#summer marionette

[prismstonearchives]

サマーマリオネット - Summer Marionette Coord

[chrisgraves09]

I love minigames

[megagrind]

Bitches be like “I’ve spent so long chasing after this person that it’s time I move on and fall in love with someone else” and it’s literally the exact same person

[pastryfication]

Can you pls do an Oscar x reader fic where the reader has pots or just faints a lot and she was with lando when she fainted and he gets rlly concerned xx 🩷

a helping hand

pairings: oscar piastri x reader, platonic!lando norris x reader. content warnings: mentions of fainting, reason why not specified. note: i feel like lando is a really good friend and i hope this mirrors that!! i wrote this while watching the f3 race and i feel so bad for gabriele :(

you knew the exact feeling that entered your body when you were just about to faint. it was as if you lost control of your body, as if a thick blanket laid itself over all your senses. everything blurred and small dots appeared in your vision.

and because you knew exactly when something about to happen, you also managed to always alert the people around you.

your friends and family knew exactly what to do when you pulled their sleeve and told them you were feeling dizzy. they would help you sit down immediately and let you lean on them as the world disappeared, and would hold you until you again came to your senses. it was a foolproof routine you had created, and it had worked for years, making sure nothing bad had the opportunity to happen.

but sometimes, the routine was ruined. that happened when you weren’t around any of the people who usually helped you.

and that was exactly what happened when you in that moment reached for lando’s arm.

the two of you were standing in the mclaren hospitality, chatting away about your summers as you waited for oscar to come back from some media duties.

you felt the feeling enter your body while lando was in the middle of an enthusiastic retelling of a party he had attended, and at first, you ignored it. a lot of times, it was a false alarm, and you didn’t want to worry the older mclaren driver if nothing was happening.

but when the feeling wasn’t going away, when it only intensified, you reached out to hold onto his shoulder, trying to steady yourself.

“lan,” you interrupted him, and he immediately frowned, a concerned look filling his eyes.

“whoa, shit, are you alright?” his arms came around to support you.

you opened your mouth to answer him, to warn him about what was about to happen, but you didn’t have time before the entire world went black and your body went slack, crumbling to the floor like marionette who’s strings had all been cut.

lando immediately caught you in his arms, gently lowering your still body to lay on the floor as he looked around for help. some people had stopped in their tracks to look at the scene but no one came closer.

“why are you just staring?! someone get oscar!” his voice came out an octave higher than usual, and people immediately stating scrambling away, some in the direction of oscar, some just as far away as they could get.

panic was still gripping at lando, but he forced himself to take a deep breath. his fast-beating heart came back to a normal pace, and as he slowly came back to a feeling of levelheadedness, he started looking around for a place move you, somewhere you wouldn’t get ogled at by all the people rushing around you.

he thought for only a moment before he felt something shifting in his arms and he looked down to find you blinking up at him.

“lan?” your voice was shaky as a lingering fatigue started to envelope you.

you blinked a couple of times to try to steady yourself, slowly feeling your senses coming back. “can you— can we go to oscar’s room?” your voice still felt small, like it wasn’t exactly your own, and you felt vulnerable sitting in the middle of the hospitality. you wanted to get away.

“yeah, of course!” lando was immediately on his feet, eager to do something to help you. “can you walk? or do you want me to carry you?”

you smiled at his words but shook your head slightly. “i think i can walk.”

he nodded in reply, helping you to your feet and placing an arm around your shoulder as you started walking towards the room oscar had been designated for the weekend.

the two of you were nearly halfway there when a deeply frowning oscar came into view.

“love, hey.” he was at your side immediately, replacing lando in holding you up. “are you alright?”

you nodded. “yeah, i think i’m alright now. lando helped.”

oscar sighed in relief, leaning down to press a kiss to your head before sending a grateful look to lando who was still lingering next to you, clearly still shaken up and filled with a protective feeling towards his teammates girlfriend. a person who had grown to become one of his great friends.

“thank you.”

lando only smiled in reply, nodding his head as he slowly started retreating. “anytime. hope you’re alright now.” his eyes lingered and he leaned down give you a half hug, searching your face for any discomfort before finally taking a deep breath. you were alright and he had helped you reach that point.

a small feeling of proudness bloomed in his chest as he watched oscar lead you the last way into his driver’s room. he had helped you.

[milkbobatyun]

i'll do better, i swear

pairing: ayato x fem!reader

genre: angstober, events, angst with slight happy ending

summary: an arranged marriage between the kamisato family and your family, but the busy nature of being the head of the kamisato family keeps ayato away from you

word count: 1.8k

a/n: dont ask about where in the canon timeline this falls, idek myself. anyways, im just feeding those who enjoy arranged marriage troupes (myself) by writing this

the kimono restricted your breathing, obi tight around your waist. you stood beside your father, eyes trained on the floor beneath you, an ornament beside him.

pleasantries were exchanged between the head of the kamisato family and your father, while you stood silently. since birth, you had been trained to be the perfect wife, proficient in cooking, cleaning, brewing tea and needlework. it was beaten into you to remain quiet until spoken to, agree to everything your father or husband said, without question.

you knelt onto the cushion, hands placed in your lap, fingers trembling. the head of the kamisato family offered you a porcelain cup of tea, which you accepted with grace and a quiet word of gratitude.

the exchange continued around you, discussions of your marriage with ayato, son and heir of the kamisato family, as though you were a mere ghost. you quietly sipped at the tea, wincing inwardly at the bitter taste, mirroring the feeling inside your heart. the conversation ended when all the tea disappeared from the pot, the deep and unyielding voices of the men fading into exchanges of goodbye.

as you left the estate, you let a breath you didn’t know you had been holding. you had fulfilled your duty today, but the next time you came to the estate, it would be for your wedding.

the ceremony was grand, hiding the lack of love in your union of families. the wedding passed in a blur of noise and colour. bright silks, glittering jewels, and ceremonial incense that filled the air like a fog, concealing the truth. you felt like a marionette on a string, pulled from place to place by bustling servants, their hurried gestures dictating your every move. this was only a union of houses, not hearts and no amount of jewellery or grandeur could hide that.

your only companions the sweet younger sister of ayato and his faithful servant, thoma. you were grateful for their presence, keeping you grounded in the chaos. even after the wedding, they stuck true to you.

as the lady of the house, you attended to your duties diligently, from directing the household staff to overseeing the preparations of ceremonies. more often than not, you found yourself sitting in the sunlight of the patio, a pair of scissors in hand, trimming and replacing the wilting flowers, decorating the cold vases. petals fell like delicate fragments of your own sorrow. while you replaced them, you wondered if you were just like these flowers—-ornaments to be seen.

the busy nature of your husband’s work limited his time spent with you. you didn’t blame him, you understood the weight of his position, however his absence was a knife in your heart, a wound that never seemed to heal. the vases were like the halls of the house, beautifully decorated, but cold.

ayaka and thoma could only watch you with pity, the forgotten and unwanted lady of the kamisato house. they noticed how your hands would slow, becoming lost in thought, scissors dangling from your hands as you stared up at the sky, watching the birds in envy. 

they longed to speak to you about it, but the silence was too heavy, too suffocating to break.

the chirpiness of cicadas faded, the end of summer near. leaves turned from vibrant green to a multitude of warm colours, sunset painted across the leaves of the trees. winter came in a flurry of snow and cold air, while spring’s short warmth was quickly replaced by the heat of summer.

without you realising, a year had passed and your wedding anniversary was nearing.

in that year, you were lucky if you could catch a glimpse of him leaving, as he slipped on his shoes to leave the house.

despite that, you had endeavoured to make your first year anniversary special. accompanied by thoma, the two of you wandered the streets of inazuma, picking out the best produce while thoma filled the air with pleasant conversation. you found yourself smiling and laughing along, heart light with cheer.

once you arrived at home, ayaka helped you prepare the feast, the pair of you bustling around the kitchen in practiced movement, like two elegant dancers, prancing around the kitchen to the rhythm of clinking utensils and bubbling pots. perhaps this dinner would bring the two of you closer.

the candles burned brightly like your hope, the only source of light in the dim room. the sun had set hours ago, the moonlight brightening the night sky. you sat patiently, ignoring the tingling of your legs, folded neatly underneath you.

as the night deepened, your eyelids began drooping, head bobbling as you fought to stay awake. the candles flickered, the wax dripping down the length of the candle.

a creak of the wooden plank startled you awake, your heart ablaze with hope. but it was only ayaka, her heart breaking at the look of hope on your face. she shook her head, watching you with pity as she watched your face crumple in disappointment. tears threatened to spill, but you held them back, sniffles filling the room.

the candles flickered weakly, their flames dimming, like your hope.

you plastered on your mask, a smile pasted onto your face. ayaka couldn’t bear to see you like this. to her, you were like the kind, gentle, elder sister she had always wanted. you quickly became someone ayaka looked up to. you listened to her talk and ramble about her problems and thoughts, she wanted to do the same. she wanted to be someone who you could open up to, someone who didn’t judge. now, she sat helpless, watching the cracks in your mask form and widen.

with quick strides, she crossed the room, engulfing you in a tight hug. surprise flitted across your face, before you embraced her tightly, tears leaking from your eyes. ayaka’s actions comforted you, her simple action breaking a hole in the high walls you put up.

like a dam breaking, you sobbed, words flowing out of your mouth, words that you had been taught from a young age should be kept hidden inside. women should only talk about the good things, the positives. talk of the negative feelings, the burdens you have, and you’ll become ugly, your tutor had scared you.

you took the opportunity of the sake placed on the table, pouring yourself endless cups, drinking away the sorrow. before long, the world took on a fuzzy haze, your face warm and your tongue slurring.

in your drunk stupor, you engaged in rare ‘girl talk’ with ayaka.

“you know,” you slurred, voice blending, head drooping. “as a child, i dreamed of receiving flowers from someone.” your voice trailed off, descending into silence.

just as ayaka was becoming worried about the lack of noise from you, the stillness was broken by soft snores. you had fallen asleep, dreaming of a life where you had affection and love. quietly chuckling, ayaka thought about how cute this scene was. your body slumping slightly, expression peaceful in the haze of exhaustion and alcohol.

despite the heaviness of the night, your relaxed and vulnerable figure warmed her heart. you looked so small and fragile in the large empty room, illuminated by the moonlight.

the shoji door slid open with a gentle swish, ayato’s tall figure framing the doorway. his hair was loosening from its neat ponytail, ink staining his fingers.

“sister.” he breathed quietly in greeting. “thoma reminded me what date today was.”

his sister’s sharp and disapproving glare made him flinch, guilt evident on his features. with measured steps, ayato entered the room, his gaze falling on your slumped form, a flicker of something flashed across his face.

ayaka’s eyes flitted between you and ayato, a complex mix of emotions swelling in her chest. relief, combined with frustration and disappointment.

“brother,” ayaka’s soft voice broke the silence, a quiet plea tinging her voice. “please, lady [name] deserves better than how you’re treating her.” a sigh falls from ayaka’s lips. “at least try to spare some time, or send a letter home when you don’t have the time, so she doesn’t have to wait like this.”

ayato stilled, the weight of ayaka’s quiet reprimand heavy on his shoulders, impossible to ignore and piercing through the composed facade he had grown so used to wearing.

“i…” ayato’s voice faltered, struggling to find the right words. in matters of state, he had always had a quick mind, ready to negotiate treaties and settle disputes, yet now, the words slipped through his fingers like sand.

“it was not my intention to neglect her,” ayato admitted, eyes downcast. “but i realise now…”

ayaka’s eyes softened as she looked at her brother. “make amends, ayato. she’s been waiting for you, tonight especially—” she gestures to the untouched food, laying on the table, the melting candles, “—she had hoped…”

ayaka is cut off when her brother’s arm shoots out, catching your head before it can hit the table. gently, he leans your head on his shoulder, the faint scent of sake clinging to you. in your sleep, you stirred, but remain lost in the dreams of a life filled with tenderness and love.

“i will try,” ayato promised, his face set with determination. “you will watch me, and you will be proud.”

for a long while, the only sound in the room was the soft rustle of the evening breeze. ayaka watched her brother in silence, hoping that this time, he would stay true to his promise.

ayato cradled your form, the soft rise and fall of your breathing a sharp contrast to his inner turmoil. his heart clenched as he imagined the hope you must have carried, waiting for him, as the hours slipped by.

ayaka studied her brother’s face, noticing the burden of regret etched into his features. ayato had always been a man of responsibility, maybe this time his duties would extend to you, his wife.

with tender care, ayato picked you up, carrying you to your room. he was startled when he felt his clothing grow wet, quiet sniffles filling the air. you were crying in your sleep.

gently, ayato set you down on your bed, as though afraid you might shatter if he placed you down too hard. he covered your figure with the luscious silk blankets, brushing away your tears with his hand. despite all the duties that were waiting for him, ayato stayed for a few more hours, 

a few days later, as you sit on the patio, watching the koi fish, thoma approaches you, hands hidden behind his back.

“m’lady,” thoma breaks into your thoughts, voice hesitant. “these are for you, from my lord.”

in his hands is a stunning bouquet of native inazuman flowers, mixed with your favourite flowers, carefully selected and curated with love.

perhaps, just perhaps, things were beginning to change.

taglist (open): @yeonjunsfox

∧,,,∧ ( ̳• · • ̳)  © curated with love by milkbobatyun 2024 / づ ♡

[low-budget-korra]

The lies Arcane Fandom likes to believe

Okay, I've seen a lot of awful takes in other social medias but now they are getting here too and I just can't. So I will talk abt the truth a lot of the fandom chose to ignore. And I'm saying "the truth" because different from a lot of ppl, I've actually watched the show and paid attention to the scenes.

1. Jinx is the only one who has been traumatized

Half of the worst takes about characters like Vi or Caitlyn, wouldn't exist if ppl realize that Jinx WASN'T the only one who got traumatized. Vi spent 7y getting beat up in prison, without eating properly and confined in a dirt cell. And no, she is not the one to blame for the person Jinx became. Jinx has to be held accountable for that, just as much as Silco for feeding her paranoias and manipulating her for years.

2. Caitlyn was a evil character and manipulated Vi

Season 1 Caitlyn shows nothing but empathy and patience, y'all like to say Jinx was a revolutionary but s1 Caitlyn was a revolutionary. "Oh but she was rich, she can't be" oh my sweet summer child...

Anyways, she wanted to end Silco cartel - that was destroying Zaun. She even managed to get a council meeting to talk about this. She wanted to change things and she was acting towards this.

Then she got kidnapped naked, tortured for hours, didn't take the shot that would have saved her mother's life, her mother was murdered, the memorial ceremony was attacked and yet she REFUSED to follow the council's ideas to use full force and invade Zaun. Which led us to

2.1 Caitlyn used the grey against innocents

She DIDN'T. She said it herself that the plan was to capture Silco's goons and destroy the slimmer factories. And we see that in the Hellfire sequence.

So stop spreading that she was using the grey against innocents bc the people she used against it were Chembaroons who provoked a civil war on Zaun for power, and used children labor in its factories. They are far from innocents.

2.2 Caitlyn manipulates Vi

I don't even know where this fake news came from bc I've already watched Arcane 3 times, watch at least 4 reaction channels and a few analysis on yt and no one apart from some of y'all in fandom sees this. Jinx manipulates Vi way more than Caitlyn, for example, she is the one that makes Vi believe that her becoming Jinx is her fault.

3. Viktor and Jayce did nothing wrong

Jayce basically built a Chernobyl above Zaun just bc if Hextech goes bad, people from Zaun would be the ones suffering the consequences and not Piltover.

Y'all like to call Caitlyn a genocide (even tho we didn't see any kill directly from hr actions), when Viktor is literally the one willing to kill people in the thousands just because he believes it's the best call. "I want to evolve all those willing to" excuse me? Sir, what "evolve" even means in this scenario? Bc those "evolved" ppl became nothing more than marionettes with no control over their actions and completely brainwashed.

4. Caitlyn was a dictator, she knew everything that was happening on Zaun and did nothing

Caitlyn was actually a pawn in Ambessa chess, a face to Ambessa actions, a face to take the blame for. Noxus could not just simply invade Piltover and install an Martial Law without the support of a major house like house Kiramman.

Essentially what Ambessa did was promote Caitlyn, and hide behind her status. Because if any other Piltie house questions, she could be like "but I'm just here to support the Kirammans, I'm just doing what Im told"

We see in episode 4 that the Noxians are the ones dealing with Zaun's turf wars. Do y'all actually believe their reports on what's happening was legit? Of course not. Caitlyn made her decisions based on those false reports that she didn't even give two fucks about bc she was still too focused on tracking Jinx. That's why when she started to really see what was going on and questions Ambessa, Ambessa quickly pulls the "mom" card to push Caitlyn back into her web.

Sure, she was still powerful and privileged but she wasn't in full control. And the fact that a lot of the fandom dismisses Ambessa's manipulation shows how good at that she is.

5. Vi choose to have sex instead of helping her suicidal sister

Vi DOESN'T watch Arcane. She doesn't know how bad Jinx was and mind you, last time Jinx was acting weird she blew up things instead of being suicidal. We, the Audience, watch her whole journey and change. Vi only stayed with her for a short period of time and she was in a coma for days. She doesn't know what happened after Isha sacrificed and how much this affected Jinx.

"breaking the cycle" could mean a lot of things and if you listen to her words when Caitlyn arrives, you can see that she clearly thinks Jinx is out there abt to blow something. She is blaming herself for believing in Jinx change of heart and not sad for her being suicidal, this prob actually never crossed Vi's mind.

6. CaitVi was forced

I can't with this ""argument"" CaitVi is the couple that has been built since s1 😭. I take that sometimes they were toxic (like when Cait hit Vi) but to say they were forced...please use it 🧠

7. Silco was a revolutionary and a good father do Jinx

Sure, in the past. There's nothing glorious or revolutionary in running a cartel, having business with corrupted cops and child labor. "But he was getting money to his revolution" my ass. He spent 7y doing nothing but becoming more and more powerful while Zaun became like the Pride Lands when Scar took over. He only gets back to his revolutionary ideas when Jinx stole the Hextech gem.

His beautiful speech doesn't match his horrible actions.

The fact that so many ppl see him as this perfect father figure, is the reason so many ppl so easily fall into abusive relationships. Yes, he took care of her but at the same time, he isolated Jinx from her sister , fed her paranoia and instigated her violence tendencies. And it's so clear bc the moment he was no longer in her life, she started to get better in her mental health.

Anyway to finish this long ass post lmao, I want to say that you are free to dislike and hate who you want and what narrative choice you want. The only thing, that ain't that hard, is be fucking honest abt it. There's no need to create bullshit expectations over your hate, ignoring the CANNON.

[camipoopedart]

OG Title: I Must Tame My Villain Fiancé, the Golden Guard of the North, for the Sake of a Flowery Path~!!

I've been obsessed with manhwas about contract engagements and villain love interests and dukes of the north, and saw there was a Huntlow duke AU fanfic, so I wanted to put my own spin on the trope. This is what I originally drew for my application to @huntlowfanzine last summer and did not fully render it until now haha

inspired by Bride of the Monster Duke fanfic by @kammieceleek and @blundrstorm, and @marionette-j2x's accompanying art!

[doll-lashes]

I love puppetry!!! This crow marionette is so cute and fun.

Blouse, skirt, head accessory: Violet Fane

Bloomers: Summer Tales Boutique

Socks: R. R. Memorandum

Shoes: Crocs :)

Marionette: Idigbo (x)

Taking a bow:

[cloudcountry]

attention twisted wonderland fans! ortho has tasked you with an important mission—give his brother the best summer imaginable!

welcome to the introduction post for my new event! i am your host, auburn! you probably know me as azulashengrottospiano, but i've changed urls ^^;

this time, i'm attempting to bring people together instead of doing an event all by myself. you'll have to forgive me if it's confusing, i've never hosted something like this before but i'll do my best and i hope you guys will have fun!

both writers and artists are encouraged to participate!

RUN TIME: this event will run from may 27th to june 10th! but you are more than welcome to post your pieces before then if you are finished or after if something came up! we understand <3

TO SIGN UP: please comment or reblog this post with your name and what you're going to be making! you don't need to have a specific idea yet, you can just whether you're an author or an artist!

when finished, please tag your works with sweet shroud summer 2024 so people can have an overview of the event's wonderful talent!

the event rules . . .

no nsfw content, i want minors to be able to participate as well if they want to.

any content is welcome aside from that! it can be romantic, familial, platonic, it can include yuu or not!

just as long as idia is getting out of his room and having a good time C: make sure you treat him well or ortho will get upset!

the company policy is open to be modified if a customer brings up a question!!

contributors and their pieces will be listed under the cut.

OUR LOVELY CONTRIBUTORS!

auburn / cloudcountry - writer.

if you let me.

dove / da-birb-writes-sometimes - writer.

mess in chat >w^. mess at con.

edie / edith-is-a-cat - artist (mainly.)

art piece. written work. kitty. platinum jacket. idia & tsum. rainbow idia.

cookie / cookiesandbiscuits - artist.

at the beach art piece. hot day.

irene / officialdaydreamer00 - writer & artist.

flowers of a summer day. part 1.5. aimless outing. marionette on a string. board game club shenanigans.

cyath / cyath - artist.

identity / identity-theft-101 - artist.

he dropped his ice cream :( art piece.

mochimus / thatsadguymochi - artist.

at the lake art piece.

phrog / phrowog - artist.

gamer touches the ocean art piece.

sapphy / shinysparklesapphires - artist.

gamer touches grass art piece.

em / musicalhistorical - writer.

zell / z3llous - artist.

getting milkshakes. catching pokemon.

silver / rxttenbxnes - artist.

sosa / miraculous-pacer55 - artist.

monimich / monimichbeingsilly - artist.

pop up cafe.

kei / keii-starz - writer.

garden.

fruity / fruity-arts - artist.

moon / moon-mage - artist.

rubia / twistedchatterbox - writer & artist.

emily / walkingoneliner37 - artist.

idia and ortho at disneyworld!

ryker / ryker-writes - writer.

firefly.

mayuu / justyoureverydaytwstsimp - writer.

dani / xol-io - writer & artist.

arius / ariusthething - writer & artist.

a short visit!

daffodil / chocodaffodil - artist.

idia at the beach.

loser / loser-jpg - artist.

getting boba.

manoo / pop-sparkle - artist.

tropical idia!

yourfbiagen1 - artist.

idia meets hatsune miku

octahyde - artist.

she just got to the prince mush boss...

comingyourlugubriousness / artist.

fireflies.

[chainlxnk]

Babes….

dearest…

my love…. ?

please draw Biana as a marionette puppet…

These are my final words before I’m going to be locked in my basement and forced to do my summer homework….

Only because they're your final words 😓😓

[officialdaydreamer00]

Marionette on a string

in which your significant other was dragged to a local theatre to see your performance on stage

pairing: (slight) idia shroud x actress!yuu/reader

contents: long drabble, lower case intended, the title should be used for my angstier ideas i swear lmao, a tiny pinch of fluff, reader is yuu and yuu is reader, gender neutral reader and narrated by you/yours, irene losing their mind over ride the cyclone (2016 cast specifically) and decided to add it in their fic, just idia and ortho reacting to the musical :D mainly idia

★ the daydreamer speaks — my third entry for my tumblr sister @cloudcountry's sweet shroud summer 2024!! disposing the worms bc they block my path to temporary shut down :D

do i tag? yes, i do. my main idia liker: @edith-is-a-cat, others: @identity-theft-101 @ferris-the-wheel @xen-blank @twistwonderlanddevotee @loser-jpg @lemonchuu @escha-evenstar @dove-da-birb

remember to comment or reblog if you enjoy my work!!

"Ortho, when will Yuu-shi show up on stage?"

"Should be in a few minutes, brother!"

idia briefly question his life decisions when ortho barged into his room, then proceeded to drag him out through the bustling streets of sage island. he could barely heard him mentioning something about you, what with acting and the local theatre.

well, he was about to find out.

as they both sat down in the darkened room, idia suddenly felt conscious about his fire hair glowing, a bit anxious with the judging eyes of others in the room, and pulled up his hoodie hood. he thanked the seven for the small amount of people in the room, which was less than he would expected there to be.

ortho whispered to him information he needed to know about the musical. about the summary, the characters, and the cast, to which he was pleasantly surprised to see you in the role of jane doe.

so an unidentifiable person, he noted, keeping an eye out to see your performance.

after a while, the narrator presented the final person, and you appeared in all your doll-lile glory, taking the spotlight. it was an unsettling introduction, he'd give you that.

the show went on, and idia's gaze never left you. your fellow actors and actresses did a great job with their own songs, which were quite a whiplash of emotions with how quickly the songs changed genres.

and then came your song.

and oh dear sevens, your voice.

"... Woah. "

"Yuu-san is amazing, aren't they, big brother?"

"Yeah... They really are..."

it was hauntingly beautiful, yet melancholic and painfully emotional, it sent chills down his spine. he couldn't imagine you could hit all those high notes, yet you did them so well. though, he only took his eyes off of you for a second, and you were already in the air, flying all over the place.

confusion was an understatement, but he brushed it off in favour of vibing to your, now that he thinks about it, kind of messed up song. he couldn't help but be enraptured by your stellar performance.

the show ended with a light and hopeful song, and a familiar melody as a callback to its opening. he was a bit disappointed that it was over, but he quite enjoyed it.

ortho noticed his brother's little smile. he smiled behind his mask, satified with the result.

mission "get idia outside" was a success!

[marcmarcmomarc]

I told you I would bring up @pmpknsoup’s post more times.

Feel free to comment or reblog how you think this would have gone.

———————————————————————————-

(In Theodore’s office in Shade Academy at early evening, Team RWBY and Jaune Arc face the main members of the Remnant Alliance, consisting of Team JNPR plus Oscar Pine/Ozpin and Emerald Sustrai, Team STRQ, the Ace-Ops, the Happy Huntresses, Winter Schnee, Team SSSNN, Team CFVY, Whitley Schnee, Willow Schnee, Klein Sieben, Maria Calavera, Dr. Pietro Polendina, Ghira Belladonna, Kali Belladonna, Ilia Amitola, Bartholomew Oobleck, Peter Port, Glynda Goodwitch, Theodore, Xanthe Rumpole, and Zwei.)

RUBY: Listen. Thanks, everyone, for your patience.

RUBY: It took a while to figure out how to tell you, and I know being left in the dark about our whereabouts over the remainder of the winter, the whole spring, and the summer has left you anxious, but now, I’ve decided it’s time to reveal what’s been going on. Robyn, I’ll need your Semblance to prove all of this correct.

ROBYN: Uh, okay.

(Robyn steps away from the group, removes her glove, and joins hands with Ruby. Her Semblance turns on and glows green with every piece of information Ruby gives.)

ROBYN: So, you guys didn’t make it out of the pocket dimension before it collapsed. Where did you guys fall to?

RUBY: Well, after I fell, I regained consciousness on a beach surrounded by giant seashells. I tried to hone in on a giant tree, but just ended up looping in circles. Eventually, I had to stop, then found a mouse trying to pull a plant out of the ground. I pulled the plant, which turned out to be a cheese plant, out for the mouse, and fed it to them. After the mouse revealed that they could talk, I named them Little, and they decided to stay by my side as I tried to get home. Then we found Weiss and Blake captured in vines by a whole village of talking mice. It didn’t take much convincing to get them to let them go. Then we went to look for Yang and found a creepy Grimm-looking creature moving jerkily. And I mean very creepy. (IMITATING JABBERWALKER) “Stalking. Searching. Waiting. Listening.” (NORMAL VOICE) Then Yang came barreling out, already fighting the creature while missing her arm. Then Blake realized we were in our favorite childhood fairy tale, The Girl Who Fell Through the World.

(Confusion and wonder all around. “That fairy tale?” “The Ever After?” “It’s real?”)

OSCAR: That fairy tale actually happened? And the Ever After is real?

RUBY: Which means the creepy Grimm-like creature was the Jabberwalker from that story. Also, Weiss had a very hard time wrapping her head around the Ever After’s absurdities.

(Weiss blushes with embarrassment.)

WEISS: I did not.

RUBY: Our hands are glowing green, Weiss. Robyn’s Semblance never fails. Then we went to the village in the King’s Acre to barter with the Jinxy Peddler, who had stolen Yang’s arm. Well, they don’t “steal”, they just “take things others aren’t looking at”. Fair is fair, right, Little?

ROBYN: Sounds like a legitimate businessperson.

WEISS: Right?

EMERALD: So, what was the Jinxy Peddler like?

VELVET: Was he cute?

WEISS: Cute? He was adorable!

RUBY: And, despite being older than he was in the book, his strategy was the same, selling treasures that are really other items in disguise. If my memory serves me right, he had a yellow scepter, a pink rabbit statue, and a marionette-like doll. Toy soldiers won the scepter, and we only got it back from them because Little tried stealing the marionette, exposing Jinxy’s treasures as fakes. The rabbit statue was another mouse, the scepter was Yang’s arm, and the marionette was one of Penny’s Floating Array swords. The soldiers followed us to arrest us for stealing Yang’s arm, or “royal property”, before I traded Penny’s sword, and told them she was the greatest warrior to ever live. “She was touched by magic, and she gave her life for thousands. She took a message of hope to the stars, and she saw the world through better eyes.”

(The gang gets emotional, especially Winter and Pietro, who are comforted by their loved ones.)

RUBY: The soldiers escorted us to the Crimson Castle for the birthday of who we thought was the Red King, but turned out to be the Red Prince, who was more of a spoiled brat than Weiss was at Beacon.

YANG: (nudging Weiss) Heh-heh.

RUBY: We challenged him to a game of chess, where he shrunk the girls to the size of chess pawns. Not that it hindered their performance against the Prince’s pawns. When we revealed that we’re humans and beat him, he threw a tantrum and wanted us beheaded, and the Curious Cat rescued us.

(More interested chatter. Nora Valkyrie gets giddy.)

NORA: The Curious Cat?!

REN: Were they as chatty as the book made them out to be?

RUBY: Mm-hm. Not to mention easily distracted. Anyway, they took us to look for ingredients for a Growgurt Parfait in the Garden’s Acre, and we told them our life story, but because we kept getting distracted with our internal conflicts, we kept losing them over and over again. After the third time, when they asked me how I’m supposed to save the world now that Salem has two out of four Relics and that Atlas is gone, we met an herbalist, a caterpillar named Herb. He seemed to be asking us questions to figure out what medicine he needed to make to help us. Looking back, he was being reasonable, as too little medicine is useless, but too much medicine is toxic. Eventually, Herb just decided to smoke a hookah for a bit and drugged us with leaves that made us see our past selves tempting us to “go back”. To be free. To be simple. To be whole. To be different. The other girls rejected and had already accepted their failures as something to learn from, but I almost gave in, before the Cat stopped me, then got Herb swallowed by a hole in the ground.

(The gang chatters in moods ranging from confusion to nervousness.)

TAI: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up. You guys did drugs?

QROW: Don’t let alcoholism be next, girls.

RUBY: Anyway, the Cat led us to a market to keep looking for the Parfait ingredients. Along the way, they told us about a process that occurs when an Afteran is no longer doing their assigned role, triggered by them losing their ways, wearing out, doubting themselves, or even just finishing their assigned tasks, upon which they are taken to the Great Tree and repurposed into someone or something else with a new identity, personality, and role. Their memories are erased in the process, but the heart very rarely forgets. They don’t die. They ascend.

(Such a concept catches the interest of the gang.)

REMNANT ALLIANCE: Ooh.

EMERALD: Talk about a potential existential crisis.

RUBY: Hence why there was no Red King when we got to the Castle. He lost his game and ascended into the brat we encountered. And the hole that swallowed Herb was him starting his own Ascension. Anyway, after we arrived at the market and got all of the Parfait ingredients, the market was attacked by Jabberwalkers using Neopolitan’s Semblance. Oh, yeah, Neopolitan fell with us, too.

(Nora, Ren, Oscar, and Emerald grow worried.)

REN: Uh-oh.

TAI: Neopolitan? Who’s that?

RUBY: Remember Roman Torchwick, the criminal from Vale? Neo was his partner. She held me responsible for his death at the Fall of Beacon and wanted me dead to avenge him. She expressed herself through gestures and facial expressions because she couldn’t talk.

RAVEN: Was she that chick I saved Yang from on the train on Mountain Glenn?

RUBY: Yep. Then I disposed of her by opening her umbrella on an Atlas airship in the sky during the Fall of Beacon. Apparently she survived that fall without any of those Grimm surrounding us eating her.

OSCAR: Team JNPR and I last fought her right after Ironwood declared us fugitives.

RUBY: Then she fought us in the pocket dimension between here and Solitas. Heck, she was the reason Yang, Blake, and I fell. Anyway, we made the Growgurt Parfait and the girls grew back to normal size just as we got assistance from the Rusted Knight riding his white rabbit.

WHITLEY: Did Weiss go goo-goo eyes the second she laid eyes on him? She had a crush on him when she was younger.

BLAKE: I think everyone had a crush on the Rusted Knight at some point.

RUBY: Well, things didn’t help when he turned out to be a grown-up Jaune with longer hair and a beard, who grabbed a fruit that sent him back in time twenty years right after he landed.

(The gang gasps at the new knowledge of the Rusted Knight being not only Jaune, of all people, but Jaune thrown backwards in time, grown older, and living without his friends for so long.)

NORA: Oh, my Gods!

REN: Jaune, that really happened to you?

JAUNE: I was stuck there isolated from other human contact, too.

YANG: Weiss certainly loved how mature he was.

RUBY: And the white rabbit was a jackalope Jaune named Juniper.

NORA: After his team? Aww!

RUBY: Then Jaune told us his perspective on the Tree, that he believed it was death, that Alyx backstabbed her brother Lewis, the author of the fairy tale, who wrote the story the way he wished it happened, and that the Cat couldn’t be trusted. Before long, we got caught in a “punderstorm”, which creates a physical manifestation of a mental or emotional problem. Jaune, Weiss, Juniper, and I were sent to metaphorical and literal crossroads, while Yang and Blake were sent to two broken, wooden, rickety bridges connected to a giant pillar that they could only make more planks to advance toward if they were honest about their feelings for each other. Yeah, Yang and Blake are girlfriends now.

(As Yang and Blake blush at each other, everyone’s hearts melt, all proud for the Bees.)

REMNANT ALLIANCE: Aww!

NORA: See, Ren? I told you there was more going on!

KALI: Our baby girl found love?

TAI: With my sunny little dragon?

RAVEN: Wow. She really is your daughter, Tai.

TAI: What’s that supposed to mean?

RAVEN: A tall overconfident blonde flinging dad jokes and puns and a brooding dark-haired beauty? A tale as old as time.

RUBY: Then the Cat bailed on us after mistaking us for selfishly using them to get home, and once the storm passed, Jaune let us spend the night in his house in the Origami Acre, then he introduced us the next morning to a village of paper stars called the Paper Pleasers. They seemed very dumb and clumsy at first, because of the daily disasters they were causing, but, at the end of the day, were very hospitable. He also named them after all of us. On his to-do list, I saw Ren, Ruby, Oscar, Nora, Neptune, and Pyrrha.

(Not a word is spoken as everyone exchanges concerned and uncomfortable looks with each other.)

RUBY: Anyway, a Paper Pleaser told us they kept causing disasters because they wanted to ascend, because their purpose was long since finished, but Jaune was stopping them because of his belief that the tree was death. They told us that the Tree isn’t death, but resurrection, rebuilding, and rebirth.

JAUNE: That must have been our waiter, the Blake Paper Pleaser.

RUBY: Then Neo’s Jabberwalkers attacked, and while we were distracted, the Paper Pleasers finally managed to off themselves by destroying the koi pond dam and drowning in the flood, then when the girls asked me to help comfort Jaune, I blew up at them for caring more about everyone else’s feelings or getting home, taking my mental health for granted and ignoring my problems…

(Everyone leans in anxiously. Things are getting even more interesting, but not in a good way.)

(Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Jaune exchange looks of guilt.)

RUBY: …then I ran away, came across the Abandoned Acre, and entered a mansion, where Neo had made clone illusions of Roman Torchwick, Penny, Pyrrha, Professor Lionheart, Clover, Ozpin, and Ironwood, and used them to physically and psychologically abuse me, beating me up ruthlessly and blaming me for their deaths, and when the chaos was over, I felt no will to live or be myself anymore, not helped by Torchwick’s question: “Do you really think you can stand to watch more of your friends fall? Or are you ready to admit the truth, that the world would just be better off without you?”

(The gang regards Ruby with sorrow over her being trampled by her trauma. Ozpin can be heard sniffling.)

RUBY: Then Neo offered me tea made from leaves from the Tree intended to wipe me from existence. The Cat blasted her away, but then turned out to be evil and tried to possess me, while revealing that they had been trying to wear me down the whole time, then Neo fought them off and stomped Little to death, then I finally gave in, drank the tea, offing myself, and got swallowed by the Tree.

YANG: (tearing up) Oh, Rubes.

RUBY: Then I met a Blacksmith, who I also found at the market, or, rather, she found me, and then she presented me with a choice to either change my identity or be myself. I saw my mom’s weapon and was treated to a vision of the night she left with Raven on another one of Ozpin’s secret missions and never came back.

(Tai turns accusingly at Raven.)

TAI: Raven?

YANG: She lied? She left with you?

RAVEN: Yeah… Hey, like I said to her, “First time for everything.”

(The gang gives her a look.)

RAVEN: Really? Sheesh. Tough crowd.

HARE: (to Ruby) Wait. What did you say your mother’s name was again?

RUBY: Summer.

HARE: (muttering) So, her uncle is Qrow, her father is Taiyang, and her sister’s mother is Raven. All are members of Team STRQ. Summer, Summer, Summer… (out loud) Summer Rose, the leader of Team STRQ, was your mother?

REMNANT ALLIANCE: (walla) Summer?…Summer Rose?…The previous silver-eyed Huntress?…That’s Summer Rose’s daughter?

RUBY: And then, I remembered my mom’s words, “I love you just the way you are,” chose to be myself, and came back to help the girls fight the Cat. And we won.

(Cheers and applause all around.)

RUBY: And then Neo killed the Cat by using the Jabberwalkers to eat them. By the way, Jabberwalkers are the only creatures to prevent Ascension if they eat Afterans.

BLAKE: On my count, there were a whopping five of them.

REMNANT ALLIANCE: (walla) Five?…Five of them?…Five Jabberwalkers?

SUN: Talk about overkill.

ELM: (after doing the multiplication math in her head) That’s gotta be over ninety teeth!

RUBY: And, according to the girls, Neo was possessed by the Cat, and she chose to accept Torchwick’s death and undergo her own Ascension. Oh, and Little ascended, too, into who we called Somewhat, and succeeded Jaune as the protector of the Ever After. By then, we had made it to the Tree by coming to terms with the truth, we’ll never be perfect, that even the most skilled Huntsmen and Huntresses have failed, and we walked through the door back home, landed inside the plane of the Tree, and met the Blacksmith again at her workshop. When we noticed two statues of the Brother Gods, she told us their backstory. That the Ever After was overfilled with plants and dangerous wildlife in its primordial years, but the Brothers were created to clear it out. Then they created the Afterans as well as the different acres for them to live in. They designed new creations that would replace them in maintaining the Ever After. This was how the Cat was created. They later created the Jabberwalker as a form of destruction. However, the two disagreed on whether it disrupted the balance or not and began to wage war.

OSCAR AND OZPIN: (both scoff) What else is new?

RUBY: The Blacksmith told us how balance isn’t supposed to be two opposing forces locked in battle; balance is an ecosystem, an organism, and a living thing, thus balance isn’t restored with force or manipulation, it’s restored naturally, requiring love and patience to see it through to the end. The Gods got to Remnant because the Ever After created a door to a “greater beyond” for them, so they can leave and experiment in creating new worlds as much as they like.

REN: Huh. So the Ever After existed before Remnant.

NORA: (snickering) So the Tree basically said, “You think you have life sorted out? Then get out of my house”?

RUBY: Pretty much.

(Everyone laughs at the Brother Gods basically being “kicked out of the house” by their “mom”. Some Gods they are.)

YANG: Oh, my Gods, that’s such a hilarious way of looking at it. Thanks, Nora.

RUBY: Anyway, the Blacksmith told us that we impacted the Ever After significantly, just like Somewhat, Alyx, and Lewis, and that the Cat caused a bad impact. Then she de-aged Jaune, but let him keep his memories, which explains the white streak in his hair, and made us a portal in the desert on the outskirts of the city, and now you’re all caught up.

(Ruby lets go of Robyn’s hand. The freedom fighter rejoins the rest of the Alliance.)

RUBY: So, I’m happy to announce that I’m not giving up the fight to save the world anytime soon! Between Academies and Kingdoms going down and our friends’ lives being forced to abruptly end, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs over the past two years, but we always pulled ourselves back together at the end of the day, and we won’t stop now! With global unity right at our fingertips and the ability to keep moving forward and accept our failures as things to learn from, things the villains would never even fathom, we can stand up to Salem and her forces! And no longer will we be putting the entire burden of the world’s safety on one individual! My name is Ruby Rose, and I am a Huntress!

REMNANT ALLIANCE: (walla) Yes!…Great!…Alright!…Thank goodness!…Welcome back, Ruby!…Good to have you back, kid!…Way to go, Ruby!…That’s my girl!

YANG: We’re so proud of you, Ruby.

RUBY: Thanks, guys. You and your support mean the world to me. And I’m just as proud to call you guys family. All of you.

(Everyone looks at Ruby with warmed hearts.)

———————————————————————————-

Starring the voices of:

Lindsay Jones as Ruby Rose

Cristina Vee as Robyn Hill

Aaron Dismuke as Oscar Pine

Kara Eberle as Weiss Schnee

Katie Newville as Emerald Sustrai

Caiti Ward as Velvet Scarlatina

Barbara Dunkelman as Yang Xiao Long

Samantha Ireland as Nora Valkyrie

Neath Oum as Lie Ren

Burnie Burns as Taiyang Xiao Long

Jason Liebrecht as Qrow Branwen

Anna Hullum as Raven Branwen

Howard Wang as Whitley Schnee

Arryn Zech as Blake Belladonna

Miles Luna as Jaune Arc

Tara Platt as Kali Belladonna

Anairis Quiñones as Harriet Bree

Michael Jones as Sun Wukong

Dawn M. Bennett as Elm Ederne

Shannon McCormick as Professor Ozpin

Additional Voices (no individual lines, but can be heard chattering, sobbing, gasping, cheering, laughing, and exclaiming, “Ooh,” and “Aww”):

Sena Bryer as May Marigold

Ashley Burns as Coco Adel

Tiana Camacho as Glynda Goodwitch

Dani Chambers as Iris Marilla

Cam Clarke as Bartholomew Oobleck

Michele Everheart as Fiona Thyme

Cassie Ewulu as Arslan Altan

Dave Fennoy as Dr. Pietro Polendina

Gavin Free as Scarlet David

Caitlin Glass as Willow Schnee

Mick Lauer as Marrow Amin

Cherami Leigh as Ilia Amitola

Marissa Lenti as Joanna Greenleaf

Joe MacDonald as Yatsuhashi Daichi

Aaron Marquis as Nolan Porfirio

Elizabeth Maxwell as Winter Schnee

Max Mittelman as Fox Alistair

Josh Ornelas as Sage Ayana

Jon Risinger as Bolin Hori

Zeno Robinson as Nadir Shiko

Anthony Sardinha as Peter Port

Kerry Shawcross as Neptune Vasilias

Keith Silverstein as Professor Theodore

Melissa Sternenberg as Maria Calavera

J. Michael Tatum as Klein Sieben

Kent Williams as Ghira Belladonna

Erin Winn as Reese Chloris

Anne Yatco as Xanthe Rumpole

[dee-morris]

Finally We're Going to Talk About Crowley

I really do love them equally but you wouldn't know it from my posting history because I constantly feel the need to ride to Aziraphale's defense every other week.

Anyway we talk incessantly about Aziraphale's behavior in the last scenes of season two for obvious reasons, but I think Crowley also needs some deconstructing. His behavior is less shocking; he appears to be reacting to Aziraphale more than taking the reins of the narrative himself. But there are a few key moments I want to look at more closely.

The first thing I thought of was how nonchalant he appeared to be about his only friend going off to have a private conversation with a powerful angel who clearly loathes the sight of him. "Go ahead, the day can't get any weirder" YES IT CAN YES IT CAN but anyway, I was deeply mistaken.

The second they're out of sight he jumps to his feet and stares out the window after them, then he starts to pace around the bookshop. He stops dead when he sees Muriel and goes back to nonchalant mode. "They'll be back soon."

(In the tone, imo, of a parent waiting for their kid to come back from a date and it's past curfew and they're not answering their cell.)

And then--he immediately tries to get rid of Muriel. Who doesn't want to leave, bc "The Metatron might need me!" And you can see the "oh my sweet summer child" expression cross Crowley's face. He's still his usual casual demonic No Fucks Given self on the outside, but he doubles down on getting Muriel out of the shop.

I don't want to spit in anyone's crepes with this next bit, but I don't think the "us time" portion of this conversation was intended to be romantic. I hypothesize that Crowley had just about made up his mind to have an honest conversation with Aziraphale about his Fall and whatever tf he's got going on with the Metabitch. And the "extremely alcoholic breakfast" was what he needed to get through the conversation.

I'm wandering into the realm of speculation at this point, but I think my hypotheses are based on canon events. Crowley does not talk about his Fall with Aziraphale and discourages any mention of his angel identity. That could just be a trauma response, but you don't see the same reticence when it comes up in conversation with Beelz or Muriel or even Jim. I think he's been protecting Aziraphale from something all this time, maybe for his own safety or maybe because he doesn't want Azi to lose faith in heaven/God. The way he tries to send Muriel away makes me think it's a physical safety thing.

But then Metacunt shows up in the flesh and Crowley goes, Yeah it's time to have The Talk.

So then what changed?

This next extrapolation is a bit tenuous so feel free to disagree, but I don't think Crowley was as lost in the woods as he seemed to be. Crowley is impulsive and emotional, but he's not stupid. My friend leaves with the most dangerous angel I know and comes back acting weird. We are not getting that breakfast at the Ritz, are we?

I think the confession and the kiss were sincere, but I also think they had a purpose. I think he was trying to snap Aziraphale out of whatever was making him act like a marionette on crack. But, "It's too late. It's always too late."

[thepunkmuppet]

costumes / looks I desperately need gerard way to wear on stage (add your own in reblogs!!)

greek statue, he’s fully painted white including his hair with a white toga with a golden wreath thing on his head. I just think that would look sick

police uniform covered in blood

straight up zombie with full on green decaying gory make up

one of the heathers from heathers

either the blue cheerleader outfit from the i’m not okay mv or the iconic red ones from teenagers. then we’d have a little trio!

ghostface. possibly cunty ghostface as a treat

vanya from umbrella academy - young version with the school girl fit and black mask OR the all white comic version of course

also number five from umbrella academy (classic school boy fit)

this sounds weird but I think this would be really cool and meta for wwwy - a stereotypical mcr fan / emo. as in with that one black parade t shirt, heavy eyeliner, black nails, side swept emo fringe, studded bracelets and belts, skinny black jeans, vans or converse. again a very meta concept, after their old person looks in 2022 I can really see them doing this as a whole band this year and I would loooove to finally see gerard in the fashion style that’s so associated with him and his music

howl from howl’s moving castle

possibly also sophie from howl’s moving castle

slenderman

literally just satan. like the most stereotypical devil, give them fully painted red skin, horns, fangs, yellow or black eyes, maybe even goat legs. probably with a majestic black suit or something, or for a succubus vibe a black flowy dress with a slit down the leg. now that I think about it, this would be a SICK wwwy look to shock us all, esp if ray mikey and frank all dressed as other demons or the souls of the damned or some shit.

peni parker - he made her!!

question mark jumper from doctor who

also missy from doctor who omg

jane doe from ride the cyclone, possibly with added marionette or cracked porcelain makeup like in some renditions

classic majestic white-robed angel, with enormous fake wings and maybe even sparkly gold makeup and a big gold halo. also would be cool in all black, or all white but covered in blood (red, gold, or black, all would look cool)

buffy summers in prophecy girl, except he also has blood all over his neck from where the master bit her. I hope he’s watched btvs I think he would very much enjoy it this look would fit with their vampire vibe sooooo well

classic frankenstein’s monster

mothman. not only is he a heartthrob but he’s also a hunched goblin cryptid to me. the duality of man (he/theys)

jane prentiss from the magnus archives. if you don’t know she is a living flesh hive of sentient worms, she’s decaying and full of holes. again with all the nasty decaying rotting prosthetic makeup plus THE RED DRESS!!!

mr darcy vibes, sopping wet regency man with a big puffy white t shirt

opposite side of that, fuck it give him a full on ballroom gown

henry creel from stranger things (pre-vecna, nurse outfit)

any disney princess

crowley from good omens. my man looks GOOD in those anthony janthony aah sunglasses he has

cute flowy summer dress with like a flowery pattern. either go cottagecore with it and have flowers in his hair, or go full white soccer mum and put him in huge cunty sunglasses a massive straw sun hat with a ribbon on it

all-black cowboy!!!! the fact I’ve never seen him in a cowboy hat is actual sacrilege. also would very much appreciate an all-pink sequin studded cowboy

any alice in wonderland character, especially alice herself, the classic disney movie look with the blue dress and the bow in the hair. he would also do a great chesire cat (spooky big grin makeup paired with his weird ass dramatic facial expressions?? inspired) or a super extravagant queen / king / knave of hearts. also 100000% the mad hatter omfg, he was BORN to do a jefferson from once upon a time look!!

[guzhufuren]

want to monologue about smth

thinking about how the last internship was so deadly hard on me. it exhausted me until only small tiniest drops of energy were left really. for a few month there it felt like my love for children was killed which is insane because loving kids is the center of my whole being. i have loved spending time with younger kids since i was young myself!! there was a summer when instead of playing with my friends i would go to our neighbours from the building across and ask if i could take their toddler to the playground because it brought me so much joy to spend time with her and take care of her. i was 9!!!!! and one time, before one of my planned suicide attempts as a teen, my aunt came home early and i saw her daughter, my beloved little sister, that day. as i sat there with her and listened to her bubble about stuff and saw how much she adored me and how perfect she was it changed my mind. it was a moment of oh. i shouldn't leave. i want to have kids one day and i should stay for that and i should try more for these perfect little creatures

it's just absolutely fucked up how childcare is systemised here, because one teacher for a group of 25 toddlers or preschoolers is insane. it's fucking inhumane. while in previous internships i was quite happy learning from experienced workers, this one was torture. 3 year olds who only started to go to the kindergarten, don't have a permanent teacher who could help them adapt, most of them hyperactive in a room that has many furniture edges you can hit your head on, with 6 out of 25 kids being neurodivergent and only 2 diagnosed. it's not wrong for them to be there, but they don't communicate with anyone yet and need special education methods, they shouldn't be expected to behave like a perfect little marionette of a kid. and they can injure themselves. jesus, it was so scary, these kids couldn't be asked to behave. i have started raising my voice on children regularly. i have never done that in my whole life and i always hated people who did that. i am so ashamed of myself thinking about that

and it motherfucking just destroyed me inside. together with simultaneously going through grief of losing someone close to me for the first time, this experience was horrible. i was so SO concerned after it was over, when i would try to feel out my inner emotions and couldn't find any feelings of affection towards children at all or being excited to be a childcare worker one day. so i'm very happy to start getting some small sprouts of love for them growing in me again but i'm still scared and i will never be able to work in childcare in a country that has this kind of system designed for adults to become resentful and kids to be neglected

[rattzphobic]

Marionette

Marionette (AO3) NSFW WARNING It had been over a year since Teia had mentioned wanting to introduce a third person in their relationship. Viago had quietly kept that in the back of his mind. Now, in an effort to win back her affections after months apart, Viago meets an expensive escort in the Cantori Diamond who agrees to lend her services to him, and whomever else he might think to bring, for a week at Villa de Riva in the Antivan countryside. Tags and full chapter below the cut Read the other five chapters on Ao3 with more to come!

Handjob, blowjob, cunnilingus, squirting, double penetration, public sex, voyeurism, spanking, choking, throat training, edging, orgasm denial, prostitution, breeding, hair pulling, lingerie, bondage, sensory deprivation, rimming, marking, watersports, mutual masturbation, outdoor sex, scratching, puppy play, humiliation, creampie, body worship, wrap around, threesome, vaginal, anal, somnophilia, cnc, spanking 

01

The Cantori Diamond never truly slept. There was always a soul in its halls, gambling away thousands. All manner of guests and patrons walked the smooth tiled floors and watched the sultry singers perform as dice rolled and cards flipped and drinks were served. Highly trained servers brought out unopened boxes of Antivan cigars, scored the wax seals of decades old spirits and exchanged notes and unknowable looks that mirrored the exchange of life happening in the levels above them.

In a way, much like The Crows, a different exchange of the flesh was happening on the casino floor. 

Viago had never been one to buy into that. Whores, if he were being blunt. His concern of an assassination attempt sometimes grew so overt over his life, he seemed obsessed. That had lessened when he met Teia, but still. On their off seasons, which seemed like the difference between Summer and Winter, his fears crept back in. Made him angry. Made him tense. 

He pushed through the small crowd gathered in the foyer, his leathers dressed down to blend in with the rich patrons. 

It was not a fight that so much as took him away from his partner (if he could even refer to Teia like that). The waxing and waning of life and the very nature of their intimacy made their meetings fleeting. It would take the end of the world to make things official between the two, and despite Teia’s casual denial of that time ever coming, Viago knew better than to disagree with the notion that soon enough, that day would indeed come. The breach was less than a decade ago. And before that? The explosion in Kirkwall. And before that?

He shuddered to remember the Fifth Blight. The Fourth Blight had overrun Antiva. Viago of course was not alive to witness its effects on his nation, but the idea of it returning at any moment haunted him. Another kind of poison and one he could not save himself from. A drop of the blight could outright kill him. 

At the bar, he ordered some red wine. It was served in a crystal glass with the emblem of a crow etched onto its face. Wings spread, mouth ajar in a shout. Be it a shout of victory or of defeat, Viago did not want to ponder that. Not tonight at least. He was here to ease his worries, not make them bigger.

So, he swirled the wine in his cup and took a sniff. It was a Marcher wine, characterized by its slightly sweeter smell. Oak-wood barrels and the softest hint of florals. He took a small sip, swirled it in his mouth and let the warm taste spark a fire in his chest. It was good wine – great wine. The Cantori Diamond would not serve any less. He nodded at the barkeep for more, and his cup was filled. Red wine and the smell of cigars and the cacophony of laughing patrons and accounting tellers. It felt strange to call it home, but when Viago shut his eyes to take another sip of his wine, it felt… right. 

What did not feel right was the sensation that someone was watching him. 

Casually, he turned around, a hand on his hip to scan the crowd. A sea of brown faces checkered with the gray horns of Qunari folk of varying sizes and builds. Some people were betting. Some were drinking or socializing or bickering. Some exchanged chips and coin purses. Scantily clad escorts clung to high winning table patrons. Thin black and purple dresses and straps of clothing revealed themselves to be workers of the night. That, and their subtle lack of interest in the money and more so their hands on someone else's chest or arm or…

The feeling was back again. His dark blue eyes bounced from booth to booth, from table to table until –

She was sitting alone. Sipping a flute of champagne. Her full lips were painted a deep true blood-red color that matched the vibrancy of her dress. On her table was a single candle lit with a low orange flame that illuminated her heart shaped face. She was looking at Viago, there was no doubt in his mind. Her expression was clear enough for him to know her intentions, but the gaze was intense nevertheless. She smiled when he finally saw her, and leaned back in her chair, revealing a slender torso and her full breasts. Dark hair spilled down her shoulders and over the back of her chair. 

He watched as she crossed her legs and with the tip of her heeled foot, she pushed the chair opposite her away from the table slightly, beckoning him with a tilt of her head.

Viago took a deep breath. This is not for me, he told himself as he greedily downed half his wine. This is for Teia. 

When he sat down across from this mysterious woman, she smiled, red lips parting to reveal her white teeth. She had left a stain on her glass from where she had taken a sip. Her long fingers were tipped off with long manicured nails, and on one finger was a fine ring of gold set with a deep red ruby. She folded her hands over the table, leaning in.

“You finally noticed.” A deep, sultry voice. She smelled intoxicating. Sandalwood and florals that Viago could not name. The wine was getting to him. It must be. Why else would the mere presence of her fill him with such… desire? He inhaled through his nose and the smell beckoned in him further. 

Touch me. 

Eat me. 

Devour me.

“Do I know you?” Viago cocked a brow.

“Such a silly question.” She spoke slowly, shaking her head. “Does it really matter? You already made your mind up about me before you even sat down.”

“And what exactly did I decide?”

“That you wanted me. In some way or another. You wanted my answer. My voice. My smell.”

He swallowed.

“Have you got enough? Is this distance satisfying to you?” Her thick accent placed her as a local. But still. Viago felt as if her words brought on all new meaning; all new dictation. His wine became forgotten on the tabletop as he leaned in, too.

“You want something from me.” He insisted. Her eyes were big and round. Guarded by thick dark lashes that were coated in black mascara. When she blinked, the candlelight casted long spiked shadows down her smiling cheeks. 

“Of course I do. I wanted your attention.” This was a game. Viago had let that slip his mind. But he remembered it now. This was like a contract. And he had seen hundreds of contracts fulfilled. Flesh was flesh, be it warm or cold. He tried to break his gaze from hers, but she cocked her head, and his hand squeezed into a fist on his thigh. “Tell me what it is, cariño. And I’ll give you whatever you want.”

Beneath the table, one sharply pointed shoe ran up his leg. He stiffened with a jolt, and the woman laughed. 

“I can tell you’re not used to this kind of attention. I can slow down if it’s too much for you.”

“How much.” He bit out. “For – you.” Her foot was moving up and down his shin with such gentle force it was making his stomach tighten. A warmth bloomed in his belly matching the wine. He finished his cup as she watched, her answer slow in its coming.

“Now, now.” She shook her head, clicking her tongue. “I’m not some common whore you can find in the Red Lantern District. You should know better than that.”

“Then what are you?”

“A woman looking for company. Good company.” She turned to the crowd. “I don’t pick just any person with a heavy sack of… gold. They have to interest me.”

Viago followed her gaze. The same as before. Scantily dressed and half drunk workers already easing their spells on the winners and losers of this eternal game. 

“I have a very specific clientele.”

“And it seems like I fit that criteria.”

“Of course you do. You’re the fifth talon.”

He swallowed thickly and turned back to her. She did not meet his stare. 

“Don’t act so surprised. I don’t think many in the Diamond would recognize you. But,” Finally then, their eyes met again. “Like I said. Specific clientele.”

“You service crows.” He affirmed. 

“It just so happens that young, educated patrons come from your very exclusive club. Not to mention most of them are quite rich.” She shrugged, her hair tousling. 

Viago had never been the one to pry into the lives of his House. The de Riva’s walking around Antiva were certainly not keen on sharing these sort of secrets with him either. But the idea of this woman only choosing Crows… it made him feel a bit better than he had before. He waved to a server who refilled his glass promptly, and he took a slower sip. 

“Is this where you pick them up?”

“Oh,” She sighed. “Sometimes.”

“Then what are you doing here?” Her expression was impossible to grasp now. She was looking out into the crowd with a half smile on her face. Dark eyes were far away in some memory as her fingers found the base of her flute and felt the cold glass. Her foot had finally stilled itself against his ankle, and it left a subtle tingle in his toes where the anticipation had been before. The time between his question and her answer grew so long that he was almost afraid she did not hear him. Until she turned her head slowly back to him and revitalized her smile.

“Waiting for you.” She sipped her drink.

An exaggeration? A hook to get him to get closer? Already he wanted her. Already, his desires were shameful enough for him to try and think if this was all really worth it. Teia had mentioned something like this nearly a year ago now. Bringing in someone else to fuck out all their strangest desires. But, they were both so changed from those people back then. The realization that she might not want a third person in the middle of their already fragile relationship was like cold water on his face.

“You asked me about a price.” She continued. “It’s 500 for the night. 800 if you want me to stay until the morning.”

“And for a week?” It was this or nothing. It was her or it was crossing his fingers and hoping Teia would find him again next time she was in town. 

The woman laughed in surprise. “A week?” Her brows shot up, but the spark in her eye told Viago she wasn’t unused to these sorts of proposals.

“There will be two of us. Me and my… partner.”

“I see…” She swirled her flute, the golden liquid spinning in the glass.

“Perhaps more. If you prove yourself.” He shrugged.

“I feel like a Crow already.” 

“I have a place for you to stay. If you need anything delivered that can be arranged. You will be well taken care of, I can assure you.”

“Slow down there, Señor.” She tapped the table. “Don’t talk about it as if I’ve already agreed.” Her lips pursed.

“You’re refusing?” Viago cocked a brow.

“I have rules of my own, if you care to know.” Her foot moved again, stirring his excitement up as his wine glass was finished with one deep swallow. “I love the way you Crows always get straight to business. You and I are nearly the same, you know. It’s all just a contract between two bodies. I deal with life, and you deal with death. Sometimes I wonder… How many exchanges go on each and every day? How many people lose their lives above me when I have someone's hand on my thigh?”

Viago gasped. He was half hard between his legs just listening to her talk and feeling her foot on his thigh. His glass was refilled again. He saw her gaze bounce from his eyes to his lips and then dip down to his throat. He swallowed. 

“There is a healer in town. Not far from here. I need her approval before you and I can do anything.”

“A healer?”

“She will only take a piece of you – not your blood. Just any bit of you you’re willing to give up. She’ll write her results on a sheet of paper and stamp it. Come back and show me. Then, we’ll talk.”

He debated it. Already Viago wanted to get this over with. Impulse and budding desire wanted him to say yes so he could take her away and break in the new bed he had ordered in just for this rare occasion. He sipped his wine again. “Fine.”

With a flick of one of her delicate wrists, she pulled on the Veil and magic poured into their shared space. Viago shuddered and licked his lips as the feeling washed over him. Light formed on her palm and with a burst of a spell, a roll of paper appeared between them. 

“I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to show me you’re serious, Sr. de Riva.” She leaned back in her chair. “For now, you will have to excuse me. I have a prior engagement I must attend.”

When she stood, Viago allowed himself to drink in her form. Lean, slim and of a head with Teia. Her long hair met her waist in waves of inky black. She gave one last glance over her shoulder. Viago nodded his head, be it in dismissal or acknowledgement, he did not know, but she left afterwards. Sauntering past the bar to a place he could not see. 

Despite her being out of his sight, Viago’s mind left with her. Was she meeting another Crow? He imagined someone's hands around her slim waist, pulling up on her skirts and dipping their gloved fingers into her. He imagined her moans, though all that sounded in his ears was the muted sighs he could replicate from memory that she had given him. Her smell was still lingering all about him, and the words came again. 

Touch me. 

Eat me. 

Devour me.

Desire was a slow poison. It festered in everyone. Even someone as disciplined and in control as Viago. He was here, afterall. Imagining her with other people – other Crows. It made him feel strangely possessive; and he licked at the sharp edges of his teeth in his mouth. 

Sipping his wine again, Viago took the sheet of paper from the table and unfurled it. It was written in elegant Antivan script in brown ink with an address at the top. A certain Dottore Ashara was listed as the practitioner of this medical office. Viago had to scoff. She really wasn’t kidding. He half knew what these sorts of tests might be for. Never had he gotten so close to any sort of illness before, but being as grown as he was, the realm of possibilities was not shortened by his lack of partners. Still, the idea of this person taking something from him and working some sort of alchemy over it to prove what Viago already knew… It made his stomach tighten. 

This is really, actually happening. 

He stood only when his wine was done, and when he did, he gave one last look around for the woman in red. When he did not find her, he left a few silvers for his wine on the table and walked slowly out of the Casino floor into the warm evening air. 

A gondolier picked him up and ferried him to his destination a few minutes away.

The building was unassuming, with a hanging metal and wood sign reading MEDICAL REMEDIES AND CURES swaying in the wind. Viago pulled his hood lower over his head and pushed into the warmly lit room. Thankfully, it was empty. The place was full up with cushioned chairs and portraits of aristocrats and past Divine’s alike. There was a fancy rug on the floor from a place in Rialto and incense was burning silently on the counter that bisected the room.

“Just a second!” Came a voice. It came from somewhere in the backroom. Viago approached the counter, tapping his fingers on the wood as he did as he was told. Papers were neatly stacked where someone should have been sitting as well as a pot of brown ink and a pen. Cabinets lined the back wall where some counter space was filled with strange glass and copper equipment. Some of it looked indescribably new. Others were hard to differentiate between ancient Elven and ancient Tevene.  Blue crystals and glowing runes were hung up or seared into empty wall space. Vials of strange liquid were set in several rows behind surgical tool sets and magnifying glasses.

Viago wondered how many new ideas were being created and cultivated here. And if he too, could see if a new concoction might come from the strange materials in its confines. 

“Sorry ‘bout that.” A heavy set elven woman sat on the chair. She was dressed in pristine white linens with a copper name tag that read DR ASHARA on her chest. Her brown hair was pulled back in a tight bun revealing violet eyes and vallaslin across her cheeks. “Time gets away from me sometimes. Now, how can I help?”

Viago handed her the paper quietly, his body moving before his words. “Here.” He choked out.

“Oh ho!” The woman chuckled. “I see. Well, just sit down. I’ll be right out with my tools.”

He sighed and found the nearest chair.

It aggravated Viago that he was at a loss for words. He could deal rather easily with life or death situations. If someone died, he would spew out sentence after sentence about the future and what went wrong or if they deserved it or not. He could discipline a hundred rowdy young recruits and find retorts for all their hot-blooded insults. But this? Perhaps he should have taken the easier route and picked up the cutest piece of ass from a brothel and saved himself the work. But a part of him knew why he chose the Cantori Diamond instead of a place like that. 

He had a taste for the high end. Wine, art, clothes. Why would flesh be any different? That woman seemed to be of a mind with him in thinking the same. And was decent enough to ask for a … medical check or whatever this was. 

Dr. Ashara came back with a wooden cup, a few copper rods and a glass vial. 

“Right. Now, come ‘ere.” She motioned with one gloved hand. “Good. If you please, I’ll need a bit of you to run this test.”

He cocked a brow.

“Oh, come on – just your spit or hair.” She insisted. “‘Less you’d prefer your piss to those other options –”

Viago leaned over and spat in the cup she was offering. 

Setting it on the table, she put in the two copper rods diagonal to each other and with some magic, sent some green electricity down into the fluids. Then, with the same rods, she whisked up his fluids until it was bubbly and full of air and shoved it down into the small glass vial, rods and all. 

Viago felt sick.

“Just one more moment.” Dr Ashara walked back to one of the ancient machines, slid the glass vial into a slot, activated the crystal and stepped back as the magic spun her sample at back breaking speeds around a dial. “Have you many sexual partners?”

“What?”

“Do you have. Many. Sexual. Partners.” She took a step towards him so he could hear her over the whirring of the machine, though Viago could hear her fine enough.

“...No.”

“Good then. This test should tell you what you already know.”

Viago grumbled a response. 

The machine slowly spun to a stop, and the Dottore held the mixture up to the light. It had turned blue. “All seems well – though I would mind how much fat you’ve been eating. Could upset your kidneys.” She threw all the pieces away into a metal trash can and sat back down at her desk. “Everything seems in check…. And… there.” She stamped the paper. “Don’t be afraid to come back now. Your first physical exam is free.”

She handed him back the paper. Viago took it, rolled it up and shoved it into his coat pocket. “Good evening.” He said curtly, walking out the door.

A stamp was all he needed and a stamp was what he got. The sun had dipped below the horizon and the sky was bruising a deeper and deeper shade of blue by the moment. The crowds on the sidestreets didn’t lessen any, however. This was the time when Treviso came truly alive. Marchants lit the lanterns and brightened their displays with silver and gold. Shoppers eager to buy something browsed goods and walked down the streets to stare at the water or catch a ride from a gondola. 

Viago cleared his throat and sniffed. 

That smell was back again. Jasmine and orange and… roses? Mixing headily with sandalwood and another flower that slipped from Viago’s mind. He turned his head sharply towards the smell.

“Such eagerness.” The woman shook her head. She had thrown on a red shawl that covered only her exposed collarbones and shoulders. It was the same red as her dress. In her right hand was a long wooden pipe made of ivory. Stuffed into it was a sweet smelling mixture that blew behind her in the breeze. “Done already?”

He straightened his collar. “I thought we were to meet back at the Casino.”

“I finished with my previous client and decided to see if you were serious about keeping your word.”

Someone bumped into him from behind and apologized profusely before continuing on their way. The woman took a long drag from her pipe and moved over to lean against the wall of the building beside them. Viago followed, and fished out the letter to show it to her. “Some strange Dottore you sent me to.”

“Hm? Never been to a physician before?”

“Crows must have different ones than the kind you’re used to seeing.” He did not mean for his words to be so venomous. But the woman just shook her head with a smile. She unrolled the paper and when she saw the stamp, it vanished into spine-chilling magic that washed away in the night air. She took another pull from her pipe.

“You want me for a week? Why?”

“As a gift.”

“What if I’m bad.”

“Are you?”

She smiled and leaned in closer. One hand dragged down his toned chest. His breath hitched in his throat. “I’m very good.”

“A thousand. Each night.” He grabbed her wrist. It was delicate in his palm. And warm.

“Twelve hundred.” She countered. “And I want five hundred right now as a down payment.”

His eyes fell down to her breasts, thinly veiled beneath her transparent red shawl. When she moved, the soft flesh jostled with her. She noticed and inched closer. 

“Viago?” Her name on his lips like a whisper. He felt himself stiffen again and he ground his teeth together. 

“I have the money. Just not here. We’ll have to take a gondola.” He turned briefly to look out into the canals to see if a boat was near enough to be called, and when he looked back, she was inches away from his face. Dark eyes looking into his through thick black lashes. He could feel her chest pressed against his and smelled the smoke from her pipe on her breath. She was warm and soft and so close to him it was nearly impossible to not want to close the distance and press his lips against her.

She moved her chin slightly then turned away abruptly. “Don’t take those boats. I have a better one.” She rolled her wrist that Viago was still holding so their palms were cupped together. “Come, Sr. Crow.”

Her heels made satisfying clicks with each step she took in front of him. Viago kept his arm stiff and straight so she’d be as close to him as possible to hide the fact he was holding her hand. She didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she pulled once more on her pipe and exhaled with a smile, happy that their hips were bumping each time they had to dodge an incoming crowd. She stopped him at the base of some stairs leading into the canal and waved her head. 

A fully covered gondola quickly appeared from down stream, and magic was used to lift the flap leading inside. 

“Tell the good man where we’re going.” She urged Viago as she slipped inside. Viago relayed it to the masked Gondolier and followed her beyond the covers.

The inside was only big enough for the two of them. The woman sat on the far side and Viago sat heavily next to her. Behind them in a small niche a few candles burned behind a screen, illuminating the space. The thick curtains around them retained the head of the flame and Viago pulled down his hood.

She let her pipe smolder on a small shelf in front of them. The smoke was sucked out through a small slit in the cloth. Her smell and the entire essence of who she was, though, permeated the small cabin. Viago’s leg bounced. 

“What exactly am I signing up for?” 

“Whatever your usual services are.”

“Don’t be so dense.” She rolled her eyes. “Am I going to be tossed around? I charge extra if it's more than three people at once. I can handle being roughed up but not to any abnormal extent. Pulling my hair is the same way. I’ll need certain remedies afterwards if you want to involve magic or different instruments. All the usual liquids are fine, but if you’re going to whip out your cock and piss on me it’ll be extra –”

“Maker!” Viago gasped. He shivered at her words, but she only laughed at the interruption.

“Don’t act so proud, Viago.” She touched his chest. “Your body is giving you away.” Her hand slipped down to his stomach and then below his belt where she grabbed at the stiffness there. Viago jumped, a shivering breath hissing through his teeth. She matched his heaving breaths with her own, mimicking him and making the air thicker. “Already so eager…”

His legs spread open involuntarily at her squeezing and pawing and his hand shot down to her wrist. “I haven’t paid you yet.” His cheek turned to her.

“First one is on me.” Her teeth snagged his lip and the pain made his hips buck. 

Her hands found his belt and made quick work of it. She pulled apart his trousers with expert speed and touched him through the linen shorts beneath. He twitched at the gentle tickle of her long fingers feeling their way down his length still curled against his clothes. 

“Touch me, too.” She whispered. Viago wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her in closer. The other went tentatively to her chest. He pulled away her shawl, then the red silk of her blouse to reveal her breasts. Round, full and warm to the touch with two dark nipples. He brushed one with his finger and it stiffened as she sighed in pleasure. 

She pulled him out of his pants and gripped the base tightly. His cock curved to the right, away from her, and she stood it up straight as it continued to harden. 

“You’re beautiful, Viago.” She sighed against his lips. His eyes fluttered at her words. “Has anyone ever told you that?”

His hand groped her breasts in large circular motions. Her nipple poking out between his fingers. His other hand rubbed at her waist and then her ass and then gripped harshly on her thigh as her hand squeezed around his tip. He hissed at her involuntarily, and she gave a sloppy kiss to his cheek that silenced him. Pleasure shot through his legs and down into his toes in his boots. His chest heaved as her hand worked up and down and up and down. He had worked himself up more than he thought he had, and wet noises quickly filled the cabin.

“Don’t think about anything.” Her lips against his skin were like hot irons. “Focus on my hand.”

Let go? Let go? Viago moaned, his mouth falling open. His leathers were suddenly too tight and his skin too warm. He wanted to strip naked and fuck her. He wanted to do this his way. But her hands on him and her smell in his nose; the sweetness of her voice telling him he was beautiful – it was melting the icy exterior he had long since been building.  

Her pace sped up. Viago’s hips bucked. He gasped for air and inhaled her smell. His eyes closed. She kissed his cheek again. His hands squeezed her harder, his fingers pinching and rubbing at her nipples. Her movements were rocking him harshly against his seat. Lewd noises slipped from his mouth. 

“You wanted this. You wanted me to touch you like this.”

Yes. His eyes looked down to see her touching at his cock, playing with his glistening tip, feeling him twitch against her.Yes. One of her legs hooked in his to spread him open even more, and he whined at the feeling. 

“You’re so needy – already making such a mess all over my hands.”

His hips bucked up and she pushed him down against the seat. His own wetness made her hands slip easily against him.

“You want to cum?”

Maker. He wanted to speak but his heart was pounding so hard in his ears he almost couldn’t hear her. His jaw dropped to his chest, his hand squeezed at her nipple. His moans echoed against hers as the intensity of his pleasure reached a fever pitch. 

Yes. Yes. 

Yes!

She untangled herself from him, slipped to her knees, and as Viago felt himself letting go, she took him into her mouth.

The heat of her made him shout. His cock slipped down into her throat and pressed against the warm, wet, soft flesh inside her. He threw his head back, gasping as his hands found her hair and pushed her down even further against his stuttering and bucking hips. His foot jerked up and found the wall of the cabin to push against. Sweat rolled down his neck as his stomach fluttered from his orgasm. He was heaving, and squirming as she hollowed out her cheeks. Her tongue was working on the stiff underside of his cock as it throbbed with each white robe he shot down her throat.

She pulled off him with a wet noise, kissed his blushing tip and wiped her mouth.

He had known orgasms before. Maker knows he’d found pleasure in Teia’s hips and thighs. In her mouth too, like just now. But always in the confines of someplace safe and private. Not a gondola cruising down the canals. Not in such a small stuffy place. His heart was beginning to calm along with his ragged breaths. The gondola could have stopped. Someone could have seen. Seen the Fifth Talon with a whore between his legs. 

Viago did little to hide the half smile on his lips.

His fingers shook as he clothed himself again. His toes flexed in his boot. He wiped some sweat off his brow and leaned his head back against the wall.

“Like I said.” She took her place by his side again. “I’m very good.” Marionette (Ao3)

Read the other five chapters on Ao3 with more to come!