#the magnificent north discord

[jackstheprinceofhearts]

i would like to remind everyone of the great selection of emojis in the magnificent north server that me and @missroller15 own 😏

if you haven't yet, this should motivate you to join purely because of these gems 😍

[sweetingseva]

Do you have a group chat to talk about tbona? If yes can you add me and if no would you be interested in starting one?

Hello!

I'm a part of a discord server that was posted here created by @missroller15 😊

[missroller15]

here’s a better link for the tbona server yall!

https://discord.gg/SKyZghpjJS

[leebird-simmer]

Russian Fairy Tales Test Prep: Spirits of the Forests, Waters, and Fields

Like the domovoi, the spirits of the forests, waters, and fields had their origin in pre-Christian times, but the nature spirits were considered basically harmful to humans and were generally regarded as unclean. The bulk of available sources re: nature spirits dates from the end of the 19th century, when belief in these beings was already in a state of decline and information about them was often imprecise or contaminated by the addition of traits more properly belonging to the Devil.

The Leshii: master of the forest, guardian of beasts.

He could assume the likeness of a familiar person, a forest beast, a domestic animal, even a mushroom. He made his presence known to peasants venturing into his territory through laughter, handclapping, and the various sounds of the forest. It was reported that he could “sing without words.” He would frequently “prank” peasants by calling to them in a familiar voice so they would get lost in a deep thicket or ravine. Sometimes he would tickle people to death. At all times, it was considered essential to utter a protective prayer upon entering the forest. The leshii hated boisterous conduct, sojourns in the woods at night, and woodcutters. He wailed if one of his favorite trees was chopped down. 

Historical basis: In medieval Russia, it was customary to cut off a robber’s left ear after the first offense. The peasants had a tendency to refer to the forest spirit as kornoukhii (”one whose ear has been cut off”). In Karelia, Russians often pictured forest spirits wearing military uniforms, indicating that peasants assigned them traits of fugitive soldiers hiding in the forest. Similarly, narratives in which the leshii approaches a campfire and requests food may reflect this practice among vagabonds and escaped serfs seeking refuge in the forest.

Social organization: While there was usually one leshii per forest, sometimes there were several. For particularly large forests, the notion existed that there was a hierarchy of forest spirits, ruled by a tsar. Forest spirits feasted and played games together. The leshii lived with his wife, his children, and sometimes his mother & father. Their domestic order was imagined as similar to that of the peasants; they lived in houses, had dogs, and raised livestock. In certain areas, the leshii’s wife, the lesovikha, played a prominent role in forest lore. 

Dealings with humans: Among the forest beasts, the wolf was the leshii’s favorite, and on occasion the spirit assumed the form of a large white wolf. Throughout the woodlands of Great Russia, peasants took measures to guard their cattle from the leshii’s wolves. Many of them called on St. George’s protection from predators.

In the Russian North, where cattle were pastured in the forest, peasants also solicited the leshii’s protection. This sometimes took the form of a pact between the forest spirit & the herdsman, who (according to one account) concluded this agreement much the same way that sorcerers concluded pacts with the devil: he removed his cross from his neck, swore fidelity to the forest spirit, and instead of swallowing holy communion, handed it over to the leshii. Peasants often looked askance at herdsmen (and at hunters, who made similar pacts), suspecting they possessed occult powers.

Leshie also carried off young girls, who they sometimes married, and women living in discord with their husbands. Narratives tell of peasant women abducted or summoned to serve as nannies or midwives for the forest spirit. One occasionally encounters the idea that captives could gain their freedom by refusing to eat the leshii’s food. Those who returned from the forest were reportedly wild-looking and covered with moss, and often they could no longer speak. Many never recovered, remaining in a state of continual distraction for the rest of their lives. Some made use of the knowledge of the unclean force gained by their forest experience and became sorcerers.

The Vodianoi

- often referred to as “the water devil” - universally considered evil & dangerous, since his sole purpose was drowning people

Habitat: The vodianoi lived underwater in deep pools. He confined himself to his own & neighboring waters, coming out only as far as the bank or the mill wheel. In some areas, it was believed that the vodianoi did not leave the water at all, but emerged only as far as his waist.

In the black-earth provinces of Riazan, Tula, Orel, and Kaluga, peasants claimed that the spirits had magnificent underwater palaces of crystal and that they gave grand feasts. Peasants from northern areas (such as Olonets) had a more modest conception of the spirits’ dwellings: here the silver floors, golden ceilings, and crystal chandeliers of their southern kin are replaced by sandy bottoms, snarled branches, and slimy logs.

Relationships: The vodianoi married a drowned maiden, either a rusalka or his female counterpart (the vodianikha), who was envisioned as a naked woman with gigantic breasts sitting on the bank at night, combing her long wet hair.

The vodianoi liked millers & fishermen; the miller in particular was often regarded with suspicion because of his relationship with the spirit. When a new mill was constructed, a black rooster was placed under the threshold as an offering to the vodianoi. If you really wanted to impress him, you could drown a drunk passerby instead of a rooster, maybe even as an annual sacrifice. That was said to be worthy of a standing invitation to the spirit’s nightly underwater feast.

The Polevoi & Poludnitsa: spirits of the field.

In some places, the polevoi was considered an oracle, and thus morally neutral. In other places, they were a sign of misfortune, considered unclean and dangerous. According to folk notions, it was dangerous to sleep on the boundaries of the field because the polevoi liked to gallop there and might run you over with his horse. His children also played there and liked to smother sleeping humans.

In some regions, one finds mention of a female field spirit known as the poludnitsa or “midday spirit” AKA Lady Mid-day, who may have played an important role in folk belief during medieval times. Back then, she was believed to walk the fields at noon when the grain was ripe. Her function was to protect the crop and to punish peasants caught working at noon (in violation of custom) by breaking their bones and twisting their necks.

The Rusalka: female spirits, thought to be the souls of unbaptized/stillborn babies and drowned maidens.

alternate names for her: “jokestress” (shutovka), “tickler” (loskotukha), “abductor” (khitka), and among the Northern Great Russians, “demoness” (chertovka).

alternate origins:

 1. Some creation legends claimed that the devil himself fashioned the spirits (both domestic AND natural) when, imitating God, he struck one rock against the other. The fragments became these creatures.  2. One legend claims that these spirits were children whom Adam (or Noah) was ashamed to show to God and thus hid.  3. Vodianye & rusalki were thought to be descended from Pharoah’s forces, drowned while pursuing Moses across the Red Sea.  4. In Kaluga Province, it was believed that they received their eternal youth and beauty directly from the Devil, who boiled them in a cauldron.   5. Only in Bulgaria was the rusalka portrayed positively; rusalki were understood as winged spirits who lived on the edge of the world and brought moisture & fertility.

All but the last of these explanations bear the stamp of apocryphal legends based on the Old Testament, illustrating the grafting process of dvoeverie. 

These spirits were considered especially dangerous in the late spring during Rusal’naia Week, when they supposedly left their underwater homes from the forests & fields. Peasant women sometimes hung offerings of scarves and linen on forest trees to appease them. Reports sometimes specified that the rusalki did not like women; on the other hand, they often told of love between these spirits and village lads. 

Most accounts of the rusalki paint this picture: sisterhoods of lovely maidens in league with the unclean force. This is the standard image for Southern Great Russia & the Ukraine, an image highly evocative in its interweaving of beauty and treachery.

[jokertrap-ran]

(光与夜之恋 Light and Night) Jesse’s 6✩ Inspiration: Gorgeous Polar Night [绚丽极夜] Date Translation (Prologue)

“Visas, flights, lodgings, itinerary; leave them all to me! All you needa do is to bring yourself!”

*Light and Night Master-list | Jesse’s Personal Masterlist *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut *Join the Light & Night Discord (＾▽＾)~ ♪ *6✩ Inspirations have 6 Endings!! *Requested by a friend *Jesse’s tag will be #For Night, For Belief

The endless pure white snowfields exuded a silvery-white halo of light under the moon.

Occasionally, a small unnamed animal would dart across the snow, leaving a small trail of displaced snow in its wake.

On this serene and beautiful little island up north, was where my journey with Jesse had unwittingly come to an end.

Due to the high latitude of the place and given the fact that it was currently the dead of winter, the long nights always tended to come early. Orange lights were randomly strewn across the houses of this small town, shining as dazzlingly as the twinkling stars up above the brilliant night sky, like something right out of a fairytale.

And what had us tethering at the end of our seats was none other than the most anticipated and the most unpredictable aurora borealis.

We’d been eagerly awaiting its arrival ever since our first day of arrival here. Yet, the aurora never once graced us with its magnificence…

MC: It would be great if we could catch the aurora on the last night at least.

Jesse: I know, right? I really wanna see it once too!

I turned back to look at him in suspicion.

MC: I recall this isn’t your first time seeing one; so do you seem more excited than me?

Jesse: Seeing it with you is a different experience…

Jesse awkwardly averted his gaze.

Jesse: Uh… I mean, you’re very amusing to look at when you get excited about every little thing.

MC: Now you’re just asking for it.

Who knows what this guy’s up to this time. I recalled how he’d exuberantly invited me onto this trip.

❖☆———————————★❖

Jesse: Let’s go on a trip together on your annual vacation next month! We’re going to the northernmost part of the country!

MC: Really? I’ve always wanted to go!

MC: Though the whole ‘attain a visa’ process was too cumbersome, so I shelved that plan almost immediately after.

Jesse: Just prepare all the things you need and leave the rest to me.

He straightened up, patted his chest, and confidently winked at me.

Jesse: Visas, flights, lodgings, itinerary; leave them all to me!

Jesse: All you needa do is to bring yourself!

❖☆———————————★❖

At the end of our trip, I really did accomplish what he told me to. I brought myself, one mouth and two legs; the complete set.

Is this what it means to be “carried” in the game of life?

Jesse: What are you inwardly giggling to yourself about…?

MC: How can I be “inwardly giggling” when I already told you?

He softly snorted at that, scuffing my nose with his knuckles.

There was a distant rumble of thunder as we spoke.

❖☆———————————★❖

I followed the sound, gazing out the window. There were heavy clouds on the horizon, crowding the once clear skies.

MC: But looking at the weather now, I don’t think there’s going to be an aurora borealis for us.

MC: And the neighbours also said that it might snow tonight when we bumped into them this morning…

Jesse patted my head that had hung in disappointment. He walked around me, coming up before the window and blocking my view of the dark clouds gathering outside.

❖☆———————————★❖

Jesse: Weather forecasts are nothing more than a reference. You never know, maybe the weather will get better later.

Jesse: But I’ve still got a few plans other than the aurora for the finale of our trip here.

MC: More plans for the finale?

Jesse: Yup! If we’re only basing it off on what’s close by… There’s a handicraft shop with lots of homemade crafts that I think you’ll really like.

Jesse: And if you want to go somewhere further out… There’s a restaurant in the city that serves local specialities. You can even go for a stroll around the city once you’re done eating.

MC: They all sound really interesting. Looks like you’re really good at keeping trump cards up your sleeve.

Jesse: Not just one.

He waggled his eyebrows, his lips uplifted into a smile and his face full of earnestness.

Jesse: I did all my homework to ensure that you’ll have a perfect trip.

MC: I’ll have to start seriously considering it then.

Faced with several enticing options, I finally decided on one after much contemplation…

⊹ ˚✩ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ∘◦ ✥ ◦∘ ━━━━━━━━━━━ ✩˚ ��

✥ Choose your Ending:

END 1 | Choice: Do Nothing [都不做]

END 2 + 3 | Choice: Approach [亲近] ⊹Touch⊹

END 4 | Choice: Listen [倾听] ❖ASMR

END 5 + 6 | Choice: Heart-throb [心动] ✩Light & Night★

❖☆————— ⊹ For Night, For Belief⊹ —————★❖

[crimsoncityhq]

PART I

One thing rang true and that was the prediction of the brutal blizzard of November 28th. Everyone prepped the best they could with the remembrance of how last Winter had ruthlessly blanketed their homes. There’s a frenzy for backup generators that get bought up in the Chicago stores for the anticipation. The first ominous whistle of the wind, and the pebbles of ice fall on the eve of Thanksgiving. Power flickers in each home giving them a moment of awkward darkness, before the backup generators kick in. The power companies in the city promise to have everyone serviced, but they start to service the scattered patches on the outskirts of the city first .

Most joked that was the brutal blizzard they had prepared for, until Mother Nature dropped her poker face. The ships with cargo became stuck in the harbor due to the icy fortress that froze over the gigantic lake. No lights of passing planes in the sky, as the wind turned into a sinister howl. Darkness engulfed the entirety of the city, except for a strip of hotels in neutral territory. The footmen of the families alert them that there seem to be only a handful of hotels that seem to be around. Meanwhile the temperature dips in the homes of those unlucky, and they must face a brash decision to not become the ice sculptures akin to the people of Pompeii. 

Multiple phone calls are done, and just as their phones are about to die they get a booking. A hotel that mentions that the accommodations might be crowded -- However, they can host your groups and promise warmth as long as the storm doesn’t shut them down. Everyone packs up their children, pets, and housemates to journey to the only solace that isn’t sold out in all Chicago.

After a restless eternity everyone was given a room number with their baggage ( human and otherwise ). The group of people that checked guests in alert them that there is a room for the animals to stay in kennels or they may accompany the others up to the room. Just when everyone was annoyed after being crowded in the lobby, and having to wait decades to get from one floor to another in the elevator.  It doesn’t help there’s always that one asshole that tries to asphyxiate everyone with their heinous flatulence. 

They FINALLY make it into their hotel room. Massive enough and customized with multiple full sized beds. No television, the heat blares up, it’s the poster child of the most bare necessities room. While everyone claimed a bed and stared haughty towards the guests that had ended up in the same room with them. A loud crackle followed by a slight rumble of their feet had the lights in the hotel rooms go off. The hotel doors seemed to have powered down, and anyone that tried to leave them --found they wouldn’t budge. A soft wheeze emitted from the heater in the room, and for a moment that’s the only noise in the room with you until the profanities start to flood. Winter wasn’t the only one that had prepped for the evening. The Walshes and their affiliates watch on with hidden elation as their plan goes into motion.

Part I will run from November 28th until December 3rd. Under the cut will be the groupings as well as some additional notes for this event.

Please don’t make any new starters open or closed that don’t pertain to this event while it’s happening. Normal replies can be done while the event is running, but it gets confusing timeline wise if people have additional threads that they start that would belong after the event timeline.

For this event specifically, the weather in Chicago is fictional. After the event you can feel free to glance at the Weather app and RP it out that way!

Animals will also be boarded at this neutral hotel. Keep in mind if the animals are left at your residence with the current temperature and no heat they will likely pass away.

Keep in mind that if your character has children (unless they are Walsh affiliates) they  likely have their kids in the room with them or any other NPC’s. If the character is a Walsh it was their choice to have them be ‘stuck’ in the room with them or left with a babysitter provided by the council.

For information on the bold names check the Walsh Discord channel. 

PREP PLOT SLOTS CHOSEN

 LIAM WALSH & IVY IVASHKOV volunteered to carpool with a hotel van to the hospital for sedatives and other harvesting supplies. AUDREY ROUSSEAU is already at the hospital and helps them fill the van before they all ride back to the hotel together. DAVUT DEMIR & KILLIAN WALSH are tasked with going to The Westin and sabotaging the hotel in time for the storm. They are told to do whatever necessary to make sure the hotel can’t accept any more guests before they return for the night. DARREN MURPHY took a smoke break after unloading only one of the supply vans at the hotel. LINCOLN DAWSON caught them smoking—as opposed to working—and made DARREN MURPHY finish unloading two other vans while they watched. 

ASLYN WALSH collected the weekly stash owed from the business owners at Magnificent Mile. She delivered the money to the council without prying eyes of local law enforcement or rival gangs catching on. ARMANDE IVASHKOV & another associate, had the dirty work of cleaning up the old blood stained hotel rooms used for organ harvesting the night before. They made it presentable before opening night. Their efforts were doubled when other affiliates weren’t aware of the chore, and had set off to bloody the room with a fresh harvest session.TARON LYNCH & JOANNA "JOEY" O'SHEA are instructed to sabotage the backup power generators on the north side. Surprisingly, they didn’t get caught. CAOILAINN WALSH had to “check” everyone into the hotel—AKA, assign each guest to a room. Everyone converges in the lobby and watches them impatiently, and the later it gets, the more aggressive the crowd becomes. ASLI DEMIR & FLETCHER HARGRAVE met with Jean Jaques “JJ” Baptiste and persuaded him by discussing terms of agreement for him to temporarily close Romanet Hotel the night of the massive storm.

ROOMS

ROOM #1: Arlo Flores, Fletcher Hargrave, Ira Evans, Jesse Valencia, Theodore "Teddy" Cohen

ROOM #2: Anastasia Sahin, Billie Washington, Josephine "Josie" Leon, Mathias Attano, Taron Lynch

ROOM #3: Andrea "Andy" Perez, Asli Demir, Blythe Sweetwine,Braden Kahale, Margeaux Saint Claire

ROOM #4: Alejandra Ruiz, Armande Ivashkov, Harlow Dumas,Jackson Marston, Lev Vasile, 

ROOM #5: Gwen Arnolds, Hana Faust,Jean-Jacques Baptiste De Romanet, Jessika Delmonica, Oisin Donnelly

ROOM #6: David Sharpe, Juno Song, Layla Jiminez, Nadia James, Nicola Faust, Peyton Bridges

ROOM #7: Callan Quinn, Effie Faust, Igor Vasile, Letitia "Tia" Valentine, Rosalie Halliday, Sutton James

ROOM #8: Addison Mckinley, Anton Volkov, Aries "Rhys" Rigsby, Cecilia Cavendish, Esmeray Demir, Lucian Faust

ROOM #9:  Aslyn Walsh, Catriona O'Shea, Oliver Faust, Tulsa Jane Honey

ROOM #10: Genevieve Bisset, Lee Malkovich, Levi Bohan, Maisie Kane, Saskia Vasile

ROOM #11: Amara Ricci, Auron Wright, Christine Li, Holden Mercer, Sloan Washington, Stefano Vitorri

ROOM #12: Edith Cohen, Ellis Rowe, Lavrenti "Lav" Vasile, Lincoln Dawson, Silas Hale

ROOM #13: Fabian Drake Kalashnyk, Carrigan Connolly, Cassidy Faust, Monika Adler, Nicholas Krieger

ROOM #14: Erin Cerci, Lada Antonovna, Leonid "Leo" Vasile, Rahi Kumar, Zoe Washington

ROOM #15: Abel Washington, Dominika Romanov, Faith Williams, Olivia Madden, Rosalia Leon, Cassandra Conally

ROOM #16: Atticus Mercer, Diamond Washington, Killian Walsh, Lorelai Faust, Oakley Butler

ROOM #17: Audric Noire, Mikhail Morosov, Noah Etkin, Nova Deveraux, Viktoriya Vasile

ROOM #18: Anatalya Vasile, Darren Murphy, Julia Faust, Konstantin Vasile, Violet Madden

ROOM #19: Davut Demir, Katarina Vasile, Veronica Pierce, Vincent St James, Zane Washington

ROOM #20: Beauregard “Beau” Griveaud, Blair Faust, Caoilainn "Callie" Walsh, Milo Arrington, Zedekiah Vasile

ROOM #21: Dante "Sebastian" Faust, Liam Walsh, Marissa Atkinson Orion Anderson, Vitomir Kipriyanov

ROOM #22: Andrew "Drew" Whittmore, Callum James, Ivy Ivashkov, Marie-Anne Beaulieu,  Nikolai Volkov ROOM #23: Audrey Rousseau,Barnaby Eaton, Constansia Fournier, Edie James, 

ROOM #24: Birdie Mendoza,Eleanor "Elle" Eaton, Joanna "Joey" O'Shea, Katya Ivanova, Wyatt Leon

[kmomof4]

Of Darkness, Vampires, and Soulmates

Ch. 6 Of Soulmates

We’re back y’all!!! I am so glad that you enjoyed last weeks installment and I’m hoping that you’ll like this one just as much, if not even more!!! We have quite a bit throwing back to canon in this chapter and I so hope you enjoy it!!! Thank you all again for coming along on this journey with me! Words cannot express how much it truly means to me!!!

@profdanglaisstuff​ and @hollyethecurious​ both deserve every good thing and all the love I can possibly give for their invaluable assistance and input in the crafting of this story!!! I also want to express my appreciation to the ladies of the CSSNS and the CSMM discords for their encouragement and help with a title! And finally to @spartanguard​ for bringing this story to LIFE every single week!!! Real life got in the way this week, so the chapter art will be up tomorrow. But even so, my heart is so full, just know that I’ll never be able to adequately express how much your hard work on behalf of this story means to me! I am immensely grateful!!! Thank you all so much ladies!!! I couldn’t have done this without you!!!

Chapter summary: 19yrs after leaving Massachusetts, Emma returns to Killian.

Rating: M (Violence and smut)

Words: 8751 of 41K total

Tags: Vampires, Soulmates, Reincarnation, Prophecy, Black Death, French Revolution, Magic, True Loves Kiss

Prologue | Ch1 | Ch2 | Ch3 | Ch4 | Ch5 | Ao3 chapter link | Ao3 fic link

Tag list: @hollyethecurious​ @winterbaby89​ @snowbellewells​ @stahlop​ @resident-of-storybrooke​ @jennjenn615​ @kingofmyheart14​ @profdanglaisstuff​ @thisonesatellite​ @branlovestowrite​ @ultraluckycatnd​ @flslp87​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @let-it-raines​ @shireness-says​ @kymbersmith-90​ @darkcolinodonorgasm​ @bethacaciakay​ @searchingwardrobes​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​ @teamhook​ @aprilqueen84​ @qualitycoffeethings​ @superchocovian​ @artistic-writer​ @donteattheappleshook​ @doodlelolly0910​ @seriouslyhooked​ @tiganasummertree​ @lfh1226-linda​ @nikkiemms​ @xsajx​ @klynn-stormz​

Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.

Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

Ch. 6 Of Soulmates

19yrs later Emma Swan Fisher drove down the meandering gravel road that purported to lead to the address, and the man, written on the envelope tucked into her purse. Purported, because she had left the main road almost three minutes ago and there was still no sign of the house. She finally came around a bend and laid eyes on the… her jaw dropped, eyes nearly bugging out of her head. It was a mansion, there was no other word for it. She pulled into a courtyard in front of the most magnificent home she had ever seen. Realizing what she probably looked like, her jaw snapped shut. Being seen gaping like a fish wouldn’t exactly be the best first impression.

Climbing the stairs to the front porch, she could see into the house through the top half of the door. It was designed like a farmhouse window with wood mullions dividing the glass into smaller windows so that she could easily see in. The doorbell echoed as a tall, older gentleman came toward the door. She stepped back as she waited for him to answer.

He opened the door and a gasp left his lips. “Miss Emma?” Surprise colored his words and his face. She stepped back further in alarm at his question, nearly taking a tumble off the steps. He reached out, catching her before she could fall. He was clothed in black slacks and white shirt, open at the top with the sleeves rolled up. He was probably a little old to be sporting a mostly grey ponytail, she guessed him to be in his late 50’s, early 60’s.

“Do I know you?” she asked, regaining her balance. He still held on to her by the elbow and she had to stop herself from jerking away from him. He was only trying to help her.

He looked down and chuckled. “No,” he admitted, “I don’t expect you do, Miss. But I certainly remember you, although you were only a wee lass when last I saw you.” He looked back up at her with a broad smile. “I expect that you are here for Master Killian.”

“Uh, yes,” she agreed.

“Please come in, lass,”  he invited, “I’m Starkey, his butler.” He held the door open for her and followed her into a bright, sunny room with floor to ceiling windows opposite letting in the late morning light. She followed him through several rooms, all sporting spectacular views of green lawns sloping down to the Atlantic, before he led her out to a screened-in porch, where she could just discern the waves breaking on the beach and the salty sea air wrapped around her like a blanket. She didn’t think she’d ever seen anything so beautiful and peaceful in all her life. “I’ll let Master Killian know that you’re here.”

“Thank you.” She nodded at him as he left the room. She was still stunned at the reception she had received when he had opened the door. It made the relationship that her mother must have had with this Killian Jones much more clear. If the butler knew who she was, and remembered her after all this time, they must have been very close, indeed. But if they were so close, why had Emma never heard of him? She knew, of course, that she had been born in Boston, and that the family had moved back to her mother’s birthplace in Minnesota when she was three. She’d been so young when they left Massachusetts, it never occurred to her to ask about their years there when she was growing up.  She had a feeling though, that she was soon to get a crash course about that time of her life.

She couldn’t decide if she was dreading it or excited about the prospect.

Emma shook her head. It didn’t matter. She had come here today for one purpose. To hand deliver this letter, written by her recently deceased mother, to the closest friend she had ever had. She had been given this task just a few weeks before Ingrid died. Emma sighed. Those days had been a blur. Anna and Elsa returning home, home health nurses around the clock, being woken in the middle of the night with the news that the end was near, sobbing in her sisters’ arms after she was gone, taking care of legal affairs, it was a miracle that she remained sane. Once everything had calmed down, she knew she had to fulfill her promise. So here she was. Her past had no bearing on what she was here to do. It had no bearing on her future. She’d deliver the letter and leave, duty fulfilled.

Suddenly, Emma felt a familiar shiver race down her spine. It had been awhile since she’d felt it, but not so long that it was wholly unfamiliar. She had felt a similar shiver occasionally over the years when she’d visited Boston with her college friends on the weekends. Especially when they visited the North End. But now, the tingling she’d felt under her skin when she entered the gates of the estate, intensified into full body chills before coalescing around her heart and almost tugging her back toward the main house. She turned away from the view of the ocean back into the house, only to meet another vision in the form of the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on.

A myriad of emotions paraded themselves across his beautiful features. Relief, joy, sadness, excitement, something else that she wouldn’t name. He looked at her as someone would look at their greatest pride and joy, and dearest love all at once.

“Emma,” he breathed.

Emma stepped toward the man slowly, trying to bring her racing heartbeat under control. Her steps faltered slightly as she approached him, trying to catalog everything about his appearance. He was young. Way too young to be a close friend to her 57 year old mother. He didn’t look to be any older than she was. His black hair was gently mussed as if he had a habit of running his hands through it, black scruff with just a hint of ginger, the bluest eyes she’d ever seen (and given the blue eyes of her mother and sisters, that was saying a lot). He was dressed casually in jeans and a gray pullover that stretched enticingly across his chest and biceps. She couldn’t help but wonder at the strength of those muscles and how they’d feel underneath her hands. A shiver of desire ran through her that she promptly squashed. Whoa! Where did that come from? She ran her tongue across her lips as her eyes met his. The tightness in her chest subsided briefly but then intensified as she approached him. Along with the tightness, a wave of dizziness overcame her so suddenly that her knees buckled and she nearly fell at his feet before he caught her in his strong arms.

“Emma,” he cried, “Are you all right?” His clear concern for her well being took the edge off the embarrassment she felt showing that kind of weakness to a virtual stranger.

“Y- yes,” she stammered, “I’m fine. Thank you.” She clutched at his forearms as she gathered her legs back under her and attempted to stand.

“Here,” He lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the small table in the breakfast nook before setting her down on one of the chairs. “How about I make us some hot chocolate? See if we can’t get you feeling a bit better.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. “Hot chocolate would be great.”

A few minutes later, Emma watched as her host placed two hot chocolates with whipped cream and cinnamon on the small table and sat down opposite her.

“How did you know how I liked my hot chocolate,” she asked, with a small smile.

A sad smile crossed his face as he shrugged. “Lucky guess. This was how Ingrid liked to drink hers.”

Emma took a sip of her drink. “I’m so sorry about that, Mr. Jones,” she apologized, with a shake of her head.

He waved away her apology. “No need to apologize, lass. I’m just glad that your color is a little better now that you have some ‘elixir of the gods’ in you, as Ingrid used to call it. And please,” his penetrating blue gaze seemed to pierce to her very soul, “call me Killian.” She nodded, unable to look away from the intensity of his gaze.

“It’s been many years since you and your family left Massachusetts, Emma.” He looked into her eyes, hope and a shyness that she didn’t expect swirling in their depths. She couldn’t explain this unexpected draw to him, but she wanted to stick around and try to get to the bottom of the mystery connecting this man to her family. “How is your mom? Your sisters?”

Emma was brought back to the man before her with the mention of her mother. “Oh, I’d nearly forgotten,” she exclaimed, reaching into her purse with the letter. “That’s why I’m here.” She handed the envelope to him. “My mom asked me to hand deliver this to you.” She looked down and tried to swallow over the sudden lump in her throat. He gently took it from her and she heard the rip of him tearing it open.

She looked up when he’d been silent for several moments reading the letter in his hands. Sorrow sat upon his brow and his eyes were very red, as if he were trying to hold back tears. He folded it back up and laid it on the table between them.

“So Ingrid is dead,” he sighed.

“Yes.”

“When your family didn’t come back four years ago and there was no contact, I was afraid that something like this might have happened,” he murmured. “Tell me,” he pleaded.

The clear anguish and sorrow on his face nearly broke her heart anew. She couldn’t possibly refuse him this, no matter how much she wanted to question him.

“The uterine cancer won in the end,” she began, haltingly. “She was diagnosed just before Christmas of my senior year in high school, 2012. Being so close to the Mayo Clinic, she was able to be treated there.”

Killian nodded. “They’re the best at what they do. I’m glad they were able to treat her.”

“She went into remission just before Anna and I graduated. Anna got her degree in graphic design from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and was planning a fall wedding, so,” she shrugged, “perfect timing.”

“Indeed.” His blue eyes bore into hers sending even more shivers of attraction down her spine that she felt helpless to stop.

“The type of cancer it was,” she continued, “we always knew there was a good chance of it coming back. We were planning on moving back here after I graduated, I was accepted to Harvard, but we decided that she should stay close to her doctors.” Killian nodded at her to continue. “She stayed healthy all through my years at Harvard, but…” here she faltered, trying to swallow down the lump that had formed again. “It came back. She told us the day after I graduated. She was dead three months later.”

Killian bowed his head in sorrow. “It’s taken this long for the estate to get settled and all the legal proceedings to wind up. I’m sorry.”

His head snapped back up again. “You have nothing to be sorry for, lass,” he choked out. “I’m glad you were able to come and give me the news in person, though. I wouldn’t have wanted to find out any other way.”

Emma could feel the blush rising on her face. “It was nothing,” she demurred, “I promised Mom.”

A few moments passed in silence before finally, Killian spoke. “Tell me about your sisters,” he encouraged. “Is Elsa still the quiet one?”

Emma laughed heartily. “As opposed to Anna? Yes! Absolutely!”

Killian chuckled. “I’ll never forget watching Anna learn to walk. She only walked for about a week and then she ran.” He chuckled again, shaking his head. “And never stopped.”

Emma laughed again. “That is still true. Anna is a bundle of energy. She surely needs it now...”

“Tell me about Elsa and Anna,” he repeated. “How are they?” Emma lightly shook her head, trying to focus on his question about her sisters instead of the obvious confusion surrounding his memory of her twenty-six year old sister.

“Elsa came home,” Emma began, “after Mom was first diagnosed. She took a job with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce and has made such a difference in the business community since then, that she’s running for Mayor, and doing very well in the polls. She’s also dating a guy she met at some shindig last year.” She laughed as Killian’s face fell into a tight frown. He certainly had the disapproving Dad look nailed.

“Well, tell me about him,” he very nearly growled. Emma couldn’t hold back her grin. “His name is Jack Frost, owns his own, very popular, restaurant, he’s 30, and treats her like a queen.”

Killian relaxed. “As long as he treats her right, I have no objection,” he huffed. Emma couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her. Killian’s face broke into a sheepish grin as his face and ears turned red and he scratched behind his ear again. Doubtless he realized just how ridiculous he sounded. His slight bashfulness was adorable as well as the protective instincts he just displayed. “And what about Anna?”

“Anna and Kristoff welcomed their first child, Aggie, last summer. They named him after Anna’s father.” A soft smile broke over her face. “Here’s a picture of Ingrid holding him,” she continued, pulling out her phone. “He was born about a month before she died.”

His smile matched hers. “I’m glad she was able to see and hold him.”

The bittersweet moment ended when Emma put her phone back away. Killian looked back up at her. “He’s obviously taking after Anna,” she added. “He has two speeds. On and off. He just started walking.” She couldn’t stop her smile from widening as she thought about her nephew. She looked back over at Killian who sported an almost awed joy on his face. How had she been drawn in so quickly and easily to this man? A man she had grown up not even knowing of his existence, and had only finally met such a short time ago. She couldn’t believe how easy he was to talk to, to share intimate details of the lives of her family with.

“And now, what about yourself, lass? You said you attended Harvard?” he asked.

“Yes,” she smiled, proudly. “I studied Sociology with a concentration in Family and Adoption.” She could feel her cheeks heating up. “I’m thinking about going to law school so that I could specialize in adoptions.” She shrugged and looked away from him. “Given our family history…” she trailed away.

She looked back up at him to see his face split in the widest grin she had ever seen. “I don’t think I could be more proud of you,” he murmured. “That’s wonderful, Emma.”

She could feel the blush spreading again but she maintained eye contact with him, basking in his praise. Why was she so receptive to him? So willing to accept his admiration. She barely knew him!

She fixed him with a hard, confused stare. “Okay, now it’s my turn.” Killian scratched behind his ear in what she recognized as a nervous tic. Something wasn’t right here and physical attraction aside, she was determined to get to the bottom of it. “How exactly did you know my mom? She said that you were her best friend. You tell me stories of my twenty-six year old sister as a toddler. But you don’t look any older than I am.”

Killian chuckled and his ears turned red again as he took a sip of his drink. “I’m much older than I look, lass,” he admitted.

She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Descendant of Numenor, blessed with long life,” she sassed.

He chuckled again. “Not quite.”

“So how old are you?”

“I’m a lot older than I look.” He fixed her with just as hard a stare as she’d leveled at him. “Let’s just leave it at that. But believe me when I tell you, that not only was I Ingrid’s closest friend, she was also mine.”

His cerulean gaze spoke to the deepest part of her. She knew that he was telling her the truth. Emma prided herself on being able to tell when someone was lying. A sixth sense, so to speak, that was unfailingly accurate if someone was trying to feed her a load of bull. That sixth sense was eerily silent at his statements.

She nodded. “Okay.” She had no idea why she was backing down. Yes, he was telling her the truth, but he wasn’t telling her all of it. How could he be when he didn’t look as old as Anna was now, much less old enough to be such an intimate friend of her mother? She didn’t want to let him off the hook quite so easily, but the quickening of her heartbeat and the tug she felt toward him ever since seeing him for the first time only confirmed what everything else about this encounter pointed toward. The reception she had received, both from him and his butler, and his obvious love for her mother and knowledge of her sisters, all combined to tell her one thing. She was exactly where she belonged. She was home. She knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that she could trust this man in front of her. Knowing that was one thing, acting on it however, was quite another.

“Please,” she begged. “I do trust you. I just want to know your connection with my family.” She knew that she was treading on thin ice, pushing him on this, but she couldn’t help the natural curiosity and desire to put together the puzzle that had been presented her in this man.

“Perhaps that would be a better topic of conversation at a more… neutral location.” Her brow furrowed at his words. “I will answer all your questions. You have my word. I have a lunch appointment that I must depart for soon in order to make, but may I escort you to dinner this evening?”

Emma’s eyebrows jumped nearly to her hairline. “Are you asking me on a date? You just met me!” she exclaimed.

“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” He chuckled. “Then yes, I guess I am.” His face turned serious, his eyes burning into hers, sending her heart rate into a gallop. “Would you go out with me, Swan?”

“What did you say?” She felt the blood drain from her face. “Why did you call me that?”

Killian also paled. “It’s your middle name. Anna thought you should have it because of your birthmark.” Her hand rose to her neck where her birthmark was. “Ingrid told me on the day you were born.” He rose from the table and kneeled before her, holding out his hand. “Please, Emma,” he begged, “I know it seems crazy.”

“Yes, it does,” she exclaimed, standing to her feet, her heart galloping in her chest. “Much older than you look? Telling me about the day I was born and when Anna learned to walk? Do you know what you sound like?”

Killian looked down at the floor. “Like a madman, I’m sure.” He looked back up at her, his azure eyes pleading. “And if your face is telling me anything, you’re ready to run out my door and never come back.”

“How can you know that?” she whispered.

His eyes grew soft as they gazed into her own. “I hope you’ll forgive me for saying so, but you’re something of an open book.” He cocked his head to the side as he looked at her awaiting her answer. “Please give me a chance.”

She continued to stare at him, the two opposing voices in her head vying for dominance. The one telling her that it was too much, it was too soon, the mystery of the man in front of her didn’t matter. This, he, was dangerous and she would be well served to run as fast and as far away as she could. But the second voice spoke from her heart and told her what she already knew. She could trust him. She could look in his eyes and see how much he cared for her, how much he loved her. She didn’t understand how it was possible, but she knew that everything he had told her today was the truth. That piece of her heart, that she never knew she had until today, responded back to his. She placed her hand in his outstretched one.

Killian’s face rivaled the sun at noon as his fingers curled around her own. He rose to his feet before her. “Thank you, Swan.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed her knuckles with his lips, never taking his eyes off of hers. A gasp escaped her as her heart rate sped up even further with a flood of arousal coming over her. He turned her hand over in his own and closed his eyes as he seemed to inhale deeply, drawing his nose along the inside of her wrist. He held his breath for several seconds before slowly letting it out, his warm breath brushing along her skin and raising goosebumps in his wake. His eyes opened and met hers again. “Where may I pick you up this evening?”

Emma swallowed heavily, trying to will her heart rate to slow down. “I’m at The Harborside Inn.”

“I know exactly where it is,” he declared. “I’ll see you at 8.”

~*~*~

Emma opened the door after his knock rang through the cozy, comfortably furnished room. Her eyes widened in appreciation as her eyes landed on him standing on her threshold. He appeared to be equally speechless.

“You look stunning, Swan,” he breathed.

“I, uh…” He looked to be dressed all in black. From the dark silk shirt and waistcoat, showing just a peek of dark chest hair to the black jeans and boots on his feet. A black leather jacket completed the ensemble. The same tingling under her skin she felt earlier intensified into the full body chills and heart tug yet again as her eyes raked hungrily over him. “Thank you.”

His appearance made her doubly grateful that she had done some shopping that afternoon after leaving his estate. She had found a small boutique near her hotel and was helped by a perky blonde saleslady who helped her find the perfect dress and accessories for her date tonight. She wore a pink flowing number with cap sleeves and a v neckline paired with nude pumps while pulling her hair back into a high ponytail. If his widened eyes and shortness of breath were any indication, she did good.

He shook himself out of his apparent daze and held out his arm to her. “Shall we, milady?”

“We shall,” she replied, smiling and slipping her arm through his.

He led her downstairs and out the back toward the pier. Her eyes widened in surprise as they landed on a full sized ship that looked straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. Killian preened beside her at her reaction. “Is that yours?” she asked, flabbergasted.

“She is, indeed,” he replied, proudly. “Behold, the Jolly Roger!”

She couldn’t wipe the shock off her face if she tried. She turned to him, mouth hanging open. “The Jolly Roger? Like from Peter Pan? Are you serious?”

He led her up the gangplank and down onto the deck of the ship. A chuckle escaped his lips and a delighted grin adorned his features as his eyes danced. “Peter Pan is my favorite book of all time. Although I’m definitely partial to Captain Hook. So, of course, I had to name her the Jolly Roger.”

She couldn’t help but smile back at him as he led her to the helm. “So, where are we going that it takes a ship to get there?”

Killian’s grin grew even more, if possible. “I got in touch with an old friend of mine this afternoon. He owns a restaurant on the other side of the island. Very upscale, very popular, reservation only. It’s booked solid for the next three years. Most of the menu changes daily according to what the fishermen bring in, but his lobster dishes are the best to be found in all of New England. He was very pleased to arrange an extra seating for us this evening.” Killian drew her into his side as he steered the ship away from the pier and out to the open water. “The Nautilus is right on the water and we can pull in right there and enjoy our meal.” His eyes sparkled in the moonlight as he looked down at her. She couldn’t suppress the shiver his gaze engendered as she returned his scrutiny. There it was again. The bone deep certainty that she was home. That at his side was where she was supposed to be. Her gaze drifted to his lips as his tongue peeked out between them. He cleared his throat, drawing her eyes back up to his. The hunger she saw there nearly took her breath away.

He looked back out over the water as the lights of Edgartown faded behind them. But she would have none of it. Throwing caution to the wind, she reached up and cupped his face in her hands and turned his face toward her again before drawing him into a kiss.

Killian groaned into her mouth as she opened in invitation. He gathered her to him even more tightly, her body lining up perfectly to his. Her earlier thought about how his muscles would feel under her hands came back to mind as her own hands wrapped around his biceps as their tongues tangled until she pulled away trying to catch her breath.

“That was…” Killian trailed away, his forehead resting on hers.

“Yeah,” she breathed.

~*~*~

“Killian!” an older bald man exclaimed striding towards them with his arm outstretched.

“Nemo!” Killian called out. Emma immediately mourned the loss of heat when Killian removed his hand from the small of her back to greet his friend. The men met halfway and clasped hands before pulling each other into an affectionate embrace. Emma couldn’t help but smile at the camaraderie between them.

Killian led his friend back to where she stood. The genuine smile that lit up his features put her even more at ease at meeting someone who clearly meant a lot to him.

“Emma, I’d like you to meet Captain Nemo,” he introduced. Her face broke into a delighted grin to match his own. “Nemo, my old friend, this is Emma Fisher.” He shot her a bashful, almost apologetic look as Nemo took her hand in between his.

“It is so lovely to meet you, my dear,” he enthused, pumping her hand up and down. “When Killian called this afternoon, I was delighted to add one more seating to the evening.” He cut his eyes back toward Killian. “We’ve been friends a very long time, but it’s also been a very long time since I’ve seen him. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see this one again.”

“It’s very nice to meet you as well, Captain,” she replied. “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is one of my favorite adventures from when I was a kid.”

Nemo beamed at her even more than he already was. “I’m so glad! It is also my favorite story. I very much identified with Captain Nemo for many, many years, before I met Killian in the course of my travels. It was his influence that turned me onto a better, nobler path.” Mirth and a bit of mischief could be seen in his eyes as he looked at Killian again.

Killian blushed and scratched behind his ear. The move was even more endearing now, in the presence of his friend, than it was earlier.

“But enough about that,” Nemo continued, “Let me show you to your table.” Killian’s hand returned to the small of her back as they followed Nemo through the large, but very intimate dining room. The low lights and ample space between tables, she could only see five, created an ambiance that sent a flutter of awareness down her spine as they followed their host into another, much smaller room. It contained a single table, set for two. Emma gasped at the loveliness of the setting. The small table was covered by a white tablecloth that fell to the floor. A tall, navy blue pillar candle in a hurricane lamp with a ring of yellow buttercups around the base adorned the center of the table. Killian came around her and held her chair out for her.

“So now you’re going to be a gentleman?” She smirked at him.

“I’m always a gentleman, Swan,” he cooed, his warm breath brushing the shell of her ear as she sat down. She sent him a small smile as he removed his jacket and seated himself across from her.

Their waiter approached to fill their water glasses. “What may I bring you to drink?” Nemo asked, stepping aside to give the waiter room.

“A bottle of the Premier Cru Les Vaillons 2015, if you please, sir,” Killian decided. He leaned over to her, whispering, “An excellent vintage for the lobster that’s being served tonight.” She nodded her acknowledgement before looking up at their host again.

“Excellent choice,” Nemo agreed. “I’ll get that right out to you and your meals will be out shortly.” Nemo and their waiter disappeared and she was finally able to direct her attention to her company for the evening. She could see the flickering yellow candlelight in his eyes that sparkled in the low lighting. His pupils dilated as he watched her, whether from the lighting or desire, she couldn’t tell.

His eyes grew dark when she lightly wet her lips. She returned his obvious admiration until Nemo returned with their wine. “Your Lobster Thermidor is being prepared as we speak,” he informed them as he poured their wine. “The lobster was harvested this very afternoon after I spoke with you, Killian. It will be served with a simple green salad topped with a light herb vinaigrette and couscous.” Nemo backed away and gave a slight bow to the couple. “It was truly a pleasure to meet you, Emma and I hope you both enjoy your evening here at the Nautilus.”

Killian smiled. “Thank you, my friend. I’m sure we will.” Nemo withdrew and left them alone.

Conversation was light as they waited for their meals. Ranging from favorite books and television shows to a quite vigorous debate on whether Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies lived up to his Lord of the Rings saga. Casual and light touches did nothing to quell the simmering desire brought up by their earlier kiss. Aware of the desire in his eyes, and sending him a sultry smile back, she knew there was only one way she wanted the evening to end. Once their meals arrived, they both dug into the succulent dish accompanied, on her part, with moans of delight as she’d never tasted anything so delicious. Killian appeared spellbound as she swirled a piece of bread in the last of the creamy sauce left behind on her plate. She looked up at him and was gratified to see the desire in his eyes as she opened her mouth and laid the piece of bread on her tongue before closing her lips around her fingers and drawing them out of her mouth.

Normally, she wouldn’t be so bold as to play the blatant seductress, but the connection she had felt with him, even after she had left him earlier today, plus the effect of the wine was definitely playing a part in her attempts to flirt. He ran his tongue across his lips and a different kind of hunger colored his countenance before he seemed to shake himself out from under her spell. She couldn’t help the stab of disappointment she felt when he looked down at their table.

“Before this goes any further, Emma…” he looked up and his voice trailed away. The darkness of his eyes flashed blood red and a rage that she had only read about took over his visage.

Her sharp intake of breath and her face going pale snapped him out of whatever had overtaken him. He turned conciliatory and concerned eyes upon her. “Emma, are you all right?” He reached out and grabbed her hand with his own.

“Am I alright? What about you?” she asked. “What was that?” She turned to look behind her where the back of the restaurant was a glass wall looking out on the water. She could see nothing that might have incited the drastic change in her companion. “Your eyes went red and I’ve never seen anyone so angry as what I saw on your face just now.”

He shook his head. Not in denial, but in sorrow. “I’m sorry, Emma. I…” he looked back at her. “I promised to answer all your questions. I didn’t want to do it tonight, I was hoping to postpone that just for a little while. I just wanted us to have a fun evening, as a proper first date should be. A chance to get to know each other a little bit. Enjoy each other's company. But circumstances have changed enough that I see I’m going to have to answer all your questions tonight. And I can only hope that you’ll listen, believe, and not reject me. And what is between us.” He stared earnestly into her eyes, hope and trepidation mixing in his until she couldn’t discern which was stronger.

The connection she felt and the trust she had placed in him prompted her to nod her head at him to continue. But nothing could have prepared her for what came out of his mouth.

“You wanted to know what my connection was to your family.” She nodded. “You wanted to know how old I am.” She nodded again. He swallowed heavily. “I am a 450 year old vampire.”

Emma’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t make sense out of what she had just heard. “W-what?” she stammered.

“Please don’t make me say it out loud again.” He shut his eyes, his anguish etched across his face. “You heard exactly what I said.”

She shook her head. “Yes,” she agreed, “I heard what you said. But…”

“I told you that I was much older than I looked,” he interrupted, “and you said you believed me.” The pleading she saw in his eyes nearly undid her.

“Yes, I believed you. I have a thing about lies.” She shook her head again, trying to clear it, before dropping it into her propped up hands. “I can tell when someone is lying to me. And I know you weren’t.”

“Look at me, please, Emma,” he begged her. She lifted her head and looked into his earnest, forthright eyes. “Everything I will tell you is the truth. You have to trust me,” he pled.

“I trust you,” she whispered.

He nodded and took a deep breath, seemingly to gather himself. “In answer to your first question, my connection with your family is this. I met Ingrid when she was a child,” he began. Truth. “I saved her life when her parents were killed.” Truth. “I was a close friend and watched her grow up.” Truth. “I was there when she took custody of your sisters and when she adopted you.” Truth.

“I’m telling you all this now because the monster that made me what I am, is here. He’s here for you.” He looked at her again, pleading with her to believe him.

“Why me?”

“We are soulmates,” he asserted. “And we are prophesied to destroy him. Rumplestiltskin.”

She was speechless for a long moment.

“Rumplestiltskin?” she croaked, finally finding her voice. “As in Rumplestiltskin Rumplestiltskin? The fairy tale Rumplestiltskin?”

“All the fairy tales that you know and love, were, at one time, real. They happened to real people. Their true stories have largely been lost, but some still survive in some form. The true story of Rumplestiltskin is much more sinister than the fairy tale you know. He was the first vampire. Created by Darkness from the dawn of time. The baby from the fairy tale was my older brother, Liam. When my mother defeated him, he swore vengeance upon our family. He took that vengeance thirty years later. He murdered Liam, in front of me, and then made me what I am. It was then that I swore vengeance upon him.”

Her heart flooded with compassion for him. The pain of that loss lay plainly upon his brow. She reached out and threaded her fingers through his. He looked up at her, surprised. “I’m so sorry. It may have been hundreds of years ago, but it obviously still pains you.”

He gave her a small smile before looking down at their joined hands. “It does.” He squeezed her hand and ran his thumb along her knuckles. “But this helps.”

“Liam’s murder and my turning happened on the Jolly. In the captain's cabin. I couldn’t return home to my family, so I renamed the ship and became a pirate. In 1650, I found a prophecy in my log book. A prophecy concerning the destruction of Rumplestiltskin. The Blue Fairy, she was the fairy godmother to our family, wrote it. I found it then, but promptly forgot about it until almost sixteen years later. When I met my soulmate for the first time,” his blue eyes bored into hers, “Emma Swan.”

Emma gasped. “Me?”

“You,” he confirmed.

Emma’s head was spinning. As much as she believed him, she did, trying to wrap her mind around everything he had already told her was proving difficult. He was her soulmate. Her soulmate! Did soulmates even exist? Apparently they did, given the connection that she’d felt since she met him. She looked over at him, knowing that the trepidation she was feeling had to be written all over her face. He looked at her so earnestly, so hopeful, with so much love. As nervous as he obviously was to begin his story, none of those nerves were in evidence now. He had laid it all out for her and was waiting for her response.

“I…” she stammered.

“There’s more,” he continued.

Emma withdrew her hand from his to drop her face into them. “How much more,” she moaned.

“I can tell you more about yourself,” he admitted, “and your past, I can tell you more about what my life has been like. But if you’d rather I not, you’ve got the most important information. We can save all that for another time, if you prefer.”

She raised her head and waved her hands around. “Yeah, I think I’d appreciate that. Don’t think I’m ready at the moment for any more.”

Killian took one of her hands in his own again. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that our first date took this turn, Emma.”

Captain Nemo approached their table. “How did you enjoy your meal, my friends?” he boomed.

Emma turned to him somewhat startled only to catch a look of significance pass between the two men. “It was w-wonderful,” she stammered. “What?” she questioned, looking back and forth between them. Killian looked back at her, somewhat abashed.

“It’s nothing, Swan,” he contended.

Emma felt the indignation rise underneath her breastbone. She rose from her chair and placed her hands on the table. “Don’t lie to me. I told you I could tell when someone was lying to me.”

Killian’s face immediately fell in shame. “You are absolutely correct, Emma. I apologize.” He motioned back to her chair. “Please sit back down?”

Emma took a deep breath before murmuring her acceptance of his apology and returning to her seat.

“Nemo was relaying what we already knew.” Killian looked back at his friend. “That Rumplestiltskin is outside.”

Emma’s head whipped back to their host so quickly, she heard and felt a pop in her neck. “How do you know?” she asked, astonished.

“I told you, Swan, that he was an old friend.”

Emma turned overwhelmed and incredulous eyes back upon Killian. “Just how old are we talking here?”

Killian’s focus on her face never wavered as he lay yet another truth before her. “Nemo and I have been friends since we met for the first time toward the end of the nineteenth century. Nemo is the Captain Nemo that Jules Verne made famous, in a supposed work of fiction, in the early 1860’s.”

Emma could feel the panic rising up within her, making it hard to breathe. She shook her head again and rose once more. “I don’t think I can handle any more of this.” She could barely look at Killian, not wanting to see the disappointment she was sure was in his eyes. “Captain, would you be so kind as to call me a cab?” She spoke to the table again. “Killian, I can’t… I just can’t right now. Please, just leave me alone.”  Pushing her emotions deep down, Emma turned from the table and walked as calmly as she could toward the front of the restaurant.

~*~*~

Nemo approached Killian, still sitting utterly forlorn at the table. “You’re not just going to sit there, are you?” he asked.

Killian looked up incredulously at his friend and rose from the table. “Bloody hell, of course not! With Rumplestiltskin out there? What do you take me for?”

Nemo chuckled. “Just making sure, my friend,” he said, clapping him on the back. “Your cab will be here in moments.”

Grim determination adorned his features. “Thank you, Nemo. I’ll not let anything happen to her. Not this time.”

“I know you won’t,” he replied. “That’s why I asked for two cabs to be sent when I called. I knew you wouldn’t want to let her out of your sight.”

Killian rose from the table and placed his hand on Nemo’s shoulder. “You surmised correctly, my friend.”

“She is still in the lobby, waiting for hers. As soon as they arrive, I’ll get her on her way, and then you can come out. I don’t imagine that she’d want to see you waiting as well.”

“I’d imagine not,” Killian conceded.

Nemo left then toward the front of the restaurant. Killian turned toward the glass wall. “I know you’re there,” he growled, “and you’re not going to get her. Not if I have anything to say about it.” His eyes flashed red, and he stormed out of the room.

~*~*~

Emma stood at the door to her room when the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She had understandably felt anxious from the moment she had left The Nautilus. As much as she hated to admit it, she felt exposed and out from under Killian’s protection. She’d had to fight with herself to not rub her arms trying to will away the fear that licked under her skin. But now that fear was intensified for no apparent reason. She opened the door and entered the darkened room, closing and locking the door behind her.

That only made the goosebumps already along her skin tighten even further. The panic from earlier was making a reappearance as she made her way to the bed to turn on the lamp at the bedside table. She drew in a stuttered breath as the lamp cast its soft glow around the room.

A sound she’d never heard the likes of in all her born days drew her attention to the corner of the room. It was a giggle. Of course, she had heard a giggle before, but this was altogether different. It was a sound that she could imagine coming from a homicidal maniac on the big screen or from a creature released from the pits of hell to do what it pleased with the inhabitants of the earth. It was full of a depraved glee that shot waves of terror down her spine.

She turned toward the sound and beheld something that she couldn’t have conceived of in her worst nightmares. Green skin shimmered in the low light, lank hair lay hopelessly tangled around its face, but it was the eyes that forced the scream out of her mouth. At the same instant, the creature waved its hand towards her and the scream was cut off as if with the sharpest knife. She was frozen in place, unable to move as the creature moved deliberately towards her.

She should never have left Killian. It was one thing to listen to what he had to say. It was another to believe and trust him. But it was altogether different to see the things he spoke of alive and in person. At the time, it was a bridge too far to stay with him. And she was going to pay the ultimate price for her folly. She was about to die at the hands of this terrifying monster. Her frozen state notwithstanding, the terror and panic were about to steal her consciousness away. Red eyes and fangs were going to be the last things she ever saw. A lone tear tracked down her cheek. I’m sorry, Killian.

~*~*~

Killian arrived at Emma’s door with the Blue Fairy only to find it locked. The fairy closed her eyes, apparently trying to ascertain if there was any danger nearby. He knocked on the door.

“Emma, it’s Killian, darling,” he said, as he rattled the door knob in his hand. “Please let me in. I don’t want to leave you alone with Rumplestiltskin still out there.”

The Blue Fairy’s eyes flew open. “He’s in there!” she cried, “He’s in the room with her.”

That was all Killian needed to hear. He backed up and kicked the door in with all his might. His beloved was standing near her bed, frozen. Just as he had been all those years ago. His sire stood several feet away from her yet, not having had enough time to execute his foul plans. Killian rushed to Emma and gathered her frozen form in his arms.

“I’ve got you, my darling,” he crooned in her ear. “I won’t let him hurt you. Blue will take care of him for the moment.” He turned to where the two magical beings were locked in a fierce struggle. Dark and light magic sparked and crackled between the adversaries as they met in the center of the room.

Killian lifted Emma in his arms and called to the Blue Fairy as he ran out of the room. An inhuman howl of rage followed them out as the fairy shrunk down to her normal size and led them out the fire exit into the night. Once they were outside the building, she waved her wand over Emma’s frozen form. The enchantment that held her dissolved and she collapsed into Killian’s arms.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed, “I’m so sorry! I never should have left you!” She cried into his shoulder as he held her tightly against him.

“Shhh,” he crooned, stroking her hair. “Shhhhhhh. You’re safe now. I’ve got you.” Turning to the fairy who hovered a short distance away, he asked, “Can you transport us to the Jolly? It’s still at The Nautilus.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” she agreed. A cloud of blue smoke enveloped them and the next thing they knew they stood at the helm of the Jolly Roger. They looked into the restaurant where they had enjoyed a marvelous dinner only a short time before and saw Nemo standing at the window. His face was suffused with joy as he raised a hand to them in farewell.

~*~*~

Once they were out to sea, Emma knew they had over half an hour before they’d arrive back at Killian’s estate. She leaned on the gunwale and stared out at the moon and stars shining down on the gentle waves. The chill that pulled her toward Killian was ever present when he was near, but now, she knew he stood just behind her.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked.

“Aye, beautiful,” he murmured.

She couldn’t hold back her smirk. “Why do I have the feeling that you aren’t talking about the same thing I am?”

He mirrored her position against the gunwale and looked down at her. “Perhaps I’m not,” he agreed.

“I’m sorry for running,” she confessed, looking down at her clasped hands. “I just couldn’t…” she paused, searching for the right word,  “deal… with everything you were telling me.”

“You’ve no need to apologize, Swan,” he demurred. “Laying all that on you at once, when our attachment was still so new… anyone would have reacted the same.”

“But I nearly lost you,” she began, “because of my foolishness. You almost lost me. If Rumplestiltskin had succeeded, I’d be dead right now and we wouldn’t be able to destroy him.”

Killian turned and gathered her into his arms. “Oh, my darling,” he whispered into her hair. “We are soulmates. Unbound by time. This is the fourth time you’ve lived, and if that monster had taken you again, you’d eventually be reborn again and we’d destroy him next time.” He continued to stroke her back and she could feel the last of the fear and anxiety at what had happened tonight leave her body. With a deep breath, she melted further into his embrace. He pulled back slightly until he could look into her eyes. “I’ve waited centuries for you, my love.” He pulled her back to him. “And I would wait centuries more. I’d go to the end of the world for you. Or time.”

“What if you made me a vampire?” she speculated. She looked back up at him. He was already shaking his head. “Is that possible? Do you know how to do it?” She was starting to get excited. She plowed ahead, even in the face of his reluctance. “Then he couldn’t kill me. I’d be able to stay with you, but we could take our time and formulate a foolproof plan to destroy him, and when we were ready, we could bring the battle to him, instead of always being on the defensive.” She was rambling now, she knew it, but she had to convince him that her idea had merit.

“Emma, I could never inflict on you what was forced on me,” he began.

“But you wouldn’t be inflicting it on me,” she interrupted. “I’m willingly asking for it. Think about it. Please, think about it. Promise me that you will. This will work. If you agree.”

The pleading desperation in her eyes was his undoing. Killian sighed. “I don’t need to think about it,” he acknowledged. “You’re right. Making you a vampire, like me, would give us the greatest weapon available to us, time. And protection for you that in 350 years, I’ve been unable to provide. The night you and your family left Massachusetts, he was waiting for me in my kitchen when I arrived home, holding Starkey captive. I was able to subdue him that night because actions I had taken years beforehand had finally given me the advantage in our strange, centuries long relationship. When that was over, Blue gave me a vision of how to destroy him. But that doesn’t mean that it will be easy, nor that we’d be ready to try it in the near future.” He breathed deeply and released a long, slow exhale. “When we get home, I’ll show you to your room and I want you to really think about this. To really deal with everything you’ve learned tonight. You needn’t fear him breaching our sanctuary. That night, before she left, Blue placed magical barriers around the estate and the Jolly that prevents him from entering.”

Emma rested her head back on his chest, her soul enveloped in peace. Peace only he could give. The peace that came from finding her soulmate. The one she was destined to be with. The one that she would remain with. Forever.

~*~*~

Thank you for reading and sharing!

[techcrunchappcom]

New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/ap-news-in-brief-at-604-a-m-est-national/

AP News in Brief at 6:04 a.m. EST | National

States submit vaccine orders as coronavirus death toll grows

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — States faced a deadline on Friday to place orders for the coronavirus vaccine as many reported record infections, hospitalizations and deaths, while hospitals were pushed to the breaking point — with the worst feared yet to come.

The number of Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 hit an all-time high in the U.S. on Thursday at 100,667, according to the COVID Tracking Project. That figure has more than doubled over the past month, while new daily cases are averaging 210,000 and deaths are averaging 1,800 per day, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Arizona reported more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases for the second straight day Friday as the number of available intensive care unit beds fell below 10% statewide. Hospital officials have said the outbreak will exceed hospital capacity this month.

The state expects to get enough doses of new coronavirus vaccines by the end of the year to inoculate more than 383,000 health care workers and long-term care facility residents, the state’s health director said Friday. Next in line are teachers and other essential workers, followed by older Arizonans or people otherwise at higher risk of serious cases of COVID-19.

Nevada reported 48 new deaths from the coronavirus Thursday, marking the deadliest day since the onset of the pandemic as cases and deaths continued to rise more than a week after new restrictions were implemented on businesses. One hospital was so full it was treating patients in an auxiliary unit in the parking garage.

Is Georgia a swing state? Groups spend millions to find out

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs don’t take place until Jan. 5. But there are already some clear winners.

At the state’s most influential television station, Atlanta’s WSB, an ad that cost candidates $8,000 in July now goes for about $18,000. In the smaller market of Savannah, ad rates have soared nearly twentyfold.

With control of the Senate, and the scope of President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda in the balance, the millions in political spending verges on something close to an unlimited budget.

The contest will test the limits of how far money can go in a political climate in which both sides are entrenched and few voters seem open to changing their minds. And President Donald Trump has complicated the contest by claiming baselessly that the November election in Georgia was beset by fraud.

Also at stake: whether Georgia, long a Republican stronghold, may be on the road to swing-state status, particularly after Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1992 to carry the state.

Biden weighs pick for agriculture chief from diverse slate

WASHINGTON (AP) — One leading candidate for agriculture secretary hails from Cleveland, has the backing of progressives and has worked for years to boost food stamp programs. Another is a former senator from farm-state North Dakota who has championed production agriculture and boasts of a voting record squarely in the middle.

Three other possible selections have similarly varied backgrounds — one helped write and implement federal regulations for organic foods, another is California’s agriculture secretary and represented wine grape growers, and a third has spent his career ensuring protections for farm workers.

President-elect Joe Biden’s choices for secretary of agriculture are as diverse as the department of 100,000 employees that she or he would represent — and is especially critical this year as USDA provides extra aid for the hungry and oversees food production amid the pandemic.

For Biden, the emerging choice between Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and several other potential candidates seems like another test of his vision for the Democratic Party — a contest between urban and rural and liberals and moderates, with the pick potentially placing an added emphasis on anti-hunger programs, farm subsidies or worker protections.

Besides Fudge and Heitkamp, other candidates mentioned for the post — and who have been pushed by some advocacy groups — are Kathleen Merrigan, deputy agriculture secretary under President Barack Obama and one of the architects of federal organic rules; Karen Ross, California’s agriculture secretary, former USDA chief of staff and a former longtime president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers; and Arturo Rodriguez, the former president of the United Farm Workers.

Pressure mounts on Biden to make diverse picks for top posts

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is facing increasing pressure to expand the racial and ideological diversity in his choices for Cabinet and other top jobs. A month and a half before he takes office, he’s drawing rebukes from activists who fear he’ll fall short on promises to build an administration that looks like the country it governs.

Of the nine major picks Biden has made so far, only two — Secretary of State choice Antony Blinken and chief of staff Ron Klain — are white men. That’s a historic low that so far outpaces the historically diverse Cabinet that Barack Obama assembled in 2009.

But civil rights leaders are grumbling that none of the “big four” Cabinet positions – the secretaries of state, defense and treasury and the attorney general – has yet gone to a person of color. And Biden is declining to commit to doing so.

“I promise you, it’ll be the single most diverse Cabinet based on race, color, based on gender that’s ever existed in the United States of America,” the president-elect said instead during a news conference Friday.

That came after Congressional Hispanic Democrats expressed dismay during a call with Klain and other Biden advisers on Thursday about the treatment of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who reportedly removed her name from consideration to be the new administration’s interior secretary. They urged that she remain a candidate to head the more prominent Department of Health and Human Services, but it’s not clear she will.

Swiss slopes buzz as those of neighbors sit idle in pandemic

GENEVA (AP) — Two weeks after beating COVID-19, Thierry Salamin huffs as his ski boots crunch through Swiss snow near the Matterhorn peak, readying for a downhill run with his mood as bright as his blue and fluorescent yellow ski getup and the sun overhead.

The 31-year-old real estate agent from the southwestern Swiss region of Wallis can’t believe he is skiing during a pandemic, let alone one that he personally endured — and which has driven a wedge between his country and its Alpine neighbors over where people can ski, and where they can’t.

While the coronavirus resurgence has led Austria, France, and Italy to shut or severely restrict access to their ski stations this holiday season, Switzerland has kept its slopes open — a move that has fanned grumbling about an unlevel playing field when it comes to Alpine fun.

“It’s true, we’re privileged,” said Salamin, enthusing about the “paradise” of the Zermatt slopes and gesturing over the ridgeline toward Italy. “It’s too bad that people can’t go skiing on the Italian side, because those slopes are magnificent.”

The discord among countries during the worst pandemic in a century cuts across issues of health, business, economy, culture and wellbeing. But it also violates one of the key tenets that the World Health Organization promotes to help fight COVID-19: solidarity.

California on the brink: Virus rages and closures imminent

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Much of California is on the brink of sweeping new restrictions on businesses and activities, a desperate attempt to slow the frighteningly rapid escalation of coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm hospitals.

Five San Francisco Bay Area counties imposed a new stay-at-home order for their residents that will take effect Sunday. Southern California and a large swath of the central portion of the state could join this weekend.

Those two regions have seen their intensive care unit capacity fall below the 15% threshold that under a new state stay-at-home order will trigger new restrictions barring all on-site restaurant dining and close hair and nail salons, movie theaters and many other businesses, as well as museums and playgrounds.

If their capacity remains below that level when the data is updated Saturday, the closures will take effect Sunday and stay in effect at least three weeks.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the new plan Thursday. It is the most restrictive order since he imposed the country’s first statewide stay-at-home rule in March.

COVID-19 relief: What’s on the table as Congress seeks deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — After numerous fits and starts and months of inaction, optimism is finally building in Washington for a COVID-19 aid bill that would offer relief for businesses, the unemployed, schools, and health care providers, among others struggling as caseloads are spiking.

Under pressure from moderates in both parties, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have initiated late-game negotiations in hopes of combining a relief package of, in all likelihood, less than $1 trillion with a separate $1.4 trillion governmentwide omnibus spending bill. The duo were the architects of the $1.8 trillion CARES Act, the landmark relief bill passed in March.

Success is not certain and considerable differences remain over items such as aid to states and local governments, liability protections for businesses and universities reopening during the pandemic, and whether to issue a second round of $1,200 direct payments to most Americans.

But renewing soon-to-expire jobless benefits, providing a second round of “paycheck protection” subsidies, and funding to distribute vaccines are sure bets to be included in any deal.

Here are the top issues for the end-stage COVID-19 relief talks.

Japan awaits capsule’s return with asteroid soil samples

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully released a small capsule on Saturday and sent it toward Earth to deliver samples from a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system and life on our planet, the country’s space agency said.

The capsule successfully detached from 220,000 kilometers (136,700 miles) away in a challenging operation that required precision control, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said. The capsule — just 40 centimeters (15 inches) in diameter — is now descending and is expected to land Sunday in a remote, sparsely populated area of Woomera, Australia.

“The capsule has been separated. Congratulations,” JAXA project manager Yuichi Tsuda said.

Hayabusa2 left the asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million kilometers (180 million miles) away, a year ago. After it released the capsule, it moved away from Earth to capture images of the capsule descending toward the planet as it set off on a new expedition to another distant asteroid.

About two hours later, JAXA said it had successfully rerouted Hayabusa2 for its new mission, as beaming staff exchanged fist and elbow touches at the agency’s command center in Sagamihara, near Tokyo.

Moscow opens dozens of coronavirus vaccination centers

MOSCOW (AP) — Thousands of doctors, teachers and others in high-risk groups have signed up for COVID-19 vaccinations in Moscow starting Saturday, a precursor to a sweeping Russia-wide immunization effort.

The vaccinations come three days after President Vladimir Putin ordered the launch of a “large-scale” COVID-19 immunization campaign even though a Russian-designed vaccine has yet to complete the advanced studies needed to ensure its effectiveness and safety in line with established scientific protocols.

The Russian leader said Wednesday that more than 2 million doses of the Sputnik V jab will be available in the next few days, allowing authorities to offer jabs to medical workers and teachers across the country starting late next week.

Moscow, which currently accounts for about a quarter of the country’s new daily infections, moved ahead of the curve, opening 70 vaccination facilities on Saturday. Doctors, teachers and municipal workers were invited to book a time to receive a jab, and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that about 5,000 signed up in a few hours after the system began operating on Friday.

Russia boasted that Sputnik V was the world’s “first registered COVID-19 vaccine” after the government gave it regulatory approval in early August. The move drew criticism from international experts, who pointed out that the vaccine had only been tested on several dozen people at the time.

Kuwait votes for parliament amid economic, virus challenges

KUWAIT CITY (AP) — Kuwait began voting Saturday for its National Assembly, the first election since the death of its longtime ruling emir at a time the oil-rich nation struggles with serious economic problems during the coronavirus pandemic.

This tiny country’s hundreds of thousands of voters will select lawmakers for 50 seats in the parliament, the freest and most-rambunctious of all of the Gulf Arab countries. However, Kuwait’s parliament has tamped down opposition to its ruling Al Sabah family since the 2011 Arab Spring protests that saw demonstrators storm the chamber.

Parliaments typically don’t serve out their full terms in the stalwart U.S. ally, but this one did.

Kuwaitis are voting across 102 schools in the nation the size of the U.S. state of New Jersey. Authorities said masks and social distancing will be required due to the pandemic. Several schools will take those with active cases of the virus, with the sick first receiving permission from the government to vote.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

[avatarrewatch]

Avatar Rewatch 2020: Wednesday, March 11

@perishingshards​ here! 

Secret Tunnel~

SECRET TUNNEL, SECRET TUNNEL, THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN, SECRET SECRET SECRET SECRET TUNNEL

Secret Tunnel~

(The episode overviews are taken straight from The Avatar Wikia) 

2.1 The Avatar State

Aang and his friends rest at an Earth Kingdom outpost after their journey from the North Pole. They are to be escorted to Omashu, where Aang intends to find King Bumi to teach him earthbending. General Fong, however, inspired by Aang's battle-determining actions during the Siege of the North, suggests that Aang defeat the Fire Lord and end the War immediately by triggering the Avatar State. After many failed attempts, the general finally succeeds in triggering the Avatar State by faking Katara's death. Aang nearly destroys the base in anger and the group decides to go to Omashu alone. In the meantime, Zuko and his uncle are visited by his sister, Azula, who has come bearing a message from the Fire Lord, requesting their return home. Zuko and his uncle discover Azula's summons to be a disguise in order to imprison the pair and escape.

2.2 The Cave of Two Lovers

While journeying to Omashu, Aang and his friends meet a group of carefree traveling bards, who lead them through a vast network of tunnels known as the Cave of Two Lovers. Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh are sheltered by kind villagers after Iroh accidentally drinks tea made from a poisonous plant. Song, a young and compassionate healer, shows Zuko the effects of war from an ordinary citizen's perspective. After being separated from the rest of the group while navigating the elaborate tunnels, Aang and Katara grow closer as they discover the origins of the cave, which includes the tombs of the first two earthbenders. Both groups eventually escape from the labyrinth; Team Avatar arrives at Omashu, only to discover that it has been conquered by the Fire Nation.

Fan Art

Aang in the avatar state: https://www.deviantart.com/quirkilicious/art/Avatar-State-130238985

The Nomads

https://www.deviantart.com/mattierial/art/Avatar-The-Nomads-180673908

Azula

https://www.deviantart.com/solkorra/art/002-Azula-578450143

A Badger Mole

https://www.deviantart.com/moptop4000/art/Badger-mole-Scroll-798137205

Cave of Two Lovers

https://reneeviolet.tumblr.com/post/137203747369/i-doodled-these-two-kiddos-instead-of-sleeping

~~~

Join us over on Discord: https://discord.gg/EZPvtwj

Avatar Rewatch Calendar: http://bit.ly/2w0X4wE

(These amazing title cards were done by the magnificent MasterKiddoJinora !)

[rebuiltbionicle]

Zakaz

An island in the north of the central dome, in a region that’s almost a dome itself. Zakaz is a tragic island now synonymous with violence, despite once being the crown jewel of the central dome. Once a lush and fertile land populated by benevolent people loyal to the Great Spirit, now a desolate series of forts and trenches that can’t see a single hour without death.

Zakaz’s foundations were laid by the Great Beings like all other islands, and constructed by the Matoran. Zakaz had an important role among all the others: underneath it a massive pipeline of energy funneled from Karda Nui to Metru Nui, inaccessable across the rest of its flow up but necessarily coming near the surface where Zakaz was built. The Great Beings had difficultly deciding how to protect it. Firstly they constructed an island, thinking of layering as much rock as possible atop of it. Others commented this would encourage mining and that the region should have been left sea, so they added a lake in the centre. The rest of the island was toned down into a tropical paradise to discourage mining that would destroy the natural beauty. Some Great Beings suggested the GSR needed to be redesigned if the maintenance machines could destroy their own universe so easily, but the project was pressed for time.

No Matoran were allowed to inhabit Zakaz in case they decided to mine. It was left as an uninhabited island as Mata Nui launched. The Makuta populated it with a striking array of Rahi, including the great Tahtorak, to help dissuade colonists. This didn’t work. As a few colonies began being set up across Zakaz’s coastline, Mata Nui created the Skakdi to quickly populate the island, and sent messages via Ko-Metru ordaining Zakaz as the exclusive abode of the Skakdi. The Skakdi, by Mata Nui’s design, were a tranquil and nature loving people. They traded with neighbouring lands to build their modest cities, so they never mined for resources. Their exports were largely produce from the flora of Zakaz, and culture was a vibrant Skakdi society.

In the waters around Zakaz, Mata Nui created another species: the Pagaka. These were an exclusively aquatic people, and ordained to be one of Mata Nui’s prime peoples. Unlike the Skakdi, the Pagaka rapidly spread out across the Matoran Universe, intent on being Mata Nui’s people of the seas. The largest Pagaka settlement remained their original city off the coast of Zakaz. They interacted frequently with the Skakdi, despite the barrier of what they breathed, and two settlements seemed inseparable.

When Mata Nui ordained six kings from the prime species would rule the universe, the Mayor of the Pagaka of Zakaz stepped up to start reunifying Pagaka settlements as a great federation. This didn’t last long. A former Hand of Artakha named Ehlek, who had turned to crime with the organisation’s disbanding, came to the undersea city with a mob of loyal thugs. He seized control and declared himself King of the Pagaka. From there he trained his people as soldiers for the conquest of the universe. Under the League of Six Kingdoms, Zakaz was Ehlek’s capital. It remained prosperous, though there was less contact between the Pagaka and Skakdi as Ehlek pressed his people into military service.

When the League fell, Zakaz was spared the ravages of the lesser barraki’s squabbles. It was peaceful before the League, during the League, and after the League. After the far of Matoran Civil War, the Brotherhood of Makuta assigned its members as supervisors of the universe. Zakaz was assigned to Makuta Spiriah, given what was considered an easy assignment. Spiriah mostly used the island as a holiday residence away from the other Makuta.

Zakaz’s nature would soon change irreparably as its people were placed under unethical experiments. The Brotherhood of Makuta, seeking to expand its armys; and the Order of Mata Nui, seeking an anti-Makuta failsafe, concurrently (without each other’s awareness) began experiments on the people of Zakaz. Makuta Spiriah released several viruses into Skakdi food supply to gradually mutate them according to his design. He intended to amplify their strength, grant them new powers, and remove that pesky empathy that makes people poor soldiers. Under the water, Order agents enforced a travel ban on the Pagaka city (on the basis of disease outbreak) and began manually modifying the Pagaka into razor clawed assassins.

As Spiriah return to Destral awaiting the viruses to take their effect, the Skakdi mutated in almost precisely the ways Spiriah had intended. Unfortunately, they developed an embedded anger which when coupled with their new lack of empathy quickly caused the downfall of their civilisation. Riots engulfed the island, and eventually warring sects began to coalesce in an endless civil war. Under the sea, the Pagaka managed to retain their composure despite their mutations and indignity at their treatment. The Order whisked a few they believed they could trust away to be assassins but left the rest there. The Pagaka never knew who mutated them.

The Brotherhood was not so fortunate. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together and figure out it was Spiriah who had modified the Skakdi. To save public face, the Brotherhood accused Spiriah of being a rogue and put out an order for his arrest. Spiriah had to go into hiding, knowing that despite operating under orders, Teridax would severely punish him for making his actions so obviously traced back to him. The region was reassigned to Makuta Krika, who imposed a ban on travel to the island. He did very little to enforce the ban but publicise the conditions on Zakaz, which effectively prevented anyone from trying to land there. The Vortixx were not so dissuaded and saw an opportunity for arms dealing.

The Skakdi did not remain limited to the island. Many left the endless civil war to spread discord in the universe beyond, becoming thieves, pirates, and bandits. Skakdi criminals outside of Zakaz were called “Piraka” which was just the Skakdi word for pirate. They became quite infamous, and were employed by multiple nefarious organisations such as the Dark Hunters and various other aspiring conquerors.

It seemed no intervention could end the wars between the Skakdi, and they had discovered a means to reproduce quicker than they were dying. The Brotherhood of Makuta considered launching the Visorak Horde against Zakaz after they moved on from Tace, but they firstly didn’t want to lose so many Visorak in what would have been a brutal battle and secondly feared what the Hordika venom might make of them.

The war was very suddenly put to an end by the Order of Mata Nui, when two of their agents attempted the unify the Skakdi against the Brotherhood of Makuta. Through the use of bribery, threats, and feigned peer pressure, the Order was able to foster a piece between the Skakdi, if only for the purpose of fighting other foes. They were the backbone of Order efforts against the Brotherhood, serving as an effective counter to the Rahkshi.

When Makuta seized control of the universe, the Skakdi fractured once again. Nektann, once the strongest of the warlords, betrayed the Order and declared allegiance to Makuta. His army served alongside the Rahkshi as enforcers, and Makuta rewarded his loyalty by placing him at the radically reformed Brotherhood of Makuta. The other Skakdi Warlords returned to Zakaz and fortified. Makuta realised the nature of Zakaz protecting the GSR’s “jugular vein” and left it well enough alone.

Ignorance towards Zakaz would serve Makuta no good, as one of the Skakdi sects began occult experiments with energised protodermis, and from their experiments was birthed a golden creature with psionic powers beyond anything that had ever graced the universe before. This being waited on Zakaz, slowly amassing power from its Skakdi subjects without Makuta’s knowledge. When it came time to evacuate the Matoran Universe, Zakaz was found already abandoned. The golden being knew ahead of time and teleported itself and its followers to safety. Zakaz would later be dismantled along with the rest of the Matoran Universe.

...

Zakaz was a ring shaped island, originally dominated by a magnificent Bo-Wahi. Originally only a few species planted there by the Great Beings, the Makuta added to Zakaz’s landscape as a botanical sandbox until it held more variety than any other island. Rahi species were added too to regulate the plantlife. In the seas around Zakaz were great kelp forests and coral reefs; the beauty did not stop at the shore. The lake was home to many grasses and species of docile, edible fish. With the mutation of the Skakdi, the landscape rapidly changed. Battles ripped the landscape apart. Trees were torn down for the timber. Trenches dug to fortify positions. A once beautiful city burned to the ground, and stone fortresses were built and torn down constantly. The wreckage of the earth carried mud through the rivers and darkened the seas around Zakaz, killing much of the kelp forests and reefs surrounding it. Zakaz was reduced to wasteland, with only the hardiest of plants and Rahi surviving.

The primary inhabitants of the island were the Skakdi. As originally designed, they stood the size of a Turaga, with toothy smiles and spines growing down their backs. They had limited elemental power over plantlife. Their culture was much like the Bo and Le-Matoran; in touch with nature and laid back, enjoying life and culture. After their mutation, they grew to over the size of the Toa, and their spines were greatly exaggerated. Their peaceful nature was overidden by a pre-programmed hostility and lack of empathy. The Skakdi’s powers were greatly increased an added upon. Their strength was that of a Toa, and there elemental powers were likewise strengthened and broadened to all 18 standard elements as well as shadow. They could channel these elements through a tool, though to use them properly, they had to work together with another Skakdi. This was to force cooperation between them despite their lack of empathy. Each Skakdi had an additional power, wildly varying between individuals; and a vision power, ranging from infrared to laser beams.

The forceful change in the Skakdi personality rapidly destroyed their civilisation. Though initially mindless chaos, the Skakdi were still a social people and banded together in their warfare, forming several sects. The number of sects changed daily but averaged at seven. The largest and longest lasting were the Skakdi Nespa, led by the warlord Nektann. Nektann rose to prominence by making trade deals with Xia for fighting robots which allowed his sect to expand significantly. Despite the constant fighting, the Skakdi never warred themselves into extinction. This was another quirk that Spiriah left them with: instead of having to manually build more Skakdi, the species were given their own dedicated synthesisers based on Rahi synthesisers to build armies of them quickly. Though intended for the Brotherhood’s private use, the Skakdi sects took control of them for themselves.

The other species of Zakaz, living beneath the waters, was the Pagaka. Created by Mata Nui as one of his prime governing species and the only one of them to be an aquatic species. They were humanoids with reptilian faces like their Satorni cousins. They spread far and wide, and so split into many cultures. The city beneath Zakaz retained a high culture, a pride from their status as the Pagaka origin point and a former capital of the League of Six Kingdoms. After their modification by the Order of Mata Nui, the Zakaz Pagaka ended up with protosteel talons and increased senses and reflexes. The trauma of experimentation turned these Pagaka from sociable types and a centre of trade to an isolationist barracks.

[jackstheprinceofhearts]

STOP HI ITS ME FROM THE SERVER

( kay )

hi kay 👁️

[hektorpaint]

Prompt: Orbital bombardment

I wrote another prompt from Impalalords Discord, this one being dark gritty. But i was pleased with the result. Enjoy

******************

They came from the void, the blackness from beyond our own galaxy. They were scared and scattered, their ships even more so. We welcomed them with open arms, victims of a great war, which could be discussed if it was the right thing to do.

But a half millennia of peace makes you think different of war. Not long after, a month or so, an armada of similar ships, many of them were of similar design. the contact we got showed them as a different species, it would show those we first met was slaves. They imposed on us order and discipline and that they were the chosen warriors of the galaxy, they had come to prove themselves as the absolute overlords.

Just over 500 years ago we the Thausaries made contact with the humans from Sol system. Their contact and understanding is well overdone and can be found in many other writing, and even in short would take up too much time. But within years they rose to our defenders, helped us out on every world and every occasion. It was soon nothing left to fight, meaning the start of a peace council, started by the very fight hungry humans but lead together with every other species. Everyone got a say, we discussed all kinds of topics even when someone made a crime we held it civilised. It was a good time.

We wouldnt join them some did but most of us refused, when we refused we got hurdled into the intended direction.

I will still remember those pictures long after I die, a large valley was created by lasers from their ships stretching from France to Egypt. North america was just gone, riddled with craters miles wide, it was madness. Those pictures from space was blurry but, we all heard the news, billions dead in the first attack, it was chaos we didn't understand anything, it was the same attack all over our planets, some more crippled than others. It was uncalled for, it was a brutal attack to show their strength. Not many fought them back after that, they landed and took our homes.

We turned to our former protectors but they were stumped, never had they met a species so hell bent on death and domination. there was a voice saying we should attack them back but with what army, we never had one to show off and the humans repurposed their robots and dismantled their ships. We were facing a true end, the enemy didnt listen to any of our hails unless its was about our own surrender, the likes of information, land or people. Instead we turned to the thing we had always done, we called all species that wanted to fight back for a meeting. Many voices were angry, spitting and hissing hate against humans. Others were scared, some didn't say anything at all just empty eyes stared out in the room. It was hard trying to meddle for a middle ground, finding peace and understanding so we could discuss our problem at hand. But we didn't have to as a voice was heard from the back rows, the source was a old human in a wheelchair.

“We have one possibly solution left”, he spoke softly forcing the room quiet. All eyes turned towards the small frame huddled in the chair.

“Yes, that's what I'm trying to say here. We need to take what we have and leave.” A member from the Bikamku species, normally they are all for a hard hitting solution. This war had them running.

“We have coordinates to a location, it might give us a chance. We need help. If you can spare manpower and ships we can start this up.”

Large lumbering machines they were, rusted and dented, warped in some places due to some old war, they must have been around for centuries. Things deemed too violent to take apart or too powerful to ever be forgotten. Old like in way with no AI onboard, relaying on voice command and your own fast thinking, com system going from one room to another, with push to talk. A pulse system that took up enough power to count as a weapon, but used to detect the surrounding ships, asteroids, missiles etc. We could have a field day examine one of these but five more dreadnaughts joined the fight above Earth.

With newfound strength we pushed through the aliens blockade, it took us all some effort. But it was a great relief to look down at that blue ball beneath us. A voice came over the voice channels, sending it wide so all could her them, even our enemies. I think now that was part of it. The message came from the dreadnaught called Irkalla, 

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, thy kingdom come.”

The ships main cannon fired straight at the planet, a massive red cloud rose from impact melted everything in its vicinity. I still remember those around us froze in horror but not the humans, the rest of their army followed the first one and bombarded their planet, freeing it from alien enslavement and all other life leaving it burned. It was victory, for a time.

I look up at the blue human AI, it stands there staring out in the dark, storing all I was telling it. To be alone was crazy, we were always together, now losing the hive was something that should never happen, now thinking I instead of we is pure nerve wracking. this silence never happened, always a few million voices to overlap and think in unison. That humans built those restless, self repairing machines just goes to show how crude and magnificent and crazy the human race was.

The humans deployed those robots in the last fight they fought for the Bikamkus last word as well, ships burned in the atmosphere, more allies than enemies. The robots came, built from scraps and broken parts, commanded with a straightforward direction that they would protect us. Nothing was left alive after that fight.

Then it came to our homeworld and nuked it with fire and radiation, leaved it dead as their creators had done before them. We got bodies into as many ships we could handle and fled our home world we had nursed over the millennia. Now it all was quiet, the halls of the ship flickering to life as I walked through, the human AI following me. I cursed my luck ending up onto a human cruiser of all things.

Now i fear I might be the only one left alive, anywhere. Humans ways to fight dirty works effectively but is this prize worth it?

[quackjax]

Day 19 - Crossover or AU

I'ma do a College AU like from the discord server. Cause why not? By the way, it's also a Human AU.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Detroit University Dorms -------------------West Detroit Un. Drive ----------------------- 11/ 20 / 38 ------------------------ 5 : 43 : 07

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

North groaned into her pillow, making Markus roll his eyes. It wasn't unusual for her to do that. It was normal.

"Long day?" Markus joked. North pushed herself up and looked at Markus with a stare that said it all.

"What do you think?" North sat up. She made her way towards Markus and when she did, lied down beside him on the bed.

"Yeah, I know. Sitting in a room for a while can tire the hell outta you." Markus agreed and he too lied down.

"Simon is still in the classroom. He hasn't finished yet." North commented. Markus chuckled.

"North, have you ever liked someone before? Like, like-like them?" Markus asked.

"I don't know if you would call it like that. But, yeah, I think so." North said.

"Do you know who?" Markus asked. He knew it was too much to ask, but..., "Is it Simon, Josh, Connor, me?"

"Do you really want me to tell you?" North laughed.

"Yeah."

"If I'm being honest, I think I like-"

"Markus! North!" Connor barged into their dorm.

Markus sighed and got up, with North in tow.

"What were you guys doing on the bed?" Connor asked with a smug grin. Markus gave him a disgusted look.

"Talking. What else?" North answered.

"I don't know. Maybe something else." Connor said.

"Well, stop thinking that way!" Markus said. Connor laughed.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop, " Connor leaned casually against the kitchen island, "But what were you guys talking about?"

"Listen Anderson, whatever Markus and I were talking about is private, " North grasped the collar of Connor's shirt, "So, fuck off!"

She released Connor and he gasped for breath. If only he knew North was not a person to mess with. She could easily beat up a 6-foot man with her bare hands.

One time, she accidentally punched Markus a little too hard. Knocked him straight cold. He got taken to the hospital but was told he was gonna be fine.

That's what Markus like- loved about her.

North is independent but still needs someone to help her through her struggles. She is distant but when Markus got to know her she trusts him more than anyone.

Some people even wonder what the heck Markus sees in North. He answers with a shrug and, "I see a beautiful, caring, and amazing girl."

North opened the fridge and snatched a soda, one for Markus as well.

"Thanks." Markus said as he took the soda and popped the tab off.

"So, what did you ask me before that?" North took a sip of her soda.

"Oh, right. Um, who specifically do you like?" Markus set his soda on the island top and nervously traced circles on the top with his fingers.

"Well, that's an easy question to answer, " North took a gulp of her soda, "I like you."

"As a friend, or?" Markus asked.

"You're an idiot, you know? Not as a friend, Markus! As something... More." North looked away nervously.

"Oh, " Markus took a moment to think before it finally hit him, "Oh! Well, I never thought you would say that you liked me. I just thought you were interested in someone else. You know, cause I'm just a regular guy with different colored eyes. And-"

"Shut up. You're rambling on and on." North smiled at him.

"Ok, sorry. I'm not used to this. I've never felt this way." Markus apologized.

North made her way around to Markus. When she did, North took his hands into hers and looked into his blue plus green eyes.

"Markus?" North said.

"Yeah?" Markus replied.

"Don't apologize, ever. There's no need for that. Because we can apologize in different ways." North released one of her hands and put it on Markus' cheek.

"In what way?" Markus asked.

North pushed herself up to his height and planted her lips to his. Markus returned the "favor" and wrapped his arms around her.

Markus slowly pulled away and sighed deeply, pressing his forehead to hers.

"I'm guessing that way."

"You bet your ass college boy!" North joked.

... (Not over yet mate, ;D )

Graduation Day - 9 / 27 / 41

After 4 years of college, its over. Finally over. But the relationship between Markus and North lasted.

Both in cap and gown, ready to accept the well-earned diploma they deserve. Carl and Leo would be there to cry their eyes out. No one was there for North and she felt heartbroken about it.

Luckily, Markus was there to help.

He saw her crying off in a dark corner. Markus made his way over to North and sat down next to her.

"What's wrong, North?" Markus reached for her hand and held it tightly.

"Nothing. I'm fine, Markus, " North used her free hand to wipe her tear-filled eyes, "Everything is fine."

"Are you sure?" Markus moved himself in front of her and slowly removed his and her caps.

"No. I don't know, " North looked up at Markus, "I don't know what I'm feeling."

"Maybe it's sadness. Cause no one cries on graduation day. Well, except for our parents." Markus said.

"I wouldn't know." North muttered.

"Oh, did I say something? Um, are you... Do you have any parents?" Markus asked.

"No, they passed. Stupid accident. I have no one, Markus. No one except you." More tears formed in her eyes and Markus lifted his hand to wipe them away.

"I'm sorry. I truly am, " Markus rubbed his thumb under eyes to make sure the tears dissolved, "Please don't cry. I hate to see you sad on this special day."

"I... I guess you're right." North sniffed.

"That's the spirit," Markus said lowly, "Come on, I'd like to introduce you to my father and brother."

Markus stood up and offered her a hand, which she accepted. He pulled her up and linked his arm around hers.

... (About 7-8 months later.)

Markus studied the empty canvas in front of him. White. Pure blank. Empty. Should he go on?

With a pencil in his mouth, Markus silently used his finger to air draw on the canvas. Circle here, square there, maybe a rectangle, maybe a triangle.

He didn't know. It was hard to paint now that no one was there to help him.

Carl passed 3 months ago and it hasn't helped Markus at all.

He took the pencil from his mouth and started lightly drawing lines on the canvas.

What seemed to be a huge dark ravine, a thin wire looking thing, and two human sketches. Both figures with arms out to help with the balance.

"Walking the wire." A voice said.

Markus looked away and saw North leaning casually against the door frame.

"Maybe. Yet I don't know why, " Markus traced his focus back to the painting, "It's just giving me this vibe, like from my original roots. I don't know, maybe the loss of my father is just another demon deep inside me."

"We all have demons. We just need to learn how to get rid of them, " North walked up beside him, "Who are those two people?"

"What do you think?" Markus smiled.

"I'm thinking you're a dork for drawing us, again." North returned the smile.

"Great, that's the answer that I was looking for. Now, what colors am I using?"

"I don't know. You're the artist." North said.

"Hm, ok." Markus studied the sketch some more.

After a while, he finished it and showed North the final product.

"What do you think?" Markus smiled proudly as he showed her.

"It's nice." North said.

"Ok..."

"I'm kidding! It's magnificent." North walked closer to Markus and leaned her head against his chest.

"Good to know."

"Better be."

"Sometimes you make no sense."

"Neither do you."

"Fair enough."

"What'd you even call it?"

"Walking the wire."

...

Done. I guess.

I'm sorry if this is late! I truly am.

I've just been so busy, is all. :(

[for-gold-and-glory]

GHere are some events G&G Members will be involved in during the week. Or just events that I think are really cool and you should definitely go to. If you’re interested in joining these events show up or send a message to Aegir Hlerson or Lirilith Maellan. Or join our discord: https://discord.gg/dCRSWTx Monday - The Salt Baron Pre-Game Party!! @ 7:00pm EST - Goblet W10, P26 Monday - The Grand Tilt of Coerthas - Jousting Tournament - 9:00pm EST - Camp Dragonhead Tuesday -  Dato's Day! Axes and You! @ 7:30pm EST -  Costa Del Sol Tuesday - Blitzball RP: The Empire Returns @ 9:00pm EST -  Velodyna, the Fringes Thursday -  Blitzball: The Saltery Salt Barons vs the Garlean Chargers @ 9:00 - 10:30pm EST - Bloodstorm, Rhalgr’s Reach Friday - Knights of Oasis -  Magnificent Oasis @ 7:30pm EST - Little Ala Mhigo Friday - “When Are Your Office Hours!?” @ 9:00 - 10:30pm EST - Goblet W6, P5 + Castrum Aquilonis Saturday - G&G Weekly Sins of the Mother Pt 3 @ 3:00pm EST - The Hawthorne Hut, East Shroud Saturday - Starlight Charity Bingo @ 6:00pm EST - Mist W15, P15 Saturday - Blitzball: Shellshockers Blitzball Rally Pizza Party @ 6:00pm EST - Tamamizu, Ruby Sea Saturday - Blitzball Rally - Banner of a Thousand Moons @ 8:00pm EST - Reunion, Azim Steppe Sunday - Garlean Weekly - Tis the Season to Purge @ 4:00pm EST - Castrum Aquilonis Sunday -  Eorzean Alliance Accession Ceremony for Ala Mhigo @ 6:00pm EST - Ala Mhigo, the Lochs Note: the Happy Gyuki Clinic is moving to Dec 14th this month! No Bountiful Chest this Month

Monday - The Salt Baron Pre-Game Party!! @ 7:00pm EST - Goblet W10, P26 http://for-gold-and-glory.tumblr.com/post/180040476070/zhara-liara-yui-come-to-our-pre-game-party - Come to our pre-game party! It’ll be at Fjolnir’s (our captain’s) house, otherwise known as Iron Drake Smithing in the front yard. We’ll have a barbeque going, multiple fire pits and of course all the booz you could want! Support the Ala Mhigans at March to Madness this year, come to the party and wear purple! Our homecoming game will be a few days after that on December 6th. Be sure to support us as we hopefully kick some Garlean Charger ass! For Ala Mhigo! Status: Open RP, please check the link! Type: Social GM: The Salt Barons Monday - The Grand Tilt of Coerthas - Jousting Tournament - 9:00pm EST - Camp Dragonhead http://tuftananke.tumblr.com/post/175483077178/housedebayle-the-grand-tilt-of-coerthas - Presented by the venerable House De'bayle and hosted by Ser Basile Feurieux, and their Knights in Camp Dragonhead, the Grand Tilt proves to be a glorious event involving all manners of Ishgardian culture. Lords, Ladies, Squires, and Men-at-Arms all flock to the tilt in order to win glory for one’s heraldry, acquire the favor of a Lady or Lord, to witness illustrious spectacle beyond belief, or to practice mounted combat in a vicious trial by fire Status: Open RP, please check link for rules! Type: Tournament GM: House de’Bayle Tuesday -  Dato's Day! Axes and You! @ 7:30pm EST -  Costa Del Sol - Dato will teach the finer things about using a greataxe to members of the company who might be interested! Free axe to all who join! Status: Open RP, come join us! Type: Class GM: Dato Koelklin Tuesday - Blitzball RP: The Empire Returns @ 9:00pm EST -  Velodyna, the Fringes - Oh no! Blitzball team, the Imperative Finibus Primo Præcipe has landed in Velodyna the night before their match against the Saltery Salt Barons. The Resistance and allies have been deployed to escort the imperials to Rhalgr’s Reach and keep them entertained (and supervised) for the evening.  Status: open RP, come join us! Type: Social GM: Aegir Hlerson

Thursday -  Blitzball: The Saltery Salt Barons vs the Garlean Chargers @ 9:00 - 10:30pm EST - Bloodstorm, Rhalgr’s Reach http://for-gold-and-glory.tumblr.com/post/180761889565/balmung-march-2-madness-blitzball - The Madness makes it way to Gyr Abania with a clash of bitter rivals! The season’s third game will take place in the temporary Bloodstorm Stadium in Rhalgr’s Reach. Status: open RP, come join us! Type: Tournament GM: Aegir Hlerson Friday - Knights of Oasis -  Magnificent Oasis @ 7:30pm EST - Little Ala Mhigo -  A young Ala Mhigan girl comes to the Oasis to help her save her farm from an evil Ul'dahn land baron.  Put on your spurs and mount your chocobos! We're going wranglin'! Will the knights mosey on up to the challenge, or will this poor farm girl's home be the next Golden Saucer? Status: open RP, come join us! Type: Action/Adventure GM: Dato Koelklin Friday - “When Are Your Office Hours!?” @ 9:00 - 10:30pm EST - Goblet W6, P5 + Castrum Aquilonis -  - Adventurers! Do you need to speak to your boss? Anthony and Maximillian have open office hours and are taking interviews, questions, general catch up. Whatever you want to talk about! - Imperials! Do you need to report to your superior? Stay tuned for the line up.   This is a weekly event, so if you miss them this week, check next week! Not everyone will be available every week, but we’ll try our best. If there’s a line, please be patient. Special guest office hours may be open too. Saturday - G&G Weekly Sins of the Mother Pt 3 @ 3:00pm EST - The Hawthorne Hut, East Shroud -  After facing the Lord of the Inferno, Neroki’s vision turns the adventurers north to the Shroud. The Sinner Koleh means to gather more beastmen allies for his army and now he means to treat with the Sylphs. But what is his end game here? And what effect might the Bow of Light have upon the Sylphlands and the Shroud itself? Status: adventurer RP, new Rpers welcome! Type: Action/Adventure GM: Aegir Hlerson

Saturday - Starlight Charity Bingo @ 6:00pm EST - Mist W15, P15 http://meandering-mind.tumblr.com/post/180356788363/the-starlight-charity-bingo-night-is-coming-the - The Matron’s Reach Charity Foundation hosts a fun night of Bingo at The Red Herring for all to enjoy.  With a newly developed Bingo system, featuring custom bingo plates, every grandparent’s dream can now be realized through roleplay. Status: Open RP, please check the link Type: Social/Game GM: The Matron’s Reach Saturday - Blitzball: Shellshockers Blitzball Rally Pizza Party @ 6:00pm EST - Tamamizu, Ruby Sea http://for-gold-and-glory.tumblr.com/post/180770172670/balmung-blitzball-shellshockers-blitzball-rally -  Cowabunga dudes! The Tamamizu Shellshockers will be drumming up team cheer from their Kojin supports on Saturday in Tamamizu. After an appropriate ceremony to have the kami give them strength, the Shellshockers will celebrate with their fans and friends with a cheesy pizza party catered by Stellazzio Pizzeria! Some song and cheers will be enjoyed too as well as a Kojin led charity auction to raise funds for the team. Status: Open RP, please join us! Type: Social GM: Aegir Hlerson

Saturday - Blitzball Rally - Banner of a Thousand Moons @ 8:00pm EST - Reunion, Azim Steppe http://for-gold-and-glory.tumblr.com/post/180666263730/ask-a-qestir-balmung-blitzball-banner-of-a Come party with the Thousand Banners of the Moon before their game! Feast with us as we celebrate long into the night and maybe the next morning! (BYOB recommenced) - Bring a dish or two  and prove YOUR people are indeed the best cooks!- Set an effigy of Magnai on fire and roast marshmallows on the resulting bonfire (unless you are an Oronir, then the effigy is of Y’shtola)! -Take turns throwing people into bodies of water because that’s obviously how blitzball is played! -Shoot off fireworks just because! Party hard, party long, and party in the name of the Banners’ victory! Status: Open RP, please join us! Type: Social GM: Not Iota Sunday - Garlean Weekly - Tis the Season to Purge @ 4:00pm EST - Castrum Aquilonis https://fustuarium.tumblr.com TBA Status: Open to members of the Fustarium, accepting new members Type: RP PVP GM: Rafailleur Sanguis

Sunday -  Eorzean Alliance Accession Ceremony for Ala Mhigo @ 6:00pm EST - Ala Mhigo, the Lochs http://for-gold-and-glory.tumblr.com/post/180281162855/ffxiv-balmung-rp-4thcombinedbrigade -  Together we have defeated the dreadful XIIth Imperial Legion and brought freedom to Ala Mhigo. Now we come together once more to celebrate the accession of our newly-liberated brothers and sisters into the Eorzean Alliance. This historic occasion marks the first time the realm is united and together in arms, poised to face the challenges of this tumultuous star as a single force. As the leaders of the five city-states are scheduled to meet in the castle of Ala Mhigo, the Alliance military will be hosting a ceremony for the free companies of Eorzea in the city below, inviting prominent adventurer leaders to show their support with rousing speeches and revelry!   Status: Open RP, please join us! Type: Social/Performance GM: Kale Aideron and Aegir Hlerson

[arsaces-of-akielos]

One Kingdom (or none)

A little something I wrote as part of a telephone game on the Capri discord, where I went a bit overboard with ideas. If you see the full game post, you can see the art prompt that inspired me.

(you will also see it was supposed to be a happy post-canon scene of Auguste being found kept alive as a prisoner)

(that is not what I wrote)

--

--

The victory parade was magnificent.

The cobblestones of the city lay blotched in red, still stained from the final campaign. The palace behind them stood gutted, outer banners shredded, windows broken, the remnants of charred flags left streaming from the battlements. A statement, as clear as the stomp of a boot over fragile flowers. Vere was no more.

King Aleron hadn’t lived past the invasion of Delpha. The late king’s brother they’d cut down soon after on their way through Chasteigne. And the younger prince had fallen as the Akielon army had pushed their way further north, seeking the capital.

The only one who remained was the Crown Prince—or King, Damen supposed he must be now, though surely they’d had no time for a coronation. Captured in the taking of Arles, and in chains on the streets below them now.

It was a grand sight, Damen thought as he looked down from the blackened palace walls, the last wave of Veretian prisoners stumbling through the streets before a wave of Akielon red. They were an esoteric mix, the ones deemed valuable enough to be enslaved instead of slaughtered on the spot, combining the fallen court’s own dainty pets and dethroned nobility both. Some eyes were downcast, others looked fearfully to the soldiers propelling them along, and some were fixed toward the front. Toward the man being marched in the place of ‘honour’, long blond hair filthy with blood and grime, cuffed wrists to neck.

Today, Auguste of Vere was the figurehead of their triumph. Tomorrow, he would be executed in the market square, and his kingdom with it.

A slave walked past, carrying a plate of full goblets. Damen reached out and took one with barely a glance, taking a deep drink of the sweet wine. To his left, his father did the same. But to his right, Kastor ignored the slave completely.

“Why do you not celebrate, brother?” Damen asked as the young woman slipped away once more. “It has been a long campaign, with yourself at the head no less. And finally it is won.”

Kastor’s lips thinned, not into a smile. “It has been a long campaign, but it is not quite over yet.”

“As good as, my boy!” Theomedes called heartily. A little wine sloshed down his front as he gestured with his arm. He shouldn’t be drinking, Damen knew, not with the way health had been failing him the past few months. It had been a blow to the King’s pride to be removed from the battlefield, but his doctors had insisted he was not a young man anymore. Still, this was rather a special occasion.

Kastor gave a little nod in acknowledgement to his father’s words, but still did not smile.

* * *

By the time Damen returned to his borrowed quarters in the palace, the sun had long set. The prisoner march had ended after the crowds finally grew bored of the spectacle but the wine had followed long into the night. He was pleasantly drunk, on both alcohol and the headiness of victory, when he pushed opened the door to find the room not empty.

A young man knelt on the rug. He wasn’t naked, as a slave ought to have been when being presented, dressed in a messy cloth wrap that didn’t quite resemble a proper chiton. His head was bowed, pale hair and skin denoting him as Veretian. It was to be expected, Damen supposed. Slave trainers were being worked far beyond capacity with the influx of prisoners, one had to be accepting of some wavering in quality.

“Hello there,” Damen said with a grin on his lips as he stepped onto the rug.

The slave looked up, meeting his eyes—another failure of training, but Damen found he didn’t mind too much. A little bit of fire not entirely unwelcome on occasion. The man also looked a few years older than a properly raised slave would have been at the time he’d be deemed ready for service, and his face was vaguely familiar. Damen dimly recalled noticing a yellow-haired man’s particularly fine features during a transport of prisoners from one of their earlier captured provinces, and even that he’d idly noted to him that he’d have to put in a personal request for that slave. But they had been in the midst of war. Other priorities had soon interfered.

They had been in the midst of war then, but no longer. Now, they were in the midst of celebration. He’d have to pass thanks to the steward, Damen thought, for his very thoughtful gift.

“Do you know who I am,” he asked, reaching out a hand to tuck a strand of fine hair behind a finer ear.

“Yes,” the slave replied, and struck.

Damen caught the wrist holding the knife on instinct, battle-ready reflexes snapping into motion despite his indulgences of the evening. Distantly he noticed that it was not a dagger but a meat knife that must have been snatched from a dinner table. He didn’t have time to think on it either way, bearing the man to the floor and squeezing until he let go of the handle with a grunt. For a few moments they grappled awkwardly, Damen clearly holding the upper hand in size and strength but wrestling a little below his best with his head clouded with wine. His opponent was a vicious, tricky thing, scratching at his eyes and kicking at his groin, twisting like a snake in a handler’s grasp. But it wasn’t too long before Damen had the man pinned beneath him, and he grunted half in exertion and half in annoyance as he finally closed his hand around that pale throat.

Through his gasps for air and the scrabbling of the nails of his one free hand against Damen’s, the man rasped out a few words.

“You’re in danger.”

“I am aware,” Damen replied, and kept squeezing.

To his surprise, the man wheezed what sounded like a laugh from his tortured throat. “I don’t mean from me.”

The response was odd enough to give him pause. Damen loosened his grip, enough to permit a deep, rattling breath. “Is that supposed to be a warning?” he said, half in a growl. “Somewhat hard to believe, given how it was proceeded with a knife.”

“Sorry,” was his reply, and it was almost bizarrely conversational. A grin through bloodied teeth that had no humour. “That wasn’t part of my plan. I just saw your face and couldn’t resist.”

Reluctantly intrigued, Daman sat up a little. He didn’t let his weight up on the places he was keeping the man immobile beneath his greater weight. The man was speaking Akielon, slow and accented but passable. All the new slaves were being taught Akielon, but in the short amount the time they’d had this one must be either very gifted or have already had some proficiency. Damen probably spoke Veretian better, but he didn’t switch his language. This was Akielos now. The others would learn.

“Say what it is you want me to hear you say,” he demanded.

The man took another laboured breath through his bruised throat. “Do you truly have no idea?” he hissed. “What do you think will be happening tomorrow?”

Damen’s brow crinkled in a slow frown. “Tomorrow, Prince—King Auguste will die, and Theomedes will rise as king of Akielos and Vere.”

Another grin, wider still. “No,” the man replied, and his voice was flat. “If all goes as it does, Auguste will die but it will not be Theomedes who rises as king. Nor you.”

Something cold settled in Damen’s gut as the slow, inexorable implication of that set in. His first reaction was to tighten his grip again, punish the man for the treacherous insolence of such a suggestion, but he held back. He could always strangle this one later.

“How would you claim to know that?” he asked sharply.

“I was a prized captive, I’ve been around the royal trainers for weeks. And the royal household.”

It was plausible. It was possible.

“What—” Damen broke off, mostly unwillingly. “Why are you telling me? What could you be proposing to do?”

“You must leave tonight. Soon.” A swallow, bruised throat heaving. “And you will let King Auguste out with you.”

It was madness. There was no proof that anything said was remotely true, no reason at all Damen should listen. Yet the tale, the lengths that had been gone to were wild enough Damen had difficulty imagining someone inventing it all.

“Your loyalty to your King is admirable,” he said finally, after a pause. “Were you a pet of the royal court?”

The slave blinked. “I was.”

Then Damen heard it. Cries, ringing down the halls, muffled and not close by. Someone was ringing a bell—a dinner bell by the sounds of it, in lieu of the proper bell for the occasion, clanging with far greater urgency than its intended usage would merit.

The young man below him whispered softly, “The King is dead. Shall the Crown Prince follow?”

There was a moment. Silently, still despite the growing panic on the other side of the door, stretching out long past real possibility.

Then Damen released his grip, and stood. “Do you have a plan?” he asked quietly.

Still sprawled on the floor, one hand flung out toward his stolen knife, the other glistening with Damen’s blood under the nails, the slave raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

[hetaliawhatifs]

Welcome to the Solis Realm, Travelers.

You have traveled far and wide to find yourselves here, in the Solis Realm. Below we have provided you a map to navigate your way through this strange and wonderful realm. Though, do not take this lightly, for the fates of these kingdoms may yet lie in your hands.  

*Map added to inventory*

The towers shown above mark the capitals of each of these kingdoms. Their respective leaders can be found here during most hours of the day.

Red Tower- Prince Alfred Jones Prince of the Prodigal Kingdom A brave and ambitious young prince with high hopes for his kingdom. He rules fairly and listens to what everyone has to say, though he has been scolded multiple times for leaving the palace without his guards to run through the markets with the common folk. Alfred believes in a firm yet guiding hand, despite his jovial appearance and easy-going attitude, he has a strong military and will not hesitate to use it if he sees fit.

Green Tower- High Priest Arthur Kirkland High Priest of The Lost Empire A cunning and shrewd man, Arthur harnesses the very magics that flow through the Solis Realm. Once his empire spanned the entire Realm as can be seen by the ruins scattered throughout each kingdom, though history has forgotten what caused the downfall of this once great empire. Exiled to the Isle of the Enchanted, the High Priest waits in the shadows for the day when his empire will come surging back from the grave…

Purple Tower- King Francis Bonnefoy King of  Emprise Du Lumière For centuries, songs have told about the beauty of King Francis’ court and the magnificent balls held there. Many eagerly await the day that they receive an invitation…though few understand the dangers that wait in the courts shadows. The nobility of the empire enjoy playing a dangerous game…a game of deceit…a game of sabotage…a game of murder. While the nobles pretend to be masters at the game, the true master resides over the empire from his golden throne…King Francis watches over every event with an eagle’s eye. None have bested him at the game…and many believe no one ever will…

Orange Tower- Prince Matthew Williams Prince of the Kingdom of Frostfire A benevolent and peaceful prince who cares deeply for his people and the land they live on. Matthew rules fairly and believes that most disputes can be settled diplomatically. Despite his calm nature, the Prince of Frostfire will not hold back if pushed. He will defend his people and his kingdom fiercely if need be. Rumors circulate the world’s taverns saying that the Prince’s bite is much worse than his pet bear's…

Black Tower- King Ivan Braginsky King of the Northern Kingdom Very few travelers have ever spoken of their time past the Ethereal Highlands, those who have speak of a strong and stoic king who rules over the North with an iron grip. No one really knows much about the history of the Northern Kingdom, other than the fact that it has always been there. Home to a strong and hardy people, the Northern Kingdom rarely extends its reach beyond the Ethereal Highlands…though many lowlanders fear the day that changes…

Yellow Tower- Emperor Yao Wang Emperor of the Kingdom of the Jade Sun Wise, calm, mystical, these and many other words have been used over the years to describe the emperor Yao. A man of magic and wisdom, many come to his palace to seek knowledge and healing. Though things were not always this way, the Kingdom of the Jade Sun used to spread war and discord across the realm. As atonement, the Kingdom now opens its doors to any who seek enlightenment or healing all while under the watchful eye of the emperor.

Admins Notes: We will be updating this map as new kingdoms emerge.We will be making other posts with little details.