#they may technically be his subordinate

[veinsfullofstars]

"Now can we please get on with the meeting already? The monarchy isn't gonna overthrow itself, y'know."

(ID: Kirby series fanart comic of Dark Meta Knight stuck in a mission debriefing, clearly bored and letting his thoughts wander towards a certain rat thief, much to the frustration of his old friend/begrudging henchperson, Mirror Sailor Dee. Transcript below the cut. END ID.)

Me: wants rarepair shenanigans. Also me: wants compelling plotlines. Also me: compromises by making an absurd amount of notes for yet another highly-detailed and overcomplicated AU. Also me: tired of my nonsense.

Started 03/09/24, finished 03/10/24, updated for color correction 11/02/24. | Kintsugi AU Masterpost

---

Transcript:

Panel 1

*A dimly-lit, nondescript room, the plain walls tacked with papers and sticky notes depicting scribbled writing and various images, such as the Dimension Mirror, Dark Matter, the sword Master, a crossed-out headshot of Shadow Dedede, and the symbol for anarchy. DMK sits at a simple table looking off to our left with lidded eyes, leaning his head on one hand, the other tapping idly against the tabletop (SFX: tmp tmp). Three thought bubbles float over his head, each showing a different physical feature of Daroach - his sharp-toothed smile, his long claws, and his big ears respectively. A faint blush can be seen just behind the knight's mask.*

Panel 2

M!Sailor: (from off-screen, depicted as a simplified Waddle Dee head with two slash scars on their right cheek, wearing a white sailor cap with a blue-and-periwinkle ribbon, a blue bill, and two fishing hooks embedded in the top, yelling with their eyes squeezed shut) Hey, scarface! Quit daydreaming about your boyfriend for five seconds and pay attention!

*DMK startles, eyes shrunk to little gold lines, the arm holding up his head slipping out from under him, nearly bumping his chin on the table.*

Panel 3

*DMK turns sharply to our right to point and glare at M!Sailor off-screen, slamming his fist down on the table (SFX: THUD!).*

DMK: (angrily) Hey, shut up, he's not my-

Panel 4

*DMK pauses, his eyes once more shrunk to points, his pointing hand dropping a bit as he realizes what he just said (shown by an ellipses over his head). A tiny bit of blush can be seen through the mask.*

Panel 5

DMK: (glaring and pointing once more, the blush in his face more noticeable, visibly sweating) I mean, I am paying attention!

M!Sailor: (from off-screen, looking unimpressed with half-lidded eyes) Nice cover, Boss. Very convincing.

[sh1-n0bu]

𝔫𝔬𝔟𝔲’𝔰 𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔨𝔱𝔬𝔟𝔢𝔯 𝔬𝔣 2023!

day 30: choking with il dottore from genshin impact

warnings: choking, slapping, usage of aphrodisiac, dottore is a masochist, cockstepping, foot humping, degrading, cumming untouched, reader is a harbinger

notes: can you guys just tell that i fucking despise this rat????

as harbingers of the tsaritsa and a group of very unlovable, twisted, evil and just genuinely not-so-good people, disturbance at workplace was common. of course, said disturbance ranges from a simple hiss of “i fucking hate you. i hope your next mission goes so unwell that the only casualty will be your tattered corpse” to whatever this is. this could have easily been called as something that most people would call as ‘hate sex’ if only the both of you were not fully clothed.

so technically, this would be counted as ‘hate masturbating’? ah, fuck the labels or those things. right now, the only focus on your mind was to put this annoying bastard in his place.

he really thought he was the shit, didn’t he? the absolute galls of this motherfucker to even dare to put you down and insult you in front of your own subordinates. not just that, he went ahead and put aphrodisiacs into your coffee and his own like the absolute lunatic he was.

how badly you wanted to crush his windpipes in. that would oh so easy with your current position of your hand wrapped nicely around his neck like those beautiful chokers you see on some certain accessory shops. or even one that resembles a collar that is bound tightly around the neck of a rabies infested animal. but with a deranged doctor like dottore, the latter description seem to fit well with how he was moaning and wheezing, clothed cock humping your boots as he panted like a dog.

“you really are a detestable creature, you know that?” you hiss in sheer and utter anger, your other hand joining the other to wrap around his throat more forcefully. both hands on his neck, ready to crush his windpipes in if you wanted.

you had the power. a harbinger who’s currently in the position of tenth may be considered weak amongst fellow harbingers but even then, the tenth fatui harbinger is more than capable to shake an entire nation and to be seen as a threat to an archon.

and that tenth harbinger is you.

so even if dottore may be the second, one of the few who has the capacity to rival a god, right now he was nothing more than a pathetic dog who was humping your shoe. panting and whining loudly with his tongue stuck out, the mad doctor only focuses on the feeling of your hands choking him and the hardened leather of your shoes.

“y-yes.. yes yessshh yesyesyesyesyes oh archons, yes. i am. i’m a detestable creature. your detestable creature” dottore chokes on his spit, a wheezing shrill moan escaping his open mouth as his drool drips down his chin. he seems to like being degraded like this, the movements of his humping becoming more and more frantic on your shoe.

red eyes rolling to the back of his skull, sharp gasps and squeals following until he swore he could see black dots in his vision. he didn’t wanted to have the black spots dancing in his vision! because if so, how was he going to see you? he wanted to see you. that look of just pure anger on your face as you choke the daylights out of him and let him hump you like a dog in heat. no, he needed to see you.

“aaANGH—! kyuuck hhang♡︎♡︎ gck! ♡︎♡︎” a loud intake of breath is heard as your hands let go of the position around his neck, allowing him to breathe for a moment. not too long after, without even allowing him to catch a full breath, his head lolls to the side with a stinging feeling on the side of his cheek. did you just…?

“eyes on me. who said you could go around tearing your gaze away from me, rat” he could briefly hear your voice hiss through the ringing in his ears. muffled, faint, hard to tell if the voice was truly falling from your lips or if it was one of his manic episode voices talking.

either way, it was still your voice that was blessing his ears. it was your shoe that was now stepping on his clothed, weeping cock and he was thankful. maniac and downright insane but dottore knows a holy being when he sees and hears one. he may have not worshipped any of the archons, but for you? the mad doctor would gladly kiss the soles of your shoes over and over. hell, he would even thank you just for being in the same room as you.

call him unstable as much as you would like and he knows that. he even revels in the title and he would gladly wear that title for his entire life if he could be with you. dottore always had this odd obsession with you. since your titling of becoming the tenth fatui harbinger, he had developed this odd sense of fascination.

fascination to dottore, but unhealthy obsession to others.

not like the doctor cares. he had long since gave up trying to reason with other beings and had lost almost all contact with social interaction if not for the harbingers gathering or his experiments with his lab rats. until you joined his ranks.

“i said eyes on me, doctor” you grunt, slapping him across his face again. on the other cheek this time. that seemed to have done the work to catch his attention successfully as his hazy blood eyes focus on you. his cheeks were the same shade of red as his eyes, however it was hard to tell whether it was from your forceful hits or his blushing.

“ougck—! yess.. ye-es yes yesyesyesyes, eyes on you♡︎eyes solely on you♡︎” the blue haired man nods frantically, slight twitch and wince in his eyes showing that the added pressure to his cock was just a tad bit painful for him. even a masochist has their limits. but did he care? no. no he absolutely did not care. if anything, the crazy doctor wanted it to hurt since it was you who was delivering these delicious cocktail of pleasure and pain. he wanted it to hurt. he wanted it to feel good.

with another slap to his cheek for his continued disobedience — for constantly trying to look down at where your shoe was stepping on his stained pants — the doctor lets out a choked noise akin to a mewl before his entire body spasms. thighs shaking and twitching before a strangled noise is let out as the stain in his pants become darker and darker. the stain moving and spreading, some of it even seeping through the fabrics of his clothes as it drips onto the floor below.

“did you… just cum untouched?” you ask, doing a double take as you lift up your shoe to stare at the white translucent juice drip down onto the floor, leaving a tiny puddle. dottore only giggles, almost as if he was in a drunken haze, as he slowly lifts up his face to stare at you. he looked positively fucked up.

“do that again, pleaasshee♡︎?” dottore drawls out.

[loveemagicpeace]

🏹Astrology Notes 🛼

People with many aspects of Neptune, especially Neptune Square North Node, can get into bad paths (alcohol, drugs...) many times they look for a solution by running away from problems. In life, they struggle with many difficult, incomprehensible, strange things. They may come across many people who deceive them.

Pluto opp chiron - can illustrate that you never really get over your traumas that were inflicted on you when you were little. Many times you can carry a swordsman's side inside you and never really let it go.

Mercury opp chiron- you have a hard time expressing or talking about your pain. It can often take a really long time to talk about what's bothering you.

Mercury conj Pluto- you can always be secretive about what you say. It could also be that a part of you is always hidden behind words.

The aspect of the moon and Saturn indicates the relationship the person has with his mother. People who have very strong aspects with the moon and saturn can be very attached to their mother and the mother has a great influence on them. It also shows that this person is not emotionally open and can always keep their feelings inside.

Dynamic aspects (opposition, square, inconjunction, semi-square) between Saturn and Jupiter indicate that a person can be full of hope at one moment and completely desperate at the next. These aspects are often associated with suicide. Because people can hardly bear such strong energy.

There are differences: Sagittarius is much more changeable than Jupiter, more freedom-loving and irresponsible. Sagittarius is less likely to symbolize the acquisition of material goods. Also, being a sign and therefore a less powerful symbol than a planet, it is less likely than Jupiter to operate at an excessive level. Sagittarius is less likely to signify waste, excess, or arrogance. Sagittarius gets along best with planets like Mars, Uranus, and the Sun, which are fast-moving, energetic, and not resistant to change.

Strongly emotional planets do not do well in Capricorn because the sign tends to repress emotion in favor of discipline. The Moon is particularly difficult here, because Capricorn will not allow the Moon to enjoy being dependent on others, a mode of relationship that is absolutely essential to the Moon’s functioning at some point in life. Venus is also not at its best, because its emotional criteria for choice are likely to be subordinated to practical criteria. Venus in Capricorn can also indicate an attraction to older persons who can serve as authority figures as well as lovers.

The Pisces symbol is two fishes swimming in opposite directions, and like Sagittarius and Gemini, Pisces is traditionally referred to as a dual sign. There are two types of Piscean: the advanced (Pisces as the last stage in the evolution of the archetypal ego or self) and the primitive (Pisces as the stage just prior to a new beginning in Aries).

Pluto in the 3rd house can represent a very strong bond with a sister. So separation with your sister can very difficult if you live far apart. You can create a beautiful and strong bond with your sister.

Mars in the 5th house indicates a difficult birth and problems with children. Children may be restless, aggressive or angry. It is important to look at aspects.

Jupiter in the 9th house often indicates good intuition and prophetic dreams. So it is important to remember your dreams.

Virgo rising people are so beautiful. I notice that women have beautiful faces and skin. Men, on the other hand, have well-developed eyes and bodies. I would say that virgins can have more beautiful beauty than technical ones in the subsign. Otherwise, it depends on where Mercury falls in the house, but still, their beauty is very naturally beautiful.

Moon in the third house indicates sensitive emotions and feelings. Moods change quickly.

The Moon in the fifth house indicates great success for children. Also a  person very dedicated to fun.

Moon in the sixth house can mean too much strain in terms of health. Lots of public contact. It can also mean insecurity and health problems in the first 7 years.

Mars in 7th house can mean that the individual is too open in relationships and dealings. It can also mean that he is jealous, intense and controlling.

Mars in the 11th house means you can be argumentative and want things your way. Many times the need for freedom is strong.

Mars in 12th house- the individual is interested in hidden things. You can join things that are secret. You like to work in the shadows. And you present your things when you are sure of them.

Uranus in the first house often shows that your personality is very unique and special. You have an energy that others find rare and interesting. You are a person who does not like drug treatment and prefers to find a different way (natural way of treatment). You want a job that is free and you don't like being controlled by others.

Uranus in the seventh house indicates premature engagement or marriage. It also means inharmonious relationships (if the aspects are not good). It also indicates a relationship in which one is ingenious and clever.

Uranus in ten house people are prone to emotional or physical loss through one parent. It is said that people with this position are also inclined to have two professions at the same time. It is important for women to check if her Uranus is in the 10th house of a man. Because this can indicate that the man is more focused on his career than her.

A person with mercury in the 9th house will always know at least 2 foreign languages, if not more. These people learn foreign languages very quickly and quickly understand others. They often prefer foreign languages.

Mars in Libra -A person can be quarrelsome and inharmonious. But it's not always like that. It depends on what aspects the person has. Person can be very passive aggressive and hides a lot of their energy. Many times they do something, but in reality they want something completely different. They can place the blame on others in many cases unless the person has Venus in good stabile sign.

Chart ruler of 8th house in 5th house -if it is  in bad aspects, it can indicate the possibility of miscarriage, loss of a child at birth or in youth.

Chart ruler  of 8th house in 8th house symbolizes benefit from the dead. Interest in immortality, spirituality. If the ruler is in an bad position then there can be problems with dying.

Chart ruler of the 9th house in 4th house travel is necessary for family matters. Property comes from relatives and partner.

Chart ruler of the 9th house in 6th house means handling due to travel. As well as good success abroad. If the aspects are in an unfavorable position, it can mean illness while traveling.

Chart ruler of the 9th house in 7th house means marriage in a foreign country or marriage with a foreigner. It often symbolizes a person living in another country. If it is in an unfavorable position, it may mean that relatives oppose the marriage.

The ruler of the 10th house in the 1st house- can mean a lot of ambition and talents. But it can mean loss due to father.

The ruler of the 10th house in the 6th house- symbolizes a humble position in society. Treatment can be an important part of an individual's life. If the aspects are bad, it can mean loss of career due to health.

Ruler of 10th house in 7th house- indicates benefit from public. Lawsuits are positive and marriage can bring fame.

Ruler of the 10th house in the 11th house - symbolizes the fulfillment of dreams. Strong and influential friends help the individual.

-Rebekah🧚🏻‍♀️🦋

[crimsoncandy04]

hii omg out of curiosity... could u do a scara with a bratty virgin reader who teases him too much thinking she can get away with it. if that suits ur tastes that is 😊😊

Of course! I may not fit the entire idea of a brat myself, but I've been told I can act a little cunty now and then so I think I can do this one fairly well.

Scaramouche was just another annoying superior you had to obey. All the harbingers were pretty much the same in the aspect that they viewed YOU as lesser than. Which technically you were by law of Snezhnaya but that wasn't YOUR fault. You were only stuck working as a subordinate for the height deficient harbinger called The Balladeer because your stupid slut mother had gambled away a HUGE loan while she was pregnant with you and instead of taking responsibility, she fled the country and hadn't been seen since you were like 6.

But the fatui weren't just going to forgive a debt that large simply because of a disappearance. No.

A group of fatuus soldiers had knocked on your grandparents door one day, led by Scaramouche. They were given three options.

1: Pay off their daughter's debts.

2: Die.

Or three...

"Give the oldest girl over and have her work it off in her mother's name." Was what the pretty faced yet slick tongued bastard had said.

Your grandparents had recently been put in charge of your half brother too as authorities had taken him from your mother's home due to excessive drug use on her part. He was just a little kid, barely 4. YOU on the other hand were now a young lady. A young adult.

He needed your grandparents.

You had had a wonderful childhood already.

And so you bowed your head and agreed to go back with The Balladeer and his cronies to the fatui headquarters and officially join the ranks.

It wasn't that bad actually. Scaramouche didn't actually seem to care or not if you didn't do your job. But you were clearly the only exception as you often watched him treat others with a cruelty that bordered on ruthlessness.

Not that it was your problem.

You often sauntered into his office late at night to chat with him. Not that he ever stopped you.

"Hey Scara what's up? Ugh you really should get better lighting here. It looks so ominous!" You bitched as you hopped up onto the edge of his rather grand looking desk and looked down at him while he worked.

"Hey let's hang out for a bit! That stuff is just boring work things anyway! I never do mine!"

He grunts.

"I know."

You pouted as you tried to scoot a little closer to him.

"ugh you're so lame today! And here I thought a harbinger as mighty as yourself could multi-task easily! It appears I was mistaken!"

Scaramouche rolled his eyes at your behavior.

"leave. I'm busy right now."

You were feeling agitated now.

"no! I've been waiting all day to hang out and now you're ignoring me!?" You turn completely around so your legs fell over on his side of the desk now. Crossing my arms as I stubbornly stand my ground.

"I'm not moving until you at least look at me you stupid meanie!" You whined.

The pen in Scaramouche's hands suddenly snapped in half. Ink splashing across the tabletop caught your attention.

"I said leave."

"make me!* You stick out your tongue and pout even more at his tone.

"it's not like you're actually gonna punish me for being here like anyone else! Stop being such a big meanie!"

Suddenly his hand was around your throat.

"Is that what you tell yourself bitch? How amusing." He squeezed your neck. Just enough to make you dizzy as you felt Scaramouche rip open the front of your buttoned white blouse.

His eyes quickly looked you over with a predatory hunger.

"you're alright I guess. For a human anyway. You'll do."

You squeak in terror as he tears off your bra next. Gently running his fingertips across your nipples and causing them to harden. as your breath hitches in your throat, you feel an unfamiliar warmth in your panties at the sensation.

He then shoved you back onto the table top.

"h-hey what are you doing? Stop this at once!" You squeak anxiously. Being almost frozen in fear as you feel Scaramouche roughly lift up your shirt and expose your panties to his smug looking gaze.

"what? Not so tough now that you finally realize how insignificant you are?"

He traces the outline of your wet slit through the dampened fabric.

"how pathetic. Acting all bold and yet you're already shaking and getting excited before I've even touched you."

Scaramouche easily tears away the delicate fabric as he spreads your knees wide for him. He kneels down and closely takes in the sight of your exposed sex. Gently pulling your folds open to give him a better look at you.

You feel his cool breath against your inner labia as you begin to tremble.

Finally something clicks for him.

"oh? I see you've never been had yet. It's almost funny Y/N, at your age? Seriously? What?"

He pinched your clit softly

"too shy?" His raspy tone bordered on a seductive growl as you feel him rub little circles on your pleasure nub.

"ugh it's not like I haven't had chances before! I just didn't care for anyone enough to want to do that stuff!"

Your words were met with a jeering cackle as Scaramouche simply sighed and slowly began to ease two fingers into your unbroken entrance.

A strong ache filled your body as you moaned softly and saw blood drip onto his palm as you struggled to raise your head and see what he was doing at first.

Immediately he shoved your head back down and kept a firm grasp on your throat.

"stay still sweetheart. If you don't relax, it's going to be excruciating."

You felt him begin to slowly start thrusting his fingers in and out of your tight pussy. Successfully popping your cherry as you blushed deeply and tried to muffle your cries using your hands.

He leans down and gives your clit a gentle lick next. Teasing you now as you whimper at the new feeling. More warmth filling your lower abdomen as you feel your legs tremble while Scaramouche continued to lap at your untouched bud. Deliberately trying to draw out the strange rising feeling in your tummy. You cry a little as you finally dare speak.

"Please... stop this... I'll pee!" You wail pitifully as his eyes took on a seductive look.

"That's not what's about to happen sweetie ~ don't worry, you're about to feel really good, I promise ~"

He released your upper body and began to focus more on stimulating your tight cunt as he fingered your sensitive walls and continued to gently suck on your clit. Giving it a little bite now and then that made your legs tremble.

Finally you feel your lower abdomen tighten. Your insides pulse as you feel yourself squirt. Scaramouche swallows every drop almost eagerly as he continues to tongue fuck you through your orgasm.

Only when you lay breathless and exhausted upon the table before him, does he finally free his rather large cock from the confines of his shorts, pressing the tip teasingly at your entrance.

"You were all bark just an hour ago bitch. Now you're just a whimpering mess. What happened?"

You felt Scaramouche slide his dick into your pussy then. The thickness stretching you beyond capacity as you wince and feel yourself whine a little.

"Do you realize your place now cunt? Maybe this will teach you to talk with a little more respect towards your superiors."

He began to slowly thrust into you then. Your oversensitive cunt spasming with every thrust as you instinctively wrapped your legs around his waist.

Scaramouche leaned down to steal a kiss too. Shoving his tongue into your mouth as you held onto him. Swallowing up your cute and girlish moans of pleasure and pain as you dug your nails into his back and felt him quicken his pace.

He fucked against your cervix as he continued to press your knees upwards more as he got closer to finishing. Bringing your knees practically beside your head as he got a little rougher then. Forcing you into a sick mating press position as he claimed your virgin womb for himself.

Scaramouche groaned and bit your bottom lip a little as you felt him pour his hot seed into you after what felt like the longest hour of your life. His sadistic smirk widened as he pulled out of your bloody cum filled cunt.

"This will be your new job from now on. Don't bother refusing. You still owe me a debt. " He stuck his fingers in your dripping depths again.

"however, keep being as obedient as you were tonight and this sweet cunt might just pay it off sooner than you think."

[arc-misadventures]

Are We Even Human Anymore?

Class B, Spartan, Jaune Arc was walking down a road on the island of, Patch. He looked to his side to see a a few buildings that had gouges carved into the wood, a result of the recent, Grimm attack that had just took place. Luckily, Jaune, and the rest of team was already here to conduct standard routine patrol of the island to weed out any pockets of, Grimm.

He walked by, rifle in hand as he eyed the islands local militia, and members of the, Vale Republic Guard. Vale's standing army made of volunteer soldiers. Where the, Spartans were, Vale's spear tip to break through the, Grimm hordes, the VRG was the shield wall that held them back for the, Spartans to strike.

He spared them a fleeting glance as he walk over to see the, Spartan on command of this mission. Class A, Spartan, Raven Branwen.

A Spartans rank was decided upon by a variety of factors: Spartan children at the age of five were all considered, Class F, commonly considered the trainee class. When a trainee reached the age of age of twelve they were promoted, a sign that they were no longer solely a trainee, but an apprentice.

They were promoted to the ranks of, E, or D Class based upon their performance. And, then a B Class, Spartan, would give them training in that trainee's chosen field of expertise. A trainee could have many teachers offering tutelage to help broaden their skill sets.

Because of, Jaune's birthday present from his parents, Jaune sought out, Raven Branwen to learn the blade under her, being one of the few, Spartans to use swords. The pair had developed a close bound over their training, leading to, Jaune to be assigned to, Raven on missions quite often. As a result of this familiar bound, Jaune knew some of, Raven's little quirks, and whatnot. So as he neared her, and saw her nervously fidgeting with her hands, he knew full, and well something was up.

He called out to her on their helmets radio, concern lightly seeping into his voice as he eyed his friend. "Raven?"

"Yes, what is it?" Raven's response was filled with an air of nervousness, and worry as she all, but jumped out of her crimson, and raven black armour to face him. Cueing, Jaune on to the fact that something was wrong, but what was the question.

"Are you, are you okay, Raven?"

"I'm fine! Now, give me a status update on the situation?"

"The Grimm threat has been neutralized. Miniman causalities were sustained by the islands local militia, and VRG forces. No civilians were harmed, and no fatalities were reported either."

"Good, good good good... Inform the local commanding officer that we will be moving out shortly to patrol the area, and eliminate any other possible, Grimm threats."

"Yes, Ma'am." As, Jaune made his way to find the local commanding officer, he spared, Raven one concerned glance, hidden behind the visor of his helmet. The nervousness etched into her voice, and her desire to get away from here as fast as possible, but him on high alert.

There was something here on, Patch that made, Raven's nerves on edge. But, what could that be?

Jaune shook his head of these thoughts as he headed towards the highest rank officer among the, VRG. A major with blonde, hair, and a stubble across his face.

"Major, may I speak with you?"

The major gave him one glance before he issued some final orders to his subordinates, before walking over to, Jaune. Stopping before him, and offering him a salute, of which, Jaune offered one in kind. Despite the fact the major technically outranked, Jaune, It was common practice for most soldiers of the VRG to see, Spartans as their superiors due to their position as, Spartans.

"Major, Xiao Long, reporting, Sir!"

"At ease, Major. I am here to report to you that me, and my team will be moving out to explore the area, and eliminate any potential, Grimm threats in the area."

"Y-You're leaving already, Sir...?" There was a noticeable sound of disappointment in his voice, as he his eyes turn to look past him. Jaune followed his gaze to see he was staring at, Raven.

"Is there a problem with that, Major?"

It wasn't uncommon for officers in the, VRG to wish that, Spartan teams to linger in a spot that had just been subject to a, Grimm attack in case of the possibility of a second attack. Or, if the case the commanding officer was some fat pig they would 'ask' the, Spartans to remain to protect their shiny junk.

"Ah! No... No, Sir... if, Raven wants to leave she may leave." The way he said, Raven's name gave, Jaune pause for concern. There was no respect in his voice that one would expect to give when addressing a, Spartan. There was a sadness, and a air of familiarity in his voice as he watch his teacher from afar.

"How do you know her name, Major?" Jaune had dealt with several civilians trying to get close to himself, or his fellow, Spartans. Often they were doing this as a means of gaining status. Leading to many, Spartans to be cautious of any civilian, even those in the military when they wished to speak with a, Spartan.

"We... we were close once, Sir. I was just hoping to talk with her, and give her this." He saw the mean reach under his armour plating, and pulled out an envelope, and offered it towards, Jaune. "I understand why she wouldn't want to talk with me, I just thought she should see this. Can you give this to her, Sir; Please?"

Jaune eyed the envelope warningly as he grabbed it, and opened it, inspecting the contents. Inside was a letter, and some photos, Jaune didn't see it as anything dangerous so he decided it was safe to give it to her. He was about to close the envelope when he saw something that caught his eye. It was a photo of a smiling woman around his age, with violet eyes, and golden locks of hair with an all too familiar face.

"Who is the woman in this picture?" Jaune watched as the, Major looked around nervously at, Raven before returning his gaze back to him.

"I-I think it would be best if, Raven explain that to you, Sir." Jaune gave him one last glance before he nodded at him, and placed the photo back in the envelope.

"Very well, I shall do ask you ask, Major."

"Thank you, Sir!" Major Xiao Long, offered him a salute, which he returned in kind before making his way towards, Raven.

"Ahh good, you're finished, let's grab the others, and get going, Jaune."

"That Major back there seems to know you, Raven. He asked me to give you this.' Jaune offered the envelope to, Raven who even under the helmet he could see the nervousness in her eyes as he watch her slowly take it from his hands.

She opened it, and read the letter, her hands shaking as tears started to well up in her eyes. She then took out one of the photos he had been looking at earlier. A chocked gasp of sorrow escaped her lips. She soon removed her helmet, letting a mane of raven black hair escape it's confines, as she whipped away tears falling from her crimson eyes.

Jaune swiftly removed his helmet as he watched his teacher, his friend cry. He know, Raven for years, and she always appeared as this stoic, and collected person who was a master of her emotions, but to see her break down just from a photo? Something was wrong, something terrible.

"Raven? Raven, What's wrong?!" He placed his hand on her back as she struggled to reign in her tears, it was like watching a child bursting into tears at the lose of a loved one.

Raven soon raised her head as she took sharp gasps of air as she calmed her nerves. She looked to the sky as she steadied her nerves before turning to address her friend, and student.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I just... I didn't expect this to impact me so..."

"It's okay, Raven. It's okay... But, what the hell just happened? You just broke down into tears, I've never seen you like this before. What is in that letter?"

She took a deep sigh before she turned to look at the back of the, Major as he ordered his troops about.

"That man over there... He's someone I am... I was close to... very close to..." She pulled out another photo of the smiling blonde girl in the photo, and returned the girls radiant smile with a sorrow one of her own. "His name is, Tai Yang Xiao Long. When I was younger, just a, B Class, Spartan I met him here while out on a mission. He was just a captain then, and he was showing me, and my squad around, Patch. Local hotspots where, Grimm seemed to appear from, and what not. We stuck to each other quite a lot while we were out here, he even saved my life one time. The two of us just... clicked, you know? We just naturally fit together, so much so it hurt when we we apart from one another for too long. I used to spend my time off with him."

A smile spread across, Raven's face as she looked through another photo, before it turned into a sad smile.

"I was in, Atlas for a joint mission to deal with, Atlasian Spartans when I realized I was pregnant with his child... I was then kept in, Atlas Academy as I went through the pregnancy."

"Wait, the girl in the photos... She's your daughter?!" Jaune was shocked, Raven had her secrets just like everyone, and Jaune never wanted to pry. But, to suddenly learn his friend had a daughter his age was rather... shocking.

"Yes... she's my daughter. Her name is, Yang, Yang Xiao Long. A perfect mix between me, and him..."

"I thought she looked a lot like you, but I assumed she was your younger, Sister, not you daughter! I assume she is my age then, and since I never saw her till now. She's, Auraless?"

Raven nodded her head as she gave a hum of confirmation. "After she was test, and proved to be negative... I felt relieved."

"Relieved?"

"Yes, relieved." Raven took a deep sigh before looking at the sky. "You know what this life of our demands of us, Jaune... I didn't want that for my daughter. But, since she was, Auraless she couldn't stay with me... So, when I came back to, Vale I popped over to, Tai, and said my goodbyes; To both him, and my daughter..."

"I understand why you left her with this, Tai fellow. But, you never visited them again? You could have still been their for them, no?"

"Look at me, Jaune. Do I scream mother, housewife, any of those things?"

"Nope. You being a mother is odd enough as it is, you being a housewife, wearing an apron, and baking cookies? Now that's just crazy talk!" The pair shared a laugh at the shear ridicules of the thought of someone like, Raven as housewife. "But, just because you didn't... couldn't settle down with him, that doesn't mean you couldn't have spent time together. Getting to spend time with the man you love, and sharing in happy moments with your daughter."

"I didn't want her to get too attached to me! I was scared that if she grew too close to me, and if I died fighting against the, Grimm... It... It breaks my heart to just think about how she would react if I died... My heart can't take it, Jaune..."

"Maybe, but I think you would be just as devastated if you died as well. Because, she may not know who you are on account of you never being there for her. I think she's chasing after you in her own way." Jaune pulled out a photo of a smiling, Yang, grinning from ear to ear. Dressed in an all too familiar deep green uniform. A cadet officers uniform. "You may say she following her dad, but that smile of her reminds me more of you, Raven. In her own little ways, Raven, she's chasing after you. How much would it hurt to say hi to her? Not nearly as much as never getting the chance to I reckon."

She looked at him before she turned her gaze to look at the man she loved. "But, how am I supposed to do that? Just walk up to her, and say. 'hi?"

"You start slow, Raven. You first reunite with that, Tai fellow over there. And, then eventually he introduces you to your estranged daughter. Simple as that."

"But, is it though?"

"Are we even human anymore?"

"The unofficial moto of the, Spartans."

"That's right. Because of our training we've gone through since our childhood, we've become so detached from our emotions that we no longer seem human. This, Tai fellow, and you apparent daughter appear to keep you tethered to your humanity, Raven. Go over there, and reunite with your old flame, before that rope breaks, and you lose that humanity that we fight, and die for."

"Ha! When did you so wise, and philosophical, Jaune?"

Jaune shrugged his shoulders at her before he looked towards, Tai. "I'm a 'knight.' I probably picked up a thing, or two reading all those books about knight."

"Yeah, probably... Okay..." Raven straightened her back, as she put the envelope in her pocket. "Wish me luck."

"Luck."

Jaune smiled as he watched as, Raven walked over to, Tai, and gave him a tap on the shoulder. The surprised look, followed by that infectious smile he gave her brought a smile to his face in turn.

If we, Spartans, seemingly heartless killing machines could generate such a smile with our mere presence, then where is the truth in a question such as: 'Are we even human anymore?'

Because, how could anything, but a humans pure love for one another elicit such a reaction?

The question shouldn't be: 'Are we even human anymore?' But, 'What's stopping us from being human?'

Isn't that was make people human: Searching for what makes us human?

[izzabela]

Hiii! Hope you’re having a good day 🌸 Kind of an odd request but could you do a scenario where the Lin Kuei trio use the fem. reader as a fake hostage in a heist mission?

Mission Impossible - Lin Kuei x fem!water-bender!reader

in which you're being used for the greater good

a/n: mmm more lin kuei

ship[s]: bi han, tomas, kuai liang x fem!reader

warning(s): poly, anti-betrayal, no "(y/n)"

As a member of the Lin Kuei, you proved yourself indispensable and powerful with your mastery over water magic. You could rival Rain's magic if he were still practicing, but he was not, which technically made you the most talented hydromancer in the realms.

But, as the lover of Tomas, Bi Han, and Kuai Liang, you were indispensable period. The formidable inheritors of the Lin Kuei, built on pride and duty, fell weak to your feminine charms and kombat talent. With that being said, these three men could not afford to lose you- no matter what circumstance they may find themselves in.

Unfortunately, that might just be the case this time.

The three men, crouched and hidden in a huge tree, watched in raging silence as they saw you use your water-bending. They saw your well-trained poker face as you took all liquid out of the person, the poor person shriveling up like a raisin.

Just as Syzoth was before, you were now in his place to serve his twisted will.

A hostage, taken in by the conniving sorcerer as he ran away to a hidden island, you were forced to use your magic to kill civilians Shang Tsung found as he traveled between the island and Outworld. It was to fuel his and a mysterious entity that resided on the island.

He was nearing the final parts of his plan to make his return to Outworld, but you and your allies were many steps ahead of him.

Under the careful guidance of Liu Kang and Empress Mileena, the two guardians sent the Lin Kuei to take down Shang Tsung once and for all. This mission would be a rather long one, requiring the utmost self-restraint, patience, and trust in one another that you could pull this mission off.

Liu Kang would have sent his champions, hell Bi Han practically yelled at him to do so. Unfortunately, their faces would be considered familiar ones, and everyone knew where that would go. They had to send someone unknown, someone who didn't have the smallest chance of being recognized as an ally to Liu Kang or the empire. That's where you came in.

You fit the bill quite well: unseen by Outworld, not so plain like a normal human, contained a power that would benefit the desperate sorcerer- you were perfect. This would command respect from the other initiates back in Arctika, especially since you were a woman.

You remember the night well, since it was the last time you spoke to them before leaving.

"I forbid it!" Tomas yelled as Kuai Liang and Bi Han followed behind. You were on your way out to be picked up by Liu Kang, Raiden and Kung Lao.

"You cannot seriously be thinking of doing such a thing," Kuai Liang seconded. "This mission could take weeks, let alone months!"

You were about to protest, but Bi Han took your arm rather harshly as he tried to pull you away from the fire god and his subordinates.

"Obey your Grandmaster! Stay with us, his lackeys can do your job," he said as he glared at Raiden and Kung Lao.

You shook your head and roughly let go of him, giving him an equally harsh stare as you voiced your opinions.

"This is something I alone have to do," you said softly. Your hand cupped each man's cheek gently as you kissed each of their cheeks.

There was evident sadness in their eyes that night, Tomas was the only one who actually shed a tear. You wiped his tears with a flick of your finger, the tear obeying and leaving his face.

"You owe us a real kiss when you come back," Tomas sniffled, Kuai Liang's hand on his shoulder to support him.

You chuckle, "I'll hold you all to it, boys."

Now, in the present, it had been almost six months since you last seen Earth, your friends, family, and your beloveds.

You stood by Shang Tsung's side as his slimy hand slithered around your shoulder. You took a sharp inhale as you turned away, tears threatening your eyes at sight of an innocent's life- gone.

"Very good," his sultry voice praised you. "I feel that a reward may be coming soon for you."

You nod quickly, standing straight as a pin as his hands began to roam your body. The softness of your skin that was exposed in your battle attire, and your sweet scent that intoxicated your lovers back home had him under a spell as well.

You pushed him away, and the three ninja that watched from above silently cheered at your defiance.

"Are we done?" you spat. Shang Tsung smirked as he let you go.

"Feisty one aren't you," he teased you as he twirled a strand of your hair in his fingers, "You may go. See to it that you get ample rest. Tomorrow will be a big day."

Tomorrow, you thought. Tomorrow was the day Shang Tsung would escape from the island, making a grand entrance with the planned massacre of the people in Sun Do. Then, he would teleport to Earthrealm and attack the OIA, dismantling it with the new power he gained

You walk away as the maniac sorcerer began to dispose of the body. The ninjas watch your figure slowly disappear past the rickety ruins of the island, and only then are they left with their thoughts.

You had lost so much weight, your supple and strong body rather frail and skinny. The color in your eyes had dulled, your bright colored eyes dim due to the atrocities you witnessed and done.

Tomas so badly wanted to cut Shang Tsung's throat open and take you into his arms. Bi Han wanted to rip Shang Tsung's skull out of his body and bring back the color in your eyes. Kuai Liang wanted to put the sorcerer's heart on a platter and serve it to Liu Kang, while he focused on bringing you back to full health.

The brothers tapped into their earpieces, gifts from the OIA, and relayed the situation to Liu Kang and the other parties related to this cross-dimensional heist.

"Very good, thank you for updating us," Liu Kang praised over the earpiece, "Everything will be in its place tomorrow, so do not fret."

Obeying, they bid farewell and reconvene amongst themselves, talking about the situation that will transpire tomorrow.

"It has been too long since we've held her," Bi Han gruffly speaks. Kuai Liang nods in agreement, but he warns his brother.

"Patience, Bi Han. We cannot afford to risk any slip-up's now," a warm hand is on his shoulder and Tomas speaks from across the tree.

"It will all be over soon. Just a couple more hours, and she'll be back with us," Tomas says softly, his eyes wrinkling as a cue for a smile behind his mask.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The brothers stayed up the entire night, not wanting to waste a moment anymore as you were soon going to be back in their arms.

Hopping through the trees, making sure no sound was made to alert their presence, they watched you and Shang Tsung load up supplies in satchels to take for your little journey. Shang Tsung chuckles darkly, oozing with sultry evil as he begins to summon a portal.

"The day hath arrived not a moment too soon," he poetically announces, "Soon, the realms will know never to cross me again."

Right before he could step in, he heard a rush of feet on the rough soil. Branches broke, rocks tumbled, and a distinct battle cry of a certain female force could be heard. Shang Tsung clicks his tongue, turning to the portal to try and enter, but you keep him steady with water you took from the nearby trees.

"Not so fast," you say with a smirk. Shang Tsung's eyes widen as he realizes he's been crossed again. You made sure to freeze the water, holding him in jagged ice as you waited for backup to arrive.

The Umgadi come to your aide with Tanya right beside you. Her dark skin glowed radiantly against the warm yellow light of the gods' power in her. Unfortunately, Shang Tsung broke free from your ice prison with his fire magic, and the battle started.

You and Tanya had to keep him occupied for a couple more minutes before Liu Kang and the OIA arrived. You tried hitting him with icicles you had made with the water within the trees, but he had dodged or melted them. Slightly stumbled, Tanya took this opportunity to hit him, twirling around in the air as her godly power held her up.

You got closer to him, making sure there was ample space between you and the sorcerer. You created a raging current around you, your arms in circular motions to keep the protective barrier as you tried to subdue him. At the perfect opportunity, you switched and made the water around you huge tentacles to hold him up in the air with arms stretched wide.

"How much longer must we linger!" Bi Han shouts as his brothers. The three had been watched the entire scene go down, but their order was not to intervene just yet.

Kuai Liang huffed, his hand beginning to smolder the tree with his fire magic, "Just a little longer. The swordsman and Liu Kang are arriving shortly."

Shortly didn't come fast enough, as Shang Tsung used his fire magic to evaporate your water and pin you down against the coarse dirt. All three men saw red as you were held down by the threat of his metallic claws, filled with poison he had concocted many moons ago.

Without thinking, Tomas rushed out from the trees at lightning speed to meet you, the priestesses, and Shang Tsung on the ground. His brothers yelled for him to come back, but his ears were ringing with a different voice.

"Release her sorcerer," he hissed in a voice unrecognizable to you, "Or face the wrath of the Lin Kuei."

Your heart fluttered as you saw Tomas backed up by his brothers, the ninja-assassins in a fighting position as they watched carefully what the sorcerer would do. However, he just laughs as his blades draw nearer to your throat. You gulp as you can feel it begin to knick your skin, bits of red beginning to fall.

"So, a ploy to have me surrender?" he jokes as his blade begins to press even deeper.

"It won't be so without losses," he said darkly as his arm raised in the air.

You cried out as you looked at the trio of men. Was this how you met your end? After six months without your favorite boys, this was the last time you'd see them?

You felt drops of blood fall on your face and crawl down to your neck. Carefully opening your eyes, you're met with the horrid sight of Shang Tsung's inanimate face over yours. His eyes lacked the mischevious glint in them, and his mouth was slightly ajar (you got your answer to where the blood came from). You also noted a glint of metal through his forehead, which would have its answer as you assessed your surroundings.

You look to your left and saw Kuai Liang and his kunai. He held the rope tightly as you saw his weapon lodged into Shang Tsung's arm. It seems he was the reason the claws didn't decapitate you. Shang Tsung missed because Kuai Liang chucked it into his arm and tugged it enough to miss your neck.

To your right, you stared at Bi Han as he held the removed arm of the sorcerer. That's why my arms are free, you thought. A layer of frost began to creep up the severed arm as you note Bi Han's brows being pointed so far down that he looked unrecognizable. Seems his rage got the best of him.

Finally, you look up and see past the body of Shang Tsung. Tomas stood over you with his karambit. His special dagger was stuck in the head of the sorcerer, and he impressively holds the body up with the dagger- with a single hand I might add. His eyes were dark, and you could practically smell the intent to kill from his body.

Tanya came to your side as she helped you slide out from under the body. Your knees shook and gave out, getting caught by Kuai Liang.

"She is all yours," Tanya said as she regrouped with her people.

You wearily turn your head to meet with Kuai Liang's teary eyes. He takes his mask off and engulfs you in a warm and tight hug. Gently, he brings you down to the ground and into his chest as you breathed in his scent. Warm like the sun, he smelled like freshly burnt firewood during a camping trip. Your rough and weak hands stroked his back as he inhaled your flowery scent.

Behind him stood Bi Han, whose mask was already down and his brows unfurrowed. The bags under his eyes signal weeks of no sleep, and he kneels down to both you and his brother as he cups your cheek.

"Thank the ancestors," he breathes quietly. You know he won't go in for a hug, but the way his eyes stay on yours is proof enough of his love.

It's Tomas who forces Bi Han's body on yours. He tackles all three of you in a group hug as he sniffles and sobs quite a bit, babbling "sorry" and "I'm so glad you're okay." You chuckle at the youngest brother's antics, trying to reach around and pat his head.

"Never again!" Tomas yells as he stares at you. "Never again will you do such a thing!"

You wince at the volume and proximity of his voice, and Tomas gets hit in the head with a little flick from Bi Han.

"Quiet," he scolds, "She is clearly exhausted."

"Yes," another voice interrupts, "Well deserved rest is in order."

All four of you snap your heads upwards to meet Liu Kang's glowing eyes. He offers a small smile and bow, and you try to scramble up to your feet to greet him back. However, he holds his hand up as he speaks.

"You've done more than enough. Please rest, everyone else has it covered," he said gently as you saw people working around you.

Dressed in office attire, agents from the OIA are discussing what happened and work to secure the area. You note many different races, including Shokan and Zaterrans, are present in the sea of bodies working. You catch a glimpse of a particular swordsman and a dark-skinned agent, and your hoarse voice calls them over.

Kenshi turns at your voice and sighs out your name, relieved you're alright.

"I apologize for not being able to come sooner," Kenshi bows to you and the brothers, "A personal matter came up."

You shake your head, "Whatever you had to do, it wasn't your fault. We got it covered."

He smiles, pushing his sunglasses up as he and Jaxx get back to work on how to tidy up the mess.

You begin to get on your knees, but the brothers gently scold you for trying to rush. Tomas gets up and squats once again, his back in front of you as he tells you to get on.

"Aren't we a little too old for shoulder rides?" you chuckle as you begin to climb on his back. The warmth of his body is nice, your head nuzzling into him as he rises slowly.

"We're just helping you," he says softly. Kuai Liang comes to his side, and he taps your shoulder for you to bring one arm down to hold his hand.

"Touchy aren't we?" you tease him. Kuai Liang flushes a little red before he slips his hand in yours.

Bi Han, though, is a bit more aggressive with his care. He scoffs as he stands to the side of you three, his arms crossed over his chest as he turns his head away.

"This is not the time to be playing games," your eyes are slightly downturned at his harsh tone. He catches this, and fixes his tone but keeps the weight of his words.

"We could have lost you," he says quietly. His brothers' happy demeanors are suddenly flipped upside down, the recent memory of your near-death a new piece of trauma in their head.

You tut and ask Bi Han to come to your other side. You let go of Kuai Liang's hand, not without a quick kiss on the back of his hand, and cup his face once more. You rub his cheek gently as you practically whispered to him.

"But you didn't," you say. "I'm here. I'm on Tomas's back, I held Kuai Liang's hand- I'm holding your face right now!"

Bi Han has an incredulous look on his face before his hand is on top of yours on his face. He gently kisses the palm of your hand, eyes still on yours as color fills your cheeks and ears.

"Yes," he says softly. "That you are."

You smile and he lets go, allowing you to continue holding Kuai Liang's hand as you four walked to the open portal that Liu Kang came from.

Finally, you came home.

=====================

i was watching ATLA and saw katara fight with water tentacles, so i just had to implement that into this fic

i got two more requests since i reopened my requests again, and let me just say i'm glad i have something to do while i'm unemployed

hope you guys like this one!

i'll see yall in the next fi ;)

[lunastrophe]

Hello! Thank you so much for the answer(s) to my previous question(s); always so eloquent and enjoyable to read! I have a few more, about Minthara's time in the cult of the Absolute.

How long do you think she was in the cult?

What made Z'rell hate her so much?

When she says "The things that were done to me... they broke my mind", is she discussing the mind control alone, and if so, does that imply they brainwashed her repeatedly?

Could she access her memories in those times, or were they warped/otherwise hidden?

Hello again! 😊

🕷️Minthara's Time In The Cult - I am not sure if it is possible to tell exactly how long Minthara was in the cult, but I think that it might be several months (less than eight months, though).

Minthara left Moonrise shortly after being infected and for some time, she was fighting in Ketheric's army, participating in raids and battles. Then she was given command of the goblin camp - and she has already managed to settle in there when we meet her. Things like that take time.

Also - if I am not mistaken - Durge was betrayed around eight months before the Nautiloid crash (Orin's note suggests that). Minthara apparently never saw them in Moonrise, which may suggest that she was recruited after Durge vanished.

🕷️Minthara And Z'rell - honestly, I suppose that Z'rell did not really need a reason to hate Minthara. She seems to generally hate all her subordinates: she constantly bullies them, threatens them and shows her dominance whenever she can. Minthara - with her noble female drow / Baenre mindset - probably did not take it well!

Also, during her short time in Moonrise, Minthara was likely often seen with Orin. And then Ketheric personally chose her to serve in his army. I imagine that Z'rell might be envious, seeing a freshly recruited True Soul - and technically, her subordinate - already having such favour of two Chosen.

🕷️Each memory that returns to me is more disturbing than the last. The things that I did in the name of the Absolute... the things that were done to me. They broke my mind - I always thought that Minthara speaks here merely about her time in the cult: all the memories are returning to her and she starts to fully realize what the Absolutists did to her.

She may also refer to her most recent torture in Moonrise prison - when the torturers broke her mind and almost erased her personality.

I do not think that she was repeatedly brainwashed. After she was infected, the tadpole apparently did most of the work when it comes to indoctrination, erasing some things from Minthara's memory and giving her some false memories (about her first visit to Moonrise, first impression of the Absolute and so on).

🕷️True Souls do not seem to remember that they were tadpole'd and brainwashed. The Absolute's power is apparently so overwhelming that they remember only some basic facts about themselves, but the rest is warped by the tadpole's influence.

I am convinced that Minthara could not access the memories of her infection / indoctrination when she was under the Absolute's control. She did not even remember that she came to Moonrise with other drow and with a mission - the tadpole changed her memories and convinced her that when she arrived to Moonrise, she was immediately in awe of the Absolute and willingly joined the cult.

[cupidsworstcrime]

Obsessive superior officer König going after an off-putting subordinate? angst, Stockholm, and taking "Touch her and die" very seriously.

LOVE THIS!!! I'm going to make it about 5~ parts long I think, just cause it seems very self-indulgent for me lol (3,261 words SO FAR)

This is a smut heavy fic, but technically there will be a plot

Posted a few hours ago~

Link to the fic: Love Me with No Mercy

Sample for the lovely anon:

There was just something so painfully delicious about the way she chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to think. Around her lips were scarred and scabbed, as if it's a habit she’s had since birth. König knew better than to look at a lieutenant the way he was, but he never noticed how beautiful she looked. Well, he did, but he never got to properly appreciate it. 

He had time now, of course. Hutch and Roze forced half these poor bastards to a bar for “stress relief”. God, König knew some ways to relieve stress. Her scarred, yet perfect lips wrapped around his cock, barely able to fit him in that little throat. His face was red, his mouth opened slightly. He was glad we wore a mask so the others couldn’t see him panting like a dog.

“Eleven?” She finally called out. She sounded unsure, as if she didn’t know how many zones were in her home country.

The announcer smiled and put a tally on the board, “Correct! There are eleven zones in Russia!” The team cheered Wendigo on. Bar trivia, per Hutch’s request. And she was knocking it out of the park. König was unsure how someone as intelligent and beautiful as Wendigo ended up at KorTac. 

She could definitely had been a model instead, face blessed with an alien-like beauty, huge fucking eyes, always looking. Her legs were long, nearly as tall as König, give or take an inch. Her face was pale and scratched like a porcelain doll that a child made sure was well loved. She was thin. Not unhealthy so, he thought, she had some meat on her, but her skin stretched over her ribs. He had peaked when she walked from the shower to her quarters in that pink little bra, wore it often, must be a comfortable one. He’d think Wendigo was starving had he not seen how she eats, as if insatiable. Maybe it was that she may seem intimidating to others?

check the fic link for the rest <3

[oldfriendsseniortwittersanctuary]

I'm going to break down whether every character in Zeta Gundam would sleep with Char Aznable/Quattro Bajeena. No one asked me to do this but I will anyway.

Note: I'm only including characters that interact with Char at least a little bit and/or characters I care enough to talk about. Also I'm not including Reccoa because we, uh, canonically know the answer to that question, and that's boring.

Kamille Bidan

So the question "would they sleep with Char" is technically two questions, that and "would Char sleep with them?" Unless stated otherwise I'll treat the second question as a forgone conclusion, Char would never turn down an opportunity to manipulate someone via sex. In this case though, we are talking about an underage character that Char comes to view almost paternally. That being said... yeah sorry I think Char would do it, at least early on. Sorry, Char sucks I don't know what to tell you. Conversely, though, Kamille early on has way too many hang-ups about masculinity to sleep with another man, and later on knows Char too well and knows not to get entangled in His Bullshit, so ultimately it would not happen.

Fa Yuiry

Hell no, she has far too much self-respect to fuck Char.

Emma Sheen

No, too much self-respect AND too gay to fuck Char.

Henken Bekkener

He would, but he would rationalize it away hard. "It was just two guys helping each other out," "that specific sex act isn't gay," "it was just once" (it would not be just once).

Bright Noa

He's married and it's grossly unprofessional to sleep with your subordinates, so he would not sleep with Char... sober. Put a Mai Tai or two in him and that won't be the only thing in him.

Katz Kobayashi

Oh... oof. Thankfully, this kid is far too annoying for Char to fuck, but if he wanted to manipulate Katz into it... I'm sorry to say but he probably could.

Blex Forer

Oh they're absolutely fucking on the dl don't lie.

Apolly Bay

He would try it once, just to see if he was into dudes at all. Ultimately he'd decide this wasn't for him but hey, try everything once.

Roberto

You see that mustache? Hell yea he would.

Torres

He lowkey wants to, but for some reason Char never asks. He's not mad (he's a little mad.)

Astonaige Medoz

He's too busy for this shit.

Wong Lee

I'm sorry to tell you but... yeah, yeah he would. And Char would be too pragmatic to turn him down. I'm so, so sorry for this, but it's the truth.

Haman Karn

She is preparing for the hate fuck of the century. She has been preparing for YEARS. Her Body Is Ready.

Anyway, yeah Char would decline.

Hayato Kobayashi

Maybe while drunk, but he'd have to be so drunk that even Char would be like "eh, no, this is a line I wouldn't cross."

Beltorchika Irma

She would, but it would be Cat on a Hot Tin Roof type of situation. Just... wildly unhealthy for everyone involved.

Amuro Ray

yeah maybe

[weirdo-from-bonesborough]

None of the clone troopers have ever spoken Mando'a in canon, however Rex has called people "kid", including several clones, Ahsoka, and Ezra. We also hear Cody refer to his subordinates as "kid" as well, and once he refers to another clone as "son" (Chopper in the Hidden Enemy)

Additionally, in the 'The Deserter', Rex explains that he is fighting so "our children and their children [won't] be forced to live under an evil I can't well imagine." When Cut points out that Rex can't have kids, as it's against the rules, Rex responds that "it doesn't matter if it's my children or other people's children." He is not denying that he doesn't have kids, but instead implying that he sees no different between his own offspring and others'.

Therefore, there is technically more textual evidence to support the headcanon that Rex would be referred to as "Dad" instead of "ori'vod" should a member of the 501st require a familiar nickname for him. In this essay I will examine the significance of this moniker in relation to Captain Rex, and expand upon how this may change our understanding of the GAR's interpersonal relationships

[nyarlathotep-thecrawlingchaos]

Hi Nyarla 😅 uh, because you said this is a safe space, I was wondering if I could share something that's been upsetting me lately?

Don't feel forced to read or anything! Please stop if you're not in the right mental space or if you're just simply not interested or something! ❤️

So I've seen a lot of media (especially TikTok and stuff) portraying Crocodile, Mihawk and surprisingly Buggy as abusive towards their S/O 😅 As someone who's undergone abuse it's both triggering and extremely upsetting, and because you write for Poly Cross Guild so much and you stated you understand your brain being your worst enemy, I figured maybe I could list off the reasons I think this shouldn't logically make sense, or at least the reasons I'm trying to convince myself it doesn't, and ask your help and the help of all our community friends with it too? I'm so sorry, again, feel free to ignore this!

Crocodile, it's just...it doesn't 'fit'? In the sense that, sure, he beats up Buggy, but that's because he *CAN'T* kill him because he's serving as scapegoat, but otherwise he'd kill him and be done. Does that make sense? I mean that Crocodile feels like he wouldn't just...put energy into charming someone into a relationship to then hurt them? I'm trying to be so logical here it may come off insensitive and I'm so sorry, I'm just trying to grip into straws here, so I'm telling my brain he wouldn't 'waste his time' being abusive when he can just send the person away, or break up, or stuff. Because I know my brain won't just accept a 'He would just never do that because he is NOT like that and he would love you'. I genuinely feel like Crocodile is a kind of evil man with morals, along the lines of 'It is okay to murder people but it is never okay to disrespect your wife' kind? Also he just...he feels like once he finds somebody that won't betray him he keeps them so close? He very much gives the 'I will treat you how you treat me' kind of person? Plus I know it sounds stupid but with how much he seems to like and care for and protect animals I just don't think he would hurt his S/O? Also?? If it's because he kills other characters or beats up Buggy.....he doesn't??? Love????? Those people?????? You can't apply it to how he'd behave with a S/O?????

Mihawk probably comes from him being seen as very cold and distant, but it just....I detect no reason why he should ever be regarded as abusive either? He seems like he has a good heart, or at last not an evil one? Once again feels very much like a 'He wouldn't put energy into it'? He looks like he has very strong morals? And like he respects people in that sense?

And Buggy just...why? Because he yells at his subordinates and crew? That doesn't translate into anything? Buggy looks like he craves genuine love and clings onto it and falls into people pleasing?

HOLD UP

FRAND NEEDS COMFORTING AND REASSURANCE

This is gonna take a fair amount of typing so lemme sliiiide up to the ol laptop and—

Ow.

AHEM.

Anyway. First and very importantly, no apologizing, I am more than happy to be here in these situations. And you're giving me an excuse to do some good old fashioned character analysis?? Honestly, thank you.

Next, I already don’t like seeing them depicted as abusers in relationships. To each their own, but definitely not my cup of tea.

I hate it even more when it’s presented without trigger warnings. Trauma is a thing, please for the love of FUCK people, ADD TRIGGER WARNINGS. It takes all of TWO SECONDS to keep from making someone’s day worse.

Just fuckin do it mmkay.

Like, I get it. They’re technically villains. All three of them have the capacity to be complete jackasses, but no, I don’t feel like that translates into a romantic situation for any of them. At all. Crocodile, at worst, could potentially be neglectful to a point, in the sense that he ends up too busy with his work to spend as much time with you as you’d like, but he would find a way to make up for it when he becomes aware of it. And for sure the way a person treats animals is a clear indication of their character. It’s an enormous red flag to me when I see anyone that gets their rocks off on being mean to defenseless creatures (I know the bananawanis don’t technically qualify as defenseless, but still, same principle). Sir Crocodile is a busy man. It takes a lot of time and effort to run a successful criminal empire. He wouldn’t give anyone the time of day that he didn’t care about and downright treasure. He could be guilty of snapping off or being a jerk when he’s in a bad mood (who isn’t?), but, as you stated, he’s not going to waste valuable time courting someone just to use them as a punching bag, emotionally or otherwise.

Mihawk is still the human equivalent of a spoiled housecat to me. Cats frequently come off as aloof little assholes, they can be incredibly antisocial around other cats and people, but they are very capable of showing love and affection to their chosen human(s). That’s exactly how I see Mihawk. He’s shown a capacity for kindness to others even in canon. He didn’t have to let Zoro and Perona stay on Kuraigana Island when they showed up. He could have very easily killed them or sent them off. He also showed concern for both of their well beings’. He is more than capable of caring about others; he just has a tendency to be subtle about it. Not everyone’s love language is extravagant. Antisocial doesn’t translate to uncaring. Being antisocial frequently can mean just the opposite—that you would rather spend your time and affection on the people you care about than waste your energy making small talk with strangers.

I would like to have a word with whoever tf is depicting Buggy as abusive like?? He’s just a baby?? Okay, his temper could potentially be problematic at times, but abusive? Ex-fucking-SCUSE ME? I don’t track with this one at all. Lil guy is attention-starved. He would be an absolute sweetheart exclusively to his beloved. He would be clingy as hell to be sure, and he would spoil them rotten whether they like it or not, and his abandonment issues could be a lot to handle at times with a potential for jealousy, but none of that translates to abusive.

I say again, TRIGGER WARNINGS PEOPLE. USE THEM.

[drinkingcoffee-inthedark]

unrequited

warning(s): implied smut, angst

pairing(s): Azriel x Reader, Lucien x Reader

word count: 676

this may come a series depending on response. idk yet. maybe become reader insert or i may just name the character. literally no clue where this is going 😅

Azriel held her in his arms tightly, her back pressed against his front. The scent of their mixed arousal still hung heavy in the air, even though she’d already been asleep for over an hour now. The Shadowsinger couldn’t give himself over to his desire to sleep; not yet. He wanted to enjoy this while he could. He knew she wouldn’t be there when he woke up.

He held his scarred hand flat, just underneath her breasts, feeling the steady rhythm of her breaths. She was so peaceful like this. Such a rare occurrence during their missions. She was one of his spies. Technically his subordinate, which should feel wrong. But it didn’t.

It made it even worse for Azriel when his mating bond with Gwyn snapped months ago. But he didn’t know why that didn’t override all of his senses; why it didn’t consume him the way the female in his arms did. Gwyn didn’t feel the bond yet, but he still felt a little bit guilty having another female in his bed when he finally found his mate.

It was just sex. That’s what they’d agreed upon. They were friends with benefits, nothing more. That was punctuated by the fact that Azriel knew she found herself in Lucien’s bed almost as much as his own. It started just as soon as Elain had rejected the bond with the redhead. He’d asked her why she’d bedded Lucien once before. That conversation ended in an argument.

“His heart is broken. I just want to make him feel better,” she told him, “It’s none of your business who I sleep with.” Because that’s what she was good at. Making the people around her feel good. And she was right. He had no claim to her.

Azriel was furious with that answer. Furious at her. She broke his own heart over and over, and yet, she seemed to care about Lucien’s. Maybe she thought the brooding Shadowsinger didn’t have one. And maybe he didn’t with the way he spat back at her.

“Maybe you’re just taking advantage of his heartbreak to get what you want.”

Her eyes welled with tears and she hastily put her clothes back on.

“Fuck you, Azriel,” she whispered, deathly quiet as she slipped from his room. They didn’t talk for a week after that. He sent a shadow to follow her the whole week. It followed her to Lucien’s apartment three days that week.

The shadow reported back to its master with more detail than he wanted. The way she tipped her head back and laughed at his clever quips. The way his hand rubbed her shoulder gently, and his soft comforting words when she told him about her fight with Azriel.

Lucien assured her that he wanted her too. That she didn’t take advantage of him. His shadows told him all about how she climbed on Lucien’s lap after that and rode him right there on the couch; told him how she threw her head back and screamed his name when she came. The toe-curling ecstasy the redhead sent her into. She cooked him dinner that night, in his quaint little kitchen. His shadows told him that she stayed the night. Something she never did with himself.

Azriel hated the Emissary for being the one to soothe the wounds that he caused. He hated himself more for causing them in the first place. He hated that it was Lucien making her scream in pleasure. Most of all, he hated that she talked with -she laughed- with him. Hated that she spent the night with Lucien’s arms around her.

Azriel sighed deeply, finally closing his eyes. He couldn’t keep them open any longer. He was already well into his deep sleep when the beautiful female in his arms slid out of her bed and redressed.

She stood in the doorway, watching his peaceful slumber. He snored softly, making her smile. When a hint of the sun started peeking through the curtains, she reluctantly turned on her heel and headed towards her own room.

[mk-nightrider]

- Earthrealm Special Forces - Outerworld Research and Control Agency -

Ever since Shao Kahn's failed invasion of Earthrealm, there has been a pressing need to document and study the abilities of species from other realms as well as the rising issue of meta humans emerging across the globe. At first this responsibility is left with Earthrealm Special Forces (ESF) as part of their overall mission to defend the realm. But after the Reiko Accords, it became apparent that ESF were unable to balance this responsibility with their primary directive as a defensive strike force. The key deciding factor being how easily Kotal and his then trusted fighters D'Vorah and Erron Black were able to escape and subvert ESF protocols and then abduct Earthrealm citizens.

Thus, the Outerworld Research and Control Agency (ORCA) was established. Their mission; the research, cataloging, containment, and control of those with extra-ordinary abilities that are or may be a threat to Earthrealm's safety. The agency is split into two main divisions in support of this mission. Control and Support. Control is the main division and does as one might expect, leading the charge on addressing antagonistic forces, outerworld persons, and meta humans. The Support division focus on the opposite. Their scope being the identification of citizen meta humans to help them live safe and normal lives as well as supporting and augmenting allied outerworld persons and meta humans. As a result, secrecy is paramount to ORCA. With all subjects being referred to only by code names and alpha-numerical designations in their documents, the agency dreads the possibility of their data leaking into the hands of an organization like the Red Dragon. With their penchant for human experimentation, they'd surely use the data to abduct and recruit for their sinister purposes.

While technically subordinate to the ESF, they have their own command structure that stands equal with General Blade. Still a fledgling agency at the time of the Outworld Civil War Refugee Crisis, the narrowly missed destruction of the realm by Quan Chi and Shinnok only helped prove how necessary this agency was and saw a new wealthy of funding diverted to their missions. Now they maintain several high security facilities with the most notable being as follows; The Pod, ORCA's headquarters and dedicated research facility located in an isolated section of North Dakota at a decommissioned missile base. Fort Charles, located in Colorado, it already housed a supermax facility for ESF. Now ORCA manages the it. Using it to contain low level threats and to funnel higher level threats to more secretive locations. Locations such as... Brook's Range. Located in Alaska and sharing a name with the mountain range that contains it. Dug into a mountain side and with surrounding inhospitable icy conditions, this facility keeps mid tier threats well contained. Blackrock. Disguised as a disease research facility off the coast of New England, deep underneath is one of their most secure facilities reserved for the highest level threats.

The system that ORCA uses to categorize what threat level an Otherworld Persons or Meta Human may be is called the Threat Evaluation Conditions (TECONS). Based on the Alert Condition systems such as DEFCON. While the system focuses on powers as a led determination in threat, a persons connections or willingness to cause damage, as well as difficulty to contain can also play a part in their determination. This system is not limited to enemies and is also used to classify allies. Tier 1 - Otherworld persons without powers or low level meta humans who's powers could cause minor damage and casualties. Could be easily subdued or contained by a skilled agent. Examples: Johnny Cage, Kabal, Erron Black, Mavado, and the civil war refugees. Tier 2 - Persons that could cause grave damage and casualties. May require a team in order to subdue or contain. Examples: Sheeva, Baraka, Kenshi, Kano Tier 3 - Persons that could cause exceptionally grave damage and destruction. Containment may be exceedingly difficult. Examples; Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Skarlet, Kotal, D'Vorah Tier 4 - Persons that could cause damage on par with natural disasters. Examples: Tremor, Sindel, Fujin Tier 5 - World Enders Examples: Shinnok, Shao Kahn.

A very special thank you to @bdfightclub/ @mkdecimation for their help in developing this idea and for the use of their Blackrock location as one of ORCA's locations in the Nightrider universe.

If you like the idea of ORCA and would like to incorporate it into your Mortal Kombat AU, please do! Just remember the golden rule of credit where it is due. Mostly because I would love to see how other people utilize this agency.

[bradsmindbrain]

Phantom/Calamity Ganon Headcanons

● Ganondorf created it shortly before his assassination of Sonia. It was brought into the world through a dark ritual in which Ganondorf sacrificed some of his own flesh and blood, allowing his Malice to take shape.

● Despite what its physical appearance may suggest, it is an entity almost completely separate from Ganondorf, one with its own personality. That being said the two share some kind of mental connection, and Phantom Ganon possesses all the physical abilities and some of the magical ones that make Ganondorf such a fierce opponent.

● It was Ganondorf’s foremost lieutenant during the Imprisoning War, and still is in the current day. Its shapeshifting, combat skills, and loyalty have secured its place as Ganondorf’s most trusted subordinate.

● When Ganondorf was imprisoned, Phantom Ganon was trapped underneath Hyrule Castle with its master in a severely weakened state, but over time, Ganondorf’s subconscious resentment allowed it to grow and grow, eventually managing to escape the catacombs to try and free its master. This was the first Calamity, with Ganondorf’s name becoming lost to time and Phantom Ganon being dubbed “Calamity Ganon.”

● Ultimately, its second release was enough to unseal Ganondorf after its second defeat, meaning it had accomplished its goal.

● It is The Malice, and it is The Gloom, effectively meaning that it can control both substances as an extension of itself.

● Compared to Ganondorf’s skill in combat, Phantom Ganon is far better at tactics, specifically creating the Blights to counter the Champions and hijacking the Guardians to ensure its second coming would be harder to stop.

● It was actually the one to come up with the plan to divide Hyrule’s people and disguise itself as Zelda to sow discord, Ganondorf was far too weak at the time and had to regain his strength by absorbing the life that The Gloom siphoned.

● It generally tries to mimic Ganondorf’s appearance, as some kind of show of loyalty to him.

● Since it is The Gloom, it can’t technically be killed unless all Gloom is destroyed. Meaning any defeat is a minor setback for it.

● Highly adept at illusions and shapeshifting, and terrifyingly good at posing as someone else. It’s also capable of manifesting in multiple places at once.

● This also means it’s capable of generating any weapon that it needs, usually ones that Ganondorf used.

● Compared to Ganondorf, it’s far colder than he is, and much more directly cruel. It greatly enjoys twisting the knife whenever possible.

● While it is good at imitating people, its cruelty sometimes shines through, revealing its true nature.

● Enjoys manifesting as Gloom Spawn for initial attacks, before reconstituting into its humanoid form.

● Calamity Ganon was merely a role it played, making itself appear as a mindless animalistic force when that was the exact opposite of what it was.

● Can alter The Gloom’s properties as it sees fit, but it only does that in scenarios where regular Gloom wouldn’t be effective.

● Aside from freeing Ganondorf, it considers its greatest achievement to be gaining control over Naydra, even if it wasn’t absolute.

● Plants wilt and die where it has been, water becomes sullied in its presence, and animals avoid it like the plague. Nature itself rejects it.

● Despite being Ganondorf’s creation, it has killed astronomically greater amounts than he has, be it through assassinations or through The Calamities.

[bleachbleachbleach]

[Bleach 079]

Renji????? Excuse me, but respectfully, what. Aizen-san? Aizen-SAN? What is this?

I cannot conjure a single reason or reasonable circumstance where anyone in the Gotei--vice-captain and below--would not refer to a captain with the honorific -taichou. Maybe this read-through will prove me wrong, but I don't... I don't think so? Especially Renji, because I have always felt that if any VC were going to win a speedrun of "list all the captains," it would be Renji. (Nanao also knows this info well; Renji can just shout faster.) I should probably revise this headcanon based on the fact that he doesn't remember that Hitsugaya exists and he's out here Aizen-san'ing his former captain, but I shall not be.

Renji just seems like the kind of person who would study all the captains, and kinda have them all clocked. I feel like if Renji and Rukia had spent more time in school together, they would have ended up making Captain trading cards. Renji would supply all the info, and Rukia the illustrations. They'd be study guides, technically, but Rukia figures, I am not drawing all these dumb captains unless we can monetize this, and they start a whole trading card micro-empire. (Renji does propose this to Kira and Hinamori, but Kira thinks its gauche and Hinamori doesn't think anyone would need captain trading cards because there's only 13 of them to memorize. Just keep writing your share of the kidou flashcards, Renji, there are over 9000. Well, maybe one captain flashcard.)

Punk vibes he may have, but Renji's also well aware of how rank works and he will walk the walk; he's a company man. (Yes, he challenges his own captain in open combat in the middle of an active invasion. He does do that. But he knew that's what he was doing, and the contrast is the point--)

Renji does later call him Aizen-taichou, so there's that:

What momentary madness took him over. Was it the squiggly dialogue that threw him off? Was it the stress of dropping Rukia off at her execution tower? Who has he been hanging out with who'd call Aizen 'Aizen-san' and poison his BRAIN like that. Though lol, Ichimaru does refer to Byakuya as "Kuchiki-taichou-san" when he and Zaraki go pop in at the 6th, so maybe it was thinking about Ichimaru that addled him.

Because we also have Renji and Ichimaru, who at least in his internal narrative Renji doesn't seem to respect all that much. He says "Ichimaru no yarou," which is a masculine, crude way of referring to someone. To a superior officer (or honestly any co-worker), it's rude as hell. Though, granted, Renji is only being as rude about Ichimaru internally as Hitsugaya is rude about Renji out loud, so. XD Take that as you will.

But it does make me wonder about what their VC-subordinate relationship was like, what the circumstances of Renji's leaving the 5th were, and whether Kira's devotion to Ichimaru came out of his time in the 5th or whether it was cultivated only afterward, in the 3rd. And if it was in the 5th, how did this impact Renji and Kira's relationship? I'm in love with all of these potentials. Honestly I'm kind of into the idea that the Nerd Squad were all kind of mid about Ichimaru as a VC, and that when Kira eventually ends up becoming VC of 3rd he's resigned about it--only for the relationship to change. And at some point Renji realizes he can't joke about Ichimaru with Kira any more, like they used to.

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read The Great Hunt! Chapter 26: Discord

Gather around everyone and I'll tell you a tale. It's a tale of my reactions to someone else telling me a different story in book form. Many book form, to be technical. And I already know the story, so my reactions will be very spoilery for all the books. Every book. If that's gonna be a problem, plug your ears or something I guess.

This chapter has a harp icon because it's Thom time! I'm as happy as Rand is to see him.

Rand, I may have been too hasty in leaving Stedding Shangtai the way I did. When I do go home, I may be in a great deal of trouble.

Not sure why you couldn't just lie about being a young Ogier from Saldaea or something, Loial. You all can't keep that close a set of tabs on each other. Or is the unbearded look a dead giveaway?

When they came pounding through the common room, Rand winked at the innkeeper, then laughed at his startled look. Let him think I’m off to play his bloody Great Game. Let him think what he wants. Thom’s alive.

What is it about needing to keep a low profile in inns that makes Rand so reckless? First Baerlon and his channeling sickness, now this when he doesn't even have that excuse.

The innkeeper was a woman with hair as white as Thom’s, and sharp eyes that studied Loial as well as Rand.

Innkeeper size, and therefore loyalty, uncertain.

The slender woman sitting cross-legged on the bed with her skirts tucked under her was keeping six colored balls spinning in a wheel between her hands.

Dena meanwhile has to be small so that Jordan can fit her into the fridge more easily.

“I have never heard of a woman gleeman,” Loial said.

And this frankly makes Dena's fridging all the more exhausting. Why are there no gleegals anyway? Surely there'd be a good source: women who go to the Tower to become Aes Sedai and then get put out again when it's clear they're not worthy but who don't want to go back home now that they've tasted the world. Especially since this world seems to be pretty low on sex work, you'd think that gals who don't have much else in the realm of prospects would pick up the job.

But also, it's infuriating that Dena is intro'd in this way and then killed off and then we never have any other woman who tries to take up the mantle later. One can hardly blame Thom for being in a hurry to pick up a lady apprentice given what happens to Dena and the events of the next few months, but by the time he ended up in Ebou Dar it should have been going again. It's a wasted opportunity.

They hang a scrap of painted canvas behind them, supposed to make the audience believe these fools are in Matuchin Hall, or the high passes of the Mountains of Dhoom. I make the listener see every banner, smell every battle, feel every emotion. I make them believe they are Gaidal Cain. Seaghan will have his hall torn down around his ears if he puts this lot on to follow me.

And here's another apparent revolution in the world's culture that doesn't seem to go anywhere. Theater exists; there's a play held in Andor much later, but apparently Gleemen will stay the preferred style for now. I suppose after the circus it's probably for the best we didn't pick up a subplot of players.

“She listens to a tale once—once only, mind!—and she has it right, not just the words, but every nuance, every rhythm. She has a fine hand on the harp, and she played the flute better the first time she picked it up than you ever did.”

Yes yes, we all know she's too pure for this sinful Earth.

She’ll be court-bard to a king or a queen before she’s done.

Okay but for real Thom, there's only so many monarchs in the world and I doubt many more nobles besides their immediate subordinates could afford court-bards so what are all the women in the world who aren't mind-bogglingly talented supposed to do in the performance arts? They can't all just give up their dreams and move on. Why are they absent?

“Your clumsy sheepherder’s fingers were never meant for the harp.”

There is something very sad in Rand not being meant for the sophisticated forms of art (and science) that he'd really rather be a part of than conquering.

There is even a lord in the city has what he claims is the Horn locked up inside his manor. He says it’s a treasure handed down in his House since the Breaking.

You know, I'm willing to believe that this lord really does have a 3,500 year old horn in his basement. Obviously not a magic one, but still. Stranger things have happened.

“Moiraine says it’s the Horn,” Rand said. Thom’s mirth was cut short.

Thom takes Moiraine as gospel even now.

“I don’t suppose you are talking about simply riding to Shienar and handing the Horn to—who?—the King? Why Shienar? The legends all tie the Horn to Illian.”

I suppose this must be one of those myths that grew in the telling. That or there was some confusion with a Foretelling and the sea that the Horn gets tossed into is off of Illian's coast.

“Thom,” he said at last, “are there any books that have The Karaethon Cycle in them?” Easier to call it that than the Prophecies of the Dragon. “In the great libraries,” Thom said slowly. “Any number of translations, and even in the Old Tongue, here and there.”

Thom of course has to answer slowly because Rand's question has given him a heart attack and he needs to take deep breaths. This might well be one of the more terrifying moments of Thom's life, having a young boy taken from his home on suspicion of channeling asking about the Prophecies while waving the sign of their imminent fulfillment around. Or at least this would be the case if Thom was taking it at all seriously (he's not, not yet).

For a moment, Rand could only gape at him, and when he could speak, his voice was unsteady. “The sword makes five. Hilt, scabbard, and blade.” He turned his hand down on the table, hiding the brand on his palm. For the first time since Selene’s salve had done its work, he could feel it. Not hurting, but he knew it was there.

Moiraine of course thought she was fulfilling prophecy but as Rand points out the coat counts for nothing, though funnily enough the sword and the coat are echoes of the later, true markings: the sword setting Rand on his path away from home and the coat being Moiraine naming him among the candidates as the real deal.

Thom's got to be happy Rand's denying it though.

I suspect Aes Sedai would want to make events fit the Prophecies as closely as they can. Dying somewhere in the Blasted Lands would be a high price to pay for going along with them.

Thom's a very kind mentor for actually telling Rand straight out what the price of being the Dragon is and suggesting that if he's just doing it for the Aes Sedai that it's time to do something.

“Then why ask about the Prophecies? Why send the Ogier out of the room?”

One of the problems of being an expert player of the Great Game is that when a novice shows up and starts blundering around, you're going to mistake his idiotic moves for strategic ones. Thom correctly identifies Rand's got an ulterior motive for his behavior and skips right past the obvious, simple, and true answer in favor of a conspiracy theory.

“I’ve learned a few things since we parted, Thom. They will come for whoever blows the Horn, even a Darkfriend.”

I'm not sure you've learned that at all Rand, and I suppose we should have taken Thom not knowing that detail as warning enough that it wasn't true.

“Owyn held it off almost three years. He never hurt anyone. He didn’t use the Power unless he had to, and then only to help his village. He. . . .” Thom threw up his hands.

The taint on saidin was an absolutely masterful counterstroke if you think about it. The perfect way for the divisive paranoia of the Shadow to worm its way into the minds of Light aligned individuals. Thom knows that Owyn was a danger to society but he still tries to make excuses out of love.

If Moiraine’s let you go, then you are well out of it.

While Rand outplays Thom through naivety, Moiraine outflanks him legitimately.

“A clean break is best, boy. If you’re always coming around, even if you never mention it, I won’t be able to get the Horn out of my head. And I won’t be tangled in it. I won’t.”

A cruel move by Thom, but one can hardly blame an old man for trying to refuse the call. One can blame the Wheel for how refusing the call plays out for him though.

Ruefully, he realized he was considering whether to tell Zera the truth or let her continue thinking as she did. All it takes is to think about the Great Game, and I start playing it.

Politics as a whole are a rather infectious way of corrupting the Light too, and the fools do it to themselves. It's no wonder part of Rand's coming is resetting the whole damn board on the players.

Coat or no coat, Rand was still only a shepherd. If he had been more, if he had been what Thom once suspected—a man who could channel—neither Moiraine nor any other Aes Sedai would ever have let him walk away ungentled.

Frankly, I think Thom's very much hiding in denial here like Rand does. He has to know that the facts don't add up in any way that's good but he pretends he can send Rand away and not have to worry about it.

Ah well. We have to part ways here too. See you next chapter!