#still sad claude is never coming back here

[cotc-terminal]

Clash of the Cubes - C3 RESULTS

“Welcome back viewers, to the Clash of the Cubes! I’m your host Pulse, and I still have some final touches to do for the next challenge, which is my favorite so far, hehehe…! Soooo I’m just going to let this video of me explain everything.”

Pulse walks away and a Null holding a CRT comes up with a video recording of Pulse playing.

“Hello hello, It’s me! On a recording! So if you’re there, then make way for this challenge’s results!”

“So this race was pretty interesting, wasn’t it? There’s a bunch of different outcomes specifically from Azure’s rockslide somehow, and a lot of head trauma, physical and psychological, haha!”

“So let me shut up now, and present the voting. And here it is!”

Voting Results

“Aaaaand, Claude and Skye won thanks to how their entry works! Dunno how, but hey, it’s fortunate for the both of them.”

“They’re actually fairly spread out this time, so that’s funny. Anyways, let’s get onto the bonus points.”

Pulse’s Bonus Points

“Now, for the bonus points, you are going to be VERY disappointed on my reveal.”

“The challenge was never about the race. Dead last? First? Doesn’t matter. What DOES though, is your kill count!”

“That’s right, remember the encouragement of pushing, shoving, horseplay, ramming & hitting? Well, that’s cuz the more you get, the higher your hit tally. The tallies are then used to determine the placements, which then determine the points.”

“Now first off, some commentary. Some of you immediately went for the finish. Bad. Although I *DID* present this as a race, so…. Good..? Others didn’t even get a single hit, which is sad. Bite back, ladies. Aaanyways…”

“Azure, what you did what like seeing the Mona Lisa in the screen of a broken 240p screen. I could see those points racking up…in another timeline. Here, you did the rockslide too early. If I were you, I would’ve done it ontop of everyone. Valiant attempt though.”

“Brick, you just struck gold but you didn’t bother selling it. Your shield deflects anything right back to where it came from. And I meant that VERY literally. Have you let yourself get hit by those Nulls longer, you would’ve gotten a jackpot. Although getting two hit is better than nothing.”

“Meanwhile, I think I should have never made that card, since Cassandra absolutely abused her knowledge. For that, I’m giving her a small disadvantage on the next challenge.”

Pulse snaps, and a Ball and Chain appears and attaches to a leg.

“There we go~~ Anyways, where was I? Ohhhh yeah right, the bonus points. Here, and show the totals while you’re at it. I have nothing else to say.”

Total Points

“And there you have it! Let’s add those points up.”

“So these are your current scores! Pretty…close. Anyone could overtake anyone at this point.” “As always, your next challenge will be in 3 days. My name is Pulse, and see you next tttTTTtiIiiII—i-Ii-

The Null holding the TV just drops and stomps on it. It then looks at another for a few minutes silently, then leaves.

@lumhere @shaidai @orchuris @itzhosya @missmaydae @alionanight @dragongirl2k6 @acn97414 @mahoganystudios830 @pricklythepearcat @blockheadblog @nacora-najita

[creepswrites]

RED CHRISTMAS | Billy Lenz

this story was one of my favorites to work on that never got as much attention as i had hoped so... here's hoping a rewrite will do it some good! as always, i'll link the original here if you want to go back and see what i've previously done for this story :) jsyk i will likely do something with billy x reader in this universe later if this rewrite does well!!

BILLY LENZ + SORORITY GIRLS

SUMMARY: Her sorority sisters always teased Jess for being an affectionate person. She was sympathetic and cared deeply about people. So seeing Billy cry felt wrong. Like it wasn't something he'd meant to do nor had he in a while, which broke her heart a little. She didn't know his past but if he had nobody looking for him, no idea how he got here, and acted out emotionally then…

Maybe he didn't have anybody at all.

WARNING: child abuse & neglect, graphic violence, talk of abortion

From within the shadows of the messy closet, Billy stood squeezed into the shadows. Green eyes bore holes into Claire Harrison, watching her every move as she packed her bags in preparation to leave for the holidays. Christmas was coming and many of the sorority girls had made plans to leave - Billy knew this, had heard them talking through the floor or on the phones. Sneaking in hadn't been difficult in the first place, not for him anyways. Attic windows were rarely locked. He'd only been here for a few days though, which meant the girls were still unpredictable. But that was fine. He could change that easily.

People were predictable when they were afraid.

His phone call earlier had really rattled them all, especially Claire. He'd been calling the sorority house for a few weeks but only just recently snuck in, a bold move he didn't normally go for. There hadn't been any rhyme or reason to choosing these girls though. Maybe parts of them reminded him of Agnes, of his mother, or of something entirely different. But here they were and here he was.

The little girl in the park had been an accident. Just an accident, he swears. She'd caught him sneaking around and he had to kill her or else he'd get into trouble. Billy didn't want to be in trouble. Mother would get angry and then she'd–

The sound of Claud's meowing had Billy jolting back to the moment, his breath hitching as Claire gravitated closer and closer to his hiding spot in the closet. His heart began to pound as she reached inside to grab one of her many dresses just as he lunged for the girl's throat. The two stumbled to the floor and the force of the landing knocked the wind out of the poor girl and she was knocked out cold. Billy stared at her, feeling his whole body shake as he crawled up her body to examine her face.

Plain but pretty. Brown hair, big sad eyes, and cheeks flushed from exertion. She reminded him of–

Billy sat back on his knees, his hands trembling violently as he buried his face in his hands, fingers sliding up to grip at his hair. Whimpering, he shook violently as he waited for the adrenaline to come down. With still-shaking arms, he lifted her up into his arms like she was something precious and fragile before creeping towards the door.

He could hear the girls downstairs chatting and laughing, which he took as his cue to escape. The attic door had been left open to make his transition easier. Billy was stronger than his lankier appearance let on, making it easy to lift the girl up into the attic and slide the door shut behind his feet.

The attic was dark, dusty, and quiet. Just the way he liked it. The wooden planks on the floor gave him tiny splinters for him to yank out with his teeth, cobwebs covered all the old boxes and props, and the window panes that somehow weren't cracked were cloudy from years without cleaning. It felt just like home.

A sole, wooden rocking chair had been set up by the old window, creaking as the slight draft swayed it back and forth. Billy sat Claire down in the chair, tying her torso and limbs to it. He wrapped a cloth around her mouth to prevent her from screaming if she awoke and did his best to ignore the way his hands shook. She definitely looked like how–

Mama had to be in her usual spot, Billy thought to himself as he began searching for the doll he'd stolen borrowed stolen from the little girl in the park borrowed. Right by the windowsill with Agnes, just like he remembered. Giggling to himself, he set the ratty, bloodstained doll in the girl's lap.

Despite her resemblances, Claire was softer and kinder than his mother had been. He'd heard the way she talked to her friends or her boyfriend. Warm and loving, accurate only to the version of his mother that Billy had invented in his mind. She was always sweet and good to Agnes, he remembered that clearly. He remembered sitting at her feet just like this, watching her rock the baby by the window as the snow fell.

But Billy always made her angry, always in her way somehow. He remembered the way her face would twist and contort whenever he so much as entered the same room as her. As though simply asking to share her space was an insult that Billy could never hope to apologize for. She would scream at him, cursing him for ever being born, and laugh when he began to cry.

She wasn't yelling now, Billy focused back on the little doll. He was in control now. His mother and sister were gone. He was in control now.

"Little baby bumpin', daddy's gone a-huntin', gone to fetch a rabbit skin to wrap his baby Agnes in…" His scratchy voice sang out into the dirty, dusty space. He pushed gently on the chair to rock it slowly and fixed his eyes to wear the girl's shoes scuffed at the floor. Mother never let him look at her, he reminded himself.

Hearing the muffled sounds of voices coming up the stairs, Billy lifted his head slowly. He listened to doors close, likely just the girls disappearing into their rooms, and crept towards the attic door. He knelt to press his ear to it, nervously humming and chittering to himself as he did.

Calling the sorority house had been stupid, Billy hissed in his mind. "Stupid, stupid Billy," he whimpered, banging his head once against the door, wincing when it rattled. He never should have done that, so impulsive and stupid, said Her voice in his head.

"Hello, Peter?" A soft voice trickled through the cracks of the door. Billy froze to listen better. "I just want to talk to you." The girl - Jess, he recognized - was talking to her boyfriend. Peter had only been over to the house once, on Billy's first night there, and he despised the man. So rude and repulsive to look at. Always talked down to the girls and thought himself the smartest in the room always. 

Billy opened the door just a crack to hear better. "Nothing's the matter, I just need to talk to you. In person. It's important." Jess said with a small sigh. Billy didn't need to see her face but he could picture her exhausted eye roll. Barb had been on the receiving end of that look one too many times. But he knew what Jess was talking about.

He'd already heard Jess talk to Phyl about the pregnancy.

A part of him wanted her to get the abortion too. Recalling his own childhood, remembering Agnes' life, he didn't want to see Jess turn into his mother. Though he could stand to see her annoying boyfriend meet his father's demise - dead in a river, body not recovered for three weeks. At that point, he and his mother had been halfway across Canada, away from it all.

Maybe it would do Jess some good to embody his mother just a little bit.

"Peter, it's important!" Jess insisted, frustration now evident in her town. "I'm not telling you over the phone because this needs to be in person, don't you get that?"

Billy didn't feel in his own body as he crept down the ladder, landing on the ugly carpeted floors with a soft thud.

"Peter-!" Billy heard the phone be slammed down as she angrily hung up. He crept towards the banister of the stairs, staying crouched down as he observed Jess wrap her arms around herself. She threw herself against the couch with an exasperated huff. "The nerve of that man…" She grumbled, arms crossed in frustration.

She noticed movement on the stairs and lifted her head, expecting to see one of her sisters.

Both Jess and Billy jolted in surprise when their eyes met. "Oh, are you from the party?" Jess asked, not noticing the way Billy's breathing picked up. "You should head home, it's late." She rubbed her tired eyes for a moment and then paused. "Unless, um, you're keeping one of the girls company?"

Normally she didn't mind whatever boys her sorority sisters invited but something about this guy staring was… honestly creeping her out. He looked dirty and startled but not outwardly dangerous at least. Lord knows they had enough on their plates with The Moaner calling every other night.

Billy hadn't moved nor blinked. She could see him and that made him real… Did she know about Mother in the chair upstairs? Did she know-?

"Hello?" Jess called softly, getting up off the couch and approaching the stairs slowly, like he was a startled animal. Her expression morphed from confusion to concern as Billy just nodded quickly, chewing on chapped lips like he was struggling not to smile.

Surely she knows, Billy whimpered quietly to himself as he began to yank hard on his hair. She's only asking to see if he'll lie and then she'll-

"Do you need help?" Jess's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts and his head snapped to the side to meet her concerned face. She was crouched beside him now, a look of quiet worry to her that reminded Billy of his social worker.

When had she come up the stairs?

"Help." He repeated, mimicking her tone effortlessly.

They both startled at that. Alarm bells were ringing in Jess's mind but she ignored them, reassuring herself that everything was fine. "Do you know where you are?" She asked gently, looking him over for head injuries.

Billy hated that look. He quelled the urge to dig his fingernails into her neck by digging them into the thick fabric of his sweater sleeves instead.

"No." He said through gritted teeth, eyes locked to the floor as he stood up in such a fluid motion that it reminded Jess of a cat.

He wasn't supposed to be found. He hissed, white-knuckling his hair and yanking with a muffled grunt, trying to ground himself. Why had he climbed down, what was he doing, everything was going to be ruined-

Jess shot up to take his wrists, clearly alarmed. "It's alright," she soothed, tugging on his sleeves gently in hopes he'd move his arms with her help. Billy watched her with wide, fearful eyes and it tugged on her heartstrings just how fearful the man looked. "I want to help."

For a second, Billy believed her. Jess seemed kind and concerned for him. His eyes flickered back and forth between her eyes as he let her guide his hands to his sides.

"Do you want something to drink? Maybe sitting down will help." Jess kept her hold on his wrist loose as she guided him down the stairs towards the kitchen, uncaring of the scratchy feeling of the strange man's sweater.

The kitchen wasn't anything phenomenal - plain but useful, currently decorated to the nines for Christmas like the rest of the house. It was a dingy white from years of use and the floor had been smoothed down in patches that were commonly used. The piping was poor and the dishwasher often broke. But it was functional.

Jess busied herself with making hot cocoa as her guest sat down in one of the old dining chairs near the doorway. His eyes bore holes into her in a way that made her skin crawl.

But he was interesting. The green turtleneck he wore reminded her of Peter a bit but the messy, dark brown curls set him apart. Green eyes were slightly obscured by hair and they darted aside whenever she attempted eye contact. He looked like he was covered in dirt and dust, like he'd been crawling through the attic.

Something about him made her feel equal parts sympathetic and afraid.

She sliced into the warm cinnamon coffee cake Barb had made and snagged one of the bountiful candy canes from a nearby jar. They'd been set out for the party but few people had actually taken one. For such a staple of Christmas, they weren't very popular. But Barb's cake was, as there were only a few slices left on the cake tray. She drummed her fingers anxiously while she waited for the hot chocolate to warm up in the microwave. As a last ditch effort, she began humming a soft melody to try and ease her nerves.

His gaze never left her. She could feel it the entire time.

Finally, everything was ready and she brought the assortment of treats to the little dining nook table where her impromptu guest sat, chewing anxiously at his knuckles as she approached. "Here you are," she joined him at the table while setting things down. "We have marshmallows and whipped cream if you want that too. I wasn't sure of your preferences."

Billy gave the food a once-over before deeming it safe. He'd seen her prepare it and it was unlikely that it would have been fed to guests if it was full of rat poison. His stomach churned slightly at the memory of his mother's cooking. So he took the offered fork with a shaking hand and began to dig in like a man starved. Which he was, technically.

Jess, meanwhile, watched with concern as he dug in. "Well, I didn't think Barb's baking was this good." She chuckled nervously. "Do you, um, know your name?" A part of her was very worried the man had some time of head injury or amnesia that was causing him to act this way - wild, out of control, whatever it was. It was too snowy out to take him anywhere but she'd brave the icy streets if this man needed medical care.

He froze and stared at her again though his gaze no longer unsettled her. But he seemed afraid of her, which troubled Jess. "...Billy." He stammered before busying himself with the cake again.

"Billy." She repeated. Billy liked the way her voice sounded - smooth and gentle, like a fireplace that warmed the whole house. "Well, it's nice to meet you Billy. I'm Jess."

Setting the fork down on the now-empty plate, Billy tilted his head curiously. "Jess," he mimicked her voice back.

She startled, giving him an amused smile. "Yes. And- And do you know how you got here, Billy?"

He stared at her blankly for a long, very awkward pause. The only sound was the soft rustling of plastic as Billy unwrapped the candy cane and stuck it in his mouth. "No." Which wasn't a total lie. He didn't know how he got here but he remembered the moment he realized where he was.

Jess nodded along, drumming her fingers again. A nervous tic Billy picked up and began to do as well against his leg beneath the table. Mirroring people was the best way to put them at ease, in his experience. It made him easier to relate to, easier to understand. People didn't look at him as weirdly when he reminded them of themselves.

"I see," Jess said with a troubled look on her face that made Billy's stomach churn. "Well, is there anyone I could call? Someone who may be looking for you?"

Again, his insides churned. "No." His voice was muffled around the candy cane, obscuring the way he mimicked her accent. Smooth, a nice cadence to it. She sounded like some of the ladies in his mother's TV shows from Europe. British, maybe?

Jess frowned and Billy's heart pounded. He'd given the wrong answer, said the wrong thing, now she would-

"Billy!" His mother's shriek grated on his ears. Agnes was sobbing uncontrollably in her arms, a poor two-month-old thing that was barely more than a bundle of blankets.

A twelve-year-old Billy stood in the center of the kitchen, head hung in shame. But his guilty look didn't calm her wrath nor did it earn him sympathy from his stepfather sitting in the living room just a few feet away. "Yes, mother?"

"I told you I don't have time for chores with Agnes around now! So why am I seeing dishes in the sink and a mess on the table?" She spat at him, trying and failing to soothe the wailing baby.

Billy frowned. "I-I didn't know, mother. L-last week you said-"

A harsh slap hit his face in record speed, leaving him whimpering and near tears. "I know damn well I didn't just hear backtalk from you, Lenz. Bane of my damn existence, why the hell can't you be more like your sister?!"

"Because she is a baby." Billy said plainly, keeping his eyes on the floor in a futile attempt to not anger her further.

He didn't know, at the time, that was the wrong thing to say.

"Billy?" Jess's voice shocked his system, making him yelp in surprise when she reached across the table and placed her hand over his. She was looking at him with worry again and it made him want to rip her face apart. "Are you okay?"

Billy lifted his head, blinking slowly. Her face appeared blurry for a moment and it wasn't until he blinked that he felt tears fall down his cheeks. No words came out and he didn't move an inch.

Jess did though. She rose from her chair while still holding his hand and got him to stand. Despite the height difference, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.

The sensation made Billy want to throw up. Voices of his mother shrieked in his head to stab her, be done with her. Jess had clearly seen too much and now she had to be–!

"You can sleep on the couch for the evening," Jess said, unaware of Billy's internal turmoil. "In the morning we can talk about what to do. It's too cold out to think of going anywhere at any rate." She offered him a small smile as she stepped away and back into the living room like nothing had happened.

Her sorority sisters always teased Jess for being an affectionate person. She was sympathetic and cared deeply about people. So seeing Billy cry felt wrong. Like it wasn't something he'd meant to do nor had he in a while, which broke her heart a little. She didn't know his past but if he had nobody looking for him, no idea how he got here, and acted out emotionally then…

Maybe he didn't have anybody at all.

"I'll go grab some blankets and spare pillows from upstairs. Make yourself comfortable!" She called over her shoulder before ascending the stairs towards the little closet at the end of the hall. As she was retrieving the blankets, she felt a cold breeze brush against her and make her shiver. Looking up, she noticed the attic door was open. "Honestly, Barb and Phyll should've shut this when they were done getting decorations," she sighed loudly while closing the door. "We'll all catch colds leaving it open like that."

When she came back downstairs, Billy had made himself comfortable on the couch, staring blankly into the fire and only looking up when she'd called his name. "I brought you things," she said before passing him the aforementioned pillows and blankets. The candy cane was still in his mouth.

The sight was a little ridiculous, she smiled to herself while watching her strange guest make a little pillow and blanket nest in front of the fire with such tired eyes. Yet still so much energy untapped and withheld in them.

She reached out without thinking and brushed a lock of brown hair away from his face, making them both freeze to stare at each other, neither daring to move. Jess cleared her throat. "Um, if you'd like to shower, I may have some spare clothes ups-"

A knock at the door made Billy let out an ear piercing scream, like he'd been stabbed. The candy cane - now sharpened to a fine point - was brandished like a weapon as he stared at the door.

Jess had let out a surprised yelp herself in unison with Billy. "It's alright, it's alright," she soothed immediately while trying to breathe her heart rate back down. "It's probably just some late night carolers." Billy stared at her with a horrified look and she gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll go send them off, don't worry."

When she went to the window to peel back the curtains, she found a very familiar man standing there, only waiting another second before knocking again impatiently. "Peter?" Jess frowned before looking back at the couch. Billy had retreated into the kitchen, now stood tucked behind the doorway like a frightened child. "It's alright, it's just Peter. He won't bother you." Leave it to Peter to show up at the worst times, she thought to herself as she unlocked the door. First he tells her to wait until tomorrow evening and now he's suddenly very interested in what she has to say? Honestly, it felt like he loved that piano more than her sometimes.

After a bit of a jiggle of the tricky handle, it opened. "Jess! Leaving me to freeze out there? After I came all this way?" Peter huffed dramatically, shrugging off his jacket and pushing past Jess into the sorority house like he owned the place.

Jess crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. "I didn't think you'd be coming. After all, you made it quite clear you needed rest for tomorrow."

"Well, you piqued my interest," Peter said with an insincere smile. "'sides, I can't sleep if something's on your mind. What's going on?" He frowned as he took her hands in his, swinging them lightly. Jess could tell when he must've noticed Billy based on the anger on his face. "Who's THIS?"

Jess glanced over her shoulder and Billy now stood in the doorway properly, sharpened candy cane gripped like a knife as he glared the other man down. If looks could kill, Peter would be ash at Jess's feet. "That's Billy," she sighed, "He's from the party we had earlier."

Peter huffed. "So what's he doing downstairs with you all alone?" His concern was grating and Jess just shut her eyes to mask her exasperation. "Jess, sweetie, if this man's bothering you, just say the word and I'll-"

"Pig bitch." Billy grumbled under his breath, barely audible.

But Peter spun on him instantly. "What did you say?"

"Nasty, filthy, PIGGY BITCH!" Billy shrieked at Peter before stuffing the candy cane back in his own mouth and retreating into the kitchen, clicking off the light to hide in the darkness.

Peter's threats were like white noise as Jess stared into the darkness of the kitchen. That voice. That phrase. Only one person she knew said that. The Moaner. The horrible, awful Moaner on the phone who had been calling them almost nonstop and he was in their house. Had been in the house for who knows how long. And she'd fed him and offered to let him spend the night?!

She felt like she was going to faint.

"Jess, do you need me to kick this guy out for you?" Peter looked down at her, horrified. "This guy's a psycho, clearly. Which one of your sisters even invited him?"

None. Because he wasn't a guest. But Jess didn't say that.

But now she had a choice to make: tell Peter about the phone calls, the Moaner, and how for the past week Billy had been calling their house and disturbing them all with his snorting and screaming and sexual innuendos. Or. Or she could tell him about the baby. Ignore Billy's antics for now and tell him she wasn't keeping the baby.

Jess took a slow, deep breath before taking a seat on the couch and continued weighing her options. If she said something about Billy, Peter may try to pick a fight with him. A fight she was uncertain he'd win. Her boyfriend wasn't exactly scrawny but if Billy intended to make good on his promise of killing them, then she wasn't sure about his odds. But something about Billy felt like a walking contradiction of himself at every turn. He screamed about how 'nasty' they all were yet cowards in fear when Jess offered him food. He yells bloody murder at a knock on the door but squeals like a pig over the phone.

The psychology major in her was suffocating her to learn more. It was like the perfect opportunity had fallen into her lap and she needed answers. Billy came here for a reason, surely, and he didn't seem intent on killing them. Was it a cry for help? Something more?

She had to know.

So Jess steeled herself and let out the breath she'd been holding. "I'm pregnant."

Peter's eyes went wide for a moment before a delighted grin spread on his face, making Jess's stomach sink. "Well, Jess, that's wonderful!" 

She shook her head. "No, it's not. I don't want it, Peter." She'd been afraid of this reaction, silently hoping he'd be as opposed to having it as she was. "I'm planning on getting an abortion soon."

Peter stared at her like she'd grown two heads. "What?"

Her arms crossed over her chest in attempts to mask how bad she was shaking. "I'm not keeping it."

A painfully long silence passed as Peter joined her on the couch, staring her down with a scornful look. "Jess," he said, voice eerily calm, "Listen to me very carefully. You are not going to abort that baby."

Jess turned to him with wide eyes. "Excuse me?"

"We'll get married and you'll keep the baby. It'll be perfect!" Peter smiled like he'd come up with the perfect answer. But all Jess felt was nausea.

"Peter, I don't want that. I have things I want to do, a degree I intend to earn, and things I want to do with my life. I don't want to play housewife for you with a baby I don't want and put all my plans aside." When she stood up to walk away, Peter grabbed her wrist tight. "Let me go-!"

"No, listen to me!" Peter practically snarled, voice oozing with malice as he glared her down. "You don't get to decide-"

"SHUT UP!" A shrill voice called from within the kitchen. It was the only warning before a glass cup smashed into the side of Peter's head, breaking into shards that scratched his cheek as they fell like a waterfall to the carpeted floor beneath their feet. Billy stumbled out from the darkness armed once again with the candy cane. He started babbling nonsense, running his hands through his hair and grinding his teeth as meaningless words fell from his mouth. "Shut your NASTY, disgusting, greedy mouth!" Billy hissed as he clutched the makeshift knife, growling like an animal as he tried to hold himself back.

He wanted Peter dead. Nasty, stupid Peter who wanted to ruin a poor girl's life with a disgusting, ugly brat. A mistake, a burden, another Billy Lenz.

Peter recoiled with a cry, clutching his face as blood oozed down his cheek. Jess checked him over for any other injuries before turning to Billy. "Billy, stop, you don't have to-!"

She didn't get the chance to say anything more, since Billy interrupted her with another eat-splitting shriek before he bolted for one of the throw pillows and began to stab into it with the candy cane over and over. Feathers flew everywhere and tears streamed down his face nonstop. He grit his teeth to keep himself from sobbing.

…

"Billy, don't!" His mother pleaded and sobbed as he struggled with her on the floor, rolling in the wrapping paper and ribbons that had been tossed aside once the gift was unwrapped. Blood already began dripping on the carpet from Billy's hands, staining the soft beige a dark red. "Billy, sweetie, it's alright-!"

Her hands were futile to stop him. He was clever now, sixteen this time and unable to stop his own crying. It wasn't his fault. She let out a grunt as Billy pressed the sharp tip of the candy cane closer and closer to her face. It wasn't his fault. Her gasp of horror as it hovered over her eyeball. It wasn't his fault. He closed his eyes and, with a bloody squelch and a cry of agony, he dug the candy cane into her skull. Hot blood got everywhere as it fountained out almost comically as her eyeball burst. 

When she stopped gurgling, he stumbled towards the kitchen to grab the frying pan, tossing aside the eggs and bacon that had been cooking on it just before he'd slammed his stepfather's face onto the hot stove. He limped back to the living room and stared the woman down with a deadpan face. She looked crumpled and ruined, like a bloody rag that hadn't been washed.

He raised the pan over his head like a baseball bat and swung down.

…

"Billy!" Jess called out, wrapping her arms around his chest and pulling him away with a groan. "Billy, what's gotten into you?"

"He's a psycho, Jess!" Peter screamed, still clutching the cuts on his cheek. They weren't thick, more just grazed than anything, which was lucky. "He's a psycho and he's going to kill you!"

Billy flailed around, dropping the candy cane in the fray. "Stupid, ugly, DISGUSTING Billy!" He shrieked out in a high, nasally voice while trying to shake out of Jess's hold as she dragged him across the floor. His sobs wracked his body and made it hard to fight back.

Jess shook her head, lost in her confusion. She acted on instinct, kneeling beside Billy and pulling him in for a hug, letting him wail on her back with his fists and alternating between biting at her shoulder and trying to scratch at her. This, shockingly, wasn't new to her. She'd volunteered at a few special needs schools before and had worked an internship at a nearby hospital. This type of behavior made everything click in her head about how to help.

So she stayed there, running gentle fingers through matted hair and shushing him. "Easy, easy, it's okay," she soothed gently.

"Jess. the hell are you doing?! Get away from this guy, let's call the cops!" Peter roared and making Jess flinch.

"No, it's okay," she insisted, still holding onto Billy as he wailed on her. "It's okay Billy, you're okay now. Everything is going to be alright." She repeated over and over, smiling as the man began to settle in her arms, whimpering and sniffling.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Peter whispered in horror as Jess continued to pet him.

She really, truly, did not know.

…

"I'm pregnant!" Constance Lenz beamed at her boyfriend with all the joy of a little girl on Christmas. She and her boyfriend had been trying for ages now to have a child and finally they were successful. "The Lord wills it, blessing us with our own baby." She'd cooed, already fawning over her barely-showing stomach.

Meanwhile, the little eleven year old boy remained tucked away in the attic, ear pressed to the floor as his mother gushed about the existence of her first baby.

Her previous husband - Billy's father - had died of a "heart attack" not long after Billy turned six and the two had moved far away to "get away from the bad memories," or so his mother said. As if Billy hadn't been in the room, weeping as she smothered his father to death and fled to Canada in the night. 

At first, Billy hated her and the incoming baby. Yet another sign that he wasn't wanted, just a roadblock in her life that she'd remove one day like she'd removed his father.

But Agnes had been precious. Small and fussy and Billy had been enamored with her immediately. He began the risky move of sneaking out of the attic just to go visit her, careful of his dirty, splintered hands and dusty clothes. He'd sneak food and water and visits to his baby sister while she slept peacefully in her crib.

Mother insisted Billy stay away from her. "She's too good for you," she'd hiss whenever Billy was summoned to do chores while Agnes napped. "You'd be wise to make sure she never has to see your ugly face."

For years, Billy suffered the abuse while watching Agnes grow up loved and looked after. She had birthday parties and family vacations while Billy had spiders and cold winters.

One Christmas morning when Agnes had been five years old, Billy had had enough.

Of course, she'd never met him before. But he knew her. He watched her while she slept from inside her closet or from the cracks in the attic floor like a protective guardian and was so, so attached to her. She flourished while he suffered and his adoration of her made it all worth it.

He was completely forgotten now. Stripped of personhood, just a memory his mother had locked in the closet. By the time Agnes had been three she stopped even calling Billy down for things. It was like he wasn't there at all. Two years of isolation and neglect and it all finally snapped.

So there he was. Sixteen and staring down at his kid sister as she played with her toys by the Christmas tree. Their mother lay dead amongst the wrapping paper with her skull smashed to bits by the frying pan that lay cast aside. Her father sizzled away on the stove as he bled out from his neck, which Billy had jabbed with a candy cane before going to town on his back with knives.

Billy stared, his own hands still wet with blood when he approached her on shaking legs, trailing blood behind him while she played with pretty, frilly dolls.

Agnes looked up at him with a soft, youthful face that screwed up in confusion. She wouldn't recognize him, he knew that. Even if it made him want to stab her along with them all.

"Little baby bumpin', daddy's gone a-huntin', gone to fetch a rabbit skin, to wrap his baby Agnes in," he sang quietly while lifting her up into his arms, staining her little white dress with red-pink streaks. He took a seat in their mother's rocking chair with a manic little giggle, like he was breaking a rule by sitting there.

Agnes just slumped against him, still fiddling with her doll's hair. 

Billy stared ahead at nothing, just repeating the lullaby over and over. Tears fell silently down his cheeks as he clung to his baby sister like a lifeline.

The police found them like that. Cuddled together by the Christmas tree like it was a perfectly normal morning. "Agnes," Billy whispered in her ear as the police drew their guns, "Don't tell them what we did, Agnes."

...

Billy came back to the present moment to the soft sounds of Jess humming and stroking his hair in a nervous motion. He lifted his head and stared at her with bleary eyes. "Billy?" She asked when he finally looked at her. "Are you feeling better?"

He didn't say anything. Just slumped back down on her shoulder and bit hard into the thick wool of her sweater vest. "Mm-mm." Billy grunted.

"What did you say?" She asked, keeping her voice light.

"Agnes," Billy choked back another cry. His frantic babbling started up again but Jess was quick to soothe it down. "Little baby bumpin'..." Billy cooed quietly to himself.

"He's insane, Jess." Peter said unhelpfully. "Listen, I'm gonna call the cops and they can ship him back off to whatever asylum he came from." He scoffed as he looked down at the pair on the floor. "Lock him up and throw away the key as far as I'm concerned."

Billy's head shot up. "No!" He shrieked, turning to Jess with fearful eyes. "No! No! No!" He fought against Peter, who grabbed his shoulder to drag him away from his girlfriend.

"Peter-!" Jess protested, stumbling to stand to try and stop him.

Then, like angels descending upon them all, Barb and Phyllis came downstairs, still dressed in their nightgowns. Their mouths fell open in shock as they watched Peter and Billy wrestle to the floor and Jess dart over to stop Billy from absolutely wailing on him. "We, uh," Barb swallowed, "We interruptin' anything?"

Jess let out a sigh as she, once again, pulled Billy away. "I- See, it's-"

"Jess," Peter shot out before she could speak, "Is trying to play mother hen to this psycho!"

Barb looked Billy over with a thoughtful look before shrugging. "Eh, I dunno, any enemy of Peter's a friend of mine."

Exhaustion swept over Jess. What a world where the Moaner was in tears in her arms as she tried to keep him from beating up Peter like she was scruffing a misbehaving cat.

"Jess, what's going on?" Phyll, ever the voice of reason, piped up from beside Barb.

It was going to be a very, very long night.

[cliozaur]

Here comes the story of the mysterious ex-convict Jean Valjean. If I had to compile the top three saddest episodes involving Jean Valjean, this one would definitely be among them. His story includes another example of touching sibling relationships, where they take turns taking care of each other. His sister’s story is another illustration of the harmful outcome of society’s insistence on women’s absolute dependence on men (and the absence of birth control: seven children in just eight years!)

Valjean’s care for his sister’s children—the way he doesn’t mind giving the best pieces of his food to them, the way he pays for the milk to cover up their trick, etc.—foreshadows him being a good caregiver to Cosette. And the most heartbreaking part of this chapter:

he wept, his tears stifled him, they impeded his speech; he only managed to say from time to time, “I was a tree-pruner at Faverolles.” Then still sobbing, he raised his right hand and lowered it gradually seven times, as though he were touching in succession seven heads of unequal heights, and from this gesture it was divined that the thing which he had done, whatever it was, he had done for the sake of clothing and nourishing seven little children.

The court, not seeing the need to provide for a big family as a mitigating circumstance, forever imposed this attitude on Valjean, who will never even mention mitigating circumstances concerning this or other episodes of his life. “There occur formidable hours in our civilization; there are moments when the penal laws decree a shipwreck. What an ominous minute is that in which society draws back and consummates the irreparable abandonment of a sentient being!” Another similar case was that of Claude Gaux, which Hugo knew too well and mentioned in his short digression.

Valjean’s poaching is mentioned! It is a very important reference for the barricade section of the book, don’t forget about it. Concerning poaching, I would like to add that this “crime” only existed because of the unfair expropriation of forests by lords.

“Jean Valjean had entered the galleys sobbing and shuddering; he emerged impassive. He had entered in despair; he emerged gloomy.” That’s a sad summary of what happened to Valjean after he lost and made himself forget his family.

[plague-of-insomnia]

Six-Sentence Sunday: Synchronize AU, Ch 5 Snippet

I’m close to wrapping up the next chapter of Synch, finally, so thought I would share a little snippet here. Enjoy.

“Come in, come in, I think I have it somewhere…”

Agni entered, shutting the door behind him. This was his first time in Tanaka’s room, which was about the size of his own, apparently also with its own en-suite bathroom. The walls were covered in modern art canvases and various framed photos, the antithesis of Sebastian’s barren and undecorated room.

A large altar cabinet dominated one corner. Inside, a small buddist statue and incense holders sat on a shelf, along with an urn and several photographs.

One was of an strinkingly handsome dark-haired man alone. Another, of that same man with a significantly younger Tanaka, two elementary-age boys standing in front of them. Each man had their hand on one of the boys’ shoulders, their free arms around each other. One boy was smiling; he had long hair and piercing eyes that almost appeared red in the lighting. The other was scowling, glasses perched on his nose.

Tanaka noticed Agni staring and paused his search through a filing cabinet beside his desk to pluck the photo from its shelf and hand it to the nurse so he could get a better look. His smile was fond, but his eyes were sad. “That’s Vincent, Sebastian and Claude’s father.”

Agni hesitated before risking, “You loved him.”

Tanaka’s smile grew broader, but more bittersweet. “Yes.”

“He was very attractive.”

“The best looking man I had ever seen. And charming. And talented. Everyone who met him was drawn to him. He just had that certain something. He was magnetic.” Tanaka signed and took the frame back, staring down at it for a moment. “The twins were only ten when he died.” He swallowed thickly and replaced the photo in its spot. “Almost twenty-five years have passed, and sometimes I still expect to hear his voice.”

Agni cradled his right shoulder, palm resting over where his Kali tattoo was hidden beneath his scrub top. “Sometimes, I think the ones we love and lose never really leave us.”

Read Ch 1-4 of Synchronize on AO3

[dennydraws]

Good Morning! Happy start of the week!

September is almost over! But also spookiest month is coming! :D I was always sad as a kid that my country wasn't celebrating Halloween. Now kids do it more often while boomer parents yap how this isn't Bulgarian/Orthodox Christian holiday or something... Ya all need to leave the kids have fun and do kids things and enjoy being spooky and getting candy! I love preparing candy for trick or treaters!

I'm glad kids are having more fun and my generation seems more chill about these things.

October, october, october~!! I look forward to binge watching spooky movies, spooky series, bake cinnamon rolls, start inktober and agonize as I fall behind it ... :D;;; Speaking of, with how October tends to be, I may skip a chapter update at some point of my "The Snake, The Firebrand and The King of All" comic (update later today btw! Please look forward to it!). I think I'm keeping a good pace so far. I just know October gets crazy at work and between that and attempting Inktober, on top of... attempting to juggle FanFyria updates too... it may get crazy! But if it does, I will drop something instead of trying to be a hero and juggle everything xD;;

Sun Haven, Sun Haven~ That game is seriously enabling some kinda fang/claws aesthetic I'm super into and never realized until now lol We tried multiplayer with friends yesterday and it was pretty fun! Nothing broke (too much) yet :D;; We accidentally got ... God and his 3 angels (or Ary's whole family as we joke now!) I hope I get to draw them too eventually! Thank you for all who followed me for my Aryllin x Claude arts, I may do more in the future as I have ideas™ but also October may be too busy for that... but I hope you will enjoy other arts I show here too! :D;;;

Sun Haven Art Trades? I love art trades! Doing one with a friend now but if anyone is interested, hit me up ~ :D But it will have to wait for November at this point lol;;;;

Original Character (don't steal) ™ I've been scribbling Reciferius a lot lately, you guys remember him? :D;; he won the OC poll way back! I drew him recently, kinda keep scribbling him again on the side. Still not sure what to do with him, or in what world setting I can stuff him but... well anyway he has fangs now cause apparently it's "fangs n claws season" in my head!

I hope I get to finish this WIP eventually this week, I'm really happy at the vibe I got :D

And that's all~! I hope you have a great start of the week, dear reader! I hope the month of September was kind to you and brought you new dear memories for your life's album. I hope October brings you warm fuzzies and inspiration for everything you pick to do!

[rain-nap-write]

I’m gonna set this idea here and maybe come back to it, maybe not. I don’t know how to make it short, so it would probably be long and I don’t know how motivated I am for that LMAO, I am still working on that Claude one! Anyhow, here’s an idea for a totk link x reader! (It’s kind of long). I like to come up with scenarios in my head when I listen to music, and this was one :)

Ok so,

In the events (early) of breath of the wild, you’re part of the yiga clan, but you’ve been having doubts because most of the continent is afraid of you. Trouble is, you’ve been there your whole life, you’re one of their important fighters, and the blood moon resets nature.

You were technically involved with the recent events between the yiga and shieka, but you and (can’t remember his name but the guy in kakariko who has two kids and left the yiga) we’re in kahoots, and you did everything you could to protect his wife. She knew that, and urged you to stay quiet to protect yourself. This was another thing driving you away from the yiga. But how were you supposed to abandon everything, where would you even go? You loved these folks and you didn’t think the shieka would accept that you had a change of heart, even if (the dude’s name) vouched for you. That might even get him in trouble!

So for now, you’ll stick it out.

When link first gets off the Great Plateau, he has an encounter with you. You beat him and he’s not really fighting you back, so when you’re over him and hoisting a weapon to lodge in his throat, your hesitancy that has built through the battle finally takes hold. You’re kinda like, “Wtf?? Why aren’t you fighting back??” He answer back like a, “I want to help people, not hurt them.”

After that, you can’t really find it in your heart to kill him. You even give him some healing potions and take him to dueling peaks stable (in disguise) and point him towards kakariko. Tbh you’re kind of worried about him.

The next time you’re sent to fight him, he’s on his way to zoras domain to take on the divine beast and you pop out of the sky. You didn’t now it was him, since you were just sent after a guy sparking some Link rumors among the yiga. You also didn’t know that you popped up between him and a battle between a monster encampment. Taken off guard, you were struck from behind, but you fended them off the best you could, given that you are on the verge of a blackout. Link helps you and gives you some healing stuff this time. He asks you if you’re going to hurt him (he recognizes a mark on your mask) and stares at you, waiting for an answer. After thinking about what to do, you answer no.

You even decide to help him. While you’re not ready to drop everything and join him (yet) you will make him a charmed necklace. You make it, and let him know that it will ward off the tracking of the yiga, honing that knowledge, and if he’s in danger or not, to you alone so you can come when he needs. (He’s gotta hide it, so that if the yiga in disguise catch him, they won’t catch on).

He finds out after he reaches the Zoe as domain, that if he thinks about you really hard, you’ll be summoned. You think he’s in danger, so you get kind of annoyed when he does this (he does it a lot on his way to the next divine beast, he is lonely and sad. Plus, you’re kind to him. Even though you get super annoyed bc you never know if you’re about to get hit or watch him roll around in the grass or smth).

At some point before the second divine beast, he stops in a field of dandelions and thinks about you really hard, wanting you to enjoy it too :) Of course, you pop up and start your little half hearted annoyed rant, but you stop when you notice him. He’s just been looking at you with the sweetest smile on his face, even though you’ve been kind of upset (not really, you love when he calls and he is very smug about knowing this). It literally makes your heart ache.

You tell him that you want to join him, and leave the yiga (but if he goes to kakariko, you’ll be at dueling peaks (until you eventually reconcile) shaking in your boots). Link is so happy, you think you’re going to have a heart attack. You tell him you’ll be back by night, you’ve gotta get your belongings and make sure it’s untraceable, maybe fake your death. He’s got a smile from ear to ear and he’s excited to have you along, nearly tearing up as you teleport away.

Little did you know you would not have to try faking your death, as you’re getting jumped by the yiga as soon as your sigils show up. Everyone is acting weird and so you decide sooner rather than later, and grab your stuff because your spider senses are tingling. At that point, you notice something’s about to go down and you’re sprinting for the entrance. You don’t want to fight these folks, they’re your family. Or, they once were, years ago. Anyhow, you’re dodging left and right until you’re in the lil canyon spot and get confronted by kohga and a bunch of blade masters. You take them on, but you’re pretty wounded bc a bunch of more advanced foot soldiers had also caught up.

You do your best to get their unconscious selves next to a fire in the canyon because the sun is going down, and you can name these people (you don’t want them hurt). You drag yourself to the bazaar and they help you heal up, a few of them saw the fight and were grateful (not knowing the story) and you return to Link.

Link was taking down a lynel, trying to build back up his skills after struggling with the polymus one. He spots your sigils and gets a little freaked out because of the situation you’re all about to be in (even more freaked out when he catches the state you’re in). You help him out a little, as best you can, and he’s making sure you don’t take more damage (while being careful himself. he only earned a scratch, which you fixed up).

You share a heart to heart, and it’s kinda romancy. You share a bunch of those throughout the botw events, and heartwarming moments. Also several “oh no! One bed!” Moments. But you don’t get together until after Zelda is safe. Link is a sap but he’s got goals (I say as he was romancing you the whole way).

ANYHOW, TEARS OF THE KINGDOM! SO,

Y’all are adventuring the castle, and the Gannon event starts happening. You’re sprinting for Zelda and grab her hand, but you’re both shoved off by Gannon attacking Link. As you’re falling you squeeze Zelda close to you and are getting ready to pull out a glider or teleport, when y’all are pulled back in time.

You’re kind of there protecting Zelda (in link’s place instead of beside him 😔). The day the memory happens where Sonia is got by gannondorf, you happen to catch him just before he gets there. You’re strong and skilled, but you’re no triforce wielder, and you don’t have the sword. But, he sees potential in your strength, and sees the magic that you possess (yiga stuffs), so he’s holding you by the throat and goes to the spot behind Sonia. You can’t even brush your feet on the floor, and you’re helpless as it happens. Zelda is trying to figure out what to do, because you’re held hostage, but Sonia needs immediate assistance. You’re waving at her to shoo her away, signaling that you’re ok (not true lmao). So, when rauru comes, they make their escape. (POV: Link watching in absolute horror)

Gannondorf drags you to wherever the chasm is and figures he can use you as an amplifying power source (like a horcrux prism or smth). He uses the tear on you to kind of make you suspended in his malice in an everlasting state of giving and taking power from you. You are where most of the never ending malice comes from, even while he’s sapped dry, for him and the other gannons. (It’s kind of like when aang is in that water monster thing, but gone completely wrong). But because of this, you are able to be mindless through eons of time (took inspiration from the Zelda dragon).

On his way to the second or third sage, Link is exploring a chasm from a well in some ruins (pretty close to the korok forest maybe?) and comes across a being of malice chained to the floor. It had been shunned by the light for all of these years, stuck in the darkness far underground. It put him on the verge of tears to look at it, but he wasn’t fully sure why. Maybe a part of him knows that this is where you ended up. The dark to contrast Zelda’s light.

As he’s fighting you in malice and chains, he’s created an opening. It is one that the malice flowing out of you is quickly trying to cover, but not quick enough. Link got you out of the being that was suspending you. a cord of the malice was still attached, and with watery eyes, he quickly separates it from you using the sword of light. With bated breath, the hero checks for signs of you being alive, and upon confirmation begins sobbing. The tears that had welled up were cascading freely down his cheeks as he cradled you close to him. Much of the malice surrounding y’all (along with your malice suit) and in the chasm, and some in the overworld, is gone now.

All these months, he felt he had been staving off insanity. He went from living a mostly normal life, surrounded by the love of friends and of you, to being completely alone, fighting for ghosts of the past and the future in the blink of an eye. He had seen you through Zelda’s memory, watching as you and the others no longer partook in those, one by one. He longed to see the both of you again. Link begged to embrace you in his arms night after night.

Finally, here you were.

Link stopped everything when he felt a hand on his cheek, softly brushing the tears away. He looked down at you, and only began to cry harder. You were crying too now, as you fully embrace him.

The two of you then go on the adventure to save Zelda again :) it would def have bits of romance, but I fear writing it would be repetitive (only because it’s me. If someone else did it, it would probably be fine. I think maybe I would have to make it after he has the sages, then he gains you and fights Gannon. Maybe even after he saves Zelda!)

[blueiight]

i never really understood the pearl clutching wrt to claudia wanting to have sex. louis was experimenting with boys but he's scandalised that claudia at over 18 is interested in sex. did he really think they froze everything when they turned her? like the minute she asked about love between two men, louis should have known she was growing up.

also lestat knew exactly what he was triggering taking her to lover's lane. and i think he knew what would follow with claudia's sexuality awakening.

i think clauds asking lou about love between two men wasnt so much about her tryna understand her own sexuality but moreso the fact that lxl were prolly the first gay relationship shes ever seen in her life beforehand. cuz before that scene shes writing ‘they have a funny way of being nice with eachother’ and shes looking at lestat’s hand on louis shoulder. louis is pretty clear about wanting claudia bc he couldnt have children, bc he lost his family, whereas lestat sees claudia as a means to keep louis but grows to see her as his child too. mutual babytrap gone terribly wrong. but ur definitely onto something with how lestat takes claudia to hunt at lover’s lane..

les is giving “back in my day, when u reached 14 u understood sexual innuendos” here lol. lestat & louis engorge claudia with luxurious items on their terms: giving her a diary, clothing, scraps of sentiment, and the knowledge of the hunt. an adolescent vampire possesses a reduced level of impulse control, and she shows such, her reactions are beyond control of what lestat + louis terms are even when shes mentally closer to a child in the beginning of her arc. she ends up gorging herself on flesh, to where lestat & louis come under heightened scrutiny bc of it.

now whether u mean fans or lxl characters ‘pearl clutching’, idk but it serves well to why lestat and louis have different reasons for wanting claudia to remain their child, even at the expense of her wants and desires.. if u mean fans i think its bc the costuming/acting on bass’s end suggest claudia in ep4 occupies far more of a childlike role bc she is still mentally young for some parts of the episode. her childish perspective girds our viewpoint in some parts, with the camera at lower angles, fantastical scenes of bones and flesh sticking out when the police inspect the townhouse that logically, could not have been there, the soundtrack even sounds childish if that makes sense. even tho she ages from 14-21 years old in this ep, she is living her second [or first, really] act of childhood. but at some point the ‘child’ wants to be free of their ‘parents’ terms and conditions.

u have a p clear violation of her boundaries when lestat and louis read thru her diary in an attempt to ascertain where she kept the bodies, but theyre also trying to read ‘their’ creation bc shes starting to explore a sense of self outside of being ‘their’ child.

and that sense of ‘self’ includes also, a sexual self. charlie even says he cant believe claudia is a young woman [19 is the age she is at the time they meet?] bc of how young she looks. her killing charlie in a lust filled craze, lestat making her watch him burn, leads claudia to asking what her lot in life will be. why cant she have her lestat, her louis? she fails to make companions bc of her incomplete physical maturation as an adolescent and her weakness at the time as a vampire, killing any companion she tries to make. and its truly a sad lot in life to where creeps & freaks interested in perpetual adolescence/youth r what claudia feels is her only chance at a romantic, much less, sex life.

[bi-leth-eisner]

I know this ain't a discourse place but there's a trend I've noticed in the 3..H fandom that I think needs a bit of a vent/discussion.

We've seen how the fandom engages in bi-erasure by claiming bisexual characters like YKB, Dorothea, Mercedes, etc are lesbians, but there's another uncomfortable bi-erasure that I've noticed: the bi-racial erasure.

I've seen this when it comes to Byleth and Claude especially: people supporting Byleth rejecting their Nabatean/Goddess heritage and embracing humanity in C///////F and then framing it as them "rejecting their destiny". And likewise people wishing Claude would reject their Fodlan side and fully embrace their Almyran heritage or even wish that he was full Almryan along with wanting to change his eye color.

It goes without saying this type of mindset is disgusting and to see the fandom embrace this almost unironically is just sad.

the bisexual erasure just makes me sad, don’t get me wrong. like, as a bisexual person, it just sorta hurts after a while. but the more pressing issue, to me at least... the race stuff. (i’d just like to preface that i am not mixed - fully Inuk, rather - but holy shit it’s still fucking racist to say “i wish this character wasn’t mixed race” even if they would go from half-poc-half-white to fully a poc)

i’ve said it already, but i won’t stop until it’s heard: i’m just gonna assume you’re actually straight up just racist if you think the Nabateans need to die because they aren’t seen as human, or aren’t human enough for you.

Byleth being half mortal, half Nabatean, but not “fully human” until they’re rid of their Nabatean half according to these See Eff people really discomforts me. why is someone of the race that founded the Empire, which split off into the entire continent of Fódlan (and therefore has been there from the very start,) only seen as a heartless beast? and why are people who are even just associated with her to blame as well? they’ve gone into hiding (their identities at least) so their bones wouldn’t be harvested like the rest of their race, their home was essentially made entirely unsafe for them for a thousand years. put yourself in their shoes. imagine having to hide who you really are so you wouldn’t be killed like your loved ones were. imagine never being able to see them again and being constantly reminded of their deaths because of the Crests - which is their blood - and the Relics - their bones, which are STILL MOVING. they’re just trying to survive after tragedy after tragedy that befell them. their goal isn’t to Rule Over Humanity, they want their goddess back, because maybe she’ll be able to make everything better. their world fell to ruin as she was killed, after all. i won’t go into why this is important for me (i’ve done so once already,) but i’m tired of people seeing Ms. Emperor dehumanising the Nabateans as a “good thing, actually.” it’s fucking not. it can make real life people who relate to them for whatever reason feel unsafe.

which brings us to Byleth “defying their destiny.” Sothis is gone after she fuses with Byleth and there’s no way to ever get her back again. the story cannot progress until Sothis is gone for good. Sothis was never meant to come back. Byleth’s destiny to be the goddess reincarnated was broken right then and there, since they’re unable to do much other than do what Sothis granted them: turning back time, of which use is very limited. they do not have the power to raise or entirely tear apart land or sea or sky or anything of the sort. so what they do afterwards is wholly up to them. (i’m of the firm belief that See Eff isn’t canon at all here.)

Rhea comes to accept that Byleth isn’t Sothis, nor will they ever be (in Silver Snow, which i see as the most canon route.) she knows then that Byleth is their own person. so their life is up to them, not some destiny.

and some people wanting Claude to be fully Almyran is something i can certainly understand, however... forgive me, i’m not a Claude expert by any means, but... isn’t him being mixed race a huge and important part of his character and route? him wanting everyone on BOTH sides of his family to accept each other instead of needlessly fighting each other? wanting to fix relations with each other and everyone else? his Fódlan half is just as important, for lack of a better word, as his Almyran half...

[bambeebirdie]

I don’t fully know how to explain this but I’m gonna try. Why can’t more shows (somewhat) totally change plot between seasons? I genuinely think they’d benefit greatly if they did this. Here are just some examples and my pitches because I genuinely don’t know how to fully explain this without them:

The mandalorian I think would be a lot better if every season he got a new job instead of every season revolving around baby yoda. Season one is baby yoda and season two he’s got to escort some princess or maybe give him a season where he has to find a guy for someone else and he’s traveling with the person who hired him. Or give him a season where he’s gotta murder someone. He is a mercenary just give him all kinds of jobs. I just find baby yoda kind of annoying and he so obviously only exists to sell toys. I only started watching that show for the mandalorian because I love mandalorians but I feel like it’s really just the baby yoda show. Imagine how many more characters you could introduce if you actually gave him different jobs. The show would just be significantly improved imo.

My second example is black butler. I technically never finished this show because I was watching it on Netflix and Netflix removed the other seasons and I just never went back to finish the show. So maybe the rest of the show is fine but I haven’t seen it. Anyways! When I started season two I thought they had just killed Ciel and Claude was Sebastian just with a new master. And can you just take a second to think about how cool that would be?? You spend an entire season thinking this one guy was the main character and then you see his arc come to a close and he dies. So you start season two a bit confused only to see that actual that the guy who you thought was the main character isn’t! It’s actually the demon he has a contract with! So the show just continues with a new master and a slightly different plot. And while I understand not doing that because it’s sad when characters die but I just feel like the vibes of any season after one would be immaculate. Because the show tells you what will happen to his masters but now you actually get to really see it. Maybe even multiple times in a season. I don’t have any major suggestions to this plot wise unlike the mandalorian (I could suggest a lot more for that one) but I just think if the series slowly started to focus more on all the fantasy elements and other characters reactions to all this intense fantasy stuff it would be really cool.

I need more shows who aren’t scared to completely change formulas after a season. Not all shows can do this but the ones that could definitely should because it would be great to see. As long as enough stays the same some major formula shakeup would be cool since so few shows can make a show that does that.

If you want an example of a show that does do this look no further than Infinity Train. The setting remains mostly the same while basically everything else changes. New cast and new problems, but it’s all still infinity train and it all still works.

[pof203]

A Summoner Birthday

Special Quest: Claude

So, this is the world the Crafter and the Night Fairy created. I can see why this would be a perfect place for your birthday.

I'm glad you like it here. I never pegged you as someone who's interested in fairytales.

Claude: (laughing) You'd be surprised what kind of things we're into.

You and Claude came to the virtual fairytale world to spend the day together.

Claude: We would like to see that castle. The one you pricked your finger and fell asleep.

Lupin: I know what you're talking about. I know a short cut.

So, you and Claude leave for the castle of the sleeping princess.

After getting passed the castle obstacles, you and Claude make it to the room where you were just sleeping.

Claude: So, this is the room where it happened.

Lupin: That's right.

Claude: You pricked your finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fell asleep.

Lupin: Again, right.

Claude: Then, Wakan Tanka kissed you and you awoke. That was a pretty daring move you made here.

Lupin: We had to. We needed to find the breaker.

Claude: Is the breaker still here?

Lupin: No. After we rebooted this world, Kurogane deleted them and made it so only one is needed. I don't know where he hid it, but I trust him.

Claude: We trust him, too.

Claude looks at the bed longingly and a bit sad.

Lupin: What is it?

Claude: We're just sad... We wish we were the one to wake you with a kiss.

Lupin: That's what you're thinking?

Claude: If only we didn't had that meeting, we would have gone with you that time for your birthday... We love you just as much as Wakan Tanka does.

Lupin: Me and Wakan love you, too, Claude. We all do. Even Oniwaka, though it's a bit shaky, still.

Claude: We know. Thank you for reminding us.

You look at the bed... You have an idea.

Lupin: I think I know what can cheer you up.

Claude: (puzzled) What?

You get on the bed. Claude is blushing.

Lupin: We can... pretend.

Claude: (surprised) What?

Lupin: Let's reenact that scene. I'll pretend to be under the sleeping spell and you come to wake me with a kiss.

Claude: (smiling) That sounds like a good idea. I'll go outside and wait. When you're ready, let me know.

Lupin: Okay.

Claude goes out the door.

Lupin: (acting) Oh no! I've pricked my finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, just like the evil fairy said I would. Now, I must go to sleep for a hundred years. The only thing that can break the spell and awaken me is the kiss of true love.

You get into the bed and lay still with your eyes closed.

You hear the door open and Claude comes in.

Claude: (also acting) Oh, goodness, us. He's so beautiful. He's probably the most handsome and most beautiful prince we have ever seen. It is such a shame that a spell has kept him asleep all these years. But maybe if we just kiss him, he would feel our love. He would dream of us for sure.

You can sense Claude getting closer. He is now next to you on the bed. He leans closer to your face. Closer... Closer... Closer...

Claude: But then again... We could follow the other version where we make love to you in your sleep.

Lupin: (getting up) What?!

Claude: (laughing) Joking! We're only joking!

Lupin: (sighs) Don't scare me like that.

You get back down in bed.

Claude leans close to your face. Your lips and his meet. You can feel the warmth of his touch fill you with such love and comfort. As his lips depart, you open your eyes and smile.

Lupin: (acting again) Oh. You must have been the one who kissed me and broke the spell. Thank you, oh noble soul.

Claude: (also resuming acting) You're welcome. We have never met someone like you, before. Won't you come with us and be our bridegroom?

Lupin: Only if the other princes you woke when you kissed me will be your bridegrooms, too.

Claude: We don't see why not. Very well. We can all become each other's bridegrooms.

Lupin and Claude: And we can live happily ever after.

You and Claude laugh and clap at such a thing.

Lupin: That sure took a lot out of us. I think we deserve a nap.

Claude: There's already a bed here. Why not here?

Lupin: I guess we can... You're not actually going to...

Claude: Only if you want to.

Lupin: Good. I've only ever done it with Wakan. I want to wait until we're all together.

Claude: Whatever you wish.

(getting into bed with you) Nice and comfy? Don't worry. It may not look it at first, but we still have our undies on. Like we said, we won't do it unless Lupin asks us to.

That's good. Us just lying together is good enough... For now.

You and Claude lie close together. You can feel each other's warmth.

Claude: Being here together like this makes us wonder. What would Snow think of this scene?

Lupin: He would probably be surprised. But he would also be happy because his darling master finally found someone who truly loves him. Especially if he knew that because of me, there are others who truly love him, too.

Claude: I think so, too. Snow is very loyal to us. He would do anything for us. But to him, we our just the master. He won't love us that way unless we order him to. It's nice to have someone who love us for real.

Lupin: I'm glad to hear that.

Claude: We come from a long line of conquers. Be we've hardly ever found anyone who simply loves us for us and not just for our power. We thought we would never find someone like that until you first appeared in the ring. We are happy you came there to talk to Kengo. Otherwise, we never would have met. We were told that in a previous loop, he was a member of our Guild. I think that's fate's way of telling us something.

Lupin: And what's that?

Claude gets closer to you and you can feel a fire within him.

Claude: Something will always bring us together. Only this time, it's not just us.

Lupin: (smiling) ... I'm happy that something brought us together, too.

You and Claude smile in each other's arms as you both drift off to sleep.

You both wake up to find how late it had gotten. You both get dressed and leave... Wondering what else fate has in store.

[the-letter-horror-lover]

Good luck~” Felicia called.

Once they were gone, Ciel surveyed the scene. “They’re all the way on the other side. I’d say it’s safe enough to do it.”

“Alright,” agreed Eleanora.

With very little grace and ceremony (neither of the two were famous for their physical prowess), Ciel and Eleanora raced over to their unconscious friend. Ciel took position at her head, Eleanora at her arms.

Trying not to draw attention to their little escapade, Ciel nodded at Eleanora, and they hefted Rianne’s arms and legs, carrying her away from the violent scuffle and strange sacrificial runes. They would never admit out loud, but they were happy with their efforts - they had successfully managed to retrieve Rianne from their demonic teacher.

They carried her over to a transfixed Alois and Felicia, who were hypnotised by the battle roaring across the room.

“Shouldn’t we take her away from here? Say, back up into the chapel?” Eleanora suggested to Ciel, once she deduced that Felicia and Alois probably wouldn’t listen to her (not with all the excitement).

“No,” came Ciel’s reply. “She’s going to be safe, especially since Sebastian and the others are nearly finished with the Headmaster.”

Ciel, true to his words, was absolutely correct.

They watched as Sebastian, Hannah and Claude worked together like clockwork, defending one another’s back as someone else went in for the kill. Their fighting was like an orchestra, and its captive audience could see the emergence of the almighty crescendo.

It began with two well placed grabs from Claude and Hannah, both grimacing as their captive’s razor nails sliced into their flesh, deriving torrents of blood. They persevered, clutching his thick arms and pressing his swollen body against the cobblestone floor.

The said man gnarled his teeth, spitting high pitched insults and swears in languages unknown. Even from their distance, they could still see the telltale smirk of victory emerging on Sebastian’s face as his hands gripped either side of the principal’s head, and tugged.

They watched, horrified as the flesh of Headmaster Padre’s neck gave way, tearing into skin coloured strips. Blood gushed as skin flaked like torn ribbons and bones popped. Sebastian grit his teeth alongside a struggling Claude and Hannah, as the head was severed clean.

The detached face was petrified in outraged agony.

It rolled across the floor as Sebastian’s arms gave out from fatigue, the dead Incubus’ body finally stilling from its deathly spasms. Claude and Hannah slumped in exhaustion, this fight clearly being a challenge to the group of demons.

No one dared to speak, the relief and shock choking their voices and clouding their thoughts. But, there’s always one.

“Well, that was fun~”

Everyone glared at Alois.

“What? Should’ve seen the look on his face!”

The demons stood, their moment of rest over.

“Now,” began Mr Michaelis, “shall we clean up this mess?”

Chapter 18: Serenity

Chapter Text

It was a mild Monday morning, where even the sun despised its role of waking the world up. Students milled about the awakening campus, the magnificent roses shimmering in the soft early sunshine. It was going to be a busy day, but the final of many.

Today was graduation.

There was a sense of finality, like the feeling one gets when sitting in front of a play and waiting for the curtains to swing close with a swish.

Anticipation hung low in the air, along with a subtle hint of sadness - the last of many, the last of what they had considered ‘normal’ for the past six years. It was coming to its logical conclusion, and for once, Rianne wanted to show logic the door.

I don’t want this to end.

Rianne snuck looks at her squad situated around her, sitting in the uncomfortable hall chairs, listening to the old Catholic priest drone on about the dangers Pokemon Go. She remembered what marked the new beginning of their closeness.

Dubbed the Incubus Incident, it had simultaneously ripped them apart and stitched them back together, like some demented Frankenstein, but with more tears. The experience had broken her heart, shattering it into millions of tiny pieces, but had somehow put it back together to create the most beautiful mosaic. Rianne and Ciel’s eyes met, and he sent her a soft smile.

Things definitely had changed, some for the worst, but most for the best.

A particular memory welled up, like the nostalgic tears in both the Eleanora’s eyes.

Where it all fell apart, and somehow, fell back together.

The separated crew had claimed one of the larger study rooms in the library, and were now gathered there, alongside teachers Sebastian, Claude and Hannah. It was far from a joyous reunion, regardless of the fact that Ele had returned (relatively unharmed) and Rianne had awoken from her drug induced sleep. The situation had just been explained to the two in all it’s complicated glory, neither Rianne or Ele really comprehending the fact that this was supposed to be real, but just went with it anyway.

With all that out of the way, Felicia, Eleanora, Rianne and Ele wanted an explanation - a long and detailed one, at that. Ciel heaved a great sigh at this request (borderline threat), and had asked them to meet up in that particular room.

Now assembled, it was time to begin.

“So Ciel, why did you transfer?” Eleanora started, arms crossed in a vain attempt to appear intimidating.

Ciel deflated, his hand pressed flat against his forehead in a face palm. Sebastian seemed to grin at the look of suffering on his charge’s face.

“I’ll start at the beginning. My grandfather attended this school, and had spoken very highly of it. When I was informed that it was losing reputation due to strange incidents and very little action was being taken to correct it, I decided to intervene.”

Felicia raised an eyebrow, “You’re granddad went here? Why didn’t you attend in the first place?”

“Because I didn’t want to.”

“Then why were you trying to help the place?”

“Because the loss of prestige would affect my family’s standing - people finding out that the school my grandfather went to was cursed? The rest of the elite world would have field day.”

Everyone nodded in semi-understanding, it kinda made sense.

“Wait, you’re an aristocrat?” Rianne kept the curiosity in her voice to a minimum.

Ciel faced her dead on, “yes, now no more questions, you can ask them at the end of the explanation.”

Ciel’s statement was forceful enough to give the other occupants in the room no space to negotiate.

“In order to begin finding out what was happening at this school, I offered my services to the Headmaster and asked him to replace the teachers with people whom I selected. The reason I was able to rule out all of their involvement was through intense research into their background and personal lives.”

“Geez, someone’s a stalker,” Eleanora quietly whispered to Ele.

Ciel sent them a small glare.

“The people I replaced the teachers with are people whom I know, and trust,” he glanced a look at Claude and Hannah, “to some degree.”

“But who are they? They’re definitely not human, and you can’t convince us otherwise,” asked Rianne.

A silent conversation was shared between Ciel and Sebastian, before Ciel spilled the beans.

“Sebastian, Claude and Hannah are demons. However, I am only in a contract with Sebastian. The other two are bound to Alois. They are all in fact, servants.”

Said blonde gave a little wave and a smirk, as the rest of the squads’ mouths hit the floor.

“You have a contract with TWO demons!” Ele, Felicia and Eleanora exclaimed.

Rianne just shrugged, “makes sense. I did say you are a few sandwiches short of a picnic basket.”

Alois huffed at Rianne’s sarcasm, whining at a seemingly stoic and deaf Claude (“I honestly don’t care”).

Seeing that the situation was about to grow out of hand (Ele and Felicia were seconds away from slapping some sense into Alois about his life choices), Ciel steered them back on track.

“Ahem.”

They quieted down like kindergarten students.

“As I was saying, I got my butler, Sebastian, to investigate the political side of the school, while I focused on the students. I deduced that Valentino was the cause, thanks to his suspicious behaviour and exaggerated enthusiasm.”

It was Ele’s turn to huff, cheeks tainting a light pink.

“Why’d you make a contract?” Eleanora asked, eyebrows raised.

Ciel looked away, a haunted look overtaking his facial features.

“Oooh, I smell tragic backstory,” murmured Felicia.

“I - I guess I created the contract after the murder of my parents. Sebastian is helping me to find and get revenge on their murderers.”

“That’s pretty dark,” Eleanora remarked.

Ele sniffed, a small tear running down her porcelain face. “You poor thing!” Before she latched onto him with a bear hug of motherly love.

“G-get off me!”

Rianne giggled, quickly snapping the moment on her phone. The rest of the group joined in on the hug, quickly creating a dog-pile of feels. The demons watched with barely contained contempt.

Laughter echoed around the room, permeated occasionally by violent death threats (which were mostly ignored). That was until an annoyed librarian threw open the door to tell them to shut up.

After their scolding (“Who shoved the pole up her arse?”), the dog pile was formally over, and the supernatural squad gracefully descended from the ceiling where they’d hidden, successfully scaring the shit out of most of the mortal squad.

“Wait a second,” Rianne began after recovering from her laughter at the stupidity of the occasion, “a-are you staying then?”

Ciel’s face twisted into a look of contemplation. “On one condition.”

“Name it.”

Everyone watched Ciel in anticipation and a twinge of worry.

“Alois admits that he has been a jerk.”

A pitched cry of outrage sounded from said person, “I am NOT a jerk!”

“No you’re not.” Eleanora defended, arms crossed and a grumpy look on her face, “but you can’t deny that your actions were those of a jerk.”

Rianne agreed, as did Ele.

Alois looked about ready to cry, his big blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. He turned to Felicia in a last ditch effort to preserve his dignity.

“I- I think you were maybe, just a tad, mean.”

Literally no one breathed for a solid minute, before Alois exploded in water works and snot.

“Wahh, I didn’t mean toooooooo!!!”

You could literally see Claude and Hannah facepalm at his admittance.

“I-It’s just that e-everyone loves Ciel, b-but no one l-likes meeee!!”

Alois was holding himself, his face scrunched and littered with salty tears.

“So why did you act that way if you wanted people to like you?” There was no empathy or care in Ciel’s voice, rather a tiredness with Alois’ drama.

The harsh tone made the blonde sob harder, Ciel received angry stares that made him step away, and stand at the edge of the room alongside Rianne.

Ele and Eleanora went into damage control, gently rubbing Alois’ back, and whispering soothing words to stem his wails.

After, what seemed like five minutes, Alois calmed down enough to comprehend questions being directed at him.

“Why did you act how you did, even though you wanted friends?”

After a particularly large sniff, Alois answered. “I-I was jealous. I knew n-no one would accept me b-because I’m too s-strange, but w-when Felicia did, I w-wanted to keep her to myself…”

Rianne finally walked up to the blubbering mess that was Alois, and offered him one of her handy tissues. Rianne would never admit it, but she felt slightly bad for the strange boy - even he knew how weird he was, and had tried to protect himself in the best way he thought.

“Look, I’m sure that if you apologise for what you did, we’d all forgive you.”

Alois’ huge orbs locked on Rianne, shimmering with hope.

“Y-you mean it? Even after I called y-you a bitch?”

Rianne nodded, using the tone she usually reserved for distraught children. “Yes.”

Rianne suddenly found herself wrapped in a pair of small, but firm, set of arms.

“T-thank you! I’m sorry, really, really, really sorry!”

Alois turned to the dark and brooding Ciel in the corner of the room. “I’m sorry, Ciel. I really want to be like you.”

Ciel scoffed, but there was no edge. “Fine. But don’t call me a dog again.”

Felicia also turned to Rianne, wringing her hands together in a nervous pattern, “I’m also sorry Rianne, I caused you lots of problems as well. Can we be friends again?”

Rianne beamed, like a midsummer sun. “Of course, Felicia.”

Noticing the heartfelt reunion of friends, Eleanora remembered Ciel and Rianne’s previous fallout, and Ciel’s lack of apology.

“Hey, mate,” Eleanora nudged him. “I think you also owe someone an apology.”

Ciel looked at her as if she had grown a daisy on her head. “I don’t need to say ‘sorry’ to Alois.”

Eleanora sighed. “Not Alois, you dolt! Rianne.”

The texts on Rianne’s phone, and his temper tantrum came into his mind with an overflow of guilt. Without informing Eleanora, he made his way over to a gushing Felicia and Rianne, who had not stopped hugging since Felicia had apologised.

“Rianne.”

He grabbed the two girls’ attention, and they abruptly ended their hug.

He coughed into his hand, obviously not used to having to apologise. Sebastian looked mildly amused.

“For the suffering I have caused, I...um...apologise.” He took a big breath, obviously preparing himself. “If it were not for my temper, you would not have been kidnapped, and for that I-I...am extremely sorry.”

Rianne smiled, already noticing his sincerity and discomfort.

“You were already forgiven.”

Something akin to relief flooded his face.

Ele cheered, “We’re back together again!”

Eleanora joined in with the enthusiasm, turning to a smiling Felicia. “Would you do the honours?”

“Of course.”

Ciel and Alois were gathered in with the rest of the group (seeing as they didn’t know much about their proceedings).

“I now dub all of thee, members of The Squad!”

Everyone clapped and cheered - they were back together, they were a team.

“Wait,” interrupted Ciel with a devilish smirk that could rival Sebastian’s. “Don’t you have to perform Alois’s initiation ceremony?”

Shark-like grins found their way onto everyone’s faces, except Alois, who warily clutched Felicia’s sleeve.

“What ceremony?”

“Year 12, it is time to complete your Guard of Honour!”

Rianne snapped back to reality, noticing that the mass had ended, and most of the school had already scrambled outside to create the special walkway that the graduating students would follow to mark the end of their high school journey.

Most of the grade sprinted to be first, our group deciding to wait until the rampage subsided.

“Everyone ready?” Asked a slightly teary Felicia.

“Nope,” Ele answered for the group, everyone agreeing instantly.

Mr Michaelis approached The Squad, since they were the last remaining students in the grand hall of St Em’s Secondary College.

“I suggest you all go before the guard is over.”

Alois needed no further encouragement. He took Felicia by the hand, and tugged her to the beginning of the path.

“Race you!”

“See you guys at the end!”

Ele giggled, “C’mon Nora!”

“Kay.”

The two Eleanora’s rushed right after, “Hurry up lovebirds, or we’ll leave you behind!”

Ciel scoffed, a light fuchsia dusting his cheeks. “Let’s hurry up before they leave us behind.”

Rianne couldn’t agree more.

The sun was hot, but bright. The sky the same shade of blue as Ciel’s eyes.

What a beautiful day.

The first thing that hit Eleanora as she stepped out of her mum’s car was the overwhelming scent of the ocean as it blew off the peaceful bay.

Twas the night of the formal, and Eleanora honestly felt like a princess. (x)

From another car emerged Ele, her pink, lacy gown clinging to her curves like a second skin. (x)

“Ready?” She asked. Her smile spoke of confidence, but her voice shook with nerves.

Eleanora knew why - it was technically their last night as high school students, before they stepped into the real world full of challenges and responsibilities.

“As I’ll ever be.”

They made their way to the venue, the high-class restaurant, The Lagoon. Set right on the sands of a small beach, the place cost a fortune to dine in on an ordinary day. Hence, why the ticket price was so high.

The doors of the establishment were made out of polished glass, with beautiful swirling engravings, giving it a luxurious feel. Inside was even more impressive.

The floor was a plush navy carpet, and some areas were beautiful white marble tiles. Tables littered the space with towering flowers dipping out of abstract silver vases, matching the ribbons tied to the back of the chairs. Shimmering lights dangled from the ceiling, casting a glamorous glow around the room. In the centre of the room dangled the pièce de résistance, a ginormous chandelier littered with hanging crystals that created fractures of light that danced across every surface.

All in all, it was rather beautiful, knocking the breath out of them.

They quickly located their table, situated very close to the back of the space, just where they usually liked it.

Ele marveled at the sophisticated name tags - every detail had been catered for.

“I wonder when the rest will get here,” Eleanora thought out loud.

They didn’t have to wait long.

Rianne made her entrance, with Ciel close behind.

The Phantomhive looked sharp in an expensive-looking perfectly pressed onyx suit, with a small rose pinned inside his jacket pocket. (x) Rianne seemed to match in a classic black and white dress that made her look exactly like Marilyn Monroe, complete with the iconic hair. (ignore hair lol)

“Hello,” Rianne greeted, positively beaming. “You both look great.”

Ele took the compliment in stride, “Thank you my lovely, you look absolutely stunning as well!”

A smirk grew on Eleanora’s face with a devious idea.

“Yeah. What do you think, Ciel?”

The poor boy looked like a deer with a hunter’s gun pointed at its head.

Rianne turned to face him with a blank expression. For a solid minute, all he could do was stutter and stammer with a glorious shade of scarlet blossoming upon his face, all the way up to his pale ears.

“Y-you l-look, rather...umm, n-nice…”

Needless to say, Ele and Eleanora nearly pissed themselves laughing.

Suddenly, the doors swung open revealing an almost unrecognizable Felicia and Alois, sauntering in, hand in hand. Similar to Rianne and Ciel, Felicia and Alois’ outfits matched, but unlike Rianne and Ciel, the whole thing looked purposefully orchestrated.

Felicia was clad in a long, flowing purple gown, decorated with lace on the bodice. An eyepatch made of the same material covered her missing eye. (x) Alois seemed to be dressed in the exact same thing, except in a tuxedo form, complete with the lilac lace. (x) Tucked under her left arm was a matching bouquet of lavender irises.

Ele fangirled like her life depended on it.

“Oh mah goodness Felicia, you look a-mah-zing!” Ele waddled (yes, waddled. her heels were quite high), meeting Felicia halfway, as she too also made her way over to her friend. They glomped in the middle of the room, giggling like little school girls.

Eleanora grinned good naturedly, “Some things never change.” Rianne and Ciel nodded in agreement.

The hug escalated when Alois tried to join in, nearly toppling the two girls over.

Rianne sighed at the immature display.

The bear hug ended, and the trio met up with the rest of the group, gaping at each other’s outfits and accessories.

“Why do you have flowers?” Eleanora asked Felicia rather cluelessly. Said girl blushed, and lovely-dovey grin stretching across her powdered face.

“Well, Alois picked me up, and asked me out on the way here.”

Squeals followed this confession (mainly from Ele and Eleanora), with Rianne and Ciel looking mildly surprised.

Silently, behind their backs, Eleanora handed over a crisp fifty dollar bill. “Told ya they’d hook up before the formal,” Ele gloated in Eleanora’s ear.

“Shut up.”

What they failed to notice was that the rest of the grade had assembled in the function center, and they all jumped when the lights began to dim, and the School Captain stood in front of a microphone set up in the middle of the dance floor.

“Hello, and welcome to the graduation for the class of 2017!”

Everyone cheered in response to their enthusiasm.

The night ended far too quickly for anyone’s liking.

They were all exhausted due to the combination of how late it had gotten, and how much dancing and overall socializing they had participated in. Now, the squad was crowded in the carpark, all extremely reluctant to call it a night - for doing so would mark the end of their high school adventure.

Finally, after half an hour of pointless chatting, Ele finally said what they needed to hear. “Guys, we can’t just deny reality for the rest of our lives. We’ll see each other during the HSC.”

Everyone groaned at her poor attempt at humour.

“How about this, you can do the HSC, Ele, and we’ll still be here, hanging out like a mothers’ meeting.”

Felicia’s statement was the one to earn the laughs.

Suddenly, a black Bentley pulled into the deserted carpark, and out emerged a deadpanning Sebastian.

Ciel scoffed, as if an overprotective mother had just emerged from his car. “Sebastian, I am not done yet.”

Sebastian gave one of his shit-eating-grins, mischief flashing in his ruby eyes. “Well do try to finish up now, it is past your bedtime.”

The poor boy glowed a bright crimson while everyone else laughed at his expense. As they calmed down from the sudden fit, some members began to yawn.

Guys, I think Sebas- Mr Michaelis is right - I think the fun’s over,” the mother-like Eleanora stated matter-of-factly.

Alois whined, “but I’m not reeeeeaaady!”

Felicia nodded in agreement, her hand held gently (but firmly) in Alois’ grasp.

“Too bad,” chimed Ele, “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again!”

“But I don’t wanna leave just yet!” Alois argued.

Rianne sighed, her mind already working a plan. “Well, after the HSC, why don’t we meet up for a reunion?”

Felicia grinned. “Yeah! After a year, we can all check in on each other, like a lame reality TV show!”

“Where would we meet up?” Asked Eleanora. “All our homes are probably too small, and some of us will probably move.”

You can meet up at my house.” Ciel offered. “My house is large enough, and I will definitely not be moving.”

The rest of the squad’s memories of his immense wealth flooded their minds, and they instantly agreed.

“Now, let’s commemorate the moment!” Ele pulled out her phone, giggling with glee. “Ready?”

Sebastian, without warning, carefully removed the phone from her grasp.

“No need for a selfie, I’ll take the photo.” Ele and Eleanora smiled in thanks.

“Alright, now please assemble so I can take the photo.”

The Squad quickly followed his instructions, crowding together in a haphazard way, clinging to one another.

“Smile.”

And they did. Several of them stuck up peace signs, giggling at that same time, their laughter getting frozen on Ele’s phone. After the pictures were taken, everyone demanded that Ele send it to them.

“Okay, now it’s time to go home,” Alois finally commanded, a content smile decorating his face.

Everyone couldn’t agree more.

Chapter 19: Epilogue

Notes:

Hello again everyone!

it's been a looooong time, but finally our story has reached its end.

Thank you to everyone for reading and supporting our little project - we hope you've enjoyed the ride.

- BabylonGardens

P.S - maybe we'll post some oneshots in the future...

Ciel awoke with a start.

Today was the day.

He pushed himself out of his goose-feathered quilt, calling for Sebastian. Said man strolled into the room, pushing a trolley filled with his breakfast for the day.

“Good morning, young master. For breakfast today, we have salmon eggs Benedict, accompanied by Darjeeling tea.”

Sebastian quickly helped the young millionaire dress - a white shirt covered by a navy overcoat and matching slacks. Ciel seated himself at the small, but ornate set of two chairs and a table. He calmly ate his breakfast, however on the inside, he could feel his stomach flipping with nerves - today would mark the one year anniversary of their graduation.

He shook himself out of it - he still needed to ensure that all the preparations were complete.

“Sebastian.”

His head butler looked up from making his master’s bed. “Yes, my lord?”

“Is everything prepared for their arrival?”

The man smirked, albeit, slightly offended. “Of course, my lord, it has all been prepared since last night. In fact, you asked me that before you went to bed.”

Maybe, Ciel was just a bit more nervous than he thought. He didn’t let that show, though.

Instead he scoffed. “I am just trying to make sure that the Phantomhive name isn’t soiled by a poor performance on your part.”

He saw the one second flash of annoyance on Sebastian’s face, and smugly sipped on his tea as a reward for his (tiny) victory.

“Okay, number 145 is coming up on your left.”

Ele nodded as she turned the steering wheel towards the cobbled driveway flagged by two sandstone walls, acting as a gateway and entrance to the property.

“Wonder what his place will look like,” Ele wondered aloud.

“Probably something huge and extravagant. Did you see how detailed the buttons were on his formal suit?”

Just as Ele was about to reply, the breath was simultaneously knocked out of them as the glorious sight of Ciel’s mansion filled their eyes. They were expecting something fancy, but the reality of the situation was beyond anything they saw in their imagination.

The house was truly huge, for the lack of a better word. Gardens exploded around the driveway, beautifully pedicured hedges and rose bushes. The cobblestone road wormed its way into a horseshoe shape right at the front door. Ele carefully parked her car in an empty space situated near the front patio, where the gardens trailed off, and they exited their ride.

“Jeez, talk about old money.”

The Gatsby joke went right over Ele’s head as she retrieved her well-behaved dog from the backseat.

“Do you think it’s a good idea to bring a dog to a high-class house?”

“Of course!” Ele exclaimed, dragging her large dog out, “Ciel gave him to me in the first place!”

Eleanora watched in semi-disgust as the grey fur attached itself to Ele’s light pink shirt, and her long white jeans.

As soon as Ele’s grip loosened on the hound (x), it bounded off into a seemingly random direction. Obviously, it was familiar with the property.

“Well, he’s Ciel’s problem now,” Ele sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck.

“C’mon, let’s surprise Ciel, we’re slightly early....by ten minutes.”

Ele grinned, “he would probably never expect us to be early. His wittle girlfriend is usually the early one.”

Eleanora nearly choked on her own spit with how much she laughed.

They made their way to the front door (after Eleanora had recovered). Even the entrance to the mansion was impressive, covered in a shiny black lacquer, and decorated with an elaborate silver door-knocker.

“Should we knock?” Eleanora asked, wary to touch something so expensive-looking.

Yeah, can I do it?”

“Go for it.”

Ele grabbed the silver decoration, and knocked. It made a pleasant echoing sound that spoke of money.

“Gotta get one for my apartment,” Eleanora mumbled.

The door swung open with a flourish, and the pair knew only one person could open a door like it was a circus performance.

“Hey, Mr Michaelis!” Ele and Eleanora greeted simultaneously.

They heard a familiar scoff from inside. “Call him Sebastian, he’s no longer your teacher.”

The two girls entered to see their Earl of a friend posing on top of a large marble staircase, clutching a walking stick in his right hand. The entrance room, just like the rest of the house it seemed, was vast and richly decorated. The floors were covered in checkered black and white marble, and velvet drapes bordered the huge floor to ceiling windows. Expensive, flower filled vases lined the space, giving off an air of entitlement and elegance.

The two of them snickered. “Dude, did something happen, or is it for decoration?” They pointed at his walking stick for emphasis.

The butt of their joke frowned deeper (if that was possible). “It’s a sign of wealth.”

“It’s also a sign of disability and injury; this isn’t the 19th century,” came Eleanora’s sharp comeback.

“I see law was a good field for you, Miss White.”

Eleanora grinned at Sebastian, “yeah, and I wouldn’t have gotten there without your help.”

Eleanora watched out of the corner of her eye as Ele launched herself at Ciel like a lightning bolt, clinging to him with the strength of ten men.

Just as Sebastian was about to reply, the door was kicked open, and Alois Trancy in all his booty-shorts glory entered the room, Felicia trailing behind with a smile at his antics. Once again, the couple matched - they were both wearing purple. Felicia’s floral skirt swept around her feet.

Ciel groaned from within Ele’s powerful arms. “Can you not? Alois, can’t you enter into someone’s house like a normal person?”

[dumbasssportsboys]

anyways flyers are dead to me until they make amends and i’m only planning on going to one game this season and that’s in november.  someone help me force myself into being a sens fan i guess

[travelling-on-the-octopath]

okay but the way Claude is the only lord that can meet all of the remaining Nabateans cuz his paralogue is the only way to know about Macuil... the Nabatean who specializes in wind just like Claude does... how Claude's the only lord (and one of the few characters period) that Byleth talks about Sothis living in their head with... how Claude and Rhea have so many parallels with each other... he has so many unique connections with the lettuce fam IS where were you going with this. why did nothing come of this

it makes me so sad that Rhea can't live on VW because then we really could've had a route where all the Nabatean fam is visible and living 😭

IntSys: so there's this kid, and his sole goal is to be done with prejudice so people like him never have to suffer the way he has.

Me: okay, I'm intrigued, go on.

IntSys: and then HIS route in this game focuses on the hidden history of this continent. In fact his unique side mission is to learn about a piece of that history.

Me: okay

IntSys: there's a race of people who've only ever called this place home, and yet they've been forced into hiding, hunted, treated as nothing more than objects

Me: 👀 Oh?

IntSys: so this kid gets to the point where he learns all this, from a dying woman of a dying race, still unable to be herself for fear of persecution

Me: so do they rally together? Does the embodiment of youth and hope help these people find their way back into the light? Do they create a world where no one has to hide for the mere factor of their fabrication? Their existence? Do they tie together tradition, community, and new dawns for people?

IntSys: lmao what? You thought this was GOING somewhere? You fucking idiot.

Me: But you set this up so nicely--

IntSys: Here, have the red emperor talk about walking a path with you

Me: Uh okay that's nice but I don't really know her--

IntSys: AND, for even asking such a stupid question, one of the genocide survivors is going to die and you can't stop it

Me: WHY?

IntSys: Fuck you ❤️ that's why

[faroreswinds]

Azure Gleam - Chapter 8

Notes of chapter 8! I just want to point out in the book section, House Nuvelle had flourished due to trade with Dagda, Albinea, Brigid, and other territories. And yet, GW insisted Rhea prevented such things? HMMMM

Story

Dorothea hasn’t been too bad yet. She’s actually happy that the Kingdom has the Silver Maiden since the Empire would have taken over easily with all the internal in-fighting0.

A Duscan NPC says Dimitri personally apologized to her about her brother’s death six years ago. But all she cares about is the truth behind the incident. 

And NPC thinks that Felix taking over as head has helped him understand his father a bit more (a while back, he had considered cutting ties with his house before this).

Hapi is happy that “Didi” will take down Cornelia. 

According to Rodrigue, Felix had muttered about it being preferrable to rescuing them over “having nightmares about abandoning them” (What a tsundere)

Bernie, why are you HERE?

Flayn noticed a change in Dimitri. Not that he is cheerful, but more at ease. Yay for friends!

Shamir will be returning, yay! Catherine is excited. 

I don’t know who Viscount Brennius is, but he has energy, and I like him. 

Ingrid is talking to a Duscur General. Ingrid agrees to teach her how to use a spear. (Character growth, yay!)

Dimitri says that Felix “scolded him all night”… firmly (O-oh my). Then Dedue came in and started arguing with Felix.  

It just occurred to me that Dimitri learned some lesson MUCH sooner than Claude did. 

Lots of Duscur NPCs about, it’s cool to see. 

An NPC says that people are just unequal at birth, with things like pedigree, crests, intelligence, etc (And he is right, as much as it sucks) 

Seteth def suspects more out of Cornelia than he is letting on. 

Some NPCs are sad to fight friends and family. I do not blame them. One NPC came in place of her husband as a result. 

And people say that the Kingdom is misogynistic. :/ There are so many strong and powerful women here. 

Felix, when speaking to Dedue: “B-baka” (I mean, basically. He was complimenting Duscan soldiers and didn’t care where they came from. Dedue says Dimitri must be happy to have Felix by his side, and Felix gets a bit flustered in his mean ol’ way)

Oh look, more western lords in the side maps that don’t have crests. 

Ok, so Edelgard is personally attacking Arundel territory and the Silver Maiden. Unlike in GW, we aren’t suddenly changing objectives. We are still going after the Western lords, and instead, Miklan and the Knights of Seiros are going to the front lines to hold the siege instead. 

Starting to get some Slither enemies in the side missions. 

Interestingly, a commoner I saved in a side map joined us afterwards. Just like in GW. I don’t recall this happening in SB maps but maybe it did and I don’t recall. 

Viscount Mateus, Viscount Elidure, and Viscount Gideon can fucking go to hell. All hail Baron Dominic. Why does this man have a fucking generic model?! Dude is calling these bastards for the cowards they are. 

Fuck off Cornelia, my man was giving them a dressing down. 

Apparently Gustave is a great cook, according to my outing with Annette.

 Main battle time!

Oooohhh, Gustave and Annette will play a role this chapter

Arval pushing Shez towards killing Byleth again. And Shez is all “well, do we have to? Dimitri is more important to me”

So, need the Baron because if he dies, the Western Lords might rally around his son because he has a crest, makes sense.

Whoa, a Titanus? We have never seen this in the other routes, this is entirely new!

Also, Cornelia is here again. >:3

Brooo, Duscur soldiers have come to help! Based, they can get revenge too. 

They call Dimitri the “Warrior King” that’s dope af

And Ingrid is like “I will not let you lay a hand on them!” talking about the Duscur soldiers. Character growth!

Count Rowe tried to recruit Ashe. >:( Ashe told him what’s up though

Have we finally captured Cornelia this time? 

Patricia is dead. Cornelia claims that Edelgard killed her mother. 

Whoa, Cornelia died? “This body has reached its end” I guess slither bodies are studier. 

Oh yeah, no one knew that Edelgard was his stepsister

Oh look at that, Dimitri isn’t keeping secrets from his allies, unlike a certain someone in GW. 

So Patricia was banished from the court after getting involved in a political dispute. So either the real Cornelia or the fake one asked Lambert to shelter her. 

“I don’t know how we can just sit down with are enemies after we have killed each other” I know Ashe, I know. 

Time to go “talk” with Edelgard in Arianrhod

Claude. Well... hello there. 

So Claude did that scheme with Lorenz’s father in this route too. 

So Claude is ready to strike a deal with whoever wins. 

Paralogue

There is a single paralogue for this chapter available: with Dedue, Ingrid, and Felix

I wish Dimitri was part of this paralogue tbh, but I get why he isn’t here either. 

Basically, Duscur is divided on whether to make peace with the Kingdom or not. So the leader of the insurrection who played a key role in the Tragedy so we have to arrest him. 

Oh, Dimitri isn’t here because he might kill him out of anger, makes sense. 

So, Dedue’s hometown is near here, and this is also near where the late king died. 

Also apparently we aren’t killing? Dedue said no killing since it will complicate things. Or maybe he meant no killing the leader? Idk. 

Ingrid asked to come here to get the past behind her. 

Lol, Ingrid was my MVP 

Anyways, we caught the guy. 

The flowers are recovering after being tramped years ago. TT_TT Dedue used to come with his sister.... 

And Felix wants to protect the same things Glenn did. TT_TT Both Dimitri and the Kingdom. (And don’t tell the boar. ;) ) 

And even he admits the flowers aren’t so bad.

We don’t necessarily learn much about the Tragedy, but it was still a touching paralogue. Personally I found it more emotional than Edelgard’s with Lysithea and Hapi. 

Supports

The following supports unlocked after the last chapter: 

Dimitri and Shez B support - Imagine being the poor soul who knocks out the fucking king in training. Felix and Dedue were besides themselves. :3 And everyone pulled together to get stuff down while he “rested”. And everyone thinks he should be taking more breaks. Jesus, Dimitri really does do a shit ton. And he still keeps secrets (not Claude-like secrets, but he didn’t tell anyone that he went to bury the villagers on his own)

Dimitri and Felix B - Felix mothers over Dimitri. And then… “Do you hate me, Felix?” MY HEART, THAT LINE WAS SAID SO SADLY. Felix is still kinda being a jerk but it’s not nearly as bad in AM. He’s being a bit nicer. 

Dimitri and Sylvain B - Commoners are entering nobility. Skill is what matters in the end, like Ashe. Crest bloodline is fading everywhere (Felix is an exception with a major crest). It’s basically a discussion in how to move forward to stay strong but deal with how things are changing for long term stability. (Nuance, basically).

It’s nice to see Sylvain and Dimitri have a more serious support that is still nice. It reminds everyone they ARE close. 

Dimitri and Dedue B - (romantic music starts) 0/////0 

Dimitri can write in Duscan, which is just fucking cool. 

And Dedue is just like “just go to bed, please” 

Dimitri would babble to Dedue as a kid until he feel sleep. 0/////0

Dimitri and Ingrid B - Stuff about being delicate with Duscur forces about. Ingrid doesn’t hate them anymore. Character growth <3

Dimitri blames himself for Ingrid having hate to begin with (of course he does, he blames himself for everything), And damn, no one saw Dimitri after that. Support ends with Dimitri taking Ingrid to a inn opened by a Duscan man for dinner. Is nice. 

Dedue and Felix B - Felix is really stepping up in a leadership position, nice to see. They both agree Dimitri would throw his life away easily. Though Felix claims it’s just to protect the Kingdom and Church. And then says that he is brother in arms with Dedue, a nice change of pace to… whatever AM had to offer. 

And in true Felix fashion, he didn’t let Dedue tell Dimitri what he had really said in their conversation. 

And now, for some other supports: 

Bernie and Dimitri B - What a waste of a support for Dimitri. :/

Books

Empire Nobles II - 1179 Edition

House Gerth

House of dukes that inherited rule over the Empire’s Ministry of the Exterior. 

Diplomacy, foreign relations, and relations between various provinces and the capital fall under it

Worked hard to secure ceasefires between Brigid, Dagda, and the Empire

Though took place in the Insurrection, remains distant from associated houses

House Arundel

Formerly minor noble house of the Empire. 

Head of the house, Volkhard, his younger sister became betrothed to the Emperor Ionius IX, and this granted him the title of Lord Arundel. 

Having worked closely with House Aegir, House Arundel is seen as one of the chief instigators of the Insurrection. 

House Hrym

House of Imperial viscounts. Resisting Emperor Ionius IX’s policy of power centralization, it set out to join the Alliance and secure independence from the Empire, but was unable to overcome the Imperial army’s intervention. 

The House’s main genetic line was wiped out. It’s current head is an adoptee. 

House Nuvelle

House of Imperial viscounts with territory on the western coast of the Empire, centered around the harbor city of Nuvelle.

The house flourished thanks to commerce with Dagda, Albinea, Brigid, and other territories. 

Even still, it fell to ruin in 1175 after permitting the combined invading forces of Dagda and Brigid to make landfall. 

House Ochs

House of Imperial barons. Territory occupies the northern half of the western peninsula known as Foldan’s Fangs. 

The head of the house was lost to the Dagda and Brigid War. 

House Bartels

House of Imperial barons. Highly ambitious, it sought out and acquired several Crests for its bloodline. 

In 1176, many members, including the head, died under unexplained circumstances. 

The guilt of this tragedy was attributed to the heir, Emile. His whereabouts are unknown. Leadership fell to a distant relative. 

[thefunksp]

mc and gabriel duet on stage ( and hati loses his shit /j )

In the Stage, we Shine like Angels.

A/N: I hope this fic isn’t too sappy, also here’s the song i used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlyGOOQ4rm4

Misaki (MC2) stood there with Gabriel, her hands were intertwined with the idol’s. They were both about to go on stage, and the audience was huge, there was an awful lot of people she knew there, like Claude, Ophion, Lucifuge, Hakumen, and obviously Hati as well. She knew she couldn’t back out now, she gripped Gabriel’s hands tighter, and she started to sweat. “Let’s do our best Misaki.” Gabriel muttered to her partner, Misaki shifted her head towards Gabriel, the idol had a fierce face and a fire in her eyes. Misaki knew she had to have the same resolve as hers, and the nervous feeling she had has already faded away. The light shined in the center of the stage, they were up. The two took a step towards the stage together, the audience cheered, glancing towards the audience, she could feel the members of her guild as well as other people cheer for her. Her eyes widened, and a fierce fire burned in her eyes. She grinned. “I’ll make this concert something they’ll remember, for a long time.” Gabriel could sense her passion. The song had started to play. The melancholic sound had driven the audience to silence as Misaki took a step forward and let out a deep breath. “Light glimmers in a flower.” Misaki delivered the line gracefully, and some of the audience had their mouths gape wide open from her voice alone. “Like jewels in a dream.” She took a deep breath once more.

“The sky breathes life, love to everything.” Gabriel took a step towards the audience, aligning herself beside Misaki as she started to sing together with her.

“At times i’ve thought “I’m not enough”.

Hati had started to wave around his glowsticks towards the two. “The chains that tied my heart.”

“But there’s still a path that lies ahead.”

“For you, and I.”

The voices of the two women had started to harmonize with each other.

“Memories fade away, clouds of yesterday.”

“With no one to love.” “Is this life worth living.” The crowd had started to illuminate with lights.

“Come back to me, and stay by my side.” “I feel my heart shake, come ease this ache.” The last phrase described what Misaki had felt, standing together with Gabriel. “I’m standing over here, reaching for you.” “A million miles away, come back and stay.” “No matter how far the memories may be.”

Misaki had started to recall all of the memories of living in Tokyo, her voice unwavering as Gabriel had started to pick up the pace herself. “When i close my eyes, you’re all that i see.” Misaki closed her eyes. “Come back to me!” “A million miles away, come back and stay.” The instrumental had carried on for a few seconds as Gabriel had started to hum as well. “Lalalala, La lalala, La lalala.” Her voice, so elegant had started to ring inside the stage. After a while, the melancholic piano was accompanied by other instruments.

 Misaki took a step forward again.

“Sing, let your heart soar! Sing forever!” Misaki’s heart had started to let out all of her doubts, and she spread her arms in excitement.

“Sad and so happy! Feelings flow over!” Gabriel had joined in with her as well, spreading her wings as her emotions took over her as well. “Now our world is full of, all kinds of colors.” The audience was floored by their current performance, the ones with glowsticks with them waved their sticks fast, trying to keep up with the pace, and the emotions.

“Closing my eyes, I can still see the stars.” Misaki felt like an angel, dancing and singing, she never knew that this night would be so much fun, Gabriel had felt the same. Grabbing Misaki’s hands as they reach out their hands towards the audience. “Shine in the sky, sing their harmony!”

“Flowers, they’re blooming! Oh it’s beautiful!”

“Sing! Sing! Sing!” Both Misaki and Gabriel had shouted to the audience, they had to put their hands up and started to pump their fists to the beat of the music. “Sing this song i won’t stop now!” Both of them shouted as high as they can, their voices resonating with the hearts of the audience as some had started to tear up a bit from their performance. “Sing it through, i love you!” The two had taken one last deep breath. “The voice carries on!” 

Their voices had toned down, as it echoes in the stage. The both of them felt like angels in the stage, yes, that’s what Misaki had thought they were. They were angels in the stage.

The song had ended, and the audience cheered. Some stood up and clapped and some were overtaken by their own emotions and has started to cry. Misaki gripped Gabriel’s hands in hers. They both knew that this night is gonna be remembered, and Misaki smiled in happiness, her eyes had started to swell up, though she didn’t do anything to stop it, she let the tears flow.

Gabriel smiled at Misaki, she too gripped Misaki’s hands as the both of them bowed.

[iamdarkness]

To Feed a Tiger. Forces of Will.3

Chapter 3

Alfonse x Summoner, Alfonse X Summoner X Lif

And one sided (as of now) Dimitri X Summoner X Alfonse X Lif

Triggers for talk about mental health. It is Feral Dimitri after all. Mentions of death and depressive thoughts.

Sexual Harassment and maybe more than that.

Incest. (Freyr and mentions of Freya). Rater R for a little graphic scenes of battle and character death. Nothing we have not seen in the game itself.

-Hrid…- You hear Sharena say under her breath and it feels like all the happiness has been drained from her voice. Of course she would feel sad. Her big brother meant so much to her and seeing him suffer would make her suffer as well. They were so close. He was her best friend, confidant, protector and hero. Watching him so defeated had been a shock and more so that she herself had not reacted fast enough to prevent this. In a way she felt responsible as well.

-Summoner _______. Princess Sharena. Heroes. It is a pleasure to be your guest again.- Hrid says when he is close enough to take your hand and Sharena’s. His hand lingers on yours and you take it back to take Princess Laegjan’s.

- It is indeed as King Hrid has said, a pleasure to be here again.- Laegjarn says as she takes your hand and Sharena’s, her piercing red eyes watch you searchingly.

You greet them equally and introduce your heroes by name and title. You will not have them be nameless heroes to no one. They deserve to be treated, like the heroes that they are. As if sensing your unrest and because he has dreamed of your pain Freyr comes and stand by your side . He blocks Hrid from getting too close to you. You hear young Claude snicker behind you.

-How was your trip to the beach Summoner? I would have liked to come sooner so we could meet you there, but we had a little delay.

- It was great! We even had a sand castle contest and a nice nap.

-They even got a great tan!- Said King Claude nodding to Freyr in particular and you turn to give him a fake angry look. You notice he is watching Alfonse and he winks at him. Alfonse looks like he understands something unspoken.

- I will cherish mine. It was a wonderful and invigorating nap.- Says Lord Freyr to bring attention to his chest and he “looks” sideways to smile at you.

- I can’t say the same about mine my Lord! It stings a lot!- You tell him smiling.

- Yeah we got the wrong lotion, so now we need to go to the infirmary to get fixed up.- Said Sharena sheepishly. You notice Alfonse and Hrid are looking at Freyr’s bare chest. They can clearly see the white mark of your arm on it. Hrid looked a little scandalized and Alfonse… he looked amused. He looks sideways at Hrid.

-Is that…?

-Oh it’s my hand. I kind of hugged him while I was sleeping. Now if you all don’t mind. We need to get to the infirmary. I’ll see you all at the meeting.- You say and leave with the rest of your group to the infirmary. You hear Alfonse talking to Hrid.

-Everyone loves our Summoner. Some more than others and in different ways.- And there is a hint of humor in his words. <<At least he is having fun.>>

~*~

The meeting lasted three hours. Besides the heroes Anna had asked to attend, you had asked Hero King Marth, who was the oldest of the Marths and with more experience, Micaiah, King Claude and Lord Freyr. You were sitting between the former two. They had sat themselves with you in between before Hrid had claimed the chair next to you. You had seen Claude talking to Alfonse and thought they had a plan to distract Hrid or may be just make him re think his life. There was no announcement about the engagement, but Hrid said the royal ball that was supposed to take place in two wees was pushed back for two months. This would give them all time to prepare and gather more information.

- I also hope that by then it will be two good news to announce and not just one.- He tells you and Fjorm when the meeting was over. You feel Fjorm’s cold hand take yours and give it a squeeze.- Dear summoner, would you be so kind to sit by my side at dinner? I would very much like to talk about some important things with you.

-Sure.- You agree to it because, you want him to give you a reason to tell him you are not interested. Alfonse and Fjorm did not sacrificed themselves, for this man to think you are going to fall at his feet after a dinner. Besides, you were sure Claude and Alfonse were planing something and you trusted them. You turned to Fjorm and winked to let her know you got this. She blushed at this.

Once at dinner you do sit by his side. Commander Anna is sitting at the head of the table.Alfonse is sitting about three chairs from you, between Fjorm and Sharena. The chair next to you is the other head of the table and it is still empty. Suddenly, you see F Dimitri come inside the dinning hall. He seldom comes in here and you signal for him to come and sit by your side. He complies. Claude and Freyr sit on the chairs in front of you and Hrid.

Dimitri was dressed in a dressy black suit with blue cape that Forest had designed for you to give him. His hair was up in a ponytail.

-Dimitri. You look so handsome! Did you like the clothes?

-Thank you _______. I…they feel comfortable.- He says and his face is crimson red.

All through dinner Freyr and Claude kept on talking to you and taking your attention from Hrid. Claude was blatantly flirting and Freyr...you were looking at a different side of him, to be sure. It must have been because as someone who could be in your dreams, had the ability to see things others didn’t and know things about you that no one else understood, but he got your sense of humor. Something even Alfonse had, had trouble to adjust to, not understanding your references and knowledge. You had to read his same books to be able to make new references and jokes. After years of being together he had taken your humor and understood what you meant and some of the heroes even used your slang. Freyr was different. He knew stuff and he used the obscure references to make you laugh and it gave the conversation a more intimate feel.

Still you were giving Dimitri all the attention you could because he was important to you and wanted to make him feel that he was cared for.

-We should go to the beach tomorrow and make it a drink contest.- Says Claude smiling at you.

-Oh my Lord give me patience! I am not taking you to get drunk Claude. I have never seen you drunk, but let me tell you; you do not need it.

-I can not give you patience child. Only good dreams and many children.- Lord Freyr says smiling at you. Hrid stops eating to look at him. You notice Claude and Dimitri are doing the same. You laugh at it. You keep forgetting he is the god of fertility as well. Freyr turns to them and says amused.

-I am the god of dreams and fertility. Do you want my blessing?- He turned his closed eyes at Claude who laughed out laud and bring his hands off in a guarding motion.

Everyone seemed to breath again.

-Wait have you given ______ your blessing?- Claude asks and winks at you. You feel your cheeks heat up.

-I would give her, as many children as she desires.- He answers Claude. The wording is very on purpose and it seems it is not lost on the people sitting at the table. You hear Hrid chock on his food.<< Oh God! What are these guys doing!?>> You spy a look at Alfonse and he looks amused if not a little red faced and concerned, but amused non the less. You give Hrid your glass of water to drink and wait to see if he needs you to perform the whatever maneuver. He drinks the water and start breathing right. He thanks you with a blush to his cheeks. He looks mortified about the incident.

-Yes Claude. I’ll be having thirteen children.- You say the first number that comes to your mind.

- I’m going to need a bigger table at home then.- His eyes twinkle with mischief.

-You better. My whole soccer team and I will be visiting you often.- You hear sounds of laughter coming from various sides of the table.

-Hey! I meant children with my beautiful green eyes.- He wiggles his brows.

-Well you better start looking for a wife then, because those are a lot of kids to have. You better start soon.

-That is so mean!- He says fake hurt, dramatically touching his heart.

-You gave Dimitri your blessing.- Dimitri says suddenly, breaking the conversation and looking at Claude in a cold and annoyed manner. He is asking Freyr about baby Dimitri.

-May he never lack good dreams. They are the rest of the mind and the refuge of the soul.

-God, that is so true. I’m tired of dreaming of going to battle and finding my self back in school butt naked - You hear a noise like someone almost spit their drink. Hrid by your side actually laughs.- or zombies in the battlefield eating my heroes. The living dead. - You elaborate after you see Hrid’s confused expression.

-Are you afraid of school and the risen?- Asks Hrid trying to catch your attention away from Freyr and specially Claude.

-Heck no! Zombies are rotten corpses that eat the living like wild rabid animals. I used to watch a lot of moving pictures about them before coming to live here. I’m cool with risen. I even like the red eyes. I like red eyes. They’re kind of sexy, depending of whoever has them.- Of course you are talking about Lif.- And school…I mean…the bad part is finding yourself butt naked in a public place.

-I wonder what that dream means if it is a recurring dream.

-I think it means…- You get cut short by the conversation in the table next to yours.

-Oh You heard that Lord Corrin? The summoner finds red eyes sexy!- You hear Nile’s voice loudly tell Corrin.

-What the hell Niles! Why are you listening to my conversation?- You throw him your balled up napkin. He only laughs. Corrin who is sitting by his side, hits him with his elbow. You hear an “Ouch” followed by Niles laughing.

-Summoner you were talking loud enough for the whole kingdom. This makes you laugh too.

You look sideways at Alfonse who is talking to Fjorm. She seems to disagree with something he said, sighs and nods.

After a while when some of the heroes start to get up from the tables you hear Alfonse clear his throat. Claude is looking at him and you turn just in time to see Fjorm say something to Hrid.

-_______. Would you care to sing something for us?- Asks Hrid.

-Right now?- <<Are this guys trying to kill me of embarrassment?>>

-Yes _____! Sing that song you sing with the guys on campaigns! - That was Claude.- Make it to Freya like last time! You don’t mind, do you?- He asks Freyr. Freyr shakes his dead.

<<WTH is he talking about?>> there are many songs you like singing with the heroes when in campaigns by the fire light so you are kind of confused. He makes a gesture and you get it.

-Oh…Fine.- You agree mostly because that song does not need the best of voices. You lean in to talk softly to Dimitri.- Dimitri. It is going to get loud.- He nods at you like he is ready.- You look around and catch Shigure’s eye and signal to him. He goes pink but nods.

-When a humble bard…-There was a choir of whistles, “Yeah!”s and shouts.

Graced a ride along

With Geralt of Rivia

Along came this song.

From when the White Wolf fought

A silver-tongued devil

Her army of elves

At her hooves did they revel . - Freyr does look entertained.

They came after me- Shigure stands and sings alongside you.

With masterful deceit

Broke down my lute

And they kicked in my teeth

While the devil's horns

Minced our tender meat

And so cried the Witcher

She can't be bleat

Toss a coin to your Witcher -Everyone starts singing. Hrid’s brows are knitted and he is looking around to see everyone singing. Even some of the heroes like Tibarn who had gone out had come back to sing.

O' Valley of Plenty

O' Valley of Plenty, oh

Toss a coin to your Witcher

O' Valley of Plenty

(Rest of the verses here)

Toss a coin to your Witcher

O' Valley of Plenty

O' Valley of Plenty, oh

Toss a coin to your Witcher

A friend of humanity X3 - You leave the last choir to Claude who has the perfect voice for the part. ( 1)

By the time you finish the song everyone starts screaming. You have no idea why they like that song so much but every time you all sing it; it feels like you are all pirates or something.

-Goddess! I love that song. For a minute I felt I was in a tavern somewhere in a town far away riddled with monsters and villains.- Says Claude.

-You mean Fodlan taverns anywhere?- Asks Dimitri. He sounds serious, but the gruffness of his voice is gone and it makes you happy to see him put the effort to joke around. Claude laughs out loud and can only nod to agree.

All around you could hear the heroes talking excitedly about one thing or another. Some where inviting others to the town tavern. Others like Lady Camilla is heard telling someone something like “We should dress like pirates next Pirate Festival dear!”.

-That was something, you don’t see every day.- Says Hrid smiling and he looks entertained.- You are something else summoner. Who is the Witcher?

-Freyr.- Says Claude at the same time that Freyr says your name.

- It is a story about a monster hunter called Geralt of Rivia, that is sent to fight a half goat or ram and half man who was helping some elves, who were the “terror” of the nearby towns. I changed it for Lady Freya and her dark elves, who we had to fight in our dreams some time ago, with the help of Lord Freyr. I say the Witcher would be Lord Freyr. He was the one who gave up his life to save us. I summoned him some time ago.- You raise your cup to him in a toast. He smiles at you.- Besides he has the long white hair and beautiful golden eyes.- Hrid looks at Freyr and Freyr opens his eyes to reveal his beautiful eyes. They are a liquid, luminous gold color. They glow as if with the light of liquid fire but not quite lava.

-I thought he was blind.- He says in wonder. You could understand him. Lord Freyr was a beauty to behold. Even in his animal form he was the most beautiful being you had ever seen. Even the ethereal beauty of Lady Freya was nothing compared to him. Everyone was either a little jealous of him, felt intimidated by him, or had a crush on him.

-Just sleeping. - Freyr says calmly.

-Talking about sleeping. I need to get the younglings to bed. Dimitri what are you going to do?

-Whatever you ask of me.- He says readily eyeing Hrid. He has noticed how clingy he seemed to be with you and he does not trust him.

-I would like you to come with me on my patrols tonight; if that is alright with you. -His brows furrow and he gives Alfonse a long look. Alfonse seems to be listening but avoids looking at you.

-I will come with you.

-Hey I thought I was coming with you my dear!- Says Claude.

-You can come to get the kids to bed if you want to. I am going to need a handsome prince for tonight’s fairy tale and Marth is busy.- You tell him teasingly. Hero King Marth who is walking by looks your way and blushes.

-That is so cruel.- He says and pouts.

-Summoner. I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me in the gardens or I could take the watch with you.- Says Hrid.

-Omm, I really need to take Dimitri. There are things I would like to talk about with him, but if you do not mind you can come to story time and then take a walk. Since my prince charming is sulking right now. It looks like he does not want to cooperate.- You notice Claude is looking at Alfonse and you have this distinct feeling that surprises will keep happening before the night was out.

<<Seriously guys? Like my heroes need to be told to do weird crap.>>

Dimitri went to prepare for your watch together, but before he left, you saw him frown at Hrid who returned it with a cold look. This of course annoyed you to no end because no one treats your babies that way. You go to the living area where the children gather every night for a hero to tell them a tale. You do this twice a week, usually with Alfonse by your side. You really wanted to be petty and reenact Frozen with Hrid as the prince, but you remember Anna and Alfonse said to treat him right.

<<Fine>>

When you are done with the kids you and Hrid go take that walk in the garden and decide that if he starts coming on to you; you will have to nicely let him down. You are even waiting for the chance. You are sitting on a bench around the entrance that lead to the Eastern stables. Hrid has like the spot to take a rest and sit as close to you as possible. Lucky for you the hour was still early enough that many heroes are still around and you do not feel uncomfortable.

- The heroes are very fond of you _____. It is very impressive to see. I have been told so many things about you and I thought it would be impossible for someone to posses so many qualities like you; but I can see that not only are all of those rumors true…they do not make you justice . I can see what you do for the heroes and for the people. I was told you aided in a birthing yesterday.-You nod but say nothing when he keeps talking.- I remember the first time I saw you. You came to help heal me and ask if I needed anything. My sister Gunnthra was so fond of you. She believes you are destined to be part of our family. I can only agree with her good judgement.

- I feel very humbled by her favor towards me. I…- Just thinking about her, and her horrible demise brought tears to your eyes.- I wish I had, had more time to know her better. Sometimes… I wish I could see her in a dream and see her happy again. I also wish I could save Fjorm…from everything. -He looks moved by your statement but he has no idea that he is the one you want to save her from.

-It may do her good to spend a weekend at home. You could come and visit with her. It would bring us happiness if you did. It would make me very happy.- He says and takes your hand in his cold one.

-I think it would be good for her to do so, but I am afraid that as long as there is a war; my place is here and I can’t take more than a day off every week. You see…I…-There is a pause since you were distracted by someone walking on your far left, as if trying to not be seen.- Hey!! Valter? You are back!. What do you have there?- You get up and walk towards the tall man.

-A shake…- He says . He has heard you say that to other people jokingly. He is not turning around to face you and has something big on his shoulder.

- Valter?- He finally turns around and you see he is all bloody from a wound on his arm and leg. There are gashes as if from big paws.- Oh god Valter! You are hurt! Let me see! You’ve been gone for three days! I know you came early but look at you!

-I am fine summoner. I will go to the healers in a while. Here.- He lowers the thing he has been holding on his shoulder.- I gift you the man eater,that has been plaguing the villagers in the Western villages.- He places the mountain lion at your feet. His tall figure kneeling on one knee to better show his prey.

- A fine prey Valter. I could not have chosen a better hunter. -He smiles with pride. At first you and Valter had not see eye to eye, with his way of trying to make you be afraid of him and calling you prey.  Alter he had a lot of talking to by Alfonse and Leon/ Fomortiis, you had come to an understanding and now It was a better relationship. You may not trust him as a person but you trusted him to be himself and now you had a better understanding of his motivations and personality. You also valued and respect his skills.- I thank you for an excellent job.- You take our your handkerchief and clean his mouth. It is dripping with blood and it is not his.

-Will you partake of it Summoner?- He asks lifting it up to his shoulder again.

-Of course, but only after it is cooked if you don’t mind. Are you going to skin it in the kitchen? -He nods- I’ll go take a look during my watch. Valter don’t eat it raw! Those cats have worms in their meat. - He nods and smears your cheek with blood. - Valter…- you whine at his retreating back. He gives a loud laugh.

- Was he drinking its blood?

- Yeah, probably.- You say whipping the blood off of your face.- I’ve told him not to eat it raw. I am afraid he is going to get sick in the long run, but he told me he was not going to live that long. Now I am seriously thinking of not returning him to his world… I’m gonna have to adopt him or something. - You notice now Hrid is looking at you a little open mouthed.

<<What did I do?>>

-Summoner!- You hear the shout of a familiar voice. You see a mop of white hair shinning bright in the light of the torches. His red eyes burning with annoyance.- Naga’s brat changed his patrol to be my partner. Did you allowed this?

-No Mr. Grima. I didn’t know about this. Which of them?

-The first one…the one from the river.- <<Oh Marth>> He says it pouting. You take his hand.

- Grima, dear. You have to understand that sometimes people may want to be your friend. Has he ask you about Robin?

-No. Never.

-See? He is not interested in returning Robin like Chrom wanted to, not only because he has never been friends with Robin before, but because he knows quite well there is only you in that body. What he wants is to be your friend. You see, like you; Hero King Marth was summoned after death. He will be staying here after the war, like you. I have talked to him already Grima dear. He has no evil intention towards you. He just wants to be your friend.- He looks to his side and thinks for a moment.

-Fine worm; but if he so much as thinks about “bringing back” Robin, I’ll eat him.- He is still kind of pouting and kind of bashful about it. You ruffle his hair playfully. He growls but lowers his head to rest on your shoulder.

-Come here you grumpy dragon. -You give him a hug.- Give the man the chance you gave me and Alfonse. And if he so much as hurt a single hair of my -You whisper so only he can hear- Baby dragon ( 2 )…I will personally behead him or something.

-Don’t call me that worm!- then he adds in a softer tone-…eat him…- He sounds angry to other people but you know him well. He does not move his head. You don’t know it, but he sends Hrid a venomous look.

-I’ll eat him whole Grima. He’ll make some great tacos or burgers, sausages…Ug! I grossed my self out now.-  You say laughing. He gives you a low laugh as well.- I didn’t see you at dinner Grima.

-I was busy training.

-I know. Here if you go to the kitchen and get something to eat’ I’ll give you this candy…but don’t tell Gaius about it.- He lets go.- Oh Valter is there with this mountain lion he killed. We ate roasted beef.- He makes a face. He dislikes Valter and mountain lion.

-I don’t like mountain lion. Fine. I’ll eat him instead.- He says smirking and turning to leave.

-No Grima! You’ll get sick!- You say laughing hard. You know he is kidding.

-That…That is the Fell Dragon Grima?- Asks Hrid when Grima is gone. You nod smiling.- The terror and destroyer of the world?- He looked at your face and can almost see pride in them, like a mother showing off his child who has done something great. And of course you feel pride. Grima was loved and happy. He no longer wanted to avenge himself, he wanted to be loved and be accepted. This was a big win for you.

The rest of the walk is spend like this. You walk for a while and then a hero shows up and take your attention away from Hrid. He seems a little frustrated but at the same time, that look he gives you, like you are something precious does not fade from his eyes. It is the time for you to go and you are about to say good night when he asks something of you.

-This night has been wonderful. I have seen you work your magic and the more I see, the more I think you would be a great queen.

<<Oh crap!>>- I am just a regular person who wants what’s best for her people and home. -<<Yeah sound more patriotic why don’t you?>>

- I know. That is the reason. I - He makes along pause and seems to change his mind on what he wanted to say.- I know, I asked this of you before but, I really would like to hear you sing. Only this time. Would you sing a love song? What would you sing to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?

-I really am not that great a singer. I just like music a lot and since I came here I lost my… music so I sing it, to not for get it… besides I…that is very personal.- You say uncomfortable. This was going sideways fast and you knew it.

-I understand. I also understand you do not know me enough to fall in love with me. You must know by now I wanted ask for your hand in marriage, but I will not push it. I just want to hear what Fjorm has heard. It would make me really happy.

You think about it and realize that how worst could it really get? It was not like you were going to accept him any way. -OK, let’s walk this way.- You tell him and start singing when you are almost under Alfonse’s balcony.

I say I'll move the mountains

And I'll move the mountains

If he wants them out of the way. -- It did feel like you had to move a mountain to reach Alfonse, when you had just met. Now

look at you now. You could barely part from each other.

Crazy he calls me

Sure, I'm crazy

Crazy in love, I say.

I say I'll go through fire

And I'll go through fire -- There are flashes of you fighting alongside Alfonse to beat Surtr.

As he wants it, so shall it be

Crazy he calls me

Sure, I'm crazy

Crazy in love, you see.

Like the wind that shakes the bough

He moves me with a smile -- Yo see him in your mind’s eye smiling that rare sweet smile he has only for a few precious people and you.

The difficult I'll do right now --Well you did gave him an army of heroes and manage it well.

The impossible will take a little while -- And you will end the war and win it for him.

I say I'll wait forever --You look up to his window. Up till now you had been looking at the starry sky but the light in his room had gone out. He was surely looking out the window.

And I mean forever-- That was your promise. You will wait for ever for him.

If I have to hold up the sky

Crazy he calls me

Sure, I'm crazy

Crazy in love am I

Crazy in love am I. ( 3)

Luckily Hrid had not been here long enough to know where your room or Alfonse’s room lay. He did not know he had witnessed your promise to him.

-That was beautiful. That song… I could imagine you fighting against Surtr…Saving my land and my people.

<< Oh Lord! You have to be kidding me. This is what he got from this?>>

-You have to remember your highness, that I was not alone and I did the least of the fighting. You have Alfonse to thank for that and The Order. -<<And your sister’s sacrifice…>>

- I was lost in the song I have to confess. You look so beautiful right now. It is easy to forget everything else.- He steps closer to you. You are hit with the urge t to step back, but you have to stand your ground.- _____ I want to get to know you better. I want to be more than just acquaintances. I want to be..

<<God I hope he says best friends! Why can’t someone just come and save me?>>

-...more than just your ally. I want to be there when you need me and be the one you can count on.

<< Sir you are describing Alfonse…>>

-Hrid. I appreciate the sentiment. It is always a good thing to get to know the people that are important in our lives. I do agree with that, yet I need to tell you; that with the war and all the work I need to do; I can not offer you more than friendship. My priorities..

-She tells us all the same thing. Can you believe that? So very cruel Summoner.- Says King Claude from behind you.- I apologize for the intrusion, but princess Sharena has need of your help. Delthea drunk a kettle of coffee and is now running around playing pranks on unsuspecting heroes. I think she hid in the tower. Also Dimitri said he will be waiting for you in the library in half an hour.

-Oh Lord! Hrid, please forgive me for leaving you. Delthea is a very powerful and very imaginative witch, I can’t have her do this at this hour.

-I understand completely ______. In fact I would like to be of assistance.-  Hrid said eyeing Claude.

-That would be amazing. I just need to warn you about the consequences; but if you are alright with cat ears, be our guest. -Claude points to his head. Sure enough there lays a set of black velvety cat ears.

-Oh for God’s sake Claude! Wait. Is there a tail to match?…Oh what am I saying. I’m sorry Hrid. You better sit this one out. There are just so many guys with cat ears and tails I can manage in one night. I will see you tomorrow. Have a good night.

-As you wish. Good night and pleasant dreams.- You thank him and go away with Claude.

- You look so cute Claude.- You say and laugh.

-Mm interested in petting my ears  _____?

When you two are far enough, Claude takes his fake cat ears off and meet up with Freyr and Delthea who is not really playing tricks on anyone.

- I almost didn’t make it. I apologize ______ . I did hear you tell him you are not interested. That is good. I don’t think it will stop him though. It feels like no matter what we do, he can’t seem to mind that the heroes flirt with you. I mean I understand. I see you do this every day. You care for everyone and they can’t help but adore you and I understand it quite well and it only makes me love you more.- He says it matter of fact like he is not baring his feelings in front of other people.

-Claude…

-I know ____. I should have considered it. He just looks so stiff, controlling, possessive and well cold, I thought he would find it uncomfortable. Make him re think his choice. I’m thinking even you telling him you are not interested in a relationship may be making him more persistent. Like whenever you tell Valter not to eat mountain lion raw…He already ate the liver by the way. I saw him a couple of minutes ago.

-What?- Face palm <<OMG Valter. I feel like I’m dealing with toddles!>>

-Well. It is done. We will see what we can do tomorrow.

-I suppose. - You start walking towards the library where Dimitri would be waiting for you, but make some space to talk to Delthea quietly. -Oh Delthea. Did you ever find out what the book was about?

-Oh…I did ask Alfonse but he could not open it. He asked me where I had found it and I showed him. He had never seen it or heard about it before. He did not tel me the exact translation, but said it was about the first King of Askr. I asked him if I could help him find out how to open it and he said it was fine by him, so as soon as the Ice King takes off we get to work. I also told him I wanted to help him with his project and I managed to convince him to let me help. Like you say: “ Two heads are better than one.” he just told me not to tell you. ______ he is very upset. I am worried about him. I mean if he asked Claude to help him it means he is very desperate. That man better leave tomorrow or I will bewitch his underpants to be itchy for a month! What?! I can guarantee you he will never know it was us. Just like the time I turned Lord Virion’s undergarments pink. -she giggles.

- Was that you? Oh my God. -Virion was still looking for the culprit.- Please don’t do that. I don’t need more trouble for the Order or Askr. We can leave it as last resort though; in case we can’t find a way to break the deal.- You tell her to settle her down. When you finally meet up with Dimitri, you notice he is talking to Freyr and offering him something. On a closer inspection you see it is one of the key pendants to the tree house.

- I can not guarantee you she will not follow in a way, but no one will be getting in there but you, _____ and I, so there will be less chance of someone spiking your drinks. I am taking dreamless sleep pills and can’t dream. She will not tempt me.

- I feel touched by your gesture. I will take you up on your offer if you are sure of it.

-I am. I thought about it. I figure it would be hard to return to your room.

-Then I will stay with you. Thank you. I will wait for you reading in the library until you are done with your patrol.

- You can join us, if that is your wish.- Says Dimitri. Freyr seems to be thinking about it.

-I thin it is better for me to wait here. There are books here I have never read before.

Claude says his goodnights and leaves. Delthea stays to tell Freyr about the awesome book she found and where she found it. You are crossing the door to the outer grounds to talk to the inner wall guards. It is half past midnight.

-Dimitri. What you did back there for Lord Freyr. I am really touched and thankful for it. I thought about changing his room, but you know how all the rooms are the same except for Alfonse’s and mine, so it would be all the same. I was thinking to take him to my room and sleeping on the study. I was sure he would not agree to that. Then I thought to let him stay in one of the rooms at the infirmary.

-I thought about it when you told me what had happened to him. I am sure it was much more serious than what you mentioned.

- It is. It is much more serious.

-He seems to feel safe around you.- <<As do I>> He thinks.

- I wish I could save him from her.- << I already watched him die once…I could not take it if he were to die again because I failed.>> You do not voice your fears with Dimitri. It is better for him not to trouble himself with your fears.- I could have offered to sleep with him, but even voicing this sounds bad. Askr is so very conservative. - <<Although…We could camp out in the tree house with Dimitri! Wait…that sounds like a threesome or better yet a “treesome”…Damn!>>- we could…- You get cut short by your messaging pendant getting too warm. Something is wrong. Then you hear someone shouting your name. It is Gordin.

-______!!! Lord Freyr told me to tell you the Elmblan Empire is crossing our borders! They are about to attack the keeps in the Northern towns. He saw it some moments ago and sent Delthea to tell Commander Anna.

-Thank you Gordin! Dimitri. I need to tell Alfonse and Sharena.

-I can tell the princess!- Says Gordin seriously.

-Thank you! Let’s go Dimitri.- You feel the pendant again. It was Anna. The message was to get ready.

You are running down the hall to Alfonse’s room when his door opens up. You see Hrid and Fjorm getting out of her room down the hall.

-Lord Freyr saw Embla crossing the Northern border and attacking the keeps.

-Let’s get ready. Inform the heroes on rotation. We will wait for you in the War room.- You nod and walk yo your room to get to the list in the study, but you get waylaid by Hrid and Fjorm who tries to persuade him to wait until they are called.

-Are we being attacked?

-Not ourselves. The keeps in the Northern border are about to be attacked. We will probably march in a while. I’ll keep you posted. I need to call my heroes on rotation.

You enter your room and then the study. You hear Dimitri say something and then shut the door.

-_______. I am not in rotation, but I want to fight. Is Lord Freyr fighting too?

-Let’s see. He is in rotation…but…

- Let him go. It will keep his mind off of his troubles. I will fight too and keep my eye on him.

-If you are sure; I’ll add you to the rooster.- You start sending the magic signals to the heroes in rotation and once you are done you take the list with you to the War Room. On your way out you see Fjorm and Hrid are meeting after preparing themselves to fight. They follow behind you to the War Room.

-Fjorm, you are not in rotation. You are part of the base defence today. You want to come with?

- Yes. I already changed my turn with Mathilda. Oh and I found Valter on the way. He said he will be ready when you are.

-He is not on rotation. In fact he was supposed to still be off today, but returned early…well I guess. He can come.

- What is this about rotation?- Asks Hrid. He is dressed in full armor and ready to go.

-It is the way to manage the heroes. One part fights, another part is left as reserves and the defence stays to defend the castle and the people of town in case there is an attack while we march off. The heroes change every battle. Right now we are about to see where we are about go and what we are about to do and decide if we need to do some changes in the groups. Just like the Royal army.

-You manage it all by yourself? Impressive.

-Well it is my job to get to know the heroes abilities and weaknesses . Then decide who works better in what situation and what they should be doing and who to send them with. You know, tactician’s planing. I make the suggestions and then Alfonse, who is the brain decides if the draft is right for what he thinks the enemy is doing and stuff. He’s a genius. Then Anna makes the final decision… but I mean I also like to have other opinions. Like Robin’s and Soren’s for example. It is all simple and regular army managing.

- Well. Not really. Remember when we fist met and you had suggested this to Commander Anna, because you were afraid someone would try attacking the castle when you were away, just like the time Embla had tried to destroy the Summoning Ruins? I also remember Anna apologized to you for not taking your suggestion of having a fire brigade before Surtr attacked into consideration. It was also your idea to make the Heroes their Order Cloaks to blend in with the surroundings and re designed the Regular Army’s new camouflage uniforms. The Royal Army even changed theirs as well! (4)

<< God Fjorm! Don’t help me look good now!>> Hrid looked impressed. Fjorm looks sorry.

-I saw the changes. I like the new uniforms and their usefulness. Amazing!

-Well none of those ideas are mine. I just took them from what the armies use in The World of Steel. I mean, sometimes Alfonse lends me his brain cells and I do come up with some good ideas, but mostly it is him doing the job. I just help along.- Fjorm laughs at this. She knows what you mean, but the two men look at you with different levels of confusion. You finally arrive to the War Room and after asking if you wanted him to wait outside, you let Dimitri stand by your side during the briefing. Fjorm had stood on your other side and signaled Alfonse to stand by her. After a moment she whispers a quiet “sorry” in your ear. She moves from between you two to go talk to Laegjarn. You can feel Alfonse’s hand lightly touch yours when she leaves. God! How you wanted to touch him. Hold his hand and disappear from the world.

Since Lord Freyr’s dream was a forewarning you had time to get to the site and wait for the enemy to attack. It would be an ambush. You fear you will have to spend the trip avoiding Hrid and stealing moments to talk to Alfonse. During the first part of the night when you were walking besides F Dimitri, you remember he had wanted to talk to you about something important.

-So Dimitri. What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?- Dimitri looked taken aback for a moment and then he looked around to see if anyone was hearing you.

- I…I have been watching Lif when he comes to watch you…- He says and suddenly you are attacked by the memories of your last encounter.- I apologize for not telling you directly…I did not know if he was real or not.

-Lif…-<< My Alfonse>> the thought passes your mind faster that lightning and you had no time to question it.- I… I can see why you would think that. He is… He looks so …-<<Beautiful>>- different. My regret. -You had know he had seen Lif. Of course you did, but you wanted to let him tell you in his own time after that one time he avoided the subject.

-I saw him go inside your window…I am sorry. I was not thinking strait. I let him in, not sure of who he was until you mentioned him. I just knew he loved you and he wanted to be near you… so I let him. I wanted to know what he would do. Understand him.

You lower your head before someone notices your watery eyes as they fill up with tears. Those words were breaking your heart… and now he was gone.

-Don’t worry about it Dimitri. I practically invited him. I also understand you… and I can see your instincts are working just fine. I trust them and I trust you. Besides. I wanted to see him so badly. I was not sure if he had survived and now I know he is…still fighting.

- You love them both…

- I… I do…Do you think me wicked?

- At first. When I did not know who he was. I understand now. Would you tell me how it went? All of it? I want to know about him.

- I don’t blame you for wanting to know. He is an interesting person. I mean, he is Alfonse but…They are the same, but different. Alfonse plays the violin you know. He plays like the angels in heaven…They are both violin music, but different pieces you see? Both highly intelligent and both seriously passionate in everything they believe and do…but like music Alfonse is intense but contained, controlled, like Vivaldi’s Winter And Lif is just as intense but unbound like Devil’s Thrill…Both beautiful to behold but …Oh crap I forgot you don’t know what I’m talking about. The music sound kind of like - You hum the music and explain the differences in rhythm and tempo. You look at him to see if he gets it and you see him smiling. You have never seen him smile.- Heh… I got a little carried away didn’t I?- He nodded.- Were you there when he left?

- Yes.

-I still have to tell Alfonse. I forgot to do so with the…arrival of our guests and everything else.-You backpedal to not tell him about the engagement.

-You will tell him? Everything?

- Of course. I don’t want to keep secrets from him. He knew what I was doing. That was the reason he was not home. We wanted to help him. We even had a plan on how to do so and…you saw. It all went sideways. Alfonse knew Lif would decline our offer, but I wanted to believe. I could not even tell him the plan… I felt so selfish asking him to stay.

- It would be painful to be around you and not be near…

- (sigh) yeah…and let’s not forget Sharena.- You start telling him how everything had started. How you all had thought he was the first king of Askr and then found out the truth. You tell him about Sharena’s flowers he had placed in that shine he had made. You tell him about your Summoner’s coat folded neatly among your favorite flowers. His parent’s crowns. How he had built the shrine because there was no bodies to bury and no tombs to take flowers to. You explained his plans and how he had changed his mind to help you. How he had been used like a marionette by Hell to kill you and how you had finished her with the his most precious possession. His Summoner’s Breidablik…you omit it was your own weapon or so you thought.

After a while there is a pause in the trek for rest and meals. By this time the sun was already coming up. While you are talking to the men,you are interrupted by Hrid who wants to be your guard during the battle.

- King Dimitri is her guard today. He is her support.- Says F Dimitri in his gruff voice. Hrid looks coldly back at him, and you sense he is about to retort. There is tension in the air and you have to intervene.

- I appreciate it and you are welcome to stay, but he is right, Dimitri is my baby sitter this time.

- I understand you already have your support, but it would ease my mind if I could stay by your side. This way I can protect you and observe the way you lead your men. If needed I will assist in battle of course and like I said before in the meeting; you can use my men as if they are your own. As I wish you will see them one day.

-I… Thank you your Highness…- Dimitri was scowling and you could tell he was beginning to get angry.

-Were we not on first name terms _____?

-I apologize for interrupting, but I was wondering if his Highness would help me out.- The voice came from behind Hrid. It was Charlotte. Her huge soulful eyes were fixed on Hrid.Her voice was all sweetness and her demeanor bashful and coy. To her side Groom Marth stood looking at Dimitri.- Your sister said you could help me.

<<Oh Thanks GOD! I could kiss Fjorm right now!>>

-Oh Hrid this is Lady Charlotte of Nohr. She is a trusted friend and ally.- It had taken a while to warm up to her after the incident with Alfonse. He had to explain to her, in the coldest of voices that he was not interested in her in any sort of way and that, what she was doing was harassment and it was punishable in Askr. Prince Xander had been called as well and he had been even less lenient. After working with her you found out she was actually pretty cool when she was not obsession with someone. You even gave her pointers on what she was doing wrong with guys. Everyone knows guys do not like desperate women and she radiated desperation.

-I would help her, but I am afraid I am not tall enough.- Says Marth. Hrid excuses himself and goes to help Charlotte. You can tell he is very annoyed by the redness on his cheeks and ears. Charlotte turns to you and winks. Marth gives you a small smirk and asks if he can talk to Dimitri. They both leave to where King Dimitri is waiting for them. As soon as they leave, you feel someone tap you in the back. You turn around and King Claude takes a finger to his closed mouth and signals for you to follow him.

- Please tell me I am not as persistent and annoying as that man!- He says in a quiet hiss. You walk a little into the wooded area by the road and see a figure dressed in white waiting for you.

-Thank you Claude. I owe you. And for the record. You are not annoying at all and I enjoy spending time with you.

-Then minutes Alfonse. Make the best of it.- Claude says and winks. You turn around and Alfonse is blushing.

He walks up to you and takes your hand. He says nothing but his eyes speak volumes. His other hand comes up to your face and caresses your cheek. You lean into his touch and close your eyes. He kisses your forehead and then embrace you. You circle his waist as he cradles your back and head.

Meanwhile King Dimitri, Savior King Dimitri and Marth are talking to Fallen Dimitri. F Dimitri had gone to ask them what was happening to you and what was the deal with the king of Nifl. K Dimitri and G Marth had weighted the options of telling F Dimitri what they knew. They decided to tell him about the treaty and that he should be patient and threat the King with respect so that Askr could gain the aid they will need if they were to be attacked by another kingdom. They will tell him about the engagement after Hrid leaves.

-Yes. Apparently he is interested in building a relationship ending in marriage with her, but we all know she is not interested in anyone but Prince Alfonse. Still, we have to be careful and polite with him.- Explains Marth.

-Fine ,but if he so much as breathes wrong, her way I will cut his head off.- He is about to go when he is stopped by his other self.

-It is not wise to project your feelings towards her. She will not return them. Better men than us have tried and failed. She wants only to help you and it will only hurt you both.- Says King Dimitri.

-I understand who her heart belongs to and I would not come between them.- He wondered if any of them had seen the way you looked at Lif, or had seen how much you love each other, or if they only knew about Alfonse. The way he saw it; he knew better than any of them who your heart belonged to. Divided as it was.

Dimitri found you talking to Alfonse just at the edge of the forest by the road you were taking; but he did not approached you. You were looking at a map, but seemed to be talking about something else. He spied Hrid talking to the blonde girl who wanted to marry a rich man. Her charms were being neglected by the prince who kept scowling and sending you furtive looks. Dimitri could hear you talking thanks to his finer sense of hearing.

-Can we talk about that after the battle?- You ask Alfonse. He scowls.

- What did he do? Did he hurt you?

-What? No! He refused our help, just like you said he would. He left…for good this time.

- There is more.

-We should focus on the battle ahead. I don’t want to mess up something important because our head is in another matter.- Alfonse closes his eyes. He is loosing his patience and probably thinking there was something worst than what actually happened. You sigh.- I wanted to wait until later to tell you. The truth is just that, he refused our help, said he could never be my friend and that even if he agreed to be helped, he doesn’t believe we can help him. He showed me his face…then kissed me. - Alfonse palled and rubbed his face. He looked annoyed but at the same time relieved.- I did not tell him about my “memories”. I don’t know what he would do, if what we think happened to me, is real.- Alfonse looked even more relieved by that. Dimitri wondered what that meant.

-We will talk about this when we get home. Hrid will be your guard today. He asked Commander Anna. -His jaw muscles were moving with tension.

- Goddammit! Well so will Dimitri. I am not changing my plan. He is lucky I did not choose Grima. I’m being nice here Alfonse…a good girl Alfonse.- You smile coyly at him and at first he is confused, but you see him redden. He has no idea of your real meaning, but just looking at you giving him that look is enough to make him melt. He knows you are flirting, but he does not know the context. He is about to say something when you both hear Anna give the command to start the march.

After a meal brake, Fjorm comes to talk to you.

-_____. I heard my brother has asked to be your body guard. You have to deny him.- You look at her confused.- _____ remember our traditions. If he saves your life or Alfonse’s; you will owe him a life debt. I…do not understand him. I would not have thought him capable of using something like this or even demanding it of you, but he seems so different. I am not sure if it is because he has been alone without mother and Gunthra to guide him or something, but he looks different. I am just doing this as a precaution. I swear to you he is a good man and a honorable one, but I also know that he is stubborn and will fight for what he wants and what he thinks is best.

-I believe you Fjorm. I actually like him as a person. I just can’t help be angry at his ideas and the outcome of his requirements for the treaty. I will appeal to his warrior pride and make him be in the battlefield, just not close to Alfonse or Sharena. Deal?- She smiles and blushes when you take her hand in yours.

That night there is no time to put tents up. You put your roll up by Sharena and Fae who sleeps between you and Grima. You have noticed Grima had given the small dragon some of the candy you had given him. Fae is slowly becoming a younger sister of sorts to him. She started following him around and he let her after he was told she was alone in the world and had been isolated for a long time. She had been well taken care of, but had no living family. Although she had people who loved her and knew some half dragons, she was immediately drawn to Grima after she had heard of how he had been treated and how he had been isolated and alone. She had told you she wanted to help him. They were both alone.

You were awaken by a soft voice.

-The family has grown.- Alfonse’s smiling face is looking down at you from his sitting position by your head. You look around to find Fae had moved to Grima’s side and some time in the night, young Tiki had laid down on his other side.

<<OMG! What do I do?!>> You did not want Grima to wake up to find her there and get angry. You look at Grima and see that his eyes are open. He moves his hand from under Tiki’s head just a bit and signals you to not make a noise. <<Oh OK then..>> He closes his eyes again.

-Care to patrol with me?- Alfonse asks and you get up to join him. Hrid had, had the last watch and was sleeping now. You would be leaving in a few hours and arrive at the keeps before twilight.

-I guess it has grown. I wonder why the dragons just leave their kids so young wander around in the world, all alone like that.

-They probably have their reasons to do it.- He says quietly. You were thinking of arguing your point but remember that he himself was not as close to his parents and had had a more or less lonely childhood. If it wasn’t for Sharena he would have been much more of a loner. You decide to change the subject.

-Free for some hours then?- You ask. He looks back to where Hrid is laying asleep by his sisters.

-At last. Care for a tea after the patrol?- He asks you smiling. You take his hand and look him in the eyes.

-I’ll be happy to.

You do the patrol and drink some hot water since you could not find the tea. You talk for a while and fall asleep together sitting by the fire. This is where F Dimitri finds you to wake you up to re start the journey.

The second day goes on just like the first. Hrid comes often to talk to you and more often than not some heroes come to take you away for one reason or another. You walked alongside K Claude mostly and Grima who was followed by young Tiki and Fae. At some point Hero King Marth came to walk alongside and carried a sleepy Tiki who had placed a flower on his tiara. Fae pouted until Grima carried her as well. You looked back one time to find Chrome watching longingly at them.

You arrived past midday to the Keeps and after you help them all to settle and then seek Hrid out. You did not notice Alfonse had followed you and stayed in the shadows to wait for you.

-Hrid. I wanted to talk to you.

-Oh?

-You see… I don’t know how to say this… It is just, I wanted to ask you something. -He he looks at you expectantly with a small smile adorning his face. You also try not to sound flirty but keep it as interested.- I was thinking back at the time we found you in Muspell and remembering how you were fighting. Well the reason I was reluctant for you to be my guard was that I was curious about your style and I wanted to see more of it.

- Oh! I see. I was desperate and not at my best.

-Being desperate to save a loved one is probably when people are at their best in my opinion. Maybe not technique wise but at least morally.- He reddens and bites his lower lip a little.

-I would love to show you my style. Where do you want me?

<<Is he…?>>

-Umm. I was thinking of placing you, if you are alright with it of course; on the right flank, by Lord Seliph. That way you are in the fray and still close enough.

-It sounds good to me.- He says.

- We can talk about it after the battle. - You say because you knew he would want to hog the time again and because now at least you had something to talk about that does not sound awkward to you.

You attended the meeting with the Royal Army Officers. Alfonse had sent a messenger before hand to warn them. They had arrived some two hours before you.The plan was laid out for the officers and and after some debate it was approved. The Royal Army was very set in their ways and your suggestion on an ambush by militia attacks was taken with skepticism. You had met this kind of drawback before and it was always smoothed over by the heroes and Alfonse. The later had avoided your gaze every time you had asked for his opinion and you notice he looked angry. He had stood as far away as possible from you. Meanwhile Hrid had stood next to Claude which was as close to you as he could get.

As soon as the meeting was over, you sent out the mages and scouts to set up confusion wards in case enemy scouts came and saw you already there. Then mines were placed by the mages for when the enemy arrived. Not explosive mines but paint. The paint was magic and it help to immobilize , by temporally blind and confuse the enemy warriors; giving you precious time to attack them or retreat as needed. They also had the side effect of giving people hives. You seek out Alfonse to talk to him. You find him in the armory.

-Alfonse. I need to talk to you.- He does not turn to you and keeps on checking his gear and weapons. He looks like he wants to ignore you.

- I have no time. We can do this after the battle…unless you have someone to talk to later instead?

<<???>>

-Yeah… I promised Hrid we would talk about his sword style and technique…and that is what I need to talk to you about.

-I need to go check on the men.

-It will be just a minute…why are you so angry any way?

-What do you mean angry? Why would I be angry? Did you do something to anger me?

-I don’t think so…Look any way; Fjorm came and told me not let Hrid be my guard…- He looked at you now.- because she did not want him to save me or something and then I would owe him a life debt.

-What? He wouldn’t dare...- Now he looks even angrier.

-Yeah she doesn’t believe that either, but she says he looked different in a way and it is a “just in case” kind of thing, so I went to talk to him and ask him to fight. I was afraid for you as well as Sharena. It is better neither of us owe him something. - He nods. He still looked annoyed but at least he did not radiated that miasma of doom he does when he is really angry.

- I.. heard you talking to him.

-Oh! So that is why…Oh Alfonse!- You look around to see if someone is watching and take his hand. He leads you a little away until he finds a small door that he opens and you find yourself in a small closet full of weapon polishing products.

-I’m sorry I should have told you I was going to do that, but I didn’t found the time with so much stuff to do.

-No…I should not be jumping to conclusions. It is just…- He suddenly hugs you and kisses you on the forehead.- I…I love you so much…- He lowers his face and is about to kiss you. You feel like the butterflies in your stomach are having a party in there.

(Knock, knock)

-You two. It’s time to go!- Alfonse jumps back at the sound of Niles’ always suggestive words. You open the door and frown at him. Niles looks around inside the closet and smirks.- So…how was the sword polishing?

<<Oh I wish Niles!>> You roll your eyes at him.- We were only talking. You look back at Alfonse but he is looking down at his feet. You have never seen him look so guilty before. <<Adorable!>>

-Just talking huh…I love “just talking” with people inside closets too.

-Oh I wish Niles, but you went ahead an ruined it by knocking at the door. Besides we were in there for only like thirty seconds! Oh wait…Is that how long you “talk to people in closets”?

-______!!- Comes Alfonse’s voice behind you.

-.…Oh you got me good Summoner!- He says and starts laughing out loud.- I forget you are not afraid to use that tongue.

<<Oh Niles if only you knew… That’s exactly what I was trying to do.>> He looks at your face sees that little smirk and he just knows and laughs harder.

-Don’t worry your Highness. I am an expert at keeping secrets. I would give you fifteen minutes but we really need to go.- Alfonse comes out after you and his face is redder than a tomato.

-Wait. Let me fix your cloak.- He stops and lets you fix his scarf part of the cloak. You linger around his neck and then pass your fingers through the locks of hair loose from his crown. He is looking at you and you see his lips part and look at your lips for a second. His tongue comes out slowly to lick at his lower lip. The moment is so intimate Niles turns around to give you privacy and for once keeps quiet.

-You look good.- You tell him and his cheeks redden a little more.- Let’s go.- You say and both of you follow Niles out of the armory to Anna who is waiting for you.

~*~

The Emblian Empire attacked at midnight. The Askrn forces had let them get close to the bait, which was the keep where the the town people were hiding. Then the militia attacks were started in the enemy rear. Your surprise attack was successful and when they tried to retreat the mines enclosed them in where the men were not stationed. The battlefield was alight with fires suddenly burning, this way you could see where the heroes were and what they were doing.

From your position on one of the highest hills outside of town you could send the signals to the men and not be reached by enemy fire. King Savior Dimitri was by your left side monitoring the danger and the rear. Waiting for the moment he had to act.

Although you had smoother over the problem with Alfonse, he seemed still to be in a bad mood. He fights with the same skill as ever, but you could see there was something else in there. The same quality to his strikes that Lif had in his…like he really wanted to hurt something.

-Beruka tell Innes there’s an enemy sniper hiding far to his right flank over the tallest tree. - You mouthed over to Beruka who could read your lips. She nodded and before taking of to warn Innes.

Once in a while you look over to Hrid to check on his team and actually evaluating him so you would have something to talk about later on.

Next is Valter whom you had told to stay and rest after being on that hunt he went on. He seemed just as efficient, but there was a slowness to his strikes that if not corrected could end in a bad situation. You touch your medallion and say his name. It would let him know you are watching him or have something to tell him. He turns to you after making sure there is no danger.

- Are we the prey or are we the hunter?- That did it for him. No one would call him prey. He seemed to regain vigor, speed and strength.- Good. That’s my hunter boy.- You could hear Azura and Shigure singing over the noise. You turn to watch the others. Michaelis, Minerva, Seliph, Olivia,Eliwood and Roy, Hector, Rath , Eirika, Lyon and Ephraim…

You take your spyglass to watch the farther part of the field and spy on Xander, who is the leader of the Emblan army. He is watching you it seems, so you wave at him. He lowers the spyglass and for a second it looks like he is about to wave back but thinks better of it. This makes you chuckle. That man is actually a good man and you could understand his position. He not only kept Veronica company and keeps the vultures that try to make her their puppet away from them, but he had smoothed out some problems that could have escalated without his help. Without him the war would be worst and who knows where Veronica would be or what she would be doing. He kept her human.

Then from the North Eastern side of the Keep the flank breaks and reinforcements pour in. You knew about them and were prepared for them, that was what the mines were for. What you were not prepare for, was one of the heroes in the enemy lines. Adrestian Emperor Edelgard, dressed in her Reds and golds armor lead the reinforcements. You hear a hiss from S K Dimitri at the same time you feel your medallion warn you. It was Alfonse. You turn to watch him but you know full well what he meant. He points to F Dimitri. He has isolated himself as he always does. His backup Marth, is blocked form getting to him by a couple of lancers. Alfonse made his way to him, but before he reached him Dimitri looked up. It seemed like he could hear orders being given and recognized the voice.

Dimitri saw Edelgard and he froze for a second. Then he started to walk her way and he looked like he was not paying attention to his surroundings. Alfonse started to make his way towards him and so did Marth. You signal King Claude who is near by covering Alfonse, but he had already seen the scene unfolding. He started felling the enemies that were about to hit Dimitri. You signal Dimitri himself. At last he seems to react, but instead of returning your call, he started to relentlessly and brutally kill the enemies on his way.

You hear SK Dimitri growl in anger. You reach for his hand and squeeze it gently.

You can see with the spyglass that Edelgard has taken notice of Dimitri. She stands for a minute watching him and you see her close her eyes. The face she makes is almost one of regret. She turns around, then signals something to her men and she starts attacking the opposite flank. On her stead another hero is sent. Death Knight.

-Oh FUCK… Death Knight.- You had seen him before. That man was insane and brutal. He did not listen to orders and actively has tried to kill your heroes any chance he has. You see him make a bee line to where F Dimitri is trying to follow Edelgard.

You see it as if in slow motion. Ferdinand came down on Dimitri even before Death Knight arrived. You had not even seen him coming. He drove his lance with enough force to behead someone and the speed to not miss. He had the advantage of surprise. Dimitri could not deflect or evade; but before Ferdinand’s lance hit its mark; a golden shield came up to protect a falling Dimitri. Alfonse had reached Dimitri just in time to jump on the way of the strike and effectively striking the blond out of the way. Alfonse almost fell down with the force of the strike and the effort not to step on the fallen blonde. He stood with his legs on either side of Dimitri’s upper body. Then the second strike came just as he was trying to gain his footing. The force of the second strike almost made him stumble and had him straddling the blonde. Alfonse could do nothing but shield himself and Dimitri. He turned to see if Dimitri was alright and his faces were inches apart.

He was about to tell him to get up when they heard a yell. Ferdinand was falling down his horse and an arrow was stuck on the horse’s flank. Claude was covering him while trying to keep from getting hit by enemy arrows. This gave Alfonse the time he needed to get up. Alfonse was standing up when Death Knight’s scythe came sideways and hit his shield on the side enough to fling it and his arm away form his body. He deflected the rest with the sword.

Sparks like fireworks flew from Folkvangr. Death Knight was poised to strike again. Watching from the ground Dimitri was struggling to get up. He was backing away so he could get up and not be on the way.

You watch it all from your post. Unable to do anything about it. You feel like the life is draining from you with every beat of the heart. Hel’s scythe; coming down slowly and yet so fast. Just like it had done for Anna and Sharena before. It strikes Alfonse to behead , but the angle and motion playing their part have another idea. The scythe misses badly. He is falling down…

-ALFONSE!!!!!

…..He is falling….he is …. outside the Order's castle in a training arena. You followed him to see him train. He is doing something you had not seen him do before. He jumps and twirls his sword to gather power and at the point of the strike there is a beam of power coming out. The attack is one of the most powerful you had ever seen. It may even rival Aether.

-Incredible…- You say behind him. He turns and smiles at you. His naked torso glistening with sweat. In another time he would he dying of shame from being found with so little clothes.

-Do you like it? I am trying to create something powerful to kill her.

-Alfonse that is amazing! How do you call it?

-I don’t know yet…I want to make a future for us with it. Maybe then we can end this absurd war and get married,- He gets close to you and touches your cheek with his fingers. - My beloved _______. He kisses you slowly on your lips and then kisses your forehead.-…I might call it…

-DOOR TO THE FUTURE!!!!- Your yell resonates over the cacophony of voices and yells of the battlefield. Breidablik lights up…

A/N

This program is messing up my grammar instead of helping, especially names. I have no idea how many times I have gone and fixed them. When I transfer it to the page it gets messed up again. I think it gets confused because I write in different languages XD

As a side note, I am trying not to make Hrid sound like he is an asshole at all. I like him a lot, but the guy is in love and is very possessive and jealous of Alfonse who he believes belongs with his sister and passes most of his time with you so…He just wants a chance for you to get to know him and fall in love maybe…and maybe…and maybe…

I have this head canon that if Valter ever hears Guren no Yumiya from Attack on Titan it would become his National Anthem XD. Bless Natewantstobattle and his covers.

Have you ever wonder why Lif’s face and original skin only covers his nose and his mouth seems to be lost and to have no bone inside?….yeah…I do.

1. The song I am referencing here is the metal cover by Dan Vasc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS4Q-WWyl3Q

2. It is said that Grima is 2000+ years but I seriously think that he can’t be that much older than Tiki was around the time of Shadow Dragon. So to me he is still a kid. A very neglected and abused kid who is lashing out in the worst way, because he is so powerful. I am doing this because I think that a gown up Grima would be more a love interest and I don’t want that in this story. Also I ship him with Evostrashbin’s Summoner. BTW I’m so happy Evo got Halloween Mr. Grima! I love it!

3. Crazy He Calls Me. Natalie Cole’s version. I love this song all thanks to my father. I choose it because I could see the co-relation with the story line and situation.

4. I mean. I get that the order is supposed to be the good guys but dressing in white all the time in battle? That works well in winter and Nifl, but that’s it. That Lord of the Rings cloak, the Lorien Elves gave The Fellowship would be awesome to have for the Heroes on more stealthy missions. Camo uniforms would also work wonders on the Order’s favor.