#they'd be losing their mind about is drawing adventure time

[mushtoons]

thems just silly

[cosmosnout]

KH OC WEEK 2024

Day 6: journal

Shiro

Shiro picked up keeping a journal from being around the apprentices during their time in the organization. It was also a way for them to ease their fear of losing their memory again, since at least this time they’d have something to help them remember and keep track of everything.

Their first entries were very systematic, listing important things and people to remember with occasional entries about the events of their day. (Their journal reflected their paranoia quite a lot)

Shiro has, however, later on managed to let go of their fear a bit more, which can be seen in their diary entries becoming more casual, with occasional doodles appearing on the pages. I definitely think Shiro would also keep whatever photos they've managed to acquire in their journal. Mostly photos of people's faces they'd wish/think were important to remember, with some scenic photos scattered in there.

This ended up being a fun call back to an old KH OC WEEK entry about the character hobbies, where I included that Shiro does journaling haha.

Aiko + Merin

Aiko’s journal is very much what you’d expect a teenage girl's private diary to look like. It’s a place where she’s free to ramble on about whatever comes to mind and vent out her feelings when needed.

She tries to write down the important things happening during her journey, but she tends to end up sliding into another topic without thinking.

Merin’s part in Aiko’s journey comes mostly from her asking Aiko to write down things they need to remember for their adventures and from being quite the popular topic in Aiko’s personal ramblings. They’ve also come to use the diary as a way to talk indirectly when they aren’t able to find the right words while speaking face-to-face. (Imagine them sliding the notebook back and forth across the floor to each other after an argument bc they’re both too upset to look at one another LOL)

Viktor + Tähti

Viktor’s journal is actually just his sketchbook, which he occasionally writes important notes on. Otherwise, the book is filled with pictures and drawings rather than words. Viktor is also quite protective of his sketchbook (as any artist is) and doesn’t really like sharing it with others. He does, however, agree to write down some important things for Tähti and sometimes allows her to draw on some of the pages.

I like to think he later on upgrades to a digital tablet, where he’s able to have a proper catalogue of everything important he’s been able to learn during his adventure (similar to Jiminy’s journal) while also being able to use it for his art. iPad kid LMAO

Other

And funny enough, I don’t think Merin or Tähti would be too keen on getting their own journals later on during their journey since they’ve gotten so used to their arrangement with the siblings.

And also for clarification, since I haven’t yet posted the earlier prompts, the reason the kiddos are sharing their journals in these specific pairs is due to them getting separated from each other in those pairs. Neither Merin nor Tähti had journals to begin with, so they just opted to use the ones Aiko and Victor had.

Also a fun little detail is that Shiro’s journal is purposely made to look similar to the book of prophecies.

@khoc-week

[the-starry-seas]

Fanovember Day 4

Prompt: Adventure

Star Wars, Tusken OC & Tusken OC

Staring at the fire makes U'Rajya think of Fury, and how surprised he was at how cold the desert could get at night. He'd almost only seen Tatooine during the day, when the twin suns heated and overheated everything in sight. He hadn't been prepared for the cold that happened when the suns made way for the moons.

A'Hidayat is older than any of them, and has probably forgotten more about the desert than they know. They love all their partners, but if given a chance, they would go foraging with him, every time. They can't explain how he finds plants in places they would never think to look.

They could explain why he no longer craves adventure, in the way their young men do, but they would never say a word. He pours out water for them every morning, his ghosts. Most people only do that on remembrance days, or when crossing under the rock bridge that everyone knows is haunted.

He shifts against the dune they're both reclined against, drawing his outer robe differently to keep out the chill.

Rayyan nudges her nose against the outside of his thigh, but when he fails to provide a treat of some sort, the bantha loses interest and lays her head back down. She's food-motivated, and much better behaved than when she was a calf and would try to eat things out of their mouth.

They shift sideways themself, curling into his side with their head on his shoulder. His hand comes up, the backs of his fingers drawing down their cheek. Without a tent to protect them from the sand, they both still have their bodies fully covered, like it's the middle of the day. His touch is still warm, to their mind. And they don't have to imagine it being gentle. He's always gentle. It's one of the many things they love about him.

Someday, he might be more comfortable with their love. They're fine with keeping it for him, until then. They've realised that they're more patient than they ever thought, before. Like their mother, in a way they never expected to be.

"We'll catch up to them tomorow," they mention. The two of them had set out from the palace early, hoping to catch their clan before nightfall, but they'd stopped for an extra two hours that afternoon when Rayyan was reluctant to drink, worried about heatstroke.

"We will," he agrees, hand resting on their hip as he turns into them a little. "Are your parents staying at the Needles or the farms this year?"

"I think the Needles. I haven't asked but I heard N'Haniyda mention it early in the year." Their stepmother prefers the larger gathering places, where she can catch up with the most people at once. But their A'Hidayat, they know-

"I was thinking about the farms," he says quietly. His thumb taps on their hip, and he shuffles a little lower as a burst of wind scurries over the top of the dune. "I can see what the thread spins into and get the best to bring it home."

He'd been talking about weaving in the last few months. It was the most animated that they'd ever seen him. They like seeing it, they like knowing more about him, and about what he loves. If he ever gets another bantha, he'll weave his own saddlecloth. They'll be proud of him for that.

They're proud of him now, for being with them. Not just here and now, but always.

They rest their hand on his stomach, and close their eyes, and know he'll let nothing touch them in the night.

[blackjackkent]

Oh, geez, as if the past two cutscenes weren't enough of an emotional roller coaster ride for Hector, we get yet another very feelsy Karlach conversation come morning.

The game has this happening as a chat in camp, but I think I am picturing this as a conversation they'd have while still at the inn after the date. Perhaps lying in bed as the sun slowly starts to peek up over the horizon, both putting off the moment when they will have to get up and get dressed and go back to camp.

So, y'know, ignore the screenshots I guess. :P

"Hey," she says softly, running her fingers through his hair. He presses his face drowsily into her shoulder, shutting out the faint light starting to come through the window. "Wanna play pretend?"

He shifts just enough that one eye is uncovered to look up at her questioningly.

She's smiling, but it's a slightly distracted smile, a hint of sadness in it. "You and me... Let's imagine... I get to live fifty more years. We have a whole life ahead of us. What do we do?"

He goes very still and his heart gives a sharp twist in his chest - that all-too-familiar feeling of preemptive grief that arises whenever he thinks about losing her. His instinct, immediately, is to hide from the topic - to tell her he can't bear to think about it right now, which certainly feels true enough. For a moment he turns his head and buries his face back in her shoulder.

But then he draws a breath and steadies himself deliberately.

Last night, she finally spoke, for the first time seriously and without any safety valve of humor, of what is coming for her. She did not laugh, or make jokes about it, or deflect or pretend it didn't matter that she was going to die. And he needed to hear that, very badly, and he knows it was not an easy conversation for her to have.

And now it is his turn to answer her as she needs to be answered. She is certainly not asking this question for his benefit, but for hers; for whatever reasons might be going on in her own mind, she needs to have this conversation and carry his answer with her.

Perhaps all his training in self-control, all his life, was really just leading to the moments like this, he thinks. Moments that will no doubt come more frequently as the end draws closer - moments where he needs to be strong for her, for whatever she needs.

He shifts so his eyes are visible again and meets her gaze steadily. "It would look the same as it does now," he says slowly after long thought. "Adventure, fights - all of it together."

Does he think this is actually the truth? Hard to say. It doesn't really bear a lot of thinking about, what he actually would want from a life with her, since it brings nothing but pain. The answer he is giving is what he thinks she would want - what image would bring her happiness to hold onto.

She laughs softly, tips her head to kiss him gently between the eyes. "Now you're talking," she says lightly. "Faerun is so big, and we've barely scratched the surface." Her grin widens, but there's visible effort behind it. "I've always wanted to square up against a hill giant. With two of us, we might even stand a chance."

Her voice cracks on the last word, and she squeezes her eyes shut, a muscle working furiously in her jaw.

"Dammit," she whispers brokenly. "I wish I had a longer road ahead of me." Her fingers dust along his jaw, up into his hair. "I want to walk it with you..."

He lifts a hand, presses it to her cheek, kisses her fiercely, because he needs to do something or he will start crying as well. As it is, when he draws back, his eyes are damp and he's sure she can tell. But he doesn't cry. He holds himself steady. So many times when he has been at his lowest, she has been there for him to lean on. He will not give her less.

Try to hide a tear.

"Gods," she says softly, and her voice is more full of pain and grief than he has ever heard it. "What a disaster... Finding love like this - finding you - so perfectly late..."

Her hand cups behind his head to pull him tightly against her and she presses her face into his hair. When she speaks again, her voice is muffled. "I've always thought I was fearless. Never scared of a fight, of the future. But dying has taught me so much..." She exhales shakily and he can hear the breath catch in her throat. "There's no courage in fearlessness. There's courage in being fucking terrified but still going forward. Still being grateful. Still trying."

He smiles just a little against her chest. They've spoken of this before, in truth; she has offered it as reassurance against his own fears, of which there have been many. To hear it turned back to encourage herself, as well, somehow makes him feel the connection between them deepen even more.

He wraps his arms tightly around her, presses a line of slow kisses along her collarbone, up her neck, then draws back so he look into her face again.

She meets his eyes, breathes in and then out heavily. "We're going to save this city," she says firmly. "Together. It's going to be the last thing I do."

Again, he resists the urge to look away, to hide from the grief and the fear. If she must be put in the position of having to decide on her last wish, he thinks, she could not have chosen a better one. "I'm with you, Karlach," he murmurs, and though his voice trembles, it does not break. "Every step of the way."

She manages a slight smile, and even in spite of everything facing them, his heart flutters a little at the expression of love in her eyes. "That's why I know we're going to win."

-----

(A/N: It's cool, Larian, I didn't need my heart or anything. Once again I'm going to include a recording of this scene as well, because Samantha Beart's voice acting has really been obliterating me lately and the animation is very evocative as well.)

[anjumbai]

ADVENTURE TIME - Raise The Sword

"Changing is our normal state. Even if we're not changing on the outside we're changing on the inside constantly. There's some stuff about me that I've been ignoring for a long time. I'm afraid of that stuff. But it's part of who I am. As long as I know the shape of my soul, I'll be alright."

I'm glad this show was a part of my life. It really felt like I finished an unfinished chapter of my childhood. The show felt so surreal to little me. People made out of fire falling in love with people with flesh and bones, stretchy dog, talking computers, candy people, vampires, surreal magic, princess kidnappers- how was this show even allowed to be made. Cartoon Network never followed a proper sequence, little me thought. But I'm sure I couldn't even tell in my late teens which episode comes after the other. The show is absolutely banging with creativity, chaos and absolute mind bogglers. That's Adventure Time. A story of change and acceptance through hilarious mind bogglers and moments of absolute chaos.

I'm still heartbroken knowing that the show got cancelled and they had to rush the ending- leaving so many plotholes unexplored. They had this amazing setup, amazing build up that I'm absolutely sure they'd wrap up in a satisfying way but yes, acceptance. Happens. 10 whole seasons. Love poured in animation and story writing. The heart put in some of these episodes make you emotional. Episodes like The Bucket, Escape from Citadel, Breezy are absolute peaks of character development and story telling.

You can't forget these characters. Characters who got a millisecond worth of screen time are brought back, implemented into the story and wrapped up beautifully. James Backster comes to mind immediately when I say this. My favorite character turned out to be BMO and Finn after all.

I loved every second of Finn's character arc. Starting as an ingenuous hero of 13, beating up monsters with his best friend and brother, Jake- going on adventures with not a thought of the world. "I'll kill it, if it's evil." It was naive and fun to watch. But I love that the show went down a path to actually convince the viewers that childlike creativity isn't the only thing they have. One after another Finn is thrown into difficulties in life. How does our child hero react? He reacts in a very human way, like all of us. He's heartbroken, sometimes disheartened, hopeless and even obsessive. But in the end, he has a good heart. A really kind heart, capable of making bad decisions too. He's Finn the Human. What he solved with fists now he solves with understanding and care. The whole arc with FP, finding out his Father doesn't care for him anymore, losing his arm, fighting his abandonment issues head on, Fern- all of it is just absolutely beautiful. Who knew I'd get fond of a cartoon character whose face you can draw with 5 pencil strokes.

Finn and Jake's brotherly bond is something that brings me peace. This show put something so important yet neglected as a centerpiece of the show - platonic love. How beautiful is it to just care for a person and cherishing the bond you have. I love how happy this show has made me feel. I'm smiling even when I'm writing this. I'm sad that the show was over. I'm sad that it wasn't wrapped up properly the way it deserved to be and instead they just had to work with the constraints some higher up official put on them. But, I'm happy.

I was just watching old clips of Adventure Time, and I was in awe how much Finn's voice had changed. He's 13 when the show airs and 17 by the time it ends. The show really let him grow with the people around him instead of keeping him stuck in a certain age to please some part of the major audience. I'm glad they chose to tell a story.

Marceline's songs, Time Adventure, Come along with me will ring something in me every time I hear a glimpse of them. The old Tree House art in my desk will remind me of all the memories it holds. I still find it absurd how fictional characters can affect you in such a surreal way. Like they don't even exist. Why do you guys even have a long lasting effect?

When I was watching AT, I made a list of all the episodes I loved. I finished an amazing episode and I noted it down. I looked back on that list and I'm glad I can't remember what half of them portrayed. I can dive right back in with hopes and excitement. I hope it stays right where I left it.

[a-space-lizard]

Destiny characters and the 14/15 fears (TMA) (s5 spoilers under the cut)

Osiris - starting off with the one that started this whole thought spiral. Osiris is the Archivist, or he used to be. When he was exiled from the city, he didn't drop the title, but he knew they'd choose a replacement for him eventually. Rather than worry about that, he instead focused on preventing rituals from reaching finality, with the help of the infinite forest's predictive simulations. However, after losing his light and being trapped by Savathun, he lost his connection to the Eye. He may not have the powers of an avatar or a guardian anymore, but he still tries to do the work of an archivist in studying the enemies of humanity.

Ikora - while she is an avatar of none, she has the marks of slaughter, web, and eye. Though she would have been a prime candidate for the next archivist as Osiris' former apprentice, she has not taken up the position. In her younger years as a guardian, she was bound for the slaughter, known to be the most powerful guardian in the crucible. But with age and the vanguard position, she skewed towards the web and the eye as she developed her network of spies.

Zavala - he nearly lost himself to the Lonely after the loss of his son and wife. He still bears its mark strongly, but he's built up a strong support system over time. He has slight ties to the slaughter as a war tactician, but resents its pull towards violence, even if he does lean into it sometimes in order to defend the city.

Cayde-6 - he was an avatar of the end, and no it's not just cause he's dead. He was always planning for his own end, so much so that everything he did seemed to lead toward it. Also playing card motifs just really give end vibes imo.

Amanda Holliday - absolutely an avatar of the vast. She feels most at home piloting a ship. Her connection to the vast also has to do with her sense of scale in the world, seeing the traveler, the guardians, and the whole cosmic conflict from the eyes of a mortal who spent her whole life chasing the sky. In my heart she is reborn after her death as a fully-fledged vast avatar.

Eris Morn - avatar of the corruption, which she fully and unapologetically embraces. Especially in season of the witch, her arc of embracing who and what she is not just internally but externally as well, has finalized. I have many emotions about how the corruption deals with finding love that accepts you as you are, finding love *within* what you have become, and that's very important to Eris.

Mara Sov - avatar of the vast. From the beginning she ventured into the edge of the unknown, to the limin of where humanity and the cosmos almost meet. She dove into the cosmic terror of the light and dark's great battle and reshaped herself into something new.

Uldren Sov and Crow - both as Uldren and Crow, he's with the hunt. As Uldren, he was always chasing down the next adventure, running off into the unknown much like Mara did. He always pushed himself further and further until he eventually pushed too far. As Crow, he began his new life hunted by pretty much everyone in the solar system without knowing why. Not to mention the themes of the hunt in the literal crow-and-wolf dynamic. Though as Uldren he never became an avatar, now as Crow, Savathun encouraged his draw towards the hunt, and when she restored his memories, that was when he became a true avatar.

Jolyon Till - marked heavily by the buried. After all this time, no matter how far he runs, part of him is still trapped in the black garden. The heartbeat pulsing through his dreams, the depths and the soil and the binding roots all entombing his mind every time he shuts his eyes. He has yet to reach the tipping point where he will either dive headfirst into the embrace of another fear to escape the garden, or succumb to its song.

Elsie Bray - avatar of the dark. As tempting as it is to go all in on the stranger/exo stranger connection, she probably only has loose ties with the stranger. She's much more connected to the dark and its mystery. Only recently has she allowed herself to be known. It's difficult, and it goes against her nature, but it's necessary to stop this timeline from ending like all the others.

Ana Bray - definitely marked by the dark, considering how much it matters to her that her past life was hidden from her. However, I think that in her pursuit of information about her past and braytech, she'd find herself quite close to the eye - especially when she starts working with Rasputin.

Eramis - avatar of the desolation. Rather than the burning flames typical of desolation avatars, Eramis' anger at the traveler's betrayal turned cold and bitter over the centuries, until the darkness (not to be confused with the dark) eventually led her to the tools to turn that cold fury into ice. I think cryophobia is an underutilized side of the desolation. The cold is similar in many ways to fire, as an unyielding, indiscriminate force of nature that cannot be reasoned with. I think this connects well to Eramis as she made her patient campaign for revenge. Had variks not exposed her plans, she would have waited to strike until she already had her foe surrounded.

Rasputin - avatar of the Eye, most definitely. Created as a form of oversight for the whole world. He is essentially a panopticon watching over the entire solar system, occasionally smiting things he doesn't approve of *cough* felwinter *cough*.

Clovis Bray - resident Jonah Magnus wannabe. Crusty old man who wanted to be immortal and tried to use proxies to bring about his ascension to the beholding.

[auspex]

Haha, I like seeing your wall of text about Mark and his adventures! :D

Lanford has been really sheltered in their Chantry (and abusively controlled by their Sire) since their Embrace in the 70s! And they've actually never had an incident of losing control to the Beast. So I think they'd say "Individuals are not monsters, that's simply a way of categorizing things which frighten or confuse us. Clinging to the belief that Kindred are 'monsters' rather than understanding we are a new life form with different needs and behaviors is like drawing 'here be dragons' on every map. It's just ignorance." Lanny is very fun to play because they are analytical and condescending. They HAVE been punched in the face by a Brujah for not knowing when to shut up XD

They know about the history of the Tremere as mages but they consider thaumaturgy to be perfectly consistent with the prior Hermetic practices, or maybe even superior since it's using the capabilities of vitae to power it. They've never met a mage before but they would be super excited about that! :0 Lanford has met fey creatures and gotten super messed up on their blood though.

Can I ask about Mark's relationship with his Sire? You mentioned his Sire has very powerful blood? (Or, is a low generation?)

hi im feeling like more of a human so i cna finally finish this post and resurrect it from my drafts i am so so sorry for the delay.

-

GOOD sometimes tremere nerds have to get punched in the face that's just the way it is. Mark can relate to being abusively controlled by their sire or at least, he would if he really realized it <3

Hehe Lanny you don't know shit if you don't know about how much stronger mages are. Too good.

-

OK yes so Mark's sire is super old idk why the ST lowkey gave special snowflake syndrome but whatever he can have a sire thats over a thousand years old as a treat.

gasp. yes, that means he was around when the tremere went from a mage house to a vampire clan. that's nuts! he was already older than most humans because he was a mage trying to extend his lifespan. thats how he's so GotDamn old.

His name is Julius. I think he's technically 8th gen but he did weird blood sorcery shit to make Mark essentially an 11th gen as far as blood potency is concerned. He uses Mark as a spy/errand boy but Mark doesn't mind because, due to high level blood bond, he thinks Julius helps him a lot (technically does ig) and is really happy when he pleases Julius.

He is starting to recognize that, rationally, the only reason to help him would be out of fear, but the blood bond is still there oc which makes it complicated.

Julius keeps him financially stable, will fulfill basically any minor request Mark makes of him, and due to his high position in the Tremere keeps him safe politically just by being his sire.

In return Mark gives him weekly reports, does various spying things when requested, (largely against Julius's rival, Gaius, which is a whole nother' story), and is basically at his beck and call.

For his part Mark is mostly in awe of Julius, terror in the classical sense; sees him as super powerful, wants to please him; but at the same time recognizes that Julius is fairly like, inhuman and awful, so hides how much he cares abt humans and such, in fact he kinda feels ashamed of it, which is sad :(

Julius had Mark's ex spy on him before his embrace/while they were still dating - he didn't directly do it, but ordered another kindred to get info on Mark and thats how he did it. Basically ruined Sampson's life. So yeah. pretty fucked. A quote that lives in my head rent free is when Mark was concerned about sampson and asked Julius abt him for the first time Julius said "You can have many Sammys" so he clearly doesnt like. get it. lol.

[grieverled-moved]

THE DAYS WERE FAR MORE PEACEFUL - EASY ENOUGH TO LOSE HIMSELF IN THE SOOTHING FLOW WITH LITTLE WORRY. At least for himself that is. Spending a lot of his time just wandering about taking care of menial tasks now that Radiant Gardens were more or less fixed & stable again, there wasn't much for the former commander to do. His usual companions were off doing their own things & settling into this new calm with enviable ease. Too bad he was known for being restless . . . all he'd known was to fight.

With that old need more or less gone with the threat of the Heartless, while a good thing, it left him feeling on edge, uncertain & lost in what he'd do to occupy his time now. He wasn't fool enough to complain when things finally settled, knowing full well the peaceful time was more then earned given everything they'd narrowly survived.

. . . But he didn't know what to do with himself otherwise. Takes him a bit, but eventually he decides on something somewhat productive - no better time to get things set up & prepped for the incoming spring. Spending a majority of the day out in the central square, he'd taken it upon himself to start the newest flowerbed, figuring he may as well indulge in an old hobby now that he finally had the time to.

The whole time, his thoughts are occupied, wandering in a gentle sort of wildness as he works with careful hands to weed out the dead plants from the winter & fall, carefully spreading the seeds out within the freshly watered soil. Barehanded, he can feel the dirt coating his hands, burying beneath his nails, the scent of it making his shoulders sag as he relaxes little by little. Thoughts of his old home, his past, normally so off topic for him, but here they sprawl with a protective scabbing for once, enough it didn't hurt to brush his fingers along what he knows he'd never get back again. Home . . .

For him, he guesses this place was his new Home & he finds he doesn't mind the idea as much as he thought he did. Beats the old commander life he'd been dragging himself through following his own battle with Ultimecia, giving him the oddly peaceful option to retire early, to simply live without the need to constantly fight. As he finishes up the last of his 'gardening', he can't help but wince when he realizes he'd ended up planting far too many sky blue flowers among the bedding. Grumbling, he shakes his head before he shrugs it off, ignoring the passing thought they'd be the same shade of a certain swordsman's eyes when they did eventually bloom.

The rest of his day is uneventful, passing by in a comfortable haze as he things finishes the last of his reportwork & cleans his home as best he can. Cloud drifts through his mind as he often did when he wasn't present, drawing Leon's attention inadvertently down to the gifted item he wears in fidgeting silence. Cloud rushing off on another adventure wasn't anything new. Man was a lone wolf, putting the gun-blader to shame in a way that amused him, but he understood better then anyone that he had his own personal missions to tend to, one's he wouldn't dare get in the way of.

As he's moving to go to turn in for the day, room lit by the streetlamps outside shining in through the spaces his curtains don't completely cover, he can't help if his last thought before he completely falls asleep is how despite the life he's found, he feels alone. With an aching feeling that mourns in his chest, he drifts.

Tossing & turning, it's not the most peaceful of sleeps, eventually ending with him curled on his side, making himself as small as he could tucked away beneath the blankets keeping him warm. He teeters along the delicate balance of being awake & fully asleep - aware but not completely. It's an odd sort of state to be in, the silence that spans feeling smothering as he vaguely catches the continual tick of his clock down the hall. Something breaks it though, the sound of a door opening after some twisting at the knob, whoever'd entered, they're ghost-like in the lack of sound he catches in their steps. Familiar - all things considered.

His paranoid mind peeks, but it's quelled back down in lazy reassurance that he had given his house key to friends in case they needed a place to stay or to raid his home for curatives or items. Step by step, the approach, a different destination in mind that lures his sleepy curiosity. They only come to a stop by his bed, a questioning pinch of his brows indenting itself in place as he waits, only to hear further shuffling, feeling the tell-tale dip of the bed at his back. Eyes crack open, the exhaustion laden voice he catches spurring him to move & turn - & when he does, that off feeling he'd had seemingly all day dissipates, alleviating enough that it's drowned out with relief, affection. Something else he ignores as he shuffles in closer to the blonde swordsman flopped into bed.

A soft snort is given, a hand reaching up to smooth itself across Cloud's cheek as his gaze softens. He can't make out much in the darkness of his room, but it does little to kill his fondness.

❝ Missed me, huh? ❞ Leaning in, he moves to shuffle the other man beneath the sheets, ensuring he was just as comfortable following his impromptu return. Settling back down, he graces him with a tender kiss, one that's pressed lovingly along the space beneath his eye. ❝ Well . . . I missed you too. Welcome back. ❞

*UNPROMPTED. ➤ @defiant-ex-soldiers [ ; ] ((Cloud)) one time when Cloud got back from one of his trips to find his friends, it was late at night and he had assumed Leon had gone to sleep already, but he couldn't wait till morning to see him, so he used his spare keys to get into Leon's house and slipped into bed beside him, "missed you..." he whispered sleepily.

[stormgardenscurse]

Pomefiore!Ace Trappola x Reader

About: A dorm swap concept inspired by this and this post from @ai-0uch!! Featuring second-year Ace, a pomefiore student who interacts with you, NRC's one and only magicless, Ramshackle Prefect.

(Please check out Ai's art it's so good 😭😭)

Commissions Open!

Once, in a dream...

You fell down a rabbit hole, led by not a white rabbit but instead a fox with beautiful, velvet fur.

It led you deep into the forest, your book long forgotten beneath the shade of a tree that you so loved to rest under. There you would lose yourself in the pages of a story of villains and heroes, card soldiers and tea parties, until the Sun set and you were called home.

You were going to miss dinner today. You hoped your family wouldn't mind - surely, if you told them of your great adventure when you returned, they'd understand. They've always known you were one to dream.

Though... as you picked up a biscuit with the words "eat me" frosted in quaint, swirling letters, you wondered just how long you'd be away.

Before you knew it, you had taken the gloved hand of a stranger as you stepped through a mirror. The world faded into darkness by then, but before that you swore you caught a glimpse of red hair. Just like that of the pretty fox that accompanied you here.

A Glimpse of Something New

Ace Trappola was the pride of his dorm - well, one of them, at least. He didn't want to brag, but Ace knew his worth and the way he could charm his way into the hearts of many. He was collected, graceful, quietly intelligent, and to top it off, a joy to be around once you got pass his walls.

Haha, what a quaint act he's got, hasn't he? While it may not be his honest personality, Ace knew how to go about self-preservation in a dorm like his. Pomefiore valued beauty, and he knew which persona would gain him the most allies.

He'd spent the first few months of his time in Night Raven College as an observer, growing used to the awkward layers he had to wear, the way his heels would click on the floor, and the rules around the dining table.

So many habits to adopt... But it paid off in the end. Now he was one of the most popular second years in his dorm, and on the odd cases where he preferred to be alone, younger students would admire him from afar and whisper of the rumors surrounding him - complimentary ones, of course.

You heard them when you asked Jack and Epel about the elusive redhead; it was hard to know what he was thinking, but Ace would break silences with a charming smile and kind eyes, leaving you dumbfounded at how someone like him blended into a school as chaotic as this.

The truth was, well... I suppose you can guess, right?

Here's a more accurate version: Ace Trappola was two-faced, and a talented actor.

See, in his first year he didn't stand out much - he was still learning how to adapt to the dorm. And while the fussiness was a little annoying, there were perks once he got his "beautiful" act together. People were willing to offer him a helping hand, borrow him potion ingredients at the flash of a smile, and give into his requests with the tilt of his head and pleading gaze.

Truly, beauty was a powerful thing. He didn't think of using it much up until entering the college, but it was quite fun to figure out the ways he could twist his appearance into a weapon.

Ace's beauty lies in the very illusion of the way he acts. His beauty is how he can put on any mask, mimic any action, fake the subtle quiver of his lips - he's like a fox with velvet fur, one that you've found your concerns entangled with, for better or worse.

He finds you curious - a human with no magic or identity, nothing to specifically draw others in. But the first time you interact with him to find your way through Pomefiore? What was once a blank canvas bleeds into color, even if you weren't aware of it at the time.

You were busy with your ghost camera - here to document its architecture and interior for a journal you were working on.

"Hey Ace, what's your favourite food?"

"Mmm... Cherry pie, I guess?" Were you looking for a way to gain his favour?

You giggled, making him raise a brow. "Cherries are kind of intense, aren't they? Sweet and sour, nothing's held back." Before Ace could twist that description around, you continued. "It suits you, I think. Though that might be presumptuous of me - I hope you didn't take offense to that, senpai. I didn't mean anything bad."

Huh? "Not at all..."

Damn, he'd let his guard down because he didn't think you were a threat.

The way your lips quirked as you said those words flashed in his mind again. You were pretty perceptive, huh? And hiding behind that formality after - you've adapted to Twisted Wonderland quite well.

Ace Trappola was drawn in by that glimpse of color. And now that he's mastered his craft - his form of beauty - he thinks he has time to have a bit of fun.

Time Passes...

"Let's meet at the usual place" is something you wouldn't have thought you'd hear from Ace's lips, but there you were after class on the receiving end of his usual smile and wink.

It was a little infuriating how he managed to hide his mischievous side right under the noses of his peers, but you supposed you expected just as much from a fox.

As ethereal as those creatures can appear however, they had their love of fun as well. Yet if you told anyone about the Ace that teased you relentlessly or slouched as he dribbled a basketball, no one would believe you - not above a subtler version of your words, of course - like how it implied that he was good at sports (how talented!) and had a fun side (nothing special about that).

But even without him saying it aloud, you knew that Ace found a bit of solace in you (it was in the quiet moments, where you simply appreciated your company). And when you witnessed his free laughter, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he clutched his stomach? You knew deep down that you could never hate him.

No matter how much he liked to annoy you, you couldn't deny the general consensus of his beauty; rather than extravagant or show-stopping, it was the type that entrapped you from his little smiles, smirks, and the glint in his eyes that said he knew something you didn't.

So you met him at "the usual" spot once again, just as you did everyday, and wondered what side of Ace Trappola you might discover this time around.

"Dance with me?"

No matter how good Ace was at mimicry, he was at a loss when you asked him to dance out of the blue. 'Just what about the forest made you think of that, anyways?' The question died in his throat as you took his hand and pulled him into a twirl - he huffed in annoyance as he awkwardly spun under your arms, trying his best not to seem like an idiot.

It was as if he was learning how to walk in heels all over again: His mind was blank, not because this was particularly difficult, but because it wasn't choreographed or for a performance.

The only people here were the two of you, and for the first time Ace considered that detail quite consciously.

There wasn't a goal, or at least he hasn't had the time to come up with a plan for what to do, so Ace is uncharacteristically unsure and a little lost in his thoughts: 'Why did you ask him to dance? Was it random? Was it a test?'

He gets more questions than answers, and that's when his lips curve into a genuine, slight smile.

There it is; his goal. A simple, open-ended desire to figure you out. To clarify what this curiosity he associates with you truly was.

(Much, much later, Ace would be confronted by the idea that this might be love.)

The first time you properly look at Ace's eyes...

You're caught by surprise because of how bright they are when he's in a good mood. Especially when he was feeling playful or victorious - that's when they shine the most.

But at other times... a part of you is even more attached to the way they soften during conversations, peering at you from under his lashes as he worries for you.

Once, you thought to give him a gift.

Despite how he'd told you what his favourite food was during your first conversation, Ace didn't expect you to remember it well enough to bring him a slice of pie.

You claimed to have snuck it out from Heartslabyul (however you managed that, Ace had no clue), offering it to him as a pick-me-up after a particularly long day of classes. That day Ace offered to share it with you; it somehow tastes sweeter than usual, in a really pleasant way.

[a-collection-of-villainous-aus]

Pirate au part 5 pt2

(link to first part of pt5)

Alright, alright back from the flash back

"Yes but if I am honest, I thought it was a fabrication to deal with the life they forced upon you... however it does explain your need of aquatic plush toys in your quarters."

Hat replied leaning back in his chair, legs outstretched and chin on chest with arms folded.

"Tha' an I jus' like 'em, also sir..."

"Hmm?"

The old demon responded not looking up as a glass appeared aswell as a bottle of wine, pouring by itself before reaching out a hand for it, claws tapping lightly on the glass.

Didn't matter what time of day it was if he wanted a drink he was going to have one.

He was still bitter that Demencia and Acylius were probably talking up a storm and completely ignoring him.

How flipping wonderful for them.

(Awww someone's a grumpy old man XD)

"I were told yer handled yer... Ahem noodles other night."

505 continued, rubbing the back of his neck and looking off to the side, though it was hard not to smile as the Captain let out another indignant huff.

"Excuse you, they are most certainly not noodles, I can make them any size I want!"

He was clearly exasperated by his cooks response, rising to his feet and pacing only for it to hit Black Hat that if 505 knee that means.... ¬w¬ Acylius was awake, that made the pirate King smile, good so he'd heard him, perhaps the merman was intrigued and-

"Really wow...honest jus' be thinkin' with the size o' this 'ere ship was compensating for sumthin."

Fives returned casually and snorted as Black Hat gasped dramatically, hand on chest.

"I am affronted in Spanish you would think such a thing!"

"Pfffft sir yer got a merman who's affronted in a whole lot o' Spanish by ere thin yer done."

That made our Old bastard pause as he looked incredulously at his employee

"Oh like what?"

"Dining withou' even offerin' ter share fer one."

Hat immediately started fidgeting as well as his mind going blank, what was he supposed to do, confess the merman made him lose all reason and he'd been so busy on trying to be impressive to Acylius he'd actually forgotten the merman’s basic needs.

The king couldn't exactly disagree considering be happily ate anything the man put infront of him, scrubbing his hands down his face and groaning

"I have not even asked if Flug has a food he favors most, no wonder he shuns my presence."

"Sir, do calm yer self, trust me, merman ain't hatin' on ya, or he wud 'ave jumped out, merfolk sooner die than stay trapped against their will, part of him wants ter stay."

Now that made the old demon perk up, honestly if anyone other than Fives or Demencia and Acylius talked to him this way, when the blasted merman would finally converse with him that was, he'd have tossed anyone else overboard cut open to draw in sharks and watched as they were mauled.

Ahhh mauling, what a lovely thing.

Maybe he'd do that later anyway, he felt in the mood for a killing, it would be easy enough to find some reason to off one of his own men, no one dared to argue with Pirate King Black Hat lest they be next on his list.

"So what else do you know about deep sea merfolk? I know about Thaddeus's world and of his Edward practically having one as a pet, but they never gave me the detailsr and I did not care to ask at the time, I think they might have even escaped."

Returning to his seat, there was only the sound of the sea and Fives food sizzling or boiling subtly, calming in its own way, his cook had returned to the stove working on Black Hat's meal and the slops the rest of the crew had...excluding the cook himself and Dem...he would not have his best workers fed so poorly.

"King I'm surprised yer dun know more about his kind , I be bettin he has some pet yer ripped him away from..."

Looking over his shoulder he saw Black Hat starting to fidget as he realised that he'd probably caused Acylius more distress without meaning to.

"He dun seem ter 'ave a partner, food offerin' are like socializations...sum cases even get yer matin if they reaaaally like the food and the one offerin'"

Inside Black Hat's mind was a smaller version of himself frantically scrawling all this down while listening calmly, if Acylius did have a pet he was going to bloody well hunt for it and start courting the stubborn fish correctly.

----

In the Captain's quarters Acylius was floating in his tank there was not much he could really do in empty waters.

Tail swaying gently up and down, listening to Demencia's stories about Black Hat and the adventures they'd had.

His fins drooping slightly, so that was a yes, they were a sort of thing, where did that leave him, was he once again some beings pet?

That left him wondering if he was expected to worship within this prison and please his new master...at least if someone explained to him what his fate was to be, his could accept it all the quicker, it was the anticipation making it nearly unbearable.

Maybe if he behaved he could even bargain favors of his body for Black Hat to bring him his beloved Mew Mew loaf...but what if the Pirate king devoured her if he did not behave.

Thaddeus absolutely would have had he had Mew Mew as his companion then.

Looking up at Demencia, she noticed the vulnerability through the cut out holes in the tied bag on his head, she was staring back curiously wondering what was going through his mind.

Acylius had to agree she was really fascinating herself...if Black Hat and Demencia had room for him...it would still be better than his last arrangement.

He'd never met someone quite so excitable as her, she had such a lust for madness it was incredible.

"Hmm would you like to join me in my fish bowl?"

Flug offered, swimming up to the surface, holding a hand out for her, long fingers, fins fanning, delicate veils lined with fragile thin bone adorning his forearms, glistening in the sunlight.

Watching them sway, her urge to touch them rising, she'd never seen a mer being up close until Acylius so of course the lizard woman was fascinated, reaching out hesitantly and pausing, giving him a questioning look as she was unsure if that would upset him.

"Yes you can touch them, but in the tank please, so I can keep them wet, they tend to tear like tissue paper when dry."

Flug chuckled, reaching now with both hands he lifted her into his water home.

Most of course would have have asked why any mer person would want a land walker in their domain and with good reason, there were many cautionary tales of sailors being drowned by merfolk.

Demencia of course being Demencia XD was like Hell yeah and made a joyful surprised sound at how easily Flug lifted her, once in the waters she let out a sigh, they were so cool and refreshing, absolutely wonderful.

"Now that you are in, may I make one more request, may I kiss you?"

His deep and gentle voice with its own alluring inviting timber had her growing a little flustered, she'd lying if she did not agree that it made his request all tempting. .

"Whoa there fish man, at least buy me dinner first."

She teased playfully and gently nudged him.

Acylius was smiling under his mask and shook his head

"What would you like Miss, I have thin air and water...but all joking aside Demencia, it is so I can make you breathe underwater."

"Ohhhh right, makes sense, well then, pucker up fish boy!"

"Only if you close your eyes, I do not want to put you off."

"Please nothing would put me off, you could be a face of tentacles and I'd still smooch ya!"

Flug snorted, indeed she was entertaining. "

"Alright, do not say, that I did not warn you."

Lifting the lower half of his bag, smiling to the fullest extent his lips would allow, the corners of them disappearing under his mask, mouth full of sharp teeth, in awe she stared at their shimmering beauty, all of them like daggers made of pearl, mouth going dry and silently cursing, damn, fangs...her weakness.

The kiss was brief, an opening of mouths, exchange of fluids before being pulled down into the water.

Wow...in here she saw what he saw, the captains quarters looked distant, as if they were peering into a small rectangular window, on the other side of the was the vastness of the ocean, all types of plant life and fish, so on so forth, reaching out to try and touch his world her hand met only more glass.

"Ah ah no touching or it breaks my illusion, it is too tiring to make solid ones at all times but these ones help me from going mad in my solitude in this fish bowl."

Flug was quiet, thinking on how to respond to that

"If you come from Pearl City, you are considered perfect, their colours are more pastel and you are free but with a king...it is full of wonder and lights..."

Sighing he looked out into the vastness of his illusion, it changed to show the city, glowing and splendid

A silhouette of a show over it of he, Thaddeus and Edward.

" Upon my first viewing I thought it beautiful, but that light for me soon diminished as I was kept by its King, like a pet...I do not hate this Land King though who has me now...he seems surprisingly awkward...endearing really..."

"Ohhhh you like him!"

"Shush or I will not continue....my deep sea kind are dwindling in numbers and because of our rarity if captured we can be used as a power play a sign of well to do...deep sea merfolk are wild and free, come and go as we please unless we have a reason to stay that is... "

He raised a brow, sensing Demencia had more to say gently prodded her

" What is it? "

"You want to stay for the Captain huh, that will make him happy he's been a grumpy old sod because he thinks you hate him."

"I would have jumped out the bloody tank by now if I did...anyway my kind is more willing to help anyone and everyone, Pearl City folk only help their own."

Acylius shook his head, smiling to himself, his cheeks were thankfully hidden by his mask because he was blushing and he knew it.

" Screw those pearl mersnobs, you're already more amazing than them...hmm your fins are really nice I was expecting them to feel slimy like actual fish."

Flug stifled a laugh at her attitude toward Pearl Merfolks, that certainly lifted his mood at how unimpressed she was by them, his fins suddenly flared out, the spines on bis back raising defensively as he held her closer before putting her behind him and poised to strike at the nothingness in Black Hat's Cabin, a swirling portal of purple light tore through the air and his first words in response

"You will not have her creature!"

Acylius's claws extended however no one stepped out only a voice was heard

"Awwww cute you were socialising, guessing Black Hat hasn't been looking after you, Demmy Where's Blackie?"

Demencia had been caught completely off guard at Flug's willingness to protect her, taking a moment to come back down to Earth and answer the voice that she knew well

" He's in the Galley Ferral! "

" Thanks hun! "

With that the portal disappeared.

"Full of surprises aren't ya!"

Demmy was clearly excited by his display, like an eager child to see more, that had been pretty awesome for her to see that and see his usually white and deep blue tail instantly go black with bright blue rings on in warning against predators.

" You know them...that thing?"

"Ohhh yes, brief encounters here and there, in another dimension she's Black Hats daughter and your step daughter...though that Flug is really quite different from you, small world after all huh."

"Yes indeed."

He replied, though he still fixed on the space where the portal had been.

It was nice to know in another dimension he and Black Hat had a family... Maybe one day they... No that was thinking waaaaay too far ahead.

[risingphoenix761]

Cadence

BRICKYL WEEK DAY THREE: mamihlapinatapei - a meaningful, wordless look shared between people who want to initiate something, but are scared to make the first move

###

Lighting a fire was a necessary risk. There was no shelter to make their camp and the season was far enough along that nights were getting cold. It went without saying that with the extra light to draw attention, they would have to stay extra quiet so as not to draw more.

The atmosphere among the group was subdued; they were simply too exhausted to celebrate. The exchange at Grady Memorial had been a close call, too close, and the relief everyone should have felt at being reunited for the first time since the prison fell was eclipsed by their flight from Atlanta.

Rick made a final circuit around the camp, making sure they were as safe as possible. Abraham and Rosita were on the first watch, and Sasha and Tyreese would relieve them in a few hours. Alarms and weapons were ready. There was nothing to do but wait out the night.

Nearly everyone was still awake. Carl, Michonne, and Father Gabriel sat nearby, Carl holding Judith in his lap--couldn't leave out that part of the day's adventure, the four of them nearly overrun in the priest's church before Glenn, Maggie, Tara, Rosita, Abraham and Eugene showed up. The full impact of Eugene's deception hadn't had the chance to sink in yet, and Rick wasn't looking forward to when it did. Sasha and Tyreese were a little more removed than the rest; she had taken Bob's death so hard, Rick didn't know what she would have done if not for her brother. Carol was still on the mend after being hit by a car, and from the sound of things it had nearly killed her. Noah...Rick had a feeling Noah was barely keeping himself together after his entire ordeal, but he seemed to be a smart, capable young man and would recover in time.

Which left only two people in his family...

Rick's mind went back to the morning after the confrontation with Joe and his people, when Daryl was finally back among them. He'd escaped the prison with Beth, and he'd lost her, and everything in his behavior, his voice, his eyes, betrayed everything Rick had only been able to guess at for months. Daryl was in love with Beth, and her absence was killing him as much as his failure to keep her safe. Assurances they would find her seemed hollow, especially after everything Daryl went through looking for Sophia, but Rick did the best he could while despair and hope battled for victory within him. Beth was gone...but she was still alive.

Still alive, he reminded himself after Terminus, when they were once again drifting like so many leaves in the wind. It rang truer when Daryl brought back his story about a hospital in Atlanta...she's still alive. They'd found her, and they were getting her back if they had to take the place down to do it. And then at the very last minute, when they'd exchanged Beth and Carol for those two cops and Dawn had tried to take Noah back...

That was a moment he'd be reliving in his nightmares, seeing those scissors in Beth's hand and that gun in Dawn's, and if it hadn't been for Daryl being faster on the draw...

He glanced at her, sitting with Daryl and looking exhausted, but very much alive. Still alive.

Nobody knew how he felt about her, how his feelings toward her had changed starting at the prison leading up to now. Least of all Beth herself. He wasn't even sure if Daryl knew. He had almost said something that morning after they found him but held back, knowing it wouldn't have made Daryl feel any better about losing her to know her loss affected him as well. And while he hardly considered them rivals for her affection, largely because neither of them knew what she felt for either of them, he was starting to get some idea watching her with Daryl.

He supposed he shouldn't have been that surprised, seeing as they'd fled the prison together and relied on each other to survive. Of course they would have grown closer. Rick knew Daryl had been infatuated with her for awhile, and by the way she'd stayed by him like a second shadow since leaving the hospital, it was safe to assume she was just as attached as he was. Rick shouldn't have been surprised, but he couldn't stop the way his heart sank as he watched them. She was pressed against his side and his arm was wrapped around her, but there was no missing the bond running between them, no getting in the middle, no dividing them from each other again.

He walked to them, deciding to keep his feelings to himself and stay out of their way, choosing to be thankful they had all survived and found each other again. If that was all he could have, it was more than he could ask for. Neither of them looked up at his approach and it was a moment before he had their attention. "You should try and rest," he told them. "We'll head north in the morning. Abraham thinks we should try for Washington anyway, and maybe he's right."

Daryl nodded wordlessly, pulling Beth tighter into his arms and staring into the fire, and Rick knew he was just trying to process everything that had happened that day. Beth lifted her head from Daryl's shoulder and looked up at Rick, the light caught in her eyes until they shone almost as bright. "Thank you," she said, "for coming back for me."

"It was all Daryl," Rick told her. "He just wouldn't give up."

"You don't give up, either."

This time, I do. He looked away for a moment, trying to put those thoughts aside and do what was right. It was her and Daryl, and he needed to accept it and move on. When he met her eyes again, she was watching him intently, as if waiting for him to say something.

He wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her so badly, but what good would it do? It wasn't fair to any of them to put that out there...but she didn't look like she wanted him to say something anymore, more like she was thinking about saying something herself. She seemed to hover for a moment, then reached up and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Sit down, Rick." Daryl's voice was almost too soft to hear, but when Rick turned his eyes to him instead, he gave him a small nod of affirmation. There was a gleam in his eyes that almost told Rick everything; he knew what was going on in Rick's head, knew exactly what he wasn't saying, and seemed to tell him it didn't change anything. Rick didn't know what pulled his gaze back to Beth, but she seemed to be looking at him with a question, still holding onto his hand.

He was too tired to think and didn't feel like second-guessing. He sat on the ground beside her and she laced her fingers through his, leaning her head against Daryl's shoulder again. He had a million and one questions racing through his head, but he looked over at his two companions and felt content to wait for answers. There was no telling how much time any of them had left in this life, but at least they had something to look forward to.