#then some more serious wolfheart

[tcustodisart]

Bunch of various doodles from Twitter.

[xmystophalesx]

Best New Heavy Metal Releases Week of September 16th, 2022

I was thankful for a bit of a break last week and I guess I needed it because this week was another avalanche of incredible releases. No one genre dominated the week as it felt like there were highlight and standout albums everywhere I turned. This could be the longest list I have ever posted and to be honest I’m too lazy to actually look but there are 52 albums total that made the list this week. That means 52 albums in one week that deserved attention so if you go through this list and find nothing that interests you as a fan of the heavier musical styles, reevaluate if you are actually fan of heavy music…lol.

Let’s get to the highlights!

Dead City Ruins-Shockwave (Hard Rock/Heavy)**

This Hard Rock band from Melbourne Australia is a band that should be a LOT more well known than they are. A lot like their countrymen in Airbourne, this is music that could easily be on any American rock radio station and why it isn’t says a lot about the state of the music industry and the gatekeeping involved in what gets on the air and what doesn’t. I could go on an entire hour long rant about the corrupt organization that is Clear Channel Communications. That all aside, this album absolutely rips with that catchy Hard Rock goodness that is all about having a good time. This is one to sit back and listen to as the last days of summer start coming to a close and you are hanging out with some friends at a back yard Bar B Q.

Dying Alone-One Man Tragedy (Melodic Death)**

This album came completely out of nowhere and knocked me on my ass with its quality. Finding out anything about this band (one guy?) was not exactly easy. There is a website for the band but it is pretty bare bones. All I really know for certain is this is some flat out exceptional Melodic Death Metal. Great riffs at every turn and the song writing has this quality you would find from a band 5 or 6 albums into their career and from what I can tell, this is a debut album. This is just a great listen from beginning to end. This album is just overflowing with great ideas and fantastic songwriting.

Wolfheart-King of the North (Melodic Death)**

What can you say about this band that hasn’t already been said? If you are a fan of metal over the last few years, you have seen the serious push this band has made in the Metal underground with great album after great album. This one is no different and is one that I can see moving them even further into the forefront. This one is not quite as heavy as the last one was with a bit more Progressive songwriting moving in and a bit more clean vocals. That being said, it is all done insanely well and sounds like a simple natural progression in their sound. This band just keeps getting better and better and I’m glad i’m along for the ride.

Liar Thief Bandit-Diamonds (Hard Rock)**

I was getting very close to cutting it off for the weekend when I came across this album and, from that point, I played it three times in a row. Ever wish there was a really good modern equivalent to Thin Lizzy? Well, this band has you covered all the way to Boys Being Back In Town. Just listen to track 2 “Better Days” and tell me you don’t hear Thin Lizzy. This, however, is more than just a band being heavily influenced by another band (Think Greta Van Fleet and Zeppelin) this band takes that Lizzy DNA and adds a bit of heavier vibe and a bit of a more modern take which does actually help them stand out. I dont know anyone that would not like this album.

Sumerlands-Dreamkiller (Heavy)**

Sumerlands made quite a splash with their self-titled debut album back in 2016 and I was quite eager to see if the followup would be as strong. I can say with no hyperbole, absolutely and then some. This time around we have a new vocalist with Brendan Radigan replacing Phil Swanson who left to start another band with guitarist Tim Schmidt. If any of this is wrong, blame the interwebs. I just noticed a new vocalist right away and looked up the information myself. I can say, however, that Radigan has much more range, which adds a lot of extra dimension to a band that already had that classic Traditional Metal sound down. This album continues where the last one left off and to be honest I think it is superior in every way to the debut. If you liked the first one, I would be absolutely shocked if you did not LOVE this one.

I will stop all my blathering there but just know that I could have gone on and on about every album in the highlight section this week, especially the three absolutely killer Black Metal albums on the list that were back to back to back on my weekly playlist for this post. After the last couple weeks with Black Metal taking a bit of a back seat, to have three in a row that just blew me away was awesome. I was thinking I was going to go into withdrawals if I didn’t get a Black Metal fix eventually…lol Until next week, and as always,

BANG THY HEAD!!!

All worthy of a listen if you like the genre

*= standout in that genre

**=best of the week regardless of genre

Best of the Week

Dead City Ruins-Shockwave (Hard Rock/Heavy)**

Omophagia-Rebirth in Black (Death)**

Dying Alone-One Man Tragedy (Melodic Death)**

Wolfheart-King of the North (Melodic Death)**

Daemon of Oa-Hesperian Shores (Black)**

Silence Oath-From the Womb of the Earth (Symphonic Black)**

ACOD-Fourth Reign over Opacities and Beyond (Black/Thrash)**

Sumerlands-Dreamkiller (Heavy)**

Eldprov-Rift (Melodic Death/Black/Thrash)**

Spectrum Mortis-Bit Meseri-The Incantation (Death/Doom)**

Liar Thief Bandit-Diamonds (Hard Rock)**

Mindforce-New Lords (Crossover/Thrash)**

Standouts in their genre

Brainless-Ruler of Everything (Thrash)*

Retador-Retador (Thrash)*

Sublation-The Path to Bedlam (Technical Death)*

Ginevra-We Belong to the Stars (Hard Rock/Heavy)*

Spiritus Mortis- The Great Seal (Doom)*

The Necromancers-Where the Void Rose (Heavy/Doom/Hard Rock)*

Virtual Symmetry-Virtual Symmetry (Progressive)*

Battlesword-Towards the Unknown (Melodic Death)*

Mentalist-Empires Falling (Power/Heavy)*

Lunattack-Speed Back to Life (Speed/Heavy)*

Edenbridge-Shangri-La (Symphonic Power)*

Hetroertzen-Phosphorus, Vol. 1 (Black)*

Francesco Marras-It’s Me! (Hard Rock)*

Gnipahalan-I Nordisk Vredeslusta (Black)*

Messiah Nostrum-From the Ashes (Technical Death)*

The Erinyes-The Erinyes (Symphonic Metal)*

Sinnery-Black Bile (Thrash)*

Terra Atlantica-Beyond the Borders (Symphonic Power)*

Epoch of Unlight-At War with the Multiverse (Melodic Death/Black)*

Forkill-Sick Society (Heavy/Thrash)*

Behemoth-Opvs Contra Natvram (Black/Death)*

Worthy of a listen if you enjoy the genre

Kill Division-Peace Through Tyranny (Death/Grind)

Ahasver-Causa Sui (Post)

Frolic-Fusion of Spirits (Thrash)

Mortuous-Upon Desolation (Death)

The Mighty Wraith-Elegies (Heavy)

Innumerable Forms-Philosophical Collapse (Death/Doom)

Veter Daemonaz-Muse of the Damned (Black)

Altars Ablaze-Life Desecration (Death/Black)

Super Vintage-Guardians of Tradition (Hard Rock/Southern Rock)

Marco Mendoza-New Direction (Hard Rock)

Veritates-Silent War (Heavy)

The Darker My Horizon-When Two Worlds Collide (Hard Rock)

Crust-Wanderers (Death/Doom/Sludge)

Staota-Unihauta (Black)

Fans of the Dark-Suburbia (Hard Rock/Heavy)

Vogelfrey-Titanium (Folk)

Sonja-Loud Arriver (Heavy/Goth)

Miscreance-Convergence (Technical Death/Thrash)

Tribal Gaze-The Nine Choirs (Death)

This week was VERY close among a few very deserving albums but in the end I have to give pick of the week to Wolfheart with 5 Viking SKOL bulldog chants out of 5​

[signs-of-the-moon]

Moon Rise: Chapter 51

Sunhigh the following day was fast approaching. Warriors were gathered in the clearing, feasting upon freshly caught prey. Hardly a whisper was passed among them; tension heavy in the air. Swiftcloud sat between her mates Shadowfang and Mistyleaf, sharing a rabbit. To say she was nervous was an understatement. Today would be the deciding factor on who would keep the rights to the Forest Patch. A prime hunting area, especially in Leafbare, at least for Grassclan. If they were to lose today, the clan would suffer greatly. And if they were to win? Though they would gain more territory, it could potentially cost more lives. Every cat would be giving their all today, as evident of the sheer amount of cats joining the patrol. Every capable warrior was going to fight; queens, and apprentices included. How many of these cats would Swiftcloud be seeing for the last time? How many more would come home bloodied and broken over a petty feud?

She glanced over at Shadowfang. His expression was serious, gaze distance as he chewed a piece from their shared prey. Swiftcloud wondered what he might be thinking about.

Her attention shifted to her left to focus on Mistyleaf. She was pressed completely against Swiftcloud, tail-tip twitching nervously. She seemed to be mumbling herbs names and their uses under her breath. She'd barely touched any of the rabbit. Swiftcloud felt bad for her. Normally Mistyleaf would stay behind in camp during raids with Goldensong. Today though, Whitestar had ordered her to assist Snowfrost on the front lines. Swiftcloud worried most for them. Though it was against clan law to harm or kill a medicine cat, it would be easy to mistake an idle healer as an enemy warrior. In the heat of battle, a warrior doesn't usually waste time considering who's who among their opponents. They attack first, ask questions later. If Treeclan's warriors were careless, they could easily slay Mistyleaf or Snowfrost. That frightened Swiftcloud to her core. Silently she swore to herself that she would be keeping an eye on her medicine cat mate as she fought with all her might against cats who might dare threaten her life. And with Shadowfang at her side, Swiftcloud could be sure her other mate would be protected.

Whitestar called out from atop the Tall stone. At once, every cat turned their attention onto her. "Sunhigh approaches. Our greatest battle begins now. Stand strong, my warriors. Stay close to your partners, and look out for one another. We are strong. Together, we shall defeat Treeclan and claim our victory!"

"Grassclan!" Chicorynose caterwauled loudly, encouraging her clan.

"Grassclan! Grassclan! Grassclan!" Everyone cheered along, standing as one unit and walking to the bramble tunnel. One by one Grassclan's warriors and apprentices slipped out into the meadow, bounding over many hills and across the Twoleg bridge. Not a whisper passed among them, not even a whimper or a growl. Every cat remained poised and ready for a fight. Their muscles were tight, strengthened by the previous day's training. Everyone looked confident in their collective mission. Even Swiftcloud felt assured, though her usual anxiousness still hung at the back of her mind. It's an honor to serve my clan. Even if I die today, I know I'll do so aiding in our victory. Swiftcloud glanced at her clanmates surrounding her, feeling a smile pull at her lips. Despite the looming danger they were about to face, she felt safe here among the clan. Like this was where she was meant to be.

As they came upon the Forest Patch, Grassclan's movements began to slow. Cats drew closer to one another; partner finding partner. Eventually, they formed a line, standing perfectly along the border as they waited for their enemy to arrive. Most turned their sights towards the treetops. Swiftcloud, however, kept her line of sight forward. A few tense heartbeats passed before she began to hear the thudding pawsteps of many cats approaching.

"Look," she breathed, gaining the clan's attention. All eyes fell back upon the border as a row of bulky warriors approached. Swiftcloud felt herself tense in Treeclan's presence, her legs beginning to tremble from anticipation. The moment they'd all been waiting for had finally dawned upon them. The war would end today. Right here. Right now.

This is what being a warriors is about. We can do this. Grassclan is the greatest clan among the Land's Star. Today, we will prove that.

"Whitestar," Blazestar called out as he made his way out in front of his clan. "This is your last chance to surrender the Forest Patch peacefully. Admit your defeat; apologize for your clan's wrongdoings, and go home quietly. There is no need for battle this day."

Whitestar stepped up, standing face to face with her fellow leader. Their noses were only a mouse-length apart, eyes locked upon one another. There was an air of seriousness surrounding Whitestar this day; an anger the likes of which Swiftcloud had never seen the she-cat possess before.

"Normally, I would agree with you, Blazestar. But that is not the way of a warrior. Too many of my clan have died at the paws of yours unnecessarily. We've come not only for the forest, but to avenge our fallen. And to restore our honor. Grassclan is a nobel clan. We've not done the things you have accused of us for so many moons. Today, we prove that. Not with words, but with tooth and claw. After all, it seems that's all Treeclan understands anymore."

Blazestar's ears drew back, his teeth baring with a snarl. "Then suffer for your choice....Treeclan, attack!"

Treeclan's warriors launched themselves forward at the leader's call, pelts bristling, fury lighting their eyes.

"Grassclan!" Whitestar cried, flicking her tail. At once the clan surged from behind her, countering the enemy across the border. Battle cries and caterwauls rang out like thunder as claws met fur and teeth met skin.

Swiftcloud and Shadowfang joined their clanmates in the brawl, each taking on a warrior double their size. Shadowfang had himself latched to the shoulders of Galestorm, a large gray she-cat with a bad attitude. While Swiftcloud found herself coming to blows with Smokecloud. She tried her best not to harm the tom too severely--they were friends after all--but she still needed to wound him enough to send him fleeing. She threw front paw blows left and right at his face, scratching at his nose and eyes in order to make him flinch. Smokecloud yowled, raising his own paws to blindly flail at the smaller she-cat. One good smack in the jaw sent Swiftcloud reeling backwards. A metallic taste caught on her tongue as she swiped it along her lips. Smokecloud had managed to cut her good. Swiftcloud growled, throwing herself onto the bulky tom to bite at his scruff. She sunk her teeth into his thick pelt, holding until she felt them meet delicate flesh.

"Let go!" Smokecloud coughed as she pulled on him.

Swiftcloud growled at the smokey tom in response, shaking herself violently to rough him up some more until she heard him begin to whimper. Smokecloud backed away as soon as he was let go, turning tail to flee.

"Don't let him get away that easy!" Shadowfang told her. Swiftcloud gave an agreeing nod, pursuing the fluffy smoke tom through the forest. As they ran, Swiftcloud could see more and more of her clanmates driving the enemy towards the Thunder Path, where Grassclan hoped to set the new border. If we can drive Treeclan out from that point, we can solidify our claim on the Forest Patch.

Swiftcloud let out a yowl, slamming her flank into Smokecloud's to push him closer to the black stone river. Smokecloud collapsed just by the edge, his sides heaving with effort. Swiftcloud let out one last snarl before the tom rushed across to the other side, finally safe from the Grassclan warrior's wrath deep in the forest beyond the battlefield. Swiftcloud watched in his direction for a moment more before turning tail, rejoining Shadowfang as he too chased his opponent across the Thunder Path.

"How's Mistyleaf?" Swiftcloud asked as she stood beside him, taking this brief moment to catch her breath.

"She's doing good. Last I saw, she was by our border still. Frostfeather was with her," Shadowfang replied, tearing some fur out from his front claws.

"Not Snowfrost?"

"I think she might be out somewhere on the battlefield, healing wounds. I'm sure she's alright though. Don't worry. Let's get back out there, yeah?"

Swiftcloud wasn't worried about Snowfrost being hurt. What she was more concerned about was the medicine cat using this battle as an opportunity to kill again. The thought was overwhelming. But Swiftcloud forced herself to push the fear aside for the time being.

"Yeah," she agreed as she flanked her mate. The two pelted away from the Thunder Path, seeking new opponents to prey on. Around them, the battle raged on. Tensions were high and every cat was giving their all.

Slugsnout and Snailear were fighting against Treeclan senior warriors, Robinspots and Flamepath. The brothers passed their opponents off to each other, tearing their pelts before switching enemies again. Pansypaw fended off Scarletpaw, while Tulippaw cleaned a wound on her flank that had gotten dirty. The brown and white she-cat turned a heartbeat later, knocking the Treeclan apprentice onto her side to relieve Pansypaw from her fight.

A bear-length off, Tigerfang was crouched beneath Wolfheart, pressed down by the larger warrior's weight. With a hard kick of his back leg, the dark brown tabby managed to knock the Treeclan deputy off of him. Wolfheart staggered backwards, catching himself just before Tigerfang turned, lunging for his enemy. Wolfheart rose up on his hind paws to meet him, catching the Grassclan warrior as he came crashing into his body.

Swiftcloud turned her head, spotting Whitestar just a short way off. She was wrestling Blazestar on the ground, trying to get the upper paw against him. The two leaders rolled over one another, shredding fur and drawing blood. Out of the corner of her eye, Swiftcloud saw Blazestar raise a paw with claws outstretched. They glinted white in the light of the setting sun just as they swung back down, straight across Whitestar's throat.

"No!" Swiftcloud cried, wrenching herself in the direction of her leader.

Shadowfang held her back by her scruff. "Whitestar will be fine! This is what Starclan has given her nine lives for. We need to keep ourselves focused," he reasoned.

Swiftcloud trembled in place, watching her leader's still form for a heartbeat until she saw her start to breathe and move once more. Blazestar was waiting for Whitestar to revive from losing a life, but made no move to attack until he was sure she had recovered. Swiftcloud relaxed slightly, if only because she knew now that Treeclan's leader would fight fairly. She turned to Shadowfang and gave him a nod, following him once again into the throng of cats around them.

Swiftcloud spotted Sunflower in the crowd closer to the Grassclan border, thrashing the inexperienced apprentice, Lightpaw, against a tree. Though she was large for an apprentice, inheriting her size from Whitestar, it was clear she barely knew what she was doing. Lightpaw should be facing another apprentice, not a seasoned warrior. Anger surged through Swiftcloud, forcing her to pull away from Shadowfang once again. She launched herself at Sunflower blindly, swiping at his muzzle to knock him off her clanmate. Lightpaw stared at Swiftcloud in awe.

"Take her to see Mistyleaf!" Swiftcloud commanded her mate as she fended off the enemy tom. Shadowfang gave a nod, helping Lightpaw limp across the border in search of the medicine cat.

Sunflower snarled at Swiftcloud, fangs bared as he tried biting her limbs. Swiftcloud maneuvered away from the tom, arching her back, challenging him to come face a real warrior. Sunflower did not move. He merely stared, eyes dark. A smirk pulled up the corners of his mouth, leaving Swiftcloud confused.

"Watch out!" A cat yowled from behind her. Swiftcloud whipped around, ears flattening against her head as she saw the large body of Tigerlily leaping down at her from above. Rabbitstorm jumped out to intercept her midair, knocking Tigerlily onto her flank with a loud and painful thud. The large tabby and white she-cat yowled up at him wildly as Rabbitstorm reeled back a paw to strike her.

"Fox-dung!" Sunflower cursed. Swiftcloud whipped back around to face him once more. The tom hissed at her, throwing himself at her in an attempt to knock the white and black patched she-cat off her paws. Swiftcloud stumbled, finding her footing. She shook her head then stood up onto her hind paws, falling back down onto Sunflower. Sunflower squirmed beneath her weight, clawing at her flanks as he rolled beneath her belly. Swiftcloud grabbed him by the scruff, pulling him from beneath her. She threw him, slamming the ginger and white tom into the trunk of a nearby tree. Sunflower rose back onto shaky paws, his eyes wide as Swiftcloud approached again. He let out a whimper as he weakly turned, scampering off into the woods. Swiftcloud gave chase, wanting to ensure he was gone for good.

The pair quickly approached the slope which led to the Thunder Path. Sunflower turned once more, giving a last ditch effort of attack before he would surrender to his enemy. He charged at Swiftcloud, pushing her onto her back. The tom's sharp claws scraped against her delicate belly and chest, drawing blood from the wounds he made. Swiftcloud cried out in pain, but refused to admit defeat. With all her might she pulled herself upwards, locking her teeth around Sunflower's throat. She bit down, keeping a strong grip. But Swiftcloud made sure she was careful; she didn't want to kill her enemy.

Sunflower let out a strangled noise, wiggling in the Grassclan warrior's grasp. Swiftcloud whipped around, throwing the ginger tom away towards the Thunder Path. Sunflower rose to his paws, scrambling across the black stone path in a flurry of ripped fur and scarlet droplets. Swiftcloud let out a pant, licking her lips clean of the tom's blood. She nearly gagged at the amount; she wasn't at all fond of cat blood. But spilling some was necessary in battle, especially in the biggest battle of her life.

Around her, the land began to slim of cats as more were sent fleeing across the Thunder Path for good. Grassclan had the upper paw now, and as the moments passed, it became easier to spot her clanmates.

Across the way Swiftcloud caught a glimpse of a familiar fawn pelt laying on the ground unmoving. Green eyes caught onto her blues, making the young warrior's blood run cold.

"Chicorynose!" Swiftcloud scrambled to her paws, rushing to her former mentor's side; praying to Starclan that she was not too late. She came to a screeching halt by the deputy's flank, focus locking onto her face and neck.

Chicorynose had her jaws parted as she panted weakly, looking up at her former apprentice with tears. A sick gurgle came with every breath, blood dripping from the molly's mouth. Her beautiful fluffy neck fur was saturated, stained dark red. Beneath her a lake of blood had formed. Chicorynose's throat had been slit, and she was fading fast. A bubble of sadness burst in the pit of Swiftcloud stomach, forcing sobs from her throat and a tremble in her legs. No, Starclan no! Not Chicorynose. Please!

"Sw-Swift.." Chicorynose gasped out. Swiftcloud moved herself closer to the molly's face.

"I'm here, Chicorynose, I'm here! Pl-please don't die..! Please! I'll get some help. You..you're going to be just fine!"

Chicorynose forced a weak smirk to tug up the corner of her lip. Her voice was incredibly weak and raspy as she began to speak, coming out more as a gulp than a whisper. "I'm..I'm so..proud..of you. You know that...right?"

Swiftcloud nodded, tears streaming down her face. She dipped her head, pressing her nose into Chicorynose's cheek. The deputy's scent flooded her nostrils, filling Swiftcloud with warmth and comfort even in such a terrible moment.

"You are a great..cat...I am so happy to have..trained you..to have known you. To have loved you as..as if you were..my own...." Chicorynose's eyes began to dull, like a fire simmering down into embers.

Swiftcloud hiccuped, "I love you, mom...." She buried her nose that much deeper into Chicorynose's fur. "Please don't die..."

"It's my..time...Starclan calls. The Twilight Passage.. awaits me.. for judgement."

"It shouldn't have to be your time!" The wail came unexpectedly, but Swiftcloud could not help it. A fresh wave of grief crashed over her like the ocean against the shore, rough and salty. Her head shot up suddenly, taking in the bloodied sight of the cat she'd come to know as deputy, mentor, friend, and mother. "Who could have done this to you?!"

"Snow..." Chicorynose's voice was hardly above a whisper now.

"W-who..?" Swiftcloud strained to hear, breath held in anxious anticipation.

"Snow...frost."

Swiftcloud's blood turned ice cold. She stared down at Chicorynose, stiff like stone, as a new sensation came over her. Realisation. Swiftcloud had been right all along.

"Swiftcloud." Chicorynose coughed, grabbing the young cat's attention instantly. "Be good. Take..care of..the clan."

Swiftcloud whimpered, nuzzling her face against the fawn molly's muzzle.

"I will," she promised. Gradually the rise and fall of Chicorynose's chest slowed, and with one last shaky breath, the deputy was still. Swiftcloud shook violently the moment she felt her mentor slip away, her face pressing that much harder against the deputy's. She needed to take in every last flea trace of her scent before it was gone forever. Like Chicorynose was. Luckily, Swiftcloud knew exactly who to blame now. She would have justice for Chicorynose, even if it was the last she'd do.

A twig snapped a foxlength away, making Swiftcloud raise her head. The sweet and nauseating smell of lavender wafted around her as she stared ahead. Snowfrost was standing before her, head elevated, eyes narrowed to bitter icy slits. Her right paw, once silver and striped, was now stained red with blood. Her claws which were unsheathed revealing them to be painted the same.

At once, white hot fury took over Swiftcloud's vision, sending her into a frenzy. She let out a fierce cry, a wretched mix of a wail and a yowl and threw herself at Snowfrost.

"Murderer!" She caterwauled so loud her voice echoed through the trees. Snowfrost managed to dodge her, slipping from beneath the younger she-cat just as she was about to land. She let out a grotesque hiss, arching her back as Swiftcloud turned tail to face her once more. Swiftcloud rushed towards the medicine cat again, being met by claws swiping for her face. Blood welled around Swiftcloud's left eye, forcing it shut as the liquid trickled down. Pain seared her flesh, but the sensation felt dull compared to her heartbreak. She would not allow such a small wound to stop her, not now, not while Chicorynose's killer was still right here in front of her. A quick shake of her head brought Swiftcloud's senses back. "I knew you were no good," She snarled. "I'm going to make the whole clan see what a monster you are!"

At once, Snowfrost let out a viscous yowl, throwing herself at Swiftcloud, bowling her over. The mollies tussled around on the ground, biting and scratching, each trying to one up the other. Snowfrost aimed for Swiftcloud's injured eye and shoulder, trying to disable her, leave her weak. But Swiftcloud had moons of training under her pelt, giving her the strength to withstand the attack despite the pain.

"You should have died when I fed you that mouse! You should be dead just like Chicorynose, just like all the others!" Snowfrost sneeded, creating a new rush of ferocity within the warrior. Swiftcloud put all of her weight into rolling them over, forcing Snowfrost onto her back. She pinned the medicine cat down, one paw against a shoulder, another against her throat. Her back paws pressed down into Snowfrost's lower half; a paw against her exposed belly, the fourth stopping her back legs. The medicine cat was completely immobile, but Swiftcloud wasn't satisfied. Her ears drew back as she stared down at the medicine cat, teeth bared in a snarl. One of her paws lifted slowly, claws unsheathing.

"Swiftcloud!"

[tormundjonthings]

“You need a name,” Tormund’s youngest offered one night.

Jon looked to where the girl, Munda, a child of nine, sat by the fire next to her father. Young though she may be, she was always filled with opinions and never failed to offer them. She had taken to Jon quickly; he’d only been traveling beyond the Wall with them for three months, yet already she was quick to ask him for southron tales and to include him in her games. He smiled at her affectionately. 

“I have a name. I don’t know that you’ve forgotten, but it’s Jon Snow.”

Munda snorted and rolled her eyes.

“No, not a name like that. That’s not a proper name, doesn’t say anything about who you are or what you’ve done. You need a name like Papa’s, Giantsbane, his has a story.”

Jon was at a bit of a loss on how to answer this, and simply bent down to pet Ghost at his side, but Tormund chuckled.

“My girl’s a bright one, isn’t she? She’s right too. You’ve been needing a new name for a while now, you’ve done plenty of great deeds.”

“I don’t know that my deeds have been great,” Jon breathed quietly, focusing intently on scratching Ghost behind the ears. 

Tormund softened. “Maybe not all. But you have done good for us beyond counting. You deserve to be recognized with a name.”

Jon, his hands still buried in Ghost’s fur, looked up at Tormund, and was a bit overcome at the compassion and tenderness he saw in his face. Despite himself, Jon smiled. 

Tormund grinned back and said more loudly, “That’s settled then. We’ll find you a name.”

This caught the attention of Anja as she passed by the fire with a bucket of elk stew. “What, we’re finally giving the Crow a proper style?” She put the bucket down and sat next to Jon. “Well that’s easy, call him ‘The Crow Who Flew Free.’”

“That’s too long!” Munda countered.

“The Free Crow then.”

“There’s been a lot of free crows who left the Watch, it’s not special enough.”

As the argument continued, more and more Free Folk started to gather around the fire. Some Jon knew well, others only by face. Though the camp was readying itself for sleep, apparently naming someone was considered a great game, and no one wanted to miss the fun.

 Eventually near twenty people were congregated near Jon, passing around stew and fermented goat’s milk and shouting suggestions. Some names were serious, others nonsensical, and Jon found himself laughing along with some of the more ridiculous ones. 

“Jon Iceslayer!”

“Jon the Light Drinker!”

“The Commander Come Over!”

“Jon the Dour!” This was offered by Ujarak, a young man often given to foolish pranks.

“Dour?!” Jon said incredulously, trying to hide his mirth. 

“Yes, you’ve always got that dour look on your face,” Ujarak countered with a smile.

“Aye I’m dour around you, your jokes are about as funny as a spear between the ribs.”

This drew a laugh from Tormund and several others assembled, and another round of drinks was poured.

“Jon Dragonrider!”a young voice cried out.

Jon felt his heart skip a beat in his chest, and looked quickly towards the direction of the call. It had been said by Brynjar, who as an innocent boy of only seven clearly meant no harm. But suddenly Jon was aware of all the eyes on him, all the people judging him. More names were offered, but Jon did not hear them. He was thinking only of the names they would have for him in the south. 

Oathbreaker, Queenslayer, Kinslayer.

The voices around him seemed harsh noise, growing ever and ever louder. He buried both hands in Ghost’s fur. The wolf came up to lick his ears and Jon hid his face behind him, trying to breathe deep and use Ghost’s scent to calm him. He breathed in the aromas that clung to the wolf, pine needles and elk’s blood, and thought for the thousandth time that he should never have left this, never have gone south, never have become - 

Jon was suddenly aware of a large hand rubbing gentle circles on his back. He chanced a glance up from Ghost’s fur and saw that Tormund had moved next to him. He smiled at Jon softly and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Jon felt himself calm a bit. Tormund subtly jerked his head back towards their tent, silently asking if Jon needed to leave, to get away from all this and sleep the bad thoughts away.

Jon thought for a moment, then shook his head. He already felt his heart slowing down; felt his breath evening out. No, he had Ghost and Tormund near him now. Jon would need rest soon, but he knew he could face this with Tormund by his side. 

Tormund nodded, then moved his hand to Jon’s back again. He looked at the crowd and spoke over the din.

“Alright, quiet, quiet all of you. I have the true name.”

“Well what is it then?” asked Ujarak.

Tormund smiled as he looked not at the group, but into Jon’s eyes.

“Jon the Wolfhearted.”

“Why that name?” asked Anja.

“Well for one, because he and this great wolf of his are attached at the hip.” There was some soft laughter at this, yet Tormund continued on. 

“But mostly because he’s loyal, and true. Like a wolf, when he finds those he considers pack, considers home, he’ll stop at nothing to protect them. He didn’t abandon his sister when she needed his aid, he didn’t abandon us when the damn Crows were screaming at him to do so. It honors both the family that raised him, and his new family.”

Jon had been blushing a bit, his eyes fixed on the ground, but at this he looked up at Tormund, who gave him another reassuring smile.

“And he is family, make no mistake.”

There was a chorus of “aye” round the fire, and Jon felt warmer than he had in weeks.

“Besides,” Tormund added with a grin, “we all know that this laced up, proper  lord of a Crow has always been a wild thing wanting to run free.” 

There was some more light laughter, then Anja called out. “Well, what say all of you? Is he well named?”

“Yes!” cried Munda excitedly.

“Aye, suppose that’s slightly better than mine,” admitted Ujarak.

“And what do you say Jon?” Tormund asked quietly. 

Jon thought for a moment, the name settling into his chest. It felt right, felt true, not just because his love for Ghost or any of the words Tormund had spoken. But because Tormund had offered it, because Tormund had named him.

“Aye, Wolfhearted, I do quite like the sound of that.”

“Well then!” Tormund, one hand still on Jon’s back, raised his drinking horn high over his head. “A toast to Jon the Wolfhearted, Man of the Free Folk!”

A cheer went up and more drinks were passed, and Jon felt the earlier agitation leave him completely. His heart was full, and a sense of belonging rooted into him. 

After a few minutes Munda was collected by her mother, and Tormund made their goodbyes to the group. Another toast went up as they left, and Jon left the fire hearing the cheer of his new name.

“Are you truly alright Jon?” Tormund asked as they were settling into their furs. 

“Yes.” Jon felt peaceful as he lay warm between Tormund and Ghost. “Not just alright, I’m happy.” 

It felt an odd thing to admit, but Jon sighed contentedly as he felt Tormund grin against his neck.  

“Then sleep well, Jon the Wolfhearted.”

[damien-ward]

Who is your all time favorite NPC and why?

This is going to be a serious unpopular opinion right here...

But Genn Greymane is my favorite NPC, the obvious reason being because he is a Worgen and the leader of Gilneas.  However, he is also my favorite character because I think he is actually the most well written, realistic, understandable character in WoW. He is the most human, so to speak.

Genn gets a lot of hate, I think a lot of this is just Sylvanas fans, but honestly I love him. I think he is a leader who truly cares about his people and wants what is best for them.  Does this mean he makes shitty decisions? Of course, Genn is flawed as hell! But I do believe his poor decisions are with the best intentions for his people.  One of his in-game dialogue is, “My people have suffered so much, if only I could shoulder more of their burden.” He doesn’t want his people to suffer, if he could he would do all the suffering just so they wouldn’t have to.

Another thing, people call Genn a warmonger, but at what point has he wanted war? He doesn’t hate the Horde, or didn’t, he and his kingdom were off doing their own thing after leaving the Alliance (which was a shitty move on his part, but understandable) then Sylvanas shows up, kills thousands of Gilneans, blights his city, kills his son in front of him, and enslaves Gilneans to work in the mines. Genn has every right and justification to hate and want Syvlanas dead, which is what he wants, not the entire Horde just her.  If I were in his shoes I would be the exact same way.

I also think Genn has some of the best character development, if you haven’t read Lord of his Pack, Wolfheart, and Before the Storm you should. Those stories along with what we have seen in-game shows a lot of character development for Genn, he went from being extremely prideful and thinking Gilneas needs no one, to becoming humbled and accepting the Kaldorei’s help and considering them close allies. After Gilneas fell, up until Before the Storm Genn hated Sylvanas AND the Forsaken, only seeing them as monsters, but in Before the Storm Genn finally comes to realize the Forsaken aren’t monsters they are just victims to Sylvanas’s evilness as well. That’s character development. 

Let’s not forget Genn’s whole father son relationship with Anduin either! Or the fact that Genn showed his true allegiance to the Kaldorei and Tyrande by choosing to help them in Darkshore instead of helping Anduin and the Alliance raid Zuldazar.  There is so much to Genn that people just refuse to see because all they want to do is point fingers and call him a warmonger who started the war, which he really didn’t.

Sorry for the rant! Thanks for the ask @shuuhuu

[andarion]

Marcelloix’s Journal Entry: Observations on the cabal members.

By now I’ve had sufficient time and experiences around the Cabal to have a clear picture on most of the members, saver for a couple of them, nevertheless I will remain to act cautiously around them, after all none of them have gotten to the positions they are now at by playing nice. That said as always the cabal is a tool for me, a garden that I must tend to for the sake of appearance’s, if it is successful it will no doubt help me with my personal endeavors in Ishgard, though that spotlight may be slightly detrimental.

But I digress, here are my observations and thoughts on the cabal members:

Anthony Crawford:

A man with little apparent backbone, highly dependent on his brother, perhaps naïve as well and somewhat easy to manipulate, or at least he’s too timid to take any serious stance, in regards to the interactions between members of the cabal he tends to be rather passive and once again relies on his brother for judgment. Perhaps of all the members of the cabal he’s the less morally corrupt…though it all could be for show so I’ll keep observing him

Maximillian Crawford:

A rather self centered man, with what seems to be little patience, in general I’d say that out of the two Crawford’s he’s the brains behind their operations and movements within the cabal. I haven’t had many interactions with him, but he is definitely a smart man, much in ways like Maimhov or even myself.

D’hio Maimhov:

A rather…mysterious man in his own regard, though certainly dangerous. Out of the entire cabal probably the most dangerous person, even if he’s ‘leashed’ by Rochester. He’s cunning but has a rather direct and perhaps brutal approach to take care of his issues at least from what I’ve gleaned in some of our interactions. The fact that Rochester keeps him around in spite of that nature is quite telling, more so that he’s her right hand…

Regardless, he also strikes me as someone with a rather interesting dependence on Rochester, their small…absence in the first meeting was abnormal, I’m not sure if it would be prudent to prod on the topic as it may give me more troubles than what it is worth.

Sylastair Wolfheart:

A man of simple origins who has worked his way up to his current position no doubt, and definitely one of the most cunning members of the cabal, despite his games and apparent laidback behavior I have no doubt that he’s someone who likes to know what are the other player’s hands, and he’s constantly testing the waters in subtle way. His charisma and apparent lax behavior may make him look like nothing but a ‘court jester’ in the eyes of some, but to think that of him would be utterly foolish, for it is possible that before long we would all be dancing at the jester’s tune.

Despite these observations I believe that in general he may not be a threat overall and I’ve tried to aid him as that would benefit the cabal as a whole as a way to counterbalance some of the most serious personalities such as Maimhov, or myself.

K’alya Basari:

Thavnarian, and that is enough for me to keep some relative distance at least until I can cover my own tracks from my past in the near east, though that aside she seems rather serious and uptight, but that is most expected all things considered.

Vilde Eres:

Calm and pragmatic Vilde seems to be a rather strange figure in the cabal, at least for the untrained eye, he seems closer to Rochester than anyone in the cabal, though definitely for the most part a reserved individual Vilde could prove to be decisive in any big decision making in the Cabal should the situation require that.

Drakkaern Vesperius:

Arrogant and with a rather fragile ego, definitely a fine example of what ‘Highborn’ Elezen can be, and not in a good way. Though mostly annoying than anything else, despite what he probably believes for himself I wouldn’t consider him a threat or a substantial player in the Cabal at large, though Rochester could always sway him to her side, I think that won’t be happening any time soon.

Islabeu Sahb-Mulaire:

A rather…peculiar woman with peculiar tastes, though she owes me her seat in the Cabal, she most definitely is a good addition considering her company and views, she could prove to be a valuable asset to the organization. I must keep her close however as that could prove to be important if Maimhov decides to actually move on his intentions revealed in the little game the other day…

Sasha Rochester:

A very cunning woman hailing from a rather wealthy family and the current head of the cabal, she definitely is charismatic and will play to whatever people want to hear in order to worm her way in, though rather vain. I dedicated quite a long time to check on her background, her grandmother is a rather influential scholar in the Sharlayan motherland, that in itself could prove mildly problematic for me should she take an interest in me, but that is something I can work my way around with some relative ease.

Nevertheless for such a cunning woman she seems to be swayed by emotion, as evidenced in her marriage, from what I could gather in Ul’dah and later by questioning a former bodyguard of hers a Miqo’te man named X’elo Maimhov, the connection with D’hio remains unclear at this moment and prodding too much directly could cause me issues. Nevertheless from what I gleaned this X’elo, has nothing special about him and yet she married him of all the people.I strongly believe that if she any weak point it could be this man, despite what she may say in public…However I do hope things do not come to a point where I’d have to use such against her.

In general however I do like her company even though I really shouldn’t...

[mercurial-muses]

A Family Matter

A bedsheet-sized square of canvas was spread across the kitchen floor in front of Penny’s stove. Lined up neatly along the edge of the drop cloth were an assortment of hand tools and brushes, accompanied by a can of oil and a dirty but neatly folded rag. The stove itself had obviously been cleaned recently, and a warm glow from the fire box served as proof that it was back to work. The scene several feet back was far less orderly.

Larkin sat cross-legged at the back edge of the tarp with paper schematics unfolded over her lap. There was grease on her fingers and a smudge of it on her right cheek as well. A pencil was tucked behind her left ear, framed by wisps of hair that had slipped free of her ponytail. Her face was screwed up in intense concentration as she carefully fitted a door onto the small stove that stood in front of her, a miniature copy of Penvenom’s favorite stove back at the abbey.

Penny came in and looked at the scene for a moment “Chief?”

“Penny?” she echoed, a little distractedly.

“W..what are you doing…?”

“I gave the stove a good going over, maintenance and cleaning,” she said, gesturing at the kitchen stove with a sharp tilt of her chin. “And it occurred to me that, no matter the condition it’s in, it is not the stove from back at the abbey.” The engineer peered up at Penny, then returned her attention to the mini stove in front of her. “So I thought I’d build one like that. Well, a small prototype for starters.”

The engineer had barely taken a single deep breath before she continued on. “I didn’t want to waste too many resources on what’s basically an experim-” The words cut short and Lark shook her head. “Sorry to babble,” she said, then offered a sheepish smile. “I guess talking makes for a nice break from overthinking.”

Penny smiled and came in to look over her stove. “D..don’t tell Maggie, but you’re the only one I let touch her…” She smiled again.

“I’m genuinely honored.” Larkin’s grin came easier this time.

The chief looked around then, and it occurred to her just how much space she was taking up… and not on her own turf. “Oh,” she said quietly to herself as she scrambled to her feet.

“I can start hauling this stuff out of here, Penny, give you your kitchen back.”

“N..no it’s alright..I, umm, can share my….workshop w..with you. I…I was going to make tea…did you want some?”

“I wouldn’t mind some,” the chief replied even as she set to work.

Larkin grabbed the large paper schematics that had been in her lap and carefully spread them over one end of the table. She then hefted the small prototype stove up as well. With those things out of the way, she made quick work of folding the dropcloth and dragging it into a corner. It was soon joined by all the tools, bits and bobs she wasn’t currently using. Hands on hips, she looked around the kitchen again and dipped her head in a curt nod.

“There now. That looks a little more like sharing space, and less like me monopolizing it.”

“I…if you ever saw a kitchen a….real noble’s kitchen, you would find th..that there is a great deal of space sharing.” Penny got the tea on.

Taking a seat in front of the mini stove, Larkin grabbed a length of thick wire and began to twist it into a spring handle with a pair of pliers. "I was hoping you’d show up while I was still in here, to be honest.” She set her project down when her hands began to shake. “Seems the kitchen is where we’ve had some of or most important talks, y'know?”

Penny nodded. With the kettle on, she moved to get some bread out and some cold meats. “K…kitchens a..are, umm, safe places.”

“It’s become the first place I think of when I hear the word ‘home’.”

The engineer propped both elbows on the table and rested her chin atop her clasped hands. “I never really used or understood that word the way most others do, until I started to truly settle in at the abbey. Growing up, home was just a place. There was no emotion or sentiment attached to it.”

Penny tilted her head a bit, like she was trying to understand that, then nodded. “H….home was for me….a kitchen like this. Some people think that’s sad, but…I always felt warm.”

“The Pack,” Lark began. “We’re all a bit broken in our own ways, flawed, but I think we’ve done a good job of making a home at the abbey. I believe we’re making one here too.” There was wistfulness in the chief’s gaze then, run through with a shadow of something else. Reluctance? Fear? “Makes me wonder if I have a fair chance of making the word ‘family’ mean something, like ‘home’ now does. Do you think…?”

Sighing, the chief shook her head and picked up the beginnings of that spring handle to spin it idly between her fingers. “Nevermind.”

Penny nodded. She wasn’t about to pry. However, with the tea done, she placed a cup down for her packmate, loaded it with milk and sugar. Beside it, she set a plate with some cold meats and the leftovers of that day’s bread.

“A…aren’t we a family? I…I mean I had father, then Cook. Maybe then Moni….so I shouldn’t really…compare…”

“A matter of semantics with me, I think,” Lark replied. “I guess, emotionally, ‘Pack’ speaks best to my connection with you all. But when it comes down to it, I guess you and the others are the closest thing to real family I’ve had.”

Larkin stared at Penny for a moment that was long enough to border on uncomfortable. “Maybe that’s why it’s felt so important to me, over the past few days especially, that I discuss something with you.” She chuckled. “Maggie too, if I can ever pin the woman down long enough.”

“Oi’ve gotten tricksier an’ softer footed’ve late. Harder an’ harder to pin me down, seems.” The knight seemed to have found just the right moment to wander into the kitchen to hear something she could respond to. She had such a crooked smile.

“Wo’s on your mind, Larks?”

Penny looked over, smiling shyly as she got out another tea cup.

A hint of a smile mirrored Maggie’s. “Your entrances may have gotten less brazen, but your timing remains perfect.” Lark visibly relaxed in her chair. “Still in the habit of showing up right when I need you, it seems.”

The chief looked from one woman to the next and took a deep breath. “I need your opinions, possibly a dose of good sense too. Aside from Wieda, I trust no one more, so…”

Larkin’s attention turned to Penny again. “Have some of that cooking sherry around?” As she posed the question, she made a mental note to stock the kitchen with some real booze.

Penny nodded and opened a cupboard. In the back, all tucked away, was the bottle.

“Umm you want..a…a drink?”

“Couldn’t hurt.” Lark chuckled softly.

Penny got out the older tea cups that she sometimes used and poured three glasses for them.

As soon as one of the cups was placed in front of her, the chief lifted it to her lips and downed half of the liquid in one go. She exhaled over a quiet ‘ugh’ and wrinkled her nose. The dry bitterness was unexpected, a necessary evil she’d have to take along with the effects of the alcohol.

Penny tilted her head a bit. “Y…you don’t like it?” she looked at the bottle as if something is wrong with it.

“It’ll do,” Larkin replied with an amused grin. As if to emphasize her point, the chief raised the teacup again and drained it. Though she did much better with schooling her reaction that time, she couldn’t help the momentary shiver that coursed over her. She took a long, deep breath, and then another. A third inhale, and as she breathed out- “I’d like to ask Wieda to marry me.”

Lark moved to take up her cup once again, but realized it was empty. Without missing a beat, she reached across the table and grabbed Maggie’s. “Light help me,” she muttered as she downed that one as well.

Penny stopped and stared at her then smiled a little, looking at her own feet for a second. “Oh…” That smile stayed on her lips, though.

Maggie settled in near the table, near the two of them, though she didn’t take a seat. At the query, at the offered thought, she grinned. It was such a broad, wild grin. “Isn’ tha’ a thing.”

“I….umm wait a second.” Penny got a step stool and moved a few more things, pulling out a second bottle and stepping down. “I…I was umm saving this….” She opened that bottle and, after draining her cup and going flush, poured from it for them all. It was also cooking sherry.

Larkin sat up a little straighter. “I just want to do this right, but Loch…” She quieted, sighed. “So I’m asking you formally. I need to know that you both, as Wieda’s family, give your blessing.”

“Family? Loch… Oh.” Maggie let out a long, slow sigh then tipped back the cup Penny had poured for her. Sipping it, sort of savouring it, and sort of not.

She thought about it for a moment, but only to ensure that her answer was real and true. Double-checking instinct. She raised her empty glass in a toast before setting it next to Penny for a refill. “You’ve my blessing.”

It was that simple, for the rebel-turned-maid-turned-knight.

“A…ask us… you don’t need to…” Penny sat also.

“I wanted to. It’s important to me, and I know it will be to Wieda as well. It matters, Penny.”

“Y..yes….I mean….of course I…” Penny smiled so big and raised her cup.

“On the ship…” Maggie sort of quietly looked to Penny, a question in her eyes. “Would you have it on the Wolfheart?” She looked to Larkin. “Thousan’ feet inna air, that’s a day to remember.” She grinned.

Larkin smiled in kind, but it dimmed almost as quick as it had appeared. “That’s Wieda’s call as much as mine.” Her gaze flooded with worry. “And that’s if she says yes to begin with.”

Maggie sort of glanced off into the distance for a moment, nowhere in particular, then smiled a little. She looked back at Larkin. “Buttons to buttons, she does.”

“C…cake will you let….me make it as a gift?”

The chief laughed and her smile returned. “Could I stop you?”

Maggie grinned at that. “Not safely.”

Though her mouth was still bowed, Lark leveled a serious gaze at Maggie. “Will you stand up for me, be at my side for the ceremony?”

Penny smiled at that and sipped her sherry.

Maggie blinked, and kind of started a bit. You could almost see the gears slowly chugging to work it through, she had a slow, almost ponderous way of working through some kinds of things.

She eventually let out a breath, then nodded. “I’ll be your secon’, Larks.”

She said it like Larkin was setting up for a duel. Nevermind that she was intending to propose to a noblewoman, and it wasn’t entirely unheard of for the best (person) to end up as a second in a duel.

The chief blew out a breath, clearly relieved. “Thanks, Maggie. I can think of none better.”

“S…she’ll do you proud.”

"Already does,” Lark countered Penny without hesitation. “The whole pack does.”

Penny goes a touch flush, but it might be the drink.

“Thank you both.” Lark pressed her right hand to her heart, gratitude and happiness so clear in her expression. “So much.”  She smiled at the maid-turned-lady. “You’ve done many great things, Penny, but none as important as starting and nurturing this family we’ve got.”

Penny isn’t sure what to say to that. “J…just what what had to be done. G…glad you…stayed with us.”

Larkin gave her a wink and a warm smile. “Smartest thing I’ve done thus far.”

[locke-writes]

Performances

Author: locke-writes

Title: Performances

Prompt: How-how long have you been standing there x Rafael Barba For: Anon

Rating: K

Word Count: 511

Tagging: @aryn-the-wolfheart @pinetree111

You hadn't meant to stay the night at Rafael's, you really hadn't. It wasn't supposed to be a date night at all. Liv had asked you to stop by his office to drop off some case files and you had agreed. That was supposed to be it but instead you got there about a half an hour after he left and so went to his apartment.

The two of you hadn't been dating for very long which meant that none of the squad were aware. It also meant that you knew where his apartment was but had no excuse if anyone else asked. But Rafael didn't mind you showing up late at night at his place and instead of just taking the case files like you had anticipated he invited you in for dinner. You weren't going to turn down a home-cooked meal and saw no harm in entering his apartment.

It was dinner. That was it. And that was all it was supposed to be until Rafael sat down on his couch and began going over the files. He asked you questions about the specifics of the case, knowing that you could answer. Knowing that you might have answers to anything pertaining to statements and evidence. You stayed to answer these questions and that was supposed to be that. There was not supposed to be anything after, but then Rafael asked you to stay.

Well he had asked if you wanted to watch a movie after you were done going over the files. It wasn't too late, Rafael had proclaimed to turn the night into a date night, plus a movie with Rafael did sound nice. Saying yes was what lead to you spending the night. He put on the movie, some comedy you both hadn't seen, but about halfway through you fell asleep. Or at least that's what you had assumed must have happened as you woke up with a blanket over you and a pillow under your head.

You hadn't woken up on your own accord though, no, something had awoken you. A sound. A voice actually. Someone singing. Whatever the song was you didn't know but you did recognize the voice as Rafael's.

Wandering into the kitchen you were witness to Rafael dancing and singing while making breakfast. Not wanting to interrupt because you were enjoying his singing you stood, watched, and waited for him to notice. It took a bit longer than you had thought it would take for him to notice you, only seeing you standing by his fridge when he turned to grab a plate.

"How - how long have you been standing there" Rafael questioned.

"Long enough to want an encore performance" you smirked.

He didn't respond, instead dishing out eggs on two plates and handing you one of them.

"You've got a great voice you should sing more."

"Mhmm." Rafael nodded before taking a bite of some toast.

"I'm serious. You should, just maybe not in court. The singing lawyer is probably a title you don't want to have placed on you."

[katieskarlette]

Stormrage and Shadowsong in Space

1253 words of unapologetic, self-indulgent, only semi-serious Illidan x Maiev fluff, set soon after the Antorus cinematic.  I had to.

Major spoilers for Patch 7.3 / the Antorus raid.  Also a spoiler for the novel Wolfheart, but if you quested through western Val’sharah you already know it. 

Content warnings:  Angst, sexual tension, kissing with tongue but nothing else explicit.  Needless to say, if you hate the ship, don’t read this.

Also on Ao3.

“So,” came an all-too-familiar voice from behind.  “I understand someone needs advice on keeping a highly dangerous, evil prisoner subdued indefinitely.”

Illidan did not turn around, but his hands curled into tight fists.  “How did you get here?” he growled.

“Tsk.  Haven’t you learned by now that I can hunt you down, any time, anywhere?”

He drew himself up to his full height, then slouched in defeat as he exhaled.  “I’m surprised it took you this long to follow me, to be honest.”

Clanking footsteps approached, along with the swish and clink of her jagged cloak.  “I had other business on Azeroth to wrap up, first.  I knew you’d be easy to find, making a spectacle of yourself, as usual.”

She came to a stop beside him but kept her eyes on the infinite expanse of stars through the viewport.  He did not turn to face her, but he was mildly surprised to find her helmet was nowhere to be seen.  Her long, white hair was up in its customary ponytail, but her head was bare.   A few new scars marked her skin since their last meeting, but her aura of stubborn ferocity was the same as ever.

A moment of heavy silence passed before she spoke again.  “This is quite a splendid mess, even for you.”

He gave an amused snort.  “What, no grand speeches about destiny?  No platitudes about my sacrifice?  No formal announcement that my past crimes have been forgiven?”

She shrugged, a gesture made all the more noticeable by the arched spikes on her shoulder armor.  “You get to be the big damn hero, just like you always wanted.  I don’t see the point in inflating your ego further.”

He turned to face her instead of the viewport, partially unfurling his wings in a defensive posture.  “At least this time my banishment is by choice,” he said with a bitter sneer.

“Yes, yes, play the martyr,” she said, rolling her eyes.  “You still don’t know the first thing about playing warden to an extremely powerful prisoner.”

“I may have been on the other side of the bars for ten thousand years, but I do have quite a lot of experience on the topic.”

“Irrelevant.  I remember the shoddy job you did with my prison in Outland.”

“Hey, now, I--”

“I escaped,” she said sharply.  “I won’t risk such failure this time.  Let an expert handle this.”

He bristled, baring his fangs.  “You won’t risk it?  This has nothing to do with you, Maiev!”

She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.  “Protecting our people, our world...that’s all that matters.  We have to make sure Sargeras never, ever catches a whiff of freedom again,” she said fiercely.

“And that’s the only reason you’re here, I suppose,” he said with a knowing smirk.  “Concern for the greater good of Azeroth.”

She stiffened defensively.  “Of course.”

He leaned closer and brushed the back of one finger over her cheek.  “Your...obsession with me has nothing to do with it, I’m sure.”

She scowled but did not pull away from his touch.  “I know you, Illidan.  You’ll find a way to mess this up, and I intend to be here to do damage control when you do.”

“Your confidence is flattering, Warden,” he said with a mocking bow of his head.  “But unconvincing.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“Hmm.  Some things never change, I suppose.”

“No,” she whispered.  “They don’t.”

They regarded each other in silence for a moment, suddenly acutely aware of how close they were standing to each other.

At first Maiev stared at him with a stony expression, but slowly her brow arched in something akin to sorrow.  “We’ve been fighting for so, so long,” she said quietly.

“We’ve won, Maiev.  The Burning Legion has been neutralized, at long last.  It’s over.”

“I wasn’t talking about the Burning Legion,” she said flatly.

“Then what...?”

She straightened her posture and fixed him with a hard glare.  “Us.  For ten centuries we’ve been at each other’s throats, but now...  I know what it was like to live in a world without you, Illidan.  It was a greater prison than anything you set up in Shadowmoon.  I had no purpose, no focus...  I tried to kill my own brother!”

“Oh good, then you can stop making a fuss about when I did that.”

She swung out to smack his arm.  He didn’t flinch when her gauntlet collided with his bicep.  “I’m serious!” she snarled.  “It nearly broke me!  After everything we have been through, after everything I’ve survived, being without you was the one thing I couldn’t--  I couldn’t--”  She faltered, and he tilted his head to inspect her more closely.

“Maiev, are you...crying?”

“No!” she insisted, although her voice did sound strained.  “I most certainly am not!”  She took a moment to calm her breathing, then continued in a calmer tone.  “But I’m not going to live like that again.  You said it yourself:  the huntress is nothing without the hunt.  I...  I need you, Illidan.  As a prisoner, protege, partner, nemesis...it doesn’t matter.  I need you in my life.”

He shook his head.  “Maiev, you hate me,” he reminded her.

“Of course I do!” she snapped.  “You hate me, too.”

“An accurate statement.”

“It doesn’t matter.  We’re bound together, Illidan.  Fate, destiny, curse, whatever.  Our souls are so intertwined after all we’ve been through that when we’re apart I feel like part of myself is missing.”  She reached up to hold his cheek.  “You feel it, too, don’t you?”

He swallowed but said nothing, his face unreadable.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you’d rather spend eternity with no one but the Titans for company, out here in the Great Dark.  Tell me that hatred is all you feel for me.”

He lifted a hand to cover the one she still had cupped over his left cheek.  “Maiev, this is my destiny.  I must--”

She dug in her fingernails so deeply that he strongly suspected he would have half moon-shaped marks on his face for hours afterward.  “I am your destiny,” she hissed.  “And you are mine.”

They stood locked in a stalemate for several long seconds, energy building between them.  As always, neither of them knew what form that energy would take when it released.

This time, as in many times before when there were no witnesses, they collided in a hungry kiss.  Maiev stood on tip-toe until he lifted her effortlessly with hands around her waist.  She wrapped her legs around his middle, running her hands through his dark, silken hair as their tongues took turns invading each other’s mouths.

“Mmmaiev,” he purred, lightly biting her lower lip with the last syllable.

“Oh, my Illidan,” she replied, claiming and condemning him in the same breath.  “You insufferable, reckless--”  He kissed her again, interrupting the familiar string of insults.

She made a happy noise and held him tighter.

His lips strayed from her mouth and traveled down the line of her throat.  “Stay,” he murmured.

She shivered pleasantly at his breath on the side of her neck.  “I will.”

“I cannot imagine how boring the coming centuries would be without you around to aggravate me,” he said with a low chuckle.

“I look forward to it,” she said with a wicked grin.

And they lived snarkily ever after in their outer space love nest, irritating the hell out of Sargeras with their banter, and making the most melodramatic, stubborn babies ever.  The end.

[tanglestripe]

Islandclan’s Struggle Ch 8

[AO3] [Fanfiction]

Badgerclaw slipped out of camp with Tanglestar after Flamepelt's warrior ceremony, walking beside her leader once they were out of camp. Tanglestar stopped at the border, looking at her.

"Lionkit is ill again. He only has a chill, but Spottedstream was worried it could turn into a cough." she stated, watching Badgerclaw's reaction. She was surprised, and worried about him, but she also knew that he was determined to be a warrior. And if he was determined, she knew he could do it. She looked straight back at her and hoped that her face showed the confidence she felt.

"He will be fine. And I know that if he wants it enough, you would never be able to tell that he was a sickly kit once he becomes a warrior." she replied. Tanglestar looked at her another moment, and she could almost feel her tail twitch in impatience, even though she no longer had one. She had to make Lionkit a warrior! He so badly wanted to be a normal kit, and it wasn't his fault that he was born small.

"Alright," Tanglestar meowed after a moment, turning to wade into the stream that made up the border. "I trust you to know what is best for him." She followed, and once they had crossed the border, they continued on silently. The dog pack had decided to allow them to continue to go to the cove because it was their place to contact Starclan, but she was always nervous being on their territory. They walked as close to the cliff as they could until they reached the path that would take them down to the beach. Badgerclaw followed behind Tanglestar, worried that she would slip on the rocks as they picked their way down. She carefully put her feet where the leader did and breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the bottom, standing there when Tanglestar approached the pool at the back of the  cave, as she had when she was an apprentice. The water reflected the moon, and she startled a little when the leader spoke.

"Come, share tongues with Starclan. They might give you some insight." She meowed, a knowing look in her eye as Badgerclaw walked over and crouched beside her. "Drink from the pool and close your eyes, and they will come to you in your dreams." She did as she was told and took a drink. The water tasted like ice and when she closed her eyes she felt as if her whole body was slowly freezing. When she felt she could move again and opened them, she was in a lush forest. She could hear and scent prey scuttling in the undergrowth and saw cats milling about in the grass, chasing prey or chatting as they walked.

"Badgerclaw!" Her heart soared as she heard a familiar voice behind her, turning to see the prettiest grey she-cat she had ever seen.

"Quailfeather," she breathed. The last time she'd seen her, she was receiving her warrior name before she died.

"We need to talk, my love." She heard her speak, but she was so overwhelmed.

"It's been so long," she whispered.

"Badgerclaw, you need to listen to me." She sounded serious, and now she had her attention. She paused before continuing, softer than before. "I've seen you with Applepaw." Badgerclaw flinched and ducked her head.

"I'm sorry. I have been trying to be faithful." she meowed. She felt her lick her head and looked up. She could see the love in her eyes.

"Badgerclaw, I love you. But I am dead, and we were young. It is okay to move on." she meowed, giving her another lick. "She's always liked you, but you picked me and she respected that. I may be with Starclan now, but I want you to be happy."

"I'll always love you, Quailfeather," she promised. She blinked, and when she opened her eyes, she was blinking awake in front of the pool. Tanglestar was starting to stir beside her, and they both stood. She looked to her leader, but Tanglestar ran her tail over her muzzle in a signal to stay quiet. She nodded and followed along silently as Tanglestar led the way out of the cove and back up the slope. The sun was just barely beginning to rise as they headed for the border and once they had crossed she signaled with her tail for the warrior to stop. They both sat on the bank of the river, and Badgerclaw gave her chest a few anxious licks that she told herself were to warm her up from the cold swim across the border. When she looked up, Tanglestar had her tail wrapped around her paws.

"Starclan spoke to me about Lionkit." she began, and Badgerclaw knew the hope must show on her face, because Tanglestar's whiskers twitched in amusement. "If he is out of the medicine den when he turns six moons, he and his siblings will become 'paws. If not, he will have to wait until he's no longer fighting an illness. But he will become an apprentice." She wanted to hop like an excited kit, but instead dipped her head respectfully.

"Thank you for taking me seriously, Tanglestar. I know I have only been a warrior for four short moons." she meowed.

"The opinion of every cat in the clan is important, Badgerclaw." She stood, shaking out some of the water from her fur. "Come, we must get back to camp." She fell into step beside her leader, thinking that she seemed so much wiser than the warrior and deputy she had known as an apprentice.

* * *

Badgerclaw stretched when she walked into the clearing. She had gone into the warriors den to sleep when they returned, not answering anyone's questions about where she had been all night other than that she'd had Tanglestar's permission to be out. Now it was nearly sunhigh. She'd been awoken by Hailstripe prodding her and muttering that Ravenfeather wanted her for a hunting patrol, and to stop being a dormouse just because she was allowed to get some extra sleep. She yawned and padded over to the deputy, who had already assigned the patrols for the day and was laying in the sun to try to keep warm.

"Go with Hailstripe and Rippletail," he meowed, not even opening his eyes. She dipped her head and left him alone. He was not cruel by any means, but he had a temper, and she knew that disturbing him more could get her clawed. She hurried after her brother and their friend, laughing at the face her brother made when she caught up to them.

"Ravenfeather asked me to come with. Unless you would rather be alone..." she teased, bumping his shoulder with her own. When he grumbled, she licked his ear.

"I'm not mousebrained, I've seen how you two look at each other. Have fun on your hunt." She turned and padded away, chuckling to herself. They'd had eyes on each other for moons now, it would not be long until the entire clan was gossiping about them. She'd be surprised if the elders weren't already. Wolfheart always seemed to know who would end up with who. She had even known she liked Quailfeather before she'd told anyone, and she'd heard the elders talk about how she practically set up Nightwhisker and Clovernose before Clovernose was even a she-cat. She stopped by the stream, looking down into the water. The fish were beginning to disappear, going into deeper waters to keep warm, and it felt like forever before she saw one that she could reach. She scooped it out, fast as a lightning strike, and gave it a killing blow before it could flop back into the water.

She turned when she heard pawsteps, and yowled when she saw a dog shoot out of the bush behind her. It scooped up her fish and bolted across the border, and she sprinted after it. The clan needed fresh-kill and she wasn't just going to let this dog have it. She sprinted after him, jumping and landing firmly on his hindquarters. She dug her claws in, trying to pull him backwards with her weight. He yelped and tripped, dropping the prey in his jaws, and Badgerclaw used the opportunity to snatch the fish from him. She sprinted for the border with it, the dog hot on her heels. She could not just lead him to the camp. She was starting to realize that the fish might not be worth her life. It was torn and stank of dog. But it was food, and as leaf-fall was truly settling over the forest, the clan needed to eat to keep up their strength.

She turned quickly running along the border. The dog following howled and gave chase as a smaller dog launched himself over the border and gave chase as well. Her legs were burning, but she needed to protect the camp. She was trying to decide where to go when she heard a wail. She turned her head and saw Lionkit cowering before a third dog. How did he get out of camp? It was too much. She crossed the border, it was shallower here and she did not have to swim, dropping the fish on the dogs side before launching herself up a tree. She ran along a branch and jumped to a tree across the border, quickly scrambling down the trunk to get to the scared kit. The two dogs who had chased her lost interest and were tearing into their fish when she jumped in front of the third. She snarled, protecting the kit with her body.

"Lionkit, run. Get help." she ordered. He squeaked, hurrying backwards.

"But what about Applepaw?" he asked. Badgerclaw's heart lurched. Of course the kit was out with the apprentice. Probably offered to follow her and carry herbs back, or tracked her to show that he could be an apprentice too. She would have to deal with the dog first, she decided. He was growling and slowly advancing on her.

"Go!" she yowled as she jumped forward, latching onto its face with her claws. She raked them over its eyes, hissing and spitting until it yelped. She jumped down as it pelted across the border, the other two following after it after a threatening yowl from the warrior. Once they were gone, she smelled the air. She knew Lionkit was gone, but the reek of dog drowned out the scent of the medicine cat apprentice.

"Applepaw!" she called. She poked her head inside a bush, but she wasn't there. She stiffened at the sound of a whimper and moved towards it. Against the roots of a tree was Applepaw. She was laying awkwardly, and for a second she saw Quailfeather in her nest again, struggling to breathe. She heard another whimper which brought her to the present, and stepped close, licking gently over her neck.

"I'm here now, it's alright." she murmured, giving her a few more licks. She heard thundering pawsteps as a group of warriors rushed toward them.

"Applepaw!" Mousestep called, running over to them. He gave his daughter a few licks and looked pointedly at Badgerclaw. "What happened?"

"I found her here. Lionkit was about to be killed by a dog when I got here." she reported. Hailstripe, Batwhisker, and Ravenfeather ran up.

"The dogs are gone," Ravenfeather reported. "What happened?" Badgerclaw repeated that she had just found her here, then gently grabbed her by the scruff and pulled her off of the roots. She let herself be carried for a moment, then got her feet under her. She didn't seem to be limping more than normal, she already walked with an awkward hop, but leaned heavily on Badgerclaw as they walked. She signaled with her ear for the patrol to continue, and her and Mousestep supported Applepaw on the short walk to camp.

"'s Lionkit safe?" she whispered as they walked, voice slurred

"A little shaken up, but he'll be fine," Mousestep meowed softly.

"Think I hit my head." she mumbled. She was trying to hop along, but her paws did not seem to want to hold her up. Mousefur and Badgerclaw positioned her so they could keep her up between them, and mostly dragged her the rest of the way to camp. Spottedstream was waiting by the camp entrance, pacing back and forth across the camp, her tail lashing. She stopped when they walked into camp, and ran over to escort them to the medicine den. Splashfur was curled around Lionkit, and pulled the tiny kit back into the nest when he tried to run over to them.

"Applepaw!" he cried. His mother shushed him gently and he whimpered, cowering against her but watching them with huge eyes. They gently settled her in a nest, and Mousestep stood beside her while Badgerclaw settled on her other side. She gave her head a lick while the medicine cat looked her over.

"She said she thought she hit her head," Mousestep reported. Spottedstream nodded and hurried to the back of the den where the herbs were stored. After a moment, she called Badgerclaw's name, and she stood, hurrying to follow her. She was pulling out and sorting through herbs, pushing a small pile of herbs toward her.

"Give one to Lionkit and the rest to Applepaw, it'll prevent shock." She continued sorting through her herbs as Badgerclaw picked them up and left.

"Here, Lionkit, eat this." she meowed once she had returned. For once, the kit didn't argue. She then gently pushed the herbs to Applepaw. "Spottedstream said you need to eat these to prevent shock." Applepaw whimpered, eyes closed tight. She gave her ear a soothing lick. "Come on, you need to so you can get better." Applepaw whimpered again, but obediently chewed and swallowed the herbs.

"'m head hurts," she mumbled. Badgerclaw gave her head a few more licks, settling in the nest beside her.

"I know. Spottedstream will be right back with something to make you feel better." she promised. True to her word, Spottedstream came back only a few moments later, carrying a bundle and placing it down in front of her apprentice.

"Both of you, out." she ordered, sniffing over Applepaw's head. Both warriors looked at her for a moment, and Badgerclaw opened her mouth to argue, but Mousestep stood.

"Come on, Badgerclaw. I know you're worried about her, but Spottedstream will do all she can." he murmured. She felt numb as she gave her another lick and murmured that she would be back. If she had a tail it would be drooping, and as it was her head hang as Mousestep led her out of the den. He licked her ear and murmured something that she didn't catch but was probably reassuring. She could not help but think of Quailfeather, and how she could be leaving Applepaw to die alone. She sat down outside of the medicine den, head hanging. Her clanmates whispered among themselves, and she was sure they were looking at her as Mousestep reassured them that Applepaw would be fine. But the words felt distant, like she was hearing them from one end of a long tunnel. After what felt like moons, Spottedstream stepped out of the den. She had a bundle of herbs with her and dropped them in front of Badgerclaw.

"She's resting now, and I do not want anyone to disturb her, but she will be fine." she meowed. Her voice wasn't much better than the others, but at least she could make out the words. The medicine cat pushed the herbs closer to her. "These are for you."

Badgerclaw bent down and ate them. They tasted like nothing, but that could be the numbness she felt like a cloud over her. Spottedstream gently nudged her shoulder with her nose.

"Go rest, Badgerclaw." she meowed. She shook her head, staring down at her paws. Spottedstream sighed and padded away, leaving her with her grief. She sighed and laid down outside the den, head resting on her paws. She didn't look up at the sound of pawsteps, even when she saw dark tabby paws in front of her nose that she knew had to belong to her leader.

"I heard you refuse to listen to Spottedstream," she meowed. She sighed and looked away.

"I am out here instead of with Applepaw." she replied. Her voice wasn't nearly as harsh as she had meant. She just sounded tired.

"You are. And I believe she asked you to return to the warriors den to rest."

"Just said to rest." she mumbled. She was so tired. She felt teeth on her scruff and opened her eyes, even if she didn't remember closing them. She was pulled into a sitting position and blinked to try to stay awake. Tanglestar let her go and gave her lick and head a few soothing licks.

"Go to your den, Badgerclaw. You have been through so much in your short moons as a warrior. You deserve a good night's rest." she meowed. Badgerclaw nodded a bit and got to her paws. They felt like stones as she padded to her den, her leader supporting her on one side. She mumbled an apology when she pulled away and made her way to her nest. She sank into the soft moss. The den was empty, but it was still warmer than outside, and it did not take her long to fall asleep.

[otteron-the-sun]

[2] Two side of a coin

State : In progress Characters : Moobin x Rocky x OC (Mee Joo) Genre : fluff / a bit of angst / maybe  future smut? Featured : Poly!Rockbin and College!AU Summary : Being a college student seems to be easier for your love life, little did I know that a bet between two guys won’t make everything goes so smoothly after all. Word count : 2,300+ Side note : I wanted to add, Mee Joo is only a true character, with her own life, and own look. If you want to identify at her while reading, you can, and change the look to yours, but I prefer her to be herself when I write. Then again, thanks to my baby @wolfheart-46 ♥

Previous part

Wednesday morning, it was an awful morning. I was terribly tired, face buried in my pillow, and letting out a long and raspy groan at the sound of my alarm going off. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to bed so late yesterday, but I thought that finishing my essay during the night was a better idea than doing it a bit each day and completing it the weekend. But there was the problem. Since I’ll be going to the party at SanHa’s fraternity, I prefer to finish it now and have a free weekend. Maybe free if no one give us homework on the meantime between today, and Friday evening. After a lot of efforts put together, I got up of my bed, staring blankly at the wall for a good minute, and then went take a shower, trying to wash the tiredness off. Not to mention, it didn’t totally worked, and I only want to go back to bed. But no. I have to go in class until the last one to finally go see Rocky for a bit. And I couldn’t hide that it was the only thing that motivated me to go through the day. But that also meant that I have to be cuter than usual, to keep a face in front of him. That’s why, after my shower, I walked to my closet and stood up for a while, staring at every pieces of clothing. And I tried to put two things that looked good together before adding a third, and another one. That’s how I finished with a white tank top, in my high-waisted jean. I really have a thing for high-waisted bottom uh. I took a flannel, a bit to hide my bare shoulder. And also to hide from the cold. We still were in the month of March, so, nop, too cold for only a tank top. Not forgetting to put my sneakers, eat breakfast and grab my coat before leaving, almost late. So, it was fun for the pedestrian, they looked at me, running down the way to the university, grabbing hard on my backpack. I ran until I was in front of my classroom and then stopped immediately, rearranging my hair. Shoot, I haven’t even put makeup on this morning. I’ll have to do it during my lunch break then. Once inside the room, I took my place, next to one of my best friend, Shin-Ae, and I leaned my head against her shoulder, quietly mumbling something close to a “good morning”, and she just patted my head with a laugh. “Wow, you look worse than usually, you don’t even have makeup on. Are you sick?” she couldn’t help but laugh when I looked at her with a yawn, before shaking my head, crossing my arms on the desk and leaning my head on it. Me, almost sleeping, was the first hour of the morning. I said sleeping? My bad, it was totally me, trying my best not to die while also trying to take notes, which was kind of a tough job. But after half of it, fighting against sleep, I started to feel better, more awake, and a part of this universe. It was at this moment that I looked around before pulling on Shin-Ae’s sleeve, tugging softly. “Do you think that I look good today? About my clothes. I’m going to see Rocky at the end of class, and I don’t want to look like some kind of joke beside him… I mean, he’s cute, and I look like… a goose.” She let out a little snort, rubbing little circles on my back, smiling at me. Before telling me that I look really cute, but I’ll look cuter with a hairdo and some makeup, and “she’s sooooooo gonna take care of that during lunch break”. What an angel, sometimes, I wonder what I’d without her, and the reply is: nothing, I’d be lost for my dates. But it wasn’t really a date with Rocky, so it wasn’t the matter right now. Was it? Just the thought of it being a date had my head spinning for a bit, biting slightly on my thumb, thinking about it for the rest of the morning, still taking notes, somehow. It’s true that we get along pretty well, and he is really cute, but… I don’t know, was it too soon? Too soon to go on a date? Come on, it’s just a date. Or maybe it wasn’t, actually. Lunch break was a true relief, eating a bit, thinking a lot. About everything. But I couldn’t just think too long before Shin-Ae pulled me on a chair in one of our classroom, and start doing my hair. She didn’t do much to it to be honest, just pulling it into a bit-messy bun, letting my fringe free. And when she did my makeup, oh boy, it was like being under the touch of a bunch of fairies. It was so nice and light. So peaceful. I could almost fell asleep under that touch. But I didn’t, and I ended with a really nice makeup, not too much on the eyes, not too much on the lips, something really natural, almost cute. Actually, I felt really cute for once. And her, she seemed like she had so much fun, taking care of me like a little doll or even a little girl. But me, I felt like seeing Rocky like that would be a piece of cake, since I was cute, I didn’t looked like some lost girl who cling to him because he’s so nice and so cute. I wonder if someone ever tried to act lost just to be with him for a bit. It wouldn’t even surprise me. Two more hours was spent in listening to the teachers, taking notes as always, and trying so hard to ignore all the little comments that everyone made once they saw me. It was from some guy telling that I was really pretty when I wanted to, to some girl saying that it wasn’t me, it didn’t suits me, and if it was for a guy, he probably won’t fall for me. So yeah, I decided that ignoring them was the best idea I could have today, before finally leaving the school. But seeing Rocky in front of the entrance door was quite unexpected. I mean, did he really knew where the literature building was, or he just guessed right. His head snapped up to look at me when he heard my footstep on the gravel. And I was greeted by his smile the second his eyes fell on me. “Wow, If I knew, I’d be wearing something a little more… I don’t know, classy? To match you.” Wow, is he serious? I mean, yeah, he don’t wear a tuxedo or nothing like that, but he’s really well-dressed. Shaking my head with a smile, I just looked at him before looking back at my school building. “Did you really knew where it was, or are you just a stalker?” “A stalker. Definitely.“ We burst into laughter after staring at it each other for way too long, and then, he explained to me how he knew. Actually, it was just Moonbin who told him where it was on the campus, because, of course that Binnie knew that. Even SanHa didn’t know where was my building, which was… not really surprising if we count that he didn’t even know where my apartment was. I mean, it’s SanHa, do we really need to add something here? During the walk to the coffee shop, the little talking was mostly about what we did those three last days. I mean, more him than me, since I just went to school, then went to work, before going back home and do my homework. But even though my days was pretty boring and tiring lately, he just listened to me complaining, and he complained with me at some point. Because it was fun to complain about things, like, school, homework, people. We really have a lot to complain about, and it’s nice to have someone that I can complain with. It was great to talk with him more than we did the last time, with the others. It was better to know each other that way, kind of easier. In front of us was standing a coffee shop that was way too familiar to me, since I usually work here after school. I didn’t mind coming here for a drink, since : first, I have a discount on everything because I’m an employee. Second, I could kill for their strawberry cake. But seeing me in one of my day off made my coworker laugh at the sight of me. “ Hey MeeJoo, you know that you don’t work on Wednesday? Or maybe you just missed seeing my face like I missed yours?” It was my turn to laugh, reading carefully the black boards with the drinks’ names on it, but nothing had change and I still know them all, them and what’s inside. “Mhmmm, no thank you, I’d rather have a drink.” And I winked to him, just to tease him before letting him take my command and Rocky’s one. We waited for it, with my comments on how slow my coworker was. We took a sit in one of the booth to be a bit more in a private space to talk. We just sat face to each other with our drinks displayed between us. My vanilla milkshake with my strawberry cake against his cold Americano and a simple chocolate crisp muffin. I took the opportunity of being on a banquette to be crossed-leg on it, doing my best to not let my feet touch the leather of the seat. It was way more comfortable this way. “Soooo.. You work here then? I’m sorry to bring you here during your day off… I just like this place.” He began, a bit embarrassed that it was my workplace, but I just brushed it off with a smile and a movement with my hand. “That’s okay, I like being here.. You should come Thursday afternoon, until 7, we could see each other that way !” Big smiles creep on both of our face. It could be way more nice to have him with me during work, it could make me feel less alone when there is no one with me, and it was always the case the Thursday afternoon. No coworkers, just me. The conversation went on, talking about what we do in our school course, what was the best and what was the worst in it. And he was so in love with dancing. The way he talked about it almost make me fall in love with it. With dancing, not in Rocky, slow down. He started to talk about their new project in dance, that’ll count in his grade for the semester, which was dancing with someone else. “ And of course, I chose Binnie as my partner, since I know him for a while now.” Of course. Strangely, with Rocky, it was always how Moonbin was nice, intelligent, knows a lot of things. But it was really cute to see him being his little hypeman, always there to say good things about him. It’s maybe what happen when you know someone for so long and never leave him on the side. And I thought about SanHa and me, we are close, we tell everything to the other, but since we aren’t together 24/7 like before, we prefer to roast each other when we’re together. And roast other people too. Not everyone have the lovey-dovey friendship apparently. While talking, my index finger drew little squares on the screen of my phone. We ate and drank but then, looking back at my phone, a question subsided in my mind, and I looked at Rocky “Tell me Rocky, how did you got my phone number ?”

“ Oh uh… I… First I asked SanHa but he refused because he didn’t want to be the one to ‘put us together’, so I stole his phone and tried to find by myself but I didn’t find your contact name…” He made a pause, reluctant to tell me how he did, so I decided to push him to do it “It’s probably CryBaby or something like that, if you ask me. But then how?” “ I asked Binnie, and he gave me your number.” Silence. The time my head process what he just said. It took me some attempts to finally talk, my mouth opening and closing a bunch of time before. “Why.. How did he do to have my number then?” I wasn’t even mad. Some sort of impressed and flattered, because we never talked before the diner. And so many girls were drooling over him. So, why me. “ I think he likes to have the number of people he want to talk to, but he never find the bravery to text you maybe. Do you want his phone number?” I let out a little “No thank you”, almost like a whisper. I’d love to talk to him, but I prefer to gather up the courage to ask his number directly, not like he did. But somehow, it’s cute that he wanted to talk to me for a while but never did. At the end of the afternoon, he decided that it was nice to escort me to my building to go home, once more. And it was quite useless to spend more time together, it’ll be just more and more awkward to have only one meeting where we talked about everything. We agreed to do that more often, before I climbed the stairs, finishing  my journey directly in my bed, not seeing the text on my phone before dozing off.

[18:51] Rocky : I hope you’ll be there Saturday, it’ll be funnier with you !

Next part

[buynewsoul]

Getting to Know and Love The German Shepard Dog (GSD)

The post Getting to Know and Love The German Shepard Dog (GSD) by Allan Reznik appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Alert, fearless, self-confident: Perhaps no breed is more instantly recognizable than the German Shepherd Dog. His heroic feats and high intelligence have earned him universal respect. The GSD will tackle any job with an incredible work ethic. Here are eight facts about this noble breed.

1. The Captain’s vision

Rin Tin Tin was one of the most popular GSD movie stars in history. Photography bum | Alamy Stock Photo.

Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz was born in 1864 and became known as the father of the German Shepherd Dog. From around the late 1880s to ’90s, Captain von Stephanitz began to standardize the breed. A medium-sized, yellow-and-gray wolflike dog had caught his eye at a dog show in western Germany. The dog was agile and powerful, possessing endurance and intelligence.

He was an able sheepherder who excelled at his job without training. The dog, Hektor Linksrhein, was bought by Captain von Stephanitz, renamed Horand von Grafrath and became the first registered German Shepherd Dog. The Captain established a breed parent club in Germany, became the first president and, in short order, established a type and look in the breed. His motto was “Utility and intelligence.”

For the Captain, beauty meant little if the dog lacked intelligence, temperament and anatomical efficiency. News traveled swiftly around the world and in 1907, the first GSD was exhibited in the United States. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America was established in 1913 with 26 charter members.

2. Temperament foremost

The courage that Captain von Stephanitz felt was the hallmark of the breed was equally prized by the early fanciers who crafted the American breed standard.

It describes the breed as having “a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert … Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character.”

3. A worker for every season

Captain von Stephanitz was impressed by the breed’s ability as a natural sheepherder, requiring only direction, no training. The GSD can still perform admirably in this capacity but is versatile enough to excel in so many other areas. His achievements as a service and war dog are legion.

The breed makes an excellent guide dog for the blind, police dog and search-and-rescue dog. As a guard dog and companion, he is unmatched. Whatever the task, the GSD rises to the occasion.

4. World politics in the breed

After World War I, anything associated with the name “German” fell out of favor, and people did everything possible to disassociate themselves with the name and the country. Many countries and kennel clubs changed the name of the breed to distance themselves from the negative feelings that a reference to Germany would harbor.

In 1917 the American Kennel Club decreed the elimination of the word “German” and the breed was known thereafter as the Shepherd Dog. That policy remained in place until May 19, 1930 when members of the Shepherd Dog Club of America voted to change the name to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

In England, Ireland and many other European countries the name of the GSD was changed to “Alsatian” (from the Alsace-Lorraine region). England has since returned to the name GSD although some nations still cling to Alsatian.

5. Harsh, double coat wanted

This breed is known for shedding, so frequent brushing is recommended. Photography ©Charlotte Reeves Photography.

The AKC breed standard calls for a double coat of medium length, as dense as possible, the hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. Although long-coated GSDs are seen, the breed standard considers long coats a fault, along with soft, silky, woolly or curly coats. The breed sheds heavily, so frequent brushing is recommended.

6. A coat of many colors

Although the breed comes in assorted colors, the standard specifies that strong, rich colors and patterns are preferred. Black-and-tan dogs are the most frequently seen, along with sables and solid blacks. Washed-out, dilute colors like blue and liver are serious faults. White Shepherds may compete in AKC obedience, agility and other performance events but are disqualified in the conformation show ring.

7. GSDs on the big screen

While we have our Lassies, Beethovens and Benjis to entertain us, no other breed has had as many canine stars on the big (and small) screen as the GSD. In addition to the timeless Rin Tin Tin (with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), the movies have been graced, over the decades, by the heroic exploits of Ace, Bullet, Jerry Lee, London, Ranger, Rusty, Sandow, Strongheart and Wolfheart.

8. Celebrity GSD owners

Owners of the German Shepherd Dog are as loyal as their dogs, and that includes many celebrity owners. Among the stars who live with a GSD are Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Lautner, Claudia Schiffer, Jennifer Aniston, Enrique Iglesias, Meryl Davis, Shania Twain, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Bo Derek.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Charlotte Reeves Photography.

About the author

Allan Reznik is a journalist, editor and broadcaster who specializes in dog-related subjects. He is the former editor-in-chief of Dogs in Review and former editor of Dog Fancy magazine. A city dweller all his life, on both coasts, he now enjoys the rural South with his Afghan Hounds, Tibetan Spaniels and assorted rescues.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Why read breed profiles?

Dog breed profiles help everyone, whether you have a mixed breed or purebred dog, to better understand and improve the quality of your dog’s life. If you have a mixed breed dog, read up on all of the breed profiles that make up your dog. Not sure what breed your dog is? There are a number of easy DNA tests out there to help your find out.

Thumbnail: Photography ©chris-mueller | Getty Images.

Learn more about dog breeds on Dogster.com:

5 Dogs Who Look Like Lions

When It Comes to Military Dogs, These 5 Breeds Are Military Heroes

Let’s Meet Some of the Best Service Dog Breeds

The post Getting to Know and Love The German Shepard Dog (GSD) by Allan Reznik appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[grublypetcare]

Getting to Know and Love The German Shepard Dog (GSD)

The post Getting to Know and Love The German Shepard Dog (GSD) by Allan Reznik appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Alert, fearless, self-confident: Perhaps no breed is more instantly recognizable than the German Shepherd Dog. His heroic feats and high intelligence have earned him universal respect. The GSD will tackle any job with an incredible work ethic. Here are eight facts about this noble breed.

1. The Captain’s vision

Rin Tin Tin was one of the most popular GSD movie stars in history. Photography bum | Alamy Stock Photo.

Max Emil Friedrich von Stephanitz was born in 1864 and became known as the father of the German Shepherd Dog. From around the late 1880s to ’90s, Captain von Stephanitz began to standardize the breed. A medium-sized, yellow-and-gray wolflike dog had caught his eye at a dog show in western Germany. The dog was agile and powerful, possessing endurance and intelligence.

He was an able sheepherder who excelled at his job without training. The dog, Hektor Linksrhein, was bought by Captain von Stephanitz, renamed Horand von Grafrath and became the first registered German Shepherd Dog. The Captain established a breed parent club in Germany, became the first president and, in short order, established a type and look in the breed. His motto was “Utility and intelligence.”

For the Captain, beauty meant little if the dog lacked intelligence, temperament and anatomical efficiency. News traveled swiftly around the world and in 1907, the first GSD was exhibited in the United States. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America was established in 1913 with 26 charter members.

2. Temperament foremost

The courage that Captain von Stephanitz felt was the hallmark of the breed was equally prized by the early fanciers who crafted the American breed standard.

It describes the breed as having “a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert … Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character.”

3. A worker for every season

Captain von Stephanitz was impressed by the breed’s ability as a natural sheepherder, requiring only direction, no training. The GSD can still perform admirably in this capacity but is versatile enough to excel in so many other areas. His achievements as a service and war dog are legion.

The breed makes an excellent guide dog for the blind, police dog and search-and-rescue dog. As a guard dog and companion, he is unmatched. Whatever the task, the GSD rises to the occasion.

4. World politics in the breed

After World War I, anything associated with the name “German” fell out of favor, and people did everything possible to disassociate themselves with the name and the country. Many countries and kennel clubs changed the name of the breed to distance themselves from the negative feelings that a reference to Germany would harbor.

In 1917 the American Kennel Club decreed the elimination of the word “German” and the breed was known thereafter as the Shepherd Dog. That policy remained in place until May 19, 1930 when members of the Shepherd Dog Club of America voted to change the name to the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.

In England, Ireland and many other European countries the name of the GSD was changed to “Alsatian” (from the Alsace-Lorraine region). England has since returned to the name GSD although some nations still cling to Alsatian.

5. Harsh, double coat wanted

This breed is known for shedding, so frequent brushing is recommended. Photography ©Charlotte Reeves Photography.

The AKC breed standard calls for a double coat of medium length, as dense as possible, the hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. Although long-coated GSDs are seen, the breed standard considers long coats a fault, along with soft, silky, woolly or curly coats. The breed sheds heavily, so frequent brushing is recommended.

6. A coat of many colors

Although the breed comes in assorted colors, the standard specifies that strong, rich colors and patterns are preferred. Black-and-tan dogs are the most frequently seen, along with sables and solid blacks. Washed-out, dilute colors like blue and liver are serious faults. White Shepherds may compete in AKC obedience, agility and other performance events but are disqualified in the conformation show ring.

7. GSDs on the big screen

While we have our Lassies, Beethovens and Benjis to entertain us, no other breed has had as many canine stars on the big (and small) screen as the GSD. In addition to the timeless Rin Tin Tin (with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), the movies have been graced, over the decades, by the heroic exploits of Ace, Bullet, Jerry Lee, London, Ranger, Rusty, Sandow, Strongheart and Wolfheart.

8. Celebrity GSD owners

Owners of the German Shepherd Dog are as loyal as their dogs, and that includes many celebrity owners. Among the stars who live with a GSD are Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Lautner, Claudia Schiffer, Jennifer Aniston, Enrique Iglesias, Meryl Davis, Shania Twain, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks and Bo Derek.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Charlotte Reeves Photography.

About the author

Allan Reznik is a journalist, editor and broadcaster who specializes in dog-related subjects. He is the former editor-in-chief of Dogs in Review and former editor of Dog Fancy magazine. A city dweller all his life, on both coasts, he now enjoys the rural South with his Afghan Hounds, Tibetan Spaniels and assorted rescues.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Why read breed profiles?

Dog breed profiles help everyone, whether you have a mixed breed or purebred dog, to better understand and improve the quality of your dog’s life. If you have a mixed breed dog, read up on all of the breed profiles that make up your dog. Not sure what breed your dog is? There are a number of easy DNA tests out there to help your find out.

Thumbnail: Photography ©chris-mueller | Getty Images.

Learn more about dog breeds on Dogster.com:

5 Dogs Who Look Like Lions

When It Comes to Military Dogs, These 5 Breeds Are Military Heroes

Let’s Meet Some of the Best Service Dog Breeds

The post Getting to Know and Love The German Shepard Dog (GSD) by Allan Reznik appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

[pathofexileitemscheap-blog]

Path of Exile Items| POE currency | Fast Delivery & Cheap Price @ Gold.raiditem - Top Professional

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[locke-writes]

To Early To Function

Author: locke-writes

Title: To Early To Function

Prompt: What are you doing up so early? Even the sun has better sense than to be up at this hour?" x Clint Barton For: Anon

Rating: T

Word Count: 732

Tagging: @aryn-the-wolfheart @pinetree111

As an Avenger you became used to an abundance of things. Norse gods, giant green beings who only appeared when one member of the team was angry, a man who had been frozen in ice since what seemed like forever. Yeah, they all seemed pretty unusual for anyone who had know idea who you were referring to. But the team had become your friends so most of the unusual things you'd come to accept and understand. Yet while everyone's origin story might be a but easier to accept, their habits were not.

Everyone had their quirks, their little habits that they did without realizing it. Or maybe they were habits they needed to keep up to maintain a routine. It depended on the person why they did what they did but when it came to a team of superheroes, it never stopped anyone from questioning. Some habits were more understandable than others, like Natasha writing notes to herself in Russian so that no one but her could understand them. Some habits made absolutely no sense to you or anyone else.

Tony's habits dealt with the Iron Man suits, making sure they were cleaned in a certain order and staged in a certain order. Thor developed a habit of eating Pop Tarts at two in the morning every morning. You figured he just got hungry in the middle of the night but you didn't quite understand what the significance of the time was. After all no other person habitually eats one box of strawberry Pop Tarts at 2am and then goes back to sleep, only a god of thunder could do that.

The team learned that Steve bakes when stressed. Whether that counted as a habit you didn't know but Steve had a knack for baking which manifested itself at odd times. Plates of chocolate chip cookies sent to each one of you had led to many a conversation about technology, history, music, pretty much anything Steve had needed to catch up on. There was one point where Steve had become stressed about reruns of some tv show he'd been recommended by Bruce and his stress had only become noticed after he'd made a triple decker chocolate cake.

Bruce meditated. That was his habit. It wasn't odd and it helped him. It kept him centered, it kept him focused, it kept him from yelling at Tony for messing up experiments. During one of his sessions someone would come join him, you'd gone and sat with him a few times, meditation turning into yoga which then turned into a two hour book discussion about the symbolism in Crime and Punishment.

Most everyone's habits you understood in some way but Clint's habit was the most unusual. You'd never been able to figure out what exactly believed the benefit of waking up at five in the morning every morning, or six am on weekends. He never payed much attention to the sunrise when you asked if that was his reasoning. He didn't train or go for runs, he didn't watch tv, he didn't read. He just woke up in the mornings and sat out on the living room couch.

On more than one occasion you had woken up early due to hearing some noise and were startled by the sight of Clint alone in the room asking him, "What are you doing up so early? Even the sun has better sense than to be up at this hour?"

There wasn't ever any reply but you were often given a shrug. No explanations no nothing until one morning you were eating Coco Puffs while staring at the rain when Clint spoke up.

"D&D. That's why I wake up every morning."

"I honestly have no idea if that's supposed to be a serious statement or not."

"Completely serious. I'm a bard."

"Who the hell do you play with? And how?"

"Some random people I met online. They're a few hours ahead so I wake up early to catch them. If you want to join I'm sure they'd be more than willing to have someone else on the campaign. Just wake up at five tomorrow"

Which you did, making waking up at five am every morning a shared habit. The Bard and The Mage eating Fruity Pebbles and playing D&D in Avengers tower. If you weren't one of the team you'd find it the most surreal thing.

[locke-writes]

I will try to come up with some New Year;s HC and some non related ones. 1. Making New Year's resolutions with Bodhi Rook. Thank you

@aryn-the-wolfheart @pinetree111

Bodhi’s kinda new to the whole “New Years Resolution” thing

What with defecting and all

Being a member of the Empire means that holidays aren’t really a thing

No breaks when trying to take over the galaxy after all

He doesn’t quite see the point in making them

Especially after you explain that most people either don’t stick to them or forget them within a week

But he decides to humor you and try and come up with a few things

Rejects your idea of his resolution being letting you braid his hair more often

“Come on Bodhi you know that you like when I mess with your hair”

“I’m not admitting anything”

You two bounce ideas off one another

Trying to figure out what is best suited for you

Bodhi’s suggestion to you is that in the new year you learn how to fly some of the different ships

You agree but with the addition that he’s the one teaching you

There’s some goofy ones mixed in with your list of things

Stuff like, resolutions dealing with pranks on Cassian, or other things that would bring fun to the base

There’s also some serious resolutions thrown in

Bodhi wants his to be that he steps further and further away from the hold of the Empire each day

Which you find understandable and offer to help him with

Each of you ends with a list of about five resolutions

And you both promise one another that you’ll make sure that they stick to them