#treacherous dome

[sarcastic-tacos-art]

Mindflayer head

[101maverick]

any ideas for going stargazing with Damian Wayne? I heard you needed requests

A/n: Let’s not think about the fact that this took me months, okay? Life is stressful and writing takes braincells I do not always have unfortunately. #orangecatthoughts

Word count: 632

Less than Perfect

Damian was most decidedly not nervous.

He was an Al-Ghul and a Wayne on top of that, the heir to the Demon's Head's throne and the heir to Batman's cowl, the larger-than-life Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, the Scourge of Gotham's Underground.

As such, it would have been absolutely preposterous to even suggest that something as mundane (and dare he say plebeian if not executed with the utmost decorum) as stargazing with his girlfriend would make him nervous.

He wasn't. His hands were that clammy for completely unrelated reasons. Gotham weather was abysmal for the vast majority of the year, nobody could fault his body for thermoregulating in the face of the stifling humidity hanging in the air.

It seemed as if Titus could sense his internal debate from his place next to him on the couch if the way the large dog huffed was any indication.

The sound snapped Damian out of his thoughts and he suddenly became acutely aware of what had disturbed Titus; to his utmost horror, his leg was bouncing. Completely against his will.

Treacherous leg. It was the unwanted proof that he was indeed not calm, and that he was decidedly nervous.

Damian sighed. He really wasn’t going to find a way out of this was he? He was going to be stuck worrying over every single detail and scenario until the evening.

Not that Damian didn’t want to go stargazing with his girlfriend no, of course that was not the problem here.

The problem was his reaction. He was way too nervous about this and the worst part was that he had a hunch as for what was causing it.

The idea of being so vulnerable, at night alone and outside, most of all willingly, unsettled him. Getting used to being with others without his prickly demeanour protecting him was something he had yet to get used to, and this would be a big step for him.

It was still more comfortable than expressing his love verbally though, so if that was what was necessary to show his feelings then so be it.

The couch creaked as he got up, a determined glint in his eye.

He was Damian Wayne-Al Ghul, son of the Batman and Grandson to the Demon’s Head, and he was going to prepare the best stargazing date the world had ever seen.

————————————

When Damian led you out onto the Wayne Manor grounds you were pretty excited. 452

His hands held yours as he guided you on the grass, your steps becoming surer as you got comfortable with the blindfold.

Still even with the excitement, nothing could have prepared you for what you saw as Damian’s deft fingers loosened the blindfold and the fabric fell away from your face.

A plethora carefully arranged pillows sat atop a large picnic cloth, folded blankets to the side. To the side was also a low table, a few snacks set on it under clear glass domes. Scattered candles set inside lanterns bathed the scenery in their flickering glow.

“Damian, I don’t have any words, I— It’s so beautiful, truly.” It was a wonder you could even speak through your astonishment, your eyes wide as saucers and your mouth hanging open.

“Tt, do not look so surprised. As if I could prepare anything less than perfect.”

His tone dripped condescension, but you only smiled at him. After all, no amount of semi-darkness could hide the blush creeping up his cheeks, the red dusting the tips of his ears.

“Of course, Damian.”

————————————

A/n: hope you enjoyed! Reading angst gives me the writing bug I guess lol. If you like my work, please consider reblogging and checking out my other works through the master list in my pinned post<3 Love you all🩷

[millylotus]

Ghostlights Prompt Event: Blind Date With a Prompt - @dcxdp-ghostlights

To See Your Face Again, is to remember you're not really there

'I thought I knew you'

Join Me, he beckoned.

Stay With Me, he cooed.

Love Me, he demanded.

He didn’t need to ask for the last one.

The Phantom had been watching Gotham for some time now, more then he had in his twelve years of terror. Lurking around the domed city, peering in from up above. It got to such a point where Gothamites would travel through the treacherous cave system beneath their city just to escape his gaze.

The Signal wasn’t one of those people of course, he was one of the remaining vigilantes he had to stand tall, a pillar of light in these hard times. In the End Times. Even as Duke Thomas he stood upon the surface, staring up at the Phantom, The Phantom grinning down on him in return. He knew exactly what the monster wanted of course, & at times he wanted to give in, to hold him again, this was one of those few times.

-⁎-

The Phantom waited above the dome, not the highest point but nearby it, waiting patiently, pridefully, maybe even a bit hungrily. Watching as a disturbance in light, invisible to most, made their way to the top of the tower Phantom stood over.

The disturbance sat in the sturdy satellite dish at the top of Wayne Enterprise, positioned just so that they would never be seen from below, they shimmered & became Duke Thomas once more, in a hoodie & jeans, an ecto-gun strapped to his side, a bracelet made specifically to keep The Phantom away. He chose to not look at that one for long.

The Phantom stared at Duke, examining the face he could not often see. Counting the beauty marks sparsely decorating his lovely face. Taking in the scars the Phantom had once adoringly traced, & the ones he’d never touched or seen before. The Phantom wanted so desperately to see Duke’s gold-brown eyes fully, without the wicked green of the dome overlying them.

“You’re not going to say anything?” Duke said glaring up at Phantom. God he hated that smile on Phantom’s face, all lecherous & possessive. It used to be devoted & respectful some many years ago.

“I thought you hated hearing me speak?” Phantom said playfully, moving into a laying position in the air, “But if you want, allow me to try & convince you once more.”

Duke sighed as Phantom began to re-hash the same speech he’d given many a time before.

Join Me, he beckoned.

Stay With Me, he cooed.

Love Me, he demanded.

He didn’t need to ask for the last one.

Most of the time Duke didn’t want to listen, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop coming up here, to stop caring.

He looked up at Phantom & like many times before tried to connect this version to the one he’d known before.

The freckles that where once prominent & dark upon tan skin connected by scars like images in the stars, had blended like blush over pale green skin. Teal blue eyes that sparkled like starlight, where now a matte blood red that held no real light in them. Fangs that once seemed cute & mischievous, had sharpened to the point where they looked to even hurt the one who bore them.

A soul that was no longer happy, but a phantom of it’s former self. Barely the same, in a way it looked like it never had been.

“Duke,’ Phantom said, more focused then before in it’s tone that it Duke pulled out of his musings as he blinked the mirage from his eyes.

“Why must you be so stubborn,’ The Monster said like he always did, ‘I could give you so much, you know that. Puzzles to invigorate the mind made by creatures longer lived then you’ve ever met, stories from dimensions you’ve never even hear of, songs sung by beings you’d barely comprehend. All you’d have to do is be Mine again, My Star, My Light, My Everything.”

He had to hold back from rolling his eyes in annoyance, he was far too tired for this.

“I don’t want that, I don’t need that,” Duke knew he was half to blame for some of this, though his remaining friends & family had said differently. Maybe if he’d reached out to him after the accident sooner, or flown out to Amity to talk him down from the edge, gotten in the way of Vlad adopting him. Maybe this would all be different, maybe he’d truly know who was floating above him.

“And I thought, I knew you,” The Phantom teased, crossing his arms & staring down at Duke as if what he said didn’t set a bomb off in Duke’s heart.

“If you think I’d go with you as you are now… I’m starting to think you never really did,” Duke said, allowing no emotions on to his face, he could feel tears tapping at the back of his eyes insistently.

Phantoms, grinning face turned into one of silent overwhelming annoyance as he glared down at Duke.

“I do know you, and that’s exactly why I need you,’ Sighing The Phantom turned away from the dome, ‘You’re being rather depressing today so I’ll be going, see me again in two weeks & I’ll see if you changed your mind.”

In an instant The Phantom was gone, not even bothering with going invisible, just dropping his tangibility & heading to Amity at mach speeds most likely.

In the new found silence, the only thing Duke could hear was his fast beating heart & shaky breath, tears beginning to run down his face. Staring up at nothing, features pinched with rage, & fear, & most prominently, heartbreak.

“Danny… what happened to you?”

Half of it was that he wasn't there.

DEADLIGHTS MASTERPOST, GENERAL NOTES, AO3

Okay like but that was too much fun!!! q(≧▽≦q)

[endless-petals]

Liar

Part 1: The Rotunda

Universe: Dragon Age Inquisition

Pairing: Solas x Female Dalish Mage Lavellan

Warnings: angst, sexual tension, crude language, etc.

Word Count: 1.1K

A/N: As if I don't have enough unfinished fics...here's a Solavellan hell with a shit ton of angst. Multiple chapters.

Ara finds him in the rotunda, balanced upon a scaffolding. She watches silently as a sure hand steadily paints the fur of a wolf. It is large, menacing with red eyes, jaw unhinged and ready to strike. Enrapturing as the mage paints the beast with a strange fondness.

“Enjoying yourself?” His voice echoes in pointed ears as Ara fights a blush.

“The mural,” she begins meekly, “It’s gorgeous. I didn’t know you were an artist.”

“There are many things you don’t know about me.” He chuckles darkly, carefully shading long fangs. Ara slowly approaches the mezzanine. “Come. I’d be happy to show you.”

Silently, she obliges, scaling the ladder. Solas extends his free hand, pulling her onto the platform. There’s a slight wobble in her step as a long arm wraps around her middle. Their close proximity makes her shiver, remembering the kiss they shared on the balcony. The warmth of his lips, the gentle nudge of his tongue.

“Careful.” Solas warns, assuring Lavellan is steady in his arms before releasing her. He’s careful not to speckle her with paint. Admiration lurks in blue eyes as the elf closes the gap between them and the mural, gazing upon it awe.

“Fen’Harel.” She states plainly, fingers ghosting over monstrous jowls. It's haunting. 

“Yes.” Solas crowds her body with his, enjoying the sharp intake of breath this causes. “The Dread Wolf.”

“I was taught that he was a traitor of my people.” Lavellan is wistful when Solas stiffens suddenly.

“The Dalish are mistaken.” He whispers, giving Ara pause. She knows better than to press the subject of her clan's beliefs. Instead, she tugs at the hand with the brush, looking over one shoulder.

“Teach me.” It’s a plea, anything to persuade him to touch her. Even the most chaste of contact is better than none. Solas remains silent as he gently grabs her wrist. He studies her hand, small and pale. She’s so fragile.

The Dread Wolf could break her.

Instead, he presses the paint brush into her palm. Slender fingers wrap around the wooden handle, gripping firmly.

“Good.” He breathed, leading her wrist to the mural. The tip of the brush collides with the coal bristles of the wolf’s coat. “Loosen your fingers.”

“Like this?” Ara complies, adjusting her grasp.

“Exactly.” He exclaims breathlessly. One hand fell to the curve of a  supple hip, attempting to steady himself. A blatant lie that Solas wills himself to believe. 

“This fresco is beautiful.” Ara whispere, voice echoing in the domed ceiling. She wonders how much the others can hear from above. 

“You find beauty in the treacherous?” There was a sense of relief in his voice, one that made her stomach knot. She thinks of the anchor, of the rifts only she can close, the demons siphoning into the waking world.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” Her heart thuds in its cage as she imagines his hands pawing at bare flesh. Kisses littered down her throat as he buries himself in her womb. 

“Working with the Inquisition or being here with me?” He knows the answer already, but needs her to say it. He needs to feel her want. The Dread Wolf needs it.

“Both.” It’s a whisper as soft as the wind, sending a shiver up his spine as it graces pointed ears. The brush strokes continue, growing more sloppy until he stills her. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Not at all.” A primitive urge surges through him, breeches feeling suddenly snug. Her blonde waves tickle his nose, smelling of wildflowers and pine needles.

This isn’t right.

The wolf inside growls. It hungers to reveal its secrets, to devour Ara whole. 

No!

Would she even accept him, given her complicated Dalish upbringing? Could she ever really care for him? 

The brush clatters on the wooden slats as she twists in his arms. Searching hands press flat against his chest; Solas was solid and muscular in a way that surprised her. Long, calloused fingers thread through short hair as the other tilts her head upwards. Their lips collide passionately, searching for something long forgotten, remembering an ages old dance. Solas had many lovers in his millennia but none quite so eager or persistent. Ara hungered for him, making any excuse to be close to him. It was shocking, considering how many mortals preferred to keep their distance from Fen’Harel. He couldn’t help but think that this one was different, a woman who valued magic and could even appreciate the fade.

Then again…

“ Ar’an te’elan. ” Solas gasps breathlessly, regrettably ending their kiss. Clutching either of rosy cheeks, he presses their brows together.

“ Sathan. ” Begging feels lowly yet Ara aches for him the way she has never ached for another. The gusset of her smalls is damp, core throbbing with need. Icy blue eyes meet a pair of cloudy grey, like a storm stirring above the sea. Unsaid apologies lurk in their shared gaze as she swallows a sob of desperation.

“I’m sorry.” The pad of his thumb wipes away a stray tear when their exchange is rudely interrupted. An intruder clears their throat, drawing both elves to look up on the stone archway. Varric stands with his arms crossed, smirking at the scene he’s stumbled upon. 

“Sorry to barge in.” He chuckles playfully, immune to awkward displays. Solas pinches the bridge of his nose while Ara peels her hands from his chest. “Cassandra has requested you join the planning in the war room, Inquisitor.”

“Thank you, Varric.” She swallows hard before looking at her companion with disappointment. Then the mage climbs down from the mezzanine. Her head hangs low, avoiding eye contact with the rogue. He watches her disappear through the archway before turning back to his friend.

“You are quite the master of excellent timing.” Solas slides down the ladder, trudging to the many scrolls stacked upon the desk. Varric clasps his hands behind his back, strolling in front of where the man sits.

“And you are the master of distracting Ara.” He stands there expectantly, watching as his friend attempts to bury himself in the words scrawled across parchment. “Want to talk about it?”

“No.” Solas answers shortly, looking up with a mixture of pain and annoyance painting his features. “Not right now.”

“Well, I can't leave you this way.” Varric scoffs. “What sort of friend would I be?”

He fishes in his pockets for a moment before procuring a stack of battered cards. The deck is settled messily atop the scrolls under Solas’ nose, impossible to ignore. 

“How about a game of Wicked Grace?”

[astralis-is-typing]

⚝fic type: one shot as part of the weeknd series

⚝genre/contains: nobility!au, duchess!reader x viscount!taehyun, angst, fluff ending, established relationship, allusions to cheating

⚝word count: 3k

⚝warnings: arranged marriage is discussed, character death (not taehyun or reader), depictions of parental neglect.

⚝synopsis: the blazing love that you and taehyun nurtured in the quiet space of your library meets an unexpected dilemma when he finds out you are engaged to someone else. your relationship with him was already the talk of the town considering taehyun's of a much lower social rank than you. he had his insecurities, but never expected such a betrayal. should he have expected it?

You burst into the library, huffing as you moved through the aisles and made a beeline for Taehyun’s work desk. It was turning out to be a hot day, and the afternoon light filtered through the translucent dome ceiling, bathing the large space in an orange-tinted light. Taehyun looked up from the books strewn across his desk as you approached him, big eyes glimmering as they always did when graced by the sight of you. A welcoming smile stretched across his lips as he stood to greet you; no matter how long you two were together, Taehyun secretly doubted he’d ever get over the giddiness of seeing you.

He had grown used to your fuming form over the past few weeks following the demise of your father. It wasn’t sadness; you didn’t mourn your father for very long– the two of you barely had a real connection. This moodiness had to do with the domino effects of his passing.

Neither of your parents had a sliver of parental care in their body, not a single bone if genuine affection for their own children. You and your siblings were little more than property to them– meant to be paraded as trophies when they needed to impress their peers, and then disregarded once more as soon as you got home. Since you were the first born child in your family, your mother had been pressuring you to become more serious about your impending ascension to a duchess. It was something you’d always detest… being the automatic inheritor of a role you did not want, simply because you were born first.

Your escapes to your library had become more frequent; after every meeting with your mother, you’d come seek solace in your favourite place– and in your favourite person. This library, with its high ceiling and large windows, brought so much light into your life– both literally and metaphorically. Its warm stone walls were your security, and the books within strongly reflected your heart’s desires, opinions and way of thinking. You often fought the temptation to simply lock yourself up in here for days on end, with no one but Taehyun and your handmaiden to know where you had escaped to. The urge was especially at the forefront of your mind on days like this, when your mother’s stern insistency got under your skin and you felt that you were a mere string puppet while other people controlled your life.

Taehyun didn’t pry today, but judging by your behaviour he figured your mother was trying to convince you to do something you didn’t want to.

He guided you towards the bay window behind his desk, the soft strands of his hair tickling your temple as he leaned down to plant a lingering kiss on your cheek. The two of you loved sitting there during your down time. When Taehyun wasn’t working, and you weren’t swamped with your tutoring and duties, the two of you spent hours on end seated at that bay window together. It provided such a clear view of your estate– it’s sprawling fields and the trees that lined the eastern perimeter, acting as a wind breaker to shield your abode from the treacherous winds that sometimes swept over your region.

Taehyun regarded you for a moment before speaking, leaning against the curved wall framing the window as he tried to gauge what the crease of your brow indicated. He was always mindful of how he approached these types of discussions, weighing his potential approaches. It never failed to amaze you how thoughtful and perceptive he could be, particularly now when you were being bogged down by so much pressure.

“Penny for your thoughts, my dear?” he finally asked, sitting beside you and directing your attention towards him. The two of you would both sit with your backs pressed to the walls behind you, and have your legs meeting at the centre of the seat, pressed against each other from the knee downwards. This way, you could hide a sketchbook in your lap and draw your lover without him noticing. Unfortunately for you, Taehyun’s eyes were far too attentive to miss that and you were never very subtle to begin with, but it was a fun game all the same.

It took a moment for you to meet his gaze, to be present in this moment with him rather than worrying about your future. Your mother’s latest ‘suggestion’ had been her most outrageous one yet. It was only a matter of time before the whole ordeal blew up in your face if you didn’t find the will to tell Taehyun about it soon.

For now, you groaned and slumped into his side. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

“That’s alright,” he said easily, gently pulling you to him and wrapping a hand around your form. You curled into him, body now on top of his. You sighed in content as he soothingly ran his hand up and down your arm. “What would you rather?”

“This is enough for now,” you assured him, making yourself comfortable.

This is how life always was with Taehyun. The warmth and consideration your lover held for you overwhelmed you at times. It wrapped around you, so that no matter the season, you were constantly blanketed in its radiant grace.

Taehyun was the son of a viscount who your father, the duke, had a great rapport with. Once Taehyun had completed his schooling, your father convinced him to help your family manage your library. Taehyun was neat, precise and simply meticulous in his work. As you spent most of your time in the vast library, and always had since you were a child, you and Taehyun became fast friends. Your friendship bloomed into more after a nearly a year of playing hide and seek with your feelings for each other. And now– another two years later, the two of you had a solid relationship.

The affair was already scandalous; because the title of a viscount was lower in rank than a duke or duchess, marrying Taehyun would diminish your own social standing. You found yourself caring less and less about that fact every day you spent curled up in your library together, hidden from the world and your impending responsibilities as a duchess. When you were with Taehyun, it was simply you and him– nothing else mattered, no one could access either of you in the sanctuary of that library. You’d purposely made sure no one but your handmaiden accessed the library during your hours there with Taehyun. Your estate had a handful of libraries, and your parents had granted you this one for your personal use. It was named after you, and you often fantasized about a time in your life when you’d be able to switch your last name on the large placard for Taehyun’s.

The two of you were silent for a while, simply enjoying how comfortable that action was in itself. You tried focusing on Taehyun’s ever-steady breathing, on the tune he was absent-mindedly strumming onto your arms with his fingers… but as fate would have it, your worries started to crop up in the corners of your mind, disrupting the calm Taehyun had induced on you.

“Read to me, please,” you mumbled, enjoying the sun outside the window behind you that was warming your back. Taehyun’s voice would be a good distraction to the ones in your head (that sounded a lot like your mother). He chuckled at how your cheek was mushed against his chest, and the way you whined in protest when he got up to fulfill your request. Although it took a while for him to learn how to initiate physical contact, Taehyun loved when your body so naturally gravitated towards his. It made him feel needed.

The book he chose was embroidered with reeds harvested from the stream nearby, strands dyed a deep, regal blue. Its edges were bound and plaited so intricately one would not have to read its contents to regard the book as art. Taehyun opened it to where his bookmark lay and began to read.

Taehyun’s soft voice breezed through most of your tension, but you were only half listening– distracted by the anxiousness gnawing at your insides. There was something you needed to tell him, but you kept procrastinating having that conversation.

You were engaged.

When you’d met Taehyun, the process of your engagement was already underway. However– in a rare bout of graciousness– your parents had let you delay its announcement for another year or two. You were still young, and had a few years left before people started to question the lack of a ring on your finger. You didn’t particularly mind your fiancé. He was amiable, which worked for you. And– as your mother kept reminding you– he came from an incredibly wealthy family, which worked for your reputation.

But you did not love him. You’d never been in love, but you had half a mind to know when you weren’t. Your parents tried convincing you that love came with time, but if their relationship was anything to go by… you were better off alone.

Taehyun had been a godsend. At first, his cordialness seemed cold; always polite but never making the first move. You later realized that this was how your lover expressed shyness. Since the both of you opened up about your feelings, Taehyun had been nothing but loving– always greeting you with a new book recommendation you already knew you’d love, and arranging platters of fruit for you by himself when you woke up early to attend to your commitments.

He more or less lived at your house– what with all the work he had– and for that reason, although he’d never formally courted you, most of your employees knew of your relationship. You’d managed to keep it on a need-to-know basis with your parents, who approved of Taehyun, sure, but did not want such a union between you two to ruin their reputation. Gossip would one day be the end of your duchy, you were sure of it.

Ignoring the dilemma didn’t exist– and instead lazing about with your lover like this– was far less intense.

Your thoughts wandered back to the present when Taehyun began to read a familiar poem. Your ears perked up at that, because it was one of your favorites. You noticed he’d altered the words a little to better fit his emotions; Taehyun loved doing that with poems he liked.

“A rendition of a poem by Abel Tesfaye,” he said, plopping the book down softly. He knew that was your favourite poet, and smiled at the slight lift in your mood once he’d finished.

“Thank you,” you giggled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “When did you work on that one?”

“Yesterday,” he shrugged, laughing softly. “While you dozed off.”

“I did not,” you protested, stifling your laughs as you got off him and fixed him with a faux glare.

Taehyun loved poking fun at your inability to stay up late. You’d been with him in the library late last night, having convinced your handmaiden to arrange dinner there for the two of you. As you sat at your bay window you ended up falling asleep to the sound of pen scratching against paper and Taehyun’s soft humming as he wrote away.

“Ah, my mistake. You must have simply been resting your eyes,” he teased.

Once your laughter had subsided, Taehyun shifted his position so that he was sitting upright beside you. “Care to tell me what’s on your mind now, my dear?”

“Oh, you know…” you stalled, tracing the patterns of your dress. “Just thinking about our future.”

“What about it?” he asked. “Has your mother proposed that we wed in a barn?”

“It’s not that…” you giggled nervously. “If we get married-”

“When,” he corrected softly with a chuckle.

“Okay, when,” you conceded, and the dread that filled your eyes somehow went unnoticed by him. “When we get married, we’ll obviously hold the wedding in here.”

“I’d like that as well,” he grinned, eyes big and adoring. “In the place where our love has grown to unimaginable heights.”

“Oh, Tyun...” you said, eyes welling with tears– and not the good kind. It was high time you told him what had been bothering you these past few weeks. “I- Yes I’d love to, but…”

His beaming smile faltered at the ‘but’.

“What’s the matter…? Is it about courtship? I’ll be formally asking your mother for your hand, don’t you worry about that.”

He knew how your parents felt about your relationship with him. They had nothing against Taehyun, but his title was far too low for them to take pride in. It was all about pride with them. Your mother couldn’t outright oppose it, as there was nothing illegal or inherently wrong about the union, but she made… comments.

“No, no,” you said shakily, turning away from him and facing the window to give you courage. He stood up, concern clouding his features as he put a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

“Actually, Taehyun, the thing is…” you started nervously. “I’m engaged.”

His face fell, the colour draining from it almost instantly. He stumbled backwards, disbelief evident on his features.

“Enga- what? But how?” He whispered. His usually strong and steady voice was faint.

You fumbled over your words, not daring to face your lover, who’s chest rose and fell rapidly with the impact of the confession. “My parents- They had this all arranged… I tried delaying it and I still can, b-but yes… my mother’s been processing my engagement.”

“What do you mean you’re engaged?” Taehyun shouted, shaking with the force of it. He rarely shouted and it made you recoil.

“Taehyun, listen I-”

“All this time, you’ve belonged to someone else?” He asked, breathless from the exertion of shouting. This was not the news he was expecting, so close to the day he was planning on formally proposing to you. He’d made so many plans, and his dream of being yours for the rest of his days was crumbling right before his eyes.

“I still have time to change this, don’t you see?” You tried reasoning, turning to face him. “Taehyun, I’ve been under so much pressure trying to fight this alone.”

The auburn-haired boy scoffed and turned away from you. “But why didn’t you say anything? Why play with me like this?”

You reached out for him but he moved away, his eyes a medley of anger and anguish.

“I’m not playing with you, Taehyun. I didn’t mention it because it’s not yet official. I can fix this, marry you instead,” you said, walking up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder.

He shrugged it off, walking to his desk and busying himself with the books laying there to give himself something to do.

“Taehyun, you know I love you,” you said firmly, placing your hand on his back.

“I have no doubt about that, my dear,” he sighed and turned around, finally letting your reasoning seep through his initial shock. It was a silly little thought… to think you would love anyone but him. Yet his doubts still lingered. “It’s just that…”

“What is it?” you asked, frowning. If he believed you and understood then what was the problem?

“Your fiancé, he is of a higher ranking than I, correct?”

“I- well, yes,” you said, taken aback by his question. “But Taehyun, it doesn’t matter. Being a viscountess isn’t half bad, you know. It’ll mean less work. My younger sister can be duchess instead, heaven knows she’d absolutely love that.”

You tried to make a joke of it, as you often did when being weighed down by serious situations. Taehyun found the habit endearing. He turned to face you once more, finding himself laughing as he cupped your face in his hands.

“I suppose I don’t want to lose my spot in your heart,” he said dejectedly. “Simply because of my title…”

“You know I couldn’t care less about those stupid rules,” you added, dismissing his worries with a wave of your hand. “The hard part is over, I hadn’t figured out how I was going to tell you. Now that you know we can work on this together.”

He called you by your full name, a teasing habit he’d adopted during his love confessions that he presented through the poems and songs he wrote. “I’m with you every step of the way.”

Taehyun unexpectedly leaned in then, placing a chaste kiss to your lips. He usually would draw out your anticipation, staring deep into your eyes and letting your breathes mingle before he finally sealed the gap. His lips pressed against yours in a manner that indicated his fear of losing you. Yours, in turn, sealed his with reassurance.

“I won’t let my mother separate us,” you said determinedly once the two of you had broken apart.

“How about…” he said thoughtfully. “My dear, why don’t you take up your rightful place as duchess. That way, you can make that decision and every other one for yourself.”

Taehyun was tired of seeing you being pulled this way and that based on other people’s whims. It was time you took control of your own life… from the hands of people who had no regard for it.

“I’ll be right by your side,” he promised. “Take back your life. You’d be surprised to know how many people would be on your side.”

Having been up and down these halls for a while, Taehyun knew your estate’s gossip better than you ever would; he was a confidant to most, and knew that a lot of people here would be happier if someone like you took over its management.

“You’ve always had the best ideas,” you smiled, reconsidering your view of what your life as a duchess could hold if the tables were turned and you found a way to get out of being your mother’s puppet.

“Did you ever doubt that?” he teased, abruptly hooking his arms under yours and spinning you around. You squealed in laughter and the sound made his heart soar.

For as long as you’d have him, Taehyun vowed to himself that he’d keep you close and out of harm’s way. The two of you could spend forever like this; two sides of one coin… Or better, to sides of the same page in a book that one treasures for years to come.

⚝A/N: This has taken forever to post I know dgchfjdkd😫 Thank you for your patience guys ❣ I worked really hard to put this out and I hope you enjoy it xx lots of love as always! Remember to share your thoughts with me, I'm always super stoked to hear them :)

⚝TAGLIST: @mental-hollows @forever-in-the-sky2 @yaevsi [prev. yizki] @bangchansbae @woncheecks

[thesilliestrovingalive]

Updated: November 21, 2024

Reworked Character #11: Red Eye

POTENTIAL TRIGGER WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised due to references to death, torture, neglect, SA, child abuse, crime, and alcoholism.

Real name: Ruoxi Adrichem (as her real self), Shufen Wei Du (prefers to go by Red Eye), and Lydia Muyskens (prefers to go by Liddy)

Esper title: Avatar of Creeping Shadows, Human Identity, Quietude, and Morality

Alias: Noiseless Spy

Occupation: Major General of the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S.

Retirement plans: 

Has no idea what to do after her military service ends (As Ruoxi)

Become a neuropsychologist (As Shufen)

Foster many birds, buy a superyacht, and become an ornithologist (As Liddy)

Special skills: 

Acrobatics, prestidigitation, managing paperwork, interrogation techniques, and detecting enemy traps (As Ruoxi)

Proficiency in infiltration, escaping captivity, and evading surveillance systems, codebreaking, sabotage, neuropsychology, and astrobiology (As Shufen)

Proficiency in tracking down enemies and bribery, document forgery, safecracking, and ornithology (As Liddy)

Esper abilities: Her palms and the soles of her feet are covered in microscopic, hardened hooks and a thin layer of opaque mucus, granting her the ability to scale both rough and smooth walls and ceilings with ease. When tapping into light speed, she gains hyper maneuverability and agile swiftness, enabling her to effortlessly dodge projectiles and perform complex tasks, actions, and attacks in even the most challenging situations and areas. She has control over shadows, allowing her to blend into darkness and move unseen, hijack a person's shadow to stealthily eliminate them, create shadowy illusions of herself, and generate tendrils to restrain her foes.

When absorbing both weak and strong light sources, she can accelerate her reflexes, enhance her spatial awareness, and propel herself at incredible velocities. This energy infusion also increases her feline flexibility and grants her perfect balance when navigating treacherous terrain and maintaining stability in intense situations. Furthermore, it amplifies her physical power, allowing her to effortlessly tear apart enemies and smash through medium-sized war machines. As her muscles become infused with the energy of various light sources, her endurance and stamina are boosted, making her highly resistant to fatigue.

She can create a dome of silence, capable of accommodating up to 20 people, which muffles external sounds and distractions. She moves with complete silence and can see through any disguise by tasting a person's saliva or blood. By peering into someone's eyes, she can psychically rummage through their brain's hippocampus, amygdala, and limbic system, catching glimpses of their deepest desires and fears.

After physical contact, she can sense fluctuations in a person's moral character, emotional state, and hostility levels, regardless of the distance between them. She possesses the ability to analyse a person's moral compass and true intentions in a matter of nanoseconds by gazing into their soul. By cupping a person's face, she can summon a manifestation of their conscience, forcing them to confront the consequences of their moral choices. She can also manipulate emotions and thoughts to vividly recreate memories from a person's past, bringing their inner demons to life.

She possesses the ability to alter her identity by changing her physical features and shifting into one of the faces gruesome­ly etched onto the muscle fibres of her back and front torso. These imprints represent the souls of the victims she has absorbed, both physically and mentally. Moreover, this power allows her to cheat unnatural death, enabling her body to rapidly regenerate from fatal injuries by transforming into her chosen identity. However, if she extends this identity shift beyond 20 minutes, there's a risk of causing dissociation, which could potentially trap her in an alien identity.

Hobbies: 

Making origami swans, jumping frogs, and lotus flowers, practicing mentalism, scrapbooking, and parkour (As Ruoxi)

Reading books on neuropsychology and Chinese history, visiting local parks at night, completing escape rooms, playing the banhu, and tea-making (As Shufen)

Birdwatching, stealing luxury items, going on expensive cruises with friends, and collecting adult animal onesies and souvenirs from the Netherlands (As Liddy)

Likes: 

Wind chimes, mixing soda drinks, the physical intensity of parkour, and recording dreams in her scrap-booked journal (As Ruoxi)

Deciphering secret messages and codes, watching psychological horror and political thriller movies, the E-Armour that Rumi gave her, riding the decommissioned SV-000, and extraterrestrial life forms (As Shufen)

Books on bird anatomy and psychology, frolicking through tulip fields, peering out of windows, and extravagant things (As Liddy)

Dislikes: 

Engaging in small talk and trivial conversations, her stomach being touched, rape culture, and disorganisation (As Ruoxi)

Being underestimated due to her gender, compensating for underperforming S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. agents, submerged artificial objects, detrimental mistakes, and bright lights (As Shufen)

The idea of getting a debilitating illness, obnoxiously loud sounds, empty threats, and homophobia (As Liddy)

Favourite food: Mooncake and dragonfruit (as Ruoxi), jiaozi and herbal tea (as Shufen), and patatje oorlog (as Liddy)

Sexuality: Questioning (as Ruoxi), demiromantic asexual (as Shufen), and sex-indifferent lesbian (as Liddy)

Gender: Female (as Ruoxi and Liddy) and demigirl (as Shufen)

Age: 35 (in 2022), 41 (in 2028), 43 (in 2030), 45 (in 2032), 47 (in 2034), 54 (in 2041), 56 (in 2043), 57 (in 2044), and 60 (in 2047)

Blood type: B+

Weight: 167 lbs. (75 kg)

Design: She’s a 5’ 5” (165.1 cm) American endomorph of Dutch and Chinese descent with a pear-shaped figure, semi-sloping shoulders, and a left eye that has a dark red sheen. She has a smaller bust, a partially rounded midsection, and some of her weight carried in her upper arms and thighs. She has sand-hued skin, dull silver-grey eyes, straight dark brown copper hair, which is occasionally tied into a messy bun, and black freckles scattered across her face and neck. She has a few subtle signs of aging, including crow's feet around her eyes and nasolabial folds around her mouth.

After undergoing experimentation, she now has olive skin, blue-grey eyes, orangish-brown hair with blunt bangs, and reddish freckles. She bears several scars: whip marks on her back; a long cut mark that curves slightly, running down her upper arm; a small slice mark on the right side of her neck, just above the collarbone; and a jagged scar that extends from the left corner of her lip to the centre of her cheek, revealing a hint of her back teeth.

As Shufen, she’s a Chinese mesomorph with a semi-curvaceous body, a sturdy musculature, a subtle roundness of her midsection, and sloping shoulders. She has warm ivory skin, big umber eyes, and curly jet black hair with choppy bangs, which is usually styled in a low ponytail. She has four reddish-brown moles: one below her left eye; one above the right side of her upper lip; and two clustered near the centre of her collarbone. As Liddy, she’s a Dutch ectomorph with a rectangular build, a lean figure, a flat chest, subtle muscles, broad shoulders, and prominent thighs. She has beige skin, sunburst pink-lavender eyes, and shaggy emerald green hair with long, eye-covering bangs, which is sometimes tied into a braid. Shufen and Liddy share the same height, dark red sheen in their left eye, wrinkles, and scars that Ruoxi has.

Her military gear consists of a metal dog tag necklace with Ruoxi’s name, a jet black tank top, E-Armour, and a tomato red cap featuring an emblem of a windmill behind a roaring white tiger's head with an amber eye. She wears a tomato red Harrington jacket, adorned with the embroidered S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. logo on the back. She dons bittersweet shimmer driving gloves, a leather bandolier slung over her right shoulder, holding 9×19mm Parabellum cartridges for her dual pistols, and black combat boots. A bronze-buckled leather belt secures her knee-length blue-green cargo pants, complete with two triangular hip vents overlaid with a lapis lazuli fishnet panel, revealing a glimpse of her black underwear. Her additional gear consists of a hatchet sheath, a combat knife sheath, and a redwood waist pack, attached to the back of her belt, holding twelve sticks of dynamite. Two drop leg holsters are strapped to her thighs: a left-side holster for her Luger P08 pistol and a right-side holster for her Walther P38 pistol.

She carries around a redwood load-bearing backpack that contains camping equipment, tactical explosives, portable ammo boxes, a canteen full of water, a thermos full of her herbal tea of choice, a red-violet laptop for codebreaking purposes, a disguise kit, a bazooka, a missile pod, a fire gun, and a banhu. The pockets of her vest carry around her walkie-talkie, a pack of mint gum, and an obsidian lighter. They also hold a keychain that Nadia bought for her during a vacation in Guangzhou, depicting an azure dragon reminiscent of the one on the national flag of China during the Qing dynasty. The dragon encircles the traditional Chinese character for “good fortune”, 福 (fú), in gold.

As Liddy, she swaps out a few pieces of clothing, donning a mauve bomber jacket with red fox fur lining and the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. logo on the back, gunmetal grey wristbands, and a steel blue T-shirt. She dons a mauve cap featuring an embroidered design of a male European green woodpecker on the side of a beech tree. Her outfit is completed with a Tyrian purple belt that secures her sky magenta cargo pants, which are tucked into gunmetal grey combat boots. She likes to wear a gold chain necklace with a common kingfisher’s head pendant, a left-handed bracelet with canine teeth-shaped jade beads, and a fuchsia lace choker with pink pearls lining the top edge.

Additionally, she always carries a small, jaggedly carved piece of amethyst, a pair of dark purple binoculars, and an assortment of safecracking tools, including a thermal lance and a relocker. Furthermore, she owns two vapes: one with a baby blue exterior, featuring diagonal soft pink stripes and offering a cotton candy flavour; and a second one with a Kelly green exterior, adorned with two paradise pink circles and teardrop-shaped black accents, providing a watermelon kiwi flavour.

Super Devil form: She's an 18 ft (548.64 cm) arachnid entity with a sylph-like, twisting torso, bittersweet shimmer skin, cow-shaped ears, and sixteen arms that range from malnourished to disturbingly muscular. Her entire head is enveloped by forty emerald green serpents, each with glowing mauve eyes. A pair of 3 ft (91.44 cm) wings with jet-black feathers flank the sides of her head, occasionally spasming and flapping. Beneath the serpents lies a blank face, featuring a large mouth with prominent, crooked teeth suited for an omnivorous diet. Her elongated neck resembles a spinal cord, granting her extreme flexibility. Following experimentation, the base of her neck is now encircled by two sets of twenty arm-length tendrils. These translucent, blue-green appendages can move independently, aiding in her light absorption ability.

Her torso is a grotesque, distended abdomen-like structure, featuring a massive ribcage that opens to reveal an organic mass. The organic mass contains numerous faces, each with soulless black eyes, contorted in agonising fear. At its centre lies the flayed head and torso of her original form with pus-filled eyes and the furless forelegs of a tiger placed between her head. The torso transforms to embody her current personality, while her large mouth-eye, which has a dark red sheen, changes colour to match. The colour shifts between silver-grey, umber, and sunburst pink-lavender.

Her back is covered in a black tortoise shell rimmed with actual amber tulip heads. Eight limbs sprout from the costal scutes, each ending in three-fingered bony hands that constantly twitch and flex. She has reptilian legs equipped with blue-grey claws resembling those of a hawk and lapis lazuli footpads similar to a tiger's. A winding, serpentine tail, twice her height, extends from her body, covered in azure carp scales, similar to those on her muscular legs. Two 10 ft (304.8 cm) wings, one a sky magenta on the left and the other a redwood hue on the right, flank the base of her tail, fluttering occasionally. From the base of her tail, a wild tangle of spiky, silky smooth tomato red hair runs along its length, culminating in a tuft shaped like a raging flame.

Personality: Following a traumatic childhood, Ruoxi developed dissociative identity disorder as a coping mechanism, resulting in the creation of two distinct alter egos. Shufen is the primary and most dominant identity, while Liddy emerges at random intervals as the secondary identity. Due to Shufen’s dominance and Liddy's intermittent control, Ruoxi's core personality is considered largely dormant. Due to this, little is known about Ruoxi's personality since people rarely have the chance to interact with her.

However, she’s a polite, gentle, taciturn person who savours the tranquil moments in life and struggles with extreme trust issues. She becomes increasingly anxious around new people and has a tendency to lash out violently when she perceives someone as a threat. Initially, she treats unfamiliar people with a mix of ruthlessness and aloofness, but as they earn her trust, she gradually reveals a more empathetic and tender side. Ruoxi is a self-doubting individual who views small talk and trivial conversations as a waste of time. She has a strong aversion to disorganisation, which frustrates her and impairs her ability to think and function effectively. In addition to her disdain for predators, she also has a strong dislike for individuals who heavily rely on luck, viewing it as unpredictable and untrustworthy.

She experiences a range of symptoms including depersonalization, derealization, the inability to recall personal information, mild depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and night terrors. She feels powerless over her life, plagued by self-criticism and self-sabotaging tendencies. As a result, Ruoxi frequently withdraws herself from others and turns to alcohol to numb her emotional pain. She has maladaptive daydreaming and struggles with feelings of frustration when others see her as pathetic as she knows she's capable of more than they perceive. Despite her deep longing for love, she paradoxically fears intimacy and avoids close relationships, instead seeking attention and validation through safer, more distant means. She’s oblivious to the fact that Shufen and Liddy are the same person as her and is often perplexed as to why people refer to her as Red Eye.

Shufen is a surprisingly intimidating Buddhist, despite her innocent appearance, which makes approaching her challenging. However, she finds it amusing that both friends and foes who are unfamiliar with her are afraid of her. She often smiles as a way to unsettle her foes, creating a false sense of security, while also appearing friendly and welcoming to potential friends. She's intelligent, wisecracking, and quick-thinking, using her intellect to outmaneuver enemies, multitask with ease, and trade witty banter and humorous jokes. With unshakeable confidence, she’s supremely self-assured in her intellect, bravery, and skills as a covert agent, never once doubting her own capabilities. She possesses a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie towards her comrades and loved ones, and she doesn’t tolerate betrayal lightly, seeking fierce retribution when it occurs.

She's a respectful, compassionate, and watchful listener who only speaks when necessary, unless she's in a talkative mood or directly addressed. She values her friendships and excels at offering emotional support and physical comfort, although she sometimes struggles to provide wise advice and deeply empathetic understanding. She takes sadistic glee in tormenting those who disgust her, and shows no mercy towards enemies and traitors, acting with cold-hearted ruthlessness. Shufen has no qualms about employing any psychological tactic to manipulate others and bend them to her will, even if she intends to discard them once they've outlived their usefulness. Despite this, she’s generally a laid-back person who appreciates the simple things in life, and it takes a lot to test her patience and put her in a bad mood.

She has a strong aversion to superficiality, bigotry, and blind conformity, viewing them as oppressive, ignorant, and fundamentally inhumane. Although she tends to be a lone wolf by nature, she’s surprisingly more receptive to teamwork than Gimlet. She occasionally indulges in playful competitions with those close to her, racing to see who can complete a mission first. Nevertheless, her competitive spirit can quickly turn to frustration and embarrassment when her opponent saves her during a mission. Whenever she's bored, she has a habit of blurting out random trivia, disturbing questions, and off-colour jokes. Shufen frequently displays unimaginable fearsomeness, yet ironically has submechanophobia, specifically in relation to shipwrecks and destroyed submarines. To her, these remnants represent a disruption of the ocean's natural beauty. The thought of countless lives lost, with their watercraft destroyed either by enemies or the ocean's own power, is deeply disturbing, depressing, and anxiety-inducing.

She views Gimlet as a younger brother and strives to prevent him from making irrational decisions, while offering emotional support and physical comfort. Despite lacking parenting skills, she surprisingly excels as a mother figure to Celaphios, fiercely protecting and nurturing him. She's a close friend of Tequila and values their time together, both during missions and off-duty. She sees him as a wise hero and enjoys listening to his stories.

Rumi is another close friend, and she enjoys discussing everything from their daily experiences to their post-mission plans. However, she deeply worries about Rumi's safety, especially when she’s inadvertently sent into battle. She admires Marco's leadership skills, finds his affection for cats endearing, and is inspired by his stoicism. However, she occasionally finds his emotional reserve concerning and is deeply disturbed by his expressions of suicidal ideation. She knows Liddy, but finds her to be annoyingly persistent and self-absorbed with a focus on maintaining a good reputation.

Liddy is a self-described germaphobe and hypochondriac who has a compulsive habit of washing and sanitising her hands frequently, especially after coming into contact with people and surfaces that may be contaminated with germs. She's a hedonist who admires the luxuries of life and indulges in things she deems extravagant and worthy of her time, but only reveals this side of herself when she's not on the battlefield. She's incredibly skilled at getting what she wants through strategic persuasion, using bribery and subtle manipulation to exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of those around her. She’s proudly lesbian and unapologetically open about her identity, but she has zero tolerance for homophobia and isn't afraid to speak out against it.

She possesses a high self-regard that she doesn't outwardly show, but her bold and assertive nature can sometimes come across as overconfident. She’s sensitive to belittling comments from others, which make her feel insignificant. She’s concerned about maintaining a good reputation among her comrades and friends, fearing that she’ll be viewed unfavourably and potentially abandoned. She tends to act impulsively in high-stakes situations and can be impatient when things move too slowly. Nevertheless, Liddy is a kind and compassionate person who delights in socialising and seeking thrilling experiences. She has a childish and affectionate side, but can quickly shift into serious and ruthless mode when the situation demands it.

She's incredibly stubborn, refusing to concede even when retreat would be the wiser option, driven by a hatred of admitting defeat. She despises boasting, hypocrisy, and empty threats, seeing them as signs of weakness. She enthusiastically shares bird facts, lighthearted jokes, and tales from her adventures. Liddy dislikes being confused with Shufen, preferring to stand on her own merits rather than being compared to a skilled tactical spy based on appearance and behaviour. She finds it amusing that Celaphios confuses her with his mother figure, Shufen, but she embraces it because she finds the young Invader Drone to be adorable and innocent.

She shares a fun-loving connection with Nadia, enjoying missions, shopping sprees, and playful antics together, appreciating her silliness and surprising intellect. She views Fio as a scaredy-cat and frequently teases her, often pranking her with insects and creepy crawlies, much to Fio's dismay. This often results in Eri giving her an earful, Marco intimidating her or Tarma politely but firmly telling her off. Despite Gimlet's excessive self-assurance, she enjoys sharing playful moments with him and genuinely appreciates his compassionate and tender side.

Backstory: Ruoxi Adrichem was born on September 18, 1987 in Beira, Mozambique. She grew up in a tough neighborhood where physical assault, rape, break-ins, robbery, poverty, unemployment, and gang activity were commonplace. Her parents are immigrants from the United States who moved to Mozambique for unknown reasons. father, a Dutch-American, was a member of a local street gang, and her mother, a Chinese-American, financially supported his associates. Ruoxi was frequently molested and guilt-tripped by her father, while her mother physically abused her for any sign of defiance or attempts to escape. She was neglected and emotionally abused, leading to a disorganised attachment to her parents. When occasionally allowed outside, she was restricted to the local park, where other children tormented her for being vulnerable and isolated.

After a drunk stranger assaulted her near the park at just 5 years of age, Ruoxi turned to her imagination as a desperate escape from the unrelenting trauma, finding refuge in fantasy and creativity. This event would also awaken her dormant esper abilities, to which she slowly adjusted and practiced in secret, hiding her progress from her parents. She spent most of her days indoors, where she pursued her hobbies, crafting origami animals and flowers, creating personalised scrapbooks, and honing her skills in magic tricks. Origami, scrapbooking, magic tricks, and daydreaming became her forms of escapism, offering a way to find happiness and momentarily block out the trauma that had become her reality.

After turning 6, she experienced a revelation dream that revealed her esper title, sparking a newfound sense of self-assurance and a desire to enact revenge on her parents. A few months later, once she was confident enough to use her abilities, she forced her parents to confront a manifestation of their conscience before brutally murdering them via shadow manipulation. Following her actions, she grappled with intense feelings of remorse and self-reproach, leading her to hesitate using her abilities against others unless absolutely necessary.

She had finally found freedom, but it was short-lived. Her father's gang soon got involved and kidnapped her. Despite their actions, they refrained from harming her, fearing her esper abilities and status. This fear stemmed from a previous incident where she had forced one member to confront their inner demons and shattered another member's sense of self. They decided to put her up for sale on the black market, desperate to pay off their debts to drug suppliers and weapon traffickers. Ruoxi’s fate was to be sold into human trafficking, transported to a notorious red-light district in Hong Kong. She was exploited by those who would take advantage of her, and her pimp would exert power over her through coercive and abusive means on a regular basis. She would spiral into alcoholism and escape into daydreams as reality became overwhelming.

To cope with the trauma, she dissociated and developed two distinct alter egos. Shufen Wei Du embodied her confident and assertive side, allowing her to confront those who had hurt her and others, while also embracing a more carefree and open approach to life, leveraging her street smarts and academic intellect. In contrast, Lydia Muyskens, also known as Liddy, represented a childlike innocence lost too soon, but now tinged with a deep-seated fear of contamination, manifesting as germophobia and compulsive hand-washing.

When experiencing a dissociative episode as Shufen, she utilised stealth and extreme measures to break free from her captors. For the next couple of years, she survived on the streets, relying on her cunning wit, stealth skills, and intimidating presence to get what she needed and command fear from others. During this time, Ruoxi’s core personality became largely dormant, while Shufen emerged as the dominant alter ego with Liddy occasionally surfacing to assert her intermittent control.

As Shufen's influence expanded, she embraced Buddhist teachings, cultivated an appreciation for life's simple joys, and explored new intellectual pursuits in neuropsychology and cryptography. Shufen would teach herself to speak Afrikaans, Portuguese, Swahili, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and Dutch. In contrast, Liddy revelled in a life of hedonism, stealing luxury goods, cultivating a thrill-seeking attitude, and prowling through high-end shops that caught her eye. Liddy would also develop a deep fascination with birds and begin exploring her sexual identity.

People fearfully referred to her as "Red Eye”, a nickname that Shufen herself adopted because of its ominous tone, which she liked. The Regular Army had heard rumours of a young esper roaming Hong Kong and were determined to find her. After saving a group of urban troops battling a terrorist group in her Super Devil form, the Regular Army discovered her identity as the elusive Hong Kong esper. Recognizing her potential, they welcomed her into their orphan program at the age of 12. They provided her with comprehensive support, including therapy, nutrition, clothing, and secure accommodations in Mauritius, while fostering personal growth by encouraging each personality to explore diverse interests, such as parkour and ornithology. The Regular Army aided in fostering new skills in each identity, such as interrogation techniques for Ruoxi and safecracking for Liddy, as they aimed to mould her into a formidable tactical spy.

By age 19, she was accepted into the Intelligence Agency, where her covert agent skills flourished, distinguishing her from her peers and culminating in her promotion to warrant officer. She has successfully completed numerous missions, earning a reputation that inspires awe and strikes fear into the hearts of her comrades and adversaries.

She had heard numerous stories about Tequila and aspired to emulate his excellence as a covert agent. At 21, she crossed paths with him while supporting his mission against a corrupt French regime that sought to commit genocide against people of colour. Following a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro, where she taught him to play the banhu, they formed a strong bond. However, Tequila found it challenging to connect with Ruoxi due to her anxiety around unfamiliar individuals. Initially, he was hesitant to befriend Liddy, perceiving her as immature and materialistic. Nevertheless, after a birdwatching excursion in Sri Lanka, he warmed up to her and they became friends. Following the dismantling of a rogue military organisation that had collaborated with the Pipovulaj Army for nefarious purposes, the Intelligence Agency established the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. unit, appointing her and Tequila as its founding members.

Sometime after Tequila befriended Donald Morden, Red Eye met Morden when he visited the Intelligence Division to personally meet her, whom Tequila had fondly told him about. At the time, they were decent friends, and she accompanied him on a couple of missions, impressed by his charisma and firm respect towards his soldiers.

Three years prior to the Arms Deal Barrage, Red Eye encountered Rumi stranded on the battlefield in Arizona, carrying a bag full of supplies for her team. She rescued Rumi from a sinking submarine, but at the cost of watching the others drown and burn to death, which would later develop into submechanophobia. Out of gratitude, Rumi repaid Red Eye by gifting her the E-Armour, a newly produced bulletproof vest designed to withstand the kinetic energy of tank blasts. Over a cup of herbal tea at a cafe in Gerhardt City, Red Eye and Rumi bonded and became surprisingly good friends.

Red Eye would occasionally observe Gimlet from afar, and Tequila would often fill her in on his latest antics. Due to her demanding schedule of covert operations, she hadn't had the chance to meet Gimlet until just a year before the Arms Deal Barrage. When they finally met, they spent hours discussing their lives, sharing stories of past missions, and enjoying laughs together over drinks. This encounter sparked a strong bond, and Red Eye came to regard Gimlet as a younger brother. Ruoxi typically kept her distance from Gimlet due to the bad vibes she sensed from him, yet still showed him measured respect, hoping to avoid provoking any hostility from him. In contrast, Liddy would often coax him into joining her on thrill-seeking adventures, and they would get into mischief together.

During the Arms Deal Barrage, she had the opportunity to test the SV-000. Although it was soon decommissioned and replaced by the upgraded SV-001 following the incident, she was captivated by its performance. Her enthusiasm impressed the Regular Army high command, who granted her permission to acquire a personal SV-000. Red Eye uncovered the Martian alliance with the Serapion Fellowship after secretly witnessing a meeting between their leaders to develop cutting-edge military technology. She faced off against Gimlet in a high-stakes search for classified information within the Serapion Fellowship's distribution centre. Although she succeeded in retrieving the information, Gimlet, Hyakutaro, and Allen O’Neil subsequently blew up the facility using well-placed explosives. She still hasn't shaken off the frustration of Gimlet saving her life right before the fortress went up in flames.

She met Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio a couple of years after the Arms Deal Barrage and befriended them, drawn to their intriguing dynamic as a team of eccentric soldiers. Red Eye became Marco's second best friend after he stepped out of his comfort zone to connect with others in the Regular Army, bonding with her over shared laughs, despite his signature awkwardness. Liddy discovered Fio's limitations as a fighter and her intense fear of bugs, often teasing her until Eri intervened with verbal aggression. Initially, Ruoxi took time to warm up to the group, but Tarma's calm demeanour, Marco's gentle nature, Eri's empathy, and Fio's kind-hearted politeness helped her open up faster than usual.

Two years after the Central Park bombing, Red Eye began dating Colonel Tender, having developed a strong emotional connection with him after he helped her in a previous mission. They had rescued hostages from an unethical laboratory involved in illegal weaponry and human experiments. Initially, they were on good terms, but their relationship took a dark turn. While Ruoxi was practicing her mentalism, Colonel Tender revealed his true nature and attempted to murder her out of jealousy, driven by his longstanding desire to surpass her exceptional covert skills and eliminate the obstacle standing in the way of his own success. This traumatic event triggered her dissociation, and she switched to Red Eye. Red Eye was appalled by his actions and fought back against him, successfully defending herself. However, he fled the next day, stealing sensitive Regular Army documents on special operations and weapons, and defected to the Rebel Army.

During the Great Morden War, Red Eye captured Colonel Tender on a moving freight train after he attempted to push her off and escape. Cornered, he begged for forgiveness, kneeling before her and apologising for his betrayal of the Regular Army and the pain he caused her. However, Red Eye, unforgiving, snapped his neck and then shot him in the heart to ensure his demise. Later, when captured by Rebel Army forces and subjected to brutal torture, General Morden promised her that she would serve a greater purpose in an enhanced form, just like Tequila and Gimlet. Following her execution in front of Marco and Tarma, her body was sent to Doctor Amadeus, who revived her as a semi-clone of Fio. Already an esper, she underwent further enhancement by Doctor Amadeus, who implanted her the ability to absorb both weak and strong light sources.

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New game! "Lies Under Ice" by Joey Jones is now available on Steam, iOS and Android. It's 33% off until Dec 14. Please reshare this with friends!

Lead the first settlement on Jupiter's frozen moon, Europa! What alien life lurks beneath the ice? Who is sabotaging your mission? Who can you trust?

“Lies Under Ice” is a 200,000-word interactive science fiction novel by Joey Jones, where your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

The year is 2079. Your mission is to build a settlement, explore Europa's treacherous oceans, terraform the moon, and send findings back to Earth.

But political factions within your colony vie for dominance, constantly on the brink of open conflict. While they are technically collaborating on this mission, each one has their own goals for Europa. Will this colony be a site for new trade? A home for Earth's ever-growing population? A clean slate where humans can break free of older social models? How far will each side go to get what they want?

With the most advanced science at your disposal—massive terraforming systems, gene splicing, AI therapy-bots, nerve-connected bionic prosthetics, and more—you can venture from the safety of your spaceship out into the hostile frozen world. Descend beneath the ice of Europa, pilot a submarine through frigid waters that no human has ever seen, and uncover ancient secrets of an alien world.

There's definitely alien life here. But does it pose a danger to you and your fellow settlers, or is it the greatest opportunity that humanity has ever known?

Play as male, female, or nonbinary; gay, straight, bi, or aromantic; poly or monogamous.

Choose among six distinct professional backgrounds: diplomat, aerospace engineer, arcologist, asteroid miner, pilot, or marine biologist.

Manage the complex needs of an extraterrestrial base: prioritize the comfort of the workers, maximize scientific output, build luxury domes, dig mazes of ice tunnels, or engage in terraforming.

Navigate the treacherous politics of Earth’s squabbling factions from millions of miles away!

Interact with Europa's alien ecosystem: will you release fish as a sustainable food source, bring along cats for companionship, or rely on synthetic creatures to avoid introducing invasive species?

Run for office in Europa's fledgling government!

Delve beneath the ice, and reach for the stars!

[street-light-poetry]

new poem published on patreon—transcript below

The air bites; long-lost lover, She whose hair has been a slow fire, bubbling alongside the red palms (where the skin is stamped, ageworn like a tree, and tickles (central) or oozes (peripheral)...). Night crosses me, and the stairs were endless that led to the cathedral, its garish dome, and the stillness—

What few lights remain to us, the city cloaks in her indifference: three cement bridges to cross, treacherous, and no guide for my ordeal.

You know it is raining because the dark puddle that engulfed the opposite sidewalk, by the brand-new building, is speckled with tiny needle pricks, and ripples its blanched face away. But you cannot see the rain. Perhaps, then, it is boiling; perhaps hell is overflowing beneath, perhaps circles obey their supple law, perhaps colors meet and focus into truth, if only for an instant; perhaps tomorrow the new tenants whose windows reveal a world of starkness will step into the cooking tar cauldron, and shiver, and look into my bedroom; perhaps then the golden eye will be known, and I will close.

Increasingly so: pressure builds as well as stone. Control casts certainty over all.

The city sighs; the city remains.

[ghostinthegallery]

Hello Ghost! How about 'Stay with me' 'I forgive you' and 'please hold me' for Orizyn?? Just...please don't permakill any of them? Please 🙏 if you see this

Final prompt request for berill66 (from this lovely list)! “I forgive you” Trazyn/Orikan let’s goooooooo

“I am trying to concentrate.”

Orikan clearly meant that he wished for Trazyn to remove his hand from the astromancer’s shoulder plate. He even punctuated the comment with a pointed glare from his emerald monocular. Trazyn ignored him, instead running his fingers lightly over the living metal which tingled with energy at his caress.

“Don't let me distract you, diviner.” Trazyn stared at the array of glyphs and cryptek’s symbols floating in the air around them. “Besides, you're the one who invited me to witness this.”

“I did not invite you.” Orikan adjusted his position as he floated, legs crossed in midair. “I simply neglected to shoot you out of the atmosphere when you arrived.”

“That's the same thing, coming from you.”

Above them, the domed ceiling of Orikan's tower opened like a massive eye. It revealed a rare clear night on Mandragora, diamond-like stars glittering on a velvet canvas. Trazyn felt a stab of melancholy as he searched for familiar constellations that no longer existed. 

“How do you do it?” Trazyn asked. “Rely on the stars when they are treacherous and ever changing?” 

“Not all of us need to keep things locked away in stasis to make use of them,” Orikan replied, hands twisting in bizarre shapes. “We don’t need the crutch.”

“But some things in the universe really must be contained.” Trazyn stepped away from the astromancer. The increase in energy around Orikan’s necrodermis started to spark across his own and it was growing uncomfortable. “I forgive you, by the way. For releasing all those tyranids on Solemnace. You are lucky Sannet made a full recovery, otherwise I would have held that grudge far longer.”

Orikan scoffed. “I never asked you for your forgiveness.”

“You did not, but I am magnanimous enough to grant it anyway.”

Irritation flashed across Orikan’s nodes, enhanced by the astral energies gathering around the orbs that ran down his back. He was an open book right now. Trazyn wondered if he realized. Either way, it was a golden opportunity.

“Do you accept my offer of peace?” Trazyn asked, unable to resist needling his rival.

“Why should I?” Orikan said. “Unleashing a tyranid on an unsuspecting victim is your trick. I simply responded in kind.”

Trazyn sighed. “Are you still upset about the genestealer patriarch? I told you, it was all in good fun.”

“It tried to kill me!”

Orikan shuddered as he yelled, his position in the air unsteady. He hissed in frustration, righted himself, and adjusted the position of his fingers.

“Now you are distracting me,” he said, annoyance shifting into anger.

“My most sincere apologies,” Trazyn said. “Perhaps I should ask you to forgive me for that as well as the patriarch.”

“Why should I forgive you for anything?” Orikan uttered the word forgive like a curse. He seemed to despise it nearly as much as he despised orkish.

“To forgive is divine,” Trazyn said. “You seek the power of a god. Shouldn’t you learn a bit more about the obligations that come with that? Supplicants will surely come seeking your forgiveness for their sins.”

“And what business is that of mine?” Orikan started to glow as he spoke. A subtle shine overtaking his form which would soon grow like an ember blossoming into a bonfire.

“I have thought about that,” Trazyn said, more than happy to shift the discussion to theological analysis. “Yes, most religions hold some tennant that to sin is to sin against god specifically, regardless of the fact that no god of which I am aware can truly be hurt by the petty foibles of their followers. However, I think it has more to do with power. To forgive is not an easy thing, Orikan. A fact I surely do not have to explain to you. But a god has the power to grant pardons in a way mortals often do not.”

Orikan did not seem to be listening. Trazyn forgave him for that too. After all, an overlord may not be a god, but Trazyn held power and power protected him from the consequences of forgiveness. The vulnerability and weakness that came with it. He would never be the humble seer, powerless to prevent the disaster he knew was coming. If he had, well, he doubted he would be as generous. 

The change happened more quickly than Trazyn had expected. In one moment he was staring at Orikan, a shell of turquoise and gold and silver much like Trazyn himself. Then the shell broke like a chrysalis, and something else emerged. Light and energy roughly in the form of his rival, but so fundamentally different Trazyn was unsure if he could still call this thing Orikan.

The being turned on him. Rushed forward in a torrent of crackling power that enveloped Trazyn and held him in place. Fear and fascination warred in his flux. Despite the circumspection protocols preparing him for a fight, he kept still, staring into the single eye that had taken on the appearance of a sun. It thrilled him, knowing that this infant star god could destroy him, that it had every reason to do so. And yet Trazyn had faith that it would not.

When it spoke, it spoke in Orikan’s voice.

“Gods do forgive,” it whispered, and the whisper shook Trazyn’s neural matrices like the shifting of tectonic plates. “And I forgive you. For being antithetical to everything I have believed about the world. Vain, brilliant, and stubborn bastard. You are everything I could ever want in the universe, held within everything I have ever hated. And yet for now I forgive you.”

For now. It would not last. It never could. But Trazyn basked in the moment of absolution all the same. He reached up and touched Orikan’s crest, traced what he was surprised to find was still a solid line. How strange, he reflected, for a member of a race that had destroyed their gods to seek the ecstasy that came from the divine’s embrace. He had no soul to cleanse, but even this temporary indulgence felt like a weight lifting from his core.

Though perhaps that had more to do with his choice of god than anything else.

“I accept wholeheartedly,” Trazyn said. “Now, oh diviner, what other rewards do you have for your humble supplicant?”

“Hm, always greedy, aren’t you?”

Orikan drew him into the air, a gentle embrace which nonetheless scorched Trazyn’s necrodermis black. Pain that was well worth the benefits that came after. He clung to the astromancer with religious fervor, and Orikan responded in kind, sending tendrils of raw energy around his limbs and neck, gentle and teasing. Brushing his neural nodes and eliciting light moans of pleasure. 

“I confess to my faults,” Trazyn managed, though it was difficult to focus on speaking. Orikan, or whatever this thing might be, shimmered with satisfaction. 

“Then come and receive your absolution.”

[theblackestnight-ffxiv]

[ffxivwrite2024] prompt 13: butte

The wind was stronger up here, gritty with dust and carrying the last of the day’s heat. Long shadows stretched to the east; this and the other prominent peaks were among the last parts of Shaaloani to be visited by the sun.

“This” was Mount Loazensensaya, the highest point in the dusty bowl that made up much of Shaaloani. It was a flat-topped, steep-sided formation, perfect as a perch from which to get a better view of the surroundings. Or to just get away to take a break.

D’zinhla felt her breathing ease from the aftermath of the exertions needed to climb. She stood in the wind, remembering the story that this place was where the ancestral Tonawawta came to commune with the wind and land, and thus why she had asked if it was alright to do so before making the climb. 

The sun’s last light left her high vantage, the rocks fading from illuminated orange to more sober tones as twilight swallowed the land. She’d been warned that climbing at night was treacherous, between the steep drop, and the emergence of venomous creatures that avoided the heat of the day. Having spied what the locals referred to as a “small” scorpion, as big as her hand, D’zinhla was not eager to have any encounters. 

She’d needed to get away, though. The preparations on the train were proceeding at a solid pace, and at this time, nothing had especially needed her. If left to her own devices she would have just gotten into the way, so she had told her companions she was stepping away for a bit, and would be reachable via linkpearl.

They likely thought she was fishing. True enough, she had attempted to cast her line at Lake Toari, and found it a pleasant fishing hole, but no, she was not taking up with one of her favored pastimes now. She was surveying the dome.

It was even more visible by dusk. Not that a dome of thickened lightning aether was hard to find even in the height of the day, but the darkened skies made the thing far more visible. It had a purple glow to it, and lightning crawled across it at an unhurried pace that made her shiver. Almost as if it were unafraid of any opposition, finding no need to move with the quickness that its element was known for. 

“Probably a trick of the light, and distance,” Airraim murmured softly beside her.

D’zinhla flicked her tail in acknowledgement. Airraim did that, answering her thoughts out loud. Potentially confusing amongst company, but between the two of them, utterly natural. “You’re probably right,” she said. “I still find it unsettling.”

“Oh, I entirely agree,” her shadow responded. “Deeply unnerving, sitting there like some fat spider. I worry what web we’ll be entering when we break in. But there’s no other option, is there?” and she tilted her head, looking at her.

D’zinhla sighed, closing her eyes. “We could always walk away, yes,” she said softly. “Let it be someone else’s problem.” She sensed rather than saw the flicker of satisfaction that she’d admitted it aloud. “But I’m still doing this. Because who knows what else is in there, if they can attack us with such power? Who’s to say this isn’t the first of these domes, and more can’t open elsewhere, closer to home?”

“And you, the hero to answer the call.” Airraim didn’t sound bitter, just matter-of-fact, with a hint of sadness. “Well. So it is. And so you are here, but I am, too.” She took D’zinhla’s hand, fingers twining.

She smiled softly as their fingers threaded together to fit just right, and gently squeezed in response. 

They watched the lightning crackle across the dome.

[rawcalamity]

A fractured and frigid dome threatens to conceal the gelid seas, drifting aimlessly for centuries on end. Fauna explore the treacherous waters, hankering down on adrift sea ice to hunt, rest, and congregate. Bizarre marine mammals dwell within arctic-113, one such species being the paddlefin myrith; a divergent cousin to myrithids. Separating paddlefin myrith from true myrithidae is the possession of forelimbs—of which they carry four pectoral flippers. Myrith commonly adapt a 'sit and wait' hunting strategy, utilizing a biofluorescent film on their bills to lure prey. Askew from this tradition, paddlefin myrith prefer to dive and seek larger prey. Their pear-shaped body is adorned with a coat of sleek hydrodynamic pelage that reduces drag while swimming. With their robust flippers, paddlefin myrith are able to steer and propel their bodies underwater. Paddlefin myrith are equipped with a pair of large circular eyes that grant enhanced vision underwater, enabling them to detect prey under low light. Paddlefin myrith are armed with sharp bills to spear prey; puncturing scales like tissue paper while hauling prey onto land with their powerful cervical muscles.

Male paddlefin myrith cultivate a more slim and narrow physique, unlike their female counterpart—who instead boast a stout body-plan, stockpiling excess weight to promote a sedentary lifestyle. Paddlefin myrith form monogamous pairs for life. Mothers devote her time to her calves; nurturing them and defending territory while the father hunts to provide food. A mother will harbor 3 - 4 calves within her hump, keeping them warm in her dense insulating pelage. It isn’t common for mothers to encounter an abandoned calf, but in such instances mothers have been observed adopting these calves without question. Due to their territorial nature, a mother will not hesitate to attack any animal that dares to tread closely to her territory. Female paddlefin myrith develop large spots on their pectoral flippers, which they will flash to intimidate predators.

[djarrex]

The Gray

Captain Rex x f!reader

masterlist | read on ao3

He’s had enough of black and white, so Rex leans into the gray.

18+ only | about 3.3k words | smut. umbara mention. rex is discovering how to cope with everything. kind of angsty. this was sort of inspired by the song The Grey by Thrice. might throw out a part two someday / eventually.

There's the black, and there’s the white. But Rex has found another way – hands unintentionally grasping at something unprecedented. On the outside, and to all of his men, Rex isn’t known to or expected to stray from regulation, but something about the way you make him feel has him walking a dangerous line – dipping a toe into the gray. 

On one end of the spectrum is his duty – the black – the reason why breath fills his lungs in the first place.

It's the undeniable truth that Captain Rex is one of a thousand upon thousands of others who were created for the sole purpose of soldier – men with genetic enhancements that make them qualified for such, long before their accelerated development. He can still remember the very first time he saw battle, which was also the first time he saw terrain that was the complete opposite from the planet–the home–where he’d been trained for a decade. 

Sand – it was everywhere. In his boots, in the barrel of his blaster, in his lungs. The sunlight was harsh and hot, and the air was dry. It felt as if he’d entered another dimension, one alternate from the torrential, overcast, ocean world he’d come to call home, a place where he’d drank in a quenching air that had cooled his internal temperature with every breath. The sound of rain constantly crashing against the domes had grown on the up-and-coming captain, filling him with a sense of peace at the end of a long day training for the leadership role he’d inevitably play.

That sense of peace, the only one he’d truly ever known, hadn’t been present when he felt he needed it the most. That complete change of terrain, paired with the first tangible experience of firing at real hostiles, had been the very first eye-opener for the budding commanding officer. 

Ever since that first battle, Rex has looked straight into the eyes of death more times than he can count. Blood and shouts and those final glances directed his way from beneath the buckets – the way his men look to their captain before meeting their fate – have been long ingrained in his bones. It’s something that can never be erased. 

But the pain sure as hell subsides when he’s with you.

That’s the other end of the spectrum – the white – a glimmer of light that guides him through the dark.

You take his pain – his deeply buried fears, regrets, and treacherous ideas – and absorb it all so that Rex may feel a semblance of peace. Even if only for a short while, and even if it causes his eyes to open in the direction of something bigger than what he’s been told he’s fighting for.

Those treacherous ideas of his – they include life. The real thing, not in the way his heart began to beat because some government body had or hadn’t given the order to make it so. With you, Rex feels alive. He feels and even sees a life outside of everything. He could meet a fate worse than death should anyone become privy to his thoughts – his feelings for you and what they’re making him think – but he accepts the risk. 

Nobody can know. Nobody can know just how good the two of you are together. Nobody can know how well you take him, how sweetly he speaks to you when in the safety of your arms, how your body accepts him like it was made for him. Rex may have been the one constructed in a laboratory, but he feels as though he’s met the one person who was created just for him. 

You’re his escape. You’re the reason why Rex is able to stay so strong. When on the front lines–the absolute epitome of the front lines, with the Jedi general he serves under–he’s invincible. Even though you’re not physically there with him in battle, you’re an added layer of armor, stronger than the plastoid he dons. You’re there with him in the trenches – by his side when holding a fading brother’s hand as they take their last breath. That dying soldier could be Rex, but he makes it out every time because of you. He makes it out because he has to – to get back to you – to see and feel you again. 

He could perish out there and no longer feel guilt for the tremendous loss – or how he’s in love with a civilian, someone he’d abandon duty for if at all feasible. His life could end with one blaster shot fired at him just the right way, that way he’d never have to come to you for consolation again, but it doesn’t. Rex continues on – lives with the pain that only you can soothe.

It’s not so simple anymore. Not only has Rex seen glimpses at what life could look like outside a warzone, he’s felt too much loss to want to come to the widely accepted justification of the war’s endgame. 

What’s the purpose of all this?

Rex never used to feel so torn over his purpose. Maybe something’s wrong with him, he thinks. Maybe he is defective – a malfunction in his design that causes the trooper to dream of you and to miss you, and to think about things other than war. 

One day, this war is going to end. But what will happen to us then? We’re soldiers.

From the outside, Rex is either loyal or a traitor – though Rex doesn’t truly believe those are the only two routes. Not anymore.

There’s more to life than this.

He’s had enough of black and white, so Rex leans into the gray. 

-

He comes to you every time, without fail. 

For a man burdened with the weight of massive allegiance and responsibility to his duty, Captain Rex always makes it back to you. It could be days, weeks, months – time doesn't matter. He’ll always message you from his private frequency, one he has encrypted and hidden behind multiple passkeys, to let you know when he’s back on-world.

Most of the time, he comes to you after finishing up hours and hours of reports and debriefings. He’ll come to you an exhausted, worn down soldier with armor muddied up or scuffed with plasma markings from baster fire that had just skimmed by him. Underneath it all, when the walls come down and his armor with it, Rex is vulnerable – tired. He’s tired of all the fighting, the loss, the guilt. In moments like those, he seeks only one thing:

You.

Sometimes he wants to talk. Other times, he wants to hold you, and to be held, wordless, laying there with all lights extinguished. And then there are times when Rex wants nothing more than to get lost in the way you feel – in the pleasure he can give you – the sounds and sensations you grace him with. 

When he’s feeling the latter, it can be slow and passionate.

Rex will unclasp and remove all his armor, stacking it neatly in a corner you had designated for it all long ago. You’ll remove your clothing while he does that, and then gently remove the underclothes from his battle-hardened body. He’ll lean in to kiss you, deeply, and grab his favorite parts of you tenderly. Sometimes, the two of you make it into the shower, Rex letting you wash him, running your hands down his body, paying extra attention to his cock. You’ll get on your knees for him, taking care of the man you love with each inch passing between your lips.

He’ll cum down your throat – 

"Gods, you're so beautiful like this, on your knees for me, taking care of me. 'M gonna cum, baby – and you're gonna swallow it all, yeah? That's my good, sweet girl."

– Or will stave it off so he can take you right there in the steamy stall of the refresher, your back against the moistened wall with your leg hitched up against his hip, your foreheads mashed together as Rex thrusts into you slowly. 

"I wanna feel you cum, sweet girl. Please."

Two fingers strum your clit and his name is breathed from your lungs on repeat until you’re cumming around him, granting him his own release once he feels the way you tighten and writhe with your climax.

It'll be silent after that – wordless under the soft spray of water cascading over the two of you.

Rex will follow you into your bed, hands clinging to you in the dark room until you're both collapsing into the sheets, and you'll fall asleep like that, tangled in his warmth with Rex's head on your chest.

"Am I hurting you?" 

He'll always ask you that question, softly with concern. His head is heavy, but you always adjust to where it's comfortably situated just above your breasts. Rex could never hurt you, your answer the same no matter how many times he asks.

"Not at all."

Followed by a gentle reassurance for Rex to rest – his body and mind.

"Get some sleep, love."

It depends on just how heavy the burden is weighing on him, but it can also be frenzied and desperate when he comes to you.

Rex can be intense – a tidal wave of fervor. He can be so incredibly hungry for you that his armor doesn't even make it off his body, save for the one piece that hinders his cock from the haven of your cunt. He’ll back you up against the wall by the door that he'd only entered through minutes prior, his lips finding yours in a crazed dance. While he’s ensuring nothing is in the way of him entering you, you’re doing the very same, making quick work of removing everything from your body, allowing Rex access to anything he could want.

"That's my good girl – all ready for me. You're probably soaked too, hm? All ready to take me."

After using the wetness of your cunt to slick himself up, he'll enter you in one motion then fuck you hard, right there against the wall, the armor that stayed on smacking against your bare skin almost painfully. It’s the sting that spurs you on – makes you arch further into him. Rex’s hands never fail to find your breasts, pinching and tugging at your pebbled nipples as his body moves quicker and more determined than any ordinary man would have the energy for.

"Fuck – you take me so well – take my cock like a good girl. That's it, mesh'la. Say my name, tell me who's fucking you this good, and I'll keep giving you what you want."

When Rex speaks utter filth to you, grunting and huffing out curses with abandon, you take it and run with it. 

"Yes, baby. Just like that – ruin my pussy, Rex. It's yours, all yours, use me however you want – I'll take whatever you give me, baby."

Rex loses it when you talk back – breathes out a ragged groan as his thighs shake, his hands gripping your flesh like a lifeline when he cums deep inside you.

The armor will come off – but not until after he gets on his knees for you, his tongue dipping into the intoxicating tang of your cunt. He'll get you to cum for him again, because fuck, he needs it. He needs to taste you, to feel you, to consume you. You'll ride his face and fingers right there against the wall until he can no longer breathe.

"Rex, baby… it's too much. I– I need a break, love."

Those are the only words that can stop him, because Rex could eat your pussy for hours without a break for himself – tongue and lips having long gone numb. 

It's easy for him to lose track of time when you allow him to use your body in any way he pleases – and the same goes for you whenever you take a semblance of control.

"Lay back. Let me ride you, Rex."

He never argues with you, though there's always something more to say, that much is evident by the way his eyes search your face for any signs of doubt. Rex is a selfless lover, always taking care of your needs over his own, even when he's the one coming to you, so it causes him to buffer when you make suggestions like those to him. It usually takes an added plea, one you back with reason.

"Please? You deserve to lay back and just watch. I wanna take care of you, baby – make you feel good. Please let me?"

Rex will lay back, his hands switching between running up and down your parted thighs, reaching up to squeeze your breasts, and holding steady at your hips as you bounce on his cock. His eyes always stay on you, never letting himself get whisked away to the throes of pleasure. 

He wouldn't miss it for anything – how you look in those moments. 

"You're so beautiful. Come here."

He'll sit up to hold you against him, hands splayed on your lower back and gently guiding your movements.

“I love you.”

Rex breathes out the words so softly, always almost as if he’s afraid someone else would hear, mumbling them into your skin or against your lips.

But it’s always just the two of you, bodies pressed together in the safety of your home. Shelter. Rex can find it with you, skin on skin, under your roof, in the sound of your voice and wordless sounds. So you’ll make him say it again, gently cupping his jaw and having him meet your eyes.

“No one’s here but us, Rex. Just the two of us. It’s okay.”

You’ve noticed in the past several times that Rex has been over he’s been more open. Emotions flow not as encumbered, though you sense there may always be a hesitance in what he chooses to share with you, knowing full well that not everything he experiences on the field of battle is appropriate to unload onto you. Rex spares you the horrid details, the ones that no doubt haunt him the most. Those memories sit on the tip of his tongue, a bitter, foul taste trickling down his throat – and you notice, taking over in the conversation or even switching to another means of consolation. 

He’s given you names – hundreds of names – all of them unique, just like each of the men who owned them. Rex has taken his time speaking highly of each one of his men who’ve perished, throwing in a lighthearted, personal anecdote and genuine smile with the remembrances. He cares deeply, loves deeply, holds compassion and responsibility deeply. To have such depth in the way one feels can be beautiful – but also tragic. 

Rex once showed you something he wrote in an addition to a debriefing, a personal grievance he hadn’t shown his superiors. It was the truth layered with guilt, the words typed out on his datapad, more things to say than were necessary for the official campaign reports. His personal report included a piece of information that would have been detrimental if the event had occurred the way it was meant to.

… The transmitter had been sabotaged. We were led into traps. We were ordered to fire upon our own men. As second in command, I followed orders and killed our brothers. I should have listened to Fives, Jesse, Kix, and the rest of them from the beginning. I should have realized sooner that I was being used, and because of my naivety, my brothers suffered greatly. 

It became clear to all of us that General Krell was against the Republic, against us clones, and there was only one thing we agreed that had to be done. The traitor had access to vital information, all of our intel and defense codes, and would have turned it all over to Dooku and the Separatists if I hadn’t ordered his arrest and subsequent execution. 

Even with his hands bound and a blaster pointed in his direction, General Krell was still able to get inside of my head, the same way he had throughout the entire campaign on Umbara. He could sense my fear and my hesitation. In truth, I felt conflicted, confused about my duty. What I was doing was for the Republic, for my brothers, but I knew then that it wouldn't have been seen that way after it was all said and done. With our Jedi General court-martialed, and without more men on the way, we would have lost the airbase that Hardcase had sacrificed his life for. The Umbaran insurgents would have freed the traitor Krell, and the Republic would have been hit with a crippling blow. As Captain, I had to act. I had to do what needed to be done, for my brothers and for the Republic.

But I could not go through with it.

It was CT-6922, Dogma, who fired the shot at General Pong Krell, effectively ending his life and carrying out the execution I had ordered. By doing so, Dogma spared me from having to take the shot, and consequently spared me from bearing the weight of committing a mutiny, and the murder of a Jedi. 

Even though it was not on him to do so, Dogma did his duty to the Republic, as I failed to do mine.

Whatever happens to Dogma is on me, and I must live with that.

Somehow him surviving that campaign was even more detrimental than if he hadn’t.

As the months go on, Rex loses more and more of his closest friends. The war is really aging him quicker than he should be; you can see the creases in his eyes and sunken features on his face become the teeniest bit more prominent every time you see him. You’re not sure how much longer this is going to last, but if there is one thing you do know, it is that Rex can power through. He’ll survive this war because of what he’s told you.

Rex has experienced hell, seen things that made his heart twist then drop, but he’s also had the privilege of seeing glimpses of what lies outside the realm of all the fighting. Eye-opening, mentality-changing experiences – ones that gave him hope. Because of those optimistic encounters, Rex now believes that there is a vast, green meadow on the other side of all this. He no longer holds the ideas near and dear of how he was created for only one purpose and will die serving that very purpose. 

While he does still firmly believe that serving the Republic and being allegiant to his duty is crucial, and that deserting is not the right course of action, Rex finds that mentality in between – a safe mental space that allows him to do his duty while giving himself enough wiggle room to continue to explore what being alive truly means and should feel like, even if that does mean he’s straying from regulation. It’s not illegal if no one finds out.

A gray area.

In the gray, Rex can feel a semblance of peace. You’ve noticed how much he’s changed since he first rationalized his decision to tiptoe around regulation. You have, of course, expressed hesitance about it all, reminding him what could happen should he get caught, but it’s not like Rex doesn’t already know the risks, fully accepting them and taking it one rotation at a time. 

He always tells you not to worry – that he won’t get caught.

You believe him, trusting in him fully. Rex is a very calculated, brilliant man, having been competent enough from early on that he was put into leadership training before the war had even begun. They saw something in Rex long ago that you’re now having the pleasure of watching grow. 

[z45capp]

July 22 - Taipei; 政治大學, Taipei Zoo, 邀月茶館

Last night, I went out to Beppin Pasta for dinner with Riley. We both agreed that our pastas were much better than expected; Riley got a carbonara and I got a shrimp spaghetti. It was so nice to get to know Riley more, I have not had the chance to really get to know her one on one. We talked a lot about our work on this trip and what we have done on our free days, as well as about the best way to do laundry at the hotel, and some plans for the future. I am excited to get to know her more over the next few weeks. 

This morning we met at 9:20 and took our bus up the mountain to 政治大學, 葉老師的 Alma Mater. 老師學習了中國漢語和文學, which is the equivalent of having an English major in the United States. At the college, we toured the International House, which mainly houses international students but also some local students for better integration and immersion. The dorm looked a lot like American dorms, but had personal balconies with drying racks for clothes, which most U.S. dorms do not. When finished with the International House, we toured Dah Hsian Seeto Library, a beautiful library, much like those we have back home at UF.

After a quick lunch, we headed to the Taipei Zoo, where we first saw koalas and pandas before starting our free time. During our free time, I started at the Pangolin Dome with some friends before heading out on my own to the Penguin House. However at the Pangolin Dome, I saw everything but a Pangolin, including a toucan and macaw, some peahens, fish, lemurs, tortoises, and other animals as well. Brooke too went back after we split up and again did not see them. The walk to the Penguin Dome was a bit treacherous, but I did see some zebras and caught a glimpse of a giraffe along the way. The walk was worth it because the Penguin Dome was air conditioned and the penguins were very cute. My sister loves penguins, so I especially had to go to the Penguin House to get some pictures for her. Once I finished up at the gift shop, I headed back to the entrance so I could meet up with everyone else. On the way I saw some red pandas, some alligator/crocodile animal whose actual name I can not remember, and of course some capybaras. The capybaras were hard to find and I spent about 10 minutes waiting for them to emerge from the water, when in reality they were in the next enclosure eating their lunch. But I was able to get some videos of them eating which was worth having waited for so long in the wrong area. 

Finally, we ended the day at 邀月茶館。邀月 is located high in the mountains, so the exploring was well worth it after we finished with our tea. We did a Gongfu preparation of the tea, warming the teapot and the cups before brewing the first round of tea and pouring it into a taller cup to smell the aroma and finally pouring it into the tea cup to drink it. The tea we had was jasmine with a floral scent but somewhat bitter taste; but I did drink a few cups. Since we did not finish all of the tea at 邀月, I will bring some home to my family and see what they think.  Still, it was nice to finally sit down after a long day and get something to drink and eat. The mountain side was beautiful however, and I had a lot of fun walking around taking pictures of the area. 

Academic Reflection

政治大學是一個很小的大學。 The focus of the university is on liberal arts and literature. There are few stem majors. The university system in Taiwan is different from the U.S. system. In Taiwan, the best universities are public, while the private universities are ranked lower. National Taiwan University is best, but 政治大學 is second, and is the best in some major areas. I would not have known this about the Taiwanese education system had 葉老師 not told us. The Dah Hsian Seeto Library we visited was named after a professor who taught rich students who then donated the library. It has eight floors and includes an area called “Makers Space” which contains 3D printers, laser printers, and heat presses. It is much like the Makers Space we have at UF, with a difference being that at UF, students have to pay to use the printers, while it is free at 政治. 

The reading states that 90 hectares of the Zoo are open to the public. Having walked almost the whole zoo, I can believe this. The Zoo is very long and it took me about ten minutes to walk from the close to the front of the zoo to the back of the zoo, where the Penguin House is located, and I was speed walking too. The reading also states that the main efforts of the Zoo are focused on recreation, research, education, and conservation. I could easily see recreation reflected in my time at the zoo, with many families with small children around and people taking leisurely walks among the exhibits. Education too was easy to observe as each exhibit has posted information on each animal, ranging from what they are, to where they are found originally, what they eat, and more. Conservation and research were a little harder to point out as I feel that they are more internal to the zoo keepers and zoologists, but certain exhibits did have a scale pointing out where the animal was in terms of extinction. So, if the animal is common, like capybaras; protected, like Eurasian Otters, or near extinction, like Asian Tigers. Walking around the zoo was a fantastic experience and I saw a lot of animals I might have been able to see in a zoo back in the United States. 

邀月茶館 is “the second leisure tea garden” in the Maokong area. The reading continues to talk about the expansion of the tea house due to an economic boom and need for an increase in area. When exploring, I encountered this as many of the paths I took led to even more tables and seating areas. It is not hard to imagine what the tea house would look like at full capacity. In the Muzha Zhanghu Mountain area, Tieguanyin and Baozhong tea are prevalent. I’m not fully sure if we had either of these teas today, but knowing about the labor that goes into perfecting the pressed tea leaves, it is hard to not be impressed by what I was drinking. 

[alexiusgoesrogue]

Status Update: Day Two

Once again, the morning started earlier than planned (8am). We chose to get ready and go to the shops to buy some drinks and snacks for our lunch boxes we wanted to make for today’s adventure. Bee cooked sushi rice as well for us to pack.

With our backpacks full, we made our way down to the cable car station.

Up the hills, we took a quick look around the museum/shop and enjoyed the view right next to the station.

Our next stop was the Space Place, an observatory and sort of small space museum. We got tickets for both the museum and the show which was scheduled to begin just a couple of minutes after our arrival. The museum itself was fun to explore, and the show was a 20 minute kids animation about the tilt of the earth, and a roughly 25 minute presentation of the night sky, constellations, and the insane size of space, all projected on the dome ceiling.

Afterwards, we went on to explore the park and gardens. About halfway through and after buying some souvenirs (which I won’t reveal here, because they’re gifts for family), we sat down to eat our lunches.

(Video for listening to the amount of noise the cicadas made the entire time)

Food Ranking:

Sushi Rice with Tuna and Garlic powder: 4/5, a really neat idea for an easy but tasty lunch, maybe could need a bit more spices or other ingredients to get a bit more flavour in (or just more tuna)

Apple Juice: 4/5, very similar to the apple juice I know but a bit sweeter. Not overly sweet, but sweeter than I’m used to

Apple-Mango Puree: 5/5, very neat flavour, really just a better version of apple sauce and really great for a small snack on the go

Strawberry jello with Mango: 3/5, the jello is fine and not very sugary (probably because it’s intended for kids to eat), but I found the fruit bits in there to not really fit the flavour profile of the jello

***

The trip continued, and our aimless walking and reluctance to reading the map had us ending up lost somewhere in the complete opposite direction of where we wanted to go. While trying to make our way back on track, we met a very nice woman who let us pet her dog and even take a picture of it.

The walk to the start was treacherous and very uphill. Turns out, we took it backwards, just like the walk around the space museum. We took a break in the grass to recharge and then went back the same path to the souvenir shop, determined to make it to the rose garden as intended. Near the succulent garden, I took the first Polaroid picture.

The rose garden was a very nice place, and right next to was a small market set up, but it was about to close down just as we arrived. Our destination was just around the corner though, a small waterfall with a bunch of ducks living their best lives.

Once again, we recharged for a while and agreed to head back to the hostel for a break. It was 2:15pm that moment, meaning we’ve been up and going for almost five hours already. And we noticed how our tours so far never took us further away from the hostel than a 20 minute walk, which is very convenient when your feet are getting tired.

The walk back was even more treacherous than getting lost on the bush trail in the park, requiring two short breaks before finally making it to the pedestrian bridge crossing the highway. We passed the Beehive, the parliament building, and I took another picture of it and Bee with my camera before reaching our hostel.

We took a couple of hours to unwind and to let our feet rest, then it was time for a small surprise idea Bee had for us, a horror maze.

I’ve never really done a lot of horror related attractions aside from the occasional ride at some fair, but I was willing to try it out.

We had to walk in a single file line, so of course, the coward that I am, immediately called out Bee to walk in front. The maze was pitch black with just very rare bits of light and red dots above our heads to lead the way. The scare actors did a fantastical job, they scared us so well all the time. In the maze, I genuinely was really scared and swore to myself I’d never do this stuff ever again, but it was so much fun after getting out. (Probably because it was finally over.)

(Below is my favorite picture taken of us in the maze)

Before leaving, Bee bought the pictures and video for us to cherish the stupid faces we made, and I got myself a Freddy pin for my collection. After that, we made our way over to a gaming cafe.

We each paid $8 for two hours of time. Bee played League of Legends the whole time with friends, I tried getting back into Halo Infinite and Among Us.

The day came to an end around 11pm, sitting together in the common room while I ate ramen noodles (again) and writing the rest of this report while Bee bullies me for the stupid faces I always pull (love you pookie lol).

Sponsorships of the day: One-way cable car tickets, tickets for the Space Place, Fear Factory tickets, chicken kebab, L&P lemonade

[intothewylde]

below the cut you will find various information about the history of house wylde of the stormlands, including bits about culture, architecture, foods, trade, climate, and folklore.

@wyldewillow @magnuswylde

culture : hunting and wildlife hold great importance to house wylde, its rainier climate often bringing out interesting creatures which wylde's have studied since they settled upon the northern part of cape wrath. hundreds of books written by wylde's over the years can be found in their library discussing findings of many distinct crops and wildlife ranging from bugs, to birds, berries, and various breeds of deer. archery is taught at a young age, though it is also important for children of house wylde to understand not to stray too far, for the brushy areas of the rainwood can become confusing and dangerous if one were to get caught within it unprepared. given their proximity to the water as well, it is important that children of house wylde are taught to swim early and well, given the currents of the bay can be unforgiving. as with many houses of westeros, it is not uncommon for wylde's to be lords and ladies, septons or septas, maesters, or knights.

architecture : with the much-jagged shoreline, there are many man-made shelters carved directly into the cliffs themselves. homes are built dome-like, with rocks to weigh much of them down as hurricane-force winds often plague the lands during especially stormy seasons. homes are built on higher ground, to avoid storm surges and flooding. the rain house itself is made of stone, strong and stretching high. the bottom level has a stone floor in case of flooding.

foods : the rainier climate has influenced much of the foods that house wylde prepares most often - this especially includes hearty vegetable and meat stews consisting of the following ingredients in various instances: venison or boar, eggplant, sweet potatoes, sweet leaf, pumpkin, cowpeas, and even certain peppers. this is often served with fresh bread.

trade : there are few small ports amongst the shoreline that allow for trade through the rainwood, but given the most catastrophic of storms seem to tear through this area specifically, it has taken some finesse to build strong enough ports. business that house wylde deals in is mostly timber, furs, and amber.

climate : due to the great many storms that happen on the coast of the rainwoods, the shoreline has eroded quite a bit, creating large cliffs made of limestone that hang over shipbreaker bay. paths have been paved along the shoreline in many areas, but there are parts of the coast that are unable to be navigate as they are treacherous. whirlpools have been seen from atop the cliffs during especially stormy weather given the currents of the water below, which the sigil of house wylde pays an ode to. it is also known that many ancient villages and forests now rest beneath the water, due to the many storms that have wreaked havoc upon the shore over the years, causing many floods and landslides.

folklore : while wylde's have a tendency to document every waking thought (given their vast library of self-written books), oral storytelling of myths passed down from generations is also a common practice. some are quite ghastly, and others are lovelier. one tale is that of blodeuwedd, the most beautiful and fairest woman there ever was, she was made of various flowers picked throughout the rainwood. it is tradition to pick and give flowers to wives and daughters of house wylde, to recognize their beauty. another story is that of the murigen, a sea goddess, it is said if one hears a woman's song coming from outside the home or down at the shore during a heavy storm, to not be drawn to it, or never be seen again.

[exquisiteagony]

Fic writer ask: 20, 27, 39 🖤

20. Have you noticed any patterns in your fics? Words/expressions that appear a lot, themes, common settings, etc?

a lot of blinking and sighing 😅😅 oh and vampires 😂😂

27. What is your most and least favorite part of writing?

most: coming up with a story and writing it i guess

least: also writing it lmao

39. Share a snippet from a WIP

here’s some from the current skydweller chapter i’m writing

San Juno was unlike any planet Olli had ever seen. He could see the glimmering spires as they passed it, the Golden City a glittering jewel encased in glass and lit by the nearby sun. The celebrity estates beyond the city too were encased in great domes, looking like little golden vesicles at this distance, connected to the city by long gold and glass tunnels. Everywhere else was green.

But this wasn't the fresh pine of Delta, nor the verdant oases of Akkari. It was closer to the mould-green of Tarnas, and Olli hesitantly zoomed in on the view of it on Niko's nav board screen, half-fearing to see fungus zombies again.

Even the water was green. Lakes and oceans, fat lazy rivers and frothing deltas, all were the same green as the land. The motion was the only thing to denote the difference between it and land. But that wasn't what took Olli's breath away in awe and fear.

No, it was the sight of the broken domes.

Some had lost their tops, whilst others bore great hopes like gaping mouths, the ragged remnants of glass like jagged teeth. That alone was spine-chillingly ghostly, but the insides of those domes, once great golden cities famed throughout the Civils and the Grey for their beauty, were still and silent and green to a one, even the huge Eternal City, once the jewel of this solar system. Ancient skyscrapers were more like grassy monuments than proper buildings, and apartment blocks were hills reclaimed by nature.

Olli zoomed out a bit when Niko returned, shuffling back to his own board and feeling a bit sick. He'd seen enough.

Niko squinted at the screen as he sat down. "Oi, that looks grim," he said, mouth twisting in disdain.

"What?" Joonas looked up and over at him with that look on his face like Niko was the only other person alive. Olli pulled a face and made eye contact with Aleksi, who mouthed 'whipped' at him. He smirked into the diagnostics screen before him.

"San Juno. I've never seen it before, only pictures of what it used to look like. Some of the domes are broken, and it's all green."

"The green plaque," Aleksi piped up, head swerving in

Olli's peripheral vision. "That's why the domes are there."

"I know," Niko said. "But I didn't expect it to look like that."

Joonas tapped away at his screen to see what Niko was looking at, his board beeping with every tap. Then he winced. "I can't believe you used to go down there, he said to Hokka, looking up at him. "The Junk was bad enough, but this looks so much worse."

Hokka shrugged. "We had suits," he said. "The green plague is aerobic, so as long as you don't breathe it, you're fine."

Olli waited for him to say more, but he looked back down at his communicator, tapping out a message to presumably Johnny. Olli's heart sank a little, treacherous disappointment a smouldering bonfire within him.