#v. my heart is a weapon of war. my voice is my weapon of choice. ( canon timeline: second wizarding war | deathly hallows )

[carelessgraces]

canon verses added, as well as some notes & restrictions on my canon verses. everything under the cut & a tag drop —

ON THREADS & PLOTTING I will only write in these verses with plotting. These verses are only available by request and to established partners.

ON CHARACTERIZATION I do not consider The Cursed Child, the Fantastic Beasts series, or any of Rowling’s recent statements to be canon. For me, the series ends with the epilogue. I do accept the epilogue as canon, as well as some of Rowling’s earlier statements on the Greengrass family. When I began writing Astoria in 2012, I built her based on the information we had: her name and her sister’s name, her age relative to her sister’s, her marriage to Draco and the existence of their son, and the following statement:

Draco married the younger sister of a fellow Slytherin. Astoria Greengrass, who had gone through a similar (though less violent and frightening) conversion from pure-blood ideals to a more tolerant life view, was felt by Narcissa and Lucius to be something of a disappointment as a daughter-in-law. They had had high hopes of a girl whose family featured on the ‘Sacred Twenty-Eight’, but as Astoria refused to raise their grandson Scorpius in the belief that Muggles were scum, family gatherings were often fraught with tension. (source)

I built Astoria’s characterization on this information. I have not adapted anything from later statements, except that Astoria and Draco had a very solid relationship, and were very much in love. I will not write in a Cursed Child timeline, nor will I write in settings in which Astoria will die for the sake of her husband’s and son’s character development, or in which Astoria has a misogynistic blood curse for the sake of her husband’s and son’s character development.

ON SHIPPING Currently, all canon verses are single ship with potterstillstinks. While this may change in the future, it will only change to incorporate existing ships. I’m not currently interested in developing new ships in canon verses. It’s safe to assume that in all post-war threads, Astoria and Draco are involved.

ON ROWLING I do not care for her, I do not care for what she has to say, I have no interest in promoting her work. Racists and transphobes have no place here, nor do their disgusting little manifestos. Joanne, if you’re reading this: eat shit.

HALF-BLOOD PRINCE The summer before the start of her first year, Astoria is introduced to her godparents: Amycus and Alecto Carrow. At fourteen, Astoria doesn’t see the way that they manipulate her into isolation: with each letter sent, certainly risking arrest simply to communicate with her, she feels more and more appreciated and loved, certain that they understand her in a way no one else ever has. ( Fourteen is a difficult age. The Carrows do not make it easier. ) As their correspondence continues, Astoria’s time outside her lessons is spent increasingly on the reading lists they provide, and the spells they suggest she learn. Astoria is removed from Hogwarts the very night Albus Dumbledore is killed, and she spends the summer that follows with the Carrows in hiding, as they teach her the skills she will need to accept the Dark Mark at the end of the summer, mere days before her fifteenth birthday. Astoria becomes the youngest Death Eater ever Marked, and is placed in direct competition with Alecto’s rival, Bellatrix Lestrange, and her protege, Draco Malfoy.

FC: Katherine McNamara.

DEATHLY HALLOWS Newly Marked, Astoria returns to Hogwarts with the Carrows. Having been extensively trained in the Imperius and Cruciatus Curses, she is established quickly as their enforcer, used to carry out punishment in detentions with other students. Exploiting her apparent delicacy, Astoria begins resisting in her own quiet way. As she allows the Carrows to underestimate her, deliberately failing at times to mislead them, she occasionally lets slip details regarding the Carrows’ plans and patrol schedules when she knows members of Dumbledore’s Army are listening. Throughout this, she develops a close friendship with Draco Malfoy, learning to rely on the only other person who understands what it is to have one’s childhood ripped from them by war. During the Battle of Hogwarts, Astoria frees the Carrows from imprisonment before turning herself in to Aurors. She is tried that summer, and found guilty of war crimes — and, due to her age and the clear psychological torture she endured, she is sentenced to time served, and monitored during a probationary period of several years to ensure that she is truly reformed.

FC: Katherine McNamara.

SIXTH & SEVENTH YEARS Learning to bridge the gap between surviving and living is a difficult process, but Astoria doesn’t have much of a choice. The terms of her release dictate that she must return to Hogwarts and complete her education, and that she submit to unscheduled visits by Aurors, visits which include interviews and searches of her belongings. Her tenure as the Carrows’ golden girl is not easily forgotten, and her participation in the torture of other students, as well as her trial, and Astoria finds herself isolated, with all of her siblings graduated and Draco serving a sentence in Azkaban. The isolation proves more difficult than she had initially anticipated, and this, combined with a growing fear of magic (especially her own) forces her to grapple with some unpleasant realities — among them that she will not have the grades necessary to pursue a career in Healing like she’d once hoped, even if she thought a former Death Eater would be welcomed as a Healer. Astoria’s friendship with Draco, carried out over occasional visits and frequent letters, and her renewed closeness with her siblings is all that gets her through her final years at Hogwarts.

FC: Katherine McNamara.

COLLECTOR After graduation, Astoria returns to Dublin, her hometown. On a whim, she buys a building for sale on Dawson Street, a shop with a flat above, and continuing with her mother’s family history, Astoria opens an occult shop with her brother. Called Belladonna Apothecary, the shop stocks books, divination tools, and herbs for use by Muggle practitioners; customers in the know are able to take a look in the back room for stock with real magical properties, including rarer artifacts, often obtained on commission (and with some difficulty). Dublin grants her the space she needs to begin to heal, and Draco’s return after completing his sentence gives her the partnership and connection she so badly wants. Straddling the line between magic and the mundane, and finding a way to live in both worlds, Astoria comes into her own once again, despite the pain caused to her by the Carrows. She and Draco marry soon after his release, and after several years together they have their first child (a son, Scorpius), followed by three more girls (Aurora, Selene, and Elanor) over the next decade.

FC: Katherine McNamara, Miriam Leone.

AUROR No one could have seen it coming — a friendship between the child Death Eater and the Boy who Lived — but it becomes a lifeline. As Harry joins the Aurors in their unscheduled visits to Astoria, the two become close, their trauma and experiences providing them with a foundation for a deep and unshakeable bond. When Harry offers her the chance to become an Auror, she accepts it, working to overcome her fear of magic and hoping to make up for some of the wrong she’s done. Harry leaves a couple of years into their partnership, and Astoria follows suit after her marriage and the birth of her first three children, when she realizes that the Auror department cannot give her what she needs: to them, she’ll always be a photo op to exploit, and Astoria has never done well with turning over control of her life to someone else. With Draco’s support, Astoria takes a year off to be with the new twins, and begins looking for new opportunities of employment. Just as her maternity leave runs out, she takes a job with her grandfather’s law firm as an in-house investigator.

FC: Katherine McNamara.

INVESTIGATOR The change is a good one. The work gives Astoria a chance to be with her family more often — seeing Draco at the office and coming home at a decent hour to their children prove to be exactly what she needed, and the opportunity to have more control over her own life is a blessing. They have one more daughter, settling comfortably into a life as parents first and foremost, facing no greater threat than the annoyance of Rita Skeeter's new career as a very bad novelist. (Her first book is called The Cursed Child — Astoria is killed off before the book even begins, Scorpius is presented as Astoria's child with Voldemort after a time-traveling escapade, and Draco flirts with Hermione Granger. The girls are a little disappointed to have been written out. Scorpius and Draco are disturbed. Astoria might punch Rita Skeeter in the face, if no one plans to stop her. It's a far cry from war, and even in her anger, Astoria is relieved that this is the greatest challenge they face.)

FC: Miriam Leone, Sarah Rafferty.

[amonrawya]

The Greatest Gift of All

(Inspired by^ for the people who asked :D hope it was worth the wait!)

*

Long before the war, before Captain America or the Winter Soldier, there was simply Bucky and Steve. At least, that's what history says. But they missed out one very important person, a girl called Y/N.

Women in those times often found themselves with little opportunity, and only two easily attainable pathways in life: wife and mother. But Y/N carved out a life for herself that defied all expectations, and it all started in Brooklyn.

She dived headlong into scuffles, usually next to Bucky in defence of Steve. Regardless of the opponent, Y/N stood by them both, and often held her own quite impressively.

Her dress style borrowed from more masculine cuts, and Y/N was never seen without her cap. A lot of people had a problem with this, but she shut them up fairly swiftly.

Everything about this girl drew Bucky in, a battle he fought with little effort. They reveled in each other, flaunting their love at every opportunity. More than a few were jealous that the rough and tumble girl got the best looking boy in town. 

In a way, before even coming of age, they started an adult life together. The three of them moved into a flat. Y/N and Bucky took hard labour jobs, or anything they could get. They had little room to be picky. 

Both managed to hook steady summer jobs at the local docks. They used most of their money to keep a roof over their heads, buy food, and pay for Steve's medical needs. He attended art school, and sold his work every now and then; but physically, he was in no condition to work.

The war appeared on the horizon, just as they started to pull themselves an inch above the poverty line. Y/N saw it coming, the inevitable. She treasured every second they spent together, and dreaded the day when the draft came.

A lot of the older women she worked with were disrespectful, looking down on her pre-marital relationship with Bucky. They claimed she couldn't possibly understand their grief, despite the fact Y/N had seen Bucky off at the docks that very morning. 

In truth, they already planned on being married, but at the time, they simply didn't have the funds. Bucky promised, once the war ended, that ring would be on her finger.

Except, he never came home. Not properly. The person Hydra gave back to Y/N was damaged and jaded, angry at the world, angrier than she ever saw. But still, they loved each other. Though she never forgave them for stealing away his innocence, for trying to snuff out the light in his soul. A part of him would always belong to them, and she hated it.

Refusing to stay home while they risked their lives, never knowing, Y/N trained as an army nurse, working specially with the Howling Commandos unit.

Then one day, she went out to welcome them back from a mission. Every face looked devastated, but none more so than Steve. His eyes, red-raw and streaming, seemed incapable of rising from the ground. At first, the realisation didn't process, the idea simply incomprehensible. He promised.

Dugan was the one to finally break through and catch Y/N as she fell, holding her as the tears poured. Once he shook off his daze, Steve took his place, sharing in her grief.

Her world fell apart so quickly, with no warning and no mercy. Their commanders celebrated the capture of Arnim Zola, while Y/N and Steve sat, staring at an empty place at their side.

Everyone mourned Bucky, and swiftly after, began to mourn Y/N, too. The loss took a part of her...the sparkle, the happiness, the laugh that lit up her face. It all vanished. She worked hard, looked after them all, but only Steve was able to make her smile. Even then, it looked pained.

So when Steve went down with the plane, the very last shred of Y/N died with him. No tears left her eyes, no screams ripped up her throat. A cold numbness took over, freezing the woman from the inside out. 

V-Day came and went. The Commandos stood and drank to their lost comrades, and Dugan silently drank another...for the loss of a bright, fiery girl who had virtually nothing to lose, and still lost everything.

She spent her days as a robot, doing nothing but going through the motions of badly imitating life. The flat was empty and quiet, yet somehow, bursting with the ghosts of her loved ones. Nightmares plagued her, terrible images of Bucky's body, forever trapped in a freezing hell, nothing but food for the birds. And Steve, his body...was it cast adrift in the ocean? Or destroyed, burnt to ash in the belly of a metal beast. 

They were simple folk before the war turned them into soldiers, into weapons. Before symbols and flags stole away their names, driving them to sacrifice their lives for a greater cause.

Y/N knew their fight against Hydra was important...knew the honour behind their sacrifice. But when it's you left sitting at an empty dinner table, it's much easier to be angry and bitter.

She never married, never settled, bouncing around countries working as an army nurse. The Commandos slowly died around her, each one fading to grey as the curtain drew the show to a close. Each death, each funeral ripped open her wounds, bigger and deeper each time. Until eventually, Y/N let the blood flow freely.

Or at least, that's what would have happened. But one choice, one decision, made by a boy she thought dead in the far future, changed it all.

*

Bucky Barnes struggled to find himself again. His memories were mostly all returned, if a bit hazy and fragmented. He had Steve there to right any wrong recollections, and connect with on their shared experiences. But something always seemed to be missing, a piece of the jigsaw that hadn't been found.

He remembered Y/N. He remembered her clearer than anything. She was glowing like honey in the sun when Bucky closed his eyes and brought her back to mind.

Face covered in muck, hair tousled and streaked with grease from the boats, soot on the very tip of her nose and a cap perched jauntily on her head; wearing the deepest expression of concentration as she aimed a hanful of rotten fish guts at the sleezy Connell boy from Fifth, who decided his opinion on her backside mattered. The image shone crystal clear. Her laughter, rolling out from between curved lips, beautiful and full of mischief. 

It never failed to make him smile. Or cry. Or sometimes, both. He missed Y/N than he thought possible for a human being. 

Bucky often wondered about her life, whether she went on to marry, or maybe even have children. Was she happy? Did she bury him and move on? If they met today, would Y/N even recognise the man he was now? 

More importantly, in his mind, something he both feared and longed to know: would she still love him?

Unbeknownst to Bucky, Steve saw all this. Understood, to a degree, his pain. But he and Peggy never got the chance to bond so strongly. He knew Bucky needed him, but Steve also knew he needed Y/N more.

So once his goodbyes were said, he looked one last time at Bucky, and smiled beneath his suit as he vanished into time.

*

The living room looked exactly the same as he remembered. Bucky's coat, slung over the back of the chair, his sketchbooks strewn around the desk. Every rip and chip. His heart swelled with nostalgia, and pain, thinking of the life they were supposed to have.

What must have been in their heads...running off to fight, so eager to throw everything away. And who was left to stare at empty beds and eat breakfast alone every morning? Y/N.

His chest constricted, hearing the keys in the door, the lock rattling three times before letting her in. His nerve faltered for the briefest second, wondering if he was ready to see her again.

"Who the hell are you?!"

Time's up.

Slowly, he turned, and watched as Y/N's eyes widened, all the bags in her hands falling to the floor with a crash.

"...Stevie?" The name came out as a whisper, nearly inaudible.

He grinned, laughing as tears stung his eyes. "Hey, spitfire. Long time no see."

"Steve!" She launched herself at him, arms wrapping around his neck and clinging on for dear life. 

Catching her by the waist, he swung Y/N around, burying his face in her hair. They held onto one another as if they might vanish if they let go. But after a minute, Steve gently pushed her back.

"How? How are you here? What are you wearing? I don't understand, Steve, they said you died! Your plane went down in the ocean," she stammered, hand on his forearm with a grip like a vice.

"I survived. The serum kept me alive in the ice for seventy years," he said, questioning his own sanity momentarily; standing in the flat again made everything that happened seem like a distant dream.

Y/N frowned, brows knitting together. "What? Did you hit your head? Steve, this is 1945."

"I know, I came from 2023. I'm alive," he said, and saw her mentally backing away, so added, "I'm alive, and so is Bucky."

Her head snapped up, eyes immediately filling with tears. A dozen emotions whizzed through them in a second; disbelief, pain, hope. It shone clearly in her face as she stepped closer.

What did you say?" She asked, voice choked as she brought her shaking hands up to her mouth.

"Bucky's alive," he repeated softly, "and I can send you to him, in the future. But we don't have a lot of time. You need to listen to me, carefully, and do what I say."

She spluttered, struggling for words. "I, but...what about you?"

"I've made my decision," Steve said, and gently took her hands in his, "now, please, listen."

*

Bucky watched the machine, feeling a wave of numbness wash over his insides. Nothing was a better deal than the pain, the cruel sting of betrayal fighting to be felt. But he beat it back, unable to allow those thoughts validation.

Steve gave up so much for him, he fought for years to get him here. Steve deserved this. And no matter how wrong those words sounded in his head, he resolutely stood by them. 

The seconds ticked by, noted by Bruce's countdown. A flash of guilt almost made Bucky explain what was going to happen, explain that Steve left them. Left him. But he possessed no energy to speak, they'd see in a second, when no one appeared-

Zap. A blinding flash of light.

There's someone there.

Bucky frowned, hands falling from his pockets. Did Steve change his mind? Did he...

All the thoughts in his head stopped as the figure stepped down. Too small, too lithe for it to be Steve. Bucky's heart rate quickened, something in his unconscious already registering his recognition. 

The suit fell away, and if he weren't frozen in place, Bucky wouldn't have been standing. A quiver shot through him, nearly buckling his knees. Shock, fear and pure disbelief all delayed his reaction.

Y/N looked around, amazed, but turned to stone as she set eyes on him. Her face went utterly blank, a strangled sound leaving her lips.

Wearing her yard slacks, with a small bag on her shoulder, her face covered in dirt, hair streaked with grease, cap perched on-top, slanted to one side...she was everything he remembered, and his heart tried to leave his chest to go to her. To be whole again.

But fear held him back. She didn't know the things he'd done, the person he became after the train accident. What if-

"Who is she?" Sam asked, glaring as he stalked towards her, an accusation rising on his lips.

Bucky answered without hesitation, or thinking; the question had been asked countless times over the years. It always recieved the same reply. "My doll."

Sam stopped short, glancing between them, the way neither took their eyes off the other. He nodded, brows still closely knit, and backed off.

Slowly, Y/N approached, encouraged by the sound of his voice. She reached out carefully, when she got close enough. Trembling fingers brushed his cheek, and a shudder ran through her. 

"My Bucky..." She said quietly, eyes roaming over his face, a small smile tugging at her lips, "...you're here, in front of me. Alive."

He swallowed dryly, heart thundering away beneath his skin. "I'm different...you don't know..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth that her eyes found the cold metal where his flesh used to be. In reaching to hold it, she'd been taken by surprise.

Gently, Y/N took the hand in her own, examing the limb with a careful gaze. Moments passed, and she met his eyes again. Bucky steeled himself for rejection, for the disgust and horror.

Her hand went back to his cheek, and he involuntairly leaned into it. The warmth seeped into his blood. She stood on her tip toes, the smile on her lips blossoming into a bright beam of sunlight. "You've always been my Bucky, and always will be. Metal appendages and all."

He fell apart and dove down to capture her lips, clutching her to him with the hunger of a starving man. She pulled herself in, hands tangling in his brown locks, and both tasted salt on the others' lips.

So filled with joy his heart could burst, Bucky revelled in the feeling of holding his girl again. Laughing through the tears, he buried his face in her neck.

Thank you, Steve, for the greatest gift of all.

[glassessence]

PGR - OC

I got so inspired by everyone’s creativity that I created my own OC ^^” Even though she’s a member of the Purifying Force, I hope she’ll still be received warmly. Special thanks to @punishing-gray-raven-ocs​ for their detailed posts about character creation that really made me think about Lydias! 

Warning: I may have gone a bit overboard with the detail. It’s a long read! Also, I threw in a not-so-subtle reference to the most traumatic Memory Rescue mission lmao. So proceed with caution, I guess HAHA

Name                          Lydias: Umbral

Type                            Offensive Support-type Construct

Service time              1 year

Psychological age    24

Activation date         15 March

Height                         167 cm

Weight                        59 kg

Vital fluid type          O

Faction                        Purifying Force

Rank                            A

Weapon                      Chakrams (preferred) /  Gun

Damage type             70% Dark, 30% Physical

Lydias is a support-type Construct modelled after Watanabe’s Astral frame. She has extreme stealth capabilities and excels at tracking, making her ideal for the execution of rogue and infected Constructs.

Her missions mostly involve infiltration and spying, although she’s also been deployed on assassination missions. Those orders come straight from Nikola and their records are kept top-secret, inaccessible even to Bianca.

Her frame is designed for long-range sniping and comes equipped with visual accuracy enhancements and superb calculative powers. However, Lydias prefers to engage her targets in close combat. Killing Constructs from afar feels cruel and cold, like they really are meaningless machines instead of former comrades.

She truly believes in the good of the Purifying Force, but hates the things she has to do. She doesn’t feel like she belongs, but also can’t see a future for herself anywhere else.

Her fighting style is very graceful, featuring a lot of spins and flips that are reminiscent of a dance. Her signature move is called “Blade Dance.”

B A C K G R O U N D 

Lydias was born to a wealthy family in Babylonia. Her mother joined the war effort as a Commandant shortly after she was born and is known as the leader of the elite task force, Cybele. Since then, Lydias has always wanted to follow in her mother’s famous footsteps.

Originally a Commandant of the Black Wolves, a certain incident caused her to give up the position and apply for reconstruction. Despite having low compatibility for Tantalum-193, her application was approved after negotiations with Nikola. Following her surgery, she was transferred to the Purifying Force.

P E R S O N A L I T Y

Shows affection through actions rather than words. Bakes cakes for the humans of Babylonia in her free time

Philosophical, often ponders on the nature of humans and of the war

Likes to make dirty jokes and tease others

Obedient to a fault because she doesn’t trust her own judgement

Comes across as cold, but is just awkward with introductions

Doesn't think very highly of herself. Ignores it when other Constructs call her "traitorous hunting dog" but secretly thinks they're right

Loves the sea and the fathomless depths yet to be explored. Likes to go swimming at every opportunity

Prefers to work alone, but overprotective of her comrades when in a team. Frequently throws herself in harm’s way to shield her teammates. Knows it’s not good, but is too haunted by her past

Trusts easily, but is very guarded with her heart

Knows how to dance a lot of old-school styles like ballroom and ballet, but is too shy to ask anyone to practice with her

S E C R E T S

Has memorised a lot of poetry from before the Punishing Virus outbreak

Gets intensely lonely and jealous when seeing close squad camaraderie like Gray Raven’s

Avoids Kamui because he reminds her of someone she’s lost

Has spied on Watanabe extensively under Babylonian orders and is deeply fascinated by him

Doesn’t trust Nikola, but is unable to disobey his commands

Secretly harbours doubts about Babylonia’s mission to reclaim Earth

Has obtained special permission to download the data of the Black Wolves and often reads the records to keep them alive in her heart

V O I C E   L I N E S

“Team leader? No, I refuse. You’re making a grave mistake.”

“I’m not suited for protecting people.”

“My opinion on the Forsaken? They’re hardworking, loyal, and--Nevermind. We seem to share a similar goal.”

“The Black Wolves? Where did you hear of that name?! Don’t mention it again!”

“I baked a cake today. Would you like some?”

“Yes, I can dance. But I’d prefer it if you didn’t tell the others…”

“I can teach you to dance. Privately, if you’d like. Haha, just kidding.”

“Becoming a Construct was a decision I made rashly. I don’t necessarily regret it, but…”

“Are we really doing the right thing? This endless war… All these years… What have we really achieved?”

INTERLUDE

D U S K F A L L

A voice cracked over the intercom. “...dant…Com...ant...Commandant, do you hear me?!”

Lydias blinked. The urgency in his voice caught her off guard. Ferdinand kept his cool even in the most dire of situations. Something was very wrong. “Tell me, Ferdie.” Static. “Ferds? Come through!” Nothing. Communications had been poor ever since they’d entered this area, but they’d managed until now. For it to suddenly fail like that… it couldn’t be a coincidence.

“Shit,” she said, turning to the other two Constructs with her. “On guard, guys. Something’s coming and comms are down.”

Ilya grimaced. “Sure it’s not one of Ferdinand’s pranks again?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” Flora offered, even as she tightened her grip on her lance. “Pesky little bastard would find it hilarious.” Lydias said nothing. She was too tense. There was a taste in the air, a metallic tang that churned in her belly. Sweat dripped into her eye. Suddenly, a hand slapped her on the back. “Relax, Commandant,” Ilya chuckled. “We’ll protect you like always. No need to be so scared all the time.”

Something in her loosened, just a bit. “Shouldn’t I be the one protecting you?” she retorted, trying to project confidence. “You guys with your fragile little M.I.N.Ds?” Flora laughed, a deep-belly rumble that Lydias loved. The knot in her stomach unravelled some more. “You do that, Commandant,” Flora said. “We’ll just twirl our pointy sticks at the bad guys.”

Lydias was just about to say something snarky when she caught movement in the corner of her eye. She swirled, gun at the ready. There was still no word from Ferdinand. “I’m sensing a large Corrupted force in our perimeter,” Ilya reported. His voice had lost its casual lilt. “They’ve got us surrounded.”

Lydias cursed. “How’s that Memory retrieval coming along?”

“Slowly,” Ilya replied unhappily. Flora clicked her tongue. The Corrupted were visible now. They weren’t like anything Lydias had seen before. They carried advanced weapons - chainsaws and spears and bows - and seemed to be organised into phalanxes. Dread coiled in her belly. “We’ve been ambushed,” she breathed in horror. “Ferdinand tried to warn us. They must have blocked off comms.”

“Well, shit,” Flora grunted. The Corrupted army was within gunshot range now. “When the fuck did they get so smart?”

“Someone must be leading them,” Ilya said. “How did the information leak?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Lydias said. “We need to retreat. Now.” A bullet flew by her head, burning the shell of her ear as it passed. Her heart hammered. “Back off,” Flora growled. She twirled her spear, eyes flashing as she impaled the Corrupted soldier. Beside her, Ilya stepped forward, fast as a flash, and stabbed one through the neck. Lydias fired off three shots, watching in grim satisfaction as two buried themselves in the heads of two infected Constructs.

The scene descended into chaos just as Ferdinand’s broken voice sounded in her ear. “...n...way! Comm...ant!”

-----------

Flora stumbled back. She was breathing heavily. Vital fluid leaked steadily from several places, staining her coat a rich purple. Ilya was behind her, grimacing. His left arm was gone, torn away at the shoulder. Sparks flew from the exposed wires within. Beside them, Lydias swayed unsteadily. She clutched at her stomach. Red blood seeped through her fingers. All their attempts to break through had failed. Things were looking more hopeless by the minute. 

“Commandant,” Ilya said, voice strained. “Turn off my pain receptors.” Flora nodded. “Same here.” Lydias coughed wetly. Her vision was growing dim. “It’s dangerous,” she admitted, wishing she could shut off her own terrible pain. “But there’s no other choice.” She authorised the command. Her team’s face relaxed immediately. She met their determined gazes and nodded. “We’re all gonna go home. Together.”

Ilya smiled. Flora grinned. But there was a sadness in their faces Lydias didn’t want to acknowledge. Her connection with Ferdinand was still blocked. He could be dead for all she knew. She turned away from the thought. Just survive, Lydias. And take the Wolves home.

Together, the Black Wolves rose. Ilya with his dagger and Flora with her spear. Unseen by Lydias, they nodded to each other. An agreement, a pact. A promise. Renewed, they threw themselves at the Corrupted like cornered animals. Slowly, inch by painful inch, an exit was being forced open. Corrupted weapons dug into their bodies, but they pushed on. 

Lydias fought beside them, swinging her chakrams haphazardly. Her gun had run out of ammo long ago. She stumbled, half-blind, and almost skewered herself on the end of a Corrupted sword. She could hardly think straight; blood loss was making her weak. Suddenly, a voice crackled in her mind. “Commandant!” Ferdinand’s voice tumbled through her hazy thoughts. “The signal jammer is gone. What’s your status?!”

Her heart soared, bringing with it a brief burst of clarity. “Ferdie! It’s an ambush. We need support!”

“I’ve already informed Babylonia,” he said urgently. “Reinforcement is on the way. I’m coming to you, Commandant. Just hold on!” His signal blinked to life, moving rapidly towards their location. Lydias smiled grimly. Ferdinand was on his way. Support was coming. Surely, they would be okay. They would make it out of this. She just had to hold on for a little longer. 

Flora’s signal pulsed unsteadily and Ilya’s grew fainter with every breath. Lydias clung with desperation to the unstable M.I.N.Ds of her Wolves. I will protect you.

-----------

“Coming through!” A ray of energy tore through the Corrupted wave. Lydias spied Ferdinand’s face through the sea of blades. She almost wept with relief. “Retreat,” she said hoarsely, struggling to stay conscious. “Black Wolves, retreat!”

On cue, Ilya and Flora rushed through the tunnel, half-carrying Lydias with them. Between one ferocious breath and the next, they’d broken through the Corrupted circle. She tumbled bonelessly into Ferdinand’s open arms. He took a brief moment to survey her and paled. “The meeting point isn’t far,” he said. “Support will be there.” He picked up Lydias and turned to run, but Ilya and Flora didn’t follow. 

“Sorry, but this is the end of the road for me,” Flora said wryly. “Didn’t think it’d end like this.” She spat out a wad of purple fluid. “At least these fuckers will go down with me.”

“And you get the privilege of dying by my side,” Ilya said primly, readjusting his grip on his dagger. Flora laughed, an edge of sadness in her voice. “Yeah, old man, I guess I do.”

Lydias stirred in Ferdinand’s arms. “No,” she said, forcing herself to meet their gazes. “I won’t allow it.” 

“Unfortunately, Commandant,” Ilya said. “This time it’s not up to you.” He raised his remaining hand in a salute. “It’s been a pleasure working with you.”

“Go on,” Flora growled. “We’ll make sure nobody pursues you.”

Ferdinand pursed his lips, but nodded tightly. Lydias fought in his grip. She hardly even felt the pain. “No!” she screamed, or tried to. It was hard to tell where her voice was. “Don’t! I forbid it! That’s an order!” He started running. She watched helplessly as the distance grew. “Stop! Go back, we have to help them! Stop!”

In the fading light, Ilya fell and was immediately consumed by a horde of Corrupted hands. His signal weakened then blinked out. A scream tore itself from her throat. She thrashed in Ferdinand’s grip and felt his hold on her loosen. White-hot pain shot through her body as she tumbled to the ground. Mad with grief, she crawled forward desperately, mind blank except for the desire to be with her Wolves. 

Strong arms lifted her up. Ferdinand’s lively voice was dull. “Please don’t do this, Lydias.” 

“Let go, Ferdie,” she said angrily. “We have to--” Flora’s signal flickered out. Lydias felt her spirit break. “No,” she cried. “Please, no.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Words abandoned her. The world seemed to shrink, compacting to a single thought: she had failed. 

-----------

She woke to white light. Something beeped steadily beside her. Tubes ran from her body to several machines like the tentacles of some deep sea creature. Her entire body hurt. Immediately, she reached for the Black Wolves, but their signals were absent, leaving her mind uncomfortably empty. Panic settled like ice in her veins. It couldn’t be. It was impossible. 

Surely, they had recalled their consciousnesses. Surely, she’d simply woken up early. And where was Ferdie? Gasping, Lydias stood, dragging her broken body to the wall of windows. She brought a fist to the cool glass. Nikola watched her from the other side. “Where are they,” she croaked. “What happened?”

He shook his head sympathetically. “They didn’t recall their consciousness. According to our records, Ilya and Flora died protecting you from pursuit. Ferdinand was infected.” His eyes were grave. “He guarded you until reinforcements arrived.”

She didn’t know if she could bear the answer, but she asked anyway. “And then?”

Nikola studied her for a long moment before giving in. “And then the Punishing Virus took over his M.I.N.D. He escaped because we prioritised your survival.” A desperate hope sparked to life within her. “So he’s still alive? Then there’s still a chance! Please, let me find him!”

“You know it doesn’t work like that.” 

“Please,” she begged. “Please.”

He turned away from her. “The Purifying Force has already been sent after him. I’m sorry, Lydias.”

-----------

Three weeks later

“Are you sure?” Nikola asked, studying her with intensity. “Your chances of success are only 47%.”

Lydias stared at him blankly. “I’m sure.”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow it. Commandants are valuable to Babylonia. Perhaps even more than Constructs. Few possess the will and compatibility to stabilize M.I.N.Ds. Someone as experienced as you is not expendable.”

“Then I quit being a Commandant. I refuse to lead another squad.” She looked away. “I couldn’t protect any of them. Not a single one.” Her voice broke. “I’m not… I don’t think I can--I just can’t.”

Nikola considered her with some pity. “What do you want then, Lydias?”

“You know what I want. I’m not afraid of dying.”

“I know you’re not afraid, but it seems to me like you seek it.”

She said nothing. Nikola sighed. “I’d rather not lose you completely. You have experience and ability. The Black Wolves were specifically chosen for that mission for your competence. Aife will increase our combat power significantly against the Corrupted.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s unfortunate, but these things happen at war.”

“Say whatever you want,” Lydias said stubbornly. “But this is my final decision.”

“Fine,” Nikola said. “Your attempt at redemption is admirable. I’ll grant your request, but if you survive, you’ll work directly under me. Is that acceptable?”

“Perfectly.”

INTERLUDE HIDDEN CHAPTER

F A D I N G   L I G H T

Flora: Fairfrost - Voice Log 

*sounds of fighting* I hope this reaches you, Commandant. I don’t think I’m gonna last much longer and… *grunting* I just wanna say goodbye. The old man’s already gone. I felt his signal die out a while ago. He went down taking a blade for me, can you believe it? Even though I’m the Attacker Construct. *panting* You know what his last words to me were? “It hurts.” As if our pain receptors weren’t turned off. I know what he means though. *blades clashing* After all, we all wanna go back home with you. But life’s a bit unfair, eh? For once, I don’t mind. Protecting your back… it almost makes me feel like a hero. That ain’t something you experience every day, y’know? *metal tearing* I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you. For being someone worthy of love. *crash, wet coughing* It’s been my honour and privilege to have been one of your Wolves, Commandant. You’ll remember me, won’t you?

-----------

Ferdinand: Aegis - Voice Log 

Lydias… This will probably be my last communication with you. I never would have thought this would be how it ends, but… Well, I’m just glad that I get to spend my final moments with you. I can feel my M.I.N.D. slipping, but Babylonia will be here any second now. They’ll take care of you, the way I wish I could. *sigh* Ah, there are so many things I want to say. I have nothing to lose anymore, so I hope you’re ready to listen. *deep breath* I love you. The way you laugh at my jokes and tease me. The way you can talk about anything. Your smile, your lips. I love the way you kiss me. And of course, I love our late night activities… Such as you trying to teach me to dance. *short laughter* Were you expecting me to say something else, Commandant? You--*grunt, glitching* Looks like my time is running out. I should go, but promise me one thing, Lydias. Promise me you’ll keep your heart open, so that someone else can love you as you deserve. I--You--*glitches*

DATA CORRUPTED.

[nina-wrote-this]

Last Romance - One Shot.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader 

Summary: You move on after Thanos’s Snap, but a ghost from the past still wants to make things right. 

Warnings: Sadness, break up and a lot of melancholic ;)

Word count: 1,555

A/N: Hello, loveees! So, this is my first Bucky One Shot and I have this idea after having a dream with Sebastian Stan :) I also used two songs as inspiration: Long Break – Moody Woody and Último Romance / Last Romance – Los Hermanos (they are my favorite Alt-Rock Brazilian band). I’ll put the links below the GIF and if you want to listen while read, it will be an even better experience! I hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you think! If you find any typos, please let me know (English isn’t my mother tongue)!  

INFINITY WAR AND ENDGAME SPOILERS AHEAD!

Song’s links: Long Break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGh_Iyw6fgI | Último Romance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27TT85GA9VM 

Telluride, Colorado.

2 years after they come back.

“Thank you, Mrs. Bradley! Have a good night!” You gently said getting the heavy paper bags with all the fresh ingredients for your wedding anniversary.

“For you too, Darling! Enjoy your husband!” The old lady smirks.

“You can count on that!”

Your life was perfect now. After Stark’s death and all the story with Thanos, most part of the heroes and allies decide to get there retire, and you are one of this people.

You cross the country moving from the Avengers compound to a small town in Colorado, laying down your weapons and abilities and getting your brushes and canvas. At somehow, you were still trying to save people, but now using art.

And you have him. The man who give you more than you expect: love, safety, partnership and calm. Blake was amazing. You two rebuild yourselves together when everything happened.

Blake used to be an Interpol agent and his wife and daughter died in a car crash when the Snap happened, there uber's driver faded away and the car fell off a cliff.

You two found each other in the help group Steve used to organized. You moved in together, you grow together, you cried together and fight together against your own demons. Blake supported your decision to risk your life on the time travel and fight the battle even knowing that the first man you ever loved would come back. Blake would love you regardless of the choice you would have made.

And you choose Blake, he was your future.  

You drive through the shy suburb of the small town, and thank for being there.  

At the end of the street, was your house. A yellow wood little house in the middle of a large grassy rectangle, surrounded by hibiscus and white roses.  

Soon you get in, you start putting your plans in action. Pasta, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce, Blake's favorite – weird – cheese, 3 bottles of wine. Cut, cook, wash, decorate, another glass of wine… shit, I can’t get high yet.

The music that was playing on the living room suddenly stopped and a strange familiar metal sound came to your ears.  

After years surrounded by wars, crazy insane Titans, Hydra and Shield, your mind was pretty fucked up. So, yes, a nosy sound was something to worry about.

You walked slowly following what was bordering your thoughts, but you didn’t have to do too much. Just few steps, and you see him in the corner of the room. I’ll always be in the shadows, babe. The memory of his voice hits your mind like a shoot.

“You scare me…” You took one last sip of your wine.

“Your place is beautiful.” His eyes were haunted and his voice come out like a whisper.

You nodded smiling.  

“How are you?” He tried to approach but stopped himself.

“Good. You know, retirement does me good.” You cross your arms, protecting yourself from your old feelings. “And you, how have you been? Still living in Wakanda?”

He faced the floor taking a deep breath.  

“I… I left Wakanda right after you…” He hesitated and you knew why. “I'm working with Sam now.”

You try to keep smiling, but your eyes meet with his, and you could read them like an open book: He was broken.  

James has a fucked up brain, he has his issues and Hydra problems, but the way he looked like now was something deeper. Years before, you saw this same look but was in your own eyes, every damn day, when you woke up and see yourself on the mirror.  

He was alone, he missed you.

“James, say it.” You broke the silence and he frowned. “You invade my house at the exact moment my husband isn’t. The only thing that motivated you to came here is because you probably have something to say. So, please… Just say it!”

“I miss you!” He didn’t even search for the right words. “And I want you back. I need you back!”  

“Don't!” You turn your back to him walking back to the kitchen. “Don't tell me you come here today to say this after all these two years, James.”  

For the first time he come closer to you.

“What did you expect?” He asked confuse. “Y/N, do you really think I'm doing this for fun? You know this isn't easy for me, talk about these things, and I know you can read me easily than anyone.” He said fast.

“James, I know you're in pain. But, if is hard for you, believe me, it’s two times harder for me.” You point your finger to him. "For you was like fall asleep for a couple of hours, but for us, for me, was and still being an eternity.” Tears already falling in the corner of your eyes.

“So, what was the purpose, Y/N? Bring me back, so you could feel good to yourself and return to your happy fake life?” His voice sounded disappointed and his metal arm fisted against the sink. “эгоистичный!”

Your heart broke in little pieces and the control was gone.

"Don't you dare call me selfish!" Your voice was cracking and the regret filled his eyes. "Did you really think that I left you because I don't love you anymore?"

He took a long breath, and you try to hide your tears.

“You still love me?” He gets closer to you without losing the fragile eye contact.

“Is this matter now?” Your eyes break the contact running the kitchen and your hands falling down in redemption. “Don’t hurt yourself, моя любовь.” You asked.

He placed his hands on each side of your face and bring to his chest. The cold of the leather jacket in contact with your skin sent a shiver down your spine.

Even knowing this was – at somehow – wrong, you let yourself relax on his embracing. James was warm, his muscles created a protective barrier around you and his fingers caressed your body looking for all the parts where your skin were naked for him. Your arms crossed around his neck and on tiptoes you barred your face on his shoulder.

“You cut your hair…” Your cracking voice whisper to him trying to break the tension, while you run your hand through his hair strands.

“Like you always suggest.” He smirked bringing you to face him. Yours foreheads touched and his eyes found your soul. “Come back, Y/N! I do anything to have you back, моя любовь…” His lips brushed against yours. “Whatever you want, just tell me, and we will do it, okay?”

For a couple of seconds, you imagined your life with James. Maybe both of you living in a big farm, waking up together, getting back the time you two lost. Kisses, shy touches, his overprotection full time, your crazy manias and his strange neuroses. Was perfect. Was much better than the time you guys lived in Wakanda.  

But was too late.  

You were sure you didn’t take the break up decision alone. You have asked him what life he wanted for himself and he choose to continue Steve's legacy, but you wasn’t available to live that kind of life anymore. Follow different ways was the best decision.

He tried to kiss you hardly, but you get back.

“I can’t, James…” You grabbed his black shit. “We can’t…” He closed his eyes and kissed your forehead. He felt the goodbye was happening again.  

The car's engine rumbled on the garage bringing you back to reality. Blake was arriving home.

“Y/N, we can…” James tried, but you knew what you have to do.

“Go.” You direct to the backyard door. “Now!”

“Where is my beautiful, lovely, super hot wife?” Blake screamed at the front door.

James leaves the house without looking to you, without any noise.

You clean the tears of your face, put on the best happy face and waited for your husband get in the kitchen.

“There she is!” His sexy voice said.

You turn around and there was Blake: dressed with his Professor social attire, flowers in one hand.  

Blake you’re perfect.  

“Hello, Mister sexy voice!” You kissed him slowly and intense.

But you’re not James…

He gets his hands free and finally hold you spinning around ourselves.

“You okay, honey?” He took a look on your eyes. “Looks like you cried, or something like that… Is everything good?”

Blake is perfect.

“Yes, honey!” You smile shooking your head and squeezing your eyes. “It’s just the wine!”

But he is not James…

The living player come back with the song. Último Romance / Last Romance, Los Hermanos. Your honeymoon song.

“Right on time!” Blake automatically pressed his body against yours and start following the music melody, singing slowly.

“I love you, Y/N. Happy wedding anniversary!” He kissed your neck.

“I love you too, honey. Thanks for everything…” You rest your head on his shoulder.

You two stayed on that moment, seams like forever. When your eyes find the kitchen’s window you locked on James's eyes, staring your perfect moment.

“E ninguém dirá que é tarde demais / And no one will say it’s too late

Que é tão diferente assim / That’s so different

Do nosso amor a gente é que sabe / About our love, is us who knows”

*******************************************************************************************

A/N: What you guys think about some continues of this one shot? Maybe like, Y/N and Bucky's  time living in Wakanda, or Y/N’s wedding day, Y/N and Bucky’s break up... I really enjoy write this story ahahahah :) 

[faerune]

all of storytime & basics for vera 🧡🦾

Age, Birthday, Star Sign 27! She was born July 29th, 2050 and that makes her a Leo!

Gender Identity Cis lady!

Orientation and Relationship status Bisexual and as of a ~month or so post-game taken by Thotty Silverhand

Race and Ethnicity Mexican and russian (only about a quarter because her dad was mixed too)!

Height and Body type 5′10 and as Ms. Stallion puts it curvy, wavy, big titties, lil' waist 😌 

Headcanon VA I love Eiza’s voice but I also love canon f!V so I’d say a mix between the two would be perfect.

Occupation Mercenary and solo for a majority of her life! As of post-game she’s a nomad part of the Aldecaldo clan and is a gunslinger for them.

Weapon of Choice Pistols! She loves a pretty pistol. But pretty much any kind of nice gun she digs but she finds pistols to be her Thing.

Hometown and current residence Heywood, Watson, Night City babey! Currently living on the road!

Do they have any markings, piercings or scars? Yes! She has a bunch of piercings on her ears but none anywhere else, lots of scars on her body from various fuckery gone wrong and a ton of tattoos. Most notable tattoos are her mother’s date of death, a really pretty brightly colored tiger, twin pistols on her hips, Johnny’s dumbass tattoo, and a quote from For Whom The Bell Tolls for Jackie.

Do they have any notable features, like horns, tails, or so on? Haha no. Other than that, she dyes her hair pretty often (pink, blonde, etc) and of course she’s got pretty glowy orange eyes when she’s messing around with her holo.

Own any pets? Nah. I can’t see her adopting the canon cat either just because like...she’s going to die so soon and leave that poor thing unattended. I can see her giving it to Judy lmao.

Have any kids? NO. And I refuse to let myself rationalize her having babies I will not succumb to my baby fever.

Can they cook? Can they bake? Lmao no. Vera is comically bad at both. There’s a reason why she lives on street food and fast food.

Can they sing? Can they dance? Vera isn’t a bad singer but it usually only happens when she’s alone or when she’s very drunk and singing with others. She loves to dance and is good at it. She’s a club rat at heart.

Can they drive? Yes, very well to the point where she’s hopping onto sidewalks and squeezing through cars during traffic. Luckily, Night City c*ps have more than enough on their hands so she rarely has gotten trouble. She prefers bikes to cars especially since the traffic in the city can be so bad. And she loves the wind in her hair.

Can they fight? Yes! She prefers ranged but her father taught her hand to hand when she was younger and she sometimes sparred with Jackie (not with Vik he’s too much for her lmao). Vera doesn’t have much constitution so she can’t last very long esp against bigger opponents but she relies on being fast and taking people by surprise.

Have any special keepsakes? Other than the bullet necklace that she chucks the minute she leaves night city...not that I can think of. Johnny’s gun possibly. I’m thinking he might let her just keep it.

What’s their family like? Who’s in it? What’s their relationship with them? Complicated and dead. Vera was an only child. Her father was a Russian gunrunner when Heywood was a mix of the Valentinos and Russian mob warring over the streets. She had a complex relationship with him.  He was who she predominantly lived with due to her mother’s problems with addiction and owed debts. Vera was his pride and joy but he also emotionally and physically abused her in the name of making her strong enough to survive Night City. He taught her how to shoot, how to fight to not trust corpos and c*ps, how to work the streets, etc. Hitting and abuse was a common punishment for her doing things she shouldn’t...even just being a kid. Vera never really knew what she was going to get with him - praise or a fist. She wanted his approval so, so badly. Growing up in Night City isn’t exactly a walk in the park and she was exposed to a lot of awful things too young and her father was one of those reasons why. He was the one who encouraged her to shoot her first person.

Her mother was a joytoy and not on good terms with her father. She struggled a lot with mental illness namely addiction. Vera would live with her/have visitation with her every so often but it was always back and forth when her mother would relapse. One of her most prominently emotional memories Johnny sees when they merge is when she visited her mother once after an overdose. 

Her mother loved her very much. Adored her. Vera realizes after a lot of misdirected anger and resentment of her mother that she was a victim. It’s why she has so much stake in Evelyn’s rescue.

Are they literate? Did they go to school? How long? What level? Vera is literate! She’s not exactly about to read Shakespeare but she gets by! She did go to school and just barely graduated highschool. After that, nothing else. School of hardknocks was the name of the game in the Volakov household.

What was childhood like? Unstable is the best way I can describe it. Even with all the violence and awfulness in her life she did have good moments. Worked on cars with her friends after school when they hung out at the mechanics shop. Broke windows and snuck into abandoned buildings. Bought the cheapest chili dogs from the street and sat on the curb shooting the shit with her friends. Padre was a pretty big influence on her too - him knowing her mother through distant relation. Her mother often took her to church when Vera was with her and Vera always looked forward to talking to Padre and the other attendees. 

What was adolescence like? Lmao also unstable and wild. Vera was a rebellious kid and hid it well from her father (seemed like he taught her too well). Drank and picked up smoking but specifically stayed away from hard drugs. Dated and broke up and got very bad at relationships. Prioritized school a lot less. Started participating in street racing!

What’s their current main conflict / what do they do to tackle this conflict / how have they changed over time? (I just smooshed these together) Throughout 2077, I’d say that Vera is faced with the breakdown of a lot of her idealism. She’s slowly coming to terms with the fact that Night City isn’t how it is supposed to be. Johnny confuses her some. Vera hates corps and c*ps but it has always been an avoid and fuck over instead of change type of attitude. Growing up in Night City she just has always accepted how it is.

She also learns to value her life and impact on the people around her. Vera so wants to be a big name, a drink at Afterlife, a legend. But then she meets all these people who she looked up to and sees how much they have suffered because of Night City and that drive to fame. Johnny died for his cause and his legacy and all that he was left with was the permanent damage he had done to the people who cared for him and an unmarked grave.

Vera grows less idealistic, more paranoid and realistic. She grows tired. She questions if what she has been fighting for in this awful city is really worth it. Night City has consumed so many people - Jackie, Johnny, Alt, her mother, Evelyn...

Judy leaving Night City and telling her that she’s never felt more free, River’s sister commenting that since River left the force he has never been happier....they all impact her and make her think.

Finally, it hits her that being important to the people she cares about and even having an impact on those around her is enough of a legacy for her. She finally breaks free of how cancerous and black night city is and values her life and a chance at a fresh start.

And fucking leaves!!! Cherishes her new found family and her relationship with Johnny. They grow together and piece together who they think they are out of their bullshit personas they both crafted to protect themselves in Night City.

[kehideni]

I think it’s time i rant why i ship the Commander with Caithe.

And not specifically MY commander, but the general commander character. (which is why i don’t care that my Commander happens to be male)

I don’t even know where to start... i guess for clarifications:

I personally don’t feel either way for Caithe. I guess i like her but she wouldn’t be on my top 10-20 favourit character list.

When i first played Guild Wars 2(yes my main character is my first ever character) i played through with the mindset that i am this charr and i will make the choices that i think will save the most lives(lel.... later on i learned it didn’t matter). So when i plowed through the personal story of the Commander i was in the mindset of “I AM A CHARR!!! AND IN THIS WORLD OF CONSTANT BATTLE I AM THE DEADLIEST WEAPON OF ALL!” (also mild Denalien influence but Denalien is intertvined with my being so... let’s not go into that)

I LOVED that Rytlock was badass and unflinching and angry i guess in simpler way: Charr = GW2′s version of orks(WoW) which means Rytlock = Thrall but actually badass.

By pure coincidence i made the choices that made me meet with mainly charr characters and it made me believe it’s because i chose charr that i meet charr. Later on i learned that... no... i just chose the paths that made me meet charr.

Queue in the story instances from 10 to 80, and past-kehideni notices a pattern. Rytlock is not the one that your character connects to the most.

I know, the letters you get are all from Rytlock when you are a charr, but the one other person Arenanet pushes your Commander to connect with is- you guessed it- Caithe.

Twilight Arbor- now you would argue Rytlock Logan and Caithe but Rytlock leaves before you start fighting any nightmare court and Logan after just a bunch of spiders. Canonically, it’s just the Commander and Caithe. Nothing actually that i’d noticed when playing through because the Commander only asks questions from Caithe that i’d want to know anyway. However this instance literally has established a connection between the two that later on gets referenced in a throwaway speechline with someone you’ll be surprised by. We’ll get to that.

Sorrow’s Embrace- Eir, Zojja and Caithe: the Commander asks Caithe for information (of course, who else. Not like they can ask Zojja at that moment, but these are all just starting off things)

Honor of the Waves- Eir and Caithe: the Commander tells Caithe to shut up and let Eir come to the right conclusion herself which makes me laugh to this day xD (This is where my personal meme comes from “Shut up, Kyle Caithe!”)

Ruined city of Arah- the Commander sasses Caithe. Basically in the story instances the Commander and Caithe work towards the same goal, to reunite Destiny’s Edge.

Things happen in the between though: There is this quest where Trahearne and the Commander enter a vision of the Pale Tree. In there, the Pale Tree tells the Commander that they MUST reunite Destiny’s Edge and this is where Twilight Arbor greets back a bit. 

When you walk past the members you hear them talk to each other, blame each other.

Caithe however stands out because she isn’t talking with one of her friends, she talks to Faolain. The crazy part is that in this vision you are not supposed to AND can’t talk to any vision-npc.... that is except for Faolain herself. But let’s see what happened beforehand:

Narratively speaking when a character says they are alone and tired, it’s supposed to elicit protectiveness from the viewer and/or empathy.

“So here i am a bulky a** charr, why is her love life any of my buisness?” - very emotional quote from kehideni of the past

Aaaaaha... sure whatever you say Trahearne, but wait.. because here comes the kicker. The ACTUAL kicker where past-kehideni went 

“Wait jus- hold on just a minute here...”

Faolain that was awfully possessive of you, i’m a big a** charr. What competition would i be in this future-vision to you? And then the Commander says “I won’t let Caithe fall into nightmare.”

A little bit of extra:

“Pft... whatever... you’re just her ex.” says the Commander. :v

In Arah Caithe thanks you for saving Destiny’s Edge (also interestingly she is the chosen companion npc as she’s the one that resses you if you get downed) and at the end of the fight she says that all of Tyria is in the Commander’s debt. Ok ... casual stuff. She’s been thanking the Commander left and right that day. As if she didn’t drive home the fact that she’s grateful she thanks the Commander once again at the end party and also is the one to suggest the Commander should go after the rest of the Elder Dragons too.

The next you meet her is the Aetherblade path in Twilight Arbor, the narrative distances Caithe from the Commander. By this time canonically they are friends, duh. So it’s like a friend has a side the Comm didn’t know so far. Nothing interesting yet, let’s hurry on.

She attends the summit, of course she does. You can’t talk with her.

In Echoes of the Past Comm saves her, their talk is still friendly but distanced. I do want to note that Canach and Caithe are so similar in attitude xD

Tangled Paths: Comm goes up to her to talk and she says “don’t mind me” and proceeds to follow you around and friendly-mocks you as “boss”. We know NOW why, but not back then. This is important because not long before this i realised that the Comm can’t possibly be me. It’s MassEffect’s case of Commander Shepard. You controll them but they are their own character and your choices have only slight weight in the story because the Commanders’ choices are already set in stone by the actual writers. What you CAN do is write the WHY parts, and this is soon the part where my writing interferes with actual canon but you’ll see my reasonings.

When the Comm talks with Caithe she’s the most civil with them among their allies. (We later learn it was to keep the Comm. in the dark.)

The beauty of this scene is that Caithe WILL learn why a mother can’t keep their eyes off of their children.

“Is that a problem?” “Not for me.” Still can take this line as civil but kinda funny line in hindsight. (Get it? Because it will be a problem for them.)

So Caithe’s betrayal happens, and the Comm is FURIOUS!

Lol my charr is too tall, but the shot was meant to place the Comm face to face with Caithe because in the next shot she looks them in the eye and goes for the egg.

When Marjory notes that Caithe is a Sylvari the Comm goes defensive “So? What are you trying to say?” Their friend would never do that- is what narratively they want to convey, but later on in HoT the Comm reacts so harshly to her betrayal i took the wheel a bit.

I mean let’s add up what the Comm knows: Mordremoth created the sylvari, he has mental access to them, he can mind controll them, fool them if they are too strongwilled to do his bidding. Caithe is a sylvari with a strong will. If she betrayed them it’s not of her free mind. It’s like the victim-blaming when a girl gets drugged and they take her body to do as they please. Try as she might she wasn’t clear in the head but she made it clear later on that she didn’t want to betray the Comm. Why would she after all she can be thankful for to the Comm?

So what gives? Well in my mind, the only way to rectify Anet’s nonsense writing(they should really stop reading GW2 reddit forums, not a good place to be influenced with) is to give the Comm a reason to take it to heart a bit too much, say... if they were harboring feelings for her. In my mind it adds up.

So HoT happens, and Caudecus is making his move.

Where next you meet Caithe: Out of the Shadows. (fitting title for her, huh?)

I’m just gonna link the video with timestamp, that whole part is reconciling:

https://youtu.be/AABguDwhieE?t=2612

At this point the writing of GW2 seems to take a chillpill so i go with the flow. The Comm realising that he overreacted inspects himself: Why? This is the part the Comm realises that “oh sheet, they got them feels.”

Aurene hatches, Caithe is there.

The first time the Comm is voiced in LW and he jokes around with a character it’s with Caithe.

Comm: “I’d feel better if someone i knew was watching the chamber.”

Caithe fishing for the one line that would reassure her that the Comm talking with her actually means that they are ok with her now: “Someone you trust?”

Comm: “Yeah, so... could you ask Taimi to get her right away?”

Caithe relieved her relationship with Comm is safe: “You’re joking with me, i take that as a good sign.” They talk around a bit more, they are healing and that’s adorable.

Later on she thanks the Comm for letting her prove herself to them by looking out for Aurene.

Path of Fire happens, she’s like throwaway-ly mentioned by Taimi.

I was all, “Well, goodbye Caithe you got Zojja’d, it was a good headcannon while it lasted” but THENNNNNNN ARENANET THROWS ME THIS

Like... are you fkin’ kidding me. This line alone means that she’s been stalking the Commander IN STEALTH ATLEAST since they met Zafirah in Sun’s Refuge!!! THE BARE MINIMUM SHE SAW FROM STEALTH WAS THE COMM GOING IN ON A SUICIDE MISSION, HOW ABOUT SOME HELP YOU CONNIVING VEGETAB- sorry... my personal annoyance at her came out.

Back to story, after this All or Nothing happens where the Comm and Caithe are confirmed parents of Aurene. When Aurene branded Caithe only the Comm asked if she was still herself, not even Rytlock nor Logan, the actual two people who know her longest. The Comm and Caithe are constantly paralleled next to Aurene as her “champions” because dragons apparently don’t have parental bonds*sarcasm* :V

Requiem happens and Rytlock himself says he sees it now. Coincidentally as of writing this he is going through the very same trauma Caithe and Comm went through when Aurene died.

Caithe calls for Comm to return to her because she needs them, and the Comm tells everyone they should go and spend whatever time they have with people they love. Implying that Aurene is who Comm loves but then again Caithe is there too. The 3 of them were going to spend the last of their lives with each other. (not saying they don’t love the rest of the group, but had they decided to leave, the 3 would still stay together.)

As from War Eternal to till now their co-parental connection is getting stronger.

[allyvampirelass29]

Beautiful Wickedness

A NOS4A2 Fanfiction By: Allyssa J. Watkins

Ally lay next to Charles, as the silver morning crept into the overhead canopy, setting the room alight with a soft glow. There was so much they weren't saying, as they laid there, close enough to touch, and a part of her wanted to forget it all........ her team-up with Victoria, her ghastly meeting with the vampire children, their deathly duel on the St. Nick Parkway, and just hold her husband, cling to his beautiful body, until it all melted away like snow........

Charles frowned as that mischievous hand touched his face, trying not to admire how comely her black lace nightdress stood out stark against her white skin. Skin that was right now beckoning to him....... He looked at her stubbornly, fighting his attraction, wary as to just what new hellish plot her sweet touch might conjure for him. You're a scheming minx, Wife, and yet I do so long, even still, to be seduced by you.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Manx," He whispered softly, allowing her to stroke his cheek, drunk with the ache in her touch, wondering if the same hunger lingered on her soft lips. "Are you going to kill me today, Wife? Or shall we linger abed for a bit longer?"

"Charles......." Ally whispered back, anguished, perishing in the thought, and he grabbed her tightly, as she hugged his body to hers, hiding her face in his bared chest.

"If I may be granted the privilege in choosing the weapon of my demise........ This sweet suffocation is a rather fine way to go......." He snickered, feeling her arms wrap tighter around him, her cheek pressed flush to his muscular chest, the slight quiver in her lips, making him wish they were overtaking his right now. So much fuss and fret, so many furious words hurled, this damnable business with Vic, poisoning their happy honeymoon days. But laying here, grasping her, feeling her, both of them desperate to be closer to each other. This was what he'd craved....... What he was so afraid to lose.

"Or perhaps I would prefer to die by a kiss," He simpered, his breath hot, his voice almost a growl and he wrenched her up his body, drowning her in an angry and tender kiss, tasting that ache, that pain of love, those gentle tears.........

"Ally........"

Ally burst into tears as she kissed him back passionately, letting her body say the words she could not, and Charles seized her thigh, punishing her with his affection, feeling her let go.......

"Charles- I could never- I won't let her k-kill-" Ally sobbed harder as she spoke between kisses, her voice broken and desolate, and Manx pulled at her curls to get more control over her lips, and to shield his heart from the pangs of those hopeless sobs.

"Nobody cries in Christmasland, Ally Manx," He breathed, his lips still brushing against hers, and he rested his fingernails on her wet cheek, watching the tears stream steady from those summertime eyes. "You're breaking the rules, My Sweet, and my poor heart. Unhappiness is against the law, or did you forget? Kill me with your kiss, Allyssa, yes, but do be so kind as to make it quick."

"I'll kiss you, Loveliest Husband, but I won't kill you........ Ally's eyes welled with raw emotion, piercing agony, profound joy, her lip still quivering. "I love you more than-"

"Don't-" Charles reprimanded sharply, pressing a trembling razor sharp nail against her wet lips, to silence her, his black eyes welling with anguish. "Don't you dare say it, Allyssa, if you don't mean it, don't induct that slow acting poison we call hope, through my veins. If you hate me, SCREAM IT, strike me, cut me with your precious pen, but don't you tell me you love me, if it's no longer true!!!!"

"Charles!!!!" Ally cried out in another desolate sob, and Charlie hastily lowered his hand to let her speak, still clutching hold of her like she was a fast fading dream. "I LOVE YOU!!!! Of course, I love you, and I know it would be easier for us both, if I didn't, but I don't care!!!! I will LOVE you, even if it kills me........"

Charles felt his chest shudder, the infernal tears stinging his eyes, pouring out of him, laced with the pain, and the poisonous hope, and he cursed them, feeling like he was dying, because he knew it was true. Through the many horrors and heartache, forcing her to hurt whomever he chose, authoring mayhem with her hand, in the midst of a still raging war for the Found Children of Christmasland, somehow the devil and a lost angel, the pure and the soulless had fallen in love.

His vulnerability turned brittle and cold, like ice that could shatter against her warmth.

"I told you....... to fear the far more tender hands. You didn't listen."

Charlie's glistening claws snapped around her curly head, closing tight, yanking her upright, and he waited for the struggle that never came, she didn't even cry out, as he delicately drew his sharp pinky over her full, tremulous lip. He paused with a snarl, and then rested his head atop hers, sinking his cheek into the silky, pillowed curls there, his voice a wounded rasp, as he held her still.

"Do you have ANY idea......... how HARD I tried not to love you........"

"Do you......... love me?" She asked breathlessly, trembling in his forceful hold, but she didn't fight him, and he sighed in defeat, his eyes murderous, his claws still firmly cradling his porcelain doll's head.

"More than Christmas......." His windstorm rage withered into a whisper, trading away his secret, his eyes flashing with something fearfully fond, pressing a kiss into her halo of curls. Damn this perfect creature. "I will confess, I had no designs for this to be a happy marriage, Mrs. Manx. Before I said, I do, tricked you into signing away your life, your hand, on that majestic Christmas Eve, and watched your eyes dance, glistening in the cascading glow of white lights, your beauty purely blinding, as I slid the lie onto your finger......... and let the trap close around you, before that profound moment, I had thought there existed no such thing as a happy marriage. Only fools enjoy such a suffocating union, under the thumb of a woman, as their dreams die slowly with them. What is a wedding, truly, but a man's funeral!?" He snarled coldly, his lip furled, and then slowly, his claws retracted.

"And then you happened, Allyssa Jolene, stole your way into my hardened heart, husband and wife fighting on opposite sides, and still sharing the same bed, as much devoured by the other's passions as ever........ How preposterous! Sickness, health, and all that humbug, but even quarreling with you in conflict is explicit bliss.

He let her go roughly, but did not release her from the intensity of his gaze, eying her with an especially derisive arched brow. "What now, Ally Manx? How does this fated love story end? We have proved beyond doubts and shadows that we cannot kill each other, and yet a problem called Vic McQueen persists, putting us ultimately at odds. I want to kill her, and she wants to kill me, while you seem rather reluctant to let either wish be granted, languishing between........" His smirk crept across his lips, especially smug. "And yet, you're not truly on either side, are you, My Dearest Love? If she knew that you were here, that you had betrayed her, by coming to me, succumbed to one last late night tryst in our marriage bed no less, she'd hate you forever. She'd never trust you again. Oh is there anything more fickle than a woman?

"I know, I shouldn't have come, but I-I couldn't resist seeing you, Charles, touching you, kissing you!!! I need you....... It doesn't have to be this way!!! You can end this, right now........."

Charlie's black eyes snapped, as she hugged his waist, and nestled her curly head into his shoulder, her eyes squeezed shut. So demure, my clever temptress....... But the honeymoon....... is long over.

Ally struggled against him as he seized both of her hands, entwining their fingers, attempting to hold her in place, as he forced her to lay back down, pressing her under him as he moved on top of her, snickering to himself, knowing she wasn't fighting very hard.

"The time for dealing and truces has long passed, My Love, this ends in blood. I AM going to end this", he purred, releasing his talons from one of her hands, to stroke her spilt curls on his pillow, as she looked back with big, sad, green eyes. "And when I do........ Your amusing little girl gang will be finished, and you will never go against me again once you've beheld what I've done to her."

He grinned even more charming, kissing her deeply, but the threat lingered in the heat of his passion, so coldly, that she shivered beneath him.

"I love you, Charles, but I won't let you kill her. I-I have to stop you, save you from yourself, so we can be together."

He kissed her angrily, his tooth catching on her lip, and then grabbed hold of her face to stop her, before she could kiss him back, his voice especially sinister.

"I will kill her....... even if it means sacrificing your love."

"Charles, NO! You cannot mean that!" She cried out in protest, her sweet eyes horrified, and he whisked his razor tipped nails across her dove white cheek.

"I do," He quipped cleverly, toying with the ring on her hand, feeling her close it into a fist, fearing he'd meant to rip it from her delicate little finger. Oh no, Wife....... You WILL wear my ring, and you will come back to me. Once I kill that petulant little bitch, you will have no choice, but to BEHAVE.

"Charles, I beg you-"

"AND if you do manage by some unforeseen twist of fate to leave here........" He finished coolly, cutting off her impassioned pleas. "You will never be free of me......." He leaned in closer, breathing in deeply, brushing his nose against hers, breathing heavily on her lips as he spoke. "I will find you," He whispered sing song, stroking her forehead. "You are my wife til death do us part, and lucky you, for I.......... am immortal."

He chuckled and expected her to continue pleading, struggling, reasoning, but instead she did the one thing he never saw coming........ Ally slowly lowered her curly head, and kissed just so where his wisps of silky chest hair began, her voice so full of desire, his hold loosened completely.

"What makes you think........ I want to be free of you.......?"

Charles' lips parted, euphoric, practically purring as he rolled onto his back, pulling her on top of him, clasping the back of her head, nails in curls, kissing her, devouring her lips with an insatiable hunger.

She grinned against his lips, kissing him even more ravenously, hair dangling in her eyes, letting her ache, her love for his beautiful wickedness flood from her very being.

"You always did have such a fiery way with words, My Divine," He breathed feverishly, the two of them sharing air, drowning in each other. "And yet...... Your lips hold more of desire's own fire, than your words could even form."

"I would die without your kiss, Charles. Do not perpetrate so cruel a punishment as starving me of it."

Charles smiled at her very boyishly, scrunching the back of her tresses, as their lips met again in a rush of burning heat, and sultry smoulder.

"No, I think I'll feed it to you instead, tempt you with it, until this crusade against me, holds nothing so enticing. Forget her, Ally. Choose me. Let me make love to you, My Snow Queen, with a passion and tenderness so intense, that we shall transcend our naked bodies, and touch the stars. Stay with me, and I will be again your saintly suitor. We will be as we were........ Once upon a December."

Charlie started to hum the tune to which they had fallen in love inside a snowglobe, moving together in perfect mirror images as one, the motion and lines, living poetry.

Ally gazed back at him lovingly, her face flushed in an enthralled daze as Charlie cast his enchantment, and the pure and utter joy shining in her eyes, colouring her crimson cheek was exquisite, creating in him such an ecstasy, as nothing he ever knew any one thing could inspire.

But just as quickly as the lightning had come and struck, so did the tears, and regretful sorrow. "Oh My Darling Charles! What you have thus described is my own blinding Elysium, my perfect inscape of tender caresses and naked skin, but I-I cannot....... As badly I as want to surrender to this beckoning heaven, become one with my beloved husband in all of his beautiful wickedness, and immortal beauty, give myself to him, consummate our love, I must refuse until this business with Vic is finished. Only when I have you all to myself, and you are not wooed by this war with her, can I ever be yours, body and soul."

"Then FINISH IT," Charles rasped, purposefully breaking the spell, tearing himself off her, and yanking her from the bed, his eyes an angry, burning black oblivion."

"Charlie-"

Charlie charged swiftly to the window throwing it open, and rushed back to take her into his arms, as she froze, confused.

"Please Charlie, don't be angered."

"I am not," He said said much softer, kissing the back of her hand, losing his eyes in her black lace bodice. "I am........ Impatient. So finish it, Allyssa, my brave, defiant wife. FINISH it, DAMN IT!!!! Fly back to Vic McQueen, and give it your best shot, raise hell against me, and don't worry," he smirked as she nervously bit her lip. "Our overnight will be our little secret. I won't tell her that you were weak and came to me. Go, and do your worst, Mrs. Manx, and when you fail spectacularly to stop me, to wrest away my children from their happy home, when I kill Vic McQueen, slowly, leisurely, licking up every delicious moment while I make her suffer right in front of you........ Come back to me, give me my hard won prize, and end this ungrateful ugliness." He seethed, pulling her up against his chest, carried, legs dangling, in his strong, muscular arms, and she gripped onto him tight as he hopped feverishly up to the window's ledge.

"Charles, NO, wait, please-!!! DON'T!!!"

"What's the matter, My Dove? Don't you want to....... fly?"

Charles hurled her out the open window, watching as she tumbled into the snow, more a blackbird in that scandalous gown than a snow white dove. She scrambled to get up, and took off running, and he leant against the window frame, shirtless and smirking, waiting for it. Sure enough, once she'd scurried far enough away, she chanced a glance over her shoulder, to look at him one last time......... He met her lonely gaze, and blew a kiss to her almost spitefully. Fly away, little blackbird, but know......... You will never escape this cage.

[videogametim]

My Top 10 Games of 2019

It was pretty hard to narrow down the list this year. 2019 was a lot stronger for video games than 2018 and I feel a LOT more confidant about my picks and GOTY choice. In addition, there were also a lot of indie games not mentioned here that I think I will highlight in another post a bit later. For now, here’s the Top 10.

10. Sayonara Wild Hearts (Simogo)

Sayonara Wild Hearts is something special. Although clocking in rather short at just under an hour long, I would best describe the game as an Album Video Game. Each of the game’s 23 or so levels has its own song. The actual gameplay consists of mostly on-rails segments where you have basic movement and avoid obstacles and collect pickups to boost your score, but every level has a unique take on that concept with major climax levels being full tracks with vocals. It’s incredibly stylistic and tells a heartwarming story about dealing with heartbreak. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys musical games.

9. Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Intelligent Systems)

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the first game in the series that managed to grab me. It’s a very competent tactical RPG with one of my favourite casts of characters this year (especially the Black Eagles house). I was consistently impressed the most with just the sheer amount of content and detail that went into it. An unnecessarily large amount of the dialogue is voiced, the second half of each of the three selectable house’s routes are totally unique, and each route takes around 60 hours to complete. I really never thought a Fire Emblem game would be my new most played game on the Switch by a mile but here we are. 

8. AI: The Somnium Files (Spike Chunsoft)

Kotaro Uchikoshi’s (creator of the Zero Escape trilogy) latest work might be his finest. AI: The Somnium Files is the game on the list this year with the most heart put into it. Consistently funny and over-the-top, a wonderful cast, and a really well executed sci-fi murder mystery. It makes me hope that Uchikoshi continues to make the kinds of games he wants to make, because you can definitely tell he had the most fun making this one.

7. Resident Evil 2 (Capcom)

Resident Evil 2 is the new gold standard for game remakes. I could go on and on praising it for how good it feels to play, the sound design, and the painstaking detail of recreating the original game from the ground up to be a third-person shooter. Quality of Life changes like the map marking items and telling you when a room is cleared and telling you when it’s okay to throw away key items are such fantastic additions. It gives me really high hopes for the RE3 Remake next year. Capcom’s hotstreak continues.

6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (From Software)

Sekiro rightfully earns its spot as my second favourite FromSoft game. The Souls formula is still there, but the gameplay is fairly different now. Taking Bloodborne’s aggressiveness encouragement another step forward, Sekiro rewards not giving the enemies a chance to breathe more than ever. Boss battles are a tug-of-war of trying to break each other’s posture and perfect blocking to mitigate it. The dodge button pushes you forward by default and you often hope to have your attack blocked more than a it be a direct hit. Some of my favourite FromSoft bosses reside in this game with the final boss perhaps being my favourite overall. Level design is also at its best with the game finally giving you a greater range of movement and verticality with jumping and grappling. There’s even decent stealth mechanics. Sekiro was a really pleasant surprise and I hope they continue The Wolf’s story.

5. Judgement (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)

Judgement is a Yakuza game in all but name, and RGG Studio’s first one set in Kamurocho without Kiryu as the main character. After giving up being an attorney, Takayuki Yagami becomes a freelance detective and investigates a series of murders in the city with the help of his former law office and ex-Tojo clan friend Masaharu Kaito. Substories are framed as side cases that Yagami can take on to earn some extra money, and new mini-games like drone racing and the Paradise VR board game are incredible additions. Anyone who is a fan of the Yakuza series should really check this out, and newcomers can jump right in without prior knowledge. 

4. Disco Elysium (ZA/UM)

Disco Elysium has some of the best writing I have ever seen in a video game. As an amnesiac detective, you explore the rundown post-wartime district of Martinnaise trying to find who was behind the lynching of a mercenary before the situation gets out of control. What sets Disco Elysium apart from other RPGs in terms of gameplay is its character builds. As there is no combat, the 24 skills that you can put points into when you level up are all social skills. The higher you have various skills leveled, the more you will hear advice from them during conversation trees. A high Authority level will constantly remind you to tell people you are The Law, where a high level in Inland Empire will let you talk to inanimate objects to gain new perspectives. I also feel I have to give a nod to your partner throughout the game, Kim Kitsuragi. I’d rather not give anything away but they could not have written a better character to support you throughout your journey. I’ll likely be thinking about this game for a very long time.

3. Control (Remedy Entertainment)

I think Control flew under a lot of people’s radars until the publicity from the overwhelming number of Game Awards nominations. Control is a game for people who like SCP, psychokinesis powers, cool architecture, and a bit of Alan Wake. It wears its inspirations very blatantly on its sleeve and wraps a very cool story and even better side quests around them. It’s very stylish and has phenomenal lighting. Perhaps this is my Remedy bias but I really really adored this game and featured the coolest moment of the year for me. Please check it out if you get the opportunity.

2. Kingdom Hearts III (Square Enix)

Kingdom Hearts III has been a long time coming and what I think it nails best are the size and scale of the worlds. Olympus is the best its ever been with how much of the area outside the Colosseum you get to explore. The Caribbean is more expansive with boat combat that’s better than it has any right to be. Monstropolis has a great original story with some incredible tie-ins to the Kingdom Hearts plot. There’s a ton of incredible fanservice moments too for everyone waiting to see their favourite characters again. I still think a lot of it is really hype albeit cheesy, and it finally puts to rest an arc that has been going since the very first game. Kingdom Hearts isn’t over, but KHIII wraps a lot of things up in as satisfying of a way as they could for a story so expansive and often times convoluted. It’s very rare when a game that has been anticipated for so long not only doesn’t fumble it, but delivers on what I had hoped for, so I’m really glad it got to finally release this year.

1. Devil May Cry 5 (Capcom)

Speaking of games that I’ve been waiting a very long time for, DMC IS BACK! Every moment of DMC5 is a treat. Dante and Nero are at their most fun to play in this game, and V is a very cool addition both story-wise and gameplay-wise.This is the game from this year that I’ve kept going back to the most whether it’s for getting good at harder difficulties, or playing through bloody palace until floor 70 and give up ,or practicing with different weapons. It makes me happy to know that Platinum haven’t just been relegated to being the character action studio and that Hideaki Itsuno’s still got it. There’s no question that this is my Game of the Year and anyone who loves action games but hasn’t ever jumped into this series really needs to address that because DMC5 alone is worth it. 

That’s all for my GOTY 2019 Top 10. If you’ve read this far, thanks for doing so. I really enjoy writing these and there’s a lot to look forward to in video games next March year, so please join me again next time when we can do this all over again!

[chickensarentcheap]

I Found (chapter 8)

Warnings: none really. Some bad language. Maybe a bit of angst. I needed an Esme chapter for character building purposes before I get into the past chapters.

Tagging: @c-a-v-a-l-r-y @hemmyworthy @alievans007

Esme watches him; the way he stands thirty meters away with his arms crossed over his chest and a pair of Ray-bans covering his eyes. He stands out like a sore thumb. A peculiar site among a street crawling with folks in swimsuits and other summer gear.  The sun beating down on that simple yet surprisingly stylish black suit, the heat and humidity causing beads of sweat to gather on his forehead, at his temples, and on his top lip.  She both envies and feels sorry for him.  Envies the fact he hasn't yet seen the real heartache and the real darkness that comes with the job. He hasn't had the demons and ghosts settle in yet.

And that's what makes her sad. Because it is inevitable.  Somewhere down the road his eagerness to live up to a legend will lead him in the right direction but into the entirely wrong place. And he won't be the same kid that he is right now.  Anxious.  Scared to make a mistake. Wanting to impress.  Dreaming of the missions of guts and glory and seemingly endless brutality. Right now he finds it glamorous. They all did at one point.  But one day he'll wake up and realize just how fucked up it all was.  He'll look back on the places he'd been and the things he'd done and he'll wonder why the hell he'd ever been so eager to get into the trenches in the first place.

She'd been there. She WAS there. And it eats at you. It chews you up and it spits you out. And the memories come back so fast and so hard that there's times you pray...beg...that the ground will open up beneath you and swallow you whole.

“You can sit down you know,” she calls to him.  She admires the determination. She's sure there's a little bit of fear he'll fuck up and get his ass handed to him because of it. But he's steadfast. A rock. Even if he does look like a secret service agent.  “I don't mind. I could use the company.”

He regards her through the dark lenses of his sunglasses. She imagines he looks like a deer caught in the headlights right about now.

“I don't bite,” she assures him. Although her husband would beg to differ. He'd been at the receiving end of more than a few during their often rough and uninhibited love making sessions. Teeth marks like war wounds on his shoulders, neck, even the insides of his thighs.

He takes a step towards her.  Then hesitates.

“Are you being serious right now? Look, you're making me extremely nervous right now and people are getting suspicious. If you're going to be watching someone...if you're going to be someone's detail...you have to less conspicuous about it. If there was a bad guy around, they would have made you about ten minutes ago. Sit down. It's hot out. Get into the shade.”

He finally relents.  Crossing the promenade in two long strides, unbuttoning his suit jacket before sitting down across from her.  A waitress scurrying over to take his order.

“We come here a lot,” Esme says. “It's one of our favourites. The coffee is strong and the food is good and the people watching is A plus. You'd be surprised the weird and funny shit you see when you actually sit back and pay attention.   Sometimes I even come here by myself. When Tyler has his own shit to do or he's at the doctor's or at the shrink. He won't let me go with him to those things.  He says it makes him nervous.  That he's too busy worrying about what he might say and that means he won't actually say it.  So the baby and I will come here. Just hang out.  Forget about everything else in our lives for a while.”

“Shrink? What...?”

“You talk about wanting to fill those shoes. Believe me, those are shoes that are probably best left empty.  Don't go down that road kid. I know you admire him. I know you've heard the stories. You've seen the numbers. And it's impressive and it's bad ass and it's something you want to emulate. I get it. I do.  He's my husband and I admire him. But this isn't the life you want. This is not how you want to end up.  Because it fucks you up and it haunts you.  For the rest of your life. And if you're not strong enough, it will eat you alive. It takes no prisoners. Unless you're prepared for all of that, don't go following down anyone else's path.”

He nods slowly, considering her words.  Then smiles at the waitress when she returns with his coffee.

“But that's just words from someone who has been in the game. Who is living with the after effects. So I won't be offended if you tell me to  gofuck myself.”

His eyes widen. “I'd never say something like that to you, Mrs Rake.”

She laughs at that.  It makes her feel so old; Mrs Rake. It's so mature and so formal and it seems as if it should belong to someone twice her age.  But it's who she is now. It is part of her identity. Someone's wife, someone's mother. And they were the two greatest roles she'd ever been fortunate enough to play in her entire life.

“What's your name?” she asks.  

“Jason, ma'am. Jason Andrews.”

“Well Jason Andrews, it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry it wasn't under better circumstances. I was a bit more likeable a year ago.”

“I think you're likeable enough just fine, ma'am.”

She laughs, pushing her sunglasses up onto the top of her head. “Ma'am? Just how old do you think I am?”

“My mother always told me to never ask a woman her age or never even gather a guess. I'll have to plead the fifth.”

“You're from the south, aren't you.”

“Yes, ma'am.  Just a tad east of North Orleans.”

“I haven't been there in years.  University was a wild time.  Trips down to Mardis Gras. Back when I had less gray hair and people still called me Miss instead of M''am.  It's Esme, by the way. But I'm sure you already knew that.”

He nods in confirmation.  

“You can call me by name, you know.  It doesn't have to be so formal. This is some unprecedented shit you've gotten yourself mixed up in. I'm pretty sure that means we can move on to first names.”

“Nik has told me a lot about you,” he informs her. “A lot about the both of you.  You're from Colorado?”

“Snowmass. About fifteen miles from Aspen. Just a little place. All of twenty five hundred people.  Or at least that's what it was when I left. There's probably more now.”

“You haven't been home in a while?”

“I had a place there.  A house.  A quaint little thing with a porch swing and a fire pit in the backyard. My brother lives there now. With his wife and his kids.  He took it over once I decided I wasn't going back.  But I haven't been home, home, in just shy of six years. You know, family dinners on a late Sunday afternoon,  coffee on my folks' porch,  watching my nieces and nephews playing.  Life just got away from me. The job just took hold. IT became who I was as opposed to something I did.  Life got away from me.”

“Excuse me for saying this, but that's kind of....sad.”

“It is what it is,” she reasons. “Those are the choices I made.  I knew there was no going back...truly going back...when I made them. And then I took the job with Nik and I ended up in Dhaka and now...well here I am.”

“Here you are,” he echoes, a sense of sadness creeping into his voice. “You were military?”

“Once. The Marines”

“My older brother is a jar head. A gunnery sergeant.  Forgive me for saying this and I mean no disrespect, but you don't seem the type. You don't really fit the picture of what people have when they think of the Marines.  And you definitely don't seem to be the type to be involved in the job.”

“I guess that was my greatest weapon of all.  People looked at me and would never think...in a million years....that I was capable of doing the things I've done.  It's not one size, fits all. There's a lot of us that don't look the part. Sometimes that's good when it comes to the job. You blend in. People aren't suspicious of you. Half the time they don't give you a second glance.  It worked in Dhaka. I gained peoples' trust.  I got them to open up.  It worked until it didn't work.  And once that happened...” she sighs. “...well let's just say that it went way worse than anyone expected.”

“I've heard the stories. People like to talk. I'm not sure how many of the things I've heard are actually true.”

“When it went bad, it went extremely bad.  It happened so quick. We didn't even have time to catch our breath.  One minute we're making friends with the locals and the next we're running for our lives. No one expected it to go as horrible as it did.  I mean, you go into things expecting and fearing the worst. But that...” she runs the palms of her hands along the sides of her glass of iced tea. “...that was way worse than anything I ever imagined.”

“And now you're going back.”

“And now I'm going back,” she concedes, and then clears her throat noisily.  “Trust me when I say that it isn't a place I thought I'd ever return to. I thought that was behind me.  I needed it to be behind me.   But want and need are two entities of their own.  What my heart wanted and what my brain allowed are two entirely different things. I realize that while I physically put it behind me, mentally I've been hanging onto it.  Mentally I never left. If that makes sense.”

“Yes, m'am...Esme...it makes perfect sense.”

She noisily clears her throat, slides the sunglasses back down onto her face. “You have family? Other than an older brother?”

“A younger sister.  She's still in high school.  She wants to be a nurse.”

“Your folks?”

“Still alive. They've been together since high school.  You?”

“My father died when I was a teenager. My mom is still kicking. She remarried a about ten years ago. My step dad's a good guy. Ex Army. He still has the hair cut, the swagger, the stories.  We call him The Sarge,” she smiles at that. Fond memories of a man that had come into her life and filled a role that had been missing since those difficult teenage years.  “He treats her well. They're happy. They're the disgustingly content retired couple that owns two Harleys,  a motor home, and like to visit Graceland.  The type that has 'my grand kids are better than yours' bumper stickers. It's been a while since I've seen them...”

Her voice drifts off, recalling all the earlier times. The easier times. When all that mattered was bush parties and hanging out with friends and the fights and good natured ribbing that occurred between siblings.  

“...one day I'd like to go back,” she continues  “I'd like to see them again. I'd like to sit across the table from Sarge and have him light into me about my tattoos and my piercings.  I'd like to sit with my mom on the front porch; sipping sweet tea and eating her homemade peach pie.  I'd like to see my little sister graduate from high school.  Be the one that takes her to college and helps her move into residence.  And I'd especially like to see my brothers and their families again.  Hug and kiss my nieces and nephews. Meet the ones I haven't got a chance to.”

“You have a lot?”

“Fourteen,” she confirms. “My brothers wasted no time. They're baby making factories.”

“What about your baby?”

“They haven't met her. At least not in person. I send pictures. We do face time chats. That type of thing. I didn't even tell them I was having a baby until she was almost here.”

“Why not?”

“Things weren't easily explained.  Things were messy. Complicated.  They were still reeling over the fact that I had run off and gotten married without telling any of them. I'm the first daughter. My mom was super pissed that she didn't get that whole mother of the bride experience. She felt robbed. And I can understand that.  It's not an easy pill to swallow.  Your first girl running off and meeting some random guy and deciding to settle down in Australia and never coming home.  It's a lot for them to digest. And they don't even know the whole truth of it.”

“Why not?”

“Do your parents know about the job? Do they really know about it?”

“Just that I do security detail for a private company.”

“My parents thought I went into business when I left the corps.  Because that's what I told them.  I told them I was making a career change. One that would have me travelling a lot.  It was a half truth, I guess.  But they couldn't handle all of it. How do you tell your folks something like that? That your new skill set includes rescuing some and killing others? You don't. You don't tell them that. You make up some shit that will be easier on them.  They think I came here on a business trip, met some guy and never came back. That's pretty much it.  They know his name, what he looks like, his age. But they think he's in law enforcement. They think he was in an accident and I stayed here to help him through it and this is where I made my life.  It seemed so much easier when I first told them all that. Now I realize just how fucked up it actually is. Not that I lied to them. We all lie. Some more than others. But why I had to lie.  Why I had to cover  it up.  It's screwed up.  I'm screwed up. This whole thing is screwed up. And you know what the worst part is? There's no easy way out of this. No matter what I tell them or how I tell them, it will be messy.  They're going to hear things they don't like. And I'm worried they're going to hate me.”

“Parents could never hate their kids.  It isn't in their nature. Could you ever hate your daughter?”

“No. I can't imagine I ever could.”

“Your folks could never hate you.  They'd probably be surprised at the truth.”

“Probably? They would be.  The truth is stranger than fiction. At least in this situation.”

“But hate you? No. I don't think that could ever happen.”

She stares down at the amber coloured liquid in her glass, tracing a finger tip on the side, making patterns in the condensation.

She hopes he is right.

[carelessgraces]

tag drop part six. 

[four-loose-screws]

Fire Emblem 10 Drama CD Translation - Complete and Edited!

FE Game Script Translations - FE Novel Translations - Original FE Support Conversations - Ko-fi

Hey everyone, I was lucky enough to be given a written script for this entire CD and some advice on mistranslations, so be sure to check this post out, even if you read my original posts for this CD!

———————————

Introduction

*Opens with sounds of combat: grunts, yells, weapons clashing, etc., w/ focus on Ike’s voice.*

Daein Soldier: Gaaaah!

Ike: Haaaa!

Soren: Haaa!

Ike: Hi-yaaaah!

Daein Soldier: Retreat!

Soren: After them!

*sounds of retreating Daein soldiers’ footsteps*

Ike: *walks towards Micaiah* You are... the Priestess of Dawn.

Micaiah: And you are General Ike, yes? Sothe told me about you.

Ike: You are important to him, so I do not want to fight.

Micaiah: And you took care of him, so I feel the same way. However…

Ike: Daein has no intention of withdrawing.

Micaiah: No.

Ike: Then… *unsheathes sword* We have no choice but to fight.

*sounds of combat gradually become louder once more, then fade into music*

Ike’s voice: Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn Drama CD: 

Ike & Micaiah’s voices: Clash of Heroic Ideals! 

(T/N: a more literal translation of the title: “The Unshakeable Ideals of the Rival Leaders")

Scene I

*sounds of general army camp activity: people talking, weapons clashing in sparring matches, etc.*

Soren: The Laguz troops had very high morale.

Ike: Yeah. They believe in Ranulf’s words.

Soren: I think he’s changed a bit from before, too.

Ike: *laughs* Oh, Skrimir? Do you still hate him?

Soren: Of course I do. He’s the type that I’m worst with. He thinks that battle is won by strength alone.

Ike: Don’t say that! He’s a candidate for the next king of Gallia. And King Caineghis decided to make him the general of their army, right?

Soren: *chuckles* You talk as if you’ve become his father.

Ike: Ah…? Hey, of course I haven’t! But you are one to laugh at something like that.

Soren: Ike, you’re becoming more and more like Commander Greil.

Ike: So even you’ve said that now. The people we’ve reunited with from three years ago have been telling me the same thing. Jeez… Every last one of them...

Soren: I’m just fondly watching over you as you grow.

Ike: Hey! Now you’re the one acting like you’ve become a father!

Soren: Someday… you might understand what that means.

Ike: Hm? *turns closer towards Soren* What did you just say?

Soren: Nothing. But there’s one more reason why a frontal attack is dangerous. As I mentioned earlier, I’m concerned about Daein’s movements.

Ike: Of course... However you look at it, our army is more powerful. Is the empire forcing them to fight, like you said?

Titania: *walks up* Hey you two, we’re going to get ready to deploy now.

Ike: Titania! Okay, got it.

Soren: About that, I have a suggestion based on our current situation. Ike, please tell me your thoughts about it.

Ike: Hm?

Scene II

*sounds of general army camp activity: people talking, weapons clashing in sparring matches, etc.*

Micaiah: *sigh*

Sothe: Can I say what you’re thinking, Micaiah?

Micaiah: Sothe?

Sothe: You’re wondering why Prince Pelleas is doing something like this... Or maybe about why he’s cooperating with the empire… Right?

Micaiah: *giggles* Shall I try to guess what you’re thinking about?

Sothe: W-What?

Micaiah: You respect Ike, commander of the Greil Mercenaries, so you don’t really want to fight him… Am I right?

Sothe: *gasps*

Micaiah: Well?

Sothe: You’re half right, half wrong. I don’t want to fight him, but if you’ve decided to, then it’s another story. I won’t waver. I’d make anyone my enemy.

Micaiah: You’re pushing yourself, aren’t you?

Sothe: I’m not! *sits down* Surely Commander Ike should understand, too. Like I said, he’s a hero who can face any enemy and fight them at full strength. So if I must risk my life and fight for you, then he wouldn’t be against that.

Micaiah: *giggles* Even in those words… I can hear your respect and affection for him.

Sothe: ...Ah!

Micaiah: *giggles* Sorry. I’m joking around. *draws closer to Sothe* Sothe… you’ve gotten much stronger.

Sothe: Of course! Even if you leave out the fact that I fought in the previous war, three years have passed. I’m not a child.

Micaiah: Mmm.... I’m really happy. With how you’ve grown...

Sothe: Micaiah…

*running footsteps start quiet, then get louder*

Daein Soldier #1: *panting* The enemy front line! They're here!

Sothe: *gasps*

Micaiah: Understood. Shall we go, too?

Sothe: Yes.

*army cheers for Micaiah*

Daein Soldier #2: The Priestess of Dawn has returned!

Daein Soldier #3: Victory will be ours!

Daein Soldier #4: Glory be to Daein!

Daein Soldier #5: The Priestess of Dawn!

Scene III

*sounds of combat can be faintly heard in the background throughout this scene* Ike: Teeeeh-reyah! *swings sword*

Daein Soldier: Gaaaaaahhhh! *collapses*

Ike: *takes a deep breath and sheaths his sword* They’re no doubt a small army… yet expertly commanded.

Sothe: *approaches Ike* Commander Ike…

Ike: Sothe… You’ve gotten taller. ...That’s right, you’re from Daein, aren’t you?

Sothe: You remembered!

Ike: Did you find who you were looking for?

Sothe: Yeah. She’s this army’s current general.

Ike: ...The Priestess of Dawn, huh?

Sothe: Her name is Micaiah. Stop calling her by that absurd alias. Commander… I… *turns around* didn’t want to reunite with you like this!

Ike: Yet… you have no intention of withdrawing, do you?

Sothe: No.

Ike: If you’re prepared to make her to continue on alone… then come at me! If you’re not ready yet, then don’t come near me. I’m not so soft that I’ll hold back on the battlefield! 

Sothe: Ah… Still, Commander… I have no choice but to fight you! Ahhhhhhhhhh! *runs forward*

*weapons clash*

Ike: You’ve gotten a little stronger! But… *weapons clash* do you really think such a light blow will hurt me!?

Sothe: Ah!

Ike: Hoooooooo!

Micaiah: *runs in* Oh guiding light… lead us forward, and destroy the obstacles standing in our way!

*light magic spell sounds*

Ike: Gah!

Sothe: Micaiah!

Micaiah: You attacked Ike… Perhaps it’s because I’ve heard so much about you from Sothe… but it doesn’t feel like we’re meeting for the first time.

Ike: I have nothing against either of you personally… You came before me as enemies. I won’t go easy on you!

Micaiah: Thank you… If you’ll do that for us, then we’ll fight our full strength as well!

Sothe: Let’s go, Micaiah! We’ll take him down together!

*wind blows*

Soren: I will be your opponent! Elwind!

*strong wind slices through the air*

Sothe: You! So you’re still by the commander’s side, like always!?

Soren: Of course. I will always be near him.

*Ike unsheathes sword*

*weapons clash, magic spells fly through the air*

Micaiah: Shine!

*Shine spell sounds*

Ike: Hiiiii-rrryaaaaah!

Micaiah: *gasps* But I hit him…

Ike: Sorry, but I don’t train like other people do. There’s no one to protect you here! This is your final chance! Retreat!

Micaiah: I… *pants, then collapses* can’t!

Sothe: *gasps* Micaiah! *runs towards her*

*teleporting woosh noises*

Black Knight: Ha! *swings weapon, then starts walking forwards*

Sothe: The Black Knight...!

Black Knight: Maiden, are you alright?

Micaiah: S-Sir Knight...

Sothe: Gah... Now! *runs*

Soren: Tch… Wait!

Sothe: *sits down* Micaiah!

Micaiah: Sothe… I-I’m sorry… I did it again...

Black Knight: It seems that she’s used too much of her power. Get her away from here.

Sothe: O-Okay. *picks up Micaiah and runs off*

Ike: Even if I try to run after them, you’ll get in my way, won’t you?

Black Knight: Of course. I was once one of Daein’s Four Riders.

Ike: So you did survive.

Black Knight: Did you really think you could kill me with the strength you had then?

Ike: Hm, did I? But I never thought that one victory could free my heart of need for vengeance that haunts it!

Black Knight: That’s good news. My armor lost it’s blessing after that fight.

Ike: Then I will defeat you again this time! *unsheathes sword*

Black Knight: Alright then… *readies sword* You may come at me!

Ike: Grrrrraaaaaaahhhhh!! *swings sword*

Scene IV

Sothe: *panting and running*

Micaiah: *gasps for air*

Sothe: We should be safe here for a moment… Micaiah… Hang in there!

Micaiah: Gah… *pants* Sothe… I… lost consciousness again?

Sothe: Yeah, you did... but there’s no enemies around here. You can rest easy.

Micaiah: No… I am a general of Daein… I can’t leave the front line...

Sothe: But because you’re a general, it’ll mean the end if you die first!

Micaiah: ...Sothe… I must… protect everyone…

Sothe: Daein is certainly my precious homeland. But it’s nothing to me compared to you! I will protect you! Even if it means I make an enemy of my country… or the world!

Micaiah: ...Sothe… Ah…

Sothe: Micaiah!! ...Have you fainted again…? Alright then, I’ll use this chance to get us away from the battlefield! *runs off*

Scene V

*sounds of combat between Ike and the Black Knight*

Black Knight: You’ve gotten stronger.

Ike: So have you. You’re even stronger than you were three years ago.

Black Knight: At that time, only my spirit and armor warped. Now, I am in my own body. Of course there would be a gap in my power.

Ike: I see… so that’s how you survived…

Daein Soldier #1: The Black Knight has appeared!

Daein Soldier #2: This is our only chance to attack the enemy general!

Soren: Ike, the enemy soldiers are gathering here!

Ike: Are you telling me to retreat!? It’s no use trying to talk me out of this! Tee-ryaaaaah! *swings weapon*

Black Knight: Haa-yaaaaaah!

*weapons clash*

Daein Soldier: Ready your bows! Shoot the enemy general!

*soldiers draw and fire arrows*

Ike: What!?

*arrows fall*

Black Knight: *raises weapon* This is the end for you...

Ike: Haaah!

*weapons clash*

Ike: *falls*

Black Knight: Prepare yourself! *raises weapon*

Soren: Ike! *runs* You’re the only person I won’t let be killed! *throws himself in front of Ike*

Black Knight: Are you trying to get yourself killed? Even if you try to risk your own life for him, you cannot change his death.

Soren: No matter what… I will protect Ike! Ike… I don’t think you remember… that we met once when we were young, but... At that time, I thought my life to be short… and that I couldn’t be saved, so I was only awaiting my death. But you saved me… one of the Branded, discriminated against by both Beorc and Laguz. That is why I will always be by your side and protect you… no matter what!

Black Knight: So you will go together with him...? That’s fine. Hmmmm! *swings sword*

Titania: *horse gallops into the scene* Haaaaaah! *swings weapon, horse stops and neighs* I won’t let you kill any more of the people precious to me!

Soren: Titania! You made it!?

Titania: Yes! We successfully hit the enemy from their weak spot! We overwhelmed them from behind, and I was able to bring reinforcements, too!

*reinforcements yell out battle cries in the distance*

Ike: Guh… Ah… *sits up* 

*sounds of combat begin in the distance* 

Ike: Did I… Ah... lose consciousness?

Soren: Ike! *kneels down* Are you okay!?

Ike: Yeah. *stands* Sorry for troubling you.

Soren: No… you could never… I...

Ike: ...Are you… crying?

Soren: Ah… no… I wouldn’t… It’s okay. I’m fine.

Ike: Alright then, let’s do this! *lifts sword* Fight with us, Titania!

Titania: Yes! This is an opportunity to show off the power of the Greil Mercenaries! *horse neighs and begins to gallop*

Black Knight: What are you planning…?

Titania: Heee-yah! *horse gallops up to Black Knight, Titania swings her weapon*

*weapons clash*

Black Knight: Gah! Female knight… Are you providing a distraction for them?!

Titania: Well, can you afford to get distracted!?

Black Knight: That is a foolish hope!

*weapons clash*

Soren: By the power of my wind magic… this brave soldier will be sent flying towards the heavens! *casts wind spell that propels Ike into the air*

Ike: Hoooooo-aaaaaaah!

Black Knight: Hm!?

Ike: This is… the end! *swings weapon*

Black Knight: Gah!? *falls over*

Soren: Yes! We did it, Ike!

Ike: *gasps for air* Yeah!

Black Knight: *rises* Tch... I see… You've gotten stronger. But I didn’t think you could have gotten this much stronger… Let’s stop here for now. I would hate to end our fight in one go.

Ike: I feel the same. You can challenge me any time. Whatever the circumstances, I’d accept a fight against you!

Black Knight: *steps towards Soren*

Soren: ...Um… What do you want with me…?

Black Knight: You are the same as I… You’ve found someone to live with. Though it will one day end in tragedy.

Soren: Ah!

Black Knight: And Micaiah… she, too, is on the same path.

Ike: I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but the Priestess of Dawn, Sothe, you, us… we are all simply living our lives to the fullest for what we believe in.

Titania: That’s right! Though we struggle with difficult trials and tragic fates, we have no choice but to continue on through our fears.

Ike: Yeah. All we can do... is continue on as we always have!

Black Knight: Is that so? Then let us meet again, *steps away* son of Gawain. *teleports away*

Scene VI

*cheering, sounds of combat*

Ike’s Army Soldier #1: We did it!

Ike’s Army Soldier #2: Victory is ours!

Ike’s Army Soldier #3: Long live General Ike!!

*hawk Laguz screeches*

Sothe: They have beasts and hawks among their reinforcements...!

Micaiah: Even the Bird Tribe of Phoenicis is here? Begnion didn’t tell us anything about that...

Sothe: We’ve been had…. Commander Ike’s army was a diversion.

Micaiah: At this rate, the number of sacrifices will only increase… Let’s retreat for now.

Sothe: The Daein soldiers will probably say that they still want to fight.

Micaiah: I can’t afford to let them die for no reason. At this time, we have no choice but to retreat.

Sothe: ...I understand. Let’s go relay the message to the entire army.

Micaiah: Hey, Sothe… That man… General Ike… He was just like you told me. Strong… noble… considerate of those around him… but also always able to calmly understand the state of the current battle. He’s everything a general should be...

Sothe: Micaiah…

Micaiah: I don’t have the strength, nor the virtues that he has… But I will protect Daein!

Sothe: Mm…

Micaiah: Sothe? Shall I try to guess what you are thinking right now?

Sothe: Oh…?

Micaiah: “I want there to come a day when Commander Ike and I can understand each other.” ...Right?

Sothe: *gasps* Th-That’s…

Micaiah: *giggles* I’m joking. But… thank you. It would be a good thing, if that day were to come…

*Music gradually gets louder and plays for about ~20 secs longer to conclude the CD. Bird chirping can be heard throughout the song.*

[saelwen]

The Last Dragon

Daenys Targaryen x Glorfindel

Crossover: Game of Thrones and LOTR/Hobbit

Chapter20

Masterlist

Summary: After Daenery’s death, her daughter Daenys, flew away with Drogon. Feeling lost without her mother beside her, but what will happen when Daenys find a portal that will lead her to a certain world, where dwell elves, dwarves, humans and other races

Warnings: a little bit of angst

Words: 3k

A small smile forms on my lips as I feel the warm lips of my beloved husband on my neck, spreading goosebumps on all my body “Time to wake up, my dragon Queen!” Glorfindel’s voice sounded beside my ear. I groan and pull the soft blanket up to my head, isolating from the outside world “Just more five minutes...” I mumble from under the thick blanket.

He chuckles and pulls the blanket away, letting the cold morning air touch my warm skin. “You can’t, Mellethnin...Today is the big day.” his voice was peaceful, his hair shining as the sunlight hit them, making them look even more gold. A small sigh escapes from me. I roll back and stand up from the bed. That’s right...Today King Manwë will have a council with everyone... including Morgoth.

It has been two weeks since the elves had set free from the Halls of Mandos and it took some time from them to return to their lives. Glorfindel and Ecthelion had spent almost all days together, sharing some tales and remembering the old times together. I had come with them in some hunting, getting to know more Ecthelion.

In those hunts, some Noldor elves join us in which leads me to form new friendships, as like Turgon, Fingon and Finrod. They are all so kind and light-hearted but the one that had grabbed my attention was Aredhel, daughter of Fingolfin. She had joined us recently, and it impressed me of how good she was with her bow, hitting in every target perfectly in one shot. After that day, I and her went on hunts together or just going for a walk on the gardens of Lórien.

I’ve also got to know more other important elves, explaining to them my story and of what will happen in middle-earth but the only family that I have more difficulty to spend time with the House of Fëanor. They spend most of their time in their fortress, Formenos. I know that they are hated by all the elves in Valinor because of their actions from the past but I will need that they put their selfishness and pride to the side since the feanorians are the best of all elves in battle.

I walk to my wardrobe and pull a simple black and gold dress, which represented my and Glorfindel Houses. I braid my silver hair in a Dothraki style, putting a golden flower pin in it. Happy with my look, I turn back and saw Glorfindel smiling softly to me “You’re beautiful..” he says in awe. I chuckle and went to him, wrapping my arms around his neck “And so do you...Are you ready to go?” I asked softly, he nods and leans down, giving me a soft kiss in the lips “Hmm...Yes, the horses are ready.” he said.

An idea pops up on my head, making a huge smirk growing on my lips. I think it’s time for the elves to know my children...Let’s hope that they don’t faint.

Glorfindel pulls back and looks down at me with his golden eyebrow lifted “I know that look...You are taking the dragons, am I right?” I giggle a while nodding. “Yes! You go ahead with King Olwë, I will meet you there.” he sighs and gave me one last kiss “Be careful...Don’t forget that the Dark Lord himself will be there.” he says a while walk to the door, I nod and follow him.

When I arrive at where my dragons were, I walk to Daenerion and pet him softly, feeling his warm scales on my hand “Let’s introduce you all to everyone!” i then walk to Drogon and climb to his back, grabbing firmly on his spikes “Valahd” with that Drogon jumps into the air, flying us to where the council will meet, with Daenerion, Viseral and Arcturion close behind us.

(Glorfindel P.O.V)

When I, Tyrion and King Olwë arrived at the gardens of Lórien, I notice that most of the elves were already there as also the Valar.

“And look who’s here...” Olwë says a while pointing to the large figure chained up beside Manwë. My eyes widened as I saw Morgoth himself, standing there with a disgusting smirk on his lips. I took a deep breath and I and Tyrion go sit on our seats a while King Olwë goes sitting beside his daughter, Eärwen.

Looking around, I observed that most of the elves were glaring to Morgoth, especially Fëanor and his sons. Oh, Eru...This will be a long day.

Suddenly a cheerful voice sounded beside me “Where is Daenys?” I turn my head and saw Aredhel walking towards me, with Ecthelion and Turgon close behind her. I wave to them and chuckle a bit “She will arrive soon.” they all nod and sit beside me.

There was a long silence between us as everyone is feeling the dark aura coming out from the Dark Lord, “Can’t you believe this? They had set free Morgoth!” Turgon whispers to us, I sigh and rub my hand on my golden hair “Well...we have little choice...we need him for what is coming.” I say a while looking down at Tyrion, who was looking to The Valar in awe.

“I hope that he doesn’t turn on us on the battlefield.” Aredhel says, a while putting a piece of her black hair behind her pointy ear, “He won’t...When he sees his new enemy, he will wish to be back on his prison.” we all look to Tyrion as he takes a gulp of wine on his bota bag.

Turgon was about to speak when a loud roar sounded on the air, making everyone look around in panic. A smirk grew on mine and Tyrion lips, seeing everyone except the Valar, freaking out.

I look up and see Daenys arriving with her four dragons. She lands on the small clearing beside us. I could hear everyone gasp and murmuring. I turn my head and saw Morgoth eyeing her with his eyes full of lust, I grip tightly on the arm of my chair, trying to control my jealousy, almost ripping off the wood. That bastard!... Don’t you dare to look at her like that! Drogon’s roar interrupted my thoughts, warning everyone to not mess with his rider.

“What 'a?...” Aredhel whispers, staring to Daenys in awe and confusion, like most of the elves in the place.

Daenys dismount from Drogon’s back gracefully, as he lowers his shoulder and walks to us. Drogon flies again to the sky and joins his friends, flying in circles to have an eye on their mother.

She sits beside me and gave me a warm smile in which I return. There is a long silence, everyone staring at Daenys with wide eyes. Suddenly, King Manwë stood up from his throne and spoke with a firm voice. “We are all here reunited to discuss the new enemy that we must defeat.” everyone looks to him “As we all know, Lady Daenys is from another realm...and she has already fought this enemy before.” I look down at her and saw her hands shaking. Her face was pale as the moon “Are you okay, my love?” I asked softly, squeeze her small hand. She looks to me and nods “Yes...it’s just some...memories from the past...” her voice came out so small, making me want to pick her up and leave this place, protecting from the evil from my and her world.

King Manwe turns Daenys and Tyrion and extended his hand, “Lady Daenys! Tyrion Lannister! Please come forward and explain to us your enemy.” they nod and walk to the middle. I turn my gaze to Morgoth and saw him biting his lips while staring at Daenys’s cleavage. I feel my blood boiling on my veins, the desire to go there and give him a good punch on his face, was huge. Ecthelion puts his hand on mine as he knew of what I was thinking “Calm down, mellonnin!” he whispers to me.

I took a deep breath and focused my attention on my beloved wife. Keep calm, Glorfindel!

(Daenys P.O.V)

I look around me and try to calm myself down. Remembering all those dark memories was too much...That night was a nightmare. A shiver runs down my spine, making me turn my gaze back to my husband. Letting those beautiful ocean blue eyes spread a warm comfort through my body, he gave a small encouraging smile.

“They created him a long time ago...The first men of Westeros were in a war with the children of the forest... and with an act of despair, they created a weapon to kill all the men and put an end to the war.” Tyrion took a deep sigh and look to the Valar with his head high “But they weapon was out of their control and started killing everything, resurrecting the dead and bend them to his will...with this, the children of the forest and the first men made an alliance, to defeat him together...And they did it.” he stays silent from a moment, I look around and notice everyone looking to him with a serious face “But they only put him weak and he hid for millions of years, growing stronger and his army grew bigger...That’s when he tried again to take over Westeros. Killing a dragon from Daenys’s mother and march to Winterfell with his enormous army...That night was a nightmare... We were face to face with death himself in that night and it was horrible...We thought we had killed him but we were wrong. The true Night King was beside us all along and we didn’t fucking know it...” when he finished, there was a long silence.

All the elves were in shock as well the Valar, Feanor stood up from his seat and took a step forward. “And how can we kill him or them?” I look to him “The white-walkers can be killed with fire or dragon glass but the Night King can only be killed with dragon glass.” I say firmly.

He nods and turns to the Valar “How can we get that material? Never in my life, I've heard of dragon glass!” Aulë stood from his throne and look to him “I also never heard of that material but if Lady Daenys or Lord Tyrion could explain to me, maybe I could do it or something similar.” I move my gaze from Fëanor to him and nod “I can explain it to you and also show you some weapons from my world that help us fight the ice demon.” Manwë nods and looks to everyone. “Children of Eru! We have a powerful enemy on our hands and we need to fight hard...In the next month we all sail to middle-earth and join the Edain and the Elder!...and my brother Melkor will join us and help us for he’s one of the most powerful between us.” everyone nods and stood from their seats, walking out of the garden.

Glorfindel walks to me with a huge smile on his face, with Aredhel, Ecthelion and Turgon close behind “When would you say you had dragons?!?” Aredhel almost yells, her grey eyes were so wide that I thought they would fall off.

A soft giggle escapes from me. “Well, I wanted to surprise you all!” she rolls her eyes and smile a little “Can I pet them?” Her voice was full of excitement. I looked up and saw that Turgon and Ecthelion also wanted to pet the dragons.

Nodding, I signal them to follow me. Daenerion was the first to come to us, pushing his large head into my palm. “This is Daenerion! The other two are Viseral and Arcturion.” Aredhel rubs her pale hand on Viseral warm scales a while Turgon and Ecthelion pet Arcturion.

“And what’s the large one name?” Turgon asked, pointing to Drogon. A small smile appears on my face as I go to him, rubbing softly his snout “His name is Drogon...he was of my mother.” Aredhel was about to say something but she shuts her mouths and bows her head.

Frowning, I turn back and saw Queen Varda behind me, smiling softly “Hello, young child.” her voice was so serene, almost remind me of my mother. I bow my head and greet her politely but she puts a soft hand under my chin and lifts it “No need for that, my child...May I talk to you in private?” I nod and follow to a stone bench.

We sit and she grabs my hand, squeezing softly “During the council, I notice something... I could feel something coming from you.” I tilt my head to the side, looking at her like a confused dog. “Something?” I ask. She nods and smiles “Yes...i could sense two fëas inside you.” She puts her other hand on my belly “You’re expecting twins...” as she said those words, my mind went crazy. Twins?! No...I can’t be pregnant now! Not with a battle so near!

Varda puts her hand on my cheek and rubs softly. “Calm down, my child! Do not fret...you have time until anything happens.” I met her gaze, my violet eyes full of concern and happiness at the same time. “But what if we lose? I can't bring my children to a world full of death!” I blurt, I could feel my heart beating faster and faster. Daenys! Calm down! My vision was blurry, the surrounding sounds were fainting “IRMO! COME HERE!” I heard Varda yell a while she wraps her warm arms around me.

“DAENYS? WHAT’S WRONG WITH HER?!” the sound of my husband's voice was so far away yet so close. Another pair of arms wrap around me and helps me lie down, I open my eyes and saw a beautiful man with white long hair “She having a panic attack...i will put her in restful sleep. It will help calm down.” the beautiful man says to Glorfindel, who was beside me holding my hand.

As the white-haired man, who they call him Irmo, put his hand on my forehead, everything goes black and heavy sleep took over me. I can’t...I Can’t bring my children into a cold long night...

Hey Guys!!! So what do you think? Morgoth might be a problem to Glorfindel 🤣 I hope you enjoy it and feel free to comment and tell what you think!!

XOXO

Taglist: @gwendelerynan​ @crazyonesarethebest​ @foggyturtleknightangel​ @moonchild-stuff​ @yes-captainstark​ @damniitjim​ @demonquartz​ @shanty-lol​ @lasswarrior​ @kxnngsshirecoffee​ @dipsylou​ @cookiechristie​ @bitchimalivesadly​ @bloodoftargaryen​ @melissalune​ 

[takeiteasypeasybaby]

Save Me: Chapter 43 - Masked

~Hey guys! This is the introduction of the whisperers story line in Save Me, so I hope everyone is excited and enjoys this chapter!~

For so long, Molly has believed her greatest war to be at home, but soon she will discover that there are greater threats which lurk in the shadows of the world.

Rosita's POV//

'Come on!' I shouted back to Eugene who was struggling to keep up as we darted through the trees.

We were still miles away from Alexandria, in fact we were now closer to Hilltop.

Michonne had sent us out to hunt but we got caught by a large horde of walkers.

They practically had us cornered and with Eugene lagging behind we had no choice but to hide.

I ran back and grabbed his arm, yanking him forward to pick up the pace as we slid down the bank, mud and leaves cushioning our fall.

I heard walkers growling and snarling so I knew they were nearby.

I thought quickly and shovelled up mud around us and buried Eugene and I in it to conceal our scent.

My heart beat fast as I felt Eugene tremble beside me, I grabbed his hand and interlocked it with mine to steady his nerves and also admittedly mine.

I shut my eyes and just prayed that they would just walk past, until a voice made my eyes dart wide open again.

'W-where are they' a walker whispered.

'They might be close' another answered as the horde continued to pass by.

WHAT THE FUCK?!

They were talking?! Was I just severely dehydrated and hallucinating or had the dead just spoken?

'Don't let them get away' one whispered hoarsely, at this I felt Eugene stop shaking.

I think he was practically stunned into silence by the shock of what we had just witnessed.

They had finally passed as I grabbed Eugene, hoisted him up and told him to keep walking.

Of course Eugene being Eugene wanted to stop and talk about what just happened but I just ignored him, wanting to process what I had just heard as well.

We walked for hours until we found an old barn just outside of Hilltop.

I knew Eugene couldn't walk any further, he had an injury to his leg which kept bothering him since the war against the Saviours.

I helped him down into a bunker, enclosed by a trap door.

I concealed him with a mound of hay in the middle of the barn and then went on to Hilltop for help.

When I got there, I panted out of breath and Molly came running.

Molly's POV//

'Rosita? I thought you were at Alexandria? What's going on?' I asked anxiously as I opened the gates.

'I-It's Eugene, he needs help. I'll explain in a minute' she said bending down, trying to breathe normally.

I frowned in confusion but rushed over to her, ushering Jesus and Tara to follow and we followed her to where Eugene was.

'Rosita, tell me' I said sternly.

'We made it out, that's all that matters' she answered as she opened the trap door to reveal a muddied Eugene.

'What the-?' I started to say as he climbed out, wincing in pain as his leg caught the side of the door.

'What do you mean you 'made it out'?' Jesus asked as we helped Eugene to stand.

'They've evolved' Rosita said.

'Who?' I asked.

'Walkers, they were talking or whispering' she answered.

Jesus, Tara and I all looked at each other in disbelief.

'Are you sure?' Tara asked.

'Yes! I heard it, I'm not crazy!' Rosita shouted.

I suddenly heard the rustle and snarl of walkers nearby.

I told Tara to hold up Eugene while I moved over to the barn window and peered out.

I saw a large hoard moving in the distance, past Hilltop.

'Fuck' I whispered at the sheer amount of the dead that were close to us.

'Walkers' I said as Rosita rushed to my side.

'That's the same hoard that we survived. I'm telling you they've evolved' she said in annoyance.

I just sighed and went outside the barn, climbed up the ladder to its roof and lay flat on my stomach, inching myself forward to get a better view.

This was probably one of my most stupid decisions but I said 'fuck it' and shot out a flare, it soared through the sky and landed close by to the hoard.

Usually they would flock towards it because of the colour and the noise but this time they just ignored it and kept moving as one, not even one of them moved out of line.

'What the shit?' I whispered to myself as I watched them.

All of a sudden the walkers started to move out of line and paced around in one large circle.

There was nothing they were trying to feed off of, just pacing in a circle for no reason.

I had no idea what the hell was going on so I climbed down the barn roof and went back inside.

'We need to leave, now!' I said trying not to yell as the others just nodded and we slid out of the back door and went round to the back of Hilltop.

'What did you see?' Tara asked breathlessly as we paced quickly.

'They were walking in a circle, for no damn reason. What if Rosita's right? What if they have evolved?' I said nervously.

'I don't know' she answered.

I hated not being able to comfort her or tell her everything was gonna be fine because I had no clue if it would be.

For the first time ever, I had no plan.

Once we got back to Hilltop, I ran inside and called Michonne for back up.

She came with Daryl, Aaron and Gabriel a few hours later.

Our plan was to track the horde and try and get close enough to grab one and find out what was going on.

Jesus and I readied everyone with armoury and weapons, by my side were Tara, Yumiko, Magna and Luke.

Rosita stayed behind reluctantly with Eugene and promised she would defend Hilltop if the horde tried to break through.

Once we met up with Michonne's group, Jesus and I showed her where they were and the direction in which they had headed.  

It was the dead of night now, but we had no time to lose.

We couldn't risk them flocking to somewhere else and not knowing what they were.

We traced their movements, thanks to Daryl who was the best tracker out of all of us.

We came across a graveyard after walking for an hour.

It was shrouded in mist and a large iron gate encircled it.

Jesus and Aaron told us to wait behind the gate while they cleared the graveyard so that we could walk through unharmed.

I of course protested but I didn't want to argue with Jesus because I believed in him.

A few walkers moved towards them which they took out without an issue.

Jesus flipping and slashing them down with his sword whilst Aaron bashed in their brains with his badass metal arm and spiked attachment.

Soon, there were more and more walkers heading their way.

I opened up the gate and everyone followed me in.

This must have been the hoard of at least part of it, I thought.

We stood in a V formation as we took them all down as they kept coming towards us.

Daryl and I fired our arrows and knifed the ones that got too close, while Michonne sliced them open with her katana.

Tara had an axe which Luke had made her to match his and Magna and Yumiko had slingshots.

It had seemed easy for a while, that was till the mist started to rise and cloud our vision.

Even Tara who was standing right by my side started to disappear in the cloud of white.

We had had to move stealthily around the graveyard and walkers had now blocked the gate we came through.

'Shit' I heard Tara say as she saw gate being increasingly crowded.

I grabbed her hand and we moved backwards and struck down walkers as we stood back to back.

I pointed to Jesus to see the gate on the far side which we could move through.

He nodded and signalled to Daryl to get them there safely while Michonne, Tara, Jesus, Aaron and I fought off the dead.

Tara and I yanked on the gate but it was firmly shut.

'Shit' I said breathlessly as I saw it move slightly.

Daryl brought them to the gate and they continued to fire at the dead at the bars.

The gate was locked but with all of us pulling, it could be pried open.

We all grunted and panted as we used all our strength to pull it open.

'Get out of here! Go I got this!' Jesus shouted to Aaron who hesitantly came over to help open the gate as Jesus defended us.

Just as we managed to pull open the gate, Aaron looked back and yelled, 'Jesus come on!'.

He started to walk stealthily towards us as I got all of them through the gate, leaving only Aaron on the other side waiting for Jesus.

Jesus struck down one of the two walkers with a swift blow to the head and attempted to strike the other.

It swung around, pulled out a knife and stabbed him straight through the heart.

'You are where you do not belong' it whispered as my eyes widened in shock.

'NO!' Aaron yelled as I gasped in shock.

Tears rolled down my face as the walker dropped Jesus' body to the ground.

Aaron and I sprinted back through the graveyard, adrenaline and rage filling my body as I saw the walker like figures sprint towards us.

I snarled and hardened my face as I pulled out my gun.

I shot them one by one.

No mercy, that's what I had learned in this world.

Daryl shot many with his crossbow, while others took out their guns.

This was no time for knives.

When I ran out of ammo, I dropped my gun and took out my knives from my holsters and holding one in each hand I paced and leapt in the air, driving the blade into their skulls as they tried to swing at me.

Aaron continued to drive his metal hand into the skull of the now lifeless killer of Jesus.

Over and over he pounded his fist as he screamed in rage.

I stood back up, seeing no more of them around and wiped my eyes as I looked over to Aaron.

'Aaron' I said through rapid tears as I lifted him away from the body.

'NO!' he yelled as he shrugged me away and collapsed back over Jesus.

'Come here' Daryl said to Michonne as she walked towards Daryl who was standing over one of the dead whispering walkers.

I wrapped my arms around Aaron as we cried over Jesus.

I saw Daryl cutting something at the walker's head and only realised what it was when he lifted it in the air.

It was a mask...

[etlunainmorte]

🖤 I See My Future Before Me 🖤

***

***

You had to do it. You had no idea how long you would last, so, it’s all, or nothing. After all, you’re about to face the Dreadnought in a few hours. You had to really do it, before anything bad befall you.

You saw him there, standing outside of the van, calmly reading his beloved William Blake anthology. He was alone, and it was a perfect timing.

You inhaled deeply, actually expecting for the worse. Even despite your friend Nico’s reassurance that everything would turn out fine, you just could not shake off the foreboding feeling that this insane idea would end up with disastrous results.

But, then, you’re here with him now. There’s no use turning back.

And as he turned his gaze towards you in an acknowledgement of your greeting, you felt your heart do flips in erratic beats.

“How can I help you?” He said, ever so polite and well - mannered.

“I, uhh,…” You muttered. There’s at least one moment in your life when you just could not stop stuttering. And of all those times, why would you do it in front of the poet, of all people?! “I wanted to tell you something.”

“Go on.” He said quietly as he looked back at the pages of Blake’s illustrations. He may have allowed you to speak, but he sure didn’t look like he wanted to listen to you. Odd.

And this made your confidence plummet to the ground.

“I just wanted to say,… uhh,… thank you. For saving me earlier.”

“I always come when I can to help those in need.” He simply answered.

Your chest felt heavier, your breathing more labored. Your lips trembled as you tried to say the words,…

“You are such a good person, and I,… I really like you,… for that,…”

He was not looking up from his book. Was he even listening to you?

You took what courage and little confidence you had left and decided to pour everything out of your bursting chest.

“What I mean to say is, I really, really like you, V. I just thought I should let you know before,…” There! You finally said the words. But, before you could even begin to say the word ‘Dreadnought’, he looked up from his book with a smile on his lips.

That smile! Was Nico right, all along? That he’s, indeed, interested in you, as well? Were your efforts finally being paid off?

But, wait. That’s not his regular, charming smile. It was more like a,… smirk? A grin? Something felt really off with the look he’s giving you right now. Was it,… pity?

He left his spot and went slowly towards you, swinging his cane playfully.

“Those words you just uttered, were you certain about them?” He asked you, that strange smile still on his lips.

“Sorry?”

He just chuckled, like he was making fun of a child.

“Those feelings you have for me, I’m afraid we do not share them mutually.” He simply said without any difficulty.

As if breaking hearts was not foreign to him.

Well, you expected this all along. You forced a smile on your lips despite the crushing sensation you could feel in your chest.

“I see. Well, I just wanted you to know - ”

“But, that was not enough for you, yes?” Using his cane, he made you look up to him, propping your chin up to properly meet his piercing gaze. “You said I’m a good person, if I got it correctly.”

“Y-yes.”

“Then, I do feel obliged to tell you that I’ am not the person you seem to know. I’ am neither a good person, nor a hero you consider. In fact, I’ am the villain of your story.”

“V?” You said helplessly, confusion and sadness taking over.

“And I, may I add, only helped you because you seem so,… useless. Why would you even take up this massive commission in the first place? You are not as half as strong as the weakest Devil Hunter here to begin with. You are just a weak human who relies on others for survival.”

“I’m,…” You wanted to point out that he was totally wrong, that you had your own reasons for fighting this massive war, and that you did not come here unprepared. You just had to keep some,… secrets.

Unfortunately for you, you did not choose to divulge those things to others, save for Nico, your friend since childhood, and Dante, your current boss. It was partly one of the things that made you seem weak in front of others.

And he surely didn’t know your own reason for doing all of those, even though the pain you felt hiding all those things kept on piling up, higher and higher, until you could no longer contain the sadness.

Until you could no longer contain the tears of frustration and heartbreak.

And he didn’t stop there despite seeing the tears in your eyes.

It seemed like breaking your heart was not enough.

“You would only become a burden. I suggest you leave this place even before the first signs of the enemy.” He said, finally letting your chin go. He was about to walk away when he heard you call his name.

“I will not be a burden, V!” You helplessly said to him, tears streaming down your face. “I have to face this battle, please!”

“Apparently,” V said in a threatening voice as he turned back to look at you. He strode towards you like a predator, and you had to step back in fear of what he might do to you. “You are not only useless, but an imbecile, as well. If I were you, I would gladly take this chance to leave in order to spare my own life. Take it from me, it is better to run away.”

You could not say any more words to him. He completely broke you, and now, you just stood there, shocked, and a complete whimpering mess. He brought the tip of his cane down as forcefully as he could, summoning Shadow in the process as some of his tattoos vanished from his pale skin.

You looked as the great, dark Demon growled at you, something that made you even more heartbroken, for the huge cat, for some reason, used to purr quite loudly and shamelessly whenever you scratch her chin and ears as she laid down beside you.

“Now, we do not want bloodshed here so early on in the game. Leave. Now.” He warned for the very last time.

You had no choice but to turn away. From the Dreadnought. From your purpose.

From the man you have grown to love despite everything.

You may have spent the remaining hours of your life bawling out like an infant inside the van and letting it all out on Nico, but you could not just accept the outcome of your conversation with that man - your own reason for fighting.

“I’ll go.”

“Ya sure about this? You would surely not make it outta there alive. Not for gettin’ smacked by Demons.”

You looked up from the towel that Nico offered you to wipe your tears with.

“I know. I have accepted that ever since I decided to join. Nico, I know my fate, and I embrace it.”

Your friend sighed.

“Still can’t tell him?”

“No. He doesn’t have to know.”

You glanced out of the window to see the massive thing floating in the sky towards the deserted city. You were sure that the others were already dealing with it as of the moment.

You stood up and took your weapons, a violin and its bow. An instrument that your friend 'tweaked’ for you.

“I’ll go, just like the usual.”

“Alone?” Nico said, also standing up.

“And after the boys.” You said with utter resolution. V may have rejected your feelings, but he would not dare reject your permanent, once in a lifetime offer of an insurance policy, and you damn well know it.

***

🖤🖤🖤

***

[itsthecupbros]

Afraid of Your Own Shadow: Muse is unnaturally skittish and afraid of everything around them.

What Are You, Chicken?: Muse gets the chicken pox. Anon decides if there are any magical side effects.

Man Overboard!: Muse develops an intense fear of water.

Feeling Guilty: Muse is convinced they are wanted for a crime they have commited. Anon can decide what the crime was.

?yako uoy erA: Muse is cursed to speak backwards.

Happy Days: Muse is forced to keep a permanent smile.

Do Not Pass Go: Muse is put in a small prison without escape or bail.

All About the Money: Muse becomes obsessed with money and refuses to spend any of it.

My Big Day: Muse believes they are to be wed to the person of anon's choice.

I'm Melting!: Muse cannot stop bleeding from the mouth, nose, or eyes (anon's choice). Muse cannot pass out from blood loss.

Holy Halo: Muse is dressed like an angel and can float.

The Living Dead: Muse dies and becomes a living corpse. Comes back to life when time is up.

S-S-Stop!: Muse develops a bad stutter.

The Invisible Man: Muse's body becomes invisible; this does not apply to clothing.

Thou Wretched Fool!: Muse believes they are a medieval knight.

Poet In Hiding: Muse can only speak in rhyme.

Awkward Stage: Muse becomes a teenager. If Muse is already a teenager, they become an adult.

The Reaper Crys!: Muse becomes obsessed with death. Anon decides if it is another Muse's death or their own.

Frozen to the Core: Muse becomes extremely cold natured and seeks any form of warmth.

Shut the Blinds: Muse becomes allergic to the sun.

1ST JUL 2013

|

2,049 NOTES

Baker Baker: Muse won't and refuses to stop cooking.

Russian Roulette: Muse is given a gun with one bullet that must be used to shoot someone/something of Mun's choosing. Ends when shot is executed.

All That Glitters: Muse becomes obsessed with shiny objects.

Just Shut Up!: Muse hears voices in their head. Anon can pick whose voice it is.

Bury the Hatchet: Muse believes they have a murder weapon, and will try to hide it at all costs. Anon can choose the murder weapon.

Achoo!: Muse becomes allergic to something precious to them. Anon can decide what this is.

Just Like Rapunzel: Muse has extremely long hair that cannot be cut.

For Science!: Muse suddenly has the urge to become a test subject. Anon may choose who's subject he is.

That's Not Punny: Muse feels inclined to make a pun about almost everything.

Nice Boxers: Muse believes they are stripped down to their underwear, even if they are fully clothed.

The Fairest Queen of Kings: Muse must dress in drag/drab.

Mankind's Best Friend: Muse feels the need to keep their pet or some animal with them at all times. Anon may choose which animal Muse desires.

Insomniac: Muse desperately wants to go to sleep, but cannot.

It's Pouring!: Muse keeps a cloud over their head, which will rain depending on their mood. Anon can decide what mood it rains on.

Technologic: Muse is turned into a robot.

You've Got Mail!: Muse believes they have an important message for the person of Anon's choosing. Anon can also choose what the message says.

Sufferin' Succotash!: Muse develops a lisp.

The Life of Mime: Muse becomes a mute and is forced to wear a mime outfit, along with proper mime makeup.

Freeze!: Muse freezes up for a few seconds whenever a certain word is said. Anon may choose the word.

Round and Round: Muse develops vertigo, and cannot stand, walk or run too much without feeling dizzy and/or sick.

1ST JUL 2013

|

439 NOTES

The Premature Burial: Muse has catalepsy, thought to be dead, and is buried alive with no provisions and no hope, for ____(duration specified by anon)

The Black Cat: Muse is a perpetual drunk prone to abuse, be it animal or domestic, for ___(duration specified by anon)

The Pit and the Pendulum: Muse is a convicted felon and sentenced to death. Anon specifies form/duration of torture.

The Raven: Muse is masochistic for ___(duration specified by anon)

Annabel Lee: Muse loses their one true love and suffers from a broken heart (duration specified by anon; muse can die from broken heart should the anon choose it).

The Masque of the Red Death: Muse is afraid of death and has a lethal disease whose symptoms include sharp pains, dizziness, profuse bleeding, and red stains, causing him/her to be shunned from society. Lasts for____(duration specified by anon)

The Tell-Tale Heart/Murders of the Rue Morgue: Muse is paranoid of others and upon killing them, tries to hide the bodies of his/her victims, all while evading arrest through use of wiles. Lasts for____(duration specified by anon)

Fall of the House of Usher: Muse becomes a shut-in consigned to the hospital, incapable of caring for him/herself and in need of special, degrading attention. Lasts for ___(duration specified by anon)

Ligeia: Muse is deathly ill and dies, but resurrects in the body of another person. Anon specifies duration and the body of the other deceased.

William Wilson: Muse is manipulated by their alter ego and believes his/her rival to physically exist; but being unable to escape his/her personal demons, ultimately commits a murder-suicide in an attempt to vanquish said rival.

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122 NOTES

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites: Your muse feels the need to hide from everyone. Anon specifies the time length.

Rise and Shine Little Bitch: Your muse has just woken up from an excruciating hangover that lasts one day.

Pretend it's a Video Game: Level up! Your muse is now a video game character. It lasts for 5 days.

With you, Friends (Long Drive): Your muse suddenly feels extremely adventurous. Anon specifies the time length.

Bikinis and Big Booties Y'all: Whoo! For one entire night, your muse suddenly wants to get drunk and party.

Never Gonna Get This Pussy: Your muse is feeling so fragile that if anyone touches them, they're mentally impure. Anon specifies the time length.

Smell this money: For one night, your muse has an urge to go and rob something. Anon Specifies where they rob.

Park Smoke: For one night, your muse stays outside {with an optional cigarette}, due to their belief that if they go inside their settlement, they'll get sick of slow suffocation and die.

Your friends ain't gonna leave with you: Your muse is afraid that everyone they care about will forget about/leave them.

Ride Home: Your muse gets extreme nostalgia that doesn't go away until {Anon specifies}

Son of Scary Monsters: Muse acts like a stubborn child that must scare everyone for {Anon Specifies the time length}

Big 'Ol Scardy Pants: Your muse is afraid of everything. Everything. Lasts 2 days.

Scary Monsters on Strings: Your muse is a puppet on strings. 3 days.

Lights: Turn the lights on! Your muse has a sudden addiction to lights. All lights are beautiful. Must look at lights. Lasts a full week.

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32 NOTES

Castle in the Sky Your Muse see a Castle in the sky and goes up to the sky and see it real For__

Angel of Darkness Your Muse become evil with dark powers and become The Angel of Darkness and Try to take over For__

Earth Wind Water & Fire Yous Muse Have power(Ex.Earth powers) For__

Roses are Red Your Muse Is love with (anon tell to who) For__

Bumble Bee Your Muse Has a feeling love for(anon tell to who) For__

Superstar Your Muse Become Rich and Famous For__

Dam Dadi Do Your Muse Dance Non-Stop For__

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1,204 NOTES

The classiest M!A list you’ll ever see compiled by yours truly and Tomas mun. All times are specified by anon or mun.

Taming of the Shrew: Your muse turns into an obstinate, headstrong person who has to be tamed into being compliant and good again

The Tempest: Your muse has been caught in a terrible shipwreck and is stranded on a seemingly uninhabited island (other muses can be on island too if mun agrees)

Romeo and Juliet: Your muse has fallen /desperately/ in love with the one person they know they can’t have

As You Like It: Your muse has to pretend to be the opposite gender for whatever reason the anon or mun think is appropriate

Macbeth: Your muse is convinced they have killed someone-or maybe they really have- and is going mad with guilt

A Midsummers Night Dream: Your muse is now some strange part them part animal hybrid (anon specifies animal)

The Merchant of Venice: Your muse owes a large sum of money to someone on pain of death (anon specifies when the money is due by)

A Comedy of Errors: Your muse either develops an evil twin /or/ the muse goes around pretending to do loads of things and blaming it on their 'twin'

King Lear: Your muse is descending into complete madness

Richard III: Your muse wants to trade really important items for really menial ones

Winter's Tale: Your muse is frozen and can’t move but they can hear and see fine.

Hamlet: Your muse is overcome by a death or tragedy in their past, and seeks revenge on whichever character/person they believe to be most responsible for it.

Much Ado About Nothing: Your muse unashamedly attempts to seduce as many characters as he/she can

Henry V: The muse embarks on war/battle against a character/threatening force

Julius Caesar: Your muse thinks everyone is stabbing them in the back, literally or metaphorically

Othello: Your muse thinks his/her lover is cheating on them with their best friend. Alternatively, if you prefer / if your muse has no lover, your muse plots to convince /another/ character that /their/ lover is cheating on them with their best friend

Twelth Night: Your muse disguises themselves as the opposite gender/as someone else, which either directly or accidentally creates an awkward love situation or a love triangle.

Sonnet: Either your muse can now only speak in sonnet form /or/ they are going around pronouncing their undying love for everyone.

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50 NOTES

Ico: Muse now has horns protruding from their head.

Yorda: Muse has to be literally led by the hand everywhere. If left alone, they will just stay in one spot.

Queen: Muse wants to take over someone's body to continue living. (Anon decides who)

Wander: Muse slowly becomes paler, and dark splotches will form on their skin and clothes over time.

Mono: Muse is dead, and will only wake up after a certain amount of time.

Dormin: Muse is disembodied and can only go back in their body when they are given sixteen of a particular item. (Anon decides what item)

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131 NOTES

All M!As are inspired by the tv show "Animalia"!

The Mists of Time: There are ancient, elephant-sized, ravenous frogs everywhere. Perhaps your muse is hallucinating, perhaps not, but either way, they're scared of being eaten. 7 hours.

Catcher in the Rhyme: Your muse suddenly can't stop speaking in rhymes. If they say a word without a rhyme, their muscles cramp up and they get cold, freezing themselves stiffer each time. 5 hours.

Forget Me Not: Long-term and short-term memory loss. Who are you? Oh, ok. Wait, who are you? 3 hours.

Long Story Short: Did you hear about...? Gossip is being spread from the mouth of your muse, and it keeps getting worse and worse because they aren't really listening to anyone but themselves. 3 hours.

Speechless in Animalia: Your muse just wants some peace and quiet! And they get it... in spades. Deaf and mute. 1 day.

Don Iguana: Your muse just started reading Don Quixote and is inspired to fight crime! They become d'Avenger of d'Whatevercountrytheylivein. They lose sleep while fighting crime, eventually being to hallucinate. They really should have finished that book first... 2 days.

Over and Beyond: One day your muse meets a unicorn. And the next they are held captive by a dragon. 2 days.

Being Peter Applebottom: Your muse suddenly thinks they're a genius. A condescending, pompous, arrogant genius who hates laughter and playfulness. "Comedy is low, sophomoric, crass. I don't practice it." 2 days.

Brain Drain: Your muse swaps intellect with another muse. 1 day.

The World According to Iggy: Your muse is a hero! Well... in their eyes they are! They've got a sudden desire to tell everyone of fantastical tales -starring themselves- that are extreme exaggerations. 1 day.

Gettting Over the Glums: Your muse inhales the pollen of a strange plant. They become lethargic and depressed, and slump on the nearest couch. The only cure is a good, long laugh. (And ticking won't work!) 12 hours.

The Day Zoe Listened: Your muse makes a vow to go a day without talking. But as the silence goes on, your muse starts to hear whispers in the trees. Hallucinations? Dryads? Who knows. 1 day.

Alex's Treasure Island: Time for a treasure hunt! Your muse is searching high and low for Captain Flint's hoard, getting greedier all the time. That pretty necklace around that other muse's throat... why, it's a part of the trove! 16 hours.

The Animal Within: OOOGAAAAH. Suddenly, your muse is acting like a wild animal. Eating with their face, scratching themselves, grunting... 7 hours.

Scary Story Go Round: Your muse is now the hapless victim in a horror movie. Tripping, screaming, rallying the rebels to take on the monsters. 1 day.

The Ballad of the Creeper: Your muse is a blethering ninny. "Whacka-doo, whacka-doo, whacka-doo!" 3 hours.

From 'A' to 'Z': Your muse starts forgetting words. "Could you please move that ch... ch... that thing! That thing that you sit on! What's it called again?" 12 hours.

The Dragon and the Night: Your muse is afraid of non-existent trolls and the dark, and is too embarrassed to admit to either. 12 hours.

Tomorrow: Your muse thinks the world is going to end tomorrow. 1 day.

Guardians of the Core: Your muse can't stop singing and dancing. Whatever song pops into their head, they will perform. 3 hours.

Back to the Present: Your muse is traveling back home, perhaps one day to return, perhaps not. 12 hours.

What the World Needs Now: Your muse gains the powers of a god. They can change the world to their ideals... but should they? 7 hours.

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3,876 NOTES

Paint it Red: Muse becomes blood-crazy. They want to see it, taste it, and feel it in any way or form.

Overprotective: Muse becomes obsessive of the next person in their inbox.

Over the Edge: Muse's mental health has skyrocketed down, making them very unstable.

Burning Up: Muse feels extremely hot and can't seem to get cool.

Hypochondriac: Muse thinks they have an illness (chosen by anon), even though they are completely healthy.

Heartache: Muse feels a sharp pain in their chest every time they think of their lover (or someone/thing they love).

Not Yourself: Muse has the personality of a character of anon's choice.

Double Trouble: Muse has an exact copy of themself to deal with. Only the copy secretly wants to kill them.

Heavily Accented: Muse's voice has an unfamiluar accent to it, which is chosen by anon.

Night Owl: Muse has trouble staying awake during the day and going to sleep at night.

A Holy Man?!: Muse takes everything literally.

A World of Color: Muse becomes colorblind. If Muse is already colorblind, they can now see colors.

Congratulations!: Muse is given a baby and told it's theirs. Anon can tell them who the 'other parent' is.

A Haunting I Will Go!: Muse becomes a ghost that must haunt the person of anon's choice.

Bittersweet: Everything Muse eats turns to candy in their mouth. The reverse effect goes for actual candy, which turns into a random food.

[thedyingmoon]

***

You had to do it. You had no idea how long you would last, so, it's all, or nothing. After all, you're about to face the Dreadnought in a few hours. You had to really do it, before anything bad befall you.

You saw him there, standing outside of the van, calmly reading his beloved William Blake anthology. He was alone, and it was a perfect timing.

You inhaled deeply, actually expecting for the worse. Even despite your friend Nico's reassurance that everything would turn out fine, you just could not shake off the foreboding feeling that this insane idea would end up with disastrous results.

But, then, you're here with him now. There's no use turning back.

And as he turned his gaze towards you in an acknowledgement of your greeting, you felt your heart do flips in erratic beats.

"How can I help you?" He said, ever so polite and well - mannered.

"I, uhh,..." You muttered. There's at least one moment in your life when you just could not stop stuttering. And of all those times, why would you do it in front of the poet, of all people?! "I wanted to tell you something."

"Go on." He said quietly, and, may you add, uninterestedly, as he looked back at the pages of Blake's illustrations. He may have allowed you to speak, but he sure didn't look like he wanted to listen to you. Odd.

And this made your confidence plummet to the ground.

"I just wanted to say,... uhh,... thank you. For saving me earlier."

"I always come when I can to help those in need." He simply answered.

Your chest felt heavier, your breathing more labored. Your lips trembled as you tried to say the words,...

"You are such a good person, and I,... I really like you,... for that,..."

He was not looking up from his book. Was he even listening to you?

You took what courage and little confidence you had left and decided to pour everything out of your bursting chest.

"What I mean to say is, I really, really like you, V. I just thought I should let you know before,..." There! You finally said the words. But, before you could even begin to say the word 'Dreadnought', he looked up from his book with a smile on his lips.

That smile! Was Nico right, all along? That he's, indeed, interested in you, as well? Were your efforts finally being paid off?

But, wait. That's not his regular, charming smile. It was more like a,... smirk? A grin? Something felt really off with the look he's giving you right now. Was it,... pity?

He left his spot and went slowly towards you, swinging his cane playfully.

"Those words you just uttered, were you certain about them?" He asked you, that strange smile still on his lips.

"Sorry?"

He just chuckled, like he was making fun of a child.

"Those feelings you have for me, I'm afraid we do not share them mutually." He simply said without any difficulty.

As if breaking hearts was not foreign to him.

Well, you expected this all along. You forced a smile on your lips despite the crushing sensation you could feel in your chest.

"I see. Well, I just wanted you to know - "

"But, that was not enough for you, yes?" Using his cane, he made you look up to him, propping your chin up to properly meet his piercing gaze. "You said I'm a good person, if I got it correctly."

"Y-yes."

"Then, I do feel obliged to tell you that I' am not the person you seem to know. I' am neither a good person, nor a hero you consider. In fact, I' am the villain of your story."

"V?" You said helplessly, confusion and sadness taking over.

"And I, may I add, only helped you because you seem so,... useless. Why would you even take up this massive commission in the first place? You are not as half as strong as the weakest Devil Hunter here to begin with. You are just a weak human who relies on others for survival."

"I'm,..." You wanted to point out that he was totally wrong, that you had your own reasons for fighting this massive war, and that you did not come here unprepared. You just had to keep some,... secrets.

Unfortunately for you, you did not choose to divulge those things to others, save for Nico, your friend since childhood, and Dante, your current boss. It was partly one of the things that made you seem weak in front of others.

And he surely didn't know your own reason for doing all of those, even though the pain you felt hiding all those things kept on piling up, higher and higher, until you could no longer contain the sadness.

Until you could no longer contain the tears of frustration and heartbreak.

And he didn't stop there despite seeing the tears in your eyes.

It seemed like breaking your heart was not enough.

"You would only become a burden. I suggest you leave this place even before the first signs of the enemy." He said, finally letting your chin go. He was about to walk away when he heard you call his name.

"I will not be a burden, V!" You helplessly said to him, tears streaming down your face. "I have to face this battle, please!"

"Apparently," V said in a threatening voice as he turned back to look at you. He strode towards you like a predator, and you had to step back in fear of what he might do to you. "You are not only useless, but an imbecile, as well. If I were you, I would gladly take this chance to leave in order to spare my own life. Take it from me, it is better to run away."

You could not say any more words to him. He completely broke you, and now, you just stood there, shocked, and a complete whimpering mess. He brought the tip of his cane down as forcefully as he could, summoning Shadow in the process as some of his tattoos vanished from his pale skin.

You looked as the great, dark Demon growled at you, something that made you even more heartbroken, for the huge cat, for some reason, used to purr quite loudly and shamelessly whenever you scratch her chin and ears as she laid down beside you.

"Now, we do not want bloodshed here so early on in the game. Leave. Now." He warned for the very last time.

You had no choice but to turn away. From the Dreadnought. From your purpose.

From the man you have grown to love despite everything.

You may have spent the remaining hours of your life bawling out like an infant inside the van and letting it all out on Nico, but you could not just accept the outcome of your conversation with that man - your own reason for fighting.

"I'll go."

"Ya sure about this? You would surely not make it outta there alive. Not for gettin' smacked by Demons."

You looked up from the towel that Nico offered you to wipe your tears with.

"I know. I have accepted that ever since I decided to join. Nico, I know my fate, and I embrace it."

Your friend sighed.

"Still can't tell him?"

"No. He doesn't have to know."

You glanced out of the window to see the massive thing floating in the sky towards the deserted city. You were sure that the others were already dealing with it as of the moment.

You stood up and took your weapons, a violin and its bow. An instrument that your friend 'tweaked' for you.

"I'll go, just like the usual."

"Alone?" Nico said, also standing up.

"And after the boys." You said with utter resolution. V may have rejected your feelings, but he would not dare reject your permanent, once in a lifetime offer of an insurance policy, and you damn well know it.

***

A/N:

This is an experiment. I've been planning for a full fic of this for a while now, my very first V X Reader.

I just want to know how you, guys and gals, feel about it. Should I continue it, or not?

Please, let me know!

Thank you so much!

🖤🖤🖤