#stonegrot fanfiction

[sweetiepie08]

All I Ask of You (Chap 4)

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance fic

Deet x Rian

She walked into his life when all seemed lost. He accepted her when the other surface dwellers didn’t. She was gentle. He was brave. Their first impressions dwelt in their minds and their feelings grew as their journey wore on. They supported each other, comforted each other, and gave each other strength. Together, they were a light in the darkness.

Chapter 1. Chapter 2.  Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. 

[-] 

Standing hand in hand at Stone-in-the-Wood, they watched the Crucible until the last blue flame died out. Rian’s question lingered in their minds. “Will they come?” She knew his faith in their fellow gelfling was tested time after time on their journey. Would they believe him? Would they help him? Would they see the truth? He'd been let down so many times, it was no wonder there was still doubt.

“I think so,” she assured him, placing her other hand on his. “Brea and Gurjin and the rest will, at least. And they may bring others.” She offered him a smile, a genuine one. It was a relief to see Brea safe and the rest of their friends away from harm.

He returned her smile, but it faded into his exhausted expression. “We'd better get ready, then.”

His hand slipped out of hers as he began walking off toward one of the buildings. It left an impression, just like his touch always did, as if her skin wanted to savor the sensation. Even now, she could feel him in her memory. His weight in her arms as she carried him through the breath of Thra, the hand he laid on her back after their crash to make sure she was alright, her arms wrapped around him as he carried her out of the cave's mouth… He had a way of making her feel protected and safe with only the touch of his hands, and the feeling always lingered.

His acts of gallantry didn't end there. She watched him slip back into the soldier as they journeyed through the caves of Grot. He led her, sword in hand, ready to face any danger they may encounter. He insisted on entering her house first, just in case there were any arathim inside. When a darkened nurloc attacked, he drew the creature to himself so she could escape.

She understood the impulse to protect well. After all, she’d done the same for him. When the Hunter infiltrated the Circle of the Suns, she instinctively jumped in front of Rian, not thinking of her own safety or how to defend herself. Her only thought was that she didn't want to see him harmed again.

She followed him to a large stone building behind them Maudra’s home. They found the door padlocked. Rian disappeared into the Maudra’s home for a brief moment and returned with the key.

“What is this?” Deet asked.

“The Armory,” Rian answered, unlocking the door. “The Stonewood have a saying. ‘The hand that wields the blade cannot help the fall into their feet, but there are times when the blade is necessary.’ So, we're always prepared.” He swung the doors open, revealing the stores of Stonewood weapons. Armor hung on the walls. Spears, axes, and swords rested in their stands. “Traditionally, when a Stonewood warrior's battle is over, they melt their blade down in the Crucible. The metal is then forged into new blades when they are needed again.”

“Excuse me but…” She glanced towards the courtyard, “those blades didn’t look melted to me.”

“Yes, the Crucible stopped working after the Arathim Wars. I imagine the glaive had something to do with that. Perhaps Thra knew we would need them again before long.”

They stepped in and looked around. The empty space on the shelves and walls gave some clue as to what exactly happened to the Stonewood Warriors.

“It seems your clan got your message, after all,” Deet said, noting an empty axe-shaped space on the wall surrounded by a layer of dust.

“Yes,” he murmured, gently leaning the glaive against a wall. “If I hadn't seen more Maudra Fara in the flames, I'd be fearing the worst.”

Together, they spent the rest of the afternoon taking inventory and counting supplies. Once that was finished, Rian took up the duel glaive again. He held it up to the light and ran his fingers carefully along the edge. He didn’t seem satisfied with what he found.

“For a legendary sword, this thing could stand to be a lot sharper,” he quipped, taking a fresh whetstone off the shelf. “I think we've done about all we can here, at least until we see who shows up.”  He took the keys and started out. “Come on. I think I've got a surprise.”

“What's that?”

He cast her smirk over his shoulder “How would you like to sleep with a roof over your head for a change?”

They walked away from the armory and he led her to a house not far from the village square. It was a charming home carved into the trunk of a tree. There was a little path lined with rocks leading up to it. Colored glass bobbles and a bird feeder hung from the lower branches. It looked dark, especially in the twilight of the setting suns, but she could so easily imagine it lit up with candles and a warm fire.

“I this your house?” she asked as Rian reached into a knot on the side of the tree and pulled out a spare key.

“It is now, I guess,” he said. “This was my grandmother's house. I spent my summers here as a childling. She passed away a few unumn before all this chaos started. It passed to my father and now…” He unlocked the door without another word and they went inside.

It was dark and very still. She could see the fireplace, some soft chairs, a sofa and a rug on the floor. It looked cozy and lived in. It looked like a home and it made her heart ache for her own. “It's lovely.”

“Thank you. This is probably my favorite place in Thra, to be honest.” He looked around with a gentle fondness in his eyes. “Some of my happiest memories are here.”

“Those summers you talked about? When your father would visit? Camping and fizzgig hunting?”

A smile spread on his lips. “Yes exactly. It'll be nice to spend at least one more night here. Whatever happens tomorrow…” The warmth in his face quickly faded to dread. That happened to him so easily and it made her heart hurt every time.

She put her hand on his shoulder as if she could transfer some of her warmth to him. “Let's try to make it fun, then.”

“Fun?” he said as if he didn't know the meaning of the word.

“Yes, let's pretend we're just two gelfling spending a quiet night together. Tomorrow is just an ordinary day.”

He looked amused for a moment but that, too, faded quickly. “As tempting as that is, I've had enough comforting lies for one lifetime.”

“It's not a lie. It's a game,” she said, putting some playfulness into her voice.

“The way a childling plays house?”

“Yes, that's it. We'll pretend we live a peaceful life here and we're just enjoying our evening the way we usually would.”

“Alright.” A genuine grin broke like daylight on his face. “But if we're going to play, we'll need characters.”

“She beamed at him. Now he was catching on. “Good idea. I'll be Miss Hollerbat and I'm an herbalist.”

“I'm Mr. Nebrie, the cobbler.

“Alright,” she laughed. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Nebrie.”

“Enchanted, Miss Hollerbat.” He stepped forward and kissed her hand.

She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “You have a lovely home, Mr. Nebrie.”

“Thank you Miss Hollerbat. I'm so glad you could visit.” His eyes drifted to the kitchen. “Let's just hope there's food in it.”

“I'll start a fire while you look.”

“Sounds good.” He flashed her a smile as he headed toward the kitchen. “Please make yourself at home.”

“For that, we might need to move this place quite far underground,” she quipped, looking for flint stones.

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” he said, laughter in his voice.

The sound made her heart swell. “And of course we'll need a few dozen nurloc.”

“Nurloc might be hard to come by,” he retorted, keeping up his playful tone, “but you can trip over a few hundred fizzgig at any given moment.”

Rian managed to scrape together enough food for a stew, although he did have to check other people’s gardens and hope a few vegetables wouldn't be missed. He also found a bottle of Spriton berry wine for them to share. Once supper was ready, they sat together by the fire to eat. When they finished, they sipped their wine as the fire crackled and they continue to their game.

“So how was your day, Mr. Nebrie,” Deet asked, taking a sip from her glass.

“Well, let’s see,” Rian mused. “I woke up, had breakfast, tripped over about a hundred fizzgig…”

“You said that about the fizzgig, already,” she pointed out, giggling.

“You don't understand they're usually everywhere. Just a truly ridiculous amount of fizzgig wherever you look.” He put down his glass so he could gesture more freely. Deet laughed as he became more animated. “A lot of people keep them as pets, but my father always said ‘why bother when there are going to be at least three barking at your door any moment?’”

“Didn't you say you hunted fizzgig as a childling?”

“Yes but we never kept them,” he explained smiling at the memory. “We just gave them some belly rubs and some berries for their troubles and let them go.”

“Oh, that's sweet.” She could so easily imagine tiny Rian playing gently with the fuzzy creatures.

“Actually, when I was a childling, we had this neighbor. Orla was her name. She was the sweetest little old lady and she kept about five fizzgig at a time. They were the gentlest, most docile creatures you ever saw.                They left every living thing in Thra alone except my father.” A nostalgic twinkle came to his eye as he spoke. “My mother and I could always tell when he was almost home because all five would start yapping at once. I don't know what he did to earn their ire, but they never let it go. Those fizzgig and Maudra Fara were the only creatures in Thra who could irritate my father on purpose and get away with it.”

“Maudra Fara?”

He chuckled. “Yes, I'm fairly certain teasing my father to his face was a favorite hobby of hers.” A shadow passed over his face. “I imagine she’ll miss that.”

“Perhaps she can tease you instead,” Deet suggested, hoping to lighten his mood.

He shook his head. “I don't think it will have the same appeal. A lot of my friends tease me all the time, but no one messed with my father.” His smile faded as he looked away from her. He went quiet for a moment. His eyes fogged over as he lost himself in thought.

Deet reached out to him. “Rian?”

He looked up and flashed her a forced smile. “I'm fine.” He let out a deep breath and continued their game. “So Miss Hollerbat, how are you enjoying Stone-in-the-Wood so far?” he asked, taking another sip from his wine glass.

“Oh, it's been wonderful,” she answered, feeling the warmth in her chest. “There's so many beautiful plants and animals that I've never seen before. And I've met the sweetest gelfling… maybe not here, exactly, but near here. He is a Stonewood, though. He’s great friend. He really helped me feel welcome on the surface, like I'm not so strange after all.”

“I'm sorry Miss Hollerbat, but that's impossible,” he interjected firmly.

“Excuse me?”

“I happen to know the sweetest gelfling in Thra is a Grotton named Deet.” The way he looked at her made her heart beat wildly. “She's the kindest soul I've ever met. She's really been a great friend, too. I don't know if I'd have made it this far without her. I just hope that, with everything that lies ahead, I can keep her safe.”

She reached out and put her hand on his, her heart racing all the while. “I know my friend Rian is very brave. I've seen him put himself between his friends in danger many times before. And he does it because he has so much love in his heart. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll know he fought his hardest to protect everyone. It's too big a job for one gelfling to take on alone, but he tries anyway. I just hope he knows he's not alone and he'll always be my kind, brave friend.”

“Deet always knows the best things to say,” he choked out. She could hear tears behind his voice. He took her other hand, looking at her with glistening eyes. “What should he and say to her to tell her how much she's helped him?”

“He doesn't have to say anything. It's what friends do.”

“What do you think Deet would like Rian to say to her?” He asked, leaning closer.

“Well,” she paused to collect her thoughts and attempt to stop her head from spinning. “I imagine it made her feel really good whenever he told her he didn't think she was weird. After so many gelfling made her feel like she didn't belong, it was nice to hear out loud that someone accepted her.”

He flashed a mischievous grin. “I’ll bet Rian would like to know the names of these gelflings so he can have a little talk with them about how wonderful deed is and tell them they are idiots for not seeing it.”

“Deet would probably say it's alright because he's already made her feel safe and accepted and…” She searched her mind for something to add, but she’d lost herself in the sparkling blue of his eyes. “…and he gives great hugs.”

“I'll have to tell her she should try hugging Gurjin sometime to compare,” he laughed. “And I should tell her that just being around her has made everything that happened more bearable.”

“I'll have to tell him that just being around him makes her happy.”

“And I'll tell her she makes the world seem more beautiful even when times are hard.”

“And I'll tell him he makes the surface feel more like home.”

“And I’ll-” He stopped himself short and seem to deflate. “No…” he muttered to himself. “That's too much to ask.”

“What?”

He let go of her hand and stood up, leaving the ghost of his touch behind. “It's just… I've lost so many gelfling I love on this journey…” He leaned on the mantle watched the fireplace as the logs burned and crackled. He went quiet for a long time, seeming to struggle with something in his mind. Finally he whispered her name. “Deet, I would accept one more comforting lie if only you say it.”

“What is it?”

“Could… could you say you love me?” He looked at her and his eyes broke her heart. “You don't have to meet it. It can just be part of our game. But just hearing the words…”

“I can't,” she whispered.

He nodded and turned back to the fire. “I understand.”

She stood up, her heart pounding, and put her hand on his shoulder. “I can't because that is not a lie.”

“Deet..” He turned to her and gently laid his hands on her face, looking at her like he was seeing her for the first time. “It's not a lie from me either.”

He kissed her and she stumbled backward a few steps. Her heart felt like it could burst. She could hardly believe what was happening. She threw her arms around him and kissed him back.

“Deet,” he whispered, drawing back for a breath. “Promise me we're not pretending anymore. Promise me that all you say is true.”

“It's true,” she said breathlessly. “I promise. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

They stumbled backward together onto the sofa. She held onto him tight, like he was a dream that would disappear in the morning. He said he loved her and she felt it in her heart that this was true, but she also knew the wine and the pressure of the night could have played with their minds. If not for that, would she have taken her first bold step? Would he have answered her confession with one of his own? Is there any point in wondering now that they were together?

At some point, they lost their balance and came crashing to the floor, bringing the cushions down with them. She was so light with joy, she could do nothing but laugh. When she looked over, she saw him laughing too. She loved everything about his laugh, from the sound, to the sparkle in his eye, to the wrinkle in his nose. She could see why Mira would be cross with him if he stopped forever.

But then his laughter died and she followed his eyes to something glimmering on the floor.

It was a bracelet made from iridescent blue beads. Carefully, he picked it up and ran his fingers gently along the stones, staring at it with a haunted look in his eye.

“What is that?” Deet asked.

“This is Mira’s” he answered, his voice barely above a whisper. “She was looking for this. She thought it’d fallen off on the landstrider ride back to the castle.”

Deet reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. Mira would always be a shadow over Rian’s life. She knew that he never fully be over her. She didn't expect him to, not after losing her so horribly.

Rian let out a breath and his haunted eyes turned to her. “I- I'm sorry… this doesn't… I still meant everything I said.”

“You miss her,” she said, matter-of-fact. It was the truth. It was how he felt. There was no need to deny it.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered.

“What for?”

“I love you, I do, but…”

“But you're still grieving her,” she finished for him. “You lost someone you loved. You're allowed to miss her.”

He shook his head like he didn’t deserve her words. “You're too kind. I mean it. You're too understanding. You deserve someone who can give you all their heart.”

His words struck her like a bolt and she could feel her heart begin to sink. “Oh…” Maybe we were still just pretending after all.

He saw the sadness on her face and jumped up in a panic. “Not that I don't. I mean… I just… it's complicated.”

“I know…”

He gently took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. “I love you,” he promised, his sincerity clear in his voice. “I want you to know that wasn't a lie. I don't want to waste what this night could be.”

“Do you truly want to go on?” she asked, keeping her hands in her lap. “Is that what you really feel in your heart?”

He looked away and she watched him struggle in his heart. After a moment, he shut his eyes and shook his head. “I'm just not ready,” he said, letting his hands slide from her shoulders, “not yet.”

“You don't have to be ready.”

His eyes fell on the bracelet once again. “What if we don't get another chance?”

She slipped her hand into his. “What if we do?”

A shy smile broke through. He pushed back her hair and kissed her temple. “One day,” he promised in her ear.

They spent the rest of the evening curled up next to each other, watching the fire crackle and finishing the bottle of wine. It was comfortable and cozy. She felt at home here, not necessarily in Stone-in-the-Wood, but in his arms. He held her close and she nestled into him. Occasionally they stole a light kiss on the hand or cheek.

There was an understanding between them. They loved each other, that much was true, but Rian needed more time. After everything he'd been through, that was to be expected. But he promised her one day, and he was not sort of gelfling to make empty promises. One day his grief will fade into remembrance, the turmoil will pass, and they will be together in every way to gefling in love can.

When sleep began to hover over them, they cleaned up and went to bed. Rian invited her to share his. Neither of them wanted to be alone. This night was particularly treacherous and their bodies provided the warmth and comfort they both craved. They didn't make love that night, but now Deet longed for the day they would. She was confident that promised day would come. With him, she was sure it would be wonderful. And to think, not long ago, the idea of kissing him it seemed impossible.

Deet woke in the night to see Rian sleeping soundly next to her. She smiled. She liked seeing him like this, calm and peaceful. One day, she promised in her heart, you won't have to live your life on the run. You'll be safe and free of fear. And you'll be happy.

She reached out to brush his bangs off with his face, but she saw thin, purple line glow in the dark. She drew back her hand and the glow moved with it. It was her. The glow was inside her veins.

Before she could think on this further, Rian shifted. His eyes fluttered open. “Deet,” he said, his voice heavy with sleep. “What time is it?”

“Go back to sleep,” she whispered. “The suns haven't risen yet.”

“You need to sleep too,” he muttered. “We'll need all our strength tomorrow.”

“Of course, I was just about to.”

A lazy smile spread on his lips. He left her kiss on her nose and drifted back off.

She rolled over and settled back down into her pillow, keeping her hands tucked close to her body. Sleep took her as she hid her worry away in the back of her mind.

The next morning, she woke to the sunlight pouring in from the window. She could feel his arm around her waist, holding her, protecting her. She looked down at her own hands. She didn't see a purple glow from the night before, but she could still feel something stirring deep inside her.

“Are you awake?” he asked.

She rolled over to face him. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.” He smiled at her, brighter than all three suns. But his face took on the look of a soldier as he remembered what this morning meant. “We should get going. There's a lot to do.”

What if we don't? She thought. What if we stayed here and time stopped? And this moment could last forever?

She nodded. His arm slipped from her waist and he got out of bed, taking the warmth of his body with him.

But throughout the day, just like always, everything about him, the touch of his hands, the warmth of his smile, the sweetness of his kiss… lingered.  

[thra-athon]

Me and @createforthra loved all your entries! But there are more Dark Crystal events to come, prepare your ships!

First @stonegrotweek (September 20th - September 26th) for Deet/Rian fans

Then @drenchgrotweek (October 1rst - October 7th) for Naia/Amri fans

We have no official partnerships with these events, but I look forward to see all your creations!

[tofadeawayagain]

A very late piece for StoneGrot week 2021. This is for “the night before”, with parts 2 and 3 as “the morning after” and “tomorrow’s promise”. Hope you enjoy the late addition.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36252667/chapters/90373018

[thethirdstageofdeath]

StoneGrot hurt/comfort drabble

The air inside of the tub room was warm and humid, a perfect environment for this type of relaxation.

The Grottan never had any sort of spa, especially not one like this at Stone-In-The-Wood. Warm water was rare in The Caves of Grot, it was cold underground, so it was no surprise any source of water there shared that same quality, and to add that the Grottans rarely even bathed, there was no point in establishing something extravagant for the action.

It was because of this that Deet was eager to try this new method of bathing. She hadn’t known much on the traditions or rituals that go into topside bathing, but it didn’t take too much asking around Stone-In-The-Wood to find out all she needed.

Though multiple tubs were spread out across the large room, she was alone. It was not a surprise to her though. The Resistance still lived healthfully, so nobody really had time to do anything except plan and strategize, but she still felt weak after recently being cured of the Darkening, so she thought this may be good for her, to relax and wash away any darkness left.

Deet stood still for a moment, looking down at a large tub that had been prepared for her. She could see light steam escaping from the surface of the water. Not a moment longer passed before she rid herself of a light underdress, which she was instructed to wear by itself when entering these rooms.

She sighed, feeling the warm water against her leg as she stepped in. She let herself adjust to the temperature before submerging the rest of her body into the water. She let the warmth seep into her skin, into her soul as she closed her eyes. Though, the moment only lasted momentarily, as the door to the room opened.

Oh, right. As she was still weak and recovering from the Darkening, her friends insisted on helping her with anything they could, and even if she felt like it was unnecessary at times, she knew she needed it.

But what she was not expecting when she peered to the door was see that it was Rian who had entered the room. In two hands, he carried a woven basket. Inside, it held many different kinds of body and hair washes, as well as some items to help scrub with.

Despite the already warm setting, Deet felt her cheeks grow hot.

“I’m sorry that I have to help out instead of Brea, she had to help Naia with surveying some of the injured soldiers.” Rian paused and looked to her, the door closing behind him. “..But if you would feel more comfortable with her, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

It took her a moment to respond as she processed his presence, but eventually she shook her head and quietly spoke. “No, it’s fine.” He nodded slightly in response before approaching her tub. He laid the basket down onto the stone floor. She took a moment to look at his clothing. Other than his normal pants, he wore a loose, beige, short sleeved shirt that fell over one of his shoulders, exposing deep green skin that matched his forehead.

He felt like blushing, considering their current situation, but he knew that he was only here to help Deet, so he did his best to push any of his feelings back, no matter how difficult it was. He sat to his knees so he could reach her level.

It didn’t feel like much more time passed before he started with her. Using a cup, he gently poured water onto her skin, dampening it so it could be washed. Deet sat still, eyes closed. She tried not to focus on Rian, instead she tried to focus on her other thoughts.

She tilted her head back as he started pouring water over her hair. He ran his fingers through her wet locs, carefully detangling the white strands. He got to her wings, this time using his hands to gently wet the delicate chitin. He noticeably flinched, as his thoughts started seeping back into his mind. Luckily, Deet was facing away from him, so she didn’t notice his brief disruption.

“Rian..?” Deet says suddenly, as Rian was just starting to dab on some soap to a sponge. If it was just a bit louder in the room, he may have not heard her.

“Yes, Deet?”

“Do you ever get scared.. that maybe.. that maybe we aren’t going to make it? That we are going to lose to the Skeksis?” She asked, her voice tinted with a sorrowful tone.

“Of course not, I-“

“Please, Rian, be honest with me.” She pleaded.

He didn’t want to damage her mood or hope, even if it meant lying, but she saw right through him. He sighed. “Yes, sorry.” He paused. “I do get scared sometimes. Even if I work tirelessly all day, sometimes I feel that I’m not doing enough.. that all of this rigorous planning will be for nothing.” He looked down for a second, almost as if feeling shame for showing weakness and worry.

Deet gave a nod, then turned her body to face him. “Okay. I was just making sure I wasn’t the only one.” She said nonchalantly. Rian quickly looked to her, surprised by her words.

“You think we’re going to fail?”

She shook her head. “No, not all of the time. It’s only sometimes.. when I’m alone those thoughts come to me.”

Rian took her left arm, starting to gently scrub her pale green skin with the soapy sponge. He hated to see her like this, to see her feel hopeless and worried. He wanted to help her, but he didn’t know how to put his reassurance into words, so, instead he said, “You’re not the only one, and I’m sure it’s not just us either. Sometimes I lay awake at night just worrying. I worry about my clan, the Resistance, my friends.. you.”

Deet locked her dark eyes with his light blues. She looked like she was about to cry. “I know everything right now is stressful, Deet, but whenever I feel like giving up, I remember what I’m working towards. I’m not just working for myself nor just my friends, I’m doing this for everyone. I’m doing this so we’ll never have to do it again.” He paused his scrubbing momentarily, taking one of her hands into both of his, holding it reassuringly. “And, even when I doubt our success against the Skeksis, I remember that I have hope.. and- and I trust that you can find that hope, too.”

She felt like she could melt into his words, she felt touched, even though it was for something she barely contributed to. “Thanks.. Rian.”

Thanks to those who were interested from my post asking for prompts. I got a variety of prompts but all seemed to be StoneGrot, so I hope you like this! Thank you @rocky-fennek @fiercenaia @squidcalamari ? And @mygelflingchildren for cotributing to the prompts! Love y’all!

[hollyqueue]

I wrote a oneshot featuring @smaaenart ’s OC, Tasia!

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Deet/Rian (Dark Crystal) Characters: Original Gelfling Character(s), Rian (Dark Crystal), Deet (Dark Crystal) Additional Tags: Father-Daughter Relationship Summary:

This vignette is a gift for smaaenart on Tumblr and features their OC Tasia, daughter of Rian and Deet. When I heard that Tasia is a girl Gelfling without wings, I wanted to write her.

This story is not connected to my other Dark Crystal fics.

[schyrsivochter]

The water’s hot?! – or: Deet getting a bath

So somebody in the Resistance Discord server said something about Deet getting cleaned against her will, à la Podling Deterge. I wished for an actual fic about it. Then I thought, why not write it myself? Here we are, then, seven hours later at 3:20 a.m.

Update 2019-10-03: Added author’s note at the end.

Update 2019-10-09: Revised version now on AO3!

Length: 2,001 words

Characters: Rian, Deet, Brea

Pairings: Rian × Deet (Stonegrot)

Rating: T

The first time Brea told her she should take a bath, Deet was offended.

‘What? Do you think I smell bad? Or that I’m ugly, or that I’m disgusting—?’

Brea kept her grim smile. ‘No. But I’ve noticed the looks some of the people are giving you,’ she said. ‘You … and Rian,’ she added more quietly.

‘What about Rian?’ Deet asked. ‘What does he have to do with me?’

Brea laughed. ‘Come on. I’ve seen the looks you two give each other. And you’re walking around this place holding hands. You’re not fooling anyone.’

Deet said nothing, but seemed to take a sudden interest in the ground at her feet. Brea chuckled. ‘Everyone knows. And most find it really sweet. But some—’ she grew more serious, ‘—don’t understand. They’re still living their old lives, thinking their old thoughts.’ Deet was a hero now and the people showed her respect – many of them wholeheartedly, but some of them only begrudgingly. ‘They frown upon the Grottan. And upon those who’d take them as partners. Let’s not confirm them their prejudice, shall we?’

The next few times Brea asked her to take a bath, Deet was annoyed. ‘Go away,’ she’d say, or ‘I’m fine, thank you,’ or ‘Stop nagging me.’

Brea did not stop. She kept nagging her about it. ‘I think you’ll like it,’ she said one day. ‘I know I always feel refreshed and clean and beautiful after a bath.’

Deet still declined, as always. And she’d still walk around the place holding hands with Rian and earning the stares and whispers of the older and more close-minded citizens.

Eventually, Brea had had enough.

The next day, Brea intercepted Deet in the morning when she was about to leave. ‘Come on,’ Brea said, grabbing her hand, ‘off we go. Bathing time!’

‘Wha—No!’ Deet protested. ‘I’ve got things to do!’

‘Like snogging Rian?’ It was a shot in the dark, but Deet’s speechless spluttering in response confirmed it.

Deet tried to free her hand from Brea’s. Brea kept a firm grip. ‘You can do that in the bath, too,’ she said (it was a lie; she’d never allow it in her presence), dragging Deet towards the bathhouse. It wasn’t easy; the Grottan was struggling and fighting every moment, and she was strong, and Brea was weak.

Deet managed to yank her arm free and took off, running straight towards Rian’s quarters. Brea grinned. Deet was so predictable. Brea knew what would happen now.

And … there he was. Rian, a grin on his face to rival her own, pushing a furious Deet in front of him. ‘Morning, Brea!’ he called.

Brea joined them. ‘Hello, Rian.’

‘I can’t believe you’d betray me like this!’ Deet hissed. ‘Let me go!’

‘Sorry, Deet,’ said Rian. ‘I’m with Brea on this. Relax. It’ll do you good.’

‘Right,’ said Brea. ‘We’ll undo your braids first, loosen up your hair so we can wash it properly. Sound good?’

Deet was no longer fighting them, or angry with them; she had resigned herself to her fate, though not without fear. She sighed and simply said, ‘All right.’

Brea and Rian set to work, removing the little bands and undoing Deet’s braids in front of a mirror while she looked on in wonder at her hair, bit by bit, falling loose in little wavy strands. It took time; the braids were thin and all in all a bit chaotic.

‘Right, that’s the last one done,’ said Brea eventually. ‘How do you feel?’

Deet was quiet for a few seconds, running her hands through her hair. ‘Different,’ she said eventually. ‘My hair’s all … smooth now.’

Rian chuckled. ‘Not yet it isn’t. Look at this,’ he said, ruffling the messy hair on top of her head. ‘But we’ll do something about that later.’

‘Yes,’ said Brea. ‘This was just preparation. Let’s get you into the water now.’

Deet turned to face her, eyes wide. ‘Now?’

Brea smiled at her. ‘The water’s fresh and hot. No time like the present.’

‘The water’s hot?’

‘Aww,’ said Brea. ‘Yes. It’s hot. Otherwise you wouldn’t get clean and it wouldn’t be half as good.’

‘I’m scared.’

Rian took her hand in his. ‘It won’t hurt,’ he said. ‘Though it will be uncomfortable at first. But you’ll soon get used to it. Trust me.’

Deet pulled Rian into a hug. ‘Thank you.’

Rian pulled away after a short while, still watching her with the same admiration and love as he always seemed to do. He turned Deet gently around to face Brea again.

‘Come on,’ she said, placing a hand on her arm. ‘let’s do this. You’ll need to take those clothes off.’

Deet, fiddling with her hair, uncertain, glanced at Rian.

Brea followed her gaze and hummed in amusement as she glimpsed Rian’s face. ‘Already undressing her with your eyes, aren’t you?’

Rian blinked and stared back at Brea, ears twitching. ‘No,’ he said, ‘no…, I was just looking at her.’

Brea narrowed her eyes. ‘If you can’t behave yourself, I’ll have to ask you to leave.’

Rian huffed. ‘Fine. I’ll turn my back. See? I’ve got my back turned. Now go ahead.’

Brea glared at him – well, at the back of his head – before turning back to Deet. ‘Do you need help?’

‘Er – yes. I’d like that. Thank you.’

Together, they removed Deet’s shoes, her dress, and her undergarments, and eventually, they walked over to the bathtub. Brea put a hand in the water. ‘It’s cooler than I’m used to,’ she said. ‘I guess this will be just right for you.’ She motioned for Deet to climb in.

Warily, Deet put a hand in the water first, mimicking Brea. She moved it around a little and eventually let out a tiny little laugh.

‘This feels so weird!’

Brea smiled. ‘It’s hot water and soap. It’s good, I promise.’

Deet dipped a foot in next, and quickly pulled it out again, splashing Brea with a few drops. ‘Ow! It’s hot!’

‘Yes. Your feet are more sensitive to heat. You know Rian said it would be uncomfortable at first.’

Deet nodded, and slowly, and carefully, put the foot back in, then her leg, and finally, she was standing inside the bathtub. The light wasn’t very bright, otherwise, Brea thought, she might have seen clouds of dirt in the water around Deet’s foot. ‘Careful now,’ she said, ‘that you don’t slip.’

‘All right,’ said Deet and put her other leg in.

‘Now, sit down, but try to keep your hair out of the water.’

To Brea’s surprise, Deet did as she was told without complaining, and, sitting in the water, gently stirring it with her arms, seemed almost content.

Brea turned around towards Rian and out of the corner of her eye saw him quickly turn his back to her again.

She gave a small yelp of indignation. ‘Have you been peeking?’

‘…No?’

Brea scoffed at the blatant lie, but didn’t press the topic. Instead, she grabbed her hairbrush, sat down behind Deet, and started gently and methodically brushing the hair hanging over the side. ‘Relax,’ she said. ‘I’ll brush your hair first, then we’ll wash it. I’d usually brush my hair, or have one of my sisters do it, before getting in, but—’

And then the memory came rushing in and she lowered the brush, turned away, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed, because never again would Tavra be brushing her hair, or Brea would brush hers.

‘Brea?’ she heard Deet’s voice from behind her, accompanied by the sound of water splashing, and ‘Brea!’ came Rian’s voice from across the room. In an instant, he was at her side, a hand on her shoulder. ‘What’s wrong?’

When she didn’t answer, he didn’t press the issue, but took her in his arms, and she cried on his shoulder until she found her voice back. ‘Tavra,’ she said. ‘She’s … she’s gone. And my mother.’

‘I understand,’ said Rian softly. ‘I lost Mira, and my father.’ He slowly pulled away. ‘Now, I think we’d better get on with our work before Deet gets jealous.’ And there it was, the usual mischief in his voice, back as if nothing had happened.

Brea, eyesight somewhat blurry, turned back to Deet. She looked sad, too. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I wanted to comfort you, but – I didn’t want to make you wet, too.’

Brea couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s kindness and thoughtfulness. She found her hairbrush and turned back to resume brushing Deet’s hair. The ends were now wet, she noticed, because Deet had turned her head around without paying attention to her hair when Brea had started crying.

‘I was saying,’ Brea began, slightly annoyed at how whiny her own voice sounded, ‘I’d usually have my hair brushed before getting in the water, but it’ll take some time for you, so I figured you might get comfortable.’

‘That sounds good,’ said Deet. ‘Sorry for getting it wet.’

‘It’s no bother,’ Brea assured her, still diligently working the brush through Deet’s hair, strand by strand. ‘Are you comfortable, though?’

‘It’s … not bad.’

Brea smiled to herself. She’d been right.

Brea had eventually got tired and asked Rian to take over brushing and eventually wash Deet’s hair. She’d sat on a chair and watched them, and occasionally they’d talked, but they’d mostly kept quiet. She’d been getting bored and hungry, though, and eventually, on a whim, she’d decided to leave the two alone. ‘Try not to get yourself too wet,’ she’d told Rian before she left, leaving him speechless and Deet sniggering.

It had been too early for lunch, so she’d just had a small snack and gone to her room to write in her journal. Now it was nearing lunchtime and she was starting to wonder why she hadn’t seen or heard from Rian and Deet yet.

It wasn’t until after lunch that she did. She greeted Rian with an approving, ‘You have successfully managed to keep dry!’

Rian gave a little awkward laugh. ‘Yes, I have. It’s not my fault, though.’ He gestured towards who was walking behind him, holding his hand.

If it hadn’t been for the fact that her eyes still looked distinctly Grottan and she still wore the same dress, Brea would’ve hardly recognised Deet. Her skin, now a much lighter shade, seemed to glow; her hair, loosely falling down to her sides, rivalled Brea’s own; and she was beaming.

‘Well,’ Brea said eventually. ‘Happy to be out of the water again?’

‘No! Everything’s cold now. How do you manage to get out once you’re in?’

‘Ha! Not very well, if I’m being honest. How do you feel, though?’

‘Different,’ Deet said. ‘Like a new person. I feel like I can’t do anything now because I’ll get tainted. Ugh, it’s horrible. I love it!’

Brea walked up to Deet and hugged her. ‘Didn’t I tell you?’

‘Yes,’ she heard Deet’s muffled voice say. ‘I was just scared.’

‘Your hair smells so nice now,’ Brea remarked.

‘Yeah, it does, doesn’t it?’ said Rian. Brea chuckled.

‘Your dress doesn’t, though,’ she added, breaking away again. ‘Might want to wash that, too.’

‘Maybe we’ll do that in the afternoon?’ asked Rian nonchalantly. ‘I mean, since we’ve already taken the day off—’

‘So she can spend the rest of the day in her underwear? Wouldn’t you like that.’ For Thra’s sake, that man was really bad at concealing his desires! Brea shook her head in amusement. And he seemed to have a lot of them, too.

It wasn’t her problem, though. Deet was a grown-up, she should be the one to handle him.

Brea remembered Rian’s remark that it wasn’t his fault for keeping himself dry. Yes, she thought. Deet could handle him.

And then she noticed that Rian’s hair had some subtle, yet significant differences to earlier when she’d left him. Oh, well. Maybe she couldn’t.

Or maybe it didn’t matter, as long as they were happy and together.

Author’s note:

A part of me is dissatisfied with how this turned out. It’s not particularly realistic; it doesn’t quite match the way I think the world would actually work or the characters would actually act. For instance, I don’t believe Deet would really be this averse to washing. I also kept some things deliberately basic or vague to avoid having to come up with things; for instance, when and where it happens, why they’re together and Deet’s not Darkened, what their actual work is that they’ve taken a day off from, etc.

But in the end, who cares? It’s just a bit of fun. Realism and internal consistency don’t matter for a little standalone piece like this. I can throw as much characterisation and world building out the window as I like. :)

[hera-annwn]

Playing around with the idea of a Modern High School AU of our beloved Dark Crystal AOR characters, after I finish the one-shots I'm working on I think I'll try to further develop this idea until I can make a proper story of it! 🤗

[rooficus]

Deet is lost in the Darkening, but Rian watches over her with care.

Just a short drabble, little angsty, little fluffy - trying to be canon compliant with my own twist really.

I love Rian and Deet so much.

[glow-moss]

Love with a side of pastries

@kristinainplaid

Did someone say cafe au?

https://my.w.tt/OmBjf6eIY0

Yep! I started a new story! An AU where Deet works at a coffee shop to get through college, and where Rian is a trust fund kid who's been cut off from the money.

I based the story off of "52 Reasons to Hate my Father" by Jessica Brody.

For now, it's only on Wattpad, but I'll have an archive of our own link up sometime this week.

It starts off kinda slow, and it's not my best work, but I like it! I'll have another chapter up tomorrow!

Enjoy!

[closeted-calliope]

Yo I made a Stonegrot fic, go read it, I need attention like skeksis need essence

[sweetiepie08]

All I Ask of You (Chapter 6)

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance fic

Deet x Rian

She walked into his life when all seemed lost. He accepted her when the other surface dwellers didn’t. She was gentle. He was brave. Their first impressions dwelt in their minds and their feelings grew as their journey wore on. They supported each other, comforted each other, and gave each other strength. Together, they were a light in the darkness.

Chapter 1. Chapter 2. Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. Chapter 6. 

[-]

There were a few aspects of this situation that could generously be called “lucky.” For one, the trail of dead foliage the darkening left behind led him straight to her. Another was that she still needed to stop to rest, to eat, and to sleep at night. That, combined with Rian’s tireless trek into the Endless Forest meant he was rewarded at the end of his first day with a glimpse of her between the trees.

He’d called her name and ran to her, carried completely by his delight in seeing her again. However, dead brambles and brush sprang up around him, cutting him off from her. He cut through them with a hunting knife until the blade dulled. This did little to deter him, but he did change his approach.

He watched her from a distance, always keeping her in his sight, but trying to stay out of hers. That thing inside her, whatever it was, obviously didn’t want him close, which convinced him he was doing something right. He had to get close to her somehow, but he had to use more cunning.

So, he followed her day after day, stopping when she stopped, eating when she ate, and sleeping when she slept, but always keeping one eye open. All the while, he tried to work out how to approach her without alerting the darkening to his presence.

Uncounted days into his journey, Rian rested under a tree while Deet napped a few yards away. While he knew he should take the opportunity to get some shuteye as well, he felt too restless. At least it gave him some time off his feet. He watched her sleep, endless familiar questions running through his head, when a flash of red caught his eye.

He stayed perfectly still, listening to the brush rustle and twigs crack as something circled them. He caught a glimpse between the trees. A red cloak, a claw, a beak... Skeksis.

Rian was on his feet in a second. He caught sight of the red cloak again. The Chamberlain? What was he doing out here? Certainly up to something, but what? Spying, perhaps? It wasn’t as if they had gelfling to do it for them now.

He grabbed the hilt of his sword and began to unsheathe, but then thought better of it. The coward won’t get close enough to taste me steel. Instead, he grabbed his bow and threw a quiver full of arrows on his back.

The red cloak flashed through the trees again and again, moving in the opposite direction of Deet. Rian spared a glance back at her. She slept still as stone under a tree’s shade. She wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. I’ll be back, he silently promised her, not daring to make a sound. Then he positioned an arrow against his bow string and stalked after the Chamberlain.

He walked along, eyes peeled, arrow at the ready. It didn’t escape his notice that this could be a trap. They could be luring him out here to catch him alone, but he was already alone. So what difference did it make if they ambushed him in one spot or another? At least out here, Deet was far away.

Finally, he found himself in a clearing, surrounded by a circle of trees. This is it, he thought, pulling the bow sting taut. He waited for the attack, but only caught more glimpses of red through the trees. “I know you’re here,” he growled at the red cloak as it circled him. “Show yourself, coward.”

“Ah, Brave Rian,” The Chamberlain squawked from the shadows. “We meet again.”

“We would, if you showed your hideous face.” Rian’s ears twisted to catch the Chamberlain’s footsteps and he rotated to keep the arrow pointed at his target.

“Sticks and stones, gelfling, sticks and stones.” The Chamberlain’s voice carried through the trees. “But words can hurt. I know very well. You should know too, if you learned anything.”

“I know your tricks by now, SkekSil.” Rian spat the name like a foul taste in his mouth. “You twist lies and truth to turn gelfling against gelfling. But tricks are all you have, smoke and mirrors. Your words don’t work if no one believes them.”

“Smoke and mirrors?” The Chamberlain mused. “Is true I prefer cunning and finesse over barbaric force. Peace is better than war, is it not?”

“There was never peace!” Rian tightened his bow string. “You drained gelfling! You corrupted the Crystal! You destroyed our home!”

“Did not drain gelflinf until recently,” The Chamberlain dismissed, as if the other two claims were mere footnotes. “Is necessary for survival.”

“Then how does SkekGra survive without it?” Rian snapped back.

“SkekGra?” The Chamberlain screeched, finally letting some true emotion slip to the surface. “You dare invoke the name of the Heretic?”

“He survived for four hundred trine without essence or the Crystal. You never needed any of it. You’re just gluttons.”

“Is payment for years of service,” The Chamberlain answered. “You gelfling cannot rule yourselves. You need us.”

“You’re wrong!” Rian shot back. “Gelfling thrived in harmony with Thra before the age of the Skeksis and would have continued to do so if you never came.”

“You think was all peace and harmony before us?” The Chamberlain questioned. “Was primitive time. Gelfling can be brutal.”

“You don’t know anything about gelfling,” Rian growled back.

“I don’t?” He could hear the Chamberlain’s wicked grin in its voice. “Tell me, what was ancient gelfling punishment for patricide?”

Rian felt all the blood leave his face and his arms dropped just a little. The Chamberlain broke into a cackle, but all Rian could hear was his father’s dying screams.

“Oh, so you must have some idea,” The Chamberlain laughed. “I wonder what would Captain Ordon think of you now?”

Rian renewed his grip on his arrow and tightened his bow string once again. “Keep my father’s name out of your filthy mouth, SkekSil!”

“Ordon knew the value of order and peace,” The Chamberlain went on, “and you broke that. Would he be proud to know his sacrifice only led to suffering? Death? Failure?”

Rian’s cheeks flushed as he aimed his arrow. “Don’t talk about my father like you knew him!”

“And you knew him so much better, hmm?”

Rian’s heart pounded in his ears. His fingers itched to loose the arrow. He saw red. His arrow flew forward and buried itself in the trunk of a tree.

A snicker rang in his ears. “No, not there.”

“Show yourself, coward!” Rian called as he notched another arrow.

“It is a poor hunter who needs his prey to show itself. I wonder, what would father think?”

“You know nothing!”

“False! I know father would still be alive if son could protect self.”

“Shut up!” Rian pried his eyes for his target. They followed the flashes of red as it circled through the trees.

“Rian could not defeat Hunter on own. Ordon needed to take son’s place.”

“I said, shut up!” The red cloak passed again. He calculated where it would next appear and tightened his bow string.

“Father died because son was weak.”

The arrow flew. The Skeksis shrieked and fell to the ground with a thump.

Rian darted into the trees as he claimed another arrow from his quiver. In an instant, he stood over the Skeksis, arrow pointed at the creature’s throat. SkekSil continued to moan in pain over the arrow sticking out of his shoulder. Rian stared down at his prey with cold eyes, forcing down the part of his heart that insisted on feeling compassion for the wounded creature. This is no helpless fizzgig, he reminded himself. This is a monster.

“Please,” SkekSil begged. How quickly the tone changed. “Please have mercy. You don’t want to kill me. I can be useful. I can-”

Rian released the arrow and it sunk into the ground just a hair away from the Skeksis’ head. “Get up,” Rian commanded. “Get up and go back to your Emperor, but give him my message. Tell him the gelfling will never go back to being his slaves. Tell him we will fight to the last. And before this is over, he will feel the wrath of Thra itself.”

“Very well, gelfling,” The Skeksis grumbled, stumbling to his feet. “I deliver message, but allow me to leave you with a message of my own. A question, more like. Do you think Rian is greatest threat to Skeksis? Did Rian cause retreat at Stone-in-the-Wood? If not you, who?”

Rian felt the blood drain from his face. “Deet…” This was a trap, but not for him.

“Oh, it has a name,” The Chamberlain snickered. “Now gelfling, which would be smartest move? Who do Skeksis destroy first?”

The Skeksis’ cackle stung in his ears as he ran back through the brush, pulling aside thorn branches with his bare hands, to get back to her.

A rumbling rushed in from the side. Tree trunks crackled like snapping twigs as the thing bolted closer. Rian turned toward it, hands shaking. He drew an arrow.

The monster crashed through the trees. Rian stood stunned for a second too long. The thing swiped out with its claw. He dodged, but the claw clipped his arm.

He let out a pained hiss as he clutched his grazed arm and looked back at the creature. What was that thing? He knew his father slayed hundreds of atathim of many kinds during the wars. That’s not what this was. He barely had time to think as the claw came down on him again. He dodged and searched his belt for anything that could be useful. Dagger? If it could pierce the thing’s armored skin. Sword? Same problem. Plus, those claws looked strong enough to snap the blade in half. His arrows were scattered everywhere and none within his reach.

What he wouldn’t give for one of Deet’s smoke bombs or even her fire tricks. Deet was always full or tricks and ideas. And I bet this thing burns.

But he couldn’t go on dodging forever. If wanted to get to Deet, he needed to fight back.

He drew his sword, his best option. Another claw came down. He swung. His sword clashed against it like armor, but at least it drew back. It tried again, and again he blocked.

As he and the monster continued their dance, he recalled a story about his father, how he saved Maudra Fara from an arathim when she was a childing. He killed the giant beast with just the tip of a broken spear by stabbing it up through the mouth. Did this thing have the same weakness? Did he dare get close enough to find out?

Well, he had to try something. This thing didn’t seem to be wearing out any time soon. He dove forward, sword pointed at the thing’s throat. The monster seemed shocked for a moment, and it let him in. His sword plunged into the monster’s stomach. A soft underbelly. This thing has a soft underbelly. Before he could withdraw and stab again, claws clamped around him and pressed him against its front.

“No! No!” he screamed, thrashing against the vice-like grip. He needed to get out. He needed to protect Deet, to save her. This thing couldn’t have him. He pressed both feet against the monster’s belly and pushed back with all his weight. Just when he felt the claws’ grip begin to loosen, something came barreling in hard and fast.

He flew through the air and found himself crumpled on the ground, the wind knocked out of him. For all of Thra he’d swear he got hit by a runaway carriage.

Behind him, he could hear the sounds of a struggle and the monster’s distressed cries. He began to pick himself up when something wooden thwacked him on the head.

“Rian not careful!” a familiar voice scolded.

“Hup?” He looked up and saw his poddling friend offering him a hand.

Rian took it, intending to push himself up for the most part, but the podling hulled him to his feet anyway. They turned to see the battle behind them, a second surprise revealing itself. Lore, Brea’s stone protector, grappled with the beast.

“What that thing?” Hup asked, pointing his spoon toward the fighting creatures.

“No idea,” Rian answered, huffing to get some breath back in his lungs.

The monster let out an earsplitting scream. It fell to the ground in a heap as Lore retracted its single claw.

“Come on,” Rian said, grabbing his sword out of the creature’s belly. “We have to find Deet.”

“Deet?” Fire burned in Hup’s eyes.

They took off through the forest, hardly noticing as brush and thorns scraped at them. Up ahead, they could hear screams. They ran faster. Purple light flashed between the trees. Finally, they found her.

When they made it to the clearing, they heard one more scream, saw another flash of purple. Then, a monster thudded to the ground. Deet stood in the center, surrounded by the dead bodies of three beasts. The purple in her eyes burned harsher than Rian had ever seen, as did the glow in her veins.

“Deet…” Hup whispered, staring stricken at her.

Her ears perked and she turned to them. “Brave Rian, Paladin Hup…” she spoke. It was her voice, but something else echoed behind it. “Follow us no longer. The vessel does not want you harmed.”

“Deet, please,” Rian dared to take a step forward. “You don’t have to live like this. We can find a way to help you. Just come back with us. You don’t have to fight this alone.”

Her eyes turned away from them and looked sorrowfully at the ground. “It is not her choice.”

A fire lit in Rian’s heart. Ignoring Hup’s warnings, he unsheathed his sword and marched up to her, or rather, the thing that was keeping her trapped. “Whatever you are, let her go!” he demanded, pointing his weapon at it. “She never wanted to hurt anyone! She doesn’t deserve this!”

Deet’s body turned toward him. Her eyes glanced down at his sword with little interest. “Deet is no captive. She became our vessel willingly.” She put two fingers on the side of his blade and pushed it aside. “Your sword cannot change this.”

She turned and began to walk away. He felt weak in the knees and noticed how dry his throat had become. No way to stop it. No way to save her. He couldn’t’ accept it. He refused to accept it.

“Wait!” He called out. His legs buckled beneath him and he fell to his knees. “Take me instead. I’ll be your vessel. I am willing. Please. She has a family, people who love her. They’re waiting for her back home. They need her.  I’ll gladly take her place. Please, just let her go.”

She turned her head. The cold, unfeeling glow looked back at him. “It is not possible. What is done cannot be undone.”

“No! No please!” He scrambled to his feet and rushed forward. “There must be a way! How can I save her? Please tell me!”

He grabbed her arm and it instantly brought pain to his hand, cold but burning. He dropped to his knees again, clutching the injured hand to his chest. Behind him, he heard footsteps as Hup hurried over. But he also heard rustling as Deet crouched down before him.

“Rian…” she said clearly, in her own voice, no echo behind it.

He looked up. Her face was kind and her eyes were clear. It was her, all her. “Deet…”

“You shouldn’t have come here,” she whispered. “It’s not safe.”

“Safe?” He spoke as if he never heard the word. “I don’t care if I’m safe. I care if you’re safe.”

“Deet,” Hup said in a soft, breaking voice, “please come back. We protect you.”

She turned a sorrowful smile to him. “Hup, it means so much to me that you came back for me, but there’s nothing to be done.”

“Whatever’s happening to you, I’m sure we can find a way to stop it,” Rian insisted. “If we bring you back to mother Aughra…”

She shook her head. “There are some things that are beyond even Aughra’s power.”

“Please,” Hup begged, tears forming in his eyes, “let us help.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I love you both, but it’s too late.” She stood up and stepped back from them. “I don’t know where my path will lead me, but you must leave me behind.”

The purple glow fogged over her eyes once more. She turned and began to walk away. Rian could feel her slipping. He felt he was drowning. For one helpless moment, he considered letting her leave it at that. She’d walk away forever, he’d stay here on the ground, and everything after was empty. But Deet would never give in to despair.

“No!” he shouted, jumping to his feet. “No, I can’t accept that. There’s always hope, even in the darkest of times. You taught me that. I won’t give up. I won’t let the darkness consume you. Just tell me what I need to do.”

She stopped and turned back to them. Her eyes were clear again, but the echo in her voice returned. “Restore the crystal. Set Thra right. Only then can darkness turn to light.”

With that, the purple glow returned to her eyes. Rian and Hup stood frozen as they watched her disappear into the wood.

“What happened?” Hup asked, breathlessly.

He couldn’t answer, only stared at the spot where Deet stood moments before.

“Rian!” Hup snapped, this time with more bite in his voice. “What happened?”

[stonegrotweek]

Stonegrot Week (Year 3!)

ATTENTION THRALINGS...

In honor of The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’s third anniversary of its release on Netflix, we’re hosting STONEGROT WEEK (YEAR 3!)

Starting Monday, September 20th — Sunday, September 26th 2021, Stonegrot Week (Year 3!) is designed to be a celebration and fun experience for Stonegrot (Rian and Deet from The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) fans to submit fanfiction, artwork, headcanons, and anything related to Stonegrot and the week’s themes!

Let’s address this. Unfortunately, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance was cancelled before we were able to see a second season. You never know though... The Dark Crystal film was released in 1982 and 37 years later, a prequel to the film in the form of a tv series— The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance was released on Netflix. One day we might be able to see new content on screen again or we may have to continue creating our own because it’s up to us, collectively as a fandom, to keep the love and support for The Dark Crystal alive. Always. Let’s be grateful for the one phenomenal season. Let’s celebrate its characters, specifically this beautiful relationship between the Gelflings Rian and Deet.

We want to make sure that this blog is safe for everyone to enjoy, therefore Stonegrot Week will NOT accept the following submissions:

- Anything above an M rating

- Gore

- Pedophilia

- Nonconsensual content

- Generally any work that would be associated with the four categories listed above.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to to participate in Stonegrot Week, and it isn’t mandatory to participate for the entire week, if you’d just like to submit a piece of work for one of the days you are absolutely welcome to do so!

Please be sure that any work submitted is new content, we would kindly like to refrain from including anything that was created any time prior to Stonegrot Week. Just like The Heretic, we love a good surprise.

Just be sure to hashtag #Stonegrot and either #Stonegrot Week / #StonegrotWeek and #Day (x) so we can see it and reblog. You can also tag this page @stonegrotweek.

Here are this year’s theme for the week:

September 20th — Day One: Kiss The Girl. Rian initiates a kiss with Deet. It could be their first kiss or their millionth, it’s up to you.

September 21st— Day Two: Afternoon Delight. Rian and Deet share a perfect afternoon together.

September 22nd— Day Three: The Night Before. Something special takes place one night between Rian and Deet. It could be a conversation or maybe an intimate moment. The plot is up to you.

September 23rd— Day Four: The Morning After. A follow up to Day Three’s events. What happens between Rian and Deet after The Night Before? *If you didn’t participate in Day Three, that’s okay, create something you believe would take place between Rian and Deet spending a morning together. The plot is up to you.

September 24th— Day Five: Yesterday’s Feeling. This could be a follow up to Day Four’s events, or a headcanon during an Age of Resistance episode. What were Rian and Deet feeling for one another? The plot is up to you.

September 25th— Day Six: Tomorrow’s Promise. Rian and Deet make a promise to each other. Maybe about their future together? maybe about loving and protecting each other against the Skeksis? What will it be?

September 26th— Day Seven: The Future. Create a headcanon for what you think Rian and Deet’s future looks like.

Also, just because this week centers around Rian and Deet that doesn’t mean their fellow Gelfling friends, Skeksis villains, and any others who live in Thra can’t also get involved. We want to see it all!

Remember, don’t start tagging or submitting anything until the official week has started.

Bullying or harassment of any kind will NOT be tolerated. This account was created to share the love and passion we have for this series and these characters. Everyone has their own unique style, whether it’s in writing or art form, and we are excited to highlight that.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to send a message.

Now that we’ve covered everything, get yourselves and your beautiful creations ready for Stonegrot Week (Year 3!) Starting Monday, September 20th— Sunday, September 26th!

This blog is run by users @fandomsonmysleeve @anotherwaywardsis and @agir1ukn0w

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Create for Thra, Day 2: Original Characters (Post 2 of 2)

And now for my “baby gelfs”. I’m very nervous about introducing these to the wider world, so hopefully you all like them :). Once again, these babies are from my Maudra series. I can’t draw, and as such I don’t have any art to share - I hope you enjoy these little word sketches and the short excerpt from a piece I’m working on at the end.

Elidi – Drenchen

Elidi is the eldest daughter of Maudra Naia and Amri. She is the perfect combination of her parents. Her skin is like her mother’s, deep green with a hint of gold. Her eyes are bright blue with gold flecks – in the dark, her pupils get just as large as her father’s, rendering her iris nearly unnoticeable. During the day, her pupils are only slightly larger than a daylighter’s – it’s enough to make her sensitive to light, though, and she often wears clothing with hoods to drape over her head when the three suns are at their highest point. Her hair reaches to the middle of her thighs and is done in the traditional style of the Drenchen maudren with decorated locks and beaded braids. It is silvery-white just like her father’s, except for the streaks of deep Drenchen blue and a lighter Grottan teal. She is petite. She inherits her wings from her father’s side of the family, though they are black, purple, and indigo just like her mother’s. Elidi is cautious – though she is fierce just like her mother, she also has her father’s tendency to investigate her circumstances before charging into them. She doesn’t trust immediately, and she has a knack for reading people’s emotions and seeing through any artifice. Elidi studies vliyaya and healing with her mother and Aunt Eliona in addition to preparing to be the next Drenchen maudra. She is an extroverted introvert and prefers to spend time with family and close friends wherever possible. Although she is good in front of a crowd, being in the spotlight fills her with a nervous energy. Luckily for her, she looks less like she’s nervous and more like she’s on the prowl when she fidgets. The clan knows her to be a competent healer and leader and trusts her in her position as second-in-command to Maudra Naia.

Oria – Drenchen

Oria is Naia and Amri’s second child and is two trine younger than Elidi. She’s only a few inches shorter than her father. She inherited her intensity and her Drenchen wings from her mother, but the rest of her is all Grottan. Oria’s hair is the same silvery-white as her father’s. The humidity in Sog makes her hair slightly wavy, but by mid-day, it is almost always straight and heavy. She keeps it long, though not as long as Elidi’s, and she only keeps a few braids in her hair as a marker of her status. As her father’s star apothecary and alchemy apprentice, Oria can usually be found in the workshop, her hair messy and tied back away from her face, and goggles strapped over her eyes. Her eyes are bright gold, and her gaze is so sharp that she can intimidate people easily. Like her sister, her pupils can expand and contract depending on the ambient light. She doesn’t look much like either one of her parents, but she is a spitting image for Amri’s mother. Though she inherited her wings from Naia’s side of the family, they are a bright teal blue and glistening silver. With high cheekbones and skin that is closer to gray than green, Oria’s unique looks in the swamp of Sog make her stand out – and she loves it. While her older sister is uncomfortable in the spotlight, Oria lives for it. She’s the life of every room, and she wears her emotions on her sleeve. People know where they stand with Oria – she doesn’t wait for the invocation of hard-talk to express her feelings. She loves the water, and if she’s not in the workshop, she’s likely exploring the lakes and waterways of Sog. Oria is likely to get herself into trouble at any opportunity, and she treats rules more like guidelines. She is fiercely competitive with her younger brother, and though she is happy in her chosen career, she longs to see the world – but she can’t leave the swamp. No one can.

Zain – Drenchen

Zain is Naia and Amri’s third child and is only one trine younger than Oria. Zain is mostly deaf (except for low tones like thunder), and he uses the Dousan sign language to communicate. He is a carbon copy of his father, and during his younger years, he even wore the same hairstyle. As a young adult, he changes his style, shaving both sides of his head and keeping the rest secured back in a braided tail or bun. Zain’s skills with healing vliyaya rival those of his oldest sister, and he trains alongside her to become an advanced healer. Like Oria, he is extroverted; however, he keeps his emotions on lockdown. He values his family above all else, and though he is fiercely competitive with Oria, they have an intensely close bond. He also has a close bond with his baby sister, Zenna, and is the one Elidi goes to for advice due to his level head and calm demeanor.

Shiri – Grottan

Shiri is Deet and Rian’s second child. She was born only months before Oria, and they grew up as the best of friends. Shiri is very shy and doesn’t make new friends easily – as such, her circle is very small. Shiri’s childhood is marked by periods during which her mother is overwhelmed by grief at the loss of Shiri’s older brother, Jen. Shiri never gets the chance to know him, but she feels like she is always in his shadow. Though she is raised to follow in her mother’s footsteps as the next Grottan maudra, Shiri isn’t sure she wants to be a maudra at all. She’s got an ear for music, and she’d much rather become a song teller. She learns to play her father’s old lute in her spare time. Shiri’s got Rian’s tan skin and blue coloring, but she has Deet’s messy hair and long ears. Her eyes can adjust to the ambient light, and they are a deep blue color like her father’s. Her hair is a dirty brown with streaks of Stonewood blue, and her wings have the characteristic bright blue and orange coloring common among the Stonewood. She is the same height as her mother, and she’s quiet most of the time – unless she’s singing, that is.

Koa – Sifa

Koa’s parents are both Drenchen; however, they left Sog long ago to join the Sifa. Koa grew up on white sand beaches and on the decks of ships, but he’s always wanted to see the mainland and explore the swamps where his parents grew up. Koa is tall for a Gelfling, and he’s also bulky from his days manning the sails and loading/unloading cargo. He’s got Drenchen locks, but they are covered with Sifan bells and golden trinkets. As a young adult, Koa gets a job working on Elder Onica’s ship, which docks in Sog’s port city of Seaside, only a day’s kayaking distance from the Great Smerth.

Zenna – Drenchen

Zenna is Naia and Amri’s youngest child. Born ten trine after Zain, she is the baby of the family. She looks like her mother, though her eyes are Amri’s dark honey brown. Like her Uncle Gurjin, she is usually unruffled and steady of temperament. Though she isn’t yet sure what she wants to become, she knows she loves the ocean.

 And now, an excerpt from mah girl Elidi’s POV:

“She watches the ripples on the surface above as she drifts in the current. The water is cool along her neck, crisp in a way she isn’t yet used to. She knows the concept of cold, though she’s never felt it herself before. The water isn’t cold, yet, but it has certainly changed.

The rains have not stopped for three days. The waters surrounding Great Smerth have long-since spilled over the edges of the Glenfoot, and the islands Elidi grew up knowing have vanished beneath the surface of the swollen lake. It is almost as if they never existed at all. Like her people, they are hidden away, waiting for the storm to pass.

Has it passed? She looks at the line of crystal embedded in the bluestone on the lakebed. Though the vein went clear three days ago when the suns burned as one, Elidi still hasn’t touched it. She doesn’t think she ever will. She tried once when she was a childling. Her mother had been nearby and tugged her away. Naia had clung to her when they’d surfaced, and she’d shouted at Elidi as she never had before or since. She hadn’t been angry – she’d been terrified. It’s a sound that’s never left her. 

There is a great splash at the edge of the Glenfoot, and Elidi rights herself in the water column as her sister plunges to the very bottom of the lake. Oria’s at her side with two pumps of her wings, and she raises her hand immediately. Elidi presses her palm to Ori’s, and her sister’s anxious voice fills her mind.

They’re waiting for you in Mum’s chamber. They’ve been telling everyone that we need to leave Great Smerth.

Elidi’s brow wrinkles, and she looks past the ripples at the towering heights of her home. Her mother’s balcony is only three levels up. She’s accustomed to seeing her mother standing there, proud and wild. But the balcony is empty, save for the wind and the rain and stray apeknot leaves knocked loose in the deluge.

We’re not leaving Great Smerth. It’s just a bit of rain. Elidi kicks for the surface, and Ori stays with her, hand in hand.

Aunt Pemma is with them. She’s trying to keep them from starting a panic. She thinks we’re fine here in Smerth, but she wants to evacuate New Domrak.

Have they found Deet, yet?

Oria pulls her hand away. Her expression is all the answer Elidi needs, and the two girls continue to the surface surrounded only by the muffled silence of the water.

They glide over the submerged Glenfoot and toward the stairs that lead into the Great Smerth. Elidi plants her feet on the lowest stair and as soon as her head clears the water, her sense of peace is shattered. The glade is louder than she’s ever heard it. People are calling out to one another on the rope and wood pathways strung through the canopy above, and as Gelfling move their belongings out of the residences on the ground floor, the Stone’s Way echoes in a cacophony of anxiety.

She takes a deep, steadying breath, and then she climbs the staircase, exiting the lake and entering the great tree. She keeps her head high, attempting to project a sense of confidence that she doesn’t feel. When will Mother come back? she asks herself. Perhaps they’ll stop panicking when Mother comes back…

Oria remains at her side, only one step behind, all the way to the third floor landing. Elidi can hear the council members bickering all the way in the hall, and she exchanges a frustrated glance with her sister before entering the room.

She stands tall and says nothing until they all look at her and come to a silence. It’s something her mother taught her long ago, and with her short stature, it’s a technique she depends on to gain attention. Her Aunt Pemma gives her a firm nod of approval, and she can feel Oria standing behind her, tall and firm. She’ll hug her sister and her aunt later. For now, she has a job to do.

She catches every eye in the room, then raises a single eyebrow. “Which of you are responsible for all this huff-puff, then?”

[thethirdstageofdeath]

A funny idea I got from @stonewoodsifa 's amazing fanfiction: Strange Lovely Discoveries

I haven't animated since January sorry if I'm rusty 😅

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COMPLETE!

Just added the final chapter and epilogue. This was a lot of fun to write! Now looking forward to getting back to The Wellspring!

Chapters: 8/8 Fandom: Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal Series - J.M. Lee Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Deet/Rian (Dark Crystal) Characters: Rian (Dark Crystal), Deet (Dark Crystal), Shoni (Dark Crystal), Amri (Dark Crystal), Aughra (Dark Crystal), Lath'N (Dark Crystal), Argot (Dark Crystal), Naia (Dark Crystal) Summary:

Commission/trade with myfanartblogplusshippingtrash on Tumblr! They gave me an outline based on JM Lee's novels that basically asked: What was Rian doing for most of the story? How did he get from points A to B? And, most importantly, how did he find Deet, who only briefly appears as his companion near the end of Flames of the Dark Crystal?

This is a Stonegrot fic with some mature themes (however, they are not explicit and ultimately I've rated it T+). Some things are AU, but overall this is set firmly in the novel canon, which is different from the series canon, and the characters are slightly different as well. It's been a fun challenge!

[hera-annwn]

Sneak-peek "Comatose"

Gotta love school and all the things and feelings that come with it! 🙃 The one-shots are coming, but not on a fast pace at the moment. So to give you guys a little bit something to look forward to there's a sneak-peek of an original entry from Stonegrot week! I hope you guys are pleased and get excited for the time when I upload them 🙌

Ps. The "Read more" button apparently doesn't work on the app.. So I'm sorry for the big lump of text!

READ MORE

Deet has noted by now how he really played off his own health as an unimportant matter, always putting everyone else above him. She could not really blame him, she admitted, since she recognized such behaviour as she did it herself.

But with Rian it was different. She wanted him to feel healthy, she wanted him to feel good. Rested, happy and relaxed, she wanted to help him feel that way. And maybe she could help herself and her restlessness along the way.

So with slight caution and timidity, she proceeded. “ Rian.. I.. “ Rian’s eyebrows raised and waited for her to continue.

“ I was wondering, will you sleep with me? “