as he moans loudly, splatter comes out of his mouth as you hear a loud slapping noise.

> You make out with him. Theo embraces you tightly as the two of you kiss passionately. Theo looks into your eyes, and you into his. "I love you" he says. "And I love you" you reply.

> You fuck his brains out. Theo picks you up, and lays you down on the table. Theo climbs up onto the table as well and slowly starts lowering himself onto you.

> You talk dirty to him. Theo slowly enters you as he leans in to kiss you. You yell "I want your hot load inside me!" Theo begins thrusting hard into you as you gag on his manhood.

> You beg him to NUT inside you. "Come inside me!" you yell. Theo holds onto your body tightly as you feel his warm, sticky load filling you up.

> You orgasm. You moan loudly and press your body against Theo's as he melds his body against yours. After a few seconds, Theo slowly pulls out of you, and falls down off the table.

> You ask if he wants to go again. "Maybe later. I'm spent" he replies, lying on his back You lay on the table, thinking about what you've just done. Theo grabs your hand and holds it against his chest.

> You lie down next to him. "Are you okay?" Theo asks. "Yeah..." you reply. "Good" Theo says, lying down You lie next to Theo, staring up at the lights in the ceiling.

> You say "i love you" Theo grins. "I love you too" he replies. Theo attempts to cuddle with you, but fails and ends up falling over. After a few seconds, the two of you fall asleep.

#ai dungeon #it was fucking READY for me man #roleplay #ai roleplay #long post #tldr: it was more than ready to write me smut #and i was NOT prepared

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tisthenightofthewitch · 6 years ago

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Why Ghost Is The Best Band That Rose To Fame In the Last 15 Years

One of the most interesting (as well as the most frequently occuring) in-a-nutshell descriptions of Ghost that I've come across is that they're "a metal band for people who don't like metal". And while not directly true, since virtually anything that the band has come up with in the recent years would get many a self-respecting metalhead Hot N Bothered™, there are many layers of meaning to the claim that resonate with the original idea and allure of Ghost. Are they a metal band? Are they a pop band posing as a metal band? Why does Papa/Cardinal/Tobias' flat and boy-bandish voice get our collective testosterone-soaked, connoisseur's panties in a twist? Let's find out.

A Mythical Inception, Awards and Nominations

The project that the world would come to know as Ghost first formed in 2006, when the band's archon Tobias Forge first came up with a riff that would become the song "Stand By Him", urging him to write an accompanying satanic lyric. In his own words:

"I said that this is probably the most heavy metal riff that has ever existed ... When the chorus came to me, it haunted my dreams. Every time I picked up the guitar, I ended up playing that progression, and when I fit the words in, it seemed to cry out for a Satanically-oriented lyric."

And so, the first seeds of Ghost were sown. Forge then contacted Gustaf Lindström, a former Repugnant band mate of his, to record the song, alongside two others ("Prime Mover" and "Death Knell"). Upon finished recording, Forge remarked to Lindström:"This definitely does not sound like two dudes that look like you and I," thus coming up with the idea of a theatrical act sporting the whole "satanic church" aesthetic. This near-mythical inception was followed by an equally mythical turn of lucky events, as Forge was going through a list of established singers to front the act including Grand Magus' JB Christoffersson, all of which declined and left Forge to pick up the mic himself. This could have possibly been a breaking point for ghost, since Forge's higher-pitched clean singing is one of key things that make the band so unique and any other metal vocalist, however skilled, would have turned the project into just another metal band (but more on that later). Upon the songs' release in 2010, the band was instantly contacted by numerous labels for a full studio album contract.

Since its first album, 2010's "Opus Eponymous" Ghost instantly attracted both the critics' and the audience's favors, establishing itself as the golden child of heavy metal, almost like the Antichrist himself is said to do so upon his arrival.

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Throughout the following years, Ghost would come to win countless nominations and awards for their subsequent work, including, but not limited to, one Grammy, three Swedish Grammis and a Metal Hammer Golden Gods award for best breakthrough band in 2012.

Every of their four albums so far came with hit songs with the rest of the albums being equally catchy, bringing ever more converts into the fold and being lauded by critics far and wide. Today, Ghost is one of the hottest fresh metal bands out there and a phenomenon within a "dying genre" in its own right - not bad for a "metal band for people who don't like metal".

Musical style

While the whole "satanic church" shebang is what usually comes to mind first, it's the band's music that really draws so many people in, and is equally peculiar. Namely, their tonality abounds in minor scales, Phrygian and Locrian modes, evoking a sense of sinister unease and overall "wrongness", not unlike Black Sabbath's early works. This, however, is starkly offset with choruses and passages so characteristic of pop that Abba probably wish to have come up with themselves. The song progressions also follow a pattern established by pop, often used in metal, and loved by everybody due to their satisfyingly catchy nature. Forge himself once said that Judas Preist also owe a part of their music's power to the equally popish progressions. To top it all off, there's Forge's clean and outlandishly harmonious singing that consolidates the overall sense of strangeness when coupled with sombre and/or satanic lyrics.

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Appearance And Spectacle

With anonymous musicians under the guise of "Nameless Ghouls" and the virtually living mascots that are the various Papas and now Cardinal Copia, the band has created a whole mythology of itself, while also refusing us the chance to deify and adore any of its musicians as godlike individuals, like we do with our spiritual liege and supreme avatar of cock-rockery that is Gene Simmons.

The band's strong imagery is vividly brought to life by spectacular performances, to which the whole "church" aesthetic adds in an unique way, making it feel even bigger through an air of mock-communion.

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Conclusion

Listening to Ghost is like being enraptured in a dance with the most skillfully seductive dancer that steps on your toes intentionally ever so often and seems to be enjoying it. With its catchy pop elements, bedazzling appearance and alluring mythology offset by eerie tonality and the actual nature of their main themes, Ghost, not unlike their everlasting inspiration Satan himself, seduce us through their instant likeability despite of, or because of it hiding something more sinister in plain sight, and they do it so successfully to have become the most prominent rising band in the last 15 years.

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ALL RIGHTS OWNED BY ULTIMATE-GUITAR.COM

#The Band Ghost #Ghost Band #Cardinal Copia #Tobias Forge #Nameless Ghouls #Ghouls #Ghoulettes #Papa Emeritus #Papa I #Papa II #Papa III

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vaguely-concerned · 6 years ago

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TEMERAIRE LET’S READ: BLOOD OF TYRANTS, THE WILLIAM LAURENCE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT NG+ SPEEDRUN

- oh NO LAURENCE D:D:D:

I do love that one of his first realizations is that he’s definitely not dutch tho lol this dumbass remembered that he was english before he remembered his own name

- caught between OH NO TEMERAIRE (and it’s only page 9 it’s going to be one of those books huh) and laughing my ass off at the thought of him swooping into notoriously isolationist japan and yelling ‘HAVE YOU GUYS SEEN MY DAD???’

- “Yes,” [Laurence] said, unyielding, as he could not be otherwise. ahahahahaha way to summarize the entirety of old school!laurence with one fucking sentence

(I am very much enjoying this uh. ‘setback’ of his character actually? novik really did just roll him back to factory settings and went ‘now... from the top again, let’s see if you’ve been paying attention these last seven books’ haha. no one told me there’d be a test!!!!!!!!!!)

- Kaneko really has the patience and graciousness of a saint, @ laurence please... please try to be marginally less sketchy hm? (I guess his sheer obliviousness to how direly he comes across here must be why kaneko hasn’t dismissed him out of hand)

- y’know... at least laurence is in no position to have to worry about all this shit temeraire and the others are pulling. when people start talking about black-scaled celestials shaking the country to its very foundations he’ll be blissfully, innocently unaware. that’s something, I suppose... well who am I kidding we’ll 100% get a couple of paragraphs of him convincing himself this is all his fault somehow anyway

- . . . and His Majesty’s Government does not behave in such an underhanded a manner as to attack another nation with no warning or quarrel. aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha oh what a strange beautiful fantasy land you’ve been residing in for most of your life william laurence, hang on tight for the opium wars

- hahaha oh my god this is like a platonic version of that text post

temeraire: have you guys seen my dad??!?!

them: what does he look like?

temeraire, crying: beautiful and human and has gold buttons

- I take it all back old school laurence is such a tremendous idiot. just PRETEND you’re willing to cooperate at least you huge fuckign dummy, all you’d have to do was say something vague about how the ship can’t get too close to shore; it won’t actually help them and they’ll know it but you won’t make yourself look so unspeakably willfully suspicious

- :( making me read things where temeraire is just hurting should be ILLEGAL actually

- NO LAURENCE STOP TRYING TO KICK LITERALLY EVERY POLITICAL HORNET’S NEST WITHIN REACH BAD BOY he is... a disaster but I love him and fear for him as a son so here I am anyway

- hahahahaha yeah wow laurence it sure would suck if you ever had to commit treason huh death probably would be preferable indeed

b o i

- i like that it took him like a week to even give a single thought to edith lol at least he remains aggressively himself

- I think temeraire basically just invented dragon baby photos and I can’t even think for how darling it is

also every dragon physician is delightful; they fear neither god, man nor huge ass patients who could swallow them in a bite

aw man I love gong su

- ahahahahahahah kiyo is the actual best I can’t breathe

KANPAI INDEED, MY LADY, MY LIEGE, I DON’T CARE WHAT ELSE HAPPENS I WOULD FOLLOW YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

Laurence was forced to at least moisten his lips in a show of accompaniment, and hope that he had indeed buried Caesar and not praised him, or for that matter raised him from the dead one act too soon; he was not perfectly sure. He did not think he had been this appallingly drunk since he had been a boy of twelve, trying to make good on every toast at his captain’s table. I. am. dying

thank you thank you thank you for the mental image of laurence drunkenly trying to stumble through the ‘friends, romans, countrymen’ speech as well as the entire rest of the play in a one-man performance

- oh no... I would die for junichiro, baby boy who loves his teacher SO MUCH ;____________; aaaaand there are laurence’s adoption instincts, I see, right on time <3 I like how they have had one actual conversation now and laurence is like ‘ah well nothing for it then guess you’ll have to stay on my ship and I’ll have to be your dad now, brash 16 year old child’

junichiro is being Full Teenager about laurence not knowing ~*obvious*~ things and it’s a delight

- y’know this period of japanese history is always portrayed in the west as paranoia and it could probably only be done because the country was a strict military dictatorship at the time... but having read oh, any history book ever, deciding that nope nah don’t think so no europeans ever is the greatest ‘fair enough’ in human history. (...I guess this series is sort of AU fix it fic of the period in the first place haha)

- seeing temeraire this level of straight out angry is very interesting and also very unsettling

- ooooof whenever laurence almost-remembers temeraire... stab me in the heart why don’t you

- man churki really is the mom friend of these dragons she’s the only one who has a lick of sense

- *laurence, upon clobbering several men with an oar* “Ma’am, I beg your pardon,” Laurence said to the old woman, who was still sitting ramrod-straight in the ferry over the side from him and regarding him with a flat expression of utter disapproval and not the least evidence of fear; he put out a boot over the side and shoved the ferry off with a heave

god this book is just a continual parade of glorious mental images, just this old woman glaring at him like ‘RUDE’ and “Ma’am, I beg your pardon” fdslfhsdlkjh

- I have a lot of sympathy for hammond. imagine having to navigate the extremely delicate diplomatic situation between europe and japan, with the real prospect of a war breaking out over it, while temeraire is looking over your shoulder... real dragon in the glassware shop vibe going on here, i’m sorry about your life hammond

- AUGH laurence just sort-of-remembered emily he just half-remembered he basically has a daughter someone hold me (...junichiro is so so sweet ;___;)

- bwahahaha yeah I’m sure the only reason this impressionable young kid who’s slowly becoming very impressed by you has for sneaking glances at your bare chest is manly appreciation of your battle scars laurence, well done (I mean a supremely understandable innocent teen crush to develop but stay safely out of that, kid; I trust tharkay to survive the sheer field of mayhem around this man only because he’s got like 20 years, extreme competency and a world of cynicism on you)

- aw junichiro :(:(:(

- ...laurence you need to stop making your dragon boi think you’re dead because this is hurting me. my heart lies in sad little pieces on the ground right now. you are stepping on them with tapdancing shoes.

- “I am under an obligation to Junichiro,” [Laurence] said, quietly, “who you must know has aided me for love of you. If I surrender myself and am made prisoner in this way, will your honor be satisfied?”

fdsfhsdkfsdja *ELMO SURROUNDED BY FLAMES GIF* this is all awful they’re all such good people why must this happen why this

(what a way to remind me why I love this stupid wonderful man so much tho uuuuuugh)

- “He is a prince of China, and my captain.” “The devil I am,” said Laurence. This might be the funniest heartbreak I have ever experienced

- good job making me cry whenever I read the words ‘principia mathematica’ naomi novik that was real nice of you

- maximus is such a solid bro. not the brightest, but by god a good 80% of that boy’s gigantic body mass is pure heart

- I love the sheer trollishness of just dropping all these hints about whatever’s going on in the US and then moving on like nothing has happened lol at least it’s deeply implied that hamilton squandered his chances at the presidency by pulling his dumb hoe act in this universe too... constants and variables friends constants and variables

- bOY for a moment there I really did wonder if junichiro was going to die, thank god for a quick google to stop my heart from leaping up my throat and out into thin air to shatter yet again on the flagstones beneath

- in unrelated news I recently found out a bit more about the whole historical Situation in Australia at the beginning of Tongues of Serpents (incidentally, by reading Mark Forsyth’s ‘A Short History of Drunkenness’, which is very funny and quite interesting although I can personally testify that the chapter about vikings at least is completely riddled with misunderstandings or straight out factual errors about the mythology, the role of women in society and uh the entirety of how poetry worked so maybe take him with a pinch of salt lol), and now, in retrospect, I have to say Novik does a poor job conveying the sheer hilarity and madness going on at that time. Like. I was quite bored in those first few chapters, whenever Tharkay didn’t have page time. how could you make this incredible spectacular shitshow boring. it should have been easy comedy gold and not just like. misery. oh well great times, let’s return to the book at hand

- I remain utterly devoted to Lady Kiyo. livin’ life, drinking sake, giving no fucks, absentmindedly scoping out the western style ships and starting an entire modern navy for her country, getting some Theater up in here.... truly I would follow her into the jaws of hell itself, safely in the knowledge that she’d find some way to have a good time down there

- kaneko tearing up at laurence promising he’ll take care of junichiro 😭 this is so cruel to me, personally, specifically against my person, I am undone

- I like how the incan dragons are told like ‘don’t pick just one special person; you can love all your humans equally’ while the poor japanese ones are told ‘actually don’t love any of your humans very much at least not more than Honour’ lol they must have so many neurotic dragons running about b/c that when that attachment happens it seems extremely central to their psychology (and considering lady arikawa it’s not like they’re exempt from it, they’re just supposed to repress it to conform)

- laurence desperately trying to work out whether emily’s his daughter without actually asking anyone... delicious

the descriptions of roland’s letters: even more delicious

- temeraire sees the sad remnants of laurence’s robes and ‘hello darkness my old frieeeeend’ starts playing in his head... too bad laurence isn’t really in a position to experience the relief

- He is very much a one-note character, but O’Dea’s resolute dedicated fatalism is extremely funny

- hahaha poor temeraire... when you try to introduce bae to the family and they insist on being TOTALLY EMBARRASSING god

- The guilt of having caused pain to one deserving only consideration at his hand mingled with unanswered disquiet. I’m bawling laurence’s dad instincts are so pure and good even tho everything’s a bit messed up right now. like this whole paragraph is so powerful b/c you can see laurence’s natural loving impulse at war with his dad’s cold authoritarian parenting style and because his lived experience is removed he doesn’t know what is right.............. oh b o y

- oh okay I see my earlier comment about the opium wars proves unexpectedly prophetic

- it cannot be overstated how much I love junichiro or how happy I am that laurence is being so soft and patient with him. this kid has Been Through some shit

- emily roland shoulder to shoulder with laurence killing fools and he never doubts her for a moment... *chef kiss emoji*

- the problem with these books is that there are just so many good characters and so many of them don’t get any real page time in any given one -- I’m sitting here plaintively like ‘I realize this is not the most pressing issue right now but how is demane and sipho doing. are they okay. does sipho have enough books’

- ouch memory loss isn’t stopping laurence from flashing back to victory of eagles :(

there’s something so disconcerting about knowing why laurence reacts to things the way he does when he doesn’t; novik is using that very efficiently, this is a very satisfying use of amnesia just from a writer’s POV haha

- I like how none of these suckers really have the tools (or in some cases even inclination) to understand how messed up junichiro’s political situation is in all this

they just expect him to come home to britain with them and meanwhile he’s just found out that The greatest threat to his nation (from his POV I mean china/japan relations irl seem uh complicated) has more dragons in one field than he’s ever seen in his life. it’s a rough and lonely deal being this kid in this book

- oh ouch yes hey there laurence there might have been... a little bit of treason. true. extremely justified treason tho. I mean. oh dear

we don’t have tharkay and his unique mix of deep cynicism, incisive sarcasm and surprising depth of concise moral clarity here to assist with the aftermath so this could get u g l y

- listen what did I SAY about making me read about temeraire being miserable :(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

- SIPHO!! hey baby boy pls have some thought for your brother’s cardiac health tho

- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw the fact that laurence is getting out of this crisis so much quicker this time because of his bone-deep instinctual knowledge of how much he loves temeraire, which doesn’t need specific memories to be true and felt. god. jesus. stars above

- laurence: approaches little

little: gay panic

- [Laurence] groped after the truth of himself like a prisoner in Plato’s cave, watching shadows. *clenches fist with great emotion* fuck naomi novik why must you be such an excellent goddamn writer im in pain

- oh hay arkady

poor poor temeraire feeling like a failure in every way is so awful but also kind of funny. ‘oh shit arkady’s egg oh fuck oh crap’

- I LOVE that hammond is so clearly and repeatedly shown to be a very astute political thinker and working shit out before everyone else! he may be a dumbass and a bit of a weasel but by god he’s great at what he does!

- laurence wouldn’t have changed anything if he could u guise. I . that. hm. oh

- thARKAY

.........arkady I am only a human and a small one at that but I will find some way to climb up there and wring your neck

(how cute is it that apparently jane roland realized she needed someone to find laurence and was like ‘well I need someone who can take care of themselves and knows the area and speaks dragon and Understands the chaotic ways of william laurence and also has looked uncharacteristically like a kicked puppy at the very mention of his name ever since being forced to leave him behind in australia.... hey tharkay you want a job’ fhkjshdfkalhsd)

- I’m very glad I googled ahead and spoiled myself a bit on this, because if I just read this part fresh I would have expired on the spot

- MISSION GET MY BOY BACK SAFE FOR GOD’S SAKE is a go

- general chu is pretty cool for an old dude you feel me

- . . . and Laurence knew him; knew him and knew himself.

ahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

hahahahahahahhahahahaha

hahahahhha

haha

what... what pure undiluted soulmate nonsense is this. what. how. WHY would you do this

- I think I said something offhandedly in my victory of eagles reactions about how tharkay makes laurence remember who he is. I. thought I was exaggerating slightly for dramatic effect at the time. um wow

- I am having the sort of feelings about I need to write fiction about because my ability to express it any other way is failing me. That’s just about the highest praise I could give, really, Novik sure knows how to plant interesting seeds in her stories lol

- for the record this is not how I wanted him to end up in laurence’s bed

(im not thinking too much about how he got hurt b/c if I do I’ll start crying and that’ll just be embarrassing for everyone)

- “I hope you will forgive my mentioning it, Will,” Tharkay said, eventually, rousing Laurence from his reverie. “ -- I recognize there is a certain pot-calling quality to my doing so under the circumstances, but have you noticed that the top of your head appears likely to come off?”

a) my love for him is just. so pure. so complete. so deep b) consistent first name basis; the one sure way to make me swoon c) the implication that he’s just been quietly watching laurence while he was lost in thought... im so soft

- oh god laurence very gently helping out demane and roland because he remembers now....... i cry and my tears are blood welcome back buddy

- “I am of the opinion,” Tharkay said, “that you ought not assign to free will something more likely the consequence of a sharp blow to the skull.”

he truly is the gift that keeps giving. an endless cornucopia of sarcasm and delight. we do not deserve him.

- [The man he was eight years ago] would not have valued his own feelings, on such a matter, higher than the law and the discipline of the service. *AIRHORN AIRHORN AIRHORN* there we have it folks that’s literally his character arc spelled out, he would have done SO MUCH BAD SHIT because he thought his own feelings didn’t matter and yet he chose another direction, stupendous, brilliant, revolutionary

also him trying to get his support across to both of them in as roundabout and discreet way as possible... laurence you beautiful disaster

- im just so happ. so happy. so happy temeraire has his dumb dad back

- oh so the russians think the BRITISH, of all people, are too soft on their dragons... ruh-roh

- sdfskadlfj yes good tharkay the ROBES (also the implied depth of fond schadenfreude-tinged amusement contained in that ‘those particularly magnificent robes’.... *prayer hands emoji*)

laurence is like ET TU BABE?????

I think this is very delicate gong su speak for ‘please do not be a dumb bitch your majesty’

hahaha chu knows what’s up -- I am growing desperately fond of him, please don’t have him suffer any cop-one-day-from-retirement style accident

- “If I may cut your Gordian knot,” Tharkay said, with a glint in his eye. fdsklfhsdkflhdsakjfhdskjh remember back in black powder war when he was all closed off and phlegmatic and purposefully distant... and here he is... with a glint in his eye and a crazy ass plan that requires other people and that he actually shares before pulling it off and calling laurence by first name in public......... we’ve come so far

- Also this means he’s close enough to Laurence’s height and build that he can wear his clothes without it looking weird, which is nice to know because Laurence is sometimes more preoccupied with describing what men are wearing than, y’know, what they look like lol. (probably not quite as broad in the shoulders, tho, since it’s pointed out every time laurence is described that he has shoulders like a linebacker)

- temeraire: eXCUSE me god didn’t do this the emperor of china did???!?! rude???

- pffffffffff tharkay and chu being jaded world-weary bros for a second there... this is what I read these books for folks

- NOOOOOOOOOOO chu this is the one thing I asked you NOT to do D: temeraire being sad and scared about it is slowly murdering me, thank god laurence is back online for him

- dunno this napoleon dude sounds pretty great and all but this also sounds suspiciously... like trying to invade russia in the winter time. immovable force and unstoppable object or something. I mean I don’t read history so I don’t know. might be a great idea. who’s to say.

- I see that tharkay and laurence have reached the ‘communicating complex information solely through eyebrow movements’ stage of their relationship. *drinks this excellent excellent OTP juice with both hands*

- god I love how cool temeraire!napoleon is, in a strangely believable way. he’s just so weirdly charismatic and novik is SO GOOD at setting up a situation so you understand just how brilliant a move he’s made whenever he seems to be backed into a corner and turns it all around. I kind of want him to win at this point (though tbf all of europe fucking sucked at this time so like he doesn’t have to doll it up TOO much to look better by comparison haha)

- boooyyyy Laurence is P I S S E D (also him being like ??? :D that the general basically agreed with him lol)

ALSO also the fact that laurence does not realize that he’s like the fucking horror story all the major authorities around the globe tell each other at night... fjksdfhsdkjlhf

ah russia. truly consistently one of the most shit places to be a peasant or apparently a dragon through so much of history.

- junichiro Y__________Y no wonder laurence is so protective of him, he’s finally met someone as stubbornly stupidly ~*honorable*~ as himself. godspeed bb boy I wish you only the best even though I know your story line is never properly brought up again

- I ship... roland and demane... so much. like with my heart. she’s so young and earnest and curious and misses him so much and casually scandalizes alice about it fsjdakfjhds

- well I mean. dragons eating people is clearly not g r e a t but also... karma. y’know?

- this is a lot of words to use to convey the sentiment ‘oh they are all so fuuuuuuuuuuuuucked’ naomi novik

(feels a little like she wrote herself into a corner here tho -- she’s set up such an impossible situation, in RUSSIA in the WINTERTIME, that I’d need a hell of a lot of convincing to believe they get out of it)

- aaaah okay I really enjoyed this one too, especially the first half! I feel like this series is often at its most inspired when it sticks to a tighter character focus (for example I still vividly recall the part in the first book where Laurence stays in his father’s house and it’s Bad. relatedly........ F U C K lord allendale), and this brought that in spades. I love this series so much, it’s shamefully underappreciated in the speculative fiction world.

also it brought *me* to my knees with a simple “Tenzing,” [Laurence] said, which... holy shit. fuck. damn. that’s my personal recommendation of this book, tbh, even beyond my wish for this series to be more appreciated within the genre: Tharkay was there and it was very gay and non-obnoxious soulmate vibes???? I never even thought it could be done but here we are

This is probably going to be my last reaction thingy for the foreseeable future, since my local library doesn’t have book 9 and honestly... having read a few summaries of what happens in it I’m not that keen on reading it? That’s not the ending to this story I want, so I’ll just live over here in denialville, I-realize-the-author-made-the-choice-to-not-make-further-use-of-Lien-AKA-THE-coolest-antagonist-in-this-series-and-indeed-did-not-wrap-up-numerous-character-arcs-or-plot-lines-but-I-don’t-like-this-choice-so-I’ll-ignore-it

(actually I do sort of appreciate the idea of not having one grand final duel or something, because that’s not how it usually works in real life, but that she’d just shrug and not mercilessly hunt for the revenge she’s so clearly motivated by when everything she loves is falling apart around her again... that’s too much of a letdown to bear, really)

let me just... live in willful ignorance and pretend anything could happen from this point onward haha.

- let me give a final shout out to my boy gong su, who’s been hanging around since book 2 (!) and yet we do not know One Single personal detail about him for certain except that he sure knows how to handle knives. that’s some good spy shit right there, he knows what he’s about

#temeraire #blood of tyrants #willzing #william laurence x tenzing tharkay #aaaaaaaaand last one for a while! I had a lot of fun with this one even though I lost focus for weeks at a time at some points haha #that's not the book's fault that's very much a me problem

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narumi-of-nohr · 6 years ago

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Chapter 5: Boo Camp

Corrin approached the Dragon’s Gate with a dead silence. It helped that she normally wore sandals up until they got to their battle or training sessions. They were quieter than boots. Since siding with Nohr in this war, Camilla made extra sure to give her armor befitting a true Nohrian. (Although Corrin thought it was a bit revealing, she couldn’t refuse Camilla.) It was practically a metal bathing suit, metal leggings, gloves, a collar here, a cape there, and a pauldrin. Apparently it was important to battle in style, or so Camilla said.

Corrin quickly spotted Azura first- her white Pegasus was a sight to see in a crowd that mostly wore dark Nohrian colors. She flashed her a faint smile before looking to see which retainers her siblings brought to accompany them.

Camilla was frantically petting her wyvern and talking to her mount in the same fashion you would talk to a baby. Her wyvern didn’t mind. In fact, it seemed to love the smothering. Next to Camilla was Selena with her two long, red ponytails. She was tightening her single shield to her arm, not caring to pay any mind to anyone around.

Leo was sitting comfortably on his obedient mount, reading through his legendary tome. To his side was Niles, sitting atop a dark brown horse covered in deep blue armor. Corrin forgot that Niles had been promoted to a bow knight recently. He kept his eye on everyone else, observing each person for a few seconds before moving onto the next person until his eye met Corrin’s. Corrin quickly looked away, her hair, which was down and only secured from her face by her Nohrian crown, following behind her.

She found Xander talking to Elise and her retainer, Effie, who always insisted on wearing a rosy pink color of armor. His back was to her, so he didn’t see her approach. Laslow was crouched on the ground next to the crown prince’s horse, sharpening his blade. He looked up and flashed Corrin a warm smile, “By the by, the fair princess arrives,” he winks before blushing and returning his attention back to sharpening.

Xander turned, his attention was accompanied by Elise and Effie’s attention as well.

“Sister!” Elise shouted, “You’ve made it! We didn’t think you were coming after you told Xander off at dinner.”

Corrin blushed, “No. There’s no way I’d abandon you guys.”

“Then we can begin this training,” Xander said very short as he took a step towards his horse, getting on in one try. He looked to the Dragon Gate then began to address everyone.

“Tonight’s training will teach us how to work together in unity. Retainers shall only block so that Elise, Leo, Corrin, Camilla, and myself can attack without giving the enemy much time to think. Laslow, I have no worries with you. Effie, be sure not to stray farther than arms reach from Princess Elise- your armor is very heavy and makes you a lot slower than you think.” Effie nodded.

Xander continued, “Niles, if needed, you can always use your bow to block. Just try not to get in the way of one of Leo’s curses. Princess Azura,” he began than sighed, “You’ll be countering for Princess Corrin. Selena, have the monsters focus on you so that Princess Camilla can sweep in and surprise them. Any questions?” No one answered. “Very well. Let’s go,” he began riding towards the Dragon’s Gate.

———

When they arrived to what they named “Boo Camp,” the air was damp and there was a coldness in the air that Corrin hadn’t noticed before. Her stomach grumbled- she was starving at this point. All she had was a tiny piece of bread at dinner. Perhaps this is why it felt colder than usual.

Everyone began gathering around Xander as he explained their training for the night. Laslow would be with him, Niles with Leo, Selena with Camilla, and Effie with Elise. “Azura, Corrin- you two will take the lead,” he said with a firm tone in his voice. Corrin was normally in the front lines so there wasn’t any difference there, but she was never in the lead. Was he trying to punish her? He clearly was still upset over dinner.

Instead of arguing or questioning, Corrin gave a nod and began to slip her sandals off. She didn’t know why she preferred to fight without shoes, but it was the most comfortable for her. Camilla shot Xander a concerning look in which he answered back in silence. He wouldn’t force Corrin to do something he knew she couldn’t handle.

Corrin readied her Yato blade. It always surprised everyone how graceful she was able to handle that blade with how heavy it was. She looked to Azura whom flashed a tiny smile and nod, signaling she was ready. They made their way to the front of the formation and everyone got into their assigned places behind. The monsters slowly began to appear.

A bright green Faceless appeared in front of the girls, snarling black smoke into the air in front of them. Corrin took in a deep breath and then exhaled, “Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said to herself once again looking to make sure Azura was ready. Azura hovered next to Corrin on her spectacular Pegasus with a spear in one hand, Azura’s weapon of choice. Everyone watched the two as monsters began appearing sporadically around them. “Lets go,” Azura said.

Corrin taunted the Faceless, motioning for it to come forward towards them. It snarled once more before lunging forward. Corrin hopped back while Azura flew in front of her, blocking the monster. “Just in time!” Azura shouted aloud. Corrin twirled her blade in front of her side to side before swinging it forward, slashing the monster’s throat. She rebalanced herself, standing straight up and shifting her blade to the ground. “Alright!” she smiled, pleased with the outcome of her first encounter.

Niles’ smirk made its appearance on his face as he sat up on his horse with relief. He readied his bow as more Faceless began appearing. “And the fun begins..” he chuckled.

“Nice job, Lady Corrin!” Laslow shouted, “Like a beautiful dance-“ he began again until the look from Xander caused him to stop.

Effie blocked a much stronger Faceless with all of her body and shield while Elise blasted it with a fire spell of some sort. “I did it!” She squealed with excitement atop her horse.

Selena was countered every attack a Faceless nearby her made. Camilla was nowhere to be found when all of a sudden she appeared from the sky, flying down at a crazy speedon her wyvern. She held a huge axe, “Let’s play!” she exclaimed before swinging at the Faceless, beheading it. Her wyvern landed next to Selena and Camilla reached forward to pet it, “That was fun,” she said with a giggle.

Just let, Niles and his horse leapt in front of Leo. Niles had used his bow to counter the attack from the Faceless while Leo took his time finding a particular page in his tome. “Anytime now,” Niles said in exhausted breathes as he held his position between the monster and the Nohrian prince. “Ahh, here it is,” Leo said before whispering an incantation and flicking his wrist towards the monster. With a flash, a lighted tree sprung up from beneath the monster and almost instantly the monster dropped lifeless to the ground. “You think you can begin memorizing some of these incantations?” Niles teased Leo as he took his spot next to Leo. He glanced at Corrin.

Azura and her were up against two Faceless this time. “Don’t be reckless!” Azura shouted at Corrin, but Corrin was zoned out. She backflipped, her hair and cape gracefully following her lead, and dodged the first monster’s attack. Azura managed to block the second monster’s assault, but the first monster was back in the fray in no time. It layed a heavy punch forward, meeting the side of Corrin’s head. Corrin fell to the ground, her surroundings going dark for a moment. Azura looked back at Corrin then to Niles as she struggled to hold off the second Faceless. Corrin slowly, but as fast as she possibly could, stood back up.

In the distance, Xander obliterated a Faceless before turning to his retainer, “Laslow, don’t let anything happen to Princess Corrin!”

“Yes, my liege!” Laslow nodded dropping his guard from the current Faceless he was countering and ran, making his way towards Corrin and Azura.

Corrin steadied herself by planting her blade into the ground next to her. She balled up her fist. “This ends now!” she yelled at the Faceless that had hit her. Azura was still struggling to keep the second at bay. Corrin threw her left arm in front of her, a dragon formed from her arm and shot arcane magic at the creature, rendering it dead then she collapsed, out of energy. Azura shrieked as the second Faceless was able to break her guard, heading towards Corrin.

“Shall we dance?” a gentlemen’s voice called out from the distance, getting closer. With a loud clink, Laslow jumped into the air, spinning and landing in front of Corrin, his blade in the air, blocking the Faceless’ blow. A loud animal of some sort landed behind him, between him and Corrin. He almost let his guard down as he looked back to see it was Niles on his horse that had made his way to Corrin’s rescue as well. He looked back in the distance to Leo. Did the prince send his retainer as well? From what he could tell, Leo was spewing curses in Niles’ direction, clearly upset. Laslow furrowed his brow in confusion before turning back to the monster in front of him. He planted his left foot into the ground and shoved the monster a few feet in front of him. “You’re not going to like this,” Laslow smiles before spinning himself around, jumping into the air and planting a death blow into the monster. “Well, that’s that,” he said casually before turning around.

“Are you alright, Princess Azura?” Laslow asked. She had dismounted her Pegasus and was already at Corrin’s side. She placed a hand on Corrin’s cheek. “She’s freezing,” she informed the two men. She looked up at Niles who was still sitting atop his horse, observing their surroundings in case a monster decided to take advantage of them.

“Can she ride with you?” Azura asked Niles.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Laslow remarked, “No offense, mate,” he apologized to Niles, “I’m just not so sure you’re the best option to be holding her.”

Niles’ serious face quickly eased as he let out a chuckle, “And why’s that?” he asked, a glimmer of amusement twinkling in his eye.

“Well, for starters, your reputation. How are you to be trusted with the princess in this state?” Laslow explained.

Azura sighed heavily, “Laslow, now is not the time. Listen, I can’t maneuver my mount with Corrin’s dead weight. I’m not comfortable and I sincerely doubt Corrin would want to be near Xander right now anyways,” she began trying to lift Corrin, “Could you please help?”

Laslow sheathed his sword before placing his arms underneath Corrin’s still body. He stood up and walked up to Niles and his horse. He gave him an uneasy, yet stern look before lifting Corrin up to him. Niles gently sat her on his horse in front of him. He secured his bow to one of the many straps on the side of his horse before cradling Corrin. Azura was right- she was freezing. Stupid girl, he thought to himself, but he still couldn’t help bringing her closer to his chest and wrapping his cloak around her to keep her warm.

Laslow sighed, “Very well then. See that she gets back to camp safe or Lord Xander will have your head.” Laslow ran back to Xander in just as much grace as he came running to protect Corrin.

“Niles,” Azura began, “You’re giving yourself away. I don’t know what’s going on between you and Corrin, but it’s probably best that you let the Nohrian royals know that I called you over here.” She bent over to pick up Corrin’s Yato blade and handed it to Niles. “I don’t know what she sees in you, but I trust her innocent judgement. You should go back to Leo. He doesn’t look very thrilled with you right now.”

Azura walked towards her Pegasus. It lowered itself for her to climb atop it’s back. Securing her spear at her side, her Pegasus lifted up and headed towards Xander. Niles tied Corrin’s blade to the side of horse, next to his bow.

“Stay strong, kitten,” he whispered down to an unconscious Corrin before clicking his tongue against the side of his teeth, gesturing his horse to take off. He guided his faithful mount towards Leo who was awaiting with a disapproving frown.

“Gods, Niles! What in the hells were you thinking?!”

“Awh, did you miss me?” Niles replied with a smirk and sarcasm in his tone as usual.

“Gods no! What I’m trying to point out is that you’re MY retainer, not Corrin’s. What if something were to have happened to me?”

“Did something happen to you?”

“No, but that’s not the point I’m trying to make.”

“If I may, my lord- I understand that I am your retainer and yours alone,” he let out a playful chuckle, “But don’t you think I assessed the situation before leaving your side?”

“Well..” Leo began.

“I swore my life to you, my lord, and I don’t swear my life lightly. After everything we have all been fighting for, I’d imagine you’d want me to save Lady Corrin’s life if I had the power to?”

“You make a valid point,” Leo answered. He bit his lip, frustrated that he had no rebuttal for Niles’ argument. “Still, you need to give me fair warning before you pull a stunt like that again.” Niles nodded and Leo continued, “And don’t look so smug holding my sister like that unless you’d like to lose your other eye.”

Niles laughed, “Well, I’d never argue a pretty thing-” Leo lifted a brow and Niles laughed before correcting himself, “lady in my arms any night of the week, but your sister is freezing cold to the touch and I’m afraid I may be the only one that can keep her warm seeing as how you and Lord Xander are wearing plated armor.”

Leo lifted a hand to his chin. Niles was right. There was no way Corrin would warm up against the Nohrian armor. “Very well. I suggest you leave the first part about a pretty lady in your arms out when you explain this to my brother, though,” Leo nodded his head towards Niles, signaling him to take a look in that direction.

Xander was riding up in the distance with Azura by his side. Laslow was following a few feet behind them, to be expected without a mount.

“She’s alive, if that’s what you’re asking,” Niles replied.

“I am well aware that she is alive,” Xander snapped back, “Has she awaken at all?”

“No, milord,” Niles lifted his cape from her face a little to show that she was still unconscious. Her hair was disheveled and her Nohrian crown lay crooked across her forehead. The side of her face had begun to bruise thanks to the Faceless’ punch.

Xander sighed, “Little princess...” he whispered in a sorrowful tone, “here, let me have her.” He reached over towards Niles, but Niles didn’t budge.

“Lord Xander, like I was telling Lord Leo here before you approached- I think, in the state that she’s in, it would be in her best interest to stay with me under my cape.”

Xander narrowed his eyes at Niles. The audacity! he thought. “Explain,” was all that came out of his lips, his eyes not moving from Niles. Laslow approached, catching his breath and wiping the sweat from his brow as Niles did just that.

“I see,” Xander said before letting out a heavy sigh, “I don’t like the idea, but I see the necessity in it. ...but I warn you, Niles, the deed you are carrying out is only being carried out because you are a trusted retainer of Prince Leo. There will be no funny business, given your reputation. Understand?”

“Who? Little ole me?” Niles joked and Xander flared his nostrils, “I won’t do anything she wouldn’t want me doing. You have my word.”

Xander shook his head, turning to Laslow, “Gather everyone on the field. Tell them we are ending the training early. We need to head back to camp and get Princess Corrin in her quarters. She needs rest.”

“Yes, milord!” Laslow nodded obediently before running back into the field.

Underneath his cloak, Niles ran his fingers up and down Corrin’s arm- she was still cool. Warmer, but still cool. He shifted her so that her head was resting on his chest and pulled the hood of his cloak over his head. The cloak was still attached to him and she fit so perfectly in there with him. Let’s get you warm in bed, kid. He steered his horse backwards and then made his way to the dragon’s gate to await the others.

#fire emblem #fire emblem fates #fire emblem conquest #fire emblem niles #fire emblem corrin #fire emblem fanfiction #niles x corrin #corrin x niles #female corrin #corrin (fire emblem)#niles (fire emblem)

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str-spangled-banner · 8 years ago

Text

Home - Part 5 - Bruce X Daughter!Reader

PART 1 // PART 2 // PART 3 // PART 4

MASTERLIST

TAKING REQUESTS

FAQ’s

Summary: Life carries on in the Avengers Tower. You make new friends, and certain friendships starts to climb towards something more.

Warnings: None.

Words: 2 572+

A/N: I MIGHT HAVE WATCHED SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING LAST WEEK AND IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RIDICULOUSLY GOOD AND I MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN MY ALREADY CRITICAL CRUSH ON TOM HOLLAND QUADRUPLED (FUCK SPELLING IDK) AND YEAH SO THAT’S THAT *intense, internal, screaming*

(Also, don’t even get me started on how cheesy my summaries always are...) So, I’m posting once again, trying to makeup for being away by posting my most requested thing ever, which is Home Part 5, if you didnt get that.

Hope you enjoy, please tell me what you think and comment “Steve “Pimp Daddy” Rogers” if you read this cause I honestly, fucking, doubt people read my A/N’s.

She crossed the lounge, her bare feet barely making a sound against both the areas of wooden floorboards and those of polished concrete. The Stark Industries shirt she was wearing reached her mid thighs. They were practically all she had worn since moving in, considering the massive amount that had been stocked in her wardrobe as she had gotten her room, she could grab a new shirt every day for a month at least.

“Morning.” Her head snapped to the sound of a voice, spotting T'Challa in an armchair by the wall of windows with a newspaper held in his lap. She opened her mouth to reply but was caught of guard upon realizing she didn’t know whether to greet him in royal fashion or not, which in case of it, she was screwed. She had no idea how to greet royalty. Your liege? Your highness? Instead of saying anything, she found herself stuttering upon nothing, her mind blank. “Ms. Banner?”

“Of course. I- I’m sorry. Yes, morning.” She blurted out, causing T'Challa to laugh lightly and fold the newspaper together.

“I do not bite, despite the characteristics of my mantel… You don’t have to be nervous.” He assured with a subtle yet warm smile as he could tell how uncertain and shy she was. “You can call me T'Challa. There is no need for formalities between friends.”

“Then you can call me Y/N.” She bartered quickly, trying to gather her bravery and ease her nerves.

“As you say.” T'Challa bowed his head respectfully and left a moment of silence before changing the subject. “You’re up early. People your age have an international habit of sleeping a lot longer. Our mutual friend, Mr. Parker, is making for an extraordinary example this morning.”

The way he talked was almost fascinating to her. He was well educated and equally as well mannered, his choice of words chosen deliberately each time. It was a nice change compared to the shallow vocabularies of the people she most often conversed with. “I find my productivity to be at its highest in the morning. That, and I also very much dislike to sleep the day away.”

“Fair reasons.” T'Challa smiled, noticing how Y/N adapted her own choice of words in his presence and liking the small touch. He too found the vocabularies of those around him to be boring and the people themselves to often be a bit slow minded. It was nice to see that Y/N enjoyed a diverse, witty yet formal conversation in the same way that he did. “Are you on your way to the kitchen for breakfast?”

“I am. Care to join me?” She was brave enough to ask him. T'Challa smiled even wider, impressed of her courtesy as well as noticing the newfound bravery she had just noticed herself.

“It would be my pleasure.” He assured and rose from his seat, joining to walk alongside her to the kitchen across their current floor.

“Do you have any plans for today, or perhaps tomorrow?” She began their conversation, taking a left down a short hallway before a quick right turn into the sleek kitchen, which had been decorated with multiple breakfast choices made by the hired chef.

“Not anything out of the ordinary. Mr. Stark and I will be joining in a meeting to discuss the new yet continuous connection between Wakanda and the United States, more specifically the collaboration between the Black Panther and I with the Avengers. If I find any time for it, I would enjoy some simple time to merely relax. How about yourself? If I were to guess I believe you will spend as much time reveling in Tony’s resources and your new workplace as you can?”

“I would say that’s far more a statement of what will happen rather than a guess.” She commented humorously with a slight smile, following T'Challa’s lead and grabbing a plate off the counter. It was her first breakfast as she had been so late for school the day before. It was difficult to believe that breakfast looked like that every morning. In her eyes, it was a five star buffet. “But yes, if nothing else comes in the way, I will be found in my workshop for the majority of the weekend.”

“More people should have such productive and awarding hobbies. What are other things you have worked on? I overheard Stark and your father speaking of a generator of yours?”

They made their way to the long table, taking a seat in front of one another. “Nothing very spectacular, considering what I’d like to think I’m capable of. I did build a robotic vacuum a couple of years ago to not have to vacuum the floors myself. I designed a program in eight grade to scan physical notes and convert them into digital documents, adapting it to fit my own handwriting specifically.”

“I would not label those things as unspectacular. I can only imagine how low the number of individuals at that age with the capability of creating those things is… I’m sure your guess of that number is very close to my own.” T'Challa began to peel an orange, placing the cloves on his plate just as Y/N swallowed her bite of scrambled eggs and bacon.

“Maybe, but like I said, compared to what I think I’m capable of myself, they are nothing spectacular.”

“Then why have you not built something to match your level of competence? If what you have built so far is unremarkable compared to what you potentially could make, I am very intrigued.”

“I’ve never had the resources. School has granted me multiple opportunities to build and create, but I’m only allowed to do so within their guidelines. They do not fund personal usage of their materials and tools, and I couldn’t afford it on my own. This is the first time in my life where I have been given the possibility to show what I’ve got.” She smiled, realizing the truth to her own words and the meaning behind them. She really did have her first chance to create all the things her heart had wanted to over the years of suppressing them. The thrill of that fact alone was enough to cause an involuntarily smile to spread across her face.

“I say you should seize the moment then. Life is far too short to let opportunities slip away from us. Knowing Stark and your father the little that I do, I have a strong feeling they will do everything they can to make your, engineering, dreams come true.” T'Challa advised, surprising Y/N with the wise words in the same way that Steve had when seeing her in her lab only seven hours before.

“Then I shall.” Y/N replied, the two of them coming to an understanding at that moment of their respective like of the academic tone and their efforts to keep it going simply for the enjoyment.

“Hey? Good morning.” Bruce entered the kitchen, furrowing his brows slightly out of surprise at the same time as he hinted a smile from finding his daughter so casually talking with T'Challa. He was glad to see her shy side subsiding and to see her become more and more comfortable around the team. He knew all too well she had it tough with friends. If she couldn’t make any her own age, he was glad that the ones she made was on the team. Despite bickering amongst them, the Avengers were good people. “I was sure you wouldn’t wake up until at least another hour or two considering how late you stayed up last night.”

“Six hours of sleep is just the right amount for me. Besides, with the bed I now have, six hours of sleep might as well be twelve. It’s level of comfort is nearly ridiculous.”

“Level of comfort?” Bruce questioned, not recognizing her intellectual way of speaking. T'Challa smiled to himself as he looked between Bruce’s confusion and Y/N’s reddening cheeks, remaining quiet.

“I mean… It’s just super comfy.” Y/N changed quickly and flashed an awkward smile towards her father. “Anyway, you wanna join us?”

“I’m sorry but I’ve already eaten. If I would have known you were such an early bird, I would have waited.” Bruce smiled back apologetically, already regretting having confessed to eating and wishing he would have just had a second meal instead. Sadly, he had things he needed to do. Yet another round of breakfast simply wasn’t something he had time for. “If you need something, anything, you’ll find me up in Tony’s workshop. Friday can help you there.”

“I think I’ll be alright. Thank you though. I’ll see you later.” She subtly implied in her voice that she was ending the conversation, in a way asking Bruce to leave as she knew he was most likely in a hurry. The only reason he was sticking around was because he was worried about her, which was absolutely unnecessary.

“Alright then... Could you maybe watch her back, T'Challa? Make sure she’s okay?” Bruce turned towards the king, unable to judge Y/N’s level of capability and feeling uneasy for leaving by herself.

“I think Y/N is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but for the sake of your worrying, I promise to keep an eye on her.” T'Challa assured before Bruce left with a parting nod and flashing a smile towards his daughter.

“You really don’t-”

“I am fully aware you do not need me to breathe down your neck.” T'Challa cut her off with an almost playful smile. “You’re a grown woman, and if anyone can get by in this place, I believe it’s you. You father has yet to adjust to how mature you’ve become, that’s all. I would not take that personally if I were in your shoes.”

“Thank you.” She bowed her head down subtly. “And like I said before, I simply plan to spend the day in my workshop.”

“And that is truly a place where I am not needed, at least not to be your personal caregiver. However, I must confess that you are much more pleasant company than most others around here. If you are ever in the mood for conversation, do not hesitate to seek me out.” T'Challa said truthfully. He had been slightly judgmental when he first encountered her two days prior, he could admit that to himself. She had been so quiet and shy he had drawn the immediate conclusion she was also dull. That was his mistake which he had happily had proven wrong.

“I would say that goes both ways.” She confessed, mentally beaming with excitement for the fact that she was speaking to a king. It sounded so impossible yet it was completely true.

“And there he is.” Tony entered the room with his hands gestured at T'Challa, interrupting the conversation and turning towards Y/N. “Morning, Banner. I see you’ve made a wise choice in who to befriend around here. Royal connections can always be useful.”

Y/N found herself at a loss of words again, not knowing how to respond to the exploit that Tony jokingly insinuated. “I’m not- I was just-”

“Ignore him... The rest of us do.” T'Challa said whilst rising from his seat.

“Ouch.” Tony said theatrically. “Well, that hurt.”

“I figured you would be used to it by now.” T'Challa smiled, clearly not as intimidated by Tony as Y/N was. “I take it you’re here to get me for the conference?”

Tony sighed, giving up the previous subject and forcing himself to settle with not having the last word. “You know me so well.”

“Alright. I hope I will see you later then, Y/N. Perhaps for dinner?” T'Challa turned towards the quiet teen, who felt at a loss of words again and sensed yet another stutter claw its way up her throat, butshe made a simple yet quick recovery.

“Of course.” She assured with a smile which the king happily returned. Tony looked between them, confused by the formality and understanding glances shared mutually between them, but he was far too tired to question it.

Y/N watched them leave the kitchen, Tony grabbing a paper cup of coffee on his way out. She turned her focus to her breakfast which had practically gone untouched whilst T'Challa had occupied her with talking. She grabbed the fork and hungrily dove into the delicious meal, but wasn’t left alone for long. To her luck, it was a very sleepy Peter Parker who dragged himself into the kitchen, and she would not pause her eating for him.

“You look sleepy.” She stated with her mouth full, catching Peter’s eyes as he looked over at her.

“How are you up so early?” He asked with a husky voice and furrowed brows. “Let me rephrase that… How are you up so early and how do you seem so fine with that?”

She chuckled and almost coughed at her food which threatened to slip down the wrong throat. “I never gave in to the urge to sleep for longer once I came into my teens and eventually it went away. I’m fine now. Six hours of sleep is just right.”

“Just hearing that number makes me nauseous.” He confessed, starting to pile his plate with a bit of everything that was offered. “I need at least nine, preferably ten to eleven.”

“But you sleep half your day away?” She argued, not understanding how someone could be fine with that.

“And still I found myself bored to death from having nothing to do four days out of seven… I don’t need more time. Some days I almost need less.”

“What about school nights? You go to bed at eight? I find that very unlikely.” She took a sip of her orange juice, her eyes following Peter as he came to sit at the table, taking what previously had been T'Challa’s seat.

“Of course I don’t.”

“Then you’ve kind of lost me…” She admitted, a bit confused which seemed to be a mutual feeling considering Peter’s, deeply furrowed, brows.

He groaned, waving his hand in front of him like ushering her away, but more accurately trying to usher the subject away. “Just let it go. I’m too tired to talk about it.”

“Too tired to talk about sleep? Now that’s a first.” She chuckled, finding it far too amusing to tease Peter whilst he was so out of it.

“Yeah, yeah…” He groaned again before his features softened out, his eyes focusing at nothing as of thinking about something, his ears suddenly turning red. “Hey, you… You wouldn’t happen to, you know, have a date for, ehm… For homecoming?”

Her eyes widened slightly, taken back by the question and what she believed he was indicating. “I- no… I don’t usually tend to go to them…”

“Oh…” Peter swallowed his breath harshly, the red in his ears creeping to his cheeks and his eyes dropping to his lap almost disappointingly. “I just- never mind.”

“I mean…” She began, noticing how much the two of them were stuttering but being far too shy and insecure to change that fact. “If you’re going, I- I could go.”

He looked back up at her in a snap. “You wanna go with me?” He questioned, realizing he had added the “with” part of his own and wishing he could smoothly take it back to not scare her off.

“Uh… Yeah. That would be nice, actually.” She pulled her lips between her teeth, releasing them as she chuckled quietly. Peter watched her as she did not look at him, a hollow feeling in his stomach of thrill and excitement as he watched Y/N smile at their sudden yet settled date for the homecoming.

Tell me what you think? What do you want to happen next?

MASTERLIST

TAKING REQUESTS

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numberplates4u-blog · 6 years ago

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Healing Powers

Austin Healey BN2 100 M Spec 1956 for sale at Bill Rawles Classic Cars – Jan 2017 For Sale – The story of a cherished car We currently have for sale at Bill Rawles Classic Cars Ltd (January 2017) this beautiful 1956 Austin Healey BN2 100 M Spec. It has remained in the same family’s ownership for over 45 years but the time has come for somebody else to be the new custodian. It’s hard to accentuate in words just how stunning this Healey is and we would recommend a viewing if you are in the market for this kind of classic. The car has four large box files absolutely brimming with information and charting, in great detail, the history of the car. One could almost say that such concise documentation is almost verging on fanatical, in a positive way. It is certainly an impressive compilation of paperwork. Such filing and organisational skills are hard to come by and can only be admired. This well looked after BN2 100 M Spec probably needs to be seen to be appreciated Healing Powers as featured in December 1999 Classic Sports Car Magazine Amongst all the paperwork we found this article ‘Healing Power’, which featured in the December 1999 issue of Classic and Sports Car Magazine (page 132) – Here is what the article by Alistair Clements had to say about URT 919:- “I don’t feel middle-aged, but here I am talking about a 45 year old car, which I’ve owned for 30 years – I really don’t know where the time has gone” reflects David Malden-Browne (Dec1999). His glorious 1956 Healey 100 may look pampered, but it has just returned from a 2500 mile European tour. David’s interest in cars came from his father, who owned a succession of interesting motors, including a rare Lamas-Graham: “My first car was a 1950s Reliant with an Austin Seven engine. My pals and I used to go up to a pub at the top of a very steep hill and we had to open the doors and scoot it with our feet” Interior designer David found the Healey when he was working in an architects’ office in the City: “I used to sit and doodle the sports car of my dreams – like youngsters I lusted after Jags and Astons, but knew I could never afford one. Even the Healey 3000 was out because I was frightened by the horrendous cost of fuel, which was three and six – about 17 1/2 pence – per gallon! I didn’t know much about the Healey 100; it was purely by chance that I saw an ad in the local paper. The chap told us he also had an E Type and when he pulled back the cover I thought it was the Jag. It was too beautiful to be £200.00” David started to Restore the car in the late 1970s, but progress was halted due to insufficient funds. After 12 years’ residence in his back garden, restoration began in 1989, during which it was returned to its original colour scheme. “I have my dear wife Sandy to thank for making a present of having it rebuilt” He also took the opportunity for some modifications, fitting mostly Denis Welch parts. The engine sports a high-lift cam and smart crinkle finish rocker cover, while the racing exhaust emits a sporting bark. The car wears original 100M carburettors, bought from Peter Healey, and a recently fitted 3.54:1 differential endows it with incredibly long legs: “It’s now geared for a potential 130 mph but I wouldn’t like to pick up the engine bits afterwards!” With its wider rubber and beefed-up suspension, the only item left on the list is a pair of front discs. (1999) After the rebuild, he and Sandy took the Healey with them on holiday. “It broke down every single day, so we saw France from the back of a tow truck. The advantage was that I had RAC Euro Cover, and when the car is being repaired, they pay for your hotel bill, so we virtually had a free holiday courtesy of RAC!” In August (1999), David and his son completed a three week tour of Europe, taking part in the first Euro-Healey meet in Luxembourg – organised by the Dutch Healey Club – recreating a trip taken with a friend in the summer of 1970, when they drove non-stop for two days to Rome. At the time, an Italian friend was seeing the then Miss Rome, so David was often to be seen with her and a friend perched on the back of his Healey, driving around the streets of Roman streets: “The Police got to know us and used to shout ‘Mad Inglesi’. We got away with murder because they loved the car even then!” Sam Malden-Browne as a small boy taking an interest in his Dads restoration project David and Sam drove over the mountains through Geneva, then over the Alps into Italy: “We never got to Rome this time but we went to Milan. It was spectacular going over the Alps – the roads were fantastic”. The Euro-Healey event included a trip to the Nurburgring and a run on the Nordschliefe, with participants also joining the Liege-Rome-Liege rally for a day, taking a blast around the Spa Francorchamps circuit into the bargain. Sam’s favourite memory of the Healey is an impromptu drag race against a Honda Fireblade super bike, undertaken on the way back to the campsite after Le Mans two years ago. David says: “It was snaking up the road and he only went past us 20 yards before the end of the track – it really dented his ego.” David uses his 100 as much as possible: “Within the last few weeks it has only done the Tesco run, but it is equally at home with going around the Nurburgring. It has an uncanny way of putting a grin on your face. Although it may not be the fastest car on the road, it does more ‘smiles per hour’ than any other car I’ve driven.” The Healey has a similar effect on spectators: “From kids to elderly ladies, every single person seems to remark – and it’s always a nice reaction.” Other classics have come and gone, but David will always keep the Healey: “I shall never sell it, mainly because it’s not really mine anymore. My 13 year old son knows it’s his, he’s fiercely loyal to it and I know it will be in safe hands with him. But I hope he takes me out to the pub when I’m a bit older and greyer!” How time flies The above article was by Alistair Clements – December 1999 Classic and Sports Car Magazine. This article was written over 17 years ago. Before…… And after…. We are very sad to report that David Malden-Browne passed away last year (2016) and his son, Sam, is now 30 years old and lives in Australia. David loved his car; it was his joy, his pride and his passion. He obviously created some great memories and some treasured stories with his wife Sandy, his son Sam and all his other close classic car enthusiast friends. We often saw David at pub meets, Healey dinners, classic car shows and race events and sometimes at our organised gathering too. The family have made the decision that they would like to sell the car and for its adventures to carry on with a new owner. It is a beautiful car and it deserves to have some more good times and challenges……who will be the next owner to add to URT 919’s history and the four existing box files of photos, newspaper clips, letters, drawings, invoices and memorabilia…. The last time we caught up with David and his Healey was at a BBQ after the 2015 Castle Combe Autumn Classic Event January 2017 – For Sale at Bill Rawles Classic Cars Austin Healey 100 BN2 models do not currently come on the market that often. URT 919 is currently in our car sales area within our workshop – if you would like to arrange a viewing or a test drive or just have an informal chat about the car please contact Bill Rawles:- Email – [email protected] Mobile – 07763 362470 Workshop – 01420 564343 The post Healing Powers appeared first on Bill Rawles Classic Cars.

https://www.rawlesclassiccars.co.uk/blog/healing-powers/

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stupidfatpenguin · 8 years ago

Link

Title: First Night

Victor Nikiforov x Yuuri Katsuki

I just updated this fic! Read it here or on Ao3! (Link above or in my profile)

Part 2

This can’t be happening.

The mantra has echoed in Yuuri’s head ever since he mounted the horse that would take him to the Palace, head bowed to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze, afraid of what he might find there. (Pity. Sympathy. Anger, disappointment. Nothing he wanted to see.) They ride for well over the hour before the spires of the Capitol comes into view in the distance, gleaming in the light of the sun where it hangs low in the sky, beams reflecting like silver sparks across the vast West Sea.

Yuuri revels in none of it, for every step his horse takes through the gilded city is a step closer to the Keiser—and whatever he has planned for him.

They pass many citizens on their ride to the Summer Palace, hardly interested in yet another set of guards in a citadel full of them. Yuuri wonders briefly if anyone who does look at him could know of his predicament, if they can tell who he is and what has befallen him just from a glance at his face.

This whole affair isn’t just humiliating. This changes everything.

Instead of it being in his family’s power to annul the marriage, this decision now rests in the hands of his father-in-law. If the Lord sees it fit, he will cut Yuuri loose for infidelity and a failed consummation, and his family’s business will go down with him. He will never be able to marry again with the reputation of a failed marriage already on his shoulders. Additionally, after the Keiser has…had his way with him tonight, he could assuredly crush the reputation of Yuuri’s entire family for generations to come, if he were to make this affair public knowledge.

Which it very well soon might be, considering the amount of people who had been present to hear the envoy’s announcement—unless the Lord had seen it fit to keep them quiet, in some way. Which is impossible.

Yuuri shudders with the weight of this failure on his shoulders. His in-laws’ gain from this marriage had really only been one thing: to entwine noble blood into their family.

The name Katsuki had been highly regarded for generations. While theirs was, really, only a branch family of the old Noble House Okukawa, Yuuri was still regarded as low-ranking nobility, in spite of his family’s economic struggles. But even so, the Katsukis were a highly respected family, especially in their region, and a representative of their household was traditionally invited to every Royal gathering that had taken place since the rule of the Third Keiserina.

If he so wished, the Keiser could sever these ties to the Royal House, rendering Yuuri’s family name of no more import than a commoner’s. If this occurred, his father-in-law would have no incentive at all to have his daughter married to someone of such a tarnished reputation. There would be nothing to gain, and he would look for better prospects elsewhere.

He wondered, miserably, what would bring the Keiser more pleasure: the ruining of his family’s life and name, or defiling his chastity.

Once they arrive at the Palace Gates, no less grand than the last time he had seen them, Yuuri is hardly given the time to right himself after unmounting his horse before two bony, manicured hands do it for him, and he is met with a sharp, calculating face. It belongs to an older lady, made younger by her expertly painted face, her real age betrayed only by the wrinkles of her hands life-hardened eyes. She wears a long, elegant robe with golden birds stitched into the fabric, fit for a duchess or someone of similar rank.

He finds himself straightening under her scrutinising green eyes, his years of training and etiquette lessons from living with Lady Okukawa quickly reasserting themselves.

“Good posture. And a pretty face,” the lady murmurs in approval, snapping her fingers and moving them back and forth in front of his face. “But blind as an old bat. Do you not carry spectacles, boy?”

“I-I wasn’t wearing them when I left, milady,” Yuuri stutters, the question catching him off guard.

The lady hums, considering. “I am Madam Lilia. You shall address me as such.”

“Y-Yes, Madam.”

Madam Lilia seems pleased, and turns to Sir Georgi who has just dismounted his steed. Yuuri notices even the knight seems to stand straighter under the gaze of the madam.

“He will do,” she says. “But he will not see his High Majesty resembling a windswept stable hand.”

The envoy stiffens. “B-But Madam! It is but an hour until evening falls, and the Keiser specifically asked us to bring mister Katsuki before—”

“Then tell him he shall have to wait,” the madam quiets his protests. “It should suit our liege very well, I should think, to wallow in his own impatience for a bit, for interrupting all our schedules with his whims and wishes. It is, after all, mister Katsuki’s wedding night. I should think he would rather not be reminded of a horse every time he catches a whiff of himself.”

With this, she turns to a group of men and women, some even young boys and girls, who’ve gathered behind her—servants, judging by their uniforms, waiting for the word of their madam.

“Take the boy to the baths, and have him scrubbed properly. Trim his nails and push his hair back. I want his clothes aired and the horsehair removed—scent them if you must, but nothing overwhelming. Now, get to it!”

With this said he is ushered inside by the stern madam and her little horde or helping hands, unsure whether or not he should be grateful that his fate has been postponed for a little while.

They quickly walk several stairs and hallways, leaving no time to admire any décor or artwork, before he is pushed inside a steam-filled room and divested of his wedding garb, which is taken away. He squirms a little as the many hands strip him of his stockings and even his smallclothes, but voices no protests as they guide his bared form further into the room.

While Yuuri is no stranger to bathing in public, as is custom in the various bathing houses in his region, being the only fully naked person in a bathing-room is a daunting experience. He is drenched and sprayed, and put in a warm pool to soak. There he is scrubbed clean from the grime of his journey, one pair of hands washing his back while another kneads his scalp with refreshing, floral oils. His arms and legs are given the same attention, all the way down to the spaces between his fingers and toes. He has to bite his tongue not to resist when the cloths travel up his inner thighs, but cannot supress a flinch when they make to clean his private parts very thoroughly.

His eyes and cheeks burn with the humiliation, even long after he is dried and put in fresh underwear, seated on a plush chair in another chamber while the servants continue refreshing him like he was some…some concubine, made ready for the honour to serve his Keiser for the night.

With every passing minute, it’s all becoming more real, yet so much removed from his reality. It’s like a divinity has taken him from his life as an inn owner’s son and put him in place of a royal servant, a scenario that hadn’t occurred to him in his wildest dreams. Yet here he is: pampered and aired, nails trimmed and hair brushed, and every inch of his skin moisturised with balms and creams. He has been undressed and bathed under the scrutiny of several strangers and, finally, redressed in his own wedding garb, which now smells faintly of newly bloomed roses.

Soon, once the servants deem themselves finished, he is escorted out of the little chamber and to a different room. Two guards, wearing the Blue Rose on their chests, open the doors for Yuuri and his escorts who gently usher him inside.

It is a large bedroom, possibly larger than the dining room in his family’s inn—or perhaps that’s simply an illusion of the ceiling, which is easily twice Yuuri’s own height. Every wall feature extravagant tapestries, showing both familiar and exotic art forms from far away countries. The doors to the balcony are splayed open, welcoming a soft breeze and granting a spectacular view of the setting sun. The rest of the room is filled with all luxuries he could fantasise of, and then some—vases and bookshelves, and mirrors and hand painted dressing screens. Against the wall stands a massive bed, fit for a king.

He is, without a doubt, standing in the Keiser’s bedchambers.

While the servants putter around doing last-minute preparations, making sure his hair lies where they’ve combed it, that not a single fold of his garb lies incorrectly, the door opens again behind them. Yuuri’s heart jumps in his chest, but it is only madam Lilia.

With a stern gesture, she dismisses her little helpers and sends them out of the room. They all bow and leave quietly; soon, there is only the two of them, Yuuri standing rigidly as Lilia appraises him once more, cleaned and dolled up as per her instructions, bathed in the soft light of the sunset.

“Beautiful.”

The approval does nothing to ease the tension in his spine, but he has a feeling that nothing short of the Keiser never showing up will, at this point.

She steps closer to him and reaches into the folds of her robes. From them she pulls out an unmarked jar, which she presses into his clammy hands.

“What is…” he begins, but quickly shuts his mouth when he realises exactly what she has given him and what it is for. His cheeks burn harder than they have all day, the tips of his ears smouldering with heat.

“I trust you have an idea what to do with this,” the madam says, unhelpfully. Then, she sighs, a tired look overcoming her face. “I do not pretend to know how the Keiser thinks or his reason for having you brought, if there is any. You can ask anyone in the palace, but they will all tell you the same. What I do know is that his highly unpredictable behaviour should not be underestimated. You will have to decide yourself how ready you will be when you take the brunt of it.”

He swallows around the stone that has settled in his throat, finding that it feels even heavier once it reaches his belly. He mutters a soft ‘thank you’, grateful for the warning, yet feeling even worse off for it.

“I shall leave you be,” the madam says, and then, finally, he is left in the Keiser’s chambers, completely and utterly alone.

In the sudden silence, he can hear the waves beating against the shoreline. The cries of the seagulls are but background murmurs while his mind rushes, the jar burning white hot in his hands.

He can imagine it then, what will happen next. Any moment now, the Keiser will walk through those door. He will stand tall and haughty; simply survey him with a guise of mockery, let Yuuri’s nerves soak in the anxious anticipation. His eyes on him are all it will take—a knowing smirk across his lips will quietly taunt him for their last meeting reminding him just how he has ended up there, what is at stake, completely at the Keiser’s mercies.

When the man finally speaks, it will be to tell him to remove his clothes. He’ll expect Yuuri to do it by himself, be the one responsible for his own humiliation. Resisting isn’t an option—they both know who holds all the leverage. When he is finally bared before him, the Keiser, still in his full garb, will ask him to go to the bed and spread himself out there. He will liken him to the many others who have probably been requested to do the same, ask him how it feels to be no better than a common whore.

And regardless of whether Yuuri has prepared for it or not, the Keiser will spread his thighs and sink between them.

Madam Lilia’s words come back to him, completing this image he has painted in his mind. You will have to decide yourself how ready you will be when you take the brunt of it.

With shaking hands, he opens the little jar with a little trouble as it slides around in his sweaty palms. He succeeds, but hesitates as he is about to dip his fingers into the clear oil.

What if he is not fast enough? What if, when he has just pushed a finger inside himself, the Keiser will come in and see him in such a shameful state. Will he perhaps be asked to continue his own defilement for his viewing pleasure? He thinks that chances are he will not survive such an embarrassment! Or, his chest constricts, what if the Keiser has no plans to spare him the discomfort of their carnal affairs? He could become absolutely livid that Yuuri has gone ahead and touched himself without his explicitly saying so. He has heard that lying with a man in such a way could be extremely painful for the receiving party if percussions are not taken. Perhaps he is such a man, who would revel in causing such physical pain.

Shaking and confused by his own conflicting thoughts, Yuuri wants nothing more than to sink to the floor then and there and sob into his sleeves. Perhaps if he is found like so, a hulking pitiful mess, the Keiser will take mercy on him and take him gently.

So lost is he to the accumulating thoughts of his Keiser’s plans to besmirch him that he nearly jumps out of his own skin when the doors are slammed open, stopping his heart as it leaps up into his throat; not a moment later, a large figure rams into him and tangles with his limbs as they stumble onto the floor.

#Fic: First Night YOI #Yuri on ice #YOI #Salty writes: YOI #Salty Updates

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