#sure part of these not being scary anymore is. well many of these stories were just Hashtag Edgy. and I know what happens on them ☝

[reinabeestudio]

Once more overcome by heartbreak over the tragedy of most pokepastas

[honeydewandcake]

TW — Asylum/Hospital setting, mental disorders, medical malpractice

Inspired by Fran Bow, Sparklecare, Pure Trance, and other such things; I had an idea for a Dandy’s World AU that centers around a hospital setting

I feel like a lot of people don’t like asylum or hospital AUs because they are full of exaggerated or misinformed ideas of what mental illness is. I tried not to do that, though I’m not a professional so I still might be wrong about some things. I don’t want to take this idea too far in fear that it might be distasteful, but I do want to share this idea to see if others like it too.

Dandy’s Care is a separate world where, instead of a museum, Dandy and his friends were meant to be for a children’s hospital to treat the sick and ill. They were meant to be comfort characters to patients and were meant to support them during their stay. Like in Dandy’s World, the hospital shut down due to unspecified sanitation issues. Dandy, also known as Dr. Dandicus Dancifer, slowly became more and more starved for activity. He started targeting his friends, making the hospital into an asylum for them. He changed their characters, changing his friends into patients. The toons have no memory of their former self, only knowing their diseased and ill present self.

The staff is made up of the main toons. All of them are nurses and Dandy is the main doctor. They all act like their former selves, though they have no memory. I didn’t want to draw all of them so just imagine Astro and Vee in these uniforms.

Read more to see other toons (not all of them drawn or thought of yet, don’t attack me ;-;) ↓

Razzle and Dazzle, the only ones that I thought of completely because I already drew them before. They’re the reason why I made this entire thing anyway.

They are just experiments by Dandy, who wanted to see if the two could live together if they were attached. They used to love each other, now they don’t. Razzle is no longer looking for comedy, Dazzle is no longer looking for hope. Both are only set on the idea of revenge against Dandy for making them this way.

Life is hard when you can only feel the sensations on one half on your body, they can barely walk and can only stand or sit. They take many painkillers as their wounds take a long time to health properly. They wish they could escape this place and just die already, but they’re stuck and forced to live for as long as Dandy wants.

Razzle is a lot more violent now. He is prone to biting and scratching the staff. He hates doing all the lab tests and medical procedures, he hates being near Dazzle, he hates being stuck in this living hell. Razzle is the reason why they’re not allowed near sharp or blunt objects.

Dazzle became paranoid, scared of any noise that happens. He’s terrified of Razzle because of how violent he can get, he hates him too. Dazzle cries a lot, he cries until he can’t everyday. Dazzle wishes he could just die already, he thinks everything is scary and out to get him.

Shrimpo is thought to be a patient that had anger issues and aggressive tendencies. According to Dandy, he was admitted for being violent in public, although this is only part of the fake story that Dandy gave him. Shrimpo was forced to get a lobotomy, unethical but who cares. Dandy sure didn’t.

He’s still in the recovery phase, so he might be a bit loopy. Once those bandages are off, he’ll be as right as rain. Shrimpo is a wanderer around the hospital as he’s no longer a threat. He’s allowed to leave his room and go out in the play yard but only if a nurse is with him.

Shrimpo doesn’t really have much going for him. His thoughts are scrambled and he only cares for things in front of him. Although the lobotomy made him more passive, it doesn’t mean he’s any better in terms of motivation. Shrimpo certainly has no drive for anything anymore, he doesn’t mind but it gets in the way of his health as well. The staff needs to remind him to go to the dining room to eat or to go take a shower, because otherwise he’ll forget.

Boxten was made to believe that he has had problems with insomnia ever since he was little, of course it’s not true. He takes sleeping pills and melatonin, but it only seems to worsen his nightmares. This makes him skip his doses to avoid sleeping, repeating the cycle over and over.

Boxten is afraid of imaginary things that might get him. He thinks they’ve already in his head, eating away at his brain and giving him nightmares. Of course the only thing the nurses can see is his music box. Boxten has lost all trust in the staff since they couldn’t see or feel the things he can.

In my original notes, it said that Boxten might have psychosis.

Well that’s all the once I’ve drawn, I don’t really have the motivation to make every single toon. I have a couple of ideas though

— Goob somehow survived a terrible accident, but both his arms needed to be amputated making him armless. He suffers from brain damage and internal bleeding. He doesn’t seem to have any change in his personality, still as joyful as ever. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism

— Tisha has severe OCD which damages her mental health. She’s constantly worried about everything that happens around her, making her super aware of her surroundings. She could be a danger to herself and others as she sometimes has very aggressive thoughts but can’t control her actions. She unintentionally hurts herself because of her OCD, such as washing her hands so many times that they start to bleed.

Not for a toon, but I did have an idea for an added addition to the hospital. Maybe there’s a twisted reform center where the staff try and heal twisteds back to their normal self. They would clean the ichor from them but since the ichor is also inside of them their personalities don’t change as much. Twisteds such as Finn and R&D might be too far gone though, they would have to be disabled for life. I might draw this idea because I think it’s kind of cool, I definitely will if people also think this is interesting.

[theroosterfairytaler]

You'll be mine in time - oneshot | Bo Sinclair x Female reader

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Summary: Like any victim of the Sinclair brothers, her car suddenly stopped working in the middle of nowhere. And when you have no other options, you'll most likely pick one that you know for sure will bring you trouble. The scary thing is, you don't even know what the trouble is until you have done it. And now you deeply regret it.

She saw herself as a cautious woman, others might say paranoid, but she sees things in a way that others may miss from the first time encountering something, or in this case someone. She dosen’t hate men, no, how could she? She likes all kinds of people, she dosen’t know why she's attracted to random types of people, but she does. Even so, men always made her feel icky, she does that with certain women too, but with men it was all too common. That's because she knew what men were capable of, maybe it was because of those stories she was told as a child, perhaps it was from her own experiences, or maybe she watched too many crime documentaries? Nonetheless, having no choice to go to this suspiciously empty town and talk to this man that the roadkill guy named Lester told her about made her feel very anxious deep within.

"Well, aint that a new face. Hello, Darlin'. In Ambrose, we usually don't see many people come around to take a look at the place." He gazed at her with ravenous eyes, revealing a gloom within him that they are sadly not ignorant. "What made ya come here?" She noticed the way he looked at her and did not like it one bit but held it together for the sake of being civilised.

"Car troubles..." She almost said it in a neutral way, yet a hint with quiteness in it.

"Car troubles, huh? That's a shame, sugar. We don't have a gas station or nothin' like that 'round these parts anymore. You're lucky you stumbled across me." He smiles, but there's something not quite right about it. It doesn't reach his eyes.

"I'm Bo Sinclair. I run the only mechanic shop in town. Why don't you come on inside and I'll take a look at your car. It's the least I can do for a pretty little thing like you." He steps closer, invading her personal space just a bit. His voice drops an octave as he says, "Pleasure doin' business with you, Miss...?" He leaves it open-ended, waiting for her name, but his eyes never leave hers. There's a palpable tension in the air.

"(Y/n)... Just (Y/n)."

"Just (Y/n), huh? Well that's a real purdy name for a real purdy girl."

He leans in closer, his breath hot on her neck. She can smell the tobacco on him, mingling with the gasoline and motor oil that clings to his skin. It's intoxicating in a strange way. Bo reaches out and brushes a stray lock of hair from (Y/n) face, tucking it behind her ear. His fingers linger on her cheek a moment too long.

"You know, it's a mighty lonely life out here for a man like me. Don't get a whole lotta company, 'specially not as pretty as you." His voice is a low rumble, almost a growl.

Bo's hand falls to her shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Tell ya what, sugar. Why don't you come on inside the shop with me? I'll get started on fixin' your car, and you can wait inside where it's nice and cool. I've got a real comfy couch you can stretch out on."

His smile widens, showing just a hint of teeth. There's a predatory gleam in his eye as he looks at (Y/n), like a wolf eyeing a lamb. She suddenly smacked away his hand, as her doe eyes changed to one of boredom.

"Stop pretending, what you say dosen’t match the look in your eyes." Bo's eyes narrow at (Y/n)'s rejection, a flicker of anger passing over his features before he schools his expression into a neutral mask. He takes a step back, giving her some space, but his gaze remains fixed on her.

"Now hold on just a minute, darlin'. I didn't mean nothin' by that. Just tryin' to be hospitable, is all." His voice is smooth as honey, but there's a dangerous edge to it. "You're right though, I ain't much for small talk."

He runs a hand through his hair, mussing it up. "Look, I'm just a simple mechanic tryin' to make a livin' in a one-horse town. Ain't got time for games or pretenses." Bo jerks his head toward the garage. "Your car's out back. Pop the hood and I'll take a look-see. Shouldn't take more than an hour or so to figure out what's wrong." He turns to walk away, but pauses, glancing back over his shoulder at (Y/n). "You're welcome to wait inside if you want. Or you can sit in your car and watch me work. Up to you, sugar." With that, he disappears into the garage, leaving (Y/n) alone in the yard. The air feels heavy, charged with an unspoken tension. (Y/n) can't shake the feeling that she's being watched, even though she's alone. Probably because of that guy with long hair at the window, yeah he ain't that slick, she knows he's up there. Either way, she followed Bo to make sure he was actually fixing her car and wasn't messing with it.

As she follows Bo into the garage, the door slams shut behind her with a loud bang, making her jump. The space is dimly lit, illuminated only by a few bare lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. Tools and spare parts are strewn haphazardly across workbenches, giving the place a chaotic, almost menacing atmosphere. Bo stands by (Y/n)'s car, leaning against the hood. He's got a grease-stained rag in his hand, which he's using to clean his fingers. When he sees her, he grins, flashing those perfect white teeth.

"Didn't think you'd follow me in here, darlin'. But I'm glad you did." He straightens up, tossing the rag aside. "Now, let's see what we're dealin' with here."

Bo pops the hood and leans in, peering at the engine. He runs his hands along the various components, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment, he straightens up again, a knowing look on his face.

"Looks like your alternator's shot. I can replace it for ya, but it'll take a bit of time. Couple hours, maybe." He leans against the car, his body language relaxed, but there's a tension in his eyes that belies his casual demeanor. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable, sugar? I'll get to work." He gestures to a ratty old couch in the corner of the garage, the upholstery torn and stuffing spilling out. "Or you can stick around and watch me work. I don't mind the company."

As he speaks, (Y/n) catches a glimpse of movement in her peripheral vision. She swivels her head to see a man, Bo's twin, watching her from a window high up in the garage wall. But she dosen’t know that the man is his twin, or is related to him at all. His long hair hangs limply, partially obscuring his face, but those dead eyes bore into her soul. (Y/n) shudders, suddenly feeling very exposed and alone. She turns back to Bo, but he's already disappeared under the hood of her car, humming tunelessly to himself. She took a seat at his work bench, as she just watched him work, but also keeping an eye out for the masked man.

Bo works diligently on (Y/n)'s car, his movements precise and efficient. He hums softly to himself, a tuneless melody that echoes in the cavernous garage. Every so often, he glances over at (Y/n), a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

As he works, he chatters idly, his Southern drawl thick and syrupy. "Y'know, I ain't had a visitor this purdy in a long time. Most folks 'round here are too scared to come into Ambrose. They say it's haunted, y'know? On account of all the wax figures."

He chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates in his chest. "But I reckon you ain't afraid of no ghost stories, are ya, sugar?" Bo pulls his head out from under the hood, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. He eyes (Y/n) speculatively, his gaze roaming over her body in a way that makes her skin prickle.

"Y'know, I got me a real nice collection of wax figures back at the house. Some of 'em are real lifelike. I bet you'd like to see 'em, wouldn't ya?" He leans against the workbench, his body looming over (Y/n)'s. His eyes are dark, glittering with a hunger that sends a chill down her spine. "Course, I ain't much for entertainin' guests. 'Specially not ones as pretty as you. Might get ideas in my head, y'know?"

Bo's hand reaches out, his fingers brushing against (Y/n)'s cheek. His touch is cold, sending a shiver through her body. "But I reckon I could make an exception. For a girl like you." She sighed a bit at that, this man was really insisting wasn't he?

"Do you usually try to get all kinds of girls on your bed, or is it just me?" Bo's eyes widen at (Y/n)'s boldness, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before it settles into a smirk. He leans in closer, his breath hot against her ear.

"Well now, ain't you a feisty one? I like that in a woman." His hand slides from her cheek to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair. "And to answer your question, sugar, I ain't usually one to mix business with pleasure. But then again, you ain't exactly a usual kind of girl, are ya?"

He pulls back slightly, his gaze roaming over her face, taking in every detail. "I reckon you're the kind of girl who knows what she wants. And I aim to please." Bo's other hand comes up to rest on (Y/n)'s thigh, his thumb rubbing slow circles through the fabric of her skirt. "So what do you say, darlin'? You wanna see my wax collection? Or maybe you got somethin' else in mind?" His voice is low and husky, filled with promise. The air between them crackles with tension, the garage suddenly feeling much too small, much too intimate.

Bo's eyes are dark, pupils blown wide with desire. He's so close that (Y/n) can feel the heat radiating off his body, can smell the earthy scent of his skin. It's intoxicating, overwhelming, and for a moment, she forgets to breathe. Bo notices (Y/n)'s discomfort, a predatory grin spreading across his face. He leans back slightly, giving her a modicum of space, but his hand remains on her thigh, a constant reminder of his presence.

"Aw now, don't be like that, sugar. I'm just tryin' to be friendly." His voice is smooth as honey, but there's a dangerous edge to it, like a knife hidden beneath silk. "You're right though. But you..."

He trails off, his gaze raking over her body, lingering on her curves. "Somethin' about you just draws me in, y'know? Like a moth to a flame."

Bo's hand slides higher up her thigh, his fingers digging into the soft flesh. "I bet you're real soft, ain't ya? Real delicate and sweet." His voice is a low growl, sending shivers down her spine. His eyes gleam with a dark promise. "I promise I'll make it worth your while." Bo stands up abruptly, towering over (Y/n). He extends a hand to her, palm up, an invitation and a challenge. "Whaddya say, sugar? You game?"

"Why are you so obsessed with the idea of sleeping with me?" She wasn't angry, nor crepped out. If anything, she was slightly annoyed. Questioning his horny mind. Bo chuckles, a deep, throaty sound that seems to rumble up from his chest. He leans back against the workbench, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"Obsessed? Now that's a strong word, darlin'. I prefer to think of it as... appreciatin' the finer things in life." His eyes rove over (Y/n)'s body, lingering on her curves. "And you, sugar, are a mighty fine thing."

He pushes off the workbench and saunters over to her, his hips swaying with a predatory grace. "I ain't gonna lie to you, I want you. Bad. But I ain't the kinda man to force myself on a woman. If you tell me to back off, I will. Simple as that."

Bo reaches out and tucks a stray lock of the same hair strand that fell off her ear, his fingers grazing her cheek. "But if you're willin', I'd love to show you a real good time. I'm real skilled with my hands, if you catch my drift." He winks roguishly, a flash of white teeth in the dim light of the garage.

"So what's it gonna be, sugar? You want me to finish up your car and send you on your way? Or you want me to take you back to my place and make you feel real good?" His voice is a low, seductive purr, the promise of pleasure hanging heavy in the air between them.

"Hmm.... I'd take the car." Yeah, she didn’t take long to think over it. She dosen’t want a quick fix, nor does she want to sleep with anybody unless she knows them.

Bo's eyes flash with disappointment, but he quickly masks it with a charming smile. He steps back, giving (Y/n) some space.

"Well alright then, sugar. If that's what you want, I ain't gonna argue with you." He turns back to her car, popping the hood once more. "Give me just a few more minutes to finish up here, and you'll be on your way." As he works, Bo hums softly to himself, the same tuneless melody as before. But there's a tension in his shoulders, a tightness around his eyes that wasn't there earlier.

After a few moments, he slams the hood shut and turns to face (Y/n). "There ya go, darlin'. Good as new. Just remember to keep an eye on that alternator. Might need to replace it again soon." He extends his hand to her, a gentlemanly gesture that seems at odds with his earlier advances. "It's been a pleasure doin' business with you, Miss (Y/n). You're a real class act." His gaze lingers on her a moment longer than necessary, a silent question in his eyes. But then he blinks, the moment passing, and he steps back.

"You take care now, sugar. And if you ever find yourself back in Ambrose, you just let me know. I'll be here, ready and willin' to serve." With a final wink and a tip of his hat, Bo turns and disappears into the shadows of the garage, leaving (Y/n) alone with her thoughts.

'... He's totally going to kill me, isn't he?' Right after that thought, she realised that she never got to pay him for the repair. Making her think that he had probably let her off because he found her beautiful. Nevertheless, she wasn't going to mention it. He did it for free, and she dosen’t have much money to begin with, so what is she trying to do? Be rightous? No, no... she couldn't do that with him, not today at least. She began moving in to sit back in her car and turn on the engine with a simple flip of the car keys.

As (Y/n) starts her car, the engine roars to life with a satisfying purr. She breathes a sigh of relief, grateful to be leaving this creepy place behind. But as she glances in the rearview mirror, her blood runs cold. Bo is standing in the garage doorway, his silhouette framed by the harsh sunlight behind him. His eyes bore into hers, dark and intense, filled with a hunger that makes her skin crawl.

He raises a hand in a mocking wave, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Y'all come back now, ya hear?" His voice carries clearly through the open window, sending a shiver down (Y/n)'s spine. As she pulls out onto the deserted road, (Y/n) can't shake the feeling that she's being watched. She grips the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white with tension.

In her mind, she can still see Bo's eyes, dark and promising, filled with a dangerous desire. She knows she should have taken him up on his offer, should have played along just a little longer. Maybe then she wouldn't be feeling this sense of impending doom, like a noose tightening around her neck.

But it's too late now. She's already left, already turned down his advances. And now, she has a feeling she'll be paying the price for her foolishness. The road stretches out before her, empty and endless. (Y/n) presses down on the accelerator, desperate to put as much distance between herself and Ambrose as possible. But she knows, deep down, that she can't outrun the darkness that lurks in Bo Sinclair's heart.

Sooner or later, he'll find her. And when he does, she'll regret ever crossing paths with the twisted mechanic of Ambrose.

Author's note: This one came up in my head recently, and I'd like to think that the reader never called the police because she has no evidence. Also, it wouldn't have helped her either. If anything, she would have brought herself even more trouble.

[waffles-art-writing]

One Hell Of A First Mission - Task Force 141!Platonic x F!Reader - JOKER

Summary: The very first mission you (JOKER) go on with Task Force 141, you end up clearing a house and finding the one person you need to find wasn’t there anymore. You’re then quickly flown out to meet the Los Vaqueros which results in you jumping off a cliff and being helped out by the one person you wish you never had to work with again. (THIS FOLLOWS THE LINES OF THE START OF THE COD:MWII 2022. And is before the events of JOKER and the previous parts)

Proof Read: NOPE

Pairing: Task Force 141!Platonic x Female!Reader

WordCount: 5k

Age Rating: 16+ preferably

Codename: JOKER

KEY: Y’all should know this by now… Y/N - Your Name so on and so forth

Warning/Info: Normal COD Stuff, Guns, violence, swearing, depiction of action, horrible writing on my part. Kinda a slow burn but it is the back story of how JOKER join the 141. Philip Graves gets his own fuckin’ warning. Sorry not sorry. A lot of time skips, because I’m following the plot of the game for this one the next chapters coming!

PLEASE READ THE PREVIOUS PARTS TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF JOKER! (If you want) This does take place before the events of JOKER and the previous parts.

Previous Parts can be found here: MASTERLIST (And other things I’ve written)

TagList: @studywithrosie01 Sorry for tagging you but you’ve shown so much love for this series so I thought I should tag for you this part! I hope you don’t mind! And @robins-fanfics (I hope I got the right user name lol) (Tell me if you want to be added or taken off the tag list for this series!)

———————————————————————

Your boot taps the ground rapidly, hands curled around the gun in your lap. “Calm down kid, they aren’t that scary” Price states, you’ve known him for a long while. He’s practically your dad at this point, he helped you throughout your career in the military. Pushed you to your limit to get you into the SAS which you’re beyond thankful for, yet right now you’re wondering if that was a bright idea. You’re meeting up with the Lieutenant of the Task Force that Price has made. You were the first one to meet Laswell in person, she had a nice, friendly smile but you could tell she is tough as nails. “I know Captain, but… he’s ‘The Ghost’ the man everyone is scared of, he bloody appears outta nowhere!” You state, looking over at the bearded man, he shakes his head lightly. “Well, you’ll be following his lead for now kid. He’s being instructed by Shepherd on this mission” you sigh at hearing this, you’ve had a few run-ins with the US military a few times. They couldn’t understand your accent for the life of them, that’s one of the many cons from living in a household with multiple accents under one roof.

You have no clue what this mission is going to be like, you’re meeting up with another man apparently. He’s meeting you and Lieutenant Riley at the tarmac, just as you’re scheduled to fly out. You can’t help the nerves that are filling your energy, the jitters of anticipation and the fear of what is to come next. “I’ll see you soon kid, stay safe” Price states, drawing you out of your running mind. You nod to him as you give him a fist pump, a light head bump. You two have always done that, a fist pump which turns into a light head bump of good luck, and see you soon. You never part ways without it.

You steel your nerves as you walk out onto the air field, catching a plane to meet up with the Lieutenant and the new guy. Not sure what to expect of your new team mates when you meet them, or how they operate. But there’s excitement bubbling in your veins.

———

“So you’re the new kid?��� A grumbly voice sounds out from behind you. Spinning on your heel you come face to face with the signature skull of Lieutenant Riley. “Yes Sir” you state, not breaking eye contact, even though the cold sweat dripping down the back of your neck is screaming at you to run. “Come on then” he states, walking past you, his large frame towering over you, gulping back the nerves you trot after him. Quickly falling into step with the man.

The engine and blades of the chopper are loud, the wind it’s creating ruffling your jacket as you stand next to the Lieutenant. Both of you have stopped when an armoured vehicle with a bunch of soldiers in the back pulled up. Ghost was talking with Shepherd, “The Sergeant?” Ghost questions, he knew you were coming but didn’t know himself and another person were going to be leading this operation. Your interest piqued when you hear him say that. You subconsciously readjust the balaclava that’s on your face slightly, the sinister joker-like smile staring at anyone who looks. You watch as men jump off the armoured vehicle, waiting to see who is this new Sergeant that’s going to be leading you and other men into a war zone with the Lieutenant.

A man in a dark jacket approached you both as soon as he jumped off the vehicle. A smirk on his face already. “Let’s get ourselves a win, yeah L.T?” He states, bumping the Lieutenant’s shoulder with his fist. “Save ya a seat, sir…” you watch the exchange with raised brows, the black war paint around your eyes cracking slightly. The man nods to you too, the smile back on his face as he jogs off towards the chopper. “See you on the Chopper, Lieutenant” you state, quickly following the Sergeant. You hear a faint “Fucking Hell…” from behind you, a short snort leaving you as you jump onto the ramp. Looking for a seat. Waving from the corner of your eye catches your attention, it’s the Sergeant. You smile under your mask as you make your way over, throwing yourself into the seat.

“They call me Soap!” He states, holding his hand out to you, you take his hand with a firm grip. “Joker! Good to meet ya!” You notice the Scottish accent, it’s interesting to hear one compared to all the English accents you hear on a daily basis. Your nerves have been drowned out by the adrenaline rushing through your veins. This Soap seems to have a good energy about him, you could get used to this.

————

“Bravo team offloads here. Alpha team stays on board to land down range. Both teams meet in the middle. Remember, we want Hassan alive, but this is capture or kill” the Lieutenant states as he approaches the ramp that is lowering to let Brave team out. Both you and Soap stand to follow Ghost, you flick down your night vision as soon as you step out. You snicker lightly at hearing Ghost saying “Keep up Soap” honestly surprised he didn’t say that to you instead.

You kneel in the grass, out of the way of the chopper as it takes off to drop Apha team off down range. You jog after Lieutenant Riley, keep a few paces behind him. Your sniper rifle in your hands as your Semi Automatic is strapped to your back. You hear the radio chatter of the chopper in your ear, it’s louder than the blood rushing through your veins as you weave through the ruins of a stone building. You're zoned in on the mission, keeping your eyes peeled for anything and everything.

Suddenly you hear the frantic calls from the chopper, the whooshing hissing sound of a RPG being launched echoes through the night. The flares are not helping the chopper for the second missile. You come to a halt at the top of the small hill, the ground shakes form the impact of the aircraft plummeting into the ground. “Shit…” you curse under your breath, your knee digging into the dirt below you as Soap crouches down on your right and Ghost on your left. “Alpha, what’s your status?” Ghost asks over the comms, the crackling sound of coughing breaks through the haze. “Alpha, how copy?…” Ghost pushes for an answer. “Shit…” you curse under your breath. You block out the conversation over the comms, raising the Sniper up. Watching the flames lick the ground like a hungry beast, another missile hitting the chopper along with countless bullets raining down onto the downed bird.

“Ghost we need to secure the crash site now” Soap calls, his eyes moving from the chopper to the Lieutenant. “First, we clear for Hassan, that takes the heat off Alpha. Then we secure the crash site. Clear?” The timbre of Ghost’s voice cuts through the air like a knife. “Roger that.” Both you and Soap reply. “Let’s move” as soon as his words leave his mouth, you’re off your knees immediately, quickly falling in behind Ghost. Your boots hit the hard earth like thunder on the horizon, your rifle up and ready. You weave around small bushes, following Ghost through the low walls of what looks like a garden. “Force up to the house” his command is clear as you branch off to the side, Soap filling the gap between you and Ghost. You position yourself on the other side of the door, looking down the scope of your rifle. You glance up at Ghost and nod to him, he nods back to you and Soap. You hear the muffled yells of  “Kill all that they send here!” From the other side of the door. “Breacher Up” Ghost calls as he swings the heavy breacher into the wooden door.

—— Time Skip —— Mission With Los Vaqueros —

Your heart is thumping in your ears as you groan, pushing yourself to your hands and knees. “You good lass?” Soap questions, both of you just dropped down to a ledge on the side of a cliff. It has a hearty drop. You’re following a few of the men who work for Alejandro. Ghost is watching from above you, Alejandro with him. “Y-Yeah..” you cough, gripping your gun tightly as you turn around. “Oh hell no” you state, seeing the gap between the ledge you’re on and the one you have to jump to. Alejandro says something about cutting school and playing around these parts when he was younger. “Until the cartels moved in?” Soap quips before taking a running leap onto the ledge in front of you. Alejandro and Ghost jump down, quickly cutting in front of you and Soap. They easily shuffle along the small ledge on the side of the cliff, backs pressed against the wall as they move along it, you swallow down the nerves in your throat. Soap goes ahead of you, followed by Rodriguez - one of Alejandro's men - then you follow after. Your hands shake as you shuffle along the wall. Then the sound of a bullet flying past your head into the rock wall behind you makes you freeze. Ghost yells something that you don’t process as you watch Rodrigues get shot multiple times. His body falling away from the cliff, rag dolling down.

“JOKER MOVE IT!” Soap yells, ducking when a bullet flys over head. You shake your head free of fog, quickly shuffling most the way, taking the risk of leaping to the ledge. You do a tactical roll when you hit the ground, sliding up onto your knees. Breathing heavily, you don’t get a chance to breathe, Soap already pulling you up by your arm. You push yourself up onto the ledge that's higher, running after Soap and Alejandro. Ghost right on your heels. You throw yourself off the ledge onto the one that's lower, landing on your feet, stumbling into a sprint again. Rifle gripped tightly in your hands. You watch Soap disappear behind the lip of the ledge, realising you're gonna have to slide. Your hand falls behind you as you stick one of your legs out to brace yourself while sliding down the rough rock face, thankful you're wearing gloves and thick cargo pants. You stand just behind the others as they stand at the edge of the cliff, Ghost sneers out a “You led us to a dead end, mate.” You internally curse Alejandro.

Your blood runs cold when you see the Mexican soldier launch himself off the cliff, yelling out “We jump from here!”. “WHAT THE FUCK!” You yell, quickly looking over the ledge. “Don’t lose your weapon” he yells just before he lands in the water. “Your turn, Sergeant!” Ghost states, both you and Soap look between each other. “See ya down there, Lass.” He quips, doing a two finger salute before jumping. You back away from the ledge slightly, your head whips towards the Lieutenant. “Go kid, there’s no time! We stay here, we’re dead. Now jump!” you gulp as you tighten your grip on the rifle, you take a running leap off the ledge. You plunge into the icy water, your eyes screwing shut just before the impact. You quickly resurface, the water soaking the balaclava. Not helping with breathing, your breathing is heavy as you tread water. “You good, hermanos?” Alejandro asks. “Affirm” Ghost states, he’s next to you. “Soap?” The Scotsman nods his head “Breathing” he quips. “Joker?” You let out a small cough, shaking your head lightly to get the water out of your face. “Alive…” you mumble.

“Move down river to the bridge. Use the rocks for cover” Alejandro instructs, you all take off swimming down the river. You’re thankful you're going with the current, cause god knows you would’ve bailed and just went on land if you were desperate enough. Alejandro tries contacting someone on comms, you're too focused on not letting your heavy tactical gear get caught on anything under water, or drag you to the river bed. “Radio’s picking up somethin.” Soap states, you’re in the middle of the group, your smaller size getting dragged by the current quicker than the others. “Sounds American” Ghost states, he’s just behind you on your right. “Great, Yanks” you sneer. Everyone dives as soon as a vehicle comes into view, Alejandro stops behind a rock. Soap right behind him, Ghost a little further down. Before you can even attempt to stop at one of the rocks, Ghost grabs the strap of your vest, dragging you up next to him. “Thanks Lieutenant.” you mumble, you are situated just below the large long log that’s fallen across the river, resting on the large rock both you and Ghost are behind. You duck occasionally whenever bullets whiz past your head. Your feet slip and you plunge into the water, resurfacing quickly. Gasping for air as you grip onto the rough rock, you're thankful for the strap on your stifle still around your shoulder. “Fuckin hell” you curse.

“Keep pushing up river.” Alejandro calls. You groan as you struggle to keep your head above the water, and your gun trained on the shore where the enemies are. All three of the men are six foot plus, while you're below all their chins on flat ground. You dive underwater, seeing Ghost come to a stop at another set of rocks, Alejandro and Soap go around the two of you and perch themselves slightly down from you. You practically throw yourself onto the rock shelf that's just below the water, taking the short time to regain your breath. “Move up river! Go!” Alejandro calls again, you groan as you see them move off. Your eyes meet Ghost’s for a second. You bite your tongue and push off the rock, following after them. You dive under a log that's just above the water's surface. You resurface just behind a rock, coming face to face with a Mexican soldier who has their gun aimed at you, you're quick to train your rifle on them, letting a bullet lodge itself in the man's skull.

“The rivers slowing us down, mate!” Ghost calls, you can tell he’s agitated by being in the water for so long. “It gets shallow up ahead!” Alejandro states. “Oh thank god, the waters up to my fucking eyes!” You call, shooting down a few more men that are on the shore. You feel like your skin is in ice cold water, your clothing sticks to you as your plate carrier weighs you down. Boots slipping over the algae covered rocks, you just wanna rip the boots off your feet and the plate carrier off your chest. You push your way through the water, quickly grabbing the rock. You’re beyond thankful for the shallow water, you are crouched low behind a rock. You hear your lieutenant’s strong accent cut through the air, your stomach dropping when you hear what he’s saying. “Vehicles on the bridge!” You whip your head around to look at the bridge, “They’re not ours!” Alejandro calls “Fuck-! It’s the army!” You peek over the edge of the rock to look, eyes widening to see the heavily armoured vehicles roll onto the bridge. “Get to cover!” Ghost calls, you quickly duck back down and press your back up against the rock. “We have to hold here and get extraction” Alejandro states. Soap slides up next to you, Ghost next to him then Alejandro. “We can’t do shite against that armour!” The Scotsman states, you reload as you listen to the firefight happening.

Suddenly an American accent cuts through the firefight “This is shadow-1! Engaging the bridge north of your position. Danger close!” You realise who is speaking, it's Philip Graves, the man you’ve worked with in the past. “Who the hell is that?” Alejandro asks, “Commander Graves. Shadow Company. They’re with us.” Ghost states, he glances at you when he realises you’ve gone very quiet when the American’s voice cuts through. The rumble of the bridge getting hit by the large shots trembling the ground, you watch as the bridge crumbles  “Shadow-1, Bravo 0-7! Good Shots! Fire for effect!” Ghost says over the comms. “All stations, no enemy movement detected. You’re clear.” Graves states over the comms, you sigh as you stand shaking out your shoulders. “It’s good to see you boys.” You grumble lightly under your breath when the American states this “Likewise, mate” Ghost states, he nudges you to move when Alejandro calls ‘This way!’ You fall into a run, splashing through the water, jumping over a few larger rocks. “Graves, we’ve located a vehicle for exfil.” Ghost states as you all run up the slight hill from the river towards a pick up. “Roger that. Be advised, we got a possible hit on Hassan, two kicks north of your position.” Grave states, you roll your neck as you come to halt by the back door of the pick up, climbing into the back. “That’s cartel land. They have a compound there.” Alejandro states, you’ve been quiet the entire time. “Load in!” Ghost calls. “Shadow-1, stand-by…” You watch as Ghost slides in next to you, Soap climbing into the front seat and Alejandro into the driver's seat. “I’ll drive,” Alejandro states. “You boys, good to roll up Hassan with some fire from the sky?” Graves asks, everyone looks at each other. The boys nod, you just shrug as you look out the window. Ghost watches you with a raised brow hidden under his mask. “Let’s wrap this fucker up, Graves” Soap states. “Solid copy. We are pushing to the target di-rectly. Shadow-1 out.” You slump back into the seat. Letting out a sigh, you rub the space between your brows, pushing the balaclava up a little.

—— Time skip to grabbing Hassan ——

“Breaching” Soap calls, the door gets bashed open by the Scotsman. “They’re here!” “Get the Major upstairs!” Multiple cartel members yell. You’re the first one to shoot down a few men and spot the man you’re all here for, you quickly switch on the comms, the throat mic switching on. “Shadow-1! Positive ID on Hassan!” You call, rushing forward. “He’s moving upstairs!” Soap calls, he’s right behind you, followed by Ghost and Alejandro. Grave’s brows raise when he recognises the female voice come through the comms. “Graves, he’s exiting the second floor! North-west side!” Ghost states over the comms. “Got a visual on Hassan!” Alejandro states, you're quickly moving across the second floor outside. You ignore whatever is happening over the comms, you enter the building again. “Get down!” Soap calls “Get down! Now!” Alejandro growls. “Get the fuck down!” You sneer, your sights aimed directly at Hassan’s head, “Who the fuck are you?” Hassan questions, his voice holding venom. The man who was with Hassan is now dead on the ground, Alejandro moves forward. “Mexican Special Forces, you're coming with us…” the restraints get secured around the man's wrists. You can see the anger in Alejandro's movements when he restrains Hassan, you keep your gun trained on Hassan. “Shadow-1, Bravo 0-7. Jackpot. I say again, jackpot. Target is secure.” Ghost states over the comms, you look over at the Lieutenant. Graves asks a question about the exfil, which Alejandro answers. Soap slaps a hand down on your shoulder, giving you a nod of approval. You nod back, a small smile hidden under your mask. A few moments of conversations between Graves and Ghost gets drowned out by the rumbling of heavy tires on the earth, your own stomach twists into uncomfortable knots as you realise that it's the Mexican Army. “For fucks sakes. Do we ever get a break?” You ask, the question not directed to anyone. “Not this time ‘round Lass” Soap states as he looks out the window towards all the heavy armoured vehicles.

Graves says something about the shadows being able to engage the convoy, the next thing you know is the whisper of a large 25mm round flying through the air. The deep thunderous sound of it hitting the earth shakes the building, the sound of metal crunching and being destroyed rings in your ears as you look around the room. The earth continues to shake when smaller rounds and bigger rounds make contact witht he earth, your blood is bubbling under the service, you need to move. You want to do something and not just sit around and wait for your next order. The next thing you know you're running down the stairs at breakneck speed, Hassan being dragged behind you as you kick open the door to the outside, the exfil vehicle ready for you all. Ghost cuts in front of you as you get out the door, followed by Alejandro then Soap who has Hassan in a death grip. You spin around keeping your gun up and looking for any movement that needs to be dealt with. “Come on! Come on!” Rodolfo calls over the comms, you are happy to see him again. Hassan spits something out that you don’t quite catch as the screeching of tires and the blood rushing through your ears is all you can hear. You do clearly hear Soap growl out a “Shut the fuck up!” When he shoves Hassan into the side of the Vehicle. “Fuuuuuck” you groan as you realise you're the smallest on the team, you immediately open the door and climb over the back seat into the back compartment of the vehicle. Rodolfo and Alejandro speak to each other in Spanish, you only make out a few words as you're trying to get comtoble in the one spot no one is supposed to really sit in these types of vehicles. “We’re good!” Soap calls, “Go!” Ghost growls. “Joker?” Rodolfo asks as he glances up in the rear view mirror, spotting you peeking over the back of the seat between Ghosts’ and Hassan's head. “Happy as Larry!” You joke, you're not comfortable by any means but you know you just want to get the hell out of here already.

—— Time Skip To Interrogation of Hassan ——

You sit on the hood of one of the Vehicles, the headlights cutting through the thick blanket of darkness that covers the desert. The animals of the night linger just beyond the lights. Alejandro and Soap drag Hassan into the middle of the group of vehicles, shoving him to his knees with a bag over his head. “On your knees” Soap growls out as he steps back. You got here before Graves did, you aren’t happy about having to conduct this interrogation with the American present, you hated working with him in the past and right now you still are sour about being near him, especially on a mission that you were hoping to just be yourself and the 141 accompanied by the Los Vaqueros. Graves is kneeling down setting up the laptop which has General Shepherd and Laswell on the other end, your Criss cross applesauce on the hood of the vehicle. “Y’all got a clear picture?” You cringe at the drawl in his words. You hear a “Crystal” and a “All Set” fromt he other two members of the video call. You inch your way forward to have your feet dangling off the edge of the hood as soon as Graves moves away, your feet coming to rest on the bumper. “Alright, we are live, folks” Graves states as he approaches Hassan, the bag no longer on the kneeling man's head.

“Do you sepal Arabic?” Hassan questions, looking up at Graves.

“No one other than you” you mumble, knowing he won't hear you.

“No” Grave relplies.

“Farsi?”

“No.”

“Course not.” Hassan states with a smirk playing on his lips, “Then I’ll speak your bastardised Medieval English because you are all uneducated street dogs” You jump off the hood to curse him out in every language that you have learnt, but you get held back by a heavy hand. You look over your shoulder at who has stopped you, Ghost shakes his head lightly knowing that anger that is bubbling in you. You have too much adrenaline still coursing through your veins.

“Ahh, see… we’re getting off to a bad start here, Hassan” Graves starts as he tucks his thumbs into the top of his tac vest and looks down at the ground, something he always does when he's about to interrogate someone. “You are talking to a Quds Force officer” Hassan states. Graves leans in slightly, “You’re the commander of a foreign terror organisation” “I can say the same to you.” You know Hassan is gonna get under everyone’s skin, but you know damn well that Philip Graves has that skill as well. “What’s your target, “Major”?” You almost snort at the way Hassan’s brows scrunch in displeasure.

“What was your target when they sent missiles to my land?” Hassan questions.

“Oh well, wild guess… To nail your ass” Graves looks down at Hassan.

“So insolent and foul-mouthed. You will learn to respect me when your nation sees fire”

Graves steps closer to Hassan “You are in bed with the cartel, Hassan” he starts “If you disappeared, no one would know where to look for the fuckin’ stain” he growls out through a tight lipped frown.

A small shiver runs down your spin when you hear Hassan let out a small tiny pathetic chuckle of a ‘ha’.

“I have no doubt you’ll take pleasure in torturing me.” Hassan states when he looks back up at Grave from shaking his head lightly, a smile on his face. This time Soap speaks, his voice accent thick compared to the others.

“Who’d you get American missiles from?” You lean your elbows onto your knees, you jerk lightly when you suddenly hear General Shepherd speak. Almost forgetting him and Laswell are on the video call.

“I don’t care who they’re from. I wanna know where they’re going.” You almost want to yell at the older man, for overpowering Soap’s question which was a good question.

Graves was looking at the laptop before stepping away from Hassan, that's when the laughing yaps of coyotes cut through the air. They sound close, not too close but close enough for you to not feel comfortable. Graves walks a few half paces before turning around to look at Hassan. “Take a look around, Hassan” he states before stepping up the man and leaning down to get in his face “Now you can either become part of the food chain or you can start talking.” You watch the conversation from the shadows, just like your Lieutenant. “I’m a hostage here.” Hassan states, “This is illegal.” Alejandro speaks up from behind Hassan. “You’re a prisoner of war.” Hassan turns to look over his shoulder at the Mexican. “Iran is not at war with Mexico. I’ve broken no laws.” He turns to look back at Graves and motions his head to his surroundings “These men and their commanders are the law breakers.” He glances over towards you and Ghost but you can tell he is mainly looking at the laptop, he still makes eye contact with you through the haze of the lights, and with Ghost. You stare the man down, the dark oil paint on your skin making your eyes stand out against the rest of your dark outfit.

Ghost takes a small step forward “You and your beloved General Ghorbrani broke every—-” “DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!” Hassan yells, cutting Soap off. “You executed him and you will pay for your crimes…” he pauses briefly “Only god can help you now-” he yells in his mother tongue. You understood him barely, you wanted to snatch a knife from Ghost’s plate carrier and throw it between the screaming man's eyes. You attention cuts to below you, where General Shepherd's voice comes from the laptop “I want this bastard in permanent custody or looking up at the goddamn grass…” he sneers, Laswell is quick to cut in “General, killing Hassan is an act of war, keeping him is illegal. Right now, he is too hot to hold.” She’s right, you all know this is illegal but you’re still doing it. “Tell me you’re getting something actionable, Laswell.” The general growls, you move to slide off the hood of the vehicle when Laswell states something about working on it.

You stand next to Ghost who has moved over slightly to allow you to jump down. You both watch as Graves brings the laptop onto the hood of the vehicle. Grave's voice lowers as he looks at the laptop. “Actual, let me finish this” you tense up his words, you glance over at Soap and Alejandro then to Ghost who is just staring at Graves with no emotion in his eyes. Yet you can still see the thoughts playing like a movie. You focus back into what Shepherd is saying, only catching the end half of his sentence. “Without proof we need to turn him loose. See where he leads us” you watch as Graves leans away, Soap quickly walking up and leaning into the conversation. “He’s right here. You can’t be serious” his voice is low gravely when he speaks, his accent a strong contrast to the others. Graves moves off the side slightly, Ghost as step forward an inch, his arm coming in front of you when he sees Graves look at you. “I’m afraid I am, son.” Shepherd says. You look down, looking at the phone in Ghost’s hand. “Laswell, did we get anything from his phone?” You bet Ghost to it, he looks at you with a clearly raised brow, you can tell. You give him the same look. “Affirmative. We got a hit.” Laswell states, “Good” the General pauses “Now take him back and let him go”. Ghost moves slightly, making eye contact witht eh eyes and nodding his head.  Alejandro bags and drags Hassan to his feet, Ghost slyly puts Hassan’s phone back in the man's pocket when he walks past. You notice this as you have done it many times, but you were taking the phones and not giving them back. You hear the familiar ‘thunk’ of the laptop closing, you nod to Soap who seems pissed. Not surprised.

[vines-of-mine]

Awakening as an Alhaitham Fictionkin

I'd sort of felt this coming for some time, though I couldn't put a name to it. It started when I realized Sumeru was my hearthome. The first thought I had was "Well, it has to be psychological because if fiction can be real somewhere then I have to change how I view fanfic writing and that's scary. It also can't be related to a kintype because that's new and scary." I've started to learn that when my first thought upon learning something about myself is what it can't be, it's just what it is in disguise.

The rest of the post will be under the cut, because this is a WALL of text. This was hours of meditation summarized, so it's a pretty big post.

So I eventually reshaped my worldview to be a little bigger. I may have needed a lot of help from Loki, and it took some time, but honestly it's the most on-brand worldview I could adopt as a witch that works with Loki. Fiction just being reality somewhere else, infinite realities that sometimes find each other in fiction; it's a very chaotic idea, and a very Loki way to handle reality.

I knew it was a kintype, I just didn't know what. Of course; I started in Sumeru. I don't use meditation in my practice as much as I would like to, especially since it typically gets me some pretty good results. In part, I'm pretty sure that's why I don't utilize it more often. It gets... overwhelming. Plus, I'm still dismantling internalized societal bullshit that tells me that my own spirituality is "crazy." That being said, I meditated with one major location in Sumeru in mind at a time.

First, the city. It was mostly things I had already known, but this time it had this air of... an almost oppressive atmosphere, because of the Akademiya. I hesitate to say that I had a negative view of the Akademiya, because I think there's room for much more nuance than that. It's just something that, no matter where you are in Sumeru, you can feel the weight of. We are the nation of wisdom; where answers are sought. If we don't have them, no one does. The worst thing one can hear in Sumeru is "I don't know," and it's also the worst thing one can be forced to admit.

Then there was Ghandharva Ville. It was....interesting, in a way I have yet to figure out. I would say it was an experience of Tighnari, if I thought I might also be him, but I feel very strongly that that's not right. I felt an ear flick when a twig snapped in the ambience video I was listening to, and suddenly I was tuned in harder than I've ever been before. I got overwhelmed. My senses were heightened, but they weren't in my room anymore. I could feel the breeze, feel everything happening in the forest around me. It was nonhuman in a way I've never been before, something far more animalistic than my draconic kintype. It felt like I was aware of the tiniest creatures scuttling on the forest floor and the birds in the trees, all of it. I had ears and a tail, which is yet another reason why I'd say I would call this an experience of Tighnari except I've confirmed with my cards (tarot for those confused) about 15 times that, yes, it was an experience of mine as Alhaitham. I had ears and a tail, supposedly, though I'm not sure what kind. Then why are the Seelie court statues winged? I have questions. So many of them.

Gods, this is such a wall of text and I haven't even gotten to the parts where things became clear. I apologize for the attention span of anyone who stumbles into this.

Vimara village was uneventful aside from the detail that I had boots, which was ridiculously specific and a random thing to be so sure of. Pardis Dhyai was where things got interesting. First I was kicked out of my own meditation because Sumerians apparently ward their conversations and I wasn't invited to my own damn memory (long story, I'm not bothering with the details unless someone wants them.) When I went back, I was brought into a back room for scholars by someone that I couldn't tell who at the time. By the time I realized it was Kaveh and got some details of his appearance, it was clear that the fuzzy conversation was frustrating to me as it happened. He eventually moved from across from me to beside me, and put his hand on my arm and was so clearly worried. It was some sort of "We're here for you" conversation. ("We" including Cyno and Tighnari, because we were at the very least close. Possibly others, but I'm not sure.)

I'll be honest, I panicked and left because it felt like a private moment and then I felt like a bit of an idiot when I realized that it's my own memory. Whoops. Oh well! If I was avoidant of feelingsy things in that lifetime, I'm allowed to be in this one too. Rip me.

By then I was sure in my identity as Alhaitham. I knew who and what I am, and after a break I knew exactly what the next memory was going to be. Next meditation was me talking to Kaveh in our home, and telling him what I was. Because I'm not canon-compliant Alhaitham, no, that'd be too easy- I come with Seelie baggage! Yippeeeee /s

I'll leave the explanations to a minimum, but the way I work as a Seelie is that I do still have a Court. Not a statue, but a person. Mine is Kaveh. I can't sleep, save for when my body hits utter exhaustion or when I'm near my Court. I spent a lot of my early life in Teyvat sleeping in classes I shared with him and generally infuriating my teachers by getting high grades anyway.

Teling Kaveh what I was/am, and what he was to me, though... didn't go particularly well. I don't think I understood then, but looking back at it is pretty clear. He just kept emphasizing his own autonomy and personhood, that he was his own person and he had a life outside of me. Back then I was agreeing, caught off guard by the reaction, not sure what he was getting at. Now I can see that it was because to a human, "You are my Court" doesn't translate so clearly as "You are my soulmate" so much as it seems objectifying, like a demand that one be a resting place.

It's not a particularly satisfying place to "leave off" but it's where I am. I have no idea how that turned out, but I trust that it ended well somehow. No matter how it ended, really, I'm in this life now. So now I'm working on integrating what I know about myself, and hopefully this weekend I'll be able to read or do some project to feel more myself.

[emmatgc]

Wonderful World Fanfic (Chapter 7)

(This is only for Seon Yul and Soo Hyun shippers, nothing more. This is my own interpretation . This is a sequel to their story. New characters were added. This will be a mini novel for most probably 10 parts. Enjoy and thank you for the few who are supporting this! This is for you who made a request ❤️)

Chapter 7: Sweet Surrender

If you asked Seon Yul when his feelings towards Soo Hyun changed, he might now even know it. He was trying to hurt her but also protecting her from the get go. It is all coming back at him now. The sleepless nights just thinking about her. When they last talked by the lake and made a wish in that tree, secretly, his wish was for her and him to continue on living together and not separately but it seems he said that she has made up her mind and she was saying goodbye. In his mind, he believes that “She was saying goodbye to me specifically and what I represent- hate, anger, darkness and pain. So, it is better they move on separately and as always she was right”

So now, in the garden of love as what the movies might call it, he had it all planned but was a confession in the cards tonight?

Are you in love with me? 

Suddenly, Seon Yul can’t seem to utter a single word. His mind went blank and his heart is beating so fast that if So Hyun moves closer, he bets she can hear it. 

“Im kidding, Seon Yul”. It’s just that I know the meaning of “the moon is beautiful” in Japanese, remember I’m a psychologist. “Are you ok? Im sorry to ask and I was just caught in the moment as well”..she added. 

Seon Yul stood up and took his hand off Soo Hyun and felt like the world is ending in front her. He is so embarrased. He didn’t mean to confess tonight, but he meant what he said. That he adores her, admires her and he is not sure if it is really love, or being in love. How can he know? So, he is caught in this dilemma and he doesn’t want to lie anymore but doesn’t want to look like a stupid guy who doesn’t know what to stay after holding her hand and being in that moment. 

He is not kidding, she realizes. Her heart now is beating so fast, too.

With every ounce of his being, he can’t take it anymore and if he keeps on running from it, he might never sleep alright again. “What if I do, like you, Soo Hyun? What if I am indeed in love with you? “Will you walk away from me?” 

Soo Hyun was stunned. I.... Are you crazy? Before she knew it, tears started to flow and she was even more shocked why. “You can’t” “You can’t look at me that way, Seon Yul” You can’t feel that way towards me. Never. Ever. Do you understand me? 

Why? Is all he can respond. 

“Because it is not right. There is something wrong with you. I…killed your Father. I can’t be forgiven especially by you. This is just crazy. How can you love me when I hurt you so much? I killed you, too and have never forgiven myself for it”, she replied.

Seon Yul walked towards her and said “Yes, you killed me but you also brought me back to life”

Soo Hyun moves away from him.

This is impossible. “This can’t be” is all Soo Hyun can say over and over again. How can he looked at her more than a guardian and now as a woman?

Seon Yul can sense the struggle of Soo Hyun in herself like she is committing a crime to humanity. She is thinking loud, confused and scared. He doesn’t like what he sees. She doesn’t want her to suffer or be in pain just because of his feelings. 

“The past is the past , Soo Hyun. But If you don’t feel the same way, please let me know. I won’t force you. That is the last thing I want to do. I am sorry. “

“I have so many questions. I cant take this now. You hated me so much and now you are saying all this? I am so sorry if I find this crazy, confusing and frankly, scary, Seon Yul”. 

I never hated you. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. God knows I tried but I couldn’t. I wanted to hurt you so bad but when you got hurt each and every time, I got hurt as well.  Trust me, I wish I can wash this feelings away. Those 6 years I tried my best to forget you but none of it worked. 

You think I wasn’t confused, Soo Hyun? I was confused as hell. I keep asking myself a million times, why do I feel like this to the woman who killed my Father? Don’t you think I felt I was betraying my family especially my Mother? But, I guess I didn’t care anymore. My feelings for you were strange but It was stronger than anything. Believe me when I say, if I can stop it, I would have but I cant help but to fall. You are in my very soul tormenting me. I was deep in the tunnel for a very long time and you pulled me through slowly from the darkness that I never thought would leave me. You are my light.

With a heavy sigh of surrender, he added “Soo Hyun, I cannot live without you or the idea of you in my life. I want you in my life. So, whether you feel the same way or not, as long as you exist, I will be just fine. Just tell me what to do and I will gladly obey you. Just don't disappear in my life again.

This is all going on too fast. Both are fidgeting and the air is chilly but it feels hot. Their emotions are all over the place.

Soo hyun , looking down and nodding said “I can’t. We can’t. The world is not kind to the likes of us. This is forbidden. This is taboo. This cannot be. Impossible love. We will be trapped in our own world. What would people say?” 

“Impossible love? I believe it has become an addiction to me. I never thought you will care what others might say, you are better than that. There might be a hundred reasons why we cant be together but i only need one. Please answer my question, Soo Hyun. Do you like me or not?” 

Soo Hyun don’t really know what to say. For the 1st time in her life, she doesn’t know what to say. She knows she feels something but is it really love? Towards a boy? She knows he is no longer a boy but she can’t help it. She is old, he is young. She wants to say no for she knows she doesn’t feel exactly the say way as he is but she knows she cares a lot about him, too. All of this tonight is making her dizzy and losing her sanity. She wants to run away now. Away from Seon Yul, away from this conversion and confession. She wishes this is all but a dream. 

Just as she was about to leave….

Seon Yul grabbed her hand as if to say “don’t walk away from me”. “Please stop running away from me”. He  forced her a little bit to look at him and move towards him. He touched her face. His hands shaking but gentle and with all the Gods as witnesses, suddenly the moment is becoming the moment, under the same glittering sky and stars, it is now or never, he moved towards her and caress her cheeks. He never once broke his eyes off her. 

In a sweet surrender, breathing heavily, with their lips near each other now, he teased her and whispered in her ear “If you don’t feel the same way, just say so but if there is a slightest chance you do…can I kiss you, tonight?” 

(PS: Sorry, I know, you need more but please savor the moment.😘 I am trying to give them justice, as gentle and slowly as i can build them up as I can be with respects to both characters. I hope you are loving the more aggressive Seon Yul in this version and the very predictable Soo Hyun as least for now. That is how I always envision him to be in the original series. He is restrained but always has that "other side". If this made you smile, then the next one will make you giggle. See you soon! ❤️)

[markantonys]

Do you think they'll start to get into the fear and hatred of the Dragon as a figure in s3? Cause right now that's one of the most glaring things that's missing from Rand's arc currently. And I worry they won't do it at all cause they introduced the idea that the Dragon could be a woman and since Saidar isn't Tainted there wouldn't be any reason to fear a female Dragon. They could frame it as whoever was LTT reborn would be feared just cause of what he did or the Dragon being feared regardless cause they signify the end of the Age. But if they don't introduce it at all I feel like it would be a mistake cause it's such an integral part of Rand's arc

i feel like i've gotten this question 1 Million Times already, so let me pose you a question right back: do you in the year 2023 spend every day of your life fretting about how scary achilles was and how destructive the trojan war was? no? then why do you expect the general population of randland to be constantly hung up on something that happened THREE THOUSAND years ago?

there has been no opportunity or reason to get into societal fear of the dragon in the first 2 seasons because no one has any CLUE that he's been reborn (bar the like 7 specific characters in the know, all of whom know rand personally and don't have reason to be afraid of him just yet). the figure of the dragon is SO FAR REMOVED from anyone's everyday life at this point in the story. LTT and the breaking are to them what the trojan war is to us - something that they know probably did really happen, but it was so fucking long ago and there have been so many stories spun about it since then that it feels more like myth than history. and it CERTAINLY doesn't feel like something they need to be concerned about in any way.

people have been whining that the show's making it out like only aes sedai hate/are scared of rand, but that is because they are the ONLY people so far for whom the dragon is a present and pressing reality. we will see wider societal reactions to the dragon once rand has been Public Dragon for more than "5 seconds in front of people who are just happy their city's not getting blown up anymore." (plus, it's safe to assume that Average Joes don't know or don't care about vague prophecies of the dragon being reborn, Someday, and causing more problems, in the same way that aes sedai know and care. Average Joes need concrete evidence that this is a current, real problem for them personally before they will start to get worried.)

at risk of sounding like a broken record from my 1 Million previous responses to this question, just because the show hasn't gotten to a certain Theme yet doesn't mean it never will. the early books were focused on rand's internal struggles with being a male channeler, and we did not start seeing much in terms of societal reactions to the figure of the dragon reborn until rand became Public Dragon starting in book 4. the show hasn't gotten there yet. relax. something isn't "missing" if it was barely a thing yet at this point in the books either. people really need to stop going IT'S MISSING when later-series things haven't yet appeared in the first 2 seasons. now, if we get to season 4 and everyone is holding hands and singing about how much they love the dragon reborn, then feel free to say "i told you so", but you know as well as i do that that is most certainly not going to happen.

also, the show suggesting that the dragon could be a woman is irrelevant. people don't go around every day saying "i'm so worried about 3000-year-old mythology repeating itself again Right Now, but oh! the dragon might be reborn a woman, so it might all be fine!" like no. NONE of this is on their radar WHATSOEVER at this time. and sure, IF they heard "the dragon has been reborn and it's a woman" then maybe they'd be less afraid. but that's not what they're going to hear, so it's irrelevant.

(besides, the mythology is that the dragon could save or break the world. a female channeler could turn to the dark and could break the world just as easily as a male one, even if she isn't affected by madness. or since last time the dragon was male and the dark one corrupted saidin, maybe this time if they were female then he'd corrupt saidar and the events of 3000 years ago would repeat. the show suggesting that the dragon could be a woman does not in any way lessen the inherent danger of the figure - in fact, the show implies even more strongly than the books do that the whole dragon-breaking-or-saving-the-world thing has happened infinite times. and maybe only 2 of those times had saidin madness as a factor.)

[legolasghosty]

For the au generator I got Scientist au and Enchanted Forest au! If you want to make it willex that’s a bonus 😊

@beencryingfor25years

Hiiii @beencryingfor25years, thanks for the ask!!! And of course I want to make it Willex, everything is Willex!

So! We have Willie, who is a really good chemist and researcher (Hey, that hyperfocus and need for answers has to be good for something, right?). He gets selected to be a part of a team to go in and study this massive forest (I have no clue where in the world) that seems to have some... odd properties.

Teams have been sent to research it before, but none have been able to get in, or they've been kinda insane when they come out, much later than they should have and never together. But it's been a few decades since someone tried, so time to sacrifice some more scientists to the scary forest in the name of research!

Willie is understandably freaked cause like... the only people who have been able to pass safely in and out of the forest are the indigenous people of the region, who tells some pretty wild stories about what lives in the wood. They range from giant monsters to pixies to robots to dinosaurs. Either way, everyone agrees that the forest is scary and to be respected at all costs.

The only reason Willie agrees to go is because his boss, Caleb (duh), says he has to in order to keep the business's assistance in paying off his student loans. Guess what, getting a doctorate isn't cheap...

So Willie, along with Julie (physics), Flynn (biology), Bobby (zoology), and Nick (geography/maps), goes off to wherever it is that the scary forest is. They are able to hire a local guide, who takes them into the forest (after telling some more terrifying stories). Unfortunately, they all get separated really fast.

Willie swears up and down that Julie only took three steps away from them and then he couldn't see her anymore. He couldn't see any of them. Nor was there any trace of the path they'd come down. It was like the forest itself had just swallowed him up.

They wander around for a bit, trying to find them, but suddenly run smack into someone else: a blond boy with twitchy hands and an odd, golden tint to his skin. Willie doesn't really understand the boy's response when he asks for a name, but the hums and clicks sound a bit like an Ah, then an Ex, so he goes with 'Alex' for simplicity's sake. Alex's sound for their name sounds more like We-Leh, but they both let the name butchering slide for the time being.

They kinda have to communicate without words for the most part, since Alex doesn't speak English and Willie doesn't speak whatever magical language Alex is using, but Alex shows Willie that the forest has a power of its own. It doesn't come from any battery or source, it just is. And it must be cared for and nurtured. That is why Alex and his people exist.

Initially, the plan of the magic folks had been to separate the mortals, show them a bit about the forest to see if they would respect it, and then probably capture them or drive them insane when they inevitably did what all mortals do: take and destroy. But Willie surprised Alex by actually showing respect for everything they were shown. Sure he didn't fully get it, but there was so much in the world that he knew he didn't get. He's a frigging chemist after all, there's so many unknowns that are just a part of his everyday life. So a magic forest maybe isn't as much of a stretch.

So Alex deems Willie safe to learn at least a bit more, and takes him back to the magic village. In my head, these folks are some mix of elves, fae, and dryads. There's also some variety, and multiple villages throughout the forest. There, Willie is startled and relieved to find Julie sitting beside a soft fire, beside another being like Alex, though this one shorter and with darker hair. The two seem to be communicating in melodies, humming bars back and forth instead of using words.

Julie is super happy to see Alex as well, and they have a lengthy discussion about what the heck is going on here. Bobby and Flynn also make it to the camp, though they are assured that Nick was deposited safely back with the local guide to go home. Apparently he didn't mean any harm, but also couldn't really wrap his head around the whole magic thing. It seemed safest for his health and the forest that he return home as soon as possible. The science gang decides that they're here to study the forest, so they might as well learn all they can. Respecting the things they study is essential to all of them, so they get along well with the Caretakers, as they've decided to call them.

Bobby has a massive shock a few days in though, because one of the Caretakers looks so much like his sister, Caroline. But that's impossible. She died when they were kids, in a car accident with their mom. But it is her. Part of the magic of the forest is that it gives new life to those who are lost, generally due to the fault of another. So Caroline, or Carrie as her name sounds in her magical voice now, is alive and well. The siblings are reunited!!!

Willie, meanwhile, spends a lot of their research time with Alex as their guide. He's good about warning them about what they can and can't take samples of, what is dangerous, and where the connections are between various life forms. He's also just a really nice person to hang out with. They start to learn each other's languages, mostly small words at first, but they learn. And as time passes, they grow closer. And Willie wonders if Alex would even know what he meant if he asked him on a date.

Apparently Caretaker courting is rather different from that of modern mortals. But they find a nice blend. It's not like Willie has anyone outside to go back to. So he mostly stays in the forest, learning and studying and being with Alex. The others come and go, they all have more family ties and stuff, but the forest takes them all in. It becomes their home.

Willie didn't know something like this was possible, and magic still doesn't make sense, but the feeling of Alex's hands in his and the way his heart races when the enter their new home for the first time can't be explained by science. It's magic, plain and simple.

Ack sorry about how long this got! Hope you enjoyed!!!

[lukas-dark-miracles]

Lukas Inspiration || Poetry weaving

"Lukas didn’t want to be a monster - although now he supposed that was his role in the stories now. If he was to be a part of a bigger plan, he shouldn’t have cared so much for a human who he didn’t know the name of. He should have let her die. He was supposed to further a new gospel of darkness, and show that there was harmony there. He was supposed to play a role and maybe out of kindness change her - but a part of him couldn’t. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t make her give up the choice and he couldn’t let her just die without trying. " From Jaws

" 'We need to show them the dark, then? People can be saved if we show them the dark?' Lukas said unsurely - like a small child trying to understand mortality. It almost made Lizzie smile - the fact that he was so simple to think that anyone would be saved.

'Exactly that, little mouse,'She said, watching him flinch slightly at the nickname. He must have remembered her whispering that when she was stabbing him. Pity she liked that endearment. 'Because we cannot show them through the light, we will show them through the dark. We will have people’s worse and not try to fix them but accept them. We will let them do their worst to test the light, and when it becomes a standstill, we will know that we were right.' " From A New Gospel

"He was used to that question by now, and carefully he had an answer that had happened quite organically after probing people on what they wanted in a group. It was actually pretty easy to cultivate a sense of belonging when you’re thinking of why others might feel alone." From Come with me Now

"Lukas wasn’t sure why he kept doing this, sitting outside in the courtyard of the Church he once ran. Perhaps part of him did it instinctually, he had on many occasions sat out here after all. It was a perfect place to contemplate everything, the good and the bad. Maybe it also reminded him of those twilights with his Sire, where she wasn’t so scary. The gardens of a church had been a place of peace - the last time he had peace. So he sat there quietly thinking, his hands clutching each other in a pretend version of a prayer, his head bowed for prayers he no longer thought God could hear. 

Maybe this just proved  he actually wanted to pray and turn to the light, but he was already a monster. He was chosen for this after all. Salvation for Lukas could only be through the darkness, so he should stop trying to hear the choirs from inside the church. He should stop trying to hold a rosary closely. He should move from his spot, even if just being near the old church gave him comfort. He didn’t need it anymore, and more importantly he didn’t deserve it. Surely though he could stay in the garden outside. After all, Eden was the place where good and evil were hand and hand until it tipped. Surely the snake had the same amount of rights to wander the place as did the rest of creations." From In the Garden of Good and Evil

" Lukas wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with the vampire in front of him but he knew well enough that people were willing to die for a lot of things. He stilled his face, in a similar way he had the day he died not wanting to set off whatever that was in the other. She reminded him a lot of his sire and he wasn’t quite sure if that was a survivable thing." From a Comforting Face

"'I don’t think most of the people here are going to live if someone doesn’t kill me. If I don’t kill them She will and I can’t stand to see the blood again. I keep asking God to kill me and he hasn’t, so everyone’s going to die and the only thing I can do is kill them before she tortures them in front of me again. No one is going to agree to go through this hell or be a puppet. I hate Her and her games,' Lukas said horrified, his eyes wide as the words seemed to pull from him before he could stop them. He hadn’t meant to say that and as soon as he did his mouth clenched. 'What exactly did you just do to me? What was that?” His voice was harsh, arms crossed as he felt the burns on his hands itch. He didn’t like thinking about this, and he didn’t know why it was pulled from him. " From Confessions in the Dark.

"He really was beautiful, and Lukas couldn’t help how his eyes widened and he paused. He only seemed to remember to breathe when Cassius stepped back slightly arm still wrapped around him as Lukas’s brain tried to catch up with what was being said and implied. The smile seemed too lovely to be for him, and part of him wanted to step back afraid of the last beautiful person that had turned him into a monster. While he had only wanted to be Lizzie’s friend, this close he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be Cassius’s. Not when he was this close to him. Hell -  he didn’t want to be, and he really didn’t know what to do with that information. So, he just looked for a moment, and then realizing that he did need to speak if only for the other’s sake he tried to form words. Clunky and not at all possessing the confidence of a former preacher he whispered, 'I don’t want you to let me go. I really don’t. That’s dangerous, Cassius.'" From a Totally Normal Date

Credits (in order) @mortemoppetere @realmackross @nightmaretist @muertarte @disinfernus @singdreamchild

Quotes (x)

[etienneulven]

Frost Pears

And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills 'Til the landslide brought me down

Summary

Etienne reflects on the last few months, his trek with those caught in the landslide and realizes he can't quite keep running forever. Or at least not without an actual direction.

It really is the best fruit he's ever had. Pears weren't even something he normally ate, but he knows they're far superior and they serve him well when game was slow. Once he'd realized that bag he'd found could hold just about anything, he'd tossed as many pears into it as he could find. He doesn't have a whole lot of them left. Which means he cherishes each one and as his teeth sink into the fruit's flesh, Etienne looks to the wall that stands around Haven. People walk along it, patrolling, watching for whatever else lurks. They're not people though, they're wolves and can't say the thought isn't a little dizzying. Everyone knew the Feronia pack lived here, that the Wildlands were crawling with werewolves. He'd heard tales of traveler's not making it out, that they'd wound up prey to the pack. There were so many old stories that he still didn't know what was real or what was superstition. What keeps him going is that it doesn't matter. What's real is in front of his face, he's not a scary story to tell around a campfire. He's a wolf now but he's still him, right? Etienne Selland is still just a boy from the Lowlands who didn't ever care to journey into the city all that much. Except he wasn't Etienne Selland anymore. Like a second skin he'd shed his father's surname out of fear someone who knew him would make the connection. But it's not the only reason, he knows deep down there's all this betrayal in his gut. Because his parents had to know what he was and the worst part was he understood why they'd said nothing. Childhood had been spent happy, blissfully unaware of his and his father's status, he'd grown up free of the idea of getting thrown into the mines or worse. For the most part, he thinks every Iskaran child fears them, magic or no magic. Goose has met with the other wolves roaming the area, Etienne can't say it doesn't terrify him. What if Goose decided to stay here? What if Alrik was right and he was a long way from his pack? Everyone else he'd met, everyone else he'd bonded with in any capacity, they'd all move on in Lysara. For someone who had been so quick to turn tail when things had become too much, his legs wouldn't run. Not this time. In his hand, the pear is halfway eaten. Etienne doesn't know if it can just be him again. For when he's alone with himself, he's standing in a room with a stranger. There's this thing under his skin and it is so wild and it is hurt, bleeding from the wound that'd reopened. Grieving his father a second time while cursing that he'd never just told him about all of this, dealing with the frustration he had all of these questions to ask a man who was no longer there, it hurts.

The last shift had gone better, had felt like stepping into a pool and gradually going deeper, adjusting to change. Alucard's presence along with Goose had been grounding, it'd been easy to just focus on the smell, the sound of someone else. Hell, even now when he wasn't completely losing his mind because he felt like something was about to jump out of his skin, the smell of the dhampir brought him comfort. What was he supposed to do without that? The pear's stem twists around between his fingers, as if he's not quite committed to pulling it off quite yet. Being with that group of men separated from everyone else, he'd done alright, he thinks he'd been useful in the end. There was more to it than that. Months ago, he'd told Luna that the two of them were dangerous now and at the time he hadn't been sure if it was a warning or not. Because when he mulls if over and over and over in his head, a sharp thought made round by how much it turned. Going forward was all he could do, there was no ignoring what he was now that he knew. Going forward into those walls, every other wolf there would know he was one of them and that is the only part that does not scare him. Because he is dangerous now, too. The pear's stem falls into the snow, he finishes off the last bite just as a howl sounds in the distance and there is no more back and forth. Not when his heart feels like it's about to burst out of his chest at the song, not when he aches to join in. There's only forward, regardless of if there's no footprints to walk beside him.

[literaticat]

With the decreasing popularity of Twitter, I'm curious what your take is on naming social media apps in books. Instagram seems pretty perennial, but I think many people thought that about Twitter... so in the case of, for example, a manuscript that relies on social media as part of its storytelling/plot (in the vein of Tweet Cute), do you have any advice on not "dating" your writing? Is referencing Twitter basically obsolete at this point, for books published from here on out?

This question is sort of similar to another I get asked a fair amount, which is, are authors allowed to "name drop" specific brands / media companies / social media, etc. The answer to which is basically, sure, but SHOULD you?

Naming specific current companies is, IMO, a bad idea if you want your book to be timeless, because you have no idea if, in three or five or ten years time, that company will be forgotten, or a joke.

For example: "Friendster" and "MySpace" and "NeoPets" were insanely popular -- but pretty much the only way they'd get said in a current context is as a punchline or a nostalgic throwback.

So unless you WANT your book to be tethered to a specific time and place, I'd avoid that. And maybe you do! Like, a book about tech-savvy teenagers that is set in 2006 would likely include MySpace, your MC might have a hot pink Motorola Razr flip phone, and drive a new mint-green VW beetle. If your book is NOT specifically set in 2006, but is rather supposed to be "now" (whenever now is to the reader -- but basically, 2023 or later) -- it would be rather weird to include any of those items, because like -- they aren't popular or a thing anymore?

So you might say, OK, I'll make it be Twitter or Insta, and an Apple 13 Pro iPhone, and a red Tesla 3. And sure, if your character is the type of person who WOULD namedrop those specific things, and you don't mind the story sort of being tied to "2022/23-ish" -- no problem. But I guarantee you that in ten years time, those specific brands/models will mean something different to people, for better or for worse.

ETA later bc I'm still thinking about this lol: I'm currently listening to YELLOWFACE, which is set in the world of contemporary publishing, and there's a lot of talk about Twitter specifically -- and yes, that means that future-people will know it was set sometime in the late 20teens/early 2020s -- but THAT'S FINE, because it IS speaking to a specific contemporary moment, "cancel culture", cultural appropriation, toxic/scary online activity, "who-is-allowed-to-write-what", etc etc -- while I don't THINK she says the year (though she might???), I do think that it is supposed to be now or now-ish -- and ten years from now when Twitter is long gone and likely our conversations around all that stuff will have shifted in some way as well, it will still totally make sense to the audience. And in 100 years, it will seem like a relic of a day gone by, but also resonate with those audiences in different ways perhaps, like how we read satire from the Olden Days.

ANYway -- if you want to sidestep all this, there's an elegant solution that will give you more longevity -- be a little more generic and don't say the name brand, or just make something up? While Twitter itself is kinda obsolete already, social media generally isn't -- there will probably always be SOME kind of social media sites as long as we have internet to connect with people. While the Razr flip phone or an Apple IIc are relics, people will likely always have SOME kind of computer or phone, at least for the foreseeable future (and if they don't, and instead we are in a post-apocolyptic water world or something, I highly doubt reading books will top of mind)!

So just say phone, or smartphone, or tablet, or laptop, rather than iPhone or iPad or whatever. Say "convertible" or "SUV" or "minivan" or whatever instead of a specific model. Like "When I was 16, my grandma got a new car and gifted me a 20 year old grey beater that sort of smells like cigarettes and makes me feel like an undercover cop." Say "my notifications were blowing up" or "I told myself I wouldn't check social media..." instead of "my twitter" specifically -- or make up a site that everyone goes to. "We're not allowed to check Kloutt at school, but as soon as the school bus comes, everyone whips out their phones.."

Say "mint green convertible" instead of VW beetle -- OR, specify that it is a "vintage mint-green VW beetle" so that it's not supposed to be new -- and that also evokes a specific type of character.

(Ah, how well I remember the fact that Lila Fowler in Sweet Valley High drove a "lime green Triumph" -- that company already was basically done by the time the books came out, and rare in the US, so by naming that brand specifically the author was saying Lila is a 16-17 year old who owns a rare and flashy vintage sportscar, labels and exclusivity mean a lot to her (and her dad who bought it for her), she's horrifically spoiled, they aren't just rich, they are RICH-rich, etc. You could even, based on the context around it, surmise that not only is she a snob/"mean girl", but that her parents buy her fancy presents instead of giving her quality time, and that is probably why she is such a beeyotch and has daddy issues! That's a fair amount of characterization that comes just from name-dropping a car!)

OK I'm just naming things now lol - you get the pic, right?

[i-kvr]

The Godhead Complex read-through - Part Three: Direct Observation

Other posts on The Godhead Complex read-through:

Prologue Part One: Natural Selection Part Two: Believing the Belief Part Three: Direct Observation Part Four: Epilogue

Part Three: Direct Observation

[Spoilers for The Godhead Complex and The Maze Cutter]

This being part three of four, I think it's inevitabe that it wouldn't be a moment of many developments, but rather a build-up of tension. And I think it did that well. I enjoyed how the narration managed to make me anxious thinking about what would happen and how it would happen at the end.

We know characters from different nuclei are going to meet, but we can never be sure how things will be when they do, because there are still a lot of moving parts and not everything is settled. The main thing this part was that there were islanders and (ex-)Orphans on their way to Alaska to meet the Godgead and meanwhile the situation in Alaska is super unstable.

Evolution

I think what I enjoy about this concept of the Evolution became clearer with this excerpt:

Evolution needs to happen in steps, in slow methodical steps. Creatures on Earth who've evolved have done so slowly, over time, like the environment, and this need not be any different if you want it to be successful. —TGC, Chapter Fifteen: Sound the Alarms

I think this makes something evident: despite humanity is barely still existent, the advances in understanding the Flare are more compelling than the Flare is scary, and people still want to experiment with it and, honestly, play with the possibilities. It's not only about curing anymore, it's about going steps further.

But all that while the whole remaining population isn't fully cured yet, Cranks past the Gone haven't been erradicated, and the remaining population isn't even united. There are at least three communities out there living completely (or seemingly so) parallel lives: the Island, the Villas and the Remnant Nation. And the Villas even have inner subdivisions, because there are multiple of them, and they don't seem to all be aware of one another fully.

In conclusion, Evolution shouldn't be a thing or at least not anything that anyone would be actually focusing on, and yet it is.

The Remnant Nation

I always enjoy a worldbuild (or maybe community-build) of a very strict social structure, with clear ranks of power, etc. So I really enjoy the part that focus on showing the Remant Nation and its inner workings.

Plus, Grief Bearers concept remind me strongly of the universe of the band Twenty One Pilots. Both of them follow the concept of a small society of people living through traumatic experiences by the hands of a small group of leaders (who happen to be old-ish people). The Remnant Nation is Dema and the Grief Bearers are the Bishops.

The imagery is also similar, especially in that the Grief Bearers have the very characteristic cloaks as clothing. And speaking of the Cloaks, one of the best lines in the book was:

The Grief Bearers of the Remnant Nation were no better than the starving Orphans in Hell, but the cloaks made them think otherwise. Cloaks of power. —TGC, Chapter Sixteen: War Path

The Grief Bearers are first introduced from Minho's point of view, so we see them as these cold, despicable, and unreacheble, figures. So having the opportunity to see them interact with a higher rank character was incredible, cause it made it evident how pathetic they really are and how they have no idea what they're doing.

Dominic

Again, Dominic was mentioned eventually here and there in ways that stroke me as unexpected, which again makes me think that Dominic is going to be one of those characters that start small and as just one more member of the crew, but that end up becoming a big part of the last installment of the story.

This could mean he'll be very central in the last book for having more protagonism in the story and having heavier contributions to the plot, or that he'll die. Or both. I really like this character since book one for no reason, so I hope he doesn't die. Fingers crossed.

To exemplify these so called "eventual and unexpected mentions to Dominic:"

Jackie might not have the stomach for a boat ride, but in Isaac's opinion, she was the strongest islander of the group, even stronger than Dominic. —TGC, Chapter Seventeen: Blind Luck

Quote highlight

[Minho] kinda liked hearing someone's family history even if it wasn't his own. And he especially liked knowing that more than just pain, torture, and disease could be passed down from generation to generation. —TGC, Chapter Seventeen: Blind Luck

The more days he spent training himself not to kill people, the more he started to regret the times he did. —TGC, Chapter Seventeen: Blind Luck

I really like Minho and I feel so bad for him. The line about enjoying how good things can be handed in to the next generation, too, instead of only bad things, really got me when I was reading it.

"Hey." Dominic stood tall with a fish head in his hand. "I didn't know when we packed for this adventure that we'd be freezing our asses and our heads off." He put the fish on his own head, mouth down, like a hat. "Gross. Stop." Miyoko waved. "What? I'm the Godhead of fish." —TGC, Chapter Nineteen: Haunted Houses

This is stupid, but I actually laughed when I read this.

The Book of Newt

I feel the peace of a certain knowledge. I have had friends, and they have had me. And that is the thing. That is the only thing. —The Book of Newt, in TGC, Chapter Eighteen: Losing Grip

This quote is familiar so I'm fairly shore it already appeared previously, but I don't remember when. It also reminds me that I want to collect all quotes from The Book of Newt to have it in one place. And I thought it would be simple to do, because the quotes are in the beginning of each part. But this quote made me remember that some parts are mentioned in the middle of the books, so I'll have to really search everywhere for them.

Question for everyone

Imagine you're in this universe and you're Immune. Would you take the Evolution? Apparently there are great pros to taking it, such the super powers you get, but also huge cons, like the madness you seem to fall into.

Nicholas didn't seem to be mad, but both Mikhail and Alexandra are. And going off what the researcher says to Alexandra about the infinite possibilities according to DNA and whatnot, it seems like it can't ever be 100% certain that you're not gonna go mad or have other terrible side effects.

Even then, would you still wanna take it?

[amvpk01]

PATHETIC YANDERE

unwanted obsession 2

when obsession goes beyond admiration, it turns into repulsion and the search for love becomes a path of rejection.

cw: non-con, obsession, rejection, violence, stalking, humiliation, kidnapping, manipulation, murder, mentions of torture

(I planned to do only 2 chapters for this yandere, but I realized that I was writing too much so I split the chapter up so that in the next one I can go into more detail about some stuff... as I was too carried away, part 3 will already be in progress)

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No matter what happens, the weird kids will always be weird kids for a reason. It was a saying you knew from the beginning but had chosen to ignore.

Everyone in this party doesn't stop talking about him when they see you. That guy's name is already boiling your blood, they keep asking for more details from the story.

"He did really follow you every day?"

"And he didn't enter because it was a lingerie store?" Laughs again.

"At least he got some manners." You're already tired of explaining the same fucking story.

"...Not only did he follow me but also... took so many pictures of my face and body." The two made disapproved noises.

"Ew! That's hella scary. But why did you try to friend him in the first place?"

"Hmmm... Pick the ugly truth or the cute lie."

"We have two options?"

"Just tell the truth. Not expecting too much since you don't look like a bitch."

"I'll take that as a compliment? Well, when I did find that guy had a crush on me, my first reaction would be to just block the shit out of him. But my friend said that I was being soooooo mean and then at least we should be friends. I really tried to be nice and gentle but he took advantage of that."

"...."

"....You could say that."

'I would never date him, just the thought makes me sick.'

You chucked at their shocked faces. Not knowing that someone was hearing everything.

It was difficult to walk around. Many people were making out or having sex in hidden places, some drank until they passed out, or were high on weed. Your social battery was already bursting to the limit and you only wanted to go home.

The music was playing loudly throughout the house, and it was incredibly crowded in the pool area for various games. The food was incredibly delicious but it had been a while since you had anything to drink. So why not get a cold glass of water and then go away?

You were surprised when you realized that no one was using the kitchen at the moment. Everything was tidy in its place so it was easy to find anything. You filled a glass of water and then drank it, quickly wetting your previously dry throat.

When about to leave the kitchen, you dumped someone.

"Sorry."

"No problem."

It would be impossible not to recognize that voice. You wondered what better action to take now, pretend you didn't notice or create a scene.

Having no guts to deal with his shits anymore, you tried to get away but he just blocked you. His presence was enough to make you slightly nervous. Leaving no time to think, you tried to get again. And there he blocked you another time, stopping you from leaving.

"Can you stop?" What the fuck does he want. Ask for forgiveness or something?

"Why... why did you lie to me? I was just a toy to you?" Oh, so he did hear you before.

"Don't know what you're ranting about."

"How could you be so selfish? You only talked to me to help your 'kind girl' reputation?! I'm sure you expected to hear 'how could anyone be so caring? She doesn't let rumors affect her and tries to be friends with those who are solitary.' That was what you wanted right?!"

"Eavesdropping is wrong silly. But I'm confident you're just furious since you didn't get credit, right? Oh, maybe you only wanted to hear me thank you for being my stalker? No shit."

His reaction was satisfactory, to say the least.

"You actually thought I would date you? Never in a million years."

Your wicked smile made his heart skip a beat again and he disliked that fact. Yet you used him and he still ended up like the wrong guy he is in the story while you took advantage of the fame of a poor helpless girl who was spied on by some creepy guy.

You didn't fuck care for his feelings from the beginning, correct?

"You're done?" He didn't reply. That was your shot to escape from him. "Then bye-bye."

Before you had the chance to run away, he grabbed you. Your form was consequently weaker compared to his tall and muscular body. Your screams were swallowed by the loud party music, no one was around to see or help you.

His thick sweatshirt only protected him from your long nails. And at no point did he loosen his grip on your neck, it didn't take long for your body to succumb to the lack of air. He admired your unconscious figure, absolutely stunning from head to toe and that tight dress only accentuated your curves.

He picked you up in bridal style, slipping your phone in his pocket, leaving the house, and heading to his rented car. He unlocked the trunk and put you inside. There's already rope and tape that he prepared before. Tying your hands and feet and covering your mouth.

Before closing the trunk, he looked around making sure nobody noticed you two leaving.

Waking up to birdsong is certainly a good thing, nature's so beautiful, right? The cold metal around your neck quickly woke you up. Eyes desperately scanning around not recognizing anything about the room. Your pressure, which quickly dropped, made you feel extremely cold in your own body.

The birdsong was long forgotten when noises came almost hammering your ears, your hands trying to silence everything around hoping it was your head fooling you.

But you knew it wasn't a dream. The discomfort, the fear, the desperation, the touch of your skin, it was all real.

It was such a pity, your beautiful face soaked with tears, hands pulled at your own hair in despair, and then went to the thick metal around your neck. There was no point in pulling it because it wouldn't come out.

The tinkle of the chain caught your attention, it was stuck to the wall next to the bed you woke up before. You noticed the chain was long, allowing you to move around the entire room and enter the bathroom that was next to the bedroom.

It's as if he chose the size for you to just walk around this room and nothing more.

'No... Don't tell me he did this for revenge for what I said...'

Your body shook with fear of what he was going to do to you. Many ways of torture and dismemberment ran through your mind.

'Now it's not the time for negative thoughts, if I apologize he'll let me go, right? ...Hopefully.'

Heavy footsteps sounded through the silent house. A shadow hovered through the opening before unlocking it and entering the room.

His eyes quickly searched you inside the room but you were nowhere to be found, you couldn't possibly have left. He assured himself he had chained you and tried to chill out. The length of the chain only went to one place, under the bed. You were definitely there, that's for sure.

He knelt down, resting his head on the floor as he took a look. There you were all curled up, your hands covering your ears trying to ignore your surroundings. His heart broke when he noticed your swollen eyes, were you really sobbing that much?

"[Name]?" He called once. "...[Name]?" Realizing he was ignored again, he took a deep breath and decided to try another approach.

"...I know you're scared. My attitude yesterday wasn't very gentle but you left me no choice. I don't aim to hurt you, so will you please get out of there?" And there you were, starting to cry again without even glancing at him. "Please, I'm really-"

"Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!! I promise not to tell anyone! Just let me go please...” It was almost a sacrifice to say those words but if it meant you being freed then it would be worth it in the end.

You... were apologizing? He clearly wasn't high so it wasn't an illusion. But your remorse was fake, they were not from the heart. You just wanted to get away from him and nothing more.

It was as if thorns were piercing his throat and honestly, he just wanted to scream at how you didn't care about all the things he made just for you. But he couldn't lose control in that situation, you were scared in a new environment and you would only have him to seek comfort. Except you wouldn't.

The feeling of a large hand on your foot certainly scared you, but the touch wasn't harsh. He easily pulled you out of bed. Your dress from last night he'll only see you stripped when you're ready lifts slightly from the friction of the floor. Just the view was too tempting and he felt his pants tighten.

'He's pulling me to unchain me, yes, that's for sure!'

"Take off that chain, pretty please! I already apologized, I'm sure you heard."

"Not gonna happen."

"...What?"

"Not. Gonna. Happen." Your hopeful expression quickly faded. From the look on his face, it wasn't a joke.

"You will live with me now, like husband and-" He was cut off when you started kicking, hitting, and punching him out of pure anger.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I'd rather kill myself than marry you!"

All those words only broke him even more, and he knew he might not be able to handle it. Now with one hand, he held your wrists and with the other he covered your mouth, almost shutting you up. Your sobs were still quite loud.

"I advise you to be more careful with your hatred. I really didn't want to do that yet if I don't do anything, you won't understand."

You were truly speechless when he just left you locked in the room again. His words echo in your mind wondering what he means.

His words only made sense the next day. Your stomach was upset from lack of food and your throat wasn't dry only because you drank water from the bathroom sink.

The previous day had been longer than usual, no matter how many times you slept, it felt like the same day over and over again. Seeing no other solution, you looked around the convenient.

Nothing was missing inside the bathroom, you have a bathtub, soap, towels, or hygiene products. The bedroom had not only a king-size bed, but also a bedside table with various care items just like the ones you'd find in your own home creepy, a closet full of clothes that suited your style, and a desk with a chair near the balcony to enjoy the view.

Except there was nothing to enjoy, the house was in the middle of a deserted street, you wondered how long you slept for him to have managed to go so far. By the way, how the hell did he get this house? Maybe it was rented but you didn't know. There was no point in shouting for help because no one would listen. 

The sound of the doorknob turning scared you for a moment. He was holding a tray of food in his hands. You weren't going to lie, it actually looked delicious.

For a second, he stared at you, the pajamas he had gotten for you made you look so adorable.

"Time for breakfast." He placed the tray on the table. "Take it back." 

"Why? You don't eat in the morning or do you have a stomach ache? I have medicine downstairs." 

"I'd rather starve than eat something you made." And there you were again with your tantrums. Clearly, you haven't learned from yesterday's events.

"Oh God... you must eat if you don't want to die." 

"I would be happy then." 

The fact that you didn't have the slightest sense of survival upset him. If he continued talking to you, he would lose his temper so he chooses to leave you alone again.

It wasn't long before he returned, the new smell of food hanging in the air. It seems that at the end of it all, he decided to buy McDonald's since you refused to eat his homemade food.

“Here.” You could already feel your mouth salivating from the industrialized snack. Positioning the bag on the table and then examining it better safe than sorry.

“I didn't put anything in the food, why can't you trust me?” For a moment you had forgotten about his presence. 

"Leave. I'd rather eat alone.”

“No. Need to make sure you'll eat.”

“How funny, are you caring about me when you clearly haven't fed me for a whole day?” 

“Surely you must know why I did that.”

You took a deep breath at his action, clearly not moving to leave the room. So you just ignored him.

And so, a week has passed since he kidnapped you, and your mother has probably already phoned the police to report you as missing. 

For the most part, you slept to avoid the world and, when you couldn't, you enjoyed the view out of the window. 

You found out he was with your phone but didn't bother to return it claiming you didn't need others when you had him. Neither were there any games or books to relieve the boredom. 

But despite being trapped in a remote place, there was one main thing you noticed. 

Sometimes people would knock on the door asking for directions, a glass of water or even to help fix a faulty part of the car. These were great opportunities to shout that you had been kidnapped by a madman. But every time he spotted someone approaching the house, he came to you to tie your hands and tape your mouth shut. 

It was tough for him to trust you when you had openly expressed your desire to leave.

And to achieve your previously taken freedom, you had to lower his guard.

[samuelmellis]

Goats Falling Over

Goats Falling Over

Sobakevich was a kid—as in, he was a young goat. In most regards, he was not dissimilar to other goats his age. As is the wont of goats, he filled many of his hours chewing grass and treading the meadow. And, as is also the wont of goats, when he wanted to get a little kick he would pick out a particularly difficult route through the mountain terrain and then attempt to traverse it. In fact, if one was pressed to name a characteristic distinctive of Sobakevich, his confidence, particularly for his age, would not be an overly incorrect response.

As dusk fell one evening, he was strolling through the undergrowth with a couple of the older goats. They were prospecting for flowers in the undulating forest at the foot of the mountain. The three of them kept some distance between them in order to have as much of their own pickings as possible—but nevertheless kept in sight of each other. Sobakevich was biting the heads off of bluebells one by one, and looking up after every six or so to make sure he could still see the others. After a couple of fairly bland mouthfuls, he lifted his head out of the flowerbed for this routine check. His eyes grew wide. Annalinka wasn’t walking or eating, but instead lying on her side between two tree roots. Sobakevich panned his gaze over to Pushkin—barely in time to see the goat start and then slowly fall onto his flank with a soft crash. All of a sudden, a jaguar burst from a hollybush between the two fallen goats, charging directly towards Sobakevich. Intense panic gripped him by his stomach and chest. The woods around him began to melt and drift sideways in an arc, like a timelapse of stars in the night sky. Parts of him were starting to shoot off in different directions. But, he closed his eyes tight, and from someplace unknown found the willpower to reign himself back in again. He opened his eyes to find himself still standing, and took off. Through a series of zig-zags and double-backs, he managed to lose the jaguar, and he stumbled back to the herd on wobbling, exhausted legs. 

When the other goats saw him returning alone, they gathered around, pestering him with questions and throwing concerned looks. He had to stop a few times during the more intense parts of the story because some of those listening had gotten frightened and fallen over. Despite himself, Sobakevich somehow found this a bit frustrating and pathetic. The goats were all very saddened about the loss of Annalinka and Pushkin—whom they implicitly and unanimously pronounced as certainly dead.

Sobakevich had never necessarily been the most social amongst the kids in the herd, but in the weeks following his ordeal he found himself drifting further and further from the others. It began with the others shunning him, and in turn he became more aloof. It didn’t bother him too much, but it confused him a little, and one night he asked his mother why the other goats didn’t like him anymore.

“Well Sobakevich,” she looked down into his eyes, “it’s unnatural. Goats get scared and fall over. It’s part of being a goat. But… ever since you were born, you’ve never gotten scared and fallen over. Before this maybe it was just that nothing scary had happened to you. But now something has. So, you see… It’s unnatural.” They looked at each other. “I’m sorry, Sobakevich,” she told him. 

And so Sobakevich became more and more distant from the other goats. Whereas the others kept to the foothills, Sobakevich started to spend more time in the frosty middle levels of the mountain, challenging himself to climb increasingly higher through more and more difficult terrain.

One clear morning, upon completing a particularly complex section, he lay down on a landing of smooth rock and looked out over the vast landscape before him. The sun was transgressing the horizon, and he had never been that high up before. The golden rays of sun rushing across the rooftops towards him caused him to suddenly recall the jaguar, and once more he began to swoon and dissociate. But, again, he managed to pull himself together. And, again, the experience left a profound mark upon him. The world looked different somehow. He tried to work out what had changed. Perhaps it was the colours… or the dimensions. As he pondered, he realised that what little desire he’d had to return to the herd had evaporated. He took in a cold lungful of air and watched the cloud of vapour glow in the morning sunlight before dispersing. Then, Sobakevich picked himself up and continued his ascent.

The mountain was very big and Sobakevich climbed for many days. The air became thinner and colder. Patches of grass became rarer and then non-existent. He had to take mouthfuls of snow for water. Paradoxically, as he grew fainter and more exhausted, some part of him, some voice within his consciousness, grew stronger and more focused. 

At long last, Sobakevich reached the summit. He inched towards the precipice. Below him stretched the world. He looked down and saw every human, every animal, the plants, rocks, oceans, continents—everything on earth that there was to see, he saw. Above him stretched the heavens. Shuddering, he beheld every celestial body there was to behold. He felt himself shrinking into a single point, and time came to a stop.

Then, time began accelerating; the clouds above and below soared faster and faster over the plains; Sobakevich found himself exploding outwards in all directions at once and in all the colours of the rainbow. His final glimpse was of the galaxies. He had but a moment to take in the beautiful discs spinning through the darkness.

🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

Years later, a band of mountaineers clambered up onto the peak of the great mountain. To their collective bewilderment, they found a small goat frozen solid. It was lying on its back, four hoofs indignantly in the air.

[twracehorse]

Hello hello! I'm trying to piece together all the lore for our favorite headless menace, and I thought I'd turn to someone who's been here since Galloper's early days.

I wasn't around when players searched for the ghosts of his victims - but he used to kill people just for standing in his path, and now he seemingly doesn't anymore? Do you know what caused him to change his mind like that (if I even got all of that correctly)?

Regards, wildwoods-sworn

(Forgive me, this'll be a long one. I tried to find all the info I could scrounge up, plus my memories of the mysterious menace that we love so much!)

Back in 2016 while the rest of the festivities played on there were rumors of a headless rider roaming the forests of Jorvik.

Written from Star Stable's news post-dated October 19th, 2016

“What's That in the Dark?

The legend of Galloper Thompson is well known all over Jorvik and has been terrifying kids and adults alike every Halloween for many, many years. Different versions of who - or what - Galloper Thompson is, are flying around all over the place at this time of year, and nobody really knows the truth.

Poems and stories about Thompson are everywhere, and these scary tales terrify the islanders and their horses. But hey, they're just silly ghost stories, right?

...

Right?”

Then in the news the next week

“Have you had the fortune (or misfortune) to meet Galloper Thompson yet?”

I'm not 100% sure about this, but he might've only been added to the second week of Halloween. I don't remember hearing or seeing anything about him in game before then. Because once it was found that if you ran into him, you'd get a t-shirt, a cursed amulet, and XP... the hunt was on! He would call out his arrival at the top of the hour and stay about 10 minutes till he'd bellow his departure. He would show up in Goldenleaf Forest, Mirror Marshes, Greendale, The Forgotten Fields, Hollow Woods, and Valley of the Frozen Mist.

Leading to many spooks when you'd look around and then suddenly see him from behind a tree. I've ran into him multiple times (on purpose and from not being graceful enough at steering my horse lol)

~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~

2017 would have Galloper missing as he was "on vacation". Although if you were in Goldenleaf Forest at 9pm server time, you'd hear his call. A small remnant of him.

~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~

October 24th, 2018 is when the keep was first introduced! Listing off the things we could do: Toss soul shards into the cauldron to get new Halloween tack/clothing sets, experience the twisted memories of Galloper via The Headless Horseman's Harrowing race, more Halloween shops, Galloper's look-a-like horse was for sale, and the scarecrow race was back after being banished from the main overworld. Plus, you could talk to three different daily ghosts that were in the keep, telling you a bit about themselves or how they died. Hinting where you could find their soul shard.

Now that was the fun part of this particular Halloween! A whole twenty-one souls to tell their stories!

This is where it gets long lol (I got the info from Jorvikipedia under "Ghosts of Galloper's Keep")

Ancient Ghost (their soul shard found among the thorny rocks)

"I was there in the first days. I yet recall my home in the mainland, all that we left behind to seek our promised land for the great Jon Jarl. At sea we fought. We starved. I never thought I would see dry land again. The sight of sand and thorn rocks around our landing site brought us relief. Seek my Soul Shard by the thorn rocks near the place where the great Jarl first set foot on Jorvik."

Drowned Ghost (close to the broken bridge near Jarlaheim - above a tree trunk lying beside one of the bridge's pillars)

"I sailed for weeks with Jon Jarl, only to meet my watery end so close to the shores of what would become my peoples' home... My body washed ashore close to the place that would become the walled city with the great stable. Seek my Soul Shard by the broken bridge."

Curious Ghost (on top of the arches around Butter Hill)

"As we explored our new home, we found out that we were not the first to set foot on this island. Great monuments with mystical descriptions and ruins left by settlers long gone.

These ruins were a source of fascination for me. Great columns and arcs in a style we had never seen, long since overgrown with vegetation. What happened to those previous settlers? Would it happen to us too?

If you seek out those ruins, you shall find my Soul Shard."

Mournful Ghost (in Forgotten Fields at the runestone close to Golden Hills)

"We assumed this island to be uninhabited. We believed we had finally found a paradise worthy of abandoning our homes for.

We were wrong. This is punishment for our arrogance.

On this island, rune stones were found, created by people with a special connection to the magic this island held. The Great Jarl ordered all of them destroyed to prove his claim to the island. My Soul Shard remains at that rune stone, at the Forgotten Fields, gazing out over the golden valley."

Angry Ghost (by the left side of the bridge at Nilmer's Highland there's a little dent with thorn bushes)

"Not allowed to rest, he shall never be given a moment's peace for what he did! Why should I suffer with him? You, who can leave this place, seek my Soul Shard and give me rest.

Seek the great divide to the southern counties, close to the bridge we built from the highlands."

Superstitious Ghost (in front of the gate leading to Devil's Gap)

"Devil's Gap? Why did the Jarl build so close to that accursed place?

I was on the crew that helped erect the northern walls of Jarlaheim. From day one, bad luck struck us like a blacksmith's hammer. Over, and over, and over again. Rocks would fall, ropes would snap, horses would go mad."

Stablemaster Ghost (in the corner of the arena that's attached to the building

"The Great Jarl made peace with the druids, and in return, he was rewarded with many strong horses for his great stable! I was in charge of making sure every horse was taken care of, a noble task! The horses of this island were strong and brave, but curiously there was one man they would avoid at all cost...

You can still find my Soul Shard at the entrance of the Jarl's stable."

Druid Ghost (next to a runestone at the portal to the Secret Stone Circle)

"The man you know as Galloper would never see Aideen's light shine upon him. Many horses, he tried to ride, but all would shun him completely.

Yet, one day he returned riding a black mare, a wild horse from the east. This horse could not be handled but by this one man, back when he still had a head. Worried what would it mean for a horse to not possess Aideen's Light, we tried to take her away to the Secret Stone Circle.

I can't remember anything else. Did he come after us? If so, could my Soul Shard be found by the entrance to the Circle?"

Miner Ghost (above a barrel behind the entrance of the right tunnel in the Demascus Mine)

"His real name... was never Galloper Thompson. "Old Galloper" was a name given to him many years later by peasants who feared his sightings as a bad omen and used his name to scare children. I never took those ghost stories seriously while I was alive. I should have.

Sighting Galloper Thompson was a sign of terrible things to come. My ill-fated encounter happened just before a cave in at the Damascus Mine. I never made it out. Even now I can still hear his cursed laughter. In that mine you will find my Soul Shard."

Traitor Ghost (in a tower of Jarlaheim's walls)

"The jarl had clearly grown weak to forsake our old ways for this "Aideen"! We chose our own Jarl to usurp this traitor and led a grim assault on Jarlaheim for control of this island. We failed, and you can still find my Soul Shard on the battlements.

In the end, the victory for Great Jarl was bought at a steep price, with only one of his men still standing when the battle was over. Why did that man survive when so many others did not? Cursed be his name forever!"

Whispering Ghost (near the Ancient Tree on South Hoof)

"I always knew that I had a special gift to understand horses. "Wild Whispering," they call it. There was only ever one horse that I could not understand. The dark mare was ever silent to me, no matter how I tried. Willing to explore my gift further, I sought out one of the great trees I had heard the druids speak about.

The tree on the peninsula promised me that it would help me develop my gift as long as I gave my flesh as a servant. As a young fool, I accepted. My body was twisted, my skin turned to bark and even my Soul Shard was left with the tree. But for a brief moment, I understood everything."

Farmer Ghost (near a building of the Abandoned Farm on Nilmer's Highland)

"Ghosts? Bah! I never believed in ghosts! My husband would tell me that Old Galloper would come to curse our chickens, but that's just talk! Certainly, our old farm at Nilmer's Highland blossoms to this day, go find my Soul Shard there and you will see!"

Confused Ghost (behind the Moorland forge)

"You look just like my apprentice! You must be here to help me with the smithy! What are you waiting for? The fires won't burn forever, hurry to get my Soul Shard from behind the old smithy before Old Galloper catches wind of what we are doing!"

Stonecutter Ghost (at the entrance of the Stonecutter's Vault in the Valley of Frozen Mist)

"Magnus Steinar? The finest stone cutter the land has seen! I watched as the Great Jarl ordered him to split the rune stone near his stable in two. This was meant to be some important ritual according to the Jarl, but it drove every horse in the stables mad!

Afraid of the Jarl's wrath, I fled to the stonecutter's vault in the north. I never quite made it back there. My Soul Shard must be frozen in ice by now..."

Greedy Ghost (on a small path on the coast of Forgotten Fields, very close to the ancient tree)

"That monster envy had sunk its teeth into the Great Jarl as he realized a mere subject of his had, by accident, achieved what he so long had dreamed of. Immortality!

I was at court that day when the Jarl ordered his subject to bring him the secret of immortality. I wanted this gift for myself and decided to find my way into the Devil's Gap from the Forgotten Fields. I fell victim to my own greed, as the stormy weather caused rockslides along the narrow pathways. This was not the immortality I wanted! I beg you, find my Soul Shard!"

Scared Ghost (near a fence in Doyle's Abbey)

"W-why do I find myself here? This is not where I should have ended up! I was a good, loyal person in life and laid to rest in Doyle's Abbey! Yet my Soul Shard shackles me to this place! Please find my grave and help me pass on peacefully!"

Soldier Ghost (by the ruins on the end of the Old King's Road in Goldenhills Valley (back when that was a short path up next to Pi's swamp)

"In his wrath, the Great Jarl ordered the execution of this man who had been nothing but loyal to him.

The axe came down, but the man stood up, headless! As the Jarl's men fled in panic, the dark mare carried her headless rider into the night.

That wasn't the last I would see of him. Patrolling the King's Road, the headless rider would show up and attack anyone he saw as loyal to the Jarl. Find my Soul Shard there!"

Trampled Ghost (on Paddock Island, down the path to the runestone by the sea)

"Growing up on Paddock Island, my mum always told me that if the bad ones come, find a runestone and Aideen's light would protect me. That night, I almost made it to the runestone, but Old Galloper, he was faster. I wonder if my Soul Shard is still there?"

Secretive Ghost (in front of Ashland's roadblock in Dino Valley)

"This place resembles a keep? Hehe, everything is not as it seems young one. If this is a keep, where did it come from? Why does it fly? Why does the cauldron in its center boil to the beat of a living heart?

I once tried to make my way to the one place I thought I would find absolute truth. The heart of the island itself, the Ashlands. I would have made it too, if it hadn't been for that infernal roadblock! I couldn't muster the energy to turn back, but the road wouldn't open.

You, seeker of truth, might reclaim my Soul Shard there."

Loyal Ghost (at the right side of the Jarl's Tomb entrance)

"The Great Jarl was laid to rest, not in the great city he had founded, but in the lonely hills he had first sighted when making landfall on Jorvik. The Great Jarl had sworn to atone for his mistakes and serve Aideen once more. For a man of his honor, such a promise would surely stretch from beyond the grave. As would the headless horseman's thirst for revenge.

He caught me as I was making sure the Great Jarl's resting place was undisturbed. Could you find my Soul Shard there?"

Haunted Ghost (entrance to the building of Old Church Ruin close to Scarecrow Hill)

"To this day he has never been able to get any rest... He still roams the lands searching for a way to rid himself of the curse and became nothing but a legend in the Jorvegian folklore. Even to this day, the smallest child knows not to travel the dark roads alone this time of year, lest Galloper Thompson will try to claim your soul for himself. He claimed mine on the slope of Scarecrow Hill. I thought the old ruins would keep me safe, hide me from him. My Soul Shard should still be there, even now."

~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~

2019 was a repeat of the previous year

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Halloween 2020 was taken over by Ydris as he locked Galloper in a tower in the keep. As more and more ghosts filled the keep, they desperately begged us to help them as they were forced to dance against their will. Ydris too, decided that it was too much and that we should release Galloper from the tower to bring balance back to this unique space swirling in time. But when Ydris undid his magic, there was still a barrier keeping Galloper in, trapped and curled into a ball floating in the air. To undo the spells keeping him in that state we had to go through the regrets that he carried with him, collecting an item that represents that time.

“The Lost Loyalty”

Piece of a Banner “A soldier once lifted this with pride. Then carried it with less pride. Then shouldered it as a burden.” 

(Executioner’s Memory)

“We told ourselves that we were soldiers of the Jarl. That we were just following orders!  In truth, we always feared the grim man on the black mare. The way he was avoided by human and horse in equal measure.  When his head rolled, we all cheered. We truly thought it was over. Perhaps if we all had tried to understand back then, things would have turned out different.”

“The Witch’s Curse”

Defiled Soul Shard “Feeling its touch is like losing a part of yourself.”

(Old Witch’s Memory)

“The man you call Galloper served his lord loyally. What do you think that means?  Galloper, he crushed anyone standing in the way of his Jarl and committed many dark deeds. He himself knew them to be wrong, but his loyalty to Jon Jarl pushed him onwards. Loyalty is a measly excuse when you don’t dare to stand up against those that do wrong. Sooner or later there will be no one to speak for you, and just like that, Galloper Thompson got to reap loyalty’s final reward...” 

“The Horseman’s Respite”

 Galloper Thompson’s Amulet “According to the ghost stories, this amulet is cursed. Maybe you should get rid of it?”

(Equestrian’s Memory)

There’s no ghost to tell this tale. Galloper confronts “you”; he levitates off his horse to lunge forward, hand outstretched towards you. When you come to, the amulet is on the ground nearby.

“The Forgotten Friendship”

Burnt Charcoal Drawing “A sketch in charcoal, burnt by the ages. It depicts a lord and his retainer. They both look happy”

(The Jarl’s Memory)

“You...awaken me after all this time? Me, who was once known as Jon Jarl, ruler of all Jorvik!  You come here at the behest of Galloper Thompson? How dare you speak of that man in my presence?! I do not wish to remember that man! Take your memento and be gone!”

Once we’ve collected each item and brought them back to the Tower of Regrets, the passageway opens. Galloper is still huddled into a ball. That’s when his mare gallops forth, rejoined to her rider. He is able to break free of his shackles and return to continue his duties. 

Back at his post, he beckons us closer. He has a reward he wishes to offer us as thanks. Which is a fiery spider pet!

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Non-story related, but when SSO celebrated the game’s 10th birthday in 2021, Galloper was invited :)

He was in the celebration art (seen bellow), and he was also at the party in Moorland! A couple of riders complimented him on his “cosplay” lol

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(October 27th, 2021) Linda’s quest about Galloper. She had a vision of the Keep and the man it holds within. Wanting to understand him and what his backstory is, we go through the portal to his realm. 

But he is not there. Perhaps on a wild hunt on Jorvik? We set up camp near the tower of regrets. 

Linda then gets into the strange story of Galloper Thompson’s life and his even stranger “death”. 

“The history books say that a man, Gunnar Thrymson, was a valued and loyal soldier to Jon Jarl, nearly 900 years ago. An odd man with a fitting name. Gunnar was described as possessing a dark and brooding nature, but valiant and loyal in all things to Jon Jarl. 

Eventually Thrymson became pronounced, “Thompson” as new settlers and tongues landed upon Jorvik in the following centuries. No horse allowed Gunnar to approach it and the other soldiers and servants avoided Gunnar. They secretly made a mock of him. Perhaps out of jealousy or out of fear, they nicknamed him, Galloper. A cruel joke. 

One day a wild and fearsome mare appeared, a great, black, Shire. Rumored to be from the lands in the east, beyond the Jor mountains, this horse permitted no other but Galloper near and to ride. At last he had found a companion. She was an immense Shire, dark as a moonless night, whose fierce aspect and wild nature unnerved the Jarl’s men. 

The mere presence of the horse distressed and alarmed the other animals, setting them into a panicked and frightful state.  Galloper and the Shire became inseparable, their unique bond a source of wonder and gossip. 

Galloper Thompson earned a position beside Jon Jarl as his personal bodyguard and advisor. He performed great tasks for Jon Jarl, even defending him against a dangerous uprising of rebellious lords. 

Resentment and rumor ran rampant through the army. Superstition and fear fed tales of wizardry and dark magic. Hatred overcame dread, and hidden mockery became open derision. 

The Jarl ordered Galloper be held responsible for his alleged crimes.  Galloper was captured and bound. Shackled and shamed, he was brought before his king. Jon Jarl stood as lord and judge, passing sentence upon his faithful servant. 

When Galloper was brought before the executioner’s block, hundreds of the Jarl’s men arrived to celebrate the spectacle.

Their previous superstition was proven to righteous when Galloper rose from the executioner’s block and revealed his immortality.

Folklore and history is muddled here but the prevailing theory was that the source of Galloper’s strength, his bond with the Jarl, and his immortality stemmed from a powerful witch from the Devil’s Gap.

One full year after his execution, the headless Galloper Thompson was spotted riding a flaming mare across the night sky for the first time. There have been sightings every autumn since.

As we sit in the shadow of the tower, I can feel that there’s more to this story begging to be told. It feels like a word forgotten, but restlessly waiting on the tip of my tongue to be spoken out loud.”

Linda feels herself being pulled to Paddock Island. When we arrive, Galloper is already there, gazing at the lonesome island with the broken bridge. We pick up memory shards that were scattered on the ground for Linda to decipher. 

“I see... a building. A stable by its appearance. It’s this place! This was a stable... Galloper‘s stable! It has been rumored that Galloper‘s mount could not be stabled with other horses. Is that why it’s so far removed? 

It begins... there is a mob, frightened and superstitious. They surround the stable. They are full of fear and anger. Soldiers move through the milling throng. They are there to take Galloper! 

A young man stands in the stable with a great mare. It must be Galloper! His eyes are so green and bright! They are filled with grief. His arms are wrapped around the mare’s neck. 

He is whispering his goodbyes as the soldiers enter the stable. It is just Galloper and his horse facing Jarl’s men. Galloper surrenders. 

The horse snorts and screams her displeasure and fear as the soldiers take him away. She kicks the walls and stamps the floor. The soldiers recoil from her anger. 

There is confusion! The mob churns and surges. A fire has broken out! Was a lantern thrown into the stable? Was a torch dropped? I cannot see clearly. The smoke and flames blind my view. The stables are ablaze! The horse is trapped!

The soldiers struggle to smother the flames. The mob has fallen back, stunned at the spectacle. The mare’s screams of terror rise with the flames, matched by Galloper’s howls of horror. 

The flames are extinguished. A stunned silence has settled. Smoke and cinders still float in the air. Galloper has collapsed, overwhelmed by grief and shock. 

Jon Jarl has arrived, surveying the damage. He stares long at the ruin, anger behind his eyes. His fury rises as he turns to confront Galloper, now slumped on the ground. 

Galloper knows the true source of Jon Jarl’s anger. The jealousy and craving, driving suspicions of betrayal and treachery.  But... the mare died that night, how did she return? Was it the dark magic and witchcraft that was rumored? Did the mysterious witch of legend also endow the Shire with power?”

We are then pulled into Jarlaheim. Suspiciously everyone is hiding, believing that Galloper was just here. Collecting more memory shards as Linda ponders if Galloper knows that we’re following him. 

“Galloper is being taken to a place of execution. He is surrounded by the king’s men and townsfolk. They jeer and mock him, hurling insults and garbage at him. 

Now, standing before the executioner’s block, he seems unmoved to the words being spoken by Jon Jarl. Has he given up hope? No, there’s a quiet intensity about him. The shock of his king’s cruelty and the horrific death of his truest companion has marked him deeply.

Numbly, he kneels before the block. His lips are moving silently. What is he saying? The masked executioner raises his axe. Oh, I cannot look! The axe drops. His sad, green eyes have a slightly startled look, almost as if they see me. 

Wait... the once cheering crowd falls silent. Their faces stunned, filled with horror and alarm. Something is amiss. The body. Galloper’s body is moving! It pushed itself up from the block, a green glow slowly engulfing his headless frame. 

The crowd is in a panic! They struggle to run away... some of the soldiers stab at him, to no avail. Something else is happening! The crowd is being hurled aside. 

It is the Shire! Its coat is even darker, so much that it seems to devour the very light. Its mane is so fiery and bright! A blinding apparition of shadow and flame! It strikes terror into the guards and townsfolk.

The few who were able to face the headless revenant are now broken and fleeing. Even Jon Jarl is nowhere to be seen!

Calmly and purposely Galloper climbs astride the Shire’s sturdy back. Away they escape, galloping into the sky.”

Returning to the Keep to collect our thoughts and theories about Galloper and his mare, Linda feels another pull. Stronger than before, filling her mind with Devil’s Gap and the Forgotten Fields. Unlike the memories we just experienced, this event is happening now!

Rushing over to Forgotten Fields we see his horse, but no Galloper! Where could he be? 

Following the great mare to see where she’s heading. Linda comments on the mare, “She knows where she’s going. There’s intense purpose in each step, but her eyes... It’s almost as if she’s in a trance.”

“I feel that we are about to find out why all this is happening. The insistence is still there but hints of anticipation, as if a task is nearly complete and rest is near.” 

Galloper’s mare runs past the ancient tree onto a narrow path along the edge of the cliff. We cannot follow, our pursuit ends here. 

A voice speaks from Devil’s Gap (presumably) “Gunnar Thrymson! Your task is not yet complete! You cannot escape your gift that simply, or did another seek to thwart our pact? No matter. What we have done cannot so easily be undone.

Your memories are restored as is your destiny! Remember now, the name of your steed and be rejoined in its power...

MORRIGAN!”

Heading back to Galloper’s Keep, Linda comments that Morrigan has returned to Galloper, but something is off. There’s a change in them. She’s never thought about the name or origin of Galloper’s horse before. The name feels old. Old and powerful. The voice that spoke from the mountain must have returned the memory of this name to Galloper. Where once the feeling of Galloper was like a man blinded by rage, he now seems composed, focused... perhaps even more dangerous than before. 

Someone or something must have tried to undo Galloper’s memories. But why? To break his bond with Morrigan? Who would gain from that and how? Linda ponders. Planning to return to the textbooks and research deeper into Jorvik’s past. 

Not knowing who gave Galloper his “gift” nor their motives. Whoever or whatever it is, they must be quite powerful if they or a descendant survives today. 

“I sense they are rebonded... but it feels different somehow; more powerful, focused? Yes... I sense not only a renewal, but an additional purpose. Perhaps whoever tried to seal his memories away unwittingly awoke new ones?

I can sense that this is the beginning of something very big. The strong bond between them was but cinders compared to the raging inferno I feel burning within Morrigan’s heart.”

And with that, we are left to wonder what will happen next!

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The “story snack” of a page of Galloper’s diary found by Ms. Holdsworth in Fort Maria (September 21st, 2022)

“There I was, abandoned by all my men, left to do the work that I’m sure will rain misfortune down upon all of us, curse the Jarl!” “It was mighty hard labor to go at the stones; good thing I had my splitting maul from Magnus, infused as it is with his special power.“ “And when one finally cracked under a ferocious blow, a woman, for I think it was a woman, did appear unto me.” “Whether she was called hence from the crack of the stone or had been watching my work I cannot say, she floated towards me with her hand outstretched, the antlers of a stag adorned her head, curls tumbled out from the hood of her cloak.” “She was terrifying, but I was too curious to feel afraid, and then she spoke, and her words were...”

-And that’s where it ends. The rest of the page appears to be blackened by flame.

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(October 26th, 2022)

We meet up with Linda at the makeshift campsite in the Keep. A new year and new discoveries await!

“We know somebody stole Galloper‘s memories. But why would they do that? What is there to gain?

It got me thinking.... What if somebody actually did something to Galloper? Something bad. Something they didn’t want him to remember! 

Suddenly, it all made sense. And all the anguish, anger, and regret I was sensing around Galloper before... It wasn’t simple blind rage; it was the feeling of revenge!

Something must have happened in the past, 900 years ago, before he became Galloper Thompson. Back when he was just “Gunnar”.

At first, I started searching the archives for any descendants or relatives of Gunnar Thrymson. When that failed, I turned my efforts to the Jarl and his closest allies. Then... A familiar name popped up. 

Magnus Steinar! It’s been said that Gunnar Thrymson broke magical runestones with the help of a stonemason, a stonemason by the name of Magnus!

We know that the ghost of Magnus still wanders Jorvik to this day, and the last time he was seen was in the Stonecutter’s Vault in the Valley of the Hidden Dinosaur. Let’s go see if he’s still there!”

When we enter the main section of Stonecutter’s Vault, Magnus is nowhere to be seen. A puddle of ghost goo is left on the cobblestone. Searching for clues as to where he went, we find an old horse statue, a worn, green tinted roofing tile, and scraps of an ancient bridle adorned with bronze serpentine ornaments. Thinking he went to Jorvik Stables and suspecting it’s a place of importance to him, we head on over!

Magnus is in a panicked state when we arrive. Screaming “He found me!! Help! Somebody help me! The horseman...”

“Please don’t take me away”

Linda sees something from the corner of her eye. A strange floating mist is hanging in the air. Going closer to this mist, it runs. We chase it down until it drops an amulet. It’s ancient, made from a piece of string tied around a gemstone. Herbs are braided into the string. It smells of sulfur and is covered in a slimy substance. 

As we ride back to Linda and Magnus, the air shifts, we see a vision of an old blacksmith’s workshop. Magnus begins to speak, “This place... it meant something to me. I lived here once. Long ago. The headless horseman... no, Gunnar. He was there also. I... did something. Something terrible. 

I can’t... remember. It’s all so hazy. The forging... forging of a tool.. so long ago. How did I do it?”

Going through the motions of the past. The forging of the splitting maul, he remembers. “There it is, my crowning achievement: forging this tool, perfectly crafted to shatter the most sacred of stones and splitting through the most hallowed of trees. It was made to... to shatter magic!”

“Forgive me, I did not know what I was doing! How could I know what he was planning...”

“The legendary splitting maul... A powerful tool imbued with the magic of a thousand unharness horses. It never missed its target. Rúnhammar. That’s what I called it.”

Magnus calls for us to go to a runestone that used to stand behind Jorvik Stables. 

“Yes... this is where it happened... Do you hear it? The horses...” (sounds of horses neighing echo in the memory)

“What is he asking you to do?”, Linda asks us. We take the splitting maul up to the runestone. One... the ground starts shaking. Two... a feeling of uneasiness rushes to us in waves. Three.... the runestone crumbles under the battering of Rúnhammar. 

“I remember now. I remember everything. So much pain, so much guilt. I spent the rest of my life... and undeath, trying to repent for what I did. 

I can still feel it, the runestone crumbling underneath the heavy weight of Rúnhammar‘s blow. I wielded it once, but never again. 

I suppose I should thank you for helping me remember, although I admit I didn’t really want to. Alas, holding these memories is an apt punishment for my actions. I do not deserve to forget.”

Magnus answers our questions:

Why would Galloper... Gunnar Thrymson... be chasing after you now?

“Rúnhammar, created for the sole purpose of destroying magic-imbued objects, was given to Gunnar Thrymson. He used it to shatter many runestones across Jorvik.  With every runestone, he seemed to lose a little part of himself, until one day, there was nothing left of him! That’s when the horse arrived. Morrigan, he called it.  I believe Gunnar, or shall I call him Galloper, ended up the way he is today because of me. Without my splitting maul, he would not have been able to destroy all those runestones, many lifetimes ago...”

Why did you forge Rúnhammar, the splitting maul?

“I forged the great splitting maul Rúnhammar at the behest of Jon Jarl. He wanted a tool to destroy the mystical runestones which could be found all over Jorvik. For some reason, those runestones seemed to bother him... I happily accepted the mission. I wasn’t concerned with what the tool was used for, I was too preoccupied with the thought of working with such wonderous magical materials. I had never seen anything like it before... How could I resist? Alas, I could not see past the great honor of being given such a mighty task. Now, Rúnhammar is my greatest regret...”

Where is Rúnhammar now?

“Nobody knows where Rúnhammar is today. It was last seen with Gunnar, however, Galloper Thompson does not appear to wield it now. Perhaps it has been lost to the ages...  It is for the best. I hope nobody finds it.” 

Linda takes the amulet we found that was stalking Magnus earlier. It’s vaguely familiar... It didn’t come from Galloper Thompson. That’s for sure. But she has to do a little research before she can figure out who it came from. 

~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~ ~*~*~

(November 2nd, 2022)

We enter the portal to Galloper’s Keep, Kasper the ghost greets us. “Did you see that trailing blaze of green fire that just swooshed by? Phooey! I wouldn’t wanna be whomever he’s hunting! I’ve never seen Galloper in such an agitated state before... He was practically on fire! You know, more so than usual. 

If you’re fast enough out through the portal you might catch a glimpse of him in action!” 

As we exit the portal back to Jorvik, Galloper comes running past, blazing a trail into the forest of Hollow Woods. 

As we follow Morrigan’s trail, we run past Linda hiding in the bushes. That amulet from earlier was druidic in origin and happened to be very old, like a thousand years old! Coincidentally like the ethereal being with Linda hiding in the bushes, hiding from Galloper. 

Broderick is frantic to get to a safe place he knows. He gives us directions while on horseback to where this hideout is... the Spy Master’s Hideout! He apparently has a “semi-hostile co-living arrangement” going on here. Anyway, Linda fills us in about Broderick. 

“Broderick is a druid from ancient times who lived in the same time period as Gunnar and the great Jon Jarl himself, yet conveniently remembers nothing about them ever setting foot on Jorvik. He’s not quite like other druids I have met before though...”

Linda begs us to come closer, speaking lowly, “Something doesn’t feel right about him. I sense he’s hiding something, something of great significance. I think he might be the missing piece of this puzzle!

Why was he following Magnus? Why is Galloper hunting him? Why does he claim not to know of Gunnar or the Jarl? There are just so many questions he won’t answer, questions we need to find answers to!

I’ll keep him busy. You go look around the hideout for something... unusual. You’ll know it when you see it!” 

Poking around the hideout, peering our head over a box, in the corner we see a green memory fragment. As we grab it, we are given the vision of a young man, Gunnar, on a horse. The horse rears and throws Gunnar off, sending him flying and landing harshly on the ground. 

We find another memory fragment behind a crate. Showing Gunnar and Morrigan’s bonding moment. We go back to Broderick with our findings. “That’s... that’s not what you think it is! I mean, gee, how did they get there?”. He’ll tell us what we want to know, but we gotta help him in turn. 

Why is Galloper Thompson hunting you?

“Oh, he’s been looking for me for a long time... he just didn’t realize I was the one he was looking for until recently. My mistake; I got careless. He wants revenge of course.

You see... Galloper... he’s cursed... he cannot die, but he cannot quite live either. He is in a state of constant torment... heheheh. A fate most befitting his ill deeds. Someone had to punish that destroyer of runestones!

It was me; I cursed him! Split his soul into three, in the name of Aideen! One part of his soul he kept within himself, the other two parts... well who cares where they ended up!

However... Galloper becoming a ferryman of souls... most unexpected.”

How do you know Magnus Steinar?

“Magnus? That worm. I saw it with my own two eyes. Magnus forged the weapon which Gunnar used to desecrate our most precious runestones. 

Yes. Magnus is also to blame...”

Why do you have Galloper’s memory fragments?

“The fragments you found in my hideout? They’re only some of the many memory fragments I’ve stolen from poor old Galloper. Why did I steal them? Isn’t it obvious?

I knew he was looking for revenge, he was coming even closer to figuring out the truth... I had to make him forget, I had to cover my tracks. Then YOU came along! Now, you shall help me.”

What do you know of Morrigan?

“Galloper‘s abhorrent horse? A most unpleasant mare she is... Nobody knows where she came from, but she found Galloper and united with him shortly after I had cast my curse.

It was if they shared an unholy bond already then, lacking all light of Aideen. It is distasteful that a creature of such grace would choose to ally herself with somebody such as him.”

While answering our second chosen question, a chill blows in from the doorway, fog starts to roll in, Galloper is just outside!

We have the decision to help hide Broderick by shutting the door in hopes that Galloper will pass us by, we could do nothing and see what lays ahead, or we can make noise to ensure that Galloper finds us:

Broderick deserves a second chance, let’s hide him!

{You hurriedly shut the door to try and save Broderick from the wrath of Galloper Thompson... but it is futile. Morrigan bursts through and Galloper evaporates the ancient ethereal being from this plane of existence.}

I can’t make this decision! I’ll just see what happens...

{If you do nothing, Galloper runs in and collects Broderick’s soul.}

Galloper deserves his vengeance, give Broderick up. 

{We purposely knock over a nearby lantern, glass shattering across the ground, the sound alerting Galloper of our position. “What have you done?! You’ve doomed me!”, exclaims Broderick. 

Galloper rushes in to enact his vengeance. Broderick dissipates into thin air, gone from this existence.}

Linda is in shock over witnessing the outcome. Yet she feels sympathy for Galloper. “Poor Galloper Thompson... A state of constant torment!? Having his memories taken from him... Lacking a whole soul? I couldn’t imagine a worse fate; I know he has done unspeakable things but still... I can’t help but feel sorry for him. 

I wish we’d know more, where are the other pieces of his soul? How did he become the ferryman of souls and the master of the Keep?

And Broderick, what is to become of him? What will Galloper do to him? There’s more to be told in Galloper’s story... But for now, there’s nothing more we can do, for Galloper OR Broderick. The veil between our realms is closing.”

Heading back into Galloper’s Keep, we talk to Kasper. “Galloper seemed to be in a particularly good mood upon his return. Well, ‘good’ might be an overstatement. He seemed... resigned. Calm. Must have been a successful hunt for that lost soul. Tsk, poor fella!”

Our remaining time in the Keep simmers down after that enthralling experience. We will have to wait for the bridge between our worlds to strengthen so we can cross over to visit the land of wandering souls once again and continue our exploration of Galloper’s tale.

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Outside of the game there’s these two; a short audio book and some comics.

The comics Star Stable has released on their instagram. Drawn by @ellipuukangas. They delve into the past of Gunnar. Who he was, what came to be, how his mare came to find him. 

Comic from 2021

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

This whole comic has been uploaded to Star Stable’s blog website

Here for full page viewing!

Comic from 2022

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

And also, the spooky story of Linda encountering Galloper one evening. An audio book written by Helena Dahlgren. Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya. Released October 29th, 2021

You can listen to it here!

That’s all there is about Galloper so far at this current time! (November 7th 2022). I hope there be many more in the future! 

[alcottsangel]

Pursued pleasure 2 {Kaz Brekker x reader}

Summary: It's the final step. The first time. Actual sex. It's scary, for both of them, but they want and need it. Kaz is sure he is ready.

Warnings: Smut.

Part 1

Still based on the request by @kitty0621. @story-scribbler liked it and was excited for part two, here it is! <3

They all knew. Well, not exactly what happened, but damn well that something happened. Neither Kaz nor Y/n could enter the room without staring at each other. The tension was visible, causing gossip and giggles to not only wander around the Crows but also the Dregs. It wasn't a negative tension. It included so much love and lust, that for the first time others would be jealous of them.

After the whole procedure went on for a few days, Nina couldn't resist anymore. So when she sat at a table in the Crow Club, facing all the Crows next to Kaz, she finally asked.

"So, Y/n..." The heartrender started in a low voice, so only they could hear. All the noise in the Club made that possible. "You two went to the next stage, huh? Took you long enough." "Nina!" Y/n exclaimed, feeling her cheeks heating up and turning red. The Crows laughed. "No need to be embarrassed. You never were when it was about us." Jesper told her. Yeah, but being the main topic is much different, the young woman thought.

"You really don't need to talk about it, if you prefer not to." Inej told her, putting her hand und Y/n's arm to comfort her.

"It's nothing big, really. But we're getting there." She told her friends.

"Baby steps." Wylan recalled the mantra Kaz and Y/n shared through the past years. She nodded in agreement. "So still a virgin?" Jesper wanted to reassure. They didn't laugh. They had no intention to make fun of it, they understood the circumstances and had much respect for all that the couple had already archived and endured. "Still a virgin. But moving forward. Stuff happened already, it was good. Kaz is." She smirked a little, as Nina started cheering for her.

"Let's go." Kaz voice suddenly appeared behind her. That meant that business was finished. Y/n grinned, as she stood up and waved her friends goodbye, following the bastard of the Barrel out of his Crow Club.

"Everyone is out again." This time, she noticed it before him. The streets of Ketterdam were filled with tourists, wherever you would look there were bright colours and costumes.

Kaz tried his best not to grin, but as the realisation hit him, the corner of his lips twitched up visibly.

"I suppose that means you want to use that time?" He asked her, as he carefully intertwined his gloved little finger with hers.

"Using that time gives us many possibilities." She mocked, giggling. "You mischievous little monster." Dirtyhands answered.

As soon as the door of his room was closed, Kaz turned around to press his lips against hers, being brave and already removing his gloves.

It was harsh again, pure lust.

She stopped him quickly. "How far would you want to go today?" She asked.

They repeated the things they did the first time twice, until both felt ready to take it further. It was easier for the bastard of the Barrel to pleasure her. It was less vulnerable, as he still wore almost all of his clothes and it didn't require too much skin contact. It waz still alot.

But Kaz wanted to break through that wall, to finally reveal himself before her in his most vulnerable form. "I want to do it." He finally answered.

Her eyes grew big. "Are you sure?" She asked the question she always asked in moments like this. "That's a big step. Bigger than any step we took before. Skin on skin, sweat, moaning. My breath in your neck. Our body's pressed together. Kaz, I need you to be sure this is what you want." There was a gap between them, yet he got goosebumps from their closeness. He reconsidered it, for a brief moment.

She was right, this was huge. This was more than the last few times. This was risky.

But Kaz nodded slightly. "I want this. I'm sure. I want you, bare skin. I want to feel you, every little bit. Please." He almost begged.

It was a sight for sore eyes. Kaz Brekker, bastard of the Barrel, Dirtyhands, begged sweet little Y/n to touch her. She grinned.

"Then touch me. Don't ask anymore, just do it. You know your ways, you can please me better than I could ever do it myself. Touch me, Kaz."

And he did. Their lips crashed into each other again. His hand boldly started cupping her breasts and massaging them. He didn't hesitate anymore, he started getting used to it. They only broke apart to catch their breaths.

Soon, Kaz hand went further down, moving under her shirt. As he touched the bare skin on her belly, he shivered, causing Y/n to hesitate. But as soon as he started kissing down her neck, she knew it was fine. Between her moaning and his kisses, he breathed out sweet little nothings. "So beautiful... all mine." Was only one of the few things that caused her smile to grow even brighter.

They stumbled towards his bed. On the way there, Y/n undressed her shirt. Kaz breathed in another time, before he looked her in the eyes and unclipped her bra the way he did the last few time. She held her breath, didn't move, as she felt his hands around her.

But Kaz didn't shiver or hesitate, he continued steadily, pushing her onto the bed softly and placing kisses all over her chest. Every now and them he sucked on certain places, causing the woman to bend and moan under him.

Then they took the step he was scared of the most. Y/n started unbottening his shirt. As he felt her hands on his shoulders, brushing off the shirt from them, Kaz goosebumps started building again. He held his breath, concentrating on her face. The size of her nose, her beautiful, caring eyes. How glassy they looked right now. And though she hesitated at first, she continued as Dirtyhands stayed calm and no thought of Jordie came to his mind. As both of their tops layed on the ground, they took a moment to appreciate each other.

"You are so beautiful. So gentle, you are the definition of life to me." Kaz mumbled into her neck, as he started there to kiss his way down to her belly. She giggled.

Another step. Kaz opened the buttons of her pants. He opened his mouth, wanted to ask if this was fine, but then he remembered she told him not to. Just move.

So he pushed down her pants, before moving up to kiss her lips again. Kaz brushed over her left breast, massaging it softly, practicing in some way. Then his hand went down, carefully touching her inner tigh. She knew what was waiting ahead, holding her breath, shivering.

Two of his fingers drew a line up, until Y/n finally felt them against her clit. There were still her panties separating them, letting Kaz try if it was okay. A shaky breath left her mouth and she grabbed the sheets to steady herself.

"Kaz..." She moaned his name for the first time. That made him even more confident, slowly starting to rub his fingers against the wet fabric. Y/n's breath was heavy, he felt it against his shoulder. One of her hands rested against his chest. She didn't do so on purpose, not even noticing as she was so concentrated on the pleasure the she could barely bear. But the bastard of the Barrel didn't mind, barely noticing it himself.

As Y/n pushed herself against him, he moved aside the underwear, still exploring her clit with two fingers, before moving them further down and entering her, slowly and carefully.

He didn't mind the wetness, skin on skin. She was warm, comfortable. Instead, he could feel the erection pressing against his pants, letting out one single moan himself.

"Saints, Kaz!" She gasped, shivering under his touch. "Do you like this?" He asked huskily, but she couldn't say another word, as the moaning took over her. That was all that Kaz needed to know to realise, that the answer was yes. He added a third finger, going even faster and she pushed herself up. She could feel the tension building, but she didn't want to finish yet.

"Kaz, please." She asked quietly, her voice nothing more than a soft whisper. "Yes, my love?" He answered, knowing damn well that despite all the fears he had, right now he was in control. "Please, Kaz, fuck me." She finally said the words out loud that neither of them had dared to say. He breathed in once. How could he say no? He was quick at opening his pants and pushing them down. He positioned himself at her entrance, stroking over his cock a few times, before he looked her in the eyes. Her quick nod gave him the go.

He was slow. They talked about this once, it was her first time too and she wasn't sure if it would be painful. So she asked him back then already to take it slow. He did, of course.

Kaz hands were tangled deep in her hair, still gentle, their chests pressed together as he slowly pounded into her several times.

"Go faster, harder." Y/n demanded after a while, so he did. Faster. Harder. Now he moaned too, careless if someone would hear them. He felt her nipples against his skin, hard and cold, her hot breath on his chest. She completely trusted him, he trusted her

"Yes, saints." She breathed, closing her eyes. It was a moment of pure euphoria. "Fuck yeah, Y/n, I love you so much." He told her, without even thinking about the words. That gave her another kick, bringer her closer too the edge.

Y/n was tight, Kaz filled her up completely, still pounding in fast and hard. Much rougher than either of them expected for the first time. Y/n was sure that she would be sore between her legs after this.

Another thrust, another moan into her ear made her realise she would soon have an orgasm. Kaz realised that too, as her pussy clenched around his cock. As he still kept on pushing in, he knew he was close too.

"Keep going." She told him. "I want to come with you. Please, Kaz, don't stop fucking me." He opened his mouth, heavily breathing, letting go of her hair and instead kissing her on the lips again.

Then, with one last thrust, he exploded into Y/n, causing her to orgasm at the same moment. He pushed in one last time before stopping, falling onto the bed besides her. They were panting, both exhausted.

"That was brilliant." Dirtyhands said, looking over to his girl who's cheeks had a deep red colour. "It was." She agreed.

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