#though i guess there are some people who say “thank gaia”
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hypewinter · 1 year ago
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Hal bent down as the little girl approached him. Even then, he still managed to tower over her with how small she was.
"Hey there little lady," he said. "Anything I can help you with this fine evening?"
The little girl looked at him anxiously, fiddling with her hands. Ok so not a nervous fan. Hal immediately switched to serious mode, scanning the crowd for anyone who could be her parents. He didn't see anyone running up to the two of them or even so much as keeping a watchful eye from a distance.
"Is something the matter?" Hal questioned, making sure to keep his voice even and calm.
The girl continued fidgeting, her big blue eyes scanning from side to side. Finally she spoke. "You wiff da space po-eece yes? Not da am-ear-ree-ca one?"
Hal smiled at the girl. "Yes, I'm with the space police." Honestly that was oversimplifying the Corps a little but he had long since gotten to citizens calling him a space cop.
The girl offered up a small nervous smile of her own. "So you won't tell da gov-ment what I tell you wight?"
Hal was on high alert now. Just what was this little girl trying to tell him? "I won't tell. I promise," he said after a second.
The girl broke into a big smile at this. "Really? Dis way den." She started tugging Hal along and he began to follow.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.
"You see," was all she replied.
Hal was led down a couple different alleyways and was beginning to think he was walking into a trap when they reached an abandoned building. The girl dashed in and up the old rusted stairs, with Hal following closely behind her.
If this really is a trap, I'll never hear the end of it from Batman, he thought morbidly as he cleared the last step. Instead of finding himself facing an ambush however, he saw a boy curled up on an old mattress. The girl was already by his side as Hal approached.
"Don wowee Danny, I got help. Like I said I would," he caught the little girl whispering as he knelt down next to the boy. He had to have been older than the girl. Three years older maybe? Yet he was still so small. Hal took sight of his condition. He was in pain. That much was certain by his little face scrunched up in agony and his quiet moans. He was also sweating profusely. His raven black hair sticking to his forehead. Fever maybe?
Hal continued his observations as he scanned down the boy's body until he got to his stomach. The boy was clutching it and Hal could make out blood bleeding through from underneath. Oh no.
He quickly yet carefully removed the boy's arm to get a better look at the wound. The kid let out a groan as his arm was peeled away. Hal couldn't help but thank Oa for all his training that helped prevent him from letting out a gasp.
The boy's chest was covered in blood. Dark red mixed with flecks of green soaked through his shirt and there were bandages that had been amateurishly tied around the wound.
"How did this happen?" Hal asked, turning back to the girl. He did his best to keep his tone as gentle as possible.
Her smile was gone now, and her eyes welled up with tears. "He pwotected me," she said. "Dey wanted to huwrt us. Dey shot at us. Danny pwotected me."
Anger boiled within Hal. Who would shoot at these children? They were only little kids. If what the girl had said earlier was anything to go off of, the answer had something to do with the government. He would have to take care of that later though. For now, this boy needed medical attention.
"Let's get Danny to a hospital," Hal said resolutely, as he got up.
"No!" the little girl screeched. "No has-pee-tail. Too dan-er-us!"
"But he needs-" Hal started but then he met the girl's eyes. There was abject fear in them. As if going to the hospital would be a death sentence for both children. Where else were they supposed to go though? The boy- Danny needed medical attention stat. That much was certain.
Hal paused. There was one place. He sighed. Batman was going to kill him for this.
"Okay okay. No hospital. But what about space?"
"Space?" the girl repeated.
Hal nodded.
The little girl smiled. "Danny lobes space!"
"Well then. That's perfect."
Hal constructed a new bed for the boy, carefully easing him onto it before putting a protective dome around both children. The little girl giggled as he lifted them up. He then turned to the wall where he created a giant hammer to knock it down. Then they were off. Flying higher and higher, towards the atmosphere. As the Watchtower got closer in sight, Hal couldn't help but groan. Taking civilians to the Watchtower? Oh yeah, Batman was definitely going to kill him.
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blueishspace · 2 months ago
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Looped Sun 19
Loop #500
Tango: Oh, guessing we get a beach episode?
Grian: It is loop 500 now, I keep score.
Pearl: He does...for some reason. Why do you?
Grian: It just helps ok?
Scott: Pearl you can't just ask that.
Pearl: Oh I don't want to hear that from you mate.
Jimmy: Scott? Are you coming into the water?
Scott: Yeah! Putting on my sunscreen.
Jimmy: Oh...
Scott: Do you think I mantain my beauty without taking care of my skin?
Jimmy: You are always beautiful though.
Scott: I- uh ah? I mean, of course I am Jimmy.
Jimmy: ... Is Tango putting sunscreen on too?
Tango: I'm not coming.
Jimmy: What, why?
Tango: ... I need to take care of Anne. She can't swim.
Anne: ...
Scott: He's afraid of the ocean.
Tango: Am not!
Scott: Are too.
Anne: ... (he is)
Tango: I'm not scared! I just- water and fire don't mix, ok?
Scott: And I'm done, Jimmy?
Jimmy: Oh yeah... we'll see you guy later!
Pearl: You guys, I found a volley ball! Want to play some beach volley?
Mumbo: Uh... Sure.
Scar: I'm in!
Grian: I don't see why not.
Pearl: Great, Scar is with Mumbo and Grian is with me.
Scott: Oh this is much better.
Jimmy: Yeah. It's great!
Scott: We should probably see the others though.
Jimmy: Oh come on! A little bit longer! The water is so nice!
Scott: Eh. Sure, but we'll get to the others in a while.
Scott: Pearl, what's wrong.
Pearl: Grian is horrible at beach volley.
Scott: How? He's a literal god.
Pearl: Scar was shirtless. Apparently that's enough.
Scott: Oh, yeah, you should have expected that Pearl.
Pearl: I made an gigantic mistake.
Jimmy: Oh we should have a sand castle making competition!
Grian: Who would even be the judges?
Scott: I could.
Pearl: ... What, why?
Scott: I like judging people.
Pearl: Fair enough.
Mumbo: I could be a judge too?
Pearl: ... Alright.
Mumbo: Scar... Star Wars really?
Scar: How dare you!? The Millennium Sand-con is a masterpiece!
Scot: Huh uh. I give it a 8.
Mumbo: ... 9
Scar: I'll take it.
Scott: ... Tango, Jimmy?
Jimmy: I started making a sand castle but it fell apart!
Tango: So I told him to join up with me and Anne!
Jimmy: What do you think?
Scott: ... 9.
Mumbo: It looks good, I think It's a 7.
Mumbo: So, Pearl, how did you do this?
Pearl: I don't know what you mean?
Scott: This is... wow. Get it I guess.
Pearl: Oh thanks, mate.
Mumbo: But how???
Pearl: I don't know what to tell you, hard work.
Scott: You just contradicted-
Pearl: So, how much.
Scott: I'm going to say 9.
Mumbo: 10...definitely.
They ended up setting up a fireplace and roasting marshmallows on top as the sun set. All in all it was a pretty good loop.
Loop #508
Scar woke up... feeling really off. He couldn't understand why though, this looked like a pretty regular loop...maybe a bit basic but still pretty regular. He got up to get breakfast and the feeling refused to go. He tried watching tv but even then there was something...off.
Scar: Grian?
Grian: Scar, choose. Take the red pill or the blue pill.
Scar: Wait are we in the matrix!?!
Grian: It took you way too long to realize that.
Loop #511
Scott: A god loop? I guess that means all of us loopers are gods now. Well... Tango, you and Jimmy really. Didn't get Aeoulus again but getting to be Nyx is fun too.
Mumbo: I-it's weird... uh. I don't really know why I got Ares...?
Scott: You? Ares? That's hilarious- Wait... Grian!?
Grian: Hello...
Scott: Are you... the sky?
Grian: Looks like I got Uranus and Scar got Gaia.
Scar: Being a planet is fun! Did you know I can create mountains now?
Scott: ... That is overpowered.
Grian: You are night itself-
Scar: I made a continent with my face!
Scott: What did I just say?
Tango: Look people! I'm kidnapping the god of spring!
Jimmy: Oh nooo I'm being kidnapped! What will I do?
Tango: Nothing you are mine mow and will rulificate the dead together or something.
Jimmy: I'm so scared and or sad about this, I hope someone will tell Pearl!
Pearl: Nooo! Give me back my ...son I guess.
Tango: Nop.
Pearl: Fair enough mate, guess I got to bring eternal winter now.
Jimmy: I'm back but oh no! Tango made me eat pomegranate seeds. I'll have to switch between two places. Oh noooo.
Grian: Ok, what was that?
Scott: You didn't even try to look realistic.
Tango: Listen, I'm not an actor dude.
Pearl: And I don't really care about killing a lot of people with a famine.
Grian: ...
Scar: What was that about Jimmy eating Tango's seeds-
Scott: Don't phrase it that way.
Grian: SCAR NO!
Loop #514
Grian: Let's never talk of this loop again.
Scar: Please.
Scott: Agreed.
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muiltifandomnerd · 9 months ago
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Adventures of Chika Hanabusa: The Restoration of Earth
Disclaimer: This book follows the events of Percy Jackson and Heros of Olympus fanfic, this fanfic will not include Trails of Apollo, The Kane Chronicles, and Magnus Chase.
Chapter 24: Gaia’s Guilt
Chika PoV
I went to sleep after the reunion party after Nico dropped the both of us back to my home even though it was the afternoon. I felt myself going back to the unconscious realm. The field is still full of different flowers and plants. I never thought that this place could be pretty. Guess who decided to appear before me, it’s the same being that terrorizes innocent people. Gaia seems to be wearing jeans with a green tank top. Her humanoid form is about 7 feet tall with brown hair similar to tree roots and she does have the hugest bust I see. I'm not going to lie, she's super attractive.
“Oh, why to thank you, demigod, for the compliment, I’m glad that you found me appealing. By the way, I heard everything from this reunion party” Gaia stares at me with tearful eyes. Oh no, she can hear my thoughts. Wait why does Gaia look sad than flight out evil or angry? She suddenly pulls me in for a hug and kisses my cheek. Wait what is going on, last time she was all like 'I hate humanity'? I think Mother got her crazy mood swings from Gaia, that's what makes Gaia scary. It's the fact that I'm dealing with a rated-R version of my mother.
"You poor children, I never know your godly parents are nothing but deadbeat failures. This entire time, I just victimized another species that were harmed by those golden-blooded idiots. I honestly just assumed your kind are nothing but a bunch of glory-seeking idiots like back in classical times like Achilles, Hercules, and other selfish heroes." Gaia kept hugging me to her chest, which was surprisingly comfortable.
“I wish you give demigods a chance before you start another war," I say in an annoyed tone. Gaia holds her chin as if she is rethinking her strategy in some checkers' game. Gaia just decided to give me another cheek kiss and kept on hugging me to death. What is with the Earth being very bipolar? Gaia is super confusing; Well, I guess even she is more alien than the gods themselves. Sometimes nature can be warm and sweet like a sunny day with birds flying everywhere and suddenly earthquakes and tornadoes happen the next second.
“Perhaps I should have, but I still want your kind to stop damaging and polluting my domain.”
“Of course, I do want to save the Earth from pollution, but I'm not going to kill demigods or humans to achieve that," I say assertively while Gaia just pats my head.
“We don’t need to do that anymore. Besides your kind burned me for it, so I learn my lesson" Gaia laughs at her joke while I facepalm.
“I’m not sure what to feel about you Gaia and I know that you are not sure about me. Maybe we can try to form a partnership. We need to trust each other; I don’t want to go through that scenario when you possess me to eat gods.” Gaia just starts sitting in front of me and staring at me, but it’s not in contempt. She looks deeply ashamed and remorseful about it.
“You’re right, we do need to trust each other. I’m very sorry that I possessed you to consume Nyx’s kids that day and that I won’t possess you again. This will be a very slow process.”
“You’re right, it will be a slow process. I’m willing to forgive you for that day, but I don’t want to go through that again. Please swear on the river Styx that you will never possess me to harm others again.” I bowed before while she still stared at me.
“Whatever you want mortal, I swear on the river Styx that I will only help you if your life is in danger and by your permission to do so.” Thunder strikes between us, signifying the pact between Gaia and me.
"Now then mortal if you are serious about your goal, seek the current Lord of The Wild, Grover Underworld. He has taken Pan's spot, and you must help him on his mission.” Gaia says in a low cracking tone that sounded like tremors.
“I will seek him, thank you for the meeting.” I still bowed while Gaia walked over to me and held me up like a little kid. She is super strong; I would not want to get into a fistfight with her.
"Now go mortal, I hope you are better than the others. Help me restore my realm. "She said and suddenly I woke up on Reyna's chest while she was sleeping on the couch. She must have taken a nap as well. I have no idea how I ended up sleeping on Reyna's chest. I guess the party took a lot from us. You know what, I'm still going to lay on Reyna's chest because Reyna looks super peaceful while she takes her nap. Plus, I don't want to be an annoying jerk to her, I proceed to lay my head on her boobs and try to fall asleep again. Gaia and I are still at an uneasy truce for now but maybe our relationship will improve with time.
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artekai · 1 year ago
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tag game (Horizon)
Thanks @nerd-artist for tagging me!! I am flattered :3
1. ride or die ship (your otp): GAIA/Lis ❤️ I felt so validated when Sylens said the "two moms" thing, you have no idea.
2. most annoying ship: I plead the fifth
3. second favourite ship: Erevad! I never considered them until I read a really good fic about them and I was sold lol.
4. favourite platonic relationship: Hmm 🤔 I really enjoy Aloy & Sylens :D I missed him a lot in HFW (given he wasn't in our Focus any longer). mlm-wlw hostility real. Also, Aloy & Gildun and Aloy & Morlund are both very sweet but I suppose they have similar vibes lol.
5. underrated ship: Any of the ones I mentioned lol, I feel like they don't get as much love as others, haha. Which is understandable because it makes sense to gravitate more towards the GAIA gang! But other than that 🤔 I think Aloy/Zo and Aloy/Alva are pretty cute and underrated, even if I don't exactly ship them myself c:
6. overrated ship: I plead the fifth
7. one thing i would change in canon: *side eyes HFW hard*
Just one thing, though? I'd have to concur with most of the people I've seen do this tag game so far and say it's Varl's death. I'm pissed about that.
8. something canon did right: Other people have also mentioned it before me, but I think Horizon's writing excels at the datapoints. Just slowly having to figure out the past, putting the pieces together, getting glimpses of the tragedies (and the little joys) that once happened in those places, filling in the blanks... The environmental storytelling is amazing 👌. The intrigue, the curiosity, the mystery. It really scratches the urge to explore abandoned places and imagine what it was life was like for the people who once lived in them, so close yet so far away. HZD really did it well with the Zero Dawn facilities and I think HFW captured that magic again with Thebes. I crave more of that.
9. a thing i'm proud of creating for the fandom PLEASE BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF I WANT TO SEE/READ YOUR ART: I'm not sure I can say anything I make is "for the fandom" since I only make OC stuff 😭 Believe me, I want to be more integrated in the fandom, but not as much as I want to focus on the blorbos from my brain 😔
I guess I can mention To Err is Human, my vampire AU fic, since, if all goes according to plan, that should be relatively fairly split between my OCs and canon characters. Sorry that it's taken me so long to update tho :( As for art, please look at my man :) And here he is again with my favorite Aloy I've drawn lol. I also still really like this one! Also this. And this. And this. And
I've realized I could go on all day actually so I'll stop myself now lol.
10. a character who is perfect to me (wouldn't change a thing): Sylens. I love him, crimes and all.
11. the character I relate to the most and why: Beta. Something something about characters who have the same neuroses as you but in their world their neuroses are justified (sigh). And Gildun! His quest in Burning Shores really grabbed me by the throat, oof. In some ways I also relate to Aloy but not as much, I think.
12. character(-s) i hate the most and why: Well, I could just name the usuals, Ted Faro, the Ceo, Lansra, etc. But they're the characters we're meant to hate, so, ironically, it doesn't feel right to say I hate them, you know? I appreciate a well-crafted villain, and I definitely appreciate their role in the narrative. So, do I really hate them? Yes but actually no.
It's like that one post that goes "I don't care if a villain is redeemable or not but by god please make them interesting." I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit insane about the likes of Faro and the Ceo lol, so I'd say they did their job. I actually enjoy them being in the narrative.
As for the Zeniths... I used to just hate them straight up, not just for what we're meant to hate them, but for what they did to the narrative. I then started my quick descent into madness until I came to love to hate them lol. But I still think they deserve this spot more than anyone else given that they still make me see red half of the time.
13. something i've learned from the fandom: uhhhhh I'm not sure? Interesting to see the differences between the Persona fandom and the Horizon fandom I guess. In a lot of ways they have the same issues all fandoms have but idk, it's different. I'll leave it at that.
14. three tags i seek out on ao3: I don't really read as much fic as I would like to because of readers' block... But when I do, I feel like I tend to look for Beta-centric stuff. And Nemesis stuff hehe but there's very little of that. I feel like, at least in this fandom, I tend to gravitate more towards genfic instead of ship-heavy stuff. Those aren't three tags but still three things so fair enough.
15. a song i strongly associate with my otp/favourite character: I have a few playlists but I'm not sure any songs in particular jump out to me as much as Sad Machine by Porter Robinson, which has been my quintessential Horizon song from the moment I finished HZD. It still gives me the same chills that going through ELEUTHIA-9 gave me... God, I really wish I could go back to when I was first playing it and experience that feeling again. I might actually cry listening to it now.
Tagging: @banukaihelpme, @cicadaknight, @thatpunnyperson, @snorkeldays and @hartlesshart, but absolutely no pressure to do it! I guess this is more of a [insert your fandom here] thing, so, for any other mutuals who see this, if you wanna do it for your fandom, please tag me as your tagger, I would love to see it 🙏
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ferniliciousness · 11 months ago
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Because of You officially has 100 reads! AHHH I am so happy. Thank you guys so much for looking at it. I know it's not a lot but I do this for fun so it really does mean a lot to me that people are looking at it lol. Anyway, I guess to celebrate yall get another chapter lol. Thank you for reading and pls enjoy my holiday toil lmao Preview under the cut.
"How did I know you were behind this?" The voice behind her makes Gaia smile, it's been too long since she's heard it.
"Dahler! Or should I say Private now?" Her Turian friend waves a hand at her, rolling his eyes. Gaia wishes they weren't in public or she would have hugged the shit out of him. "I see your crest finally decided to grow in. Was about time too."
"Ha ha very funny." He stands beside her, holding his hands behind his back. The artificial light in the room reflects off of his dark brown plating, melding into the yellow tattoos that cover his face. He's taller than Gaia remembers, much to her dismay. The height difference only ever grows between them between visits. He's just as skinny as ever though.
"So, what exactly did you call me over for? I was told I'm here to help you?" Accusatory eyes glance over at her and Gaia has to fight the grin spreading over her face.
"I did. And I do." She quickly points at him, a weak attempt to prove her innocence which Dahler sees right through. "I may, however, have lied about just how long... The help is going to take." She softly bounces on her toes with her hands clasped behind her back, doing her best to look oblivious.
"Uh-huh." His arms cross and he shakes his head. "Alright, let's get this over with. I can already tell you have some plan schemed up for later."
Gaia fakes a gasp and puts a hand on her chest. "Who me? Never!" Her face breaks back into a smile and she pats her friend on the shoulder, walking up the hall to the loading docks. "Come on Dahler, have some fun."
A long sigh leaves his lungs but he begrudgingly follows behind her. They reach the door to the docks and Dahler gently knocks on the top of her head, now covered by a helmet. He can practically see the playful scowl that he knows is on her face. "Alright helmet-head, you win."
"Pfft, please, your one to talk spikey."
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atangledfate · 1 month ago
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Amy wasn't shocked that Alphonse didn't buy it heck, she barely believed it herself. But then that's what Tails was telling her, and maybe it explained why he never talked about his parents. Plus wasn't Blaze a Demi-God? at least the one she knew. It made sense when she thought about it, and who did Chip go to when dark gaia was released? Sonic of all people. It made way to much sense and the more she thought about it the more sense it made.
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" Yea, It's wild to think our blue idiot has a divine lineage. But if what Blaze said is true, then He's a Demi-God like her. She called him a Demi-God of Freedom and the Wind. With them being mirrors of one another i guess it makes sense. "
she shrugged at the thought of her being a Goddess, she just didn't buy it. No she knew her lineage and it wasn't divine at all. Some might even say it was darker then that.
" Nah Alphonse! No divinity here, just a Witch! who never learned how to properly use her magic. So she uses it in the most blunt way she can think of--- BIG HAMMER! "
She laughed and covered her lips at the silly notion! though it wasn't far off, she did use simple enhancement magic to make herself stronger, defensive spells to make herself more durable. But because of her overflowing Magical Energy, and her lack of training it turned simple spells into monstrous physical power! In Fact without these spells consuming her magic constantly it caused her physical harm hence her limiters. But best not to worry Alphonse with that, as a medic he might panic or worse if he knew the truth...
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" but Thanks! The idea is fun! maybe i'll do god of war amy for Halloween! now i just need a young protégée' to yell BOY at! "
She made the joke! and she wasn't going to apologize for it!
" OH maybe Cream will dress up as THE BOY! that could be fun! though she is getting a bit old to dress up now ehehe..."
She happily munched on the snipers bar! it was like her favorite! and the machine had denied her! thus it had paid the price! she would have been less upset if it didn't also eat her rings! its a mutual munching arrangement! the Vending machines gets to punch rings! and she gets her Halloween snickers bar!
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" Hah! goddess? me? I think Sonic and Blaze are the only ones with divine blood that i know of! And sonic kinda hates it... and Blaze seems wrapped up in her duty around it. "
She paused tapping her chin
" Though, I could dig being like earths Athena i think! Goddess of Wisdom and War! yea that sounds right up my ally! "
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staranon95 · 3 years ago
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DinCobb Week Day 5: Sharing Cultures (SFW)
for @dincobbweek​ with a wedding!!
@astrangebird​ drew some fantastic art and i decided to write a piece about it. that’s that. that’s all of it.
AO3 Link
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Wait For Me Here
“We should get married,” Din idly said one day when they were in bed, side by side to wait out the worst of the day’s heat.”
“Oh yeah?” Cobb asks. He’s on his stomach, pillowed on his arms. Din knows this without even having to look because he knows Cobb likes sleeping on his front, usually one leg tucked up a bit, sometimes one arm stretched out for Din as if he’s reaching for him in sleep.
“Think about it. We live together.”
“Mm.”
“We cook together.”
“Mmhm.”
“We fight together.”
“Mm.”
“And we have a child together.”
Cobb snorts. “Sharing custody of your child with a Jedi might be putting it a bit generous.”
“There are also the school kids.”
“’cause half the time I have to tell them not to get into shit they shouldn’t.”
“Still.”
“Still,” Cobb says and breathes in. Then he opens his eyes and Din turns on his side to face him. “Marriage, huh?”
“Mmhm. Unless if . . .”
“Unless?”
“I don’t know what marriage customs are like on Tatooine, and the ones I’ve been invited to were Tusken in nature.”
“Well, shoot, partner, I reckon we go just as hard with our wedding flair as them Tuskens do.”
“Is that so?”
Cobb nods tiredly against his arms and closes his eyes. “Two-day affair most of the time. Eat and drink late into the night, sleep a few hours, and then get up in the morning for the breakfast feast. Everyone comes out with everything. Real big community thing as well.”
“I, I might like to see that.”
“What about you Mandalorians though?” Cobb then shifts suddenly, rising up long enough to lie himself across Din’s chest and hold him close with a leg in between Din’s. “I know you’ve . . . I know it’s not easy for you.”
Din sighs. The fallout from the survivors of his clan is still fresh. At least they didn’t strip him of his armour, but he doesn’t think they see him as Mandalorian anymore. He saw to their relocation on Tatooine with Boba Fett’s help, and finally they can live without the fear of being seen or being caught. But they will not accept Din as one of their own, not anymore, not after he gave up the Darksaber, allowed his face to be seen, and nearly broke every Creed he had taken on as a young adult.
“Well, the weddings were mostly, they were short,” Din admits. “Usually it requires an exchange, especially if one member were coming from a different clan.”
“An exchange of what?”
“Equipment. Weapons or armour. I once saw someone approach the Armourer to ask her how to show them to make a knife for their betrothed. It’s meant to be personal to a degree. Either you got this weapon in battle or you’re offering up a piece of yourself, your beskar’gam.”
Cobb hums. “Sounds very official.”
“Marriage is a pact. You raise warriors. You grow the clan. You protect the clan.”
“Mm. I can work with that.”
Din smiles. “You’re a very agreeable partner.”
“I try.”
What starts out as a simple comment quickly turns into nearly a town wide event. Neither Din nor Cobb know how the secret got out. They were thinking, originally, a small affair with their closest associates. Boba is even willing to host at his palace, and Din is fine with that. But then word gets out, as it always does, that the Marshal and the Mandalorian are planning to get married, and now here they are, eating breakfast at Werlo’s cantina, getting approached by one of the mothers in town who’s there after dropping her kids off at the school, no doubt, casually talking like Din and Cobb know what’s going on.
“Marshal! Have you decided on a date yet?”
Cobb blinks and looks to Din before looking at the woman. “Excuse me?”
“For the wedding! Gaia said you and the Mandalorian were planning to marry.”
Din chokes on his caf.
“Um, well.” Cobb reaches out to pat Din’s hand. “We were planning a small ceremony.”
“Nonsense! I know you’re both busy men. We can handle all the logistics for you. All you and your fiancé need to do is show up to the day!”
“Well, Lee, thank you for the offer,” Cobb says, and Din can see he’s trying to be polite about it, but Din knows Cobb has a hard time turning down any of the favours the townspeople show him.
“It’s my pleasure, Marshal. It’s been some time since we’ve had cause to celebrate! We’ll be in touch!”
“Yeah, Lee. See you.”
Once she’s gone, Cobb looks to Din, and Din tries to smother his smile behind his hand.
“Hey, this is your town too,” Cobb says.
“I know. I guess a small ceremony is no longer in the works.”
“They were going to find out one way or another.”
From how Cobb explained it, Din thought he had a good idea of what entailed a Tatooine wedding from the settler-slave population. Good food, good drinks, good company.
“Have you thought about a house yet?”
Din looks to Jo as he’s elbow deep in a speeder. “What?”
“You know,” she says like Din should know. “A house.”
“Why would I—”
“Oh. You don’t know. Right.” She pops her lips. “It’s a Tatooine thing. ‘specially for freed slaves and poor settlers. It’s a thing of pride to be able to provide a place like a home. I know my dad worked hard to get an apartment for me and my ma while he also worked to get our manumission. Tiny one bedroom place ‘til I moved out here. But he was very proud of that place when he had it. Point is—what are you bringing to the table, Din?”
Din blinks and reaches for a towel to wipe sweat from his brow. “I hadn’t thought of anything.”
“Let me give you the one up ‘cause I know the Marshal won’t be asking’ for it himself.” She slides down from her perch on a workbench to lean over the speeder. “Man needs himself a proper house. And I’m talking a proper house. Most of the buildings here are temporary. They’re not built for long term which is why they require so much maintenance. Houses underground are the way to be. They take a while, sure, but when you’ve got a village.”
He frowns. “I thought that was for raising children.”
“Villages are for everything here, Din. If you want to give him something good, really show you love him, come find me when you’ve got free time. I’m pretty sure I can help you out with that issue.”
She then leaves and Din tries to return to his work at hand, but he’s stuck on the thought of a house. Of building a house for him and Cobb and for Grogu when he and his Jedi visit. Where they can host friends and not feel too crammed in Cobb’s home as it is. Where they can actually bring their lives and interests together in one shared space. A shared unit.
Cobb enters the garage looking like he’s dressed up to head into town, and Din stands to greet him. “Hey, darlin’!” He kisses Din on the cheek. Din wrinkles his nose.
“I’m dirty.”
“We’ve been worse to each other. Now. I’m headin’ into town for a bit. Told Jo to hold down the fort and you’re here for back up.”
Din nods. “You don’t want me coming with you?”
“Baby, I know you don’t like to travel to Mos Eisley. Take it easy. I’ll be back shortly after dinner.”
“Okay.”
He helps Cobb push out his speeder onto the main street of Mos Pelgo and kisses him once more before Cobb pulls his scarf up over his mouth and nose and pulls his goggles down over his eyes and offers Din a two fingered salute and then he’s off.
Din trudges down the street towards where Jo is leaning against the wall of the cantina. “So. A house.”
She nods. “Come on. Let’s talk logistics.”
In what they originally wanted to be a quick and short wedding turns into a several month-long affair as Mos Pelgo comes out in spades to support their Marshal and Mandalorian in tying the knot. They plan for food and for drinks. They send out invites to the local Tuskens, who also seem enthused that Din is getting married. They think it a good match, and well, at least Din has their approval.
The building of the Marshal’s new house is quietly under wraps. All Cobb knows is that a new house is being built, but he thinks it for one of the families in town, even comes by to watch Din at work in the staked-out pit, helping to dig down and remove sand until they come to the more compacted ground that they can put stabilizers against and hold in place before they’re pouring the plaster and concrete for the walls.
Whenever Din has a spare moment, he plans with Jo for the interior. A nice open kitchen. A large room for the both of them with an en-suite bathroom. There is not only one guest room but two. One that will largely be Grogu’s when he’s here to stay, and also one for the Jedi if he plans on staying the night. Sometimes he does.
Then there’s the living room, circular in design that could hold a dozen people comfortably, and knowing Cobb, he’ll like the opportunity to entertain more. Din thinks it’s perfect, and he finds as he puts the work into making a home, he realizes he’s looking forward to it not just for Cobb’s promised happiness, but also his own. He can’t remember the last time he’s actually had a proper home like this. Not since Aq Vetina anyway.
“You’re in a good mood,” Cobb says that night when they’re finishing the dishes after dinner.
Din shrugs. “Just happy I guess.”
“Good.” Cobb kisses him quickly on the cheek. “You deserve to be.”
One of the next steps for the wedding is the clothes themselves. For Cobb it means he’s getting a robe made for himself. White, flowing fabric with a fancy gold trim around the hems. It’s a standard piece of Tatooine marriages, and Din feels himself sort of bereft that he doesn’t have something similar.
So he plans a visit to Boba’s because they have a shared lineage, and Din can’t exactly walk up to where his old tribe is and ask, “Can any of you help me dress for my wedding? Even though you see me as dar’manda and probably wouldn’t accept my marriage to an outsider?”
Best not to think of it.
He rides with Cobb to the palace, but Cobb isn’t planning on staying.
“I got business in town,” he says. “Might be a while. You okay staying here tonight?”
“Of course.”
“’kay. Kiss.”
He tilts up for Din to lean down and kiss him before waving him off. Then Din heads towards the palace and is let in by the guards.
It’s one of Boba’s work days, meaning he’s not seeing court, which means he’s pouring drinks for him, Fennec, and Din to enjoy. He always serves the strong stuff, which makes Din’s throat burn, but he’s getting used to it.
“So how is it anyway?” Boba asks, reclined on one of the sofa’s where Fennec can press her feet against his thigh.
“Going well,” Din says, keeping his eyes on the dark liquor in his glass. “The house is coming along.”
“You still haven’t told him yet?” Fennec asks.
Din shakes his head. “I want to keep it a surprise for him.”
“Sounds like you got it bad.”
“And you don’t?”
Fennec chuckles and Boba smiles amusedly.
“Fennec’s not exactly my queen here,” Boba says.
“That’s right. I’m an empress.”
“Still. A house sounds like a good idea. Putting down roots. Settling in.”
“It’s about time,” Din says, taking a sip. He smacks his lips. “But it’s getting close to the day and . . . the seamstress offered to tailor me something, but I was hoping for something more—”
“Familiar?” Boba offers. Din nods.
“I think you can help with that,” Fennec says. “Despite what he might say, Boba’s become a real fashion snob.”
“It’s not fashion when you have to wear it to impress people who won’t take you seriously otherwise. The battle armour doesn’t always work.”
“Sure,” she says. “We’ll go with that.”
“I’ll see what I got.”
They eventually move to Boba and Fennec’s shared private quarters where Din can examine the clothing in front of a mirror.
“If you’re looking for something more Mandalorian,” Boba says from within his closet. “I’d suggest the lavalava. Especially if you’re aiming for tradition.”
“Bring out the blue one if you have it,” Fennec says.
Boba returns holding what Din first sees as a skirt, but recognizes the design of it when he was first living in the Fighting Corps’ barracks as a child. It’s meant to be a more formal piece of Mandalorian wear for more casual settings if one didn’t want to dress up in full battle armour. It’s meant to just sit on the hips.
Boba gets him to try it on right there. “You’d probably just wear a light pair of leggings underneath,” he says.
“Oh, and then,” Fennec says, rising to her feet and entering the closet. She returns with a lighter blue cloak and a red sash. “Tie it off with this sash here.” She wraps it around his waist. “And then the cloak like this.” She lets it sit on one shoulder and brings the two ends together to pin at his other shoulder. “You know, I might have a broach that could fit this. Din, hold this for me. I’ll be right back.”
He does as he’s told and looks at himself in the mirror.
“Not bad,” Boba says. “Colour suits you.”
Din turns a bit to admire himself in the mirror. He looks at Boba in the reflection and asks, with his stomach fluttering, “Have you spoken to the clan?”
“Oh, uh, yeah. Last week I think.”
Din hums.
“They’ve settled in just fine. Getting along with the Tuskens just fine, but seems like they got more in common than they do the settlers.”
Din nods. “I had a feeling they would.”
“Have you . . .”
“Not since they relocated.”
Boba hums.
“Here we go,” Fennec says, coming back into the room with a silver brooch—in the shape of a Mythosaur skull.
“I didn’t know you had that, cyar,” Boba says.
“It was a gift from a long time ago. Guy who gave it to me certainly wasn’t Mandalorian, but I think it’s best to return it to someone it should actually belong to.” She fixes the brooch to the cloak and then turns Din to face the mirror directly. “There. Now you look ready to get married.”
Din runs his fingers through his hair. He might want to get it cut before the wedding, but he knows Cobb likes it when it’s longer and it holds its waves more. He should at least shave. The uneven scruff on his jaw isn’t all that appealing to himself.
“Stars, it’s going to be a mad house on the day of,” Boba says. “Seems like we’ll have to bring the good stuff, Fennec.”
“You’re telling me.”
In the days leading up to the wedding, Din sees to the final touches of the house, ensuring the furniture is in place with room for more when they make the final move. He plans on surprising Cobb that day.
They have a good celebration the night before at the cantina, drinks on the house, and then, in Tatooine fashion, the couple are separated the night before. Din is headed off by Boba and Fennec to Din’s new house, and Cobb is dragged away by his deputy Jo to his house.
“Rest up, vod,” Boba says. “You got a long day ahead of you.”
The next morning, Fennec helps him get ready for the day, making sure his hair is just right, and the cloak is sitting on his shoulders just so. Boba is there in his armour, and Din feels a sour note in his stomach that he’s not wearing any of his. He wouldn’t feel right after his expulsion from the clan.
“You still want the Mandalorian vows?” Boba asks.
Din nods. “If you can.”
“I’d be honored, vod.”
And then he’s led out with his friends on either side of him down the main street with everyone and then some—Tuskens, out of town friends, some of Boba’s closer associates—have come out in full force down the street as it’s been fully decorated for the day.
The ceremony itself is held at one end of the town where an arch of bone from bantha horns has been carved as a gift from the Tuskens. And that’s when Din sees him—Cobb, dressed in white with gold trim and with the hood up over his head, a red sash at his waist as if to match Din’s without even knowing. His back remains turned as Din walks up the aisle towards the arch and then he’s standing next to Cobb, shoulder to shoulder, with Cobb’s lifelong friend and impromptu wedding officiator Issa-Or standing before them. Din keeps his eyes forward for now, waiting for the right moment to face his soon-to-be husband head on.
“Now, I know ya’ll have come out and taken time off of your busy schedules,” Issa-Or says. “And we don’t have much time to dilly-dally like they did in the nicer districts in Mos Eisley and the rest. Time wasn’t a luxury for people like us, so we had to make do. Which is why we’re here to see that Cobb Vanth, Marshal here in Mos Pelgo, spends the rest of his days married to none other than a Mandalorian! Someone he chose to let into his life, his home, and share the rest of his time in this mortal coil with.”
Din feels himself blushing, feels a smile breaking out over his face.
“Cobb?”
He sees Cobb lift his head.
“Why don’t you take a look at your man?”
He feels Cobb reach for his hand and Din gently turns with a little prodding. And as he turns, he sees Cobb pushing back his hood, and Din feels as if he could cry at the sight of him.
He sees Cobb’s lower lip tremble before he smiles, as bright as Tatooine’s suns themselves. “Din.” Cobb lifts Din’s hand and holds it between both of his own. Then Cobb laughs despite himself. “First time I’ve been without words in a while.”
There are a few laughs among the crowd.
“Darling, my love. First day I laid eyes on you, I knew I couldn’t let you go. And I am a richer man for having you. Even if I don’t got much but my name and my reputation and the good will of the people before us, I hope to give you everything you could ever need.” Then he raises Din’s hand and kisses the back of it tenderly.
“At this point, we’d say a done deal and have a feast,” Issa-Or says. “But as it is, Din is a Mandalorian, and we want to respect that part of him, so he comes with his own vows.”
She steps aside to let Boba come up.
“If you’ll both repeat after me,” he says. “We are one together.”
“Mhi solus tome,” Din says, quietly, only enough for Cobb and Boba to really hear.
He watches Cobb smiles, the pink curl of his tongue before he’s repeating in Basic. “We are one together.
“We are one when parted.”
“Mhi solus dhar’tome.”
“We are one when parted.”
“We share all.”
“Mhi me’dinui an.”
“We share all.”
“We shall raise warriors.”
“Mhi ba’juri verde.”
“We shall raise warriors.”
“Oya, vod,” Boba mutters.
And Din finds himself feeling bashful, and that’s when Cobb pulls him closer by his hands.
“Now I consider that we’re well and truly hitched now,” he says, and Din rushes in to cup his face and kiss his riduur in front of an adoring and loving crowd.
The rest of the day is pretty much a blur of being at Cobb’s side, being dragged away from Cobb, of Cobb being dragged away from him. Dance until his feet ache and he’s dizzy. More food than he’s used to. More drinks than he can tolerate, and falling asleep in a tent when he’s imbued too much with a pink cheeked Cobb next to him.
A few hours of sleep later and they’re back at it again for a more restful filled breakfast and relaxed conversation before finally, the festivities are over and people begin to head back to their business.
“Do you want to go home?” Din asks.
Cobb stretches and yawns, looking exhausted but content with his station in life. “You have read my mind.”
They walk down the street together, their clothes in a state of disarray before Din is leading him elsewhere.
“Babe, where . . .” Then it dawns on him and Din can’t help but smile. “No,” he says.
Din nods. “Come on. Let me show you to our home.”
Cobb is speechless when they enter the new partially buried house. He’s taken by how large it is, how high the ceilings are now, and how cool and inviting it is. Then he rushes forward to kiss Din and hold him close. “Oh, you are full of surprises.”
“Jo told me it’s a custom.”
“Well, not always a custom, but we pride ourselves on being able to provide.”
“Then let me provide for you.”
They kiss again, deeper this time until Cobb pulls back to rest their foreheads together. “Mm. As much as I’d like to christen this place, I’m bushwhacked.” Then he’s pulling Din into the bedroom where they collapse onto the bed as husbands, as riduurs.
“Hey, Din. You awake?”
Din stretches out on the bed and opens weary eyes to find Cobb kneeling on the ground next to the bed.
“What time’s it?” he asks.
“Afternoon-ish. Just went out to get some things from the old place, and, um, I guess now is as good a time as any to give this to you.” He sets a bundle of cloth knotted off with string on the bed before Din, and Din rises up on one elbow to look at it.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” Din says, tugging at the strings.
“Yeah, well.” Cobb rubs the back of his neck, a nervous tic of his. “I felt like I had to for this one.”
In the cloth is an ornate dagger with its own leather sheath. When Din pulls the blade, he’s mesmerized with how the blade shimmers. A single piece that looks like it’s been carved from onyx.
“Cobb, I—” Then he sees the mark in the hilt of it.
The mark of his tribe. The Mythosaur skull. On the other side is the mark of the mudhorn.
He looks up to Cobb. “Where did you get this?”
“Well, I, I went to your clan.”
Din breathes out and sits up in full with the dagger in his lap. Cobb comes to sit on the edge of the bed.
“When you told me about your customs, and seeing your armour just sitting in our wardrobe for months, I wanted, I wanted to confront your clan. I know things are rocky between you and them, but I went in there to just speak with them at first. Then next thing I know, I’m sitting on the ground drinking tea with your matriarch.”
Din closes his eyes for a moment.
“And I don’t tell her everything, I don’t ream her out or nothing. I know you hold her in high regard. But I told her I was intending on marrying you and I wanted to do it right by you. No one else. So, she said she’d show me how to make something. And each time I visited, she’d ask about you and I’d tell her that, oh, you were a guest speaker in the school today, or you had fixed the power generators. And she’d tell me my smithy skills were shit and tell me to begin again.”
Din laughs. “Yeah, that sounds like her.”
“Then she asked me why I wanted to marry you. And I told her I wanted to spend the rest of my days making you happy, giving you everything you could ever need. And she said, he deserves it.”
He lifts his head to look at Cobb. “She said that?”
Cobb nods. “I think she misses you. She won’t say it, but she does. I think it’s just taking some time for her and some of the others to come around to this new world order of theirs. But next time I go, I want you to come with me.”
Din nods. “Yes. Yes, I’d love that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He kisses Cobb several times and holds him close with the knife on the bed spread next to him.
They don’t plan the trip out to Din’s clan for some weeks yet. They have a house to settle into after all. But then one day, they’re setting out on Cobb’s speeder. This time Din is wearing his armour with the knife at his hip. And this time they are facing Din’s clan together as one.
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rpmemesbyarat · 3 years ago
Conversation
RP meme from Werewolf: The Apocalypse "Kinfolk: Unsung Heroes" Introduction & Ch.1
"I have normal human fears and frailties, despite my faith."
"I’m terrified I won’t be there when they need me, that I won’t be able to give fully of myself to save them when the time comes. And the price of my failure, for them, would be too high."
"It was like nothing else mattered, nothing else could fill my eyes like the sight of him."
"Now, of course, I realize I was in shock at the time clammy skin, disorientation, that sort of thing."
"That night misted over my senses; even now, it seems more like a vivid dream than anything else."
"I had to watch. I couldn’t turn away."
"That night, I saw I had to protect him. He needed me, and it’s just as simple as that."
"Let’s just say what I know has come in handy."
"The best folks give the most of whatever they can."
"Think about it — would you like to go through childbirth every nine months from age 14 to 50?"
"We’re human beings, dammit!"
"I’ll always do anything I can to help, even if I’m royally pissed; I don’t expect thanks or money, either. But it would be nice to get some respect."
"I'm not alone in saying that I hate being patronized."
"Give an inch, they’ll take a mile" is what some of them think about us."
"The rhetoric a lot of them use sounds like the same crap bigots give when trying to “justify” why women and minorities shouldn’t have equal rights."
"Just once, I’d like to feel like an equal, a partner in all this."
"Ever think about how hard things would be without us?"
"I see by your scowl that doesn’t satisfy you."
"Think of it as normal family responsibilities, magnified a thousand times."
"It’s practically medieval!"
"I mean, it looks like such fun to turn into a wolf."
"There are connections like you wouldn’t believe. Completely outside the law, these people can get dirt on the opposition, perform b&e without leaving a trace and provide muscle no other boss can beat. All they ask is some capital, some boltholes and a little legal cover. Sweetest deal in the world!"
"What do I think about it? Imagine what it’d be like for someone to call you and say you’d missed out on a million dollars because you got one wrong number on the lottery ticket."
"Some are too caught up in the things of humans —chasing after money to have what advertisers insist they can’t do without, living their soap-opera lives and not seeing what the world is really all about. I pity them."
"There is sweeter revenge than death."
"I laugh with joy thinking how your heart will burst should you ever have to face him in battle."
"It’s a great honor to be who I am, who we are. But it’s scary, too."
"Families can quarrel, snarl and cut one another to the quick, but in times of trouble, they’ll stick together."
"God, Allah, Gaia, the Great Spirit or whoever gave us this job, so we have to do the best we can with it."
"Blood also fetters our lives in hatred as well as love, I’m afraid to say."
"I’m not saying this is a fact, but if she was abused, it might explain some things."
"I’m sorry, I can’t quite imagine a moment of sensual passion with someone I don’t love, much less hardly know!"
"In other words, it’s the connections that’re vital, not the money or the mileage."
"Many have wealth, but not all; lineage, not money, is most important."
"That’s a heavy price to pay in a harsh world."
"Self-sacrifice is also important."
"Sacrifice comes in terms of emotional costs, too."
"It’d be pretty stupid for me to become a gun-toting mercenary, for example."
"To put a positive spin on all this, I guess I’d say it’s nice to be needed."
"I admit I don’t really understand what it is or when it’ll be, but many’s the Irish tale where a small oversight wreaked terrible disaster."
"So I got online and made a few phone calls and tried to get the “truth” in as many forms as I could."
"The word “family” has come to mean a lot more things than the 1950s concept of mommy, daddy and two perfect children."
"Raising children is no bed of roses, either."
"Kids love to test their parents and see just how far they can push and still get away with it."
"There’s no way this could be easy."
"Some days, I have to bite my tongue, and that does get old."
"I was just too stupid and blind to see it."
"I always felt like I was split, alone, part of something I couldn’t name."
"Listen, you have no idea what it’s like to watch someone you love slowly lose her mind."
"There are some, well, bimbos."
"You know, the ones that like to control CEOs and topple careers."
"Here, try a piece of this chicken gizzard. I get ’em real cheap down at the butcher shop. No one else seems to want these extra parts. I grill ’em with a little barbecue sauce and honey mustard. Delicious! Thanksgiving’s always the best time, though. Then there’s turkey necks for the takin’!"
"Our families are pretty big, and we figure even the most distant cousin or friend of a friend’s part of the group."
"I’m sure you know, working with people all the time, how far thanks and a friendly smile go when you’re dead on your feet. It’s like the sun’s come out on a cloudy day."
"I mean, some of that stuff is long outdated!"
"It’s more a matter of belief and pureness of spirit, if you ask me."
"The Network also has a lot of splinter groups that organize among youth, educators, environmentalists and so on."
"The Network also has a lot of splinter groups that organize among youth, educators, environmentalists and so on."
"We’re steadfast and steady, yet vibrant and alive, warriors, artists, writers, musicians beyond compare."
"I don’t know if we can save them, but we won’t give up."
"To be tested and accepted by the greatest warriors in the world — no greater honor can we ask for."
"Think of us as the tiny little parts that hold a machine together. Maybe it could function without us, but not without a lot of wear and tear on the system. You get my drift."
"If leader seems weak, I test him. He shows strength, I stop."
"They’re the ones who are causing all the problems by rebelling against the people in charge. They need to settle down and just be content with what they’ve got, if you want my opinion."
"Why should I worry? It’s a clear day. Traffic’s light, but walking’s fine. You get to see where you’re going. I’ll hit a little town ’fore dark and trade a song or story for some food and a piece of floor."
"Revolutions are intolerable and inexcusable."
"The aristocracy attained their positions for a reason, for only the most worthy were chosen to lead, after all. If the
lower classes overthrow the aristocrats, anarchy is the sure result. One need only look at history; Can the Russians truly say their lot improved after they murdered the Romanovs?"
"History has always been a beloved subject to me."
"I pity those souls, displaced by fortune, who are ignorant of their heritage. How can one know who he is without knowing where he comes from? A man — or woman — is the sum of all who came before."
"Money is not the issue; many great families lost their fortunes, yet retain their nobility."
"It’s a poor teacher who doesn’t learn from her student; in this way, the knowledge of both increases."
"Dreams, of course, are the pathways of our souls; here rest our secret desires, fears and hopes."
"You doubt me. You don’t speak against me, but I can see your heart is dubious."
"There’s no greater glory than to serve the destiny of the universe."
"The lacerations looked exactly like the work of sharp teeth, deep into his flesh."
"I won’t go s’far as to say there’s undying loyalty, but we do have a lot of respect for each other."
"Were I as capable as my ancestors, I’d kill you now and never spare a second thought."
"No atonement can replace those lost children."
"Thus far, we have been lucky, but it’s just a matter of time before someone we don’t want sneaks in. It’s not that I want to close ranks by any means; I just wish we paid a little closer attention to who came in from the cold."
"Yeah, yeah, I know you think we’re a dime a dozen. I’d like to believe we’re a little more special than most."
"We’ve built too much for a rotten apple to spoil it all."
"I don’t believe this guy; it seems almost too perfect to be true!"
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petersasteria · 3 years ago
Text
The Forces of Nature || Ch.17
Pairing: Peter Parker x Superhero!Reader Summary: “There’s this kid out there that can control the wind or something. I think she’s a great addition to the team. Let’s recruit her.” 2,456 words italics are flashbacks Series Masterlist || Parker || Taglist
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On the way to Greece, Steve formulated a plan that was suitable for everyone and upon arriving, they went to work. They landed in Athens and they were ready to fight. The Violent Swine wasn’t showing up yet and they still had time to review their plans. “Okay, let’s huddle.” Steve announced. Tony looked at him like he was crazy, “We never do huddles.”
“Yeah, but I figured we could review our plan.” Steve said, turning around to face everyone.
“Did you mean your plan? You planned everything. We got no say in it.” Tony said.
“Can both of you stop it? We’re here for Y/N. We have no time to listen to both of you fight, okay? We’re supposed to stick together, not fight each other. Fight each other later when all of this is over, but for now, shut up.” Nat said sternly. Steve and Tony immediately quieted down.
Deciding to steer the attention back to their purpose, Y/N thought it’d be nice to take the reins. She cleared her throat and said, “Okay, let’s review Steve’s plan. Tony, Sam, and Rhodey will handle the aerial fights and the tech stuff. Nat and Cap will handle the fights on the ground with the rest of us, but on the other side of the city. Clint will be on one of the roofs. Tony will bring him there. Th-”
“You’re kind of like my Uber.” Clint glanced at Tony, who rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Okay and Th-”
“I know where I’ll be Lady Y/N.” Thor interrupted with a smile. “I shall be with Steve and Lady Natasha here on the ground and we shall fight the villain and his allies. And this man,” Thor put a hand on Bruce’s shoulder, “will turn green and throw things upon doing so.”
“Yes, thank you for that, Thor.” Y/N chuckled a bit. “Wanda will rescue people and Scott will be hiding. Careful on where you step because Scott will be small for this. He’s back up. I guess for the meantime, Scott can help Wanda.”
“Got it.” Scott nodded.
“Me, Pete, and Bucky will be looking for the villain and we’ll fight him. He’ll probably bring an army of allies. Are we all ready?” Y/N asked everyone and they all nodded. She grinned, “Alright. Make sure all your comms are on so we can talk and check on each other. Let’s split up and take care, everyone.”
They all went their separate ways and soon as they did that, The Violent Swine arrived with his allies. His allies were wearing old-fashioned Greek clothing and they all looked like gods.
“Is it just me, or are they all dressed like people from Asgard?” Peter asked, getting ready to fight.
“Don’t be silly, Peter. They only have sheets as clothes.” Y/N pointed out, making Bucky chuckle. “I’m quite nervous, though. I haven’t been in a fight before.”
“This one’s a big fight, that’s for sure.” Peter said, nervously.
“This is going to be the greatest fight of your lives, trust me. Both of you can do it.” Bucky encouraged.
“We finally met.” The Violent Swine grinned as he walked towards Y/N. “I would say sorry for your loss, but I’m not sorry for what I did. I wanted to get your attention.”
“It worked. I’m here now.” Y/N said. “What do you want from me?”
“You don’t deserve to be here. I want you gone; dead, even.” The Violent Swine said. He was angry at her for living and Y/N didn’t know why.
“Not if I kill you first.” Y/N answered, making the eyes of Peter’s mask widen in shock. He didn’t know that the plan was to kill the villain. He thought that they’d take him to prison.
“We’ll see about that.” The Violent Swine turned his head to his allies before looking back at Y/N, “Epíthesi! (Attack!)”
With that, the battle began.
The first to strike were the deities in the sky, making Sam, Tony, and Rhodey confused. “What is this shit?” Sam asked as he fought one of them.
“I don’t know, but they just popped out of nowhere!” Rhodey exclaimed, shooting the one he was fighting. After blasting the sky deity that attacked him, Tony said, “After this, I’m taking a break. This Avatar shit is making me tired.”
“You’re just getting old.” Sam joked.
“Okay, Big Bird.” Tony responded as they fought off more of the deities.
Clint was on the roof, shooting arrow after arrow up in the sky to help Tony and the rest of the guys. “What’s happening up there?” Clint asked through the comms, taking a break from shooting arrows.
“Just fine!”
“Yeah, we can do it!”
“Go help Nat and Capsicle!”
“Roger that.” Clint said before parkouring his way down from the rooftop. “Nat? Cap? Where are you, guys?” He made his way through the crowd as people ran for safety.
“We’re outside The Parthenon fighting off these big guys!” Nat grunted as she got hit on the ribs.
“I’m on my way.” Clint ran through the crowd and went there. As he passed by, Wanda and Scott a few feet away from him, leading people to safety.
“Can you take your helmet thing off? You’re freaking people out.” Wanda said.
“No way. After we lead these people to safety, we’re going to help them fight off the bad guys and it’s protecting my head.” Scott responded. “Geez, how many people are here?”
“Thousands, probably.” Wanda shrugged. When the last people were led to the safe place that Scott found, they closed the door and looked at each other.
“What now?” Scott asked.
“We help them.” Wanda answered. “Where will you go?”
“Probably with Thor. You?”
“The sky.” Wanda said.
“Alright. Good luck!” Scott said. Wanda flew up to where the three men were and joined them in fighting. “I figured you needed a woman’s help in fighting because you three seem to be losing.”
“Is that trash talk?” Tony asked, amused.
“Only if you want it to be.” Wanda said as she effortlessly fought off the deities.
On the ground, Scott was on his way to Bruce and Thor. He didn’t have to ask where they were because he could see Hulk from where he was. “I’m here!” Scott said, standing next to Thor and getting ready to fight.
“Ahh, yes! The tiny man who can also grow very big!” Thor exclaimed. “Bruce is already smashing things and I’m going to do my thunder stuff. You can fight them off by getting really big.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.” Scott shrugged and turned himself bigger. All three of them fought alongside each other and they were winning. “Hey, Spidey! How’s it going over there?” Scott asked.
“Not good for me!” Peter shrieked as he got dragged by one of the allies. Peter shot taser webs at them and they immediately let go of him. Peter stayed on the ground to catch his breath and Bucky ran past him, “C’mon, Peter! Keep up!”
“Yeah, just a second!” Peter shouted, as he slowly stood up. He looked at Y/N and she was busy fighting The Violent Swine in hand-to-hand combat. Y/N threw in good punches and kicks as she skillfully dodged his attempts. Needless to say, she was winning.
“Kid, I know you can fight better than her, but she’s owning this shit!” Bucky said as he shot every ally he could find.
“Gee, thanks.” Peter said before concentrating and joining the fight once more.
“Y/N!” Bucky shouted as he saw her being punched so hard that she flew a few feet away. Bucky ran towards her as she took deep breaths. “I’ve been in a lot of fights and I know it hurts. But you have to get up and fight him harder than he fought you. If he loses, it’s over and we can go home.”
He helped her up and after making sure she was alright, he ran off to help Peter. Y/N angrily walked towards The Violent Swine and said, “You took my only family away from me and I’ll never forgive you for that!”
“Yeah, I figured. It won’t matter anymore when you’re dead like her. I’m doing you a favor, Gaia.” He said tauntingly.
“Don’t call me that!” She shouted and flew up in the sky. She looked down at him and got ready to finally end him.
“Oh, you don’t know your origin?” The Violent Swine chuckled. “That’s upsetting, darling. You don’t belong here at all! That’s why I’m sent to kill you.”
“Who sent you?” She asked, brows furrowed.
“Ouranos.” He replied before shouting something in Greek to his allies. A few of his allies flew to where Y/N was and they fought. With all her strength, she fought. It was difficult, but she was pushing through.
Peter and Bucky saw it and Bucky said, “Peter, do your web sling thingy!”
“Who will I shoot it to?”
“The fucking enemy, of course!”
“Geez, calm down, old man!” Peter said before doing what he was told. He shot stun webs at Y/N’s enemies and they all fell on the ground. As soon as they did, Bucky ran towards them and fought them. Peter joined Bucky and asked, “Mr. Stark, you okay?”
“Yeah, we’re all okay here. I think we fought the last of them. Wanda helped us. Capsicle, how are you and Nat?”
“We’re good. Clint thinks Nat broke a rib and I think so too.” Steve said, breathing heavily while wiping some blood off his lip.
“I’m fine and I can still fight!” Nat exclaimed.
“You can sit this one out, Nat.” Clint said.
“Scott, you there?” Steve asked.
“Yeah! Thor’s been doing his thunder stuff and Hulk has been throwing cars at the bad guys. I asked help from the ants too and they did a great job. We were able to tackle this one guy and it turns out, he hated ants. So my little ant dudes just-”
“Okay, that’s enough. Thank you.” Steve said.
“Oh, yeah. No problem!” Scott said happily.
“What’s going on there, Queens?”
“I think Y/N and the swine flu guy are confronting each other because Y/N killed his allies. She just landed on the ground and they’re talking.” Peter said, updating the rest of the team. “I think you guys should come and see this.”
The rest of the avengers joined Peter and Bucky as they watched the interaction between Y/N and The Violent Swine.
“You killed my allies.” The Violent Swine said as he looked around. The damage was done and he knew that the Avengers would win if they took him away or worse, kill him. If he killed one of them and got away, it’s the loss of the Avengers. He weighed out his options and formulated a plan.
“It’s over for you. Just give up.” Y/N said. She was tired, but she wanted to make sure that this villain was gone.
“I’ve been watching your every move since you were born and you grew up nicely.” He said. “You lost a lot of people in your life and you lived with your cruel aunt and seeing you alive and kicking is refreshing. I applaud you for that, truly.”
Y/N didn’t know what his motive was, but she knew that he wasn’t sincere. Something off about him and his speech and she could feel that something bad was about to happen. She just had to beat him to it.
“That night, when you killed Eunice, the police saw the words ‘overthrow gaia’ on the wall written with blood. What did you mean by that?” Y/N asked, mentally preparing to fight.
“I can’t give you the answers because Ouranos never told me everything. He just showed me who you are and said ‘Gaia’ and threw me here. He made me watch you grow up and develop your powers. He’s the reason your parents are dead.”
“What?” Y/N looked away in distraught. Her parents. Her poor mother and father never made it out alive.
Anything can happen in a blink of an eye. A few seconds can pass and that can be considered as the past already. That's the concept of time. Because of this, everyone does stupid things. It can be anything. After all, stupid things that a person has done might not be stupid enough to another person. It's totally different, but everyone can agree that drunk driving is stupid.
Anything can happen in a blink of an eye. One second Y/N and her parents were going on a drive then the next second, they were hit by another car. They were in the middle of nowhere in an intersection and everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Their car got hit by another car, similar to their own car, and it was a strong impact. Unfortunately, due to that almost everyone died. Almost everyone. Y/N was the only one who survived. She only had scratches.
She didn't know why she was left alive. She didn't know why she was spared, but she figured the man upstairs had plans for her. She didn't know what the plans were, but she was willing to figure it out.
She quickly got out of the car and she was glad she did because after she got out of the car, it blew up. It was hard for a 15 year old to see that. The driver of the other car died too. She later found out that the driver was drunk when the ambulance came.
She was brought to the hospital for her wounds to be cleaned. Then her grandmother was called to inform her what happened. Y/N's grandmother picked her up from the hospital and drove her home.
While looking away, The Violent Swine made his move. He took a small dagger from his pocket and ran to Y/N. She felt someone running towards her and she turned around to see The Violent Swine holding a dagger, ready to stab her.
It was as if everything happened in slow motion. The Violent Swine got ready to pounce on her, but the ground shook and it opened. Y/N saw nothing but fear in his eyes as he fell down the hole she created before closing it up. The ground that The Violent Swine walked on, swallowed him whole. The sight made the avengers gasp. They had never seen anything like it before.
“Remind me not to make her mad.” Scott said, breaking the silence.
Just like that, it was over. The evil met his demise.
* * * *
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @blueleatherbag @cocoamoonmalfoy @thatforgottenangel @parkerpeter24 @slutforsr @givebuckyhisplumsnow @buckys-little-hoe @runawayolives @chewymoustachio @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @yourstrulyamour @beverlythrillz @pearce14 @juliediggory @yaya4302 @alexx-stancati @rumplebutterbaby @dummiesshort @spideyspeaches @moonlight-onyx @marvelsimps @angelsgrxzer @dreamy-clousds @bora-world @hunnybunimdun @supred12 @more-like-reyna @caitsymichelle13 @aayaissaa @oliviabren03 @wannabemobwife @bigassnocash @repostcentral
𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @holland-styles @trustfundparker @alinastarkrovs @celestialholland @hufflepuffprincess24 @tommysparker @justasmisunderstoodasloki @quaksonhehe @call-me-baby-gir1 @itstaskeen @theonly1outof-a-billion @lost-in-the-stars03 @justafangirlduh @piscesparker @speedymaximoff @miraclesoflove @lexirv @blairscott @getbywithasmile @pqrkerr @lavender-writer @blackbat2020 @hoodpankow @bi-lmg @emmastarz @moonchild-s-blog @itszulli
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reigning-rhapsody · 4 years ago
Text
Bittersweet
Strifesodos, past Gengeal; 2841 words
No TWs
The ear piercing noises of pots and pans and what sounded like now unusable plates briefly silenced the patrons crowding Seventh Heaven and let about everyone in the bar flinch in unison- all but one. Cloud merely quirked up a brow as his head shot towards the kitchen where the newest member of the staff, though it had been months since he’d joined and kept some work away from the ever so eager-to-work Tifa, had been on duty to cook for the evening.
I am, by no means, a great cook, he’d warned them at first, which turned out to be more than true, but his tastebuds didn’t lie, nor did his memory. He could tell what needed more salt and what had to stay cooking on the stove just a bit more until it was at its best, and he knew quite a few recipes for someone that, apparently, was no good as a chef. He wants to evade working any more than just as a bartender, Cloud assumed at first exactly because of that, but as good as the man was when it came to acting, as he had proven quite a few times, what he told was no lie.
Tifa insisted he should try cooking, and Gaia, it was worse than Marlene’s mud-pies from when she was younger. According to Barret, at least, who entered the establishment with a growling belly longing for a meal right as their chef in the making had finished his… attempt. A burnt pot and sore stomachs were the victims in the aftermath of Genesis Rhapsodos’ cooking despite everyone who passed him in the process paying attention to him wearing the glasses he was supposed to have sitting on his nose.
If one wanted to trust the promises given by Tifa, who insisted that teaching her new co-worker how to make some proper dishes was essential, he was a fast learner, and occasionally he even suggested to make a few meals he had memorized. No one knew as to why it was that he had recipes in mind, but no one bothered to ask either. One thing was clear though, the guy sure liked apples.
“Cloud, can you check on him?”, Tifa’s voice rung behind the blond addressed by it, barely able to be heard as the chatter and laughter picked up among the patrons again. She was busy, carrying two trays with food and drinks and a plate on one of her outstretched arms on top of it, so it was understandable she didn’t even wait for an answer and moved to the table that awaited their order. His next delivery would be in about twenty minutes and as slow as he could make himself walk, to evade whatever mess just occurred behind that door a few feet ahead of him would was impossible. Better get it over with quickly.
With a sigh, Cloud turned fully to face the direction of the kitchen and closed the gap that separated him from the door with a few swift steps slipping past filled tables. The blond swung the door open while his unoccupied hand rested in the pocket of his baggy pants. “Hey, the hell-?” He started, cutting himself off as his Mako infused gaze fell upon a kneeling Genesis staring at the floor like he was about to propose to it. Or rather, to the soup on the ground surrounding an upside down pot, porcelain pieces of what once upon a time were bowls circling the romanticized mess like ivory rose petals.
Genesis didn’t look up, nor did he answer, nor did he acknowledge Cloud and pretended the delivery boy wasn’t even present. He picked up the shattered vessels meant for the customers to eat what he begrudgingly prepared out of, seemingly doing his utmost to keep his eyes averted, or fully hidden to begin with.
Cloud narrowed his eyes and stepped forward so the door could fall shut behind him, swaying in and out of the room a few more times and allowing whatever curious mind sat in the much busier space of Seventh Heaven to catch a last glimpse of the scene playing out in the no-customer space, although who was sunken on the ground being covered by Cloud standing in front of him. He approached Genesis, both hands now in the confided space of his roomy pockets as he simply stared down at who he usually had to crane his head back for to make eye contact. Seeing someone who held himself so highly on the floor picking up shards with his own hands, it was amusing in a slightly sadistic way to say the least.
He knew that speaking up would only end in a discussion, then an argument and then a passive aggressive verbal fight that could break out into something physical at any given second. At least it sounded like that, anyway, but if it was the truth stood in the stars since the pair usually got interrupted when they got into another of their near daily banters. So he kept quiet and stayed put until the slender ginger would say the first word. And so he eventually did, pausing his task to exhale a defeated sigh and with what was left of his pride for the day.
And yet, he didn’t look up. “Not. A word.”, Genesis punctuated with a clearly irritated voice and Cloud just replied with an entertained huff. “Need help?”
“No.” “Uh-huh.” He didn’t have the time to put up with the mage’s stubbornness and crouched down, reaching out to grab the pot whilst his eyes remained on the culprit of the ruined meal. Finally eye-to-eye, Cloud noticed the missing black frame supposed to reach behind Genesis’ ears, “So, let me guess…”, the younger man started, turning the pot around and holding it by the handles, “You knocked this all over because you’re not wearing the glasses?”
That earned him a venomous glare, but an exposed one. Unlike Genesis’, his own vision was just fine, and thus not spotting the black supposed to be added to the color scheme around his face wasn’t just an illusion. “I don’t need them,”, the redhead barked back, “As I’ve told you before. You all are being dramatic over nothing at all.”
Hearing him out of all people judging what crosses the line of being too dramatic made Cloud snort and shake his head at how ridiculous that was, much to the wannabe-cook’s further annoyance. They locked eyes, three triplets and one glassy, milky-white outcast cataract.
The cracks scarring the porcelain skin roped themselves from his left eye over the same side of his cheek, shimmering through the applied makeup that attempted to hide them in vain as it had been vanishing with the sweat glistening on the man’s face from standing in a hot kitchen for hours on. Like veins dotted with thorns, they reached down his neck, reaching over the visible parts of his equally pale chest that was exposed due to the button up Genesis wore being partially undone. He could only guess how much of his body they tainted. They are what caused that vision problems too, as he’d been told by Genesis.
“I know I’m just mesmerizing, but make yourself useful if you refuse to let me handle this on my own.” An arrogant voice pierced Cloud’s zoned out thoughts and he blinked himself back into reality, not having the best experiences with anything piercing him. If it wouldn’t have been a vocal trigger that brought him back though, it would’ve been the smell of something burning.
“Agh- shit!” Genesis cursed under his breath and got on his feet again, groaning at his aching legs that fell asleep staying in the same uncomfortable position for some time. Cloud followed and watched the man place down the pieces of the bowls he’d already picked up next to the stove where a pancake was smelling like the victims of his flames- although it wasn’t on purpose for once.
Another swear muttered as he turned off the heat, or at least what Cloud assumed to be one since it was spoken in the ginger’s native language, and grabbed a spatula that rested on the workspace to his right to try and scratch the pitch blackness off the bottom of the pan. After some hard work was put into saving what could be saved, or what he hoped to save at least, that being the pan, Genesis put the inedible dessert on a nearby plate flipped over.
Both pairs of eyes in the room stared at it in silence, Cloud approaching with caution like what was sitting there was a Behemoth about to jump up and eat both of them whole whilst minding the puddle of broth, veggies and meat on the floor. He then stood next to the creator of the ‘food’ and stared it down. Roasted darker than his outfit, the smell was absolutely unappetizing and nothing looked appealing about it at all. It even took he blond a bit to figure out that there were apple slices mixed into the darkness, swallowed by it like stars during a cloudy night sky.
“Well… not that it was satisfactory, anyway.” Genesis admitted in defeat, much to Cloud’s surprise, although his ego must have been knocked down a few from their earlier confrontation. He might even go as far and claim he saw the slightest, embarrassed blush tinting the ex-SOLDIER’s pale cheeks, though mentioning it would only result in more than just a pancake ending up scorched.
“How the hell did you survive this long?”, Cloud asked with a wrinkled nose.”
“Thank you for your, as always, comforting words.”
“And what do you want me to say?”
“Nothing. It’s-”, Genesis took a deep breath, tightening his ponytail by dividing it into two strings in his hands and pulling, “There was never a need for me to learn how to cook. As a child, we had someone that cooked for us, and when I went to Midgar I first lived off of cafeteria food.. which I, eventually, resented and blatantly refused to eat. Then it was takeout, mostly, and once we became firsts we got an apartment together, so I had Angeal cooking for me.”
The drop of his name briefly silenced Genesis who still had his leer cast upon the failed attempt of a pancake. His lips thinned and he swallowed dryly, hands placed flat on the surface of the workspace. He exhaled a breath through his nose and his shoulders twitched weakly in a half-chuckle. “‘You’ll stay out of the kitchen when I’m cooking. You’re banned from the stove, Gen.’”, Genesis mocked a deeper voice to the best of his abilities, a bittersweet smile curling on his lips, “Sugar sweet, no? I never needed to learn how to make anything for myself. It was a thing I had done for me, and people never minded, either.”
“Not that that would have gotten me to start learning.” He added after another few seconds filled with nothing but the mechanical whirring of the fridge a few feet away from them. “Angeal, he uh… He loved cooking, but baking even more. The pie he made was to kill for, and whenever he made it, I would sit there and watch. Talk to him, sometimes even help. Providing he let me, that is.”
Finally, he looked up again and turned his head to look at the other swordsman. “No matter what I will make, it won’t live up to what he did.”, his head then hung low once more, “Nor would it satisfy him.” The normally so confident and boasting voice, teasing and preaching highly poetic metaphors nobody but him understood, grew lower in volume, quieter with every word vocalized and brought to live by it, although it sounded dead, unenthusiastic. It wasn’t a voice that fit Genesis.
“Or me.” His hands visibly gripped the edges of the big table harder, like he was trying to ground himself so he wouldn’t fall into a void that existed to eat him up from the inside, fill him with the worst of what life had to offer. His eyes fell shut, knuckles turning white and his fingers shook ever so slightly until he straightened his posture to one that equaled that of a candle and let out a shaky breath between agape lips, mismatching eyes fluttering open again. “I should clean this up now. Don’t you have a delivery to fulfill, hm?” Genesis ushered, his intent to get Cloud out and not show any more weakness than what just occurred beyond noticeable. It went under his skin, let the hair on the back of his neck rise and spread goosebumps across his arms.
It was… so damn depressing to witness.
“Ah. Ah- yeah, right.” Cloud reminded himself and reaches for the PHS in his pocket, flipping it open to check the time. He had a few more minutes. Watching Genesis move to a cabinet where a few kitchen towels were stored from the corner of his eye, the blond warrior pocketed his phone again, ran a hand through his artfully spiked hair, took a deep breath that let his chest puff out, counted his blessings and took off a glove with his teeth to grab the round little mistake sprawled out on the plate. Leather glove dropped in his lowered hand once it returned from brushing back the sunny mess on his head, he made sure the golden-brown side was the one facing the floor and placed it against his lips. He swallowed, opened his mouth and took a generous bite.
The first few times of chewing were experimental, eyebrows knitted together and eyes nearly pinched shut, though he discovered that keeping the part which wasn’t tainted by the lord of the Underworld and all evil himself judging by the pitch blackness trademarking it did make it a lot more bearable. Whenever some of the burnt bit brushed over his tongue he just gave it his best to swallow that piece, his tastebuds welcoming the sweet flavor of the apples dancing over it whenever he was lucky to have some in his mouth the more bites he took.
Two down, about two or another three to go. It wouldn’t be a chore to eat it if it weren’t for the burnt side, he had to admit, so Tifa wasn’t lying when she said he improved and was indeed a fast learner.
“You’re insane, Strife.”
Cloud nearly choked on the load of pancake occupying his mouth the moment Genesis caught him forcing down the food. He cleared his throat and properly swallowed what was left on his tongue. He ‘tch’ed, glaring at the dessert like it was his worst enemy. “I didn’t eat anything yet today’s all. Don’t want Tifa to get on my ass for not eating again.” “And how would she know?” “She… just does- you should be glad I’m making what she’ll say to you less worse.” The sunny haired man silenced himself by ripping another huge piece out off the pancake, so much it only left one last bite instead of a possible three. Although his angles eyebrows raised into a less hostile expression when he saw the slightest bit of a smile growing on the auburnet’s plush cherry lips. He stopped chewing for just a moment, taking in- no, admiring what he did by refusing to let someone sulk and keep self loathing. “Get out, or I’ll tell Tifa all of what just occurred was your and only your fault.”
Cloud playfully rolled his eyes, though did as told and moved towards the door, no intentions of a further exchange made- not on his side, at least. “Oh, also-”, he was stopped by Genesis speaking up once more, coming to an abrupt halt and half turning around, “You should pay me a visit when I am on cooking duty again sometime, maybe I have more blissfully tasting food for you to devour.”
Cloud snorted, “No promises.”
“Don’t you speak to me with a full mouth, learn some manners.”, Genesis retorted with a playful hum before truly dismissing the other with a flamboyant wave of the hand that didn’t hold a soup-soaked towel.
This time truly exiting, Cloud pushed the last small bite of the pancake into his mouth and chewed with stuffed cheeks, hands returning to his pockets as he eyed the bar counter where the delivery was stored. Forcing down the rest of the half-bitter-half-sweet mistake, he glanced over his shoulder one last time to see Tifa hurriedly moving into the kitchen. He exhaled in amusement at the distant chatter coming from behind the door swaying door before it fell shut completely and blocked out the conversation though. Cloud moved behind the bar to crouch down and grab the package that needed to be driven to Junon and set on his way out of the warm and cozy confinement to let the cold air hit him full on.
Genesis sounded more like himself again, he noted.
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natsunoomoi · 3 years ago
Text
Rewatching Scenes from EW
So like I was just pushing through MSQ and there were different moments where I was like, "I should go back and watch that" but then before I logged out for the night I'd forget to go to the Unending Journey to check it out.
One of those moments is the intricate choice divergence where one of your travel companions knocks at your door in the middle of the night.
In my initial run, I chose G'raha cuz he's just a sweetie. He was more confident when he was acting as the Crystal Exarch except for the time when he was previously outside your door in ShB to check on you, but for the most part, much more confident. Then suddenly when he fully returns to being G'raha and comes back with you to the Source, he's so.... 照れてる that it's just adorable.
But also kind of nice to see the other ones. I saw someone else say it looked like Estinien came to sleep with you and now I kind of understand why. He normally never shows up in casual attire. Of course the dialog is all about work and the task at hand mostly to give everyone more of a fair choice as to how they want to view their character's relationships with the others.
Thancred's also back to full Dadcred mode. XD Thinking about Ryne and all that, but also what he says about pushing through is also a foreshadowing for EXACTLY WHAT HE DID when you landed in Ultima Thule. But then when he asks to rely on you stuff and the fact that you're like the only one who can go back to visit the First it's like you're the co-parent for Ryne and Gaia.
Alphinaud's very much like a younger sibling type for me, but even his lines I guess could be bent toward a closer relationship for those who are so inclined, but he's also a very serious kid about his dealings with everyone else and what he feels are his responsibilities.
Alisaie's is much more intimate and close, but my POV is like younger sister, but for people who ship their WoL with her I can see some leanings there. Most of it's about like personal safety and such though which can come from anyone really. I usually feel awkward and disconnected or dissociated when people I consider friends care that much about my well-being though just because in general I don't think people care about me that much or would so I am always shocked when people say they worry about my health and they're not my family or like a bf or something. Not that what they say or what Alisaie says is unreasonable because it's more about not flying headlong into danger without thinking, but it still kind of disconnects for me so I think then it must be realistic because I'm reacting the same as I would to real friends saying as much.
Y'shtola, she basically is using an ability that allows her to see a bit in a similar fashion to Emet-Selch now, but also less good because not actual sight too. But like her talk is like more aww because she's also a friend, but like her concern from the outset is like very Cat Mom with examining your soul because you were cracking at the seems back on the First and your body and soul went through other bullshit thanks to Fandaniel and Zenos.
I love this like branch of scenes though so much and I wish we had it in Shadowbringers too because I would have loved to have a random talk with Emet-Selch in the middle of the night where we had the opportunity to try to actually talk to him a bit and ask him questions. Maybe we wouldn't have learned much new or we would have learned a few of the things that we learned about in Elpis, but I would have loved that. I'm guessing they didn't think about that because it's complicated to implement and they weren't sure of the fan reception until after Crystal Exarch came and they actually didn't think Emet-Selch would be like one of their most popular villains ever and even beat Sephiroth in a popularity poll. Even so, I'm happy we got this this time and I hope we get more.
And on top of that, we have 10 more years of content and I want them to keep going with it and I will keep riding this train because it's so good. But when this installment finally ends, I hope that in the last quest of MSQ ever they make a jumbo one with all of the fan favorites and we can choose which one of these characters we ride off into the sunset with. When that happens, I want to be able to choose Emet-Selch and call him from out of the aetheral sea to come pick us up. Or even him and Hythlodaeus and we can go be a trio in the afterlife and return to the star together like Hythlodaeus wanted. The one with Emet-Selch I would personally choose, but if you like choose G'raha you get to go on all those journeys and adventures he talks about and you've got a shot walking off together with joy and excitement on your faces. Or if it's like Aymeric that you like, you get to go have another dinner at his house or something, or like Y'shtola we get to go to like a library or some site with her and study ancient magic or something. I don't know, something that more definitively says that we choose them and we get to end the game like that. I don't know if there should be controls where we can choose if it's more friendly or more romantic, but I really want the last thing we do is be able to ship our character with whoever the hell we want and just end it like we're doing that and we're going to be with them. It can even be like the smallest characters that we barely even visit again like Magnai recognizing you as his Nhaama and you accepting and ruling beside him. It'd be just a really silly and fun way to end everything. I hope we don't get there soon, but I think it'd be worth it if they put all the fan faves in there as options and that's how we end our story with our favorites.
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slytherinbarnes · 4 years ago
Text
Sub Rosa [76]
v. the gospel of josephine
Pairing: Bellamy Blake x reader
Word Count: 6.1k
Warnings: angst, anxiety, language, angst, drugging.
Summary: Something’s rotten in the state of Sanctum, and you’re hopeful you’ll soon find out what.
a/n: i officially finished writing and editing sub rosa yesterday! i can’t believe we are nearing the end of this journey! the taglist for this series is open! I hope you enjoy, please let me know what you think!!!
previous chapter // season masterlist // series masterlist
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You wake up with a strong feeling of unease.
It’s strong enough to pull you out of sleep, strong enough to leave you feeling on edge for most of the morning. You don't know why or where it came from, considering the incredible night you had the night before, but it lingers around you, making you anxious. It’s strong enough that Bellamy notices and questions you about it, looking worried because you seem worried, but you reassure him that everything is okay, despite feeling like the opposite. 
You eagerly head downstairs once you and Bellamy are ready, accounting for all of your friends and family, except for one. 
Clarke. 
That sends your nerves into overdrive, but Bellamy reminds you that she was having fun with Cillian the night before, and they left in a fury of passion, meaning she probably slept at his place. He convinces you to let it go and not worry just yet, before the two of you sit down at the bar with Murphy. He’s already drinking, despite it being pretty early in the day, and you follow suit, throwing back a shot of some awful alcohol as soon as you sit down beside him. He turns to you with an appreciative smirk. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. I like this version of you.”
You and Bellamy both answer, “Quiet, Murphy.”
He raises his hands in surrender, sliding the shot in his hand over to you, which you take with a nod of thanks and quickly throw back, the liquid burning as it moves down your throat. The boys both order something to sip on, and you sit between them, waiting for the alcohol to dull the sharp edges of your nerves. Eventually Jordan comes wandering into the bar, babbling something about Delilah being unlike herself, and when you all look at him in confusion, he takes a breath and says, “Something about Delilah seems off, so I brought her some daisies and gave them to her, reminding her that she told me daisies are her favorite flower. She took them without arguing, agreeing that those are her favorite.”
Bellamy shakes his head, still confused. You watch his curls bounce as they move, bringing you an odd sense of comfort. “So?”
“So, yesterday she told me her favorite flowers are Calla Lilies.”
Murphy smirks and looks over at you and Bellamy, “Calla Lilies are nice.”
Bellamy holds his gaze before they both start giggling, but you keep a straight face, listening to Jordan’s fears, wondering if it has something to do with your unease. “I'm serious, something happened in that reliquary. It's like she doesn't even know me. “
Bellamy advises, “Just play it cool, she'll come around.”
You snort, thinking of Bellamy’s version of playing it cool with you, which involved a lot of anger and insults, leaving the two of you at odds until you were in direct danger of dying. He looks at you with a small smile, “What?”
You hide your smile and answer, “Nothing.”
Murphy adds onto Bellamy’s advice with a shrug, “Yeah, that and, like, maybe don't get flowers for a one night stand.”
You hear the door to the tavern open and you spin around quickly, a rush of relief washing over you when you see Clarke standing at the door. You and Bellamy wave to her, and you start to relax, until you see the guard standing near the door, clearly keeping an eye on your twin. Your unease comes rushing back again, reminding you that something isn’t right, though you still don’t know what. 
You see Madi jump up from her seat when she sees Clarke, running over and hugging her, speaking to her quickly before she runs off with a smile, grabbing her pack. You slide out of your seat when you see Gaia abruptly stand and step in Clarke’s way, and you start to move over to them, Bellamy following you, both of you catching the tail end of Gaia’s lecture to Clarke in Trigedasleng. “Wof em teik em nila reya? O, em’laik, ge jok op kom fayaslais?”
What if she skins her knee? Or, I don't know, gets a paper cut? You gather enough to guess that they must be talking about Madi, and Clarke glances at you as you approach, looking conflicted. You come to a stop beside Gaia, looking between them before your eyes land on your twin. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. Where are the others?”
Bellamy, up to date on everyone's whereabouts, answers first, “One of the Primes is showing Raven and Emori how to build a radiation shield.” 
“Ryker?”
Bellamy nods, “Yeah, I sent Echo and Miller to watch their backs.”
Clarke turns to look at you, “And our mother?”
You sigh, “Still in the library. Jackson said he found her sleeping with her head on a book.”
Clarke nods, and then turns to Madi, who’s lingering nearby. “Speaking of books, let's get you to school.”
You and Gaia immediately start to argue, and you step closer to your twin, whispering low enough that only she can hear. “Clarke, what the hell? You just said yesterday it was too dangerous for Madi.��
She steps back with a smile, waving off your concern. “Chill out, she'll be fine.”
You give her a look of complete bewilderment, shocked to hear the words come out of her mouth. Even weirder, the tone of her voice sounds different, slightly higher pitched than normal. You turn to look at Bellamy, wondering if he’s catching onto her weirdness, and his brows are pulled together in confusion, but he looks more amused than anything. You, however, are not amused. You turn your gaze back to Clarke, repeating her words back to her. “Chill out?”
She shakes her head, not understanding your confusion. “What?”
You stare at her open mouthed, trying to figure out what to say, but Bellamy puts his hand on your arm, stopping you. He just smiles at Clarke, clearly enjoying this new side of her. “Nothing. We both just think that happiness looks good on you. I take it you had fun with the doctor?”
“Cillian?” A look of amusement passes over her face. “Let's just say it'll be a while until he recovers.”
You give her another weird look, unused to hearing anything about Clarke’s sex life. The two of you are close, but that’s not something either of you have ever really discussed. Hearing about it now, even in joke form, is strange. She doesn't seem to notice, because she starts to walk away, but you reach out and grab her arm, stopping her. “Wait, what’s up with the guard?”
“Apparently, people with blood like mine are a target. The Primes insisted.”
Blood like mine? You’re about to interrogate her further, but she pulls herself free from your grip with a smile. “Gotta go, don't want Madi to be late!”
And then she turns and heads towards the door before you can even make a sound of protest. Madi waves goodbye to you before she slips out the door, and you just stand frozen in place, dumbfounded. You’re pulled out of your shock when Gaia starts to rush past you and Bellamy, her pack in hand. Bellamy holds out an arm to stop her. “Gaia, slow down. Madi will be fine.”
You and Gaia both turn to look at him like he’s lost it too, and Gaia instantly argues, “Fine? They gave Clarke a bodyguard for being a Nightblood, and she just sends Madi to school?”
You’re interrupted by Blythe Ann, Delilah’s mother, walking over to the three of you, a tray on her hand. “Can I get you guys anything else?”
You shake your head, ready to finish your conversation with Gaia and Bellamy, but Jordan interrupts from his place beside Murphy. “Ma’am, can I ask you something?”
“Only if you call me BA.”
“What happened to Delilah last night?”
She freezes a little, and you can see her fighting back a wave of emotion as she robotically answers, “Our little girl became one with the Primes. You were there, what's wrong?”
Bellamy tries to stop the conversation before it gets into dangerous territory and threatens your fragile peace. “Ah, nothing's wrong.”
But Jordan answers her anyways, too determined to learn the truth, no matter what it may cost him, or the rest of you. “She's acting like she doesn't even know me, that's what's wrong.”
“Oh child, I miss her too. Priya's return blesses us all.”
She chokes out the last sentence, a forced smile on her face, before she turns away from all of you. Jordan walks closer to your group, looking very confused. “Priya's return blesses us all? What does that even mean?”
Gaia snaps back, “It means that they believe in something. That faith should be respected.”
She turns and stalks off, presumably to keep an eye on Madi, which you’re thankful for. Right now, Bellamy can sense the growing tension, and he turns to Jordan with a look of sympathy. “Jordan, we're guests here, and we need their help. I'm sure whatever happened between you and Priya-”
Jordan cuts him off, looking annoyed. “Delilah. It happened between me and Delilah. I know you think you need to protect us all because you couldn't protect Octavia, but I can take care of myself.”
You see a look of hurt pass over Bellamy's face at the mention of Octavia, but he doesn't get a chance to say anything in return, because Jordan turns and stalks off, leaving the two of you in the tavern. You reach out and squeeze his hand in comfort, but then your unease washes over you, reminding you of its presence, and you shake your head, looking out the door of the tavern. “Clarke seems off.”
Bellamy gives you a doubtful look. “She seems fine. Happy, even.”
“She told me to chill out, Bellamy. When has Clarke ever said chill out? In fact, when has Clarke herself ever chilled out?”
“She probably just picked it up from the doctor.”
“After one night?” He shrugs, and you cross your arms over your chest, challenging him. “Okay, and what about what she said about the guard? ‘People with blood like mine’? Why wouldn't she say blood like ours? Or Nightblood?”
Bellamy just shakes his head. “She probably just misspoke. I know you’re on edge today, but everything is fine, la lune.”
You give him a surprised look and whisper, “You never call me la lune.”
“Is that okay? I’ve always felt like it was a family only thing, and I didn't wanna assume-”
You cut him off by reaching out and pulling him into a kiss, silencing all of his fears. You pull away enough to say, “Yu laik ai seingeda.”
You are my family. His face splits into a grin and he whispers back, “And you are mine.”
“Good.” You step back a little, looking up at him. “This better not be the end of blainen natshana though. I like that nickname too.”
“It won’t be, I just like to have options.” You laugh, shaking your head at him, your earlier unease temporarily forgotten. Bellamy takes advantage of the moment and nods towards the bar. “I got access to a map earlier today, you wanna look it over?”
“Sure.”
He walks over to the bar and grabs the map, rolled up and waiting, along with Murphy, dragging him over to a little table to join the two of you as Bellamy unrolls the map for all of you to look over. It’s pretty bleak, most of the map labeled as uncharted territory, which Bellamy mentions. “200 years, this is all they mapped.”
Murphy muses, “Why leave when you're safe, right?”
You turn to Murphy with a smirk, “Oh, come on, Murphy. Where's your sense of adventure? We're pioneers!”
“I don't want to be pioneers. Pioneers find the red zone and wind up dead, or get caught in randomly occurring, psychosis inducing eclipses. You really want to go through that again?” Bellamy absentmindedly grazes the stab wound on his thigh, and your fingers ghost over the bruises on your neck. Once he’s sure neither of you want to experience that again, Murphy adds, “I've been asking around. Apparently, this whole thing's built on top of cave systems. The bugs start to freak out, the party goes underground.”
Bellamy shrugs, “Right, so we find our own cave system, and Raven builds us a radiation shield. Murphy, we can't stay here forever. And even if we could, what about the other 400 of us?”
Murphy looks ready to argue Bellamy’s point when the intercom in Sanctum fires up, announcing the start of a funeral. You all pause and listen, and as it finishes, Blythe Ann calls out to the three of you, “Rose is being offered to the woods. All of you are welcome.”
“Thank you.”
Murphy glares at Bellamy. “Don't even think about asking me to go to that funeral. Seriously, take Jordan. It'll get his mind off of being dumped.”
You all look around the tavern, searching for him. “Where is Jordan anyway?”
Bellamy sighs, rolling up the map as he looks towards the door. “I think I know where he is, come on.”
You start to follow Bellamy when he steps away from the table, but Murphy stays firmly rooted in place. Bellamy glances back at him, reminding him of your earlier joke. “Hey, suit yourself. But if he gets us kicked out, you're a pioneer.”
Murphy rolls his eyes and stands, following you and Bellamy out of the tavern. You all watch as people file towards the stairs to head into the woods, and Bellamy waits until no one is looking your way before he leads you over to the palace, careful to weave between buildings and stay hidden. The three of you run up the hill to the palace, but instead of going up the stairs to the main building, you jog to the door on the bottom level, the one that leads to the reliquary. When you reach the door, the keypad is hanging off, the wires exposed. “Like father, like son.”
Bellamy pushes the door open slowly, hesitant, checking to make sure no one is waiting for all of you on the other side. Once he sees that it’s clear, he slips inside, motioning for the two of you to follow him. You step into a large room, mostly dark, save for the light that comes through a window in the center of the room, casting an eerie glow on the room full of...skeletons. You get a chill down your spine, bringing back your unease in full force as you look at the skeletons lined up in the center of the room and Murphy mutters, “You gotta be kidding me. Which part of ‘I hate dead people’ did you not understand?”
“Quiet, Murphy.” Murphy gives Bellamy a look but goes silent, but you shake your head, agreeing with Murphy. “Bellamy, I don’t like this.”
Bellamy gives you a reassuring look before he calls out into the room, “Jordan, we know you're in here.”
Jordan steps out of the shadows, looking at the three of you, and Bellamy shakes his head. “What the hell are you doing?”
“What you would've done, the you before Praimfaya anyway. That was my favorite Bellamy.”
The door behind you suddenly closes, and you look towards it in shock, eyes falling on Gaia. You nod, “You too?”
“They worship Nightbloods. I'd like to understand why that is.”
Murphy quips, “I'd like to leave. There's no way I'm getting thrown out of the one safe place on this moon because you got dumped.”
Gaia starts to wander over to the skeletons, looking at them closely, while Jordan disappears to the back wall, looking it over. You, Bellamy, and Murphy all linger near the door, not too eager to get closer to the skeletons, when the door slides open again and Clarke steps into view. Her tone is scolding as she looks you all over, “This is Sanctum's holiest place, you shouldn't be here.”
You give her a weird look, wondering why she gives a shit about Sanctum’s holiest place, and she must catch it because she gives you a sheepish look. “I'm sorry. I just, uh, I saw you on the steps.”
“Does that mean your bodyguard could too?”
She nods, “Good point, let's take this outside.”
But Gaia argues from her spot nearby, “Not yet.” You look over at her, watching her run a finger over the back of one of the skulls, her expression one of awe. “The mark of the Flame? They're all Commanders.”
You exchange a look with Bellamy before you walk over to the skeleton, seeing the infinity symbol imprinted on the back of the skull. You think of your first day in Sanctum, of the flag Emori pointed out to all of you. “That's why the symbol was on the flag.”
Bellamy starts to walk among the skeletons, coming to a stop in the center of the room, looking around at them. “The ones in the front row must be the original Eligius team, there's 12 of them. Oh, and they take kids.”
Clarke counters, “Familial love is a powerful motivator. People will do anything to ensure the survival of the ones they love. Now let's ensure our survival and get the hell out of here.”
You all start to step towards her, intending to leave, until you hear the scrape of a door opening. When you follow the sound, you see Jordan standing at an open door, and you all walk over to join him, flicking on a light inside the newly exposed room. You get another chill when your eyes land on an operating room, fresh Nightblood staining a pile of gauze near the operating table in the center of the room. Murphy eyes it with unease. “Operating room attached to a crypt. Really?”
Jordan spots something and rushes inside, grabbing a pile of pink fabric, neatly folded and placed on a table. He holds it up for the rest of you to see, “She was here. This was Delilah's, I'm sure of it! Still think I'm overreacting?”
You all step into the operating room, and Bellamy looks your way as he begins to think out loud. “Okay, let's think this through. Becca created the Flame after apocalypse one. She obviously provided the tech to Eligius III before that. That means that-”
Gaia cuts him off, voice full of realization. “They're not Commanders.”
You look at your boyfriend, fighting back your growing anxiety. “So what the hell are they?”
Jordan spots a computer on the other side of the room and makes a beeline for it, plopping into the chair and firing it up. “Let's find out.”
You all gather around him as he starts to type away on the keyboard, and Murphy jokes, “Monty taught him how to hack too. That's my kind of parenting.”
Jordan clarifies, “No hacking needed. The Eligius systems all use the same access code.”
He types in the access code, clicking on a few things until he pulls up a list of video files. You quickly scan the names of the files, pointing out one that sounds promising. “Eureka, try that.”
Jordan clicks on the file, and a bearded man appears on the screen in full view. Behind him is a second man, much older, and a young woman tied down to the operating table that stands behind you. You watch the man take a deep breath and begin, “Here we go again. Today's subject is Brooke, Earth embryo 47. Presents with black blood; 21 Earth years old, 22 doing time in the incubator.”
You and Bellamy exchange a look as the other man encourages, “You can do this, Gabriel. Twenty five years of work, the failures. This is the one.”
Gabriel continues, “If I'm right, the reason all previous metempsychosis trials have failed is because the host's neuroanatomy was not developed enough to support the file size of a mature human mind.”
File size of a mature human mind? You hate the sound of that, and you glance over at your twin, searching for the unease you’re sure she must feel. You’re surprised to find her expression passive, not yet concerned with the events on screen. You turn back to the screen as you hear the girl start to struggle, watching as Gabriel injects something into her arm, and she eventually grows still. You all watch in horror as Gabriel stands staring at the screens around the room, monitoring scans of the girl’s brain, muttering about different areas going dormant. Jordan’s voice is a quiet whisper when he chokes out, “Did they just kill that girl? Did we just watch someone die?”
None of you answer, too enthralled with what’s on the screen, because now the two men are holding up a small piece of hardware, reminding you so much of the Flame. “The body's ready.”
And just like the Flame, they insert it into the back of her neck, though they don't use any passphrases. They just cut the girls neck open and insert the tech inside before stitching her up again, and then they sit back and wait. Jordan skips through the video a little, the two men waiting for a while, playing it again as the young girl blinks awake slowly and the older man calls out, “Something's happening, she's waking up. Josephine, can you hear me?”
At the mention of the name, you go completely still, looking over at your twin, remembering what she told you yesterday. But still, her expression is impassive, seemingly unshocked to hear the name. When she senses you looking at her she meets your eyes, her expression turning to one of worry once you lock gazes. You mutter to the others, “Josephine was Russell’s daughter.”
You turn back to the screen as the girl lets out a blood curdling screen, and you turn back in time to watch her fall off the operating tables and scramble back into the corner. Gabriel drops in front of her, moving slowly, trying to soothe her, and he finally whispers, “I've spent the last 25 years trying to bring you back.”
The other man tries to get close to Josephine, but she presses herself into the glass at her back, trying to get away. Gabriel starts to soothe her, whispering, “It's okay, it's okay. It wasn't his fault, it was the red sun.”
“The eclipse, I was right.”
Gabriel nods, “Yes, you were. It turns out it affects more than just insects.”
Josephine seems to think for a minute, before a realization hits her. “Our memory drives. You reverse engineered them to upload our entire minds. That's brilliant!”
You look at Bellamy, both of you looking horrified as you start to put the pieces together. On screen, Josephine hugs both men, but you ignore it, too focused on looking at your twin, trying to gauge her reaction. But when you look her way, she just seems lost in her own head, a faraway look on her face. You reach out and take her hand, bringing her back to you as Gabriel concludes, “The key is a fully developed brain. Once the adult host's consciousness is gone, the mind stored in the drive uploads with ease. Now, we still have loads of tests to run, but so far, Josie's consciousness, herself, appears to be whole. In other words, eureka. More soon.”
And then the video ends, leaving all of you staring at the screen, stunned. Murphy is the first to break the silence. “They're immortal.”
Jordan counters, “They're murderers. They murdered Delilah.”
Clarke shakes her head, looking at all of you. “It's not murder if they go willingly.”
Jordan’s anger rises, his voice breaking as he yells, “Did that girl look willing to you?!”
Gaia adds, disgusted, “That's how they made it better, easier, by manipulating people into believing they were sacrificing themselves to some false gods. 'Becoming one with the primes' like Delilah's mother said.”
“Well, so much for respecting their faith.” You all look at Murphy in shock, and he adds, “I mean, no offense. You let a bunch of kids fight to the death to become your God.”
“Murphy, that's enough.” Bellamy turns to your twin, who has now dropped your hand and stepped away a little, silent. “Clarke, you're okay with this?”
“Well, I didn't say that. I just don't think they pose a threat to us, that's all.”
You turn to her incredulous, not understanding how she isn’t more bothered by this. “Clarke, they literally pose a threat to you because they know you're a Nightblood! And based on what we just saw, I'm thinking that's the only reason they let us stay!”
Gaia starts to step away, face pulled into horror as she moves to the door. “Madi.”
You feel a wave of nausea roll over you at the thought of your Nightblood niece away from all of you, potentially in harm's way. Gaia looks at you, “I have to get her before they find out what she is.”
You nod, letting her know you agree, and Clarke calls out, “I'll go with you.”
As she starts to walk past you, Bellamy says, “Bring her back to the tavern so we can decide what to do.”
Clarke nods, and you watch her leave, following Gaia, before the rest of you step back into the creepy skeleton room, now understanding that these are all the bodies from the previous hosts. Jordan stands in front of the one labeled Priya, looking absolutely devastated. “These are all her.”
Bellamy looks towards him, his voice low. “Jordan, I'm sorry I doubted you.”
Jordan nods, silently accepting his apology, before Bellamy adds, “Log out of the system, we need to cover our tracks.”
Jordan heads back into the lab to hide any evidence that you were even here, and the two of you turn to Murphy, who lets out a sigh. “I hate to say it, but I agree with Clarke. This isn't our fight.”
You give him a confused look. “You still want to stay?”
“I want to live, only these people know how to do that forever, as it turns out. That wouldn't suck either.”
Bellamy shakes his head, pretending he isn't hearing what he's hearing from Murphy. “Reattach the keypad outside the tunnel. We're right behind you.”
Murphy looks at him for a long second before he nods and steps out the door, leaving you and Bellamy alone in the center of the room. You look at each other, unease surrounding you both, your boyfriend appearing just as anxious as you are. “Right now, they only know Clarke is a Nightblood. We need to make sure they don't find out about you and Madi. It’ll be much easier to keep Clarke safe if she’s the only one we need to protect.”
You nod, tears welling up in your eyes as you think about the danger the three of you are in, now at risk of being body snatched by a group of people you could care less about. “I’m scared, Bellamy.”
He pulls you into his arms, holding you tight against him as he whispers into your hair, “I am too, but I’ll keep you safe.”
You both pull away when you hear Jordan come out of the lab, turning off the light and closing the door behind him. You give him a serious look, “Everything taken care of?”
“No one will ever know we were here.”
“Good.” You look at the skeletons, circled around you like a small army. “Then let’s get the hell out of here.”
The three of you slip out of the door and join Murphy outside, the suns of Sanctum now set, darkness now blanketing the village. You realize now all of you must have been in there for a while, and you hope no one noticed your absence while you were gone. You, Murphy, Bellamy, and Jordan all head back to the tavern, opening the doors to find everyone has returned from the funeral held for Rose. You grab one of the larger tables, plopping down into a chair while the boys grab drinks, setting them around the table before settling into their spots. Bellamy slides into the chair beside you, both of you pressed together, seeking each other’s comfort to keep your unease at bay. Gaia, Madi, and Clarke come into the tavern a few minutes later, joining you at your table. Clarke sits at the head and Madi sits across from you, while Murphy sits across from Bellamy and Jordan and Gaia sit at the other end. 
You fill Madi in on everything you’ve learned since seeing her last, letting her know how much danger all of you are truly in. Clarke sits silently through the whole thing, allowing you and Bellamy to catch her up, and at the end of the rundown, Madi turns to Clarke, noticing her silence. “Clarke, you realize staying says we're okay with what they're doing.”
“Yeah, and what's the alternative?” You all look over to Murphy, who takes a sip of his drink before continuing, “Go back to space? Sleep for another hundred years on our way to a planet even less likely to support life?”
“Build our own compound. Emori, Echo and Raven will be back in the morning. They'll know everything we need to build a radiation shield. After that, it's just hard work.” 
Murphy counters, “Over how many lifetimes? No, seriously, how many eclipses? How many swarms? How many terrorist attacks?”
Clarke nods, “I agree with John.”
You look at Clarke, brows pulling together. John? Never in the time since meeting Murphy have any of you called him John, other than Emori and your mom. But Clarke continues speaking like she didn't just say the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard. “I don't like who they are either, but we need them to survive.”
You glance at Bellamy, who is watching Clarke closely, and you spare a glance at Murphy, who also picked up on the weird name drop moment. You shake your head at her, looking at Clarke like you have no idea who she is. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’re way too calm about this, Clarke.”
She opens her mouth to answer, but Jordan, who has had his eyes locked on Priya across the room, speaks before Clarke can get the chance. “They're murderers, raising people to give up their bodies, brainwashing them into believing they're gods.”
“He's right. It's a perversion of everything Bekka Pramheda believed. The Flame was about passing wisdom on to the next line, not keeping it all to yourself.”
Murphy, ever critical of the Grounder religion, counters, “Yeah, well, no offense, but Becca wasn't a god either. She was a scientist who made herself a Nightblood in the lab the same way Abby did to Clarke.”
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Clarke freeze up a little, shocked by the words. You turn to her, about to ask what’s wrong, when Jordan suddenly bolts from the table, practically running over to Priya. You and Bellamy jump up after him as he snaps at the Prime, “I know what you did.”
You and Bellamy each grab one of Jordan's arms, holding him back and warning, “Hey, bad idea.”
Jae looks at Jordan with concern. “Is everything okay here?”
“How can you be okay? She was your child.”
Priya seems to understand what’s happening, because she turns to face Jordan head on. “I know you miss Delilah, hallowed be her name. But she's happy, Jordan. She wants you to know that.”
The words freeze Jordan up just enough for you and Bellamy to drag him back to the table and force him into his chair. As you reach the table, you see that one of the chairs is now empty, your group missing one person. 
Clarke. 
You look around the tavern, eyes falling on a blonde haired person slipping out of the building without another word. You turn to Bellamy, your voice low enough for just him to hear, and you whisper, “Something is wrong with Clarke, and she’s walking out of the tavern right now. We have to talk to her.”
He nods, backing you up, and the two of you jog to the exit of the building, stepping out into the cool night air, searching for Clarke. Bellamy spots her first, walking just ahead past a row of buildings, and the two of you walk quickly behind her, calling out, “Clarke!”
She turns around, stopping in place, looking at you with concern. “Everything okay?”
Something inside of you tells you to answer in Trig. You don't know why, but you listen to the voice, answering, “Flish em of. Osir gaf in chich yu op soulou. Kom nau.”
Get rid of her. We need to talk to you alone. Now. She looks at you for a long second, face blank, and you glance at Bellamy, finding that he is just as confused. Clarke was fluent in Trigedasleng long before the rest of you, thanks to her three months of isolation after Mount Weather, and it’s never taken her so long to translate before. But she finally does, turning to look at the guard that lingers nearby. “Give us a minute.”
The guard stands up straighter, indicating that she’s going nowhere, and Clarke sighs and motions to the building beside you. “Fine, we'll go in here.”
You and Bellamy follow her inside, turning on her as soon as she closes the door. “Where were you going?”
“To see our mother. What's wrong?”
You shake your head at her. “How are we on different sides of this?”
“I know how they survive seems harsh. But from what I've seen, these people are happy. Their world works, we destroyed ours.”
Bellamy gives her a hard look. “This isn't about us.”
“So we can judge them but not ourselves?”
“You know I judge myself every day.” Bellamy looks over at you, his eyes telling you he’s going to test a theory as he walks closer to her, answering in Trigedasleng. “You want to know the difference between us and them? Ai sin in feis-de kom keryon ai don rip klin ona flashpa, nou ona fleta.”
I see the faces of the people I've killed when I dream, not in the mirror. Clarke stares at him for a long second, and then she asks, “I'm sorry. Can you repeat that last phrase? It sounds like Flashpa means flashback. So was it a dream?”
You freeze in place, the sudden roar of blood rushing in your ears the only thing you hear. You look at your twin, the pieces suddenly falling into place. The uneasy feeling you’ve had all day, the weird language, strange behavior. Bellamy connects the dots too, because he grabs Clarke and slams her into the wall of the building, pinning her in place with his arm at her neck. “Who are you?”
She surprises you by stabbing him in the neck with something, and you watch Bellamy fall to the ground, your stomach sinking with dread. You run over to him, calling out, “Bellamy!”
You drop down to Bellamy’s side, eyes catching the rise and fall of his chest, your fingers reaching up to his neck to check his pulse. You sigh in relief as it thumps steadily beneath your fingers, and your brain registers the feeling of danger seconds before you feel a prick in your neck. Clarke drops something near your feet, and you get a glimpse of it as you start to fall, some sort of Sanctum tranq stick. You hit the ground beside Bellamy, panicking when you realize that you can't move, cant speak, can't scream. Your body is frozen for real this time, triggered by something in the sedative, and the only thing you have control over is your eyes. You see darkness creeping up at the edge of your vision, and your eyes are wide with fear as Clarke’s face drops into your line of sight, a smile on her face as she answers Bellamy’s earlier question. “Josephine Lightbourne, nice to meet you.”
You feel a rush of crushing anguish, and if you weren't temporarily paralyzed you're sure that you’d fall apart, letting out a scream that would break this entire moon in half. Tears immediately flood to your eyes instead, blurring your vision as the darkness rushes closer, your mind running over one thought over and over. Once the adult’s consciousness is gone. Josephine Lightbourne, nice to meet you. Once the adult’s consciousness is gone. Josephine Lightbourne, nice to meet you. Once the adult’s consciousness is gone. Josephine Lightbourne, nice to meet you. 
The last realization you have before you get sucked into the darkness is that Clarke Griffin, your sister, your twin, your shining star, 
is dead.
Gone forever. 
-
next chapter
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onewingedxngel-moved · 4 years ago
Text
FILL OUT THE STATS:  repost, don’t reblog.
BASICS
FULL NAME: Sephiroth Hojo-Crescent
NICKNAME: The Silver SOLDIER, the One-Winged angel, the Silver Demise, Silver Demon of Wutai, The Man in the Black Cape
AGE: 27
BIRTHDAY: January 20th
NATIONALITY: None.
PLACE OF BIRTH: Nibelheim Mansion (that’s what the game implied, right?)
CURRENT LOCATION: Nomadic, he goes wherever he wants (though Pre-Nibel Seph tends to be located in the Shinra building unless he’s on a mission)
PRONOUNS: He/him
S-ORIENTATION: Pansexual...? Asexual...? I don’t know, either way, it’s stunted.
R-ORIENTATION: Panromantic
OCCUPATION: SOLDIER (Pre-Nibel), aspiring God (Post-Nibel). I guess you could say Redeemed!Seph is some kind of unconventional vigilante...? Like, he helps around and tries to take care of conflicts non-lethally.
RELIGION: None.
LANGUAGES: Whatever they speak in FFVII.
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
EYE COLOUR: Vivid green
HAIR COLOR: Silver
HEIGHT: 200cm, 6′7′’ (he tol)
BODY BUILD: Muscular, broad shoulders, the closest to physical perfection/efficiency that a humanoid body can get, you get the picture.
NOTABLE FEATURES: Stature, slit snake-like pupils, long silver hair, scars scattered across body (most notable is the HUGE one left from the Buster Sword), otherworldly and intimidating aura/appearance
PHOBIAS & DISEASES
FEARS: Death. Not like dying and going into the lifestream, but rather, death at the deepest level: the kind that leads to oblivion, to no trace of your existence being left behind. This is linked with the fear he feels regarding his purpose: he lashes out because he knows that, ultimately, he’s merely a weapon, born to be exploited: but he wants to be so much more. 
DISEASES: Sephiroth is, physically, extremely healthy. Mentally, however, he deals with trauma and emotions in a very unhealthy manner.
PERSONALITY
GENERAL IMPRESSION: Most people’s first impressions of him are that of an extremely intimidating person, though this is not always intentional on his part. He can come across as reserved to the point of being cold, but this is more a result of his lack of social interaction/skills (thanks to being raised in labs) than it is due to him genuinely being unfriendly. Those who get to know him better will see that he’s a very deep thinker, and that behind icy walls is a surprisingly warm/soft core that, unfortunately, not everyone is able to recognise. He’s also confident and analytical.
After Nibelheim, Sephiroth becomes an extremely arrogant person, filled with bitter hatred upon the discovery of the truth. Although he is indeed dangerous, sadistic, and violent, these traits are borne from just how much agony and pain he’s in, deep down. He doesn’t want to fully confront his more vulnerable feelings, and thus, lashes out instead. Having fallen into the lifestream, his mind has ascended beyond any other living creature on Gaia, and he uses his superior knowledge to his advantage when it comes to realising his ambitions.
MORAL ALIGNMENT: Lawful neutral (Pre-Nibelheim), neutral evil (Post-Nibelheim), neutral good (Redeemed!Sephiroth)
MISC
LIKES: the cosmos, books, nature/animals (especially insects and invertebrates), history, sweet-tasting food (especially chocolate), spicy food, philosophical depth, physical contact (on his terms), the occasional sparr (has a love-hate relationship with fighting), causing pain/fear (Post-Nibel only, though Redeemed! has the potential to show slightly sadistic behaviour if dealing with someone he truly despises [such behaviour is something he tries to avoid]), Zack (pre-Nibel)
DISLIKES: humans, humanity, failure, arrogant people (ironic), Professor Hojo, Cloud and co, lemons (and various other foods, but lemons are the worst), the truth behind his creation, parties, bitter tastes, shallowness/superficiality, feeling vulnerable, those who blindly accept what they’re told, those who never question anything, being referred to as a hero, dishonesty
Tagged by: @kingofthecats (thank you :3)
Tagging: @nibelheimraised @projecth-aileth @light-of-judgment @flamedance @ancientblxde and anyone else who wishes to do it!
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rabid-heart · 4 years ago
Text
Intertwined
For @sefikuraweek 2021 Day 5: Prompt - Gloves
The fairytale of the Princess Cloud, and her SOLDIER, the General Sephiroth.
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Notes/Warnings: Genderbend/Royalty AU! Mentions of war. And, I guess, the fact that I watched too may royalty/period dramas and this is the brain-rot that resulted?
Read on Ao3 | Previous Day’s Post 
---
It is a bittersweet affair, as farewells usually are.
The hall is decorated with luminous candlelight, flames flickering beautifully against the crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. It looks almost like starlight, like the cosmos, twinkling above, contrasting with the night sky and the dark curtains shadowing the windows. Equally as dazzling are the people of the Midgar Court, the men and women all in their finest garments and jewels, rounding out the perfectly glossy picture of prestige, wealth and power. The sight might have been pleasant, had it not signified something much darker. As it is, General Sephiroth has trouble hiding his frustration and his anger at this unfettered decadence.
The ball is meant to be a celebration of the General and his fellow SOLDIERs, an elaborate sending off before what would hopefully be the final few months of the Wutai War. The last round of negotiations following the temporary ceasefire between the Shinra Empire and the Wutai Kingdom had fallen through, largely in part to King Shinra’s greed and pettiness. Thus, in spite of the costly war effort, in spite of the numerous lives lost, in spite of the suffering of his men, they are to be forced to take up arms once more. When Sephiroth had delivered the news to trusted officers, the disappointment on their faces had be more than evident. But there was nothing more they could do: in the end, the world had been crafted for kings and emperors, and soldiers, no matter how powerful, merely played pawns in the grand scheme.                  
It leaves little choice now but to try and enjoy the evening, though that proves to be a far more difficult gauntlet than Sephiroth is currently willing to endure. It is a special type of torture, watching his men, his friends, his companions, try to hide their fear over the coming months behind pleasant smiles and fake laughter, all for the benefit of the nobility. For a moment, he thinks about destroying the whole thing, tearing down the castle stone by stone, setting fire to the greed and the cowardice to purify it from the face of Gaia. But he does not and knows he cannot – for many reasons, including one that he holds so secret in his heart.
As if on cue, the court pages begin to sound their trumpets, and all heads in the room turn toward the towering doors separating the grand hall from the rest of the castle. The orchestra simmers into silence and, in the ensuing quiet, a servant calls out, “The Royal Family of Shinra, the King, the Crown Prince, and the Princess!”
The grand doors open. There is the King, dressed in robes of purple and gold, the emblem of his dominion emblazoned across his chest. He stalks his way through the doors and down the steps into the ballroom, trailed by his two children. They say the King had once been a handsome man, and there are some shadows of his lost youth in the shape of his jaw and in his height and proud stature. In fact, the clearest sign of his former vitality is embodied by his son, the heir apparent Prince Rufus, debonair and devastating in his white suit and slicked back hair.
But the true beauty of the family belongs to the fair-haired Princess Cloud. She walks behind the men, dressed in a gown of blue, with cap sleeves that just dip from underneath her shoulders to showcase an enticing decolletage. Her arms and hands are encased in gloves of the most expensive white silk, and around her neck sits the sapphire jewels of the royal family, a brilliant blue that is remarkably overshadowed by the absolute beauty of her glowing eyes.
On this night, and every other night since he had first laid eyes on the Princess, Sephiroth finds he cannot tear his gaze away.
The family walks to the center of the room, and the king lifts up his hands to further corral attention. “My citizens, my Midgar, tonight we celebrate a truly momentous occasion. Because this night marks the beginning of the end of our Wutaian enemies.” The man turns to take a chalice from a servant standing nearby and lifts the golden cup into the air with a haughty flare. “To our brave men, our unparalleled SOLDIERs, who will bring the Shinra Empire the greatest glory and the highest of victories, this night is for you.”
A roar of applause sounds through the crowd in response. But Sephiroth does not care. His eyes are fixed on the Princess, standing beside her father in the middle of the hall, her head slightly bent. To all others, the gesture would have appeared to have been out of respect – and there is some truth to that statement. But Sephiroth knows better – because for the briefest of moments, her blue eyes turn to him, and there is nothing there but sorrow and regret.
The King, however, fails to notice the exchange. Instead, he offers another toast. “For the glory of Shinra, for the power of the Empire, for the strength of our nation!”
“Huzzah!”
The festivities begin anew, and music once again flows through the air. Sephiroth watches Cloud, the way she gracefully bows to her father and brother as the two leave the floor to talk to the other nobles, the way the candlelight of the room highlights the radiance of her eyes. He had spent hours upon hours getting lost in that blue, like flying through a mountain sky, airy and free. The imagery only exacerbates the irony of just how trapped they truly are – a Princess meant to sell her happiness out of duty to her family, and a SOLDIER crafted as the perfect weapon, whose only purpose was to destroy in the name of the kingdom. The very facts that they commiserated over, that drew them together, would likely be the very reasons they would be torn apart.
And yet, in her arms and looking into those eyes, Sephiroth lets himself imagine a different life, one full of beauty and liberty and light and promise and hope. How he longs for it, longs for her, how he cherishes the secret kisses and furtive couplings. It had been a love at first sight, an attraction he hardly knew what to do with, one that haunted his evenings and consumed his waking thoughts. It took every ounce of his trained discipline to stay away. And yet, to his surprise, the affection had not been one-sided. When Cloud sought him out, forced a confrontation, kissed him with a fierceness and a fire that seemed to pull his very soul out of his breath, Sephiroth realized then that he was not dealing with a delicate sapphire jewel, but a sword of the strongest steel.
It only made him fall for her harder.
Her companionship had brought him a relief and a joy like no other, but they always had known it was forbidden, that Cloud would eventually be promised to another nobleman, that he would eventually be shipped off to some far corner of the planet, a tool bent her father’s will. But those facts did not stop them from indulging in the beautiful fantasy, even though they both knew exactly how it would end.
It is this very conflict that stirs in Sephiroth’s mind now. He knows he should look away, knows that the Midgar Court already whispers about them with scandalized delight, knows that if her father ever found out about their relationship, he could very well be executed on the spot – grand General or not. But tonight, he finds himself caring little for the gossip, the royal protocol. Because tonight, in Cloud’s wonderful and ethereal beauty, the loss of her is almost too much for Sephiroth to bear.
(And if he is destined to die for the Shinra royal family, he is at least determined to do it on his own terms.)
That strange mixture of grief and defiance is what carries him forward, striding across the ballroom with a purpose so evident, it parts the crowds around him. He only stops when he stands in front of the Princess, her expression startled at his approach, and yet yearning all the same. Around them, the people murmur, though Sephiroth pays no heed to what they have to say. The tones of the current song have begun to fade away. That is when Sephiroth makes his move.
“Your Royal Highness,” he says smoothly. “May I have this dance?”
The Princess’ eyes flicker between surprise and joy and fear. Not once out of the several balls and banquets hosted at court have they done this, knowing full well that adding any more fodder to the rumor mill could push the King into forcing a separation. But that concern is now a moot point. Tonight, all he desires – and all he knows she desires – is for one last dance.
Cloud bows to him now, but even in that deference, she still displays her formidable nature, in the sharpness of her blue eyes and in her cool disregard of the stares and whispers that the court sends their direction.
“My dear General,”’ she responds, taking his hand firmly and confidently.
The music resumes and the two begin to move, swept up in the melodies and the steps and the notes. As they progress, Sephiroth begins to feel like he always does around Cloud. It is as if the entirety of the universe melts away, collapses to its center – and for him, that center had become none other than her. With his arm around her waist and their eyes locked on each other, he cannot resist the spell that she casts to hold his attention, keep him in her thrall. And from the way her smile lights up to her eyes, to the gentle touches of her hand caressing the back of his own, he can feel her affection for him, just as strong as his own.
But like all good things between them, the song ends all too quickly, the moment fading. The time to say goodbye creeps closer. Sephiroth steps back and offers a serene bow. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he whispers, hoping all the things he wants to say aloud but can’t are conveyed in those words.
Cloud lets out a breath, her eyes glistening with unfallen tears. This is the cycle between them, the beautiful rush of the fantasy falling away, crushed under the relentless malice of their reality. For what else could they be than this – stolen kisses, brief dances, whispered words? Tomorrow, Sephiroth will begin his journey to Wutai, and they will be apart again in all ways, once more. He wishes desperately that it would not be so, but that is a choice that he cannot make.
But then, suddenly and in the quick and determined and bold manner that made Cloud so powerful and so alluring, the Princess chooses for him. She takes his hand and begins to run, pulling him along, out of the ballroom, out of the castle, into the gardens. In the rush, she ignores the startled gasps and hushed commentary of the courtiers, the guards, the servants, and even the King, with whom Sephiroth locks eyes with for a brief and revelatory moment before being swept up and away by Cloud.
He knows, he realizes. He knows.
If this is to be their last night on Gaia together, that fact hardly matters. And regardless, Sephiroth cannot pull away from Cloud, cannot help but run after her, because in his heart, he knows he would follow her to the very edges of creation itself.
Cloud finally stops in a quiet corner of the grounds, pushing him up against the wall of shrubbery and kissing him, gasping and desperate. Her sentiments spill into him, and Sephiroth finds his hands clinging to her waist, roaming over her shoulders, cradling her neck. Any modicum of distance between them feels like an aching sore, and tonight, of all nights, he would do anything to take away her pain.
His lips move, from hers, to her jaw, to her ear, her neck. She sighs, in that lovely way she does, in the way that drives Sephiroth to the very edge of his restraint. His fingers find purchase around the buttons on the back of her dress, and almost as if on instinct, they begin the process of undoing them, one by one.
Cloud’s breath hitches, and she pushes back and away slightly. “I don’t want you to go,” she whispers. “I don’t want you to die.”
“I won’t,” Sephiroth promises, reaching forward to kiss her again.
She dodges the kiss but wraps her arms around his shoulders anyway. “You are fighting a war that you do not believe in. That does not lend itself well to success.”
“Do you suggest I run, then?”
Cloud places her hand on the back of his neck, runs her fingers through his long silver hair. “Maybe we should. We could run. Find a corner of the world that is just the two of us. Where no one could ever reach us.”
For a moment, Sephiroth is tempted by the beauty of the wish – the idea of Cloud, forever his, on a house by a lake somewhere where wildflowers grow. Somewhere he could kiss her without fear of scorn, derision, discipline, or death. Somewhere he could love her, freely and truly. But it sounds too good to be true, because it is, and they both know it.
“I cannot abandon them, my friends and my men,” Sephiroth whispers back, squeezing her tightly in apology.
Cloud lets out a quiet whimper, but he knows she understands, knows that his loyalty is one of the reasons she loves him so deeply. “Then what do we do?” she asks, burying her head in his chest. “I can’t keep living like this. Knowing that I love you and I can’t be yours.”
Instead of responding outright, Sephiroth reaches down and takes her left hand, bringing it up to his lips. He slips the glove off her finger gently, tenderly, with all the love he has in his entire being, allowing the silk to slip to the ground. Then, he himself begins to fall, down to one knee.
“When I return, I’ll put a ring here,” he says, gently kissing her fingers. “And I’ll make even greater vows to you.”
Cloud watches him, eyes wide. “You…are serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“My father will not let you.”
“I don’t care about your father,” Sephiroth says, turning her hand to press more intentional kisses to her palm and her wrist. He then pulls back and gazes up at her with expectant eyes. “I’ll fight his war, because that is my only way back to you. But once I return, I have no intention of letting you go. If you let me fight for you, then I swear to you that nothing will stop me until you are freely and truly mine.”
The tears now stream freely, slipping softly from those dazzling blue eyes. But Sephiroth knows Cloud enough to recognize that they are not from sadness, not in the slightest.
She bends over to cradle his face and tug him gently upright. Once he stands in front of her, she takes his left hand, and just as he did hers, slides off his glove with equal affection, dropping the black leather atop of her own white silk.
As she kisses his knuckles, Cloud whispers with all the passion and fire in her soul, “Then as you fight, so will I. For us. So I too can make more promises to you when you return.”
Their fingers intertwine. And in the garden, underneath the real starlight and away from the prison of the palace, they seal the first of their many vows with a loving, hopeful kiss.
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loverabbitss · 4 years ago
Text
Bury Me In Bliss (prt 2)
She looks towards me a small smile gracing her lips.
"No, I aspired to be in architecture, but when duty and family calls I'm there." She responds.
I could tell it was bothering her to talk about it.
"That must be the reason this place is so nice." I say, even if I was confused and angry. She wasn't the one to blame, well not for most of it.
"You think so?" She looks up from the gold lamp that she was tracing with her delicate fingers.
"Yeah, my mom was into interior design. I fell in love with it too, but I chose the beauty of motherhood as my specialization" I sit down in one of the chairs in front of her desk.
And just like that we spent almost the whole morning and afternoon talking about any and everything. I found out a lot about her and her childhood. It was nice to have someone who talked to me and actually listened. Micheal could careless about what I say.
"Gaia you have a meeting you must be to." The pale boy whose I learned name was Gian came walking into the space.
Her head went back against the chair as she let out a deep grunt.
"Okay I'm coming" She got up holding out her hand.
"Uh uh I'm not going with you. Your uncle will snap my neck." I say pushing her hand away.
"I'm not taking you to the meeting. I'm walking you back to the room until I get back." She says reaching her hand back out.
I nod, taking her hand as we walk back to the room. The window had been closed and locked. I sat on the bed looking towards her as she went into the closet going to change.
"So am I supposed to just sit here like a prisoner?" I call out.
"Your not a prisoner. Your a visitor but I can't have you roaming around unsupervised." She came out of the closet.
Breathtaking wasn't the word, she wore an all black pant suit with some black what I would call church shoes. It took me a minute to process what she had said.
"I'm not a child, if I go to a wrong place I'll leave." I say.
"I can't take that chance, your my guest I must keep you safe." She tsks fixing the cuff links on her suit.
I roll my eyes, which only made her smirk.
"Your a hard nut to crack. But you roll those eyes again and I'll make sure to bust you open." It rolls off her tongue like liquid gold.
"You think I'd let you get on me after watching you fuck some girl's mouth this morning. Yeah good luck with that Gaia. I don't play games." I suck my teeth.
Her eyes darken and a deep rubble is heard from her chest.
"I did that as an example and you know why." Her olive skin flushed red.
"Yeah whatever, like I said I don't play games." I repeat myself.
"You say that, but that's all you do. Your husband doesn't fuck you so you play games with yourself all the time." She snaps.
Yeah I'm about to loose my shit.
"Excuse me? You don't know shit about what I do and why I do it." I get up getting in her face pushing her back some.
Of course she barely moved but it got my anger across.
"Look I don't want to ar—" She starts to say.
"No fuck you. Fuck this week stay long shit. If this is how your going to throw shit in my face then I'm leaving. I don't care if I get lost I'm gone." I nearly shout pissed off.
Everything had come to a bubble, my husband and his decisions, her smart ass comments. My anger just popped. I went for the door and she grabbed onto my arm. I tried to fight back but it was no use. Suddenly, the door flung open and her uncle stood there looking upset.
"Gaia your late, let's go" he barks then walks out but not before throwing me a dirty look.
I stick my finger at he but he left before he could see it.
"Stop it" She hisses.
"You don't tell me what the fuck to do, I'm not your child." I snap at her.
"Your sure acting like one I see why Micheal doesn't pay much attention." She comments letting me go.
I was shocked, honestly I confined in her about how Micheal treats me and she does this.
"Son of a bitch! I'm acting like a child, yet your throwing shit in my face. You can't ask someone for trust when you use shit against them bastard." I walk into the bathroom slamming the doors locking them.
I strip getting into the shower turning one side of the shower on. My eyes close as the warm water hit my skin. I was infuriated, frustrated, kind of turned on. Basically my emotions were running wild I had no clue how to get back to the resort to at least make my way home to be near my family. I couldn't be in this house with people I didn't know and people who didn't like me. After I finish showering, I come out and the steam follows me. I wrap myself in a towel after drying then unlocks the door.
Walking out I see her gone and the door closed. I try to open it to it only to be locked, fucking bastard. I go over to the closet finding a nice red big t shirt in the back and a pair of beige panties. I put them on then go to the bed laying down, there was nothing to do or nobody to talk to. So, I decided to take a nap.
A cool hand caresses the side of my face as I wake up from my nap. My eyes flutter open as I look at her.
"I'm sorry about earlier I did not mean any of that. I just lost my temper because I really care about you and like you. Even if I've never met you face to face before. I've always seen you at Micheal's office and I would get so giddy" Gaia speaks as she looks down avoiding my eyes.
I sit up against the headboard.
"I accept your apology, but don't ever do that again. If I tell you something it's because I'm beginning to trust you." I say.
She nods, then takes my hand.
"Though I like you in my shirt I really want you to change for tonight." She says.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"Don't worry about that. Just know everything is a surprise." She states before getting up and leaving.
Hmm, I wondered what could be going on. Instead of pondering I did as she said getting up finding the clothes and shoes at the end of the bed. I quickly change into them spraying on some lavender spray from her dresser, fixing my hair in the mirror the best I could. She came back in looking at me through the mirror in awe.
"I don't even look good please." I feel a rush flow to my cheeks.
"You look absolutely beautiful." She says coming behind me looking at me through the mirror.
I blush a deep red.
"Don't want to prolong any longer, hmm" I get up.
She just nods looking at me up and down. The dress that was picked out for me was a white dress that split at one of my sides showing my whole leg. Gold jewelry accentuated the elegant them I was guessing. We walked outside to the courtyard where a table was set with candles lite all around.
"You didn't have to do all this." I spoke up.
"Think of it as an apology and start over dinner date." She says pulling a chair out for me.
I sit down thanking her.
"Date? Married remember." I raise my eyebrow.
Her frown came back upon her face.
"Yeah we are going to have to get rid of that." She states.
Choosing to ignore her statement I look around some of the wild flowers from the yard sat nicely in a vase on the table. Light music played in the background.
"You've got a lot of hope you know that?" I ask looking towards her.
"Hope is what got you here with me of course I got a lot of me" Gaia responds.
I blush looking off. She reaches her hands across grabbing my hand intertwining our hands. I look down at our hands before looking back up at her.
"Your really beautiful." She says running her thumbs across the back of my hands.
Servers come out carrying plates for us. They place them on the table and pours us some wine in our cups. We spend dinner talking more and enjoying each other company while eating.
"I would ask you to dance with me but I have something else for you waiting in the room." She husks out standing up.
Placing her hand out I take her hand getting up. The wine boosted my confidence as I walked back to the house following her. Once we get to the room I see a pole hanging from the ceiling and cuffs connected to the headboard.
"You like it?" I feel her hot breathe on my ear as her arms wrap around my waist.
Her lips press against the under of my ears.
"Y-yeah." My eyes flutter close.
"Mmm I'm glad you do. You sure you want this?" She asks.
Without hesitation I nod not trusting my words as her hands caress my body and her lips cover my neck. Her hand felt like they were working magic around my body. Slowly but surely she started taking off my dress. I turn around in her embrace buttoning her shirt.
"Need some help babygirl?" She asks softly.
Her voice sends waves down to my pussy. Once I finish I pull her shirt off staring at her sexy chest. I bite my lip caressing her boobs hearing her breathing increase. I reach back taking off her bra, my mouth water as her breasts bounce. I learn forward sucking on her tits making her hands spank my ass.
"Fuck" Gaia whispers.
I suck lightly nibbling on it as I grope and knead the other boob. She pulled me away lifting chin up leaning down kissing me. Her tongue presses against my lips asking for entrance. I allow her to enter and our tongues dance together. She leads us back towards the bed my dress and shoes falling off as I walk backwards. My back hit the bed and I watch as she strips down biting my lip.
"Ooo she sees something she likes." She purrs crawling to my laid out body on the bed.
Her eyes gleamed black in the moon light as the moon highlighted that signature smirk that sent a wave of arousal to my river. Her luscious lips found my neck where she left open mouth kisses. My hands gripped onto her shoulder clenching them. I whimper lightly slowing grinding our bare bodies.
"Please" I whine feeling her hand near my thigh.
"Please what?" She asked lifting her head from its trail to my breasts.
"Please fuck me daddy" I begged.
She just chuckled looking down at my completely submissive state. Her tongue licked over her teeth.
"Oh I'm about to do that and more, cmere" She demands, which really she didn't have to because she lightly pushed me towards the center of the bed.
Once there she took my wrists putting me up in handcuffs.
"Do you trust me?" She asked as she caressed my thighs.
I watched as her hands moved my mouth running dry.
"I let you put me in hand cuffs right?" I asked.
My smart remark landed me with a smack on my pussy. Oh was it so electrifying, it sent a thrill through me making me arch my back letting out a slight moan.
"Now try it again" Gaia lightly barked out.
"Yes I trust you daddy" I respond.
"Good" She praises me before tying my ankles up to this bar.
"This pole." She taps the pole to get my attention. "Only extends so the more you fight what's coming the wider your legs are going to spread." She explains getting out of the bed.
Fight what's coming? What is she going to do? She gets off the bed going to her side of the bed to the nightstand opening the drawer. Due to my current position I couldn't see what she got, but soon I hear what it was then I felt it.
I let out a melodic moan, it bounces off of the walls.
"You like that babygirl?" She husks into my ear.
"Y-yes" I stutter suddenly finding it hard to speak.
Her lips return back to my body as she sucks on my nipples. She makes sure to give each equal attention. I clench my legs as I feel that familiar feeling in my stomach.
"Ahh I'm close, can I cum?" I ask a slight layer of sweat covering me.
"No ma'am, hold it for me mamas. I wanna watch you fight these orgasms." She growls against my skin.
These? Geez so much for walking anymore. I hear a click and the intensity of the hitachi goes up. I try to clench my legs, which in turn made the pole stretch forcing my legs wider.
"Atta girl." She encouraged me to spread more as her tongue found its way towards my dripping pussy.
She moved the hitachi towards my entrance and my wetness could be heard loud & proud.
"Fuck your so wet princess" Her tongue found it way to my clit.
"Daddy please" I beg, I was close but I knew she wouldn't allow me to cum.
"Daddy please what?" She pulls away with a chin covered in my juices.
"Can I cum?" I ask once again.
"Not yet babygirl" She smirks bringing the hitachi back to my clit.
Soon I could feel myself right the edge, my body started to tense up. I bucked uncontrollably making the pole stretch my legs completely wide. The moans flowing out of me were going to be heard all over.
"Almost there darling" Gaia cooed kissing the back of my thighs.
How could she be so demanding, hot, and sweet at the same time?
"Let go darling" She finally says as she lets the hitachi off my clit before smacking it a few times.
My eyes roll back as I pull on the restraints arching my back. I gush all over the sheets but I could care less. My pussy squirted put after all that overstimulation and edging.
"Such a good girl" Her hand rubbed up and down my pussy as I came down from my high.
My body twitched everytime she crossed my clit. She started to rub it again and she crawled over my face as if she was about to ride it. Her cock sat hard dripping precum in my face.
"Suck daddy's cock for her please mamas" Her tone of voice made me comfortable.
I open my mouth ready for her to fuck it. She doesn't waste anytime, slowly she entered my warm mouth. Her grunts start increasing as she starts thrusting into my throat. I couldn't do anything besides moan at her hand still rubbing my clit. I was so close again. Her thrust sped up making her balls hit my chin.
"Shit." She moaned throwing her head back.
It was a sight to see, the tatted Italian completely lost in the way I was taking her cock. Even when she fucked that girl's mouth she wasn't so aroused. I moan around her cock knowing that the vibrations drives her crazy. Upping her side she slips two fingers into me pumping them fast as her thumb rubs my clit.
Trying to close my legs I start moaning more making her come closer to her finger. In a swift 'come here' motion she makes me burst all over her fingers and she wasn't too far behind.
"Take my cum." She groans spurting her warm cum down my throat.
She finished pulling out and pulling her fingers out of me cleaning them off my creaminess coating them. I lay on the bed limp as could be, so lost in cum land I didn't know what was going on. That is until she started smacking my ass. I jolted back to reality moaning. My clit was throbbing from cumming so much and I'm sure my pussy would be swollen by the end.
I look down to see her getting hard again, was I even ready for her size? She started warming me up by making out and caressing my body giving me the touch, need, and love my husband barely did anymore. She lines herself up with my entrance before slowly sliding her cock up and down going over my sensitive clit.
"Are you okay with this?" She asks halting the head at my entrance.
I nod not trusting my mouth as I was already dazed off in a sea of pleasure.
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gaiapaia · 4 years ago
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Kermit and Friends: Lizzie with Flesh-n-Bone and Onision
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Fun fact about Gaia Paia: I grew up a fan of hip-hop music as far back as I can remember. It started innocently enough at 5 or 6-years-old when MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were at the top of the charts. Fast forward a few years later, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony would release Crossroads and I was hooked from that point forward. My mom let me get the single on cassette since there were no curse words and the song was about Heaven... I played that thing non-stop.
So when Elisa told me Flesh-N-Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony would be a guest this week, I was pretty excited!
Flesh did not disappoint. He was open and candor about his feelings regarding the current political environment in America. More importantly, Flesh shared about his past troubles with the law and how he lost 10 years of his life to prison due to a false conviction. Despite that and his very rough childhood, Flesh remains a big positive ball of energy just looking to improve the World in the way he personally believes it should be improved. He was very inspiring, honestly.
Flesh has a beautiful recent single/music video out called Dedication, which you can check out for yourself by clicking this sentence. It’s very Crossroads like, so any fan of that song should love this one.
Flesh was absolutely tremendous and it’s awesome to see him become one of Kermit’s new friends. I have a good feeling we’ll be seeing him back on the show very soon. Maybe we can get him to perform a live rendition of Dedication! 
Lizzie Harding also joined Kermit and Friends this week. She was featured on Andy Dick’s first KAF appearance back in January (you can read about that here) but it was Elisa’s intention with this episode to allow Lizzie to get into more detail about Lizzie’s unbelievable story.
Lizzie’s story includes her being falsely arrested multiple times, being held in solitary confinement for 5 days despite never once seeing a day in court, having her kids kidnapped from her, her husband allegedly being a pedophile while her kids remain with him, her rental house being burned down this past week after appearing on Infowars, and having all her money stolen by her husband.
If this sounds like an absolutely crazy story.... it is. Most of the chat didn’t believe Lizzie’s tales but I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt because A) she was so sincere and passionate, and B) her husband is an extremely successful, high profile lawyer in the state of New York. If anyone can get away with truly heinous crimes, it’s people in his powerful position.
However, after dealing with Lizzie first hand... I’m starting to believe she creates delusions about her situation. Don’t get me wrong, Lizzie genuinely believes what she’s saying, but that doesn’t necessarily make it true (if it is all true, I would feel horrible about saying this stuff... this is why #BelieveAllWomen is a thing).
A good while after Lizzie’s interview, Elisa would play an Eric masturbation video as she’s been doing every week. Lizzie flipped her lid and started texting Elisa in a very harsh manner, saying we promised Lizzie that there would be no sexuality on the show. That is 100% a false statement by Lizzie.
I talked to Lizzie after the show and told her had we knew something like that video would offend her, we would have put it off for a week. Lizzie told me to read our past messages to prove she warned us, so I did and there was nothing about that or anything close to it... yet, she still believes we had this conversation that we never had even though she cannot provide a screenshot of the things she claims we discussed.
Regardless of all that, I wish Lizzie well and hope she gets in a better place soon, both mentally and physically. She’s in a lot of pain right now and that’s always sad to see. Plus, Lizzie was an amazing guest before jumping off the rails, sharing her compelling story with unbridled passion. I doubt we see her on KAF again but she’s someone we will NEVER forget.
Onision made his return to Kermit and Friends this week as well if you can’t already tell from the title. He mainly ruffled Flesh and Lizzie’s feathers by questioning their stories and political opinions. Not to say Onision was disrespectful by any means... he was not, but they did not like his line of questioning, especially Lizzie. However, Onision was terrific because Elisa’s not the type to challenge and question someone on their beliefs or the stories they tell. I think there’s great potential in Onision bringing that kind riveting content to Kermit and Friends regularly if he chooses to become a mainstay like I hope he does.
Everything about this episode was a rollercoaster blast except for one part.
Elisa admitted that she checked herself into the hospital a few days ago. Apparently she had some serious chest contusions and was having trouble breathing. After not finding anything wrong internally, the doctors chalked it up as an anxiety attack after forcing Elisa to stay there for over 8 hours.
To give you a timeline of events... last week, Elisa finally had enough of Andy Dick after he moved in for a few hours and treated her like dog crap. Or did she? It wasn’t 24 hours after last week’s show when Elisa was tweeting “Hi” to Andy, trying to get his attention. It was about 24 hours after that when Elisa was on a date with Andy on his Instagram stories. Then about 48 hours later, Elisa is getting checked into the hospital thanks to the anxiety she claims Andy has brought into her life.
So what happened on that date and the days following? Unfortunately, we didn’t get any answers. Maybe we will next week. But I’m truly fed up with seeing Andy bring so much heartache to Elisa’s life.
Elisa wrote this very beautiful song and made a sweet video tribute to Andy and played it during the show. Why? Why does he deserve that? Maybe it’ll help give Elisa a sense of closure and she’ll be able to move on from him. Maybe not. If so though, then I’m all for it, but part of me doubts that’s the case.
Unfortunately, Elisa is not a fan of my take on Andy right now, which is that she needs to stop trying to help someone who doesn’t want to help himself and who doesn’t treat her kindly. Elisa needs to focus on HER mental health and HER personal hardships rather than burdening herself with Andy’s, which just piles on and on relentlessly until boom... you’re being checked into a hospital. It will only get worse if she keeps putting effort into this guy.
Andy’s lover Lucas called into the show to try to pawn off Andy to Elisa, doing his best to guilt trip Elisa into taking Andy back. To Elisa’s credit, she told Lucas no and it seemed like she meant it. However, last week it seemed like she meant it when Elisa said she was done with Andy, so who knows if she’s serious this time.
It’s very tough for me to watch Elisa destroy herself all because of this poisonous clown Andy Dick. I guess you could say I should take my own advice and stop trying to help someone if they’re not willing to help themselves. The difference is, I’ve loved and supported Elisa for 6 years. I’ve been there for her at times when I know for a fact no one else was there for her. Not because I want anything from Elisa, but just because I genuinely love this woman and I want to see a beautiful/wonderful soul like her be happy.
Elisa has known Andy for not even 6 months. She loves a version of him in her head that does NOT exist. She cannot turn Andy into the person she wants him to be, and the harder she tries, the more heartbreak and devastation it’s going to bring to her life. So I pray Elisa can find the strength to move on from him and any other person in her life that’s dragging her down.
Moving on... Johnny B did a great karaoke performance of What A Wonderful Word by Louis Armstrong, Laurie was back to do the KAF Wrap-Up Show even though she had no clue who Flesh-N-Bone is and didn’t want to look him up, Kermit made a new friend named Alex G, Sharmin Smith went on a passionate rant about COVID, and Hud Isaacson fell asleep during the show with his new girlfriend by his side.
Let me just reiterate that this was a classic episode. I really mean it. Flesh was awesome, Lizzie was mind-blowing, Onision was perfect, and the chat was the most active it’s been since the Spreecast days. I don’t like kissing the ass of chat because sometimes they think they’re more important than they actually are... but they deserve to have their asses kissed after yesterday’s show! Chat was absolutely on fire and that’s really all the validation you need to know that this Kermit and Friends episode was a very special one.
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