#then like after cookie run kingdom blew up

[elizeshiro]

getting into fandom recently,,, by god is it scary!! lmao

(i don't mean this as hate to anyone/anything in particular i am just out n about exploring communities and By God it is terrifying someone come pick me up lmao)

[worfs-glorious-hair]

Pt. 1 Children of the kindly west (Kíli x Reader) — A tale of two dwarven hearts

This is a translation, more of a re-write, of a fanfiction I wrote first in German during 2013 - 2015 when the Hobbit movies premiered and I was just as obsessed and enamored by that adorable prince like everyone else. And reading the Silmarillion for the first time this year in February brought me back to middle-earth and reminded me of my love of dwarves. And this brings me here today. Enjoy! Cross-posted on AO3 here. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Warnings: None

Prologue (Erebor)

The sharp winter wind blew snow around the Erebor, whereas on the inside it was cosy and warm.

Efís, an old dwarrowdam, knew that soon the children would come and demand to hear another story. The children visited her on every afternoon during the dark winter months and she would tell them stories of her own long life, from times long gone and stories from deep of the heart and soul of their people �� the stories of the dwarves of the kingdom of Erebor and beyond.

Some of these stories were true, some were not, some pretended to be one thing while actually being the other and with some, well, there was just no way of telling anymore.

Today, she decided, would she tell the children a true story from the time, when their people still lived in the blue mountains, the Ered Luin, before the Erebor was reclaimed and Smaug slain.

It was a love story, tender and pure and true but also so sad and heartbreaking that Efís had to wonder briefly for a moment if maybe the story was too much for the children to bear…

A soft knock on her door pulled her out of her thoughts and she went to greet her small visitors.

A group of children, all around age twelve to 40, looked up to her with big, joyfully expectant eyes, filled with excitement about the story they were about to hear and the sweets they would get and the hospitality they would be blessed with.

„Good evening, Efís“, they all greeted with fresh, glowing faces, they must have played in the snow for a while. Their little noses and cheeks were rosy and running.

„Good evening, dears, come on in“, she ushered them inside and the children took off their boots and coats, all covered in snow and went on to sit down on plush pillows and thick furs and little stools by the fire.

While the children found their seats Efís brought them her already prepared hot mulled berry juices  and fresh gingerbread and other baked goods, some of them still hot from the oven.

The hot juice and the pastries and the little cakes helped to quickly thaw the frozen faces and frozen hands of the children.

Shortly after the first group of children had arrived, was there another knock on her door and a second group came into her chambers and also a third one after the second!

Efís had prepared a lot of her famous hot mulled juice and gingerbreads and cookies and pastries in advance and had plenty to serve to her little guests.

When everyone had their cup with hot juice and some gingerbread pieces, she sat down herself — she sat down into her armchair by the crackling fire and looked over the children, who chatted and laughed with each other, some pulling their younger siblings or cousins on their laps and Efís smiled, time to begin!

„Children!“, she said with her firm, calm voice and clapped her hands, „please calm down, do you want to hear what story I have for you today?“

The expectant faces were immediately turned to her and she nodded in approval.

„Very well, children, are you all warm and cosy?“

„Yes, yes, yes!“, they screamed but quickly got quiet again, when Efís continued to speak.

The air was filled with the scent of spices, the freshly baked pastries and the scent of the wood and the smoke in the fire. 

And there was no sound besides the soft breathing of the children, an occasionally sniffling or cough and the crackling of the fire and Efís’ kind, wise voice.

„Today I will tell you a love story — it began many, many winters ago, long before my own birth and when our people still lived in the blue mountains far in the west of middle-earth, far, far away from here…

It was winter and snow had covered all of the mountains with a coat of white wonder. Just like here.

Hardly any dwarf was out on the streets on that day, when our story began, but instead everyone was in their warm houses and occupied themselves with activities for snowy afternoons. 

And so did the heroine of our story as well…

She sat by her window by candle light and read one of her favourite books. 

She loved reading stories of big adventures, courage, friendship, honour, loyalty and love. But her desire to experience such a story herself was dim in the background of her heart, she was happy and content with the life she had and she lived it with joy.

Our heroine also had a little sister, named Syniver, a grey pony and her father was a beloved and popular goldsmith in the town.

To put it simply — she lived a calm, comfortable life and did not know yet, how could she know, that her future was waiting for her. And that her future was not as calm and comfortable as her current life.

And she also did not know that she would soon meet the one again after many, many years, who would seal her fate and destiny.

The one person who would also be her One…

So at the moment was she only feeling peace and contentment, while she happily soaked up her favourite story but not for long anymore. Because her mother called for her, rather impatiently, from downstairs…“

Efís looked around in the children’s faces who had all listened to her with as much attention as they were able to give.

She took a sip of her own mulled juice and continued telling the story that her own grandfather had told her when she was just a girl herself.

[cookierunconfessionblog]

https://www.tumblr.com/cookierunconfessionblog/741277503198527488/i-need-everyone-on-this-account-to-stop-acting?source=share

Let me preface this by saying I am not mad in any way. I'm just stating my opinion. If it matters any, I am an adult.

You cannot tell someone how they should feel. If they feel sad? Great! Happy? Also great! No one is saying to stop being critical of Cookie Run. It's the point that we love Cookie Run and want it to continue. No company is perfect. I repeat: no company is perfect.

"They don't give a shit about you, they're taking advantage of how popular this game is to make a million side games and then do noting"

If they don't give a shit then, then how come they make those developers' commentary videos? Like for the Beast-Yeast and Golden Cheese updates. There was a poll where users were able to give feedback to the developers I believe.

Also, companies do the same thing. Pokemon is a great example, it blew up when it first came out, look at how many side games they have.

"... time after time they get into controversy after controversy.."

Sounds like pretty much any other company. Here I can name a few: Blizzard, EA, and even Nintendo. All 3 have been involved in terrible controversies involving treatment of their staff and the consumers. Don't believe me? You can find various articles about each of those companies.

"it's way better if you just make your own idea of cookie run and make your own plot and rewrite it the lore has gone downhill and I can tell they're writing it as they go"

The first part I agree with. However, in my opinion, the lore is fine. They have a "bible" they use to go off for the plot, so. Of course things are going to be added/changed as time goes on, though I wonder about the opening cutscene of Cookie Run Kingdom.

ㅤ

[rosejigglypuff76]

Cookie Run Kingdom Kimura AU - Chapter 3 (Preview)

Author's Note

Just like the previous two chapters, this next one will take an equally long time. Obviously not too long, but it'll be at least 2-4 months for each chapter to be complete.

Nevertheless though, here's one of the scenes that will pop up in the 3rd Chapter of my Cookie Run Kingdom Kimura AU

Feel free to check the full version out on my Wattpad or AO3 Pages once it's complete! Without further ado, here's one of the scenes for CRK Kimura AU Chapter 3

"Run…! Run while you still can!!", that was something that Dark Choco had in mind. Ultimately choosing to listen to that gut feeling and reluctantly running away out of a gut feeling.

Part of him didn't want to leave Cherry Blossom behind, simply because she's part of Herb's friend group. In fact ever since he got to know more about Herb's friends, including Cherry Blossom herself, the disguised young prince couldn't help but feel guilty of having to leave her. 

That's when he made his decision, "Alright…! Whoever or whatever you are… Identify yourself!!"

A cold gust of wind blew several leaves into silence, as Dark Choco readied his sword with the mindset that he will successfully defeat this unknown enemy and find out what's going on.

Then, he heard a faint elegant whisper. From right behind him…

"I would like to ask a similar question. If you acknowledge my statement, just like how I acknowledge yours."

That given tone coming from behind managed to calm down his nerves almost immediately. Dark Choco slowly turned around to face whoever was right behind him.

It was a red-haired cookie who looks to be a 16-years old shrine maiden, with a pair of light red eyes. Complete with a miko dress with the various light-to-bright shades of red. Alongside that, she's also wearing a pair of emerald leaf earrings and is equipped with a diamond shaped mirror of the same light and bright shades of red.

"Identify yourself…", Dark Choco ordered in a more reasonable tone, locking his gaze and attention onto the red-haired shrine maiden.

She slowly raised an eyebrow while keeping that neutral gaze and frown, "So, you want to know who I am?"

The dark-haired prince nodded slowly, keeping a strong grip onto his sword tightly in case a sudden fight was going to break out between the shrine maiden and himself.

Moments of tense silence grew, neither cookie willing to say anything unless the other spoke up. But that cold ounce of quietness within the forest-like picnic area stopped abruptly when a familiar cheer was heard.

"Dark Choco!!", the ever-so bouncy Cherry Blossom happily ran towards the young prince and shrine maiden, "I accidentally tripped on some branches and leaves earlier. Sorry about that, hehe!"

Dark Choco stared at the slightly older cheerful cookie. Rather than a calm but irritated stare, the kind that's filled with genuine worry and concern emerged instead, "No… I should be the one to apologize, Cherry Blossom… My mind told me to run away, but after getting to know you and the others for a while… I didn't want to leave anyone behind!!"

"Dark Choco…", a more worried look began to form on Cherry Blossom's face. It was something that doesn't usually happen as much since she's always a bubbly but headstrong girl. But deep down she still cares for the cookies that also care about her, "Your role as a prince made you change your mind, right? Because that itself is already heroic and brave, especially since you gotta protect the cookies that you grew to trust, and vice versa!"

The dark-haired prince smiled in a sincere manner, nodding a little as a great sense of relief, "We may have our differences, but I won't let anyone hurt the friends I made along the way! That includes you, who I admittedly see as one of my greatest friends."

"Ehem.", the red-haired shrine maiden coughed in a polite manner, directing both cookies' attention to her, "May I interrupt, but it seems like you two are having a small "brother-sister" talk with one another."

Cherry Blossom gasped in a very excited manner. Quickly bolting to where the slightly younger teen girl with a hyperactive expression, specifically the type where she's going to explode with loads of bouncy smiles on her face.

"Ahh!!!", the pink-haired cookie yelled out in excitement, "It's you, Pomegranate! It's really you!!"

Pulling the red-haired girl, named Pomegranate, into a hug-turned-shake of reunited happiness, as the Cooking Club Leader's giggled like a silly little girl.

"Blossom…! Can't…! Breathe…!!", Pomegranate muttered underneath all the shake-mixed in hug, feeling a little dizzy because of it.

Cherry Blossom let go in an instant after hearing that. She looked at her quiet pal with a happy but embarrassed gaze, "Oh! Oh gosh! Sorry about that Pommy! Kinda got carried away, hehe."

The shrine maiden quietly nodded, proceeding to peacefully catch her breath as if she were meditating.

But almost not long after, about 7 or so seconds after Pomegranate catches her breath, a sudden plan popped into Cherry Blossom's head, "I almost forgot! Pommy, I want you to meet one of my new friends! His name is-!"

"Cocoa Butter!", Dark Choco answered for her, now back in his disguised normal cookie form. Clearly not wanting his actual name to be used. Friend of Cherry Blossom or not, the disguised prince didn't want to say it to a cookie he just met, "Cocoa Butter Kaname…"

Both Pomegranate and Cherry Blossom blinked in an indirect harmony, if anything their rhythm could be part of a video game relating to that given genre. Back to that topic though, the latter of the two laughed at Dark Choco's answer. Aware of how he usually is.

"Ah ho! Don't be so anxious, Dark Choco!", the pink-haired cookie teased, "Pomegranate Sunako is a great friend of mine! My childhood best friend specifically! Plus there's no one here aside from the three of us, so your secret's fine."

Dark Choco began to have beads of sweat fall down his head. Becoming pretty worried and concerned with this particular choice that Cherry Blossom made, "Aww come on silly Chocolate Basil! Show her your true form to her again, bet she already saw it before I caught up with you minutes ago."

"I don't think that's a wise decision on our part-"

"Cherry Blossom's right.", Pomegranate intervened in a calm and approachable manner, "There's a lack of other cookies in this area, aside from the three of us. Besides, I keep secrets safe and sound with me. So you'll be fine despite this intriguing encounter."

Dark Choco didn't know what to say. He was unsure how to approach this. Turning his head towards a naive smiling Cherry Blossom, with a "told you so" look in front of him, shaking his head in defeat before returning to his calm looks from earlier.

"My apologies, Pomegranate…", the disguised prince apologized to the teen miko, "My mind was in the wrong place during this first encounter of ours. Despite that, I hope we can get to know one another in the future."

Pomegranate herself bowed elegantly, as a way to show that she accepted his apology, "It's alright young prince. I myself should apologize for startling you during your sparring match between my energetic friend. If we ever cross paths again, we can use that to get to know one another more."

"Why not tomorrow?", Cherry Blossom butted into the conversation, "You can come by starting tomorrow morning!"

Dark Choco and Pomegranate turned their attention towards the pink-haired teen. Saying a simple question in union, "What?"

"Cherry Blossom…", the former of the two added onto the conversation, "I don't think we should do that tomorrow. We have school on that day, remember?"

She rolled her eyes and scoffed with confidence, "Don't worry about it DaChoco-kun! But knowing about Pomegranate's schedule, her next school year doesn't start that day. It'll be a month before it does, so inviting her to visit the school tomorrow seems like the best idea!"

It took almost a minute to make a decision. But during that given time span, the other two cookies chose to agree with her ideals.

"If Pomegranate's just going to visit, then I suppose it won't hurt to have her.", Dark Choco answered, "As long as she keeps her promise to not call me by my real name and status…"

Pomegranate added onto this little agreement, "I always keep such good promises of mine. After all, I don't have anything else scheduled that day. So I think this will be a good decision to do this."

"Yipee!!", Cherry Blossom bounced so high up, almost as if she was about to fly towards a nearby blueberry birds nest in the trees. Happily pulling the two cookies into a hug giggling to herself with all the wonderful wonders, "This is going to be great you two! The other cookies and friends will also enjoy this as well! Yay!!"

"Yay…!", Dark Choco and Pomegranate said in unison, having a nervous and nonchalant smile respectively while waiting for Cherry Blossom to finish hugging. Seems like tomorrow has been planned out! Now we just gotta see what interesting things have yet to show.

[phoenix-downer]

Spring Birthday

After Sora’s return, Naminé’s friends celebrate her birthday with her. While her early days were lonely, her life is very different now, and she treasures each new memory with the people dear to her heart.

~1650 words. Post-Kingdom Hearts III and Melody of Memory. Gen, Friendship, Fluff. Naminé POV. Written for @naminezine​, and the banner art is by the lovely @somniumars​.

“Naminé, when is your birthday?” Kairi asked over breakfast one day, scones with jam and clotted cream, served with a hot cup of tea for both of them. They liked to visit this cafe together at least once a month. It had outdoor seating, and the weather was finally warm enough again for them to sit outside with light jackets. 

Naminé stopped buttering her scone for a moment and frowned. It was a simple enough question, and yet she found herself unsure of what to say. 

“Well, I suppose it was the day Sora released his heart to save you,” she said at last. “But as glad as I am to be alive, it feels strange to celebrate that day, considering what happened.” 

“I understand,” Kairi said softly. “Are there any other days you can think of?”

Naminé paused once more and thought as Kairi sipped some more of her tea. The only other day she could really think of was… 

“The day of my rebirth. It was spring on Radiant Garden. The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming, and the weather was perfect.” She sighed happily at the memory. “I’ll never forget what it felt like to walk outside for the first time in a body of my own.”

“Then why don’t we make that your birthday? I know we technically missed it last year, when we were all searching for Sora, but it’s coming up here soon.” 

“Sure, that sounds nice.” Naminé put one more cube of sugar in her tea to get it to just the right sweetness, then added a little more cream and stirred. “I’ve never really thought about having a birthday of my own before.”

“Well, you deserve to have one,” Kairi said with a determined glint in her eye. “You’re your own person. Always have been, always will be.”

The two girls chatted some more as they finished their breakfast, and the subject soon slipped away from Naminé’s mind. It wasn’t until she and Xion were gathering shells together on Destiny Islands a few days later when the topic of birthdays came up again.

“See,” Xion said as she picked up a thalassa shell, “I like these ones the most, with the pink centers and yellow edges.” 

“I like them too. Yellow’s one of my favorite colors.”

Yellow was the color of the sun. A hopeful color for a girl that had begun her life in a cage, longing to see the outdoors for herself. For that reason alone it was precious to her. 

“You like blue too, right?” Xion said. She placed another thalassa shell in Naminé’s palm, this one with a blue center and yellow edges.

Naminé nodded. “Yes. Blue is the color of the sky… of the waves… all the things I longed to see when I was imprisoned in Castle Oblivion.” 

“It suits you, and so does yellow,” Xion said with a smile. “Born from the waves, and reborn during the spring.” 

“Xion, when is your birthday?” Naminé suddenly asked. She realized she hadn’t really gotten to celebrate it with her before. 

“Oh, my birthday? I figured it should be during the fall. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been drawn to falling leaves, the seasons changing, that kind of thing.” She smiled ruefully. “I suppose because I felt like my time was limited, just like those leaves. Kairi actually asked me about it recently, I think because she wants to—”  

Her eyes went wide, then she coughed and craned her neck. “Look, I see some more shells over there!”

Naminé found Xion’s startled reaction rather curious, but she didn’t press her friend. It was just nice to spend time together sharing a hobby they both enjoyed. For a girl who had started life with no friends of her own, Naminé was lucky to have so many now. 

The next time she met with her friends, it was for a picnic on Rapunzel’s world, in a clearing in the woods near a small pool. The weather was perfect, sunny with a breeze blowing dandelions and flower petals through the air, and she and Sora and Rapunzel were all cloud gazing after a delicious lunch of sandwiches and cookies and lemonade. 

“See that one right there?” Rapunzel said, pointing up at the sky. “It looks like Maximus.” 

“It sure does!” Sora put his hand behind his neck and grinned. “The sky’s full of all sorts of interesting clouds today.” 

“I wish I had my sketchbook with me,” Naminé said with a sigh. “I’d love to draw all of them.” 

“Take a picture with your Gummiphone then,” Sora suggested. “You can always draw it later based off of that.” 

“I’d like to, but I’ve run out of room in my sketchbook. I could really use some new pencils, too.”

Sora and Rapunzel exchanged glances, and Sora grinned.

“Naminé, you should come to the castle,” Rapunzel said. “I’d love to show you some of my art supplies. Have you ever tried painting before?”

Naminé shook her head. “No, I haven’t, but I’d love to. Thank you for the invitation.”

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go now!” Sora sat up and sprang to his feet. 

The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon trying out Rapunzel’s art supplies. Well, more like Rapunzel showed Naminé her things and let her try them out while Sora kept typing away at his Gummiphone. Naminé giggled at how he still typed with one finger, like a bird pecking at grains of rice. 

“There we go,” he said all of a sudden, then put his phone in his pocket. “What’d I miss?”

Naminé and Rapunzel both giggled and showed him what they’d made: a painting to hang on the walls of Naminé’s room in Twilight Town. It was of the beautiful woods where they’d had the picnic with dandelions flower petals floating through the air. As soon as she got home, she put it up and gave it a satisfied nod.

The days flew by until at last it was the anniversary of her rebirth. There was a knock on the door late in the afternoon, and when she went to get it, she was surprised to see Riku and Roxas waiting there for her.

“Hey Naminé,” Roxas greeted with a grin. His eyes were playful, like he had a big secret he couldn’t wait to share.

“Come with us, there’s something we’d like to show you,” Riku added, and she ducked back inside to grab a few things before following them through the woods and to the Old Mansion. 

“Why are we here?” she asked. 

“You’ll see,” was all Roxas and Riku said, and she followed them inside. She was shocked by how nice the entrance looked, like someone had been in here and cleaned things up—

“Surprise!”

She gasped as she entered the foyer. A huge banner hanging from the stairs read Happy Birthday Naminé, and all her friends were gathered around a large table in the center of the room. The evening light shone through the window behind them, pink and purple and blue, another gorgeous twilight on this world she called home now. 

“Happy Birthday Naminé!” her friends all cheered, and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. So this was what they had been plotting and planning all this time. Roxas grinned and grabbed a camera to take a few shots, and Sora and Riku had some of those confetti poppers that they popped with loud crackling noises.  

The seashell decorations were yellow and the star candles were blue on the cake Xion held. Axel lit the candles, and they cast flickering lights and shadows over everyone’s faces.

Kairi leaned close and murmured, “Make a wish, but keep it secret.”

“A secret?” Naminé asked, tilting her head.

“It won’t come true if you tell us,” Ven explained, and Terra nodded. 

As Naminé looked at the faces of her friends, what she should wish for became clear. She knew, deep in her heart, what she wanted more than anything.

With that, she blew out the candles, and everyone cheered loudly. Aqua swept the cake out of Xion’s hands so she could cut it properly, and then everyone sat around the table. The cake was delicious, vanilla and lemon, and after everyone was done eating, it was time for Naminé to open her presents. 

“Here!” Sora said, his eyes shining as he handed her the first one. “It’s from all of us.”

Naminé’s hands shook as she removed the wrapping paper. She wasn’t used to getting gifts, and it took her some time to free the box. But once she did, she couldn’t have stopped the smile on her face even if she’d wanted to.

“They’re like the paints Rapunzel has! And in all the colors I like too.” She hugged the box to her chest. “Oh, thank you so much everyone, I can’t wait to use these.” 

When she was finished unwrapping the rest of her presents, more art supplies and nice jewelry and cute clothes, she thanked her friends for making this such a wonderful birthday night. But there was one last thing that would make it truly perfect.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Naminé said, “let’s make a painting together. So we have something to help us remember tonight.”

Naminé loved drawing on her own, but drawing with her friends was truly wonderful. Everyone brought their own unique spark to the table. And when the painting was finished, it was one huge flowing mosaic of color and life and creativity. Sure, it wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was something truly unique that only they could have made. And that was why it was a work of art. Not because it was perfect or technically skilled, but because it had their hearts poured into it.

Naminé couldn’t have asked for a better way to commemorate her birthday.  

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A/N: Thank you so much to the mods for making this project possible and for being so caring and supportive! And thank you to the other contributors, this zine was such a joy and I enjoyed talking to you all. A big thank you too to Somnium for drawing the banner! I really enjoyed working with you!

And thank you for reading!

[bittybattybunny]

OKAY so here’s the cursed into a dragon story and doodle!!

I wanted to draw the cute knight and the dragon (AKA Ru had an old suit of armor at his brother’s and had no idea the dragon he was asked about was his not GF)

Fic time!! and reminder this idea was suggested by @creepyfuzzymelon​!! It did get a lil long for a ficlet but eh it works! Enjoy!

She paused in front of the red door and brushed her hair behind her ear before she walked in. She sneezed as she walked in, the smell of incense making her nose burn. She frowned as her head began to spin.

“Welcome.” Came the shop keeper’s sing song voice. Her green blue eyes twinkled with mischief as she saw the woman.

“Hello.” Eclipse gave a smile but she wanted to leave. Not wishing to be rude she decided to walk around some before she ran from the over scented store. She looked at the cluttered shop shelves and her eyes landed on an ornate dragon mask. She frowned looking at it. She picked it up and turned it around curiously. There was writing in the back. She squinted trying to read it.

“It says to the wearer their heart will become fierce until the knight calms it.” 

Eclipse jolted, having not even noticed the woman sneaking up behind her. She felt a cold chill as she looked at the woman’s smile as she chuckled.

“Don’t be so skittish dear.” she cooed and took the mask in her hands. Eclipse watched as she spun it around in her hands, producing a ribbon from the air and tying it on. “I wonder what form you would take?”

Eclipse could only gasp as the mask was shoved on her face and she was thrown from the shop.

She blinked a few times. She reached to remove the mask but it wouldn’t come off. In fact the more she tried the firmer it seemed to stick. She struggled and pulled. She felt a burning sensation starting to grow in her chest. She clawed and shoved at the mask. Her body began to contort as she feverishly tried to get the mask off. She gasped as her face felt the cold chill. She grit her teeth as she felt her face ripping at its own seams. Fangs jutting. She roared as her bones grew and rearranged, horns shoving through her skull as she fell to all fours. She clawed the cobblestone sidewalks of the small village as her clothing fell in shreds.

Wisps began to light up as black scales began to grow and cover her body as her newly formed tail lashed around. Large wings caught between bird and moth spread as she panted and slowly the burning subsided. She collapsed on the stone. Her head was heavy. She sighed.

“Way to go Moony. You walked into that one.” she groaned as she lifted her head to look herself over. She lifted a hand and looked at the claws and whined.

“Great.” she moved to stand. At least a dragon was similar in limbs to a wolf so she had that going for her. The wings were a new feature. She lifted one to inspect it and looked around. She had entered the shop in the downtown of Subcon City but. 

Small buildings with no life surrounded the dragon-woman as she walked around. She raised her head to look at the rising moon and huffed. She turned to inspect for her bag among the remains of her clothes but couldn’t find it.

“Guess no phone calls.” she flicked her forked tongue as she jumped on top of one of the buildings. She narrowed her eyes as she saw a church and decided to get a better view.

A wind blew as she climbed up to the steeple and looked over the rolling fields.

She looked at the sky and sighed, “Fierce until the night calms it huh?” she shook her head side to side. “Hopefully this mask comes off soon then.”  she ran off, deciding to enjoy the empty fields in the meanwhile.

------

“A dragon?” Snatcher asked as Kaya gave a frown. She scratched her cheek as he stood in her office.

“Yeah. reports of one in the old ruins of Tir na Nocht.” she sighed, “I put SO MANY BARRIERS!” she puffed her cheek annoyed, “I tried to make sure NOTHING would get into Ti Na Nocht when i left!” she fumed, “And this dragon comes WALTZING IN LIKE SHE OWNS IT!” she stomped her foot, “The worst bit is NO ONE CAN GET NEAR!”

“So what does that have to do with me?” he raised a brow, “You know I’m busy watching the kid since Eclipse is working a job.”

“See that’s the thing!” she frowned, “I thought she was home! I was going to ask HER to do this! She’s fought dragons before! And I would ask Jacob since he’s a dragonborn, but he went off on another mission last week with Maki and Tiffny to deal with an issue in the elvish kingdom.” she rubbed her neck. 

“Why don’t you go?”

“Didn’t you hear me?” she scoffed, “NO ONE can get near!” She groaned and winced as she rolled her sleeves up, revealing bandages all over her arms. “I already TRIED and that bitch roasted me with wisps!” She whined, “And even my healing takes a bit when it’s soul fire.” she sighed, “it’s made to chew up magic in the first palace after all.”

His eyes widened as he looked. He hadn’t ever thought the Solaria Umbra could even be harmed, much less burned. He frowned, “So why me? I’m less resistant than you are.”

“You have a blessing of attraction. It should work on the dragon. If not throw this down.” she handed him a glass orb, “it’ll instantly send you back here.” she explained. “If you’re worried, I saw some Solgarian armor at your brother’s when I was visiting, you could wear that!” she teased, “a knight in shining armor!”

He thought about it and sighed, “Yeah, let’s do that then. Let me just text Cookie see if she can watch Hattie.”

“Oh, right the kid. I’d say i can watch but I need to drop you off, if it takes a bit I can get her from school even if my arms are bacon.” she snickered, “Since I am the one asking you to do this for me.” she moved around the desk and began to shift the shadows. Snatcher sighed and walked over as she used them to send them to the woods.

Marcus jumped as the two appeared on the porch. His potion flying from his hands. Kaya reached to catch it and screeched as it landed on her burned hands and then the floor. Marcus stared at the ruined mix and brushed his hair back annoyed.

“Yes?” he asked, hands on his hips as his tail wisped.

Kata frowned, “Can we take that Solgarian armor?” she asked, “I’m sending your brother to calm and agitated dragon down.”

“Ru? To a dragon?” Marcus deadpanned and rolled his eyes, “Sure I guess.”

“Sweet.” She moved the book shelf to head into the storage room. She grabbed the golden armor with a snicker, “Did you know my dad’s armor actually does have a similar look?” she asked.

“Does it?” Marcus floated over, “Interesting. But it makes sense. Father wanted his approval more than anything.”

Kaya snorted and chewed her lip.

“What?” Snatcher asked taking the suit.

“My dad LOATHES your dad,” she admitted as the two former princes stared.

She laughed loudly, “My dad thinks your dad is a fucking piece of shit who doesn’t deserve his bloodline!” she wheezed. She adjusted her bandages, “I mean he picked a fight with ME!” she snickered, “and my dad is a god of UNION not war.” she pointed out.

Snatcher snickered as he started to pull the armor on. “Yeah sounds right.”

“I pecking LOVE that fact!” Marcus cackled. He looked, “wow you still fit in that.”

“Huh?” Kaya blinked.

Snatcher adjusted the armor and looked around, “my sword should be here isn’t it?”

“Wait--” Kaya’s mouth dropped.

“Yeah I have it upstairs though on the wall display.” Marcus explained.

Kaya looked between them confused.

“Oh, cool. That’s easy.” Snatcher looked around, “is my scabbard around too?”

“Should be upstairs as well.”

“WAIT!” Kaya gasped getting their attention. She frowned, “are you saying that’s YOUR armor??? Not random?”

“Yes? It’s a little tighter but, this was when i used to train with the guards. I wasn’t about to get hurt. Estelle kept it here at the cabin after I was engaged as I didn’t fight anymore. Same with my sword.” Snatcher laughed at the teenager who shook her head and scoffed. He sneered, “What did you think I was a laze about?”

“N-No I just thought you were all books! The whole lawyer thing!” she admitted.

“I had no magic, of course I did something to protect myself!” He cackled.

Marcus snickered, “I can fight with a bow and arrow you know.”

She turned red and huffed, “well, I knew that one, i let you use my archery range.” she scowled, “L-Look let’s just get this dragon dealt with! I don’t want it to get more annoying!”

“Right.” Snatcher scowled.

“Kaya…” he stated as she looked at him.

“You said you thought Eclipse was home?” he asked, he’d thought on it for a bit but not too much, “I thought she was working. She had left and said she’d be out of cell service.”

“I called her phone and it said she was home.” she admitted with a frown, “I’ll look into it. Maybe she’s a frog again?” she suggested.

He frowned and nodded. “Please.” he scowled as he pulled his hair from his face, “let’s go get my sword and head off then.” His stomach flipped.

-----

Her claws traced the rocks as she snarled. It’d been a few days and she was starving. Nothing lived in the area that she could hunt. Her eyes narrowed as she felt someone getting near HER territory. She slunk across the grounds. Tail lashed around as she sniffed. She smelt that annoying twig that’d entered her territory a day before. But there was a new one. Sweet. Salty. She liked it. She licked her jaws as she growled.

“So a giant black dragon with weird wings?” he stated with a frown. He sighed as he looked at the barrier and stepped inside the area. Instantly he felt eyes on him. He frowned and reached for the hilt of his sword. He saw a flash of blue and held a hand up, the wisp nudging him. He chuckled. He frowned. His eyes grew wide.

Wisps.

He turned to where he felt the eyes and began to run towards it.

The dragon blinked in shock as the man came barreling at her. She reared up in her surprise and he looked up as she emerged from the grasses. He sighed.

“Guess I don’t need Kaya to look that up.” he reached his hands up.

The dragon whined and lowered her head. She nuzzled against him, chirping.

“What did you do you silly woman,” he asked as the dragon licked him. He snickered as he pet her muzzle. She purred as he rolled his eyes. He kissed the front of her nose and she huffed a small flame.

He frowned, “well. That didn’t work.” he scowled. A kiss didn’t work. He gasped when she pushed her head against him and he laughed as he reached at her horns. He frowned as he noticed an odd line of scales.

“Eclipse…” he frowned.

She blinked. Eclipse. Was that her? Her eyes flickered.

“Eclipse?” he asked a bit more forcefully. Her head hurt. She whined and pulled away from him.

He huffed and put his hands on his hips. She looked at the knight and growled. He made her head hurt.

“Eclipse show me your head again.” he ordered.

She shook her head and sat definitely. He glared and she lowered her head with a small huff of flames escaping her lips. He walked along and reached that odd line of scales. He frowned as his fingers traced it. It felt like an edge. He scowled and gripped it. The dragon lurched. He held tightly. He wrapped an arm around one of her horns as he gripped the edge. As he held it, it seemed to lift. He grit his teeth as she bucked and shook her head. She roared and growled as he continued to work on the edge, the scaling pulling up. He gasped as there was a spark of blue flame and the dragon collapsed to the ground. He winced as he hit the earth when she slammed into it in her collapse. 

He pulled and slowly, her body shrank. The scales vanished, the sound of snapping bones as her body reworked to human form. He shifted her to his lap as he pulled the mask fully off. She laid unconscious on his lap. He sighed and looked at the mask in his hands. He lit it up in blue flames, the mask crackling as it burned to ash.

Shaking the remains from his hand and focused back on Eclipse. He brushed her hair from her face as her ragged breathing grew more steady. He felt his cheeks grow red as he realized she was naked.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly. She looked up at him.

“Snatcher?” she asked softly. She groaned and moved to sit, falling against him. He gasped moving to steady her.

“Careful… you just were a huge ass dragon.” he snickered.

She whined and buried her face against his shoulder. He sighed and shifted to carry her. He felt her cling onto him and he was doing he best to not think about the fact he was carrying a naked woman with whom he had affections for. He felt his face heat up as he left the barrier.

Kaya stared in confusion. She stared with all four eyes and sighed heavily. She removed her over coat as she winced, handing it over to him.

“Thanks.” he used it to wrap Eclipse up.

“Of course she was the one to burn the shit out of my arms.” the demoness grumbled, “sooo any ideas?”

“A mask. A dragon mask. I burned it.” He scowled, “she didn’t seem to have any recognition.”

“What did it look like?” she asked with a huff. She looked at Eclipse with a scowl.

“Dark black, had a red ribbon on the back, had gold scales on it with ruby inlaid eyes.” he explained, “it was fused to her face.”

“To my love, may your heart grow fierce until your knight can calm it.” Kaya recited with a sigh and rubbed her neck with a groan, “An engagement mask from the dragon king. How odd. There shouldn’t be one in this realm…” She scowled as her fingers tapped her chin, “there’s no Dragon king in this reality so why would one of his engagement masks be here…” she sighed, “well I’m glad you got it off her. If she had it on too long, she’d have been a dragon forever.”

Snatcher scowled. He smiled softly as she moved some more in his arms. She looked up at him tiredly.

“How you feeling?” he asked.

“Hungry.” she admitted with a frown, “tired… sore… where am I?”

“Near the ruins of Tir-na-Nocht.” he explained, “you were a big dragon.”

“Was I?” she frowned as she shifted how she was in his arms. She squeaked and pulled Kaya’s coat close as she realized she was naked. She groaned and rested against Snatcher, “I don’t remember… I just remember I was in some weird shop and some lady shoved something on my face then it gets blurry. I smelt something really sweet and I just wanted to be near it.”

Snatcher felt his heart race, “O-Oh?”

“It was like… calming. I felt calm so I wanted it. Then I remember pain and I’m just so hungry.” she sighed as she closed her eyes.

“Sho--- OH GODS DAMNIT!” Kaya slapped her face and whined as she hit her own burns, “Red door? Smells HORRIBLE?”

“Yes?” Eclipse turned to look at the demoness who had pulled her phone out and was angrily texting.

“Clockwork Rose” she explained, “I bet you met Belle. She’s finicky like a cat. Says she likes to help people but I swear she makes more messes than not! Stupid interdimensional space witch!” she huffed, “I prefer Briar to her cuz at least Briar only messes with shit in her own territory but nooo Belle makes paperwork EVEYWHEREEE.” she hissed and hit send with a sigh, “Seems you must have been her plaything.

Snatcher froze, “Does she have red hair, like a bright red?” he paled.

“She does.” Kaya admitted, “and eyes that are either green or blue, like gemstones.”

“I-I’ve been in her shop,” he admitted. “She gave me a weird locket! It burnt Eclipse’s hand and made me hear her heartbeat.”

“It made you hear what?!” the woman gasped, red in the face. “I-I remember the locket a few months ago b-but!”

He nodded, “Yeah, it had a weird side effect. I don’t know why.” he sighed.

Kaya frowned as she thought about it and sighed, “let’s go home. I have enough work to do, more so knowing this crosses into spacial law. Damnit I wanted to watch a new episode of Calimari Stage.” she opened a portal and waited for them to enter. She looked back at the fields that were once her home and frowned.

She raised a hand and reached out.

“Kaya?” Snatcher called.

She pulled her hand and looked back. She gave a small smile. She ran towards the portal and shoved them through. Wincing at her burns.

A wisp danced beyond the barrier, giggling before vanishing.

[gerbiloftriumph]

The Silence Between Snowflakes

(also on ao3) ~ 4/8 - A Rose Among Thorns

(extra thanks to @captmickey​ for helping me work through three or so variations of the breakfast scene)

~*~*~

Snow fell, fires burned weakly with a fraction of their usual fuel, and people huddled together for warmth. Alexander’s face was constantly drawn with nervousness—since he couldn’t leave the castle easily due to all the snow, he’d taken to hiding himself in odd corners again like he had in his first few weeks here, apprehensive about...something. Graham worried for his son. Maybe he feared he was somehow to blame for this bizarre storm? It felt like something Manannan would do, if he was even around to do magic anymore after whatever Alexander had done to him.

But it was just weather. Wizard or not, who had magic like this?

A memory stirred. Hagatha?

“It’s winter,” Graham said to his own thoughts. “Just winter. It happens.”

“Yes, dear,” Valanice said automatically. She tilted her head back and drained her mug, holding a book over her face with her other hand so she could continue reading at the same time. They were hunting for stories and descriptions of similar weather incidents, and so far they’d come up with…nothing much. There were a handful of droughts, and at least one surprise butterfly migration, but nothing like an eternal, endless winter storm.

The family was picking at breakfast, sitting close around the table. Yet another storm had blown up this morning and was whistling past the windows, making eerie noises as it spun through the crenellations. Alexander was downcast, turning his toast to crumbs more than eating it. Rosella was trying to convince him, without success, to challenge her to another Battle of Wits board game. Graham’s spoon knocked hollowly against his nearly empty mug. The sugar was long dissolved into his tea, which was cold by now anyway. He continued to stir absently, thinking. Planning. With no ideas.

If only there was something to plea to, or something to challenge, but this was snow. He had sent messages to the neighboring kingdoms for assistance in food and fuel, but no one had replied yet (if they’d even gotten his messages in the first place). Daventry felt cut off, standing alone. He watched the snowflakes skim almost horizontally across the window.

A flurry of knocks made Graham sit up. “Yes?”

Royal Guards Numbers One and Three entered. Heavy snow tracked behind No3 in wet clumps, a damp line in the carpet showing where she’d walked, and she seemed out of breath and shivering. No1 stood close beside her, at attention but with a certain energy that suggested he was going to reach out and catch her if she wobbled.

“Permission to report, Sire?” he asked, his gaze never leaving his subordinate.

“Granted,” Graham said, surprised. He glanced at his family—they were all staring at the guards, startled by their sudden appearance.

“We apologize for interrupting breakfast, Sire. But we appear to have a new neighbor,” No1 said briskly.

“New…neighbor?” Graham put down his spoon and shifted his chair to give them his full attention.

“Number Three, you may proceed.”

“Permission to speak informally?” she gasped. She had definitely had been running through the snow, which was practically impossible with how thick the drifts were getting out there. It was a wonder she hadn’t twisted an ankle.

“Granted,” No1 and Graham said, almost in unison.

“Okay. I was on standard patrol. In the lavender fields, to the west.” Snow dripped off her shoulders. “I was climbing the hill, you know, the one that overlooks the river? As I climbed the hill, I started getting a prickle in my fingers, through my gloves, like the temperature was dropping fast. And…” she stopped, looking at No1.

“Proceed,” he prompted, but the usual dry edge in his voice softened.

“Sir. At the top of the hill, you can see into the valley. Only. Only, there isn’t a valley anymore.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, sir, who’s ever heard of a floating castle? It’s something out of a story.”

“It isn’t floating now,” No1 said. “It’s definitely landed.”

“Almost on my head,” No3 squeaked, and there was a note of hysteria in her words. No1’s hand rose ever so slightly behind her back to keep her steady.

“Wait. Are you telling me a castle just…appeared? In my field?” Graham went to the window like he could see it through the snow-crusted glass, even though that window only overlooked the kitchen herb gardens now slick with ice.

“Not entirely impossible, Graham,” Valanice murmured. “Remember?” True, though rare: Valanice had been trapped in one such moving castle twenty-some years ago, although that one had most definitely stopped moving.

Graham nodded. “But they might be here by accident. I believe that sort of transport magic is fickle and hard to control.” And twenty years ago, that had been simply a single spindly tower. It was relatively easier to enchant on a small scale, as far as he knew. But this sounded….

“It’s a full castle, perfectly enormous,” No3 continued, confirming Graham’s thoughts. “It made such a noise, like a great crashing monster, and I thought…. I had to start running back to the castle, but the storm this morning, I didn’t expect it to blow up like that, and I was. Caught out in it. I slipped on the hill trying to get back up, and I rolled, and with the snow like it was, blasting up from the ground, I…I got so turned around, I got lost, Sire, in Daventry fields, I got lost!

“And it was so loud, the castle, all groaning and creaking, and you could hear it echoing around the valley as it settled, and I…I was so sure something was going to grab me in that storm and take me away and I couldn’t even see my own glove in front of my face, and it was so cold. It just bit right into my bones even through all my layers and. I ran and I ran, and I could hear that castle the whole time, this awful sound, like you couldn’t hear if something was coming up behind you, and you couldn’t see in that storm anyway, and I don’t know how, but I found the tree line, and…”

“And she found me,” No1 said, subtly shifting so that he was between her and the royal family. “She found the trail back to the castle, found me, and I’ve dispatched scouts. Reports are clear, Sire. You have new neighbors, crushing your lavender.”

The room was still and silent for a moment, other than No3’s nervous hiccups for air.

“You didn’t hurt yourself falling, did you?” Graham asked.

“No, no, I’m. Fine. Just.”

“Shaken,” No1 interrupted.

“Didn’t want to wait before telling you, though,” she added.

“Here, let me get you some tea,” Valanice said, standing.

“No, no, I’m meant to serve you,” No3 said nervously.

“And you have done so wonderfully. Come on, sit here.”

“It could definitely be an accident,” Graham repeated, mulling it over while Valanice hunted through the mugs on the side table. “They might not have come here intentionally, especially if the storm blew them in.”

“Maybe they need directions,” Rosella chirped. “And ‘welcome to Daventry’ cookies.”

“Welcoming hot chocolate would be more appreciated,” No1 said blandly. “Reports indicate that the castle is made of ice.”

“…Ice?”

“Frozen water, yes.”

No3 was still trembling, tea threatening to spill over onto her gauntlets. She was surely thinking about getting lost in the snow, slipping and falling and hurting herself on one of Daventry’s rocky outcroppings. No1 was watching her carefully, and he radiated a bristly protective determination.

“Did you sense anyone?” Graham asked her, gently. “The castle was loud as it was landing, but…did you feel like there was anyone watching you?” For some reason he couldn’t shake the idea of ice people, which was perfectly ludicrous. But then, so was a floating castle.

“I couldn’t say, Sire,” she said. “I was too, uh. Distracted.”

“What about the scouts?”

No1 shook his head. “No one has heard so much as a word from it, but the storm is still quite bad. We can’t get close enough yet to confirm. I…” He cut himself off and resolutely refused to say whatever was still on his mind.

“Who’s out there?”

“Two and Four are on the road—I insisted on pairs, Sir, to prevent one getting lost alone. Kyle and Larry are on strict orders to report back the moment anything changes.”

(Larry’s arm had been badly broken during the attack that had taken Alexander eighteen years ago, and it had never quite healed right. But he hadn’t been much good at patrols anyway, so he and Kyle mostly ran messages together these days. Their footing was the most secure on any terrain. They’d had plenty of practice over the years, and a blizzard wouldn’t faze them.)

“I wonder. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale,” Graham said. The goblins thought fairy tales were true. He blinked, wondering where that idea had come from. “I want to see it for myself.”

No1 stiffened. “Sire,” was all he said, but so dry and sharp he could have cut someone.

“This doesn’t feel like a coincidence, a castle made of ice and this weather,” Graham said. “If I can see who’s in there, who owns the place, maybe that will help Daventry.” There was a buzzing excitement in his skin. The possibility of some action spurred him onward. Maybe they weren’t at the mercy of the skies. Maybe this castle held some answer for the storms that plagued his country—maybe finding a way to move it on would change Daventry’s predicament.

At the table, quiet and uncertain, Alexander said, “Could I come with you?”

Everyone turned, and Alexander shrank down in his chair. No1 instantly started voicing a thousand concerns, but Graham cut him off with a nod, delighted his son was taking initiative. “Absolutely.”

“Sire, please, allow me to speak freely,” No1 said.

“You may.”

“This is a terrible idea.”

“Has anyone threatened us? Does it feel harmful?” Graham asked, circumventing the concern.

“It feels cold, Sire.”

“That’s generally what ice does,” Rosella said, leaning heavily on the sarcasm to match No1, but she had a sparkle of mischief in her eyes that belayed her enjoyment.

No1 very carefully didn’t look at her. “It may be true that no one has said or done anything yet, but there is a blizzard on right now. It is highly likely whoever owns the castle is lying low until the storm passes. Simply because we have not seen any signs of actual threat yet does not mean your safety is guaranteed.”

“I think this might be a small risk,” Graham said dismissively. “If they meant us harm, they could have taken us unawares in the night. A floating castle landing on top of us would have been a threat. This probably is a mistake. They could need us.”

“I must have at least until this afternoon to confirm,” No1 said, and there was a taste of weary resignment in his words. “I will not risk more danger to your family if I can at all avoid it. You cannot travel in this blizzard in any case.”

Graham thought about it, then agreed. “Continue to watch. If anyone does respond, I want to know immediately. In the meantime, I think I’ll check the library for anything about moving castles.”

The walk to the lavender fields, several hours later, was peaceful enough. The blizzard had died back, although more clouds seemed to be gathering over the distant field, over the intruding castle’s turrets. Graham idly wondered if something inside had to rest and rejuvenate before storming again, and he laughed at the idea. They had no proof the castle had brought the snow, and it felt like a leap to imagine so. This was just an illusion brought on by his own expectation.

Nothing much had changed between the morning and now. Actually, nothing at all had changed. The castle was there, unmoving, and nothing had responded to any calls or flag waving or anything. No one really wanted to go up and knock, but the castle hadn’t opened up for anything else yet.

Number One marched a little way ahead of Graham and Alexander, watching the roads for any hint of danger, his hand on his sword hilt. Beside him was No3, guiding them along her original route to the castle so they would see it as she had. Her back was stiff, and she had fallen into the natural royal guards’ swinging gait. If she had any apprehension about returning to the place that had frightened her, she certainly didn’t show it, moving with all the trained confidence she could muster. Her fear would not be her defining memory. Graham couldn’t help but smile, proud of his team and the effort they gave.

Behind them, No2 walked a little more slowly, snuffling miserably with the start of a cold. He, too, had his hand close to his sword, just in case. Kyle and Larry were a little distance further behind, to act as part of a signal beacon, with Number Four watching them from Daventry Castle’s battlements. And that was as large a delegation as Graham wanted, at least initially. There were more guards available and ready to assist should things turn sour, but he didn’t want to tip things over into a fight unnecessarily. Too many numbers could look like a threat. They would stay outside, perhaps in the courtyard, and talk, he hoped, and determine what his new and preferably temporary neighbors wanted.

In the back of his head, Graham knew this was a foolish idea, but he was starving for action. Desperate to protect his people. This was the first thing he felt he could do. No threats had been sent from the castle. The Daventry guards had been left alone. If anything, Graham thought the floating castle residents might be hurt, struggling, unable to reply even if they wanted to.

Or at least, that’s what he told himself so that he wouldn’t think too hard about what a bad idea this might be.

It was quiet. Graham didn’t sense that anything was necessarily wrong. Winter was a quieter season. However, the air carried a strange, deadened silence to it that you tended to get only when it was actively snowing. Like the world was muffled and waiting. But it wasn’t currently snowing.

As they drew closer, the lonely silence grew. The snowpack started to give way to icy patches that made Graham’s boots, normally so grippy, skid and slide. He and Alexander had to catch themselves several times, and even the royal guards, boots currently equipped with crampons for patrols, were unsteady. The chill in the air nipped at them all the more as they drew closer. Graham’s ears ached, and he yanked his cap down further, smoothing his hair over the tips of his ears. He could feel the cold bite through his gloves.

The ice palace gleamed ahead of them, catching every scrap of light and reflecting it back. It was a thousand shimmering colors, almost impossible to comprehend. Its outer walls sparkled with white, cool grays, light blues, foamy greens, but further in, toward the heart of the castle, it took on crystalline blues, deep navy, black. The tallest tower, jutting at crazy angles out of the center of the castle, was purest white, and it was nearly translucent in places. It seemed possible to trace the hint of stairs leading up to its top.

But despite the clearness of the walls in certain places, there were no signs of humans, no colorful clothes of royalty or servants. Just endless grays and blues. Graham couldn’t be sure if some of the blue shapes were moving in the walls or if it was a trick of the light reflecting as he walked and changed his angle ever so slightly.

Finally, they approached the hollow itself where the castle sat. No1, shivering so badly that his knees knocked together, his armor clanging, bowed and gestured for Graham to lead.

It felt to Graham like he and his tiny entourage was the only life for miles. Not dangerous. Just achingly lonely.

The gates of the castle towered high above them. Icy, frostbitten, solid, and silent. Graham looked them up and down, marveling at how they had been carved. They had been given the clear marks of wood grain, of knots, of metal. It looked like a perfectly ordinary castle gate recast in ice and snow. As his gaze dropped to the base of the gates, he sighed. The castle had, indeed, simply plonked down in his fields—it was crushing the roses someone had so carefully planted in rows here. The poor bushes were twisted and curled and pressed beneath the foundation. The impact had knocked all the snow off them, and they were gnarled and broken and black looking.

Gently, Graham knocked on the gates, rapping with his gloved knuckle. The clattering echo that erupted from his knock sounded like gongs and bells striking each other, bouncing and resounding and reflecting on each other again and again. It seemed to shake the whole place. No one within would be able to ignore it, but as they waited, no one responded, either.

Graham knocked again, a little more forcefully, with the same result: a tremendous lot of noise, and no human or monster acknowledgement from within.

After a little wait, he went to knock a third time, and then he realized something odd. “You know,” he said to himself, “It doesn’t feel cold here.” He peeled off his glove and pressed his hand against the gate. It felt perfectly ordinary, like wood instead of ice, despite what his eyes insisted. It was warm, almost like it had been resting in the sun of a spring day. As he stood still, considering, he thought it felt a bit warmer, but his hand felt colder. Almost like it was leeching his warmth away, leaving a chill spreading up his arm.

Curious, he ran his bare hand down the wood, sensing the strange stealing warmth, wondering if this was magic or something more mundane—but then one of the crushed roses curled against the gate caught the side of his palm. It was much sharper and more piercing than an ordinary thorn bite should have been, and he hastily drew back his hand with a muffled yelp of surprise, half expecting to see blood pouring from a gaping wound but not seeing anything amiss. The flower itself, petals and all, was somehow still on the vine, shriveled and dead but nevertheless frozen into place on its stem.

“Are you okay, si—Dad?” Alexander asked, his voice shivering with cold or fear, Graham wasn’t sure which.

“It’s the roses,” Graham said, and rubbed his hand. “Just got nicked, wasn’t expecting it.” He leaned back and tried to see over the top of the gate. If anyone was coming to respond to his knock, it had to be soon. “I do think the guards were right. This place is empty, don’t you think? I’ve never seen a castle so still.” Still of life, anyway. The walls caught every reflection, every movement from outside, and shone it back like a broken mirror.

“It could be a really small staff,” Alexander offered, though he seemed distracted, concentrating on something Graham couldn’t detect.

“For a castle? Maybe,” Graham said doubtfully. “It takes a lot to keep one running, though. It’s not like a manor house. Still. Maybe they’ll reach out to us, since our attempts to talk to them don’t seem to be going anywhere. Hopefully we’ll learn something new by tomorrow.”

Above them, the storm clouds were starting to turn a bruised sort of gray, and No1 gestured for them to return home quickly. “Come along, Your Majesties. I shouldn’t think you want to be caught in that blizzard.”

“Shall we?” Graham said, and waved his son ahead of him. Before turning to go, Graham looked at the gate once more, and wondered what was just beyond it. What did the courtyard look like? If the gate felt like wood but was made of ice, were the carpets and tapestries the same? Torches casting off ice chips while still casting off heat in little half-melted alcoves? What about the people?

He sighed, shook his head, and followed his son up the path, rubbing his (gloved again) hand absently as he walked. His royal guards snapped back into their places, leading and following with swords at the ready, as apprehensive as ever. The wind sprang up behind them, hastening their steps like they were being chased away.

The hollow in front of the gate was quiet. No one came to the door to see who had been knocking. The rose bushes trembled in the wind. The rose that had caught Graham turned icy and cold. Frost bloomed along the shriveled petals, forcing the dead and withered rose into a second bloom, sharpening and hardening the petals, until the whole stem was solid and clear and blue and cold. It was almost part of the castle, almost frozen into silence in the gate, but the wind twirled through the hollow. The rose slammed against the door and broke into a thousand glittering shards. The sound of the impact was like another knock, ringing clear in the deepening gloom as early winter night stole over Daventry.

But this time, something deep within the castle shifted.

~*~*~*~

Valanice woke before Graham, but she didn’t want to get up. The air outside the blankets nipped her nose. The temperature had dropped again, and it didn’t feel like anyone had stoked the fireplace. Perhaps it was too early. She pressed herself against Graham—he was as cozy as a bear, a proper furnace of his own. Nice in the winter, not so nice in the summer, but right now she wanted him to hug her close and keep her warm. Sleepily, he obliged, moving his arms to hold her as she wanted.

She smiled contentedly and snuggled deeper with a sigh, but then his hand grazed her shoulder, and she flinched away, annoyed. “Graham, your hands are like ice,” she complained.

“Mmm?” He pulled her closer. “But you’re so warm.”

“No, seriously, Graham, you’re freezing. Stop that.” Valanice batted him away, sitting up in bed, properly awake now, blankets pulled up to contain the warmth.

He sat up with her, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He stopped. Blinked. She looked at him. She looked down. He looked down.

His hand was encased to the wrist in ice. Not encased. Replaced, transformed, by ice. Deep and clear and white, like a carving. It glittered and sparkled, catching what little light there was in the room. He twisted it, bent the fingers stiffly—they could hear the ice crackle, like ice cubes dropped into lemonade on a hot day.

They looked at each other.

They screamed.

~*~*~*~

Nothing helped.

Graham nursed blazing cups of tea that no one else could touch. He wrapped his hand in a hot blanket. He drank gut-warming whiskey and poured the rest of the glass over his hand. He plunged it into a hot bath. He held it distressingly close to the fireplace flames. During this last attempt, he tried to joke that it was like roasting marshmallows for s’mores—he was already a Graham Cracker, after all. It was a terrible joke that no one laughed at. Nothing changed. The ice remained resolutely icy.

In fact, by the end of the morning, the ice had spread. Not much, not enough that anyone other than Graham would notice. It was fractionally beyond his wrist, moving up his arm. Infinitesimally slow, but creeping along nevertheless. He pressed against it with his other hand like he could stop it, and that achieved about as much as his melting attempts. Nothing.

And, gradually, a chill started to spread, too. It didn’t matter that he was sitting clothes-singingly close to the fireplace, that he was practically chugging hot tea. There was a shiver in his fingertips, and a bone deep cold ache was spreading up his arm. By noon he could feel it in his shoulder, although the ice was barely beyond his wrist. His fingers seemed to be locking up, too, getting harder to bend.

“It’s that castle,” Valanice said. Her voice shook. Graham glanced up at her. “We have to get in there and demand they reverse...whatever this is.”

“They do have quite the defense system,” Graham agreed. He tugged the blanket higher over his shoulder with his good hand, careful not to drag it through the smoldering embers on the edge of the fire.

“Sire, you cannot go there again,” No1 said sharply. He snapped into full attention, as though formality would carry him forward. “I will not permit it. I have some sway over matters of your safety, and I shall invoke those abilities now. You shouldn’t have gone in the first place. I accept blame for that decision fully, and you may retire me at any point after these events are concluded. I shall send a delegation in your place, as I ought to have insisted upon doing the first time.”

“And have Matt or Kyle or Roberta freeze like me?” Graham said, an edge to his voice, ignoring their titles in his frustration. “I think not. This already got me. I’ve got to see it through rather than risk it happening to anyone else.”

“Sire.” No1 only stood up straighter. Someone could have used him as a level to hang paintings precisely. “If they caused this injury to you yesterday, they’ll only be delighted to have you stroll back up to them so they can finish the job.”

“No one was even around to do something malicious in the first place, you know that!” Graham insisted. “I pricked myself on that rose. It was inattentiveness, not intentionality. I tripped a trap that wasn’t meant for me. It was my rose bush, for stars’ sake, part of Daventry! It’s probably a curse on the castle that infected my country, and the people inside could be as desperate for help as me!”

“You can’t know that for certain, though. This might have been a trial foray, to see if they could catch you easily. Daventry has its enemies. Perhaps more so now than ever.” No1 glanced sideways at Alexander, who was sitting ramrod straight in a chair near the door, looking for all the world like a sculpture himself. “This is a delicate time, Graham,” he said, his voice and his protocol dropping so the king alone would hear him. “Don’t risk anything unnecessarily.”

Graham held his gaze for a moment, and then looked down at the hearth, at the snapping flames. “You might be right,” he said softly.

“I’m sure I am. I’ll pull together a team now. Volunteers only: they’ll be told the risks. But, Sire, I think I’ll have more volunteers than I’ll know what to do with. They love you. They want to help you. Please, let them.”

No1 bowed smartly and left with a click of his sharpened heels. After he was gone, the rest of the royal family filtered out as well, Alexander running to find an alcove to hide in, Rosella following him, Valanice going to order more tea. Graham sat alone by the fireplace, feeling the silent emptiness of the room bearing down on his shoulders. He felt hollow, and the room felt bitter. Like he was sitting in an icy cavern even now.

The same questions.

What did that courtyard look like? The carpets, the tapestries—could they bend like fabric while still being as cold as ice? Were the torches hot despite their icy veneer? What about the people?

He wanted to go back. He wanted to see inside. He wanted to know. He yearned to know. Was everything made of it, and did it still work? Were there others with ice instead of flesh? He needed to know.

He swapped the blanket for his cloak.

[mystic-kitten-writer]

Can we get a tiny teaser for limerence 👉👈?

Just for you 😘😘

Notes: Unedited

~ Ying Yue Jiang ~

           “She’s pregnant!”

           “What a blessing, will this be her third child?”

           “Fourth, her eldest is serving in the navy.”

           “Ahh, yes-yes, slipped from my mind. How beautiful, if only I could convince my husband…”

           “Makes two of us. How about you, Imperial Consort Ying Yue? Have you thought about having children of your own?” The ladies giggled, sipping away on their sweet teas in the garden.

           The cherry blossom branches swayed under the gentle breeze, the pink flowers cascading with the current, fluttering like butterflies. The cool shade painted our skin, providing as an escape from the blaring sun, although the kids didn’t seem to mind the heat in the slightest.

           Their laughter was clear as day, ringing throughout the palace gardens, but I couldn’t help but tune in with Kiyi’s the most. The ladies’ banter lost to the birds humming and moving water – absorbed in the beautiful smile on Kiyi’s face as she chatted away with her friends.

           A red and golden embroidered picnic blanket laid over the grass, Kiyi was passing along the turtle duck food for the children to feed. Her cheeks were dusted in pink, telling all the children fascinating facts about the creatures from the Southern Water Tribe.

           “After school tomorrow, I’ll read the book to you. They have this animal called a ‘Polar Bear Dog’ – and it’s so cute and fluffy!” Kiyi gushed, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t snort hearing her excitement. The way her eyes twinkled with passion, a small part of my heart hurt – because the look reminded me so much of Zuko’s whenever he got excited.

           Zuko…I miss you-

           “Imperial Consort?” A voice droned; the sound close to my being, I found myself jumping. My head snapped to the women beside me, them staring at me with looks of concern. Shit – what were we talking about again?

           “My apologies, I was watching the children-” I started, and the lady to my side started to snicker. She rose a napkin to her face, delicately tapping the tissue to rid herself of any crumbs that littered her appearance. All the women looked put-together, their hair and makeup done to impress, their clothes extravagant, meant to display their status.

           “I guess that answers our question.”

           “What question?” I inquired, and the ladies began to laugh once again.

           “Whether or not Fire Lord Zuko and you are planning on having kids anytime soon.” She replied, shooting me a sheepish smile. My mouth dropped, a shy blush coating my cheeks as a meek oh escaped me. Of course, they were talking about children and family. Almost all the high-ranking nobles were married, most with children – or pregnant.

           I stuck out like a sore thumb in these ‘royal tea parties,’ unable to relate to the women or men due to my lack of domestic life. I’m a mere child dressed in adult clothes – playing dress-up. My hands fell over my lap after combing my hair behind my ear, carelessly pressing thumbs as a means to keep my composure. I could feel my skin starting to heat up once again.

           Another fever- Katara is going to kill me.

           “Well, if it is not out of line to ask – when do you and Fire Lord Zuko plan on officially tying the knot?” A curious voice peeked, and at the question alone, I found myself reaching for my teacup, stealing a sip of the much-needed chamomile tea.

           Marriage – with Zuko? I fought back the petty laugh. Marriage with Zuko seems more like a distant dream than a reality.

           “Hopefully, once Fire Lord Zuko completes a few of his personal projects. Love is patient after all, and I’ll wait an eternity for him.” I spoke, forcing the words to leave my lips as I swallowed the lukewarm liquid.

           It was comical, how quick they were to eat up my words, gushing about how romantic I was, that I was willing to wait for Zuko – words straight out of a romance novel. If only they knew that that was only scratching the surface of what I would do for Zuko, the things I would sacrifice.

           I could feel my shoulders slump over in a defeat, biting my lips anxiously.

           The women didn’t notice the waver in my voice, the blue smile on my face, or the tears that I desperately held back. They were more concerned about the newest designer, skincare product, and fragrance – topics I would’ve undoubtedly been interested in if I didn’t have a looming fog in my mind.

           Politics, it’s all politics.

           The kid’s squeals peeked in volume, catching my attention, the children throwing their napkins in the air, towards Kiyi. What in the world-

           “It’s okay! I’ll be right back!” Kiyi insisted before standing up quickly.

           Her black hair bobbed side to side, skipping towards me at full speed. Droplets of something dripping after every bounce, tainting the green coloured grass under her steps, seeping into the soil.

           “Button-” I cooed, letting my tea rest on my plate before outstretching my arms. My hands caressed her face, and the happiness in her expression had me sporting a smile – a genuine smile. Kiyi was a breath of fresh air. Youthfulness and innocence, a heart of pure gold.

           “What happened, button? You’re a mess.” I snickered under my breath, watching the sticky liquid trickle from the hem of her dress, her lap completed covered. She scratched her head, shooting me a spirited grin. She looks just like Zuko when she smiles like that-

           “An accident, I didn’t see the jug of juice, and I kind of hit it.” Kiyi giggled, and I couldn’t help but snort, running my hand through her loose locks. “You’re so silly, button. Let’s get you cleaned up, okay?” I assured, light-heartedly tapping her nose.

           Kiyi nodded her head before shifting her gaze to the women I was seated with. My eyes followed hers, flustered at how the women looked over us with broad smiles – hearts for eyes.

           “I bet on two kids.”

           “Really? I think one.”

           “Wouldn’t be surprised if they already have a name picked out.” The ladies bantered between themselves as if I wasn’t currently sitting with them.

           I could feel a tiny finger poke my cheek, looking back at Kiyi, a teasing smile on her face. And seeing her sport that knowing look, a look that reminded me of a harmonious mixture of Zuko’s and Toph’s ‘I’m up to no good’ had me freezing.

           Oh no-

           “Izumi – Zuzu told me that that’s the name they want,” Kiyi spoke up, catching on to the topic at hand far too quickly for my liking. The women all leaned over in disbelief, jaws hitting the table, struggling to process the very thing Kiyi blurted.

           My eyes widen, the silly banter of family life between Zuko and I exposed. When and why did Zuko tell Kiyi this information-

           “Button-”

           “And Zuzu said they have a baby room set up in their vacation house! I can’t wait until I become an aunt. He said it’s a very serious job and-” My hand fell over Kiyi’s lips, cutting her off midsentence as I shot the women an embarrassed smile.

           The redness of my face was no longer due to my impending fever – but out of the utter realization that Zuko seemingly unleashes all his damn soft and fluffy feelings to her. Kiyi really is Zuko’s weakness, isn’t she?

           “Let’s get that dress cleaned button,” I said through awkward giggles, hand still firmly placed over her face, Kiyi letting out squeals of delight through my fingers.

           “Yue and Zuzu, sitting on a-”

           “Throne because he’s Fire Lord and I’m his-”

           “Wifey.” Kiyi managed to yelp.

           The speed at which my body moved, not bothering to say my goodbyes to these royals, as I nudged Kiyi’s body forward with my own. There was no way in the spirit world I was going to look behind me, already imaging the sunny looks on those women’s faces hearing the fuss coming from Kiyi’s lips.

           “I swear, button, I’m going to revoke cookie dates from you!” I mumbled under my breath, feeling the way Kiyi’s body shook from joy. My hand slipped from her mouth, her face pink as she held her stomach, her laughter loud and proud. And despite the embarrassment and exasperation, I found myself laughing along with her.

           There was something about hearing a child’s guiltless laugh that was contagious, especially coming from Kiyi. The smile on my face was enormous, reaching my eyes. When was the last time I smiled this much? The last time I laughed freely, enjoying my time?

           “You’re so much trouble, button~.” I blew, hands falling over her shoulders, embracing her. My fingers squeezed her chubby cheeks from behind basking in the sun’s heat before we walked up the palace steps. The guards before us opened the doors, observing the way I coddled Kiyi to my body.

           There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that they didn’t already know the trouble Kiyi could cause in less than a minute – the reason why they all sported small grins watching us enter.

           A handful, just like her brother.

           We stepped inside the kingdom, walking side by side, glued to the hip, humming happily. Our footsteps pattered along the flooring, heading towards her room, but I saw the cheeky glances Kiyi tried to steal from the corner of her eyes, studying my figure.

           She thinks she’s so sly. I snickered at her childish behaviour, poking her cheek, “What are you staring at so much, button? Do I have some crumbs on my face?”

           “No~.” Kiyi giggled, tilting her head to the side.

           “Then tell me, button.” I pestered, enjoying her coyness. Her blush deepened, a flush I didn’t notice until now, before poking her one more time, “Tell me, what are you staring at so intently?”

           “You’re smiling again…you’re pretty when you smile.” Kiyi breathed.

[bakersstreetirregulars]

Happy Brave Day: Gingerbrave’s 12th Birthday

🎂 Is everyone here? We need to make this party the greatest birthday party Gingerbrave has ever seen!

🍓 I’m here...

🌶 Yeah, yeah. I’m here. Couldn’t leave this guy behind after getting wrapped in an entire adventure across Earthbread with him. Still no treasures, though. Grrrrrrr...

🍒 I’m here! And I brought my greatest present yet!

🧨 Is it more firecrackers?!

🎂 Please don’t tell me you two brought another bundle of explosives. You already know what happened when you blew up that cake. Especially you, Firecracker, since you were the one that shoved that giant firecracker in the cake.

🧨 You betcha!

🎂 [Annoyed Sigh] Cinnamon Cookie, please tell me you have something else planned to save this party.

🪄 Of course I do, hehe! It’s magic!

🎂 What is it with you and magic anyway? This is a livestream of us surprising Gingerbrave for his birthday!

Disclaimer: This is not actually a livestream. The Editor just doesn’t have that kind of equipment to stream anywhere mainstream like Twitch or YouTube.

🪄 Why magic? I’ve been to the City of Wizards before! My friend Wizard can vouch for me! Don’t worry about that too much, I’ve done live magic shows countless times! Oh, wait, he’s coming! Get ready!

🍪 He walks into the room, unaware of what’s about to happen

🎂🧨🌶🪄🍓🍒 Surprise! Happy Brave Day, Gingerbrave!

🍪 He just stood there in shock and awe as everyone gathered around him to start the party

[Feedback Loop]

🛠 Oh hello, everyone! Aloe Cookie here. We’re just gonna cut away from that party introduction you just read to give them some privacy so Gingerbrave can have a proper celebration without any outside intrusions, and so I can explain what I need you for. You see, the party room is empty and nobody’s ready! This is where YOU come into the picture. In order to make the perfect party, we’ll need the following components:

A towering birthday cake with a considerable sugar ratio to satisfy anybody’s sweet tooth

Sparkling Cookie and his expertise in crafting an impromptu sparkling juice bar

A comfy couch for the guests to chill and relax with friends

Birthday presents that place themselves in the upper echelons of quality

How do you get these components ready? It’s simple. Complete the tasks below to secure everything that’s needed for that aspect of the party.

Depending on the quality of your handiwork, you will be rewarded with increasing rewards! Don’t fret if you didn’t get the chance to go all-in for the first celebration, as you can mix and match the components you have for further celebrations to collect all the rewards!

The true pinnacle of the list, however, is this limited-time costume for Gingerbrave:

The true celebrations begin in less than four days, so there’s no time to waste. But for now, let’s shift gears and move towards the events taking place for Cookie Run Kingdom.

First off, what cake, if not Red Velvet? Meet and promote Red Velvet Cookie to receive rewards once his gacha banner closes in approximately five days. These rewards are as follows:

⭐️ 30 Level 4 EXP Star Jellies

⭐️⭐️ 40 Level 5 EXP Star Jellies

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 100 Level 5 EXP Star Jellies, 300,000 Coins

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 250 Level 6 EXP Star Jellies, 500,000 Coins, 20 Searing Keys

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 700 Level 7 EXP Star Jellies, One Million Coins, 30 Searing Keys, and 30 Chaos Cake Pieces

For our second event, we’re aiming for the Best Birthday Gift Ever! Upgrade the Cookie Bond “Best Birthday Gift Ever” shown below to a minimum of 3 stars for rewards as follows:

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 300,000 Coins, 100 Level 6 EXP Star Jellies

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 400,000 Coins, 300 Level 6 EXP Star Jellies, 7 of each Rarity Item (Aurora Compasses, Bricks, and Pillars)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 500,000 Coins, 500 Level 6 EXP Star Jellies, 10 of each Rarity Item, 30 Chaos Cake Pieces

For both Kingdom events, they will share a timer with, and close alongside Pastry and Red Velvet Cookies’ gacha banners. You will be rewarded only with the highest tier you reached for each event when their time expires.

I still have more to explain, but not enough processing power to send all of this information…

[silverfootstepswrites]

Incandescent [2/3]

title Incandescent (2/3)  summary Vengeance is the best pick-up line. pairing itasaku (of course)

Part 1 | Part 3

It was a well-known fact that King Fugaku had bastard children. At least two, in fact. One, he had taken in as his “nephew” and currently served as a baron not far from the capital. The other, for some reason, he had never acknowledged. Never even spoken to. It had been a source of great scandal in the Cian Kingdom when it had first come to light. But now, no one batted an eye.

Which Sakura thought was absurd.

“He made him and he won’t even speak to him?” Sakura complained. 

“It’s not as uncommon as you think, Sakura,” Kizashi answered.

“That’s right,” Mebuki piped up. “If anything, Papa is the strange one for not having mistresses.”

Sakura hid her smile behind her napkin as she watched her father sputter. 

As Sakura recalled that conversation from a few years ago, she started when a servant arrived to set down tea in front of them. The plates and silverware rattled together. Her eyes met Sakura’s. Sakura didn’t dare look at her guest. She just nodded at the girl to dismiss her. She couldn’t leave the room faster. The door closed with a click behind her.

Sakura sat alone with her esteemed guest. Emperor Itachi of the Bermellon Empire.

Bermellon was a powerhouse of military prowess and technology. It was much older than the kingdom of Cian, and its access to the ocean meant that merchants flocked to its ports. A plague several years ago, along with a civil war waged among the nobles had weakened the empire considerably. Rumors had spread of a new emperor who had seized the throne and brought stability to the lands. All that the rumors could agree on was that the emperor was a recluse who didn’t appear in public for any reason.

“You must be uncomfortable. I beg your pardon for the sudden visit,” the emperor said, lowering his head. 

Sakura pinched her thigh through her dress. It hurt. So this wasn’t some kind of strange dream.

“I.... Please don’t beg, Your Majesty,” was all she could think to say.

Itachi was silent as he took that in. And then a smile curled his lips. 

“Then instead of begging, let me ask you a question, My Lady. Is is true that you’ve been in a somewhat... vindictive mood lately?” he queried. Pointer finger on his cheek and thumb on his chin as he watched her.

Her curiosity overpowered the fear. She met his gaze. “Perhaps.”

His smile widened. “Excellent.”

Sakura didn’t know why. But she felt quite comfortable recounting the last several months to a foreign monarch. Which, in retrospect, was probably a very stupid thing to do. Maybe it was his silence. It was hard to find someone who just listened.

“That is... quite a slap in the face,” was all he concluded at the end of her story.

“What I resent most,” Sakura began. She seized a cookie from the platter in the middle of the tray, “Is that I have brains. Why would he believe that I was going to seduce the son of the Knight Commander when I’m already going to become Queen?” 

“That would be unnecessary,” Itachi said. 

“Exactly!” Sakura took a bite of the cookie. And then, settling back in her seat, she sighed.

“Well, there’s no use in getting angry. It’s what I get for underestimating the no-name niece of a baron,” she mumbled, mostly to herself. After a moment, her gaze flickered up to Itachi. 

“I’m not what you expected, am I?” Sakura guessed.

Itachi smiled a little. He wasn’t so daunting when he smiled like that. “Am I that transparent?”

“No. You have to get good at reading faces when you’re engaged to someone like Prince Sasuke,” Sakura replied. And then she tilted her head to one side as she thought as she added, “You remind me of him.”

His smile faded. “Which reminds me, we haven’t gotten to the reason for my sudden visit.”

She was aware that he had just changed the topic. But she gestured for him to proceed. She could always poke at that again later.

“Simply put, after the civil war, the farmlands and much of our infrastructure were destroyed. We’ve been able to make ends meet by importing crops from neighboring nations. Like yours. But the harsh tariffs your king has recently set against my country have hurt everyone. My people cannot afford to eat.”

“Wouldn’t this be the job of an ambassador to discuss this with His Majesty?” Sakura wondered.

“You’re correct. It would also be his job to discuss how Cian has engaged in skirmishes along our border and attempted to blame bandits,” Itachi added. 

“So my country is provoking you to see if you’re weak enough to attack?” she guessed. 

Itachi nodded. He took a sip of his tea. “That’s what I believe.”

Sakura folded her arms across her chest. “Then where do I factor into all of this?” she asked.

“Even outside of your kingdom’s borders, your family’s power is well-known. And then I happened to hear rumors of the House Haruno’s.... falling-out with the Crown. Naturally, I thought we could help each other. We put on a show, feign closeness. We can use that to our advantage to each get what we need.”

Sakura eyed him as she lifted her teacup to her lips to take a sip. She placed it back down on the saucer, soundlessly. “Do you plan to add Cian to your empire?”

Itachi didn’t flinch from her gaze. In fact, she almost wanted to flinch. Meeting with the Queen had been unnerving enough. This man was on a whole other level. “You’re quite blunt, aren’t you?” he observed. 

“Your question doesn’t cancel out my question, Your Majesty,” she pressed. Perhaps, a little foolishly. 

Itachi chuckled. “True. That was rude of me. But I also have many things I’d like to ask you.”

“Then we take turns. If you’d answer my question first, I’d be happy to answer one of yours,” she suggested.

“Very well. My answer is ‘no’. I don’t plan on conquering Cian.” And then he paused as he searched her gaze. “You’re not frightened?”

“Terrified.”

“Of this plan?”

“Yes. And of you. You’re very intimidating,” she answered. She didn’t see a need in lying about that. 

He chuckled, eyes flickering down to the teacup. “I wouldn’t be a good ruler if I wasn’t.” And then his eyes moved back up to her. “Your next question?”

“Is it alright for you to be away from Bermellon like this?” she inquired.

“No, actually. But this was a special exception. In the future, I’m afraid our correspondences will have to be through writing,” he told her. And then he tilted his head a little as he looked her over.

“Why do you ask?”

Sakura gestured around the room. “Because if you’re going to continue to visit, Your Majesty, we’re going to need to update these furnishings. My mother would have a fit if she knew you sat in the same room as out-of-season curtains,” she told him. 

Itachi’s eyes sparkled as he pressed his knuckles to his mouth. It took him several moments for him to speak again. In which Sakura felt at ease because she knew it was from him trying his best not to laugh. Which would have been very undignified for a fearsome emperor. 

“I look forward to working with you, Lady Sakura.”

“Likewise, Your Majesty.”

Itachi’s departure was discrete. He slipped out through the servant’s entrance, the hood of his cloak pulled up to cover his hair. As the carriage pulled up, Itachi turned back to look at her. Sakura lingered in the doorway.

“Do you have a pet name, My Lady?” Itachi inquired.

“Do I look like the sort of woman who would have a pet name, Your Majesty?” she retorted, forehead wrinkling at the very thought. Pet names were for little girls. Perhaps the only peer who could have gotten away with calling her by such a thing would have been the royal family. Just imagining Sasuke’s look of disgust if she asked him to call her by a pet name made goosebumps rise up and down her arms. 

“No. I suppose not. You’re quite endearing enough as is,” he mused mostly to himself as he turned to climb into the carriage. 

The servants pretended to have seen nothing, and all Sakura informed her mother when she arrived a week later was that she had been dreadfully bored without her.

“You changed the curtains. Thank you, love,” Mebuki observed as she sat in the parlor. She cast a confused look at the servant girl who stifled a giggle.

It began with a letter. A formal correspondence from the Emperor of Bermellon to Duke Haruno. 

“What does it say, Papa?” Sakura asked, leaning on him as she read over his shoulder. Kizashi handed it to her once he was done reading.

“The Bermellon Empire has had trouble feeding all its citizens after the civil war. The nobles were fond of razing farmlands as a battle strategy, apparently,” Kizashi informed her. He folded his hands under his chin as he waited for her to finish reading. 

Sakura wrinkled her nose. “Bermellon had an agreement with the Crown. They sold surplus crops to Bermellon. In exchange for what, Papa?”

“For not attacking us. For a while, Bermellon’s armies were a serious threat,” Kizashi replied.

“But not anymore.”

“Not anymore,” he agreed. “I’d heard rumors that King Fugaku was planning to lay down strict sanctions against Bermellon. I never thought Bermellon would come running to us for help, though.” Leaning back in his chair, Kizashi bit the end of his pipe. 

“Well, we grow the crops. It would make more sense for them to deal with us directly rather than go through the Crown,” Sakura commented. She stole a glance at her father, measuring his expression. He appeared to be lost in thought. 

“Why don’t we help them, Papa? It wouldn’t do for people to go hungry,” she suggested. 

Her father’s eyes flew to her. Sharpening.

“You know what kind of message that would send.”

“I know, Papa.”

Kizashi’s eyes narrowed even more. His mustache twitched. “What are you planning, dear daughter of mine?” he wondered. 

Sakura rested her chin in her palms. She beamed at him as she answered: “Wouldn’t it be so much more fun if it were a surprise, Papa?”

Kizashi penned a reply that afternoon. Sakura sitting at his side as they brainstormed how to word the response. Mebuki eyed them as she watched Sakura pour wax onto the envelope flap. Sakura blew on the wax to cool before she stamped it with the seal. 

“The royal family is moving to the Winter Palace. They should arrive in the next week or so,” Mebuki announced.

“Do you think they’ll try to make amends?” Kizashi queried.

“Of course. Although it seems like our daughter has other plans,” Mebuki noted. Sakura just smiled at her. Mebuki reached out and stroked Sakura’s hair. “Remember, darling. No treason.”

“Yes, Mama.”

As the weeks went on, letters went back and forth. Sakura started to pity the messengers who rode from the emperor’s palace on the coast to the Haruno family’s manor further inland. 

Under the guise of lightening her father’s workload, Sakura had taken on writing to the Emperor herself.

At first, the messages had been strictly business. Contracts and official documents that were signed and stamped to ensure a fair deal. There had been a few letters that had been a bit snippy as they negotiated about the money that would change hands. Sakura had to admit that the Emperor was a shrewd negotiator. The number they settled on wasn’t exactly unfair to her, but it was certainly less than she would have liked.

But as the number of letters grew, Sakura found that their correspondences sounded less and less like business. 

He didn’t exactly spill his soul onto the page, but she could make some guesses. His palace seemed like a quiet place. And he worried a lot. About his people. About himself. 

In one letter on a particularly dull day, Sakura mentioned off-hand that she missed the capital. Particularly the sound of the cuckoo birds that would wake  her in the morning.

She stood dumbfounded in her garden a few weeks later. Inside a silver cage sat two birds. Their feathers were grey, almost blue. Their bright yellow eyes stared at her as she approached. One of them opened its beak to let out a familiar “cuckoo” sound.

“Those are...” Sakura trailed off when one of her servants handed her a letter. The imperial seal stamped into the deep purple wax. 

A token of thanks for all that you’ve done, was all it said.

Of course, Sakura hosted a small tea party a few days later. And while she didn’t say anything about the birds, she did place the cage in the middle of the garden, where everyone could see.

“Those are lovely, Lady Sakura,” one of the ladies commented.

“They were a gift from His Majesty the Emperor of Bermellon,” answered Sakura. Pretending not to notice Ino almost choke on her tea.

It didn’t take long for rumors to spread from there. 

Sakura told her chattiest servants about the latest thing the Emperor had written to her or sent to her. And in turn, those servants spread the gossip to her friends and family. Who in turn informed their friends. 

By the peak of the winter, the royal court buzzed with speculation like an angry beehive. Was the daughter of Duke Haruno engaged to the Emperor of an enemy nation? Was this a plot on the Crown’s part to gain Bermellon’s trust? Hadn’t Lady Sakura just been rejected by the Prince?

Sakura sat in the shade of the garden. It was a little cool, but the cloak around her shoulders kept her from feeling uncomfortable. The lavender the Emperor had sent to her several weeks ago had taken nicely to the soil. The stalks of silver-green leaves swayed back and forth, spreading the fragrance through the air. 

“What’s most scandalous, I think, is that it’s difficult to tell whether he’s courting you or not, I think,” Mebuki observed. She gestured around the garden. “Flowers, birds, teas from his lands. Normally he would be sending dresses and jewels if he were trying to woo you.”

“Oh nonsense, Mama. He’s just showing his appreciation for our trading partnership,” drawled Sakura. And they dissolved into laughter. 

The cooler weather passed and it was time for a new social season. 

Sakura took a deep breath. She rolled her shoulders to loosen up before she nodded at the steward. He opened up the doors. A servant girl entered bearing a large silver tray. Envelopes of every shape and size covered the surface. Some of the messages were doused in perfume, which Mebuki promptly plucked out and tossed in the discard pile. (”That’s tacky, my dear. Anyone of good standing uses their name, not their nose to get attention.”)

“Hm. Garden party. Garden party. Oh. Flower viewing. So different from a garden party,” Sakura read as she shuffled through the invitations.

“Which ones will you go to, Mama?” asked Sakura. 

Mebuki glanced through the names. “The sister of Earl Sabaku is throwing a stargazing party. She always has the most interesting ideas.” 

And then Mebuki picked up a few more envelopes. “Countess Inuzuka has continued to annoy me. But I might show my face at Marquise Nara’s tea party.”

“And Marquise Yamanaka?” Sakura prompted. 

Mebuki laughed. “That goes without saying.” But then Mebuki looked at her daughter’s face and her smile fell. “Oh. You’re... not planning on attending.... any of these,” she realized.

Sakura grinned. Pressing her hands together, she fluttered her eyelashes. 

“Actually, Mama, neither of us are attending. We have somewhere to be,” Sakura corrected her. 

Mebuki sighed. 

“....Let me go get your father.”

“Duchess Haruno, it’s so good to see you,” the Queen greeted Mebuki a couple weeks later. Mebuki curtsied deeply. 

“Thank you so much for meeting with me, Your Grace,” Mebuki replied. 

“Of course. We are always glad to see such a dear and trusted friend,” Mikoto answered her. And they were all titters and smiles. Which did nothing to mask the frigid atmosphere in the room as they sat together.

“Now, whatever is this urgent matter that concerns you, my dear duchess?”

“The Haruno family won’t be attending the spring banquet?” Fugaku barked. His voice echoed across the dining room. Mikoto wrung her hands, her food untouched. Sasuke stared at his plate, like he wasn’t a part of the conversation. A servant walked in with a water jug, eyed the expressions of the royal family, and silently backtracked out of the room.

“...Or the summer ball,” added Mikoto. 

Fugaku’s fork and knife clattered onto the plate. He threw his napkin on the table.

“This is unacceptable,” Fugaku said.

Sasuke stole a glance at his father and found himself on the receiving end of a glare.

“This is your doing, Sasuke.”

“How is the Haruno family’s insolence my responsibility?” Sasuke retorted. 

“Oh, Sasuke, don’t,” Mikoto sighed. But there was no point. 

“Not only did you dissolve an engagement, you publicly humiliated the daughter of the biggest threat to our kingdom. To make things worse, you abjure the girl you chose to replace her with after less than a year. What sort of message does that send to our people?” Fugaku spat. Sasuke bit his tongue as he looked away.

“For years, Sasuke, Duke Haruno has been called the second king of this nation. Should he choose to rebel, it would plunge this nation into a bitter conflict. One that I’m uncertain we would emerge victorious from,” the king then said in a softer voice. 

Slowly, Sasuke turned his face back toward his parents. Fugaku was still scowling. 

“I’ve been hearing unsettling strange rumors about the south right now. Fix this before it’s too late, Sasuke. Lady Sakura has always been enamored of you. Use that to your advantage,” the King demanded.

However, when Sasuke arrived at the Haruno mansion in the Capital the following day, it was empty. 

“The Duke has moved here for the season, Your Highness, but there has been no word from the Duchess,” the steward informed him. And then he added, “It’s very likely that they are still at the manor, You-”

Sasuke stalked off before the steward could finish speaking. He had his fastest messengers sent south to the Haruno lands. They returned several days later empty-handed. Neither women was there, and none of the servants could say where they had gone.

Interrogating Sakura’s usual friends was just as pointless. Lady Ino claimed that she was just as confused as to where her friend was, and then punctuated her words with some scowls and maybe even an eye roll. Lady Temari was less obvious about her disdain, but answered just as coldly. 

“How am I supposed to fix this if I can’t even find her?” Sasuke grumbled. 

“Well, you probably shouldn’t have messed things up from the start then,” Naruto said, patting him on the back. Which was the sort of privilege he had by being one of Sasuke’s only friends since childhood. And oblivious to Sasuke’s expression, Naruto went on. “I tried to warn you. My cousin’s crazy. And Lady Sakura would never do all those things Karin said. If I were you, I’d be really mad at myself for falling for any of that.”

“Naruto.”

“Hm?”

“Stop talking.”

“Alright, Your Highness.”

A few days later, a message arrived at the royal palace. It might not have caught anyone’s attention except for the deep purple wax that sealed the flap in place. 

As soon as Fugaku turned it over, his mouth tightened into a thin line. 

“What is it?” Mikoto asked. 

“Trouble,” was all Fugaku could say.

[incorrectsanders]

Since we just got some lovely Logince content, how ‘bout some cute Moxiety?

Eeeeek! Okay!

They loved spending time alone together.

It didn’t happen as often as they’d have liked it too, but when it did happen it was nice. Ever since they met, Patton was like a big teddy bear distraction for Virgil. Virgil was the same for Patton. Light hearted interactions were what they thrived on with each other.

It was Saturday. Roman was in Orlando filming and Logan was down there with him for a meeting with an important client.

They’d woken their partners up at 5 in the morning to let them know they were leaving.

“Let us know when you’re awake, darlings.”

A kiss for each pair and they were off. Patton and Virgil hadn’t minded, they simply snuggled into each other and drifted back off to sleep.

When Virgil finally woke up a few hours later, he took comfort in Patton’s arms wrapped securely around him. He was wearing only a pair of boxers as an inverse to Virgil’s oversized t-shirt. Even sleeping with the AC on, the four of them couldn’t wear much clothing or the bed would get way too hot.

Ten minutes after he woke up, Patton blinked his eyes open too. He smiled when he saw Virgil watching him, his hand sliding up the man’s shirt so he could run his finger tips up and down his back.

“Mornin’, Starlight.”

“Morning, Pattycake.”

“Lazy day?”

“Lazy day.”

Virgil rolled over so he was on top of Patton, comfortably nuzzling into his neck as they both still woke up. After a bit though, Patton’s arms locked around his waist and he pressed a peck to Virgil’s lips, turned them over, and blew a raspberry into Virgil’s neck.

“Patton, no!” He squealed.

“Patton, yes!”

Little kisses and raspberries were pressed up and down Virgil’s neck and Virgil giggled and squirmed the entire time.

“Stop!”

“Nope!”

“Patton!”

Patton only gave the evilest laugh he could manage, tugging a squealy, giggly Virgil up with him.

When they finally rose from the bed, Virgil turned on the coffee pot and Patton started breakfast.

They made sure to send a cute picture to their QPP’s, one with Virgil on the counter and Patton between his legs, their cheeks pressed together and still sleepy grins plastered on both their faces. Their hair was still a mess, Patton was still shirtless, and Virgil was holding a coffee mug in his lap.

V: We’re awake

Roman responded with three little heart eyes emojis and Logan responded with a screenshot of his lock screen, showing that he made it his new background.

L: Look at my beautiful loves

R: Um, what about me??? Excuse? How dare???

V: KO. RIP Princey

Another picture came in as Patton nuzzled up between Virgil’s legs again, reaching for his own phone.

This one was a screenshot of Logan’s home screen, a picture of Logan in a throne with Roman perched in his lap, both of them staring down the camera and dressed like princes. It was for one of Roman’s videos. They’d all taken pictures in that throne, there was even one of Virgil perched in Patton’s lap, both of them with their heads thrown back and laughing.

“I love that picture.” Virgil said, sending three little heart eyed emojis like Roman had.

Patton nodded in agreement, typing his own response.

P: Look at my beautiful loves

R: Okay, you’re excused

R: Can you record a bit of footage for the vlog channel today, babes? And maybe record the next bit of Kingdom Hearts for the gaming channel? Camden is free to come over today

P: It’s lazy day!

R: Pleeeeease?

Virgil snickered.

V: It’s lazy day!

R: Baaaaaaaaaabes!

L: We’ll pick up those cookies you love from Epcot.

V: Two dozen each.

L: Two each.

V: A dozen each.

L: Three each.

V: Ten each.

L: A dozen total.

V: Sold.

Patton grinned, picking up a piece of turkey bacon and feeding it to Virgil so he could tell him if it was ready.

“What happened to lazy day?” He teased.

“Don’t mess with my cookies, Pat.” Virgil grinned, biting into the strip and turning his phone to the camera.

“Hey guys! Roman and Logan are in Orlando today so it’s just us!”

[writteriguess]

Escape You | Part One

Chapter One:

Suzie, Do You Copy?

summary: it’s a normal day at StarCourt Mall until you discover one of Hawkins dark secrets.

warnings: cursing

notes: omfg I had to rewrite this :( anyway this chapter isn’t even that good, but welcome to this series! also if you want to be taken off the tag list just tell me cause I’m just gonna keep tagging all of you for each part lol.

——————

1985

Ah, the StarCourt Mall. The newest establishment of Hawkins Indiana. You had started working there earlier that summer. You only started working there to earn enough money to visit your best friend in New York. So far, the pay was decent. You worked in a woman’s clothing store across from the famous ice cream parlor, Scoops Ahoy.

That’s the only thing you hated about working at the mall. It was the fact that you had to see Steve Harrington’s face everyday. It wasn’t like you wanted to either. Every time, you looked up there he was, wearing that stupid sailors uniform with that stupid hat.

You honestly didn’t even hate Steve for any particular reason. Well, he was an asshole, and that’s why most people hated him. You just hated the idea of him. You hated the idea of running your hands through his perfect hair. Or kissing his flushed soft lips. Or walking around with him, your hands closed together, as he tried to smitten you with his pickup lines. God, you hated him.

“(y/n)!” The shouts of your name brought you out of your Steve loathed daydream. It was the all to familiar shouts of your coworker, Sarah. Sarah was younger than you by a year. She was a senior in high school. She only worked here because of her mother, who was the owner of the store. She hated her job, and you hated that you had to work with her. You hated Sarah too. But in her cause, there were a million things to hate her for. She was just simply a bitch.

Your eyes widened when they came familiar to the darkened room. “We’re closing already?” You asked. Sarah scoffed at you, “No, the power went out.” You can hear the annoyance lacing from her voice. “God (y/n), I was calling your name for the past five minutes. Are you deaf or something!” You rolled your eyes. “This daydreaming crap is getting out of hand. What if there was a costumer waiting and you blew the sale!” You could hear her favorite black boots pacing along the white tiled floor.

Suddenly, there was a slight bang, then a groan, Sarah’s angerd voice coming next, “God dammit! When is the power gonna come back on!?”

You leaned against the counter, your elbows laying against the surface. You rubbed your temples stressfully. God you hated working with her. “Can you relax? I’m sure the power will come back on soon”

As if right on cue, the once dark room gleamed with light. You looked over to Sarah to tell her ‘I told you so’ but you stifled a laugh at the image you saw infront of you. Sarah was on the tiled floor. Two of the white mannequins were sprawled along the floor, one of them actually on top of Sarah. Your mouth covered your amused smile. “Shut up” Sarah groaned to you, attempting to get off of the floor, which just made you laugh harder.

——————

You watched as Steve Harrington flirted with some girls at the counter. You tried to hold back a scoff. You heard the back doors of the shop open and watched as Sarah strutted out, your store uniform on. It was a maroon T-shirt with the stores name with dark pants. This meant your shift was over.

You gave a breath of relief, beginning to quickly pack your things to go on your lunch break. You had to at least get your mind off of Steve for an hour. Sarah took your spot at the counter. “Geez, why are you in such a hurry? I thought you liked the counter job. You get a great view of Harrington.”

What she said made you almost drop your bag. You turned to her muttering out an, “W, What?” Were you that obvious? Was the staring becoming to much? Sarah scoffed, “Oh come on, I see you staring at Harrington all the time” a clever smirk coverd her featured. “I can go talk to him for you, if you want?”

You shook your head rapidly, “No, no no. I don’t like him.” Sarah stared at you with her head to the side, like she was debating weather or not she should believe you. She shrugs, “Whatever you say (y/n).” She looks forward, towards the ice cream parlor again. “But I will say, I don’t blame you for looking.”

You look to the ice cream shop. Steve Harrington stood at the counter, but this time with the white sailors hat off. His beautiful brown locks out for the world to see. The voluminous hair seemed to curl and bounce against his forehead. Your lips were caught between your teeth and you could feel your face heating up. God did you want to run your hands through that hair.

Sarah stared at you at the counter. She watched as your eyes lit up when you saw him and she watched as you bit your lip and your face reddened. She cleared your throat, which earned your attention. She smirked widely, “You were saying?”

You quickly bolted out of the shop, wanting to die from embarrassment.

——————

On your car ride home, you sulked in the drivers seat, feeling tired from today. Thank god when you returned back to the store, Sarah’s shift was over. God, you felt so stupid. She caught you gawking over him. Literally, gawking! You wanted to bang your head onto the steering wheel for being so stupid.

You pulled up to a stoplight. You huffed, leaning back in your seat, waiting for the light to flash green. All you wanted to do was go home and sleep. A car pulls up next to you, blasting some loud rock music. You look over but immediately look away. It’s Steve fucking Harrington. His hands slam against the steering wheel, beating along with the music. His head bops along to the beat, a curl skimming his forehead every so often. A smile rested on his face as he sang along to the song. He looked good, really good.

You occasionally looked his way, but stopped when you realized what you were doing. Maybe Sarah was right. The staring was getting a little out of hand. You sighed, and decided to just try and stare out your side of the window until the damn light turned green.

Couldn’t he just go away! You weren’t even at work and here he was. You couldn’t escape him.

The light flashed green and you watched as Steve drove away down the street. You heard a honk from behind you and quickly stepped on the gas, muttering out multiple “sorry’s.”

Before you knew it you were home. You shut off your car and walked into your house, you threw your keys on the kitchen counter. You stopped when you saw a note written on the kitchen table. You leaned over, reading the letter.

Hey hon! Sorry I couldn’t be home to say goodbye to you in person, but my flight was at 2. Anyway, there is a bunch of leftover’s in the fridge, and I left you twenty dollars on the fridge to order pizza one night. Remember to take out the trash. I love you! See you in a week. - Mom.

You sighed. You forgot your mom was going on a business trip for a week. You had the whole house to yourself. To bad you didn’t have friends, otherwise you would’ve thrown a party or something. You did as you were told, walking over to the trash can.

You took the black bag out with a huff before walking to the back door. Your street was mostly dark, the only light coming from one of your neighbors porches. Ms. Driscoll’s house. You loved the woman. She made the best cookies and fresh squeezed lemonade.

With a huff, you managed to put the garbage into the pail without a problem. After wiping your hands together, you started to make your way back inside.

However, you stopped when you heard a screeching noise. It was faint but can still be heard. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, before you followed the noise. You prayed that if wasn’t a broken tire or a broken pipe. You followed the noise which led you to the back of your house. The sight that you saw made you frown.

A rat laid on the green grass. It was a small gray one. It’s body flailed rapidly, the screeching became more painful with every thrash. You moved closer, before kneeling before it. “What’s wrong little guy?” You mumbled out softly.

Suddenly, it gave one final loud scream before exploding before you. It’s guts, red and pink, scattered out along the grass.

Your eyes widened and your mouth fell agape. You let out a scream before bolting to your house, opening the back door, and slamming it closed. You leaned against it, a hand to your chest, trying to catch your breath. What the hell was that?!

TAGS | Bold couldn’t tag

@tequilachick @stobinthings @queen1054 @soniasalvatore1 @autumn-blessings @username3549 @iluvmesomemarvelndc @curiousershipper @from-a-forgotten-kingdom @lxstdreams @k-n-teeg @nightmare-mermaid4793 @laneygthememequeen @dracaryswonder @thatlittlered

[mama-m1na]

The Kiss of Death: Chapter 2

~~~II~~~

Two months had passed since the prince had begun courting the young Lemurian girl, and in those two months they had grown much closer much to the disappointment of the king.

Ten years prior to this, the King of Ukaidia had waged war against the small archipelago country of Lemuria in hopes of not only gaining more land, but also to destroy all of her people.

He viewed the Lemurians as uncultured monkeys who were only wasting the potential of their land, living in the way they did.

Following this train of thought, the almighty King Armedeyus III of Ukaidia waged a war against these island peoples that lasted two years, with heavy casualties to both sides.

The war ended with a peace treaty that stated both sides would end the war and become mutual trade partners, allowing safe immigration through both countries, but evidently one country followed through on the treaty much better than the other.

In present day Ukaidia, pure blood Lemurians are allowed in the kingdom; however, the hate for them from the Ukaidians still existed, especially from their king.

So when he found out that Prince Umi, his second son and own blood, was courting the wretched Lemurian woman who had wormed her way into living in the capital, to say he was angry would be a massive understatement.

“My Father, My King,” Umi addressed as he knelt before the throne upon which his father sat, “I have said this before and I will say this again, I will continue to love Rhamina as long as she allows me to and nothing will sway my decision.”

 “Umi, listen to the nonsense you speak, my son,” the older king bellowed from his spot, “She is not worthy of your attention! You are a proud prince of Ukaidia! You should be marrying a princess, or a noblewoman at least! Not some monkey from the jungles of that hell on earth.”

“Father, that war was and has been over for years now,” the prince spoke as he rose to stand with hazel eyes narrowed at his father, “Your people have moved on, I have moved on, my siblings have moved on, I believe it’s time that you do the same.”

With that statement, the teen turned around and walked out of the throne room, passing his mother, Queen Meiko, who was just on her way in.

Upon seeing the expression her son wore added to his aggravated state, the brown-haired woman immediately knew what had just been spoken between the father and son.

“Darling, let’s just calm down a little now,” the queen spoke in a soothing tone as she rest one of her hands on the king’s shoulder.

In response, the king slammed his gauntlet covered hand down on the armrest of his throne, the sound reverberating throughout the almost empty throne room.

“Calm down?! How can I calm down, Meiko, when our own son believes that he’s in love with that wench?!” the male exclaimed, face turning red from anger and frustration as his grey hairs stood up on edge, “Can’t you see that our beloved umi has been bewitched by that damned Lemurian succubus?!”

“Dear, he has not been bewitched by anyone,” Meiko spoke with a small frown as she looked to the old man, “Why can’t you just leave our son to love as he wishes?”

“Plus, you’ve known the girl for,” the queen continued, trying to reason with her husband, “Surely you know she is no threat to our son or this kingdom.”

“Though it is true that I let you bring back a pet to humor you all those years ago, I now see that was a mistake,” the king growled causing his wife to gasp in surprise before her gaze hardened into a glare.

“I don’t know what happened to you all those years ago, Armadeyeus, but this is not the man I fell in love with,” hissed Meiko before she stormed out of the room, much like her son had minutes prior.

 Stopping in front of her son’s room, the queen lightly knocked on the door before hearing a faint, “Come in,” from her second son and child.

She opened the door to see the silver-haired male holding a blue velvet box in his hands as he sat on his bed, deep in thought.

“Are you finally going to give that to her?” Meiko asked as she sat down on the bed next to him.

“Yes, but I can only hope she isn’t too upset with me for keeping it from her for this long,” the male sighed as he turned the box over in his right hand, the left running through the hair that he had just taken out of it’s usual ponytail.

“Umi, I have no doubt in my mind that this will change almost nothing between you two. It might even make you two come closer than you already are. The both of you are in love with each other and that’s obvious,” Meiko spoke as she placed her hands over the ones still fiddling with the small box, “Plus, this needs to come from you, my son, she trusts you the most.”

“That’s not true,” the prince retorted as he let out a huff, “she trusts her sisters more than she trusts anyone else.”

“That’s to be expected, Dear, but you carry something that they do not have and you are the only one who can give this to her,” Meio explained with an encouraging smile.

“Alright,” Umi resolved as his gaze never left the small blue box he held, “I’ll give it to her.”

The next day was the fifth of March, otherwise known to the majority of the castle inhabitants as a certain ravenette’s birthday, and a special one at that. It was the day she became an official adult in society.

Rhamina walked up to the castle ready for a normal day full of practice as she did every few days.

As soon as she walked into the large music room, she was met by the wide eyes of those in the Royal Ukaidian Band who did not have their instruments out nor did they have their music or stands, or anything really.

They all just looked up at her with frantic looks as if they had been caught doing some heinous crime punishable by law.

“Mina, what the fuck are you doing here?” a taller male with short, black hair asked as others began looking at each other nervously.

“What do you mean?” the ravenette blinked in pure confusion as the band director walked out of her office, “It’s Thursday, right?” Don’t we have practice today?”

“Mina what’s the date today?” a female named Sierra asked as she waved people down behind her back.

“I don’t know,” Rhamina replied after a moment of thinking, not noticing the multiple teenagers going to hide in the various practice rooms, “But why does that matter?”

“It’s March fifth you dumbass!” Sam exclaimed as she peaked her head out of the locker that held her string bass.

“Oh, it’s my birthday today,” she spoke in realization as her eyes widened, “Oh my god, I turn eighteen today!”

“Aren’t you supposed to be with your boyfriend right now?” Tijarah asked, everyone mentally thanking the teen.

“Oh, shoot, I amn! Bye guys!” rhamina exclaimed as she frantically dashed out of the door.

As soon as the door had slammed behind her, everyone let out an audible sigh of relief as the dark skinned female huffed.

“You’re welcome,” Tijarah spoke before munching on some cookies she definitely was not supposed to be eating into the band room.

Meanwhile, Rhamina ran all the way to where she was supposed to meet up with Umi; which, was by the lake some way behind the castle.

It was sectioned off as a place where only royals and nobility could go, so it was relatively empty, but that only added to its natural beauty as it meant that there were less people to disturb it.

“Umi!” she called upon seeing the familiar form of her prince standing by the edge of the water before slowing to a walk.

“I’m sorry,” she panted, brushing her hair out of her face while trying to slow her breathing, “I completely forgot what day it was!”

“Rhamina, sometimes I worry about you,” the male spoke as he took the ravenette’s hands in his own and rubbed them with his thumbs, “The same thing happened last year. You really should take a break.”

“Nah,” I’m fine as long as I have you and all of my friends, then I’ll live forever!” the ravenette chirped as she engulfed the male in a large hug, almost knocking the taller male off of his feet.

The male only chuckled in response as he wrapped his arms around the female’s smaller form and whispered, “Happy birthday, Rhamina.”

They stayed like that for a few moments, just relishing in each other’s presence as a cool breeze blew ripples across the lake’s surface.

“Did you bring them?” the ravenette asked as she pulled away from the hug.

“Yes, but I don’t know why you would ask for ice skates when there’s no ice,” Umi replied as he gestured to a brown bag lying a few feet away from the pair.

“Oh there will be,” Rhamina chirped excitedly as she knelt at the edge of the water, “Just you wait and see, my dear Umi.”

Placing her hands palm down on the surface of the water, Rhamina took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let her energy channel in her hands, the familiar feeling of magic running through her entire form.

As the ravenette’s eyes were closed, Umi watched as her hair began floating as if she were submerged underwater and as a light purple aura enveloped her form.

Soon enough, the water underneath her hands turned into ice before it spread across the entire lake.

Opening her eyes, Rhamina allowed the flow of magic to slow back to its normal rate as the aura surrounding her disappeared and her hair gave back in to the force of gravity.

Umi stood speechless as the ravenette just smiled up at him.

The prince had seen her perform feats with magic before, but that was a while ago and it had never been to the extent of what the female had just demonstrated.

“Are you just going to stand there, Umi?” he heard Rhamina ask as she pulled out the pair of skates that fit her and put them on before lacing them securely, “I told you there would be ice, didn’t I?”

“That you did,” the male replied with a proud smirk before following the ravenette’s lead and exchanging his boots for a pair of ice skates in his size.

Rhamina was the first to set foot on the ice and as soon as she was stable, the ravenette took off, zipping around the lake and having fun before stopping in front of Umi who was still getting used to the ice after having not done this in a long time.

The pair spent a majority of the morning just skating on the frozen surface of the lake before they took a break for lunch; which, Umi so graciously brought with him.

“It’s nice to actually have a partner to share this day with,” Rhamina spoke as she sat next to the prince, resting her head on his shoulder, “Don’t get me wrong, I love hanging out with everyone else, but this feels different… a bit more special, you know?”

“I do,” Umi replied with a smile as he looked down at the girls he held to side side, “You have no idea how long I’ve wished to hold you like this.”

“Can you give me an idea?” the female hummed as she closed her eyes, relaxing into the warmth from her partner with the simultaneous chill of the breeze.

“I believe I realized my feelings for you around the time when you were almost taken by slave traders,” the prince replied, thinking back to a time when the pair were much younger and so much different from who they were in the present.

“Are you serious?” Rhamina realized with wide eyes as she looked up to the younger male, “Umi, that was barely a year  after I came to Lemuria.”

“Yes, I am perfectly serious,” the male stated as he brought a hand up to cup her cheek, looking her right in the eyes, “When you were missing, I was thrown into a complete state of panic and I couldn't stop thinking of all the worst things that could have happened to you. So, when we found you, the amount of relief I felt, paired with the way my heart sped up upon seeing your smile again, led me to the answer.”

“I’m sorry, Umi,” the ravenette apologized as she wrapped her arms around both of his shoulders, nuzzling her face into the male’s neck, “you’ve been holding those feelings for so long and I just never noticed.”

“Yes and as soon as I realized and came to accept these feelings I held for you, I just kept finding more reasons to fall in love with you,” the prince continued, earning a whine from the female.

“Stop” she whined with a pout as she hid her face in her hands, “you’re just making me feel super guilty!”

“I’m sorry,” the male chuckled into the top of the ravenette’s head before reaching into his nearby bag to pull out a blue, velvet box.

“Rhamina, before I give this to you, I just want to apologize for keeping it from you for so long. I just didn’t know how you’d react,” Umi said, bringing the box into the ravenette’s view, “But I know this needs to fall in your hands, otherwise it would never be returned home.”

The girl raised a brow at the male’s strange behavior before opening the box given to her, finding an embossed, gold ring sitting in the plush, black cushion in the box.

Rhamina sat in wide eyed silence for a few moments before her eyes started watering and her lips began to quiver.

She quickly hugged the item to her chest as tears began to fall freely from her eyes and as whimpers left her mouth.

“Rhamina?” I’m sorry I just-” “No, don’t be,” the ravenette spoke through her tears, “please. I’m just so happy. All this time I thought they destroyed this and that it was my all my fault.

The silver-haired prince was confused before the ravenette brought the ring forward and once again began channeling her magic, this time through the ring.

Almost immediately, the piece began to levitate, just above her open palms, and opened revealing multiple layers of smaller rings within the initial band, all inscribed with astronomical symbols the prince did not understand the meanings of.

While all this was happening, a figure hidden in the shadows gasped as the ringed orb opened itself up.

Soon enough the confusion on the figure’s face morphed into a sadistic smirk as they channeled their own magic in a black aura.

Now sitting in their hand was a coin-sized red spider with large black eyes and even larger black fangs.

Setting the spider on the ground the figure turned around and fled in the opposite direction of the teenagers, not making a sound.

“This relic has no name, but it it my people’s most important treasure,” Rhamina explained as she smiled fondly at the glowing piece, “It’s said to have the power to awaken gods of great power.”

“One family was given the responsibility of protecting the relic,” the continued as she let the glow dissipate, letting it return to its original form before slipping it onto her right ring finger, “but after my parents died in the war to protect our country, I just couldn’t protect it properly on my own.”

“So you were the one who was guarding the stone temple on the last day of the war?” Umi asked with wide eyes as he could only stare at Rhamina in shock.

“Yes, my guardian or true name is ‘Kitsami Verum Princeps Ibadora,’ but it’s been so long since I’ve been able to safely even say it out loud. I barely used it back in the temple too, since it was normally only used for rituals or really formal gatherings,” she spoke with a sad smile as she reminisced about her younger childhood, the golden eyes once again flashing through her head.

“Thank you Umi,” the ravenette said softly, “I can at least get some closure about one of my failures now.”

“I know you must have resented me when I first came off the boat, but I’m so glad things ended up this way,” Rhamina continued as she latched herself to Umi’s waist, voice cracking as more tears streamed down her face, “Even back in Lemuria so many looked down on and criticized me for the way I acted, the way I lived, and who I spent my time with. Even my parents looked down on me and kept pushing me away whenever I was vulnerable in front of them! But, you were one of the first people who even bothered to try to understand me.”

The prince let Rhamina get her tears out as he ran his, for once, non-gloved fingers through her long, black locks before saying, “It’s unfortunate for me to say this, but you were right about me resenting you in the beginning.”

“Ever since I was born, I was raised with the idea that Lemurians were all savages, monsters who ravaged the lands and slayed anyone who came near them,” Umi spoke with a frown on his face, “but when you arrived as a shy, quiet, little girl with massive amounts of physical and magical power, it frustrated me. That paired with the fact my mother constantly doted on you… I guess I was just jealous.”

“I’m sorry.”

 “Let me finish speaking please.”

“...”

“Thank you,” the prince sighed running a hand through the bangs that fell over his forehead.

“I kept this hate for you until your birthday that year,” he continued, briefly clenching his free hand as owlish eyes watched his form before he relaxed, “I was taking a walk behind the caste when I heard someone getting beat,. I peaked around a tree to see that it was a group of castle servants kicking and berating a child who was curled up on the ground. Once I realized that it was you, I started to walk away until I heard the most broken voice apologize to them. It wasn’t mocking or cocky in any way, the child was genuinely apologizing just for existing, just for being born into this world.”

“I remember that day!” You pulled out Mjolnir and sent an arrow past us. I remember crying out of both fear and gratitude,” the ravenette chuckled, “But regarding your statements about Lemurians, they aren’t necessarily false, you know? I’ve killed a lot of people during the war.”

“Don’t forget that I too have spilled blood on the battlefield, my love,” Umi spoke as he tilted the female’s head up to look her in the eyes once again, “and you did it to protect yourself and your people, that’s how war or battle in general goes.”

“Neither of us have our hands clean but at least we have each other,” the prince whispered, leaning closer to lay a gentle kiss on the female’s lips that she was quick to return.

After their lunch, Rhamina unfroze the lake and they dropped off their picnic supplies to the castle before walking to the ravenette’s small home.

“Shit, I’m running low,” Rhamina huffed upon pulling out an almost empty bottle of her lip gloss, “I’ll have to make some more soon.”

“You make it?” Umi asked as he sat on the female’s bed as she removed her coat and boots, placing them in their appropriate spots in her closet.

“Yes, but to be honest I have to be really careful when I wear it and when I make it, I have to make sure to make only exact portions for a single tube,” sighed Rhamina as she sat down at the desk across the bed, pulled out her journal and a fountain pen, which had been gifted to her by the silver-haired prince, before letting it glide across the pages once again, “Things could go to literal shit if I’m not actively thinking.”

“Care to elaborate?” the male teen asked as he laid back into Rhamina’s plush mattress.

“Well, have you heard of the ‘Kiss of Death’?” the ravenette asked, not looking back lest she lose her flow of writing, “I’m almost 100 percent sure you have.”

“You mean that tradition that killed hundreds of your own people?” Umi asked in concern, “Are you meaning to tell me you repeatedly make and use a concoction of deadly poisons to wear on your lips?”

“Yes,” she replied automatically, “Pure blooded Lemurian woman are completely immune to the poisons and toxins we create these days and plus only really traditional families still use it, including my own.”

“Don’t worry though,” chirped the ravenette as she turned over her shoulder, “I make sure to take it off completely when we kiss.”

The male’s face immediately turned a bright red in response to the girl’s blunt statement, causing her to burst out laughing at the sight of her flustered, non-functioning, partner.

“What?” she asked through her fit as Umi glared at her, “What’s wrong, Dear? I’m only telling the truth.”

“You are impossible to understand,” Umi glared as he covered his mouth and nose with one of his hands, “One minute you’re acting like a delicate young woman and the next you’re a complete cocky brat.”

“Well doesn’t that say something about you when you’re so attracted to me?” Rhamina teased with a large smirk on her face and mischief in her eyes before that facade shattered completely.

“I’m sorry!” she cried, flinning herself into the male’s form, “I was just teasing! I couldn’t help myself, you looked so adorable all red and flustered!”

“Please don’t be upset with me,” she pleaded silently, looking into Umi’s eyes with her own large, innocent orbs.

“You’re lucky it’s your birthday,” the male scoffed, petting the girl’s head as they just laid there with their legs tangled together and relishing in each other’s presence.

A few hours passed before the pair decided to return to the castle so the ravenette could spend some time with her other friends.

Upon entering the band room, it was empty and completely dark; which was strange since drumline was supposed to have a scheduled practice that afternoon.

Or even if the practice was cancelled, there were always some lingering members of any of the instrumental music groups just hanging out in the room until nightfall.

Rhamina raised a brow and snapped, the magical tools in the ceiling turning on so light could flood the spacious room.

“Surprise!” a chorus of voices cheered as the ravenette looked around to see balloons and streamers covering almost every part of the familiar space.

Written on the moveable whiteboard on wheels was ‘Happy Birthday Mina!’ along with a chibi drawing of the ravenette right under it.

“Is this why y’all looked freaked out when I showed up this morning?” she chuckled as many of the younger teenagers ran up to engulf her in a giant hug.

“Yes,” laughed a girl with blonde hair and glasses, “We all saw you open the door and were like ‘Oh shit!’”

“Yeah, Mina, when you came in I was carrying something in from the backyard when you walked in and I couldn’t come back in until you left!” a half-Lemurian male exclaimed as he stood next to his partner, “It was fucking cold outside!”

Most of the large group of the ravenette’s friends burst out into laughter as another half-Lemurian male exclaimed, “Shut up, Joel!”

“I’m sorry, Joel,” chuckled the ravenette as the shorter male attempted to walk over to fight his much, much taller friend before she walked to the center of the group and said, “Guys, thank you all so much, you really didn’t have to do this.”

“Yes the fuck we did!” exclaimed Kerstin from her spot next to her own partner, “You’re the only one in this band that we haven’t been able to throw a surprise party for until today and that was still difficult even with Umi’s help!”

“Yeah, Mina, we’ve been trying to plan this out for years,” Sam chuckled as she held a cup of… suspicious… liquid, “But you’re literally everywhere!”

“Do you know how hard it is to plan and organize a surprise party for someone who sees and hears everything?” Tijarah asked as she wrapped an arm around the ravenette’s shoulder, “Love you, Mina.”

“Love you too, Tijarah,” the female chuckled as the party kicked itself off with a literal bang as someone thought it would be a good idea to give all of the trumpets and drummers all of the confetti poppers.

About an hour into the celebration, the people from the jazz ensemble got their instruments and music out and set up towards the front of the room.

As soon as her friends began playing, Rhamina turned her head towards the group, earning a wink from the lead saxophone, Sierra.

“When marimba rhythms start to play, dance with me, make me sway,” the ravnette sung as she sauntered her way up to the musicians, “Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, make me sway.”

“Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with ease,” she continued, sitting up on the front counter before dramatically crossing her legs, “When we dance you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me.”

“Other dancers may be on the floor, Dear, but my eyes will see only you,” Rhamina sung, grabbing people to dance with before pairing them with each other, “Only you have that magic technique, when we sway I go weak.”

“I can hear the sound of violins, long before, it begins,” she sang finally pulling Umi towards her, “Make me thrill as only you know how, sway me smooth, sway me now.”

“When marimba rhythm starts to play, dance with me, make me sway. Like an ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, make me sway.”

 It was as if time had slowed down for the two teenagers.

“Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me.”

As the two danced together, both of their magic started to flow freely.

“When marimba rhythms start to play, hold me close, make me sway. Like an ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, sway me more.”

When bother aura’s met, they fused together, creating a larger, white aura that was felt by everyone in the castle.

“Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me!”

When the song was over, Rhamina and Umi just stood there looking into each other’s eyes as they tried to catch their breaths.

“Kiss already you fools!” Tijarah screamed as she casually stole someone’s food right off of their plate.

Quickly the ravenette wiped off her lips before reaching up to give Umi a quick peck on the cheek only for the male to turn and give her a full kiss on the lips.

Cheers erupted from the crowd and one specific trumpet player exclaimed, “Yeah! Go Ramen!”

Meanwhile, a certain female stood in the shadow of the whiteboard, glaring down the seventeen-year-old male, causing a shiver to run down his spine.

“It seems that my little brother has gotten much bolder since I left,” chuckled a familiar deep voice.

“Older brother!” the prince called as a taller male with short brown hair and silver armor walked up to the couple, “When did you return?”

“This morning,” the first prince of Ukaidia replied before turning to the ravenette, “Happy birthday, Lady Rhamina, it seems you and my brother have finally gotten together, huh?”

“Thank you, Prince Ryoto,” Rhamina chuckled, bowing her head slightly, “and yes. Although it did come as a bit of a surprise when Umi started courting me.”

“Did it?” Ryoto asked, running a hand through his hair, “well, then I guess I owe Haru a new halberd.”

“Yeah, you do!” chirped the said princess as she appeared into the conversation from seemingly nowhere, “Make sure it’s made of light silver!”

“Yes, yes of course,” the older prince sighed as he shook his head.

“Wait just a second,” Umi spoke with narrowed eyes towards his siblings, “Are you meaning to say that you’ve made a wager on this?”

“Yep,” Haru replied, “Ryo-chan bet that Rhamina would confess her feelings to you first and I bet that you would be the one confessing first.”

Umi’s eyebrow twitched in irritation as Rhamina stood next to him, only blinking while feeling slightly offended.

“Relax, Umi, we’re not the only ones who made a bet like this, watch,” Haru said before turning to the crowd, “Anyone who made some kind of bet about Umi and Rhamina’s relationship, raise your hands!”

Simultaneously, everyone’s hand in the room went up causing a fake smile to creep onto the ravenette’s face face as she clasped both of her hands together, eyebrow twitching.

“See?” Haru asked with a shrug, “Told you we weren’t the only ones.”

“Alright, since it’s my birthday, I’ll be merciful and give y’all two days to apologize to either me or Umi,” Rhamina announced through gritted teeth, “if you don’t apologize by then… Well good luck.”

The celebration continued on for a few more hours and towards the end, they all gathered around a large cake with eighteen candles lit around the edge.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Rhamina. Happy birthday to you.”

‘I wish that this happiness of mine will last forever,’ the ravenette thought to herself before she took a deep breath and blew out all eighteen candles in one go.

As cheers once again erupted around the female, she was embraced by everyone and a light feeling fluttered in her chest.

After helping clean to an extent, Umi accompanied Rhamina to the gate in order to walk her home; however, just before they could leave, a familiar voice stopped them.

“Rhamina!” called a woman’s voice, causing both teens to stop in their tracks and turn around to face the owner of the voice.

“Mom,” the ravenette whispered as the form of Queen Meiko approached the two teens with the light of the full moon shining down on them.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to you party, Rhamina,” the brunette apologized, “But I wanted to let you know how proud of you I am.”

“You’ve grown into such a wonderful woman and I’m so glad I was able to see it,” she continued placing a gentle hand on the ravenette’s cheek, “I only wish that your real family were here to see it.”

“Thank you, mother,” Rhamina smiled, tears forming in her eyes once more.

“Now,” Meiko said to both of the teenagers, “Both of you make sure to take care of each other, alright?”

“Yes, mother,” the bother of them replied at the same time, reaching out to hold hands.

When the ravenette got home, she couldn’t stop smiling as she got ready to go to bed and as she fell asleep, her thoughts went back to her wish.

‘I wish that this happiness of mine will last forever.”

The next morning, the sunlight hit the ravenette’s eyes through a gap in her curtains, but that wasn’t what woke her up.

It was the loud pounding that came from her front door.

Upon opening it, she was greeted with several knights, all aiming their halberds at her with glares in their eyes.

“Rhamina Miu, Withc of lemuria, you are hereby under arrest for the murder of our Queen meiko!”

~~~Fin, Chapter 2~~~

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Song Used: “Sway” Micheal Buble

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[lothirielswan]

“My Stuffed Animal Army That No One Should Dare Speak Of.” [7]

~Thunder Bluff, Mulgore~

“After the betrayal at Theramore, I am surprised to see you in my city.”

The braziers in the corners of the tent crackled, but the High Chieftain’s voice was strong enough to carry over the sputtering flames.

I stood in the center of the hut, the wooden floor creaking as Baine towered over me. Dezco had kept his promise and we had arrived shortly. The poor tauren waited outside, bent to my will by Wrathion’s hand.

I blew my bangs out of my face and replied, “With respect, I could say the same thing about you, High Chieftain.”

The Chieftain’s low hum was more of a growl as he sized me up. Every move he made was intimidating thanks to his race’s tall demeanour and ancestral armor. A headdress of feathers and two totems added to his already monstrous height. I found myself constantly leaning onto my tiptoes to try and look a little more daunting.

“Sunwalker Dezco said you come to me with dire news,” Baine said, avoiding the topic of Theramore.

I felt my lips thin into a grim line. “Garrosh is planning something. I don't know what, but he has an interesting collection of...not fun things stowed below Orgrimmar.”

“And you know this information how?” Baine’s hard gaze looked over my head at the entrance, where two guards stood at attention. They were out of earshot, although I didn't doubt they were staring cannon-sized holes into my head as I spoke.

“I’m not nosy,” I warned him. “I just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time…”

I repeated most of what I had told Anduin. Baine’s fur bristled as I described some things with great detail. The ring attached to Baine’s nose flickered as he took deep breaths.

When I was done, I stood in a frigid silence and willed my foot not to tap itself on the floor. I was sure there was a bounty on my head, and the longer I stayed in Thunder Bluff, the higher chances I had of being caught by Garrosh’s goons. A flashback of General Nazgrim made me shiver.

“You do sound nosy.” Baine finally decreed, a hand larger than my head poised beneath his chin.

“I am not–I’m just a...concerned individual.” I said. The flaps of the tent shuddered from the outside force of the wind, emitting a batting sound as the leather fought with nature. I felt so on edge the noise made me flinch.

Baine’s eyebrows were raised high, assessing my alarming information and twitchy behavior. I sighed and tried a different tactic, “I know how my reputation looks right now. I know...I don't seem like the most reliable source.”

I stepped to the side, closer to one of the brazers on the floor. The warmth embraced my bones with a brief surge of serenity as I met the Chieftain’s eyes.

“I left Outland two years ago. I left because...I lost my reasons to stay. I lost my family,” I said. “And then I joined the Horde. I felt like I had retrieved a part of something that I had taken from me. I may not agree on every battle with the Alliance, but last I checked...families don't agree on everything. I'm not going to let Garrosh destroy what I have here–not again.”

It was a terrifying speech to give out loud. Sure, Azeroth had racist dragons and angry monkeys and war-crazed morons. But Outland...Outland wasn't home anymore. It was a graveyard full of things that should remain buried. It was a ghostland that I did not have the strength to revisit.

“That was a hearty speech. One that the Horde would be proud of,” Baine stood on the other side of the brazer and reached over to clap a bulging hand on my shoulder. “You have my respect, Lady Strider.”

I nodded, allowing myself to smile briefly. Okay...I had to exchange my soul, but I think I got my point across. I won Baine to my side, this can all blow over–

“Do you have any evidence?”

My mind went blank. I exchanged my soul...and Satan left empty-handed.

“Uh,” I cleared my throat, “evidence? As in…?”

“Parts of the machinery, letters, images using goblin technology–although the latter is more of a death wish.” Baine named off the many good ideas I did not think of when I uncovered Garrosh’s plot. There was a certain amount of screaming in the back of my head, repeating one thing over and over…

I still don't know if I left the stove on in my house or not. My stuffed animal army that no one should dare speak of could be burning alive. What about my cookies? MY COOKIES!

“–Eona? I cannot make a proper investigation without evidence.” Baine’s voice brought me back to my cookieless reality.

“What are you saying?” I shook my head as the throbbing sixth sense in the back of my head made it's untimely appearance.

“I need a sturdy claim to confront Garrosh with,” Baine remarked gravely. “I need you to return to Orgrimmar and gather some remnant of truth to your words.”

~*~

Okay, I hid from Deathwing while crossing the Eastern Kingdoms and survived. I got this. It's like sneaking into the Darkmoon Faire after hours...it’s creepy and terrifying.

The shadows of the night kept me hidden from the guards that lined the wall. I crouched behind a patch of salmon-colored rock, right before the great gate of Orgrimmar. Mighty spikes protruded from the top like hungry fangs waiting to feast upon victims. The flapping banners of the Horde were like bloodstains dripping from the gaping mouth.

My fingers secured the hood around my head, keeping my hair and long ears out of sight. Garrosh’s elite squad–the Kor’kron–flooded the city like a virus. There was also the possibility that Garrosh put a bounty on my head–I could run into someone of my own profession while I was here. Orgrimmar posed a high threat, but not the greatest.

Despite the clear danger to this journey, there is an upside. Garrosh is not here–he is still continents away on Pandaria. And no matter how much of a strategist he is, he wouldn't even consider me returning here.

I strapped on a pair of goggles to keep my glowing eyes dim and silently nodded to myself. It's go time.

I leapt up from my post and snatched a rock in the process. I threw it down the end of the gate.

Two guards standing at the entrance flinched at the noise as the rock hit steel. Their heads turned, and with it, their attention. I snuck forward and stood up against the wall as one went off to investigate. The second remained.

My fingers silently unlatched one of my pouches and I grabbed a fist full of green powder. Covering my nose, I blew it towards the last guard’s direction.

I slipped through the doorway, into the open jaws of the beast as the guard’s pauldrons shook from a coughing fit. My steps quickened as I heard the sound of vomit after.

Poor guy, he's probably innocent in all of this. Maybe I’ll leave a cake mysteriously nearby for him when I leave–he was just doing his job.

What mattered was that I was in, and the threat only increased as I traveled deeper in. I couldn't go back underground–that would be suicide. But I could check Grommash Hold in the center of the Valley of Strength for letters proving it's existence.

I crept from palm trees to war wagons as I dodged guards and night owls. I ducked behind a warboard just as an undead woman tacked a paper on the bottom.

“Have you seen my son, Jimmy?” She asked a guard nearby, her voice laced with decay and concern.

I started to glance around and stopped myself. No. No cake. No kids. Not yet. Just get the evidence out of the way first.

The woman kept the guard distracted, so I slipped into Grommash Hold without an issue. I hugged the walls of the domed room, checking for any sentries.

The chamber was empty, void of race leaders and representatives. Leather-skin rugs softened the hard metal beneath my feet. I couldn't stop my gaze from traveling to the end of the room, where the heart of Orgrimmar stood–or, sat, morelike.

The throne.

I crossed the furry tanned carpets and let my goggles hang around my neck to peer closer, wondering if Garrosh had lounged comfortably in it in the past, knowing what was beneath his feet.

Yes–letters!

My hopes rose to high pillars as I caught sight of the pile of letters sitting in their master’s empty chair. I skipped to the top, flipping through the yellowing parchment as I searched for shipment orders, secret plans, and statements that agreed with my findings.

Wait, where’s the decree of Garrosh’s crimes? Proof that he's secretly leading the Horde to ruin? Instead of looking through war crimes, my gloved fingers traced letters from concerning magazine subscriptions and messages from Thrall (all of them started with, “You disappoint me, Garrosh,”).

My head snapped up. Wait a minute.

Undead can't reproduce.

I spun on my heel and caught the knife in a gloved fist before it could bury itself in the back of my skull. The undead woman looking for her son outside tossed her commoner’s cloak to the side, revealing a rogue uniform of black leather.

Garrosh did put a bounty on me. She’s clever, I’ll give her that. She had me convinced.

I spared a quick glance around the room.

“Jimmy’s not here.” I said.

She smirked, her dead blue lips moving up ever so slightly as she lunged with two sharp blades.

I sidestepped as she landed atop the orcish throne like a fearless feline. With a flick of my fingers, I flung the knife into the nearest wall where it dug itself deep. I unsheathed my swords just in time to clash with hers.

“What gave me away?” I asked as we moved in a slow circle, our silver swords of death locked together in the center.

“You’re a carrot top that's pink and glows in the dark. I'm shocked you’ve survived this long,” The She-Rogue spat, tossing her head so that her rotting purple ponytail moved behind her shoulders.

“Carrot top?” I blew a random strand of hair out of my face. “That's just rude.”

She pushed forward with her blades and unhooked them from mine. In a flash of silver, they met again and again in a clashing thunderstorm. Lightning seared my eyes as the blades met. Thunder rippled and tore at my eardrums as the metal vibrated from the harsh movements.

During the tornado of slashes, our duel had moved closer to the wall, with my back to it. She wants to trap me. Like a cat and a cornered mouse.

“You’re journey ends here,” She hissed as she swung her left sword at my head. I had to use both daggers to block it.

How is it that when any other class stumbles upon the user of the same profession, it's a bond, but with rogues it's a contract for conflict?

“Before I leave, I should return something to you,” I remarked through gritted teeth.

As she gave me a quizzical look, I thrusted upward with both my swords. Her blade cut up, striking the knife I had thrown earlier. As it fell, I struck it with one of my swords–

And the dull handle richoched against her head. I winced as she hit the ground, unconscious. Any other rogue would’ve killed her, but she is another Horde member...and I’ve been on good behavior around Anduin.

My ears pricked up as something echoed off the domed ceiling. Footsteps.

My eyes widened as I looked wildly around the room. I hadn't made much of a mess, save for the scarred wall and woman on the floor. I propped her up in one of the shadows against the wall, hoping her deep sleep would last long enough for me to escape. I stepped towards the entrance when a goblin’s voice traveled.

“Warchief Hellscream is on the line, sir.”

“Pull him through.” An orc answered.

I cursed silently as their silhouettes blocked the exit. I went against my instincts and dove deeper into the room, behind the throne. My goggles returned over my eyes, and I peeked behind the colossal chair at the two newcomers.

An orc bearing the deep burgundy tabard of the kor’kron stomped into the room followed by a goblin holding a communications device.

Wait...they’re contacting Garrosh. I searched the insides of my shorter coat for a crystal and dove behind the back of the throne. My fingers trailed up the sides, and I held the shard close as it recorded what transpired next.

“Warchief, your munitions are ready. They are stored beneath the caverns of Orgrimmar as you’ve ordered.” The Kor’kron said.

I muffled my gasp when I heard the next voice reply, “And the heart of Y’Shaarj?”

Garrosh. I shivered as memories drifted up to the surface of my consciousness, but I thrusted them back down. I wanted to hear the conversation first hand.

“Kept safe.” The Kor’kron officer assured him.

“Good.” I could imagine the brown orc nodding. “Soon, all of Azeroth will see the true Horde…”

“And be crushed by it.” The Kor’kron finished fondly.

“Kaboom!” I heard the goblin crackle.

I rested the back of my head against the throne as I shrunk down. I now see why all the letters start with, “You disappoint me, Garrosh.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Continue the journey to the next chapter here!

Not sure where you are? Check the Caverns of Time for more chapters!

[parkbearum]

Salvation

Kingdom AU! Prince Sehun!

Sehun X Reader

Part 3

“The wind carried the leaves,along with the scarred memories of their past....”

He stood there,half in shock while the other half of him smiled at you,when he finally kissed you once again.All the nights he had been thinking about you while his heavy eyelids were his enemy,the days where he spent hours in the woods,thinking about you and the precious memories you had given him passed in front of his eyes.

A small tear carried everything he wanted to say.

You wiped the tear off,kissing his cheeks as he still thought this was all a dream.

But with joy,came sadness.You loved him and he loved you,like a fairy tale but it was never that easy.You knew Suho and some others would oppose your relationship with him.You were sure they would kick him out as he was the last one to appear in the kingdom.You id not want to leave him,yet you had to.

He took your hand while guiding you to the woods once again.You heart beating like crazy,you decided to enjoy the moment as this was the least you could do.Slowly walking,he found the horse and caressed his hair.His name was “Maximus”, a name your father gave.

Sometimes,you remembered them.Her beautiful smile while he caressed your hair and his large hands taking you into his arms.You saw their glimpses.They were simply beautiful.You remembered how her eyebrows furrowed and her hand found its way to her waist when your dad did something he did not approve.You remembered how he used to smell like daisies after he went to the town.

You missed them.

While the wind blew your hair,Sehun slowly rode the horse.He was thinking the same thing as you.Running away.You both were not from the Royal Bloodline of the kingdom just like your others brother except some of them.You knew it would not be easy but at the end,what you would get would be a beautiful life with Sehun,but it also meant leaving all your brothers.

After arriving to the Castle,you saw Chanyeol and Kai talking but you did not want to interfere as you guessed they were talking about the preparations for the guests.You knew they all had some business to take care of,including Sehun.

Your heart ached at the thought of losing him,making you faster on the way to your room.You quickly walked to your room,not wanting to talk to anyone for some time as your mind stood blank.You ignored Sehun’s confused gaze and hurried upstairs,holding your dress in your hands.

“What’s the hurry about?” you heard him chuckle and you could see the smile on his face.

“Nothing.....Marshmallow” you said giggling.

“Why are you still using that name!?” Xiumin asked while he walked closer to you on the empty corridor.He was wearing his casual clothes which meant he would be in the castle for the day.

“Because It’s your name” you said,laughing and forgetting all your worries.

Almost.

He walked with you to the balcony,holding your hand as he thought your hands were freezing but it was your mind,really.After the small talk about where have you been,you saw the concern on his face.As the eldest one,he thought he had and extra mission of taking care of the little missy of the family.

“I’m fine,Xiu.” you said,tucking your hair behind your ear.He made a small ‘phew’ voice,telling you that he did not believe you.”Really” you said,looking at the view.

“Well,you’re getting worse at lying” he breathed out while you hit his shoulder.”Just tell me” he said,looking at you softly.

“No I-” he cut you off with a hand.

“Seriously?” he said,anger taking over his voice.”Sehun would not tell me why he has been wandering around all the time and now you!” he said with a high voice,making you look on the ground.

“It’s just I have been.......” you said as he watched you with careful eyes. “Can you tell me about....me?” you said in a low tone.

He smiled a bit,it was bitter.He had been having a hard time with you ever since you lost your mind.Not because you changed but because he did not know how to act in front of you.he had talked to Jongdae about it but all he did was to lift up his shoulders and eyebrows.

“You were....” he said while his knuckled turned white.Your hand reached out to his knuckles while he watched you in shock.You caressed his hands,making him break his fists and relax.

“I’m listening” you said,not looking at him.

“You were amazing” he said while smiling.”You were so bright..I mean you still are but....you know” he said looking at you while you nodded and muttered a ‘I know’.”You always lit up the mood even when you felt down.When you first appeared in The kingdom,we did not want you.” he chuckled while you listened to him with wide eyes.”Because you were a girl,but other than that....you were different.” he sighed.”We all made bad decisions in the past,mistakes.You also did.But what made you different was your attitude.We were all ready to give up on the first year of training.We only trained because you made us cakes after the practice.You even threw a party” he smiled.”Baekhyun hates exercising now,because you don’t bake anymore.You seem a bit lost.” he said.

“Are you?”

“Yes.” a deep sigh left your lips.”But I’m finding my way” 

He smiled.

“No!!!!!” you screamed as Aunt Mary tugged your shirt in the coat.You had told her that you wanted to learn cooking again and now,she woke you up at 4 am to bake some cakes for the boys after practice.

You wanted to bake for them again,after what Xiumin told you.But the timing was horrible.You felt your body get heavier by the many layers of clothing Aunt Mary was putting on you.

“Yes,my darling” she smiled at your face.

Just like the old days,she thought to herself.

“Agghhhhhh” you said while she took your hand and carried you to the big hall where the kitchen was.

She took out the aprons and kissed your forehead,trying to wake you up.You eyes immediately shoot up after the sloppy kiss she gave you.She took out the ingredients while you stood there,confused.You did not remember any of them but after seeing her smile,you assumed it was fine.

After 2 hours of baking and suffering,you had managed to bake 3 cakes,2 kinds of cookies and many more for the missing siblings.You were feeling bittersweet.After putting everything on plates with some drinks,Aunt Mary slowly hugged you,making your eyes teary.

You heard footsteps and laughter form the corridor while your heart started to beat like crazy.You took off the apron and when you were about to clean your face which was now covered in flour and egg yolk,the saw your face.

They stood there confused,you baked for them? Chen started to tear up a little bit while you stood there with a proud smile.All of them were looking at you with a proud smile and you could see some of their tears.Baekhyun reached out to grab a cookie but Suho cut him off.

“Aunt May helped me” you said in a happy tone.

They did not say anything,looking at you still while your eyes started to go back and forth.

“Thank you” Chanyeol said while Baekhyun hugged you with Kai.You slowly hugged them as well while all the others either kissed your cheek as a thank you or started to eat like a bear.

You could hear their “Wahhh” and “Yummy!!” ‘s while you cleaned your face,making you giggle.You had realized that Sehun did not kiss you on the cheek and instead sat down with Kyungsoo and said a small ‘thank you’.You chose to ignore it.

After eating with them for the past hour,you felt your heart stiffen.This was love.

You cleaned the dished with the maids even though they insisted for you to stop.You just smiled back and continued.You heard Aunt Mary call you from your room and hurriedly,made you way over there.

There she stood,with a huge smile and a dress.

Uhm so...There it is! I hope you like it.It’s a bit short but I have no time +.+.Requests are always open and have a wonderful day!!

[silverwindsblog]

Bonds

Summary: Even infatuation can lead to something more. Anzu felt guilty from the ferris wheel incident, prepares her apology to Yugi and Yami. Little did they know, their flaws and insecurities made them closer. Introspective oneshot with both anime and manga references. Revolutionshipping.  

Inspired by Wonder Woman from this quote: "I wish we had more time. I love you."

Warnings: None

Blue eyes and amethyst eyes stared at each other. Tear streaks filled the tragic couple’s faces as they knew their fate. Time was against them. From the moment they first met, there was a bond. A shallow one, the one that you have your heart set out because he was a hero in your eyes. Strong, assertive, confident, fearless.

But nonetheless, a bond. Sometimes it takes one moment to start that spark. No matter how trivial her feelings were when he saved both Yugi and her from the convict, her heart was ignited with powerful emotions that she can’t imagined from love stories she read and heard.

He’s perfect in her eyes. He may use more force than needed to defeat the villains, but who can blame him? Yet underneath his intimidation, an unwavering sense of loyalty and devotion lies within his spirit. Much like her, he is willing to defend his friends from anyone. No one would dare lay a finger on any of his friends unless they want to suffer his wrath.

Passion overwhelmed her. The only thing she knew is this man saved her and Yugi. No fairy tales and movies can help her now. How many love stories are about an amnesiac spirit that lives inside your best friend’s body? Would Jonouchi, Miho, and Honda notice that Yugi have another personality inside of him? Or perhaps it’s a figment of her imagination? She never thought she acts like those smitten high school students in her school and before she knew, she was trapped in the ferris wheel.

Regret washed over her as frightening purple eyes: The very same eyes that watched over her dance practices, the eyes that twinkle with triumph whenever they snatched the extra cookies from Yugi’s grandpa’s jar stared helplessly as one of the seats blew up. How can she do this to Yugi? As they ended the date, they parted their ways. The moment she turned around the corner, tears came rolling down in her face.

Damn it. Yugi… How could I do this to my best friend? How could I be so stupid to put myself in danger? I can’t believe that I did this. Her hands trembled as guilt filled her thoughts. How can I face Yugi? I’m a selfish friend for using him just to see my savior.

Or perhaps her savior is in front of her all along.

But Yugi never wanted to hurt anyone or declare a challenge with his life on the risk. Yet, her savior has a face of Yugi. His eyes, she remembered them on the nights by herself. Sharp, fierce with danger, yet with a hint of protectiveness underneath them. Dark magenta eyes that once made her feel restless at nights with excitement, now left her dazed with the contradictions occupied her mind. A burst of joy in her heart when Yugi smiled as he and his friends defeated Dark Bakura in the role playing game. She can never forget this day when she properly saw the other Yugi for the first time.

Her heart throbbed painfully as the memories reminded her of the ferris incident. Flashes of the other Yugi glared down his opponent, clenched tightly the transmitter as he coolly took command of the situation made her heart beat faster.

Why does my heart do this? Even though my mind told me that it was dangerous to do this, my heart, my body won’t listen. This intense feeling, it frightens me that I can’t control it. Tossing over her head as she was plagued by her emotions, she clenched her hands on her blanket. Silently the restless nights went by with tears masking her face.

Wiping away her tears, Anzu steadied her breath. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply as she uttered “One, two, and three.” She concentrated on herself, drowning out the city noise as she channeled her energy. “Four, five, six,” She drew her breath out. Her heart slowed as her blue eyes became sharp as a hawk, as though she’s challenging someone to a dance battle.

“At times my swan, it is important for a dancer to express one’s emotions to captivate the audience, but there are times when it is important to control them and not let them take charge of our actions.” Her dance teacher’s words echoed her mind as she finished her breathing exercise.

“This isn’t me at all! Running away from this! “I have to make this right!” Her determined face suddenly fell as her thoughts wandered off about Yugi and Yami. “I can’t just say that I’m sorry to Yugi and Yami and that would be the end of that. But what if they don’t forgive me?” Her eyes widen as she imagined Yami’s furious face and Yugi’s eyes glumly staring at her before telling her that he won’t forgive her for using him.

Come on, Anzu. You’re overreacting.Yugi is selfless and compassionate. He will know that you regret the ferris wheel incident. You slammed the globe at the possessed professor, you auditioned in front of the elites for scholarships. You can do this. You are not perfect, but you can fix this.

I'm not going to let my doubts stop me from mending my bond with Yugi. It has to be perfect. And I won’t stop until I got it.

After all, big girls don’t run away from their problems.

--------

“Yugi… and Yami... I’m sorry.” Her voice shaken through the cool night. The wind blew through the forest of the Duelist Kingdom as the lake reflected the dim moon. Like a rigorous dance recital, she wants her words, her movements, her remorse, to be genuine. For Yugi, for Yami, for her bond with them, regardless of the ambiguity with her feelings with both of them. She took advantage of the window of opportunity to be alone with Yugi. With duelists challenging him, Jonouchi and Honda‘s presence, it was difficult to rest from the battles and the quest to restore Yugi Grandpa’s soul. This couldn’t be any more perfect. This is it.

She saw forgiveness in his eyes.

“It’s okay Anzu. I knew that you didn’t mean it. It was- ”

“No it’s not okay!” Anzu shouted. Yugi flinched from the unexpected outburst.

“Yugi, I know you. I know that you have a good heart Yugi and that you still viewed me as your best friend, despite what I did was wrong and reckless. And selfish.” Her eyes struggled to look at Yugi. “I know that the ferris wheel incident hurted you. It hurted you because I used you to see the other Yugi. I put myself on danger without knowing that the bomber will blow up the ferris wheel. Back then, I thought that maybe there’s another person inside you and I thought I was going crazy. I wasn’t thinking about you or the other Yugi’s feelings. I was only thinking about myself… and…”  Damn it, how could I tell Yugi and Yami about my feelings? “I… I can’t…”

“Anzu.” Her hands were once shaken are now steady and warm by a familiar touch. “I understand. I know that you feel guilty for tricking me to see the other me. Anzu, you’re right. I was hurt from it, but I’m not angry. I felt hurt when you didn’t tell me all the guilty feelings you held back.” Yugi lowered his eyes to their hands. “But you don’t have to face this all by yourself.” Yugi reassured.”I.. Should have tell you the blackouts I had, but I didn’t because I didn’t want to burden you.” Anzu gasped. Their hands were no longer touching as they figured out how to break the moment of silence.

“Yugi… We have been best friends since elementary school. You were never a burden to me. I was always there to protect you from those bullies before I moved around with my family. I know that we haven’t see each other for awhile and we kinda drifted apart. But you know that I’ll be there to defend you from anyone who dare to hurt you. Or when you have a problem, my ears are always open for you, Yugi.” Her voice grew stronger and gave her the strength to continue with her words. “I don’t want to lose the bond we have. Yugi I still want us to be friends. I want us to be close again.”

Yugi stared in awe. “Anzu..?” I was worried that you wouldn’t want to get close to me. Because of the bond with the other me and Jonouchi and Honda. I didn’t want to tell you about the bullies because I want to stand for myself...” Yugi’s eyes pierced through her own eyes. His eyes shone with confidence and for a moment she could have swore that she heard a familiar deep voice. “I know that people protect me and they love me. But I want to do the same with them. I want to protect the ones I love. And I want to find my own voice.”

The wind blew gently at the couple as they watched the night sky. The star shone dimly as Yugi nervously traced the puzzle with his hands. After a few minutes of silence, Yugi looked at Anzu.

“To be honest Anzu, I’m not sure about myself. I have other me inside of myself. He’s the opposite of me, yet we are the same. Sometimes I don’t know which is me when I let other me took over my body.” He couldn’t read her pensive look, which made him more anxious.

“Oh. I must have bored you Anzu with my ramblings. I’m sorry.” Yugi smiled sadly. “I bet you want to talk to the other me right now. Wait just a sec. I’ll call him from within my heart...”

Yugi...

“No it’s okay Yugi!” Her hands reached over and grabbed both of Yugi’s shoulders. His eyes widen in shock from the unexpected touch. His face became suddenly warm. “I don’t want the other Yugi right now. But I want the other Yugi later because I want to thank him personally for saving us. But right now, I want to talk to you, Yugi! Because it doesn’t matter which Yugi it is… because...” The words Anzu wanted to say vanished slowly from her mind. “Because…” How could she tell if the other Yugi is part of him? Or if the other Yugi is a separate person?

“You are you! It doesn’t matter which Yugi. Because the Yugi I know is my best friend!“

“Anzu…”

She smiled. “You’re the same Yugi I know. You brought your games to school and we played countless hours. Remember the time when you brought your zombie video game? I was upset when I couldn’t beat the first level and I broke it. But you just gave me a smile and brought an easier game for me the next day.”

Yugi smiled fondly. “I remember. I never saw a grin that wide when you finally beat Bowser. And we celebrated your victory with cherry popsicles at grandpa’s game shop.”

“Remember that we went to see Babymetal? Anzu I never knew you like Babymetal! To be honest, I didn’t know you were the type who enjoyed heavy metal.”

“Well this is coming from a sweet and quiet guy who wears chains and chokers. I can’t forget your face that you made when I introduce you to ‘Gimme Me Chocolate’. It was priceless.”

Yugi giggled. “Not as priceless when everyone in the dance class was shocked that you learned the K-pop dance so quickly.”

The moon shone more brightly as both chatted away the memories of Yugi sneaking away late at night to support Anzu’s dance recitals, the noodle mishaps, Anzu buying Yugi’s favorite action figure for his birthday, their good luck rituals that Yugi came up from their favorite anime they always did before Anzu’s plays. Memories slowly came, lazily ease their minds as they chatted away as though Duelist Kingdom didn’t exist. Their memories of nostalgia slipped away as they felt the strong gust of wind blowing through the grassy meadow.

As much Anzu wanted to continue chatting with Yugi and reminisce together, she knew that she have to talk to the other Yugi soon. It was time.

“Yugi…” Anzu nervously asked him. “Would it be okay… if I talk to the other Yugi for the moment? I know that the other Yugi can hear me, but I just want to personally thank him he did to us. It won’t take too long.”

Yugi nodded with a solemn face. “I understand Anzu. Hang on for a second, let me talk to the other me and I’ll summon him.”

“Wait Yugi.”

“Hmmm?”

“Remember Yugi..., you are you. No matter what, stay being you.” Anzu gave a small smile.

“Okay Anzu.” Even though Yugi didn’t know what to make from her, it gave him some sort of relief that Anzu like him, regardless if they were apart or his bond with his other self.  

The other Yugi…

His face which is like Yugi, except sharper and his eyes are darker and mysterious. His curious expression replaced his usual intimidation mode he reserved for dueling. Every window of opportunity she seeked to be alone with the other Yugi was snatched away from her hands. The fake psychic drugged her. The ferris wheel incident. There’s no way she’ll let her nerves take her rare opportunity away.

“... Hi Yami.”

“Hello Anzu. What is that you want to talk about with me?” Somehow, Anzu thought, he made himself look cooler. How did he do that?  His voice rolled off, like a warm and rich velvet, the voice that she imprinted it in her mind.

She shook her thoughts away. This is no time to dwelled on these bubbly feelings. This is the chance for me to thank him for protecting Yugi and us.

“Yami, I wanted… to thank you for everything. Thanks for saving me from the convict, the fake psychic, and the bomber. Not only me, but thank you for protecting Yugi and everyone else. Thank you for being a good friend to Yugi when I wasn’t there… I may not understand the bond between you and Yugi, but… I know that it’s important to both of you.” She bow to Yami before looking directly at him, trying not to flinch from his sharp eyes. Those eyes… she could have swore that it can penetrate her soul.

“No problem Anzu. It’s my pleasure to protect you and Yugi’s friends. I never want anyone hurt you or any of my friends.”

He hesitated to move his lips for a minute as he picked up a leaf that landed on Anzu’s left shoulders. As he studied the leaf carefully forming his thoughts, Anzu could felt her cheeks slightly warming up. He dropped the leaf to the ground, his purple eyes calmly staring at her.

“I am thankful for your words Anzu. But I couldn’t help but  wondering, why did you want to thank me in person? Even if you didn’t say anything to me, I know that you are grateful that I protected Yugi, you, and your friends.”

“Because…” Anzu trailed off from staring to his hypnotic eyes. She felt a thumping from her heart. “I want to show you that you are being appreciated for protecting us. I think everyone deserves to be appreciated. You even risk your life many times for us even before we met you. For that, the least I can do is to thank you.”

Yami couldn’t help but gave a small smile. “Thank you, Anzu. For your words. And Anzu?”

Her eyes went up.

“I know that you didn’t mean to at the ferris wheel. And I understand your actions.”

The puzzle shone and transformed into Yugi again.

Yami widen his eyes in disbelief. He was used to hiding in the shadows, appearing just him and his victim. While Yugi is out there, Yami is left alone with the enormous labyrinth, either wandering off or peer into Yugi’s world to pass the time. He didn’t expect for anyone aside from Yugi to acknowledged his presence outside of dueling.

Anzu’s words warmed him up that night.

He knew what the swelling feeling in his heart is called.

Gratitude.

---

Yami couldn’t help but admire her. She’s fascinating in his eyes. Loyal, headstrong, kind, and brave. Yet underneath that caring side, she has a decisive mind. Much like him, she’s a strategist. He can never forget that spark in her eyes as she confidently guided the group from the falling blocks in Death T. She wore her heart in her sleeve, yet she faced the danger without fear. Even without his own physical body, he could detect the sharpness and the fire of her spirit. It burned to his mind how someone is the light yet firmly held her beliefs without falling into darkness. Where did her flame go? He took every opportunity he was out from the mind cell to find that same spark that made his heart felt alive. That feeling is similar when he experienced danger or dueling a worthy opponent, yet he couldn’t describe this feeling. Much to his disappointment when he has the chance to glance at her, after the RPG battle with Bakura, Anzu’s eyes appeared fragile, even timid just like Yugi before he solved the puzzle. Was she afraid of him? He didn’t want Anzu to be afraid of him. What does he want? He wanted to know more about this fierce yet sweet girl that happened to be his partner’s best friend. But why? Because she’s important to Yugi? Perhaps that’s why. I have no memories of my past, my friends, or even my name. Yugi’s my anchor for who to trust. It’s natural to be curious to someone who is dear to Yugi’s heart.

Unknowingly to Yami, he finally got the chance to see that same flame in the impromptu date with Anzu.

“I’m not afraid of him! His flashy moves don’t scared me.”

“Anzu, where are you going?”

“To challenge Johnny of course.”

“He’s not worth our time.” He didn’t want Anzu to be humiliated by this arrogant dancer. Little did Yami know that he was wrong.

“And to turn down a challenge? No way I’m backing out.” She smirked as she stepped in the dance arena and toss her pink jacket at Yami, leaving him dumbfounded.

He saw the glint of excitement in her eyes. It never left as he and the audience were mesmerized by the dance battle. He didn’t know the rules, but based on the score, Anzu was winning with a slight advantage. Her moves were quick yet poise. Even if Johnny tried to trip her and elowed her, Anzu continued to dance gracefully.

He couldn’t help but smile on that victory. To end up winning that you well earn it with your blood and sweat, what made it sweeter is that she won without stooping down to Johnny’s level.

“Who knew that 100 yen would help me rediscover my spark for my dream?” The sun sets as the couple rested at a nearby lake.

She smiled brightly at him. He couldn’t help but smile back. Her smile is contagious as her passion in the dance floor. Even though he worried that Johnny might pull something dirty, he couldn’t help but feeling pumped up, anticipating to see what moves they will do next.

“I was in the rut and I lost my way from my dream to dance in New York. But the dance battle reminded me how much I love to dance on the spotlight. It reignite my passion for dancing again!”

Yami couldn’t find words to reply. Even someone who is confident like Anzu, just like him, she stumbled from her path. At times, she doubt herself. Yet she is not afraid to open up her feelings in the air and be vulnerable, which he finds it admirable.

“That’s amazing Anzu. I know that you will pursue your dreams. It’s possible to pursue dreams even if they are on hold.” Yami said with a smile. Hopefully that would cheer her up.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to postpone your dreams. If you hold on too long, you might forget your reason for having your dream in the first place...” she trailed off, looking at the sunset. Yami looked at her eyes. Her blue eyes were absorbed into the glitzing lake, as though she recalled an unpleasant memory.

“Oh.“ Guess I didn’t really help cheering her up. He shuffled his feet and stared at the sunset. The sunlight reflect the lake so perfectly that it created a mix of fuchsia and orange, making the sky appeared hazy.

Before Yami got a chance to comment on her great performance, Johnny appeared in an inconvenient time.    

He curled his fist. Who do he think he is for daring to challenge Anzu? And the nerve of him to badger her after Anzu rejected him. At least he’ll beat Johnny with his own games. He stepped in front of Anzu and turned his head at her.

“Anzu, would you mind if I have the honor to duel Johnny?”

“Sure Yami.”

It took him by a surprise as Johnny surrendered upon knowing that he was facing the King of Games. Anzu stood in front of him with her hands on her hips, annoyed.

“What, are you going to give up and not trying anymore? If you spend so much time and effort on picking on girls, and dancing, why not put all the effort on your dream?”

"Being a pro dancer is a faraway dream." Johnny dejectedly replied.

"Have you been to any auditions?"

"O-of course I have."

"How many?"

“Just... one.”

"One?" Anzu stared in disbelief. "You ran away with your tail between your legs just after one failure?

"You don't know how it feels to be a loser."

"I've failed more than a dozen times myself, you know!"

"You too?"

"But I never gave up. I mean, nothing starts for you if you run away from yourself. Her crystal clear eyes were firm with spirit. She continued and gave a small smile. “When you face yourself honestly, won't the future open up for you?"

"Yeah. I'll... give it a try once more. Thanks Anzu." Johnny smiled.

"No problem."

Anzu gave a small smile. “I think he’s going to continue trying it out. I guess I talk too much.” She giggled sheepishly.

“No you didn’t Anzu. Hearing you talk helps me to face my fears.” He smiled. “Let’s go to the museum.”

He remembered his nervousness and confided to Anzu how a part of him is resisting to go in. What if everything I learn is a lie? What if I learn about myself that I don’t like? Her smile and reassurance put him at ease to be honest about his doubts and not running away from his feelings. His mind became relaxed as he lazily played his chain necklace.

I don’t have to fear the unknown. Because I’m not alone. I have Yugi and his friends that will support me.

And an equal. Someone who he can trust to share his fears and secrets aside from Yugi.

Like a moth attracted to the fire, he was intrigued by Anzu’s new side he saw today. For him, the date was an opportunity to find not only the clues for his past, but to learn about Anzu. He couldn’t help himself but admired her perseverance and toughness. Her sense of pride for dancing, never back down from a challenge. Anzu helped Johnny to get back to his dream despite that he was unpleasant and tried to date her.

He can hear the beats of his heart growing louder and faster as he dwelled on the date as he tried to rest for the Battle City tournament.

Just what is this feeling?

Those icy azure eyes as she stepped in the dance floor. Her smile that Yami couldn’t help but etched it in his mind, tucking it away in the hidden depths of his maze.

The sudden rush surging through his heart is nothing new. Rather, he crave for the rush whenever he’s dueling, or fighting for the sake of others.

Yet these confusing feelings are swirling into my mind. My hearts aches for her… It is love?

No it can’t be love.

I don’t even know what love feels like. After spending so long without human connection before Yugi, the idea of love, let alone relationships seems foreign. Even if it’s love, it’s not possible to be together... And Yugi has feelings for Anzu. I can’t do this to my partner. And it wouldn’t be right to Anzu to offer something that would be short lived.

It’s definitely not lust. My feelings were nothing like Yugi’s reactions to the ‘strange videos’. Though Anzu is rather attractive, especially when she showing more of her skin in the dance battle with her strong legs...

He shook his head away. Hopefully his blush isn’t visible in the dark.

I don’t belong in this world. Eventually I have to leave Yugi and everyone behind. I must find my name and defeat the evil that threaten Domino city and potentially the world.

Still, despite that Yami is determined to focus on his destiny, a small part of himself managed to wormed out his feelings. The feelings that he desperately wanted to lock it from Yugi, the world, and from himself. With her fierce personality yet underneath the flame of her azure eyes lies within kindness, devotion, and unwavering sense of determination, who can blame him for his growing feeling (regardless of what is it) towards Anzu?

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As he stared at the 3 God cards he won from Battle City, he prepared for his second date with Anzu. So much has happened. Now that I got the God cards and the Malik clan was resolved, what lies in store for me now? After everything in Battle City, he wanted a peaceful day. More importantly, a time to talk to Anzu. Upon her date with Yugi, despite Anzu’s usual cheerful attitude, she was distinct. Oddly, when Yugi talked to Anzu about Battle City, she quickly changed the subject. Upon his request to Yugi that he need to borrow his body for a day to see if he can help Anzu. Surprisingly to Yami, Yugi approved it with an understanding look. He felt a bit of dread from the memories of Yugi and Anzu’s date. As much he wanted nothing but happiness for his partner and Anzu, he couldn’t help but feel betrayed to Yugi towards his unfamiliar feelings towards her. He couldn’t do this to both of them. Yet, he cursed himself for these fleeting feelings. No matter how well prepared he planned to combat each thought to his heart, it didn’t stop him from thinking about her. It didn’t stop from his heart beating faster, from struggling to steady his voice whenever Yugi unexpectedly interrupt his thoughts: How wonderful her hazel hair when the wind blew and how intriguing her eyes changed from ice cold to the bright cerulean with that spark he grew to love. Somehow, these fleeting feelings are difficult, even more than the hardest duels he fought so far.

After eating at the same cafe from the first date, they headed to the park before traveling around the trains and wandering off on the quaint streets where few young people dwelled at. They watched people moving around the wooden strainer in rhythm, washing off the pulp with chemicals before dipping it with water again, coating each layer before drying off. Yami was rather amazed by the way the workers never miss the beat, as Anzu explained how washi paper is made before heavy machines were commonly used. The couple grew hungry and stopped by a ramen shop before heading out to the lake where they sat on the bench. Duels, danger, and magic became nothing as they chatted away the wonders Yami saw today and the delicious noodles that Anzu raved.

“So what do you do when you feel nervous in a duel? Anzu asked. You always look fearless whenever you face a tough opponent. I bet that after fighting evil spirits, dueling in the arena doesn’t scares you.”

“Me?” He chuckled. “Believe or not Anzu, I do get nervous in matches. I’m just good at hiding it. I remembered the times when I was truly afraid that I lose Yugi in the shadow game with Malik. Not only that, I fear that I would lose you Anzu.” Suddenly Anzu finds the ground more interesting to stare at. “I felt powerless that I couldn’t stop Malik from controlling you.” He curled his fist as he dangled his puzzle with his other hand.

“Well I would believe in myself. I trust my cards and my skills. If I have any doubts on my skills, Yugi’s there to encourage me.” Yami said. “I gave myself a pep talk with my duel monsters. I felt much better when I have Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl on my side.” He turned his head to Anzu. “What about you Anzu? What do you do when you get nervous dancing for auditions?”

Anzu picked up a leaf from the ground. “I gave myself a pep talk. Sometimes I would do my breathing exercise that my dance professor taught me.”

“Breathing exercise?”

“Basically you breath in and out in a rhythmic pattern.” She absentmindedly traced the cracks of the bench they sat. “It sounds simple, but it really helps me when I feel nervous or I feel mad. She’s a great teacher. I feel that she’s like my second mother in a way. She told me that it’s not healthy to bottle up emotions and it’s okay to express them. She also taught me to not let our feelings get in the way of our actions. It’s like finding a balance between following your heart and not letting them stopping you from what you want to do.”

Yami nodded. “That makes sense. Your teacher is wise indeed. Guess being a dancer is no different from being a duelist. Not only you have to carry your pride and spirit without fear, you can’t be distracted by your opponent and your emotions.

“When I feel upset, sometimes I visited my favorite spot nearby the lake by myself. I know, it’s odd for me to need alone time. After all, I’m the one in the group who always talk about supporting each other. Believe or not, there are things that you end up facing by yourself.” Her smile became strained, much to Yami’s surprise. Her eyes has a look that Yami recognized instantly whenever he is alone with his thoughts, seeking for an anchor to hold on in this uncertain world.

“I used to move a lot with my family because of my father’s work. We went through many places. Since we move a lot, it was hard to make friends. I learn to adapt the lifestyle quickly. There’s always something new to explore and travelling was fun! It can be tiring and lonely, moving constantly. When I feel tired of moving and my parents aren’t home, I would listen to my favorite songs or go for a walk. But nothing can replace my friends. That’s why I told my family that I wanted to go back in Japan until I graduated from high school. When I moved back, but I felt that I drifted away from Yugi. I thought I was losing him because we didn’t see each other for so long. “Whoops! I talk too much again.” She gave a small, nervous laugh. “I’m sorry if I’m boring you with my life.”

“Not at all Anzu. I never knew that you move a lot. You’re pretty strong from travelling a lot and not having a steady group of friends. I’m not surprised that you have an adventurous spirit. That’s one of the things I admire about you.” Her heart beated faster. A warm wave of giddiness rushed in her head. Her hand intertwined with Yami’s hand as she rested his shoulder with her head. They held closer to each other as his and her eyes gazed ahead. Yami leaned in, she can smell his cologne. By the name of holy, he looks so handsome up close...

“...I enjoy listening to you Anzu. Your concerns are my concerns. I want to continue supporting you because you supported me through Battle City. It’s the least I can do.“

Anzu nodded. Right. Damn my thoughts. She composed herself, hopefully that Yami doesn’t catch her day dreaming.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to me. Alright Anzu?”

“I will Yami.”

“Speaking of Battle City, I wanted to talk to you alone, but there weren’t many chances for us to be alone. Because, I was worried about you under the control of Malik and that...” He trailed off, trying not to show his anger and desperation in his voice. “I couldn’t do anything. I felt helpless and I wanted you to be safe.” She was hypnotized by his concerned eyes. “I wanted to see if you are okay.”

“Yami, I’m okay now.” Her warm smile soften his solemn expression.

“Good, I’m glad that you are alright.”

“Malik didn’t harm me when he controlled my body in the blimp. I felt that Malik wanted to stop his darker half and redeem his mistakes. He apologized for controlling my body and all the things he did. I wanted to also help stop Yami Malik and let him took over me after he asked me to control me.”

“I see.”

“Actually... I’m not okay.”

“What’s wrong Anzu?”

“ I wasn’t able to break from his control the first time. How come Joey is able to break out while I couldn’t? Am I so weak?” A firm hand comforted hers.

“I don’t know why you couldn’t get out of the spell. But Anzu, you’re not weak because you couldn’t break out of his control. Strength comes from more than sheer will. It also comes from being honest with yourself and your feelings... It’s not easy for me to express my worries to many people or so openly to someone close. But with you, it’s different. To me, you’re a strong and independent girl and I’m glad that I get to know you more.” His purple eyes became intense. Anzu could look forever into the deep depths of his eyes.

“Thank you for being here with me.”

“That’s what friends are for.” Anzu chirpy voice suddenly became faltered. He’s not from my world. I can’t let our bond grow. Yet my heart does not listen to reason. Regardless, I’ll use the time to spend every moment with him. Between villains and high stake duels, where can I find the time to have happy moments with Yami?”

A whiff of the festival food answered her prayers.

“So this is takoyaki?” The aroma of savory meat and fried batter overwhelmed Yami’s nose. Onions and ginger simmered over the batter as the man skillfully rotated the meat, forming into perfect circles. He knew the name of the round snacks from Yugi’s memories.

Anzu couldn’t help but find it amusing seeing the stoic pharaoh with his eyes wide open, carefully watching the cook like a child who saw snow for the first time. He’s rather adorable with his clueless expression.  

“Yeah! You want one? I’ll get one. They’re sooooo good.” Anzu grinned.

“Sure.” Yami couldn’t help from smiling back at her.

Anzu got two orders and gave a box of them to him.

“Careful, they’re hot.” She picked one up with a toothpick and ate it. “Ahhh nothing is perfect to spend a night at a festival with takoyaki.” A big smile appeared in her face as she closed her eyes to savor the taste.

Yami took a glance at his snack before taking a small bite.

He couldn’t help but gave a huge grin. The sweetness of the white sauce goes well with the well-coated meat. The tempura flakes gave a light crunch which complement well with the mild flavored octopus.

“These are amazing!” He quickly ate a second one.

Colorful lanterns dimmed as the vendors packed up their supplies, signalling that the festival is ending. With their bellies full, Yami led Anzu back to her house. Anzu thanked Yami for today. It was one of the moments that Anzu will treasured in her heart. Unknowingly to her, he remembered the memories they shared together on this date.

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Time was running out for them as they desperately grasp the moments they had together.

The venom words he spat out to the criminal that dare to hurt his precious Anzu.

Anzu's smile as she stood in triumph, glaring down at Johnny.

Butterflies in his chest that made him feel up in the sky as they both watched the colors faded from hazy yellow to deep purple.

Her melodic laughter as she picked a leave from his hair.

His puzzled look as he watched the man made taiyaki right before his eyes.

His real smile, not the usual smirky smile for duels and villains, but the smile that gave her endless joy of sunshine.

Atem's warm embrace as his hands held tightly onto her body after she leaped to the other train department.

The cartouche that not only he discovered his name, it was a reminder of her stunning, sky eyes.

Anzu’s sudden kiss that was so wrong yet he couldn’t help but yearn for it, even embrace this fleeting moment.

“The only thing I regret is that we didn’t have enough time to know each other more. I love you, Atem.”

Silent tears as Atem spent alone in the cabin, shuffling his deck, as Yugi occupied in the puzzle. Regret filled his mind yet his heart cries out of happiness from the burden. He cursed himself for losing control. Duels are easy to predict, the heart on the other hand... Was it the right thing to do? To do this to Anzu? To Yugi? To utter these 3 words?

“Anzu, I want you to live your life in the fullest. I don’t want you to not fulfil your dream because of me. Pursue your dream to be a dancer. I’ll always watch you from the night sky.”

Time may rob their future, the endless opportunities they have yet explore together.

Yet time will never rob their memories they shared, they embraced together.

Their bond.

It will never rob her beautiful eyes that brought light to his life, the hands that he held them and never want to let go.

Her smile that knows no boundaries and etched upon in his heart.  

Nothing will stop them from reuniting in the afterlife.

Fin.