#then i realised how similair they are

[bettyblixen11]

they’re rambling about the person they admire most 

[miniaturesuitgladiator]

Wait wait so we're back to one weakness being a traumatised kid but though I do think bruce knows that now the reader has no weakness because the loyalty once had is gone as the reader realises the mother was a bad mother and only cared for herself and a similair thing with the grandfather they onky keft when the mother was hurt and i dont believe the grandfather reprimands the mother at all (i know its said the mother cares in the prologue and feels bad but i feel like its more of a cares but doesn't do anything until it directly affects her as sure she couldnt sleep but the family woukd be treated mostky well). and the reader while still neglected can easily turn that into rage like Jason did and how Dick wanted too and also that now the reader isn't craving specifically their love and attention it likely won't work anymore. Also is the brother older or younger?

Now that reader has completely shut off her loyalty to her mother bruce can no longer use count that as a weakness. And as for readers second weakness. I think reader mentality is definitely about to change on just being a traumatized kid and into a cold hearted badass.

But she still does have one weakness that the batfam will continue to use against her. Which is jason.

Jason is the only person really whose always loved reader unconditionally. And reader loves him more than anyone else. I think she even loves Jason more then her grandfather because though your grandfather loves reader. He's still readers mother dad first.

And yes readers grandfather does love reader alot. He's never called out readers mother for her neglect. And that kinda of pushes reader away from her grandfather.

And Jason? Jason has always chosen reader before anyone else. And reader will always love jason like a brother. But will choose jason or her freedom is the question.

But as for readers Bio brother he's actually her little brother. And I like to think readers bio brother is actually the reason why reader clicked with jason. Because meeting jason was like another chance to have a little brother.

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Taglist: @dhanyasri , @kore-of-the-underworld , @i-adorehannah , @plsfckmedxddy , @phoenixgurl030 @bunbunboysworld @bat1212 @skepvids @sirenetheblogger @Nervousalpacalady @118gremlin @darktrashpoetry @bitternsweet @kksmush @awawage @coffeemin @feral-childs-word @cens0r3d @sweetprincesscomputer @exactlynumberonekryptonite @rosy-myhouse34 @hebaoffside @sheep-from-rad @time-shardz

[cbsxreader]

If you're not too busy and literally whenever you find time (I mean it, literally no worries)

Could I request CBS reclining in a chair or hiding in his snipers nest spotting his S/O through his scopes lens and forgetting about his target entirely.

Cw: (Swearing, asassination, cheesy af)

Christian spotting his S/o and getting distracted

Christian's POV:

I climb the final steps of the ladder leading up to my nest. I reach the top and take a look around.

"Oi haven't been here in a while.."

Everything looks like it's about to crumble beneath my feet. Either I didn't mind it when I came up here regularly or it really has been a while since..

I take a few steps forward, slightly bending down to look outside through the nest's wall opening. I search for my target and spot someone who looked similair to the picture I was given. I fling my rifle from my shoulder and look through my scope. It's him. I smile and chuckle to myself.

Looking over my shoulder, I spot a crate by the wall. I place my rifle down and bring the crate over to the spot where I'm going to snipe my target. The floor slightly creaks as I sit down.

Fuck, better kill the target and get out of here before this toothpick contraption bails out on me...

I push my shoulders back, preparing for my rifle's recoil.

"Roight, let's get this over with." I say to myself as I look through the scope again.

The bloke's still there. I steadily aim at his head and put my finger on the trigger.

"Say goodbye to your head, mate!" I whisper to myself, grin forming on my face.

Then something behind the target went by. Or someone. I couldn't get a glimpse of their face but they seemed famillair. I scrunch up my face in slight confusion. I had seen those clothes somewhere...Could it be?..

I quickly avert the scope to the direction where I had seen this familair figure go.

"Bloody hell, it is them!" My eyes widen.

I see my love through the scope, my mood immediately becoming better at the sight of them. A grin grows on my face again. Only this time, I smile because of a heart-warming feeling inside my chest, not because I was about to kill a man. Before we were in a relationship, I had denied this feeling over and over again, but..it felt..nice once I embraced it. Because of them, I wasn't ashamed or embarrased about it and I've never been happier in my life. It's hard to believe, sure. Me, the mighty and feared Christian Brutal Sniper, turned out to be able to love someone.

There was just something about them that made me feel things I had never felt towards someone before. For the whole time we've been together, I've been trying to figure out what it was. What exactly made me love them.

I let my muscles relax as I continue to watch my love through the scope. Maybe it's their style? Their personality? Their looks? Their rutine and habits? Their voice? Their smile?? I really couldn't put a finger on what I found so attractive in them.

Ah, piss and what if they need comforting and I don't know what to say?..What then?

I rise up from my scope in my realisation.

Fuck..I don't know how to comfort a person..even if they weren't my partner I wouldn't know what to do..Maybe I would just assure them that I will always love them..But then they can ask for something specific and then I'm screwed again..Has love always been this difficult??..

I look through the scope again and spot my partner.

Alright, what do I like about them..hm..They always cheer me up!..Even now, without knowing it. That's one. Uhh...They always look good..oh, wait, people don't like it when someone says that they like them for their looks..Maybe if I say 'their style' it won't sound so bad..nevermind, that's still kinda about looks. Don't people say it as a compliment?

"I like your style." I say outloud, listening to my words.

Nah, people usually use a plain old "I like you"...this word play can go to hell...

Wait, have I ever actually told them that I love them?..No, I definetely have..a few times...

Suddenly, someone approaches my partner. Oh shit, it's my target.

I aim at his head and quickly pull the trigger. A shot rings out and the bloke's forehead is ruined. My partner falls back from shock and I decide to check up on them.

"Don't worry, love! It's just me!" I call out to them from my nest.

They turn to my direction and look up. They're still clearly in shock and trying to steady their breathing, staring at me with wide eyes. Maybe I should come down..

A bit later

"You alright?" I ask as I approach them.

"You scared the living hell out of me.." My love spoke.

"Yeah, Oi kinda got distracted and forgot about my target.." I rub the back of my neck, feeling guilt about not warning them about my mission.

"Why did you get distracted?" My love asks.

"Oi..um." I stumble over my words "..well Oi saw you and couldn't stop thinkin' of ya'.."

My love's cheeks became flushed "Oh..is that so?" A smile rises on their face.

"Yeah..." I cann't help but smile along with my partner. I avoid their gaze though.

A moment of silence falls upon us.

Should I tell them?

"Sweetheart?.."

"Yes, Christian?"

I get lost in their eyes before speaking up.

"I love you."

My love's eyes slightly widen. They let out a light, heartful laugh before looking at me again "Where did that come from?"

"Whot? I can't say that Oi love you?" I smile again and slightly turn my head to the side.

Their smile fades a bit "It's just..you don't say it much. You don't really say these kinds of things at all."

"Oi know" I start "Oi was left alone with my thoughts for too long and realized that Oi haven't been open to you, so Oi decided to do something about it."

Another small moment of silence passes.

"Well, in that case.." My love speaks up again. They gently place their hands on either sides of my face and bring their lips to mine. The kiss is a bit short, but I am eager to hear what my partner will say.

"I love you too, Christian."

Btw I'm so sorry to anyone whose requests I still haven't finished. (I'm still struggling with school asignments and motivation, but I'm still going to try my best for you all :,) )

[greenpanda-basicfakewitch]

Wheel of the Year | Sabbats Page One

Page two -> [In depth of the Wheel of the Year and the Summer/winter solstice and spring autumn equinox]

Just learned [as this is not my circle I'm frequently engaged in, remember whats common knowledge to you guys is new information to me] Sabbat = Origin was jewish and is appropriated and so it's not recocmended to use so others use Wheel of the year.

Why I don't call them Sabbats Blog Post -> Source Why I don't call them Sabbats/Tumblr -> Source *Little similair but goes into more detail about gardner etc. Wheel Of the Year Information -> [Source]

And so Wheel of the Year! Also words that might not be great to use;

Yule: December 19-23

Imbolc: February 1-2

Ostara: March 19-23

Beltane: April 30 – May 1

Litha/Midsummer: June 19-23

Lughnasadh: August 1-2

Mabon: September 20-24

Samhain: October 31 – November 1

And so with the above I am now in the position to pick out the rubbish out of this well, and see if the water is even usable at this point.

Most have stated that this is a hodgepoge luandry with a couple coloured socks in the mix and that others are made up/appropriated bastardized versions. Some are okay to use as long as you source the origins, not to claim it as wicca but state that for example Samhain is Irish descent, Yule or Norse descent etc.

Personally if it was up to me I would just do seasonal [speaking for myself but even when I tried to celebrate all the holidays I couldn't I was exhausted and all the STUFF you needed as a solitary which]

I don't know why it's not just split into the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Most you cannot use, but others I've been told not to disregard because celebrating them is whats keeping them alive before they fall to time. As long as you source them and say what is irish/ jewish/ norse and keep them in check you can still celebrate.

[Source] <- this is a tumblr blog post that goes into detail about the wheel of the year there 'are' some issues so I recocmend reading the comments/reblogs.

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[Source]

The 4 lesser Sabbats or quarter holidays are the two solstices and two equinoxes. They have origins in Germanic traditions and include: Yule (winter solstice) - Was told it was a pagan holiday, originally norse so far no ones brought up issues celebrating this one. Ostara (spring equinox) -> [Source] So online some people [and I myself who regurgitated and didn't realise] was told that Christians appropriated the old traditions from pagans/witches to use it into their beliefs they stold christmas from yule/ halloween from samhein and easter from Ostara. The blog touches on the misinformation that Ostara is NOT easter and explains why. Litha (summer solstice) From what I've been told Litha sometimes gets confused with the other one, and and Mabon (fall equinox). -> [Source] This person does just state the info as a fact and doesn't supply a source BUT others have discussed the topics and have backed up their statments so I trust it a little but in case you're like me and disregard information if it feels more like a personal opinion/ over fact.

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Okay this one I may still work on/edit when I get more information together because what I LOVE [sarcasm] about this site is that they are very vague about info and when someone makes a post THEN do they decide to be OH SO HELPFUL and tell me how WRONG I am ah gotta love tumblr.

[author-a-holmes]

It's December 17th!

Am I sharing some gorgeous, thought provoking, Van Gogh Quotes this month?

Absolutely I am.

Am I also sharing a Question of the Day inspired by the daily quote, and then inviting you all to answer them with me?

I absolutely am doing that too!

If you want to play the rules are simple. Answer the question, and then tag forward! I'm leaving all my posts this month as open tags so feel free to join at any time. <3

Question of the Day!

How does your protagonist practice self care? What’s their favourite way to recharge?

My Answer:

Lizzy’s favourite way to recharge is to go out and be surrounded by nature. Sometimes that’s the river at the back of her house, or it’s wandering the forests of Arbaon. But, Lizzy’s not the best at realising when she needs to put some time into Self Care. She’s always very focussed on trying to make herself useful or helpful and she sometimes forgets that she needs to prioritise herself. Booker helps with that, so quite often he’ll ask for her help tracking down a herb, or some firewood, or similair and then just drag her into the woods for an afternoon.

[theemporium]

so i know gargling salt water can help disinfect the back of your throat (dont swallow it or you will be sick) but i assume it'd be a similair thing if ur ill? thats my guess

I’ve done it when I was ill or had a sore throat before!! ngl I don’t know if the previous anon realised I was hungover and not sick, because I was a little confused how salt would help but maybe it does??😭

[mikamanga]

not got any solid thoughts but im rewatching jojo and its making me realise how binge watching just to understand whats popular is horrible for me

im only on part 2 but my enjoyment of these parts so far is much more than my first time. when i first watched it the first parts were boring to me but its because i wasn't really watching it because i wanted to but because i wanted to understand things like stands so i ended up 'watching' it in the way that the anime was playing but i wasnt really taking it in (a similair thing happened when i read chainsaw man the 1st time)

i think its why part 3 was my favourite part as it introduced stands. and later parts were boring not because they were bad but because i was forcing myself to watch over 100 episodes in a short time span

i couldnt even finish part 5 because i was so done with the series

and ironically if i just relax i can watch a lot of episodes AND understand the plot it might be less consistent than watching x episodes everyday but i'll actually like the series

[dragonboots]

Hello again, Hellsite.

Admittedly, i found this helpful before. Theres a different feeling, sharing my thoughts online knowing that there is even the slightest chance someone might read them, to the feeling of writing in a notes app and then forgetting it all completely. Part of me thinks i should be scared of the idea that anyone could find these little scribbles of my mind, but im oddly thrilled when i think that maybe someone could find this and feel just the same, and in turn see that they arent alone.

Today is a weird one. It feels like so many things are so very wrong that my mouth is sealed shut because it wouldnt know how to even start explaining everything. I find i feel like this alot.

Alot of the time, also, i might see posts similair to this and my brain always tends to conjure this image of someone lonely, whos problems are all in their head where they cannot escape. But thats never really it is it? Personally, id like to think i know a decent amount of people, quite a few i like and quite a few i despise. But its those people that make my problems feel like a drowning weight, because i feel i am trapped between them. Because i am not the one in control, i am the furthest possible from that. And i know that has always been one of the scariest fucking things for me.

Moreover, im in the middle of an oxymoron wrapped in a paradox. First of all im never middling. Im always high energy, blissfully ignorant, or low energy which comes with drowsy carelessness or tired yet violent anger. Second of all, i have been scared of a change all my life. This is an obvious fact to any and all who know me (often because i tell them, because i have a bad habit of oversharing occasionally. Im getting better at reigning that in.). However, recently a fear of all change in and of itself has evolved into a want for change, but only small changes that i can control. I feel as if my world would crumble if it shifted, but the constant weight its currently under is no better. Better the devil you know, i suppose, but that devil has me bored, and scared of a future it tells me is ahead yet i never feel approaching.

I dont intend to sound like a writer or poet with some of the fancy shit ive typed here. I intend to think, to write, and to try and put my thoughts into words as best i can, despite how much it feels like trying to catch a cloud. While writing this i realised just why it helps me so much to put this down (ive typed the word write so much it looks and sounds wrong now). I think it makes it easier to when you know someone might see it, or when it feels like im talking to someone rather than just jotting down rambling thoughts, because it forces me to think about how to properly structure my sentence, how to make it make a little more sense, but still keep the irrationality of my own human thoughts.

All this just to say, ive felt a little in pain, and a little like ive been sinking all day. This has lifted a weight of me, and if someone sees it i recommend you write too, if thats what youre into. Just get your thoughts out. Its a basic lesson weve all heard repeated a million times, but we never really remember. Dont keep the scary crap inside. As awful as it sounds, it helps to think someone out there might be scared with you.

[sylvyspritii]

Update: 8 days later, and i just beat Realm Reborn Here is the journey:

In the beginning, i chose Arcanist, but i quickly realised that Fisher is actually the best job

I got invited to a strange secret area that had a lot of rich looking houses, so i did what was natural; i saw a giant lighthouse, and i had a desire to climb it, that's how i discovered this game had jumping puzzles just like Guild Wars 2 (nice), it took me a bit, and the controls are very different compared to GW2, but it was quite satisfying when i managed to reach the top after much practise, it's kind of like Dark Souls

There was also some guy named Gayus van Ballsack, and he was being a little mean with the amount of devastation he caused, but it was not his intention, so i'm glad we cleared that up, i also became a dark academia history nerd on the way somehow, and got a cute fairy and a bird

Now that that's over, back to the real game; fishing I'd like to give my shoutouts to my boy Rhitahtyn Arvina, we might have been enemies, but he fought with honour, a respectful opponent And i'd like to give my anti-shoutouts to the Companies of Heroes, i can go into a rant about them, but i think for veterans reading this, you will understand right away and no words are neccessary, and for the newcommers reading this; good luck

NO SPOILERS PLEASE, THANK YOU My overall review of Final Fantasy XIV Realm Reborn: 6.5/10

Some context; I have played many MMO's in my life; Runescape, Maplestory, Ragnarok Online, Trickster Online, Tera, and my favourite one; Guild Wars 2 I tried Final Fantasy XIV before, in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2023, but i always uninstalled the game, but every time, friends somehow convinced me to try again, telling me "it gets really good, the story will unironically resonate with you so much, there's so many themes that we know you will love, it's literally like one of those stories that you in particular would love so much" AND EVERY TIME, i'm like "nah, i gave it a chance before, it sucks" and then i try it in secret, but then give up anyways, usually before level 20

This time was different, this time, i was watching one of my furry friends stream the game, and she was very helpful in answering some of my questions, i decided to try again to see what happens, and some of my other friends helped me too this time While it is much better than Final Fantasy XIV 1.0, and it has received many great quality of life updates over the years (such as improved automatic tap targetting, more keybind and macro options, and more (incredibly good) HUD customisation options), i still find it difficult to reccomend this game over Guild Wars 2, which had a much better basegame already in 2012, alongside its already great expansion packs (i have yet to play the FFXIV expansions, but this is just my raw take on the basegame since i just finished it) A big standout is the music however, the composer, Masayoshi Soken, who also composed the soundtrack for FFXVI (which i liked a lot, well, except for Titan's theme being a bit repetitive), surprised me, some of the later songs in the boss battles are especially good, (such as Rhitahtyn Arvina's boss theme, which has a really fun difficulty spike that fits the music and the moment in the story very well, alongside just being a general badass) and the final boss theme, you know, the one after the unintended devestation I thought the story was boring and uninspiring, a lot of it felt like it was taking elements from other MMO stories (such as Guild Wars 2, i mean, the 3 factions, the "going to the tribal people" part of the game, the Eazorean Alliance being very similair to the Fort Trinity stuff, it really feels like the developers just kind of tried to scramble together stuff inspired by other MMO stories), but i have to admit, that the closer we got to the ending, the more the story and the writing started to improve (Coerthas was when it picked up a little bit, suddendly, the worldbuilding, lore, politics, and culture started to engage me a little bit more, and i started reading more of the dialogue around there again), and i really enjoyed the characterisation of the Imperial generals nearing the end, it was really cool to see some stuff that was foreshadowed before (which i was REALLY HOPING would mean something) actually have some real subtle impacts (i'm sorry, i'm talking about my boy Rhitahtyn again okay, he was a real one) I'd say that the story has /potential/, but overall, i think the story of the main quest of the FFXIV basegame (Realm Reborn) really was a 6/10, and i know some of the fans reading this might not like me being that harsh, but i'm sorry, it really doesn't give a good first impression for the people that came to this game because they heard it had such a good story (me, it was me, i am not impressed, but perhaps Heavensward will be slightly better?) Also, this is one of the few games that understands that fishing minigames should be like Pokemon, don't make things too complicated! Just make it nice and simple and satisfying, no annoying Big the Cat Fire Emblem fishing mechanics, i want to listen to my podcasts and watch Vinny streams on my second monitor, thank you

So, in case it is not clear; yes, i liked it, but i wasn't impressed, but i think there's some potential maybe

NO SPOILERS PLEASE, THANK YOU

Okay, i changed my mind, Final Fantasy XIV is good actually

[greenflamedwriter]

Escape death by the Skin of your teeth.

Summary: BEFORE Shen Yuan transmigrates and wakes up as Shen Qingqiu there is a glitch he wakes up first in the Original Luo Binghes Dream. Shen Yuan figured that of course he died reading PIDW of course his post death brain would create this before he officially kicked the bucket. Unaware he was officialy assimlated as Shen Qingqiu and looked like him, The OG Binghe apporached thinking this was his dream and planned on tearing this Shen Qingqiu limb from limb, killing his Shizun was always cathartic.

Until...

"Luo Binghe!" The man smiled almost looking...happy to see him "Of Course you would be here." He nodded self assurdly.

Luo Binghe paused, this man was strange..."How so?" He asked when the other began to approach him and was looking him up and down and nodded.

"Handsome, so of course it's Luo Binghe."

...What?

"Oh- I died, which figures that we're here since I was reading Proud Immortal demon way."

What did reading have to do with this? Luo Binghe looked confused and it made Shen Qingqiu explain.

"It's the worst book in the world, just awful but I only read it for the protagonist. He made it worth it. He's my favourite."

"Whose the protagonist?"

"You?" Now Shen Qingqiu looked confused and Luo Binghe realised he may have started to lose it, to create this...but- the more he approached and the lack of fear from the other he realised he was real.

Luo Binghe was shocked, who was this person?

"Shizun?"

He asked- maybe it was Shizuns soul- but what did he mean by story?

Shen Qingqiu's turned around almost looking for something then looked back at Binghe "Shizun?" He asked and Luo Binghe took his hand.

The other let himself be led, and...it was just wrong. His Shizun would never let him touch him. Wouldn't blindly trust him.

Luo Binghe was happy that he didn't give in to his need to break his Shizun again. He created a lake and showed Shen Qingqiu his reflection.

And gaped to his the image in the lake looked drastically different.

A man with short black hair, and wore spectacules, he was pretty and wore one layer of a black robe with short sleeves. Luo Binghe found himself staring at the strange image.

"Hmm? What is it?"

He asked the man to look down, Shen Qingqiu looked at himself and frowned at the robes he wore and even touched his long hair "What?" He even found a fan in his robe and blinked as he opened it.

"What-" He looked at the lake and saw his form didn't match what he looked like...

"You look like Shen Qingqiu." Luo Binghe spoke, it looked like it would take a while. The man tensed his eyes snapping to his in shock.

"I'm the scum villain!?" He yelped taking a step back, he looked back at the water that rippled and showed what he looked like. Shen Qingqiu fell to his knees and leaned closer his hand touching his face.

"THis is Shen Qingqiu- he's so good looking and yet he had to be jelaous of a kid? What was his problem?" The self hate and disgust was entertaining. Luo Binghe covered his mouth with his hand to hide his smile.

Shen Qingqiu leaned back his lips pursued into a pout.

He had to admit, this creature wore Shen Qingqiu better.

"Why...why do I look like Shen Qingqiu?" he asked looking up at Binghe who sat next to him flapping his robes. "I don't know...what is your name?" he asked leaned forward one hand cupping his face as he looked up at his former Shizun.

"Shen Yuan."

...Intersting, that they have a similair last name.

"This is such a bizzare after life..." The other mumbled, looking away and wringing the fan inbetween his hands. "How so?"

"I read Proud immortal Demon way and suddenly die and here I am and I look like the Villain..." He looked so lost and Luo Binghe wondered if there were anyway to stay asleep and pick this person apart.

The other flinched his gaze looking up at a certain point his brow furrowed. Luo Binghe straightened at the change as the other grew more tense.

"What- I transmigrated- this is real!?" The other gasped looking panicked. The System which appeared spoke to Shen Qingqiu telling him there was a glitch and he ended up in a wrong point of the PIDW timeline and will be relocated to an apporiate time frame the fix the trash plot.

Luo Binghe watched as Shen Yuan looked at him eyes wide, he looked scared and Luo Binghe moved forward and saw Shen Yuan's form snap and vanish from his eyes.

Luo Binghe woke up with a start almost startling his wife he sat next to him. He rubbed a hand over his face.

What a strange dream- he must be losing his mind...

The next night it was the same...

He awoke in his dreams back at Qing Jing Peak before it was destroyed, but only the areas where he and Ning Yingying Hid away and there was his Shizun again.

"Shizun?"

The other turned tensed then relaxed, a smile on his lips "Binghe."

He found themselves walking through the bamboo grove and Shen Qingqiu spoke sounding distressed.

"I'm at a point where you're a disciple. I'm so screwed- if I don't treat this Binghe right then I'll end up like Shen Qingqiu with my limbs ripped off along with my tongue and eyes..." He said sounding distressed. Luo Binghe felt a little bad, "Why can't you just do what you want?"

He had to listen to Shen Yuan lament and coo at his younger self and how he realised how cool he was, being so humble and a good character how he took the abuse as training and never took it to heart. How he wished he could just stop the abuse and treat Binghe well.

The way he spoke of his younger self had this Luo Binghe growing envious.

Shen Yuan sighed "I can't disobey the system. If Shen Qingqiu was suddenly nice to Luo Binghe I would be punished. I would be killed again. I managed to give him medicine...if I get anough points I can break the OOC protocal and do what I want."

Luo Binghe had no idea what he was talking about, but this was the most entertaining thing he's ever had since his Shizun died.

"And what would that be?"

Shen Yuan crossed his arms and nodded in a mattter of fact way.

"Hug, Luo Binghes golden thighs."

Luo Binghe almost tripped and fell head first into a bamboo stalk.

"Binghe!? Are you alright?" he felt the others hands on his arms and adjusted him.

The demon Lord cleared his throat.

"So you're only being nice to him from self-preservation?" Luo Binghe wished he could hate him...but he understood that this creature was forced to look like his Shizun and had the knowledge of his gruesome end.

He couldn't judge someone who wanted to survive...

The other looked away tapping his fan to his lips, and Luo Binghe found himself transfixed almost missing what the other would say next.

"Almost, but...I read your story, and I can't help but want to spoil him. Luo Binghe's life was so heartbreakingly sad. He deserves at least some form of happyness. He's such a hardworker too- and so strong even while using a fake manual! Luo Binghe is impressive."

The Demon lord walking beside him couldn't help but preen, "Even when others tried to drag him down and were jelaous Binghe would end up proving them wrong. So many people were in support and even loved seeing you grow up strong. So many were rooting for you."

It was strange that others would read his life, but knowing Shen Yuan who hated the story, only read it for him. Was with him every step of the way.

"Once this protocal is gone, I'm going to treat Luo Binghe as he deserves. I'm going to be a kind Shizun and help him grow stronger. He's so hard working I doubt I'd even have to try hard."

His Shizun was so informal as well, but the growing anger of envy began to surface.

"It's not fair."

Shen Yuan paused to see the dark stormy cloud over his face, Shen Yuan tensed almost terrified and that made Binghe even more irritated.

For once he didn't want this one to fear him.

Then saw the other give a sof huff then patted his head.

"Oh, Binghe. You know I'm treating him like this because of you. That everything I do for him is what I wish I could do for you. Your story is the reason I want to change things, make it better. Give you a more happier fullfilling ending."

Luo Binghe never cried, not once his Shizun tossed him into the Abyss. And yet his eyes burned.

"But it's not fair, this one deserves a kind Shizun." He looked away and felt the other cling to his sleeve.

"Binghe, without you- without the story of Proud Immortal Demon way, I wouldn't be here. If you had the kind Shizun there would be another version of you out there who didn't have one. It's a paradox."

There again with those strange terms.

"Without you, I wouldn't be here. Without the knowledge of your story and wanting to change it. you know time travel?"

Luo Binghe knew the concept, it was another type of fiction.

"If a son went back in time and killed his father, then the son would not exist. BUT if he did no excist how would he go back in time to kill his father."

Luo Binghe blinked. That was...interesting.

"The roles could just as easily be reversed. You could be my Binghe. And he could be you here. Having this conversation."

Luo Binghe knew what the other was trying to say, it was still unfair though...

"And if you were transported back in time as a disciple, and all of a sudden I acted differntly better and treat you kindly and then you found out it was because I KNEW of Shen Qingqiu's demise? Wouldn't you not trust it? Assume that the kindness was a lie? That Shen Qingqiu never truly cared but wanted to save his own skin."

Luo Binghe clenched his fists...he had to admit, he wouldn't be pleased and would hurt his Shizun even more for it...

The silence was stiffling, and he felt the other slowly reach out then tossle his hair. Luo Binghe kept still, still unsure on how to take this gesture something even his wives didn't do.

"But I'm also here, so I can also spoil this Luo Binghe too. Even if he's just a dream."

...A dream?

Shen Yuan spoke to himself "I wonder if I made you up to give into impulses that I'm holding back from Binghe. You're such a good kid, it's hard not to touch your hair. It's so fluffy."

Shen Qingqiu hated his hair. It was untamable.

They exited the Bamboo grove and moved back to the training ground that was empty.

"There is something else..." Shen Yuan spoke fiddling with his fan again, Luo Binghe raised an eyebrow "Hmm?"

"I found your jade Amulet."

Luo Binghe inhaled sharply, then cursed himself for reacting. He thought he buried those feelings years ago.

"This one searched hours to find it." To come up empty handed. Shen Yuan nodded "It was high up in a tree, because of the colour it blended in with the scenary."

Luo Binghe clenched his fists, he burned Cang Qiong down- he doubted it was still there but...he could try.

"Did you give it back to him."

Shen Yuan shook his head "It's a really valuable item, it has a lot of points. If something happens I could use it to save myself if Luo Binghe decides to kill me."

On second thought- he understood why this person became his scum teacher.

"That amulet was this ones mothers- it's the last thing this one has to remember her." He growled almost close to losing it. Shen Yuan nodded.

"I know, but Binghe isn't strong enough to protect it, he lost it to Ming Fan. And if some events transpire and Binghe has to take them on. Like the Endless abyss he could lose it..."

Luo Binghe scowled, he had a point.

"The Abyss? You plan on throwing him down? Isn't that worse being kind one moment then acting like a scum villain to save your own skin?" He snorted in derison and saw the steel in Shen Yuans eyes. He almost believed him to be Shen Qingqiu.

"I want to survive." He spoke his voice small, "Luo Binghe will survive it and grow stronger. He'll have a harem, and a family. But I could be torn limb from limb...I don't want to die..."

Luo binghe faltered, then sighed. He tugged Shen Yuan close and held him tucking his chin ontop of his head.

"You're not going to die." he spoke, he won't allow it.

He forgot how weak others were and what they had to do to survive. He knew how monstrous he was, he payed back kindness and cruelty ten fold.

"Come on, you want to break that OOC thing right?"

Shen Yuan nodded, leaning back his hands no longer shaking. But also unsure about the change in topic.

"You act nothing like Shen Qingqiu. I don't know how no one expelled you for possesion yet."

Shen Yuan gave a huff as Luo Binghe took him to the training ground and apparated a faceless disciple and went through the lessons he went through in the peak.

"Now, what would you do?"

When the disciples made a mistake, Shen Yuan would sigh but would then tell them what the did wrong...with a freakin smile on his face.

To anyone who didn't know Shen Qingqiu this would look cruel, but to Luo Binghe he knew everything about his Shizun. All the way down to the microexpressions tics, and movements.

"No- no, use the fan like this." Luo Binghe directed and slowly he saw Shen Yuan acting more and more like Shen Qingqiu.

Luo Binghe almost paused to see it in motion, the spark of hate igniting. He looked away. "you're getting the hang of it."

Then the spell broke as Shen Yuan beamed and fist pumped, "Yes!" He was going to get over that OOC function as quick as he could!

He then bowed to Luo Binghe who flinched unsure on why this man was bowing.

"This Master thanks Lord Luo Binghe for his guidence."

Luo Binghe was unsure on how to feel about this, secretly he loved it, his face splitting into a grin. Oh, he could make Shen Yuan do anything in this body.

Finding his thoughts running away with themselves he cleared his throat.

"This one is happy to help his Shizun."

----------------------------------------------------------------

"...This one wonders what he did wrong...why weren't I god enough..."

Shen Yuan gazed at him, eyes almost pearing into his soul he reached out clutching Luo Binghes hand.

"Binghe. You did nothing wrong. You didn't deserve any of those punishments. Shen Qingqiu hurt you because he was a resentful man who was jelaous of a child. He hated you because he knew how strong you would become. And you grew up to be powerful in spite of a cruel man. One who tried to kill you three times doesn't deserve the time of day. You shouldn't let someone like that huant you or drag you down. You're better than him."

Luo Binghe felt something tighten in his chest, to hear the man responsible say this. He shut his eyes, he knew he could never get closure...not really but this might be the closest thing to it.

"I can't let him go."

"It's not healthy to keep trying to...meet the expectations of something who doesn't care, it's not fair on you. You don't have to forgive him. Thats not what I'm asking what he'd done was unforgivable, but you have to move on. You have a life there's no need to be held down by a ghost."

Luo Binghe turned to look at Shen Yuan and couldn't help but think, if he renounced and tried to move on. Then what about Shen Yuan?

But he noticed that as times wore on, Shen Yuans soul was getting stronger. Almost as if it was barely holding on and was now being accepted into their world. If Luo Binghe killed him he doubted the soul would've survived.

He found himself sitting near the lake with Shen Yuan doing his hair.

He was surprisignly good at it...

He felt even more envious of his younger self who had the attention of this Kind Shizun...

Luo Binghe was happy, to have this...have a Shizun who gave him kindness...but maybe this was just as cruel.

To Show what Luo Binghe should've had in comparison...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Months passed, and Luo Binghe found himself too excited to go to sleep, he found himself enjoying his time with Shen Yuan who- in their dream world would change a few things. He acted less like Shen Qingqiu - even wore his hair style differently and Luo Binghe found himself appreciating it.

But as months turned into years he watched as his Shen Yuan grew more somber and quiet, a permanent frown on his face.

"Binghe has gotten so much stronger. I'm sure Meng mo is treating him well..." He spoke wistfully then grew quiet again.

This Luo Binghe almost wanted this Shen Yuan to meet his Master Meng Mo, meng mo was more like a father to him than Shen Qingqiu.

"Shen Yuan?" Luo Binghe asked finding his hands circled around Shen Yuans waist as he propped his chin on the others head. Shen Yuan scowled- he was short his whole life and hated when his friends or siblings did that or even propped their elbow on his head and rested it there- why? Why do that?

"hmm?"

"Whats the matter?" Shen Yuan sighed, this demon Lord dream version was so touchy feely...maybe Shen Yuan missed contact the only people who hugged him were Ning Yingying or Luo Binghe and he was- he was going to...

"I need to push Binghe into the abyss." Shen Yuan spoke, misery laced his words.

"If I don't I'll die...He can survive- he'll come back in five years but what was the point? What was the point of saving Liu Qingge just to use him as a shield being cruel to Binghe just to throw him into the abyss whats the point?" Shen Yuan looked at Binghe and looked back down.

"Should I not bother? Maybe I just not do it. I've already lived my life I've done everything I've wanted to do-"

"No-" Luo Binghe hands grasped his hips pulling him closer and moving to tuck his face into Shen Yuans neck.

"Don't- just let me think."

Shen Yuan was still staring ahead "I've been thinking on this for months- I...there's nothing I can do. I can't remove Binghe from the conference. I can't take him home either, there's nothing...unless..." Shen Yuan leaned back looking at Binghe.

"Can a human survive the abyss?" Luo Binghe frowned- why was he asking that?

"No, no human can survive the abyss, the toxic fumes alone. And lack of spirtual energy no cultivator could practice inedia and you have to move forward all the time or be eaten."

Shen Yuan nodded "But if I was with Binghe- if I went into the abyss with him-"

"No." Luo Binghe growled eyes narrowing "You will die. A much more gruesome and pointless death so theres no need to waste it by jumping into the abyss when you know he'll survive it. This one is proof that he'll come back."

Shen Yuan looked away, "I know he can come back- I know you survived it but why? Why did you have to go into the abyss!?"

Shen Yuan yelled almost looking frustrated and Luo Binghe sighed.

"Once the seal was removed this one was a danger to everyone and others, the abyss made this one into a demon lord and-" Binghe paused.

"Shen Yuan. Could you ask Luo Binghe to go into the abyss?"

"What? no- No I couldn't just ask him."

"Would it be allowed or do you have to push him?"

Sen Yuan blinked "I- I don't know."

Luo Binghe clasped his shoulders "You have to ask Luo Binghe to jump. Tell him All the masters disciples were murdered by demons and if they saw him there they will kill first and ask questions later and the whole Cang Qiong mountain will suffer by affiliating with demons." Shen Yuans eyes were wide as Binghe shook him.

"Tell him to find Xin Mo and that he can return in five years- if you make it look like you're saving him he won't take his revenge."

Shen Yuan frowned, for the first time looking at Binghe with scrutiny and suspicion.

"Are you sure this will work."

"This one promises."

Although, with the hell that is the endless abyss Binghe might question everything his Shizun taught him, it's how he came to the conclusion that his Shizun was scum and tried to kill him.

And If he touched Xin Mo it might warp and twist the memories to make itself seem more useful to Binghe.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

He knew when it happened. Qing Jing was raining.

-Binghe asks to come over.

"If I'm there, I can explain everything. I can even protect you." Shen Yuan looked up at him, still looking lost. "I can't ask you that." He spoke pushing Luo Binghe's hand away.

Luo Binghe almost lost it, but held back by asking "Why not?" He did not sound like a petulan child.

"You worked so hard for your palace, your harem. You're the emporer. You earned that. If you came to my world- Its Binghe's birthright he needs that and I doubt the two of you will share."

Lord Luo Binghe almost snarled his world was worthless- his harem used him- he could vanish and they probably didn't even notice he was gone! He was looking over his shoulder just waiting for some demon or human cultivator trying to assasinate him.

And Luo Binghe he was...tired.

He never realised that the last moment he felt true genuine love was from his own mother. And he's known nothing like it since.

A Shen Yuan- he wasn't like his wives or his subordinates and yet he radiated warmth and kindness without trying. And Luo Binghe wanted that- he would trade his entire world for that.

"I don't mind giving up my palace, my harem for you." He spoke softly his hand slipping back into Shen Yuans. He always wanted to take this man- but not in his dream no. If he could meet him face to face...

"Even giving up Xin Mo? I don't think it's a good idea to have both in the same world and Luo Binghe needs it right now."

Luo Binghe scooped Shen Yuan into his lap, there was just something about him that made Luo Binghe want to hold him.

Luo Binghe looked at the buriel mound they sat at, how Shen Yuan was staring at it- was probably still staring at it back in his world- alone.

"I survived the endless abyss without a sword. I don't need one to be in your world." It was true, Xin Mo needed him more than he needed it.

Shen Yuan laughed "You're making me feel like one of your wives." Luo Binghe tensed- did Shen Yuan really...?

"You can't flirt with other girls in my world- not Ning Yingying or the others. Thats Binghes harem."

Oh- Luo Binghe relaxed and couldn't help but smirk "But I am Binghe." The other hit him with his fan.

A year ago Luo Binghe would've snapped that fan. But from Shen Yuan, he found he didn't mind so much...

-Binghe comes to their world, Shen Yuan is shocked that he was with the OG Binghe the whole time and thought it was a dream/ How he keeps reaching for Binghe- that he woke up without him and his white lotus and the emtpyness of his bamboo manor was even worse.

Luo Binghe had no idea how broken his Shizun was. He was afraid of he was replacing the others binghe and just filling in a space. But when Shen Yuan looked at him outreached his hand and pinched himself he knew Shen Yuan wanted him here. In his bamboo house and din't think he would have it, to meet the OG Luo Binghe it was...overwhelming like meeting a celebrtiy.

Luo Binghe tempers Xin Mo, wears a mask so others don't know he's Binghe and hides his demonic energy.

He plans on staying with Shen Yuan- both preparing for the other Binghes return just in case, Shen Yuan had a plant body to escape too if it all went wrong.

Luo Binghe was led astray, there was a snake that almost attacked the hua disciple and seemed to be overaly intersted in his Shizun. In his distraction he felt a resondoing bang.

Shizun!

He moved over and saw his shizun cradled in his former versions arms.

dead.

"You...y-you-" Luo Binghe spoke enraged ripping off his mask and stalking forward.

"Do you know what you've done! You impertanent brat! Do you realise how lucky you are on having a kind Shizun and you killed him- your a murdurer."

If Shen Yuan were alive he would be naming all kettles and pots black.

The others Luo Binghe gaped eyes wide to see himself towering over him- had he finally gone mad?

Luo Binghe grabbed the front of his robes "He mourned you! He was going to jump into the Abyss for you if it would've have killed him- now he died in vain!"

Luo Binghe shook his head "I Just," He dropped his informal speak choked up on tears "I just wanted to know why- why he would throw me away."

The other growled his hands clenching "He didn't want to. He was cursed to do it- he couldn't speak of it which was why I'm here! If you weren't so impatient none of this would've happened!"

The other almost looked ready to argue, until there was a commotion, Luo Bingge scowled readjusting his mask. "Move- take him to the demon palace. We'll preserve him in the north."

"What- why?"

"We're going to bring him back."

...

This Luo Binghe was weak and pathetic. Is that what happened? His drive came from trying to please Shizun. But after that was gone- he was lost. Almost like a kid.

It was Bingge who took charge, shouting orders and practically shoving the youngest by the scruff of his neck.

He sighed He had sealed his Xin Mo, but that couldn't happen here, it was this Luo Binghe's world. It was his sword, his palace.

Bingge was fine playing second fiddle. His plans were mostly to stay with Shen Yuan and dote on him and relax in nature while this Binge worked at the palace, hah!

But now his plans had changed.

And Xin Mo wasn't mastered.

"I'm not Dual cultivating. I'll send Sha Hualing to round up criminals."

Bingge raised an eyebrow "What for?"

"For human cualdrons."

Wow, his younger self was a little dark. He glanced at Shen Yuans unmoving body and smirked. Did he know his white lotus was fully blackened? OR would Shen Yuan not see it?

It was only a short term solution. They needed to fix the body until Shen Yuan came back. He wasn't told where his mushroom body was- but Shen Yuan told him his plan. A letter will be sent to Qing Jing Peak that a Peerless Cucumber is in the Red light District.

That was so he and Binghe could meet up in the red light pavillion.

But until then...he had to watch this idiot.

And the human cualdrons weren't working as well as they should.

Well it needed to be mastered by Luo Binghe, he had done it once before. He knew since he was the same body and blood that Xin Mo wouldn't be able to tell.

As Luo Binghe held Xin Mo, grimacing in pain, Luo Bingge leaned over him his hand overlapping his on the swords hilt taking in the excess demonic energy opening his mind to the madness once again.

"You survived the endless abyss with your bare hands. You don't need this sword, the sword needs you."

He spoke to himself as he took in the anger- pain and the lust Xin Mo was overwhelming every demonic entity amalgamated in this sword and their would be the tempest.

But it seemed that Bingmei heard and felt as if the older was speaking with him.

With both sharing the burden, their energies balanced, and for once Luo Bingmei could think clearly.

He turned to see the other give him a smirk before giving him a playful shove.

--

This Luo Binghe...was not okay. He could see himself becoming more and more detatched, how he would burn himself out by purging his Shizuns meridians.

Luo Bingge scowled on the side watching, his Shen Yuan never told him he was affiliated with without a cure.

"There is a cure for without a cure." He spoke getting the others attention.

Luo Bingmei looked up shocked to see the others face "Dual cultivation with a heavenly demon should do the trick."

Bingmei scowled looking away in disgust "You're sick."

"No it's true- I'm not lying. I'm betting you're shizun probably knew as well."

The other tensed, and sensing blood in the water Luo Bingge moved closer "Hmm? What's this? what are you thinking?"

"Nothing you pervert. He just knew the thousand snow leaf lotus was useless..."

"You are clinging to a naked Shen Qingqiu and you're calling me the pervert."

[ohsalome]

I'll tell you though, as an American it's really disturbing to me the amount of Americans who will say stuff that's literally just an article on Sputnik

I check there sometimes to see what the Russian propaganda is, and I mean these people are literally saying the exact talking points of a current article, but thinking it's their own idea

There's a lot of my fellow Americans, both left and right, getting a pretty twisted idea over a situation that's... that's literally just Russia decided to invade Ukraine because they wanted to and thought they'd get no resistance, and then did what the Russian military always does, start butchering and lying

My god this isn't about your deepstate conspiracy, it's about people actually suffering actual harm that can't be undone. Like it's easy to have all these opinions a whole ocean away knowing you aren't going to be shelled

I don't know... I guess I just found your blog and saw what you were saying, and felt like saying... yeah, you're not wrong about how Americans are acting

I don't think I have any useful words to offer, I'm just sorry that this is happening

Few years ago, ukrainian schools started to have classes on "informative hygiene". The amount of propaganda and disinformation kremlin spends on us is much, much bigger than in the USA, so we need to have these skills from a very young age. And also there are specialised classes for adults, media workers, etc. They teach some basic understanding of factchecking, signs of informational manipulation, and other skills of working with information online. Of course, it won't guarantee that you are going to become immune to disinformation, but at the very least you'll be more likely to realise you were played if you become a victim of propaganda. Once the war ends, you might find the expertise of our specialists can become useful for you too.

As for the problem you raised, another important aspect is the language bareer. Obviously, most americans don't speak russian, so when you come up with your own conclusion of what russians are like, you base it off your own experience with english-speaking (mostly) expats. Not only this doesn't represent the majority of russian population, in most cases these people have a common sense of keeping a public face for the western audience but being openly xenophobic and chauvinistic in the safety of russian-speaking spaces. It is quite similair to how abusers would act decently in public, bbeat up their family when noone is seeing.

Which is why it is so important for westerners to finally realise that russians are chronical liers, stop listening to them and start listening to people who have historical experience of dealing with them (meaning Eastern Europeans, Baltics, etc). Like I said before, you don't need to do it for us, you need to do it for yourselves. This war is a wake up call for the whole world. If you don't throw off the shackles of illusion about russians being honest players, you are doomed to lose your own country's interests. Whether or not you'll be able to adapt to the reality will decide your future.

Also, make your representatives send us weapons.

[kaimactrash]

This started out as part of the costume thing but tbh I went rogue and decided to change up a few little bits after I realised in the middle of the night, that I already know and love a two piece style bunny suit...when it's on my ultimate wife Peridot of PuchiKarat, who I've drawn a handful of times. So since moira couldn't wear a typical bunny suit, I chose to theme her two piece look around Peridots look, white fur with dark tips, pink suit and shoes. also hid a tiny bunny styled after peridots fur colours, as the hair piece securing Moiras long hair into the bun. She can boast an impressive 0 inch waist...only because the top half of her body is only really held together by her belly mouth, she can actually seperate but that offers almost no benefit to her cuz shes essentially disabled and vurnerable to the extreme, so she avoids it when not absolutely nessasary...though the mouth sometimes decideds what to do on it's own. Her neck mouth works similairly but is much much less active than the belly mouth!I meantioned a bit before on tumblr, but moiras species grow these mouths as a result of injury, usually the kind that would be terminal for mortals, the mouths clasp the two body parts together by locking together, it's common for her spieces to become injured and so it became a focus to find ways to repair them after such events. Who was focusing on this? Hmm..... Another story for another time! I really like how this one looks! It's kinda funny, I ended up doing a similair face to my most recent kitty pic, especially the mouth, but i think if you see this and don't realise I like sharp teeth, you now know! I love characters flashing their pearly fangs.Remember folks, brush, floss, and rinse, tooth health is essential for your whole bodies health!   :P

[wilcze-kudly]

Yes, I loved it a lot because it felt like she was slowly realising the cycle of trauma in her family. But it is interesting that Kuvira and Baatar Jr weren't given similair leniency when they left. The family views them as traitors, even before they did anything undue to the family. And from how Opal and Suyin speak, the hurt there is personal. It's obvious the friction there isn't purely motivated ny difference in political opinions. Suyin and the Beifongs see Kuvura and Baatar leaving as a form of betrayal/abandonment. But Opal was able to "find a loophole" and get out on lighter terms due to her airbending and therefore losing a certain part of her identity that would connect her so strongly to her family.

You ever think about Opal having been the only Beifong to be able to seperate from her family on relatively peaceful terms and it required her to change the part of her identity that ties her closest to the rest of the Beifongs.

Like the Beifong family is Earth Kingdom nobility, Toph is a famed Earthbender, Lin is a metalbender cop, Suyin and the rest of the Beifongs are literally members of the metal clan. And the only way someone wasn't branded some manner of traitor was by losing that part of herself and swapping this legacy for another.

This new "path" in life she's taken, probably the only alternative to being confined in Zaofu forever she saw, requires her to let go of her attachments to her family. She's pressured to be neutral and to "uphold the oath of pacifism" while those she loves are being outwardly threatened. Because technically, she's not part of the group that's being threatened. She's meant to be an Air Nomad before she is a Beifong.

All this just because fate or something else beyond human comprehension gave her airbending and because she didn't want to be stuck in her mom's weird lil culty city.

The only option of freedom for her requires cutting ties. There are always strings attached.

I can't help but think of Toph's arc as well. She didn't care that much for the fight against the Firelord. No, she just wanted freedom. And she took the chance she had.

It's honestly interesting. The price these characters had to pay for their freedom. And the relationship the Beifongs have to freedom in general.

[consistency-whatisthat]

when i was a kid i never knew how to explain that, no mom, i don't want to watch the educational cartoon, because talk about climate change gives me a feeling of dread and fear/accpetance that humans will ruin planet earth, shows about the human body make me realise im just a sack of cells with a consciousness (and isn't that just similair to other animals) and shows about space got me thinking too much about the insignificance of my life

im pretty sure my seven year old mind wasn't prepared to deal with existentialism and now im a teen that sometimes goes on autopilot, copes with shitty memes, the closest i ever get to crying is abt schoolwork and i just want a definable identity

(i realise i could have totally made this a very depressing, sad and serious post but,,, aha ha finger guns)

[lifeofroos]

A/N: The Athena & Hephaestus chapter. Tell me what you think, because I can’t be sure. It’s heavy, so be warned. 

AO3 - KoFi

Mind and Matter

‘Hephaestus...’ Athena felt her heart skip a beat. The confidence she had had before walking into the workshop faltered. 

Hephaestus froze. She was the last one he had expected to show up to his forge unannounced. ‘Athena?’

The goddess took a deep breath. ‘I need you to tell me about making humanoid automatons.’ 

‘That’s not difficult.’

‘I mean automatons that act and think like a human does, not automatons that look like one.’ 

Hephaestus slowly turned around. Athena sat further away then she used to, back when. ‘You want my opinion?’

‘Why else would I be here, in this dirty, oily workshop?’

‘You used to say it was dusty.’

‘I think it’s oily now.’

He sighed. ‘Why exactly do you want my opinion on this matter?’

‘Because you are the one who will inevitably make a machine like that. The rest of us can theorise what it will be like, but that’s not worth much if we can’t make it. We should work together on this one.’ 

Hephaestus felt cold inside. ‘Perhaps we should.’

Athena nodded as she glanced around the workshop. She’s must be looking for escape routes. The thought didn’t make Hephaestus feel better. ‘I am sure this place used to be a lot cleaner.’

‘A lot cleaner when?’

‘Back when we…’ She stopped. ‘Not important. We are here to talk about automatons.’

‘You are. I think we should start with… defining human behaviour. What sets them apart from automatons in the first place.’

‘Yes, that would be apt.’ Athena was quiet until she realised Hephaestus wouldn’t talk first either. ‘They… ahem. Automatons can be easily taught to move and act and talk like humans. What sets humans apart from them is… their emotions. It’s… it’s a core part of who they are.’

The silence became almost unbearable. Athena had learned the sentences she would say by heart. She hadn’t taken into consideration what it would mean to say those sentences to Hephaestus. 

Hephaestus took a deep breath. ‘Well…’

Um, yeah…’

‘So…’

Athena threw a bolt across the room in a sudden fit of anger. ‘This is impossible.’

‘You look defeated.’

‘Yes, because I have to give in to Artemis that I’ve got two choices: Never see you ever again, or work it out.’

Hephaestus pulled up his shoulders. ‘Dionysus said something similair. But I don’t know where to start, Athena. I don’t understand what happened.’

Athena looked at her hands. ‘What happened is that we were friends, and suddenly you wanted to be more than that and I didn’t, and then…’ she shrugged and shook her hair. ‘Then nothing.’

‘I get it.’ Athena cringed. They used to always get each other, back when. Up until the incident. ‘Someone… someone told me you did want more.’

‘Who?’

‘Someone. They told me you did like me that way…’

‘They told you I was in love with you.’ 

‘...they told me that you were in love with me. After a few times, I was tempted to believe them. I think I knew, deep down, that you didn’t, but I never trusted my own feelings. When it turned out you weren’t in love with me, I was… so ashamed, Athena, and with good reason.’

‘Why are you not saying the name of the person who told you all that?’

‘I…’

‘Is it to protect them? Why would you do that?’

Hephaestus slowly shook his head. ‘Too much shame.’ 

Athena bit the inside of her cheek. ‘When it happened, I felt…’ She hesitated. 

‘Throw it out.’

‘I felt gross and betrayed. I thought we could make things together, beautiful things, without having love involved. And then…’ She sighed. ‘Yet, that you were lied to…’ She stared at her lap. He should have been less insecure, she thought to herself. Look at the mess we’re in now. ‘Sorry.’

 ‘Don’t. It… I already knew it. And it’s true.’

‘Doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.’

‘No, but…’ Hephaestus felt the tears burning behind his eyes. ‘It is just that it makes sense that you feel that way after what I did.’

Athena half-snickered, half-sobbed. ‘You really understand.’ She wiped her eyes.

‘How do we recover now?’

‘I thought I already did.’ Athena swallowed. ‘That’s why I said I would go here. I wanted to prove I could do it.’

When she looked up at Hephaestus, she gasped. ‘I am hurting you.’

Hephaestus stared at the silver on his anvil. ‘Maybe that’s not bad. Dionysus says that feelings need to be a mess in order to make sense of them. Like with cleaning a workshop. You need to make more of a mess to see everything you’ve got. Then you can detangle and sort it all.’

Athena shrugged. ‘I didn’t want to have those feelings. It’s not wise to carry grudges.’

‘Emotions don’t care about wisdom. Or logic.’ 

‘We can deal with them wisely.’

Hephaestus nodded. ‘Perhaps it’s time to do that. I… I am sorry, Athena. Sorry for what I did and sorry for making such a mess of your mind.’ 

‘I accept your apologies. Perhaps…’ she swallowed. ‘You know, I always hoped we could work together again, but I know it would never be the same. It won’t be like back when.’

‘No.’

‘No.’  They were quiet for a little while.

‘We didn’t even get to talk about automatons.’

‘We did get to talk about emotions though. I think I understand those better now.’ 

Hephaestus nodded. ‘Perhaps feelings are too advanced for any Automaton to have.’

‘I am almost sure of it.’ Athena felt like it had been enough. She stood up. ‘I’ll come back. We need to talk again.’

Hephaestus quietly nodded. 

‘Is there something?’

‘It was Poseidon, Athena.’ 

Athena felt a cold knot in her stomach. ‘That… that…’ 

‘I am so…’

‘Don’t. He made us both victims. He used you to get at me and as such destroyed our friendship.’ She slowly shook her head. ‘I… I need to think.’

‘Bye… goodbye.’

While she stepped outside, it felt like a weight was lifted off of Athena’s shoulders. She chuckled. But what did it mean? She didn’t know. She needed rest. 

A/N: I haven’t written about Athena like this often. She always feels like a bit of an automaton. It was interesting, because of course she would have feelings under the tough attitude. It probably takes a lot to make her lose her cool, because with wisdom you can always find the right solution, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Some feelings and events just don’t care for all your wisdom, or it’s wiser to let the feelings flow out. 

No hard feelings to the old Pos but in this story he is kind of a total jerk. This is going to lead to me explaining my interpretation of old Pos isn’t it-

This was incredibly difficult to write. I didn’t name the incident that created the first king of Athens, because that would create implications I didn’t know how to deal with. I still don’t know if this was written good enough. I might return to the Athena & Hephaestus friendship, mostly because it turned out way heavier than I intended. It also felt like I couldn't make it better, the words wouldn't change anymore. 

[eveningcatcher]

Main six + courtiers arguing with MC

I wasn’t really happy with how this post turned out. I planned to write it again, so when I got a request to write something similair, I got an opportunity for that XD

Asra

"MC," they said as they put on their shoes, "I'm going."

"Where?" they asked, however, once they saw Asra's travelling bag, they knew the answer, "You could have at least told me you were going..."

"I, I'm sorry MC, I have just realised there are some herbs we are running out of."

"OF course," they nodded with an irritating smile, "Since our shop usually gets so many customers that we are in a constant need for more and more items. They are most certainly not collecting dust in the back."

"MC, it's not like that," they reassured.

"But it is," they continued, annoyed, "If you needed some space you could have just told me, instead you decide to go travel God knows where for weeks!"

"It's not about me needing space!"

"Then what is it about?!?"

They were silent for a moment, their head dropping, "I, I have to go."

MC stared at them in disbelief. Asra is just going to leave like that?!?

"Fine, go then," MC responded, nearly pushing Asra out, "Have fun."

Asra felt the doors slam behind him, accompanied by the sound of the key turning in the lock. They turned, wanting to go back inside, to explain themselves, however, there was no light in the shop anymore. After knocking a tad bit loudly, they waited a minute, however, there was no sign of MC. Feeling insulted, Asra decided to go travelling; they'll explain themselves when they return home.

The whole journey didn't feel as good as it used to. Everything seemed bland and boring. In the mornings they would always get surprised when they wouldn't see MC's sleeping figure beside them, who would gently talk in their sleep whenever Asra would get out of the bed. Something, someone, is missing. Asra walked in the markets, blending in the crowd, only turning their head from time to time when they thought they saw MC. They got out of the crowd, going into one of the perfume shops. MC is quite fond of this fragrance, aren't they? They took the glass bottle, paid for it and then quickly put it in their backpack. Just on the other side of the road was a shop where they usually buy all of the herbs. After they were done with that, they headed back to Vesuvia, to MC.

"MC, I, I'm home," they said as they took their shoes off, putting the backpack right next to the doors, "Everything went much faster than I expected," they said sheepishly as they went up the stairs to the bedroom. However, MC wasn't there. Asra walked into the kitchen, downstairs in the shop, but still, there was no sight of MC. "MC... MC!" they called out, however, there was no response. They couldn't even feel MC's aura in the entire shop.

Asra didn't let that put them down. Maybe MC felt lonely and went to Nadia? After paying the Countess a quick visit they realised that wasn't the case. MC wasn't seen in the theatre, nor the Rowdy raven, not even in the market. The only person who has seen MC was a baker, however, the last time he saw them was two weeks ago, when they went shopping with Asra...

They returned home, once again, without MC. It's been a week and there was no sign of them. At this point, Asra had to reconcile with the truth, MC left them for good. They regretted not staying that day, asking MC to talk it all out, but now they can't change anything. With that devastating thought, they sunk into a dreamless sleep.

"Good morning sleepyhead," MC said as they pecked Asra's cheek, "Didn't expect to see you home so quickly..."

Asra rubbed his eyes, hugging MC, holding them tightly as if they would disappear any moment.

"Hey, what's wrong?" they asked, rubbing Asra's back, "What's with all the hugging?"

Asra gently sighed, inhaling the familiar scent of MC's hair, "You had me worried sick. Where were you anyway?"

"A few days after you went away I got a letter from my parents. They were sick and I went to take care of them, "they plainly explained as they played with Asra's white locks of hair, "Didn't you read the message I left you?"

They broke the hug, getting out of the bed, "What message?"

"You know," MC said as they made the bed, "The message on the counter."

Asra frowned, shaking their head. They went through the whole shop and they can't recall any message. Together they went downstairs, to the said counter, however, much to MC's surprise, there was not a sight of the note. They crouched, looking under the counter, then, after a couple of coughs from all of the dust, they picked up the dusty note, handing it to Asra.

"Oh, well that explains a lot of things," MC chuckled as they stood back up.

Julian

It was late and MC has just brushed their teeth, ready to go to sleep. They took the burning candle, carefully walking through the hallway, walking past Julian's room. Inside, the candles were still burning Julian didn't even notice them when they entered the room. It was only when they started talking that he turned his head to them.

"You know, you should go to sleep. It's late," MC said, wanting to add how they wished they could sleep together for a change.

"Yeah, yeah," he said, nodding, "Right after I finish with this!"

"No, how about you go to sleep now?" they asked, playing with his hair" Come on, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"But this is very important to me. I can't just stop now!" he gestured to his notes about some medical topic," Sleep can wait."

"No, it can't, and you know that. Come on, just, take better care of yourself."

"Soon. I promise,” he added as he gently pecked MC’s cheek, ” Right after this."

"Why do I feel like you're saying that just so that you could get me off your back?” they asked, moving away from him,” Please, please, just go to bed."

"Why does it matter so much?" he asked, annoyed, "I said I'll sleep. Don't make a fuss over nothing."

"Caring about your health is not making a fuss."

"Yeah, just like how you taking me out of the Rowdy Raven right at the moment when the fun started."

"It was two in the morning," they reminded him, huffing in annoyance," That's pretty late..."

"Don't be such a killjoy. I swear you act like the elderly sometimes," he said as he returned to his work, cleaning the pen off the dry ink," You're not happy when I'm having fun, you're not happy when I work. When will you be satisfied?"

"It's not about me being happy. It's not about me at all," they insisted," It's about you. I just want the best for you..." they looked at him for a moment, "Yet it looks like you don't want the same for yourself."

"Well then, I have an idea," he said with an irritated smile, "Why don't you just let me do whatever I want from time to time? You're restraining me too much, sometimes it's driving me insane!"

"Fine," MC said, irritated, as they left his room, going back to their room.

Who knows how long Julian spent working. He's not sure about it, either. All that he knows is that he woke around lunchtime on his desk. Thankfully this time ink didn’t spill. It would have been a catastrophe. He stood up, rubbing his eyes as he walked in MC’s room. Strange, they weren’t here. Right, they ran out of eggs last night, they must be in the marketplace right now! He gently hummed some melody that only he knew as he made himself a coffee. An hour has passed and MC still wasn’t home. He knew something was off, so he quickly drank anything that remained of his coffee, going to the town to look for them. Upon asking every shop owner, he realized that none of them knew where MC is. He felt worry overwhelm him as he went looking for them elsewhere.

After spending the whole day outside looking for them, it was time to return home. He hoped that MC returned home, but that was not the case. The next morning he hoped to see MC but they still haven’t returned. Several days later he spent like that, roaming the city streets, asking everyone he knows if they’ve seen MC. What if MC left them because they argued? Did they leave for someone else? Or even worse, what if something happened to them?

He kept thinking about it all as he tried to unlock the door, but they were open. Shit, he must have forgotten to lock it. He quickly went inside, expecting to find a burglar trying to take his expensive books, instead, they saw MC who has just started to unpack.

"MC, where have you been?” he said as he took off his cape, tears forming in his eyes,” Why did you leave me?"

"What?” they asked as they hugged him,” I didn't leave you, Sam has given birth and she needed my help with maintaining her business. That’s why I was away."

"Sam is a mom?!?" he asked, quickly brushing his tears off, feeling joy for her.

"Yeah, the baby is so adorable,” they smiled, “His cheeks are so rosy and, and soft! He is an angel, except when he cries at 4 AM..." they giggled, then got more serious.

Julian felt the tension between them, not knowing what to say. He did mean everything he said, however, he does believe he could have worded it a bit better.

"So, about that night..." he trailed off.

"I'll be serious with you Julian," MC started, "You're not a child, but there are times when you act like one. It would be nice if you took care of yourself from time to time. You’ll end up like Tudor by the time you turn 40!"

He felt a shiver run down his spine upon hearing the grumpy merchant’s name. “Fine…” he trailed for a moment, then quickly added as he kissed MC on the forehead, “I’m glad you’re back.”

Nadia

This evening MC and Nadia have spent their time in the palace garden, drinking tea and enjoying each other’s company. However, Nadia couldn’t help but notice how there is something wrong with MC. Not just now, it’s been like this for several weeks, maybe even a whole month. MC would spend copious amounts of money and Nadia had no clue where all that money went. Sure, she also loves to spend money here and there, but it has never been so bad that she didn’t have what to eat the next morning.

“MC…” she started talking, knowing she couldn’t dismiss the topic any further,” You can’t just spend so much of your money…”

MC stared at her for a moment, surprised by her remark. They looked down for a moment, then started speaking in an annoyed tone: “Nadi, please, I can do whatever I want! It’s my money, after all.”

That sort of rude reply took Nadia back. It didn’t sound like MC at all. It reminded Nadia of a person she would never want to think about again – Lucio.

“I never said you couldn’t,” she responded with the same tone as MC,” I just said that you should ration it. For God’s sake, act like an adult.”

MC looked at her with sadness in their eyes as they opened their mouth, wanting to ask something, however, they decided not to. Instead, they stood up, walking out of the palace, silently saying their goodbyes.

Nadia watched them leave in frustration. Once they were out of sight she took a deep breath, returning to her rooms, going to sleep.

In the morning, as she was having breakfast, a certain man demanded to see her. She has never seen him before, but by the looks of his expensive clothes, they are here business-wise.

He sat in front of her, wishing her a good morning, then asked what he came here for, “Do you know anything about MC’s whereabouts?”

She nearly spits the food out of her mouth upon hearing MC’s name. What does this man have to do with them? “I, I do, they live in the shop-”

“I went there, they’re not home,” he interrupted her mid-sentence, growing impatient.

“But why do you ask?”

“They’re in big debt,” they simply stated as he took the cat hair off his suit.

“Debt?!?” she asked, furious. MC’s gone too far,” How?”

“I’m not sure, it’s not in my interest,” he admitted with no shame,” But it has something to do with their brother’s medicine. I don’t know, but neither do I care.”

She stopped for a moment to think about it all. MC did mention how their brother hasn’t been feeling well, but they never told her about this. It seems like she figured out where all that money went.

“How much do they owe you?” she asked after a moment of silence.

He chuckled, “A lot.”

“I’ll pay.” She simply stated.

He looked at her, surprised, but upon remembering that she indeed is the Countess, he accepted the offer. As soon as he got all of the money, he simply left, wishing her the best.

Nadia thought for a moment about the whole situation. Why didn’t MC tell her anything? They knew that she could just pay it all off. Yet, they still wanted to do it all themselves, suffering in the process. God, why are they so… so destructive to themselves. Do they enjoy seeing themselves suffer?

Over time, seeing how MC still didn’t come back to their shop, her feeling of anger turned into worry. What if they did something to themselves because of the money? What if they turned to theft? No, MC would never do that, would they? Every day she came up with new scenarios of what MC could have done just to get their hands on the money, neither one of them looking good.

However, as soon as she saw MC after a couple of weeks walking in the Palace hallways, the anger Nadia felt returned.

“MC it seems that you have forgotten something,” she said, not even bothering to ask them where they were.

They looked down to their feet, feeling ashamed. “I, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

She stared at them for a moment, trying to think of what they meant. Oh, right, they thought she was still angry at their rude remark.

“No, I didn’t mean that, though I do appreciate the apology,” she admitted,” I meant that we are a team and you should have told me your problems. You know I could have always paid for your brother’s needs.” They stared at her, surprised, “But… how do you know?”

“That’s unimportant right now,” she shrugged it off, still angry,” Just know that I paid off all of your debts.”

“You did?” they asked with small tears forming in the corner of their eyes. They gave her a tight hug, burying their head in her hair,” Thank you so, so much. I’ll give you the money back, I swear.”

As soon as they hugged her, everything she wanted to tell them was forgotten. All that mattered right now is that MC is back.

“No need.”

Portia

Portia stormed into MC's shop, walking upstairs where they found MC happily folding their clothes. Usually, she would offer to help them, however, they were not in the mood to even see MC, let alone confront them, "MC, what the fuck did you do?" she asked, disappointed with tears forming in her eyes.

"I, I-" they turned, surprised, not expecting to see Portia here.

"Do you know what it's like to be asked by the other maids when my brother is going to get hung?" she brushed her tears off, "Why would you do this?"

"I thought it would be good if you just, let it all get off your chest."

"You thought it would be a good idea?!? Do you know what could happen to Ilya because you thought this was a smart idea?" she started sobbing in frustration, not being able to get a breath, "What if, what if they find him and, and…"

MC tried to comfort Portia. They tried to gently put their hand on her shoulder, to talk it out.

"Don't touch me!” she shoved their hand away, ”You, you've ruined my life, you've put my brother in danger and, and you don't feel any guilt. Get out of my sight. I have to deal with the mess you've made. Did you not understand? I said now."

She looked at their hurt face, then at her surroundings. Right, she was in their shop. With a deep breath, she stormed out, preparing herself for confronting the Countess. She went back into her home, petting Pepi as she thought about it all. What will happen to Julian? Will Nadia force Portia to tell her about his whereabouts. If only she knew where he was, she could warn him, tell him to go far away from Vesuvia, but she can’t.

"Portia, are you alright my dear?" Nadia asked as she walked in.

She looked at Nadia, trying to think of something, anything she could tell her.

"I suppose you already know that MC has informed me about everything," she broke the silence as she let Pepi play with her hair.

"Countess,” she started to explain herself, fidgeting with her fingers,” I can explain-"

"No need,” she said with a smile as she took Portia’s hands, trying to soothe her,” I already had my suspicions a long time ago."

"You, you did?" she asked, surprised.

"Slippery hands?” she added, repeating the words Portia told her when she tried to hide her brother,” I'm not angry, I completely understand why you did it, “ she let go of Portia’s hands, taking a glance at the scenery outside, ”But I have to let you know that I can't guarantee what might happen to your brother. He'll face a trial and if people proclaim him innocent he'll-"

"He'll live?” she asked with hope in her eyes. Once Nadia gave her a reassuring nod, she hugged her,” I, thank you, thank you so much. I couldn’t have asked for more. You've really” her smile faded, remembering the words MC told her,”...lifted a weight off my chest."

After Nadia left, Portia went outside, going back into the shop.

"MC,” she called out, however, the only person that was in the shop was Asra,” Oh, hi Asra, is MC home?"

They shrugged, "No, they've just left. The two of you must have crossed paths."

She looked down, feeling guilt, "Where did they go?"

"I don't know, they just said they might be away for a few days."

“Few days,” she repeated, feeling guilt devour her, "I, I see... Thank you for telling me that." she said her goodbyes, going back to her cottage. As soon as she entered, Pepi gently meowed, sitting right in front of her. Right, she should feed Pepi. Might as well make a lunch. She would usually eat with MC, talking about all of the juicy gossips in the palace. She was an asshole to them. What if they went away, not thinking about returning? It’s all her fault. She could have just thought a bit more about it, or if she went straight to Nadia, none of this would have ever happened!

A week flew by with Portia being occupied with work, only visiting the shop in the evenings to check whether or not MC has returned. She knew that Asra said MC will be away for a couple of days, but there was still little hope in her that they’ll return soon. The thought of MC going away because of her was eating her up, but she couldn’t do anything about it. She knew she was in the wrong. After she returned from the shop, once again, she took off her shoes, going into her small living room, only to be greeted by the sight of MC gently petting Pepi. They turned their head to Portia, then lowered their gaze.

"Look, Portia,” they walked to her, wanting to gently put their hand on her shoulder, but they stopped, remembering what happened last time, ”I'm so sorry. I didn't know how much that could-"

“Shush,” she told them as she gave them a big hug, rubbing their back, "Why are you the one apologising if it's supposed to be the other way around? I was so terrible to you, even though you helped me out, a lot."

“You, you’re not mad anymore?” they asked, hopeful, “What will happen to Julian?”

“He’ll face a trial,” she said, with a bit of fear in her voice, “But if they proclaim him innocent, everything will be fine!”

“Then, shouldn’t we look further into it? To make sure that he is innocent?”

She smiled, happy that everything is returning to its place, “Yeah, we should.”

Muriel

Muriel had done feeding the chickens just before MC crept behind them, jumping as they tried to put on a flower crown they made for him. He twitched in surprise, touching the flower crowns filled with forget-me-nots.

"I have just found a whole field filled with these," they said with a smile plastered on their face.

He smiled, gently petting MC, “Did you finish the business you had to do in the palace?”

They nodded, smiling, “Oh yes, the plans are done. It’s not the most perfect, Lucio told me that, but he’ll try his best to-”

"You, you've seen Lucio," Muriel repeated, shocked, "Why would you do that?"

"Well, the thing is,” they started explaining,” I helped him with something last week-"

"You've helped him?!?” he repeated once again, taking a step back, ”Last week! Are you, you can't be..." he stared at MC, feeling his eyes getting watery, "You're friends with him?"

"Yeah,” they nodded, ”Don’t worry, we're just friends."

"That's too much,” he frowned, looking at MC with sadness, ”Don't you know what he did to the whole Vesuvia, to Asra, to me?" He asked MC with desperation in his eyes.

"I, I know, it's just that-"

"It's just what?" he cut them off.

"He is trying to change, he is trying to fix all of his mistakes." They wanted to continue explaining, but Muriel stopped them.

"Nonsense. Someone like him could never change."

"Just give him a chance,” they continued, trying their best to explain,” Wouldn't you want to be forgiven if you truly regretted-"

"You still don't get it...” he sighed, feeling like he has no more nerves to talk about all of this, ” If Lucio meant so much to you, then go to him. Just don't return here."

They looked at him, feeling broken, "Muriel, it's not like that, you know it."

"I clearly don't," he said as he went back into his hut, making sure MC doesn’t follow them.

After closing the door after himself, he took a glance at his surroundings. Inanna has just waken up from her nap. She got out of her soft blanket, gently walking to Muriel, then looking behind him.

“MC’s not here,” he simply explained, trying his best to suppress the feeling of sadness. He looked at Inanna who looked just as sad as him, “I don’t know when they’ll return, or if they’ll return…”

Upon hearing that, Inanna whined, taking a glance at MC’s shirt that she accidentally tore yesterday.

“No, no, it’s not your fault,” he patted her behind the ear as he walked to the chair, picking up MC’s shirt, “It’s… something between the two of us.”

Inanna stared at him for a moment, looking disappointed, then went back to her corner to nap, leaving Muriel on his own. He took the flower crown off his head, wanting to throw it in the fire, but he just couldn’t bring himself to. It’s not that he’s angry at MC, they’re just… disappointed. After a moment of debating, he decided to ask Asra for advice. He left the forest, slowly walking in the town, trying his best to avoid people. After a while, Asra’s shop was in sight. He quickened his pace, going inside without knocking.

"Asra, have you seen MC?" he asked straight away, not bothering to greet them.

"No,” they shrugged, a bit surprised by such question, ”Why, did something happen?"

He looked to the side as if he was ashamed to admit it, "They're friends with Lucio, and we argued because of it."

"Oh, you also argued with them?" they stared at Muriel's surprised face, continuing, "When I found out I also gave them a piece of my mind, but later on I...” they stopped for a moment, picking Faust up on the counter, ” Acknowledged that he is trying to change,” Muriel wanted to say something, but Asra stopped him,” Don't get me wrong, I still hate him, but at least he is trying."

He stared at them in disbelief, but decided to change the topic, "Do you think they went to him?” he started as he imagined one of the worst scenarios, ”What if, what if they-"

"Don't be like that,” they reassured him,” Why don't you go to the palace and check yourself?"

"And see him?” he looked at Asra, frowning, ”No."

"But MC might be there, “they insisted, ”Besides, don't you think you should have paid a visit to Nadia?" After giving it all a bit more thought, he sighed in defeat, heading to the palace. Portia let him in as soon as she saw him, walking along with him in the broad palace hallway.

"Good evening Muriel,” Nadia smiled as soon as she saw him,” It's certainly a pleasant surprise to see you here."

"Good evening Nadia,“ he responded in the same manner, looking down, ”Sorry for bothering you this late."

"Nonsense, it's always a pleasure to have such good company around."

"Noddy, who is- oh hi Scourge," he took a glance at Nadia's death glare, immediately correcting himself, "Er, I mean," he stared at Nadia who mouthed Muriel's name, "Muriel, yes, Muriel."

Muriel just rolled his eyes, not saying a thing.

"So, um, how are you?"

"Since when have you cared?" he frowned, looking at him, then at Nadia, realising that he may have been too cold, "I'm fine."

Lucio stood there for a moment, watching Nadia leave the room, "So, how is MC? The two of you are together, right?"

From his talk, Muriel realised that MC isn't in the palace, "They're doing fine."

He nodded awkwardly, looking to the side, “Great. That’s great,” he stopped for a moment, feeling the air stiffen around him. With a deep breath, he said, “Look, I, I made some oopsies.”

“You think?”

“I, I know. I’m trying to, to make it right. The coliseum won’t be used for the battles ever again. I have been thinking about-”

Muriel stared at Lucio, trying to hide this shock. He wasn’t used to Lucio showing any kind of empathy for anyone other than his dogs. Luckily enough, Lucio didn’t seem to notice as he spent a couple of hours rambling about all of the changes and the flooded district and whatnot, but Muriel didn’t care. He was thinking more about how much more bearable Lucio seems to be. After Nadia joined in the conversation, Muriel felt more comfortable, he even started a few topics himself, however, MC just couldn’t help but linger on their mind.

He left, going back to his hut with a faint hope that MC would be back, but they were nowhere in sight. With every passing day, he became more worried, replaying the argument the two of them had in his head. What if MC listens and goes to Lucio? Why wouldn’t they? Lucio and they seem to be close and, let’s be real, Muriel can’t even compare to a Count… It seemed that the more he thought about it, the worse it all seemed. He was lamenting in his problems that he didn’t even notice how Inanna was gone for a while.

After a couple of minutes spent looking for her, he found the wolf dragging MC along with her. As soon as they saw him, they dropped their head, not knowing what to say.

“MC… “ Muriel decided to break the silence, hating to admit it, ”I…overreacted…”

“Please, I was the one in the wrong,” MC said, softly petting Inanna, ” I completely forgot about your feelings. I’ll cut the ties with Lucio.”

“You, you don’t have to… just, don’t let him use you…” he added as he held their hand, slowly leading them back into the hut, knowing all is well.

Lucio

“Look at them Volta, they’ve been talking with Valerius for an hour!” Lucio said as he walked in the hallway, looking at how MC and Valerius happily chat.

“It seems like they are having fun,” she admitted as she ate cherries, not bothering to spit out the pits.

“No, no, that’s terrible!” he told Volta,” What do they think they’re doing with him, look, look how they smile,” he gestured to MC,” Ugh, it’s driving me insane.”

“Maybe they are just having a fun chat,” she said, continuing with her little snack.

“A fun chat!” he repeated, devastated,” Ugh, why did I even bother to talk with you,” as soon as he saw Volta’s eyes water at his comment, he continued,” No, no, please don’t cry, I, I just have to settle this on my own,” he stopped midtrack, wanting to go to MC to settle it all out, however, he didn’t want to hurt his fragile ego publicly,” Do you know how to write?” he asked out of nowhere.

“Mhm.”

“Great,” he clapped his hands in joy,” Could you write me a letter. Please?”

She looked to the side, pretending like she is in deep thought, “Volta doesn’t know if she could. She is quite busy…”

“I’ll order baker to make you three cheesecakes.”

“You son of a bitch, I’m in.”

He smiled happily as he led her in the library. As soon as he gave her some paper, ink and a pen, he started: “Okay, so, write it like this. MC.”

“Shouldn’t it be dear MC?” she asked.

After giving it a bit more thought, he shrugged, “Just MC.”

Once he saw Volta write that down, he took a deep breath and continued: “Why do you give so much damn about Valerius all of a sudden?!? Did you forget about how much you gossiped about him last week? What’s with all of the friendliness all of a sudden? Do you need anything? Am I not enough? Look, I love you, but sometimes, you’re just… driving me insane! Why do you pour wine for him, you’re not his slave! Stop giving so much damn about him… Look, I know, he is a Consul and all that, and you have the right to be friends with whoever you want, but not with him… Ugh… I’m just… so pissed! You don’t give a damn about my feelings! You can be friends, but that is way too fucking close for friends to act! You can’t give me any, any excuse for that!”

He took the letter from Volta who complained about how her hand went numb from all of the writing. Upon reading a couple of words here and there he was quite happy with the outcome. He thanked Volta, ordered one of the servants to take the letter to MC’s shop. After that, he went downstairs, looking for a baker, ordering him to make Volta three cheesecakes. And then he proudly went into his chamber, only to find a well-wrapped present. They took the card that was next to it, taking an embarrassing amount of time to read it.

‘I wanted to give you a little surprise. Hope you like it, MC’

“What’s this?” he asked himself, confused, as he unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautiful velvet cape. He was so confused that he went to Valerius, asking for an explanation.

“MC asked me for advice on what they should buy for your anniversary. They just left as they gave me a gift for helping them choose,” he said as he happily held the bottle of expensive wine. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was quite surprised how a mere witch could afford such expensive gifts.

“They, they did that…” he trailed off, feeling guilt for sending them the letter,” And where are they now?”

“How am I supposed to know that?” he said as he sipped his wine, signalling that the conversation is over.

Lucio left Valerius, trying to think about anyone who could know where MC is. Right, Asra would know! He took the carriage, heading off to the shop.

“Asra,” he said as he entered the shop,” Do you know where MC is?”

They lifted their head, looking at him, frowning, then going back to writing, “No.”

“You know where they are,” he said, annoyed,” You just don’t want to tell me!”

Asra just shrugged to that comment, not lifting their eyes off the book, “Perhaps.”

“Come on, tell me, tell me, please,” he begged.

“Let me think for a moment…” they put the pen down, resting their head on the hand, pretending like they are deep in thought. After a moment, they looked at him, saying with a smirk,” No.”

“Why not?!?” he protested,” If Noddy asked, you would have told her right away!”

“Yeah.” They admitted with no shame, giggling like a little girl.

“Don’t be so… calm about this!” he said as he walked back and forth,” What if MC is in danger? Who knows where they might be?”

“I know,” they blatantly said, enjoying the scene.

“You’re so… so… “he raised his artificial hand, feeling his face getting redder and redder, ”Ugh!”

“Alright, I’ll tell you where they are, so listen closely,” they said as they put the pen down, waiting for Lucio to lean closer,” The truth is that…” they stopped for a moment, enjoying Lucio’s suspense, then continuing,” I have no clue where they are.”

“WHAT?!?”

“I don’t know where they are,” Asra repeated, laughing,” They just told me they’re travelling.”

“When will they be back?” he asked, worried.

“I don’t know. They weren’t sure themselves.” They admitted.

“Well, thanks for nothing!” he said as he left the shop.

“Always!”

Well, this was a waste of time… He went back to the palace, letting his thoughts eat him out. If they didn’t tell anything to Asra, then they must be angry at him. Why couldn’t he just ask them directly about it? If he did that, none of this would have happened. What if they don’t return? What if he never sees them again? He just couldn’t bear the thought of it.

Most of the time he spent inside of his chambers, only going outside if it was necessary. Once he thought he got over it. He wanted to go outside, he even put on his makeup, however, as soon as he went through his wardrobe, the sight of MC’s cape crushed that will. And so, he continued to spend the time in his chambers, until he saw MC walk inside.

“MC, oh my dearest MC,” he said as he hugged them, careful not to hurt them with their golden hand,” I… I acted on impulse,” he admitted sheepishly,” I should have asked you about it, instead of assuming the worst.”

“What do you mean?” they asked as they hugged him back.

“I mean, I shouldn’t have sent you that letter,” he admitted.

“What letter?” they asked, turning their head to him.

“I… you didn’t read it? Oh…” he chuckled nervously, “Well, just don’t read it. Trust me.”

“Okay,” they said with a frown, then changing the topic, ”Did you like the cape I bought you?”

“Oh, yes, I loved it. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much,” he said as he lifted them in the air, giving them a big, tight hug. It was at that moment that he realized he didn’t buy them anything. Shit.

Volta

It was early morning and Volta was excited about everything that is supposed to come today! Let's be real, she was excited about the food. She quickly got out of her bed, rushing downstairs like a little kid. She happily greeted MC, remembering their promise from yesterday.

"Did you make Volta breakfast?" she asked, her eyes gleaming.

They pat her head, putting another tray of food in front of her, "Of course I did," they said as they organized the table, trying to make it look better, "Hope you'll like it."

She didn't wait a moment, devouring the food in front of her. After every bite, she would praise the food. True, sometimes, she could taste egg shells, and some foods were a bit too salty, but she didn't have the heart to tell MC. It was only once she got to the sweets that she tasted something odd. The taste was horrible, however, she didn't say anything, at first, then, it hit her. The food was poisoned.

Of course, poison couldn't do anything to her, but still, it hurt her that MC would do something like that.

"What's wrong?" MC asked her, "Do you not like the food?"

She gently brushed off the tears that were forming in her eyes, "No, no, the food is great and Volta appreciates it, but," she couldn't get the words out because of the constant sobs, "But why would you do this to me?"

"What did I do?" they asked as they tried to confront Volta.

She jerked away from them, waving them off, "Please don't disturb Volta. Who knows what else you might do..."

"But I, I don't understand," they moved away from Volta, giving her some space, "What did I do?"

"You, you," she looked at them, but couldn't find the right words, "Just, just please leave Volta alone, please."

They just stared at her, not knowing what to say. Realizing that continuing with the argument won't do much good, they walked out, adding, "I'm going to travel - "

"Volta doesn't care," she said bitterly, not having the strength to look at them in the eyes.

MC stood in front of the doors, waiting to see if Volta wants to say anything else. Once they realised that she said everything she wanted to say, they left, apologising for anything they've done. Once she couldn't feel their presence in her mansion, she stood up, not even feeling like finishing all of the food. She flopped herself on the bed, trying to think why MC would have done something like that to her. Didn't they love her? She started to bite her nails at the thought. Does MC also care about Volta's position? But, aren't there better courtier positions than hers? She's pretty sure Valerius has a higher position than her, or maybe he doesn't, she didn't know, nor did she ever care about that anyway. Most of her life she only cared about the food, and then MC came to her life and after all these years, they just, they shattered her trust like that!

"Procurator," her head chef walked in, "My apologies for disturbing you," he said as he tied his hair into a ponytail, "Your first lunch is ready."

She quickly wiped off tears, hopping out of the bed, "Did you throw away the food from the breakfast?" she asked, leaving her room.

"Yes," he nodded, walking right behind her, "Maids did it not too long ago."

She didn't say anything, just nodded as she sat in her chair, being in this same position just this morning, doing the same thing - devouring an inhumane amount of food. This time, she couldn't feel eggshells crunch in her mouth, after all, even the worst chefs could be turned into professionals due to the amount of food they'd have to make for Volta every day. Just before she was about to eat her third roasted chicken, she noticed an odd liquid drooling down the wing. She gently removed that wing from the chicken, putting just a little bit into her mouth. Sure enough, the chicken had a familiar bitter taste of the poison she had eaten this morning.

But, MC hasn't been in her mansion since the morning. The realization hit Volta as tears started to form in her eyes once again. She made a terrible mistake. Immediately, the memory of this morning flooded her mind, the picture of MC's gloomy expression being the strongest one.

"Is something the matter with the food?" a maid asked, leaning on her side.

“Dear, let’s make a deal,” she said, trying her best to be serious for a moment, “Someone poisoned the food. Find the culprit and Volta will pay you generously.”

At such offer the maid couldn’t do anything but to accept, getting to business right away.

Now that thing was out of the way, she had to go and apologize to MC. She quickly went into her carriage, twitching in her seat, trying to think about how she'll apologise. Does she start explaining what went on first? No, no, then MC will wonder how Volta didn't die; that can't do! Then Volta will have to admit that she is a demon, and she can't think of how MC would react. Oh, this can't do, it just can't! She is already in front of their shop and she has no clue what to do! She sheepishly got out of the carriage, standing in front of their shop, quickly knocking. She waited for a moment, trying to hear their footsteps going down the stairs, however, she couldn't hear any of that.

She nervously bit her nails, wondering where MC went. She knocked again, this time a bit more forcefully, calling out for MC. Nothing. She got even more nervous, knocking again and again, walking back and forth, waiting for any kind of response. Was MC not responding on purpose?

In all her worry, she accidentally broke a vase. Oh no, that was one of MC's favourite plants! She quickly picked up what was left of the plant, wanting to put it in another vase. Sure, she has never done that before, but she saw MC do it, so it's not that difficult, right?

She gently picked up what was left of the plant, trying not to ruin it any further, when she noticed a key shining in the light. Oh, MC did mention something about having a secret key! In one hand she held the plant and they key in the other, unlocking the doors.

"MC," Volta called out, "MC, Volta, Volta is so sorry," her eyes became glossy, however, as she looked in every room for MC she realised they were not there. She was all alone. For a moment, she kept herself together, however, as soon as she put the plant in some vase she burst into tears. MC left and who knows if they'll come back. What if they return and they are still mad at Volta? They'd have full right to be mad! Volta was terrible, terrible to them...

"Sir, are you here?" Volta's maid asked as they walked into the shop, seeing her boos on the ground, crying.

"What is it?" she asked through tears.

"I um, wanted to inform you that I've found the culprit. He was taken by the guards."

"Good."

"Also, cooks have prepared your three dinners. Let's return before the food gets cold."

Volta looked at her maid, then at the shop. She'll come back tomorrow and every day after that. For now, she decided that it would be for the best if she went home.

Days have passed and MC still wasn't back. At this point, Volta was sure MC had left her for good. Once coming with this realization, she couldn't cry, she already cried so much that there were no more tears that she could shed. She sat in MC's room, alone. With her hair buried in MC's pillow, she felt tears returning to her eyes and thus, she continued another crying session.

"Volta," MC called out to her as they took their shoes off, "What are you doing here?"

She quickly raised her head, her watery eyes finally taking a look at MC she missed so much, "MC," she burst into more tears as she ran to them.

"Volta is so sorry, she didn't mean to," she said through her sobs, "Volta thought you were the one who poisoned her-"

"You were poisoned," MC wiped off her tears, "Are you alright?"

She buried her head into MC's chest, "Volta is fine but she missed you so, so much," she continued with her rambling as she rubbed their back, "Volta is so sorry, she didn't mean to."

"It's okay," MC pat her head, their fingers gently playing with her soft hair.

Vlastomil

Upon hearing that Vlastomil has had a rough week because he spent it away from his worms and doing the actual job as the Praetor, MC decided to give him a visit in his estate, bringing some food for his beloved worms.

"MC," he said, surprised when he saw them in front of his mansion, "What a pleasant surprise!" he moved to the side, letting them in.

He led them to the living room where Vlastomil's favourite girl was. "Oh, Wiggler is quite lively today!" he said as he gently scooped her, putting her on MC's lap. Vlastomil left, ordering some servants to make MC coffee while he went to check on his other beloved children.

On the other side, MC was vibing with the worm, occasionally petting it. Once the maid brought them coffee, MC extended their hand to the cup, however, Wriggler bit them. They screamed in pain, pushing the worm away from them.

"Why did you hit Wriggler," Vlastomil screeched as he saw his poor dear on the floor, "What is wrong with you?!?"

"What do you mean?!? That fucker bit me!" they said, showing Vlastomil their bloody hand.

"That still doesn't mean you get to hit them! Why would you do that to my poor, poor, baby Wriggler! You monster!" he shouted, tears forming in his eyes.

"You, you're more worried about a fucking worm than me!" MC shouted back, standing up, sighing, "I have to go and find some bandages because of what your little angel did to me. Bye."

He didn't say anything to MC, focusing all of his attention to the worm. He gently picked her up, giving her words of reassurance that everything is fine and that MC won't hurt them ever again! Once he was sure that his baby wasn't hurt, he gently put her on the sofa specifically made for her and went looking for her favourite toys. His poor little angel is hurt and stressed and he needed to fix that.

The next week Vlastomil focused all of his attention to the worms, especially the poor Wriggler, who was still 'recovering from the trauma'.

That day he spent his time cleaning Wiggler's room, trying to get MC out of his head. Even though they were the one who hurt Wiggler, Vlastomil couldn't help but feel pity for them. He decided to push the thought aside, focusing on readjusting Wiggler's favourite pillows. Gently as always, he took the worm into his hands, however, Wiggler responded to that by biting him.

He twitched, staring at his beloved pet who still had its teeth deeply buried in his arm. Of course, the bite didn't hurt him, however, such an act broke his heart. "Wriggler?" he asked her as he tried to move it away from him, "Why?"

The little slimy worm took out its bloody teeth and everything became clear to Vlastomil. One of its poor teeth was rotting! He quickly called for the doctor who was in charge of taking care of his children, explaining the problem. The doctor said that the tooth will have to be removed, however, his face turned pale once he saw Vlastomil's hand. They quickly took some bandages and disinfectants, treating Vlastomil's wound. He stared at the wound, remembering that MC’s hand looked the same. Oh, MC! Poor MC! Their hand was in a worse state and nobody helped them... He stared at his cold blood dripping down, reminding it of how MC desperately held their hand, trying to put some pressure on the wound.

And how their eyes stared at him when he shouted at them! They were angry but had a hint of sadness at the same time. He was so, so rude to them. They couldn't even explain themselves as Vlastomil shouted.

He quickly went to MC's shop, ready to ask them to forgive him, but, as soon as he was in front of the shop, he didn't feel MC's presence at all. Did they die because of the wound?!?

He quickly opened the door, unable to find MC anywhere. He was devastated, going to the palace, asking Nadia if she knew anything about it, he even asked that pesky magician with whom MC was close, but nobody knew.

For the first time in decades, he was scared, but not for his safety. He was scared by the thought of what might happen to MC, the image of them lying on the cold, dirty ground, still bleeding from the wound. He would have drowned in his misery and imagination more if one of the maids hasn't approached him.

"Um, sir," she started, "I know what happened to MC."

He jerked his head to her, staring directly in her soul, "Then why haven't you said anything?!?"

She silently gulped, ready to get fired, "Well, you were angry at MC and I assumed you didn't want to associate with them until recently."

"Let go of that!" he stopped her, feeling guilt from remembering how rude he was to them, "Where are they?"

"After I treated their bite wound I requested them going to Nevivon so that they could get better treatment."

"Nevivon?!? Why all the way there???"

"Well-"

"Oh, let go of that now. I need to go there, I need to find a ship and, what else do I need?"

"Maybe a person who knows how to manoeuvre it?" she suggested.

"Yes, yes," Vlastomil nodded, "I'll get to it right away!"

He walked to the Vesuvia's port, looking for a ship. His footsteps were inaudible in the noise from all of the tourists. Amongst that crowd, he noticed a familiar face.

"MC!" he walked to them, giving them a big, tight hug, "My dear, are you alright?" he asked as he grabbed their bandaged arm, "Does it still hurt?"

"Only when I carry heavy things," they simply responded.

As soon as he heard that, he grabbed their backpack, carrying it for them, "MC I'm so, sorry. It was never your fault. Wiggler had a rotting tooth."

"Is she better?" they asked a bit coldly.

"Yes, yes, but that matter aside, are you better?"

MC was surprised by the question. They looked at him, a small smile forming on their lips, "I will be."

Vulgora

Vulgora has been proudly walking in their mansion, as one does, taking a hateful glance at all of their war trophies. They were pissed and unfortunately, their staff realized this, too, thus they didn’t have anyone to whom they could vent out. By venting, of course, they meant shouting and threatening to take the poor person’s life. It seemed that their prayers for finding a victim have finally been heard. Some noise came out of their favourite room in the whole mansion- the room where they kept all of their dear weapons. It didn’t take them long to realize MC was in the room, doing God knows what.

“Yo, MC, what’s with the noise?” they asked as they went into the room, shocked, ” What the fuck?!?” they stared at their favourite weapon, at the axe they considered their child, broken into half.

“I, I’m sorry…” MC started explaining themselves as they picked up what remained of the weapons, ” I didn’t mean it, I, I know a spell-”

“Get your filthy hands off of it!” they said as they took the remaining pieces away, holding them like a newborn child, ”This baby has killed more people than you’ve seen and you, you’ve just,” they couldn’t bring themselves to shout at MC, so they just whispered in frustration, “Stupid magician.”

“Vulgora,” MC said, feeling a bit frustrated themselves, ”You break the things all the time and I’m the one who always fixes it. So just let me-”

“NO,” they responded, persistent as always. They don’t care how unreasonable they may sound, this is an opportunity to vent all of their anger.

“God, why are you so stubborn?” MC finally said, snapping.

“Because, because, I don’t know,” Vulgora responded with a tone of sarcasm, putting their index finger on their temples, pretending to think, ”You broke my weapon?!?”

“But, but, you break your weapons all the time. Hell, you even come to me so that I could fix it!”

“This time, it’s different!” they insisted.

MC stared at them in annoyance, “Is it because I’m the one who broke it this time?”

“YES!”

“I… I don’t have the time nor nerves to continue with this,” they said as they moved past Vulgora.

“What do you mean?!?” they said as they walked to them, ”GET BACK!”

“See you next week,” MC finally responded as they moved their hands gently in the air, chanting something.

Just as they finished, purple smoke surrounded them and it seemed that as soon as the smoke disappeared, MC did as well. Vulgora stared in shock, walking forward, then opening the doors next to them, looking for MC.

“MC… MC!!!” they shouted, looking for them, ”Ugh…” they groaned in annoyance as they walked back into the room, looking at their axe once again. Maybe, just maybe, though they would never admit it, they overreacted. They wanted to change the handle anyway, and the blade doesn’t seem to be damaged at all… BUT MC STILL BROKE IT. Who are they kidding, they’re not mad anymore. They had their share of anger and now they have to face the consequences.

With a bow and a sword in their hands, they prepared for the hunt. It was a little habit of theirs that they considered being ‘spiritually healing’ for them. If they can’t spill the guts of people then they’ll settle with hunting animals. And just like that, the whole evening flew by and it seemed that they calmed down a bit. They returned to their mansion with enough dead animals to serve for five hungry people, or as a snack for Volta.

MC was nowhere in sight. They got all of their frustration back once the staff said how they didn’t see the magician either. The whole situation didn’t sit well for Vulgora, so they headed to Asra’s shop, looking for MC.

“HEY MAGICIAN!” they said as they entered the shop.

Asra shook in surprise, staring at the Pontifex, “We’re closed for today-”

“Where’s MC?” they asked, impatient.

“I don’t know.”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T KNOW?!?”

“I mean,” Asra stared at them, not knowing what to say, “That I don’t know where MC is.”

“How do you not know?!? The two of you live together!”

“How do you not know?” they responded, a bit annoyed, “The two of you are together.”

Vulgora stared at them with their eyes wide open. They didn’t move, instead, they used all of their will to stop the urge to rip Asra to shreds for such a comment. They silently left, however, as soon as they closed the door behind them, they shouted a rather detailed description of what they’d love to do to Asra, not knowing that Asra can hear them very well in the shop.

Once they were sure that pontifex left, they locked the doors, putting on the protection trinkets on the doors, as well as on all of the windows. With that, Asra could sleep well at night.

On the other hand, that’s not what Vulgora could do. They didn’t want to admit it, but they were worried. Not even Asra knew where they went. What if something happened to MC? They tried, but they couldn’t sense them anywhere in the Vesuvia. Did they die? No, if they did, Valdemar would have said something. Wait, didn’t MC said they would see them next week? Oh, so that’s it, they need some time for themselves. Vulgora understood that they did that all the time. It is only once the whole week has passed that they started to get worried. MC said it was supposed to be away for a week, so where the fuck are they?!?

It was time to visit Asra once again. But then, just as they were about to open the door, they noticed that there was a sigil preventing them from entering.

“What’s this?!?” they asked themselves, staring at the doorknob, “MAGICIAN, EXPLAIN!!!” they shouted as they looked through the window, seeing Asra who held several protection trinkets. They stared at the magician in disbelief, shouting at them to let them in. Asra, however, kept on shrugging as they chanted some protection spells.

Several next days Vulgora spent either hunting or going back to the shop, demanding to be let in. Each and every time, Asra wouldn’t dare open the door, they only seemed to have more and more protection sigils each time Vulgora visited. On one occasion Vulgora carried the whole dead deer by its neck back to the Asra’s shop, telling them how this is what Asra will look like if they don’t let them in.

One day, as they were going to visit Asra once again, they sensed them. They sensed MC in no other place than their own mansion! They sprinted back, tackling MC.

“Aw, I missed you too Vulgora,” MC said as they turned, properly hugging Vulgora.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘I MISSED YOU TOO’?!?” they said, trying to sound annoyed, “I didn’t miss you,” they said determined, however, as soon as they saw MC’s sad face, they whispered a tad bit sheepishly, “Maybe a little bit.”

Valerius

Lucio’s party have always been a bit extra, and this one was no exception, however, what made it stand out from the rest was the amount of alcohol. Of course, like many, Valerius was enjoying that part the most, drinking only the most luxurious wine. By the time the party was done, the Consul had the same posture, however, by his talk you can say – he’s drunk as fuck.

Once he returned with MC to his estate, he started, "Say, witch..."

MC rolled their eyes as they led him into his mansion, "I thought we were over with that nickname."

He ignored the comment, asking them something that sober him would never do, "Are you just using me for getting yourself up in society?"

MC stared at him for a moment, shrugging, "Of course not,” they said as they moved a strand of hair out of his face, ”Don't tell me that's what you were worried about. Why would I even do that? You know I never gave a damn about that."

"Well, you sure do enjoy the company of the nobles..." he noted as MC helped him sit down at the edge of the bed.

"Am I not allowed to?” MC asked, clearly annoyed,” I don't understand your point."

Valerius didn’t seem to be satisfied, so he repeated, more clearly in his opinion, "My point is that a talentless witch such as yourself could never get to this point on their own. So, you're enjoying the position that should have never been yours."

MC stared at him in shock. They didn’t know if they heard him correctly. Tears started to form in their eyes. They didn’t want to cry in front of him, but he was drunk anyway so who cares? Some quiet sobs first left their lips, then tears slid down their cheeks. That comment hurt them much more than they expected it to. It just seemed that once they started crying, they couldn’t stop.

“Stop crying,” he said in annoyance,” You only regret that you’re caught.”

“How, how can you be so rude…” MC finally said it after they calmed themselves down.

“I’m not rude, I’m just…” he stopped for a moment, trying to find the right word,” Honest.”

“Well then,” they said as they wiped the tears off, taking a deep breath,” Guess I’ll be honest as well,” they stood out of the bed, leaving. ”Fuck you, Consul.”

The rest of the night was a bit foggy to Consul. The only thing he remembered in the morning, after MC left, for a reason he couldn’t remember was a faint flame of a candle. He woke up with a painful headache. He searched through his sheets, trying his best to find MC, however, they weren’t there.

“MC…” he softly called out, waiting for a response,” MC!” he called out once again, opening his eyes to look for them. Once he realized they weren’t beside him they got out of the bed, looking around his room.” MC, where are you?”

They walked out in the hallways, not even bothering to change, looking in each and every room for them. Once he saw the staff, he asked for some information.

“Um, they left last night,” the maid admitted.

“What,” he asked confused,” But why?” they recalled very well that MC was enjoying their time.

“You don’t remember?” she asked, tilting her head a bit to the side,” I, I don’t know exactly what happened,” she sheepishly admitted,” But I saw them leave, crying.”

“Crying?!?” he asked, worried. Even though he wanted to find answers, he knew that she didn’t know anything else. He said his thanks as he went back into his room, trying to remember something, anything that happened last night.

So he started recalling the moments before he started drinking. He entered the party, with MC besides them. The first thing they did was talk with some diplomats, then MC started talking about some casual topics, whether it was the weather or the muffins he couldn’t recall. Anyway, after those diplomats left God knows where a certain noble asked you for a dance. Valerius didn’t want to sound protective, so he was okay with it. That is until he noticed how the noble seemed to lean too close to MC, which made Valerius’ blood boil. He tried his best to calm down as he chugged down a whole glass of wine. Once MC returned, seemingly oblivious to it all enraged him, making him chug down another glass of wine.

Then, several more glasses later, his memory started to get foggy, however, once he tried, he started to put some pieces together. They returned together, the two of them left in the same carriage. MC talked about how Valerius spilt a bit of wine on himself, or maybe they didn’t. Unimportant. Then, it took him a bit more time to remember what he did.

“Shit, what have I done…” he frowned as he buried his face in his hands.

He wanted to go to them, to apologize, but could he? What he said was so ignorant. He understood if MC wouldn’t want to associate with him again. God, did he have to talk about that? But maybe, just maybe, there is still a bit of hope left. Maybe they’ll return. Sure, they’d be pissed, but Valerius just wanted to see them. He wants to make it right. Then, MC should make the decision.

Days have passed and he didn’t hear a word from them. Nothing, not even a letter. This was driving Valerius insane. He left his room, picking up a glass of wine, locking himself in his library, trying to take his mind off of everything. Of course, he would get out of the room from time to time… so that he could get a new bottle… It was during the one time he left his room that he saw MC being let in by one of the staff.

“MC…I, you’re back,” he said as he walked to them, giving them a longing hug, “Please, please don’t go,” he said as he buried his head in their hair,” I, I’m so sorry,” he whispered in their ear.

“It’s okay,” they reassured him as they rubbed his back, “You were drunk.”

“That doesn’t excuse my behaviour.”

MC softly smiled, kissing him on the forehead, “Let’s just get over it.”

Valdemar

Valdemar walked around Vesuvia, looking at all of the shops in the centre of the city with annoyance. Why does Vesuvia try to appease to tourists so much? They frowned in annoyance, trying to avoid even the smallest crowds of people. Their footsteps were fainter and fainter as they walked in the more abandoned streets, hearing a faint meow. They tilted their head, staring at an abandoned, dirty kitten barely standing on its feet. Once Valdemar was in front of it, the kitten stumbled as it walked to them, gently sniffing their legs. It meowed once again, gently bumping into Valdemar’s left leg, as if it were afraid of hurting them. Valdemar grinned from ear to ear at the sight. They gently picked up the cat, bringing it with them to the dungeon.

They knew that they couldn’t vivisect a dirty cat, so they gently picked it up, washing it. After the cat was cleaned, it happily meowed, licking Valdemar’s gloves. Valdemar however, didn’t appreciate the gesture, as they grabbed the cat as if it were some dirty, smelly rug, putting it onto the vivisection table, ready to get to the fun part.

They were cleaning their scalpel as they listened to the elevator rumble. Oh, MC is coming, even better! They could examine this fine specimen together.”Mc, put on the gloves, we’ll have some fun today~” they mused, cleaning another scalpel for MC.

“Oh, you found another dead animal?” they asked, giggling a bit uncomfortably.

“Even better,” they responded with excitement in their voice, “I found this thing, splendid, isn’t it?”

MC glanced at the vivisection table, expecting to see some dead animal, as they would always see, however, that wasn’t the case. A little kitten stared at MC, meowing happily, not knowing what awaits it. “Valdemar, what do you think you’re doing?” MC asked Valdemar in a cold tone, not taking their eyes off of the small ball of fur.

They stared at them, not seeing anything bad in their intention, “Preparing to vivisect this thing, of course.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Hm,” they tilted their head, “Why not?”

MC walked to the kitten, softly petting its head, “Because it’s alive. Would you go and vivisect a child?”

“Of course not,” they simply responded. After all, Valdemar is a quaestor, they knew very well that vivisecting people is highly frowned upon. But there is no harm in experimenting on the abandoned animal.

“Tell me where you found it,” MC gently picked the cat up, walking to the elevator, “I’ll leave it there and we’ll forget about this whole thing.”

“Absolutely not,” Valdemar walked behind them, not letting them leave, “I have already prepared everything for the vivisection.”

“You can’t be serious,” MC turned to them in disbelief, “I don’t give a fuck if it’s abandoned, you can’t do that. That’s morally wrong!”

“So what? It’s just a cat. Please Mc, stop being so dramatic over the smallest things. You’re starting to act like DR.069.”

“I’m the one being dramatic?” they repeated, not believing what they were hearing, “You’re unbelievable! You know what?” MC put the kitten in Valdemar’s hands, “Here, do whatever the fuck you want with it,” they stared at Valdemar, fury clear in their eyes, “But don’t come to me ever again if you kill this thing, or any other animal for that matter.”

They walked into the elevator, not even bothering to glance at Valdemar.

Valdemar was left alone, with a cat purring in their hands, gently nibbling on their fingers. What are they supposed to do with this now? The image of furious MC came to their mind. After a bit more thought Valdemar sighed and went inside the elevator. Once again, they were on the streets of Vesuvia, putting the cat back where they found it. They walked back to the dungeon but stopped midtrack once they felt something bump their foot. It was the cat who continued meowing, trying to find some food. Valdemar frowned at the sight of it. What a bother. If only they left it on the streets…

“Excuse me, sir, is that cat yours?”

Valdemar turned to the little girl, “You want it?”

She was surprised by the question, but she nodded slowly, “If I may…”

Valdemar picked the cat up, nearly throwing it in the girl’s hands, “It’s yours,” they quickly added as they walked as far away as they could, almost as if they thought the cat would follow them.

Now that thing is out of the way they walked back to their estate, waiting for MC to return. Sure, they argued, but it never got this serious. MC would always come at around this time, usually bringing tea with them, so that they could enjoy it with Valdemar. It was a little habit of theirs that Valdemar loved. Minutes turned into hours, but Valdemar didn't bother. MC's just a bit salty over it. They'll knock on the doors of Valdemar's mansion, telling them about how they thought about the whole thing, finding it irrational. They'll apologise, and Valdemar will do the same, they would admit that they acted immature on their side as well. So, in conclusion, MC's on their way here.

They'll be here. At any moment.

The sun began to lower, being replaced by the moon and countless stars, yet MC was nowhere in sight. This disturbed Valdemar more than they wanted to admit it. They'll have to visit MC, but not now. They knew that humans would sleep during the night and they didn't want to disturb MC by their sudden visit. So, they returned to their studies, writing some of their research about human behaviour.

Time flew by and it was time to visit MC. Once there, they noticed a sign on the door: Will return this Friday. They sighed, tearing the sign off the doors. MC should know better than to put such signs. What if someone were to break in? Valdemar took the extra key MC gave them and went inside the shop. They quickly noticed that something was off as they walked behind the counter, inside MC’s kitchen. Then it hit them – MC would usually be here, baking some goods. Now, there wasn’t anyone but Valdemar in here. They brushed the thought off, going upstairs, into MC’s bedroom. No, they weren’t here either. So, they went to travel? Valdemar thought as they sat on MC’s bed, grabbing one of the pillows, How long was their travel supposed to be? Three days?

Yes, three days, they thought, But, considering how mad MC was at them, the travel might be a bit longer. Oh well, be it three days, a week, or maybe a whole month, it doesn’t matter, because MC will come back.

Valdemar knew they had nothing to do in here anymore, so they left, locking the door after themselves. They came back three days later, in the early morning, knowing MC usually returns before the shop opens. They didn’t knock this time, they just unlocked the door, gently opening it.

“MC!” they looked around, however, the shop looked the same as three days ago, except that some of MC’s plants started to wilt. That can’t do. Valdemar went into the kitchen, taking a glass of water, pouring it onto the plants. No, that’s not right. They thought for a moment, remembering how MC would water below the plant, the soil.

After they’ve finished with that, they rearranged MC’s books in alphabetic order, something MC always promised they’d do, but never found the time to. Soon enough, Valdemar also finished with it. What could they do now? They would spend more of their precious time just thinking, had they not heard MC’s old clock ringing. It’s five already and MC is nowhere in sight… Oh well, this was expected, wasn’t it? They thought as they made themselves tea. They sat in MC’s room, watching the streets of Vesuvia. Was it always so crowded outside of MC’s shop? They must have never noticed. They guessed that MC never minded the crowd. After all, that’s great for business, no?

Once they’ve finally taken their eyes off of the crowd outside, they realised MC was not there. Instead, they were alone with the cold tea. They took the cup, gulping the whole thing in one go. Weird, it tasted better when MC made it. Probably because Valdemar hasn’t made anything in decades. They took the cup, washed it, put it back into the cupboard. Now what?

They pondered about what they could do until they heard the sound of keys rustling. Valdemar happily observed the doors, happy that they can finally see MC, only to be greeted by the sight of their bleeding arm. Once MC realized that Valdemar was in the room, they debated whether or not they should leave their own home.

“Mc, come here,” Valdemar gestured at Mc’s chair as they went to look for some bandages and disinfectants. It wasn’t long before Valdemar returned, “Seriously MC, you need to do something about this,” they added as they cleaned MC’s wound, “How did you get hurt this badly?”

They waited for a response, however, MC never gave it. Valdemar didn’t understand why they decided to give the silent treatment, some might say that they were even hurt by the gesture. Then, as they noticed MC’s improvised bandage on their leg, remembered, MC’s still mad at them.

“Some kid took the cat,” they simply stated as they unwrapped MC’s leg, “You didn’t disinfect this, did you?”

MC shrugged, whispering as they gently pat Valdemar’s cheek, “I’m glad you didn’t kill it.”

Valdemar stopped midtrack for a moment, appreciating the gentle touch that they longed for. After a moment they gently moved MC’s hand away, focusing again on treating the injuries.