#this is basically the end of the prologue of this story
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Excerpt (and some summary) of Judeâs main story chapter 1
ę° Ö´ Öş âš @ notice âš Öş Ö´ ęą any pretty translation you may see in here may not be 100% accurate or contain creative liberties due to characterization or narrative flow purposes. this is a sort of summary as well. if you enjoy, though, please consider reblogging, but please donât repost these or claim these as your own!
ok so like the chapter starts off with jude and ellis beatin some dudes ahh bc breach of contract. ig thats sorta like the prologue so to speak.
since jude is an act 2 route, vogel is featured in here. darius is like âhmm jude jazza huh. p interesting. nicaâ and nica comes in like âyeah you want me to look into him? sure, im interested in him too (/p likely)â
its revealed that since her time as fairytale keeper, kate had accompanied basically everyone on a mission? except jude and ellis. ellis wants to accompany her tbf but judes like tf hell no.
needless to say, kate hasâŚless than positive first impressions of jude.
but she finally sees some light when harry gives her a memo telling her to go to the pub at 22:00 bc thereâs gonna be a mission with jude and ellis. but turns out by the time she gets there, the missions already done and rogers there at the pub lmao
kate goes to jude whos smokin in the back like âyou lied to me :(â and jude kinda doesnt get all that fazed abt it like ânever told ya the mission would start at 22:00.â he reveals that basically he hates it when its all like the âlets all get alongâ sorta gist yk.
then they have like this back and forth thats smth like âno point in being liked bc i got no gain from that.â âdoes that mean youre ok with being hated?â âwhat, do ya wanna be liked by everyone?â you get the point. they just do not. see eye to eye. like at all.
and so, we come to this point where kate makes a promise with him like âiâll find smth i like abt you by the time my tenure as fairytale keeper ends!â (this is around where the first cg is, which btw is called the first promise we made was wrapped in white smoke)
Jude: Hah, alright then. if ya goinâ that far then do what ya want.
After our back and forth, like walking on eggshells, i finally succeeded in getting him to say those words.
Kate: Okay! Then Iâll do just that.
I used my hand to wave off the smoke that seemed to separate us two and took a step toward him, whenâŚ
Jude, while veiled in the white smoke, laughed with scorn.
Jude: But thereâs one thing ya should keep in mind, princess. âŚMy promises donât come cheap.
J: If ya break âem, Iâll make ya go through so much oâ hell youâll be wishinâ for death.
Amid the refined scent of sandalwood, far removed from his image, and the sweet scent of tobacco that burned my chest,
Jude and I made our first promise.
other impt events? is that jude literally comes out with a contract after victors like âi heard youre gonna be judes exclusive fairytale keeper!â and kates like what. but kate signs the contract in the end.
another thing; kate thinks âtheres no way i could ever like himâ đ¸
ko-fiâď¸ â commsđ¤
#ikemen villains#ikevil#ă¤ăąăĄăłă´ăŁăŠăł#ikevil jude#ikevil jude jazza#jude jazza#ikemen villains jude#cybird ikemen series#cybird ikemen#cybird otome#ikemen series#otome game#otome
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Can't believe this writer is trying to argue the problem with the show is that it isn't treating the main villain like a one-note, simplistic character and this is somehow too confusing because viewers won't know he's the villain despite all the villainous things he does like murder, manipulation, gaslighting, and orchestrating the complete destruction of an entire Elven realm. How media illiterate do you have to be to think exploring a villain's motivation in some way constitutes trying to trick the audience into think he isn't really a villain?
#rings of power#trop#lord of the rings#lotr#sauron#some many âThis is what is wrong with this showâ article are just the most banal things I have ever read#the wrote point they are trying to make is that because the ending is know#the show is bad for taking it time to get there#that it is bad to try and flesh out the story and characters and it needs to be more simplistic to get to the ending quicker#it is the same old nonsense said about any prequel#that because we know how it ends there's no tension#shit like that#which no one ever makes about stories based on real life#no one ever said that about titanic even though we all know the boat will sink#trop is trying to take a timeline and turn it into a drama#but surprisingly many just want an enactment of the timeline#they basically want the fellowship prologue in long form#which would be boring
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i think, if (when, actually, because i will be doing this in the future) iâm going to make a hangster x twisters au, then i need the prologue to be nothing but social media posts and comments. i need it to be 100% epistolary with news articles and twitter posts and YouTube comments and twitch livestreams
and then the actual story be in prose
and then the epilogue be a blog or article detailing the aftermath of the events
#and this is all because i want to read Benâs article that they tease during the end credits#so yeah#i Heaven also been reading css work skin tutorials for this exact reason#when this fic happens#it will begin with an epistolary prologue that basically goes over the whole story but in an outsiderâs perspective#like we are the ones getting the notifications and in the live streams and episode comments#hangster#hangster x twisters#twisters#tgm au#tgm x twisters
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i think im gonna make a sb rewrite fic.... Giggles
#im not even a writer at ALL its not generally my thing but i feel so compelled to make it#the idea came from a tag carousel carouselrabbit left on one of my posts one time :33 ivebeen rotating the idea in my head ever since#its not gna be a heavy rewrite i think ? just adding a lot of the stuff they cut + making vanessa actually fuckin important to the story Et#basically its like. greg accidentally frees himself from glitchtrap -> wakes up with no memory of any of that -> leads to hiding in fred ->#and then the SB stuff starts#working on a prologue(?) rn that starts with him waking up (+ends w him hiding in freddy) . im also making a drawing to go with it :33333#idk if it will be any good but WHO GAF!!!!!! Joy of creation#cam.txt
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As someone who's read and reread Romeo and Juliet and studied the damn thing for almost a decade ever since I first read it in high school, every time I see someone compare it to sk, I roll my eyes and let out the most audible frustrated sigh I can and no it's not cause of the star-crossed lovers thing
#kingdom hearts#i'm hella passionate about r+j so buckle up#that's not to diss on r+j cause it's one of my fav shakespeare plays (much ado about nothing and the big m word are the other two)#hell one of my planned novels is basically r+j but gay and with a happy ending#but everyone compares sokai with r+j with the most surface level readings ever and it's so annoying cause y'all are missing the point#it's a tragedy for a reason#the prologue starts off with spoiling the ending that they die for a reason#the story is basically about two groups of people with generational grudges making the worst decisions ever and it's honestly quite funny#the last thing I would do is compare sora to the guy whose first scene is him pissing and shitting himself over his crush being aroace#y'all really hyperfixated on the balcony and ignored literally everything else lmao#anyway stan best boy benvolio
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Thinking if I should post the rabbit story tomorrow or the twilight sparkle-cozy glow examination fic tomorrow
#rabbit story I COULD finish but itâs soooo long and I need to finish the second dragon and end chapter#because i have the prologue up to the dragon 1 done#but the twilight one is basically done and just needs some reworking to be like#a stand alone
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dumb frat boy
đ starring. Lee Donghyuck x afab!Reader
đŽ preview. âIâd ask what you want me to do to you, but I did some research last night, watched some of that Hentaid shit you were talking about. Itâs a lot of bondage, isnât it, Angel? A lot of⌠creampies. Youâve got a thing for being held down and filled, huh? I guessâŚâ he lets out a small laugh, âI guess Iâm a little shocked, seeing as youâre so sassy with me. Guess you just want someone to put you in your place. What is it you called Johnny? A good daddy dom? I might not always be a dom, but for you, I can make it work.âÂ
tw/cw. yandere/stalker sub themes, âunknownâ caller, heâs horny, mentions of porn/masturbation, weed/alcohol use, unprotected sex, oral (m/f receiving), deep throating, face fucking, nipple pinching/nipple worship, fingering, dirty talk, praise, hyuck has a thick cock, cum/fullness kink, creampie, etc⌠I pet names: (hers) Angel (his) baby.
đš rating. 18+ explicit I wc. 9.1k
đ aus. uni/frat au, yandere subthemes, Halloween, etcâŚ
âď¸ mlist + an.  We're back in the Ghostie au! I'm so happy to be able to put out a fic for Hyuck a year after the original story captivated so many of us <3
Prologue
âIâve got the best idea ever,â Hyuck says the moment after heâs released his first breath from the bong.
Johnny lets out a sigh, leaning back in his recliner. âThis better not be another themed wet tittie car wash fundraiser.â
âExcuse me, that idea was brilliant- pairing up with our sister sorority and being horny on cars while in costumes that somewhat resembled cars from the Disney movie Cars made us more cash for the Humane Society than weâve ever raised, so dial it down on your tone there, Ghostie.âÂ
The elder frat boy rolls his eyes at the nickname. When word got out about how he wooed his girlfriend last Halloween, the term âGhostieâ ended up sticking, and Johnnyâs never been able to let down the sexy stalker angle, even this year's pledges know about it.
âAs I was saying,â Hyuck continues, âI figure Iâll take a page out of your book, and do some weird phone call thing to woo my Angel.â
âOh, so youâre finally gonna admit your feelings to your best friend?â Johnny asks in shock, sitting up to take a better look at the younger frat boy.
âYes, but after a week of toying with her,â Hyuck announces. âIt will be fun. We all know she got her nickname Angel because sheâs really more of a demon, sheâs going to love this shit.â
âWell, I guess you know her better than I do,â Johnny muses. âSo whatâs the plan?â
âBasically, you took the best phone call stalker with Ghost Face, but I figure there are other options out there. Have you ever seen Black Christmas?âÂ
âLike⌠the one from the seventies?â Johnnyâs apprehension is clear in his features, and he reaches for the bong to take another hit.
âYeah, the one where the dude calls the sorority and is a horny fuck on the phone.â
âIsnât there some weird incest plot and jaundice thing in the second movie though?â
âNo one watches the second movie! We donât claim the way they butchered the story with that!â Hyuck exclaims, feeling agitated already.Â
âI feel like, if you called her, and did the whole Black Christmas thing, she wouldnât know what the fuck movie youâre referencing.âÂ
âThey did a remake in 2019,â Hyuck insists.
âDid anyone actually watch it though?â Johnnyâs an avid horror film lover, and if he hasnât seen the remakes, itâs not looking good for you to be able to pick up the references, a thought that throws Hyuck off.
However, even though heâs been swayed, Hyuck wonât give up on this idea. âLook, think of it as a Love is Blind sort of thing- I can make her fall in love with me over the phone, and then when I reveal myself as her best friend, sheâll be all âwoah, weâre soulmates!ââ
Johnny looks as skeptical as ever. âAre you sure thatâs the way this is going to go?â
Hyuck scrunches his nose up in distaste at the lack of support. âYes.âÂ
The elder frat boy takes in a deep breath, shaking his head. âIf this is what you want to do, I wonât stop you. I just⌠I think your Angel would react better if you were just straight up with her. Maybe thereâs a reason the two of you have never gone past the friend stage. I think the good thing about me doing this last year, was I was just acquaintances with Tiny, I made it clear off the bat that I just wanted to know her better. If she didnât want me, then that would be fine. If you do this with Angel, and she finds out itâs you and doesnât return your feelings, youâre going to ruin a friendship.â
Hyuck thinks about what Johnnyâs just said as he watches the tall resident Ghostie take another bong hit. Itâs true- In Hyuckâs heart of hearts, he knows that⌠there must be a reason the two of you have never hooked up, but itâs a reason heâs never been able to identify.
The cocky side of him refuses to believe itâs because youâre not attracted to him- thereâs definitely sexual tension between the two of you, so it must be something else.Â
Heâs so tired of toeing the line, especially since youâve always been kindred, mischievous, horny little souls.
You were with Hyuck when he pranked Sigma Veta Tau last Christmas and put glitter on their ceiling fans. You were with Hyuck when he put a rotisserie chicken in Alpha Tappa Zetaâs air vents. In fact, youâve been present at almost all of Hyuckâs master plan shenanigans.Â
Thereâs something going on between the two of you and he knows it.Â
Last year, when Johnny had pulled his little semi-stalker Ghostie stunt, Hyuck had noted that whoever was behind the anonymous calls had some balls to hit on a girl that way, and heâll be damned if he doesnât live up to that.
âListen,â Hyuck sighs. âThis is between us. Angel is going to try to figure out whoâs calling her, and I need you to keep your mouth shut, okay?â
âFine,â Johnny agrees, shaking his head. âHyuck, I love you, but sometimes I forget how much of a dumb frat boy you are.âÂ
âYou know what?â Hyuck grabs at the bong. âIâll take that as a fucking compliment.âÂ
Sunday
Youâre in the middle of a much-needed nap. Curled up on your fuzzy blankets, your textbook long since discarded while your mood lighting twinkles through the space, itâs the most comfortable youâve been all term. Itâs late October, the nights come early, and youâre starting to not mind the cool air that seeps through the crack in your window.
Itâs because youâre dead asleep, that when your phone rings, you donât even check whoâs calling. You simply bolt up, dazed and confused, reaching to pull your cell to your ear.Â
âHello?â
At first, all you hear is breathing on the other end of the line, and you roll your eyes. Youâre no stranger to dumb calls, spam calls, and the like- but then, âAngel?â
Well, this is definitely not a spam caller, they wouldnât know your nickname if it was.
âWhoâs this?â you ask, pulling your phone away from your ear to look down at your screen. Itâs a âNo Caller ID,â and you let out another exasperated sound. Â
âA friend,â the person on the other end of the line tells you.Â
âA friend I donât have in my contacts?â you scoff.
âBurner phone, baby.â
âAnd what would be the point of getting a burner phone just to call little olâ me?â you sigh, relaxing against your pillows and pinching the bridge of your nose in annoyance.Â
âWhy so serious, Angel?â
âJeeze, dude, if youâre going to do the whole creepy caller before Halloween cliche, at least stick to your character.â You canât believe heâs quoting Health Ledgerâs Joker at you now. âWho are you even trying to be? Ghost Face is so last Halloween, we all know Johnny knocked that shit out of the park. A copycat sequel is just⌠early 2000âs.â
âOkay, let me drop character for just a second,â the man on the other end of the line sighs, and you giggle at how his voice modulator emphasizes his own exasperation. âThink, horny telephone guy.â
âI wouldnât call Ghost Face particularly horny, he was just a nerd.â
âIâm not Ghost Face!â he insists. âScream came out in the mid-nineties, think earlier than that.âÂ
âWhat, am I supposed to be some kind of horror movie expert?â you scoff.Â
âFine, Iâll just tell you,â the guy sighs. âHave you seen Black Christmas?â
âNever even heard of it.â
âFuck,â he curses. âWell, donât go watch it, it has some cult following but itâs not even one of my favourites- the reason I chose the dude from that movie is because heâs a horny little fuck and calls a sorority house and some shit- and also, donât look up the second movie, I donât claim the sequel.âÂ
âWow, I love that you chose a character based purely on horniness and not if the movie is even good,â you giggle.
âWell, Johnny took the best slasher caller! What was I supposed to do? Go all ghost child from The Black Phone movie?â
âWhatâs The Black Phone movie?â
âEthan Hawke? Horror veteran, who plays the hero author in Sinister, turned bad guy in the 2021 film by the same director?âÂ
You let out a whistle. âTBH, dude, it sucks Johnny got to Ghostie first last year, because Iâd bet money you know more about horror movies than he does.â
âI one hundred percent do!âÂ
âOkay, so back to the point,â you laugh. âYouâre calling me as this horny dude from some Halloween Christmas movie- for what?â
âTo talk to you?â he suggests. âTo uh⌠be horny⌠at you?âÂ
âAnd what does this accomplish? I mean- we all know Johnnyâs Ghostie story from last year, he called a girl every day, told her to come to his frat party, and revealed himself there. Is that your game plan?â
âI was thinking about it, but it sounds kind of lackluster now.â
âThatâs because itâs not an original idea at all,â you point out.
âSequels arenât always original,â the man counters. âLots of movies have the same plot just different characters, some recurring- look, it doesnât have to be original. The original angle to this Halloween movie is that Iâm going to be way more horny than Johnny probably ever was last year.âÂ
âAnd Iâm just going to allow that?â you grin.Â
âYeah, because we both know why you have your nickname, donât we, Angel? Youâre a dirty little minx, and youâre going to love this.â
âExcept, what if, Halloween comes, and youâre a frat guy that I think is ugly?â you ask. âIf you know me, you know I have very specific tastes. Thereâs only a handful of guys Iâd actually be interested in, what makes you think youâre one of them?â
The line is dead for a few stagnant seconds, then, âI just am, okay?â
âCocky little fucker,â you giggle.
âDonât be rude.âÂ
At this point, youâre pretty sure you know whoâs on the other end of the line.Â
Thereâs been a few tells from your best friend, Donghyuck. For example, heâs the biggest actual horror buff in the NCT frat. He idolizes Johnny, and was always salty that Mark got the Chicago man as a Big and not himself, so he had a close eye on the events that took place last year in NCTâs âGhostieâ Saga. On top of all of this, thereâs an extreme familiarity in the way heâs talking to you, a preexisting natural tint to his diction. Lastly, Hyuckâs the cockiest little dumb frat boy of them all, and itâs one of the reasons youâve always loved him⌠one of the reasons youâve also always kept a bit of distance from your best friend whenever situations have had the option of turning romantic.
Well, if this is how he wants to make his move at you, so be it.
Maybe heâll convince you that he can be more than a good fuck- youâd never risk your friendship for a one-night stand, no, heâll have to prove that he could go all in, that he deserves you.
And if all else is just extra, you can at least have some fun toying with Hyuck while he thinks heâs the one toying with you.Â
âOkay,â you sigh, stretching. âLet's do this, but we can start tomorrow, you woke me up from a nap, and Iâd very much like to get back to it.âÂ
Monday
âIâm not waking you up from a nap, am I, Angel?âÂ
âNope,â you grin, mischief working its way through your mind as you think of the best way to throw Hyuck off. âI was just watching some porn, flicking the bean, you know, that sort of thing.â
You hear him choke. âF⌠Flicking the bean?â
âCome on, you have to have heard of flicking the bean!â you insist. âBuddy, youâre the one whoâs supposed to be calling me to be horny, this is your perfect opportunity!â
âRight, I uhâŚâ he coughs. âHowâs⌠howâs the bean flicking going?â
âDude, do you know anything about seduction?â you scoff. ââHowâs the bean flicking going,ââ you imitate. âLame!â
âRude!â he counters.
God, heâs so obviously Hyuck and you bet he doesnât even realize it.Â
âYou know what, if you must ask, the bean flicking is going really well.â
âWhat kind of porn do you watch?â he questions next.Â
âWouldnât you like to know?â you tease.
âTell me,â Hyuck insists.Â
âMight have to get you to beg if you want to hear those kinds of details.â
âIâm the creepy phone stalker, I call the shots.â
You roll your eyes. âSure you do, buddy.âÂ
âStop calling me buddy.â
âOkay, dude.â
âDonât call me dude either!â
âThen what am I supposed to call you? Itâs not like anyone knows the name of the slasher from Halloween Christmas, or whatever. Youâre no Ghost Face, friend.â
âItâs Black Christmas,â he corrects you. âAnd Iâm pretty sure his name is Billy.â
âWow, how sexy, Billy,â you scoff. âYou really didnât think this one through that well, did you, buddy?â
âOriginal Ghost Face is who? Stu Matcher and Billy fucking Loomis,â Hyuck points out. âItâs not the worst name in the world.â
âTell me one person who refers to Ghost Face as Billy Loomis though, one person, and Iâll tell you what porn I watch.â
âThe⌠screenwriter?â
âJesus Christ, dude. Thatâs such low-hanging fruit.â
âNow tell me what porn you watch.âÂ
You let out a deep sigh. âAll this bickering has me not in the mood anymore.â
âWeird, Iâm extra in the mood now.â
âCuz youâre a weirdo who gets off on play fighting, I bet.âÂ
His voice takes on a whiney pitch when he says, âTell me what porn you watch!âÂ
âHonestly?â Youâre tired of this conversation, but you see one last opportunity to toy with Hyuck before you hang up. âHentaid on Porn Hub, Iâm all about that alien, tentacle shit,â your voice takes on the air of a damsel in distress when you muse, âNo mortal man can ever satiate me, Iâm afraid.â
âHoly shit,â Hyuck whispers. âAre you for real? Tentacle porn?â
âUh huh, now, goodnight, buddy.â You hang up on Hyuck with a shit-eating grin on your face, knowing youâve left him something to think about.Â
Tuesday
âHey,â you say, sitting down next to your best friend in the on-campus burger joint where you spend your Tuesday two-hour period between classes. âIâve got something to talk to you about.â
Hyuck is mid-bite of a burger, and he holds up a hand, covering his obnoxious eating style. âJust a sec,â he mumbles.Â
You wait patiently, staring at your friend while he finishes up. Heâs in a black hoodie, and black t-shirt, and his laptop is open next to where heâs eating his combo meal. Heâs usually here before you are, scoping out a booth and food so you two can chill in peace before your shared history course.Â
History isnât your major per se, itâs more of a special interest, and the same goes for Hyuck. Heâs a film major- another obvious dent in his plan to fly under the radar as your phone stalker who just happens to know everything about horror movies.Â
âOkay,â Hyuck says, swallowing the last of his large bite of food. âWhatâs up?â
âSo on Sunday, I got a phone call from some dude with a burner phone,â you explain, watching closely as Hyuckâs brows raise just a moment too late to be legitimate surprise.
âYeah? What did he say?â
âHeâs trying to recreate Johnnyâs whole Ghostie thing from last year, but as is the case with most sequels in the horror genre, heâs kind of missing the mark.â
Hyuck chokes a little on his food, and he reaches for his Coke to wash it down. âWhatâs he doing wrong?â
âWhat an odd question, Hyuck,â you say, narrowing your eyes at him. âBut, to answer it, heâs just⌠not loose enough. He feels too rigid. I gave him an in last night, if you know what I mean, and he just, fumbled it.â
âAn in?â Hyuck cocks his head to the side, âwhat do you mean?â
âYou know, an opportunity to be horny with me.â
âAnd you want him to be horny with you?â
âI mean, thatâs the whole point isnât it? He promised me heâd be more horny than Johnny was last year, but I feel like Johnny probably had this whole daddy dom thing down- I donât know what this new guy is trying to give, but heâs not giving, you feel me?â
âHuh, thatâs weird,â Hyuck shrugs, picking up his burger again. âDo you have any guesses who it might be?â
You shrug. âHe told me it was someone I think is hot. So that means it could be Jaehyun- God, you know how sexy I think Jaehyun is,â - youâre relishing in the way you get to tease Hyuck like this - âit could be Jeno, or Jaemin- I donât think Iâd even mind if both of them came up to me on Halloween, full original Scream style- Jaemin is definitely the Stu Matcher character, though.âÂ
âJeeze, Angel,â Hyuck grimaces, putting his burger down and leaning back in the booth. âDo you have to talk about two of my best friends tag teaming you while Iâm eating?â
âSorry, babes,â you snicker. âI just think this week is going to be fun, and I canât wait for my Billy Halloween Christmas stalker to find his A-game.â
You half expect Hyuck to correct you on the movie title, and you see him bite his tongue, fighting the urge to throw his own cover under the bus in a bid to protect the sanctity of cult films. But alas, Hyuck shuts himself up with another bite of his burger, and with one last look at your friend, you pull out your laptop to actually get some work done.
Wednesday
âHey, bud,â you answer your call with a grin, twirling your hair around your finger while your eyes skim your textbook. âWhat happened yesterday? You never called.â
âYou looked busy,â comes a curt retort.
âOh⌠did you see me with Hyuck?â you stifle a laugh, of course heâs going to play this jealousy angle, when in reality, he was probably just butthurt about you toying with him.Â
âIt was hard not to notice you with him,â he responds.Â
âSomeone sounds jealous.â
âWhatâs your relationship with him?â
God, Hyuck must be very desperate to be trying to get details out of you about how you feel about him, through his alter ego.
You take a deep breath, closing your book and leaning back in your chair. âWeâre close,â you start.
âBut just friends.âÂ
âJust friends,â you confirm. âI guess, I mean, obviously heâs cute. Thereâs no argument about Hyuck being cute. And heâs fun, heâs cocky, heâs mischievous- I guess my one concern with him is if he could do something long term. I may come off as a dirty little demon child, but in reality- I donât want to put all my eggs in one guys basket if heâs busy collecting eggs, if that makes any sense.â
âYou want a guy who just wants you, who puts in the effort.â
âExactly.âÂ
âIâm putting in effort,â your âmystery manâ points out.
âI suppose this could be considered effort.âÂ
âI spent twenty five bucks on this burner phone.â
âWow, buddy, that must have broke the bank.âÂ
âI have money!â he insists.
Hyuck definitely has money, itâs one of the reasons heâs probably so cocky. He comes from a large line of Leeâs, a family group that owns development all around the country. Youâve tried not to let any gold digging inklings stain your perception of the frat boy though, that wouldnât be fair to him.
âHey, friend?â you ask, choosing a base level nickname for this man who is clearly Hyuck.
âYes, Angel?â
âWere you thinking about it yesterday?â
âThinking about what?â
âMe, you know⌠watching alien tentacle porn and flicking my bean.â You try to make your voice sound innocent, but you canât help the mischievous grin that works itâs way onto your face.Â
You can hear him swallow thickly. âHold that thought, Iâm going to call you back.âÂ
âWait-â before you can get an explanation, the line goes dead, and you release an annoyed huff, crossing your arms over your chest.
Heâs such a little shit, leaving you hanging like this-
Two minutes go by, then five- and just as youâre starting to be really annoyed, Hyuck calls you back.
âTook you long enough,â you snap.
âListen, Angel, I needed to get in the mood. Iâm too rigid talking to a pretty girl like you, had to take some of the load off.â You can tell, even under his modulated voice, that Hyuck has most definitely just gotten into some weed.
This is so classic him- and to be completely fair, youâve witnessed the effects of Mary-Jane on one mister Lee Donghyuck. Heâs much more suave while green, less anxious, more willing to take risks.
âSo, to answer your question,â Hyuck continues, letting out a breath. âI have been thinking about you. Been thinking about your cute voice, how it would sound begging, whining, whimpering- what little noises youâd make choking on cock, or tentacle-â Hyuck laughs. âIâll be honest, I donât have an octopus dick or anything. If you let me, youâll have to be okay with a human style back breaking.âÂ
Youâre shocked.
Had he really just said all of this to you?
Was weed all it took for him to pull up his big boy panties and lay some actual sin onto you?
You canât ignore the way your pussy flutters with interest at his words, and you shift uncomfortably in your chair. âIâm sure we can make it work⌠what kind of tool are you packing, buddy?âÂ
Hyuck chuckles. âItâs thick, I think it will do the job.â
Hyuck isnât the tallest frat boy, but in no way is he the smallest either. Heâs average, and to think that he has an above average girthy dick- well, you canât help lick your lips in interest.Â
âStalker got your tongue, Angel?â Hyuck asks. âYouâve just gone awfully quiet.â
âIâm justâŚâ you swallow thickly. âJust thinking.â
âAbout my thick cock splitting you open?âÂ
God, your pussy is throbbing now- âHow⌠our first few calls were so awkward-â
âI promised you dirty, didnât I? Needed some courage first, but⌠I can tell youâre not mad about it.âÂ
Youâre definitely not mad about it.
You think maybe part of you would be upset if you didnât know your âmystery callerâsâ identity- but the safety of knowing, in your heart of hearts, that this is Hyuck- it changes everything, and you can allow yourself to feel the pleasure already beating through you.
âIâd ask what you want me to do to you, but I did some research last night, watched some of that Hentaid shit you were talking about. Itâs a lot of bondage, isnât it, Angel? A lot of⌠creampies. Youâve got a thing for being held down and filled, huh? I guessâŚâ he lets out a small laugh, âI guess Iâm a little shocked, seeing as youâre so sassy with me. Guess you just want someone to put you in your place. What is it you called Johnny? A good daddy dom? I might not always be a dom, but for you, I can make it work.âÂ
âSoâŚâ you find it hard to even speak because heâs so right about his assessment that it hurts. âSo⌠youâre more of a switch?â
âI can be. Generally, Iâm not about strict roles in the bedroom, but if youâre into that sort of thing, I can see what itâs about.âÂ
âTell me more about being a switch?â
âDonât want to give you too many details about myself, these calls are about you, Angel.âÂ
You let out a groan.
âBe patient,â he reminds you. âAnd tell me, are you as wet right now as I am hard?â
This time, the sound you release is really more of a moan, and it makes Hyuck chuckle darkly.
âIâll take that as a yes⌠are you gonna touch yourself after this? Gonna do all the work I canât do, not yet, anyway.âÂ
âMaybeâŚâ
âI like the thought of that, two horny people, whacking off together after a phone call, different rooms, but weâll be on each otherâs minds.âÂ
You get the suspicion that Hyuck is going to be on your mind for a whole lot longer than simply your upcoming bean-flicking session.Â
Thursday
âIâm here, Iâm here! Whatâs the emergency!â Mark asks, out of breath, his cheeks flushed from the cold outside and having just run across campus.
âItâs not an emergency, donât worry, just sit!â you tell him, pushing out a chair.
âAngel, you texted me, and I quote,â he pulls out his phone, â911, meet me at our spot in the library asap.â
âWell, I wanted you to come,â you shrug.
âGod, youâre as much of a drama queen as Hyuck is,â Mark sighs, taking his seat across from you.Â
âSpeaking of HyuckâŚâ you grin, leaning forward and clasping your hands together, âyour roommate decided to go full Ghostie this year.â
âWait, heâs not doing Ghost Face for Halloween-â
âNo, I mean, like, stalker phone call Johnny Ghostie,â you clarify.Â
âWhat?â Markâs expression is blank, and he looks completely unimpressed.
âBasically, he called me on Sunday, did this whole thing about doing a Black Christmas character or some shit- heâs been calling me from a burner phone with a voice modulator-â
âJesus Christ,â Mark sighs, covering his eyes with his hand.Â
âThe moral of the story is, Halloween night, Iâm calling dibs on your room.â
âMy room?â Mark peaks out at you through his fingers.
âYour roommate has to get laid. Actually, scratch that, I have to get laid⌠with your roommate.âÂ
âThis is so-â Mark groans. âI thought we were over this stalker Halloween thing to get girls. Donât any of us have respect or standards anymore?â
âYouâre frat boys, Mark, so the answer on that one is going to be a no from me.â
âWhy are you even into this?â Mark questions further. âLike- whatâs so sexy about any of this?â
âI mean⌠it shows Hyuck cares?â
âHe cares enough to get a burner phone and a voice modulator and call you and be creepy and horny? Wow, what a huge chivalrous act of love.âÂ
You narrow your eyes at Mark Lee. âIâm not enjoying your sarcasm, mister.â
âAnd Iâm not enjoying this,â Mark retorts, pointing between the two of you. âFuck, fine, have my room on Halloween.â
âLast thing though, Hyuck canât know that I know that heâs the one calling me.âÂ
âWait, so this isnât a bit? Heâs committed to trying to trick you?â Mark leans back in his chair, his expression getting even more bleak. âThe two of you are crazier than I thought.âÂ
As you open your mouth to respond, your phone rings, and you look down to see Hyuckâs burner âNo Caller ID.â
âHeya, buddy,â you answer, bringing your finger to your lips to shush Mark.
âWatcha up to?â
âJust in the library with a friend.â
Hyuckâs tone shifts. âWhich friend?â
âMark, you probably know him.â
âOf course I know fucking Mark. Whyâs he with you?âÂ
âJust chatting⌠why? You jealous?â
âNo.â
âYes.â
âNo!â
âYes!â You let out a laugh. âBuddy, settle down, we both know Iâm not into Mark Lee, weâve talked about this before.â
âWeâve never talked about Mark,â Hyuck responds, and you realize, you may have just betrayed that you know who he is-
âI mean, he wasnât on my list with Jaehyun, or Jeno, or Jaemin-â you quickly cover your blunder, and Hyuck releases an annoyed sound.
âI get it, I get it,â he groans. âFine, finish up your time with fucking Mark, then.âÂ
âDonât be salty about this,â you warn.
âYeah, whatever.âÂ
Friday
Itâs the final day before Halloween, and if thereâs one thing you know for sure, itâs that Hyuck is working. The SVT and NCT frats are the primary workers at the on-campus bar, Skeets, so they have a deal that NCT works the Friday before Halloween, and SVT works the Saturday.Â
Knowing these details, youâre also aware that itâs possible Hyuck wonât be home till three am, so youâre a little shocked when you get a call at one.
âHi, Angel.â
âIf it isnât my favorite stalker,â you grin, pausing your horror film- in all truth, youâd decided to watch Black Christmas, and now you can see why Hyuck told you not to bother, he hasnât nailed the deranged attitude of the main villain at all.Â
âWatcha doin?â
âNot much, you?â
âNot much,â he responds.
âAre you sure?â you counter. âCuz something tells me maybe youâre working right now⌠did you get a break, buddy?â
âIâm not working,â he insists.Â
âSure youâre not,â you laugh, dropping the line of questioning. âHey, tell me again why you chose Billy from Black Christmas?âÂ
âSeriously?â Hyuck lets out a sigh. âI guess I just wanted⌠an excuse to be horny on the phone for you, even if itâs just for a week.â
He sounds defeated, and youâre not shocked. Halloween is the busiest night of the year at the bar Hyuck works at, if anything, youâre surprised he even had a moment to dip outside and call you.
âYouâre cute,â you muse. âYou sound tired, so Iâll let you go, but uh⌠Iâll see you tomorrow, yeah?â
âYou will.â
âAnd how will I know itâs you?âÂ
âYou just will, goodnight, Angel.âÂ
SaturdayÂ
Youâve just arrived at the frat party, and already, youâre on the hunt for Hyuck.
At this point, youâre tired of the games. You feel closer to Hyuck, in some odd, sinister sort of way- closer than you ever have before. And youâre tired of hiding it, tired of this weird cat and mouse- you just want to have a conversation with him, to get everything out into the open so you can truly discuss your feelings.
You find him by the beer pong table. Heâs in a full denim fit, and you canât put your finger on who he is as you approach.
âHey, Hyuck,â you greet, tucking into his side so he can hear you over the music. âNice Canadian Tuxedo.â
âDo you know who I am?â he asks.
âUhâŚâ You look at him blankly. âAre you talking about your denim costume? Or the way youâve been calling me all week?â
Hyuck stares at you in shock. âUhâŚâ he clears his throat. âIâm Ken⌠you know, from the Barbie movie.âÂ
âRightâŚâ you trail off, wondering if heâs going to touch on the Black Christmas side of things.
âAlso⌠what do you mean? About me calling you all week?â
âHyuck,â you sigh. âPlease donât try to avoid this. Just be honest. Itâs you. I know itâs you.âÂ
He looks at you, and you can see the cogs turning in his mind.
âYou told me youâd reveal yourself tonight,â you continue. âI know I kind of just threw you under the bus, maybe I ruined your master plan or something, but Iâm tired of pretending I donât know itâs one of my best friends whoâs been calling me all week being horny.â
âAre you mad at me?â he asks, voice lowering. His eyes search yours, as if heâs trying to get a read on you.
âHyuck,â you let out a laugh, âIâm not mad at all, but I think we should go to your room and talk this out a little, donât you?â
âI guess thatâs a good idea,â he acquiesces.Â
âThen letâs go.â You grab his hand, lacing your fingers so you can drag him to the stairs that lead to the second floor. You donât say anything as you move, youâre on a mission, and what you need to discuss with him is better said alone than in a crowd of horny Halloween partygoers.
You make it to the privacy of his room, and you shut the door behind you. âSo?â
âSo?â Hyuck moves through the space, and you notice him heading for his bong.
âHey, donât do that,â you sigh.
âDonât do what?â he asks.
âYou donât need to get high to have this conversation.â
âI donât?â
âNo.â You shake your head. âI donât want you to be high when we do this.âÂ
Hyuck lets out another deep breath. âThis isnât how I planned things.â
âYeah, I guess not,â you admit, watching him take a seat on his bed. âHow did you see tonight panning out?âÂ
âI suppose I figured I could get some drinks in, liquid courage, that sort of thing. And then, maybe Iâd reveal myself at the end of the night or something.â
âAre you really so scared of me that you need to be drinking to confess how you feel?â you ask, melting a little. You approach Hyuck, sitting carefully on the bed next to him while he faces clear inner turmoil.
âIâm not afraid,â he states, but you can tell from the tone of his voice that thereâs something else going on. âI just⌠You told me you only want a man who can commit, a guy who only has eyes for you- and, I do, but⌠we both know my playboy track record, and I guess⌠I just worry about hurting you.â
âDo you want to hurt me?â you question, tilting your head as you try to understand him.
âNo, never.â
âDo you think youâre at the point where you could settle down a little? Iâm not trying to get you to stop partying, I just mean⌠committing to one girl, is that something you think youâre capable of?â
âIf itâs you, then yeah⌠I think so,â he nods, finally meeting your eyes.
He looks so vulnerable, and itâs very different from how you usually view your mischievous friend.
âHyuck,â you whisper, unable to help the way your hand raises to cup his cheek. âIâm willing to give this a shot if you are. If thereâs something real here, and itâs not just you being a horny, dumb frat boy.â
âOkay, rude,â Hyuck laughs, showing you a glimmer of the him that you know and love, âItâs more than being horny⌠but⌠in all honesty, seeing you in this fucking faerie costume has me all hot and bothered.â
âYeah?â You lean closer, grinning. Your lips ghost over his when you say your next words, âSo what are you gonna do about it?â
Hyuck sucks in a sharp breath, his pupils dilating- youâre so close to him, and you can make out all the pretty shades of brown in his irises. Gosh, he really is a pretty frat boy.Â
His hands find your hips, and he tugs your body closer. You can feel him breathing, his gaze darting between your own and your mouth. You watch his tongue dip out to wet his lips, and he swallows thickly.
âFuck it,â he mutters, finally smashing his lips to your own.Â
Itâs not gentle by any means, but itâs not necessarily aggressive either- one word to describe this kiss, is: desperate. Heâs so eager, and you kind of love it, love the way he tugs you flush to his own body, one hand moving to cup your cheek- his tongue glides against your own and you stifle a moan, shifting in his embrace so you can wrap your arms around his neck.
It feels so good to be pressed against him like this- youâre actually kind of shocked at how good it feels. And his hands, exploring your body, keeping you close, fingers digging into your hips-
Hyuck is everywhere, devouring you like youâre his last meal.
âOh,â you whisper, when Hyuckâs mouth moves to your neck. âBy the way, I called dibs on your room with Mark, he wonât be bothering us.â
Your dumb frat boy pulls away from your throat, a grin on his face. âYou really knew it was me all along, huh?â
âYouâre not exactly subtle, buddy,â you laugh.
Hyuck shakes his head, reaching to lock the door before his hands ensnare you again. He pushes his body against yours, urging you to move backward until your calves hit the bed. Before pushing you down, he removes your faerie costume wings, and only once the more delicate part of your costume is discarded, does he shove you onto his mattress.
âHyuck,â you giggle, looking up at him with starry eyes.
âYou look so good like this,â Hyuck muses, tugging his denim âKenâ style vest off to reveal a body hardened from Frat mandated work out brother time. Heâs not too big, not too built- Hyuck still has some pudge on him, but you kind of love it. You love that itâs not a full six pack and bulging biceps- you can imagine that when this is all done, heâll be lovely to cuddle with.
In fact, youâre not sure it would matter how muscled Hyuck is. Sure, it helps that heâs physically fit and hot, but- at this point in your friendship, youâre attracted to him for so much more than his body.
No man makes you laugh like him. No man has spent the time that he has to understand you and make you feel comfortable with him knowing you, the true you, the you that you donât get to show many others.
Hyuck is just⌠heâs good for you, and he always has been. That goodness has so far been a friend capacity sort of thing, but youâre excited about the new development in your relationship. You think thereâs true potential with him, and it makes you dizzy as you stare up at one of your best friends.
âI kind of want to eat you out, Angel,â Hyuck admits, one hand finding your thigh and pushing your short dress even higher up your leg.
âFunny, I kind of want to suck you off,â you grin, lifting one foot out of your shoe to tease your toes across the front of his jeans.
âSo⌠sixty-nine?â Hyuck asks, gently tracing his fingers across your exposed skin, setting tingles of pleasure off to erupt and skitter through your form.
âThat would work, but⌠I guess⌠I kind of want to lay with my head lolled off the side of the bed, your cock in my mouth, and your fingers pinching at my nipples while I work my own clit at the same time.â
âJesus,â Hyuck breathes, swallowing thickly as he looks up at you. âHow could I say no to that?âÂ
âThen, when Iâm close to cumming, you can eat me out, get me there, then fuck me stupid for your own release.â
âItâs funny,â Hyuck chuckles, âHere I thought I was the horny one calling you and trying to be a creep, but youâre the one with the dirty mouth and the great ideas.â
âYeah, your whole Black Christmas thing really wasnât the best idea Iâve ever heard,â you tease.
âHow many times do I have to admit it was a shitty plan but I just wanted to get close to you?â
âAt least once more.â
âFine. Now flip around, loll your head off my bed, let me put my cock down your throat and pinch your nipples while you toy with your cute pussy.â
âHow do you know my pussy is cute?â you ask. âYou haven't even seen it yet.â
âIâve been imagining, baby, and as a film major, my imagination is pretty fucking good.â
You giggle, getting into position for Hyuck. He stands near your head as you loll it off the side of the bed, and you get a good view of his bulge straining in his jeans.
âYouâre excited,â you muse, cupping him through the denim.
âWho wouldnât be?â he laughs, undoing his button, then the zipper. âFuck, you look so good laid out like this.â
âYeah?â You pull the top of your dress down, releasing your boobs.
âFuuuuuck,â Hyuck groans, pausing his motions on his jeans to reach down and massage your newly exposed breast. âI knew your tits would be perfect.â
You moan at the feeling of his warm hands. His fingers pinch at your nipple and your moan turns into a whine. âFeels good.â
âYou feel good,â he counters.
âGet your cock out,â you instruct, feeling impatient.
âStart rubbing your pussy,â Hyuck retorts with a laugh.
âYes, sir,â you respond teasingly, reaching one of your hands down to your thighs. You slip it under your dress, deciding on taking your panties off alltogether.Â
Hyuck continues to massage you as you pull off your thong.Â
You canât help yourself, you toss it at him, and Hyuck lets go of your breast in favour of catching it. âFuck, these are cute,â he says, admiring your panties.
âI knew Iâd be getting laid.â
His tone shifts to the darker, more annoyed side of things. âYeah?â
âAnd donât get all angsty, I knew Iâd be fucking you tonight.âÂ
âThatâs what I like to hear,â Hyuck grins, putting your panties in his pocket before he undoes his jeans, shifting them down his thighs.
The fucker isnât wearing underwear, and you get a good view of his cock for the first time.
âFuck, dude, you werenât lying when you said you were thick,â you muse, licking your lips.
âIâd never lie to you about my cock,â he laughs.
You slip one hand between your thighs, stroking your wet core- itâs crazy how turned on you are from this, but part of you thinks this has been building for a while- for a week, actually.
Hyuck strokes his cock, looking down at you. âReady for this?â he asks.
âPut it in my mouth,â you command, opening wide for him.
âIf Iâm going to deep, push my thigh,â he tells you as he slips his cock past your lips.
You moan a sound of affirmation around him, immediately beginning to suck on his tip, getting used to his size before you take more.
Hyuck is surprisingly gentle with how much heâs allowing you to take. If you hadnât been pacing yourself, youâre sure heâd be pacing you of his own accord.Â
One of his hands finds your breast again, pinching the nipple and sending jitters of pleasure down to your throbbing core.
You groan louder around him, sucking more into your mouth as you increase the pressure on your clit.
âThis is so fucking hot,â Hyuck moans, thrusting gently into your mouth so you can lay flat and still, allowing him to do most of the work while you rub your pussy deliciously.
You can only let out a sound of affirmation as he uses your mouth.
With your eyes closed, you can focus fully on the feeling of pleasure thatâs building inside of you.Â
When youâd imagined fucking Hyuck for the first time, this hadnât necessarily been a position at the forefront of your thoughts- but when heâd suggested eating you out, youâd realized this is exactly what youâd wanted.Â
You want to give back to him, want to show him how much youâve appreciated him taking the leap and telling you how he feels- even if it was in some weird, dumb frat boy, phone call kind of way.Â
The way heâs pinching your thighs is actually delicious- and then, you hear him spit, and you feel the cool liquid hit your chest. This time, when he rubs his thumb over your nipple, he spreads his spit across your skin, making it even more intense.
âPart of me just wants to cum on these perfect tits,â he admits.
You make a very clear sound of disagreement, and Hyuck pulls his cock out of your mouth. Youâd been salivating so much that as he moves away, your own saliva drips back down onto your face from his length. You swallow thickly, finding your voice. âNeed you to cum inside of me.â
âFuuuuck,â Hyuck groans, pinching your nipple even harder. âYou and your creampie kink.â
He slips his cock back into your mouth, and you greedily eat him up.
Then he leans further over your body, his fingers joining yours on your core. âYouâre so fucking wet,â he muses, pushing your hand out of your way so he can rub your clit, gently fucking your face as he does so.
Itâs a shallow face fucking, as heâs bent over your laid down body to access your core, but you donât mind.
Your eyes are still closed, and youâre enjoying every sensation, bringing your free hands up to your breasts to massage them and pinch your own nipples.
âYou look so sexy, want you to cum so bad so I can fuck you stupid,â he tells you, rubbing your clit even harder.
You rut your hips up toward his hand, a non verbal motion that tells him youâre close.
God, itâs like heâs been in your pants before- he knows exactly how to stroke and massage your clit-
âAnd youâre still sucking me off so good-â he continues. âAnd grabbing at your tits too, youâre my insatiable little Angel, arenât you?â
You moan deeply around his cock, and Hyuck fucks you a little harder, the tip of his cock hitting the back of your throat. You gag around him, feeling tears in your eyes.
âShit, sorry, Angel, fuck, that just felt so good- can I do it again? Can I fuck your throat again?â
You make a sound of affirmation, shocked at how your body had reacted to his cock being fully inside of your mouth. A tingle of excitement had run through you, your nipples getting intensely sensitive, your core throbbing-
Hyuck does it again, hitting the back of your throat, and the same sensation happens. You can feel yourself getting desperately close to the edge, and you hardly have to do anything. Other than pinching your own nipples, Hyuck is the one taking care of you, and you kind of love it.
âI can tell youâre close, Angel,â Hyuck chuckles. âFuck, gonna cum from me fucking your face and rubbing your clit, right?â
You moan desperately, wiggling your hips. Hyuck reads your cue, rubbing your clit even harder.
Now, you canât help but pull off his cock, pushing his thigh to give you a bit of space.
âYou good?â he asks, motions pausing.
âYeah,â you tell him, swallowing thickly as you grab his cock to stroke him off. âJust keep- fuck, keep rubbing me like that, Iâm so close-â
âFuck this,â Hyuck mutters, and all of the sudden, heâs pulling away.
You let out a whine- only for him to spin you on his bed. He sinks to his knees, drawing your core to the edge where your head had just been, then he dives in, his lips immediately suctioning around your clit.
Two fingers push into your aching core and you whimper desperately, grabbing at his hair to keep him on your pussy as he works you closer and closer-
âHyuck-â you cry out, muscles clenching-
One more slurp on your clit has you topping over the edge, entire body electrified by the orgasm surging through you.
You slap a hand over your mouth, trying to muffle your sounds as he works you through your high. He doesnât quit, doesnât pull away- he sucks your clit through your entire high, until your thighs are shaking on his shoulders and youâre on the verge of tears.
âOkay-â you whimper, pushing at his head. âSensitive-â
Hyuck finally lets up. You open your eyes to watch him stand, pulling his fingers from your core and sliding them into his own mouth.
âYou taste just like Halloween candy, baby,â he muses, eyes clouded with lust.
âI wanna taste,â you whisper.
Hyuck pushes his jeans completely off, and then he gets on top of you, smashing his lips to your own. The flavour of your pussy is hot on his tongue, and it invades your senses, driving you wild as you kiss him deeper, threading your fingers through his hair.
His cock nudges between your pussy lips as he grinds down against you, rocking his hips.
âFuck me,â you tell him, moving your mouth to suck on his ear lobe.
âShit,â Hyuck groans, shivering from the sensation of your tongue on his ear. âWant you naked first.â
He pulls away just long enough to tug your dress up and over your head, then he returns to his spot, his cock rutting against your core once more.
The two of you have been friends forever. Hyuck knows you have an IUD, heâd been there for you when youâd gotten it last year, when youâd just wanted to stay in bed and rot for a few days. Thereâs no need to discuss birth control or safety- all thereâs left to do, is have his thick cock fill you in ways youâve been wanting all week.
Hyuck adjusts, grabbing his base so he can push his tip into your throbbing hole.
âFuck,â you whimper in his ear, clutching his shoulders as he pushes an inch into you.
âYou good?â he asks, breath hot on your throat.
âSo good,â you respond, locking your legs around his hips.
He pushes deeper into your pussy, and your core welcomes him in, walls stretching to accommodate his thick cock.Â
Hyuck bottoms out, and you both groan deeply. He forces his lips onto your own again, and itâs a clash of teeth and tongues.
Itâs animalistic in the best sort of way- like youâve both been caged up for as long as youâve known each other, and youâre finally letting your beasts out to do the most primal thing imaginable.
There are no thoughts in your mind as Hyuck begins to fuck you, thereâs only you, him, and this intense feeling of pleasure.
You feel so connected to him- missionary isnât always the most fun position, but with Hyuck, it feels right. It feels like this was meant to be your first time together, face to face, lip locked, breathing each other in, moaning desperately as he takes you as his own.
âFuck,â Hyuck groans, gently biting on your lip. âYour pussy is taking me so fucking well- first your mouth, now this- how do you expect me to last long?â
âI donât,â you giggle. âYou made me cum so hard on your tongue, Iâm about ready to be filled with your cum and then lay here.â
âIâm gonna cuddle the shit out of you after this.â
âYou better,â you grin.
Hyuck smiles against your lips, kissing you again as he fucks you even harder.
The stretch of his girthy cock is unlike anything else- and it feels like heaven as he pounds you into his mattress.
âRub your clit?â he suggests.
âI canât- I canât cum again,â you whimper, still sensitive from your first orgasm.
âIâll have to train you to cum more after this,â he promises.
You can only grin, drawing his lips to your own again as he uses you to find the ends of his own pleasure.
His whimpering sounds are like music to your ears- fuck, Hyuck is too hot to even imagine. Had this guy really been one of your best friends for this long without you ever exploiting this?
Youâre so fucking happy heâd called you and been weird all week- it was the perfect foreplay, and now, youâre completely enraptured by him.
âShit,â Hyuck groans.Â
âYou close, baby?â you ask.
âFuck, call me baby again.â
âBaby,â you whimper, âyour cock feels so good in my tight pussy.â
Hyuck moans even louder.Â
âJust like that,â you encourage him, tightening your legs on his hips. âKeep doing that- right there-â The tip of his cock is hitting the perfect spots inside of you, and youâre gasping from the feeling, burrowing your face in his throat and panting against his skin.
âShit, Angel-â
âCum for me, baby, cum in my pussy,â you urge him.
Thatâs all it takes for him to explode, letting out a deep groan as he releases deep inside your core, coating your walls with him.
His thrusts falter, his breathing laboured, entire body shivering-
You stroke the back of his head, cooing in his ear, helping him through it until heâs finished, coming to a stop ontop of you and breathing heavily.
âGood boy,â you tease.
Hyuck lets out a deep chuckle, and it turns into a sigh. âYouâre going to be the death of me.â
âAnd youâd love that.â
âI would,â he admits. âOkay, fuck, Iâm gonna pull out, gonna grab some tissues and sweat pants- we can head to the bathroom down the hall and hopefully clean up a little, then weâre gonna cuddle.â
âSounds like a plan to me,â you grin, laying there as he groans and gets off of you, following through with his intentions.
Soon, cum is being wiped from your pussy and youâre being helped into sweatpants.
The two of you exit his room, and youâre very pleased to see that most of the party is downstairs, leaving his floor pretty vacant.Â
You make your way to the bathroom with him, clutching his hand.
Once there, you both clean up, and you listen to Hyuck splash water on his face while you pee, making sure all his cum is out of you.
The two of you make it back to his room, collapsing into bed. He pulls you to his chest, cuddling you close.
âBefore I pass out⌠how did you know it was me on the phone?â he asks.
âOut of everyone in the frat, you idolize Johnny the most. It wasnât a reach that youâd recreate his Ghostie thing last year. On top of that, youâre a film major, you know horror movies better than anyone else. And, youâre a horny fucker, which is something Iâve always loved about you- I just⌠I needed you to make a move, which you never really did, until now. It just⌠made sense that it was you. The way we talk to each other, I could tell it was you from the very first call.â
âHere I was, thinking I was all suave and shit.â
âYou were very suave, baby,â you grin, pressing a kiss to the underside of his jaw.
âHappy Halloween, Angel.â
You giggle. âHappy Halloween.âÂ
âď¸Â mlist + an. thank you for reading! find my other nct frat fics (including Ghostie) HERE. I made this meme for this fic because it's so them.
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đŽ preview. âSo, Iâm gonna finger fuck you stupid,â he explains, pushing his digits back into you. âAnd then, Iâm going to apply pressure, right here-â Hyuckâs hand smooths across your abdomen, even the slightest push makes you feel his fingers deep in your core, and you release a whine of pleasure. âYeah, youâre going to love this,â he confirms with a grin.Â
cw/ tw. Unprotected sex, oral ( f receiving), pussy worship, fingering, multiple reader orgasms, overstim, squirting, dirty talk, praise, Hyuck holds the reader down by her abdomen, etc⌠I petnames: (y/nâs) Angel. (his) Baby.Â
đšÂ rating. 18+ explicit I wc. 2.4k I teaser wc. 220
đ staring. Haechan x afab!reader
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You love Hyuck, you do- but sometimes (especially when watching movies) he has this tendency to⌠well, never shut up.
âOkay so, coming up, when the alien pops out of his body, the director didnât tell anyone this was going to happen, so when Sigourney Weaver and the others react, itâs genuine shock and surprise-â
You love his facts too, you do⌠but⌠sometimes, they get a bit much.
âBaby,â you coo, cuddling closer to your boyfriend, âCan we just⌠watch the movie?â
âWe are watching the movie.â
âI mean⌠God, Iâm going to sound like a bitch, but can we get through like⌠ten minutes without a fun fact?â
âBut⌠my fun facts are fun.â
âThey are, baby, they are,â you assure him, patting his chest, âI justâŚâ you sigh, âten minutes?â
âI can think of a distraction for my mouth,â Hyuck grins.
Your pussy immediately flutters, picking up on what heâs saying. âYeah? Donât you want to watch the movie?â
âIâve seen it a billion times.â His hand rubs your shoulder and he nuzzles against your cheek, breath hot on your skin. âCome on, let me eat out your pretty pussy. Iâve been wanting to overstim you for a hot minute- I think I could get three or four out of you while youâre watching.â
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So uh... How do you feel about Nikol's existence?
I technically shouldn't know who that is yet but... I do. And. Well. You can probably guess by how you worded this ask hahaha.
Not surprised at all, if you like them as a couple then good for you and hope you're enjoying the DLC, you don't need me on your side because they're canon so that can satisfy you content-wise plus my opinions are silly and don't matter, etc etc, all I've said before applies here.
Honestly, if anything, the only unique thing I have to add here* is how his design really demonstrates how much Shulk and Fiora look like siblings lmao. There's even a (really cool!) fan mod to alter Fiora's hair and skin color to look more like her (actual) brother, so I'm not alone in seeing this haha.
So, Nikol. He sure does exist. Dude looks just like Shulk because his dad and mom both look like Shulk so what else could he look like. That's about all the thoughts I have haha (at least until I actually play more of 3 and see what he's like).
Non-ask-related ramblings under the cut because it's me, of course I rambled haha.
As I really don't like to nor want to rain on anyone's parade, as well as enjoy talking about the ship I like (because of course), I've made an effort to mentally retrack my train of thought (? idk how else to describe it lol) whenever my NOTP comes up by converting it into an opportunity to talk about my OTP instead of complaining. (See also my comment on What If We Kissed In The Weapons Development Lab where I mentioned going back into my fic and adding more details of Shulk being enamored by Melia whenever I came across Shiora while writing it lol.)
So, Shulkelia kids! I'm personally not one for creating OCs, in general or for media I like. Not that I dislike them or even the thought/process of making them! It just doesn't come to me as easily or interest me as much as digging into canon details and playing around with them. But I did come up with a couple rough concepts for what they might look like and how their parents might decide on their names... if they even would want to have kids in the first place, that is, I'm still unsure about that haha. But fanfiction can be whatever you want it to be and that's the fun of it, so maybe sometime I'll try developing those small ideas into something more (especially if it's something people are interested in reading)! If anything I'm most attached to my little blurbs I wrote about how they and their kids would interact with Reyn and Sharla and their kids, lots of cute potential there :)
(*Well, I can add something more, and I originally was going to do it! Not to contradict my whole don't-like-raining-on-anyone's-parade point, but again I want to stress, my intention with this is I just really enjoy analyzing details and understanding why I react to things in the way that I do. But I did mention to a previous ask that I have in-game writing reasons for why I dislike Shiora, it's not just personal experience from my life outside of the fandom or in observing it. In fact on my first playthrough of the game I was all for it and even saved a bunch of fanart of the two together on my phone, I see it when scrolling through my gallery all the time! It really fascinates me how drastically my perspective shifted after just one small moment at the very end of the game, and then on replaying it everything fell apart like a house of cards to me, wild stuff I can't compare the experience to anything else haha. Anyway if anyone's interested in seeing my take on that aspect of their writing, once again, feel free to send me an ask about it!)
#ask#xenoblade chronicles spoilers#xenoblade spoilers#xenoblade 3 spoilers#xenoblade chronicles 3 spoilers#xc3 spoilers#thank you for the ask! hope my answer was satisfying despite being what you probably were expecting to hear haha#honestly i am a little conflicted on whether i want to keep playing 3... outside of how big of a time commitment it would be#it also really touches on something that is a major part of how i enjoy the media i do:#i'm very much a fan of stuff that is quite open to interpretation where they give you just enough fascinating details to act#as puzzle pieces that you're free to put together yourself or not or add your own pieces in that you made yourself if you want#see my undying love of the mother series haha#but xenoblade 1 very much taps into a lot of that for me#in fact that's basically what the prologue i'm writing right now is: me putting a magnifying glass on interesting#details and implications from the game about characters you don't see for half of it and putting together#my idea for what they could have been doing that we didn't get shown by the game#and one of the many (many many many) things i adore about 1 is its quite-open-ended conclusion#so to have a sequel that is basically directly telling you how the world and characters ended up years on#(especially when it was likely not planned from the start of writing 1's story as well#no hate or disrespect at all but you can just tell when it's something extending a story that wasn't originally meant to keep going)#it's hard for me to not lose some enthusiasm/interest in it#which is sad! i want to play it! i want to experience it how the devs and writers intended!#i want to join in and be hyped and happy and loving everything like everyone else seems to be!#i like the new characters more than i thought i would! the gameplay is great so far and there's a lot of good qol stuff there!#the music is phenomenal and i hear they reincorporate leitmotifs from 1 and 2 in key areas related to the themes and locations that#said leitmotifs are for and that sounds *incredible* to me as a musician and lover of orchestra/scoring!#but also i just can't help but feel like in the back of my head ''leave the story alone it was so good you don't need to add more''#and ''please god let shulk and melia rest they look so tired'' lol#also it doesn't help that i have a pet (lmao accidental pun) peeve that i hate catgirls with a fiery passion so. yeah
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ASHES OF A PROMISE
⢠TITLE: ASHES OF A PROMISE
⢠PAIRING: Lycan king!Jungkook x Werewolf!Reader
â˘WORD COUNT: 15.3k
⢠GENRE: Paranormal Romance, Dark Fantasy, Smut, Slow burn, Fluff (?), Tragic Romance, werewolf au, Royal au
⢠TRIGGER WARNING: The following content contains themes of emotional distress, manipulation, rejection, and verbal abuse, including emotionally charged arguments and hurtful dialogue that could be distressing. There are references to violence, power dynamics, and trauma. Additionally, there are moments of self-doubt, intense emotional breakdowns, and interactions involving possessive and hostile behaviors. Please proceed with caution if these topics are sensitive or triggering for you.
⢠SUMMARY: You were a hopeless romantic, dreaming of a mate who would love you as fiercely as you loved him. But when you finally meet your mate, you discover heâs no ordinary wolf â heâs the Lycan king, the alpha of all alphas. Worse, he neither wants you nor is willing to reject you, leaving you trapped in a loveless bond in his kingdom. As queen to a king who resents you, the mate bond grows stronger, making you more vulnerable with each passing day. Now, you must break through the walls around his heart and make him love you, because staying in this bond without love is unbearable, yet leaving isnât an option heâll allow.
⢠a/n: This story is entirely a work of fiction and is the sole property of @kookiewithluv . The characters, events, and scenarios depicted are products of the imagination and are not intended to represent or reflect real-life situations, nor do I wish for anything portrayed here to occur in reality. I kindly ask that my work not be copied, translated, or reposted as your own on this or any other platform, including YouTube. Please respect the effort and originality behind this piece. Thank you for your understanding and support.
â˘a/n: Hey, everyone! Howâs it going? I hope youâre all having a blast! So, here we areâChapter 1 is finally up, and let me just say, itâs a masterpiece of disappointment! Honestly, I think I might hate it even more than the prologue, which is saying something because that was basically my attempt at literary self-sabotage. Iâm pretty sure youâll read this and wonder if Iâve lost my mindâor my talent, if I ever had any. But hey, if you end up hating it, I totally understand; Iâll just be over here, crying in a corner and contemplating my life choices. So, enjoy this train wreck of a chapter⌠or donât, because either way, Iâll be doing the same!
PROLOGUE MASTERLIST 02
CHAPTER 1: THE MATE'S LAMENT
You pressed a trembling hand against your chest, the ache inside sharper than any wound. What did this mean? What had you done to deserve this crushing weight?
The thought pierced through you like a knife, and a ragged sob tore from your throat, scraping the walls raw as it escaped. Your whole body shook with the force of it. How could someone so beautiful be so cruel? How?
Maybe you didnât deserve any of it. Any of the love.
Your spiral was interrupted by the soft creak of the door. Startled, you lifted your tear-blurred eyes just as a small figure stepped inside. Her footsteps faltered as soon as she saw you, eyes wide and doe-like, her breath catching in her chest. One hand gripped the doorknob, knuckles white, while the other clenched into a tight fist at her side. She hesitated, before she finally let go of the door, letting it close with a soft click.
"Luna," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
She took a step toward you, then another, her deamnour unsure, almost hesitant, as if the space between you and her was filled with something fragile, something that might shatter if she came too close. Her small frame seemed to shrink even more as she neared, her shoulders hunched as if the weight of the moment was too much to bear. In three careful steps, she stood in front of you, shifting her weight from one foot to the other like she wanted to leave but couldnât. Her fingers nervously twisted the fabric of her sleeves, her gaze flickering to your tear-streaked face, then away, unable to hold it for too long.
"Hi," she started again, her voice hesitant, as if unsure of what to say, what to hold back. You could see the confusion in her eyes, flickering across her face as she tried to make sense of her own presence here. She didnât look like a maid or servant, nothing about her carried that air. Her gaze flitted around the room, nervously taking in everything but youânever you, not for longer than a fleeting second.
"His Majesty mentioned you were injured... and insisted someone should tend to you immediately?" Her words came out like a question, not a statement. Her eyes finally, really, landed on you, sweeping over your body as if searching for visible wounds. But you said nothing, offering her no comfort or explanation. You could see her stiffen, her shoulders drawing up, tension coiling through her body. Her fingers twitched at her sides, clenching and unclenching. Was it anxiety? Or was she angry? You couldnât tell. Angry at you? Angry at the situation?
She stood there, rigid and uncomfortable, like she was trying to hold back a storm raging inside her.
"You donât... you donât look physically hurt," she said at last, her voice faltering despite the firmness she was trying to inject into it. Her tone was small, unsure, like she was afraid of overstepping.
"Iâm not," you replied, finally breaking the silence. She let out a soft, breathy exhale, her lips parting slightly in relief. For a moment, the tension seemed to leave her body, but only briefly. Her hands still shook as she moved closer, taking a seat beside you on the bed. She tried to appear composed, confident even, but her worried eyes betrayed her. They darted over your face, as if searching for something she didnât quite understand.
Her posture was straighter now, but her fingers were knotted together in her lap, betraying her own emotions, she was feeling. She was doing her best to stay in control, but the way her hands trembled gave her away.
You didnât understand what had her so on edge, not fully. Maybe deep down, you knew, but you didnât want to acknowledge it. You could feel itâthe pull. You were her Luna, and her wolf was bound to you, connected in a way she couldnât resist. She was loyal to the core, and now that you were hurting, her wolf could feel it all. It was written in the way her breath hitched, in the tightening of her jaw, in the way her hands trembled despite her outward composure.
Even if you didnât know her exact role within the pack, you could tell she was someone important. The weight of the connection was pressing down on her, forcing her to share the burden of emotions that werenât her own. She had no choice in the matterâher wolf was loyal, whether she wanted it or not. And here she was, sitting beside you, a silent, anxious witness to the pain you carried inside.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, her left hand landing on your shoulder with a slow, soothing touch. But the question felt hollow to youâmeaningless. Even she knew the answer. It was as if she didnât want to hear the truth, didnât want to face it. She wanted the lie. She wanted you to say you were fine, that everything was manageable. But you couldnât.
âNo,â the word slipped from your lips in a breathy whisper, unplanned, unwelcome. It was already out before you could pull it back, and the floodgates opened. âIâm not.â You shook your head slightly, your voice cracking as you turned to her, eyes wide and raw. âNothingâs okay. Nothing!â The confession ripped out of you, trembling and desperate, like a wound finally exposed.
She didnât hesitate. She pulled you into her arms, wrapping them tightly around you, holding you like she could shield you from everything that had broken you. Her embrace was warm, her hands gentle as they pressed against your back, but it still didnât reach the cold emptiness inside. You were like a traveler lost in a winter storm, seeking shelter but finding nothing, standing on an endless, frozen street with nowhere to go. The comfort she offered felt distant, as if you were too far gone to feel it.
"It will be okay," she murmured into your hair, but you knew better. You werenât naĂŻve. You had seen the truthâfelt it. How could it ever be okay when the weight of everything had already crushed you? There was no hope, only more pain ahead. You could feel it in your bones, in the ache that refused to let go.
âI am sure of it,â she continued, pulling back slightly to look at you, her hands gently wiping the tears from your face. Her touch was tender, but her words stung. âYouâre his mate, Luna. Heâll come around. You just have to hold on. Donât cry, please. My wolf⌠sheâs going crazy.â
Her voice broke, and you realized it wasnât just her trying to comfort youâit was her wolf, the pull of the bond making her feel everything you were going through. Her desperation was palpable. At least she was here, trying, when the one person who should have been with you had left you to cry alone.
You nodded, your head bobbing violently, avoiding her eyes. You didnât have the strength to argue, not now. You wiped your tears with the back of your hand, the sleeve of your white dress smudging black as your mascara mixed with the salty wetness. But the tears wouldnât stop. They just kept coming, rolling down your cheeks as if they had a life of their own, and you were powerless to hold them back.
âCome, letâs go.â She stood up, brushing her hands nervously over the front of her gown, before turning to look back at you. Her soft, innocent eyes locked onto your face, but you didnât move. You just stared up at her, perplexed and still too disoriented to understand.
âWhat happened, Luna?â Her voice was gentle, almost coaxing.
âGo where?â you asked, blinking slowly, trying to make sense of the situation.
âOh⌠to your room,â she said, her voice wavering with uncertainty. Her fingers twisted around the edge of her sleeve as she spoke. âHis Majesty told me to prepare it for you.â She hesitated, watching for your reaction, her gaze flickering from your face to the floor, as if unsure whether she should continue. âHe chose it himself,â she added, more hesitant now, her words hanging awkwardly in the air.
The statement only deepened your confusion, and your brow furrowed. You had known he wouldnât let you stay with him in his roomâthat much had been clear. But why did he bring you here in the first place? What was the point of it all?
âThen why did he bring me here?â The question slipped out before you could stop it, your voice sharper than you intended. It was absurd, the way he had toyed with your heart, made you feel vulnerable, only to discard you like you were nothing. What was he thinking?
The girl fidgeted, her hands wringing together nervously. âI fear only His Majesty holds the answer to that, my Luna,â she whispered, casting her gaze down, avoiding your eyes, as if she could feel the weight of your frustration, your confusion.
âBut why not here?â you asked, your voice soft but insistent, as your instincts clawed to keep you rooted in this room. His scent still lingered, that familiar mix of ocean water and coconut, wrapping around you like a lifeline. It was strange, undeniably so, but to you, it felt like home. Your body refused to let go of what little remained of him here, as if holding onto it might somehow ease the ache in your chest.
The girl shifted on her feet, her eyes wide as she struggled to find the right words. âLuna, this is the royal chamber,â she began, her hands fidgeting nervously at her sides.
You frowned, glancing around the room. âIsnât the whole palace royal?â you asked, your voice laced with confusion. You finally rose to your feet, taking in the grand space around you. It was beautifulâmajestic, even. Despite everything, you couldnât help but admire it. A part of you loved this room, wanted to stay here just a little longer.
âThatâs true,â she admitted, her voice hesitant. âButâŚâ She trailed off, biting her lip as if weighing whether she should continue. You looked at her, curiosity sparking in your eyes, though the confusion still lingered. âThis chamber⌠itâs reserved for the king and queen. They stay here after the mating ceremony with the pack. Itâs tradition.â
She was speaking quickly now, as if nervous about how much she was revealing. Her feet shuffled anxiously beneath her, her gaze darting from you to the door. âWhat tradition?â you asked, stepping toward her, your voice edged with frustration.
She hesitated, wringing her hands before finally speaking again. âThe first time the king brings his mate here, itâs only toâŚâ She paused, glancing up at you, clearly uneasy. âTo mate. If they donât, they must wait for two full moons before⌠before they can try again.â
âHuh?â The word fell from your lips, flat and disbelieving. It made no senseâif this room held such significance, why would he have brought you here only to leave you feeling like you didnât matter? You stared at her, trying to piece together what was happening, but the more you thought about it, the less it made sense.
You exhaled sharply, running a hand through your hair as the weight of it all pressed down on you. Nothing about this felt right, and yet here you were, standing in the middle of a hall staring at a room that wasnât meant for youânot yet, at least.
âLuna, please walk ahead,â she urged softly, a hint of panic creeping into her voice. âIf His Majesty finds out you were walking behind me, he will have my head. And⌠well, my mate being the royal general probably wonât help much in this case.â
You blinked in realization, your mind connecting the dots. Her mate⌠Neil. The royal general. You remembered their story wellâhow it had caused an uproar just a few months ago. She was an omega, and he was a powerful, high-ranking general. It was unheard of, taboo even, for someone of his rank to mate with someone so low in status. But Neil had fought for her, tooth and nail, defying tradition for the love of his mate.
Back then, when you heard about their story, it had filled you with hope. You had dreamed of a love like thatâsomeone who would fight for you, who would stand by your side no matter what. But now, you werenât so sure. You had the king himself as your mate, but did you really have him? You had everything⌠and yet, nothing.
As you nodded at her request, you moved forward through the empty halls, your feet heavy with each step. The silence between you both felt oppressive, weighed down by unspoken questions. One question above all lingered in your mind, echoing with every step: Why did he bring me here?
Everything had seemed fine at first. But as soon as you reached the royal chamber, something had shifted in Jungkook. His whole demeanor changedâcold, distant, like he didnât want you at all.
Your thoughts churned as you walked, your hands brushing against the fabric of your dress, your fingers absently tracing the delicate embroidery. You remembered the way his jaw had tightened, how his eyes darkened with something you couldnât quite placeâanger? Fear? Disgust?
âLuna, here we are,â Patricia announced softly, her voice warm and welcoming as she opened the door to your room. It wasnât as grand as the royal chamber, but it had a certain charm. The crimson walls immediately caught your attention, the color soothing and familiarâit was a shade you loved.
Patricia stood by the doorway, a hopeful glint in her eyes. âDo you like it, Luna?â she asked, her voice bright, almost chirping with excitement. She clasped her hands in front of her, shifting slightly from foot to foot, clearly eager for your approval.
A small, genuine smile tugged at the corner of your lips as you glanced around the room. âYes,â you replied, your gaze settling on a vase in the corner. Its intricate design and deep red flowers seemed to echo the mood of the room. âItâs lovely.â You turned back to her, your smile softening, but something felt off. âThank youâŚâ You trailed off, realizing you didnât know her name, despite spending so much time with her.
She giggled, the sound light and carefree, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. âYou can call me Patricia,â she said, her tone almost teasing.
âPatriciaâŚâ you repeated softly. She smiled wider, pleased with your response.
âWell, Luna,â she said, stepping back toward the door, âIâll leave you now. You should rest.â Her eyes lingered on you for a moment longer, as if she wanted to say more but thought better of it. She turned to leave, but you couldnât help yourself.
âAre you heading back to the gathering?â you asked, your voice catching just slightly as you remembered the nightâs events.
Patricia paused, glancing over her shoulder. âNo, itâs over.â
âOver?â you frowned. âBut wasnât it important?â
She shrugged, her tone light, dismissive. âNot really.â
Her casual response left you with more questions than answers, but before you could say anything else, Patricia moved toward the door, and the only sound that escaped your lips was a quiet, âOh.â
Patriciaâs voice broke through your thoughts, snapping you back to the moment. âPlease excuse me, Luna. My mate must be waiting for me,â she said gently, her voice tinged with warmth as she spoke of her mate.
You nodded, not trusting your voice, and watched her leave, the soft click of the door sealing you in the quiet room. Alone.
You slowly made your way to the bed, your body heavy with exhaustion. Just as you were about to lie down, you paused, realizing you didnât have anything comfortable to wear for the night. The realization hit you like a dull thud in your chestâPatricia had taken care of everything, yet this one detail, your clothes, had been forgotten.
You let out a long, tired breath, shoulders slumping as you gave in. "What could I have done, anyway?" you muttered to yourself. There wasnât much choice left now. You flopped onto the bed, the mattress soft beneath your weight, cradling your tired body.
The room was bathed in a soft silver glow, the moonlight filtering through the open window. Its light danced gently on the floor, casting a peaceful glow over the room as you reached over to turn off the switch. The curtains fluttered, brushing softly against the windowsill, swaying with the rhythm of the cold night breeze. Each gust sent a shiver through the room, a subtle reminder of the world outside, yet it felt so far from where you lay.
You stared out of the window, eyes tracing the outline of the moon hanging bright in the dark sky. It was beautiful, breathtaking even, but your mind was elsewhere. Too much had happened in the past few hours, too many changes for you to grasp. Your life had flipped upside down in the blink of an eye, and you still didnât know if it was for better or worse.
Your chest tightened with the weight of everythingâthe uncertainty, the confusion, the aching loneliness that sat heavy inside you like a stone. The whirlwind of thoughts swirled in your mind, twisting and turning, never settling long enough for you to catch your breath.
You didnât even realize when your eyelids began to droop, when the tiredness finally pulled you under. Your last thought, tangled and blurry, was of himâof the cold distance between you, of the things left unsaid. And then, sleep claimed you, taking you away from the chaos, if only for a little while.
âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
âLuna,â a soft, melodic voice broke through the fog of your deep sleep, coaxing you gently. You stirred, rolling to your side, trying to escape the harsh sunlight now streaming through the windows and landing directly on your face.
âLuna, wake up,â the voice came again, more insistent. You groaned, forcing your eyes open, blinking against the light. Patricia was standing beside your bed, crouched slightly, shielding you from the sun with her body. Her lips curved into a smile when she saw you stirring, and she backed away as you groggily sat up, rubbing your eyes.
The groan in your throat grew louder as you tried to shake off the heavy weight of sleep, your body protesting. "What time is it?" you muttered, rubbing at your face, a wide yawn slipping out before you could stop it.
âSeven,â Patricia replied, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion as a giggle escaped her. She didnât seem to understand why you were asking.
âSeven?â you repeated, eyes widening. âItâs so early!â you whined, dragging out the words as you slumped back against the headboard.
Patriciaâs eyes went wide in shock, her mouth hanging open as if you had said something utterly ridiculous. âWhat?â she nearly yelled, making you flinch. Realizing sheâd startled you, she quickly apologized. âYou must be teasing me,â she said, her voice softer now, though still filled with disbelief.
You raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused. âWhy would I do that? Why are you so shocked?â you asked, slowly crawling out of bed, stretching your stiff limbs as you yawned again.
âLuna, itâs past seven, actually,â Patricia said, her tone matter-of-fact as she crossed her arms. âEveryone here wakes up at four!â
Your mouth fell open, and you froze mid-stretch. âFour?â you repeated, staring at her as if she had just said something in another language. "You're joking, right?"
She shook her head, her eyes wide with sincerity, clearly baffled by your reaction. You stood there, at a loss for words, trying to process the absurdity of it all. Four in the morning? That was barely even night!
âWhy?â was all you could manage to ask, your mind racing with disbelief. You wanted to scream, âWhat the hell do you guys do at four in the morning?â
âItâs just how it is here,â Patricia replied, her voice calm now, though her eyes were still fixed on you with a hint of curiosity, as if trying to understand your reaction. âJust bath and get ready. His Majesty wants to meet you.â
âMe?â You pointed incredulously at yourself, your index finger hovering in the air as disbelief washed over you. Why would he want to see you, especially after everything that had happened last night? A cold sensation crept through your bones, traveling up your spine. You took a shaky breath as your wolf stirred at the back of your mind, sensing the mere thought of your mate. She hadnât spoken to you since last night, and you had been too wrapped up in grief to even consider reaching out.
âYes. I also brought you some clothes.â Patricia gestured to the edge of the bed, where a beautiful red satin dress lay. You nodded silently, trying to calm the swirl of emotions in your chest. As you took two hesitant steps toward the bathroom, you froze, suddenly unsure.
Patricia seemed to read your thoughts. She pointed to a door on the left side of the room, and you nodded gratefully, giving her a small smile before darting inside.
The bathroom was nothing short of breathtaking, with marble tiles and a large shower that seemed to beckon you. You didnât have time to admire it, though. You quickly turned on the shower, letting the water warm up as you glanced at your reflection. Your heart raced, knowing you needed to hurry.
As the water cascaded over you, you joked aloud, âIf I bathe any faster, I might just become a fish!â You scrubbed yourself quickly, wishing you had more time to enjoy the luxury, but the thought of Jungkook waiting propelled you forward. âOkay, speed bathing, world record, here I come!â you teased, rinsing off and turning off the shower in a rush.
With a swift motion, you slipped into the red dress. It hugged your figure perfectly, accentuating curves you didnât know you had, the fabric silky against your skin. You spun around, admiring your reflection for a brief moment before your thoughts turned back to the meeting. You took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom.
âLuna, weâre already late!â Patricia knocked impatiently on the door, her voice pulling you from your trance. The aroma of food wafted through the air, wrapping around you like a comforting blanket, but it felt too early for you to consider eating.
âLuna, here, have something before we leave,â she urged, holding out a plate as you emerged.
âIâm not really hungry,â you replied, shaking your head slightly, feeling your stomach churn in nervous anticipation. Patriciaâs gaze narrowed slightly as she assessed you for a moment, then she took your hand gently, guiding you to sit on the edge of the bed.
"I suggest you eat. Believe me, you'll need it," she said, her tone firm, emphasizing the word need. Although hunger wasn't gnawing at your stomach, her earnestness made you feel the weight of her words. You quickly found yourself nibbling on whatever was piling up on your plate, each bite more rushed than the last, as if the food would somehow fortify you for what lay ahead.
After you gobbled down the last bite, you shot up from the bed, the urgency in her demeanor making your heart race. Patricia had gone from bouncing on her tippy toes to sitting next to you, fidgeting with her fingers in her lap, her nervous obvious. You felt her eyes on you, a silent request pushing you to eat faster without her saying a word.
âLetâs go,â you finally said, your voice steady despite the nerves bubbling in your stomach. She nodded vigorously, her eyes brightening as she stood and led the way out of the room.
âWhere are we really going?â you asked, your curiosity piqued.
âTo your his majesty's study room,â she stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. You could only blink in her as she sprinted down the hall. You followed her, feeling a bit like a lost child trying to keep up with an overly eager parent.
âLuna, please walk beside me, not behind me,â Patricia said, glancing over her shoulder, her voice tinged with silent frustration. You noted how her fingers twisted together, betraying her emotions.
You quickened your pace, taking two long strides to match her side, a faint smile tugging at your lips as you caught up. âSorry! I didnât mean to lag behind,â you said, trying to lighten the mood, though a small part of you understood her worry and frustration.
Soon, you found yourself standing in front of a closed door, a chill of apprehension creeping down your spine. Patricia halted, taking a deep breath that seemed to stretch in the air, oppressively. You watched her knuckles turn white as she knocked, each rap echoing through the silence.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
A gruff voice came from behind the door, âCome in.â As she pushed the door open, she gestured for you to enter first. You hesitated for a moment, your heart racing in your chest, then nodded and stepped inside.
As you crossed the threshold, the moment felt surreal. Your wolf stirred at the sound of his voice, an unsettling mix of yearning and pain washing over you, but the overwhelming grief she carried held her back. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows that danced around the edges, but your focus was solely on him. Jungkook sat behind a massive desk, his dark eyes locking onto yours the instant you entered. They seemed to deepen, filled with an intensity that made your stomach drop, and a cold, menacing smirk crept across his softly thin lips.
You felt your heartbeat quicken as you approached him, each step a battle against the swirl of emotions inside you. His brow arched as you stood before his desk, a silent provocation hanging between you. The weight of his gaze bore down on you, and you had to fight the urge to bare your neck to him.
From your left, you caught a glimpse of Patricia standing close to Neil, their heads bent together as they whispered something to each other. Neil gazed at her with an expression that made your heart acheâadoration shimmering in his eyes. Their fingers intertwined behind their backs, a quiet intimacy that made your chest tighten. You couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, for the warmth of shared affection, and it tugged painfully at your heartstrings. You wanted that too.
With a determined look, you turned back to Jungkook, narrowing your eyes in defiance. He was still watching you, a predator relishing the hunt, and his smile widened at your glare. His lips stretched slightly before he caught himself, the playful facade melting into a serious demeanor. You noticed the way his jaw tightened, the flicker of something mingling with intrigue in his gaze.
"What urgent business made Your Majesty summon me here?" you shot back, your tone dripping with sarcasm. The taunt in your voice hung in the air like an electric charge, sparking a reaction in him. His expression shifted, a flash of irritation crossing his face as he absorbed your words, but he quickly masked it.
âI appreciate your time. Thereâs an important matter I wish to discuss with youâone that requires your attention.â His tone was unnervingly calm, as if your irritation were merely a nuisance to be brushed aside. It ignited your anger further.
âWhat matters?â you demanded, your voice edged with defiance as you crossed your arms, refusing to back down from his piercing gaze.
Jungkook leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his expression unreadable. âNow that you are here, and this will be your home, it is time to leave behind the ways of your old pack. There are rules you must follow, and you shall learn them in due course,â Jungkook stated, his voice steady, but the words hit you like a slap.
You straightened your spine, glaring at him. âAnd, may I ask what rules I need to follow?â The irritation in your voice was clear, though you fought to keep it even.
âFirst, youâre not allowed to leave the palace without my permission,â he replied, his tone calm and unwavering. The calmness only ignited the fire of rebellion inside you.
âWhat? Youâre serious?â You narrowed your eyes, your hands curling into fists. âThatâs absurd.â
âvery,â he said, brushing off your defiance as if it were a passing breeze. âSecond, you wonât form close relationships with the staff or pack members. And third, you're not to attend pack meetings.â
âYouâre isolating me,â you accused, each word sharpened by the rising heat of your frustration. âDo you hear yourself? You canât possibly expect me to follow this nonsense.â
âYouâre also restricted from certain areas of the palace, especially the the royal chamber.â
âIs this just another way to keep me locked up like one of your pets?â you spat, sarcasm dripping from your words as you crossed your arms.
Jungkookâs eyes flashed with a brief flicker of irritation, but he masked it quickly. âYouâll present yourself formally at all events. And youâre not to mention our mating bond to anyone.â
Your laugh was bitter, mocking. âThis is pathetic. Do you hear yourself? You want me to pretend to be your perfect little queen while you strip me of every ounce of dignity.â
His expression didnât change, which only fueled your anger more. âYouâll follow a strict schedule, including etiquette lessons, and as I said, no physical training.â
âNo physical training? You canât stop me from fighting.â You took another step forward, daring him to try. âYou donât get to decide that for me.â
âI just did,â he replied coolly, eyes narrowing as he looked down at you. âYou're not to challenge me in front of the pack. You will dress appropriately, as befits a queen."
You clenched your jaw, a white-hot rage bubbling under your skin.
âYouâll attend all royal ceremonies, whether you want to or not. And there will be no emotional displays in public,â he continued, his voice like iron.
You advanced on him, fury swirling in your veins. âAnd what if I do?â you dared, eyes gleaming with defiance. âWhat if I make a scene? What if I let the whole pack see exactly how you treat me?â
âThere will be no physical intimacy between us, unless I say otherwise.â
That statement landed like a blow. For a second, you couldnât respond, your heart hammering in your chest. But you recovered quickly, your lips curling into a sharp, humorless smile.
He remained unmoved. âYou will not voice your opinion on pack matters, nor will you challenge the council.â
Your eyes burned with a fierce light. âIâll challenge anyone I damn well please,â you snapped, stepping even closer. âYou can make all the rules you want, but I'll do what I wish.â
âThats all! I trust thatâs clear?â
âCrystal clear,â you growled, sarcastically, your fists shaking with the need to lash out. âBut donât expect me to just obey like one of your trained wolves.â
âpatricia will accompany you back to your room,â he said, gesturing toward Patricia, who stood dumbfounded, her mouth agape, her eyes darting between you and Jungkook.
âYe-yes, Your Majesty,â she stammered, clearly as shocked as you were.
She stepped closer to you, grabbing your hand and tugging gently as if to coax you away, but you couldnât help throwing daggers at Jungkook with your eyes.
âLuna, please,â Shina pleaded, pulling at your sleeve.
But you werenât done. Not by a long shot.
You turned sharply, locking eyes with Shina, who was pale and clearly terrified, but before she could speak, you whipped around to face him one last time. âIâm not your possession, and I never will be. One way or another, I will make my own choices.â
His lips twisted into a tight smile. âWeâll see,â he said, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
âI guess we will,â you shot back, your voice steady, daring, as you stormed out of the room, Patricia scrambling to follow.
As soon as the door clicked shut behind you, the floodgates of your emotions burst open. âHe is a bastard!â you yelled, the words echoing through the room. Patriciaâs hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock as she darted a nervous glance at the door.
âLuna, he can hear you!â she hissed, but your anger had already ignited a fire within you, consuming all rational thought.
âI know!â you snapped back, a defiant spark igniting in your chest as you started walking like some deranged animal.
âWait!â she called, scrambling to catch up to you. âWhere are you going?â
âTo my room! Duh!â you exclaimed, rolling your eyes as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world.
âItâs on the other side,â she said, pointing right with an urgency that made her look almost comical. âAnd donât say âduh!ââ
âWhatever!â you shot back, heading in the direction she indicated, arms swinging at your sides.
As soon as you reached your room, you let out a primal scream of frustration, your voice ricocheting off the walls. You began to roam the room, while Patricia watched you with concern, her brow furrowing.
Just then, a sharp knock interrupted your spiral. You turned to Patricia, who nodded at you, her eyes wide as if to say, âBrace yourself.â
âCome in!â you called, trying to sound nonchalant, though your heart raced.
The door swung open, revealing Shina, the beta female, stepping inside with a bright smile. âShina, FINALLY!â Patricia exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. You felt a flash of offense bubble up inside youâwas it really that bad with you?
Shina let out a light laugh before turning her gaze to you, offering a small nod. âIâve been told to serve as your etiquette teacher,â she said, executing a playful curtsy that made you giggle. âWeâre going to have so much fun!â
You couldnât help but smile back at her eagerness, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. âFun? Is that what weâre calling it?â
âI thought she would be provided with a real teacher,â Patricia chimed in, throwing Shina a side-eye that was dripping with sarcasm.
âAre you doubting me?â Shina asked, feigning offense, a hand on her hip, her expression a mix of mock indignation and amusement.
âNo, of course not!â Patricia replied, forcing a sweet smile that barely hid her skepticism. âIâm just doubting your etiquette. Do you even have any?â
Your eyes widened in disbelief. Youâd never seen Patricia like this; she was usually a bundle of nerves. But now, a smirk played at the corners of her mouth.
âExcuse me?!â Shina gasped, placing a hand on her chest in mock horror. âIâll have you know that I can differentiate between a salad fork and a dessert fork!â
âYeah! And, I eat water. But seriously, why you?â Patricia asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. Shina simply shrugged her shoulders, a nonchalant gesture that only fueled your suspicions. You knew the answer all too well: he didn't want anyone to know you were his mateâjust the people who had to be in the loop.
âShall we start?â Shina asked, breaking the tension as she clapped her hands together. Patricia flopped down onto a nearby chair by the window, her movement unceremonious as she rolled her eyes. âYeah, be ready. But let me warn you, sheâs the same woman who once called the duke âDukie.ââ
âDonât mind her,â Shina said, waving her hand dismissively as if brushing away a fly. âSheâs just a whiny ass.â
âI heard that!â Patricia shot back, her voice sharper than a knife, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
âI wanted you to hear it,â you chimed in, stifling a laugh at the bickering.
âItâs fine then,â Patricia said, crossing her arms defiantly, her chin tilted up as if she were accepting a challenge.
The two of them were practically squabbling like an old married couple, and you couldn't help but feel amused. Shina leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. âSo, Lunaââ
âCall me Bee,â you said, cutting her off as a genuine smile breaking through the heaviness in your chest. The nickname, a sweet remnant from your mother. Since her death, no one had used it, and it stung to remember how alone you felt without your wolf at your side after Jungkook had left you. It was as if a gaping void had settled in your mind.
âAre you sure?â Shina asked, glancing at Patricia, who wore an expression of surprise that mirrored your own.
âYes,â you affirmed, nodding your head fervently.
âOkie!â Shina chirped, bouncing on her feet.
The next few hours dissolved into a whirlwind of laughter and playful jabs from Patricia as Shina animatedly imparted lessons on royal protocol and warrior ethics. You found yourself gasping for breath between fits of giggles at their banter, the absurdity of their comments lightening your mood. Shina was undeniably fun, and you noticed how Patricia relaxed, the rigid lines of her discipline softening in Shinaâs presence.
âFinally, we are done!â you screeched, flopping onto your bed like a rag doll, your limbs sprawling out. Patricia, who had been perched on the edge of the bed for what felt like an eternity, looked over at you, a mix of concern and amusement on her face.
âBee, that wasnât very queen-likeââ she began, her tone teasing, but you shot her a playful glare.
âShut up!â Shina interjected, her laughter ringing out like a bell. Patricia merely shook her head, a smile breaking through her feigned exasperation. You found it funny how their relationship worked; Patricia was the serious one, and Shina was the carefree one. You couldn't help but wonder how the two of them got along so well in a world that felt so strange to you.
âBee, now we gotta go,â Shina said, her voice dropping slightly as she held out her hand to Patricia, their fingers interlacing.
âWhere?â you asked, a flicker of disappointment gnawing at your insides. You didnât want them to leave. They had become your lifeline, distracting you from thoughts of Jungkook and the confusion he left behind. Without them, the looming silence would creep back in, suffocating you to no end.
âIâm sorry, Bee, but we have urgent matters to address,â Shina said, her smile tinged with sadness. âBut you can come with us if you want to,â she added, her expression brightening as hope glimmered in her eyes.
You nodded eagerly. âYes! I want to come!â
The three of you made your way out of the room, and a big smile spread across your face. Life in your old pack had been tough, each day a struggle to find your place, but it was different here. Despite Jungkookâs coldness and the constant feeling of not being enough, you were grateful for the friendship blossoming around you. You didnât know if Patricia and Shina considered you friends, but you sure did. Patricia still maintained a hint of formality, but you sensed sheâd warm up eventually, just like Shina had.
âWhere are we heading to?â you asked, glancing between the two as they shared a conspiratorial look, excitement dancing in their eyes.
âTo the training field,â Shina answered, her voice light and cheerful. She looked at you with a soft smile that made her cheeks flush. âshe is the generalâs mate, so she is responsible for training the female wolves.â she said pointing at Patricia, as she also blushed for the reasons unknown to you. Her shyness was endearing, but the way her smile faded a bit as she added, âAnd we also need to train,â hinted at the challenge ahead.
Unfortunately, Jungkook had forbidden you from trainingâan order that left you feeling more like a caged bird than ever. You didnât understand why he loathed you so much; his harshness felt like a wall between you. But deep down, you knew this couldnât last. You couldnât keep stewing in sadness and anger while he remained a closed book, hiding his emotions from you. You needed to confront him soon; you needed your mate, and he needed you, too, whether he wanted to admit it or not.
âOh! So you mean youâre going there to train and not to eye-fuck the beta?â Patricia piped up, her voice teasing, a wide smirk lighting up her face and a laugh bubbled from your throat.
Shinaâs eyes widened in mock horror, her mouth forming an exaggerated âO.â âPatricia! You canât say that! We have to keep it professional!â She feigned scandal, a hand pressed dramatically against her chest, yet the laughter dancing in her eyes betrayed her.
âProfessional? Please!â Patricia rolled her eyes, flicking her hair over her shoulder with a flourish. âThe only thing you do professionally is blushing every time beta Kian walks by! I am like woman, he is your damn mate. Get a grip!â
âOh, and what about you, Miss âI Canât Stop Staringâ?â Shina shot back, playfully bumping her shoulder against Patricia's as they walked side by side. âIf I recall, you nearly drooled on Neil the other day!â
âHey! Heâs just soââ Patricia started, her cheeks flushing a deep red, ââdreamy! I canât help it!â She huffed, crossing her arms defiantly but couldnât hide her smirk.
âDreamy? More like a heartthrob disaster waiting to happen!â Shina retorted, throwing her head back in laughter, their voices filling the hallway with warmth.
âWill he be there too?â you asked, your voice wavering slightly as both of them paused their bickering to focus on you. Shinaâs eyes lit up with a knowing smirk that made your heart race, while Patricia's expression softened, a hint of sympathy in her gaze. She smiled gently, but it didnât reach her eyes as she whispered, âYes.â
You nodded slowly, the weight of her understanding hanging in the air. Patricia knew the ache of longing all too well; she had fought her own battles to be with her mate. Neither of you spoke further on the subject as you continued walking toward the training ground. It felt like a long trek, the palace sprawling before you.
As you entered the training field, the chaos hit you like a wave. The air buzzed with energy as female wolves sparred, fists flying in a flurry of movement. Grunts of exertion and the thud of bodies colliding filled the space. It was a sight to behold, but not the prettiestâsome faces were twisted with concentration, others were flushed with effort, while some were twisted in pain.
Shina and Patricia quickly motioned you to take a seat in one corner, a quick nod from Shina signaling for you to stay put while they dashed off to change into their training gear.
You took a moment to absorb the scene before you. The female wolves fought with determination, their bodies glistening with sweat under the warm sun. The breathy grunts hanging heavy in the air and... you wanted to join too.
Yet, as you sat on the sidelines, you felt a pang of frustration at Jungkookâs orders. Why had he insisted you stay away from training? You glanced toward the empty side of the field, the male wolvesâ training areaâsilent for now, but you knew they would be there soon. Would Jungkook be among them? Your heart raced at the thought, and your wolf stirred again.
Soon, both Shina and Patricia came sprinting toward you, their bodies clad in sleek training gear that hugged their athletic frames. Shina practically leaped into your space as she exclaimed, âBee, she will measure the performance of them all! You can wait here while I go help her.â The brightness in her eyes was contagious, and you nodded in agreement, feeling a little like a lost puppy trying to keep up.
They dashed away toward the combat pit, and you watched as Patricia's voice rang out like a bell, instantly commanding attention. âListen up, everyone!â she called, her tone firm yet encouraging. The warriors immediately fell into line, forming neat rows as Shina moved among them, dividing them into teams with an air of authority that surprised you. It lasted only a moment before the clashing of fists and feet began, filling the air with a rhythm of combat.
You leaned back against the cool wall, eyes wide as you observed the spectacle. The warriors displayed impressive skills, each move fluid and powerful. You couldnât help but feel a twinge of inadequacyâthere was no way you could compete, even against the weakest here. This was the royal pack, after all, and they were warriors forged from years of dedication and strength.
Still, you found a sliver of enjoyment in the chaos. Watching them fight was far better than sitting alone in your room, staring at the walls that felt like they were closing in on you. And soon the other training area began to fill up. You spotted Kian entering first, his presence commanding. Shinaâs eyes lit up, practically sparkling as she stared at him, her focus wavering. âShina, focus!â Patricia called out, exasperation lacing her tone as she tried to bring her back to reality. But Shinaâs gaze kept drifting back to her shirtless mate, who seemed completely oblivious to the effect he had on everyone around him. Kian was not just hot; he was undeniably hot hot, the kind of hot that drew attention without effort.
You let out a soft chuckle at their antics, but then, out of the corner of your eye, you caught a glimpse of a dark figure emerging from the shadows. Your heart skipped a beat as a chill raced down your spine. The air around you shifted, crackling with an intense energy that sent heat biting through your bones. A deep, primal desire ignited in your core, wrapping around your heart like a vine.
He was here.
Jungkook.
You turned your head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of him without being obvious, and there he stood in the farthest corner of the training ground, shirtless. Jungkook's eyes were locked on you, igniting a fire deep within your chest. His jaw tightened, and his brows furrowed in a way that made your heart race. The world around you seemed to fade, leaving only his intense gaze that set you ablaze.
With a deliberate slowness, he strode toward the combat pit where Kian waited, a devilish glint flashing in his eyes. Neil, the general, stood off to the side, focused on the other male warriors, a commanding presence that left no room for doubt. But all you could think about was Jungkook. Your breath hitched as he casually began to unbutton his white shirt, each button giving way one by one, exposing more of his chiselled torso. You let out a low whine before you even realized it was your wolf reacting to the sight of him.
Out of all the times for your wolf to make her presence known, she chose now? But who could blame her? Your mate was standing there in low-hanging trousers, his bare skin catching the sunlight and highlighting the contours of his muscles. The sight was intoxicating, and a primal urge surged through you as your wolf growled in your mind, a low rumble of frustration mingling with desire.
âLook at him, Bee. He is so hot,â she purred, her voice sultry and teasing. âBee, why doesn't he want us?â You could feel her longing vibrating through your very being, making it hard to concentrate on anything else.
As Jungkook and Kian circled each other in the pit. Kian lunged first, throwing a sharp right hook aimed at Jungkookâs jaw, but Jungkook sidestepped with lightning speed, barely lifting an eyebrow in acknowledgement. Kian was quick to recover, spinning on his heel and throwing a swift jab to Jungkookâs ribs, but it was met with nothing but air. Jungkook had already ducked low, his body moving like it had anticipated the strike long before it happened.
Kian came in harder this time, eyes blazing with determination, throwing a barrage of punches. Jungkook dodged the first few easily, his movements fluid, then caught Kianâs wrist mid-punch with a grip like iron. For a second, they stood there, locked in place, the power struggle evident. Jungkook's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening just enough for Kian to wince.
Without warning, Kian yanked his arm free, pivoting low and sweeping Jungkook's legs out from under him. Jungkook hit the ground hard, but before Kian could press the advantage, Jungkook rolled out of reach, popping back up to his feet with the same effortless grace.
Kian charged again, this time aiming a vicious uppercut. Jungkook ducked just in time, feeling the brush of Kianâs fist pass over his hair. Jungkook countered immediately, his fist slamming into Kianâs gut with a dull thud that echoed in the pit. Kian grunted, staggering back a few steps, but he didnât go down.
Jungkook didnât let up. He stepped forward, driving his elbow into Kianâs side, a brutal strike that sent him stumbling to his knees. For a moment, Jungkook paused, chest rising and falling steadily, his eyes locked on Kian. It was like he was waiting â giving him a chance to get up, to fight back. There was no malice in his eyes, only dominance.
But Kian wasnât finished. He sprang up, swinging wildly, desperate now. Jungkook blocked the punches with ease, his forearms absorbing the blows like they were nothing. When Kian threw a wild hook, Jungkook sidestepped, grabbed the back of his neck, and yanked him forward. They collided, chest to chest, Jungkookâs lips curling into a smirk as Kian struggled to free himself from his grip.
In one smooth motion, Jungkook twisted and slammed Kian to the ground, hard. Kian gasped, the wind knocked from his lungs as he hit the dirt with a heavy thud. Jungkook loomed over him, his knee pressing into Kianâs chest, pinning him in place. The fight was over â Jungkook didnât need to say a word. His body, his presence, declared victory.
He stood slowly, letting Kian catch his breath, but his gaze never once wavered. He rolled his neck, muscles flexing as he looked down at his fallen opponent, then turned away without another glance.
Your heart sank, disappointment washing over you like a wave, leaving you breathless. Your wolf, however, was undeterred.
âHe doesnât even looked at us,â she sulked, her voice a mix of longing and frustration.
As you watched him turn away, the heat in your core only intensified as you unknowingly pressed your legs together. Your gaze lingered on his retreating figure, every step he took echoing in your chest. You couldnât help but think of how strong he was, how much power he radiated, and how desperately you wanted to be close to him.
The combat pit was still bustling around you, but all you could see was Jungkook, the way he carried himself with a confidence that made your heart race. âWhy wonât you look at me?â you thought, frustration bubbling within you as you watched him leave.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink, you found yourself wandering back to your room. Shina escorted you, but you could sense her eagerness to leave as she still had to bath and wash away the sweat of training. After a brief goodbye, she left you alone, and the silence settled heavily around you.
At night dinner came and went, delivered by a maid who whisked in and out with a tray of food that you barely touched. The sheets cool against your skin felt nice, but sleep eluded you. Tossing and turning only brought frustration, and after hours of restless thoughts, you resigned yourself to the fact that tonight would be a long one.
With a deep sigh, you swung your legs over the edge of the bed and stood, the cool floor grounding you. You stepped out into the empty halls of the palace, the quiet amplified by the vastness of the space. The air was thick with a stillness that made every sound seem sharper.
As you walked, your eyes drifted over the majestic paintings that adorned the walls. Each one was a reminder of the lineage that loomed over you. You paused before a portrait that caught your attentionâa striking depiction of Jungkookâs father, the late Lycan king. His strong features were chiseled in a way that demanded respect, and you couldnât help but feel a pang of sadness for Jungkook. He had lost so much at such a young age, thrust into a role that should have belonged to a father, a king. You could only imagine the weight of that responsibility, the expectations that came with it.
Taking a deep breath, you continued down the hallway. The corridor opened into the royal garden, where the moon hung high in the sky, casting silvery light over the landscape. You stepped outside, the cool night air wrapping around you like a soothing balm. The moon was full, its glow reflecting off the petals of the flowers and illuminating the leaves of the trees.
You closed your eyes for a moment, letting the serenity wash over you. This was the time when werewolves felt most connected to the world, to each other, to the wild magic that flowed through your veins. You could feel the pull of the moon, urging you to embrace your true nature.
As you gazed up at the night sky, a sense of calm enveloped you. The moon was a reminder that even in darkness, there was beauty to be found. You longed to share this moment with Jungkook, to let him see the side of you that yearned for love and understanding. The thought made your heart flutter, igniting a flicker of warmth within you.
âWhat brings you here?â The voice came from behind you, deep and resonant, causing you to turn around, startled. There he stoodâJungkook, the moonlight casting a silver halo around him. For the first time since you met, his expression was calm, devoid of the anger and confusion that usually clouded his features. In that moment, he looked almost ethereal, and you felt your heart race.
âNothing,â you replied, trying to sound nonchalant. âI wasn't able to sleep, so I was just wandering around and found myself here.â You shrugged, your hands fidgeting nervously at your sides.
He motioned for you to follow him, and without hesitation, you fell into step beside him. The soft crunch of gravel underfoot was the only sound accompanying the stillness of the night as he led you deeper into the garden, the fragrant scent of blooming flowers enveloping you both.
âItâs a beautiful night, isnât it?â he asked, glancing at you from the corner of his eye, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
âIndeed, your majesty,â you agreed, your voice barely above a whisper. The night was enchanting, each star twinkling like diamonds against the velvet sky, but an unsettling feeling clung to you.
Suddenly, he halted, turning to face you, his gaze intense. His eyes widened slightly, and the soft pout of his lips drew your attention. âYou can call me by my name; youâre my mate,â he stated, a hint of authority in his tone, as if there was no room for argument. Before you could respond, he resumed walking, leaving you momentarily stunned.
His words, sweet yet loaded with expectation, he himself was unable to fulfill, left a bitter taste in your mouth. A sharp retort bubbled on your tongue, a protest against the very idea that he could command you so easily. But instead of voicing your anger, you chose silence. You swallowed hard, forcing down the instinct to lash out. Instead, you fell in step behind him, your heart racing, a storm of emotions swirling inside you.
As you walked, the tension hung heavy in the air, a force that wrapped around you both. His broad shoulders were relaxed, yet you could sense the underlying power that radiated from him with each step. You stole glances at his profile, the way the moonlight danced along his sharp jawline, the faint shadow of stubble framing his lips.
You soon found Jungkook stopping, settling down on the soft grass beneath him. He motioned for you to join him, but you shook your head, a sudden shyness washing over you. âI canât sit on the ground,â you said, gesturing toward your clothes. âItâs expensive.â
A flicker of confusion crossed his features. âWhat do you mean?â he asked, tilting his head slightly, his dark hair catching the moonlight.
You looked away, unable to meet his gaze. âI come from a low pack. We donât wear things like this,â you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. âIâve never owned anything so fancy.â
For a moment, you braced yourself for his reaction, expecting him to laugh or make some snide remark. Instead, to your astonishment, he shrugged off his coat, laying it down on the grass. âHere,â he said, his voice steady. âSit on this.â He extended his hand to you, palm up, inviting you to take it.
Your heart raced as you hesitated, then slowly placed your hand in his. A low, breathy moan escaped your lips as a tingling sensation flooded through your body. His eyes widened for a brief moment, and you could see the flicker of surprise before he masked it, helping you lower yourself onto his coat.
âIt feels nice,â you murmured, your heart pounding. The warmth of his hand lingered in yours, and you didnât want to let go. âIs it really okay?â
âItâs just a coat,â he replied, though the intensity in his gaze suggested otherwise. âIâd rather you be comfortable.â
You sat there for what felt like an eternity, the silence stretching between you. Finally, you decided to break it, curiosity nudging at you. âSo⌠whatâs it like being a king?â As soon as those words skipped your lips you internally cringed, this was embarassing, you wanted to take, but not like this.
He chuckled softly, a sound that sent butterflies fluttering in your stomach. âItâs not all itâs cracked up to be. There are expectations, dutiesâlots of politics.â
âSounds boring,â you said, raising an eyebrow playfully. âDo you ever get to do anything fun?â
He smiled, the corner of his mouth quirking up. âOccasionally. But mostly, I have to focus on the pack. Itâs a lot of responsibility.â His tone turned serious, and you could see the weight of his role pressing down on him.
âDoesnât it get lonely?â you asked, tilting your head, trying to gauge his reaction. âBeing king and all, with so many people around but no one really understanding you?â
âSometimes,â he admitted, looking away into the distance, his jaw tightening slightly. âBut I have people I trust.â
You didn't said anything after that and a calming silence enveloped the two of you, as peaceful as the soft glow of the moonlight overhead. Unable to resist, you broke the stillness, once again. âJungkook?â
âHmmm?â His voice was low and gentle, his eyes fixed on the moon, reflecting a light that felt almost ethereal.
You hesitated, then spoke with a mix of hope and vulnerability. âDo you know⌠when I was young, I always dreamed of dancing under the moonlight with my mate.â You paused, gauging his reaction as the words hung in the air, thick and heavy. "Do you dance?" You couldn't help but ask as you braced yourself for the rejection.
His gaze shifted from the moon to you, and for a moment, the world around you faded into insignificance. âNo,â he admitted softly, the vulnerability in his voice surprising you. But then he added, âBut I might,â and something in his tone sent shivers down your spine, a hint of something deeper glimmering in his eyes.
Your heart raced as you felt a warmth blooming in your chest, something dark yet lovely igniting within you, making your pulse quicken. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken tension, and you couldnât look away from him.
Without warning, he rose to his feet, extending his hand towards you. You smiled brightly, your heart soaring at the gesture, and without hesitation, you grasped his hand. The familiar tingling sensation surged through your body, igniting a warmth that spread from your fingertips to your core.
âCome on,â he murmured, his voice low and inviting, and you felt your breath hitch as you stood beside him. He gently pulled you closer, his other hand resting lightly on your waist, guiding you into a slow sway.
But as the dance slowed, reality crept back in, and he gently pulled away, his hand still clasped around yours. âI should escort you back to your room,â he said, his tone shifting back to that of the king, though the warmth in his gaze lingered.
You nodded, a hint of reluctance creeping in. âI guess itâs late,â you replied, your heart still racing from the dance.
As you walked side by side, the silence was comfortable. Jungkook led you back through the garden. When you reached your door, he turned to face you, his expression softening once more. âGoodnight,â he said, a hint of something deeper in his voice.
âGoodnight, Jungkook,â you replied, you wanted to reach out, to pull him back, but instead, you simply smiled.
As you closed the door, you made your way to the bed, a soft sigh escaping your lips. The cool sheets felt inviting against your skin as you slipped under the covers, your heart still racing from the dance and the fleeting touches. You closed your eyes, as you smiled softly. Maybe, just maybe everything was finally falling back to it's place. You were not to lie, you liked Jungkook and mate bond was thickening every second every minute, it was only strengthening your feelings and was making you more vulnerable to him. And, who are you to deny the truth that you desperately needed that doe eyed king. You let your thoughts drift, a soft smile spreading across your face. In the quiet of your dreams, you found him again, lost in a world where he was as desperate for you as you were for him. You dream of him, you dream of him dreaming you as desperately as you were dreaming of him.
In the middle of the night, you jolted awake. The room around you glowed with dancing shadows, moonlight slipping through the curtains like whispers, casting silver patterns on the walls. You blinked, it was past midnight and you were unable to go back to sleep.
Cocooned in warm sheets, you took a deep breath, the scent of something sweet and salty wrapping around you like a gentle embrace.
You quietly slipped out of bed, the soft pad of your feet brushing against the cool floor. For a moment, you stood frozen, unsure of what to do, scanning the darkness that enveloped you. Your instincts kicked in, sharpening your senses as you stepped out of your room, the shadows swallowing you whole. Each step felt instinctual, as if an invisible thread tugged at your heart, beckoning you forward. It was a magnetic pull, calling your name, compelling you to follow like a desperate devotee.
Suddenly, you heard a low murmur. It was coming from a room. You hesitated, knowing you shouldnât intrude, but that voice broke something inside you. With trembling hands, you slowly opened the door, and the sight before you shattered your heart.
There lay Jungkook on his bed, thrashing about, his face twisted in distress as he murmured incoherent whispers. His brow was furrowed, and his lips trembled, as if he was fighting against some unseen torment. You didn't even realised you had come all the way to price chamber. You rushed to his side, your heart pounding in your chest.
âJungkook,â you called softly, reaching out to gently shake him. âWake up.â
His eyes flew open, wide and confused, the fear in them piercing through the haze of his nightmares. For a brief moment, shock flickered across his face, and then he froze, taking in your presence.
âWhy are you here?â he rasped, his voice hoarse and raw.
âI heard you,â you whispered, your heart racing.
"What were you doing tiptoeing around my room?" He practically screamed screamed at you, pushing you away.
"Nâno. IâI wasn't," you said, shaking your head trying to reach out to him.
Anger flashing in his eyes. âYou think you can just come in here and play the savior?â
âJungkook, what? What are you even say? I just wanted to help!â you pleaded, stepping closer, desperate to reach him.
âHelp? You think you can help? You think youâre the solution to my problems?â he sneered, his expression hardening. âI hate you! You think this is love? I will ever love you? Never!â
The pain in his words felt like a physical blow. âThatâs not fair!â you cried, your voice shaking. âIâm not trying to intrude. I just want toâ!â
"I don't care," he growled, glaring at you, his fists clenched at his sides. âYou think you can understand what itâs like to be me? To have everyone around you suffer because of your existence?â
You felt your heart sink further, but you were unable to understand his words. It was like they were written in a foreign language and although you did know the alphabets, were unable to make sense of a whole sentence. âIâm not trying to do anything! Iâm here because I care about you!â
âCare? Is that what you call this?â he shouted, his voice rising with frustration as a low whimper left your throat. âOh! Sweet mate, do you really think a weak voice and sad eyes would help you? Do you think you get to be all fragile now?â
Tears stung your eyes as you fought to hold them back. âBut I merely intended to help!â you insisted, desperate for him to see the truth. âYou donât have to push me away!â
âWhy would I want you around?â he hissed, his gaze piercing through you. âYouâre nothing but a reminder of everything I canât have, everything I shouldn't have, and Iâm here to make sure you donât get hurt.â
With each word, your heart broke a little more, the weight of his rejection crushing you. âI thought... I thought we, togeâ,â you said, your voice barely above a whisper.
âTogether?â he echoed, his voice dripping with scorn. âYou think thatâs what this is? Youâre wrong! The moon goddess has cursed you, and now you have to deal with it."
"Butâ"
"Leave!â
Without another word, you dashed down the hall, the world around you blurring as you pushed the door to your room open and locked it behind you. Sliding down against the cool wood, you let the tears flow freely. You couldnât believe this was happening. For years, you had dreamed of having a mate. After losing your parents at such a young age, you had felt all alone. Life had been hard, but the thought of having someone to love, cherish, and adore had kept you going. But how had it all come to this? After praying to the moon goddess for years, you finally had a mate, and he didnât want you. Was it true what your pack members always said? Were you really cursed? Were you really destined to be nothing but an abomination?
Now, it felt like you truly were cursed and unlovable, an abomination. You called out to your wolf, reaching for her, but she felt so distant, drowning in the loss of a mate she never really had. Jungkookâs words echoed in your mind, and the pain of his rejection was nothing compared to the hollow ache of losing your wolf.
âPlease,â you begged again, your voice cracking, but silence filled the empty corners of your mind. A shrill sob escaped your throat, a sound of desperation and grief. You cried, each sob tearing through you as you let the waves of sorrow wash over you. You cried until you couldnât anymore, until your tears ran dry, and exhaustion pulled you under like a heavy blanket.
Finally, the weight of it all became too much, and you fell into a deep slumber, your heart still aching but momentarily free from the torment of reality.
âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
"Bee." A soft voice pulled you out of the fog of sleep, nudging you back to consciousness. You groaned as the sunlight filtered through the window, the brightness bouncing off the walls and stabbing your eyes like tiny needles. You turned your head away with a low whine, squeezing your eyes shut tighter against the overwhelming light.
"Bee?" The voice was closer now, more insistent. You blinked your eyes open reluctantly and saw Shina crouched beside you. Concern was etched deeply into her face, her brows furrowed, lips pressed in a thin line. Her hand reached out, gently gripping your arm, and she slowly helped you sit up from the cold floor.
"Why were you sleeping on the floor?" she asked, her voice gentle, though her worry was unmistakable. Her eyes, wide and searching, bore into yours, trying to find an answer you werenât ready to give.
You blinked at Shina, still dazed, feeling like you were floating in a fog. The memory of last night twisted in your chest, squeezing tighter with every second that passed. His words, so sharp and cold, cut through you again, making it hard to breathe. You had tried to push them away, but the hurt clung to you, pulling you down.
"Bee, what happened?" Shina asked again, her voice low but urgent, her grip on your arm growing tighter. Her eyes searched yours, wide with worry, but you could barely meet them. You tried to speak, to say anything, but your throat was tight, and the pressure behind your eyes made your vision blur. She was so close, her concern so raw and real, that it only made you feel more fragile. You felt like you could break at any moment.
The weight of it all pressed down on youâher worry, the memory of his crueltyâand you felt the tears threaten to spill over. You blinked them away quickly, refusing to let them fall, and forced yourself to speak.
"I'm okay," you murmured, though your voice cracked, barely more than a whisper. It wavered, weak and uncertain, but you straightened your shoulders, trying to sound firm. Shina's eyes softened, her lips parting as if she wanted to argue, but she held back. Instead, she nodded, though you could tell she didnât believe a word.
"Right..." she said, clearing her throat. "Ahrm, I came to call you for breakfast." She tried to sound cheerful, but there was a hesitancy in her voice, the usual bounce missing.
"Breakfast?" you repeated, like the word itself didnât make sense.
"Yeah," she nodded, motioning toward the bathroom. "You should get ready."
"Oh." You nodded slowly, as if on autopilot, and grabbed the yellow dress sitting on the edge of the bed. Shina had bought it for you, and you knew it meant something, but the significance felt distant now. Your body moved without thought, heading to the bathroom like it was just another day.
Inside, you let the water run hot, scalding almost, trying to feel something other than the ache that had settled deep in your chest. The steam wrapped around you, clouding your vision, but it couldnât chase away the storm swirling in your head.
When you finally stepped out, Shina was waiting, her smile soft but cautious. âBee, you look pretty,â she said, handing you a small box wrapped in delicate paper.
You took it, staring blankly at the box in your hand. "Whatâs this?"
"Jungkook asked me to give it to you." Her eyes flickered with somethingâexcitement, maybeâbut you werenât sure. You nodded, barely acknowledging her as you tossed the box onto the bed without a second glance.
"Iâm not opening it," you said flatly, your voice cold and distant.
Shina hesitated, her lips parting to say something, but she closed them quickly, offering a half-hearted nod. "Okay... Let's go."
The walk to the dining hall was quiet, too quiet. Shina glanced at you from time to time, but you were lost in your thoughts, diving deep into the darkness that had settled in your heart. Last night had been a dreamâJungkook had been so kind, so sweet, so real. For the first time, you had believed there might be a chance. But the way he had pushed you away so harshly afterward⌠it shattered everything.
âBee, this way,â Shina said, guiding you through the doors and into the hall. The massive dining table stretched out before you, with Jungkook seated at the far end. His eyes were focused on his plate, avoiding your gaze entirely. Kian sat beside him, his arm casually dropped over the table. The other seats filled quickly with Neil, Patricia, and several others you barely registered.
Shina nudged you gently into the seat beside Jungkook, her smile forced, trying to ease the tension. "Come on, Bee. Itâs just breakfast. Nothing too dramatic, right?" She chuckled awkwardly, but it fell flat in the heavy air. She glanced at Kian, who gave her a small, supportive smile, but you could tell even she felt the weight of Jungkookâs presence, of his silence.
You sat stiffly, your back straight, eyes locked on the table in front of you. Jungkookâs hand gripped his fork tightly, knuckles white, but he never looked your way. Not once.
Shina, trying to break the ice, leaned forward. "Bee," she started, forcing a grin, "Why don't you try pancakes? It's really good. Right, Kian?" She wiggled her eyebrows at Kian, trying to coax a smile out of you.
You glanced at her, offering a weak, polite smile, but your heart wasnât in it.
Kian smirked, shaking his head. "Yes, this beautiful beside me loves pancakes!."
Jungkookâs fork clinked against his plate, the subtle sound sharper than it shouldâve been. His jaw clenched, and for a second, his gaze flickered to you, something raw and almost vulnerable flashing in his eyes before he quickly looked away.
You felt the knot in your throat tighten, but you swallowed it down, refusing to let it show. There was no apology, no acknowledgment, just silence.
"Bee?" Shinaâs voice broke through the fog, her hand gently resting on yours under the table. Her touch was warm, grounding you in the moment.
You blinked, shaking your head slightly. "Yeah?"
"Do you want me to take you out after breakfast? You know, just the two of us? We can talk... or not talk, whatever you want."
Jungkookâs shoulders tensed, his breath catching for just a second. But still, he said nothing.
You met Shinaâs eyes, her genuine worry for you reflected in them. You gave a small nod, even though your chest felt heavy. "Yeah, sure. Iâd love that," you whispered, your voice barely holding together.
Jungkook shifted beside you, his fork clattering against the plate as he finally spoke. "You guys should probably go out. Take Patricia with you too." His voice was steady, but cold, distant. He still didnât look at you, directing his words toward Shina.
A bitter laugh slipped from your lips before you could stop it. The sound made him go rigid, though he still wouldnât meet your eyes. It was ridiculous, really, how he could be so close yet feel so unreachable.
Breakfast ended in uncomfortable silence. You stood up quietly, your chair scraping the floor as you excused yourself. Jungkookâs eyes followed your movement for a fleeting moment, but when you looked back, they were fixed on his plate again.
Alone, you made your way back to your room, each step feeling heavier than the last. You lingered by the window, staring out at the world beyond. It was strangeâJungkook suggesting you go out, as if it made any difference. As if letting you walk through town would somehow patch the holes he left in you.
But of course, he didnât care. He made that clear last night.
A knock echoed through your room, loud against the silence, snapping you from your thoughts. Reluctantly, you crossed the room and opened the door to find a man in a black uniform standing there, his posture rigid.
"His Majesty has assigned me to escort you outside the palace, for your protection.," he said with no introduction, his tone all business. The man was imposingâbroad-shouldered, with a no-nonsense expression. He didnât waste time on pleasantries. "Please, come. Beta female is already waiting."
You nodded, not really knowing what else to do, and followed as he motioned for you to walk beside him. His steps were measured, precise, and soon you were outside, seated in a car heading who knew where. Kenji, as you later learned his name was, drove with Shina beside him, her usual chatty demeanor subdued, while Patricia sat next to you in silence.
"Kenji, stop by The Velvet Pheasant," Shina said, her voice firm but distracted, not even glancing at him.
"Sure, beta female," he replied, his deep voice steady as he turned the wheel. The car came to a smooth halt outside an extravagant boutique, the kind that screamed prestige from the way it gleamed in the afternoon sun. The buildingâs grand façade loomed over you, polished and perfect, and you felt a wave of reluctance wash over you.
Stepping out of the car, Patricia told Kenji to wait outside, and he responded with a curt nod and a surprisingly warm gummy smile. You followed the girls inside, feeling the cool air hit you as soon as you entered. An older woman rushed toward Shina with surprising speed, her arms flung wide for an embrace.
"Shina, youâve completely forgotten about me. Don't come to visit aunt anymore" the woman cried, clutching Shina tightly. "I havenât seen you in ages! I even asked your mother, and she just said, 'Oh, you know Shina is busy these days.' Busy, huh?"
Shina stiffened in the womanâs arms, her face scrunched up in what could only be described as pure agony. You stifled a laugh but quickly regretted it as the woman released Shina and turned toward you and Patricia, her sharp eyes locking onto you.
Before you could react, Patricia shoved you forward and darted toward Shina, leaving you in the crosshairs. The old womanâs grip was strong, pulling you into a hug that felt more like a bear trap than a greeting. You could hear the two girls giggling behind you as they escaped her clutches, leaving you alone at her mercy.
For what felt like hours, you were trapped in a whirlwind of fabric, as Shina and Patricia pulled you from one section of the boutique to another. Dresses, shoes, accessoriesâShina practically bought the whole store for you, her way of making the day brighter despite everything.
As the sun began to set, you all piled back into the car, exhaustion settling in. Kenji, who had been nothing but stoic all day, had softened slightly, sharing small bits of conversation with you along the ride. He was one of the royal warriors, you found outâhighly respected, and one of the deadliest. Yet, despite his fearsome reputation, there was a kindness to him that you hadn't expected. You also found out that he was yet to find his mate.
The drive back to the palace felt quieter, more solemn, and the closer you got, the heavier your chest became. The fun youâd had during the day was slowly slipping away, replaced by the cold reality of where you were heading. You stared out the window, watching the world outside blur past, feeling the tightness return to your throat.
As the palace gates came into view, you couldnât help but sigh, the happiness from earlier fading entirely. You didnât want to go back. You didnât want to face him again.
But you had no choice.
The car rolled to a stop, and with a deep breath, you stepped out, the weight of the palace settling back on your shoulders.
You stepped out of the car, the weight of the day pressing down on you. The girls had already been swept up by their mates, leaving you alone with Kenji, who gently helped you with the bags. His kind smile softened the growing pit in your stomach, but even Kenji, as sweet as he was, kept his distance. When you reached your room, he handed you the bags, his hands lingering for only a moment before he stepped back, eyes cast down.
"I canât enter," he said, almost shy. "Itâs not right to be alone with an unmated she-wolf."
You nodded, appreciating the respect, even though it only reminded you of your isolation. âThank you, Kenji,â you murmured.
He gave a small wave before disappearing down the hall, leaving you to the quiet hum of your empty room. The door clicked shut behind you, sealing the silence.
You tossed the bags onto the bed, your eyes drifting over to the box youâd been avoiding all day. That damn purple-wrapped box. With a sigh, you grabbed it, tearing off the wrapper without care. Inside, nestled in velvet, was a delicate heart-shaped necklace, the same shade of purple that always reminded you of him.
But instead of the warmth it once might have brought, a bitter taste rose in your throat. He thought this would fix everything. That after the things he said, the coldness he showed, a necklace could make it all go away? Your fingers tightened around it until your knuckles turned white. The bastard knewâhe knewâhow much it meant to you when you told him youâd never owned anything expensive. And now, it felt like a cruel joke, like he was throwing your words back in your face.
Without thinking, you stormed out of the room, the necklace clenched in your fist. Your feet carried you down the long corridors to his chambers, each step fueled by the fire burning in your chest. You didnât care who saw you, or how fast you were moving. You just needed to see him, to confront him.
As you reached his door, hand raised to knock, the sound of voices froze you in place.
"No," Jungkookâs voice boomed from behind the door, the rage in his tone making your breath catch. "I refuse to be tied to her. I didnât choose this. I donât love her. I donât want any of it."
The necklace almost slipped from your grip, the metal cutting into your palm as your heart cracked.
"You need to understand, Kian," Jungkook continued, voice harsher now, "Iâm not willing to do this."
"But even the elders want this," Kian replied, his voice softer, almost pleading. "Today, you were lucky she wasnât here, but how long can you really hide her from the world? One day, youâll have to accept her."
"Never," Jungkook spat, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
Kian's next words were too quiet to make out, but they were followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps heading toward the door. Panic surged through you, but before you could move, the door swung open.
There he was, standing before youâJungkook. His face paled when he saw your tear-streaked cheeks, his eyes widening in shock. His lips parted as if to say something, but the words died in his throat.
He reached out, the apology already forming on his tongue, but you didnât wait to hear it.
Without a second thought, you hurled the necklace at his chest, the metal clinking as it hit him and fell to the floor between you. His eyes flicked to the necklace, then back to you, his expression one of helpless guilt.
But you didnât wait for an explanation. Your feet carried you away, heart pounding, vision blurred by tears. You didnât stop until the corridor twisted out of sight, and even then, the weight of his words echoed in your mind, breaking you all over again.
As soon as you got to your room, you sank to the ground, your body trembling as you wrapped your arms around your knees. Hot tears streamed down your face, each sob tearing through you like a knife. A different ache settled in your heart, a hollow emptiness that expanded with every breath you took, leaving you feeling more lost and abandoned than ever.
âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
Jungkook sat rigidly in the chair beside the window, the moonlight spilling over him like a soft embrace, illuminating the sharp lines of his jaw and the furrow in his brow. Shadows danced across his face, mirroring the chaos swirling within him. He stared out into the darkness, eyes unfocused, lost in thoughts he couldnât bear to confront. The silence in the room was suffocating, thick with unspoken words. A soft knock broke through, and he turned slightly, his voice devoid of emotion. âCome in.â
Kian stepped inside, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an unsettling gloom that weighed on him like a storm cloud. He crossed the room slowly and settled into the chair beside Jungkook. The air thickened with the weight of their unspoken fears.
âWhat brings you here, Kian?â Jungkook asked, his tone flat, gaze still trapped in the shimmering night sky. He could feel Kianâs eyes on him, probing, searching for answers.
âWhy would you do that, Jungkook?â Kianâs voice trembled, breaking the stillness like a fragile glass shattering. He leaned forward, his brow knitted in worry. âwhy are you doing this? How could you sit here like this? Like nothing happened? She is your mate. You canât just push her away like that. Thatâs not how things work, especially not with a mate bond.â
At the mention of you, Jungkookâs gaze snapped to Kian, sharp and defensive. The flicker of vulnerability quickly masked by anger. âWhat about her?â he demanded, an edge creeping into his voice, the tension coiling tighter in his chest.
âShina told me Luna has been crying since evening.â Kianâs words were low, heavy with concern, sinking into Jungkook like stones in water. A silence enveloped them, punctuated only by Jungkookâs ragged breaths, as the gravity of Kianâs words settled in.
âWhy?â Jungkook found himself asking, the question slipping out before he could stop it, though they both knew the answer. A suffocating heaviness settled in his chest, a mix of guilt and soul crushing swirling within him like a tempest.
âJungkook, why not just accept the bond? Whyââ Kian started, but Jungkook cut him off, frustration bubbling over. He ran a hand through his hair, eyes glinting with an intensity that betrayed his inner turmoil.
âShe scares me, Kian,â Jungkook admitted, his voice tight, his jaw clenching as he turned away again. âSheâs everything Iââ He stopped himself abruptly, the words hanging in the air, unfinished. His fists clenched on his lap, the muscles in his arms tensing as he fought to maintain control.
âWhat?â Kian pressed, leaning forward, desperate to understand. âEverything you what, Jungkook?â
Jungkookâs face hardened, eyes darkening as the vulnerability retreated behind the walls he had carefully constructed. âForget it,â he snapped, his voice cold. âYou wouldnât understand.â
Kian shook his head, frustration boiling beneath the surface. He leaned closer, his voice growing intense. âLove hurts above all, but we must never cease to do it. Itâs painful, but you canât run from it, Jungkook.â
âLove?â Jungkook scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping him, but it sounded hollow. âItâs not meant for me, Kian. I hurt everyone. Iâm my fatherâs son, after all.â He leaned back, crossing his arms tightly across his chest, shutting himself off from Kianâs words.
âYouâre not him,â Kian insisted, leaning forward, voice filled with passion. âYouâre not your father, and she isnât your mother. She wonât leave, and you wonât end up like him. Jungkook, donât let bad memories of past ruin the possibilities of your future.â He reached out, almost as if to touch Jungkookâs arm, but hesitated, sensing the emotional wall between them.
âThatâs the problem with memories, Kian,â Jungkook said, his voice dropping to a whisper, eyes darkening. âThey never go away. They stay with you, and they eat you alive. I canât forget, and I canât love.â His words were cold, final, as if sealing his fate.
Kianâs frustration boiled over, his hands clenched into fists as he tried once more. âItâs not just about you, Jungkook. Itâs about her too. You canât keep pushing her awayââ
âLeave, Kian,â Jungkook said, his voice sharp, commanding. His back straightened, the gesture almost regal, but the pain behind his eyes betrayed him.
âBut Alphaââ Kianâs protest faded as he sensed the finality in Jungkookâs tone. He sat back, his shoulders slumping, disappointment and worry etched into his features.
âI said leave,â Jungkook repeated, turning his back to Kian, the room growing colder as the shadows deepened around him. The moonlight faded into darkness, mirroring the hollow ache in Jungkookâs heart.
Kian stood up slowly, his shoulders sagging with the weight of the conversation. He glanced back at Jungkook, his face tight with concern. âI just hope you donât regret this, Alpha,â he said quietly, his voice carrying a note of finality. Without waiting for a response, Kian walked to the door, the soft click of it closing behind him echoing in the heavy silence left in his wake.
âââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
"Luna, for how long will you keep crying like this?" Shina's voice was gentle, laced with concern as she knelt beside you, offering a plate of food. She watched as you stared blankly at the untouched meal. Tears streamed down your cheeks, an endless waterfall that had begun with the dawn.
âPlease, eat something,â she urged softly, but you could only shake your head, the words lodged in your throat like a stone.
âWhy? Canât he just accept the bond, Shina? Why?â Your voice cracked. Frustration bubbled within you, mingling with the heartache that had you feeling hollow.
Shina placed a comforting hand on your shoulder, but you shrugged it off, the gesture feeling too heavy to bear. âPlease leave, Shina,â you whispered, your voice trembling.
She hesitated, searching your face for a glimmer of hope, but all she found were shadows of despair. âNo matter how much love you give to a bird with broken wings, it wonât ever make it believe it can fly,â she said, her voice quiet yet firm, her eyes filled with empathy. âAnd even if it did, isnât it just death, Luna?â
Her words wrapped around you like a cold shroud, leaving you confused and raw. You opened your mouth to respond, but the weight of her statement silenced you. She rose slowly, the sadness in her eyes mirrored by the heaviness in the air, before she turned and walked away, leaving you alone with your thoughts.
You stared at the food plate, your heart aching with the reality of it all. The room felt suffocating, the walls closing in as you fought to suppress the next wave of tears. Each breath felt like a struggle, the silence around you amplifying the sorrow that threatened to drown you.
Okay, so first of all, if youâve made it this far, wow, congrats on surviving whatever mess I just threw your way. I mean, let's be honest, this is probably one of the most questionable things you've ever had the misfortune of reading. And for that, I truly, sincerely apologizeâwell, kinda.
But hey, if you're sitting there thinking, "Wow, this is absolute garbage," you're not alone. I get it. I hated it too. So, feel free to tell me just how much you despised every single word of it. I mean, go on, rip it apart. I'm mentally prepared...sort of. Probably. Okay, not really. But let's pretend I am, and we can bond over how truly awful this was. Thanks for sticking around, though. You're a champ.
Taglist @freyaniobe @piercidh34rts @furioustrashlover @lola75111 @pitchblack0309 @whoa-jo @teeheewhy13 @gojoscumslut @emanyd @sassy-snassy @jksusawife @nnnnmmmuuiu @jiminismine4ever @runariya @btspurplesky
#kookiewithluv#bts ffs#bts ff#bts fanfic#bts smut#jeon jungkook#jungkook scenarios#jungkook fiction#jungkook smut#jungkook x reader#Ashes of Promises#jungkook bts#jeon jungguk#jungkook#jeon jungkoooook#jungkook jeon#jungkook fanfic#jungkook x you#jungkook bangtan
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Dragon Age: The Veilguard info compilation Post 4
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [another post]
Post is under a cut due to length.
There is a lot of information coming out right now about DA:TV from many different sources. This post is just an effort to compile as much as I can in one place, in case that helps anyone. Sources for where the information came from have been included. Where I am linking to a social media userâs post, the person is either a dev, a Dragon Age community council member or other person who has had a sneak peek at and played the game. nb, this post is more of a âinfo that came out in snippets from articles and social media postsâ collection rather than a âregurgitating the information on the official website or writing out what happened in the trailer/gameplay revealâ post. The post is broken down into headings on various topics. A few points are repeated under multiple headings where relevant. Where I am speculating without a source, I have clearly demarcated this. if you notice any mistakes in this post, please tell me.
Character Creation
BioWare confirmed that even if you make your Rook a short king, the team has done work to ensure animations fit any character build [source]
"Dragon Age's character creator has seen a massive glow-up" [source]. "The volume of choices you get here are frankly insane. As Epler noted, âyou could spend forever here,â and heâs not kidding." [source] The art and graphics teams spent a lot of time trying to make hair look amazing [source: the Discord]
In CC we can customise our "bulge size" [source]
Some more detail on the new lighting options to see how Rook looks like in CC when you make them: you can view them in "blazing forest sunshine versus the glare of an underground temple" [source]
"newly mobile, extra-hairy hair" [source]
Faction choice has statistical boons. For example, Shadow Dragon Rook deals extra damage to Venatori blood cultists [source]
Faction choice basically determines why Rook has been called to help in the fight against Solas [source]
All pre-determined character models in CC can be adjusted [source]
You can make a really tall dwarf if you want [source]
"Setting your previous world state is fully integrated into the character creator for Veilguard" [source: the Discord]
Inquisitor appearance will be re-created, there is no way to carry their appearance from DA:I into the game [source: the Discord]
Classes for Rook are not restricted in the sense that you can play any almost class, lineage and faction combination that you want. For example, a mage Rook can be a Crow [source: the Discord] (Fel note: it sounded like Rook cannot be a magic-wielding dwarf, even though the exception of Harding now exists) (Fel note: there is a mage Crow in one of the books)
Story and lore
Here is another article which refers to Rook as "the Rook" [source]
The story is set "9-10 years from DA:I and about 8 years from Trespasser" [source: the Discord]
They have been tracking Solas for "a while. Something else youâre gonna learn aboutâŚ" [source]
The game does not use the Keep [source]
Shadow Dragon is the faction background with the most in-game reactivity (e.g. from other characters' dialogue) during the prologue section of the game, due to the fact that the prologue is in Minrathous and the Shadow Dragons are a Tevinter-based faction [source]
"I also saw a big moment after the gameplay trailer ends that I can't talk about" [source]
During the more narrative-heavy dialogue choices, "the game will also give a bit of context on what you're about to choose, but doesn't go as far as explaining the exact consequences or precisely what will happen thereafter" [source] "the game shows you how youâll go about the choice, but it doesnât tell you the consequence of that choice". [source]
"The game is bringing back Dragon Age 2s dialogue system, which was tone-based and resulted in its protagonist Hawke falling into one of three different personality states. You have three general tones in a conversation: kind, humorous, or aggressive, with slight variations depending on the situation" [source]
"Venatori blood cultists" [source]
"The whole game has the makings of another Suicide Mission [ME2], given that you are up against a god with the ability to collapse dimensions" [source]
"Choices and consequences". "Now, it seems you can see the effects of your choices like never before, and this time, they marry that choice with incredible visuals" [source]
In the bar when you're trying to get information in the opening, if you choose to fight it out and the barbrawl ensues, you then have to run from the pursuers in the bar [source]
A key concern of the developers when creating the environments was to make âa world worth saving" [source]
The prologue is quite linear but there are additional paths you can follow to find additional loot [source]
In the opening section of the game there is a dock which has been attacked and the soldiers that were there have been killed, "but rather than seeing this passively, we walked through the aftermath and had to interact with the scene to piece it all together" [source]
The tone of the gameplay video is a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the game [source]. On the tone: "dark fantasy" [source]. horror & gore is back along with DA's classic dark elements [source]
Tevinter Nights is a better tone indicator for the game than the original reveal/character trailer. Ghil Dirthalen: "Tevinter Nights has felt the most 'DAV' to me" [source]. The gameplay reveal video is the best indicator for the tone of the game (vs the character one) [source]. there is still messy dark shit in the game [source]
Tonally the game is closest to Tevinter Nights and DA:O [source]
Ghil Dirthalen: "[as] one of those unfortunate souls who has latched onto a media world so hard: This game is for me. For the hardcore DA lore nerds, I've been secretly screaming about things I saw for MONTHS now" [source]
The game is true to the DA stories we know and love [source]
Characters, companions, romance
You can choose to engage in companions' own storylines as you progress or ignore them entirely [source]
You will often have to make dialogue choices that will affect how your various companions treat you [source]
Neve is quick-witted [source], measured and elegant [source]
In the opening, you interact with the companions as you move through Minrathous. "your choices during these interactions will determine who goes on portions of the mission with you, along with how âpleasedâ they are with the answers." [source]
On Varric and Harding: "Instantly the two felt like theyâd never been away and avoided the trap of being parodies or fanfiction versions of themselves" [source]
Solas' eyes were always purple hh [source] (yes!)
Gameplay, presentation, performance etc
Some enemies have additional shields that are weak to ranged attacks [source]
When asked about if the war table from DA:I returned, John Epler said "There is a table. Now, whether it works the same way as the table in the previous game..." [source]
Once you get passed a certain point in the game, it opens up dramatically, however it is not an openworld game and they wanted to make sure that all the content mattered and was a more structured, sculpted experience for the player. There is some exploration, some opportunities to get off the beaten path, and some spaces that are fairly wide [source]
The button to press to bring up the skill wheel is RB or R1 (depending on what controller you're using)Â [source]
"You'll also have access to two skills or spells for each of your two companions that you can command. For a more seamless, uninterrupted combat experience, you can also assign these skills to shortcuts (such as holding the left trigger and hitting the X button) to quickly use them" [source]
"The game is bringing back Dragon Age 2s dialogue system, which was tone-based and resulted in its protagonist Hawke falling into one of three different personality states. You have three general tones in a conversation: kind, humorous, or aggressive, with slight variations depending on the situation" [source]
"booting Fade demons into pits" [source]
"BioWare have revised Dragon Age's art direction to make character models a little more consistent with the series' lovely Tarot-inspired menu art. Flesh is ruddy to the point of painterly; facial features and bodily proportions are thicker and more striking, as though the characters had been cut from clay" [source]
The 3 specs for Warrior are Reaper (has lifesteal/stealing health from enemies, and other freaky powers, does big damage), Slayer (can wield the biggest blade, big swords, big damage) or Champion, which is tanky, shield-using and Paladin like [source] [source]
There are quick-recover prompts [source]
You can roll through puddles of incoming AOE [source]
There are ziplines between some levels levels [source] (Fel note: just like in As We Fly... )
There are also slidey hills to slide down between some sections [source]
There are still some Hinterland-type areas designed for exploration [source]
We can do some home base management to our home base [source] (Fel note: this refers to The Lighthouse, detail in a previous post)
Camera placement is quite zoomed out [source]
Where Rogues have 'momentum', Warriors have 'rage' and Mages 'mana'. When a warrior spends rage in the ability wheel it triggers more powerful attacks. this has been referred to as a build-and-spend mechanic. this system resource gates your use of more powerful skills and is built by getting stuck in [source]. Momentum for Rogues is built by landing hits without taking any [source]
There are big glowing environmental cues for picking up loot or replenishing health potions [source]
"Epler noted that The Veilguard will not be an open-world experience like Inquisition, and instead will have large spaces to explore with quests littered throughout. This allayed my early concerns that they would course correct too hard from the oft-maligned open areas of Inquisition" [source]
Melee and ranged attacks can be charged up [source]
It sounds like there is an option to have greater guidance on when enemies are attacking [source]
The community council gave a lot of notes on the game's art direction to BioWare (gave feedback to the devs) that they were told and shown were changed from the first reveal/character trailer, these made it into the gameplay trailer [source]
The community council asked about having an arachnophobia mode, though they can't guarantee this was implemented [source]
"Youâre encouraged to explore and grind for stronger weapons and gear, so your stats and cosmetics improve the further you get into the game" (in the sense that youâll be rewarded for hard work) [source, two]
Follower information such as cooldowns and health will be visible on the HUD [source: the Discord]
There is a "quick cast" option if you prefer not to use the wheel, should be a chorded action using a controller [source: the Discord]
On PC you can play with keyboard and mouse or controller [source: the Discord]
An accessibility option is the ability to make auto-targeting stronger or weaker depending on your preference [source: the Discord]
The game will have DLSS support at launch [source: the Discord]
Re: hard drives, the game can be played using an HDD, they would recommend an SSD though for the optimal experience [source: the Discord]
There are lots of different interface options you can play with, e.g. combat text size, opacity, when to display health bars [source: the Discord]
Other
The leak from last year or whenever it was (the one that leaked screenshots and a gif from the game) was mainly a lot of outdated stuff and didn't really represent even the early version some community council members had played [source, two]. It was not leaked by a member of the community council, but by a member of another focus group [source]
The community council were given the chance to play the game twice, once in Fall 2022 and a year later in 2023 [source]
There is no information as yet regarding when pre-orders will be open [source: the Discord]
BioWare are hoping to at the very least have the very "best of" the Discord dev Q&A featured on social media and potentially in a blog [source: the Discord]
[â found this post or blog interesting or useful? my ko-fi is here if you feel inclined. thank you đ]
#dragon age: the veilguard#dragon age: dreadwolf#dragon age 4#the dread wolf rises#da4#dragon age#bioware#long post#longpost#video games#blood cw#mass effect#solas#dragon age: tevinter nights
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Alaris: A Story of the Stars
Enhanced Demo Out Now
Enter a world of magicâof Fae and Dragon.
A global crisis that only continues to escalate. A dangerous run-in with a shadowy stranger. And a mysterious word that won't stop gnawing at you. How does everything tie together? And what role could you possibly play in all of this?Â
Features
Aside from my blood and remnants of my soul, the New Alaris Demo contains:
A Customizable Protagonist:Â Choose your name and pronouns (including a whole new Expanded Pronouns system)
Personality:Â Shape your personality with four different traits and watch how the world interacts with it. Punch people, scare people, live your life how You Want!
Free Time:Â Choose from four locations and go on a date of your choosing with any of our love interests.
Affection & Stats Screens: Check how much the LIs are interested in you and what your personality looks like!
Communicator Interface: Improved messaging and calling features
Energy Vision:Â Tap into one of the MC's special abilities to see the different auras of the cast.
Memories:Â Revisit free time dates and let our love interests woo you as many times as you'd like.
Extended Music Room: Listen to the custom Alaris OST
Partial Voice Acting: Hear the characters come to life through the talented cast for the LIs
Updated Art Assets: All new sprite, CG, prologue, background, and GUI art (basically Everything looks Different).
If you played the old demo, the new one is Very Different! While the general story is the same, many features have been revamped to create a New Player Experience.
â Not all mysteries... â Â
Some mysteries, beyond man, have no logic, have no fate. In the face of such, keep your wits close, but do not trust them. Trust not yourself, nor your senses. Your time, nor your wit.
For where time has stopped, but its flow has no end. For when passion calls, but hate runs deep.
Heed this warning, and do not wait. For laws of nature and laws of man. Have no logic, and have no weight."
â ...can be explained by the logic of man. â
#alaris#english otome#otome game#otome#visual novel#romance visual novel#fantasy visual novel#IT'S HERE#COLLAPSES ON THE FLOOR
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Writing Notes: Story Plot
Plot - is what happens in a story.
Every story is made up of both events and characters.
A story happens because a pattern is interrupted.
If you are writing about a day that is like any other day, it is most likely a routine, not a story.
A Strong Plot
Centered on one momentâan interruption of a pattern, a turning point, or an actionâthat raises a dramatic question, which must be answered throughout the course of the story. This is also known as plot A.
Every element of the plotâeach scene, each lineâexists in service of answering that question. There are myriad plot devices that can bolster the main story; these are considered subplots.
7 Types of Plots
The nature of the dramatic question informs the plot and what kind of story it will be. Are the characters threatened by something external or internal? What genre will the story be?
Tragedy
Your main character should undergo a major change of fortune â almost always from good to bad, happy to sad.
Tragic characters have to suffer.
Comedy
Even though your characters have defects, their defects should never wind up being painful or destructive.
Comic characters make it through unscathed.
Heroâs Journey
The hero of a story must undergo two things:
Recognition and reversal of a situation.
Something has to happen from the outside that inspires the hero in a way that he/she didnât realize before.
Then he has to undertake a quest to solve the situation.
Rags to Riches
Remember Cinderella? The classic fairy tale follows a simple rags-to-riches plot:
the protagonist is downtrodden, impoverished, or otherwise struggling, and through a series of eventsâeither magical, like in Cinderella, or more realistic, like in Great Expectations â achieves success.
This type of plot often features a happy ending.
Rebirth
The rebirth style of plot follows a characterâs transformation from bad to good.
The character will frequently have a tragic past that informs their current negative view of life, however, a series of events (usually set in motion by the protagonist or a narrator) will help them see the light.
See: Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, or the Beast in Beauty and the Beast.
Overcoming the Monster
Otherwise known as the good versus evil plot, this type of story features a protagonist (good) fighting an antagonist (evil).
The protagonist can be a singular character or a group united in their mission.
The antagonist is generally a big, bad evil (like Darth Vader in Star Wars) who continuously throws obstacles in the protagonistâs wayâuntil the final battle.
Voyage & Return
This plot is a simple point A to point B and back to point A plot.
The protagonist sets off on a journey, only to return to his or her starting point having gained wisdom and experience (and sometimes treasure too).
Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is a beloved contemporary illustration of this plot.
How to Outline a Story Plot: Three-Act Structure
Beginning
The beginning of your novel has to accomplish a lot.
It must introduce the hero, the villain, and the world of the story, as well as the storyâs dramatic question, and it must do this with enough energy to grab your readerâs interest right away.
A prologue can be useful for seizing the readerâs attention.
Middle
Your job during the middle of the story is to make the heroâs quest as difficult as possible so that at every moment it seems less likely that the hero will triumph.
You must raise the stakes along the way and create obstacles of ever-increasing intensity while keeping your eye firmly fixed on your conclusion.
The different plot points can include the basic plot, plus various subplots.
The main plot of a story always has to build up to the resolution.
End
The end of your story answers the dramatic question, which already has your ending hidden within it.
For example, if your question is:
Will Ahab catch the whale?
Then your storyâs finale will be the moment when he does.
Often, tension evaporates in the middle of a novel, so itâs a good idea to write your ending first. It may not be perfect, and you can always change it later, but itâs useful to know the climax to which your characters are headed.
Having that destination will help you stay focused during the âmiddle muddle.â
Freytagâs Pyramid
German novelist Gustav Freytag expanded on Aristotleâs concept of plot by adding 2 additional components to the beginning, middle, and end:
Rising action and falling action.
Freytagâs dramatic arc, also known as Freytagâs Pyramid, includes the following:
Exposition. This is the beginning of the story.
Rising action. Once the story has begun, it is important to create tension by raising the stakes. You must raise the stakes along the way and create obstacles of ever-increasing intensity while keeping your eye firmly fixed on your conclusion.
Climax (middle). The pinnacle of your plot.
Falling action. The falling action occurs after the climax but before the end. Falling action frequently depicts the protagonist dealing with the consequences or fallout of the climax. The falling action is when the protagonist ties up loose ends and heads toward the conclusion. It is also referred to as the denouement.
Resolution. This is the end of the story.
Source â The 3-Act Structure: History & Elements â A Guide More References: Plot â Character â Worldbuilding â Writing Notes
#plot#on writing#writing tips#writing advice#writeblr#dark academia#spilled ink#writing reference#writing inspiration#creative writing#fiction#writing ideas#literature#writers on tumblr#poets on tumblr#writing prompt#poetry#light academia#writing resources
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Jude Jazza: Episode.0 full (crude but detailed) summary
ę° Ö´ Öş âš @ notice âš Öş Ö´ ęą this has some pretty translated lines, but this is largely a summary to help you understand what happens in his story. i think @.judesmoonbeauty will translate this story in full later! if you enjoy, though, please do consider reblogging!
An idle everyday, peaceful times, and a life without any pain.
Such things were, to me, farther than the moon.
some guy is attacking jude on the street and judes like yeah this is my every day. so much its a bore. jude gives him a fist to the nose and cue blood spewing.
so this dude is like âits all your fault my company-â and jude is like âyeah? well your company be sellin women soâ then jude orders ellis to boot him to the lab.
jude holding a heart of vengeance like
Jude: Serves ya right. Everyone makinâ a fool outta me can drop straight to the pits oâ hell.
then he lights up a cig. the smoke floats? up to the sky and he reveals its a full moon out.
he thinking how the moon is so big it makes him sick or that it bothers him. in fact, he hates the moon, or so he claims.
The moon shone bright to the point it was annoyingââand it would not let me forget the things I wanted to forget.
And the fact that, even if I wanted to look away, I still found myself looking up at it, disgusted me.
hes about to like let out another smoke when he notices a woman, who he immediately recognizes as a letter carrier (kate), looking up at the moon.
the girl is smiling softly, saying how shes gonna do her best tomorrow.
that was all she said before disappearing in the darkness, with the moonlight as her path.
judes like wow workin this hour, shes such a good person its shady. but then he wonders,
I wonder, since when was it that I felt irritation whenever I laid my eyes on gentle or beautiful things.
Was it since the time I learned such things were practically bait for evil and violence?
In this world, there were things that were better not to get involved in, and a great many things better left unknown.
the girl no longer there, jude thinks to himself how those who can live a carefree life, should live exactly that way.
time skip: jude is like then came the time i had forgotten about that night completely. that was around the time that girl âgot lost in the darkness.â
now weâre like in the prologue tl and jude is like somehow i remember this girl (kate, who got splattered with blood).
jude is shocked like omg its that letter carrier?
The only thing I remembered was how her profile was looking up at the moon, but the more I looked at her, the more the memories of that night came together.
hes like the hell she doin here. and after hearing her story hes like damn her lucks out the window. (lit: her lucks ended)
then hes like crown is a secret org -> anyone who knows of it gets eliminated -> if they witness a judgment then even more reason to eliminate them -> this girl cant get away from death.
so he clicks his tongue and,
Jude: TchâŚthis is why I was sayinâ we shouldâve locked the door.
then hes like âand then she met her fate by the hands of crown. and that was the end of that.âââor not.
kate gets assigned the role of fairytale keeper (who he calls the weirdo right hand of the queen) and hes like the hell is with this âfairytale keeper thing?â sounds pretty damn worthless to me.
it sounded like a good thing, but it was basically a contract where she was gonna be worked while watched <- his words. hes like its hella weird to be bound to this unfair contract just âcause ya saw somethin ya shouldnt have.
jude is disgustedâ˘ď¸ but victor is like âplease look after her judeâ and judes like uh no i think the hell not.
but kates like âi look forward to working with you judeâ
(Whatâs with that carefree tone oâ hers?)
(This girl doesnât seem to get what she got herself into.)
so he offers to help her. with some biting sarcasm. and at first kate got a sparkle in her eyes but jude is like the hell? and says its a joke obviously.
(Ya canât run from here for the next month. All âcause ya accepted everythinâ as they came.)
ââAll the things here now disgusted me.
Jude: Well, go break a leg. Though I wonât be surprised if ya canât take a whole month and run off before gettin��� offed.
then he yeets.
hes irritated at everything i guess? but hes like âwhy the hell am i irritated at such little things?â and as if to distract himself he tried to light a cig.
but,
I noticed the moon outside the window, up above.
Tonight, the moonlight shone to an irritating degreeâŚ
(âŚAhh, now I see.)
(That womanâs sparkling eyesâŚ)
then we have a flashback scene.
???: Heyââpromise me somethinâ, will ya. When ya fill yer pockets, take me to the moon.
end flashback.
(Her eyes looked just like that personâs.)
feeling irritated, he looks away from the moon and lights a cig.
he then repeats a statement hes made before, that there were many things better to not get involved in and many things better left unknown.
And yet, the woman who followed the moonââhad wandered into the darkness.
those who can live a carefree life should go and live that way.
(So thatâs whyâŚ)
Jude: âŚGet the hell out as soon as ya can, princess.
Fin.
ko-fiâď¸ â commsđ¤
#ikemen villains#ikevil#ă¤ăąăĄăłă´ăŁăŠăł#ikevil jude#ikevil jude jazza#jude jazza#ikemen villains jude#cybird ikemen series#cybird ikemen#cybird otome#ikemen series#otome game#otome
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So sorry for the delay! ! My VS Code program wasn't calibrated with CSIDE and in the indentions basically messed up. The prologue coding is so wonky that honestly if I do anything I end up fucking up 2839393 lines of code. If you've been following a while, you're probably well aware of much hatred for the prologue's coding lmao but we live and we learn.
Storyline wise, not much has changed. Scenes are largely the same, since I'm pretty happy with what I wrote a year ago. For this rewrite, I focused mainly on the big things like choices that will impact the rest of the story and O's gender selection. Some new things include:
you can now play with Orion or Oriana Quinn
you can now express if the band went through a musical rebrand after seven and what the old genre was (which will come up later).
you can now choose whether mc "changed" after seven and what change that was (there's 4, technically 2, options and a "default" vague option, im open to more options since I wanted to do this but couldn't really think of any believable ones beyond the four).
new mc personality: attached vs detached. your mc can have an extra attachment to the band for obvious reasons, or can feel the opposite.
coordinating outfits can now be exclusive to the band members. your mc can be the unique unicorn of the group since they're the lead singer (this is definitely not gonna bite them in the ass later)
adding to that, your mc's reason for fame can be due to wanting to keep the band together.
a new flavor text feeling about seven is now added which is basically "idk how I feel" instead of hating or loving them, you can just make it that MC's feelings for them is just a big question mark. REALISM!
stat changes: stern/playful -- same thing as humorous/serious I just wanted words that encompassed a wider range of behavior Leader/follower - whether mc takes on the leader role or not camaraderie - a band stat that measures the trust/morale/closeness of the band
u can probably see where im going with the stats huh....
smaller changes include:
more choices and options
prose changes + dialogue additions and expanded/ added scenes
The beta testers have not touched this yet, as I wanted to bring it out to collect some last suggestions, ideas from Patrons. Of course, as always, if you do catch errors, please let me know.
My main concern for errors: O's pronouns. It was a long process but I may have missed a few pronouns here and there. Please let me know if you catch any <3
PROLOGUE: 93K WORDS (for context, the old prologue and chapter 1 were 92k together. The prologue is a tiny bit inflated but :)))Â
I will make a post about beta testers soon. I've been quiet on that front because I've been just prioritizing getting this out first.
Now available for Band tier! (6$)
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Using Canto VII to Predict Dante's Identity
This theory now has a second part! Please read it HERE!
(major spoilers for the games 'Library of Ruina' and 'Limbus Company' up to Canto VII Part 2 under the cut! you have been warned!)
(EXTREMELY long post ahead!)
SECTION 0: PROLOGUE
Dante. The tenth sinner of LCB. Our Executive Manager Esquire.
Despite being our story's protagonist, Dante's identity and past is a gaping void.
It's very interesting when a story has a character with amnesia, because we all get to make wild guesses at their true secret identity.
I've seen a few predictions. Ayin, Roland, that one random Seven Association Fixer from Library of Ruina of the same name.
The Vermillion Cross, even. The colours line up, as does the Cross carrying their weapon on their back. Biblical imagery makes a lot of sense here.
The character I'm about to accuse of being Clockhead however, is a candidate I have seen no person put forth.
Indulge me for a moment and assume that Dante's identity is possible to reasonably guess at all. That they are a character we have become acquainted with in prior Project Moon works, or indeed the content of Limbus Company itself.
As of writing, the most recent update to Limbus Company is Canto VII Part 2. This theory will assume that you have played or otherwise experienced its story content to completion.
This is because I believe VII-2 has finally delivered us the information we need to make that reasonable guess.
For now though, let's cast our minds much, much further back.
SECTION 1: LIBRARIAN OF DEATH
Curtain call for the Reception of the Black Silence.
Roland lies defeated, and the player is given a choice.
Choosing forgiveness leads to the true, canonical ending of the game. According to Steam achievement statistics, only 10.1% of the player base chose to take Roland's head instead.
If Roland is slain, Angela uses the light of the Library to complete her dream of becoming human.
The Patron Librarians are killed, turned back into books. Angela stands alone atop her ivory nest.
No longer an Impurity, the Library is free to violently expand as a Star of the City.
It would remain that way for thirteen years.
After a fade to black, we meet a new character. One who, at the time, had no name.
???: That was one grand job you did with all these dangerous monsters you've gathered, Miss Librarian of Death.
ANGELA: âŚGood work.
???: âA monster should behave as oneâŚâ
???: I trusted and followed you, knowing nothing.
ANGELA: How many colleagues of yours⌠the so-called âBookhuntersâ have you killed?
???: Iâve lost count.
ANGELA: And countless more people will die in the future.
ANGELA: I know humans. I learned the secrets of mankind that the City had been hiding from them.
???: Iâm sure you do⌠And I know you.
???: Thank you for all your hard work. Please die once and for all.
ANGELA: Thank you for putting me to rest, o child who had no name.
???: Even the brightest star fades someday.
???: It will eventually be felled by man, just like any other star.
???: As tonight, again, the stars
are brushed by the wind.
"The Bookhunter" was the only name we had for this character for a very long time. But you may know them by another name.
Perhaps that name is Bari, the Knight of the White Moon.
Or perhaps that name is Dante.
SECTION 2: PRINCESS BARI
It's extremely common for important characters in Project Moon's universe to share their names with figures in stories, mythology or religion.
Roland of the 12 Paladins of Charlemagne. Emil Sinclair from Demian. Moses, after a prophet in Judaism, Christianity, and a smattering of Abrahamic religions.
I have reason to believe Bari is no exception. I'm not particularly well read on the following subject, so I encourage you to do your own research. Apologies if I make any mistakes, and please correct them if you can.
However, I will lay out the basics here that support my theory.
Princess Bari is an incredibly important figure in Korean mythology and spirituality. Born as the seventh daughter to royals who wanted a son, Bari is banished to fend for herself outside of the walls of her family's kingdom.
There are many different versions and tellings of the story, but most share the central story structure. When Bari's parents fall ill, they learn (through dream, premonition, or any number of reasons) that the cure to what ails them is a water or elixir in a far away divine or spiritual realm.
Learning of her parents' illness, Bari sets off on a journey to cross the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead to find the cure.
When she reaches this divine realm, Bari collects water of life and flowers of resurrection, and returns home.
She learns that she is much too late however, as her parents have passed away and their bodies will soon be buried.
Bari attempts to heal them anyway-- and the flowers she found restore her parents back to their mortal coil, and the water of life cures their ails.
In some versions of the myth, Bari ascends and becomes a goddess after her death. Typically, she is a goddess of the divine realm, and/or a goddess who leads the deceased to the afterlife.
Back to Limbus Company for a moment, Bari tells Sancho the following when they finally introduce themself at the bank of the River of Oblivion.
(I understand that this is SansĂłn's telling of events. Since he seems to be attempting to accurately restore Sancho's memories, we can assume at least this much is accurate.)
Searching for a flower grown in water.
I believe there is enough evidence to believe that Bari is based on the mythological princess.
SECTION 3: INTRO WRAP UP
There are four figures to consider from here on out; two versions of each character.
Dante Limbus Company, bumbling executive manager.
Dante Alighieri, legendary Italian poet who features in his Divine Comedy.
Bari Project Moon, Knight of the White Moon and in another time, Bookhunter.
Princess Bari, mythological shaman who crossed between the worlds of life and death to save her family from death.
It's important to keep the distinction between these figures in mind. Adaptation does not need to be 100% faithful. Just because something happened to Princess Bari does not mean it happened or will happen to our Bari.
That said, looking to the original stories can be helpful to understand themes that appear in Bari and Dante's stories, and the ways they might overlap.
Following so far? I really hope so.
That should be all the setup we need now.
We have our two characters, Dante and Bari. Let us now consider the themes they share, to see if they may be the same character.
Each of these examples, considered alone, may appear unconvincing or coincidental. But I think the sheer amount of common links you can draw between Dante and Bari make it impossible to say them being the same character is baseless.
So, allow me. I believe the primary themes we must look at are:
KATABASIS
TIME
RESURRECTION
LITERATURE
THE SAPLING OF LIGHT
Let's tackle these one at a time.
SECTION 4: KATABASIS
Katabasis is a word referring to a journey into the underworld, a reoccurring motif seen in countless mythologies or works of literature.
Katabasis is a very interesting theme here, because it can actually be seen in ALL FOUR versions of the characters we have.
Dante (Divine Comedy) is obvious and simple. Dante and Virgil's descent into Inferno is one of the most famous examples of a katabasis.
Dante (Limbus Company) is similar. They are aboard a hell bus driven by someone named Charon, and the chapter of their story we're currently in is called Inferno.
While not a literal journey into the underworld, it is undeniably, thematically, a quest into Hell. Counts!
Princess Bari journeys across the boundaries of life and death to get the water and flowers of resurrection. Entering the divine realm of death? That's a katabasis!
And the knight Bari is the one that maybe seems the most out of place. But I think this line from SansĂłn's play might help us understand where they fit in.
Bari's search for the river that grows the flower they seek is leading them deep into the abyss under the Ruins.
They're already a wanderer, someone who travels far across the City and the Ruins. It could be said that they were already on a journey very similar to Dante's.
It's another case where the journey is symbolic-- looking for an object far beneath the crust of the earth, travelling across a hellscape to find it.
Oh dear, that reminds me of someone already.
SECTION 5: TIME
Dante's associations with time are obvious. They have a clock for a head, slowed down time in Canto 6, and are somehow able to 'rewind' the sinners back to life.
They have also been having strange visions where they glimpse the past of the sinners.
That last part is what interests me. Because these quick, unclear glimpses through time remind me of a certain river.
The Mirae-mirae River, which Bari encourages their companion to look into.
And Sancho does.
For Bari to understand how the Mirae-mirae River works, they would need to have looked into it themself.
Potentially, they even sipped from it, though I have no evidence. I simply find it strange that Bari would know the risks of drinking the river water, yet not the river's name.
If they had some other source of information to learn this, wouldn't it have included a name? Who can say? It doesn't actually matter.
What matters is the fact that Bari could see the future. If not by drinking, by looking into the water surface.
This goes a long way to explain this bizarre part of SansĂłn's stageplay earlier.
Bari arrives to entertain the lonely king with stories, and seemingly two of the stories they tell are the events of Canto V and Canto VI.
Assuming that the Mirae-mirae River shows you visions in YOUR future, not just any random person's, then for this vision to make sense, Bari needs to witness Canto V and Canto VI in the future.
It's my understanding that they might've seen their own participation in those stories as Dante.
"A hero's perilous encounter with an unyielding monster" could potentially be describing Canto III, with Sinclair vs. Peccatula Kromer, but that one's a bit too vague to be helpful.
It's not hard and fast evidence, and might just be an innocent bit of narrative rhyming. "Golly gee, isn't it fun that the stories Bari told were coincidentally similar to the adventure we are on?" Maybe.
Regardless, we have a character who is seeing glimpses of the past in Dante, and a character who can see glimpses of the future in Bari. I find that an interesting thematic connection.
SECTION 6: RESURRECTION
Now this one's a bit more promising. Being able to bring the sinners back from death and mortal injury is arguably the most notable of Dante's abilities.
Princess Bari's katabasis led her to claiming the flowers that allowed her to perform a miracle of resurrection, and she herself became a goddess of life after death following her own passing.
Both are figures capable of resurrection.
Though, that's the obvious part. I'd like to instead speak of Dante's personal death and resurrection. Because it could be said that Dante has died before.
Standing over the bank of the Lethe, Bari shared their concerns with their confidant.
To lose your memories of the life you have lived is much like death.
When the clock replaced Dante's head, their memories quickly washed away into oblivion.
Assume for me they were Bari. Bari died here, and "Dante" woke up in their place.
As Executive Manager, Dante leads the sinners through Inferno, as seen below.
(Thank you Limbus Company .gg wiki for sourcing the text here! I did not want to have to refight GasHarpoon just for a tiny part of this post...)
ISHMAEL: Before I saw that recruitment post... after I boarded the Pequod⌠even after I joined Limbus Company⌠I've never taken the helm of my own ship.
ISHMAEL: But⌠I think I've finally found my compass.
AHAB: Does a mere deckhand dare speak of her own compass now?
ISHMAEL: Yeah. An incredibly annoying compass that keeps getting in my way. But⌠they're also a compass that, even as they waver, points to where I want to goâŚ
ISHMAEL: So I want to go on an adventure with that compass. A real adventure. To explore and learn this world we live in.
And it's not just Ishmael, either. After Heathcliff's distortion ended, he said the following.
HEATHCLIFF: Oi, Clockhead.
HEATHCLIFF: You wouldn't know this, but... Well, everyone but you would know.
HEATHCLIFF: When I'm starting to lose my mind, when I'm completely blinded and deafenedâŚ
HEATHCLIFF: When I feel my sense of self, my very being, slowly fading away into the darkâŚ
HEATHCLIFF: ⌠I hear that faint noise.
HEATHCLIFF: That damned noise of a clock.
HEATHCLIFF: It opens my eyes. Drags me back to reality.
DANTE: Well, that'sâŚ
DANTE: Because I'm your manager. Bringing you back to your paths is what I do.
Despite being lost in oblivion-- again, akin to death-- Dante guides their sinners along their correct paths.
Please recall what became of Princess Bari after her death.
A goddess of the divine realm who guided wayward souls through the afterlife.
From Inferno to Paradiso, perhaps.
(Huh. Maybe 'guidance' would've been a better name for this section. By this logic, maybe Bari is Vergilius.....!!.)
SECTION 7: LITERATURE
This one's quite interesting to me.
Other than being named for a poet, Dante has very little association with actual literature. They write notes on their little PDA device, but that's about it as far as I understand.
Bari however has incredible association with literature!
Most obviously with how they regaled (a person who I am comfortable assuming is) the original Don Quixote with tales of adventure and excitement.
Assuming I'm correct about some of their stories coming from the Mirae-mirae River, they would've had to pen some of those tales themself, drawing from what they saw.
In another time they were a person known as a Bookhunter, and personally responsible for executing a library's director.
When they do so, Bari says the following to the dead air.
BARI: As tonight, again, the stars
are brushed by the wind.
The line break is unusual for how Library of Ruina formats narration or dialogue, and it brings to mind poetry. One last short stanza for a dead woman, perhaps.
Literature is a motif associated with extremely important or powerful characters in Project Moon media, such as Angela. The second game took place in a god damn library!
Dante is named after a poet. Bari was a storyteller. I think this can't NOT be important.
Bari = Vergilius theory gains merit...
SECTION 8: THE SAPLING OF LIGHT
As part of SansĂłn's stageplay, Bari says the following.
BARI (SINCLAIR): It is said that when an efflorescent tree comes to blossom, steeped and nurtured in the waters of many rivers since its saplinghood, it becomes imbued with a special power.
BARI (SINCLAIR): I can't even begin to imagine what powers a tree born from that particular river may hold.
I think it's possible that the river Bari seeks is the river of human consciousness that Lobotomy Corporation Facility X-394 was built over-- and thus the river that the Library was built over as well.
Dante's Sapling of Light abilities correspond with the Sephirot of the Seed of Light project, meaning it's extremely likely they share an origin.
This is hardly breaking news, but the arrangement of the Sephirot and their departments in Lobotomy Corporation form the inverted version of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, forming instead the Tree of Death.
Dante's Sapling of Light ability menu shows Hokma at the top of the diagram, where as Malkuth was at the top in Lobotomy Corporation.
As Dante unlocks more abilities, we should see the Tree of Life form from each of these connections, this time healthy and upright.
It's possible that Bari's goal was to create that Tree of Life. Find the river that the Tree of Death-- the Library-- grew from, and nurture a healthy sapling in its waters again. One untainted by Angela's ambition.
(It's possible that Bari seeking the river predates the Seed of Light project. I don't think this changes much-- Bari would still be seeking to create what would end up being Dante's Sapling of Light.)
At the very least, this would establish a connection between Bari and the sapling inside of Dante's clock. I don't think it should be ignored.
SECTION 9: LIGHTNING ROUND
Phew. That's a lot of talking! I've established the main points that I feel tie a deep thematic link between Bari and our esteemed manager, even if I haven't proven necessarily that they are the same character.
However, I believe that if we're intended to guess Dante's identity before the reveal, Bari is pretty much the only coherent option.
It wouldn't be much of a twist if I could figure out all the who what when wheres and whys before it happens, I suppose!
One last section for the road. Here's a bunch of stuff that I noticed that probably doesn't matter, but might serve as tertiary evidence for this theory.
STARS:
Stars are a motif that came up a lot for Dante towards the start of the game, in the prologue and Canto 1. Here's some examples.
PANTHER: It's a shame-- I wanted to have a look at your face. I reckon you won't tell us where your star is, right?
DANTE: Like hell I am. I'm taking â â â 's location to the grave with...
FAUST: You've lost your way in a dark forest.
DANTE: I'm... sorry, what?
FAUST: Yet you were not overcome with fear. Why was that?
DANTE: That's...
DANTE: I could simply... lift my head to find the star.
FAUST: That's right.
FAUST: Now, repeat with the heart what I tell you aloud as you remind yourself of that image.
FAUST: Follow your star.
DANTE: Follow... your star.
It's currently unclear what Dante's star is, and I will make no attempt to figure out what it could be here. Stars are undeniably a motif of theirs, is my point here.
Bari is the one to behead the Library as it exists as a Star of the City in the Librarian of Death ending, and muses on the nature of stars going out in that vaguely poetic nature as the game fades to black.
JUST KIND OF THE WAY THEY HOLD THEMSELVES:
That title's pretty flippant, but this is, in my opinion, one of the BETTER pieces of evidence!
Take a look at these two sprites for me.
The Knight of the White Moon! Hardly raring for battle. Their left hand tucked into their coat pocket, their right arm resting lazily on the scabbard of their sword.
Let's look at Dante's conversation sprite from some of the earlier cantos...
Oh my.
Well, that's not the only position we see Bari standing in. Let's look at that blurry CG from the end of Part 2. Unblurred, of course.
You have to admit, it feels at least a LITTLE bit deliberate!
They also both wear long, coloured coats with full black clothing underneath-- but I will readily admit that "long coat/suit with monocoloured shirt under it" describes 90% of the characters in this game.
PRONOUNS:
Both Dante and Bari have been consistently referred to with they/them pronouns, contrary to what some select few Limbus fans on Reddit would rather you believe.
I personally don't subscribe to the whole "the reason why Dante uses they/them pronouns is because they're intended to be a self-insert character for you, the player!"
I think Dante is a HELPFUL player insert-- for those who have not played Lobotomy Corporation or Library of Ruina. Their unfamiliarity with the City, its people and its customs is an excellent way to ease a new player into the world of Project Moon.
That does NOT mean that Dante IS the player, however. Dante has many characteristics of their own and is no more a reflection of the player than any other character.
It is entirely possible that Dante and Bari both using neutral pronouns is currently just an obfuscation to hide Dante's identity and Bari's general entire thing from the player for the time being.
If that is the case, and we find out they're both men or something... Egg on my face, I suppose.
Either way, it's a characteristic both of them share. Add it to the pile.
(Though if they both turn out to be non-binary or women, I will derive a little bit of O-05-76 from all the he/him Dante defaulters...)
(Thank you the-spoonicorn for the correction! In 7-35, Sancho says the following to Don Quixote.)
SANCHO: Will she be coming today? Again?
(Bari, at the very least, is confirmed to be a woman. This does not disprove that she could be Dante, though it does kneecap the shared motif of having a neutral or obscured gender identity.)
(Thank you again!)
BARI-DEGI:
It's my understanding that the mythological Princess Bari's name derives from Bari-degi, which can mean 'abandoned child' or 'thrown away thing' in Korean.
This is because she was abandoned by her family for being the seventh daughter born to them.
With Bari cautioning Sancho about drinking from the River of Oblivion, it feels strange to suggest they would've willingly cooperated with a plan that would've resulted in the erasure of their own self and memories. It disquieted them enough before.
This isn't me saying it hurts the theory-- I actually think it IMPROVES it.
It would be dramatic and also fulfils part of the original myth regarding Princess Bari, and makes Bari's name a fun self-fulfilling prophecy.
If they craved the power of resurrection so much that they would take their own memories, despite cautioning Sancho against it. That they would throw their old name away, as Princess Bari was thrown away by her family.
It symbolizes both Princess Bari dying after a natural life, and her crossing into the realm of the dead in the first place.
In that dark forest, Bari would've taken a katabasis-- died and crossed into the realm of the dead. And they immediately began an adventure through that Inferno as Dante.
(Side note, perhaps if the Sapling inside of Dante's head was also watered by the River of Oblivion... could that be why Dante's memories are missing?)
Well, I'm not here to prove that.
I'm also not here to prove Bari is Dante. I just want you to think about it!
SECTION 10: IN CONCLUSION, IT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL:
And wouldn't it!? Dante's true identity is a mystery that's been hanging over us for such a long time. If we find out that we've had canonical pre-amnesia Dante dialogue since Canto 7-- hell, since LIBRARY OF RUINA, that'd be incredible!
I think it makes perfect sense that if Bari is pre-amnesia Dante, they appeared in one of Library of Ruina's bad endings. It's an obscure ending to a long and difficult game, and we know that Project Moon plan these projects far in advance.
Why not tease the protagonist of your third game, but hide it under everyone's noses!?
Why not make the protagonist of your universe where everyone's named after stories or folklore a poet and storyteller!?
And why not base that character in an important spiritual Korean myth!?
Gaaagh. At the end of the day, we can't know for sure, and I haven't proven anything. But thank you for coming on this journey with me.
It's a shame that the most we can see of Bari's capabilities and attitude is in the paper fight where they're wearing a helmet and they're so stylised.
If only we could just take that helmet off and
holy SHIT
#project moon#limbus company#canto vii#canto vii spoilers#canto 7#canto 7 spoilers#limbus company spoilers#library of ruina spoilers#theoryposting#long post#image heavy#dante lcb
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Two Sides of the Same Coin | Prologue
Pairing: Regina George x fem!reader
Summary: After a nobody destroys the Jocks and insults the Queen Bee without a care or an apology, you get catapulted to the top of the social food chain next to aforementioned Queen Bee, Regina George, who now has to learn to share the spotlight with North Shoreâs new bad girl. | Or alternatively, your âdonât give a fuckâ attitude sucks you and Regina into each otherâs worlds sending you down a path you never expected.
Contents: mentions of violence
Note: This fic has been sitting in my drafts since like the end of February and itâs undergone several changes since then and Iâve got several ideas for this fic. This is just an intro chapter so itâs pretty light right now but please keep an eye on the contents because there are plans for this story to include potentially triggering topics as we go on.
Chapter One
â â â â
A reputation is the beliefs that are generally held about a person.
In high school, reputations are the most important thing about a person. The better your reputation, the better your high school years will be; the better your reputation, the more popularity youâll have.
The best reputations means the most popularity, and the most popularity means the best reputations.
The best reputations, however, do not always belong to the best people.
Take Regina George, for example.
Sheâs the Queen of North Shore High â everyone knows who she is, everyone loves her, everyone wants to be associated with her in some way, everyone wants her to like them â but she is far from a good person.
Sheâs a mean girl, and sheâs proud of it too.
Sheâs at the very top of the social food chain. Sheâs the peak of the social hierarchy and everyone else, even her fellow Plastics, fall below her lest they want their secrets revealed and their social life ruined.
Itâs about power for her and thereâs nothing Regina likes more than having power over people.
Unfortunately for Regina, you exist.
The girl with no secrets.
You donât hide anything about yourself. Youâre loud and proud about who you are and it pisses Regina off because that means she has no power over you; nothing to hold over your head and make you bow to her with. Sure she could make something up about you, but she prefers there to be a hint of truth in the rumors she spreads to ensure her dominance, and she canât do that with you if youâre an open book.
But what pisses Regina off most is that you have no friends, no acquaintances, you donât talk to anyone unless you have to; youâre basically a loner and yet, despite Regina not wanting to acknowledge it, youâre at the top of the food chain with her.
And she hates it.
You should be at the bottom, you should be below the art freaks, you should be an easy target of bullying by the jocks or her or anyone really, because thatâs just how high school works - the lesser get bullied by the higher, but you donât take shit from anybody; not from the jocks, evident by the way you leave several star players battered and bruised after they put their hands on you, and definitely not from her â evident by the way she insults you one day ( the same day you beat up the jocks ) and you insult her right back without looking at her, without any hesitation, and all while still walking to your class which leaves the whole school stunned.
Regina is pissed about it and lashes out at people for the rest of the day, but thereâs also a piece of her thatâs intrigued by you which pisses her off even more, and when Regina is pissed it becomes everyone elseâs problem.
Except yours because you donât care and anyone who tries to make it your problem, anyone who tries to make you apologize and âfall in lineâ, ends up like the jocks.
This is what cements everything in place.
This is the day The North Shore Menace is born.
#regina george x reader#regina george#mean girls 2024#regina george x fem!reader#regina x fem!reader#regina george 2024#regina george x female reader
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