#they went down my path into the forest which is funny. that’s what i wanted to do today.. silly cows…

[groupwest]

what is it about my van that makes people want to stand outside it in the morning and yell. like i’m in here. asleep

[hoshigray]

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐆𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | s. gojō + k. nanami + h. higuruma

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Two demon hunters and a witch unite to take down a demon terrorizing the locals — sounds easy enough until the demon puts up a good fight and drags you three in for a night you’ll never forget…!

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: demon! Gojo + demon hunters! Nanami & Higuruma x afab/fem! reader - explicit content; minors DNI - fantasy! au - porn w/ plot - reader + Nanami (aged 27), Higuruma (36) + Gojo (???) - double penetration (anal & vaginal) - foursome (MFMM) - [anal] fingering! (f! receiving) - oral (f! + m! receiving) - handjobs - breast fondling + nipple play + sucking - face-sitting + cowgirl positions - clitoral play (swiping and pinching) - biting/nibbling - unprotected sex (psa: wrap the willy, you sillies!!) - pet names (baby, cutie, cupcake, darling, [my] love, sweetheart, sweetpea) - usage of aphrodisiacs - bit of humor bc i'm [not] funny - mention of blood, drool/spit and tears.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 10.6k (i'm so sick...)

𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: first fic of kintober, lessgooooo!! always wanted to write smthn with higunana, so I'm glad i can check that off my list now :333 my first foursome fic, I'm bout to end it all.

“—OWW!! Fuck…easy with the magic, witch!”

“Good work, sorceress; a good hit.”

“He went toward the abandoned mansion as planned; if we’re lucky, with that gash on his shoulder, he shouldn’t be going anywhere…Let’s stay close.”

You nod to the words, the pendant of your necklace shines. “Lead the way.”

Of course, it was a dark and rainy night befalling this day; the twilight light diminished hours within an hour, leaving the stars to scatter around as the waxing crescent dominated the black sky. The only light outside of these is the lantern harboring the flame as you tread under the forest’s trees with purpose, and heavy falling droplets coat your hood and mask the sounds of wet footsteps.

This isn’t the place to walk around during this time of night; the town is fifteen minutes away, the nearest bustle of civilization for its townspeople or passersby. For a night like this, you’d want to be as far away from the rain’s reach: hanging with neighbors or community within the local pubs, calling on a carriage that would service you to your way home, or already cuddled up on your bed and letting the hit of the rainfall hypnotize you to an easy slumber. This is what is expected of the regular townsman, away from the hands of trouble or danger.

However, you are not a townsman – nor are you ordinary – which is why you’re walking up a path that leads to the opened fenced gates of a deserted home. 

“Blood on the ground leads us here,” you were not alone, as one hooded person comments while leading you past the gates forced open. He holds a lantern, the flame closeted by the glass being a light source aside from the periodic lightning that graces the dome above. Tiny bits of his blonde hair can be seen thanks to the glow. 

“Just as you expected, Kento.” Another hooded man speaks before you in your company while tailing behind the other man. “There’s the old Gakuganji mansion…Sorceress, can you cast a veil to make sure the demon has no way to leave?”

You walk between them. “Please stand aside, hunters.” The men don’t move a foot as you distance yourself, leaving you with the space necessary to do what you need to. Because what you’re about to do is something no average man could do but imagine.

Again, that’s only possible because you are not an ordinary townsman…but, instead, a witch.

You raise a hand with your fore and middle finger to your lips. “Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness…” The shadow under your feet goes still, breaking its typical mandate and moving to swirl into a circle. “Purify that which is impure, impure that tarnishes the pure…” The dark circle increases, its massive size swallowing whatever is in its path. It sneaks under the feet of the two men behind you, their shadows unionizing with the giant shape and continuing to grow. Yet, the men remain silent as the darkness consumes the Earth. The grass, the mansion, the damaged fenced gates — the circle expands outward until it meets the trees of the woods. “May the shadows guard the light, keep the unseen from being seen…”  Then, the shadowed shape spirals within its outline, picking itself while the foundations lay on the ground. Liquid matter encircles around as it rises, forming a dome-like profile until the dripping fragments atop piece together. “And may this viel cleanse its inhabitants and scene…Bounded Barrier: Curtain!”

The constructed umbra shields you three from the outside world, sheltering those below from the pattering hits and sounds of the thunderstorm. Knowing this, you discard your hood to the ground and let the cool air greet the skin of your cheeks; the two men behind you mimic and follow as you walk up to the old front doors of the mansion, which also, from inspection, is damaged. A massive hole is gashed onto the aged wooden frame, and lights aren’t on to greet you in the foyer. 

The blonde man takes a few steps ahead of you. “His blood leads to the upstairs.” Now that his hood is off, the light from the lantern highlights more of his hair. “Higuruma-san, my blade.”

“Right here, Kento.” The other person, Hiromi Higuruma, is a brunet man with his hair pushed up, and the older hunter’s clothes is kept dry from the rainfall. Adorning an aloof expression, he pulls something out of his case and hands it to the blonde. “Be sure to stand on guard, you two. The curtain may keep things out and things in, but one wrong move and we’re in trouble.”

“Roger,” the fair-haired Kento Nanami is a younger huntsman despite his appearance. He takes the blunt sword sheathed with a black spotted cloth with one hand while the other scavengers through a pocket. “Sorceress, can you ensure the demon cannot leave this mansion?”

A curt nod is all you give before venturing a hand to the miniature bag that sits behind your back. You pull out multiple pieces of paper, talismans that you throw up in the air as you mutter words under your breath. They ignore the force of gravity and stay airborne, aligning themselves into a circle as they glow into a bluish-white halo. As you recite, your hands come up from the bell sleeves of your dress as if to hold the gleaming circle. But then, you snap your fingers, and the luminous papers immediately break from the circle and head in different directions. Some go outside the huge home while others scram around the inside, a trail following each as they travel up the stairs or down the vast halls. 

“The talismans will go around to every window, door, or opening in this mansion,” you turn to utter a quick spell, and the broken door reconstructs itself back to its original standing with a big spell mark painted on its surface. It flares when you snap your fingers again. “Any contact he makes with them will subdue his powers temporarily. But I’m sure he knows that as well…”

“My thoughts exactly,” Higuruma agrees with you after pulling items from his case to pass to Nanami. He then claps his hands and enumerates a prayer under his lips, and something emerges from the shadows. A black body camouflaged with the dark shade with three stubby points and a face, eyes sewn shut and gritting its teeth. A shikigami, and it swims to where you three stand, curling to where the oldest is. “Better take care of him now while we have the upper hand. Let’s move.”

You and Nanami nod and let Higuruma steer the company to where the blood takes them, walking up the stairs and avoiding the darkness to take hold of their figures because of the lantern. 

Walking in the woods and expediting in old, abandoned homes isn’t something you’d do regularly. But, for a case like this, it’s a routine you’re not unfamiliar with. It comes with being a leper of the woods, an outcast to those who don’t comprehend your routine. Endowed with advanced knowledge of magic and texts, you are the sole witch residing in these forests, practically knowing every way, sound, root, and print like the back of your palm and all the while staying enclosed to yourself, isolating away from the judgemental looks and discrimating words of the common folk. 

Now, if you’re so looked down upon, what calls you here in what seems to be a chase for a demon? Well, for the past three months, the nearby municipality has been sprouting accounts of “supernatural” encounters. What started as something that only a handful of people would recollect turned into havoc brought upon the townspeople daily. The elderly are spooked to the point of shivers, children crying at the most bizarre sights of floating objects and beings, and even narratives that speak about being attacked — all of this from the same demon terrorizing this once peaceful community. 

A demon is causing trouble; what does that have to deal with you? As far as you can tell, none of the people in that town even look your way or treat you with barely decent manners without you harboring a disguise — why should I care for them? That is the question you raised to the two hunters who traveled into the forest to find your hut and bring the issue to you. The same hunters you are silently searching through this mansion’s dusty halls and rooms.

Demon sightings and encounters typically go straight for the church, with experienced deacons and reverends coming together to ordain a jurisdiction on dealing with the wicked spirit based on their ancient teachings. Nonetheless, the church has admitted defeat in exorcising this particular demon. This robust, evil creature is gifted with abilities that have caused near-death for the most adept church members. Every failed attempt only fuels more despair for them and the citizens…which is the demon hunter guild sent two of their fairly newest yet most skilled to come to your abode and convince you to lend them your expertise.

At first, you watched as the two men tried to sway your resilience into giving them aid, yet your stubbornness was a solid obstacle for them to navigate. To you, helping a community that holds ill will towards you just because of your lifestyle to the point of outcasting yourself makes your stomach turn into the worst of knots — something both Higuruma and Nanami found validation in your sternness. But they inquired, you are a practitioner far from their customs, meaning your ridiculed ways have a different advantage and approach. To them, the combined powers of the hunting party and sorcery are necessary to bring down the same evil. Not to mention, you knew of this demon and his powers, so your intellect is profoundly essential – if not by the townspeople, then by the two comely huntsmen begging for your cooperation. 

So, with a heavy sigh and a “…Fine,” you agree to work with the men on their mission on the condition that they capture the ghoul alive. And with two handshakes and a day to devise a plan, you’re now in this rusty place combing for the injured specimen that’s caused all this disturbance…

The inspection is done quietly so the three pairs of ears can catch any cue of noise or voice. No sentences are exchanged, and the three of you are on the same page and motioning around the halls not to have your position compromised for your enemy. Until a clash is heard in a room down the hall, you and the hunters swiftly appear at the door.

Before anything is done, you gently place your fingers on the wooden surface, and your eyes glare with the contact. The material before you turns transparent, the room’s contents visible to your naked eye. According to the layout, this is the second-floor living area with a fireplace, a couch set, and bookshelves on the far right side. And something - no, someone - writhing on the ground, clutching its left shoulder - or what’s left of it as there’s a massive chunk eviscerated off from the collar to the bicep — and bolts of lightning course around the seething figure until faded.

He tried to escape from the window; you note that the exact strings of bolts come from a giant closed windowsill, a talisman plastered outside on the glass. Your eyes return to normal, “I’m going in.” You move without an answer from the huntsmen, your hands grabbing the handles and pushing them to let you in. With your entrance to the cold room, the person is alerted and groans in agony as they change positions for battle despite the pain conveyed in their huffs. You snap your fingers and throw light to the fireplace, and you’re finally met with the being you’ve been tailing after. 

White hair is the first thing that captures your eyes, followed by the bare chest exposed by the lack of a shirt—black hakama with intricate blue and white designs that skitter the bottom openings. Sky-blue tattoos decorate the milky skin from his wrist to his shoulders, pectorals, and streak back to his nape. Finally, the blue horns and tail confirm his non-humanness, and the six signature eyes that his face holds. Six cerulean orbs lock into your frame; the “normal” set has two eyes sitting beneath them, all shining cautiously.

“Gojo Satoru,” you speak first. “Good to see you again.”

He scoffs with a pained grimace. “Wish I could say the same to you, witch. But I didn’t know getting my shoulder murked was part of the greeting.” His right hand was coated with blood from the open wound, crimson spilling down his arm onto the carpeted ground. 

“My apologies,” you say flatly with a step forward. Yet you halt at Gojo’s bloody hand, which forms a sign and points to you. “But you were given multiple chances to stop and still ran.”

“Yeah, well, what do you expect me to do when you’re being chased by a dark sorceress and two pushy demon hunters,” he spits blood to the side before averting his gaze to the door. “Whom I can sense hiding with a weapon and shikigami, by the way—not cool, Nanamin!”

“Not my name.” Nanami bluntly retorts before you continue. 

“You know why we were chasing you down, Gojo. You’ve been frightening the townspeople for the past three moons, an issue that’s been troublesome enough for the church to seek my help.”

Six eyes roll with the click of the teeth. “Mch, traitor, outed by a fellow outcaster.”

“Know it wasn’t my initial choice. Besides,” you move the slit of your dress to open the bag of your thigh. Your forefinger and thumb pull out a green liquid tablet. “You should be thankful that I’m the one capturing you and not killing you here and now.”

You throw the tablet in the demon’s direction, who catches it with his tongue and gulps it down. Instantly, a grumble of stress and pain befalls Gojo, his hand returning to the wound you’re responsible for. This time, tissue muscle regenerates and stitches itself back into its earliest mode, rebuilding his shoulder until the skin morphs back and restores the tattoo that once sat there. “Haaahhh…how thoughtful of you.”

“Stand down now, Satoru,” you cross your arms and crouch. “Leave this place and return to the demon realm where you’ve agreed to stay.” 

“No can do, witch. I ain’t going anywhere until I get what’s mine.” Now that his injury is sealed, he stands up to dust off his pants and stretches. “And seeing that you’ve finally crawled out of whatever hole you’ve been hiding for three months, looks like you’re ready to return it.”

A neutral expression remains. “I’m not giving it back.”

“Then I’m not going back — not like I have any interest to anyway; it’s sooooo boring there.”

“The last time I had to come after you and your antics was with Yaga half a year ago,” you caught the slight narrow of his eyes at the mention of the retired demon hunter. “And the only reason you still walk among the living is because you agreed to his conditions that you return to the demon realm and give me half of your Limitless and Infinity.”

“Agreed or getting hit by the old man until I said I would?” He jokes, but he points to his head where the former hunter had beaten the young ghoul with the sheath of his sword. “But I don’t sense him with you. Guess the geezer finally retired, and not many huntsmen are up to his level now,” Gojo spaces his feet to steady his stance, putting his fists up with a smirk. “Meaning it won’t be too hard getting the rest of my power back.”

You lift a brow. “You underestimate me.”

“Can’t help it,” all his eyes laminate to a brighter hue. “You might be a sorcerer, but you’re still human, flesh and bones that can break easily with or without my Limitless.”

“You think you can break me.”

Metallic nails sharpen with a flex, “Without a doubt.”

Silence shays between you two briefly before you stand right back up. “Then you’re just as foolish as any other human.”

At the final word, the huntsmen dash into the room and begin to charge Gojo’s way, running past your figure as you recite spells. However, the demon’s eyes shine expectantly, slashing his hand filled with energy to dart red crescent-like blades to the men. They dodge and go in opposite directions. Nanami uses his blade and aims for Gojo’s forearm—no damage, used as a shield with his Limitless.

“Nanami~n, how’ve ya been?” The monster asks with a chipper, nonchalantly pushing his arm to push the fair-haired man back. “It’s been a while; I haven’t seen you since you came to get me and Suguru from an old pub!”

“Yes, I remember,” Nanami voices with slight reluctance, sneaking a dagger into the abdomen only for his wrist to be caught by the demon’s tail. “I also remember my superiors warning you and Geto-san to quit causing trouble.”

“Now, where’s the fun in that? Staying in the demon realm is dull and boring. But here,” Gojo puts Nanami on his back with a swift swipe of his leg, kicking him to the chest for a strained groan. “Here is not much of a buzzkill; humans flock to this planet like sheep, little playthings that never cease to entertain me.” He places his foot on the other’s chest, biting his lips after a lick. “…And sure tasty as hell.”

In a flash, the three-limbed shikigami lurks to headbutt Gojo off of Nanami, propelling him into the direction of Higuruma, who stands ready with a sword in position for a slash. Gojo notices him in his peripheral and maneuvers to land on the wall beside the older hunter at the last second. “Hm? Hey, you’re new.” The ghoul gives the dark-haired man a punch to the cheek. “How long have you been in the guild, big-nose?” 

“Five months,” Higuruma admits airly as Gojo swerves from the lunges of the steel sword. “But I’ve heard quite a lot about you.”

“Ehhhh, who woulda thought I was that famous!…Huh?” Something emerges beneath Gojo’s shadow, pulling the demon in and swallowing his body halfway into the wall. “And a shikigami user at that? Heheh, demon hunters might be becoming interesting this time around…” 

Higuruma backs up once Gojo is consumed wholly by his umbra and disappears into the wall. He turns to you, “Is that it? How are we supposed—“

You cut him off. “Get back!”

The spot where the shadow that was once plastered on the wall appears again; this time, the dark shape changes from its black shade into a radiating sky-blue hue. Then, Higuruma backs away, cracks from the glowing tone flourish around the wall, and the old paint withers with ash. “Stay ready,” you warn with your hands coated with energy for whatever comes your way.

A fist emerges from the wall, two hands pulling the spot apart to create a more prominent crater. The fire in the fireplace is sucked inside the glowing hole, and blue horns and silver hair poke out with the torso. “Haaah, being sucked inside your own shadow is suffocating, ya know.” Six mischievous locks on the older hunter responsible for such a sneak attack. “Maybe I should give you a taste of your own medicine, newbie.”

Nanami doesn’t give him a chance, throwing a dagger to penetrate Gojo’s Limitless and pierce his forehead. A cry of pain is expectant yet not given, the creature pulling and discarding the weapon to let the wound heal. With a chuckle, he licks the blood drizzling to his lips. “That wasn’t nice, Nanamin. Be patient and wait for your…turn!” Gojo darts out of the wall with inhumane speed, the sand-haired man barely ricocheting the nails, eager to carve into his skin. Rapid kicks guarded and calculating every move, Nanami does what he can to keep up. Until a punch to his face knocks his goggles off, and a kick to his gut has him projected to another side of the room. 

You clap your hands together, the power within your fingertips emits spider-like strings intertwined, and Gojo stops moving. The right hand comes up and slowly goes down, and Gojo suddenly goes to his knees with his hands up above as if holding – or preventing – something from pushing him onto the floor. “So much for ‘breaking’ me, huh.”

“—Khhh, fuck…” He grouches, trying to writhe from whatever spell you’ve enacted, yet appears more difficult than he figured. “Give me my…powers back, witch!”

“Surrender, now, Gojo Saotru.” Higuruma appears from behind, hailing his sword down to stab the vulnerable target now that he’s under your control.

“F-Fat…fucking chance!”

…Not entirely, though, forgetting one thing that acts with a mind of its own: Gojo’s tail. The thing extends to wrap around Higuruma’s wrists, squeezing painfully hard to throttle him and the weapon to the floor. Then, pupils dim from the glow of Gojo’s Six Eyes, directing onto your frame and blinding you instantly. Fuck! Whether you open or close your eyes, all you can see is the blinding strains of blue eyes that block your vision, your hands coming to your face and undoing the spell. 

“Sorceress!” Higuruma calls out to you, standing up to initiate combat with the demon. Yet, Gojo already appears from behind and hits his nape hard, and the huntsman has no choice but to submit to unconsciousness. But that’s not all; he then grabs the knocked-out man and throws him in your direction. An action you couldn’t foresee and unfortunately got caught up in, unable to enumerate the force of the throw that has both bodies break several walls that lead to an empty room.

Nothing but pain stimulates your senses, aside from the disorienting eyes obstructing your vision slowly fading. You blink frequently, your body aching so much every time you move as you turn to your left where Higuruma’s immobile body lays.

“Hiromi, wake up…Hiromi!” It’s no use; his name isn’t enough to wake him, nor the slaps you pepper on his cheek. “Ghh, of all times to nap…Wake u—“

You hear a sound from the front, your head turning instantly to find a body before you: teleportation! Two fingers press to your forehead, and you, too, become immobile before succumbing to an abrupt rush of sleep. And the last thing you saw was an annoying, insolent grin on the face of a man with horns.

Oh, shit…

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

“Nmm….mmm…”

You awoke to the sound of groaning, eyelids straining to rise. Moving a single muscle in your arm hurts like a bitch, pain permeating throughout tissues and nerves connected. The ringing in your ears begins to disappear, yet nevertheless irksome.

A few blinks ease the bleary eyes, registering that you are not in a familiar setting. The ceiling is easy to make out, and some warm lighting picked up, too. Must be candles. Old paintings, a dresser, and a nightstand — without a doubt, you weren’t in the living area anymore. You are now stuck in what appears to be a bedroom. 

“Ghh…! Ahh, shit…”

That noise again. Turning to your side sluggishly, you see Higuruma’s figure lying parallel to you. “Hiromi,” you whisper to him, his name heard as the man grouses again. You place a hand on his shoulder; his clothing is sullied after being thrown around like you. “Hunter, are you all right?”

“Nnmm, yeah, I’m okay.” He answers, head still processing what has transpired. “Fuck, that was a throw. My head hurts…”

“Yeah, I know, you were knocked cold.” Your head turns to the sides; to your left are the windows that lead to the outside, and a couch sits to your right. “This must be one of the bedrooms of this mansion.”

Higuruma finally opens his eyes. “We’ve been separated from Kento.”

“Yes, and I can’t seem to sense his energy anywhere. Same with yours…” Lips flatten. “Damn it, Satoru must’ve subdued me somehow.”

“Hah, man. This is not how this was—“

“—Mmph! S-Stop, Gojo…!”

“Wh~y? You seem to be enjoying it.”

Two pairs of eyes shot wide at the familiar voices, catching the attention of you and the demon hunter’s eardrums. You two don’t move a single centimeter, allowing the room to respond to your suspicions, and more sounds and noises enter the fray—more…questionable sounds, at that.

You and Higuruma look to the couch, the source of where the voices were coming from, or rather behind it. Slow movements are taken to precaution, the two of you making your way to the furniture to creep and rest your knees away from the hard floor. Slowly lifting your heads, you two investigate what’s concealed by the couch’s camel back.

And what you see is beyond what you had envisaged. 

There’s a bed that stands, and old canopy curtains draped along the wooden frame give it a luxurious appearance. Candles and lanterns are turned on by either bedside, basking a warm glow that goes with the tranquil safety of a bedroom. However, you weren’t alone; two occupants also keep the room company, and they’ve chosen the bed as the safest leisure spot.

What comes to mind when you think of a bed? Sleeping, of course. Possibly a place of rest whenever you come home from a long day’s work. And perhaps, maybe other explicit activities your mind can think of…But something as explicit as seeing a demon giving a demon huntman a blowjob? Hardly foreseeable. 

There’s no mistaking it: the white-haired spirit’s head bobbing up and down was an easy catch, his tail waving from side to side as you picked up muffled moans that were somehow mute to you moments ago. Slurping noises are heard from a distance yet are too erotic of a sound for your ears to expect in this scenario, nonetheless. Nanami’s thighs spread for the ghoul, jerking and fighting to bounce with bitten lips, rosy cheeks, and golden-knitted eyebrows, an expression you never thought you’d seen from such a stoic man as the young man.

Nanami throws his head back, hitting the backboard of the bed. “Hnnmmmshit…Gojo, knock it–ahhaa!!-offff…!” His hands restrained to his back, probably from magic.

Gojo lifts his head and spits on the head of the human male’s cock. “You say that, but look how hard you’re getting,” he strokes the hunter with vigor, the human under his grasp arching his back to the touch. “Damn, who would’ve thought you had something this big; guess that’s expected of a demon hunter, huh.” His tongue laps around the pink glans, climbing to the urethra to tease; Nanami’s legs quiver more. “And look at all this precum…What’s got you all pent up?”

“—Tchhh, fuck, you!” Chocolate eyes hone onto the monster’s figure. “You are what, always giving me more shit to do…Mmmm, can’t stay still in one place…”

“Nope! You, of all people, should know that” he kisses the underside up before claiming the tip for a harsh suck, resulting in a yelp darting out of the blonde’s mouth — you covered your lips. “Besides, isn’t it my job to keep you on your toes, hmm? I’d be making your days pretty boring without me around.”

Nanami observes Gojo retreat his mouth off him, substituting with his hand to stroke the erection to maintain the warmth and friction. The evil spirit draws his face near the hunter’s, all six orbs of his flushed expression, and he scoffs humorlessly. “You call it ‘boring,’ but I’d say any day where I don’t have to deal with the carefree and annoying Gojo Satoru.”

Gojo’s prominent eyes narrow with an impish glint, and his milky nose brushes with the pink of Nanami’s. “Don’t act like you don’t enjoy my company. Especially with this mood, Na-Na-Min.”

You could not believe what played out before you: Gojo Satoru, one of [if not] the strongest demons to roam, kissing with the phlegmatic, young yet swift hunter, Nanami Kento!?!? Has the stars gone in disarray all of a sudden? Was there some dark omen befalling this hour?? You had no idea, your thoughts going a million miles to reach an adequate conscience. Yet how could you when you’re seeing the two opposites melt into the kiss, transitioning from a sweet peck into a more sinister and indecorous one!? Tongues exchanged within each other’s mouths, moans becoming louder with the increasing pace of Gojo’s hand on the excited hard-on. Such an unintended turn of events, especially for Higuruma — big wide eyes witnessing his subordinate be used.

The older huntsman brings you down to hide; however, the couch is no shield from the auditory commotion. W-What in the—what is the meaning of this? The two were in combat not long ago; how do we switch from a battle to an intimate moment like this? How long was I asleep for? Could Satoru have used something to cause Nanami to act like this? No, he doesn’t use spells like that; that’s more my domain…Unless, could he ha—

Your train of thought is put to a stop when something heavy lands on your right shoulder. Higuruma surprises you unexpectedly, placing his forehead on your shoulder. “Hunter?” You whisper with concern, shaking him by his arm. “Hunter Hiromi, what’s the matter? Are you fe—“

Words stop when you hear a deep inhale, and a shaky exhale exits from Higuruma’s lips. And then another, he turns his face to face where your neck is.

……Did…Did he just sniff me? 

That’s not the weird part, though; the older hunter creeps into an area exposed from your dress’ cold shoulder. Another airy breath steams your skin before you’re met with something cold and hot. He kisses your collarbone slowly; the sensation makes you jump and stiff. 

D-Did he just kiss me?!

“Hiromi?” You probe again, shaking him more. “What’s gotten into—“

“Sorceress,” his voice low to not grab the attention of the other men busy with themselves, yet loud enough for you to notice a behavior change. “My head, it’s…pounding like crazy…”

“Your head? Why, what’s—“ His head goes deeper into the crook of your neck, and your heart nearly leaps out your throat from his lips, kissing you again with a light puff. The contact has you suppress a gasp; your nerves under his mouth are hypersensitive for whatever reason! Okay, what the fuck? “Wh-what’s wrong? Why is your head aching all of a sudden?”

“You…smell so good.”

Wow, that’s not an answer you prepared for, both in mind and body. 

Speaking of body, Higuruma’s hands creep on your frame, his left glides to your shoulder to hold – the calloused pads of his fingertips send shivers up your spine – and his right comes to wrap your waist, pulling you closer to him. And he begins to pepper your reactive skin with more kisses, sucking the flesh with a pucker after a lick. The soft smacks of his lips get wetter, and heat from your cheeks is more complicated to avoid.

“Hunter Hiromi…! Snap out of i—Ohhmm!!” Your lips clench to halt the yelp, almost jumping out of your esophagus. Fuck, why am I so fucking sensitive!? Hushed complaints fell on deaf ears, Higuruma still latching his lips onto your warm skin to suck. 

It was then you looked at your bag positioned at the exact spot you were unconscious with the huntsman, tiny valves you stored sprawled out of their organized system. Then, you notice one shattered, pink liquid exuding to the floor burns into gas that fades with the atmosphere. You’re familiar with the potion you see, and your confusion switches to utter dread.

Before leaving on this mission with the huntsmen, you specifically remember telling your witch-in-training, Miwa, to stock up on your mini potions within your bag for defense. Knowing how ditzy that young, blue-haired witchling can be, she probably thought you meant every glass you had — no wonder the shit was a little heavier than usual! 

Finally, it all begins to click: the flush of Nanami’s cheeks, Gojo’s unexpected sexuality, Higuruma’s demeanor switch, and your nerves acute at every touch — you got to be fucking kidding me!  That broken vial was an aphrodisiac harboring a musk so strong it could bring down a humongous orc within minutes, a spell you had crafted for a customer only for your witchling to misplace it. Now, you’re here reaping the consequences in the worst situation possible! How did it break in the first place?! It could be from when you were thrown through multiple walls and went tumbling to the ground, the effects taking fruition when Gojo knocked you out earlier. 

And to make matters worse, you’re not the only one undergoing this; three men now act like absolute horndogs because of this mistake, taking this mission to a complete 180° turn. Just when you thought this task was difficult enough, a curveball such as this throws you off. Unbelievable!

“For crying out loud,” you curse under your breath. “Hiromi, try to fight it! This isn’t—“ he kisses up your neck to your chin, and your attempts to push him off are weaker the closer he inches. Muscles tense when the hand to your waist glides to the crevice of your bottom — and a twitch between your legs. “Stop! Now is not the ti—Mmnn!” He cusps the flesh of your asscheek, bringing the other hand down to grope your ass. Holy Christ, “N-N, wait! Don’t touch it like…Haahhh.” Fuck these damn aphrodisiac effects! 

“Fuck, you smell so fucking good, sorceress,” Higuruma inhales your scent brazenly. “That perfume is driving me nuts.” His fingers are hungrier as they fondle your butt, forcing you to rock your hips with his rhythm. The huntsman comes to your ear; his hot breath brushing the lobe causes your skin to crawl. And then he gives it a lick, and you jump. 

“F–For Christ’s sake!” Your heartbeat hammers your chest. “Don’t do that, I’m sensitive…!” He doesn’t listen, lathering your ear with more licks and kisses. It sounds so erotic; his groans up close to your propinquity that you don’t know what to think right now. The heat between your thighs gets intolerable, imbuing your lower region more and more. “Don’t lick iiit…Ahaah…”

The both of you mesh together in each other’s warmth, Higuruma’s touches growing bolder to prompt you to bite down and stop your moans from getting louder. Your hands are still on his chest, yet exhibit not that much of a push, allowing the man to do as he wishes to make your brain turn into mush. Before you know it, his hands find the slits of your dress and meet bare skin, and you gasp at his calloused fingers ravaging your pantie-covered butt. Fingernails dig as he roughly kneads your rear muscles, silent screams pulled out of your body. 

“Ughh, I can’t,” he speaks softly. “I can’t stop. I’m sorry — I’m so sorry, but” before you know it, his weight adds onto you and forces you to lie on your back. Great, now you’re really stuck under him. “I just can’t…you smell way too good. And you taste so good, too,” he peppers your cheek with a smooch just centimeters away from the corner of your lips. “God, you taste too good; it’s like I’m addicted.”

“Hahh–H-Hunter, not here…We shouldn’t—“

“No, stop,” Higuruma finally lifts his face; your field of vision met with glassy, hooded eyes and furrowed brows. Strands of his onyx hair fell out of its pushed-back form and stuck to the beads of sweat on his forehead, and a flush of red cascaded from one ear to the other. He’s heaving so desperately — as composure stands out, he looks awful! “Keep calling me…by my name.”

Your breath hitches as his face draws closer. “Hi–Hiromi,” and closer. “Hiro—Ohh!—…miii.” His knee meets the area between your legs, pushing onto where your underwear guards your chasm. And the thought that a potential wet spot might be protruding is embarrassing to think about. 

“Good girl,” he praises, lips hovering tantalizingly over yours. “Good girl…”

Finally, after many teases all over your body, Higuruma places his lips over yours to claim. The kiss ignites a fire, instantly combusting within your nervous system and leaving you hot. The heat inside your panties worsens and has you writhing under him, hands grabbing onto the back of his black undershirt as he pushes his face into you more.

He drinks your squeaks, and his tongue slithers on your bottom lip, nibbling on it to evoke more helpless whimpers. “So sweet,” he mummers. “You taste so sweet, baby…”

Baby!? You had to be dreaming, your heart beating way too fast under these conditions, and your cunt spasming involuntarily. I can’t give in to this potion, I can’t…! 

You chant these words internally, yet you can’t stop the quirks of your inner walls as Higuruma pushes his tongue to your teeth. It wasn’t suspected, your mouth opening up in surprise, not knowing that was exactly what the older huntsman wanted for him to intrude into your oral cavity with his wet muscle. You gasp aloud, the sensation of his moist tongue swirling around your mouth and dancing with yours tightens the grip on his shirt.

At this point, everything is happening all at once. You don’t realize your resilience slipped as you whine underneath the man’s bow, heads turning to stay locked with each other’s lips as the pecks grow prurient by the second. Your hips sway to and fro on their own, alongside Higuruma’s, as his hips rock to your tempo. Your legs came around his waist to keep him close, too enamored by him sucking your tongue to even notice.

Then, all of a sudden, something sneaks inside your dress and ventures south and pushes the damp spot of your underwear into your leaking cunt. Electric shocks shoot to your head, and it takes everything in your power not to scream. “—Thhh!! F-Fffaahhh…!! Hi-Hiromi, what are you—“

“Holy shit, I didn’t know how wet you were down here,” A finger presses down into the area, and more liquids flood out of your opening and expand the dampness. “Damn. It’s so hot.”

“Noo, stop it, don’t touch—“ the forefinger swipes up and down and gets swallowed by your clothed outer labia. Your legs quiver, “I’m too sensitized right now! If you keep touching me, you’re gonna–Aahhh!” He brushes your clitoris; oh, this is very bad. “I’m gonna break…!”

“Oh? But I can feel you aching under my fingertips,” he adds his middle finger to circle your slit, the movements tortuous to endure. “Doesn’t it hurt if I leave you just hot and twitchy like this? Don’t you want me to ease it?” You can’t reply, too distracted from his digits, pushing your underwear aside for them to feel the raw flesh of your bareness. “I think you do; don’t you feel how crazy you’re wanting my fingers inside you right now?”

“Stop saying that! It’s embarrassing…! Mmoohh…” Higuruma skims around the split of your vagina, and your breathing gets heavier. “—Nnnmm, fuck, it’s so hooot…”

He kisses your cheek and the corner of your lips. “It’s okay, baby, I got you…” He speaks so low you could melt. “Just relax for me, okay?”

You only reply to him with another passionate kiss, being way more receptive than the last by shoving your tongue into his. The hunter takes this to advantage and patiently pushes his middle finger into your slit. You whine at the insertion, mouth agape as the entire digit nestles inside your warmth. Higuruma instantly greets you with scrapes against your inner texture, the blunt of his fingertip itching your walls to the point of your toes curling.

The haze increases, coherent thoughts turn into fog, and your senses are overwhelmed by the lower commotion. You suck on Higuruma’s tongue with a hum, descending to the wiggle of his finger migrating your insides. Jesus Christ, it felt so good. Was it real, or was it because of the effects of the aphrodisiac, making every fiber of your body hypersensitive? Regardless, you can’t deny how enrapturing it is to have him ease your itch.

Once he adds his ring finger into your wet cavern, you grab hold of his shoulders as both digits push into you until they’re knuckles deep. “Oohhh, ohhhmyG—Hiromi, Hiro!” His name is the only thing that feels easy to blubber out. “I can’t, it feels so good…Ohhh, right there, please…”

“Yeah, you like it when I do this?” He curls both fingers to graze your upper wall, and you jolt upward. “Or…this?” He stretches them apart in a scissor motion, and you nearly choke on your spit.

“Sh-Shtop it,” you croak. “I’ll cum, I’ll fucking cummm!!” The chuckle you hear from above is smooth like honey, unable to fight the twitch of your walls. 

“Go on, cum on my fingers, sorceress,” he coaxes. “And then I’ll go right between your legs, strip that underwear off, and lick you down for making such a mess on me until you’re sore and want nothing but my dick.”Ho. Ly. Shit. “You hear me?” You nod hurriedly, earning another short laugh. “Then cum, sweetie.” Higuruma increases the flick of his fingers, shoving them inside you as deep and fast as he can to where you don’t know how to contain your choked sobs. He gives you his lips again to quiet and calm you down while he effortlessly caresses your velvety channel.

Nonstop motions prompt you to buck your hips and arch your back until you feel as though you’re falling from a peak. Inner muscles spasm erratically around the hunter’s digits, legs tensing up with tremors, and your wails taken by Higuruma, who moans lovingly along with you. Your frame jerks to him with every wave of your climax, and shocks clatter up to make you dizzy and foggy. 

“Mm, there you go, darling,” Higuruma coos before placing a chaste peck on your forehead, removing his fingers from you to see them coated in the fresh slick you’ve gushed. “So good.”

“Wow, what a show!”

Suddenly, the lukewarm feelings soothed around your figure abruptly halt once a new voice shatters you and Higuruma back to reality. Your eyes leave each other and look up to find six on your close-knitted bodies, blue orbs glued onto you two as if to examine you exceptionally near. 

“Oh, don’t mind me,” Gojo waves a hand. “Please go on~.”Higuruma is the first to make a move, but a firm grip catches his wrist, throws him into the air fluidly, and lands on the bed with no grace. “Not what I meant, newbie.”

“Satoru!” You try to slap him, but he grabs your wrist as well. “What are you doing—“

“Uhh, shouldn’t I be asking you the same question, witch?” He brings his face close. “I never took you, so stoic and all business, for a bit of pervert. If I knew you sounded cute and desperate having your pussy teased with, I’d have you wrapped my finger a long time ago.”

“Tah, I’m the pervert? You seemed to enjoy stuffing your face with Kento’s dick. Quite good at it yourself; is that your favorite sport? Something you like to do when you’re not terrorizing towns?”

“What, don’t know what it looks like to have a good time? And not to point fingers, but let’s not forget your potion has us all like this.”

You grimace. “Maybe don’t throw people at about five walls, or something will break!”

“Maybe don’t bring such powerful erotic potions to a battle, and we wouldn’t have that problem! But don’t worry,” Gojo then lifts you off the couch in bridal style. “You’ll take responsibility.”Before you could argue back, the evil spirit teleports you two back to the bed where he primarily was. Now, four bodies lay on the huge old yet soft mattress, all under the potion’s spell, and share a mutual lustful atmosphere. “How long does this aphrodisiac last?”

“…Two hours max.”

“Well, you’ve been knocked out for nearly thirty minutes. So, while we still have the time,” he pushes you off him to where Higuruma lies. “Why don’t you help these two with your mishap?”

“It was an accident—“

“Aye, an accident that now has Mister Big-Nose over here hard as a rock.” You look down to where Gojo’s pointing and see a tent jutting out of Higuruma’s pants. Your lips flatten at the sight, same with the owner of the boner. “Why the faces? What happened to all that talk about eating them out?”

“T-That wasn’t what—“

“Oh c’mon, newbie, you sure ‘bout that? Look,” Gojo maneuvers to where you sit and picks up a leg, moving your dress out of the way and removing your panties to discard. And now, your wet and sticky cunt is out for the men to see. Good Lord, Satoru!! “Look at how wet you made them feel back there; they were really excited about how good you made them feel. And I’m sure they look forward to your handsome face sitting in between their juicy legs.”

Had the silence been longer than a few seconds, you would’ve told Gojo off and left the other be. But the sound of an unbuckled belt is heard as you observe Higuruma sliding his pants down and revealing the erect limb free. The sight of precum sliding down the angry pink tip down to his balls is brain-altering. He then loosens his shirt, letting his stomach breathe, and your eyes catch the raven-happy trail from above his lower abs down to his pubes. Holy absolute fuck.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Gojo pushes you further. “There’s a nice face waiting to be sat!”

“Shut up!” You wish to throw curses at him all you want. However, you crawl to where Higuruma’s face is crooked and sheepishly lift your dress to place your knees and align yourself. “Please…forgive me, Hiromi.”

“It’s okay, sweetpea,” your heart skips at the nickname and his hands finding your waist. “Nice and slow, okay?”

You listen to his command and slowly descend your hips to Higuruma’s face, toes quirking at the brush of his noise hitting your taint. A sharp gasp leaves your lips when his tongue greets your labia, swishing around to intake the nectar dripping out of it. “Ohhh, shit…” You hum as he groans, your hips having a mind of their own and swerving around, yet the man beneath doesn’t fail to latch his lips onto you, his hands now curling to your butt.

A hand finds its way to where his erection stands tall, your fingers circling the shaft before motioning up and down. More excessive cum escapes out the urethra to paint your fingernails and tips, veins pulsing against your palm as you jerk him off. He then laments when your free hand cups his balls to massage, kneading one of the testicles gingerly like rough dough. 

From your peripheral, you spot Nanami coming into view, and you cry out when his peer sticks his tongue into your opening and slurps. “Kento.”

“Sorry,” the blonde man stands in front of you while fisting his cock. “Might need your help here…”

You titter, hearing him sigh heavily as you bend down and blow on his cockhead. “May I?” He nods to you and caresses your cheek, guiding your lips to take in his tip and gradually swallow his inches. You suck him in till your mouth is busy with his length, moving your tongue around the underside, which makes Nanami hiss.

“Hahhh, fuck, yes, love,” you hear him from up above, his hands coming to your head to maintain while he jerks his hips into your mouth. His balls meet your chin with every push, and his musk is all that attacks your nostrils. The fog in your head makes you dizzier and dizzier, humming on the dick you’re swallowing.

And you can’t forget the snow-haired person who brings his hand to your chest area and rips the seams open. Your breasts are now out and exposed to the open air, and a nipple finds its way onto the flat of a reptile-like tongue. “Awww, cupcake, you’ve been hiding these tits from me, too? Heh, not fair…”

The only sounds that you can pick up are all raunchy, squelching noises from between your legs, slopping wet cues as you slurp on cock, and Gojo’s moans as he sucks and plays with your breasts. If you thought things were overwhelming earlier, you’re sure as hell finding yourself drowning in your senses. Gojo nibbles on your nipples, his teeth grazing the buds, and have your thighs jolt. Meanwhile, Higuruma’s hands keep your asscheeks glued to him as he drinks up more of your essence while pushing his tongue into your slit, fucking your insides for more fluids to coat his tastebuds.

Nanami’s hip work dials up to a faster tempo, stuffing your face with more of his cock to the point that he hits the back of your throat frequently. Your eyes start to water as you begin to taste the salty precum lathering with your spit. Yet you slurp on him with a whine, sucking harshly onto the top, where you push your tongue to the split of his urethra to toy with. 

The sand-haired man throws his head back. “—Khhfff, fuck,” his head pounding while you dance your wet muscle around the crown of his shaft and frenulum. “Ohhhh, Goddamn it…! Just like that, my love, like that…”You listen to Nanami’s requests and continue, your hand stroking faster onto Higuruma’s cock with vigor. 

“Very good, you three, very good…” Gojo eggs you on, removing his face from your chest and tapping your cheek to release the girth. “Now it’s time to switch it up.”The ghoul then pushes Nanami onto his back; this time, you’re straddling him while Gojo urges Higuruma to straighten up. “Nanami’s been such a nice guy, huh? Why not reward him with a taste of what this newbie was feasting on, cutie?” 

Your eyes travel down to where Nanami’s cock is pressed to your belly, and you lift your ass and grab him to kiss your folds with his glans. You both share a look and whimper aloud as his tip makes it inside your vagina, thanks to your come, and you leisurely drop your ass onto him. “Hoooh, fuck, feels so good…!” You shrill, and your hips begin to go to and fro.

“And as for you,” Higuruma groans as Gojo takes hold of him and aligns his glans to your ass. “Fuck them good here, got it?”

The raven-haired man’s hands meet your buttcheeks, and you go ahead and bend down for him to get the full view. “Damn,” he gulps. Before doing anything, Higuruma moistures his fore and middle fingers with his spit and circles around your asshole gently until they get past the puckered sphincter. You remind yourself to relax as he readies your ass, his fingertips pushing in and out to adjust the cavern for what’s to come. And after a minute, he pulls them out and substitutes them for his ready member, and you scream in mute as he pushes himself into your rear end. “Oh, fuck, fuck!” He swears with a bitten lip. “So tight…Hahhh…feel so good, darling.” 

The two human men rock into your holes simultaneously, having your frame join with the cadence they inflict to follow. Both your holes are ravished, Nanami’s dick turning your insides into goo with every graze to your sweet spots, and you almost shut down from the occasion of surprise pokes of your cervix. The man behind you plows your butt with purpose, shoving his member deep into your rear channel and rubbing on the walls that have you unable to fight the drool escaping.

And last but not least, Gojo grabs your chin and pushes his tip to your puffy lips. “Hey, baby. Mind I have a turn with those lips of yours?”You roll your eyes with a smile before curling your tongue around his crown and taking it inside your lips. The demon sighs under your lips, bucking his hips impatiently for you to suck every inch of him. “Fucking—Nnnmm! Your tongue…Gggahh!!”

All three men go wild in your grasp. Nanami’s pace slips to an erratic fashion, rutting deep with accurate rubs to your G-spot that leave you mumbling onto Gojo’s dick. Higuruma nearly loses himself while pistoning his pelvis to your ass, his forehead coming to your shoulder to rest. “Christ, your ass is driving me crazy.” He kisses the space between your shoulder and neck and bites down. You cry and suck on Gojo’s cock harshly, making the demon hiss above you. 

“—Uugghh, so tight!” Nanami grabs your waist with firm hands and drills himself upward faster. “Fuck it, I need to cumm…!!”

“Me too, Kento—shit—me too…” His older peer slurs, burrowing his face into your neck to lick and nibble on your skin. “Almost..there….!”

It isn’t long before all three men come at you with a unioned tempo, and you’re way too engrossed in the sensations to notice how wet you’re getting from the constant pleasures. Your frame is used as their plaything as they fuck your holes, borderline degrading, yet you can’t deny how good they feel for relieving the horny itch you’re feeling. Fuck! More, more, more!! Continuous rough ruts to your chasms and mouth have you numb, and your scream is muffled as Gojo grabs for your face to bury his cock deep into your throat as he dispenses his load into you.

Nanami and Higuruma aren’t far from joining him, too, the two climaxing simultaneously and filling you to the brim with their white, thick essence. Groans bounce off each other and the bedroom walls; three bodies pant heavily and heave above and beneath you, as they experience the peak of their crescendos. And after a few more thrusts and jerks, they soon allow themselves to slide down from their high.

The huntsmen from behind take his cock out of your ass, a string of his cum still linking to your puckered hole. Now, with him off, you swallow down the last of Gojo’s semen before withdrawing your face and raising your hips off of Nanami’s dick. 

Gojo comes to you to place his forehead on your sweat one. “Holy shit, that was good,” he praises as he cups your cheeks to squish them. “That’s one way to take me down. But, are ya ready to let me fuck that pretty cunt of yours?”You don’t say anything, just grabbing his chin to lure him into a kiss, which he anticipates…

…However, he doesn’t meet your lips as expected. Instead, while he’s distracted, you sneak a hand to the chain that wrings around your neck. A locket that you open the pendant to grab for a tablet and quickly shove it inside Gojo’s mouth. Six eyes widen as you cover his mouth shut, forcing him to swallow whatever it is that’s inside his oral cavity. 

And before he has the idea of pushing you off and overpowering you, Nanami is quick to grab hold of his arms and restrict them to his back. Higuruma takes his lesson from earlier and grabs Gojo’s tail before it goes around, making people fly off. It takes a group effort; however, the freakish devil’s strength weakens in seconds, and his eyes roll until the lids fall over. Slumber hits the creature, unconscious both in mind and body, as his figure slumps on Nanami’s chest. The blonde hunter gently places the white-haired being down as you all watch him fall into a deep sleep.

“Finally,” you exclaim and let your body fall to the mattress in exhaustion. And the other huntsmen do the same. “For God’s sake….”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

“Thank you again for your help, demon hunters!”

“Yes, we don’t know what we could’ve done without you two.”

“You two make the demon hunter guild proud; may Yaga recognize the talent laid after his years!”

The rain was long gone, exchanging its grey clouds with the gleaming shine of the sun and the vibrant blue of the sky. Everyday life finds its way back into the swing of things now that things are not in turmoil. And to close a mission down on a sunny day seems like a reasonable bid for closure.

Coming from your lair deep into the woods – after scolding your witchling, Miwa, for that aphrodisiac potion accident of hers and cooking a contraceptive tea – you walked toward the town to appear before the demon guild. Eyes and leers of the common folk linger onto you as you make your steps amongst them, ignoring their unconcealed judgment. Of course, it makes you uncomfortable that discrimination follows you every which way, especially after lending aid to the demon problem they so desperately needed. But alas, you didn’t come here for recognition, so you continue to walk until you reach the wooden tavern-like building.

At the front, you find a pair of familiar faces — Nanami and Higuruma — conversing with a local townswoman who thanks the huntsmen for their service. Neither party seems to notice your appearance the moment you tread closer to the front. Which is fine; again, you’re not here for celebration or acknowledgment. You’re so used to being cast aside that it practically feels innate.

That is, until you spot something beside the woman, a smaller being glued to her hip. A child, you pick up: a little boy with raven spiky hair similar to a sea urchin and slim yet puffy cheeks signature to a toddler. And his blueish green eyes are honed in on you unmistakably. It’s a bit of a funny image to see a tiny human be bold enough to look at you yet still hide their presence behind the shadow of their guardian. Whims of a child, you suppose.

The woman bows to the men with gratitude before heading off in business, only to stop in her tracks once she sees you. And to your surprise, she beams a smile. She is undoubtedly the child’s mother – her unkept hair proving hereditary. “You must be the sorceress, right?” She inquires, and you answer with a silent nod. “Good, because I wanted to come express my thanks to you and the huntsmen for having to take down that demon for our sakes! I imagine it wasn’t easy, nor was it something you wished to be burdened with.”

“No, it’s quite all right,” you shook your head as the woman bowed to you. “The demon and I have had multiple encounters before, and I’m the nearest person outside of town who’s well-versed in the demon realm and beyond. So, it’s only natural that I’d be pulled in to help the cause somehow.”

The townswoman nods along to your explanation, her smile still present. “Regardless, you did save this small city of ours. I don’t know how to thank you properly for your service, but I hope you know I am sincerely grateful you lent your prowess along with the hunters.” 

“Your gratitude is well-taken. I ask that you try to stay far from trouble and be safe and vigilant.”

“Yes, I understand…And you, Megumi,” you both turn to the child you sensed observing you during the entire conversation. “Don’t you have anything you wish to say to the sorceress who saved our home?”

Quiet, the vibe you get from the silent kid who keeps his eyes on you as if you’re a stranger. Typical behavior of a child. He slowly comes behind his mother and pulls something out of his pocket. With delicacy and steadiness, his balled fist points to where you stand, and you decide to crouch down and extend a hand to him to place something.

“…Is this for me?” You ask. In your palm lies a green four-leafed plant, a clover. Not crumpled or torn in any way, ideally in its original form, and you could tell it was treated with care—a gift.

Megumi gives a curt nod. “I went to the fields yesterday with my sister and found some four-leaf clovers. Mama said they give good luck and protection to those with them. I gave one each for the hunters, so I saved this one for you.”

You have to be honest: you’re not one to gift-give in your profession. Hell, you’re not even accustomed to being handed gifts, either! It’s a custom foreign to you as you’re deemed as an outcast in many eyes of this town. Gratitude or hospitality isn’t something you’d expect from anywhere…But it seems that is different in a child’s world, for you can tell his heart is in a genuine place.

With a smile, you bring the clover to where your necklace sits above your chest. Muttering an incantation, the plant glows and disintegrates itself and is absorbed by the pendant of your locket. “Now, I’ll be sure to have good luck wherever I go, thanks to you, little one.”The young boy’s eyes flashed with wonder from your minuscule display of magic, flashing an awkward yet confident smile as you stood upright and bowed to him and his mother. “Be safe and strong for your sister and mother, Megumi.”

The child nods to your words before you bid his mother farewell, and the two spiky-headed ones walk by to wherever they came from, leaving you to the matters you initially intended to take care of.

Speaking of matters, “Sorceress,” you turn to find the huntsmen walking to greet you. Nanami is the first to talk, “You came in just in time. He’s awake now but still experiencing some grogginess.”

Higuruma adds on. “And we made sure to call him up to appear today, so things should be going smooth this time around, as you said.”

“Good,” you reply. “Thank you for your cooperation on this mission, hunters. The townpeople can return sleeping soundly now that Gojo isn’t around to cause a ruckus.”

“No, we should be thanking you.” The sand-haired man interjects. “Yaga had spoken highly of you and your professionalism during the handful of times you two had worked together. Without you, dealing with Gojo would’ve been more of a hassle I’d want to deal with.”

“Kento’s right,” the dark-headed one agrees. “Weapons and shikigami aren’t enough to bring down a strong demon lord such as Gojo; we needed as much help as possible. And it was an honor to see you in action for myself.”

“I thank you, gentlemen,” you say with downcasted eyes. “However, I apologize that it was on my bad that the situation went to a more…ridiculous turn,” you peer to see that the two men avoid your gaze at the nuanced mention. “Nevertheless, we can put this behind us and not bring it up with anyone else. Agreed?”

The two men nod concurrently.

“And, perhaps…If the wind finds me at the right time and you two wish to work together again, I would…consider it a little more lenient the next time.” Maybe you shouldn’t have said that because now you can barely look at the two huntsmen in the eyes. For crying out loud, you’ve seen each other naked; how can you ever work with each other again after such unprofessional circumstances?

But you guess they don’t seem to find a problem with it, seeing as they both share a smile at you. “Thank you, sorceress.” The older male speaks for both of them. “We hope to see you again when requiring your assistance.”

The younger hunter nods with soft brown eyes. “It would be wise to lend you a helping hand just as our former leader did for you.”

And for the second time today, a tiny smile returns to curling your lips before you straighten yourself up. 

“Well, until then, what should we do with you, Gojo Satoru?”

Although the expressions of thanks and appreciation served as a pleasant stratum to begin the day, a conflict still needed to be solved. That is why the three of you walked inside, deep into the demon hunter’s guild, past the many hunters who watched you make your way to the hall at the back of the building. Many rooms are stationed to the right side, yet only one harbors a recognizable aura for you to trot in front of and open the door when no one is looking.

Lo and behold, the sole being in this cell-like room is Gojo Satoru, the ghoul sitting on the dirty ground with chains restricting his feet and wrists. Talismans with small writing decorated his biceps, shoulders, and abdomen, the mark of your subjugation as his power isn’t as high as before. It is positioned at a level where it occasionally bursts until it returns to a low steady.

“You tell me, witch,” the demon answers your question. “We’ve had this dance a million times already, sending me back to the demon realm and supposedly ‘promising’ not to come back.”

“Well, you are being sent back this time,” Nanami crosses his arms. “Yet instead of ‘supposedly,’ we’re going to have to make that a definitive.”

Gojo cackles, bearing his canines to shine. “Oh, bullshit. Me staying in the realm ‘forever’ forever when I’m aware that half of my Limitless has been stripped from my possession? Don’t you know you should never touch what belongs to a demon; whatever is taken from me might be taken from you tenfold.”

“That’s why there are demon hunters in the first place,” Higuruma sighs and slumps on the door surface. “Your powers were taken under contract after the carnage you caused last time. Judging by how we handle you this time, you might lose the other half of your Limitless.”

“This has nothing to do with you, big-nose.” Gojo retorts. “If I weren’t chained up right now, you’d be the first to jump at.”

The hunter raises a brow. “Is that a threat?”

“Perhaps. Although…” devilish lips curl to a smirk. “After what happened last night, maybe I’ll have some fun with you and Nanamin one of these days if—“

“Satoru.” You cut him off, the conversation steering to where it’s not supposed to go. Higuruma takes the white-haired spirit’s words for thought and stands up straight with more alertness, his blonde subordinate fixing his glare on the same. “If it weren’t for your status and relations with this realm, your fate would’ve been handled differently. Be thankful that it was me and the hunter guild who had to deal with you this time; anyone else would have your head on a spike and your body torched.”

“Awww, what caring babysitters you guys are~,” Six blue eyes roll in one direction with a click of their teeth. “Oi, witch, you know it doesn’t matter what you do with me. I could be thrown off the grid, shackled to the demon realm, held in some dark supernatural prison, or even killed — no matter what, as long as you’re the holder of half my powers, I will find you. And I don’t care if it means ripping your pretty face to shred; I’m getting my Limitless and Infinity back.” Eyes gleam with a fury, like ocean waves in a wayward thunderstorm. “Believe that.”

“I do believe it. And I will wait for the day you learn to find me, not vice versa.”You take his threat with earnestness. “However, until that day comes, I will reprimand you for this case. Along with the help of an old friend of ours.”

He sucks his teeth. “And who would that be?”

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!!

Gojo’s ears perked before the harsh bangs were put on the wooden door. You pan to Higuruma, who nods silently before he turns to unlock the locks and grip the handle. With the pull, a silhouette befalls into a vision of all four occupants in the room. A tall, muscular man who appears to be in his forties minimum, head-shaven except for the spiky top, adorning a wolf pet over his shoulders with leather slashes. Gojo’s six eyes widen when he sees the man’s face: the familiar thick eyebrows sitting above minor yet dominant eyes and a mustache and goatee adorned on the chin.

“W-Well, hello there, Yagaaa~,” the snow-haired being switches his demeanor to a chipper tune now that a new visitor has come to pay a visit. “What a lovely surprise to see you! You clean up nicely. Is that a ring I see on your finger—“

“Gojo Satoru.” A guttural voice puts a stop to the ramble. “Last time I saw you, I put you in a chokehold that had you screaming for your mama and promised I’d put you in another worse than that the next time I see you.”

You can sense the demon’s aura dwindle like a tiny flame, and you can’t help but find amusement; no one better to put the ghoul back into his place than Masamichi Yaga, the seasoned, skillful, and former commander of the demon guild. “Is…today the day?”

“Hmph.” The older man pulls up a chair to sit in front of Gojo. “Possibly, yet the sorceress pleaded for your case and told me to withhold until after our discussion.”

“Oh, how sweet of you, Miss Sorceress!” Now he wants to shower you with affection; whatever happened to that threat he made a minute ago? “That’s nice to know because I have a lot I would like to get off my chest before you sta—BHROOOF!!” Gojo’s cut off from a swift kick to the chin Yaga inflicts, causing him to fly to hit his head on the wall and fall to his back. “OWWWW?!!!??!!! What was that for?!”

“For bringing me out of my retirement,” Yaga cracks his neck with a heavy sigh. “You little bastard.”

♱ 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

© 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐲2024 – reblogs + comments are appreciated wholeheartedly ☆ header art by tamayura banko + dividers by @cafekitsune.

[wholoveseggs]

Better than flowers♡

18+ ---- {Masterlist} {Tag-List}

 ♡♡ Happy Valentines Day  ♡♡

You've always hated valentines day until Elijah changes your mind with a magical date.

3.2k words - Warnings: smut, oral, so corny and romantic it hurts …

You always hated Valentine's day because most of the time, you were alone. Last year, you'd just been dumped, so you spent the entire day in bed. It wasn't until you saw everyone's pictures from their cute dates that you really felt bad.

Even though you were dating someone new, you didn't expect anything. Elijah was always sweet and thoughtful, but you didn't want him to feel like he had to go over the top for this holiday. You had only been dating for a few weeks, so you were happy with just a card and a bouquet of flowers.

It was naïve of you to think that would be enough for him. He was the most romantic guy you'd ever been with. He would randomly buy you things or take you to dinner just because. He even planned a weekend away with you, which was the best.

So, when you got home from work on the 13th you found a garment bag on the bed and a note, you couldn't hide your excitement.

Y/n, I know you dislike Valentine's Day, so I wanted to show my appreciation for you the day before.  I'll pick you up at 8. -Elijah

He liked to leave notes like that for you. It wasn't surprising that he did this. He was such a romantic man. Sometimes it made you uncomfortable because it felt like it was out of a fairy tale, almost surreal.

You were curious about what was in the garment bag and carefully opened it, the hanger still on the inside of the sleeve. The beautiful blush-colored dress inside made your jaw drop. You gently ran your hands over the fabric, a slow smile spreading across your lips. It was romantic and flowy, the kind of dress you would see in an old Hollywood movie.

You took your time getting ready, making sure every part of you looked perfect. Elijah was worth going all out for. When you went to get dressed you noticed he had also bought you lingerie. It was incredibly luxurious, the set probably cost more than your rent.

You smirked to yourself as you slipped into the lingerie. You checked yourself out in the full-length mirror. It fit perfectly, and the color matched your dress. You weren't the lingerie type of girl, but sometimes you could appreciate how good they made you feel.

When Elijah knocked on your door, you finished putting in the pearl earrings he bought you when he asked you to be his girlfriend. The memory made you blush, he'd been so sweet when he asked.

You put your feet in your matching shoes before heading for the door. Your breath was taken away when you saw Elijah. His hair was perfectly styled, and his dark eyes were shining. He dressed for the occasion.

"Hi," he breathed out, giving you that cute lopsided grin. "You look- you look beautiful."

You returned his grin, pressing your hand to his cheek, enjoying the feel of the stubble there. "Thank you. So, where are we going?"

He reached up and held your hand in his, bringing it away from his face and placing a kiss against your knuckles. You could never get tired of that.

"It's a surprise," he said as he led you down to his car. 

“Always with the surprises," you teased.

Once you were sitting in the passenger seat, he smiled over at you, and started the car. He reached over to place his hand on your thigh as he drove. You turned on the radio, surprised when the song you always sang along to came on.

Elijah gave you a soft squeeze when he heard you start singing. He probably thought it was funny, you knew you were not the greatest singer, but you couldn't help but sing along to songs you knew by heart. Elijah always thought it was cute.

When you realized he was taking you outside of the city, your curiosity growing. 

"We're almost there," he told you, and squeezed your thigh again.

He parked in a gravel parking lot, there was no buildings near by, just a forest path. You weren't sure if you should be nervous, but you felt calm around him. He was always protective and sweet.

"If we are going on a hike I didn't wear the right shoes," you joked as he helped you out of the car.

"Not that kind of hiking, not tonight anyway," he commented, and you were a little relieved by that.

His hand held yours as you started down the gravel path. It was dark, you used his phone to shine a light. Your heels didn't do the best on the uneven ground. You stumbled a bit and Elijah scooped you up, making you giggle.

"If you are planning on murdering me in the woods, this is the most romantic way someone has ever done it," you joked, you couldn't help thinking of the worst-case scenario, it was just in your nature.

He chuckled and kept walking, his hands supporting your thighs and back as he carried you. "I wouldn't put in this much effort to just murder you in the woods, love." He teased.

You arrived at a clearing just before the sun was beginning to set. There was twinkle lights strung in the trees and a few lanterns that provided light. At the center of it all was a large wooden table set with plates, champagne, and roses. Candles were lit in every corner of the space.

There was a trail of red rose petals that lead from where you stood to the end of the table, disappearing into the dark of the woods. The moment was surreal.

"Whoa," you muttered, looking around in awe.

Elijah carefully placed you on your feet and held your hand. "You like it?" He asked, his eyes searching yours for approval.

"Elijah," you breathed out his name and placed your hand on his cheek, "This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I love it."

His hand reached up and cupped yours against his cheek. You could feel his blush. He always got so nervous and shy around you, and it was honestly the cutest thing.

Out of the woods came a few servers that began to put food on the table and fill your glasses with champagne. You smiled up at Elijah as he thanked the servants. He led you to your seat, and you grinned as he pulled out the chair for you.

"Such a gentleman," you cooed at him before sitting down. He sat down beside you, turning his chair to face you.

"I would do this for you every day if you would let me," he whispered, his hand sliding across the table and taking yours.

You didn't know how to respond to that so you took a sip of champagne and smiled. He continued smiling back at you, both of you growing more comfortable in silence. You talked for a while about each other's day and you finished off a bottle of champagne by the time the food was ready.

The meal was incredible. Everything was so good. You didn't even notice the sun had set because the whole area was lit up. Elijah had planned it all out and he was amazing.

The table was cleared and moved out of the way so you had room to dance. A violist came out of the trees and started playing, slow jams that you and Elijah could sway to.

You knew he'd been planning this for a while, all the trouble he went through, the lengths he went, just to make tonight special.

"You really didn't have to do all this, all I was expecting was flowers," you confessed.

His mouth brushed against your ear and you felt yourself growing warmer from the intimate gesture. "If I didn't do any of this, then you would continue to hate this holiday. I'm going to show you that it's worth celebrating."

"Show me then," you murmured, wanting his lips against your skin.

He pressed his lips to yours, his tongue lightly brushing against yours before slowly pulling away. "I'll show you every year, every holiday, for the rest of our lives," he promised.

"I can live with that," you purred and sealed your promise with another kiss.

"I do have a confession," he whispered, his fingers weaving through your hair.

You pulled back and looked up at him. His dark eyes were soft, relaxed. You sighed contently, feeling happy and loved. "I'm listening."

"I have another surprise," he muttered, and you hummed at him curiously.

He stepped away and held your hand, leading you toward the trail of rose petals. You held on tightly and leaned into his body. You couldn't stop the silly smile that was spreading across your lips.

Once you got passed the line of trees you could see the cabin. The rose petal trail ended on the porch. It was simple and quaint. Just as beautiful as the romantic clearing you were in just minutes ago.

He scooped you up in his arms. "Elijah!" you squealed, but quickly wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him.

Elijah quickly carried you up the steps to the door and set you down. You were both laughing and kissing. He smiled against your lips, his nimble fingers unlocking the door.

You let out a gasp as you took in the place, flowers were everywhere, their smell sweet and welcoming. There was a four-poster bed with vines of roses that were climbing the columns. A fireplace was already lit, making the entire place warm and cosy. The place was only one room, with the bed off to the side. There was a ottoman near the fire and even a telescope to look out into the night sky.

"Elijah... This is amazing." You sighed as you felt his arms slip around you from behind.

"You like it?" He inquired, his lips pressed against your cheek.

You rested your hands against his, leaning back against him. "It's gorgeous, thank you."

He took your hand and led you to the fire, where another trail of red rose petals guided you to the fluffy carpet at your feet. There were more gifts for you laid out, a massive teddy bear and a stack of chocolate bars. It all made you laugh.

"You are ridiculous," you teased, hugging him.

"Is that a good thing?" He mused, holding you and kissing you.

You hummed and sighed. "Yes, yes it is," you assured.

You felt butterflies fill your stomach, knowing what came next. The two of you had only had sex a few times, it was still new, and you were still shy around him when it came to intimacy. He'd always been respectful and sweet. It wasn't as if you were new to this, but he was unlike anyone you'd been with before.

You looked up at him. He gave you that smile that made you weak in the knees. You brushed your fingertips against the creases around his eyes, you loved how they deepened when he smiled.

He leaned in and kissed you slowly, softly, guiding you to the bed as his fingers unzipped the back of your dress. You pushed at his jacket, helping him shrug out of it. Your hands ran over his chest, fumbling with his tie. His hands pushed the straps of your dress down, kissing the newly exposed skin.

He helped you to step out of the dress, gathering it up to fold it carefully before he placed it on the ottoman. Always so organized, everything in place, clean, perfect.

But him seeing you in the sexy lingerie made him drop the dress. The look on his face was unlike anything you've ever seen. For a second it was almost as if he didn't know what to do. He seemed frozen in place, all he was doing was stare.

You felt your cheeks heating up under his gaze and you looked at him shyly. "Thank you for this," you told him, gesturing to the sexy underwear.

"It was a purely selfish purchase," he chuckled, closing the distance between you, his hand coming to rest on your waist.

He traced his fingertips across the see-through pink lace. His touch was gentle and loving. You were growing impatient. You were getting turned on by the way he was touching you, his eyes drinking you in.

You started working on the buttons of his shirt, undoing them slowly. He leaned down and kissed you again, his lips capturing yours. He walked you back to the bed, the back of your knees hitting the edge of the mattress.

He gently guided you to lie down, his mouth following yours, not breaking the kiss. You helped him to undress, removing the last of his clothing and tossing it aside.

You ran your fingers through his hair, admiring the way his dark hair was a little messed up. He smelled so good, like the cologne he always wore and just the faint smell of his natural scent.

He was on top of you, his hands holding yours. His lips were trailing soft kisses down your neck. His hips moved, rubbing himself against you. You let out a soft moan, your breath hitching in your throat.

"I love hearing the sounds you make," he confessed, his lips against your ear, sending a shiver through your body.

You felt the warmth of his fingertips brushing against your inner thigh. Your body tensed in anticipation. He was taking his time, teasing you. He kissed you slowly, his tongue gently slipping between your parted lips.

You wrapped your arms around him, keeping him close as his fingers teased your panties, pushing them to the side. He was still being slow, driving you crazy.

He groaned against your mouth as he felt how wet you were. You whimpered, feeling his fingers brush over your clit, circling it slowly, watching your responses. He loved the way you were looking at him, the sounds that were escaping your pretty little mouth.

He began moving down your body, kissing your neck, your collar bone, between your breasts. You reached up, trying to unhook your bra, but his hands stopped yours.

His lips closed around your nipple through the sheer fabric. You ran your hands through his hair, pulling on it, urging him to continue.

He continued to move lower, down your belly, smiling against your skin as he spread your legs, settling between them.

He hummed at the sight of your arousal, your wet panties clinging to your skin. He kissed along the waistband, his tongue peeking out to taste. You could feel his breath, as he moved the delicate fabric to the side.

Your hands tightened in his hair as his mouth found your clit. You couldn't help but rock your hips, pushing against his mouth. His hands moved over your thighs, his fingers digging into your skin as he devoured you. You moaned softly, your toes curling as his tongue slid inside of you.

He looked up at you, his eyes watching as you started to fall apart. He wanted to stay this way forever, with the taste of you on his lips, the sounds of your pleasure filling the room.

Your breathing was becoming uneven, your moans growing louder. Your thighs were trembling, your back arching as his tongue flicked against your clit.

You let out a soft cry as your orgasm hit you. Your eyes shut tight, your hands gripping his hair, trying to keep yourself together. His tongue was still on you, working you through the wave of pleasure.

He kissed his way back up your body, his lips capturing yours, his fingers caressing your face, pushing your hair back. He was looking at you like you were the only person in the world, and it made you melt.

He was resting between your legs, his erection pressing against you. He was still for a moment, his gaze soft and warm, just gently kissing you.

"I love you," he murmured.

You couldn't stop the smile that was spreading across your face, and neither could he. You ran your fingers through his hair, holding him closer. 

"I love you, too," you said, your voice barely a whisper.

He pulled your panties off, his eyes never leaving yours as you pulled off your bra as well, tossing it aside. You felt a blush creeping up your cheeks as his gaze fell upon your naked body.

His hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you close, your legs wrapping around him. He eased into you slowly, watching your eyes widen then turn hazy with lust.

His lips found yours, kissing you passionately as the two of you moved together. Your hands were tangled in his hair, pulling on it as you formed a perfect rhythm.

You looked down to watch him slide in and out of you. He was holding back, trying to make this last. He was always so focused, his expression almost stoic, his breathing even.

Your hands ran down his shoulders, gripping onto his biceps, your eyes never leaving his, not even to blink. You didn't want to miss a second of this.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his forehead resting against yours, his breath ghosting over your lips.

You felt your face grow hot from his words, and you kissed him to avoid making eye contact. You could feel his heart beating in time with yours. He caressed your cheek, tilting your head to look at him.

You couldn't hide from him. He was looking at you so intensely, all of his love pouring out of him. He smiled at the sight of you, flushed and sweaty, you were gorgeous.

He cupped the back of your neck and held you in place as he kissed you again. Your legs began to tremble as another orgasm crept up on you. You moaned against his mouth, trying to keep your breathing even.

You couldn't hold back anymore, not with the way he was looking at you, the way he was touching you. You came, moaning his name, his fingers laced with yours, your foreheads pressed together.

He followed right after, letting out a low groan that made your skin prickle. He kissed you, his mouth swallowing up your cries.

You wrapped your arms around him, clinging to him as the two of you rode out the high. Your heart was still racing, your breaths ragged.

The light of the fireplace cast an orange glow over the both of you, your bodies intertwined in the low light. You smiled at him, kissing him softly.

"That was a lot better than flowers," you giggled, feeling a little silly and lightheaded.

He chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." He hummed, kissing you again, his fingers caressing your cheeks.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Elijah," you whispered, nuzzling his nose with yours.

He brushed his lips against yours. "Not yet, it's still the 13th," he reminded, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

"Does that mean we have another night?" you purred, giving him a playful smile.

"I like the way you think," he teased, kissing you again, rolling you on top of him.

He held you close, the both of you giggling as he kissed you all over, making you shriek and squirm.

You'd never had a Valentine's Day quite like this one. But you hoped that this was just the first of many.

♡♡ Today is my three month anniversary on here & I just want to say thank you so much for all the love ♡♡

♡♡ Tag-List ♡♡

♡ @gorgeouslydangerous ♡ @starkleila ♡ @lydia1369sworld ♡ @notleylaaa ♡ @vampiresluv ♡ @vamprium ♡ @myanmy ♡ @xflowerbombxo ♡ @maryvibess ♡ @always-and-forever-daydreaming ♡ @criminallminds ♡ @theesexystallion ♡ @rosemarypotion ♡ @spnaquakindgdom ♡ @amournoir ♡ @loving-and-dreaming ♡ @meeom ♡ @damienmorton ♡ @wickedmuse ♡ @sunkissedebony97 ♡

[slippytapeworms]

Joey Jordison -> The Kissing Rock

warnings : really fast paced

2000

scenario :

deep within a secluded forest by the town's high school was a hidden clearing where the kissing rock rested. it was where couples went when they wanted to hook up. you never went since you didn't have a significant other and nobody called you over there, so you hadn't even seen it. it was kind of sad actually. however your friends decided it would be funny to dare you to go there all alone.

it was already evening and the sun had just started to go down as you made your way past the high school to the forest. the direction was just to follow the dirt path.

reluctantly, you found yourself standing at the edge of the forest, staring into the dimly lit path that led to the rumoured kissing rock. your friends' laughter echoed in your mind as you took hesitant steps forward, branches cracking under your feet. the deeper you ventured, the more ominous the surroundings felt, shadows dancing in the moonlight.

eventually, you reached a small clearing bathed in silver light. in its center, a large, smooth rock stood out conspicuously. this must be it, you thought with a mix of curiosity and embarrassment. you wondered what possessed your friends to send you here alone, knowing your lack of romantic entanglements.

suddenly, you heard rustling behind you. your heart skipped a beat as you turned, half-expecting to find someone watching you from the shadows.

and you were right.

a figure emerged from the shadows, clad in dark clothing, some t-shirt with a metal band logo on it and black cargo shorts. his presence was unexpected, yet strangely fitting for this secluded spot.

"hey." the boy greeted a bit surprised to see you too. he brushed some of his long hair out of his eyes as he stared at you (which kind of looked like a glare.) he held a bottle of whiskey loosely in one hand, the label worn and familiar, a quarter of the bottle was already empty. the unfamiliar male was obviously buzzed.

you blinked, unsure of what to say. "um, hi. i didn't expect to find anyone else here..."

he hums lightly, not knowing what to say either, so he just goes over to the rock and sits down a bit sloppily. "well, i guess it's pretty quiet here so..." the male takes another gulp of the whiskey bottle.

you nodded slowly and just stood there. "ain't that strong?" you gesture to the whiskey.

he offers you the bottle. "want some? helps with the solitude."

"sure." you walk over to the rock and sit down on it beside him. he hands you the bottle and you take a small sip, since it was strong. the liquid burned down your throat and you scrunch up your face as you swallow it. "damn..."

"it gets good when you get used to it." he chuckles at your reaction as he takes back the bottle. "i'm joey." joey says as he gives you a serious look.

"i'm y/n." joey nods and takes another small sip.

"what are you doing at the kissing rock?" he asks you. you didn't know if it was just you but a small hopeful gleam shined in his eyes as he asked that question.

"my friends dared me to come here." joey makes a small oh.

"what did you come here to find someone to kiss??" you tease him lightly and he shoots you a glare.

you could tell the whiskey was getting to him as he nodded. "yeah as a matter of fact, i did." joey turns to you and gives you an intense look.

before anyone could say anything, he starts to kiss you. you could easily smell the whiskey on his breath as he kissed you sloppily, but passionately.

when he noticed you didn't pull away, he pushed himself onto your lap as he started to make out with you. joey let out a sigh as you started to reciprocate the kiss.

you ended kissing a cute, random stranger in the middle of a forest. who cares? it's not like you were complaining.

[bomberqueen17]

car shopping part 1

ok i had capslock on when i started typing this and i startled myself, lol. i am. a bit tired and punchy. BUT. All hail my lovely middle-little sister, who volunteered to come take me to car dealerships last night.

Here are my extremely scientific notes on how that went, so that I can narrow down my car choices for definitely for sure:

1) Honda: we went to a Honda dealership, and my mom has a CR-V which I've driven and it's... fine, so I tried the HR-V, which is smaller. The sales guy immediately without asking was like "here you want this one" and had me test-drive a used 2020 model-- low mileage, nice car, but used. "Won't be here in a couple days tho, act fast," he said, and gave me his card. I'd told him this was the very first car of my search and I wasn't in a hurry. He didn't show me anything new, or tell me about anything new, but did say there were often quite long waits for new cars. Gotcha. Like, I'm not mad, but I'm also not going to pay $23,9 for a three-year old car when the current year's model is $24k. You know? I don't care how long the warranty is.

2) Subaru: we went because it was right there. Wandered around the parking lot. Crosstreks look... lower now?? somehow?? than mine? Much lower, don't know why. Specs said same ground clearance but. I'd have to look up what the specs were in 2014. Sales guy came out, asked if we wanted to see anything. M-L said I should try the Forester, so I was like sure, why not; one of the farm workers has a 2020 Outback I figured I'd ask his opinion on, and actually the part time veg helper guy has a recent Outback too, so there's no shortage of those around. So I test-drove a Forester. And like. I hadn't even got out of the parking lot and the guy was like, all casual, "so how's the visibility," and I really looked around and was like holy shit okay i can see through time so I really liked it. It was a higher-end package (had a huge sunroof, i actually really liked that, i'm a shallow bitch i guess) and kept trying to nanny me about leaving the lane on the winding back road but the guy reached over and pressed the button that disables that and it stopped yelling at me, which was great. Anyway. I did not expect that. M-L and I theorized about what kind of guy I'd be to be a Forester guy. "A middle-aged wealthy lesbian with a lot of large dogs," M-L said, and I was immediately depressed to realize that only one of those things is actually applicable. I have no wife and no large dogs. These are major failings of my life. But. I mean. We don't always end up the person we thought we'd be when we were nineteen.

3) Then we got to the Ford dealership, and a guy named Joey was like "ay what's up," and i listed the cars I was interested in and he was like "i can't get those or those but I got Broncos, let's go see one" and walked incredibly fast out into the parking lot without looking like he was hurrying, seriously it was eerie how fast he walked while looking like he was just ambling, and he led us to a "cactus gray" Bronco Sport, said "you wanna try this one? aight hang on" and went back into the building. I was like uh sure, we poked around the parking lot, and then he came back, handed me the key, was like "yah you two go for it, you know the roads around here? yah go see if you like it, I'll be here til eight." and off we went, slightly bemused. But yes, we were quite near M-L's house so she led us around a winding path. The Bronco's hood takes up rather a lot of the view out of the windshield. I raised my seat, which helped slightly. I could not find the right edge of the car and kept straying over into the shoulder. It was so boxy. The visibility out of the windows wasn't fantastic. But it had a lot of zoom and handled all right. Not terrible. I'm not a Ford Bronco guy I don't think, but I liked the Ford dealership folks, they were funny.

The sales manager came out and talked to me briefly and was like "well i mean how many cars are you looking for" and i was like "i have a spreadsheet" and he was like "a what now" and i got my phone out and showed him the spreadsheet Dude made and he was like "your guy is something else" and i was like "i mean, he sure is", and I did feel better about not being a wealthy middle-aged lesbian with large dogs if this is what I have instead but like. I mean. The road not taken etc.

"take notes," M-L said as we got home (after i bought her a sushi dinner bc there was a place right by the dealership and also i wanted sushi), and i was like "yah ok" but this is my notes. i'm sure i'll be able to make sense of them later.

[ask-missparker]

Are we out of the woods yet? / OUAT AU

Pairing: Red!Rick x Huntress!Luna

Summary: What if the beast was just a kind man wearing a red coat but he just didn’t know it yet?

Extra characters: Rochelle as Cinderella, Bruce Banner as The Father and etc

Note: Song reference to Taylor Swift in the title section

——

The mist of winter snow and the deep rains of night created a storm of cold weather within the woods. But it created a lovely new glimpses into the world, making it a winter wonderland with icicles forest above the cabin door. Despite the season not being the best, it made Red feel like he could do anything.

Which was the problem. He couldn’t.

His father wasn’t a huge fan of the winter season due to the weather and the craving time for wolves alerting the woods. And with his son being rather young, he wanted him to be protective as he feared who would have the courage to take him on if they learned the truth…

Red however was reckless and never listened to his father’s wishes of going out in the late afternoon. His father did make an exception to let him roam around free as long as he kept his deep red cloak with swirling marks on his hood. Red obviously listened to that request from his father, despite not caring for the low deep cut of a color.

In came a knock on his door as a young voice said, “Come on man, open up or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow this house down.”

Red opened the door rolling his eyes and scoffed, “You’re not funny, you know that?”

“Ah well, it made you open the door didn’t it?”

“Got me there. My father doesn’t like me hanging out with you yet, he takes to your charm quiet nicely.”

“I am handsome. Come on we gotta grab some fabric from the market and then we can plan our road trip we always wanted to take. You can finally meet a nice lady.”

Red rolled his eyes and ignored his last comments about exploring the land and finding a bride one day. He thought it wasn’t in his cards to do so. All Pete wanted to do was get him out of the house every once in a while instead of staying trapped. He had good intentions.

At the farmers market, the friends wondered around the place in search of fabrics and food to their respective families. Pete was off buying brown fabic for his new brown coat as Red was buying apples when he noticed a young fair maiden who seemed to drop an stack of pears from her basket.

“Uh miss, i think you dropped this?” He said holding up the pear as the young redhead turned around and smiled, causing him to return the smile.

She sighed at her clumsy tone taking the pear from his grasp and replied, “Ah, thank you..I did not even noticed it fell out of there.”

“No problem, be careful next time…”

“Ella. Just Ella…and uh, y-you are?”

“Red..or Rick depends on who asked.”

“I like them both..”

“Thanks. Well be careful, Miss Ella. Those pears are very expensive this time of year.”

“Ah yes i know, thank you again.”

The redhead waved at him, thanking the man so she went off to continue her path home. Pete walked over seeing Red smile asking who is the girl as the blonde waved him off saying he was just some nice young lady.

The two friends left the market, discussing the possibility of wolves being out that night thinking it was a bunch of silly tales and the wolves were just causing harm because they were scared. But a small part of Red wanted to be the hero and hunt that wolf himself, get a closer look at the creature up close. They went their separate ways afterwards, with Red going home to his father with beard and fruits.

His father was always kind hearted yet secretive about certain subjects such as hunting, wolves and royalty. He didn’t trust them, only himself and his family. He respected it.

Everytime he asked if he could go hunt the wolves with the other guys his age, his father said ‘no, you stay inside. you know red repeal wolves, kiddo, and keep that hood on.’ He was bark back and argue with his on the topic but relentlessly listened knowing he only meant well.

So in result he would stay put and enjoy his day at home, collect eggs from their shed and build items using wood in the afternoon if he wasn’t heading out. It was nice actually living a simple life but he always wondered if there was more to this.

Which led him to the moment he met her…

Red was doing his daily routine of collecting eggs from the chickens. Flipping on his hood, putting on his light brown gloves and boots for the snowy weather. He hasn’t seen Pete in days, it worried him and led him to wonder why he hasn’t seen him, especially since the high court sighting were running deep—

He paused opening up the door to the decently side chicken coop, sensing something was wrong. His ears perked up at the ruffling sounds and light whimpers, his senses were turned on looking inside. He stepped around grabbing a broomstick from behind the door ready to pounce at the intruder with a glare. The ruffling and sudden sniffing became louder with every step. Behind the stack of hey, he saw it.

More like her. He pointed the end of the broomstick in the front of them about to ask a couple of questions until he stopped short. His eyeline met her, following her gaze as she stood upright coming behind the the stack blabbing and stuttering softly, but Red tuned into rousing on her looks.

He never seen such beauty until this early night. Her deep chocolate brown eyes that held a whimper of fear behind them, her long hair glowing a raven black color and her honeycomb skin tone. He was completely mesmerize by her bewildering good looks that held a soften to them, like she can do no wrong. In his eyes at least. He glanced down to noticed a crossbow on the ground beside her and two pure white eggs in her hands.

She blinked noticing that he wasn’t exactly listening to her per say, that’s when she got a good look at the young man. His wild yet tamed blonde curls, his striking blue eyes that casted a shadow over whoever crossed paths with him, and his light creamy skin was like a breath of fresh air. Along with his deep voice, god she would’ve melted like a candle right now just hearing it.

He repeated his breathy question, “A-are you stealing our eggs?”

“I uh, i um..I’m sorry I-I could go. I didn’t m-mean to d-do that..t-take th-them back..” She response looking away for a moment holding the items towards him.

“Hey, hey, hey, it’s alright. You didn’t nothing wrong, I guess.”

“I didn’t..? But you look like your kinda mad..I’m sorry..”

“It’s alright, no harm them. Just wasn’t expecting someone in here. Why are you in my shed? And who are you?”

“…I’m uh, I’m uh..Frosty!”

She held a small smile, saying that bit but he could see right across her lie. He smirked, “That’s not your name. What’s your name?”

“..w-wh-why are you g-gonna do something if I tell you?” She asked glancing around the room for weapons but found none to her relief.

“What? No!..sorry, didn’t mean to shout. I won’t harm you, just wanna know why are you here?”

“..oh..oh okay. I’m Luna..like the moon? I am very sorry I am came here..it’s that, I have no where else to go. My home is a little far from here..”

“So you came into my shed for shelter?”

“Y-yeah..I’m sorry about that. I just need a place to stay the night.”

Red was about to say ‘You can stay here forever!’ but instead he just nodded with a bright smile guiding her out the door to his small home. Luna explained how she was on a small mission to hunt down and possibly kill a prince’s heart but she couldn’t do it and let him go. Her boss called her stupid and poof her away into the woods side of the kingdom near the area of her home.

He thought she was brave and rather noble for that. She was blushing at his comment calling him sweet for that, causing him to start blushing softly at her.

It was love at first sight one might have said, especially since the moment his father, Bruce, was introduced to the young girl he found her to be rather lovely. He never took too kindly to strangers but for some reason he couldn’t help it and smiles at her. Especially the way her and his son looked at one another.

He heard she was a huntress but her attitude was too gentle to act than the ones he remembered meeting back in the day. Bruce cooked them some bread and eggs to eat that early night as he went to his den.

Red and Luna spent the rest of the night talking in the living room after dinner, laughing and smiling at one another’s jokes. Yes, the raven haired girl was shy and sweet but she was easy to talk to which made Red fall into such a ease with the girl. It was completely comfortable even.

Red leaned forward then said, “Uh, this is silly..but um, your the first girl I’m able to have a full blown conversation with..”

“I don’t think that’s true..” She replied placing a hand over his own, not pulling away.

“Oh no, believe me, it is! All the other times I can be very shy and awkward, wanting to get in then out of there..”

“I see what you mean. Most people hear my title and think I might hurt them, then they take one good look at me and laugh thinking they can use me..”

“Yeah you don’t seem like the strongest face I’ve seen..not rough or murderous, but kind and sweet..”

“You must say that to all the others girls..”

“What other girls?”

She blushed and grinned waving him softly at his comment. Her heart started to beat at his eyes staring at her own, it was like he can hear it. Her soft pumping of her heart, as she leaned in closer with her short time in her job she could tell where this was headed or so she thinks. Maybe he just wants to become friends?

“This is crazy and probably the most reckless thing I’m about to say to you but…do you think we what have here could happen? I just met you but I want to be around you and stuff..but my father won’t let me leave.” He added with a sigh.

“Why not? You are perfectly capable of doing that yourself I think.” She responded.

“With wolf sightings, he doesn’t want me to head out…and my friend, he has been gone for a few days..”

“Well maybe he is the wolf? He is hiding or something.”

Red was silent for a long period of time as a grin appeared on his face, she was onto something. He only ever seen Pete during the day and never at night, if he could prove he is a wolf and a good person, he could be a hero. Catch the wolf, prove someone’s innocence and show his father he can take care of himself just fine.

“You’re a genius!” He shouted, out of impulse pressed a kiss onto her lips and suddenly pulled back, “I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what came over me..”

She blushed again, touching her lips with a slight pout, “N-n-no! Th-that was okay. You uh, kiss kinda nice? I liked it…”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah…why am I genius?”

“You gave me an idea! How do you catch a wolf?”

“Well, if your friend is a wolf..to prove th-that he is one and not have run off or hurt anyone, you can uh, tie him to a tree..o-only if it wants to, of course!”

——-

The next couple of nights, it was planned and staged. Rick would go out with Pete, tie him up to the tree and leave Luna in place pretending to be in underneath the covers. Especially since she would wear her red cloak to disguise herself as a asleep figure.

Red had successfully convinced Pete to go along with the plan, reminding him how he always wanted him out of the house. And showing this act of bravery could be it! Pete, ever the optometrist friend, went along with the plan having his friends tie him up with a rope. The two started a fire to keep warm and brought food just in case for the night.

All that happened was to wait it out. Wait for Pete to turn all teen wolf.

Meanwhile at the house, Luna was asleep in Red’s bed or at least pretending to be. There was a small note on the table beside her to fake the idea that Luna left the night to grab extra firewood while Rick was asleep. Bruce walked in sensing something was off but couldn’t place his finger on it, picking up the short note not knowing to believe it or not as he let out a sigh. Bruce decided to shake his son awake, turning him off to find Luna in this place as she sat up.

“What the hell happened?” He asked, trying to keep calm as his grip crumbled the note.

“H-he is in not danger! I promise, it’s alright.” She tries to explain, in a light voice.

“Where is he?”

“Well um, he is with Peter. And I know you don’t like him but..i trust Rick on this one..we figured out that he is one of the wolves this winter.”

“You did what?! You two kids are insane for that. It’s dangerous out there.”

“But Mister Banner, he is a grown young man. They b-both are are..they can take care of themselves.”

“You think Peter is the wolf?”

“Y-yes. A we-werewolf..he’s also human. B-but he won’t hurt him, he got him tied up..that’s a good thing!”

“No it’s not. Oh, that poor kid..”

“A-what? What happened?”

“Follow me.”

As they spoke rushing out of the house, Pete was tied up screaming and shouting trying to break the chains starting at the wolf in front of him. If wasn’t his reflection as a wolf but his friend. In front of him stood Red, Rick Banner, as a deep dark blackened wolf with beating blue eyes snarling at him as he stumbled in front of him the pounced tackling Peter to the very snowy ground they stood on.

Luna and Bruce walked up the hills carrying weapons, along with torches to keep themselves into the seeing well of the woods. Luna was holding her crossbow looking around for clues of anything possible as Bruce lead the way to the center of the woods to find his son explains what he know.

Luna was flabbergasted and asked, “W-wait? You knew?”

“Of course I did. We thought the trait would not pass onto him, since my grandfather was one and so I wasn’t as strong for the gene.” He explained.

“What do you mean?”

“I do have the gene, I can turn into one myself when I was younger but my cells with age weren’t as strong as they once were. I still have my senses but the rest faded away.”

“And Red?”

“We thought he wouldn’t get it. But when he was 14, it started coming and going. I paid a Wizard, for that cloak keeps him for turning, but he doesn’t like to always wear it.”

“Why didn’t tell him..?”

“I didn’t want him to have that burden of thinking he was a beast. That he couldn’t be loved..”

“Or find any love? I felt his heartbeat..he can love..I think I might love him…”

“Then he got very lucky to find you...god, I’m fool to keep this from him, I messed up.. but I didn’t mean to.”

“I know you didn’t mean to. You were trying to protect him..”

Once they arrived, Luna noticed a small path of bloody footsteps on the ground as she held up her crossbow in slight waves of fear. Bruce gasped at the body on the ground, pressing a hand to the pulse trying to see if the body, being Peter’s, was still alive by any chance. But he wasn’t. The bloody footsteps came in circles as the black wolf came back snarling with striking blue eyes that looked at Bruce in anger and sadness then back at Luna whimper then run.

Bruce was running after him, as the idea of bring his son down crossed his mind but he didn’t want to hurt him. He told Luna to find him as he followed behind her. Luna nodded holding her crossbow and chased after Rick, up and down the snowy deep dark nights of the wood.

Using her skills, she tracked him into a small cave, lowing her crossbow at the wolf curled up into himself, snarling and whimpering. She could hear Bruce telling her to stand back as he tossed the cloak over his son, but all she did was kneel in front of him holding out a hand for him to reach.

Rick’s snarls calmed down looking away as he sadly whimpered, nodding reaching for a paw towards Luna sensing her to be gentle. The cloak was thrown onto his body, as he shuffled from wolf to human dressed in his normal clothes panting. He seemed like he blacked out, looking up at the two with watery eyes, as Luna took his hand and he tightened his grasped.

“W-what? What happened?” He asked out, looking around to noticed them in a dark carve.

“We have to go..” Bruce repiled, helping his son up as he patted his head, “..I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry for what? Where’s Pete?”

“He’s gone..he dead.”

It took Rick a moment to realized what he meant, gasping at the realization that hit him like a ton of bricks. His eyes water in shock and disbelief that he did such as thing, mutter that he was the wolf. Thinking he was a beast that can’t be loved. He looked at Luna with watery eyes, sniffling as it started to come back to him that the howling belonged to him. Luna held him up by the bicep, shaking her head leaning her face forward giving him an unspoken promise that it wasn’t his fault, that he didn’t know and it was an accident.

“It wasn’t your fault, you hear me?” She repeated, in such as kind yet sweet tone it was very much believable to him.

He nodded, biting his lip and sighed, “I’m so sorry…it was my plan to set this whole thing up..”

“You didn’t know, Rick..it’s okay, I’m here…I’m not going anywhere, I’m right here.”

“Your too kind to me..”

“Because you showed me kindness first..”

The trio run off escaping the woods and back into the warmth of the cabin, turning on the fireplace shutting off the newly installed fabricated curtains. Rick held his cloak close to his chest talking with his father who explained to him the truth. There were shouting, yelling and a few short notice barks at one another.

Luna looked out the window every once in a while, trying to keep the peace between father and son waiting for it all to die down. After a while, it did. Bruce apologized greatly for what he has done and Rick thanked him for the apology, for his honesty, but not fully forgetting him just yet.

Which was understandable.

————

Late that very night, Rick was asleep in the bed next to Luna trying to relax after that nightmare of a moment. A part of him still felt like a beast, wondering if he will be seen the same way after this. He felt Luna left the side of the bed, keeping his eyes closed waiting for her to return.

Luna was wrapped up in a warm brown blanket when she heard a tapping from the windows, peaking her curious opening the shudders to find a man in dark clothes leaning against the windows grinning lightly. A wishful attitude in his position, holding an item in his hand that lightly glowed.

She closed her eyes searching for a moment of courage and gulped, “W-who ar-are you? Wh-what do you w-want?”

“Hello to you too, dearie.” He said turning around to face her properly and nod, “You’re more beautiful than the stories. I’m Cole, I’m here to give you a gift for your troubles.”

“Wh-what is it? Do I have to give you something in return?”

“No of—oh no, wait there is something darling. This gift is a test, I want to see if your admiration for one another is true.”

“A-admiration? Wh-what is that supposed to mean?”

He pulled out the item that was that blood red shining rose that glowed a gentle pink. It was stunning, being enchanted by the strength of love, devotion and kindness. With a lovely dose fitting chance of admiration is what held the heart of that rose. It was a challenge, a test to see if your love was true. If it wasn’t just a game of the mind.

“Woah..” She muttered reaching out to touch it.

Cole pulled it away for her reach and chuckle, “Hold on darling, you will get your gift. I just want to know if you think your worth it.”

“…I um, I like to think I am..am I?”

“That’s for you to see for yourself. The flower will keep glowing it’s beautiful streaks but only if you want it to.”

She took the rose about to say another word but she somehow understood what he meant. It was magic with a price. As she blinked at the shudders, he was gone. She closed the window and curled back into bed holding the rose to show to Rick. He asked what it is as she explained, hearing what the item respectfully stated made him give the first true smile of the late night.

The pair curled into one another arms chatting quietly the whole night though in pure silence as the moonlight shining above them.

Who could ever love the beast? She did.

——

Added more to the series! What do we think?

Tags: @missstrawbs2001 @purpleprincessonfyre @meiramel @gcthvile @rickb-chaos @gaminggirlsstuff @wizzzardofoz @thechoooooosenone @luna-d-marsh @rooster-84 @thecavalrywife @cherrysft and etc

[misdreavusmishap]

⚡️⚡️ RO-TO-TO! VIDEO INCOMING. ⚡️⚡️

[IT SEEMS THIS VIDEO WAS DELAYED IN UPLOAD! THE TRUE START DATE IS 10/11/2023 @ 6:56 A.M.]

... Well, this feels like somewhere different.

A notification displaying the words “POKÉFINDER ACTIVATED. IT’S RECOMMENDED TO DEACTIVATE POKÉFINDER BEFORE CREATING A VIDEO LOG.” appears against a black screen, options “TURN OFF; CONTINUE” showing below it a few moments later. A small beep seems to repeat itself, much like someone pressing a controller button impatiently to hurry through a cutscene. The continue option is chosen, some low-pitch static grumbling behind the lack of light.

After some pause, the feed flickers on; facing towards Derek, who is laying on the bare ground in his new adventuring outfit, dead asleep. I shove my hat up, which had been covering a small portion of the camera, quickly floating around the surrounding scene. We seem to be in a forest! I’m not going to pretend where the path went, at this point I’d only just now woken up myself. There’s still more greens in the foliage than there are the oranges and reds of fall, but they’re there nonetheless; the awkward lighting of sunrise doesn’t help to identify this, though; horrible time to possess a camera.

“DEREK? DEREK!!!”

I zip over to him, shoving and kicking his arm, despite dealing no damage.

“DEREK I SWEAR TO THE TAPU! WHERE THE F?CK ARE WE????”

In a spur-of-the-moment final decision, I try to thundershock the guy; despite the plasma failing to even lock to the ground. Instead, the camera’s light dims for a minute, restoring to full brightness once the sparks cease flying.

“ . . . THREE HOURS. THREE. HOURS. I FALL ASLEEP FOR THREE HOURS AND YOU MANAGE TO-”

The man tosses, seeming to wince, despite still being asleep. He tensely grabs his opposing hand’s wrist, holding both of them against his chest, inconsistently shivering regardless of the lukewarm temperature. I back up, pausing for a minute, before shooting off in a different direction with a frustrated sigh.

“OF COURSE THIS HAPPENS NOW. AS SOON AS I LET MY GUARD DOWN! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. WE’RE GOING TO BE STUCK OUT HERE FOR WEEKS AND HE’S JUST GOING TO FORCE ME TO EAT BERRIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND I’LL NEVER TASTE GOOD POKEMON FOOD AGAIN AND-”

“OW”

The camera jolts down for a moment, the Pokéfinder UI bugging out in response. I spin around towards the surroundings at first, a quiet collection of giggling(?) filling the back of the audio, almost echoing as it does. Finally, I look down at the ground, noticing an Apricorn on the ground with an obvious flat indent in the skin. Following picking up the material, the laughing uproars, now more recognizable as what sounds like a pair of women cackling from… I don’t know, an astray dirt path that they wandered down?

“OH HAR HAR, VERY FUNNY. IT’S GONNA TAKE MORE THAN A PINK APRICORN TO CATCH A ROTOM LIKE ME, THOUGH. BUZZ OFF.”

“AGH”

The only laugh after this comically genius follow up is significantly smaller than the few captured before, interrupted by a quiet, distorted “ack-!” and what sounds like some unintelligible discipline. The smaller voice whines, like a child that didn’t quite get what it wanted. Being able to tell which direction the voices are coming from, I angle the camera upwards.

... To present absolutely nothing. Seriously, even now I can’t tell what the Pokefinder picked up. I don’t think there’s even anything actually there.

Whiirrr?

I roll my eyes, floating backwards some before fully turning around, starting to reluctantly float back to Derek’s makeshift “campsite”. Repetitive berry dishes are probably way better than Sky Apricorns, anyways. Could you even eat those?

Whiirrcchp...

Oh great. A secondary mystery creature. There are some small, quick footsteps following me from behind; between each step a soft whirr, equivalent to the sound of a working wind-up toy. I’m either too angry to notice it, or simply ignoring it here, but playing back the recording is making me realize how completely not quiet the fellow Pokémon was.

Chrchrchr.....?

I think I’ve had just about enough of this.

“WOULD YOU QUIT LAUGHING AT M-”

“ . . . . . was that YOU?”

⚡️⚡️ RO-TO-TO! VIDEO END. ⚡️⚡️

[thefanciestborrower]

Haha lol Ice Emperor goes Brrrr part 9

[Next time's arc finale, baybey]

Zane.

The name rolled about in his head as he watched Lloyd push a pawn two spaces across an ice chessboard. Julien’s bishop made its way to the center of the board. “What was he like?”

“Huh?” The boy’s spirits were higher now that he knew his brothers were coming, and he looked up at Julien with wide, shining green eyes. The same shade as meadow grass, a concept that danced between his fingers in mystifying circles.

“Your brother, I mean. Zane.” The name tasted odd on his tongue. Like winter winds and flaking wood. “You have told me some, but I imagine there’s more.”

Lloyd moved a knight to intercept his bishop, but couldn’t quite jump it. “Well, he’s kind.” A pause to watch Julien move a rook. “And he’s loyal, and he’s kinda weird.”

“Weird?” Lloyd took one of his pawns.

“Yeah, like Kai told me a story once that he followed this bird for like ever and they had to beat up these tree monsters.” The white pawn was lined up with two of its fellows on Lloyd’s side of the board. One had a chip in the side of its “head”.

I know who I am.

“That is strange.” Julien took Lloyd’s knight, placing it along the row of other such dynamic pieces that Lloyd had lost over the course of their game. Lloyd took another pawn with a bishop.

“A little bit, but we love him for it. He’s got a good… sense of things. Sometimes he knows what happens before it actually comes to pass.” A careful dance of shuffling pawns. Like the movements of his army. “He’s funny, though. He’s got a bunch of really old songs loaded into his stuff.”

Hello my ragtime gal—

“I think the big thing was his falcon, though. It went everywhere with him, but the Great Devourer got it… I think. It stopped showing up after that. I don’t think he named it, though.” Lloyd took the bishop he’d set up as an executioner. “Just called it ‘my friend’ most of the time.”

Its eyes gleamed blue as it took off, forest-sized emerald snake in tow as it dove and bobbed through the rocky plateau that made up the bulk of the desert. When it called, it was a harsh sort of shriek, but oh-so familiar, even as heat—hot. Too hot. Unfamiliar—bore down against his back. A hand made of metal but wreathed in flesh raised as if by some force of will, he could stop it.

Lloyd took Julien’s king with a pawn.

Like a blizzard, his mind erupted into theory and thought, each too quick for him to catch. Frozen claws dug into his spine as he rose, barely remembering to extend a hand for Lloyd as he swiveled, turning to the directions of the dungeons as if possessed. He thought Lloyd was speaking to him, but the squall of his mind was drowned any but the sound of his own systems in his ears.

He didn’t remember, even, which path he took to the dungeons, just that he stood in front of a black ice cell. Inside, beyond the bars, a broad-set young man stared at him. Purplish circles ringed his eyes, and exhaustion set heavy upon his frame. “I will not bow to you.” His voice was a growl low in his chest.

“I know.” The formling cocked his head, bear cap sliding just slightly on his hair. “Usurpers bow to no one. I expect nothing from you but an answer.”

“You would be a fool to think I would tell you anything.” The bear boy bared his teeth. Lloyd shrunk back against The Emperor’s chest.

“I want only to know the identity of the emperor before me. Before my original reign.”

His scoff echoed like phantoms in his cell. “Mad emperor, you are,” he snapped. “This is your first—your only reign. We lived in peace before you.” A hardened elbow of bread thunked against the bars of the cell. “You are the usurper. The emperor before you was Grimfax—a kind man. Far kinder than you.”

The Emperor knew of Grimfax. He was even a high-ranking soldier in The Emperor’s army. He remembered being told that Grimfax was the man who took his throne. Took his life. Took what he felt should occupy the echoing that filled his chest at times. “How would I know the truth of your words, assassin?”

The bear boy scowled. Julien thought he couldn’t look older than ten winters ahead of Lloyd. “What good would wasting my voice on a lie be? You and your men do little more than ignore me, anyway. May as well say something of worth.”

When he stared down at the prisoner for too long, Lloyd spoke up. “Julien?” The prisoner raised his head.

“I am fine.” He refocused on the formling. “Your testimony will be considered. For now…” his gaze slid around the dungeons, bare ice rising in sloping walls. Lloyd’s breath fogged just slightly when he breathed. “Let’s go get your brothers.”

Gathering Vex, a few essentials, and Boreal was a simple task. Boreal could cover entire forests in mere hours, so he had been resting at the stables already returned from his previous assignment. The Emperor, himself, was always primed to go on… adventures, a habit he couldn’t seem to break, so all that remained was allowing Vex to pack some items, and…

“Absolutely not.” Julien’s eyes landed on the slightly thicker winter coat Lloyd had acquired from… somewhere, and though swathed in it he looked something like a green marshmallow—the concept of the item vanished from his mind as soon as he thought of it—he was still, distinctly, miniscule. Miniscule creatures did not belong in the Never-Realm. He would freeze to death if he stepped outside.

Lloyd’s puffed cheeks did little for the “small fluffy thing” look. “We’re going for my brothers,” came the petulant whine. “I should be there! What if they attack you?”

“They would be fools.” Julien tapped his staff against the ground, briefly scanning for Vex before returning his attention back to Lloyd.

“What—what if I rode in your stomach—it’s insulated, right? I’d be fine.” Little mittened hands smacked at his faceplate. “I’ll be quiet, I promise—I just—it’s been so long since I’ve seen them.” Lloyd raised his eyebrows and tucked his hands as he stared at the side of Julien’s head.

He knew exactly what Lloyd was doing.

And he didn’t like that it was working.

When he caught footsteps returning from the vague direction Vex vanished off to, Julien sighed, looping a couple of titanium fingers around Lloyd’s waist as he raised the boy to his face. “Fine.” And that was the only warning he gave before shoving the child up to his shoulders into Julien’s mouth. He was a mouthful—Lloyd’s jacket added some bulk to a frame that usually had none, and it was somewhat of a challenge to even get the boy to the back of his mouth.

When the footsteps grew louder, Julien simply threw back his head and swallowed, catching Lloyd by the arm before the rest of him followed. The child—mostly his jacket—displaced some of Julien’s other functional components as he passed, a soft sort of ache setting into his wake.

Julien picked a piece of collar-fluff from his tongue just as Vex rounded the corner, and just as Lloyd dropped lightly into his stomach. Both of them, of course, quickly made themselves comfortable, with Vex hoisting himself upon Boreal’s back to rest against one of the dragon’s dorsal spines, and Lloyd finding his usual spot against the stomach wall nearest to Julien’s nervous column.

A quick huff through his mask, and The Emperor had vaulted up to rest upon his dragon’s shoulders. Vex called out to the guards manning the stable doors, and with a lurch and a jump that sent Lloyd sliding, all four of them were in the air, wheeling through snow-flecked skies toward the reports of colorful teenagers.

[twilights-800-cats]

<< Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || From the Beginning || Patreon & Ko-Fi >>

Chapter 3

The walk back to ThunderClan territory was long, tense, and mostly quiet. More than anything, it was humiliating. Though RiverClan and ShadowClan’s territories were empty of patrols this early in the morning, Shadepool could almost feel their warriors watching from the shadows of every bush. Were they laughing? Did they find it funny that ThunderClan was being forced to take the long way home?

Orange dawn light streaked the sky as the ThunderClan patrol crossed into ShadowClan territory, and by the time they had forded the stream and made it across their own border and into the forest, the sun had risen fully. It was just another humiliation, taking so long, and the entire patrol felt it, with shuffling paws and dragging tails.

“I hope the dawn patrol went out on time,” muttered Dustpelt as they stepped into ThunderClan territory. Shadepool glanced over her shoulder – the dark tabby warrior was clustered with Mousefur, Brightheart, and Sootfur just behind her.

“Graystripe took care of it, I’m sure,” Brightheart assured. She stepped over a large, fallen stick, brought down by the recent blizzards.

Dustpelt raised his lip in a scoff. “Graystripe could hardly ever get his apprentices up on time, you think he can handle waking up a whole patrol? Or waking up for one himself?”

Brightheart rolled her eye, though Shadepool saw Sootfur’s whiskers twitch in amusement. Mousefur’s voice was stiff and certain, however: “Come off it, Dustpelt. The patrols are fine – no cat wants to get an earful from you...”

Dustpelt looked like he might complain further, but Tinystar’s voice stopped him. The Clan leader didn’t look back, only yowled, “Ferncloud! Snowstep! Come up here, now!” and continued on his way, leading the patrol along the winding, up-and-down paths through the forest.

Ferncloud and Snowstep obeyed, hurrying away from whatever conversation they were having with Sun, Mistyfoot, and Nightfrost. Shadepool watched the couple huddle around Tinystar and Brackenfur, heads bent close.

“Wonder what they’re talking about?” Nightfrost wondered, sidling up to his sister.

Shadepool twitched her whiskers, curious herself. She longed to go up and listen, but she imagined that Brackenfur would simply tell her that it wasn’t her place, which made her pelt flash with annoyance.

I may have my full name, but I'm still just an apprentice in his eyes.

To distract herself, she glanced at Sun. The young she-cat's expression was troubled, and Shadepool wondered, “Are you alright?”

Sun flicked an ear. “I am fine,” she responded, sounding uncertain about it. “But, well, I’m sure you understand that I wasn’t expecting such a thing at a Gathering...”

Shadepool blinked in understanding. This must be so hard for you to wrap your head around. This Gathering had been her debut as a full warrior of ThunderClan after leaving her home in the mountains, and Shadepool felt sorry that such a momentous occasion had been taken from her new Clanmate by such dismal news.

“Not all Gatherings are like this one,” Nightfrost assured. He brushed his tail along Sun’s flank. “I think every Clan is going to be reeling from what happened last night for a while, though...”

Sun’s expression only grew more clouded. “The Tribe never had these sorts of issues,” she pointed out.

Mistyfoot drew close and mewed gently, “The Tribe do not share their mountains with anyone else. Here, Sun, you must remember – ThunderClan isn’t the only Clan around, and the Clans have hardly ever seen eye to eye on anything.”

Sun frowned. “But to accuse us of something so heinous? Has the Great Journey meant nothing after all?”

Shadepool glanced between Nightfrost and Mistyfoot, feeling a twinge of discomfort in her stomach. They must be thinking the same thing – that the journey they had taken, all the hardship and loss they endured to bring the Clans to their new home, was for naught.

The unity borne from the Great Journey had faded like mist in the moonlight at the power of Mudstar's words, and now the grass beneath their paws was as dry and cold as it had ever been. The worthlessness of it all was overpowering.

“I don’t think that’s fully true,” Nightfrost mewed. He was trying to sound optimistic, and he gave Sun a playful nudge. “Some cats just can’t stop holding on to grudges no matter what, and Mudcl-Mudstar is one of them, for sure!”

“Yes,” Mistyfoot agreed hastily. Her expression was unreadable. “That's exactly it. Every cat has their own agenda.”

Sun frowned. “I suppose,” she mumbled.

Mistyfoot's eyes sparkled when she looked down at Nightfrost, as if she were grateful for his words, and Nightfrost’s shone right back at her. Shadepool had to look away. The feeling creeping in between her ears from her brother was so warm, so happy – it felt inappropriate to partake in.

She tried instead to focus on Crowflight. This entire situation was so baffling, and Shadepool was struggling to understand that the cat she loved was now the deputy of a WindClan that hated ThunderClan with every hair on their pelts – but despite all of that, he still wanted to meet her. Surely that meant that some sense could be made of the whole thing!

We ought to be able to figure this out, she thought, determination warming her limbs, staving away the cold. Surely he has something I can use to help us out of this situation?

It was nearly sunhigh as the Gathering patrol drew close to the tightly woven gorse bushes that formed the camp walls. They were each and all cold, tired, and more than a little annoyed with the long trip they'd had to take. Shadepool herself did not look forward to subsequent Gatherings feeling like another Great Journey, herself - all the more reason to find a way out of this mess, with whatever she and Crowflight could come up with.

Tinystar drew them to a halt just outside the entrance with a flick of his tail. When the cats in the patrol were all gathered around him, he raised his chin to speak:

“I know you are all tired,” he meowed, “and each one of you will be spared from patrols or hunting parties for the day while you rest.” Tinystar’s sharp gaze leveled on his Clanmates. “Say nothing of this Gathering to the Clan until I've had the chance to speak about it.”

“When will that be?” Dustpelt demanded.

Tinystar flicked an ear. “I intend to call a Clan meeting immediately.”

“Good,” Mousefur grunted. Her shoulders were squared. “But is there a plan?”

Tinystar did not reply for a moment. Shadepool sensed her Clanmate’s growing restlessness in the way that Mousefur shifted her shoulders. The others were just as expectant - surely Tinystar had a plan, right?

After a moment of silence, her father meowed: “This is not a situation we can take lightly. I’ll be open to any ideas from the senior warriors, once everyone else is informed.”

Mousefur’s pale eyes flashed in surprise. “But-”

“Mousefur, there’s really nothing else I can do right at this moment,” Tinystar interjected, his tone sharp. Shadepool knew he was just as tired as everyone else, and his temper was wearing thin. “I need to tell the Clan before there are any wider discussions.”

Mousefur closed her jaws. She glanced at Dustpelt, who looked equally disgruntled – but Tinystar stood strong. Shadepool knew her father was right, that this needed to be handled properly; but she couldn’t help but feel a lump form in her throat.

What if he couldn’t handle it? 

———————————————————

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!”

Tinystar’s voice echoed, bouncing off of the stone walls that encircled ThunderClan’s camp. It was certainly effective for drawing out any cat that hadn’t already gone out for an assigned patrol, though the meeting was well-timed – Shadepool counted heads, and it seemed like every ThunderClan cat was going to be present for this one.

They might wish otherwise, she thought grimly, once they hear the news.

“We got worried when you weren't back on time,” Cloudtail purred, shaking dried leaves from her pelt as she emerged from the warrior’s den. She was quick to touch noses with Brightheart, relief in her eyes. “Graystripe wanted to send out a patrol to look for you...”

Swiftfoot was only a moment behind, his broad shoulders carrying snow from the branches of the den that he didn't bother to shake off. “What’s all this about?” he asked roughly, brushing his muzzle with Brightheart's.

“You’ll see,” Brightheart sighed, flicking the snow piles from Swiftfoot's shoulders with her paws. She drew her mates close, and they settled into the crowd. Whitewing, their daughter, joined them a moment later, just coming in from a hunting patrol with Rainwhisker and Spiderpaw.

After hauling their catch to the fresh-kill pile, Spiderpaw found her mentor, Mousefur, who didn’t seem thrilled to sit with her apprentice for the meeting. Spiderpaw was the only apprentice in the Clan at the moment, though, and thus she got her way in some regards.

Sootfur was barraged with questions by Rainwhisker as they went to join Sorreltail and Sun, but Shadepool saw them both hold firm and stay silent. Dustpelt touched noses with Cinderpelt, and Shadepool guessed she knew her mate well enough not to ask just yet. They sat with Ashfur, Graystripe, and Silverstream, and Longtail sat down close by, his ears twitching in the direction of any nearby conversation.

Shadepool saw a flash of gray and white out of the corner of her eye – Ferncloud and Snowstep had both retreated to the nursery, which made Shadepool curious. Did they have permission to miss the meeting? Was Larchkit ill? She was about to turn and ask, but Nightfrost stopped her. 

“Sit with us?” he invited.

Shadepool frowned. Her brother was sitting with Mistyfoot, near Mousefur and Spiderpaw and Rainwhisker. Nightfrost was sitting quite close to Mistyfoot, their flanks touching, and that wasn't just to leave room for Shadepool, she guessed.

She sensed that she had little choice – it was a bit late to sit by Brackenfur beneath the Highledge, as Tinystar was already gearing up to speak, and she would have to make her way through an entire crowd to get to them. She hurried over to her littermate and ended up squeezing in between him and Rainwhisker.

“I’m guessing last night didn’t go well?” Rainwhisker hissed, leaning close. “Soot here won’t tell me a thing, and Sun's jaws are sealed, for once!”

“You could say that,” Shadepool offered, tentatively.

“Cats of ThunderClan!” Tinystar’s meow rose high. “As I am sure you are all aware by now, I and my Gathering patrol have arrived far later than anticipated. I apologize for any undue worry, but we were forced to take an alternate route around the lake."

“Forced?” questioned Longtail. His ears focused intensely on Tinystar, the scarred lids of his eyes twitching as if they were trying to narrow. “How?”

“We all have the right to travel around the lake, especially for Gatherings,” Cinderpelt added, confused. “We agreed on that at the Arrival.”

“I know,” Tinystar meowed on, his tone stretched thin. “However, something has happened that has changed our circumstances.”

Shadepool saw her father steady himself. She couldn’t imagine the pain and sorrow he was feeling, having to say what he was going to say.

“After the battle on the moors, Onewhisker and Barkface went to the Moonpool,” Tinystar explained. “However, before they could contact StarClan, they were ambushed. Onewhisker was killed, and Barkface was reportedly savagely wounded.”

“Great StarClan!” gasped Rainwhisker. His eyes went wide to their whites, and Shadepool felt his pelt bristle in alarm.

“W-What?!” Cinderpelt’s mew was full of horror. She glanced at Dustpelt, who confirmed with a somber nod. Cinderpelt whispered, “Who would do such a thing?!”

Spiderpaw was bristling, and Shadepool saw her limbs shake. “Is WindClan okay?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes, are they? Who leads them now?” wondered Graystripe. His tone was full of concern. “If Ashfoot and Onewhisker are both dead...” Graystripe trailed off, clearly hurt by the news, then mustered the strength to ask: “Onewhisker appointed a new deputy before he left, right?”

Tinystar took a breath, his gaze darkening. “This is where things get a bit more complicated, I’m afraid – Onewhisker apparently appointed no deputy before he left. After the attack, Mudclaw was allegedly chosen to lead WindClan by some sort of consensus that he did not disclose.” Tinystar blinked, slowly. “He is Mudstar now, and he has chosen Crowflight as his deputy.”

Shocked yowls rose in a chorus. Within the high camp walls, Shadepool felt like a throng of birds had started to scream in her skull all at once. They were as outraged as the cats attending the Gathering had been, and Shadepool felt herself reeling once again:

“He’s too young to be deputy!”

“Mudstar? How?!”

“How do we know he didn’t kill Onewhisker?”

“Yeah! He was certainly willing to before...”

“After all we did for them?”

“I’ve got three scars because of that fight!”

“I'm still sore!”

“Crowflight? Why?”

“He’s a good enough warrior, but it’s against the code, isn't it?”

“He's had no apprentice that I know of...”

“What is WindClan thinking?”

“Calm down!” Tinystar yowled.

Her father’s voice had cracked, straining to get over the cacophony. The fretting dulled down to a murmur, and Shadepool curled her tail around her paws. She tried to lean on Nightfrost, but sensed that he was preoccupied – Mistyfoot looked to be dizzy from all the yelling, and he was busy comforting her. Shadepool drew back sharply and dug her claws into the slush instead, hot thorns pricking her pelt.

“Yes, this is unprecedented,” Tinystar went on, his voice straining. “Mudstar hinted that StarClan had something to do with both his and Crowflight’s appointments. That, however, is not the only issue at our paws.”

“What else could there possibly be?” snapped Swiftfoot. He looked incredulously up at Tinystar. “Have mice started flying as well?”

The absurdity of his question, combined with the absurdity of this entire situation, did get a few purrs of some sort of dark amusement out of a few cats in the crowd. Shadepool wasn't certain whether or not that was a good thing.

Tinystar frowned. “Apparently, at the site of the ambush, there was significant evidence of a ThunderClan presence.”

The entire Clan went deathly silent.

“Mudstar has declared that ThunderClan is responsible for Onewhisker’s death.” Tinystar’s voice broke with the weight of his grief. Shadepool saw the luster fade from his eyes. “He has closed his borders to us and is demanding justice.”

The silence stretched thin like ice just creeping over a stream. The cats who had attended the Gathering, who already knew, looked up at Tinystar with resignation to the facts. The others, those that were only just hearing of this, wore shocked, open-jawed expressions. Shadepool could almost hear their words of disbelief die on their tongues.

“Mudstar did not outright declare war,” Tinystar pressed on, tired and resigned, “but I have decided that we must prepare for it, nonetheless.”

His icy gaze swept across his Clan. “I know, deep down in my bones, that no ThunderClan warrior would ever do something so cowardly and heinous – these accusations are baseless. But, Onewhisker is still dead, Mudstar is still the leader, and all of WindClan stands behind him. RiverClan and ShadowClan’s positions are undecided. We cannot ignore what this means.”

The crowd murmured, unsettled.

“No cat leaves camp alone,” Tinystar declared. “The WindClan border must be monitored, and I want the patrols along the Divide doubled. Hunters should avoid getting too near the river. There must be no undue instigation from us. We will need every cat ready to defend ourselves - it's not a matter of if Mudstar will cause a problem, but when and how.”

He took a deep breath, and his gaze lifted. Shadepool followed his eyes, turning her head towards the nursery. Ferncloud and Snowstep sat just outside, with Larchkit between them, his fur groomed to perfection.

Oh. Shadepool suddenly realized why Tinystar had spoken to the pair earlier. Had Larchkit heard all that had been said? Did he understand what was about to happen? She felt bad for him – every kit dreamed of getting their apprentice name, but this honor would always be eclipsed by the circumstances that necessitated it.

Every cat turned their heads, and the realization dawned on them, too. Shadepool heard Silverstream murmur something sympathetically. Someone wondered who his mentor would be, but there was little suspense in their voice.

“Larchkit,” Tinystar announced, “come forward.”

The young cat got to his paws and, urged on by Ferncloud, padded forward. The crowd split around him, everyone edging away to give him some space. Larchkit kept his chin high, but Shadepool could see a wobble in his step.

So, he has some idea, she guessed. He was not fully deaf, like his father. Shadepool guessed that his good ear had caught all he needed to know. Poor mite.

“Larchkit, you have shown tremendous bravery for one so young,” Tinystar meowed, his voice clear and loud, as Larchkit paused beneath the shadow of the Highledge. Ferncloud was allowed to sit beside her son, to sign Tinystar's words in case he missed them. “You have crossed from forest to mountain to lake, and it is my pleasure to give you your apprentice name.”

Larchkit raised his head, his bicolored gaze wavering.

“Larchkit, from this moment forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Larchpaw,” Tinystar announced.

Shadepool watched her father’s gaze keenly. Who would be Larchpaw’s mentor in this trying time? An older warrior, like Graystripe or Cinderpelt? Someone young, like Rainwhisker? Or, perhaps, Mistyfoot?

She glanced at her friend, curious. Mistyfoot had had an apprentice seasons ago, in the old forest – Shrewpaw, Spiderpaw’s brother. However, an encounter with a badger had taken Shrewpaw’s life shortly after he’d gotten his apprentice name, and Mistyfoot had taken the blow and blame deep in her heart. Would she be given another chance?

Mistyfoot was looking up at her leader, now, straining as if she might convince him with her gaze alone. It was no secret that Mistyfoot longed to be deputy – to work with her former mentor and lead ThunderClan. But to do that, according to the warrior code, one needed to have trained an apprentice, unless StarClan decided to interfere. There had been Shrewpaw, of course, but his life had been cut short all too quickly, and Shadepool didn't know if that counted or not.

“Ashfur.”

Shadepool almost heard Mistyfoot’s heart break.

“You have shown strength and bravery in adversity,” Tinystar meowed on. “I think you would make a great mentor for Larchpaw.”

Ashfur looked shocked to be chosen. He glanced over his shoulder at Ferncloud, his littermate, who stared back with love and gratitude in her eyes. Shadepool’s heart went out to the queen – she had lost two of her kits to the horrors of starvation in the old forest, and Larchpaw was all that remained of that first litter. Had she asked Tinystar to put Larchpaw in the care of his uncle, for her own sake?

“Larchpaw! Larchpaw!” the Clan cheered. “Larchpaw!”

Ashfur recovered quickly from the shock. He strode up to Larchpaw and touched noses with his new apprentice.

“I’ll take care of you,” he promised, signing through the noise. His dark blue eyes flashed up, looking directly at Mistyfoot. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”

Shadepool felt Nightfrost stiffen beside her. “How dare he!” he hissed. “What a snake!”

“Stop, Nightfrost,” Mistyfoot whispered. Her voice was so, so tired. “It’s not worth it.” She and Ashfur had never gotten along, and Shadepool guessed that him having an apprentice over her this time wasn’t going to change that in the least. 

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but what’s the plan?” demanded Swiftfoot. “Are we just going to let WindClan’s accusations stand?”

Tinystar’s ice-blue eyes turned hard. “Absolutely not,” he declared, his voice gaining strength. “I won’t let WindClan get away with threatening us. Whoever killed Onewhisker and framed us will be found, and they will be made to pay. ThunderClan is not a Clan of murderers and codebreakers, and Mudstar will not smear our name across the lakeshore while I have the lives to stop him!”

“ThunderClan!” Graystripe yowled. The whole Clan raised their voices with him: “ThunderClan! ThunderClan!”

“Graystripe, Cinderpelt, you have the patrols for today,” Tinystar declared as the cheering died down. “We senior warriors will discuss things further once we’ve rested. This meeting is adjourned!”

With that, Tinystar turned and headed into the cave he called his den, blending into the darkness immediately. The Clan broke up into gossiping groups, every nerve aflame by the shocking announcements.

Shadepool saw a few patrols begin to head out, and Ashfur and Larchpaw joined them. She prayed to StarClan that his first tour of the territory would be peaceful, but she didn’t envy having to deal with Ashfur as a mentor.

“I can’t believe it,” Rainwhisker murmured. “WindClan, hating us? After everything ThunderClan has done for them?”

“Whatever could make them think we killed Onewhisker?” Sorreltail wondered. Her eyes were wide with shock. “We’ve been friends since long before the Great Battle with BloodClan!”

“It’s got to be a ploy,” Rainwhisker suggested. His tail swished in the slush. “Mudstar’s always wanted power. He’s got it, and now he wants more.”

Sootfur was nodding along. “I mean, I did hear that rumor that he pushed Ashfoot under the tree...”

“Whoa, who from?” Sorreltail demanded.

“That ShadowClan warrior Skipnose swears he saw it...”

Shadepool’s heart felt sick. She drew away from the trio, edging closer to Nightfrost and Mistyfoot. She longed for the comfort of their companionship, not the gossip of her Clanmates – but it seemed like she couldn’t escape it, even there.

“I hope we can settle things before someone gets hurt,” Nightfrost sighed. He nudged Mistyfoot. “What’s your read on this mess?”

Mistyfoot shook her head. She seemed utterly at a loss, her dark blue eyes shimmering with misery. “I-I don’t know. I certainly didn't see it coming, that's for sure.”

Nightfrost touched his nose to her shoulder. “I wish we could talk to Crowflight,” he sighed. “There’s no way he’d lie to us.” Shadepool didn’t miss the way his gaze flickered to her. She could feel him prodding and poking between her ears.

“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Mistyfoot said resignedly. Her gaze looked hurt, and she was ignoring Nightfrost's prodding. “He was very quick to put borders up between us again, remember...”

Shadepool felt her tail puff with indignation. You don’t understand him at all! None of you ever did!

“I don’t think he would betray anyone, least of all us,” she meowed sternly, “and I don’t think he’d agree to be deputy if Mudstar were a murderer!” Especially if he murdered Crowflight’s own mother!

“Well, things are changing,” Mistyfoot meowed. Her gaze was even. “Our home has changed, the Clans have changed, and the cats within them have, too. We’re in danger now, and we may have to face Crowflight in battle sooner or later.” She sighed, resigned. “We have to prepare for that eventuality.”

Nightfrost sighed, and his shoulders sagged. “The Great Journey really is over...”

Shadepool dug her claws into the earth. She knew her emotions were rising, flaring up and pulsing hotly into Nightfrost’s mind. She wanted to screech at Mistyfoot, call her a mouse-brain for not trusting Crowflight – but she felt Nightfrost push back, trying to get her to understand.

Shadepool’s heart twisted, searing in her chest - she wanted them to understand her, not the other way around!

She tossed her brother a sharp glare before she got up and headed for the medicine cat’s cave. She heard Mistyfoot’s concerned mew but ignored her. Shadepool knew she would have to apologize later, and she would - but for now, she was angry and knew she would be for a time.

Crowflight has the answers, you’ll see! She thought firmly. She would see him tonight, and learn everything they needed to fix this. We won’t get out of this without him!

[devotionsbylilly]

A Piece of my Path:

I graduated from a fairly small high school in 2021, I mean I pretty much knew everyone in my graduating class. I remember that fall my parents and I packed up the car and headed an hour down the road to Chapel Hill. College, I was so excited but at the same time, I was so nervous. I was scared I wasn’t going to make any friends, that the classes were going to be hard, or that I’d get lost trying to find those classes. I remember my dad telling me, “just think about it as a sleepover, one day at a time.” So, that’s what I did. The upcoming weeks were difficult, my roommate was one of the sweetest people ever, we just didn’t have much in common, especially when it came to my Faith and how it was being affected. She wasn’t a Christian and as much as she listened and tried to understand where I was coming from, she just couldn’t. Which was like most of the people I met. So coming from a school where most people went to church on Sundays to a school where students could care less about God, that was a tough transition for me, I felt like I was alone. I remember sitting at my desk one night, (my roommate had gone out) and I just cried, I cried out to the Lord, I was scared and I was upset that he allowed me to come to this place and left me here by myself, I missed my friends, my parents, and my sister. I’m pretty sure I cried myself to sleep that night. The next night I decided to dig into his word and spend time with him, and boy was that a game changer. I may not have had a physical human with me, but what I did have was God. When I finally learned to lean on him and realize he was all I needed, I didn’t feel so alone.

He then sent me some of the best friends I could have asked for. So there’s a funny backstory to this. In my sophomore year of high school, my mom convinced me to go to this leadership camp at Wake Forest. It was an overnight thing and the only other person from my high school and I split up. I remember meeting my group and in my group, there was this girl with the same name as me, (even spelled the same!) Well, fast forward three years there I am eating dinner alone, waiting for the weekend to come up so I could go home when all of a sudden I see this girl who looks oddly familiar. I ended up building the courage to go talk to her, it was the girl from the camp. She didn’t remember me immediately, but she ended up inviting me to a bible study that week. I went and met some amazing people and ended up becoming a part of this Christian group that has students like me who want to spread God's word. Sometimes I look back and think about how crazy it is that God orchestrated all these events because he knew what freshman Lilly would need and when she would need it. I still wouldn’t give up those first two weeks though, they may have been challenging but that time alone allowed me to realize what relationship was most important in my life, the everlasting one. So when things are difficult and you feel alone just lean on him, because you never know where he could take you. During freshman year I memorized a verse that helped me get through those hard times and is still helping me today. Isaiah 41:10.

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Thranduil and Josie Pt. 124-Mephistophelian

Summary: Daddy's home with a whole new look. Garrett and Josie are in trouble. Josie finds one of her powers...and a new family member who has a lot of info. A kiss is shared. Thranduil holds onto his love for Josephine as Jareth now takes over. Josie panics over Legolas. Haldir takes some heat. Garrett saves a life and comforts another. Narcisse intercepts something of great importance.

*Warnings* Long and dark chapter, angst, violence, language, graphic depictions, torture,

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

"My dad is here? Where?!" you asked Garrett in desperation and began spinning around searching for him.

"Daddy??? Are you here?? Where are you!? Garrett, come on, we gotta look for him."

"Yeah, umm, Josephine, hold on..." he said and grabbed your arm.

"Garrett? What are you doing?"

"Something don't feel right." Garrett muttered as his eyes darted through all the trees.

"Yeah, your hand on my arm! He could be out here hurt or something. Maybe that's why he's been gone so long??"

You pulled away from him and took off trotting through the forest with Garrett immediately chasing after you.

Julian watched from a tree above and then jumped out, doing an impressive flip and then landed right in your path, scaring you half to death.

You let out a scream and hopped into Garrett's awaiting arms as Julian stood staring at you with an expressionless face.

"Daddy? Oh my god, you're really here!"

You went to go to him but Garrett stopped you, snatching your arm and turning you back to him.

"Josephine...wait."

"Garrett, what are you doing? Let me go."

He leaned down to you and quietly spoke while still clutching your hand.

"Do you trust me?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?'

Garrett sighed and furrowed his brows.

"Ok..ok, yes...with my life, but that's about it after Raven... What is it Garrett?"

Garrett pretended he didn't hear her cringeworthy name. "Something is off. He...he don't...smell right....and look at his appearance, the drastic change." he whispered.

You were locked into Garrett's eyes and your intuition told you to listen to him. He may have done some stupid things but he would never let anything happen to you. Slowly, you turned to look at your father as you remained glued to Garrett.

""Garrett, what an unpleasant surprise to see you with my daughter as usual...you do recall that I am a witch and witches can change their appearance."

"Um.. right...and here I thought you just stopped off at the barber shop during your three week vacation that had your daughter worried sick when she just got you back from the dead after 9 years. What was I thinking?"

"Garrett, stop it." you snapped and nudged him.

"New cologne too? Interesting scent." Garrett continued, completely ignoring you.

"You're one to talk, Danny Zuko. Is that whom you wanted to be when you grew up from the class clown to the comedic blood sucker?" Julian snarked as he leered at the vexed vampire.

You couldn't help but snicker at your dad's remark in which Garrett gave you a raised eyebrow of disbelief.

"Well...the Zuko part was kinda funny." you concurred. Garrett then shook his head at you.

"Oh look at that, your dad's got newly acquired joking skills as well. Great movie by the way, one of my favorites, although I think I'm much better looking that John Travolta and would have made a better T-Bird. I can totally sing greased lightning way better too. What about you Chad Kroeger? Is this how you remind me of what I really am?"

"Garrett Lee!" you said with a low emitted bellow through your teeth.

"What? He started it."

After rolling your eyes at Garrett's typical behavior, you looked back at your dad, realizing his behavior wasn't so typical.

"Daddy, where have you been? Garrett is right, I was so worried about you. You just vanished and never told me you were leaving."

"I apologize Josephine. I had some business to attend to."

"Ok? Umm, since when do you call me that?

"It is your name is it not?"

"Well...uh...yeah..but...you always call me Jo...Daddy, is everything alright?"

"Never better. Come give daddy a hug. I have missed you my love."

Garrett's hand squeezed yours, begging you not to do it.

You peered up at Garrett with a now worried look.

"Jo, my sweet girl, don't you want to give your father a hug?" Julian asked in a sincere like tone. You smiled as that sounded more like your dad's words and let go of Garrett.

"Josephine..." Garrett urged, his eyes full of concern that were now his defensive red.

"Hey...calm down. He's not going to hurt me, he's my dad?" you softly told him and then went to Julian. The closer you got, you began to pick up the scent Garrett was talking about. You didn't know how to describe it, only that it was unsavory. Not a lick of his usual chamomile aroma was there at all.

You hesitantly hugged him and he even felt different. Julian picked up on how tense you were.

"Oh, there now. Daddy's got you. If there's anyone you should be weary of my child, it is the living dead boy you are sweet on."

You immediately released your father and gave him a wide eyed stare.

"Dad...why would you say such a thing to me??"

"Were you not about to play tongue twister with romancing Roman over there or did my eyes deceive me? A few more minutes and he would have been eyeing your jugular."

"First of all Julian, my name is Garrett and secondly, I do not desire Josephine's blood and she knows it. What is your problem man?" Garrett reeled as he came up behind you and intensely glared the warlock down.

"It seems it would be you. You had no problem letting Jo feed you her blood at Lestat's or has that slipped your mind. I stood right there and viewed the entire display of affection. Tell me, did Thranduil know about that? Oh, that's right, he was probably already dead by then."

"DADDY!!!!" you shouted in horror as Garrett secured you against him.

"She gave me her blood because I was dying. Caroline had almost depleted all of my blood or has THAT slipped your mind?? And what a shitty ass thing to say to her. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me. I am simply stating facts. How sweet, how you both share each other's blood now, I mean, since you forced her to drink yours at one time, among...other things you made her do. I made it clear to you more than once that I would never except you as a part of Josephine's life, so my words should be of no shock to you."

"And they're not, but the ones you speak to your daughter ARE! I think you owe her an apology." Garrett snapped and moved you behind him as he stood in attack mode.

"I really thought this was going to be simple, but you just had to interfere like always. I am getting quite tired of your existence...and so is Jareth. He knows about your little roll in the hay with Raven, so I'll be doing him a favor in taking you out for him. I promise, it will be much quicker and less painful if I do it." Julian said as he walked over to an enormous rock that stood at least 20 feet tall and half of that wide. With one unexpected and effortless push, Julian tipped it over, aiming it right for Garrett as you helplessly watched.

Garrett could have zipped away, but it wasn't his style. Instead, he wanted to show his power and raised his hand, obliterating the massive stone into kibble that showered over the dismayed warlock.

"Daddy STOP!! What are you doing???!!!"

Ignoring your cries, Julian then raised his hand and whipped Garrett against a tree, pinning him there.

"Be still blood sucker."

"Daddy let him go!! NOW!!"

"I'm sorry dear one but I cannot do that. Now, where were we?"

"Josephine, get away from him!"

You headed Garrett's words and slowly moved backwards towards the vampire.

"D...d..daddy, what are you doing? Why are you acting this way?!"

"Be still girl. This can all be over if you just give me what I want."

"You can have whatever you want, just don't hurt Garrett...please!"

"No! Josephine, do not give a warlock something of yours." Garrett warned.

You turned to look at him and then suddenly Julian was right behind you.

"Too late. She already offered to me anything I want."

You gasped as Julian ripped the moonstone from your neck. He grinned from ear to ear as his hand lit up...which also freed Garrett in his distraction.

Garrett powered towards him and this time Julian flashed a fireball at him.

"How about a little fire scarecrow??"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" you screamed as you whipped around to see Garrett's jacket consumed in flames.

Since you had no powers to shield him, your instincts went wild as you charged at Garrett, plunging into his chest and catapulting him through the air, straight into the bay's large inlet of water.

"GARRETT!!!" you gasped and cried as you stared at the ripples where he went under. Rage now tore through your veins as you turned to your father with a death glare, desperately trying to find the powers Amara said you still had.

"Who are you??? because you are NOT my father!"

Julian began walking towards you with a sinister look upon his face. You began to tremble profusely as you stumbled backwards, falling onto your back.

"How slowly you catch on. You really should have listened to him."

"Daddy, stop this! Don't make me hurt you!" you sobbed and shook.

Julian chortled. "And how are you going to do that? You are powerless and I have the moonstone."

Panic and fear took over you as your eyes dashed about, looking for something, anything. Your eyes locked on to a large tree branch that was splintered at the end as you thought of your daughter and getting back to her. You could hear Garrett's voice from when he trained you to use your powers, telling you to focus. The branch began to move and then it broke, plunging down straight through Julian's backside and into the ground.

You sat there in shock, shaking so bad and whimpering like a frightened child as you stared at your father's limp body hanging over the wooden spear with your necklace dangling from his hand.

"D..ddd..daddy???" you stuttered and steadied yourself onto your feet, then slowly stumbled over to him. "I...I..I didn't mean it daddy....wake up."

You nudged his shoulder but he didn't move.

"Daddy wake up!!!" you shouted and shook him, but still, there was no movement. "No...no...no..no...no..noooooooo!"

You still bore the emerald around your neck which you had put on a longer chain so it wasn't visible to those that desired it, otherwise you were certain Julian would have taken that too. You quickly pulled it out and pressed the gem against his chest. Nothing happened....just like with Thranduil. You then dropped to your knees in front of him and bawled.

"Why won't it work??!!! I'm so sorry! I love you so much."

After a few moments, you wiped your eyes, then took his hand and kissed it. You then reclaimed your pendant and wobbled off in disorientation to look for Garrett. He couldn't be gone too. He just couldn't....

As you got a few feet away, you heard a noise from behind you. Slowly, you turned around to see your father stand up and move right through the stake.

"Oh my god...daddy!!"

You went to run to him but someone stopped you. Someone you had never seen before in your life. The short blonde haired man stood about 6 ft., dressed in all black and appeared to be about your age.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you Jo." he bluntly stated as he glared at you.

"Wait....what...who..."

"Long time no see Jace." Julian snidely said to this herculean man that was a complete stranger to you who but bore a rune on his neck similar to yours, but much larger.

"Too long apparently. It seems my father has gotten to you."

"I am merely who I was born to be. He did me a favor. I'd like to stay and catch up, but I have to finish my errands. Josephine, I believe you have something that belongs to me."

Julian stepped towards you holding his hand out.

The man he called Jace pushed you behind him.

"You will not go near her."

Jace's eyes turned a fiery orange as he glowered at Julian.

"Would someone tell me what the fuck is going on?" you blatantly insisted as you pushed your way back around him.

"Wow. Language...and feisty too. Your reputation precedes you."

"Excuse me??? Just who the hell are you.....Jace??"

Julian took advantage of the situation and flew off.

"Well that's just GREAT! Thank you for that. If you could have just kept your mouth shut for two seconds, I could have contained him and may have been able to undue what has been done to him." Jace raged at you.

You sarcastically laughed in utter shock of the nerve this man had.

"I don't have time for this. I have to find..."

Your words were cut short as Garrett appeared from the trees, smiling at you, his hair back to it's usual shaggy state and carrying his half melted leather jacket.

"Oh my god!!!" you cried and raced to him, jumping into his arms. "Are you alright, are you hurt, are you burned??"

You frantically ravished his body with your hands checking him over to make sure.

"I'm fine Josephine, thanks to you and your quick thinking...and this jacket believe it or not."

You placed your hands on his cheeks and closed your eyes.

"My god, when I saw the fire...I...I....just...don't you ever do that to me again!"

"What did I do? Your psychotic father set me on fire. That wasn't my fault."

"I know I know! Just....shut up..."

You planted your lips upon his and held them there. Garrett was stunned. He dropped his coat as he closed his eyes, then wrapped his arms around you, parting his lips and kissing you deeply.

You whimpered as your lips slowly detached from his and you both stood in a dazed eye lock.

"Not to interrupt your sweet little moment but it is not safe for you to stay out here. Julian will be back to obtain that which he came for. Your gem and that book."

"I'm sorry....who the hell are you?" Garrett rudely asked as his eyes glowed red and walked right up to Jace, towering at least 6 inches over him.

"You can tone down the hues bro. I'm not your enemy."

"And I'm not your bro, bruh."

"Jo, can you call your hellhound off before I hurt him?"

"Jesus, will you both stop?? And you....JACE...answer his question. Start talking now. Who are you?? and how do you know me or my father??"

"Which one? I guess that don't matter. I am related to both of them. Julian is my uncle. Jareth is my father."

You gasped, remembering the Seelie Queen's words, that there were two others that shared your blood sibling wise....and then you saw it...Jace's eyes.

"How...how did I not notice....your eyes...one brown...one blue...just like Jareth's...you mean you're my......."

"Brother. Yes. But I will put this out there right now. I am nothing like Jareth, nor do I associate with him...or my mother....except that I am a warlock. Jareth and Harker, they got to Julian. My guess is Jareth tortured him with his ring and that's why your father isn't himself."

"His ring?"

"Yes. The citrine gemstone. It has great power. Terrible power when in the wrong hands, just like Ashmole...and that's what Julian was here for...and your moonstone. There's three stones they need, along with that book for Jareth to do some serious damage and also to protect himself from destruction. I am certain my father has two of the runestones in his possession, one being his ring and the other a hexagonal crystal. Then there's yours and Thranduil's ring."

"Wait, what? how do you know about my husband's ring?"

"Jo, respectfully, everyone knows of King Thranduil and his moonstone ring. It's a key crystal. On the backside of the stone is a hole in which your stone was created from and also in which it fits together, making it whole again. When Thranduil had it made for you, well, word traveled about it. The thing is, I don't think Jareth is aware of that part and that both would be needed for what he plans to do. Your stone alone will do them no good, which can buy some time. But we need to find that book before Julian does....also...where is Thranduil's ring?"

You had trouble finding words after that revelation. You knew your stone was made from his, but you didn't know about the key factor.

"Uhhh...it's...I believe it's in his halls....I..."

Your eyes began to cloud over with tears as you turned away.

"Jo...I am sorry for your loss. I truly am. I had much respect for your King. Mostly because all feared him and I mean that in a good way."

"I...I understand. Legolas will be returning there at some point and I will ask him to try and locate it. But....the book. You said Julian is here for that too? You mean to tell me it's here in Dorwinion somewhere?"

"I am certain of it. Julian and Narcisse are best friends and have been for ever since I can remember. I don't know if Narcisse knows it is here, but what a better place for Julian to have hidden it, in a place so obvious, no one would think to look."

"Ok..ok...but...there's also three pages my father took from that book and hid elsewhere. He said the book is useless without them."

"Yeah about that...Harker has them. I have been tracking the three brothers, it's what I do. Your dad was at your old home. That's where he hid the pages, but Harker was also following your dad and was able to overpower him there and took them from him."

"So, you followed him there and you did nothing to stop it??!"

"It's not like that. I followed Jareth and he met up with Harker and an already injured Julian. I heard their conversation about it all. I could not take the two of them on alone, especially when Jareth has that ring. I might be his son, but that don't matter to him. I would most likely be in the same predicament as Julian if I had tried."

"I guess that makes sense because I certainly know Jareth don't give a shit about me either. He tried to trade me for Raven back at Lestat's before he turned into some ungodly beast and torched the place."

"The Balrog. The ring gives him that power. You may be pleased to know that Jareth got his karma for that. Dragons attacked his kingdom and burnt it down, well the visible part on top of the mountain anyways. Jareth still has his labyrinth inside the Misty Mountains as a sanctuary."

Your mouth dropped open as you began to slowly pace.

"My god....my dream...."

"What do you mean?"

"I...I have prophetic dreams...they..they don't always make sense but almost always come true and...the other night...I dreamt of dragons and....someone playing a violin..."

Jace's eyes widened as he whispered in shock. "The song that summons them. No one dares play that or knows how to, except...."

"Thranduil and Lestat......Jace...Thranduil played it in Laketown when Smaug was a threat....and Lestat...he..he has this violin that he guards with his life...I have heard him play it, it's so intoxicating. My god, do you think he did it? For revenge? I mean...Lestat has made it clear he don't settle old scores, he harbors them...but...we all know it couldn't be Thranduil so...maybe Lestat was just pushed over the edge after all that happened? God, I just saw him awhile back. He had come here to see me and bring me some items of mine that weren't destroyed in the fire and he didn't seem vengeful, but I suppose he wouldn't tell me if he was. Crazy isn't it? Mine and Thranduil's chambers were untouched by the fire...."

"So...does anyone here want to fill me in on where Julian is after the wicked witch set me on fire?" Garrett asked.

"After that, he...he came after me and I...I was able to conjure up enough power to stop him, accidentally I plunged a tree branch through his body...and I tired to save him with the emerald but it wouldn't work...but then it must have because he was suddenly alive again, and that's when Jace showed up and my dad flew off, but I was able to get my moonstone back before that."

"No, the emerald did not save him Jo, because he wasn't dead. It's not exactly that simple to kill a warlock."

"What I don't get though is why it didn't work on Thranduil, because he was....gone when we found him. My mother claimed she had placed some curse upon it working on his bloodline, but yet it worked on Legolas at a later time that night...maybe because the curse was broken when she died? but...she was also dead before I tried it on Thranduil so that can't be it. God, nothing makes sense anymore!" you cried and burrowed yourself into Garrett's chest.

Your words suddenly had Jace's mind spinning in thought and theory, but he didn't dare tell you any of it without being sure....for he too, like Lestat, now wondered if it were possible that Thranduil was alive.

"I...I have to get back to my daughter. We must have been gone at least a few hours now, and then I need to find Narcisse and ask him about that damn book. I honestly don't believe he knows where it is but I am about to find out."

Jace accompanied you and Garrett back to the castle.

"Will I see you again Jace? I mean...it's not everyday that you find a long lost sibling you didn't know you had for 24 years."

"Of course you will Jo. I haven't known for long about you, but when I found out, that's when I started following Jareth which eventually led me to you. I won't be far or gone long, but there are things I need to look into. Do not leave this castle for any reason. Not with Julian on the loose now too."

There went your plans of going to Lorien and now you had to explain that to Haldir.

"Jace, whatever you do, please don't hurt my dad. This isn't his fault. All that he has ever done, it was for me."

"I think you know I wouldn't do that. Julian is one of the good guys. We will get him back, I swear to it."

You gave Jace a hug and then he left.

"I suppose that's my que to leave too." Garrett sadly said.

"I'm sorry. If I could let you stay here, I would."

"Well, you know I too will not be far. I don't mind hanging out in the trees." he chuckled. "I'll be that guard dog Jace referred me too."

You threw your arms around him and held him tight.

"Don't you ever leave me again Garrett." you mumbled into his neck.

He brought his hand up to the back of your head and cradled you so gently, then kissed your forehead.

"I'll see you soon beautiful. Call to me if you need me."

He caressed your cheek and smiled, then left.

"I love you with a soul that has lived a thousand lifetimes, always waiting to meet you again. I can promise to be yours forever." Thranduil muttered as he lied on the cold stone floor barely conscious, trying to hold onto his feelings for you, picturing your face and imagining your touch.

"Clink clink clink clink clink clink."

Harker trailed around the iron bars with Thranduil's sword, startling him into a gasp and bringing him back to his living nightmare.

"Wake up Elvenking. It's time for your therapy. This time I brought a special guest who would like to assist in your treatment.

Thranduil's swollen eyes crept open into narrow slits as Jareth's face came into focus next to Harker's, both warlocks smirking at him.

"Welcome back elf king. It's time to pay your dues." Jareth taunted as he held up his crystal ball.

"You have torched my castle and played with my queen, and for that, death should be your punishment, but death is too kind. I have much better plans for you. You see, soon I will have everything I need to rule all of middle earth, a true king. Even you will answer to me. With that being said, I believe you and I will come to a mutual understanding and both still reign in our realms, but that is the only power you will have. I will be God and you will be a soldier under command. Your love for my daughter will be ancient history, as if it never existed. The memories you have of her will mean nothing to you. She...will mean nothing to you. I am going to bring back the Elvenking's heart of stone that he had for many millenniums before you even knew her....and that's not all I am going to bring back. I will wake the dead just like I was awakened...and they will become the evil dead, just as I am. Does that make any sense? If it is still not crystal clear...it will be. Look here, you will see."

Jareth squatted down and held the crystal ball between the bars.

Thranduil squinted his eyes shut and turned away.

Jareth lowered his head and heavily sighed.

"If you insist on doing things the hard way, then so be it. Harker?"

Harker came up behind the bars where Thranduil leaned and grabbed each side of his face.

"LOOK at the ball sprite." he snarled into his ear as the citrine ring glowed and shocked Thranduil which forced his eyes wide open.

What Thranduil was made to see sent tears flowing down his dirt ridden cheeks. It was so horrendous and emotionally painful that he passed out.

"Well that was useless." Harker griped.

"Oh no my brother, it was quite effective. His reaction is exactly what I wanted to shrivel his heart and turn it black as coal. Even the grinch will have nothing on him when I am through. We will return later tonight and give him another round. In the meantime, stay here and when he awakens, continue to inculcate him with the crystal Julian had and find out where Thranduil's ring is."

"I thought it was not needed, that Josephine's moonstone would be enough?"

"The more, the merrier. I want that ring."

So did Harker, and he planned on getting it for himself, but agreed to follow Jareth's orders, for now.

You sat in your room holding Leean after you fed her waiting for Haldir to come in who you had sent Lola to find. You really wanted to speak to Narcisse about the book and your dad and also about allowing you to stay.. but Lola had informed you that he had went to the city on business, so now you would have to wait. You also wanted to see Legolas so bad, but were scared to. You thought it best to let him come to you in his own time, for you had deeply and unintentionally hurt him.

Haldir came in and sat down on the foot of the bed as you laid Leean back in her cradle.

"You requested to see me?"

"Yes...I have much to tell you."

You went on informing Haldir of all of the day's events, well, most of it. You were brief on the Seelie Court, leaving out the game of kisses. You didn't want to further humiliate Legolas and it really was no one else's business but yours and his.

Haldir was stunned by your revelations and actaully shocked you by understanding that you could not leave for Lorien with him now... but was confused as to why Legolas came back without you, so he asked.

"Jo...Legolas came in earlier in a state of...well...rage I suppose. What happened? And do not tell me you don't know."

"Haldir...I do know, and I don't want to discuss that with you, or anyone. It is between me and Legolas. So...obviously, he didn't tell you, but...did he say anything at all?"

Haldir's eyes lowered and now you were worried.

"Haldir?? What are YOU not telling ME? Where is Legolas???"

"Jo...he did not say much. He...wanted to be left alone. Quite literally."

"What the hell does that mean?"

Haldir sighed, knowing what he was about to tell you was going to set you off.

"Jo....Legolas left for Mirkwood."

For a few seconds that seemed like minutes, your ears went deaf as your heart palpitated, it's strong beat pulsed through your head and your airways tightened. The next thing you knew, you awoke in Haldir's arms as he sat on the floor holding you.

"Haldir...wh..what happened?"

"You fainted my lady. Are you alright? You scared me half to death."

You sat up in shock. "I...yes, I am fine. I must have had a panic attack. Please tell me I was dreaming and that Legolas is right across the hall in his room."

"I am sorry Jo. He is not. It was no dream. My god Jo, what did you do to him?"

You were instantly offended and stood right up.

"And why would you just assume that I did something to him???"

"Because Jo, he refused to speak of you and would not even even say goodbye to Leean. Correct me if I am wrong, but beings Garrett was with you, I am willing to bet he has something to do with it."

"No more. This conversation is over."

"Jo, do not o this. Talk to me."

"I want you to leave Haldir."

"Jo, I am sorry if I hurt you, I was not trying to do..."

"Get...OUT!"

Haldir pursed his lips, spun around and left with you slamming the door shut behind him. You leaned on the door and slowly slid to the ground in tears.

Night had fallen and there was light snow as the crow had made his way into the Dorwinion realm with Thranduil's letter clamped tightly in his beak. A small group of Narcisse's guards were outside partying with the wicked ale, which the mice liked to do when the big cat was away.

The moon was full and illuminated the grounds as if it were day, making the crow visible as he tried to make his way around the castle to your balcony. The rowdy and unruly guards saw him and began pelting large stones at him as they laughed and cheered for him to be taken down, calling him a beast of the devil. A rock nailed him hard in the head, disorienting him and causing him to drop the letter as he let out a shrill squawk. Blood trickled over his eyes blurring his vision as he tried desperately to make it to you. He flew erratically all over the place and eventually slammed right into your windows. You jumped out of bed with a hard gasp, staring at the balcony doors. The crow began cawing non stop in cries for help. You raced to the doors and whipped them open to find him flapping around on the ground covered in blood.

"Oh my god!!! What has happened to you??? It's ok, it's ok, calm down, I have got you." you told your feathered faithful friend as you picked him up. You saw his injury and it was bad.

Garrett came swooping in as he had been just across the way watching your doors from a tree just like he said he would do.

"Josephine, what happened??"

"Garrett, I don't know! I don't know what to do, I have no powers. We have to help him, we just have to after all he has done for me!"

"Shhhhh, little one. Give him to me."

You shook and cried as you handed the bird to Garrett. He cradled the crow in his palms and closed his eyes. His hands began to glow a soft yellow and within seconds, the black bird was on his feet, cawing at Garrett while tilting his head to eye him as a gesture of appreciation.

"Oh my god, you did it. He...he's alright? You're...you're alright aren't you?" you asked your friend.

He cawed once for yes as he then eyed you.

"What happened to you? Can you find a way to tell me?"

He jumped on Garrett's lap and cawed at him, then flew to the balcony rail and cawed at him again. Garrett looked at you in confusion.

"I...I think he wants you to follow him."

Garrett chuckled. "Ok? Guess I am going to go be a pet detective. If I'm not back in five minutes, just wait longer."

You giggled. "Alright Ace Ventura...I'll...just wait here."

That five minutes went by and you were getting anxious while staring out into the darkness in search for either of them. You then heard the crow caw and he and Garrett landed back on the balcony with perfect grace.

"We couldn't stay out there long because Narcisse just returned from wherever he was at..and he looked like he was on a war path....but...from what I have gathered...the warlock guards were juiced up on grandpa's ol' cough medicine and dick measuring by throwing rocks at him to see who could take him out. Like, he literally showed me by picking up stones in his beak and whipping them at my leg."

"Wow...well look at you two, go scooby and shaggy!"

The crow cawed as you and Garrett laughed.

"So...you know Josephine, I can take care of them for what they have done. Bad people is my thing remember? They're no better than that piece of shit Asher. Narcisse seriously needs to reassess his staff."

"Garrett, no!! Narcisse will figure out that it was a vampire attack and you don't want to be on his bad side again. He is far from stupid."

"Whoa whoa, hold up. I didn't mean I was going to kill them...well, not suck style anyways...I was thinking more like scooping them up one by one and dropping them in the middle of the cold black treacherous Rhun. Narcisse would probably just think they drunk drowned, that is if they don't become shark bait first."

"Oh my god, no Garrett. I will inform Narcisse what they have done. You know how he feels about animals, even ones that are deemed to be evil or unlucky such as this sweet fella. They will definitely pay for this."

"Curses...foiled again! Thanks Daphne."

"Ha...ha. Funny, not funny. Ok, so...my little friend, why have you come?" you then asked the crow.

The crow just cocked his head. He had no idea of how to tell you because you couldn't read his mind like Thranduil could.

"Did you have a message for me?"

"Caw!" he answered once for yes.

"Ok...good news or bad news? Once for good, twice for bad."

"Caw!"

"Lord knows I could use some good news....but how is he going to tell me what it is about?" you asked Garrett who was astonished over the fact you were speaking with a bird.

"I don't know...charades?"

You laughed so hard. "Well...wow. I haven't laughed that hard in a very very long time. You know Garrett, you're the only one who makes me laugh like that."

You gasped as you heard your bedroom door open and close which startled the crow and he flew off.

'No...wait! Shit!"

"See ya later Eric Draven!" Garrett yelled.

"SHHHHHH!!!!" you hissed and smacked his arm.

You peeked inside and saw Lola.

"Ok...stay here and I'll be right back....and BE quiet!" you whispered adamantly to Garrett.

He then sat in a dark corner and made the zipper gesture across his lips as he gazed at you.

You smiled and went inside....then came back a few minutes later.

"Ok, she's gone. I asked her to give me a night of privacy, that I just wanted to be alone.....but I don't...not really. Garrett...Legolas left. He went back to Mirkwood and didn't even say goodbye to me and so now, here I am with no one but Haldir and Narcisse, both of which I am pissed at...and now I'm stuck in a castle with a crazy bitch as well who likes to put dead rats in my bath water, and my alter ego dad is out there somewhere just waiting to come back for my stone....would you...stay with me tonight? Please? I mean...just so I can sleep. Nothing more. I'll lock the door... and...I..."

"Of course I will Josephine. You do know, you can always come stay with me."

"Garrett...at this point, I would...but...you have to know I cannot take my daughter into a vampire coven...I just won't do it."

"I understand that. But if Narcisse sticks to his guns and feels you must leave because of Catherine, where will you go??"

"I'm sure it will still be Lorien but I don't want to think about that right now. I am so tired and it feels like my brain is melting after all it's been subjected to today."

He followed you inside and you climbed in bed as Garrett went to lay on the couch.

"No...Garrett....over here. Please? Hold me?"

The vampire seemed to have went into shock as he exhaled a deep gush of air and just stared at you.

"Garrett, if you don't want to, it's ok. You can just stay there."

'No..no...it's not that I don't, I mean, ...uh...umm..err...ok."

He came over and laid down beside you, his body stiff as a board, his eyes wide and frozen upon the ceiling as you cuddled up next to him, laying your head upon his chest.

"I...I can hear your heartbeat." you whispered as you closed your eyes.

"Ummm, my little one, that's not possible."

"Yes it is. I hear it in my mind.....goodnight Garrett."

He smiled and wrapped his arm around you.

"Goodnight little one."

"So let me see if I understand this correctly. I go into the city for a mere few hours, trusting that my guards will faithfully do their jobs as they are paid to do, and I return to my kingdom to find all of you incompetent fucking losers boozin it up on the front lawn and acting like a bunch of obnoxious imbeciles! Your actions reflect back on me! Do you have any idea what this makes me look like?? More importantly, there is a woman and her child inside that needs protection from a very notorious and dangerous warlock, which I know you're all aware of. If something were to happen to either of them because shenanigans such as this, every single one of you shall breathe no more! I need men for this job but it appears I have employed nothing but a bunch of delinquent little boys! Someone enliven me now what all the frolicking was over!"

"My...my Lord...th..there was...a...a..."

"If you cannot speak, you cannot serve me! Get him out of my sight Bash."

Sebastian had assumed Asher's position and was now Narcisse's deputy assistant and right hand man.

"Now, is there anyone else here that has grown past the age of 4 that can tell me what the commotion was about?"

"My Lord Narcisse. There was a crow. We were trying to bring it down with rocks as the filthy creatures bring evil and bad luck with them, for they are of the devil."

"You are about to find out who the real devil is around here. No one...no ONE here hurts an animal unless it is trying to kill you! You foolish and credulous dullards! Sebastian, have them all taken to the court. Strip and stone them, then find me a lineup for new guards for this sector that are worthy of the position."

"My Lord, stoning seems a bit extreme for..."

"Are you questioning me or my methods Bash?! Did I make a mistake instating you as my deputy? Shall I have you join the others?"

"No! My Lord, I will do as you wish." Bash quickly replied, bowed and left with the group of frightened warlocks.

"My Lord Narcisse." his coachman called to him.

Stephane rolled his eyes and turned around with a sigh.

"What is it now???"

"I found something on the ground just over the way. Beings that it is white, I could not help but see it. It appears to be a letter which could be of importance possibly?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Well...the thumbprint my Lord. It's..."

"Elven..." Narcisse whispered.

@redeemer46

[eienoah]

May 27 - Arashiyama bamboo park

Today marked our trip to Arashiyama bamboo park and monkey park. I woke up kind of late today but still managed to buy some good breakfast last night so I wasn’t that hungry in the morning when we would have normally broken for lunch. We took a couple of quick train rides over to Arashiyama which looked pretty much just like a normal residential area at first. As we continued walking, the residential area started to break up into a forest-like area, which slowly became more and more bamboo. It kind of felt like just a regular kind of nature path that you would walk on in Florida, but the Japan version I guess. We walked for I want to say around 30 minutes or so through mostly bamboo forest and when we had finished there were a bunch of converging paths which we didn’t get to explore but I wish I could have later on after the excursion. Anyways, from the bamboo forest, we had to walk next to a giant river and across some bridge, which made for some awesome photo ops. After the bridge, we started our hike up the mountain to go see the monkeys. I was a little concerned that I was going to slip or someone around me was going to, but thankfully the mountain wasn’t really that wet so I stayed upright the whole way. Once we reached the summit, I kind of started looking around and couldn’t find any monkeys until I looked on the roof of the main building that was there. As I slowly started to look around the area, I just kept seeing more and more. There was also the giant banana which me and Zach took a picture with which I thought was really funny. I really thought the monkeys were gonna be a little bit bigger. I mean like they were big but not that big. They were constantly fighting which was pretty funny to watch because they would hit each other a couple times and then go running down the mountain. After that, I asked the workers at the top of the mountain for a Restaurant recommendation and they sent me to a croquet place towards the center of the city. It looked closed, but they actually were running a shop like 50 meters away and I got a bunch of croquettes for super cheap but no one else really wanted them so I just took them on the go. After that we took a really long bus ride where Zach was asleep for what I wanna say was about 40 minutes. Just like neck fully touching chest which was hilarious. We then went to round one and I kind of sat around while other people were playing arcade games but next to the round one was the dollar store which I was really looking forward to because I need to buy some secret things for an event coming up. After that was just a couple trips to some stores around the area that were pretty much pointless because everything was too expensive but that was pretty much my day.

Academic reflection

Given that Arashiyama has had its land protected for centuries starting from the Heian period, I feel as if I could kind of get a better glimpse into just how well it truly was today. Especially from the summit of the monkey park. Once you reach the summit you take a good look around and it’s just forest and streams in what appears to be a bordered area. You can see where it ends but up until that point nature is truly thriving. I will say Japan kind of has this thing for making sure that even next to large towns or cities there is adequate amounts of nature to balance it out. In addition, we got to see Nonomiya which helped shape up the story told in the readings a bit better. I did get to see one of the charms in the theme of The Shrine in the Fields characters but I refrained from buying it and humbly passed on. It was funny to find a shrine that is kind of dedicated to love. It makes me want to search out other specific themed shrines.

[frostbite-the-bat]

yk what? i need to calm down i got nervous after learning that my brother's coming over, so here i am explaining one of my Poll Stories...! the ice hell story! stepping into ice cold frozen water in the middle of a forest story! overlaping with yuri on ice (and steven universe iirc LOL) phases...! it's not what you'd expect it to be, trust

This is an old one, dating back to approx 2018 (maybe late 2017??) i would've been around 14 at the time i think :skull:

so, back then, my best friend moon and i would hang out together a lot. talk about fandom stuff going to school and going from school, as a queer nerdy middle schooler would. this would end up with us having the same fandoms. not super relevant, but still funny to mention.

one of our favorite past-school things aside from sleepovers and playing games online and chatting about dumb shit always was going on hikes with our dogs. (rip moon's dog, who will go unnamed here but i love you forever and so does bertie. you were the best.)

we both live right next to a forest and some cliffs, it's funky here. so we go hiking there! we go up the hill, past the cliffs and then into the woods. where we then head to The Fabled Lake. actually it's not quite as in "middle of the woods" as you'd think, the road is close by but you still gotta trek through the woods a little bit before you get there. lil' zig zag path. but it's still not like we were like. 5 km deep into the woods away from civilization lol.

then you gotta down a hill past a few buildings, all of which have woods behind them as well. it's almost like a village. down this path my friend lives and a little further in in a street is where i live. so getting home would take a while anyway but it's not a hike through the woods anymore. this is a bit of set up for y'all

so, let's get to the juicy bits! we are on one of these hikes, it's the middle of winter. we play in the snow with our dogs and listen to music. we talk about what i'd be able to do if i had star stable star rider. we talk about our hashtag favorite yuri on ice memes. we sing steven universe songs. all's well! having a good time! we're still paying attention but i can admit we were just slightly, slightly careless whenever we got too deep into our talks.

we jokes about skating on the ice because, Yuri On Ice Phase, and i recall distinctly that moon's mom told us to NOT GO ON THE FUCKING LAKE ICE. we didn't! we knew it would be less frozen over than last time. (where we actually went on it) (after throwing rocks and boulders and sticks to see how deep the ice is. it was DEEP. the last actually cold winter that was ACTUALLY WINTER that i remember. i love global warming.)

but we knew it's be a bad idea, we like messing around and we aren't so stupid to just go there. though, eventually we get to the lake and we chat by it. we always stop there and let our dogs play together. usually we let my friends dog jump in the water after a stick then carry it back. since she had pretty thick fur and is a big energetic dog, we let her into the water. she'd break the fairly thin ice like an icebreaker to reach her goal of The Stick.

i kept an eye on bertie since he is a small dog, and can't stand even in the shallow water. but as we chat - he went on the ice. he is small and light enough for the ice to not break under him, and he clearly just wanted to explore and get closer to my friend's dog. but with the nervous look on his face and his slippery paws, he seemed to know this wasn't the best idea. (and i did tell him to come back but bertie doesn't always listen)

there was a bunch of big rocks there so he tried stepping one. at first he was successful, but the rock was wet and icy and slippery. so he slid down - and with all the force the ice broke under him and he was unable to go back up.

i notice instantly and i freak out as i see him trying to climb out desperately. he was in deep enough that i couldn't just lean down and grab him. so. i had to step into the frozen, ice cold, way below zero, water, so i could grab him and save him from the ice.

when i got him i fell over on my ass and grabbed my shoe to take it off and get the water out as it was basically flooded. i ended up taking off my sock too since it was soaked in ice cold water and. wet socks aren't comfy, but freezing temperature is worse. maybe not the smartest idea, i don't know, but HOLY HELL it started stinging like a bitch.

bertie was okay, he was shaking and moon held him close for a while until he got a little better. he's got fur and he runs around so he can warm up better. plus he was definitely just shocked from what happened.

moon and i wondered what we do since i wasn't in the best state and.. we REALLY didn't wanna call our parents because we'd be in trouble for going on the ice, even if in my case it was to save my dog. we just knew we shouldn't have been too close in the first place. plus, the reception there was a bit fucky so we'd need to move a bit anyway.

eventually i managed to get up and we leashed the dogs and moon helped me hop out of the woods by holding me up. eventually, i felt nothing in my foot anymore, so i just walked normally. it was odd, it both hurt but didn't at the same time. i just had to power through until i got home. i am not sure but i mightve sent a text to my mom? i dunno, my memory is foggy.

so moon helped me get back home (and helping wrangle two dogs - but i took over bertie eventually) (i mind you the walk we take is a DOWNHILL ROAD. like we were going DOWN not a straight road so it took a bit more energy to Fucking Keep Balance) and i walked past dad on the street doing stuff and i just wnet "i savbed tghe dog from tghe ICe Water. im gogign home".

when i got home my mom made me tea and i tucked myself into bed instantly and got warm clothes. my leg ended up being okay but. holy hell it was scary. but after moon and i had a funny story to tell, and our friend group being into YOI at the time we kept fucking joking about it like :skull:

aaaaanyways! that's the ice hell story...! be careful around frozen water guys i'm serious

[writer-citation-needed]

Matteo Longley was not an outdoorsy person. He didn't even like driving with the windows down in the summer, said he couldn't risk a bug flying in and distracting him (though the distracting part would be his screams of fear). He would never willingly choose to spend time outside if he could instead enjoy the AC and the marvels of the internet.

How his friends got him to agree to a week-long hiking trip is beyond him.

It did sound fun, he told himself each night in his sleeping bag. They would be able to explore the history of the mountain which was suspiciously overlooked by the town. He was excited about maybe finding a ghost (or several, if the rumors were true), excited about spending time with his friends before they all graduated and went on their separate paths.

Still, as much as he loved his friends and a good mystery, the trip was going horribly. He couldn't be the only one who thought so.

"Guys I hate to say this, but I don't think we took the right trail. I haven't seen an orange marker since we left this morning."

Ellie Roberts, planning extraordinaire and raging optimist, looked like she was about to throw up as she racked her eyes over the map again and again as if there was some kind of hint to get them back on track.

"I knew it," another one of their friends, Mack, grumbled. "This is why we shouldn't try to navigate before dawn. Who was in charge of that again?"

Ellie's lip trembled. "I'm sorry." She was definitely going to cry if nothing else. "We're already so behind! I didn't want to have to make you all stay longer. Since it was my idea, after all."

Matteo's legs started to ache, like he needed a reminder of how tired he already was after three days at a pace so grueling he couldn't imagine why anyone would enjoy hiking.

"It's okay Ellie," said Kara, the only one of them with any experience in backpacking. She wasn't as tired as the rest of them. "It's fine if we have to stay another night. We have plenty of food."

"Not really. Someone's been having a few too many snack breaks, and we're totally gonna run out soon. You should really cut back, Matty." Mack sneered at him, like he thought it was funny to point out how hungry Matteo was. Like he could help it.

"You say that as if you haven't taken breaks either." Matteo replies. He doesn't want to fight with Mack, or any of the others, but something about the fatigue and hunger and close proximity and the vastness of the forest they've been trekking through makes him feel like an animal, desperate to defend what's his.

Kara has to step in before things escalate. "Guys, come on. I know there's plenty. Ellie, how far back do you think the trail is?"

"I don't know. I don't know where we are at all."

"Great," Mack groans, voicing everyone's increasing frustration. "This sucks. I told you it was a bad idea, didn't I? Told you it was too dangerous for four high schoolers to do all alone. Why do you think no one in this town has tried to investigate what happened here? Huh? Because it's an insane mountain. You know what people on Google said? That they had never found a hike this difficult across the entire country. Those were pros. I know Kara loves the thrill of the trail or whatever, but this was a terrible choice for our last thing together. I know it. You all know it. So why don't we just give up now? We're nowhere near the summit anyways."

They fall into a silence, each of them wanting to make it work with each other but not knowing how.

A bird sings in the distance.

"We should at least try." Ellie settles on. "If not for each other than for Jax. He deserves to have someone who knows where he died."

"Do we even know the kid really even died on this stupid mountain?" Mack.

"No, but he can't have just up and disappeared!" Ellie.

"Maybe he was never even real. Did he have records?" Mack.

"It was the 1870s, who knows? I believe in his story. No one would make up the death of the mayor's son." Ellie.

"It could happen." Matteo. He shouldn't have said that.

"See! It could happen." Mack.

"How will we know if we don't look?" Ellie.

"Give it up Elle." Mack.

The final blow comes from Kara. "Why don't you give up then? If you hate being here so much."

It stings Mack, but only a little. "Fine. Yeah, sure. If you still believe in that fairy tale, than be my guest and keep going. I won't stop you any more. You don't want me telling you how stupid this idea was? Then find out on your own. I'm done."

"Mack, you can't be serious! I'm sorry about the directions, I promise it won't happen again." Ellie looks into his eyes, tries to plead with the part of him that decided to be friends with her as a kid in the first place. Maybe she knew that this would be their final goodbye, if she let him turn around.

"I just don't want to be here any more. That's all," Mack replies coolly.

In this moment, Matteo struggles to pick a side. He would love to be back home in his bed devoid of bugs and dirt, would love to stop sweating, would love to feel anything in his calves other than a deep ache. He also loves his friends, loves their spirit. He hates seeing them fight over what was supposed to be a bonding experience.

"I'll see you guys at graduation. Good luck." Mack turns away, adjusts his backpack straps. Matteo can't make himself follow him. He can't even open his mouth, to say anything back.

The woods felt a little bit quieter as he watched his friend slowly disappear down the path.

Writing Prompt #2734

He rubbed at his temples and turned away from his companions. "You know what? I'm not telling you when your ideas are stupid any more. You can figure it out on your own."

[declanfs]

10/22/23

Quick little hike at the battlefield, and by quick I mean 3.5 miles of carrying your through the forest. You did not want to ride in the backpack. You did RUN the first .2 miles. Then I gave you a piggy back ride until my arms got too tired and then dada carried you for like 1.5-2 miles. I carried you the last mile or so I think, but it might not have been that far and just felt like it because you weight 32 pounds and are very long. It didn’t help that it was cutting into your ideal nap time, so we can’t blame you.

We saw lots of cool mushrooms, a baby copperhead (possibly), and a cool green and purple caterpillar. I didn’t take many photos because it’s hard to take pictures when your arms are full of a baby.

You still love magnatiles, and this is a house you built all by yourself. You love to make “cloud towers” like from Tumble Leaf and sometimes they are so tall that you have to use a step stool to stack the pieces on the very top. You like to pick things out of the book for me or dad to make, and then you really like to smash them all up. We make garages for mater and lighting McQueen, for your monster trucks, and have made a zoo for your animals and many other random things I can’t remember. I just really liked this thing that you made all by yourself, it looks like a castle and is very arty with how you stood some pieces up and laid others on their sides. It’s fun to watch you play on your own because you get in a super focused zone and you’ll play for 15-20 minutes singing songs to yourself and talking for you people or just talking to yourself as you figure out what you’re doing.

Sometimes your toys get stuck or are falling down and other toys have to help them. Sometimes you just line up every single block or car or magnatile in a line that is like 3 feet to 30 feet long depending on what you are using. Earlier you spent a good chunk of time pouring water into your new balance scale thing. You’re a very skilled pourer and I don’t think you spilled even a drop.

Today you actually helped me with toy rotation. You tell me which toys you want to keep out or put away (usually it’s putting all the last week’s toys away), and then you are entertained for a good hour or more because all the “new” toys pull your play in all kinds of directions. This week the train table has all your construction vehicles and kinetic sand. The playroom has the ABC puzzle, some books, your rock and roll monster truck, the lovevery flowers and peg board, and bubble blowing train that pop and Deedee got you for Christmas last year. You were afraid of the train at first because it’s kind of loud and it didn’t help that it fell on your toe at one point, but now you love it and it played for like 30 minutes straight with its very loud music. **cringe smile**

The last little update is that we went to Belvedere with Granny on Friday. She took the day off and it was perfect. It was a bit cool and the rain didn’t start until we were driving home. Your favorite favorite part was probably the corn maze. I’m going to add two more videos from this day (slide + maze), but you loving the maze was such a funny surprise to granny and me. It’s like you knew exactly what to do and exactly where to go and you basically ran through the entire thing to lead us to the exit without getting lost once. You were gleefully and maniacally laughing as we could barely keep up with you as you raced around the corners, but it was so fun. You wanted to hide in the corn and jump out to scare granny and you were so pleased with yourself about following the paths and leading the way. You are such a joy.

You are still unsure of the big bouncy pillow. I think you are deterred by all the other kids being on there and jumping and running around in complete chaos. Which I totally understand, I bet it feels really scary to be so small and to see all these other bodies bouncing and running around with no predictability. At one point, another boy spun around and his foot barely grazed the top of your head. I don’t even think he noticed because you fell at almost the same exact time and his sock probably skimmed the top of your hair, but you noticed. You said “mama, he kicked me.” So the next time he came over I tried to advocate for you to teach you how to talk to the other kids and how you have to stand up for yourself, but it’s sooo hard. I mostly just made observations about how he almost kicked you on accident and then talked about how it was lucky that no one got hurt. This is so tricky because I don’t know where that kid’s adult was and I feel like all adults handle things differently. And I’m sure that 99% of adults would prefer to handle situations with their kid on their own. But, I promise to work on this. To strengthen my voice so your voice will be strong too.

Another favorite was the corn pit. This was our second time here in two weeks so you knew what you did and did not want to do. The corn pit, the pig races, feeding the animals, the big bubbles, and the obstacle course thing were on your YES list.

Being a pig pal and the zip line swing things were on your NO list. You enjoyed the slide a lot, but we did not do it as much as I expected. I definitely want to go back to Sneads so you can do their mountain slides again, especially if we go on a weekday in the beginning of the week and no one else is there!

We opted to get pumpkins at the store because Belvedere is so expensive and we ran out of time to go on the hayride before they closed at 2. I’m not sure you would have wanted to anyway though, so it’s all good and we will try again next year.

[rimouskis]

so I went to seattle

(looong post ahead)

I travelled! far!!! to a place I haven't been since I was, like... 11, maybe? 12? it's hard to remember, but it has been SUCH a long time since I've been west of, like, St. Louis, and god it feels good (more on that later).

first and foremost: I got to meet the lovely @ticklefighthockey!! she is a delight! she is an immaculate hostess! she has two very adorable dogs who rule her household! she is very good at being game for just about anything!

it was such a treat to meet up with another fandom friend. I am (more on this later) working myself towards a self-understanding that has room for respecting online friendships just as much as in-person ones. I think I still sometimes deal with residual shame over having more online friends than offline friends—just cultural baggage that says people with online friends are losers and socially-inept and weird. while I KNOW that isn't true, I've always had complicated feelings about the fact that since college my primary friendship circle has ALWAYS been online, while that has never been true for people in my offline life.

but (more on this later as well), I'm trying to be more understanding and kind towards myself about that, and trying to embrace the crazy cool uniqueness of it, which is a real gift.

anyways, back to fandom friends I get to hang out with:

isn't that amazing. I was agog at it.

jes is funny and engaging and game for anything! this is wonderful for me, a person who tries very hard to be funny and engaging and game for anything! of course, this meant we were aggressively "NO I WANT YOU TO HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE DURING THIS VISIT"-ing at each other constantly through the entire weekend. truly the Nice Gal version of two rams clacking horns, but instead of fighting over potential mates (hi Sid) we were beating each other's skulls silly and yelling "NO BUT WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?"

highly amusing to me, but also very conducive to, in fact, having the best experience possible. we ran around town desperately trying to cram things into an incredibly condensed schedule, but I felt like I saw so much!

we were able to take her dogs—who are truly delightful and DECEPTIVELY YOUNG. you wouldn't know from how she talks about pip but he is 100% pure muscle (could give hornqvist a run for his money) and deeply willing to play tug-of-war until someone dies (it will be you. you will be the one to die. he will win.) and darling ruthie who will hate you until she decides she likes you (this will likely involve carrots) and after she likes you she does indeed become the precious angel baby of legend—out on an OUTDOOR HIKE! through a FOREST! near a LAKE!

these are in fact pedestrian things in seattle but to me, a poor midwesterner who lives on the very very tippy top of the appalachian region, this was GREAT FUN and MUCH EXCITEMENT. so we harnessed the dogs and embarked upon what we thought was a leisurely 4.2 mile hike and instead ended up being a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am-please-take-care-not-to-step-off-the-path-by-a-few-inches-lest-you-immediately-tumble-down-a-hundred-foot-ravine-to-your-grisly-(but-green-and-verdant!)-death-while-also-dragging-a-muscled-dog-with-you 0.42 mile MAD DASH.

we sped through it thanks to aforementioned muscled dog (and sister) having zero regard for imminent death (who cares about PERILOUS TRAILS when there are THINGS TO SNIFF) and at its end was a lake! wow!

it was gorgeous and lovely and I would, in fact, hike a death-defying 0.42 miles again to see it.

then I successfully talked jes into letting me swing by pike place market (literally solely for the 'gram), but there was some fall festival going on, which is cute but also made it crowded as shit, so I took my coveted pic and bolted

walking through downtown seattle was nice, even if I had to kind of jog because my days of making friends who are shorter than me (which is a feat) are over, and I am now cursed with friends who are in fact above average height, which makes me feel weird and also short (which I am). I liked seeing the city and also sort of being able to confirm that the city is nice and good and not what the NIMBYs and right-wing pundits would have you believe has happened to seattle. it's a good city! it's beautiful! literally everyone I met was so nice! (except for one kraken fan but we'll get to him).

speaking of hockey:

my god, does seattle know how to put on a show. I was agog at the arena. it is shiny and new and impressive and beautiful and full of wood paneling and GREENERY and all the athletic, clear-faced seattleites who occupy the city. I was in a state of shock. this is, in fact, the first NHL arena I've been to that isn't PPG Paints.

and it is so beautiful that i was immediately consumed with envy. how dare this new team, with all its west coast wealth, have better accommodations and audiovisuals and LIGHT UP SCULPTURES than my legacy appalachian team?

I swallowed my jealousy down and just took it all in. they basically put on a full amazon original before each period. there is LORE and the kraken entreat you to buy into it with full casts and impressive animations and a glow-in-the-dark tentacle erupting out of the ice. it is very effective. I did, in fact, buy merch.

also I dragged jes around during an intermission to track down the band and drumline because I fucking love a good drumline and if the pens knew what was good for them they would iNVEST IN A DRUMLINE

but I was thinking to myself that this is literally exactly how you build a fanbase. this is hockey made thrilling. this is excitement. this is a PRODUCTION. this is what the golden knights want to be. this is, verily, the exact sort of shindig I would bring a kid to if I endeavored to make them into a hockey fan. I think it would work. it was a whole experience in the way pens games just... are not. pens games are hockey games! a kraken game is a circus, a TV show, and a lightshow with also some hockey. I was so blown away.

but let's get to why I was there:

DAN POTASH.

and also some guys I guess:

I'm pleased to report geno looks as pretty in white in person as he does on tv. he is so big. he never, as jes puts it, shuts his mouth. ever.

sid was also there I guess. here's a rearview shot:

jes got to witness firsthand how I physically cannot shut up during a hockey game (I regret to inform you all that I am the "talking to the players/the universe in a desperate plea for good bounces" sort of fan), and was also witness to me laughing hysterically, truly like a madwoman, when the two kraken goals were called back. jes has a better recap of the game, but I can just say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have seen much more embarrassing defeats at the hands of much less entertaining teams, so I was ready to bear that cross.

that being said, there was a drunk kraken fan the row ahead of us who was verbally harassing a penguins fan in his row. he was yelling at him, trying to get his attention by calling him "letang" (the jersey the pens fan was wearing), and even threw the free giveaway hat at him to try and get his attention. mr. not-letang very smartly sat still and refused to look over. I was disappointed at that behavior and also really displeased that the drunk fan's friend didn't do jack shit to stop his behavior... but that's drunk people for you, I guess!

anyways when the kraken scored the (first) empty netter I turned to jes and said we should blow this popsicle stand. and that we did lol. I regret none of it! pens you suck and I love you so dearly <3

the next day I tearfully said goodbye to my new best friend, ruthie, and then maybe waved at jes idk who cares (I'm joking, we—after very extensive fanfic brainstorming sessions in the car to and from brunch—expressed SO EARNESTLY and HEARTFELT-LY how much we enjoyed the trip, as we were both so determined to Get A Good Grade In Visiting Fandom Friends, Something Normal To Want And Possible To Achieve).

and then I got to see my aunt and uncle! they moved out there for the tech boom back in the 90s and have been there ever since. they're incredibly cool and we talked SO much

(something else I've learned about myself as an adult: I talk way too fucking much. I thought it was bad when I had an in-person job, and now that I do WFH it's literally like I'm being paid by the word I speak. big kudos to anyone who's withstood being near me for longer than an hour).

my aunt took me on a hike and we got to see old-growth forest AND a lake AND the skyline, which was so sick

talking with her was incredible. she's a very interesting person and a complete city-slicker and is... kind of eerily like me? like I saw a lot of similarities between her and I as we talked and interacted with my uncle. we have similar communication styles and I see myself a bit in her. something that's heartening to me is that she's, like... in her late 50s and childless and so youthful and full of attack attack go go go energy and has the same ruthless desire to UNDERSTAND and BE UNDERSTOOD that I do, and I liked talking with her. she's so receptive to youth culture and to aspects of things she doesn't understand in her quest to understand them, and it makes for such engaging conversation.

my uncle, too, is really neat. I like him so much, and I wish I knew more about him? my dad is so reticent about his family sometimes, and I'm still so desperately trying to tease out the full story of what growing up in that family was like (for longtime followers, this is my uncle who got written out of my grandma's will). he has great energy and is pretty chill (and was literally recovering from intense hip surgery while I was there, he's such a champ haha) and I wish I could see him and my dad interact more. why did all my dad's brothers have to scatter across this country??

he found me interesting, I could tell, and that was really validating and nice. we had awesome conversations about how I got into hockey (my aunt is super, like... 2nd-wave-y feminist and does not get my hockey love due to the sport's chauvinism) and also how I found community online. my aunt is a writer in her free time and hasn't ever really been able to find her niche online and really wanted my input about how I'd been able to befriend people across the country, and world, online.

that too was really validating and cool. I've always sort of put myself down about not having as many IRL friends, but seeing it through their eyes sort of helped me shift my mindset. I DO have amazing friends! they're close mentally if not physically! and they lead to amazing things! they were so jazzed about me hosting friends from all over the country who'd come to visit me in the name of hockey. while I get all whiny about not having enough people to do stuff with locally, my aunt was like "you have friends WHERE?" and they were so into it. they loved that I had worldwide friends and was finding connection wherever I went. it was great.

also we saw jesus at a grocery store. yes, it was halloween, but it was a funny encounter. he was in the produce section.

then we went to a WATERFALL that was TERRIFYING IN ITS SCALE

this thing was incredible and man... man... I need to go back. I have to. I always thought as a kid that I'd end up moving out west. even before my twilight phase got me fully obsessed with washington, I loved the look and nature and majesty of the PNW. since the first time I visited there, I knew something about that area spoke to me.

and it was so, so cool to reconnect with that after over a decade away. when I was there I felt like a sort of... idealized version of myself. like that version was within reach. that I could become a really cool version of myself if I lived there. an alternate path, you know?

maybe the PNW is in my future. it could be. I always thought it would be as a kid. funnily enough, a hockey team got in the way and sent me east instead, but like I always say... I don't know if pittsburgh is forever! I want to live a grand adventure, and I want to live many places, and maybe one day I wind up there for a spell.

there's just something about that part of the country. something about me when I'm there.

this was such a good vacation. it was short, but it was honestly practically idyllic. I will be back. hopefully soon. there is so much unexplored... I want to devour that state over a summer one day.

people are great. friends are great. family is great. nature is great. life is good.