#this has been hauntin me

[crowsent]

if liara mass effect had grey skin and horns she would 100% be a maryam thank you goodnight

[dulcewrites]

Fire & Desire

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x reader (mentioned) , Aegon ii Targaryen x reader (wc: 2.2k)

Summary: Many sacrifices have been made to get Aegon on the throne. Including ones made by you

A/N: this had been sitting in my drafts for sooo long. I thought I’d revise it a bit, give me a bit of a break from fool me once. Hope y’all like it 🫶🏽🫶🏽. Sorry if there is lots of typos this was sort of posted on a whim

When Aegon becomes King, it is up to us to guild him in the right direction. To have the ear of your husband is ever important…. That may mean giving things up in return.

The words had been ringing in your head all night. Along with the image of Alicent’s uncomfortable grimace. Your instinct was the ask her what she meant by that; play silly and confused. Easily moldable and docile, the way most people like.

But you know your good mother too well for that. She knows all. You should have seen this moment coming.

The next thing you wanted to do was apologize. Tell her that you do not know how you got yourself in this predicament. But Aegon has never been one to apologize for his indiscretions, so why should you. All you can give her a curt nod.

You know she advices you without any malice. The bolstering hate you sometimes saw in Queen Alicent, the kind you see in all her children in different dosages, had cooled to a melancholy resentment over the years. She’s grown older, a bit wiser. Or maybe she is just tired.

The type of debilitating exhaustion that only women would get. Women forced to do the bidding of those around them.

It was never going to be simple. It is never easy with this family. An heir that is never around, a dead King that was never suited from the job, and a circle of scheming noblemen. Recipe for chaos and destruction.

Alicent does not have the hope to be disappointed anymore. Everything is for survival now. So much has been given up for this, and now comes your time to pay the price. Just like Alicent has.

If she knows, you can assume that means Aegon does too. He is more observant than anyone would give him for.

There are days he looks at you, and you think he can tell what you have been up to. He can look right through you and see what his brother did to you that morning, or late the night before.

Does he wonder where you run off to, the way you did with him at the beginning of your marriage. When there was a blinding and painful need to make it work. If he does know, you are surprised he has not said anything to do… or to Aemond. Aegon’s emotions flow hot and wild. Being on the opposite end of it is a sight. But then he levels off, normally numbs whatever he feels with wine or whores. He is simple in a complicated way.

If he has any inkling about what you have been doing, he has not made it known. You don’t know if that is a relief or if it hurts. None of that Targaryen madness dealt out for his wife.

Your thoughts are broken when he stalks in. Freshly washed, slight bruises on his face, and wrapped in despair.

He does now acknowledge for presence, just climbs into bed after blowing out the few candles on his side of the room. The two of you lay in silence before you feel like you will crawl out of your skin if you do not say anything.

“I will stop seeing him… in that way,” you say into the darkness, voice stronger than you thought it would be. “If that pleases you.”

You turn from your back to your side to face him; you are greeted with a eyeful of silvery hair that seems to glow in the dark. His back facing you, rigid and uncomfortable.

“Aegon, did yo-“

“I heard you the first time,” he sighs, interrupting you.

There is more silence. You continue to stare at his back, till he slowly turns to face you. Even in the dark you can see the frown on his face. The moonlight illuminating him It is like speaking with his mother all over again. Does Alicent look at Aegon and get frightened? To give birth to someone who looks so much like you but disappoints you so deeply must be haunting. A terrible mirror to have.

“I am surprised you are even admitting it,” he mutters.

You decide not to tell him that the admission comes at the behest of his mother. There is no need to add to the list of things that splitter that relationship.

“We are going to need each other, now more than never. I am willing to admit… wrongdoing and repent for it. But we both have to do that for it to work.”

Your tongue feels heavy calling whatever Aemond, and you have wrongdoing. The proper term for it does not come because you don’t know what you two are. Lovers, confidants, prisoners. It’s all the same.

The frown deep softens a bit.

“Aenar is mine.”

It comes out like statement, but you suppose it is meant to be a question. Aenar is all Aegon is best and worst ways. Sweet cherubic features and a rambunctious spirit. They even pout in the same way when they do not get what they want. They are so alike that it stupidly makes you wonder at what age he will let you down. The way his father has before him.

“He is yours,” you whisper. “A tiny terror.”

Aegon lets out a short fit of playful laughter. The affection Aegon has towards the kids is something you were constantly taken aback by. When he was around, and in his right mind, he is electric with them. It made you a bit jealous. You pushed your body to the max, and Aenar follows him like he is a god. A Targaryen God.

“But Valaena…” he trials off bitterly.

You do not answer immediately. While Aemond barely even looked at you by the time you became pregnant with Aenar, things were different by the time you had your little girl. Your relationship with Aemond sweet and syrupy. The glow of intimacy neither of you had experienced before.

“No, she is yours.”

It is easier to say that, her features still soft and indiscernible. You think she is his. You hope for his sake she is. Aegon becomes extra warm around her. Baby talk and soft looks of love.

Perhaps you hope he is for her sake as well. If Aemond thinks Valaena is his daughter, he makes no effort to show it. At first, you thought it was him being smart. Knowing that taking too much of a liking would be suspicious. Then you quickly learned he just has no interest in that part of you. Sometimes you fear he sees that extension of you, your kids, as obstacles instead.

Living and breathing embodiments of the duty you put first.

“You would really stop,” Aegon rips you from his thoughts. “Tell Aemond that it is done?”

His voice lifts intrigued. A different conversation you had with Alicent floats in your mind.

Their want for different things keeps them from expressing their love, but it is there.

“Will you stop fathering flea bottom bastards?”

Aegon scoffs at your question, but nonetheless shuffles closer to you. He smells like lemon and roses.

“This is going to be so bad,” his voice wobbles a bit.

You want to agree, because it will; it is going to be blood spilling amounts of terrible. Instead of expressing that you lean forward too.

It is how the two of you fall asleep. Foreheads pressed together, noses brushing, and slow breathes mangled together.

Is that what having your husband’s ear is like?

You know you are staring, unabashedly and grotesquely.

The only saving grace being that you are not the only one. Everyone in the dragon pit has their gaze on Aegon. Small folk watch on in confusion or admiration. Everyone on the stage hold more somber or stoic faces. Everyone accept Otto that is, who looks as pleased as you have ever seen him.

Alicent’s face is serenely flat. Helaena cannot look at her brother for too long, looking away at times. You do not dare turn to see Aemond’s reaction. Especially not after avoiding him all morning. There was a sinking feeling you got when your lady in waiting told he was outside of the door. Cowardly, you told her to tell him you were occupied. You did not know what to say to him yet.

Now all you can do if stare, and fiddle with the crisp fabric of your mute pink and gardenia dress.

It is terribly quiet in the pit. It only makes the affair even more uneasy.

There is something so devastatingly beautiful about his tear-stained face. You enjoy Aegon like this. Needy, helpless, and metaphorically flat on his back with shock and despair.

When he finally rises, Conqueror’s crown on his head, his eyes darts to everyone on stage. When his large, watery eyes finally get to you, you try to give him an encouraging smile. You are sure it reads more painful than reassuring or comforting. You bow your head expectedly.

King Aegon, Second of His Name. Gods helps you all.

The tides change once he turns to face the crowd. When the cheers start, there goes your meek Aegon. He lifts Blackfyre with a vigor you have never seen from your husband. There is a satisfaction that radiates off him. It’s stunning and terrifying to watch.

Despite everything, your eyes tear themselves away long enough to briefly glance at Aemond. If Aegon’s feeling burn fast and dissipate to light fizzles of hate, then Aemond’s resentment simmers for years, and flares when the flames are fanned.

His eyes never leave his brother’s back. Everyone enraptured by Aegon’s attitude change for different reasons.

The cheers reach their peak, and foolishly you think maybe things will be alright.

Then everything goes black.

This is going to be so bad

It is only in the comfort of his own chambers, where Aemond feels like he can finally let out the breath he has been holding in for days.

His stomach has been in knots for days, waves nausea fluttering in certain moments. It reminds him of after he first lost his eye. He would get such painful headaches that it made sick. 

Now it is not his lack of an eye ailing him, it is you.

He should have known something was wrong when you would not allow him to see you. The necklace was missing too. The sterling silver locket with a sparkling sapphire in the middle of it. You had not taken it off since he gifted it to you… till today.

Aemond knows what it means.

You could barely meet his eye, as if you think your rejection would break him. He would rather gouge his other eye out than give Aegon the satisfaction of that.

The only time you seemed aware of his presence is when you squeezed his arm when they were all face to face with Meleys. The squeeze was surprisingly strong. Though it was not a scared squeeze, it was almost reassuring. You were ready to die. You had told him one night; whispered it in the dark. You knew it would be coming, and sooner than you wanted.

“Of course, we are going to die young,” you smile with little mirth. “Think of family we are in.” 

You had only expressed sadness for your children. That you hope when that time comes someone kind will take care of them and prayed, they would remember you as a gentle mother.

What a way it would’ve been to die at the fire of dragon. You, him, his siblings, and his mother… one big happy family.

Aemond decides not to tell you that sometimes he goes in Valaena’s room and just looks. He waits for the paternal instincts to kick in. One day he expects to look and see flashes of himself. As of now all he sees is your eyes. He supposes that is the next best thing. He already must see his brother, and mini version of him that hides behind your skirts.

He has no desire to take care a child right now, and he is not even sure she is his. But to be bound to you another way would be so lovely. So many parts of him are now yours, and vice versa. What is one more?

Aemond is not mad. He finds the whole idea of a mad Targaryen a bit macabre, even for his taste.

But he sees visions of Aegon sitting the throne with you at his side as queen and thinks it would be ok to see King’s Landing up in flames. Even better if he is the one to light the fire.

He saw the way your demeanor instantly shifted. Tending to hurt small folk, telling guards where to go and what to do. There was not a lick of fear in your eyes when someone addressed you as the queen. In fact, Aemond was sure he saw a flicker of glee run through your eyes. He cannot fault the self-serving side of you. He wishes to devour it the way he wishes to devour every other part of you.

You would have never agreed to marry Aegon if this outcome was not a possibility. Giving up a chance to have your name in the history books as Queen and your son as future heir is not an opportunity you would give up. Certainly not for him. Aemond knows Rhaenyra is coming. If not his half-sister, then his uncle will be plotting and planning. So, he will do what he always does. Sit and wait. One eye firmly on his clever girl.

When the spark is finally set, he hopes you two will burn together.

[mlmxreader]

He's Still Haunting Me | Alfie Solomons x m!reader

『••✎••』

↳ ❝ "I can take on anything, everything"+"Don't tell me you love me"

[Can this one also be angst? Idk if you want to put it in war time. Maybe Alfie reminiscing on a love he lost in the trenches??] ❞

: ̗̀➛ Goliath stumbles upon some old photographs in his uncle's attic, and has some questions about the man in them.

: ̗̀➛ War, blood and gore, death, trauma, grief

•───────────────★•♛•★──────────────•

It had been years since Alfie had even seen your face; the photographs taken years ago were now collecting dust in the attic. He never thought that his nephew, Goliath, would find them; let alone throw them onto his desk and stare at his uncle with a morose, remorseful gaze.

Goliath was a good man, although his youth made him naive as to what had happened during the war; Alfie never liked to talk about it much with family, but he knew he couldn't excuse himself from it as he picked up one of the photographs with a trembling hand. He sniffled, shaking his head.

"Where'd you find these?"

"Your attic," Goliath replied, "who is he?"

Alfie sighed, dropping the photograph and running his hand down his face; already his vision was going blurry, and words seemed to fail as he struggled to regain his words properly enough to speak.

"He was the only fuckin' one who did me any good."

"Who is he?" Goliath pressed. "A friend?"

"Bit more 'an that," Alfie chuckled bitterly, sniffling as he cleared his throat and picked the photograph back up. "Remember how your mum always said that you was meant to have two uncles?"

The nephew nodded.

"He was meant to be the other one," Alfie whispered, "my mum... my mum loved him to bits..."

"Gran knew?" Goliath whispered.

Alfie nodded. "So did your mum... they knew what we was... didn't mind unlike some cunts..."

"Alfie..." Goliath frowned, furrowing his brows.

"It's alright, boy-o," Alfie held up his hand for a moment as he coughed, shaking his head. "He were my left hand, look. My fuckin' Lieutenant... went to war the very fuckin' second he found out I got conscripted... wouldn't fuckin' let me to without him... he were gonna be my husband... anywhere I went, he was fuckin' adamant he had to go, too... always fuckin' hauntin' me, that beautiful bastard."

Goliath stood up, gathering the photographs in his shaking, large hands. "I'm sorry for upsettin' you, Uncle, I just thought-"

"Sit down!" Alfie snapped, waiting for his nephew to obey before he continued, "you ought to fuckin' know about him, anyway. I was a selfish cunt for not tellin' you - that was always his thing, y'know."

"What was?"

"We was there when you was born," Alfie chuckled. "He held you when your mum slept and I... I always knew he'd have been a good dad - had the temper for it better than I ever fuckin' will."

"Mum never mentioned him."

"No," he sighed. "No one would... it still hurts..."

Alfie could still picture it even now, the sounds of the shells and the grenades roaring and spitting out flames; the feeling of the deep and wet mud vibrating and wobbling with the rumble of tanks. He could remember the white flash as Fokker DR.1 planes hunted down Airco DH.9s.

He could remember how he held you against his chest with his lips pressed to your forehead; able to feel your limp hand against his forearm. He was on his knees, eyes wide and wild and full of unshed tears; one hand cradled the side of your head, the other at your middle.

From the waist down, you were on your side, your free hand pressed against the ground as you struggled to keep yourself upright. You weren't even looking at him, the unwounded side of your head pressed against his chest while the blood on the other side seeped through his fingers.

Alfie knew.

He had killed you the second that he had allowed you to go to war with him. He had killed you, and all of his woe and his remorse could never be washed away.

He killed you.

His eyes, he could never close them the same way again; staring into nothing as he realised that he had become a monster. He had become evil; his brows were slightly scrunched together as if he were about to howl with loud sobs.

His mouth was agape as he kept rocking back and forth with your corpse, muttering under his breath.

"I can take on anything, everything, but I need you with me," he would say. "Please. Please. Don't tell me you love me, don't say anything, just don't leave me. Don't fucking leave me."

"Alfie?" Goliath cleared his throat as he swallowed thickly. "You good?"

Alfie shook his head. "I killed him."

"No."

"I let him go to the trenches," Alfie confessed, "if I'd have told him to stay with Gran and your mum... he would still be here... you'd know your other uncle..."

"How was you to know?"

"He was the smart one," Alfie huffed. "He'd have known... you would'a fuckin' loved him, can tell you that... he loved goin' up fuckin' mountains... never was a better lieutenant. Never was a better man..."

Goliath reached over as he frowned, holding his uncle's hand. "He's still here, y'know. He ain't left you."

Alfie laughed softly. "No, he ain't. He's fuckin' hauntin' me - why'd you think I'm always gettin' fuckin' daffodils in me garden? It's him! He's hauntin' me!"

Goliath laughed for a moment. "What if we puts up a memorial for him? Y'know, just for you, Mum and Gran?"

"He would've hated that," Alfie pointed out. "He never wanted nothin' more than to get me home... he didn't even see fuckin' armistice."

Goliath swallowed thickly as he let go of his uncle's hand and leaned back in his seat. "I... I'm sorry, Alfie... he meant a lot to you... and I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Alfie shook his head as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "Now, g'wan. Go put they back... we'll talk more about it later, yeah? I'll tell... I'll tell you all the things that my Lieutenant would've shot me for fuckin' sayin'."

Goliath smiled as he gathered up the photographs. He still couldn't quite believe that no one had told him about his uncle by marriage before, but he could understand why; Alfie was haunted by the war more than anyone else in the family, it made sense he didn't want to speak about losing the man he loved to it.

[fluxydrawings]

since i got inta cotl like 2 months ago a scene from my fav fic, aka Feel No Evil by the lovely @payasita, has been hauntin me causea how obsessed w it i am so i finally decided ta draw it LOL

snippet from the fic itself under the cut 👍

[dusty-pistol]

Before I start writin my cringe selfship stuff,

Has anyone else wondered about the whole "Rotary Christ" and "Ringble" thing in Dialtown? It's been on my mind an awful lot lately... I've heard other people talk about parallels to Callum and literal, ACTUAL Jesus Christ, and its gettin to the point where I can't ignore it. It's hauntin me.......

[ashes-writing-corner]

Guys I'm back with another update for Ghosts that We Knew! Finally Soap enters the story! Yes he's alive in this because screw Canon, it sucks and I've made my own!

Trigger warnings for Suicide, Suicide mention, discussion of organ transplant, and a bit of phone anxiety if you squint. Also possibly poorly translated Scottish Gaelic, I used Google Translate. It's supposed to mean "No Fucking Way".

Taglist: @stargatenovus

On to the update!

Ghosts That We Knew

Part 10- Soap

Christmas was a time of giving, and not just gift giving. It was a giving of time, charity, and unconditional love. So you were left with a question: what in the world does one give a ghost for Christmas?

There were so many different possibilities. He could want to live again, if only for a day. But unfortunately that wasn't a gift you were capable of giving. He could ask for nothing, but in your mind that wouldn't have been fair. So…what to do?

Well, ever since Ghost had brought up the name John MacTavish, you had been on a hunt for the man. Scouring the internet through countless people with the same name. You left messages for some, had to call a few others, which was incredibly jarring. You were antisocial enough. This was very much uncomfortable to you. But there was a strange mix of annoyance and relief when no one either knew what you were talking about or turned down your requests to message. You felt like a mad person trying to hunt this man down.

All of this for a dead man, and it felt like you were just wasting your time. With only a few days left before Christmas, you had no way of knowing where to find this guy your ghost seemed to know.

Until finally, someone answered your request to talk…

You had typed to the man, asking if he was John “Soap” MacTavish a few days prior, but it seemed he was only just now getting back to it.

The message was read and one was sent back. “What's left of him…who is this? How do you know my call sign?”.

When you had a slow moment at the Cafe, you were quick to introduce yourself. “HI! Thank goodness, I finally found you! My name is Y/N L/N. I know you don't know me and this is a very weird situation. But…I have a ghost haunting my apartment and I think he knows you. He's been asking after you!”.

With held breath you waited for a reply. Those three damn little dots were the bane of your existence as the man was typing a response.

“My call sign is supposed to be classified. How do you know about it?”.

Really? That's what he was worried about? You supposed it made sense though to an extent…

“Look, I know it's strange. But seriously the ghost haunting my apartment told me. Then he mentioned your name and I had to track you down. Maybe you guys knew each other at some point. I don't know. He's not been too keen on the details”.

A long pause before those damn dots appeared. Your heart hammered in your chest as you waited for an answer. An answer didn't come but instead, you landed yourself a video chat request.

Oh shit…

This was about to either go great or really, really bad. But for Ghost…you had to do it. You answered the chat, only to see who was, arguably, the most handsome man you'd seen in a long time. His dark brown hair was in a ridiculous Mohawk style, but it seemed to suit him well. He had concerned but kind eyes. You didn't fail to notice the scar on his chin, despite it being almost covered by a short well kept beard. He seemed surprised to see you too.

“Um…hi!” You gave a shy but pleasant wave, “I wasn't expecting this but-”.

“You said there's a ghost hauntin’ yer place?” He had a very nice Scottish accent that was frankly making you feel things you hadn't in a while…

You ignored it and gave a nod. “Yeah. He's been asking after you”.

“Has he shown himself? You know what he looks like?”.

“Only a few times. He's tall, skull faced…I've never seen-”.

“Holy shit, that's him. Ya got the LT hauntin’ ya. That's either a very good thing or a very bad thing. There was never an in between with ‘im”.

“So you did know him?!”.

“Sure did. We worked together, on a task force together. What I don't get is why he'd be askin’ after me…” there was a sadness in his face and tone, “it was my fault what happened”.

“I…doubt he feels that way. I think he's been wanting to see you again. He's mentioned you like twice at this point”.

“Where you at, sweetheart?” He asked and again he made you feel butterflies.

“I um…I moved here to Manchester a few years ago after my partner was killed in action. I just…needed to get away from it all. And I thought a change in scenery would help my daughter too. Things got a bit weird after I had a medical incident some time ago and he's been on again-off again haunting us since my surgery”.

“He was from there. You may have accidentally ended in his old flat” Soap replied, raising a brow in interest.

“Yeah it was his. He doesn't talk about it very often-”.

“Does he actually talk? Like…to you?”.

“Yeah! We communicate through an app on my phone! It keeps a record of everything up to about six months!” You grabbed your phone to show him the messages, scrolling to where he was mentioned.

He saw the messages and blinked in surprise. “Jesus…well…if you're worried he's gonna hurt your kid, he won't. If I know Simon-”.

“That's his name?! I'm sorry he just never told me”.

Soap nodded. “Simon Riley. His call sign was Ghost. Apparently he's still goin’ by it. Damn that's not surprising any…”.

“Simon Riley…” the name seemed to roll off your tongue perfectly.

It sounded oddly familiar. Like you should've known that was his name, and now that you knew it felt so damn obvious. Simon Riley…so familiar and yet so far away…

“What…what happened to him?” You asked, genuinely curious.

He looked hesitant for a moment, as a look of guilt and shame seemed to hit him. “Suicide. Physically Simon was at his peak, but mentally he wasn't doing very well. He had it very rough, even before becomin’ a soldier. He came from an abusive home, his family all dead…it all just took a toll. He couldn't handle it. I was the one who reported him the first time he tried. We didn't speak after that. He was pissed at me and I just…kinda left ‘im to it. Thought I did the right thing, but gettin’ ‘im kicked out didn't solve shit”.

You blinked. “It…wasn't his first try wasn't it?”.

Soap shook his head. “First time I caught him and reported it. Thought I did the right thing. I didn't expect them to discharge him. I kept tryin’ ta reach out but I didn't hear anythin’ from him. Second time, he was in a coma. That's when I was there. I tried so hard…I wanted to get ‘im back…tell ‘im I was sorry about all the mess. Even if he hated me he would've known…” he paused, those eyes of his watering, “me and the guys…we all tried. We didn't know just how messed up he was. Gaz got him to talk a few times but he outright refused to talk to me or the captain”

“Hey…” you said in a comforting tone, “what happened wasn't your fault. As you said he was troubled. And maybe that's why he's reaching out now. Maybe…maybe seeing you again can help him move on. Not that I don't appreciate his company. I do. A lot. But…he deserves to rest. Maybe we can help him and you also get some closure”.

Soap nodded looking thoughtful. “I'll see about talking to the guys and maybe we'll make our way over. Never thought I'd get a chance but…we all got a lot to say i'm sure. And if he's askin’ after me, well, it's only a matter of time before he starts asking for the others”.

“I don't think he's mad at you. He never talks bad about you. Or anyone else for that matter. Really he just talks bad about himself”.

“He shouldn't. He was a hero…in a way. In life and in death”.

“Oh?”.

“Yeah, he was an organ donor. We all are in 141st. Not a requirement but highly recommended. He gave blood regularly. Kept himself in shape. He wanted his donors to get the best they could get. His mind might not have been the best but he wanted to make sure the rest of him was”.

You blinked. “I…I suppose I shouldn't be surprised” you paused a moment, “how long ago did he die?”.

“About two years ago. Why? It was roughly around Halloween two years back. I um…wasn't at my best at that time. I actually-”.

“What hospital?” You asked.

It was beginning to click in your head. No way, this had to be some kind of crazy coincidence. There was no way.

It couldn't be…

Could it?

“I can't remember the name off the top of my head. The captain would know. I'll contact Price and see if he knows-”.

“Was it the royal infirmary?” You asked, trembling.

“I think so…why? You okay?”.

You blinked. “I um…I had a medical procedure done a few years ago. You mentioned he was an organ donor?”.

Soap blinked. “Think ya got somethin’ from ‘im?”.

“I…I think I did. But I don't know. I never looked up my donor”.

“What'd ya get? Liver? Pancreas?”.

You lowered your shirt a little so he could see the top of the scar on your chest. Soap went wide eyed.

“Holy shit…gun dóigh air choireigin…” he somehow managed to pick his jaw off the floor, “okay that settles it, I need to meet you. Listen, I need you to find out the truth though. I need you to find out about your donor because this is really fucking insane…”.

“You think he was my donor?”.

Soap looked at you with a serious expression. “I think he was. But it's best that you get confirmation. This is meta as all hell…”

“You're um…you're telling me. You actually want to meet me?”.

“I do. And so do the guys I think. We were all there that night. I think they'd all be very interested in meeting you. Please…I know it's crazy but if you could find out your donor…please do. He didn't have any family so you're actually entitled to that information. And if I recall correctly, he may have left a little somethin’ for you”.

“For me?”

“He wrote notes, letters for his donors in case if he was KIA or somethin’. This definitely counts. I'll talk to the guys and we'll be in touch, alright?”.

You nodded, unable to speak. This was insanity. Who would've thought a haunting would connect you to so many people?

“Alright. I guess I'll see you soon then? I think it's best we meet outside the apartment first. I can give you the address to my Cafe if that's okay?”.

“Yeah that's perfect! You…stay safe. Don't tell him we're coming alright?”.

“Wasn't planning to. This was supposed to be a Christmas thing anyway”.

Soap nodded. “Got it! Thank you! Seriously thank you for reachin’ out. We'll be in touch! I'll see you in a few days!”.

You ended the call and were left speechless. There was no way. Ghost…Simon…he couldn't be your donor…

Could he?

Hey guys if you like this story please feel free to like, comment, and please reblog! If you want feel free to follow as well ^^ I write both fanfiction and original works ^^ thanks for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

[twilightmalachite]

MIRAGE - The Most Beautiful Mirror in the World 7

Author: Akira

Characters: Koga, Hinata

Translator: Mika Enstars

"Anyways. Yuuta’s a livin’, breathin’ minefield right now, so don’t go touchin’ him carelessly, ‘kay?"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Winter

Location: Downtown

Koga: Oh. Ain’t that Yuuta over there by the convenience store?

What’s up with that guy… I take my eyes off him for a bit, and his hair’s already grown stupidly long… Well, I guess it’s for that “Aoi Byakuya” thing?

Huh, I feel like it’s been the first time in a while since I’ve seen him around downtown…

I dunno if it’s to suck up to the agency higher-ups, but it’s been all work, work, and more work with him.

You guys are usually always hauntin’ the premises, but not at all lately, huh?

Hinata: Haunting? Don’t make us sound like ghosts!

Koga: Huh… I’ve been nose-deep in thesauruses and stuff for songwritin’, so I think my vocabs gotten a little strange.

Hinata: That’s good, right~? Sakuma-senpai also has a pretty rich vocabulary. Sometimes I can’t even understand what he’s saying!

Koga: ‘Scuse me? Now tell me what’s exactly “good” about being similar to Sakuma-senpai?

Hinata: Jeez~, I can never tell what’ll set you off. It’s clear as day you’re influenced by him all the way down to your demeanor, but it’s crossing a line to say you’re similar to him…

Koga: I respect him, not ripping him off!

Hinata: Don’t see a difference, but okay~.

Hinata: More importantly, Yuuta-kun—Where is he? What’s he up to? He’s been leaving me on read for ages now so I don’t got a clue what he’s been up to…!

Koga: You guys get along, y’hear? You’re family after all.

Hinata: I’m packed full of determination to get along with my family, though! I even talk to my father on the phone regularly! Is it not good enough!?

Koga: You’re fine, you’re fine. Nobody’s accusin’ you of anythin’, you’re doin’ just fine.

If anythin’, you’re doin’ too fine. Worryin’ about a teenager’s mental well-being isn’t even the big brother’s job in the first place.

Hinata: But when it comes to Yuuta-kun, I need to look after every part of him!

Koga: Nobody’s askin’ ya to do that, y’know.

Anyways. Yuuta’s a livin’, breathin’ minefield right now, so don’t go touchin’ him carelessly, ‘kay?

Seems he’s just eatin’ some convenience store sweets with a friend, so there’s no reason to worry.

Seems like the atmosphere is good, don’t go ruinin’ it. I was a lot like Yuuta when I was in middle-school, so I feel like I can kinda understand him.

Like that the entire world was out to get me. Even kind words spoken to me felt agitating enough to ignite a fire.

At times like that, the people around me could only watch without interferin’.

Hinata: Hmm… I don’t want that~. I’m so worried.

In that case, Oogami-senpai, how did you figure out how to disable that minefield-mode?

Koga: Well, I discovered rock n’ roll. Or in other words, Sakuma-senpai.

I got completely hooked on it and focused desperately on brushin’ up my guitar skills. Before I knew it, all that frustration in my gut disappeared completely.

Hinata: I guess it went fine for you since you work pretty simply, Oogami-senpai… Maybe it’s ‘cuz my Yuuta-kun is very sensitive…?

Koga: Who the hell you callin’ a simple idiot, haah?

Ah, whatever. It ain’t my place to get all irritated at shit like that.

I can at least do that much, or well, that’s about all I can do.

Actually, you should be movin’ your hands, not your mouth, you idiot.

Hinata: Yessir! But why’re we rummaging bargain bins for old-timey CD sales anyways? Is there something on that CD you want?

In this age I feel it’d be easier and faster to just download them off the internet.

Koga: That’s what I usually do, but in this case, I need the physical CD.

I only vaguely remember it, but I recall this CD’s booklet havin’ an interview of a certain idol published in it…

These things aren’t usually posted on the web in their entirety, I think.

But it’s just a memory from when I was a little brat. It’s possible I’m just misrememberin’ things.

Hinata: Hmm… I’ve heard of this “certain idol” before though, and… I dunno, they don’t seem to be the type of idol you’d like, Oogami-senpai. Aren’t they sort of flashy?

Koga: It’s not that I like ‘em. It’s an old CD of this shallow idol that my parents had.

I wanted to listen to somethin’ new but had no money of my own back then, so I was like, “whatever, I’ll give it a try”.

Hinata: Don’t worry Oogami-senpai, I won’t make fun of you even if you were a fan of those cute glittery female idols as a little boy!

You don’t have to hide it!

Koga: I’m not hidin’ anythin, and we’re not even lookin’ for a female idols’ CD! What kind of person you tryna make me into, you bastard?

Koga: …Oh, here it is. Wow, really takes me back…

Idol from back then were always half-naked for some reason, huh. What the hell is this fashion sense?

Hinata: Oh I see, so this naughty CD was your sexual awakening, Oogami-senpai?

Koga: It ain’t naughty in the first place. This sorta thing was just considered artistic back then.

Anyways, give it a look. See the person on the cover?

Hinata: Nyooo~, my senior is trying to show me something naughtyyy~! I’m being harassed~! ♪

Koga: Cut that out. I’m not tryna joke around, this is relevant to you guys.

Hinata: To us? Wait, hold on… The person on the CD cover looks kinda familiar?

Isn’t this that one producer? He’s thicker now for sure, but that’s his face, isn’t it?

Koga: Yup. The same one that Yuuta’s been bad-mouthing indiscriminately, the “evil boss” that made you guys miserable.

Looks like he was definitely what one would consider to be a “top idol” back in the day.

‘Cause of that, they’re well-liked by all sorts of industry bigwigs, even though they’re a producer now.

[ ☆ ]

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[rising-lotus]

The Hunt, 3/2/22

Logs from a hunt based roleplaying event! Rising and crew travel to the Fringes, something has been terrorizing the people at night! They say it’s the spirit of a deceased magitech colossus named Bellator that caused a ruckus a few months back, but Rising isn’t so sure...

Rising Lotus stood waiting for the group, eyes straining to read a map as daylight was quickly fading. "Oh good." she looked up at the group as they approached, tucking the map away. "Was gettin' some more infor 'bout what we're after. Somehow I doubt it'd be the spirit of a machine, even if it is the one I'm thinkin' off..."

Augusta Aventurine gazes upon you in deep reflection.

Riylli Aliapoh: "I'd suggest makin' a visit to Stillglade Fane. The teachers there would be able to help you get through a mental block if that's your issue, and if not then they'd at least be able to tell you what the issue is! If theres anything good about Gridania it's that place."

Augusta Aventurine: "The flyer did say something about a machine... is it a leftover Garlean machina from the war?"

Reille Halleina: "It's probably just imperial desserters."

Zoronado Tatanado beams at Riylli Aliapoh.

Ziv Zorasch: "I've battled many spirits any many machines but never the spirit of a machine..."

Ziv Zorasch seems lost in thought.

Rising Lotus: "Well, the locals are sayin' it's the ghost of a magitech that caused a ruckus back there sometime back, which I can only assume they mean is Bellator." she crossed her arms. "But we know his remains were takin' away..an' if he did, or does have a spirit, I don't think he'd be hauntin' people, let alone killin' 'em in the night."

You draw your weapon before Augusta Aventurine.

Ziv Zorasch furrows his brow.

Augusta Aventurine ponders over you.

Zoronado Tatanado does a backflip.

Riylli Aliapoh: "Probably a voidsent, the Twelveswood is full of 'em. This may not be the forest proper, but I doubt they'd care"

Rising Lotus: "Stay on you're guard, we ain't know what we're up against. I'm assumin' some sort of broken garlean thing, but we'll see. We're headed southward, to some place called Dimworld. I've heard it's swampy so try to stay on the path."

Augusta Aventurine nods to you.

Ziv Zorasch made a sour expression at Rising's explanation, feeling the power welling up inside him as his emotions simmered. "A populace terrorized. Innocent lives lost. Say no more." He reached into the darkness of his heart and conjured a katana for protection.

Riylli Aliapoh: "I wonder if a voidsent can posess a Garlean mech... I cant think of a reason why they couldnt"

Rising Lotus: "They're in statues an' stuff, so maybe?"

Ziv Zorasch: "It wouldn't surprise me. Voidsent have a way of working their corruption into all sorts of things..."

Reille Halleina: "It could certainly pass as a body by voidsent qualifications."

Augusta Aventurine seems lost in thought.

Rising Lotus looks around the swampy area, a light fog hiding most of the broken woods. "...well this certainly looks like some place you'd find somethin' like that. Wonder what happened down here."

Augusta Aventurine: "I wonder what kind of voidsent could possess a magitech..."

Reille Halleina passes by Zoro and whispers "BOO!"

Zoronado Tatanado smirks confidently at Reille Halleina.

Zoronado Tatanado: "It'll take more than that to spook a Bulwark Knight!"

Riylli Aliapoh: "I love a good swamp... Hey, you guys wanna see something cool?" Riylli asks excitedly

Augusta Aventurine nods to Riylli Aliapoh.

Augusta Aventurine: "I do!"

Ziv Zorasch ponders over Riylli Aliapoh.

Zoronado Tatanado ponders over Riylli Aliapoh.

Reille Halleina feels like this might be a loaded question coming from Riylli. "Suuure."

Rising Lotus | While it was still dusk, the fog and trees of the Dimwood make it quite dark. "Hmm...should've brought some lanterns..." she glances to Riylli. " It might attract attention...so sure. Maybe you'll lure it out."

Riylli Aliapoh needs little encouragement to show off, so with Augusta's response she eagerly rushes to the side of the swamp and pulls out a shard of crystal from her pocket. Those familiar might recognize it as the golem core shard she uses to summon her familiar. Her ringbands begin to glow, and she tosses it into the swamp

Rising Lotus: "The locals say they see red eyes in the fog before it strikes, see keep an' eye out for that though. Wheter they're eyes or jus', lights? Like from magitech?"

Augusta Aventurine scans the area around Riylli Aliapoh.

Zoronado Tatanado: "Careful... I think these are goosefish waters. They'll grab you by the leg and drag you into the muck if you're not careful."

Riylli Aliapoh waits there for a second as the water glows, then out crawls a little goopy friend!

Riylli Aliapoh: "Ta-da!"

Augusta Aventurine motions joyfully to the mudpie.

Augusta Aventurine: "That's a cute little guy!"

Ziv Zorasch looks around.

Reille Halleina: "Ah, it's a little mudperson."

Rising Lotus: "Hmm, would've figured it'd be to watery to do that. Looks pretty neat, maybe it can throw itself in the beast's eyes to blind it!"

Ziv Zorasch stayed on the lookout for potential threats--his green eyes darting alertly around the shadowy corners of the swamp which he otherwise found quite comfortable.

Riylli Aliapoh: "It needs a name, if anyone's got any ideas. The dirt golem I named Pummel"

Augusta Aventurine gazes upon the mudpie in deep reflection.

Rising Lotus: "Uhh...Rolling Filth."

Reille Halleina: "Hmmmm, Riylli, I thought you were trying to avoid water aether, your little friend seems a little damp." Reille sounds more than a little smug.

Augusta Aventurine: "Hmmm, how about... Squirmel!"

Zoronado Tatanado: "I'd go with Podorodo."

Atreus Sergius has logged in.

Zoronado Tatanado keeps a watchful eye over his surroundings.

Riylli Aliapoh crosses her arms and glares at Reille. "Not my fault mud holds water so well y'know."

Ziv Zorasch tries hard to concentrate.

(Riylli Aliapoh) (I like how Rising and Zoro gave race appropriate names))

Reille Halleina smiles patronizingly at Riylli, "It's almost as if aether works better when balanced."

Riylli Aliapoh: "Hmm... All good names, but none of them feel *right*. Lets keep goin' for the bounty, and if y'get anymore ideas shout 'em out!"

Augusta Aventurine nods to Riylli Aliapoh.

Rising Lotus nods. "Aye, stay to the bridge, by the looks of that fella you could get your foot stuck in there."

Augusta Aventurine concentrates on the mudpie.

Riylli Aliapoh: "It IS balanced. Earth and earth. How can y'get more balanced than that!"

Zoronado Tatanado is taken aback.

Zoronado Tatanado: "Did you see that?!"

Augusta Aventurine: "Hm? See what?"

Reille Halleina mutters to herself, "Honestly, I've met rocks more stubborn than that child."

A question springs to Ziv Zorasch's mind.

Zoronado Tatanado: "Over there!"

Zoronado Tatanado points.

Riylli Aliapoh || The mud blob follows at Riylli's feet, climbing up onto the docks and immediately slipping through the cracks into the water below

Zoronado Tatanado: "Oh it's... just a goosefish."

Ziv Zorasch snaps his fingers, causing the inside of the Pumpkin Butler's head to illuminate and light up the way a little.

Augusta Aventurine looks around.

Reille Halleina: ((less stubborn ack))

Ziv Zorasch fails to understand Zoronado Tatanado.

Zoronado Tatanado beams at the Pumpkin Butler.

Rising Lotus | as the group continued onward through the swampwood, they'd pass more broken trees, magitech long abandoned along with the occasional soldier remains. There was also the sounds of what lurked in the dark, animal or otherwise scurrying and rustling about.

Augusta Aventurine: "Hmm... wonder if there's any ceruleum left in them..."

Rising Lotus: "Hmm..nothin' but trees an' broken shite. Maybe folks an' chocobos are jus' gettin' stuck in the mud..."

(Zoronado Tatanado) This is the way

Ziv Zorasch closed his eyes and tried to hone his senses to reach out for any signs of a nearby dark presence.

Zoronado Tatanado adjusts his grip on his sword. "It's rarely that simple..."

Reille Halleina hangs back to see if she sense anything amiss with the aether in the Dimwold swamp around them. Or steps other than the footfall of their small party.

Riylli Aliapoh sniffs the wind

Augusta Aventurine looked about, for any signs of a big moving magitek device.

Rising Lotus | The groups searching would be mostly fruitless. The smell of swamp covered up anything too out of the ordinary, or perhaps there prey just lurked around here too much? There were a few piles of magictech scrap sticking out of the waters, a strange amount at that. The aether wouldn't feel to out of the ordinary.

(Rising Lotus) Ziv give me a roll))

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 912.

(Zoronado Tatanado) "Legolas! What do your elf eyes see?!"

Rising Lotus | Ziv however would definitely feel something off! Coming towards one of the piles of scrap in the water...

Ziv Zorasch takes a moment of silence.

Reille Halleina sighs in frustration at sensing nothing out of the ordinary. "Maybe we should start looking for a bandit camp?"

Ziv Zorasch: "It's near. That heap of debris."

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Augusta Aventurine ponders over Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine looks around.

Ziv Zorasch would point out to them the wreckage that had the weird energy.

Ziv Zorasch points.

Augusta Aventurine draws her weapon.

Reille Halleina: "Which heap. there are so many."

Ziv Zorasch: "A dark presence. Be on guard. Maybe it is a spirit after all..."

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine: "If Ziv says there's something, it's good enough for me!"

(Reille Halleina) *Reille gets smacked in the face with a giant sword*))

Zoronado Tatanado looks around.

Rising Lotus | The very heap would started rustling and rumbling, something started to raise out of the water. It was massisve, definitely the size of a magitech colossus! Two glowing red eyes blinked open and looked at the group, followed by a gutteral roar! It started stomping toward the group, and as the moonlight peeking through the trees hit their mark, it's idently was revealed!

Zoronado Tatanado readies for battle.

Rising Lotus While it was a voidsent, it was...much less elegant than something possesing a broken piece of tech. A muud Suud must of wandered into the Fringes, using the scraps of garlean infintry as makeshift armor! It started lumbering toward the group, but luckily they were able to find it before it got the jump on them!

(Rising Lotus) Pic of it in the event chat!

Rising Lotus draws her axe as the ground started to tremble, looking up at the giant voidsent. "Well looks like you were right!" she smirked as she glanced at Riylli. "..that is a voidsent right? With them glowin' eyes?"

Riylli Aliapoh readies her staff and immediately begins to channel, the muddy familiar sifting up through the cracks in the planks and casually spinning in mid air besides Riylli. "YEET" Riylli flicks her staff forward and sends her friend flying towards the enemy's eyes (hopefully)

Augusta Aventurine looks at the newcomer. "That's one big voidsent... and is that..." she squints her eyes. "Rusty, metal pieces of magitek on it? No wonder people thought it was a magitek."

Reille Halleina mutters to herself as she draws her rapier, "This is what I get for spacing out through X'rhun's lectures. Oblivious to voidsent."

Ziv Zorasch: "Wretched brute! Hold nothing back. If it is voidsent then I might be able to consume it once it's weak enough."

(Rising Lotus) Some special rules for tonight! As the foe is partially armored, any rolls 400 or under will be blocked and will do no damage! Although, if someone's attack manages to hit over 900, then he'll lose some armor, lowering the nondamage number!))

Zoronado Tatanado didn't hesitate to leap off the bridge to put himself between this unholy beast and his team. "RANANOOORRRAAAGH!" He slammed his sword against his shield, sending bright sparks all around in an attempt to gain--and keep-- its attention!

Rising Lotus |The mud golem hits him in the face, but the beast has been wallowing in mud. It seems unaffected.

(Riylli Aliapoh) fool, the extra mud will only make my familiar more dangerous

(Rising Lotus) Alright combat start! For those that wern't here last week, if you're going to attack give me a /random after your post!))

(Reille Halleina) do we have turns?))

(Rising Lotus) It'll go ally turn, and then enemy turn, and then repeat!

Augusta Aventurine looked around and then jumped to the tree to her left. Bouncing off it, she dove spearfirst towards the voidsent, aiming for the unarmored parts of it.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 976.

Rising Lotus hopped off the wooden bridge, charging toward the beast with her axe barred. She veered to its flank at the last moment, swinging wise and aiming at it's leg.

(Rising Lotus) Random! 551

Ziv Zorasch raised his greatsword high above his head with a deep breath, drawing on the dark energy that was replete in the swamp. The air around him grew thick with dark energy as waves of shadowy energy rippled from the greatsword and crashed into their enemy like a wave.

Riylli Aliapoh: "Go little guy! Try to get in its nose or something!" She calls out to her splatted friend, and those with a keen eye would see her familiar's face shifting around in the mud that covers the voidsent. Doing as it's told, the face travels up towards the nose and attempts to plug it up, being more of an annoyance than a danger

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 535.

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Can I still take the 500

(Rising Lotus) Yes! Thank you, if you don't want to chance it, you can always take a flat 500 for your roll))

Zoronado Tatanado did his best to provoke the best, raising his glimmering sword high above his head (which would be waist high for everyone else) and setting the blade ablaze with a bright but silent and odorless white flame!

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 539.

Reille Halleina summons a swarm of seven small aether rapiers around her. She twirls her rapier like a baton, then points it at the void sent sending her rapiers out to impale it.

(Reille Halleina) random

Random! Reille Halleina rolls a 488.

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

(Rising Lotus) woops

(Reille Halleina) I remember how to do commands in the critically acclaimed mmo))

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

.

Rising Lotus | The Iron Suud had its arms raised like it was about to strike, but the squirming mud trying to cram its way up the voidsent's nose caused it to stagged. While it struggled with the pint sized annoyed, it let out a pained roar as Rising's attack made contact, making a light gash against it's muscled thigh. It then was barraged with not only magical rapier lightly piercing its skin, but Ziv's dark wave of magic! >

Rising Lotus All of this left if perfectly open for Gusta's plummeting spear attack, her spear driving deep into the beast's shoulder. Using it's opposite arm as it screeched and wailed, it would attempt to swipe Gusta off. After finally snot-rocketing the mud golem to the ground, the first thing it saw was Zoro's bright sword, and bringing both fists together, it started to bring them down in his direction!

(Rising Lotus) Can I get a roll from Gusta and Zoro?))

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 28.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 989.

(Riylli Aliapoh) hes DEAD

(Augusta Aventurine) OwO ""

(Zoronado Tatanado) RIP spudknight

Rising Lotus | As it swiped Gusta off it knocked some of it's armor off as well!

(Rising Lotus) Gusta gracefully avoids the swipe and is set up for a counter attack! +100 to their next roll. Zoro is getting very heavily hit, and loses their next attack.

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

(Rising Lotus) Also! You can use your attack to defend someone! You lose your attack for that turn though, as you're using the roll to defend them.

Ziv Zorasch moved in quickly to take some of the heat off of Zoro, winding up and delivering a discus slash at the giant's leg. His blade trailed with black particles as the shadows coalesced into a tangible weapon.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 597.

(Rising Lotus) Basically Cravs rules if you'd done combat events with them xD))

Augusta Aventurine takes a breath as she finds herself up against a tree after getting thrown back, her feet positioned and ready to pounce on the foe. She takes lance in hand and aims for the nape of the neck of the giant voidsent. (Or assuming there's armor there, some open spot)

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 545.

Zoronado Tatanado had just enough time to raise his shield and brace himself for the double-whammy, disappearing in a cloud of dirt and mud when the fists slammed down where he was standing! When the Suud lifted his hands, Zoro was on his back, and halfway buried.

Riylli Aliapoh: "Hey! That's rude! How's'about I show you the fruits of my training!" She yells at the voidsent, then begins to gather aether into her staff. The mudsplat on the ground begins to gurgle and grow in size, more and more mud being drawn towards it including what remained on the voidsent's body. "Now!" Riylli calls out and lifts her staff high. With a flash of golden aether a humanoid form bursts upwards from the mud, with long limbs and a dripping grin. It attempts to go for a rising uppercut-

Riylli Aliapoh: -as it bursts from the ground, but can Riylli hold its form long enough?

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 110.

Riylli Aliapoh: THE ANSWER IS NO, and the fist fizzles back into mud as the mudman tries to throw its punch

Reille Halleina begins conjuring a ball of wind in her left fist until it becomes a small cyclone she shakes off her hand and it begins rippling on the ground beside her. She continues to coax the cyclone into a bigger and bigger shape until it is the size of Ziv. Then she flourishes her rapier at Iron Suud and sends the cyclone rushing across the ground towards it.

Random! Reille Halleina rolls a 823.

Rising Lotus feinted backwards after the suud attacked. Unable to get to Zoro's aid in time, she raised her axe high and lept towards its arm, bring her weapon down with all her weight on the voidsent's limb.

(Rising Lotus) Random! 689

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

(Augusta Aventurine) think I'm too far and missed some rolls, lol

Ziv Zorasch: "Zoro! Are you stuck?"

Ziv Zorasch expresses his worry with Zoronado Tatanado.

(Riylli Aliapoh) (want me to repost?

(Augusta Aventurine) if you'd like, but it's okay XD. I'll probably find out what's going on in a sec. ))

(Riylli Aliapoh) (The tldr is Riylli summoned a mudman, but its fist fizzled as it went for a punch

(Reille Halleina) and a Ziv sized cyclone

(Augusta Aventurine) poor mudman ))

(Reille Halleina) and Zoro is on it's back

Zoronado Tatanado: "Uuugh.... nngh... 'tis.... b-but a scratch...!"

Rising Lotus | Raising its fists right after bonking poor Zoro into oblivion, it was left open to the groups attacks, Rising managing to give it another decent sized gash on its arm, while the dark slashes to its other leg caused it to stagged for a moment, but the beast's hulking form rose one more! The nape of its neck didn't have armor, but the natural scales prevented Gusta's attack from doing too much damage. >

Rising Lotus | While the mudman had heart, his aim wasn't up to par. The punch hit a piece of armor squaredly before it burst back to mud and the voidsent was unphased. The suud's arms were raised over its face as the wind gave it several little knicks, but with a mighty roar it broke the windy barrage! >

Rising Lotus | Squatting down for a few moments, it suddenly leapt a surprisingly high amount in the air. While it looked flabby under that armor, it must bepretty ripped! It Drove itself back down to the ground with a mighty crash, anyone in melee range in danger, while those in the distance would have to worry about mud and debris getting flung in their direction!

(Rising Lotus) Everyone defensive roll.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 850.

(Rising Lotus) Random! 283

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 259.

Random! Reille Halleina rolls a 531.

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 877.

(Riylli Aliapoh) Random! 92

(Reille Halleina) I'LL SAVE HER

(Riylli Aliapoh) HOW DARE

(Reille Halleina) LET ME DO IT

(Rising Lotus) Alright give me another roll

Random! Reille Halleina rolls a 139.

(Reille Halleina) WE DIE TOGETHER

(Riylli Aliapoh) QUICK SOMEONE ELSE SAVE HER SO SHE CAN SAVE RIYLLI

(Rising Lotus) Who's all in melee range, Rising Ziv and gusta?))

(Ziv Zorasch) yeah))

(Augusta Aventurine) I'd think so, Augi may jump off it's body after getting her strike in, but she would probably be close enough? ))

(Rising Lotus) Alright!

(Zoronado Tatanado) Couldn't Zoro save Riylli since she's right next to him?

(Rising Lotus) Ziv avoids damange, Gusta takes a glancing blow, and Rising takes damage and loses her turn.

Ziv Zorasch threw up his hand as the giant came down, pulling the shadows over him as a shield that he could be seen letting disippate as the dust settled from the attack.

(Rising Lotus) Zoro is safe, Reille gets battered by some mud, and Riyll would of got decked by a stump but we'll let Reille's defense through anyway! She doens't get an attack this turn though!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Is Riylli the she without an attack

(Reille Halleina) Reille I think

(Rising Lotus) Yeah for Reilli, Riylli gets an attack now!

Augusta Aventurine grits her teeth as she felt the blow through her armor. It may have been pretty but didn't have quite the durability her spiky armor had. She found herself near the others. Not bothering to jump this time, she put all her strength into a powerful thrust, hoping to break the beast's defenses and penetrate its scales.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 984.

Rising Lotus was about to strike once more, but as her weapon was swung the voidsent lept upwards! She stumbled a bit, awkwardly trying to dodge backwards, but she didn't make it into. The impact shot her backwards, tumbling to her back in the mud with a groan.

Reille Halleina uses a burst of aether to dash across the field and impales a tree stump with her rapier before it hits Riylli.  Reille and the stump land several feet away from. Her sword is logged deeply inside the stump. "Riylli, are you okay?"

(Rising Lotus) Sword in the stump

Riylli Aliapoh unfortunately (or purposefully) doesn't really notice Reille's valiant rescue as she is too focused holding her mudman's form. It was not a real golem, more like an enkindling of a familiar, and it required her to maintain a constant feed of aether that she was not well experienced in yet. The mudman looks sadly at its lost hand, and Riylli shakes her head. "Don't worry, you still got the other one! Go for a chokehold!" She calls out, the mudman nodding before slithering around the voidsent-

Riylli Aliapoh -and hooking its arm around the beasts neck.

Random! Riylli Aliapoh rolls a 639.

Riylli Aliapoh glances over to Reille and gives a huff. "I didn't need your help. I woulda dodged it y'know." She lies without any sense of hesitation or remorse

(Riylli Aliapoh) (I ALWAYS FEEL BAD HAVING RIYLLI BE MEAN TO REILLE

Zoronado Tatanado could feel it-- a sharp pain in his chest, right beneath the dent in his breastplate. He grit his teeth and endured the pain, plucking his feet from the ground to charge at the fiend to drive his blade into where its dangly bits would be!

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 931.

Ziv Zorasch felt the need to press the attack. Having enjoyed the feeling of his blade sinking into the giant, he cleaved at the beast's leg again with a surge of strength as his Blood Weapon activated, channeling his very own life force into his sword arm to empower the attacks.

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 534.

Reille Halleina makes an unladilike snort of disgust at Riylli and rolls her eyes. Then struggles to get her rapier out of the stump.

(Reille Halleina) SOMEDAY MAYBE Riylli will find her manners))

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

(Rising Lotus) damnit

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

(Rising Lotus) the macro has a sword on it you'd thing I'd know the difference xD

(Rising Lotus) Reille Give me a roll

Random! Reille Halleina rolls a 387.

Rising Lotus Try as she might, Reille' sword remains stuck in the stump, looks like she'd be without it for now. As the beast lurched forward it was stopped by the mudman's arm, grappling with the golem and being kept distracted for Ziv to keep slashing away at the beast's side. Gusta's spear once again hit its target deeply, while Zoro would slip between it's trunk like legs and hit some soft spots, great cuts along its undercaridge now!

Rising Lotus the onslaught from the two caused more armor to fall into the swamp with a splash, it didn't have much left now! The party could tell its stamina was fading, but it still wasn't out yet! It thrashed around until the mud man would let go, and then threw it's massive claws around it's body, not aiming really but hoping to hit anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby!

(Rising Lotus) Ziv and Gusta can I get a roll? Zoro is safe since he's underneath his legs!

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 840.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 439.

(Rising Lotus) Ziv is once again safe! Gusta would get lightly clipped but is still in the fight!

(Rising Lotus) <se.4> !!![Attack Resume!]!!!

(Rising Lotus) Also he lost more armor with those two 900s! Only attacks 100 or less will be ignored now!

Zoronado Tatanado didn't even realize he couldn't lift his shield arm over his waist anymore. He tightened his grip on his sword and went for a gash on the leg, choosing to drive it deep until only the hilt of his blade remained!

Random! Zoronado Tatanado rolls a 273.

Augusta Aventurine tried to block the attack with her spear, but found those claws of his pushing against her, knocking her back a few feet. She was starting to feel the damage, but her adrenaline didn't let her stop. She charged forward and jumped. Now that it was tired out, she hoped she could hit one of its eyeballs.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 891.

Rising Lotus rolled from her back, coated in the nasty smelling mud. "Gods damned arsehole...that anyone would think you had any relation to Bellator..." she steeled herself, teeth grit as there was a bit of a red spark in her eyes. She charged back into the fray, letting out a battle cry as prepared to slam her axe down once more!

Random! You roll a 923.

Riylli Aliapoh cannot hold it anymore, releasing her spell and allowing the mudman to melt back down into a simple familiar. "Ugh... More trouble than its worth." She mutters, then taps her staff against the ground to call out to the earth below, summoning forth her axe. She walks over to the stump that holds Reille's sword, lifts her axe, and swings it down to chop it in half. She makes no comment while doing this of course

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Lets jsut pretend like she was wearing this outfit the whole time

(Riylli Aliapoh) (LIFE WAS SO MUCH SIMPLER WHEN RIYLLI ONLY HAD ONE OUTFIT

(Zoronado Tatanado) Suddenly started raining lalafell over here so if I disappear let's just say Zoro got stepped on and died

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Oh also Im not attacking this turn

(Rising Lotus) o7

Ziv Zorasch kept his feet planted, finding plenty of darkness around him to create another barrier. Shards of darkness like broken glass were scattered everywhere as the monster's claw shattered the barrier, just as Ziv wanted. Gathering the shadows around his greatsword, he plunged the weapon directly into the beast's lower abdomen.

(Rising Lotus) Gimme a roll ziv!

Random! Ziv Zorasch rolls a 901.

(Rising Lotus) jesus our rolls this round

(Ziv Zorasch) dark mode ziv came to whoop ass

Reille Halleina is covered in mud struggling to pull her sword from the stump, but the stump seems unlikely to yield it. Reille is shocked when Riylli joins her and conjurers a boulder axe to chop the stump. Reille is splattered in more mud in the process, but her sword is free. "Th-thank you," Reille says stunned her expression inscruitable from all the mud.

(Zoronado Tatanado) The power of friendship and also this gun we found

(Rising Lotus) <se.1> !!![Something is happening! Please keep to banter!]!!!

Riylli Aliapoh just grumbles incoherently

Rising Lotus the voidsent continued on despite Zoro's sword driven into its leg. Rising's attack manages to make major contact hower, cleaving the suud's leg open, along with, to her suprise, splintering the ground open near the voidsent's left leg. As it dropped to one knee Ziv had the perfect angle to skewer the beast, making through all those hard ab muscles and into it's innards. The beasts Screams echoed through the Dim wood until Gusta's spear pierced its skull.

Of the 84 parties currently recruiting, all match your search conditions.

(Riylli Aliapoh) UH

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Reille is missing her sword

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Shes posing but its still sheathed

(Rising Lotus) *Dim wood ))

(Riylli Aliapoh) (WAIT SO IS ZIV

(Reille Halleina) photos or it isn't .... REILLE))

(Riylli Aliapoh) (I get the impression that my ssd is actively in the process of dying

Rising Lotus The voidsent remained there motionless for a few moments before its body started breaking down in black miasma. It fell forward towards the group, but the only thing that hit the ground was its remaining armor, the body dissapearing in a puff of black smoke.

Ziv Zorasch celebrates victory.

Augusta Aventurine celebrates victory.

Augusta Aventurine looks around.

Riylli Aliapoh lets her axe dissolve and walks over to find her mudball friend. "Nice job out there!" She says to it, reaching out with an arm so it can crawl up onto her shoulder

Ziv Zorasch stabbed his greatsword into the ground, allowing it to melt away into black particles that faded into the darkness of the forest.

Augusta Aventurine searched for Zoro, having been too focused on the fight to keep track of him, she wondered where he was. "Zoro?" She said in a soft voice, the hits she took taking their toll as she looked for him.

Reille Halleina kicks an empty piece of magitek plating that had been part of the suud's armor. "I just washed my hair!"

Rising Lotus panted, a bit dumbfounded as she looked at the crater her strike just made. "...Well the spirit of 'Bellator' will haunt this place no longer." she stood her axe upright as she rubbed her back. "Everyone alright, Zoro?" she eyed the Lalafell, taking the major strike of the night.

Ziv Zorasch: "Damage report! Are we all in once piece?"

Augusta Aventurine nods to Ziv Zorasch.

Augusta Aventurine: "A couple of bruises but not too bad... "

Augusta Aventurine expresses her worry with Zoronado Tatanado.

You confuse Ziv Zorasch.

Zoronado Tatanado pulled his blade out and managed to sheathe it with one fluid motion. He limbed around the beast back to the group, and tried to wave to everyone with his shield arm, but his shoulder was lower than it should be, and his arm just kinda... swung a little.

Ziv Zorasch: "Bellator...you don't mean -our- Bellator?"

Augusta Aventurine stares at Zoronado Tatanado in fear.

Augusta Aventurine: "Zoro!"

Zoronado Tatanado smiles weakly at Augusta Aventurine.

Augusta Aventurine: "Your arm, what happened?"

Riylli Aliapoh: "Ow..."

Zoronado Tatanado: "I think my collarbone snapped. Is anyone else hurt...?"

Rising Lotus winced a bit as she definitely had ANOTHER bruise in the making on her back. "The locals thought it was his spirit..he caused a ruckus at the castrum before he died, when Florus escaped."

Reille Halleina rushes to Zoronado her field medic training kicking in, "Let's take a look, Zoro."

Riylli Aliapoh sighs, and reluctantly glances over to Reile. "Can you heal with that dumb thing or do you need to borrow my staff?"

Augusta Aventurine: "Uuu... Zoro..."

Zoronado Tatanado is deep in thought.

Zoronado Tatanado: "And my ribs. A few of my ribs aren't where they're supposed to be. Stomach feels a bit wet. I don't know if it's mud or..."

Augusta Aventurine stares at Zoronado Tatanado in fear.

Rising Lotus looked to Zoro and winced. "Eesh...well considerin' how big its fists were, guess you got out pretty lucky. Squishy ground to thank I guess?" she started poking around the crack in the ground she made.

Zoronado Tatanado: "But I don't feel anything yet... I think the adrenaline is still doing its thing."

Ziv Zorasch reached into his pocket and clutched the dark knight soul crystal as the sadness of it sank in. "How tragic to think...our poor old friend, reduced to this monstrous form."

Augusta Aventurine: "I don't think you shoudl move too much... I can help get that armor off of you."

Zoronado Tatanado smiles at you.

Ziv Zorasch expresses his worry with Zoronado Tatanado.

Reille Halleina: "Don't need a staff to heal, but thatnk," she says softly to Riylli, "Let's see,Z." She hovers her hand over Zoro's shield arm and over his ribs sensing what is disrupted in his physical body.

Rising Lotus shook her head. "Nah, this ain't him. This was jus' some voidsent that was smart enough to make armor from scrap."

Zoronado Tatanado breathed in a bit, hearing a faint gurgle in the back of his throat. "Oh... my lung is punctured."

Augusta Aventurine is taken aback by Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine: "Wh-WHAT?"

Riylli Aliapoh huffs. "Right, well, me and my friend have got lots more training to do apparently." She says as she turns away, giving the blob on her shoulder a poke. She walks over to Rising instead. "Thanks for the bounty! I'll be headin' out to Kugane tomorrow, but I'll let you know if I hear anything, 'kay?"

Reille Halleina presses a hand against Zoro's chest as soon as he gurgled and starts using aether to seal the puncture until she can find the bone.

Zoronado Tatanado: "... as long as no one else was seriously hurt, I did my job."

Augusta Aventurine: "R-Reille, I can use some healing magicka... let me know if you need help!"

Augusta Aventurine furrows her brow at Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine: "NO IT ISN'T MISTER! If you didn't come home, what would I tell Leni!?"

Rising Lotus nodded. "You see that hole in the ground I made?" she jabbed her thumb in the direction of it proudly. "Anyway, money will be in your cubby like always." she turned her attention to Zoro. "You gonna make the trip back to the Castrum, or should we get a chocobo to cart ya there?"

Reille Halleina: "We need a cart, Rising. Quickly please."

Riylli Aliapoh: "...It aint a cubby, it's a mailbox..." She grumbles as she walks off

Ziv Zorasch: "Most definitely. Try not to move, Zoro."

Ziv Zorasch bids farewell to Riylli Aliapoh.

(Riylli Aliapoh) (Thank you for the rp all! I am too tired to stay much longer unfortunately ;-;

(Ziv Zorasch) night night!

(Augusta Aventurine) ye, thanks Riylli! o/ ))

Zoronado Tatanado used his good arm to rub at his nose. "Gosh.... she's going to be very upset at this news. Maybe we can.. avoid telling her?"

Reille Halleina: ((okay ty, good night!))

Augusta Aventurine furrows her brow at Zoronado Tatanado.

(Zoronado Tatanado) I can feel those goosefish eyes staring into my soul.

Rising Lotus nodded. "Alright, Ziv with me. The rest of you stay here with him. That thing is dead, but there is yet more out here to watch out for, voidsent or no."

Ziv Zorasch nods to you.

Augusta Aventurine nods to you.

Ziv Zorasch relaxes his pose.

Augusta Aventurine: "I'll guard him and keep him safe. For Leleni to give him an earful later!"

Reille Halleina: "Gusta, can yo use your healing to keep Zoro awake, please. And a little numb. No need to feel this yet." Reille is acting EXTREMELY calm.

Zoronado Tatanado expresses his worry with Augusta Aventurine.

(Augusta Aventurine) this is Augi's angry aura, lol ))

Zoronado Tatanado: "Should I sit down...? That might put more pressure on my ribs, no?"

(Rising Lotus) Alright give me a moment and I'll have the closer!))

Augusta Aventurine nods to Reille Halleina.

Augusta Aventurine sat down and took a deep breath. Trying to focus her healing magicka. She wasn't very good at it, but she was good enough to help treat during an emergency!

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 309.

Augusta Aventurine tried to focus her aether, but the light faded as soon as it started. "Oh, why now!?" She tried again.

Random! Augusta Aventurine rolls a 786.

Ziv Zorasch expresses his worry with Zoronado Tatanado.

Augusta Aventurine managed to keep it steady and focused hard on trying to keep Zoro awake and numb, as the doctor suggested. Not that she could focus very well but she tried!

Zoronado Tatanado: "I would have been mashed if I didn't come in this heavy plate...! My thanks to my smith...!"

Zoronado Tatanado is positively beaming.

Augusta Aventurine bit her lower lip. She wouldn't be giving up her armor anytime soon.

Ziv Zorasch: "In all the damage could have been much worse. Great work everyone."

Reille Halleina "You can stay standing," Reille says as her eyes flutter closed. She starts conjuring huge amounts of aether to move Zoro's bones back to where they should be, then starts healing his internal injuries to prevent further internal bleeding. This is where she concentrates all her efforts and after several minutes she's satisifed and little light headed. "All right, you shouldn't die on the way home. You're also not allowed to move."

headed. "All right, you shouldn't die on the way home. You're also not allowed to move."

Rising Lotus and Ziv would make haste back to the Castrum, and half a bell later they'd return with a Chocobo cart to get poor Zoro back safely. While the healers back at Oriens would be able to mend the groups wound's, Zoro was only put in a stable enough condition to travel back to Heartwood, where he would get taken care of in the clinic!

(Rising Lotus) That's all I got for the night! Hope everyone had fun!

Augusta Aventurine let out a sigh of relief, it's dangerous if she exerts her healing magicka for too long. She was already starting to feel a little light headed herself.

(Ziv Zorasch) i did! thanks rising! thanks all

(Augusta Aventurine) ye! thanks Rising!

(Reille Halleina) thank you Rising!!))

Ziv Zorasch bids farewell.

(Zoronado Tatanado) Ye this was fun

Zoronado Tatanado gives Reille Halleina a big hug.

Augusta Aventurine gently pats Zoronado Tatanado.

Reille Halleina gently pats Zoronado, "Absolutely no training until Aslinn and Gentle Fist give you the all clear." She gives Augusta a little pat seeing she's a little worn, "Thank you for your help."

Augusta Aventurine smiles at Reille Halleina.

Zoronado Tatanado looks disgusted.

Augusta Aventurine lets out a looong breath, feeling her adrenaline draining. "I... I did what I can."

[thexkingxofxstrikers]

Colton James Hayes Voice Lines

Thoughts on Religion

“Guess the Good Lord’s been keepin’ his distance with me. Can’t say I blame him, seein’ as I don’t seem to bring luck to anyone.”

“Faith’s one thing, but I’ve seen it let down folks one too many times. Don’t know what to believe anymore, really.”

“Used to think there was somethin’ watchin’ over me, but it’s hard to say that now… not when life’s gone the way it has.”

“Maybe there’s somethin’ bigger out there, but whatever it is, it sure don’t seem interested in savin’ me or mine.”

“Prayin’ don’t seem to change much. If there’s a plan, it sure as hell don’t involve helpin’ folks like us.”

Last Time You Went to Church

“Think last time I set foot in a church was my grandpa’s funeral. Felt more like sayin’ goodbye to any belief I had, too.”

“Been years now. Churches got their own way of takin’ hope and wringin’ it out, leavin’ folks like me with the leftovers.”

“Only time I’d go in now is if someone I knew was in a casket. And even then… not sure what I’d say.”

“Ain’t really been to church since I was a kid, when Ma dragged us all in there like it’d fix us. Didn’t fix a damn thing.”

“Can’t say I miss it. Never felt like a place that wanted me there, anyway.”

Current Relationship with His Sister

“Mia… she don’t talk to me much no more. Reckon I can’t blame her, either. Got too many memories tied up in what I chased.”

“Every time I think about her, all I see’s the look she gave me after… after her world went sideways. Don’t know how to fix that.”

“We’re family, sure, but… she’d prob’ly rather not see me. Guess I bring more pain than anything good to her life.”

“I’d give anything to set things right with her, but it’s like… the harder I try, the more she pulls away. Ain’t no winnin’ with that.”

“Sometimes feels like she thinks I’m cursed. Can’t say I disagree, with how things’ve gone for her when I get ‘lucky.’”

His Room in Challenger’s Deep

“Room’s more like a cell. Just four walls and a bed hard as concrete… got the kinda quiet that’s more hauntin’ than restin’.”

“Ain’t much to look at. Bare walls, dim lights. Feels like it’s closin’ in, but I guess that’s the point, right?”

“It’s where I sleep—if you can call it that. Nothin’ in there to make it feel like home. Not sure I’d know what that feels like anyway.”

“Feels more like a holdin’ pen than a place to live. You walk in and just… shut down. No room for dreams or anythin’ else.”

“Cold. Quiet. Lonely as hell. But I guess I’ve always been used to that, even before I got here.”

Bedroom/Living Conditions Back Home

“Bedroom’s barely holdin’ together, just a mattress on the floor, creakin’ boards, walls stained from leaks. Guess you could call it home, if you stretch the definition.”

“Got cracks in the walls big enough to feel the wind cuttin’ through in winter, and the ceiling’s saggin’ like it’s got more problems than I do. Doesn’t help with sleep much, but you get used to it.”

“Roaches’ve got more claim to the place than I do. They come and go as they please… just another part of the decor at this point.”

“Paint’s peelin’ off in chunks, floor’s bare wood where the carpet gave up. I’d fix it if I could, but hell, just keepin’ the lights on’s hard enough.”

“Ain’t much to look at, that’s for sure. Sittin’ in that room, it’s like life’s just one big reminder of where you come from, and how far you probably ain’t goin’.”

The Roach Farm

“Yeah, got myself a little ‘roach farm’ in that rundown room. They don’t ask for much, just scurry around like they own the place. Even gave a few of ‘em names... not like I got much company otherwise.”

“Got Big Earl by the fridge—he’s the biggest one of the bunch. Then there’s Lil’ Lucy, quick little thing, always dartin’ between cracks in the wall like she’s got somewhere important to be.”

“There’s Old Tom, kinda slow and missin’ an antenna. Been around longer than most, like he’s got seniority or somethin’… guess he’s earned it, stickin’ it out here like the rest of us.”

“See Roamin’ Rudy over by the mattress most nights, wanders like he’s lost but never goes far. Like me, I suppose… just stuck in the same four walls, wonderin’ why he’s still here.”

“They’re a sorry bunch, but they’re loyal. Not like they got a choice. Funny enough, findin’ ‘em there at night makes it feel a little less empty, even if they’re just lookin’ for crumbs.”

Views on Intimacy/Sex

“Ain’t had much time for that sorta thing, honestly. Hard to think about sharin’ a bed when you barely got a place to lay your head.”

“Sex? Sure, it’s happened a time or two. But I don’t hang around folks long enough for much more than a memory.”

“Never got too close to anyone. Hard to think of ‘em like that when all you can think about is keepin’ yourself upright.”

“Can’t say I got a ‘favorite’ or nothin’. Always felt like somethin’ other folks did to pass the time. Ain’t much room for that in my life.”

“I’ll tell you this—ain’t never been about connection. Just feels like one more thing I lost somewhere along the way.”

Holidays

“Holidays? Don’t mean much to me. Just another day—only difference is folks pretend things are good for a while.”

“Used to be, we’d have some kind of meal, somethin’ special, even if it wasn’t much. Now… feels like they’re for other people, not folks like me.”

“Can’t remember the last time I celebrated. Guess that’s just how it goes when every day feels like a fight to stay in one piece.”

“Don’t see the point in it now. Hard to feel festive when you’re surrounded by concrete walls and folks who’d just as soon take you down as say hello.”

“Christmas, Thanksgiving… used to mean somethin’. But now? Don’t even notice ‘em comin’ or goin’. It’s just quiet, that’s all.”

Past Teammates

“Had some good ones back in the day. Talented folks, most of ‘em. Wonder where they ended up, probably doin’ better than me.”

“Some of ‘em, we had this bond… like family, almost. Then life took its turn, and just like that, we’re all ghosts to each other.”

“Met a lotta folks I thought would stick around. Didn’t turn out that way. Guess that’s how it goes when you’re cursed.”

“Funny thing about teammates—they’re like shadows. They’re there one minute, gone the next, leavin’ you wonderin’ if it meant anythin’.”

“Some I’d call friends. Others… well, they weren’t much more than rivals wearin’ the same jersey. Guess I didn’t always pick ‘em right.”

About Mitch (Grizzly Morrison)

“Mitch… he’s got this way of gettin’ in your head. Talks like he knows every damn mistake I’ve made, like he’s pullin’ ‘em up just to watch me drown in ‘em.”

“Man’s got me believin’ I’m poison, like every step I take’s just settin’ Sam up to fall. Maybe he’s right… hell, maybe I am the reason none of ‘em ever made it.”

“Grizzly’s all brute and muscle on the outside, but he knows what he’s doin’. Got this way of lookin’ at you, makin’ you feel like you’re the worst thing to ever happen to this team.”

“He says things I don’t wanna hear… things I can’t get out of my head once they’re in. Got me prayin’ for a sign, as if that’s gonna make a difference.”

“Maybe he’s right about me. Maybe I’ve been draggin’ Sam down all along. And maybe leavin’s the only thing I can do that’d finally mean somethin’ good for him.”

Last Sexual Encounter

“Last time? Wasn’t much to talk about, really. More goin’ through the motions than anything else. Felt more like I was just… takin’ up space.”

“Can’t even remember the name. We were both just there, fillin’ a need, I guess. But I could tell it didn’t mean much to either of us.”

“I’m a switch, yeah, but… interest kinda fades when it don’t feel like there’s any real connection. Just another reminder of how alone you are after it’s over.”

“There was a time I cared, but now? Feels like somethin’ other people are excited about. For me, it’s just… there. Just happens, then it’s done.”

About Past Failures

“There was this time I’d just gotten on with a semi-pro team. Felt like I was finally gettin’ somewhere. Then, just days before the season started, I tore a ligament in my knee. Coaches tried to be optimistic, but I could see it in their eyes. That was the first time I started to feel… cursed.”

“Had this game, regional finals, biggest crowd I’d ever seen. I had the ball, all eyes on me, and I choked. Missed the shot by a mile. Team lost by one point. Could barely look my teammates in the eye after that. Sometimes I still see that miss when I close my eyes.”

“One time, I was just a game away from joinin’ a real club. My old man was finally proud of me, y’know? Then the club went bankrupt. Just like that, gone. Felt like every time I got close, life pulled the rug out from under me. And all I could do was watch it happen.”

“My sister Mia… her husband died in that tornado, and I was off chasin’ some dream in another town. She said every time somethin’ good happens for me, someone else gets hurt. It’s stuck with me. Now, every time I fail, feels like I’m just provin’ her right.”

“Got a buddy named Sam, used to play on the same team. He’d look at me like I was some kinda hero. Then I started losin’ game after game. Sam kept cheerin’ me on, but it felt hollow. Hardest part was lookin’ him in the eye, knowin’ he deserved better than havin’ me as a role model.”

“The worst was promisin’ my ma I’d be the one to lift us out of this mess. I remember tellin’ her, ‘I got this, ma. I’m gonna make us proud.’ Every failure after that just felt like breakin’ that promise again and again.”

Dreams & Nightmares

“Used to dream I’d be somebody. Playin’ in big stadiums, crowds chantin’ my name. Now? All I see is the look in their eyes when I let ‘em down. That one sticks.”

“Nightmares? Got ‘em in spades. Always the same—reachin’ for somethin’ I can’t grab, and when I wake up, feels like I left part of me back in that dream.”

“Funny thing is, sometimes my dreams are worse than reality. Just remind me of what I wanted and couldn’t have. Wake up sweatin’, thinkin’ it’s real, and then feelin’ it all over again.”

“Most nights, if I get a dream, it’s me runnin’. Runnin’ hard, but nothin’s chasin’ me, and nothin’s waitin’ at the finish line. Just runnin’, till I wake up tired as hell.”

Sleep & Care Routine

“Sleep? Nah, I get maybe a couple hours here and there. Room’s cold, bed’s hard… it’s like sleepin’ on a pile of regrets.”

“I’d say I got a routine, but it’s more like I lay down and stare at the ceiling till my body decides it’s had enough. Don’t remember the last time I woke up rested.”

“Used to care about all that—eatin’ right, trainin’, gettin’ enough sleep. Now? I just do what it takes to keep goin’. Anything extra feels like a luxury.”

“Self-care? Barely remember what that is. Haven’t been lookin’ out for myself much lately… just tryin’ to survive another day. That’s ‘care’ enough, I reckon.”

Last Encounter with Sam

“Last time I saw Sam, he looked at me like he was still seein’ the old me, like I hadn’t let him down yet. Hardest part was lookin’ back, knowin’ I’d probably break that trust all over again.”

“Sam told me to keep my head up, like that’d fix everythin’. Can’t fault him for tryin’, but it’s hard to explain to someone who still believes… ain’t that easy for me anymore.”

“He was all fired up, still thinkin’ I had it in me. Makes me wish I could see myself the way he does… but that kind of hope just makes it hurt worse.”

“Reckon it was easier for him to hold on to the past, seein’ us as those same kids with big dreams. But last time, I could tell… even he was startin’ to see the cracks.”

His Parents

“Ma tried her best, but it was hard seein’ her stretchin’ herself thin for a kid who kept comin’ home with disappointments. Can’t say I blame her for wishin’ I’d do better.”

“Pa wasn’t one for big speeches, but he had this way of just watchin’—like he was hopin’ I’d be the one to pull us up. Never did, though. Left him waitin’.”

“They backed me, every step of the way, even when I had nothin’ to show for it. Just makes me feel worse, knowin’ all that effort didn’t lead anywhere.”

“My folks did what they could, even after I kept fallin’ short. Guess I can’t shake the feelin’ that I let ‘em down, and they never got what they deserved.”

“There were times I’d look at ‘em and think, maybe I’d be their way out. Now, feels like I just ended up bein’ one more weight for ‘em to carry.”

Relocating

“Spent my whole life packin’ up, movin’ from one town to the next, never settlin’ long enough to leave a mark. Maybe that’s why I feel like I never belonged anywhere.”

“Every time we’d get somewhere new, I’d hope it’d be the last stop. But it never was. Just one more roof, one more empty promise.”

“Startin’ over gets old real quick. After a while, you stop settin’ down roots. Stop carin’ if folks remember you, ‘cause you’re just gonna disappear.”

Past Injuries

“My knee’s been busted so many times, it’s a miracle I’m still standin’. Feels like every step’s got a reminder of what could’ve been.”

“Got scars, aches, and breaks that’ll never go away. Doc says I shoulda quit a long time ago, but what’s a broken knee compared to a broken dream?”

“Sometimes it feels like my body’s tryin’ to tell me somethin’, like it’s had enough. But I can’t seem to let go, no matter how many injuries pile up.”

“There’s this shoulder that pops out now and then. Pain’s a part of the deal, somethin’ I got used to. Just one more thing I keep carryin’.”

“Been patched up more times than I can count. Told myself I’d stop after the last break… but here I am, still runnin’ on borrowed time.”

His Sister's Husband’s Funeral

“They didn’t want me there, said it’d ‘cause more pain than help. Hurt like hell, knowin’ I’d lost him too, but I was just a reminder of what they lost that day.”

“Didn’t get to say goodbye. Guess they thought I’d just make things worse, like I always do. So I stayed away, and that guilt’s been sittin’ on me ever since.”

“Mia said she couldn’t stand seein’ me there, not after everythin’ I’d cost her. I don’t blame her. Just wished it didn’t have to be that way.”

“That was family, and I wasn’t welcome. Felt like I’d been cut out of their lives, like my own grief wasn’t worth a damn.”

The Day of His Sister’s Husband’s Funeral

“Woke up that mornin’ feelin’ like a ghost, knowin’ where I should’ve been but wasn’t welcome. I got dressed anyway, sat on the edge of my bed for hours, just tryin’ to picture bein’ there, seein’ his face one last time. But I was stuck, like I’d been locked out of my own family.”

“Ended up wanderin’ around town, driftin’ past places we used to go together. Everywhere I turned, there were pieces of him, pieces of that life I’d wrecked. Felt like I was walkin’ through a cemetery without a grave to visit, without a single person to understand why it hurt.”

“Made it to the riverbank, stood on that old bridge overlookin’ the water. Thought maybe I’d let the weight of it all just pull me down, let it end there. But I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t even get that right. Just stood there, starin’ at the water, feelin’ empty.”

“Went home to an empty place, lay down on the floor, and just stared at the ceilin’. That day, it was like somethin’ inside me died, too. My sister, my family—they were all out of reach. And me? Just a shadow, stuck with the guilt of not bein’ able to set things right.”

Simpler Times

“Back when it was just me, a dusty field, and a ball. No stakes, no scouts. Just playin’ for the love of it. Don’t know when it all got so heavy.”

“I remember nights sittin’ on the porch with Ma, watchin’ the sun dip over the cornfields, talkin’ ‘bout nothin’ in particular. Miss those quiet moments.”

“Used to be, life was just school, soccer, and a few friends. Didn’t have much, but it was enough. Now I’d give anythin’ to feel that way again.”

“Simpler times were just that—simple. Nothin’ fancy, just a small town, a soccer field, and the belief that I could be somethin’. Can’t help but wonder where it all went.”

Happy Memories

“Once, after a big win, my whole team lifted me up on their shoulders. Felt like I was on top of the world. That’s a high I’ll never forget.”

“Birthday when I was ten, Ma saved up for months to get me my first real soccer ball. Couldn’t put it down for days… felt like I’d been handed gold.”

“There was this night me and Sam snuck out, just ran wild in the fields, laughin’ like we were invincible. Nothin’ else mattered then. We were just two kids with the whole world ahead of us.”

His Preferred Position (In Bed)

“Usually just let them take the lead. I’m a switch, but can’t say I’m in it for thrills. Feels like it’s more for them than me half the time.”

“Guess if I had to pick, I’d be on top, but not like it’s somethin’ I think about much. Just feels like a role that fits, bein’ the one in control now and then.”

“Depends, honestly. I’m more there to make it work, whatever they’re lookin’ for. Ain’t exactly big on preferences these days.”

“Used to care more, but now? Just wanna be present for ‘em. Whether it’s rough or easy, it’s all the same to me, long as they’re feelin’ good.”

Dropping Out of College

“Dropped out when the money ran out. One semester in, and I was back home. Couldn’t shake the feelin’ that I’d just wasted everyone’s time.”

“Felt like a damn fool. Ma worked hard to get me there, but dreams and tuition don’t mix well. College was out of reach soon as I stepped foot in it.”

“Told myself I’d go back, but life had other plans. Soon as I dropped out, all my plans went with it. Never got back on that path.”

Flirting

“Y’know… didn’t think I’d be here, sharin’ a drink with someone like you. Got me wonderin’ if this night might turn out better than I planned.”

“You… you got this look about ya, like you don’t even realize how damn distractin’ you are. Makin’ it real hard to keep my eyes anywhere else.”

“I’m just sayin’, maybe we don’t gotta overthink it. Could just… let tonight go wherever it’s goin’. No need for regrets in the mornin’, right?”

“Ain’t no secret I’m not the best at this… but I’d be a damn fool if I didn’t tell you just how damn lucky I feel sittin’ here with you right now.”

Hobbies or Hidden Talents

“Got a knack for collectin’ bugs. Not the prettiest hobby, but they’re resilient little things. Kinda admire how they just survive, no matter what.”

“I used to draw a bit when I was younger. Nothin’ fancy, just sketches of places I’d been or things I saw. Kinda faded out as life got harder.”

“I’m good with knots, weird as it sounds. Could tie about any kind you can think of. Guess that’s what happens when you spend enough time alone.”

“When I’m alone, sometimes I’ll just listen to the wind. Don’t know if it’s a hobby, but I get lost in it. Feels like a piece of home, even when I’m miles away.”

About Him and Sam Being Romantic

“Yeah… me and Sam, it happened. Wasn’t somethin’ we planned. Just one of those nights where things got heavy, and we both needed somethin’ to hold on to.”

“If you’re thinkin’ it meant somethin’ more, you’re readin’ it wrong. Sam’s my closest friend, and that’s all it ever really was. Just two people tryin’ to feel less alone.”

“Ain’t exactly proud of it, but I’m not ashamed either. Life’s hard, and sometimes you lean on the people who stick by you, even when nothin’ else makes sense.”

“Look, Sam and me—we’ve been through hell together. That night wasn’t about romance or anythin’ like that. It was about survivin’. And maybe, just for a moment, feelin’ somethin’ good.”X

[crownedhopelesss]

continued from here. / @intoscience

FRED HAS BEEN THE only person to treat him with such kindness since he had come back from the afterlife. now he was incorporeal and all see-through-y, he needed her help more than ever. they had been at it, experimenting and researching, in her little lab for days now and it was apparent she was getting a little restless. he didn't blame her, he felt the same fatigue but he didn't have anything else better to do than to find out how to be solid again. he chuckled at her short little ramble and found it quite adorable. he shook his head at her question, ❛ aren't you jus' a cute little thing ? you got all sorts of thoughts runnin' 'round in that wacky little brain of yours, don't you ? i admire it, nothin' quite like it ❜ he complimented, smiling at her. ❛ do any of those thoughts have to do with makin' me a bit solid again, pet ? m' all about talkin' about our lives and whatnot but, you see, i won't exactly have one if i'm stuck in this bloody law firm for the rest of my ghostly after life. at least hauntin' angel hasn't been nothin' short of fun. ❜

[djsourceunknown]

“I'm sensitive, I feel everything, I feel everybody

One man standin' on two words, heal everybody

Transformation, then reciprocation, karma must return

Heal myself, secrets that I hide, buried in these words

Death threats, ego must die, but I let it purge

Pacify broken pieces of me, it was all a blur

Mother cried, put they hands on her, it was family ties

I heard it all, I should've grabbed a gun, but I was only five

I still feel it weighin' on my heart, my first tough decision

In the shadows, clingin' to my soul as my only critic

Where's my faith? Told you I was Christian, but just not today

I transformed, prayin' to the trees, God is takin' shape

My mother's mother followed me for years in her afterlife

Starin' at me on back of some buses, I wake up at night

Loved her dearly, traded in my tears for a Range Rover

Transformation, you ain't felt grief 'til you felt it sober

I wish I was somebody (ooh-oh, oh, oh)

Anybody but myself (ooh-oh, oh, oh, ooh-oh, oh, oh)

Ooh, I wish I was somebody (ooh-oh, oh, oh)

Anybody but myself (ooh-oh, oh, oh, ooh-oh, oh, oh)

I remember lookin' in the mirror, knowin' I was gifted

Only child, me for seven years, everything for Christmas

Family ties, they accused my cousin, "Did he touch you Kendrick?"

Never lied, but no one believed me when I said, "He didn't"

Frozen moments, still holdin' on it, hard to trust myself

I started rhymin', copin' mechanisms to lift up myself

Talked to my lawyer, told me not to be so hard on myself

He has an aura, I hope to achieve, if I find some help

Congratulations, made it to be famous, still I feel uneasy

Water watchin', live my life in nature, only thing relieves me

Spirit guide whisper in my ear, tell me that she sees me

"Did he touch you?" I said "No" again, still they didn't believe me

Mother's brother said he got revenge for my mother's face

Black and blue, the image of my queen that I can't erase

'Til this day can't look her in the eyes, pain is takin' over

Blame myself, you never felt guilt 'til you felt it sober

I wish I was somebody (ooh-oh, oh, oh)

Anybody but myself (ooh-oh, oh, oh, ooh-oh, oh, oh)

Ooh, I wish I was somebody (ooh-oh, oh, oh)

Anybody but myself (ooh-oh, oh, oh, ooh-oh, oh, oh)

I was never high, I was never drunk, never out my mind

I need control, they handed me some smoke, but still I declined

I did it sober, sittin' with myself, I went through all emotions

No dependents, except for one, let me bring you closer

Intoxicated, there's a lustful nature that I failed to mention

Insecurities that I project, sleepin' with other women

Whitney's hurt, the pure soul I know, I found her in the kitchen

Askin' God, "Where did I lose myself? And can it be forgiven?"

Broke me down, she looked me in my eyes, "Is there an addiction?"

I said "No, " but this time I lied, I knew that I can't fix it

Pure soul, even in her pain, know she cared for me

Gave me a number, said she recommended some therapy

I asked my mama why she didn't believe me when I told her "No"

I never knew she was violated in Chicago

I'm sympathetic, told me that she feared it happened to me

For my protection, though it never happened, she wouldn't agree

Now I'm affected, twenty years later, trauma has resurfaced

Amplified as I write this song, I shiver 'cause I'm nervous

I was five, questioning myself, 'lone for many years

Nothing's wrong, just results on how them questions made me feel

I made it home, seven years of tour, chasin' manhood

But Whitney's gone, by time you hear this song, she did all she could

All those women gave me superpowers, what I thought I lacked

I pray our children don't inherit me and feelings I attract

A conversation not bein' addressed in Black families

The devastation hauntin' generations and humanity

They raped our mothers, then they raped our sisters

Then they made us watch, then made us rape each other

Psychotic torture between our lives, we ain't recovered

Still livin' as victims in the public eyes who pledge allegiance

Every other brother has been compromised

I know the secrets, every other rapper sexually abused

I see 'em daily, buryin' they pain in chains and tattoos

So listen close before you start to pass judgement on how we move

Learn how we cope, whenever his uncle had to walk him from school

His anger grows deep in misogyny

This is post-traumatic, Black families and a sodomy, today, is still active

So I set free myself from all the guilt that I thought I made

So I set free my mother all the hurt that she titled shame

So I set free my cousin, chaotic for my mother's pain

I hope Hykeem made you proud, 'cause you ain't die in vain

So I set free the power of Whitney, may she heal us all

So I set free our children, may good karma keep them with God

So I set free the hearts filled with hatred, keep our bodies sacred

As I set free all you abusers, this is transformation

I wish I was somebody

Anybody but myself

Ooh, I wish I was somebody

Anybody but myself

You did it

I'm proud of you

You broke a generational curse

Say, "Thank you, dad"

Thank you, daddy, thank you, mommy, thank you, brother

Mr. Morale

Before I go in fast asleep

Love me for me

I bare my soul and now we're free”

[singthebodyelectric-tmnt]

I Sing the Body Electric 1

Raphie

Sometimes, being the eldest has its perks, like the ability to keep a resting bitch face even if you wanted to panic or react badly.

Raphael doesn’t remember how or when it first happened but he began seeing other versions of himself.

Now, a normal person would comment on this and in normal circumstances he would. He definitely would. He would totally tell his family.

But… Raphie glanced at his brothers and father as they were eating breakfast. He doesn’t think it’s the right time. Michael had prepared English Breakfast with beans on toast, blood pudding, tomatoes, eggs and actual hashed browns. His baby brother was an angel. Currently, their youngest was humming a tune and serving their portions.

Their father hummed along with Mikey, eating his portion of breakfast, not knowing the song his son was singing but it was clear he wanted to join in his child’s joy. His two other brothers on the other hand were uncharacteristically surly. Well...Don was surly- er if that was a word? Don was massaging his temple like he had a massive headache and was picking at his food slowly. There were massive eye bags under his eyes like he pulled another all nighter and he was nursing a massive coffee mug. Leon was stabbing at the bits of food he could reach like he was keeping his anger in check.  

Raphie frowned. They were just fine a few minutes ago, joking with each other so he knew they weren’t angry at each other. But he did notice Leon look to the side and clenched his fist. Don on the other hand had stiffened, like he was listening for something. He shook his head and just went back to staring at his coffee. Maybe...just maybe...they had the same dilemma as him. But he had to be sure, without sounding insane, of course. Raphie picked up his fork and began to eat. “Your Mikey is really good at cooking, huh?” Raphie eyed the speaker and after a minute he gave a smile and a curt nod. His visitors today were, thankfully, the two Raphaels that he liked the most. It sounded completely insane, didn’t it? Being haunted by other versions of him. At least, he thinks they’re ghosts, but the way they act, he could be wrong. They were both much shorter than him, one of them is smaller than the other. By the way the shorter one talked, he also was probably older than the two of them. Raphie broadcasted his thoughts to them: “Yeah. Pops taught all of us to cook cos’ he said food brings people together but it’s Mikey that took that lesson to heart”. The older Raph quietly observed the table while the small, angrier one was observing his brothers and father wistfully. “I’m sorry about the one Raph that insulted you for being super-close to your brothers. It’s a surprise to all of us, man...you’re a first” “Oh?” Raphie asked. Raphie frowned. If it wasn’t for Leo lounging within the vicinity, he would have punched that Raph for making horrible quips about his second youngest brother. Which was a GOOD thing too because the older Raph explained, if they hurt the visitor, they hurt the host….which would be Raphie himself. “Why are you saying sorry for him? He should be responsible for his actions. Isn’t he an adult too? Or is he too chicken to own up to his feelings?” The two Raphs stared at him. The younger, angrier one looked down and muttered, “Goddamn, not only are you huge, you’re even level headed and reasonable. It’s unbelievable. You’re perfect ” Raph narrowed his eyes. “ I ain’t perfect, you know? No one is. I just know how to handle tantrums from younger brothers. A bit different when it’s coming from a supposed adult, yeah?” The older Raph blinked. “Wait... you’re the Eldest? Does that mean-” “Hey Raphael, brotherino, light of my life, the first of this generation of Hamatos, dearest leader. We totally patrollin’ with April and Casey today, yeah?,” Leon suddenly interjected out of the blue. He had a smirk on his face and was looking at Raphie’s general area but not exactly where Raphie is. Oh no . He knew that smile, and that meant trouble. He noticed that Don had taken his mug and had a smirk on his face while drinking. Raphie just smiled and nodded at Leon. He’ll have to wait until Splinter leaves to test his theory...

Michael sat down in between them and put out an extra plate of food. Splinter looked puzzled. “My son, do we have a guest?” Michael froze, then he gave their father an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, Dad. I made extra. I’ll store them in the fridge later”.

And there it is. Michael can’t help being hospitable, the sweetheart that he is. His brothers also had ‘guests’, the same as him.

“Shit, I just realized...it’s probably my brother being a butt to your Leo. I’m so sorry”, said the older, greener Raph, scrubbing his face in frustration. The younger Raph shook his head, worried. “No...I think it’s my Leo. He’s probably freaking out right now. I hope you don’t think less of him, man. He’s been through a lot”. He looked down at his hands and away. “We all have”. “ Again, I hate to say this. But you’re not responsible for other people’s actions. They should be the one to apologize, not you”. Raph sighed. This was ridiculous . He was younger than them both. Why was he being the reasonable one?

Splinter got up and put his plate in the sink. Then he hugged all his sons, thanked Michael for the meal, and left the kitchen. Raphie listened until he knew their dad was out of hearing range. Then he put down his utensils and steepled his hands. “So, when were you guys gonna tell me that you also had other versions of yourselves hauntin’ ya?” Michael dropped his spoon in shock. Leon’s eyes bugged out, then he grinned and said, “That’s our leader…” Emphasis on the word, ‘leader’ like he was showboating or something, and oh dear, Leon was probably egging someone on. Don just muttered an, “I knew it…” and kept sipping his coffee. Raphie sighed and gave a glance to his own guests. It was gonna be a long day. --o-- Next-->

[iphoenixrising]

what are your thoughts on a reverse Robin au? lots of tim angst potential with trying to live up to Damian before dying at the hands of the joker, but just imagine the batfam still knowing he’s worth saving, trying hard to convince him to come home and that there’s still a place for you tim, always, and a less experience dick and jay refusing to give up on their idol (their Robin)

Hi babe. 

I kind of answered this ask before here. And the link to my babe’s, @poison-basil, Robin Reversal fic is there too.

As for what I personally think of Tim pretty much in Jay’s role is just wow. Tim as the Robin that died and got thrown in the Pit. Makes sense that he gets Ra’s as his mentor while the insanity is still on him. 

And I would absolutely love to have Dami in Nightwing, desperate to get Tim back, to save him from himself, to try easing his own sense of guilt by refusing to let Red Hood!Tim just disappear in the aether again.

It would be cute to see Robin!Dick completely entranced by the Robin that died while Red Robin!Jason would come in from working with the Titans when Dami calls out for help.

(Of course Jason and Tim had their scuffles over the former Robin tunic, and that’s Dami’s ace in the hole. The fact Tim felt guilty about how he’d beaten up Jay in the beginning when he was still Pit-Crazy, and now makes an effort to keep track of Red Robin during the Titan missions, make sure his replacement doesn’t, you know, die, too.)

I think it would be so, so much for Tim when all the past and present Robins congregate on the roof of his safe house, infiltrate his space with Alfred food and case files, fill up the battered couch while Dick keeps Tim from leaving by laying all over his lap, holding up a bandaged ankle. 

(”It doesn’t hurt so much when I’m with you.” Dick’s eyes are so blue and adorable that Tim just huffs and stops trying to set the kid back down on the couch next to Dami.)

“This one been hauntin’ me fer weeks,” Jay pulls out the manilla folder and starts handing out copies of the case file and analysis to all the Robins. “Might be nice ta have the best detective take a lookit, you feel me here?” 

It’s a crazy thing when all of them pretty much pass out in Tim’s safe house, Dami obviously cuddling Dick on his lap with Jay under one arm even after their fight about the Robin mantle going to Dick at a time when Jay needed it. 

Tim just throws a blanket over them with a sigh wondering how the hell they all found him and why they’d bother coming after the Robin that fucking died.

But while the Bat boys are being adorable and snoozing away, a polite knock on the door to his safe house immediately gets Tim’s protective instinct to rise to the fore, and he’s got twin .45s in hand before his brain catches up to what he’s doing.

Both at arm’s length pointed at the door, he growls a low “come on in,” and just waits for some asshole to try hurting any one of his broth–

Fuck, when did that thought start?

But the door swings open, and he gets the surprise of his fucking second life when Bruce steps over the threshold. Old jeans and a t-shirt, four pizzas in his arms, the Dark Knight has never looked more Dad than he does in that moment.

“Tim,” breathed out with something so painful behind it, the vigilante has to flinch back a step.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to hug my son, Tim. And I’ll be damned if I don’t get to do it.”

Bruce might run his fingers through Dick’s messy hair, take Jay’s wrist computer off, and minutely adjust the pillow under Dami’s head, but his attention is really on Tim.

(He sees a hint of the autopsy scar from where his button up flannel shows a hint of collar bone.)

It might be here Bruce agrees with his Robins and tries to make a stand. Plan: Bring Tim Back to the Bats is really a go.

[choccos-aaart]

Farqua Talks About His Troubles For The First Time

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

FEAT: Sarlife and Farqua

CONTENT: Snippet from something bigger | Talking about feelings

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

NOTE: This was written with a comic in mind, rather than motion picture. If the action and dialogue is a bit weird, I'll apologise for that now! In other words, everything in the action is what's seen in the panels and all the dialogue is what's written. I'm just practising scriptwriting with this. Thanks! -Chocco

 INT. SARLIFE'S ROOM - NIGHT

SARLIFE sits at their desk, reading. Behind them, FARQUA opens the door.

FARQUA: Got a few?

SARLIFE: Sure thing. Come in.

FARQUA sits down on Sarlife's reading chair. SARLIFE turns around to look at Farqua.

SARLIFE: So, what do you... (In surprise) Farqua? You're here?

FARQUA: Yeah.

SARLIFE: Did your voice just get deeper?

FARQUA: Always has been like this. Takin' a break from raisin' it a couple octaves.

SARLIFE: Oh... Sorry, I didn't know that.

FARQUA: S'alright.

SARLIFE: So, what did you want to talk about?

FARQUA: Uh... Where do I start? [Pause] Y'know, I'm just sick of pullin' this façade. Absolutely sick of it.

SARLIFE: With you being like that all along, I can sort of see why.

FARQUA: Heh, just wait 'till I gotta reveal that to everyone, haha! Anyways, I'm gettin' off topic, ain't I? Now, lemme tell ya first; I'm here to talk about some real touchy stuff.

SARLIFE: Don't worry about me. Go for it.

FARQUA: Well, uh... If y'were active in the year X722, ya mighta seen me on the news as a rogue robot.

SARLIFE: Oh, that's right, I think remember that. You called the cops "checkerhatted freaks," didn't you? Hahaha,

FARQUA: (Embarrassedly) Y-yeah, that. And now, here we get to the touchy stuff... Uhh... Now how do I say this...? Well, I had my first experiences of bein' totally independent, looong before that. And I figured that that's what totally ruined the life of the guy I cared about the most. Yeah. I was best friends with a human in my working days. Can ya believe it?

SARLIFE: What do you mean by ruining his life?

FARQUA: Well, his old man who was in charge of me... Well, he never liked the idea of me bein' pals with his kid to begin with. The kid was, I dunno... 16 when he met me. And through those years of bein' with him, I started to learn to rebel, be more independent, override my pre-programmed weird computer shit, whatchamacallit, I dunno anymore... And I got the kid kicked out the house more times than I can remember.

SARLIFE: Sounds horrible.

FARQUA: Ain't it? I practically ruined everythin' for him. He hated his family, he hated the world, and of course, when he grew to hate about everythin' else, he grew to hate me, too. Before I even realised that, he shut me down when I thought I had all his trust.

SARLIFE: Oh.

FARQUA: I thought comin' to live here, I'd forget all about it. But no matter how much I try, it tells me it ain't goin' nowhere. It's as if it's hauntin' me, Doc! I ruined this kid's life and his old man's ghost's flyin' 'round, tellin' me I ruined the life of the guy I cared about most! Keeps tellin' me all the ways that I coulda stopped everythin' from goin' to hell. It ain't ever gonna stop botherin' me 'till I do somethin' but what the hell can I do? Shuttin' me down's totally outta the question! I'll just wake up one day and remember everythin' that's happened. God, I'll happily throw myself in the burner or the shredder or the anythin' if I have to!

SARLIFE: O-oh... Well... I'm not sure if you'd be happy to take this for an answer, but I can delete all your memories, if you'd like...?

FARQUA: That's practically killin' me, Doc.

SARLIFE: What...?

FARQUA: Everythin' I am now's all derived from my memories. I'll be a whole 'nother person if that happens.

SARLIFE: Oh... Actually, you're right...

FARQUA: So, what can I do? I just wanna live normally, Doc...

SARLIFE: Alright, ehrm... I've got an idea. I say, we delete the façade. Delete your every memory of it.

FARQUA: I mean, I did say I was sick of it... But what'll that do, anyway?

SARLIFE: Now, let me explain my little theory on how this'll work.

FARQUA: Yeah, just make sure I can understand it, rocket scientist.

SARLIFE: Well basically, by removing your memories of your whole peaceful gardener act, I'll make sure you get your troubles out to someone before you think about playing off as someone you're not. How's that for a start?

FARQUA: Uhh... Sure thing...?

SARLIFE: Yes, I know deleting memories isn't something you get every day, but come on. It's for the best. I can already tell you're feeling better than before, just because you talked to me.

FARQUA: I am?

SARLIFE: I notice these sorts of things. Of course, you are.

FARQUA: Hey, uh... Thanks!

SARLIFE: Talking to me was your idea, Farqua.

FARQUA: Schtutt, yeah that's right...!

SARLIFE: Alright.

SARLIFE stands up and walks to the door.

SARLIFE: Now, it's time to put this plan to action. Follow me.

WRITER INVASION: Alright, this is dragging on, too long... Haha,

[dpomalescreative]

Meditation is key... To balancing everything... The wind ..the birds.. squirrels eating Yah...maybe I'm TriPPiN... But why Not... Its all I have for coping... Inauguration fraud got me chokiN On whatever this country is smokiN Nah man...I aint Joking... I see the Flys hovering over All the shit they Talking... They call it DC... I call it the Democracy of Corruption... The birth of Socialism in action We gonna ruin this country Big Time...Texas Style...Fashion This shit got me Nervous But I'm LaughiN... FraNtiC as Im GaspiN... For Some air WatchiN These Fools Parade Around Clapping...Dancing.. SpiTTiN on the graves of those Who died fighting for this Country Lives laid down to protect This thing called FREEDOM... Our Govt has lost its way A Line has been drawn clearly What can I say... I shall not obey .. Or be forced into anything... I do not believe in.. I'll fight my own way Do my own things.. Be my own Judge & jury... They lucky.... DPoMLiVe only lives to thrive Musically... Politics have no weight in this reality We'd rather get lost in a melody Bang Our drums real heavy... Then give politics any more energy Day 20 be HauntiN Me... Forever will such treason /fraud Go down in History... As a Phenomenal Success... As For me... Imma be my own President!!!.. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #dpomlive #judgeandjury #politics #freedom #texasstyle #spokenword #mrpresident (at Orlando, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKSXSHdBR2Q/?igshid=ezl7vcj4s2ev

[thelastspeecher]

I was going through my de-aging tag on my writing blog because I was in the mood for some cute de-aging fluff, and rediscovered my De-Aged Ford AU.  My De-Aged Ford AU sort of kind of served as the basis for my Recoil fic, but they do vary a bit.  Here’s the tag for it on my writing blog.

Anyways, as I was reading, I remembered that I started writing a scene that took place after Fidds had been aged from a baby to a tot, but I never finished it.  And so I decided to finish it.  Here it is.  Some smol Fidds for your soul.  Enjoy.  Note: This takes place immediately following this ficlet.

——————————————————————————————

              Fiddleford sighed.  He was sitting on the floor of the living room, ignoring the television currently on.

              “What was that for?” Stan grunted from his seat in the armchair.

              “I’m bored,” Fiddleford whined.  He knew his tone was petulant, but he didn’t care at this point.  Ford and Lute had been gone for much longer than expected.

              “You don’t like what’s on?” Stan asked.  Fiddleford looked at the TV.  The channel it was turned to was ESPN.

              “No.”

              “Fine.”  Stan clicked the remote.  The TV skipped through a series of channels before landing on a cartoon.  “Here.  Scooby-Doo reruns.  How’s that?” Fiddleford rolled his eyes.

              “Stanley, I ain’t-”  He stopped, his eyes widening at Scooby-Doo being led somewhere with a Scooby Snack. “Ooh.”  Fiddleford laid down on the floor and propped himself up on his elbows. “I want a Scooby Snack,” he said offhandedly.  Stan chuckled.

              “Same, kid.”  Fiddleford was too distracted by the adventures of the Mystery Crew to point out that, under normal circumstances, he was actually a few years older than Stan. Angie walked into the living room. She glanced at Fiddleford, enraptured by the TV, then raised an eyebrow at Stan in a silent question.  “He didn’t like football, so I changed the channel. Guess he likes cartoons more.”  On the TV, laws of physics were suddenly defied by Scooby-Doo and Shaggy as they ran off a cliff and tread air for a few moments.  Fiddleford laughed.  Stan’s mouth quirked into a small smile.  “Can’t really blame him.”  The front door opened.

              “Hello?” Ford called.

              “Living room!” Stan shouted back.  Ford rushed into the living room.  He held up a bag of candy.

              “Lute bought me the good jelly beans,” Ford said proudly.

              “Shh!” Fiddleford said, waving a hand in Ford’s direction.  His eyes were still glued to the screen.  Ford blinked.

              “Fidds?”

              “Shh!  They’re goin’ to find out who was behind the hauntin’!” Fiddleford said.  Stan turned off the TV.  Fiddleford let out a small yelp.  “Hey!”

              “Ford and Lute are back,” Stan said.  “We need to figure out what we’re doing next.”

              “But-”

              “Scooby-Doo can wait,” Angie said patiently.  Fiddleford huffed in frustration.  Ford took a seat on the floor next to Fiddleford.

              “Want one?” Ford asked politely, showing Fiddleford his bag of jelly beans. Fiddleford shook his head. “Good.  More for me.”  Ford tore open the bag.  “It’s good to have you back, Fidds,” Ford said.  He popped a few jelly beans into his mouth.  “I was worried about what would happen, once you got re-aged. Would your mind still be there? Or would it not?  Actually, how aware of things were you?  It couldn’t have been enjoyable, if you were aware. I mean, you were a baby.”

              “Swallow,” Angie said, “then talk.  No talkin’ while yer chewin’.”  Ford rolled his eyes, but swallowed the candy.

              “Fine, mom,” Ford muttered. Fiddleford sat up.  He stared at Ford.

              “Why would ya call her that?  She’s my lil sister!  She’s younger ‘n you!”

              “Yes, but she’s also acting like a mom,” Ford said.  He took a white jelly bean out of the bag, inspected it carefully, and then put it back into the bag.  Lute entered the living room with a bunch of plastic bags.

              “Ya best not be spoilin’ yer lunch with candy,” Lute said.  Ford set the bag of jelly beans down on the floor.

              “No…”

              “How ya feelin’, Fidds?” Lute asked, ignoring Ford’s obvious lying. Fiddleford shrugged.

              “Bored.  Stan put my toolbox out of reach, so I don’t have much to do.”

              “You can help in the lab with me,” Ford suggested.

              “Uh, no,” Lute said.  “Fidds is too tiny.  It ain’t safe in the lab fer a toddler.”  Fiddleford looked at Lute.

              “But Stanford gets to help?”

              “He’s eight.  Yer ‘bout two.  That’s a difference of six years,” Lute explained.  “And anyways, Ford doesn’t help out as much in the lab as he’s implyin’. Angie has him help her fer an hour a day, tops, then sends him back to us.  A lab is a dangerous place fer kidlets.”

              “What am I s’pposed to do all day, then?” Fiddleford demanded.  Lute grinned.  He dropped one of the bags he was holding onto the ground and nudged over to Fiddleford with his foot.

              “Ford brought up that exact question.  It’s part of the reason we were gone so long.  We had to find somethin’ that would occupy ya.”  Fiddleford looked in the bag.  “Whattaya think?”

              “Really?” Fiddleford grumbled.  He reached in and retrieved a plastic screwdriver.  “Really?  Ya thought this would make me feel better?  Playin’ engineer?  I have a master’s degree!”

              “Think of it as a challenge,” Angie suggested.  “If ya can make a killer robot usin’ child’s toys, yer really the top of yer game.”

              “No,” Fiddleford said shortly.  He removed the other plastic tools from the bag, as well as a toy toolbox. “Seriously, what can I do with this? Nothin’!”

              “Sounds like a challenge to me,” Stan said.  Fiddleford crossed his arms, pouting fiercely.  “Don’t act like that, Sticks.”

              “Don’t call me Sticks.”

              “No dice, pipsqueak.  I already got used to calling you that.”

              “But that’s-” Fiddleford started.  Angie cleared her throat.  All heads turned in her direction.  “Yes, Angie?”

              “Now that Stanford ‘n Lute ‘re back, we can have some lunch.  Lute, care to put away what you purchased?  Stan ‘n I will handle feedin’ the boys.”

              “You got it,” Lute said with a salute.  He put the toy tools back in the plastic bag and picked it up.  As he strolled away, whistling, Fiddleford began to get to his feet, only to feel himself being lifted in the air. Fiddleford let out a squeak of protest.

              “I’m too hungry to wait for you to crawl to the kitchen,” Stan said.  He was the one who had picked up Fiddleford, and slightly adjusted his hold, so that Fiddleford was partially sitting on Stan’s arm.  Fiddleford looked down at the ground, which was much further away from him than he wanted. He quickly grabbed fistfuls of Stan’s shirt to steady himself.  When he and Stan arrived at the kitchen, Ford was already sitting at the table, devouring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  A similar but smaller sandwich rested on the tray of the high-chair by the table.

              “No,” Fiddleford whined as Stan headed for the high-chair.  He tightened his grip on Stan’s shirt, but Stan easily pulled him off and placed him into the high-chair.  Fiddleford pouted at him.  Stan frowned thoughtfully.  “…What?”

              “Something’s missing,” Stan said.  His expression brightened.  “Oh!” Stan stepped away.  Fiddleford sighed and picked up his sandwich. Before he could take a bite, Stan returned, holding a bib.  “Gotta keep your clothes clean.”

              “What?  No!  I’m not wearing that!” Fiddleford protested. Stan ignored him.  He began to fasten the bib around Fiddleford’s neck. Panicking, Fiddleford threw his sandwich at him.  The sandwich hit Stan’s face soundly, smearing peanut butter and jelly on his nose and chin before falling to the ground with a muffled slap.  Both Stan and Fiddleford froze.

              “What-” Angie started, turning away from the counter.  Her eyes widened.  “Fidds!”

              “He was trying to put a bib on me!” Fiddleford whined.  Angie propped her hand on her hip.  Fiddleford recognized the gesture.  It was the same one their ma made when she was frustrated. “I refuse to be treated like a child.”

              “I’m not angry, don’t worry,” Stan said, finally unfreezing.  He wiped the smears of food off his face with his sleeve.  Angie sighed.

              “I ain’t makin’ another sandwich.  Stan, you aggravated him.  You can make him his lunch.”

              “What?  But-”

              “No buts,” Angie said firmly.  “You were tryin’ to get his goat, to see what he would tolerate.  Don’t act like ya weren’t.”

              “That’s not the whole reason,” Stan mumbled.  Angie raised an eyebrow.  “I thought it’d be cute.”  Ford, finished with his sandwich and now eating carrot sticks, sniggered.

              “Whatever.”  Angie crossed her arms.  “Make him somethin’ easy to eat and not too tough on his tummy.  I’m goin’ to…I don’t know.  Just stare at the wall fer a bit.”  She stomped out of the room, muttering.

              “Is Angie all right?” Fiddleford asked quietly.  Stan picked the sandwich off the floor and tossed it in the trash.

              “She’s a bit overworked, I think,” Ford replied.  Stan, already looking at the contents of the fridge, nodded.

              “Lute and I are doing most of the kid stuff, but she’s doing all the science and still has to make dinner.”

              “Not to mention, you’ve requested her help with some childcare situations,” Ford added.  Stan removed a container of applesauce from the fridge, brought it over to the counter, and took a bowl out of the cupboard.

              “Yeah.  Like the last time we needed her to step in.”  Stan looked over at Ford.  “Or did you forget that you were the reason we needed backup?”  Ford turned red.

              “What happened?” Fiddleford asked.  Ford flushed more.

              “He got stuck,” Stan grunted.  Ford poked at the carrot sticks still on his plate.  “I took him out back to let him run off some energy.  Turned my back on him for two seconds and then he was up a tree.  And too scared to come down on his own.  Lute was at the grocery store with you, Sticks, and I can’t climb worth a damn. So I had to grab Angie.  She shimmied up the tree and brought him down right away, but she was pissed.”

              “I can imagine,” Fiddleford mumbled.  Stan placed a small bowl of applesauce on the high-chair tray.  “…That’s it?”

              “Yep.”  Stan put a small, plastic spoon in the bowl.  “Enjoy.”  Fiddleford scowled, but ate the applesauce nonetheless.  Some time passed in silence, as Ford and Fiddleford ate and Stan washed dishes.  Finally, Ford hopped off his chair.

              “I’m going to go find Angie,” Ford announced.  “She might need some assistance in the lab.”

              “If she says no, come back,” Stan instructed.  “We’ll need to revamp our plans for tomorrow, now that Sticks isn’t a baby.”  Ford nodded and rushed away.

              “What were the original plans fer tomorrow?” Fiddleford asked, struggling to spoon up the last of his applesauce.  Giving up, he scooped the applesauce up with his fingers and sucked on his hand.

              “There’s this baby club in the park.  Lute liked taking you there.  I’d come and watch Ford scamper around the playground.”  Finished sucking the applesauce off his hand, Fiddleford pulled his fingers from his mouth.  “Hmm. I think Lute wanted to take you to the library later today, actually.  That’s probably cancelled.”

              “I’d think so.”  Fiddleford yawned.  “I’m not going to attend any baby activities.”  Fiddleford rubbed his eyes.  Stan looked over at him.  A small smile quirked the corner of his mouth.

              “Tired?”

              “Yes.  But I don’t know why.”

              “You’re a toddler.  You probably need a nap,” Stan pointed out.  Fiddleford’s protest was cut off by another yawn.  “Yep.  It’s naptime. C’mere, Sticks.”

              “Don’t call me that,” Fiddleford mumbled.  Stan removed him from the high-chair.  Fiddleford rested his head on Stan’s chest.  Stan’s T-shirt was soft, warm, and smelled clean.

              Angie and Lute must have made him wash his clothes.  Fiddleford’s eyes drooped.  Stan ruffled his hair.  Fiddleford’s eyes closed.