#various water based predicaments

[leggerefiore]

Dormire

cw: slightly horror based, not really romantic, more implied pokehybrid au, Darkrai Cyrus

pairing: Cyrus/Reader

Awful dreams plagued you night after night. They were never anything that you could recall when you woke up, but you felt restless and exhausted, despite seemingly going to bed at an earlier hour each night since they started. You wanted to claim insomnia was a natural consequence of such a frequent event, but that even failed to come to fruition. Falling asleep was as easy as crawling into your bed and curling up under the covers. It was like a sudden darkness consumed your mind immediately after. You slept the whole night – until the sound of your alarm blared and pulled you from your fitful sleep.

You searched endless for what might be the cause. Stress seemed obvious, but your requested days off still were filled with these nightmares. Trying various different sleeping positions and rituals did nothing to cull the effects either. It seemed your nightmares were going to stay. That was the case, anyway. A friend had heard of your predicament and took a certain charge in it. A Lunar Feather. It was fabled to chase away nightmares. You felt desperate. Everything else had been exhausted, so what was truly wrong with engaging in a folk remedy? It had seemed so easy until you had learnt how exceedingly rare such an item was. Coming from a pokemon of legend who was said to live on a small, uninhabited island.

Anything seemed better than lingering as you were. The nightmares were refusing to cease, and some days, you even found yourself sleeping through the usual bliss your alarm provided. It was enough to spur you into action – Sinnoh was your destination. Fullmoon Island further so. The cold of the northern region was no less daunting than your own desperation to escape these consuming nightmares. You found yourself in Canalave, requesting a trip to the island from a local sailor. He seemed hesitant to take you out, but when you explained your plight, he became far more empathetic. Apparently, it was not so rare for travellers to come in search of the feather. Many people were plagued with such awful nightmares, and it truly seemed like the only relief that could ever exist from them.

Your luck must have truly been cursed, however, as your trip was plagued with a terrible storm. The boat had been sent completely off course and had been forced to dock at another island until the storm had passed. This other island's name was relayed to you by the sailor – Newmoon Island. It was mostly rocky terrain, but a small grove sat on the island. With nothing but time to kill, you found yourself stepping off the boat and wandering into the grove. What kind of pokemon may inhabit this island? Likely those with the capability of bring seafaring. Still, you found curiosity taking over, with nothing else to occupy you.

Deeper and deeper, you wandered into the grove until a small clearing came into view. It was shrouded in an eerie darkness as you entered – Something your subconscious mind dared call familiar. Nothing seemed to dare live on this island. A puddle of water lay in the middle of the clearing, circular and murky. As you stepped into it, something made a shiver run down your spine. You felt tired suddenly, as if you had not slept in many days. It was not usually restless exhaustion you had grown used to, but the dead tiredness you felt just before falling asleep at night. In your final, fleeting moments of awakened consciousness, you felt a shadowy hand grasp your shoulder to catch you from falling. A glowing blue iris stood contrasting in the darkness.

Strangely, you felt as if you had the best sleep in ages, with whatever followed.

You awoke far later on in the pokemon centre within Canalave. The same sailor who had taken you out standing over you in a panic with a doctor. A beautiful green plume lay grasped in your hand. As you say up, the doctor gently began to probe you with questions. You had suddenly fallen into a coma on the island, only being found by the sailor in a worry when you had not come back within a reasonable amount of time. You had lied in the middle of the puddle, curled up into a deep sleep. He rushed you back to the mainland for medical help before heading back out for Fullmoon Island. There, he had found the single plume in your hand, lying in wait for someone to take it.

You should have been panicked, but you only felt a strange kind of loneliness. Someone had been there with in your sleep, you felt certain. They were at your side enduringly. With you pulled from your ceaseless slumber, you could only wonder how they felt. Somehow, you wanted to fall back into sleep again, but you knew it was not something you were going to be allowed to do once more.

So you waited, when you were finally cleared, you checked into an old inn in the city and laid in the bed. A strange man had greeted you, his grin eerie and almost all teeth. He had led you to your room and wished you a good night's sleep. The plume was in your bag, but you had tossed that aside. The bed was a twin sized one. You felt the blankets heavy on top of you. Sleep felt so far away, a horrible insomnia consuming you. The hours drew on and on as you find yourself unable to sleep. Annoyance and bitterness were beginning to consume you.

Until the shadows in the darkened room began to coagulate together. Something unshapely and impossible forming within them. You felt terror freeze your heart as you laid unmoving in bed, hoping it would not see you. It took shape, wispy and phantom-like with a glowing eye, but it soonest shifted again into something more humanoid. The creature strode towards you despite your attempt to hide. It stared down at you with glowing eyes of blue. Then, gently, it brought a hand to close your eyes. A single command was spoken from a deep, stoic voice, “Sleep.”

You did.

~

Rumours circulated about a person who had disappeared after a visit to Canalave. Various theories were posed from it being a kidnapping to a strange series of coincidences leading to them falling into the sea. All were wrong, naturally.

A single man, a sailor, was plagued with the truth. The folktales of Newmoon Island's sole inhabitant haunting him. The pitch-black pokemon, Darkai. Rumours of it in a human form blending into society, perhaps daring to attempt to stave off loneliness. A strange blue-haired man had been spotted around the region, often followed by strangely dressed people. There was a certain group ever desperate for the mythical pokemon's attention. Still, that was all irrelevant to the poor person's vanishing. Plagued by nightmares and desperate to alleviate them, the sailor had accidentally brought them directly to the source of their problem. Perhaps there was something in their presence that truly stopped the painful loneliness that haunted dark-type, or perhaps it was something even more beyond comprehension to a human. But, the sailor truly believed it was Darkrai who spirited them away.

The strange blue-haired man had vanished with them as well.

The sailor only wished the precious plume he had obtained had saved them from their fate.

(Distantly, you slept in the warm embrace of a certain hybrid, sharing an endless dream with him. Both of you were at peace.)

[mercair]

You hear something coming from the water... Will you answer to her call?.

Finally, my next Secret Boss is *partially* finished. I present to you, the amazing, beautiful; Sonatta.

"Once, she was a talented ballerina that performed every year for the festival. When she stood on the stage, the audience would cheer for her mere presence, everybody loved it. But it wasn't all just her; her lightner was the real Maestro behind all her performances, she was the one who wrote the music, and the one that played it.

But... One day, something happened. Something horrible happened. Her lightner was no longer around, no matter how hard she searched for her, she just couldn't find her. It was as if she just vanished...

She couldn't perform again... Never again.

Suddenly, another lightner came to her, and for some reason, trapped Sonatta inside of a cage, and exiled her to the bottom of the ocean, she was no longer needed anymore.

In the depths, someone called for her, a mysterious person reached to her, and told her... Something horrible.

Now, she waits alone in her cage, singing one of the songs her lightner wrote once, waiting for someone to release her, so she could help everyone in the same predicament as her, and maybe... Just maybe... Find her."

Was that sad enough? Do you feel bad now? No? Oh, ok...

Anyways, so Sonatta. A beautiful, talented ballerina, bound to a horrible fate, and forced to accept it, yet still dreaming about a better future for herself and the ones in her same situation. This bit is *partially* based on The TWILIGHT ZONE Theory.

Her lightworld counterpart is a Sheet Music Paper book, full of various, familiar songs. Now, does that mean that the song Onion-san keeps hearing is hers? Yeah, indeed! It is really dark down there after all.

Trapped inside a chest, guarded by several, terryfing creatures, she can't escape, and even if she did, the water would hurt her, what a predicament.

Now about her design, you may be wondering; Why is she cat? And the answer is: She's not, she just looked weird without some kind of ears. About the rest, i tried my best to make her look like, actually defenseless and fragile, to fit a lot more the circumstances she is in.

Super Form Design: After absorbing the missing piece of her music sheet, she transforms into one of the most powerful darkners ever been. Full of memories, hope, and love; Moonlight Sonatta.

I made her MOONLIGHT form thinking of Gargy's Fairy Tale. It is inspired by a fairy tale called "The Light Princess" with the ribbons around her wrists bounding her to the earth (lol), cuz without them she'd just fly away. And in the tale, the only way to stop the princess from flying is to get her wet. In game, your only way of defeating Sonatta, is to make her CRY.

And now, her battle theme. This one is uh... rather different from your conventional Superboss theme, or at least, the feeling it gives, i don't think i've found it before in one of these. Im quite happy with how it came out.

If you want to listen to the rest of her song, feel free to check my soundcloud.

Anyways, that's all folks, keep dreaming!

[yangsoeuvre]

Chapter VII: Nieves Base

Note #5: dug under the Sugdi Quarters, Volume I of Forgotten Entries From Dead and Missing Dreamers

If I ever make it out alive, you would never be able to read this.

Tandang Mirisi's Kapehan (Coffeehouse)

Come to Tandang Mirisi's as soon as possible. We will be there the whole day to wait for you.

The trek to the corner kapehan lasted Indak longer than usual as she hops on one foot on the way while holding on to lantern-lit talisay trees that guide the roads at night.

Around the day, she snuck out of the house, bringing only the acceptance papers and her pasiking with her. She avoided the routes that led to the apothecary of the village and hurried straight to Tandang Mirisi's despite her injury. If people ever stared at her strange predicament, then they never made it noticeable. Though, the group of toddlers playing in the baryo quadrangle might have thrown some fits and giggles until she left their sight.

She can smell the welcoming blend of caffeine and vanilla from outside the kapehan. Despite the aroma signaling the presence of servers attending to customers, the stone seats and tables from outside lay clean and unstained. A cardboard sign with the baybayin characters of "sarado" hung on the close swinging doors, clearly stating the place's unavailability.

She walks through the pebbled ground leading to the doors and pushes them open. Her eyes fall on the group of people, in their traditional binakol-weaved clothes, occupying all the bamboo seats and tables. The servers dressed in barong orderly enter and exit the kitchen to serve various types of pastries and drinks on brass trays. They even offer hot meals on banana leaves and some frozen desserts with wooden cutlery. However, what truly struck her attention was the cleared area around the middle of the room.

This space hosts a large triangle with an eye in the middle, drawn in black ink, much like the image of a balyan's anting. Three candles on wooden saucers are distributed along its corners and a thick pile of codex lay scattered on the sides, with some leftover pounded leaves of a tomato plant mixed with soot and water. Across this formation is an altar of hot food on banana leaves, the taotao figure of Agui and Bathala, two empty coconut bowls, and a jar of water.

Indak points at the strange setup. “What’s this? And why are you all here?”

Her uncle gestures for the empty seat across him, near the open windows, where the sight of a few sikad cycling past the kapehan are visible. “May I invite you to please sit down for a moment, Indak Agui.”

“What are you all up to?”

She looks at him then to his two children behind him, one looking like he would slap her out of the kapehan and the other crying like the end of their world is near.

Bahandi snaps, “What do you think?”

“Bahandi,” his father reprimands him in a stern voice and a cold gaze as the young girl takes the seat despite the confusion well written in her eyes. “Are you well? How did the Sinugdanan go for you, Indak Agui?”

Indak shrugs. “I don’t think I even remember anything. Why?”

“Did you fail?”

She tilts her head at her uncle and narrows her eyes at him. “What’s the answer you prefer? You’re looking at me like you’re anticipating something.”

Buwan smiles. “Whatever the result, we will help you.”

Indak shows them a smug smile. “I passed.”

Gunita cries even harder, and the room falls to a silence at her words. Everyone's heads turn to her direction. When the servers slowly begin to leave the kapehan, the noise returns in chatters about the incredulity of the result and some gossip about her family to their neighbors.

“Impossible,” Bahandi says in disbelief, eyes and mouth wide open. “It must be a lie.”

Indak rolls her eyes at their reaction.

The man in front of her slams a closed fist on the table, silencing the mumbles and whispers around them. “We miscalculated. Gunita Venancio, can you explain this situation? You’ve clearly reported that she is only of average rank in her studies. What is this?”

Indak stares at Gunita’s weeping form in suspicion. “Now, you’re really losing me. What is going on?”

Her cousin sniffs. "Pa, I swear her academic performance could not make it through the hagdan. I swear!"

Indak makes a face. "Nobody said the Sinugdanan would be based off it, so I don't see why I should do better. They invite a few triers each year from non-Akademya children as well. It's not like they have academic records to boast."

"It must be the trial design this year, Pa. Something about it must have enabled her to pass," Bahandi says. "Indak Agui, there is really no point in lying here, if that's the case."

She glares at the older boy. "Why would I lie?"

Buwan sighs. “We will still proceed accordingly with our other plan. She has no choice.”

Gunita manages to resist the ones holding her. She crawls to her father’s robes and clings to it on bended knees. “Pa, please. I don’t want this. I don’t want any of it at all!”

Buwan removes her fingers from his clothes and closes his eyes in deep thought. “Let us all calm down, please. Bahandi, get a hold of your sister. This is her duty after all.”

Bahandi pulls Gunita to her feet and gently drags her back to the corner.

“Indak Agui.” Buwan leans on the table and crosses his arms. “It has been eleven years since the massacre of your tribe. Because your family relied on our tree’s support throughout these years of recovery, you are able to live well without worry. However, trees still follow a mutualistic type of conduct with the tribe they serve. The fact that, for the past years, you have made no contribution to your gods and the tree that stayed loyal to your tribe for generations, this warrants for a seal and contract termination. You could not sustain us as you should, and therefore, fall short on our agreements.”

“Wait, wait.” Indak puts a hand over her forehead, feeling a headache coming. “Why are you discussing this with me? I’m only turning thirteen! Not to mention, I may be from the Agui, but my father and I are only of the thirteenth lineage. We are no heirs or in blood relation to our tribe’s last rajah, or the first lineage, so signings don't involve my line at all. If you want to discuss compensation, then ask the dead.”

Bahandi glares at Indak. “Pa, you know she would be this disrespectful to our generational contracts and unable to comprehend even simple things. What’s the use for diplomacy? Just clock and lock her up immediately.”

Gunita grabs her brother by the collar and shouts at his face, "Kuya! How could you even suggest something heinous as that?! This is our cousin!"

“Bahandi, this is the last time you ever speak out of turn. Any more, and we will have to discuss punishments. Do not test my patience,” Buwan warns him. “While what you say is true, Indak Agui, you are still from the tribe and one of its last two. The authority of a tribe’s first lineage naturally falls upon you and your father. However, as I’ve said, you’ve not made any contributions and only turned the name of the god that you carry as nothing but an ornament.”

"I'm only one person, and I'm physically helpless!", Indak sputters. “What do you want me to do? Spawn out a tribe that could sustain a whole tree? I can't do anything at this age!”

Buwan slams his fist on the table again. “Do not be absurd, Indak Agui. This is exactly the reason why you are unfit to house a third eye and exercise our god’s gahum. You've no wisdom nor diligence to serve Bathala and Agui.”

"Wow, alright." Indak puts on a fake smile. “Thank you, but I didn’t come here to be evaluated as a person and as Agui’s follower. Who are you to judge me? You said you're going to help me get in the hagdan, so let's talk about that instead.”

An elder seated near the formation snarls at the young girl and angrily points a shaky finger at her. “You dare call yourself Agui’s follower? When you could not even consistently attend and host the anito semana held for your own tribe and run the cremation business your tribe managed for generations? The Agui handled the dead for hundreds of years and kept all contracts and compensations for even the ferrymen before the souls traverse to the afterworld. The rituals are something taught to the tribe’s children and memorized as early as four years old, yet here sits an Agui who is unable to practice it.”

Ah, the anito semana.

Her mother and the Venancio Tree never failed to gather around and pay respects to her dead tribe during the anito semana. This happens three times a year, and she remembers having to kneel in front of burial jars with them as her thoughts drift to what Tandang Mirisi’s menu will be that day. Her father usually takes her there after the rites, and waiting made her impatient sometimes. She blames the Akademya schedules for her days truly got busier as she got older, and her failed attendance might have left a cold impression.

“Sorry, but I really can't help it if I've educational priorities. Plus, my father said you offered to manage that business until I am of age, so why is there a problem now?”, Indak reasons. “Why are we even talking about this? Didn’t you say you’re going to help me? Unless you lied about that only to call me up for a lecture.”

“We will help you, Indak Agui, but I repeat that we operate on mutualistic conduct,” Buwan says after a long pause. “Give me a moment to adjust our plans. We did not have much faith in you, so your acceptance is truly unexpected.”

“What? Over academic records?”

“Initially, if you failed the trials, we would have forcefully demanded the gouging of your third eye and commence a gahum transfer. We would have a lawful reason to do this for your failure to be in the hagdan terminates all excuses of your lack of participation in tribal duties. According to the contracts, the tree has every right to execute the allegiance and ask for whatever reparation for when the agreements are crossed out. All members of the fallen tribe will have their third eyes gouged at as punishment for not fulfilling their duties. Additionally, the tree gains the gahum of the fallen tribe and becomes the tribe. Our tree is quite large, Indak Agui. We would be able to carry Agui's name for a few more generations. ”

Inda scoffs and crosses her arms. “Thanks for explaining. So, in less justification, you want to steal our gahum, and then run away with the title of a tribe.”

"Pa, one chance," Bahandi whispers, "One chance, Pa, and I'll discipline some kid for you."

“To call this thievery is blasphemous and preposterous,” another elder from the table next to them firmly shares their views. “The contract has been signed in front of a balyan and all our anito’s shrines. Bathala is a witness of this hundred years agreement. To add, we can't steal what has never been yours.”

Indak rolls her eyes again.

The first elder wipes the sweat off their face with a clean towel in the large basin beside them. “Must we really converse with this ignorant and clueless girl that is not even from the first lineage? She is not wise enough. Oh, if it was the true heir, Aso, that survived, then we surely won't be demanding some gahum transfer. Unfortunately for us, you were the one who got away from the massacre. We only followed you and your father here, to Bonifacio from Luna, child, as fulfillment of our responsibility and promise of service to your tribe. We even helped your family move forward, for every oath we took is considered sacred. Now, it is your turn to do your part in the agreements.”

All the tribes in Urduja mostly reside in Baryo Luna. Indak’s tribe once lived in the village too, but when their population went down to two, they had to transfer to Bonifacio just like every other tribe that had a decrease in population. Those who still have their tribe intact gains advantages from training regimes supported by their still lingering elders that help increase their chances of getting into the hagdan.

The separation resulted from a debate in the past about the compounds of those with a receding population. Other village folks said that these declining tribes took up too much space in a place that gives a whole compound to them. To solve this, the fourth pinuno divided Urduja into two villages, which are now known as Luna and Bonifacio. That way, Luna’s tribes can expand their compounds to fill an increase of their lineages and also establish more buildings within their estate. In return, the businesses and lineages of the fallen tribes gain a chance to flourish and start over again from scratch in Bonifacio before their return to Luna, if they ever make it.

Nobody forced trees to follow their tribes to Bonifacio, Indak thinks with a scowl on her face.

“Okay.” She throws her hands in the air. “Tell me, what is my part in this whatever generational contract?”

“We could no longer perform our initial plan. If we intervene and force you to reject your entry to the hagdan, the higher ups would start investigating your rejection of the proposal and seal off your third eye and gahum. Only they would then be able to probe it open again, and this would lead to our failure to continue serving Agui and Bathala,” Buwan responds with a tired voice. “We will sign your papers, Indak Agui. Consider this your redemption. However, we would still perform gahum transfer. This gahum would temporarily be hostaged by my daughter until you prove yourself worthy enough to get it back.”

Indak's back straightens. “Redemption for what? I've done nothing!”

"Exactly," her uncle monotonously says. "That's enough of a crime."

Indak shoots up from her seat. “Are you joking? How can I proceed as balyan when my third eye turns dormant due to gahum transfer? The main requirements of a balyan is the gahum!”

“Well, then it is up to you to prove yourself to the hagdan using only your own efforts,” the elder beside them says. “Indak Agui, I've never really seen you dedicate yourself to your anito, so I doubt you would actually learn to give your anito’s gahum the honor it deserves. Maybe the hagdan would wake you up without it. Some people do say that you start looking for gods on the brink of death.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Indak scowls at all of them, chest heaving in anger. “You don't think that I can weasel my way in using the hagdan's investigation of me and this situation? Say I want it and you’re just being unfair? I'll drag you behind bars and your heads through a spear!”

“Your mother hates the idea of the hagdan and would intervene, so you would still not have your third eye open.” Buwan looks her in the eye. “You will be stuck in this place forever until all of us rots in another war, wondering if you ever just did what we told you, complied to our complaints, then maybe all of us will be saved and then you wouldn’t be so helpless.”

“You’re threatening me.” Indak nods in realization as she lets out another fake laugh. “You're this bold now, Tito Buwan?”

"A necessary feat for the best of our future. We won't wait for you to grow up to flourish both tribe and tree, Indak Agui. That would be a waste of precious time. It's already embarrassing to be in Bonifacio, just waiting until the Venancio name would gather dust and pushed into oblivion," he tells her. He stands up and slides a brown envelope across the table. “I'll give you a deal. We will send you to Melchora ourselves. We will pack you new things for your stay in the hagdan and even send an extra allowance. This is the last drop of respect we can offer you, Indak Agui. This manner in our decisions regarding your fate is not so bad as dying here, nothing but a child with a dead family attached to your identity.”

Indak immediately tears the envelope open and sees parchments of signatures and records of her time in the Akademya. A clear letter of authorization addressed to both the pinuno and Silya Pentagram also contain them, the business stamp of the Venancio Tree printed at the bottom.

"You can always get your gahum back if you're prepared enough, Indak Agui. If you're strong enough." Buwan offers her a clipped smile. "What? Are you this weak after all and nothing to back your pride? Do you truly agree with the insults we just threw at you? That you want to live and die rotting here because you're too afraid to learn things on your own, without anyone's help? One day be controlled by your enemies? That you've never made any leap of faith, a great and important decision for yourself, in your whole life? Do you not trust even yourself?"

Indak stares at the papers and reads them over and over again, flipping through them until they crease in her hands. Her heart starts beating faster and sweat begins to line the sides of her head. Memories of the stories told about the massacre of the six tribes come flowing back through her mind as she looks at each and every person in the room. From the window's view of the outside, the sikad outside the kapehan and the people pacing through the streets seem to slow down into a pause.

"No, no!" Gunita runs up to her and shakes her shoulders. "Indi, please, wake up! Do not listen, do not listen! You can't go out there. and I can't go out there either! If we stay right here, we can protect each other, and we'll be alright!"

"No, you would be alright!" Indak pushes her away. "You always have your tree, Indi, and I've no one to protect me. My father's always away and my mother's always busy. When another war or colonial god comes, I won't be able to stand against it. The hagdan is the only sensible way to death. It is the only thing I recognize to bury me alive in exchange for strength and power. WIth or without gahum, I will make it. I will make it!"

Gunita screams and pushes her to the ground. "No! You're wrong, and you never did know what you're getting into! You've never cared about what I have to say either! This is not the correct choice!"

Indak winces in pain as she bounces back to grab her cousin by the hair. "You're really losing it, Gunita!"

"Drag them both away to the formation, please." Buwan sighs with a hand on his forehead. He picks up one of the codex from the ground and stands in front of the altar. "We're already doing this in secret, so let's not take long."

One elder guffaws as she passes the young girls screaming and trying to tear their hairs off each other's scalps. "I remember you having destructive temper tantrums too, Buwan. Now, you're almost so calm and collected that it's actually frightening."

A few people from the tree pull the girls apart and drag them into the triangular formation. They hold them in place by a tight grip on their shoulders and a few other people locking any possible exits, including the windows and doors.

Indak struggles in their grip. "Get away from me! I'm not going to resist it!"

Gunita cries even more.

When a few of her brother's cousins start to tease her cousin, Bahandi glares at them and secretly throws a middle finger at the group. It instantly shuts them up. The boy then scowls at Indak and looks her up and down.

Buwan clears his throat as he shoots Bahandi a glare. "May we begin, please."

The children of the tree begin to light the candles and close the curtains of the kapehan, and their shadows entangle and dance on the walls as the flame keeps them entertained within the dim space. Murmurs coming from the elders surrounding them and book pages flipped by wrinkled hands become the only sounds rushing through her ears. Within these stramge vibrations, her cousin's sobs strangle its hushed echo.

Gunita clings to her hand. “Indi, I really didn’t want this. I hope you know that.”

Indak roughly snatches her hand back as she keeps her gaze straight ahead. “Gunita, don’t apologize and cry like it's something tragic. I’ll come back for what’s mine eventually. Until then, burn your third eye until it remembers that it never belonged there.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She repeatedly reads the authorization documents as she walks through the gates of Melchora, lingering on the dried blood printing the baybayin characters of familiar names at the bottom of the second page, just below her basic profile filled in the first half. She feels so naked reading all of the records that recognize even her smaller achievements and estranged relatives. It's quiet proof that although the citizens could go on with their lives not caring about their footprints, the ones that govern them will trace their blood down to their first ancestor's heartbeat.

Still, written documents do not provide evidence that their governing body cares about each and every one of Urduja's people.

The hiraya in blue uniform, who couldn’t be older than twenty, calls her out as she fails to notice her own arrival at Nieves Base. His hooded coat hangs on his back, the sleeves tied around his neck while one sleeve of his turtleneck shirt rolls up to his elbow. He does not look very friendly to Indak, especially when he draws his attention to the tingkep and pasiking on her back.

He furrows his thin brows, the small gash above his left eye stretching inwards. "Who the fuck’s kid are you?"

Before she can answer, the young man turns around to yell at someone from inside. "Kalma, we got someone out here! Kalma, where the—Kalma, stop fucking around and get right here!"

"Do you have to raise your voice at me, Pasyon?" A delicate voice reprimands the balyan, his tone tickling her ears like a feather as it distinctly contrasts the other.

Indak shifts her attention to the newcomer.

Carmine eyes fringed with long lashes emerges from the gates of the base in yellow uniform. His skin looks soft and smooth with no hint of a blemish, his eyes blink each time a light breeze sweeps past them and ruffles his ash-gray curls, and a beauty mark rests on his cheekbone. Indak thinks she has never seen a more beautiful person.

Pasyon throws his hands in the air. "Yes, I fucking have to. You work directly under the seventh pinuno, and yet you motherfuck—"

"Pasyon," he cuts his friend off with a voice that couldn't break even glass. "You know the etiquette of an Ijang Division senyor."

The angry one turns to his side to point his finger at his companion. "Are you fucking threatening me, Kalma? You piece of shit—"

"Hello," Kalma greets her without a smile. "You must be one of this season's sugdi. Do you have your authorization papers with you?"

"—couldn't just keep a decent fucking job and—"

Indak ignores the grandiosity of the other as she hands the papers to Kalma who takes his time to examine the signatures before nodding in her direction.

"You may pass."

Pasyon takes a step back, looking at Kalma with wide eyes. "Did you even check for fucking legitimacy? Are you trying to get me dismissed—"

Another balyan in blue escorts her inside, and Indak walks past the two while looking back, twice, at the youth named Kalma.

A Naiad. If they're pretty, then it's either a Naiad, Minokawa, or Mayari. Or it could be an Anitun.

On the way, they pass by little bamboo sheds beside the entrances to small forests that she guesses might function for training. Scale-feathered malkoha fly around bani trees while some remain perched on the roofs of nearby sheds. From afar, she spots the Sugdi Quarters, a nipa hut on an open field, circled by coconut trees constantly blown by the calm winds of Urduja. A straw-made open kitchen sits right beside it, and behind the hut lies a bamboo bridge built over a slow-flowing river, leading to two smaller huts serving as an area for body waste disposal.

The door of the quarters suddenly slides open, and the bald Likha Manlangiten walks out and blinks at the sight of her in suspicion.

He narrows his eyes as he goes down the front steps and approaches her in greeting. "Am I seeing this right? Is that really Paham's daughter?"

"I have a name," she dryly responds. "Is everyone present?"

"Yes, well you're late, actually," he tells her as he takes her baggage and starts walking back to the quarters. "Why were you late, by the way, kid? Wrestled with your mother first? Or did you use your good mind to find a way to this base? You know we appreciate the dedication to be in the hagdan, but you did not have to injure yourself to do it."

Indak glances at the bandages the Venancio Tree did on her feet. "My mother didn't do it."

"Well, I thought she would. Just like old days."

"Why? Did my mother break your leg or something?"

He guffaws. "Your Ma broke your Pa's archnemesis' arm back when they played house as kids. Oh, how I love to tell my proteges' children about the dumb things they did when they were your age."

She rolls her eyes. "Sure, I appreciate the information."

Seven pairs of eyes greet the both of them as the door slides open to reveal her sleeping quarters. Some unfamiliar faces pause in the middle of unpacking their blankets and sleeping mats from their tingkeps as they look to her direction. Indak notes three people among them that she is sure she saw in the Akademya, though she can’t say she’s ever spoke to them at all. She may have passed them in the hallways often, but she can’t remember a conversation or fight instigated between them.

“Hey, it's you, my great martial arts rival's best friend!” A boy with a blue collar around his neck exclaims, his blueberry eyes beaming up at her in recognition.

Indak raises an eyebrow. "You have the wrong person. I don't have a best friend, and I don't even know you."

He pushes in her direction and draws her in a tight hug. "I'm so glad to find someone from our baryo that is familiar. I thought everyone's a new face."

She pushes her away from her with both hands on his shoulders. "Who are you, exactly?"

He lays his arms wide open in introduction. "It's me! Your best friend's rival, the one and only Bayani Sarimao of the Sarimao Furniture Manufacturing Business. It's alright if you don't know me. The heir to the Sarimao furniture line is strictly hush-hush information. Plus, I don't blame Gunita Venancio for being a little hesitant to introduce such great threat to her 'god of martial arts' reputation. How blasphemous, right?"

"Gunita's my cousin," Indak corrects, "And, not to break your heart, but in my honest opinion, I don't think anybody actually cares who inherits some furniture business. Why should that be secret though when you keep announcing it?"

Bayani puts a hand over his heart. "I love how curious you are about me."

She sighs and rolls her eyes. "Move out of my way, please. Senyor Likha, where should I sleep?"

A sugdi from the right tilts her glasses to fit forest green eyes and points at the twelve sets of baybayin initials inscribed on a wall. “Each side occupies six people. Sleeping mats are arranged alphabetically through lineage names, so mind your own area, and don’t bother mine.”

A smaller boy walks between Indak and Bayani, his shoulders shoving both of them forward as he drags his pasiking through the doorway. Both victims of the impolite behavior let out an indignant ‘hey’ at the rude demeanor as their eyes follow him. The boy glares at Indak over his shoulder as he makes his way to his space and continues to unpack his things from his open tingkep. When their eyes met, Indak immediately registered his face.

Bronze skin and fuschia pink sweater.

Silakbo Tambal.

She initially found it soothing that she never saw Isog Magbabaya in her assigned base since the Sinugdanan. However, finding his best friend trying to instigate some fight during the trials and actually passing it makes her eyes want to cross in frustration. The boy, though merely a bystander in the fights she and Isog had in the Akademya, had the most hateful eyes she'd ever seen when it sets upon her. She can't quite recall how she offended him, but she likes to leave it at that so her head won't ache too much as she figures her goals in the hagdan.

Indak rolls her eyes at him and hurries to a spot beside the open window on the left side. She glares at the boy in a ponytail laying on his side from her right, fast asleep on his mat as he softly mumbles unrecognizable names. He better not have bad sleeping habits for she will not be able to endure it for a whole year.

In the middle of unpacking, someone taps her shoulder from behind, and she tilts her head back to see her face reflected in peach blossom eyes. She stares at the ash gray of her cropped hair, and it reminds her of the youth from the gates. She looks too beautiful and nice, but when she looks at her eyes once more, she realizes they're not red. She almost thought her related to Kalma.

The girl smiles as she stretches out both hands and offers her a pouch of durian candy. "My mother said I should give these to my basemates. I'm Diwa Naiad."

Naiad? But her eyes. Indak bites her tongue to stop her thoughts. It shouldn't matter to her. "My name's Indak Agui, if you want to remember it."

After the reyna gives them enough time to unpack, he whistles to catch everyone's attention.

“Now that your introductions are over and you've familiarized your basemates, I do welcome all of you to Balyan Hagdan, new batch of sugdi! Out of hundreds of triers, you succeeded in landing a spot in Nieves Base. This base has a plethora of training grounds in the deep molave forest, each to be accommodated by certain units or purposes. Your abilities would do well in this base, and your unit's assigned mentors would be glad to get you through this year. I can't really tell you anything more as your mentors will have their own training plan for you, so training and sugdi objective information will have to come from your mentors, personally. You will be meeting them tomorrow. Questions, anyone?”

“Will you be sleeping here with us, Senyor?”, Diwa asks.

Likha guffaws. “Why do you ask, kid? If it’s to sing you to sleep, then I may have to disappoint you. As this batch’s host, I’m only here to gather sugdi reports from the formal objectives your respective units will be assigned to. These reports will contribute to your credentials as you build your reputation in the hagdan and will be helpful for future recommendations in certain organizations or nations. So, do well, unless you want your rank to collect dust.”

“About allowance.” Bayani sheepishly looks to the side in hesitation before returning his gaze to the host. “How much was it again?”

He smirks. "Seven thousand pesos for monthly allowance and another ten thousand for monthly base maintenance."

Bayani grins as he punches the air in celebration.

“Speaking of, who here wants to volunteer to be quarter commander?” Likha surveys the sugdi in front of him. “Somebody needs to manage base maintenance allowances and assign tasks to their fellow sugdi to keep the Sugdi Quarters clean. It’s also for you to coexist peacefully during your stay, and they'll be the ones to report to me personally about some problems that would arise between your batch. Just in case.”

Bayani clears his throat.

“Bayani seems to want it,” Indak answers for the boy.

“What? No, I don’t—” Bayani meets everyone ‘s eyes in the room as he combs his hair with his fingers. “Well, if you want me to.”

“Who wants you to? I don't want you to!” Silakbo puts a hand on his hip. "Sarimao, you looked really greedy when you heard how much the allowance is, and I don't think someone with a potential for corruption should lead in any way.”

Indak looks at the shorter boy in confusion. "What are you even talking about?"

The other boy beside her shifts his sleeping position to the other side as he hugs his legs to his chest. "Well, you can't blame human nature for loving gold."

Bayani glares at Silakbo, indignant. “How dare you make this accusation? I am a very honest person!”

Silakbo runs up to Likha and grabs his uniform as he points at his basemate. "Bayani Sarimao was sent to the prefect for stealing money from teachers during Year Four!"

The room turns quiet.

Bayani sputters. "I can explain—"

After a few moments of silence and judgement, Likha Manlangiten laughs and lends Bayani a limestone jar. “Once again, welcome to the hierarchy, and may Bathala keep you alive for as long as possible, kid.”

[lifestylelaguna]

BAGUIO CITY – SM City Baguio launched today the first of its kind in a mall-setting facility that will convert rainwater to potable water and help contribute to the city’s water conservation and recycling efforts.

While SM has been recycling water for decades since the 1990’s, the water-saving innovation is part of SM Prime’s sustainability program towards responsible consumption and carbon footprint reduction, according to Mr.  Mateo. “We invest in water conservation technology to eliminate water wastage and adopt stricter measures to reduce consumption. More innovations are being done to recycle more water and filter more rainwater across the properties and estates of SM Prime.”

In 2022, the real estate developer has recycled a total of 3.58 million cubic meters of water across its properties in the Philippines.

The rainwater catchment system installed in SM City Baguio can draw and store a total of 51 million liters of rainwater in a year, based on 2022 PAGASA rainfall volume for Baguio City. This is equivalent to 20 Olympic-size swimming pools, 13.4M gallons of drinking water, 373,510 full baths and 672,318 10-minute showers.

During rain fall, rainwater is collected in the tank and treated for reuse within the mall. To make rainwater safe for use, the harvested water goes through a 6-step treatment processes – Multimedia Filtration, Water Softener, Activated Carbon, Ultra Filtration, Reverse Osmosis and Ozonization – the treated rainwater from the tank will be re-distributed as supply for the mall tenants for various uses including washing, cleaning and safe for drinking.

“We are grateful for your attention to the predicament on water scarcity in Baguio City,” DENR Regional Director of CAR Engineer Jean Borromeo in a message to SM Prime. “Water scarcity is one of the biggest issues that Baguio is facing today because deep wells have already dried up the city’s water table. It is good to see how SM Prime is taking its responsibility to the environment seriously, practically addressing the biggest environmental threat to Baguio City.”

“This will greatly help reduce sourcing from the city’s water table and more water supply for the community to use. Not only does SM considers what’s best for its shopping customers, but also take into consideration the importance of water security as one of its priorities,” RD Borromeo added.

The Rainwater Filtration facility is one of SM Prime Holding’s initiatives to its commitment towards sustainable development in the communities it serves.

SM Prime is committed to supporting the United Nations in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sani

[junkcarsipaymore]

Cash for junk cars and Junk car removal services

Do you have a junk car sitting in your garage or taking up valuable space in your driveway? Don't let it continue to gather dust and rust. Instead, consider turning that old clunker into cash through a cash for junk cars and junk car removal service. These services provide a convenient and hassle-free way to get rid of your unwanted vehicle while putting some extra money in your pocket. In this article, we will explore the concept of cash for junk cars and junk car removal, highlighting its benefits and how it works.

The Problem of Junk Cars

Junk cars can be a real eyesore and a source of frustration for many individuals. Whether it's an old vehicle that no longer runs, a damaged car from an accident, or a once-reliable car that has seen better days, these vehicles often end up as abandoned eyesores or take up valuable space that could be used more effectively. Additionally, leaving a junk car to sit for an extended period can have negative environmental consequences, as fluids may leak and potentially contaminate the ground or nearby water sources.

The Solution: Cash for Junk Cars

Cash for junk cars is a service that offers a way out of the junk car predicament. These services specialize in buying old, damaged, or non-functioning vehicles from individuals, offering them cash in return. By selling your junk car, you not only free up space but also receive a fair value for the vehicle, regardless of its condition.

Benefits of Cash for Junk Cars

There are several benefits to utilizing a cash for junk cars service:

a. Instant Cash: Selling your junk car can provide you with immediate cash, which can be useful for various purposes. Whether you need to pay bills, save for a vacation, or simply want some extra spending money, cash for junk cars is a convenient option.

b. Free Towing: Junk car removal services typically offer free towing, saving you the hassle and expense of arranging transportation for your vehicle. They will come to your location, assess the car, and handle the entire removal process.

c. Environmental Responsibility: Selling your junk car helps to reduce environmental hazards. Junk car removal services properly dispose of the vehicle, ensuring that harmful fluids and materials are handled safely and responsibly.

d. Space Optimization: Removing a junk car from your property allows you to reclaim valuable space. You can use the newfound space for parking, storage, or any other purpose that better suits your needs.

How Cash for Junk Cars Works

The process of selling your junk car is simple and straightforward:

a. Get a Quote: Contact a reputable cash for junk cars service and provide them with details about your vehicle, including its make, model, year, and condition. Based on this information, they will offer you a quote.

b. Accept the Offer: If you are satisfied with the quote, accept the offer provided by the junk car removal service.

c. Schedule a Pickup: Arrange a convenient time for the removal service to pick up your junk car. They will come to your location with a tow truck and handle the entire process.

d. Get Paid: Once the removal service has towed away your vehicle, you will receive the agreed-upon payment in cash or through another agreed-upon method.

Choosing a Reliable Service Provider

When selecting a cash for junk cars Miami, it is essential to choose a reputable and trustworthy provider. Look for companies with positive reviews, transparent processes, and a history of customer satisfaction. It's also a good idea to compare offers from different providers to ensure you get the best value for your junk car.

In conclusion, cash for junk cars and junk car removal services offer a practical solution for getting rid of unwanted vehicles while earning some extra money.

[thebibliomancer]

Essential Avengers: West Coast Avengers #3: Taking Care of BUSINESS!

November, 1984

This is a sad day for the fledgling West Coast Avengers. It’s a cool cover for the fledgling West Coast Avengers but a sad day.

Not only are they falling before Graviton but they’re falling perpetually.

Anyway, last time in West Coast Avengers: Hawkeye and Mockingbird were sent by the Vision to create a west coast branch of the Avengers. Since Wonder Man, Tigra, and Rhodey Iron Man were California based, they got the nod to be the West Coast Avengers, despite reluctance from Tigra and Iron Man.

Their first case was mistaking as a supervillain and beating up a friend of Tigra who had followed her to the Avengers Compound to make sure she wasn’t in trouble. So. That’s not great. Next, the West Coast Avengers tried to chase down a bank robber named the Blank. This is really overkill for a guy whose only power is wearing a slippery anonymizing force field but he manages to get away anyway. The charger for his force field also dunks Graviton back into the world.

And as you can see on the cover, this isn’t ideal for our West Coast Avengers.

But before that, there was an event that sort of happened between issues. In Avengers #249, Vision tried to contact the West Coast Avengers but only got their answering machine. And that’s because they were dealing with the local worldwide unseasonable winter.

If Avenging and stunt work doesn’t work out for Wonder Man, he should consider becoming the new Mr. Plow.

Anyway, the forever winter is over, thanks to the Casket of Eternal Winters being reassembled and shut over in the Thor book as part of a multi-pronged plan to take down Surtur.

The West Coast Avengers are still dealing with the remaining snow because its not like snow just evaporates! Without turning into water first! Look, it would take too much time, people have places to drive, or something.

The combination of snow everywhere but normal warm South California weather leads to some people taking advantage by going swimsuit skiing, mostly so Rhodey can wryly think that weird is a way of life for Californians as an excuse to not worry about why Wonder Man has been acting weird lately.

Uh, good rationalizing, Rhodey?

Some people who don’t care for skiing decide to instead rob Radio Shack because NOBODY WILL EVER KNOW!

But Mockingbird shows up and starts beating them up when they make the mistake of believing that they outnumber her. They are mathematically right and wrong in every other way.

Hawkeye also shows up to pin some others to the wall with arrows so one of the Radio Shack robbers runs to the getaway car and tries to get the getaway driver to help him getaway.

But cat’s got their car.

It sort of makes sense why Tigra has decided on this for her winter outfit and yet I’m still baffled.

If it had just been the boots, that’d be one thing.

She’s also the only one who has made a winter weather change to her outfit.

Bafflement.

The blond robber doesn’t even try running, saying “What’s the use? Just take me away. I wanna serve my time and forget this ever happened!”

Bad day when some electronics theft gets an entire superhero team on you.

By midday, the West Coast Avengers meet by the Hollywood sign (so that the audience knows that this is set in LA). At this point all of the snow is gone, as if it’s been whisked away. So I guess I was wrong. Earlier the casket hadn’t been repaired but now it has been.

Hawkeye: “Well, whatever happened to [the snow], you can all be proud of the job you did over the past week! You put in a lot of long hours and saved thousands of lives! I’d say we’ve all earned a little time to unwind! That’s why I propose we hold the first annual Avengers barbeque... commencing tonight at sunset, back at the compound!”

Oh ho, I see that Hawkeye is going to be the fun Avengers chairman. Don’t see Vision organizing a barbeque.

The rest of the team is pretty excited about this... except for Wonder Man, who is distracted, answers without any real enthusiasm, and then takes off.

Hawkeye wonders if he’s still upset about the Blank getting away but c’mon that was weeks ago! Surely no superhero ever obsesses over anything!

When the Avengers disperse, Tigra lies that Iron Man promised her a lift as an excuse to talk to him in private about Wonder Man.

Tigra: “Something’s bothering him, and I thought maybe you could get him to talk about it! After all, you’ve known him longer than the rest of us!”

Iron Man: “Uh... not really, Tigra! I hardly know the man!”

Tigra: “What are you talking about, Tony? You fought alongside him dozens of times!”

Iron Man: “Tony -- ?! Ohhh... you think I’m Tony Stark!”

Womp womp.

This is one of the exact things Rhodey was worried would happen if he joined a team with a bunch of people who knew Tony/Iron Man!

Rhodey isn’t about to just reveal his name to her over a case of mistaken identity but he does prove to a doubtful Tigra that he’s not Tony by showing Tigra the skin on his hand.

Iron Rhodey also suggests that Tigra talk to him for reasons of it’s always flattering when a pretty cat girl pays attention to you?

I mean, sure. Yeah. True.

Tigra is also the only person on the team who actually realized Wonder Man was bummed who didn’t immediately dismiss the idea.

I guess its up to you, Tigra.

Meanwhile, in the Santa Monica Mountains, our coverboy Graviton.

He didn’t sit idle during the big snow, oh no! He took over an estate. And then sat idle!

Dammit, it was cold out!

Graviton: I prefer starting my empire in a warmer climate!

With the snow cleared up though, he can get down to business........ of recapping his recent travails.

So, Graviton.

He comes from Canada because Marvel Canada is just like that. He was a researcher in Research City, working on a teleport beam, and accidentally gave himself gravity powers by increasing the power to see what would happen. People at the lab didn’t like him because he kept throwing stuff at them so he took over.

Then he fought the Avengers. He kicked their asses. But the woman he was trying to force to date him threw herself off his floating city rather than date him (its cool, Jarvis saved her) so Graviton accidentally compressed his floating city into a super dense sphere with him as the nougaty center.

He managed to get out of that sphere, but with AMENSIA, and tried to kidnap that female scientist again but was stopped by the Thing and Black Bolt. So Graviton imploded.

He showed up AGAIN and tried to kidnap an entire Bloomingdale’s and was stopped by Thor, who dunked him into an interdimensional void.

Now here’s where it gets slightly weird.

The Beyonder’s construct passing through the void on its way to Secret Wars woke Graviton up and let him find his way back to Earth by homing in on the energy field of the force field the Blank uses.

I don’t know why that specific energy field. We may never know. The scientist who made it walked into the street without looking both ways and got run over.

Graviton is actually fairly pleased about winding up in “this most hedonistic of world cities!” He’s decided he’s all about creature comforts now.

The Blank returns from delivering message for Graviton.

Graviton gets annoyed that the guy is nervous despite having a cool dude who never fails like Graviton as a new boss and takes REAL exception when the Blank points out that the Avengers have beaten him before.

As well he should! Because technically its not true. If you’ll recall my recap, the Avengers didn’t beat him. He imploded. And then when he reappeared to fight the Thing and Black Bolt and imploded again. Now Thor, solo, managed to beat him where Thor, plus Avengers, couldn’t. Don’t ask why. That’s just a rule of comics. Daredevil beat Ultron once.

Among other ways he shows the Blank what’s what, Graviton demonstrates his force field belt ain’t so slick by switching it off through the field. Which, yes, technically gravity could work that way?

Meanwhile, over on ye private Avengers beach because if you’re going to have a sprawling compound, why not get a beach while you’re at it? Tigra interrupts Wonder Man pacing on the private Avengers beach and offers to tell her DEEP DARK SECRETS if he shares his.

Wonder Man: “There’s not much to tell... mostly, I’ve been wondering if I did the right thing in joining Hawkeye’s New Avengers team. I sometimes wonder if I ever did anything right, where the Avengers are concerned.”

He recaps his ENTIRE LIFE STORY to her, as is the style. Got powers from some Avengers enemies, turned against them, died. Came back to life, uneasy as a superhero, quit to become an actor.

He leaves out the part where he embezzled from his own company and was arrested, the part where he was a competitor to Tony Stark, and retcons in that he’s always loved acting. Rather than seeing one (1) movie and deciding he wants to be an actor now.

Apparently, Hercules’ offer to set Wonder Man up with some sweet Hollywood contacts didn’t pan out.

Then Simon worked as hired muscle for some scientific research groups but decides not to go into that.

There’s no ‘see such and such issue of book’ so I can’t tell whether this is a thing that was published or is a noodle incident.

Then a former agent got Simon that gig on the David Letterman show. Remember that one? David Letterman knocked out the villain with a big door knob? It probably made more sense at the time?

Anyway, although the show got pre-empted for a news report in New York, it did air in Cali-for-ni-a and a director reached out to Simon with stuntman work.

And its not the acting he wanted to do but it is acting and being good at it has done wonders, man, for his confidence. Which is why he jumped at Hawkeye’s offer to join the west coast team.

But then he let the Blank escape and now he’s back to feeling out of place on a cool superhero team.

So now that he shared his not so deep, not so dark, secrets, Tigra shares hers.

She knows what he means when he says he feels like a blunderer. Her stint on the New York Avengers team was a disaster (although she managed to get Molecule Man to go to therapy! By calling him a big loser! That’s something!). And she feels like most of her life is just things happening at her without her ever really feeling in control.

She also demonstrates that she can use that little tiger amulet (a gift from the cat people that turned her into Tigra) to look like her old self but she’s more comfortable as Tigra.

Hm.

That’s two whole characters who can technically transform but prefer to stay ‘powered up’ at all times. Tigra and She-Hulk.

It’s almost a pattern.

Anyway, Wonder Man and Tigra both try to be the insecure one on the team complimenting each other and deprecating themselves but Tigra decides fine. Wonder Man is hung up on losing the Blank? They’re going to track down a goddamn the Blank.

SHE MOONLIT AS A PRIVATE DETECTIVE SHE HAS A TRENCHCOAT SHE CAN DO THIS!

Tigra: “All right, Mr. Wonderful, come on!”

Wonder Man: “Where are we going?”

Tigra: “To see a man about filling in the Blank!”

Damn, good turn of phrase. You really do have this private eye patter down, huh?

She takes Simon to the Cat’s Jazz Club, Shroud’s hangout, to see if he has a lead on the Blank but they find the joint has been busted up.

The club employees are reluctant to talk at first but the Shroud shows up and tells them its cool, the Avengers are his friends. Also: he would like to know himself.

Club employee Mouse says that the Galeno Gang hit the club but they had a message that they were under new managment and that anyone that wanted to do crime business in town had to do it with said management.

So they hit the Cat’s Jazz Club because Shroud is pretending to be a crimelord to infiltrate all the crime.

So far, its working out really well for you, huh?

Anyway, Shroud says it’ll be easy to track down the Galeno Gang and find out who the new boss is but Wonder Man insists that he tag along to help. Call it payback for cracking Shroud’s ribs in issue #1.

Shroud doesn’t want all the crime to think he associates with the Avengers but Wonder Man has a STUPENDOUS IDEA!

So at the former home of Lucky Max Galeno, where some people are getting down and maybe even boogieing, the Shroud’s black fog fills the room and out strolls Shroud and Definitely Not Simon Williams.

He used his extensive acting experience to put on a wig and a jacket, that wily Wonder Man!

(Also Tigra is hanging upside down outside the window so its a good thing that Shroud and NotSimon are drawing all the attention)

Simon hoists one of the Galeno Boys and tells him they want to see the boss so the Blank comes out from the back room.

Its a testament to Simon’s INCREDIBLE ACTING TALENT that “he doesn’t look any more surprised than the rest of the crowd” according to Tigra.

The Blank justifies having the Shroud’s people beaten by saying that he had to establish credentials to consolidate all of the West Coast mobs so Shroud tells Simon to rough him up.

I like Simon’s like BOING here.

‘Sick ‘im!’ BOING, hah.

Also, the Blank has been smoking on and off throughout this whole issue but like. How does the force field work if he can just stick things into it? I mean, obviously, its permeable to air since he can breathe and... oh I think I just explained it. Dammit.

The boing stalls out midair leaving Simon hanging there.

Obviously its Graviton. No surprise to the audience. But very alarming to the characters who must think the Blank suddenly has more powers.

Off-panel Graviton hits Shroud with Wonder Man, knocking off the wig which wasn’t even secured in place. Dammit Simon, I thought you were an actor!

The Blank recognizes him as Wonder Man so the cat out of the bag, Tigra jumps through the window and onto the Blank’s back.

Graviton finally shows himself, exasperated with how much hand-holding the Blank needs to do basic things like fight several surprise superheroes.

Wonder Man: “Tigra! Get back! That’s Graviton! He’s one of the most dangerous men the Avengers ever fought!”

Graviton: “Nice of you to acknowledge that, Wonder Man!”

See, all he wanted was some acknowledgement. And to crush Wonder Man under a localized gravity field.

The Shroud tries to obscure the room under the idea that Graviton can’t fight what he can’t see. But the guy just grabs everything in the room and spins it around.

Then he pins Tigra, Shroud, and the Blank to the wall. The Blank because he managed to get captured off-panel.

Wonder Man KRUNKs up from the floor and tries to grab Graviton, alarming him that Wonder Man is fighting through the effects of so much gravity, having to block him with a “column of gravitic energy.”

The Blank complains about being stuck to the wall when he’s supposed to be Graviton’s partner.

Graviton: “Wrong, Blank! Very wrong! At beast, you were a go-between, a figurehead in my plans to organize California’s criminal element!”

The Blank: “D-did you say... ‘were?’"

And then he yeets Blank, Tigra, and Shroud out the window and into the ocean.

That certainly is a way to deal with some party crashers.

Meanwhile, the barbecue is going on without Tigra and Wonder Man.

Imagine being dunked into the ocean instead of eating Hawkeye’s steaks.

Hmm. I like that apron but I can’t help but feel that a modern comic would have a hilarious apron extremely specific to Hawkeye. Something in the genre of Quentin Quire’s shirts.

I also like Rhodey realizing that he’s not going to be able to eat any of this barbecue through his mask and deliberating revealing his identity to his teammates SPECIFICALLY to eat a steak.

Priorities.

Mockingbird points out that Tigra and Wonder Man are late and she can’t reach them on the radio but Hawkeye dismisses her concerns since they’re both so capable.

Meanwhile, Graviton dunks Wonder Man into the pool and holds him underwater so he can watch him slowly drown.

He’s also acquired some sexy swimsuit ladies from somewhere. This is LA so I guess they just spontaneously generated.

How will our heroes get out of their various water-based predicaments??

I assume swimming will be involved.

Next issue is last issue of the limited series and for the West Coast Avengers for a while.

And since the West Coast Avengers show up in Avengers #250 with the limited series wrapped up, expect me to schedule posting the posts in that way too.

Follow @essential-avengers​ because I know the recipe to Hawkeye’s secret steak recipe and I’ll tell you if you follow. Here’s a hint: take meat, set it on fire for a while. Also like and reblog and I’ll tell you how many potatoes Captain America’s potato salad contains.

[anonymous-nobody-ghoul]

After The Cask of Amontillado

I wrote this for a college English class. Beware because there are some vivid descriptions of some pretty horrible stuff. There is death in this. 

“Fortunato!” Montresor called out as he was sealing me in my tomb. I was too caught up in the workings of my mind, reeling from the fact that this man- no, this monster was burying me alive. He soon threw his torch into my tomb and the rush of air made my hat jingle upon my head. Soon enough he placed the last stone in place, and I could barely hear the scraping of bones, over the beating of my own heart in my ears. Was this not just some joke? Surly he wouldn’t leave me here to die? The light the torch put off was slowly flickering as the fall had dislodged itself from the base slightly. It would soon go out leaving me in darkness. My tomb was rapidly darkening as the fire in the torch diminished. That bastard just left me here! What did I even do to him? Soon the fire was but embers and I could barley see the outline of my own feet. The jingle of my hat and the sound of my breath was all that I could hear. Slowly I noticed that standing was a little uncomfortable. I tried to sit down, but the chain around my waist restricted me from sitting. I would have leaned against the wall, but the little amount of body heat I have would be sucked out into the cold, damp wall. It seemed like an eternity had passed when the embers had finally turned into ash and my tomb was plunged into complete darkness. It was only then that I noticed a chill slowly creeping into my person. The smoldering embers must have given me enough heat to ignore the chill. Or perhaps it was my mind which had perceived warmth from the meager embers left that convinced my body it wasn’t shivering in the chill of the catacombs. As my eyes were adjusting to the darkness, I noticed a small dark shape near my feet. What could this object possibly be? Had something been trapped along with me in this dark tomb? Or was it just a piece of rubble that resembled a living organism? I feared it was one of the rats Montresor had told me plagued his cellar. I had seen what happened to one of his servants who was bitten by a rat. The poor man was to poor to see a doctor and Montresor wasn’t informed of his servant’s predicament until the man wasn’t able to even leave his cot. I was just passing by to give Montresor an invitation to a party, as I hadn’t seen him in days, when the servant was being brought out by an undertaker’s assistant. The man looked hardly human with his skin almost completely covered in red spots and his extremities looked close to exploding right off his limbs. His body was covered with many flecks of vermillion upon his skin which had begun to spring forth the deep crimson water of life that flows through every living being upon various locations of the husk of a man. The man’s extremities were swollen and red, almost as if someone had put balloons under his skin and inflated them until they were near bursting. I was informed, upon my inquiry, that the blood pouring out from his skin was from pockets of the infection bursting inside the body and making its way out through the rash. The man had been looking pale and complaining of a headache for a few days before he started vomiting and coughing severely. He was found dead one morning. His lungs were filled with some sort of fluid and I was told that this fluid had suffocated him, and he had drowned in his sleep. I was paralyzed in fear if this was a rat. It didn’t help that my sight didn’t adjust more than showing me that it was just a small shape near my feet. With great hesitance, I barely shook my head and the bells on my hat jingled slightly. A rush of relief flooded me when the shape made no movements and I finally tried to kick the supposed rat away from my person to not have this problem again. Before I could even lift my foot, I felt something brush past my foot. I froze once again and looked fearfully around slowly so as to not make my hat jingle. I could see naught except for the outline of what I deemed a rock. No other movements were made in the darkness that I could make out nor hear. I tried to stay as still as the darkness around myself and strained to hear or see anything. Moments passed and I still could not make out anything. That was until I heard a soft scraping noise somewhere in my tomb. I could not help but begin shaking. It was only when I felt something falling down my cheeks that I noticed I was crying. Why? Why was this happening? What did I ever do that made God believe that I should be punished in this way? This must be some sort of dastardly joke. Surely Montresor wouldn’t really leave me here to die? “Montresor!” I called out desperately. I didn’t care anymore if there might be rats in this place with me. I started rattling the chain around my waist, trying desperately to pry it off myself. Maybe the wall would be easy to break because the mortar hadn’t begun to set yet. Hopefully, it wouldn’t set for a few weeks as the damp air would cause the mortar to set slowly. Maybe a servant might wander down and free me? Maybe Montresor would come down and free me from this place. “Montresor please! Have I done anything to upset you?” I call out again as I struggle to try and loosen this link around my waist. “I’ll do anything you wish! You can have all my wines! All my riches! My home! Anything! Just get me out of here!” I cry out now trying to loosen the entire apparatus from the wall. I continued to yell and struggle until I was only weakly pleading to anyone to help and my struggles to break free were nothing more than some half-hearted tugs on the chain binding me. I collapsed as far as the link on my waist would let me and sobbed until I didn’t even have any energy to cry. Perhaps it was because I had no tears left to cry. I closed my eyes and wished that Montresor would have just slayed me right where I stood when he first approached me that night. It would have been merciful to bleed out rather than to be stuck in this tomb to die from hunger or thirst. Perhaps I could even die from an affliction. I do not know how long I stayed in that position with my eyes closed, hoping, praying, that I would be able to just awaken and find this had all been but a horrid nightmare. That I would wake up to Sebastian’s knocking upon my bedroom door. Or even to the sound of Finnian loudly outside my window tending to the yard work, because I had joked yet again that he would be better off back in the army than killing all my roses. It seemed God had fated that I mustn’t even have the luxury of sleeping, for even with all my energy depleted I stayed in that position with my eyes closed for what felt like an eternity. I finally opened my eyes when my stomach began to angrily demand that I nourish it. I, once again, glanced around for anything that I could see, but was once again only met with darkness. The chain attached to me wasn’t long enough to let me try and feel out my surroundings. I doubt I would have the courage to anyway, but I would have liked to at least have had the option to. I pressed my forehead upon the wall of my tomb and noticed that it was damp. Would my pride allow me to try and sustain myself upon the damp water of the wall? Or would I succumb to my death with my dignity not known to anyone, but myself? I spent what may have been hours or days contemplating this fact until I was so thirsty that I didn’t care. This was how I spent my last remaining days. I would try and gather as much moisture as I could in my hat and then try to drink the water I had collected. Sometimes I thought I could hear someone, and I would scream for help until my voice was hoarse. Other times I would hear the scratching of rats and would freeze in place until the sounds stopped or I could grab one and tear its head off. The first time I tried to catch a rat, it bit me. I was so angry that I ripped it apart with my hands and ate all I could. When I had finished, I placed the skin and fur into my shoes as I could no longer feel my toes. I hadn’t slept for what felt like weeks. I could hear my deceased mother calling for me. She would tell me about how she felt when she found out she was pregnant with me and how delighted she was. She also apologized for the way father had treated me, and how she had never wanted to just let him do that to me. I saw my late wife, Beatrice, for a period. When I first heard her voice I was delighted, but upon gazing upon her face I felt myself going pale and I looked away. Her once rosy, full cheeks were now a sickly blue and her once flawless skin was now hanging off in some places. You could see what remained of her intestines dragging behind her squirming as if they were trying to escape from her. But the worst were her eyes. Before she had passed, her eyes had shone like emeralds, the twinkling light of a chandelier. The mischievous look they sometimes held whenever she recounted a tale of her insulting those she disliked and being thanked as if her words were a compliment. Or the look of utter adoration when we were alone. I remember she would come and curl up next to me before the fireplace and she would listen as I recounted all the things that had happened when I was out for the day or when I had come home from a business trip. But now they looked lifeless and milky. Those dead eyes looked upon my disgusting form and it seemed as if she was looking right at me but also right through me. As if she was looking at a form that was in front of her, but that I stood in its place. Ruby tears flowed like lava from her eyes, which dripped down her face and landed upon her white gown, staining the fabric a permanent crimson color. She was so sad. I wanted to comfort her, but the mere sight of her face made me hurl any nutrients I had gained from eating those rats. Her voice was music to my ears, but also sent chills down my spine. She had the voice of my dear Beatrice, but it held no warmth. She was with me in my last moments. By that time, I had begun coughing so hard that the same water of life I had seen that poor servant pouring out of himself was now covering my hands and clothing in its vibrant hue. My breathing had become labored for quite some time, and I struggled for each breath I took. I held no strength to hold myself up to stop the cuff around my waist from digging into my skin. I couldn’t even stop the rats from chewing the flesh off my decaying fingers and toes. God finally saw fit to grant me the mercy of sleep in my final moments. I welcomed that same darkness which I had so loathed as my mind finally started its final descent into that darkness. My beautiful Beatrice. I will see you soon.

                                                       Epilogue

“Hey Jerry, what’s this?” Sandra questioned as she carefully walked over to what just seemed like a normal pile of bones. Sandra and Jerry were given permission to catalog a section of the catacombs underneath the site of a museum in the house of former serial killer Montresor Beaumont.

“Look at what Jenifer?” Jerry called from across the expanse of the room without looking away from a set of remains that had been fixed upon the wall.

“There seems to be some sort of newer wall over here. It's still really old, but not as old as the stone surrounding it. It looks like someone put some bones up to make it seem as if nothing has been moved, but the placement of these bones compared to those around them seem to be haphazardly place.”

“What do you mean?”

“Would you please just come and look at it? I don’t want to move any of these bones to get a closer look until you’ve seen them.”

“Okay, I’m coming.” Was Jerry’s reply and he finally tore his gaze away from the skeleton hanging from the wall and walked over to where Sandra was standing. “What do you want me to look at?”

“You really don’t listen, do you? Look at this patch of wall over here. There is a line where this stone and this stone don’t quite match. I kept looking at it because something was off, and I noticed it. Do you think there is another room behind there?”

“There could be. Let’s take some pictures before we move anything and then we’ll see.” Jerry replied before walking back to where he was standing before and grabbed a bag that he had left. While Sandra opened her own bag and pulled out some gloves and a camera. Jerry came back over and took the camera from Sandra’s hands and started to correct the settings. Sandra gave an annoyed huff and waited for him to hand it back before changing the settings again. Jerry then pulled out his own camera and the pair began taking pictures of the strange wall before carefully moving the bones out of the way.

“Don’t forget to wear the correct gloves this time. I don’t want to be accused of falsifying evidence again because of your superiority complex.” Sandra joked as she wiggled a particularly stubborn skull out of the dirt surrounding it.

“Perhaps, Sally, if you had properly packed my equipment there wouldn’t have been such an uproar about our findings.” Jerry scoffed as he glared at Sandra but continued to gently gather the skulls and bones of those who were buried in the catacombs.

“My name is Sandra. We’ve been working together for almost a year now and you still don’t know my name.”

“Ah yes Sandra. My bad.” Jerry absent mindedly replied. He didn’t sound sorry at all to Sandra, but an apology is an apology.

With the last of the bones removed, it was now very clear to Sandra and Jerry that this portion of the wall had been erected after the existing wall. It took a few days to get approval by the museum curators and the preservationists to be able to unearth the tomb of a male skeleton hung in a chain that held his skeleton from his ribs.

“What is this? Why would someone have done this?” Sandra asked Jerry as she stared in horror at the skeleton.

“It is called immurement. It was used until about 1914 and was used as a form of torture and sacrifice.”

“I wonder if he was some sort of criminal. But why would he have been holed up under someone’s house and not underneath the jail or courthouse?”

“This could have been another victim of Montresor. And by the looks of it one of the earliest victims.”

“Well we better get to work.”

[azz-clazz-shit]

Love is War by @/xXKrist_CrosserXx on Wattpad.

[It is based off the anime Love is War. Like the first half of the first episode. And I already asked the author if I could publish it on tumblr and they allowed it.

Italics are the narrator.]

You fall in love with someone...

In a cloudy and dark area,  Sugino stood in front of Kanzaki. "Pl-Please be my girlfriend!" He said bowing down with his hand out for the girl to hold.

...confess that love...

She gasped in surprise with a blush on her face and slowly let her hand rest against the Sugino's palm. 

... and become a couple.

Then all of a sudden, the sun came up, along with doves and a church. Along with many  animals and people that joined in as well.

Everyone would say that's a happy thing.

They all let out cheers as confetti and ribbons were released to the sky. 

But they're wrong!

A gift fell to the floor, breaking it apart.

Even among sweethearts, there exists a distinct power relationship!

She had a sweet smile on her face until all of a sudden, the smile turned to something more dark and sinister. Sugino had a shocked expression on his face as he tried to back away.

A side that exploits and a side that's exploited.

Kanzaki stepped on his head. She was holding chains as she let laughed at his misery.

A side that's devoted, a side receiving devotion. A winner and a loser!

If you're trying to live a noble life, then you mustn't become a loser.

Love is WAR!

Karma stared at Gakushuu with daggers behind his back where as Gakushuu also stared at karma with a gun behind his back.

The person who falls in love loses.

Kunugigaoka Academy!

It's a prestigious school with an ancient and honorable origin, founded as a faculty to educate upper-class children. The focus on nobility is gone,  but many talented students born into wealthy, distinguished families and shouldering the future attend the school.

In the hallway, the students passing by greeted each other.

One girl widened her eyes as she spotted something or someone.

Naturally ordinary people wouldn't be permitted to lead and bring these students together!

A boy with strawberry blonde hair passed through the hallway along with a person with red hair.

"Everyone look." The same girl said. People turned to the direction she told them to look and as they did they were filled with admiration.

"The Student Council members!" She squealed out as Karma and Gakushuu were walking. Gakushuu was in the front, reading a book while Karma was just right behind him.

Karma Akabane, the vice-president of the Student  Council at Kunugigaoka Academy. Total assets: 200 trillion yen. Yes, more than Koro-sensei. He family owns the Akabane group, one of the top four financial conglomerates in Japan, with over 1,000 subsidiaries. 

Benefitting her superior lineage, e was a talented young man, who has attained splendid achievements in various fields. Such as, traditional performing arts, music and martial arts. That is Karma Akabane. And the one Karma supports is...

Gakushuu Asano, the president of the Student Council at Kunugigaoka Academy. He's wise and intelligent, strong and silent. He scores first place in the practice exams. In contrast to the talented Karma, his devotion to studying commands awe and fear. And because of that exemplary behavior, he was selected to be the Student Council  President, despite being relatively new to the school.

The red armband that stays on his sleeve has been passed down from president to president at Kunugigaoka Academy  for all the years it existed!

Both walked down the hallway, hearing the chatters of many other classmates who made a pathway for them to continue walking as they just stared at them. 

"Those two always look so good together." A girl murmured. 

"There's even a dignity to them!" Another girl chattered back.

"Do you think they're dating?" A friend of theirs asked.

"Somebody please ask them!"

"I wouldn't dare!"

"It would be presumptuous to even get close to the. Let alone ask such a question!"

The doors of the Student Council opened. Then, the thud of the door, signaling it's closed brought the chatters of the students to shut down.

Karma poured tea into a cup. "It seems that... there's a rumor going around... that we're in a relationship or some such." He placed the teacup he poured in front of Gakushuu.

"That's normal for their age. You should ignore it." He advised to the red head. 'The fools do enjoy talking about nonsensical love affairs. Although...' His eyes turned to Karma's direction. And with a turn Karma looked at the Asano while holding a tray close to his chest. 'if Akabane demanded that I go out with him, I suppose I would mull it over!' He boasted to himself. 'And I'm certain she has feelings for me. Probably just a matter of time.' He let out a chuckle. 'He should just take off his prideful mask of a perfect, pampered young man and make his blushing appeal to me.' He thought to himself as he imagined Karma all fidgeting with the tray and blushing while facing his face away saying "Pr-president, I need to talk to you." He let out another chuckle. 

'The ignorant children with their common talk.' Karma thought with a smirk on his face. 'Who do they think I am. I'm a member of the Akabane family, the heart of this country. How did they reach the conclusion that I would be dating a commoner?' He took a peek of Gakushuu. 'Well, I suppose there could be a very slight possibility. If he gets on his knees and offered up his body, soul and hometown, I suppose I could train him to be a person who measures up to me.' He let out a light chuckle. 'Certainly, there's no one who doesn't pine for me. It's probably just a matter of time.'

Both were just creepily laughing to themselves in the empty room.

While they were engaging in this kind of thing...half a year has passed! Nothing of note happened during that period.

Both were in the Student Council room doing paper work sitting next to each other. And oddly enough, there was a steamed bun in the middle of the table.

"By the way, today there were snails in the interior of the apple and cherry relief in the courtyard's water fountain." Karma said, trying to start a small talk.

"My younger sister once caught a cold taking a dip in the water fountain, even though it was hot outside. When you act according to emotions, there are no good results." He responded blankly.

During this period of nothingness, their thoughts shifted from 'I wouldn't mind dating him.' to 'Maybe I'll make him confess his love to me.' Meanwhile, one other person had no idea that two super high school-level minds were in engaged in sophisticated strategizing.

A girl with green pigtails sat across from them. "Ah!" Kayano Kaede, the student council secretary of Kunugigaoka Academy. "That reminds me! Listen to this! I won a pair of movie tickets, but my parents won't let me see stuff like that." She said while grabbing something out of the pockets in the school uniform. "So, are you two interested?" The tickets she held up had the name 'Love Refrain' making it pretty obvious that it was a romance movie.

"Hmm," Gakushuu thought about it because Note: he is a cheapskate. "Come to think of it, I have a rare free weekend." He opened up a pocket planner and flipped to a page with nothing scheduled on it. "So, Akabane, why don't we-"

"Supposedly there's a jinx. If two people go see this movie together, they'll become a couple." Kayano interrupted him. 

Gakushuu's face suddenly turned pale and was dripping in cold sweat from hearing that.

"How romantic!" She squealed, squirming in her seat.

"Oh, President." Karma placed the pen he was working with down. He turned to face Gakushuu. "Did you just invite me?"

A drop of Gakushuu's sweat dropped.

"You want to go with me to a movie in which pairs are said to be a couple if they see it together. Oh, dear, that sounds a lot like..."

'Like I'm asking him out on a date!' Gakushuu, screaming mentally with his eyes twitching, finishing the sentence with his thoughts.

The Asano's predicament was, in romance, 'The person who falls in love loses' is the rule! As they were both filled with pride, neither one could confess one iota of romantic interest!

'What should I do? It's blatant. The only I could do is smooth it over!' Gakushuu tried to think of a scenario.

"Why don't we sell the tickets to a scalper?" He suggested.

"Oh, President, I've never seen you so flustered before." Karma said from behind. Karma let out a little smile as Gakushuu's face turned blue. "How cute." Karma said ever so slowly, looking down on him with his dull mercury eyes.

'This is unacceptable! There is no escape route of the path that Asano conquers! You're the one who's going to run, Akabane!' He was determined.

"Yeah, I invited you, Akabane. I don't care about rumors like that, but it sees you do." He grabbed the tickets from Kayano's hand. "Do you want to see this movie with me?" He asked as he waved the ticket in his hand.

That moment, Karma thought...

'After indicating the intent to invite me, he assigned me the choice of whether we see the movie or not. Well played. I could choose to refuse, but then all of y preliminary arrangements up to now would become meaningless. I went to all the trouble of fabricating a prize and putting it in Kaede's mailbox. My plan to aim for one of the president's rare free days would be for nothing! And if I turn him down now, the president may never invite me to anything again! From the viewpoint of a guy, I say no! And I say no to that kind of choice!' He mentally pouted at the last few sentences.

"Yes, well..." Karma finally spoke out. "I can't help believing in stories like that." Karma had a  fucking adorable face that I can't describe so just imagine Karma having the puppy eyes and blushing and everything around him is sparkling. "So if we are going, I'd like you to at least invite me with more passion."

'Innocent' skill implemented!

Because of that skill, Gakushuu was shocked as if he just stepped on a puppy or kitten. As if he had done something that would bring him to all the gates in hell, maybe even more.

It's a  negotiating skill passed on from father to child in the Akabane family. It's said this calculated expression and voice even make the gods' hearts beat faster. In truth, Gakushuu's thoughts were also in disarray. 

'Well, I guess it is an Asano's duty to ask a person out.'

That thought crossed his mind! Of course, Karma didn't let that chance go by! He pursued without a moment's delay.

Karma's eyes hatched onto him like a prey and acted hastily by grabbing his hands, which caused the tickets to fall to the ground. 

"I'm at the age where I'd like to try a little romance too." He looked away as if he was shy and Kara's atmosphere was filled with lovely hearts. 

Gakushuu flinched as a growing blush would soon fill his pale face as his eyes turned wide and wavering. Whereas Kayano just sat there, watching all this happening. But the an idea came into her head as she grabbed something out of her pocket.

This battle of thoughts seemed to be like a chess problem. Kara cornered Gakushuu, who searched for an opportunity to turn it around. The brains of these prodigies raced two steps ahead, clashing with each other as wheels turned faster than any ordinary mind! Karma strengthened his defense! Gakushuu tried to break through! They both constructed a theory leading to a conclusion! The one who completed the theory first would be the winner! 

"Ah!" Kayano voiced out. "If you don't like love stories, you can also use these tickets..." Karma and Gakushuu looked at her as if she somewhat interrupted something. She held out two tickets with both of her hands. "...to go see the movie, 'The Birdie from Tottori.'"

"'The Birdie..."

"...from Tottori?'"

Both said, looking at Kayano with a confused yet shocked expression on their face. 

Chaos Theory. Secretary Kaede's casual remark added an element of chaos into the theories that were all but completed! It was only one element, but like the Big Bang, the chaos increased the possibilities. In order to process the vastly expanded choices, the wheels in their brains spun even faster, going beyond their limits!

Gakushuu's and Karma's head erupted steam from all the thinking they had to do. They sat blankly as if someone just asked them 'Is the sun a planet?'

"Un, is something wrong?" Kayano asked in concern of the two people. 

As a result, their brains craved a great deal of sugar! The only sugar in the Student council office was in a single steamed bun! Thus, whoever obtained the steamed bun would be the winner!

Both rivals dramatically reached for the steamed bun. As soon as it was in the grasps of their hands, Kayano turned to the clock and said "Afternoon classes are about to start." She had the steamed bun in her hand and had a 'nom' of it as Karma and Gakushuu were frozen in place. "Well, see you again after school." she muffled out with the steamed bun still in her mouth as she walked away all innocently. She jumped in the air, letting go of the steamed bun and ate it whole, with a lick of her lips.

Both rival's souls seemed to had left their bodies. They both suddenly collapsed on the table as soon as Kayano left. 

It was a sophisticated battle of the brains, with the ingenuity and pride of these two geniuses on the line. Todays Battle result: Both sides defeated.

[phoenix-downer]

The Princess of Light Chapter 6: With All My Heart

~3330 words. Angst, Romance, Fairy Tales. For SoKai Week 2021, Day 6.

Summary: Princess Kairi is cursed to be without love when she is a baby. She grows up cold and without a heart to help her understand other people’s feelings, no matter how hard her parents try to help her. One day, however, she meets a mysterious prince from a faraway world, and he just might hold the key to breaking her curse.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7

As Sora drew closer and closer to his fate, he could sense the world’s poor Heart groaning and dying, and the sensation made his blood run cold. It only got stronger the further he went, till at last the hole that light should be flowing out of was ahead of him. Climbing through it, he soon found Kairi. She was lying on a layer of blankets and pillows and bundled up in another layer of blankets.

“Princess—”

Her eyes fluttered open, and her lips were blue. “Oh, it’s you.” 

Her servants and attendants were bustling around her, making sure she was comfortable, and that included surrounding her with various types of food and drinks. Sora wasn’t sure whether to be relieved that her parents had kept their end of the deal or to feel dread that any food or drink she might give him would simply delay the inevitable and prolong his ordeal. 

Of course, he needed to survive long enough to uphold his end of the bargain, so he should be grateful they’d provided for that at least. Otherwise his sacrifice would be in vain and would save no one. 

“You all can go,” Kairi told her servants and attendants, and they left. With that, it was just the two of them. He knelt near her in the hopes she might say or do something that would lift his spirits before he began the ritual that would end his life. 

“You know how to bring back the light?” she asked weakly, searching his eyes. 

“Yeah, I do.” 

“Please hurry.”

Without a heart, Kairi had no understanding or appreciation of what this was going to cost Sora, or else she wouldn’t have said such a cruel thing. But he loved her so much and wanted to save her so badly that her words hardly seemed to hurt him. Just made him sad that she might not even understand what he was giving up till he was well and truly gone. 

“I will,” he told her. 

This seemed to satisfy her. She rolled over and huddled in her blankets. “It’s so cold.” 

“You can feel cold now?”

She said nothing; the hole in her chest had grown so large without the light that it made it difficult to speak. 

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll make sure you never feel cold again.” 

“Promise?”

He smiled and rested his hand over his chest. “With all my heart.”

With that, he stood and walked to the Heart of the World in the center of the cavern. The poor thing, normally a large, vibrant red, pulsing and pumping with light, was shriveled to a mere fraction of its size and struggling to beat. Sora removed his gloves and rested his hands against the heart. It reacted to his touch, and he stroked it gently. 

“I’ll save you.” 

The words were spoken to the Heart of the World, but they were meant as much for the princess as they were for it. 

Taking a deep breath, he summoned his special weapon, the Keyblade, and pointed it not at the Heart of the World or at some enemy like he had before, but at his own heart. He glanced at Princess Kairi, hoping she might give him some form of encouragement, but her eyes were shut and she was facing away from him. 

“Maybe it’s just as well, I don’t know that I’d want her to see this,” he thought to himself. A moment later, he unlocked his heart, and light began to flow out of it and into the Heart of the World. It wasn’t exactly a painful feeling, but it wasn’t entirely pleasant either. He felt tired and drained already, like this was draining his very life, for indeed it was. 

He had to make sure it didn’t drain him too quickly, otherwise there wouldn’t be enough light over a long enough period of time to fully restore the Heart of the World. There had to be enough to fill the light river and flow up out of the ground into Kairi’s beloved light pool too. 

Resting his hand on the Heart, he softly begged it to slow down. It was thirsty for the light like Kairi was no doubt thirsty for water. She couldn’t drink anything right now; it would just turn to ice on her lips. And she wouldn’t be able to drink again if he didn’t succeed. Thankfully, the Heart listened to him and slowed down, and he turned his attention to the person he was doing this for. She was fast asleep, and he resolved to be patient till she woke up. 

An hour passed like this, then two, then three. He remained standing the whole time, not wanting to sit down, for he knew once he did he would not stand again. And whenever he removed his hands from the Heart of the World, it sped up and weakened him more quickly, so he had to keep touching it too. When four hours had passed in this position, he couldn’t take it anymore. His legs buckled, and he slumped to the ground. 

“Princess, please—”

She sat up, awake at last, and her eyes were full of wonder when she saw how the Heart of the World glowed. “The light’s coming back! Oh wow, I feel so much better.” 

He smiled weakly. “I’m glad to hear that.” 

A little stream of light began to pour out of the Heart and went past Prince Sora’s feet and by Princess Kairi. She dipped her hand into it and giggled at the warmth. It did him good to see that the light from his heart was sustaining her, and it strengthened his resolve.

“I can finally eat and drink,” she said once she was warm enough, then helped herself to the food and drink her servants and attendants had left her. Sora warned her not to eat too quickly or else she would throw everything up, and she heeded his warning and thanked him politely. 

Otherwise she didn’t seem to notice his predicament, and the short rush from her waking up left him completely. A cold sweat covered his face, and he shivered and trembled and his stomach growled. As dear as she was to his heart, it wounded him deeply to think she was still oblivious to his situation. 

But then he thought of what it must be like to be without a heart, how awful an existence that would be. It wasn’t her fault she was like this; it was because of that dreadful curse. He couldn’t begin to imagine what it must be to not be able to love. Love formed the very heart of his existence. 

“Princess,” he said when she was done eating and was lying down again as if to sleep once more. “Please, I need help.” 

She glanced at him, then yawned. “I’m so tired after eating all that food.”

“I know, and you can sleep soon. Just first, please give me something to eat and drink.”

“Can’t you do it yourself?”

He shook his head. “I have to stay here, or else this won’t work. The Heart of the World will drain me too quickly, and I feel like I’m gonna pass out any moment as it is.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, then relocated her little nest next to him. “Goodness, you look very pale and tired,” she said as she offered him some bread and juice. 

“Yeah, I’ve definitely been better. But this will help.”

In more ways than one. The food and drink restored his body, and the fact that Princess Kairi was the one feeding him lifted his spirits and replenished some of the light in his heart. He kissed her fingers tenderly out of gratitude, and she brushed his hair out of his face. The stream of light flowing out of the cavern became a creek, and he hoped that the creek was reaching to where it needed to go.

“It’s strange,” she said. “I would’ve thought being around all this light would make you feel better. It made me feel better.”  

“The light’s coming from me.”

She glanced at his chest. “Oh, so it is.” She was silent for a few moments as she processed this information. “They told me it would, I was just so cold I didn’t pay much attention.” 

“That’s okay. You were dying, and I wanted to save you.” 

“Is that why you’re doing this? It’s… very kind of you.” 

He smiled. “I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“I have been rather cold and rude to you, haven’t I?” she said, then frowned. “I… I don’t know why.”

“You were as kind as you knew how to be.” 

“I wish I knew how to be kinder.” 

His smile grew sad. “If I may, I do have a suggestion. I know you’re tired, but stay awake with me. Don’t sleep till this is all over. That’s the kindest thing you can do for me right now.”

“Then I’ll do it. With all my heart.” 

Her words caught even her by surprise, and her cheeks flushed a little and she turned away for a moment. Then she remembered her promise to stay awake with him, and after creating a backrest for herself out of pillows, she wrapped a blanket around him. 

The light flowing out of the cavern was now a river. 

Several more hours passed like this, with Princess Kairi feeding him and giving him something to drink every now and then, and wiping his forehead when the sweat started dripping into his eyes again.

But his arms ached from holding them up for so long, and they slid to the very base of the Heart. When she helped him readjust his position, her soft hands warm and gentle because of his light, the river practically gushed out of the cavern. 

“Look,” she said, “there’s enough light in here to float and swim in! We should go outside and see if it’s reached the pool yet!”

His heart sank. Would she leave him out of her eagerness to get back to the pool?

“I can’t,” he told her. “I have to stay here, remember?”

“For how much longer?” she asked, remembering her promise not to leave him. She didn’t understand a lot of things, but her parents had taught her that breaking promises was bad. “Another hour or two?”

“However long it takes.” 

“And then?”

“I’m not leaving. Not unless someone carries me out of here, and that will happen long after I’m past caring about that kind of thing.” 

She tilted her head. “Why is that?”

He couldn’t bring himself to say anything more. Did she even understand what death was? Trying to explain love had just puzzled her, and even if he succeeded in explaining what death was, he couldn’t bear to make her sad. 

“Listen to me,” he thought to himself, “thinking she might be sad when she doesn’t have a heart because of that awful curse. I must really be getting delirious now.” 

“Surely we can go out of the cave for a little while?” she prodded. Memories of the happy times they’d spent falling in together had filled her mind. “Then you can come back and finish what you’ve started. But in the meantime, wouldn’t it feel nice to feel the breeze outside, to see the sun warming the earth?”

“I won’t ever see the sun again.” 

“Oh,” she said, then frowned again. 

She said nothing else and contented herself with staying by his side and feeding him every now and then. More time passed, and the Heart of the World was almost fully restored and the light pool far above them was nearly filled. It wouldn’t be much longer now, as the requirement written on the lucky charm was on the cusp of being fulfilled. 

Sora felt very weak indeed, but he still had one final request. With the last of his energy, he said, “Kairi, will you kiss me?” 

She nodded, and she was the most sober he’d ever seen her. “I will.” 

She gently cupped his face, and he thought her hands didn’t feel cold at all. Perhaps it was because of how much light was filling this place, but her touch felt wonderful all the same. And when she kissed him, his suffering faded away. Her kiss wasn’t cold either; just warm and tender. With that, he knew he could die happy. 

“Thank you,” he said softly. She fed him one last time, but he was beyond speaking after that. The last of his light was leaving him, and it was taking his life with it.

Kairi felt strange as she gazed at Sora. Was it normal for him to look like this? His face was so ashen, and dark circles rested under his eyes, which had become dull and lifeless. When she touched his cheek, it was cold. 

“Prince?” she said.

He was silent, but a weak smile crossed his lips. Something about that smile made her feel worse, not better. He shouldn’t be smiling. Not like this. Never like this.

“Prince, are you alright?” she pleaded, but his eyes closed. 

Panic lodged itself in her chest.

“Prince Sora, please, answer me—”

 One last burst of light came from him and fully restored the Heart of the World. And not only that, it reached the farthest edges of the world, filling up every dried-up stream and river, every empty pool and pond and lake, all the places that light had once flowed and settled on Radiant Garden. His light restored everything to how it was in the old days, to how it should always be. And with that, he slumped to the ground.

“Sora!” Kairi cried. When she touched his chest, panic shot up into her throat. For while the Heart of the World beat soundly, Sora’s heartbeat was gone.

“No, this can’t be happening,” she wailed as she cradled his limp body in her arms. “I won’t let you go!” 

With that, she resolved to drag him out of here if she had to. She gathered him in her arms and pulled him to the nearest stream of light. Once she’d made contact with it, it pulled both her and Sora into its current. Soon they were speeding through the cavern, getting closer and closer to the surface. Several times she nearly lost her grip on him, for the light river was moving swiftly. But at last they broke through the surface into her beloved light pool. It was quite dark outside, and most of the people in the castle had gone to bed already.

“Help!” she screamed. “Help! Sora’s heart isn’t beating!” 

For a few awful moments, no one responded. But her cries were so loud that she didn’t go unheard for long. Aqua soon arrived with a group of guards, as they’d been on their way to fetch Kairi from the cavern anyway on her parents’ orders. Now they were tasked with carrying a limp, unresponsive Sora to her room. All thoughts of the light pool fled her mind as she raced up the stairs after them. Sora was the only thing that mattered. How could she have put the pool’s wellbeing over his? 

“You idiot! Your ridiculous obsession with that stupid pool led to this,” she said, scolding herself, for the moment Sora had collapsed, her entire world had turned upside down. Or should I say, it had turned right side up, for Kairi was putting another person’s needs before her own for the very first time in her life.  

Perhaps Sora’s kindness had begun to rub off on her after all. 

The guards laid him on her bed and then withdrew, as she’d insisted he be put to rest there. She stared at his supine form. Face ashen, lips blue, dark shadows under his closed eyes. He looked even worse than when he’d first collapsed in the cavern. Aqua hustled around him, using some magic here, a cold compress there, burying him under a layer of thick blankets in the hopes his icy skin might be warm again.

“How could I have been so foolish, so blind…” Kairi cried as she reached for his hand. “Aqua, how could I not see—” 

“My lady, you mustn’t blame yourself,” Aqua said tenderly. “Your curse makes it very difficult for you to understand these things.” 

“That’s no excuse. I should’ve known what he was planning to do!”

“Would it have stopped him even if you did?”

Kairi could only look at him in despair. To sacrifice himself was one thing; to do it for a recipient so undeserving, so completely lacking in understanding—and to do it all with a smile on his face—

“Tell me, what can I do to help him now?” she said as she clung tightly to his lifeless hand. “That magic you’re using, can I use it?”

Aqua smiled sadly. “You were blessed with a great light, but it was sealed away because of your curse.”

That stupid curse again. Kairi hated it. She hated it with all her might. How it made it so difficult to understand how other people felt. How she didn’t understand Sora’s feelings for her despite his attempts to explain them until it was too late. 

No. It wasn’t too late. It wasn’t. Sora wasn’t dead. He couldn’t be. But he was so cold, even with all the blankets. His hand, which had once made her hand warm, felt like ice. 

“He’ll freeze to death without any light in his heart,” she wailed, despairing once more. “His body isn’t the problem, it’s his heart. But until his heart’s okay, he has to stay warm…”

Perhaps it wasn’t very proper to do this, but Kairi had never been one for propriety anyway. First because she didn’t understand all the fuss around social niceties, and now because something far greater than social niceties was at stake. She climbed under the covers before Aqua could scold her or tell her not to. 

“My lady, won’t that just make him colder—” Aqua said, but when she touched Kairi’s arm, she was shocked to feel it was warm. Warm like an arm should be, and not cold like Kairi’s arm had been since childhood.

Kairi hardly seemed to notice. Her eyes were for Sora and Sora alone, and her thoughts were consumed with reviving him. 

Aqua tended to him as Kairi warmed his body. She used every spell in her arsenal and every treatment medicine could offer, but Sora did not respond. The world outside was pitch black, then gray, and still Aqua and Kairi continued on. As the colors of dawn stretched across the sky, she left to grab more supplies, and Kairi was left alone with Sora for a few moments. 

“Stay with me,” she said, her voice breaking. “I can’t lose you. I won’t.” She dared to cup his cheek and thought back to earlier. Thought back to how desperately he’d pleaded for a simple kiss. He could’ve asked for anything with his dying breath, but this, this was what he’d wanted. She planted another brief, chaste kiss on his lips, then closed her eyes and sighed. “I was so cold to you, so heartless. I’m sorry. You don’t have to forgive me, Sora, but please, wake up.”

With one more tender kiss to his forehead, she sat up, searching for a sign, any sign, that he’d heard her plea, that he might awaken. Resting a hand on his chest, she wondered, waited. There was nothing at first, just an eerie stillness. Still she would not give up. She willed him back to life, willed his heart to beat again, called his name. So distracted by her mission was she that the light flowing from her heart and into his escaped her notice. As the sun rose over the horizon, she felt his heartbeat press back against her fingertips.

Aqua returned to the room just as his eyes opened.

[haxorus-imp]

Human Perspective - Reader LBP fic

Gender neutral Reader - No romance - Little Big Planet - No dialogue 

A human is lost in the imagisphere and is struggling to cope with their new surroundings. AO3 for those that prefer to read it there - > https://archiveofourown.org/works/28741977

You really don’t remember how you arrived here in this strange place. One moment you were resting peacefully, the next thing you know, you were being woken up by a small little humanoid fabric creature.

Once your eyes focused, you had gotten startled upright from the presence of the being, which was obviously understandable. In a hurry, you scoot away from the being and frantically look around. Despite just waking up, it took mere moments for you to realize that something was completely off about the land you were in...let alone how you got there. You were left completely dumbfounded. The small little humanoid seemed a bit worried about you, despite just meeting you.

Flustered, your confusion only grew when you tried to ask the little creature where you were and it simply spoke in sign language. Which you didn’t understand. Seeing your expression of complete loss, the little being thought for a moment before it decided to wave at you in a ‘follow me’ motion as they turned and waddled away. Still lost and confused, you really didn’t have a choice.

You picked yourself up and followed the little being through some garden-like areas before the landscape began to change and buildings made out of wood and cardboard slowly appeared. While on the walk over to who-knows-where, you decided to slightly distract yourself with looking around at your surroundings.

It was strange, as it almost felt like you were back home on Earth. However, this was far from the case. An example of your strange predicament lies in the horizon and around yourself. It was all made of fabric...just like the ground was...with an exception of other things. Like the cardboard buildings and creatures that dwelled nearby, as well as the fabric clouds that floated on by. The only thing that could be deemed ‘normal’ around here, at least to you, was the water that flowed in the rivers under the bridges you two passed by. Everything was strangely made to look like projects of arts and crafts.

Not even the locals were exempted from this rule. As the little creature that was leading you somewhere was made entirely of knitted wool. I just left you puzzled and completely stumped at where you even were.

But hopefully this little biped would be able to provide some answers. Your first set of strange contacts was with a small group that the little sack...thing...person...was leading you towards. Your approach didn’t go unnoticed. Once you and the little creature arrived, the three figures were giving you wary glances. But the little sackperson stepped forward and began to sign to them. It was quite a surprise to learn that these larger beings seemed to be British...despite this place not looking like Earth. A bit of back and forth later and you finally managed to introduce yourself and explain your situation to the three larger beings. In which, they introduced themselves to you as well.

There was Larry Da Vinci, an elderly individual with a paper beard and cardboard 3D glasses, who seemed to be rather forgetful, as it took him a moment to remember his own name before the bun-having blonde next to him spoke up.

Her name was Victoria, who had doll-like features and a steampunk-inspired body. She also seemed to be very polite too. Despite being an older female, her and Da Vinci even seemed to be a thing. If the sweet-based names he kept calling her had anything to say for it.

Then there was a rather depressed-looking individual named Clive, who was a man with an eraser for a body and a cyan desk calendar for a head, which was just to name a few things that caught your eye about him. It was just so strange to see paperclips merely sticking to a body without an anchor. But he was still polite none-the-less, even if he wasn’t as enthusiastic as Larry or Victoria.

As for yourself? Well, you were a human. Made of flesh and blood, unlike the natives of this realm you happened to get lost in. It wasn’t hard to take notice of how the others would look at you strangely from time to time.

Not only just because you showed up out of nowhere, but because your appearance just seemed...as that Ginger-Haired prideful loudmouth ‘Avalon’ would put it - “Highly suspicious-looking”. You didn’t think you looked that bad...or creepy. So, you just played down their doubts by just explaining that you're from very far away and that you were lost. It took a bit of convincing from Sackthing to see if Larry had any leads on what to do.

Many of them acted like they had never seen a human before and it wasn’t hard to see why. I mean, they even thought you looked ill and took you to an apple-headed nurse, who was strangely in a birdcage of all things, named Eve to have a look at you. She apparently tried to find your ‘stitching’, which took you awhile to explain that you weren’t born with ‘stitching’. She seemed completely lost with your explanation on a normal human body and she did some typical tests. Took your temperature, tested your reflexes, and gave you a few psychological tests. All came back okay, showing that you were in fact a perfectly normal human being. Even if she seemed slightly disappointed. The rest of the time was spent visiting the other creators once word got around that a unique stranger was visiting Craftworld from ‘very far away’. Despite meeting a fair chunk of them within the first few hours.

It was most likely Avalon who let the cat out of the bag, the dude probably can’t keep his mouth shut to save his life. If your first encounter with him had anything to say about it. Dude even had the nerve to call you a ‘rubbery-looking tall weirdo’.

Thankfully, Larry chewed him out for his rudeness before you could. So one by one, you met the creator curators and visited their homelands with Larry as your guide, since sackthing had other duties to attend to at the time.

It was quite an exhausting trip. Thankfully most of the realms could be accessed by rocketships that were provided by Larry Da Vinci. Yes, rocketships. Made out of cardboard...with a jet attached to them.

You didn’t understand how they worked, so you pretty much just went with it and didn’t ask any questions. Each encounter was as unique as they came as you headed off to the other parts of Craftworld with Larry. Your first encounter was with the lovely baker you met before, Victoria. She was very interesting to say the least, having a lab and bakery hybrid that she called home. She explored the possibilities of pastries and science. A strange combination. She even tried to offer you some of her baked goods, which you sadly discovered you couldn’t eat. At all . You just couldn’t force yourself to eat a literal SPONGE cake, so you had to turn her down gently but gratefully thanked her for the offer anyway. After that was Clive, the same depressed individual from earlier. You eventually discover that  he has lived in a factory for most of his life and just knows the day in and day out of being at work constantly. No wonder the poor sap was so blue. He obviously needed a long vacation. After a typical meet and greet, you toured the factory he called home and had a lot of fun watching how things operated while Clive rambled on and on about work and various activities he would perform around the factory. You even got to meet the cute little sackbots while you were there. Which was a pleasant experience in itself! After that was Eve’s Asylum where she and Professor Higginbottom were located. You met Higginbottom at the Asylum. Which was probably the strangest thing you have ever experienced...aside from being lost in this fabric dimension. He seemed like someone who got into the bong and never came out. Though, listening to him talk was quite entertaining. Even if you didn’t understand anything that came from his mouth. Eve was present there as well. Despite the underwhelming encounter from earlier, Eve was still elated to observe you and see how you were coping.  She apparently ran the asylum that was filled with beautiful flora, magical trees, and crazy people. Which wasn’t a surprise, but you were just happy that they were under the care of someone as loving as Eve. Even if she got a bit frustrated that she couldn’t make heads or tails about your ‘strange biology predicament’. Even with an unnecessary ‘second analysis’. Then finally, there was Avalon. The dude was about as loud and as arrogant as they came.

However, he pushed it to a point where he made it endearing rather than annoying, but your traveling companion could beg to differ. It seemed that Larry and Avalon had a lot of disagreements on who was the leader of “The Alliance”. Whatever that was. Both of them mixed like oil and vinegar, like broccoli and pizza, like boomers and millennials...it was honestly kinda funny to watch them bicker. However, you haven’t forgotten that rude comment he made about you. So you were still on the fence with him. Still, Avalonia was a wonderful place to visit. Looking at all of the strange gadgets that were made, the types of vehicles, and the sheer ethereal aura that the place radiated...Avalon really did have a strong reason to flex after all.

But as fun as it was to visit these Curators, you still needed to find your way home. Plus, you had to keep moving if you were going to be able to find anything to eat.

I mean, you have been offered food on numerous occasions while on your trip, however it wasn’t anything you could actually eat. ‘Sponge’ cakes, icing that was too sweet, jam that was too sticky, crackers that were made of cardboard, cookies made out of paper, fruit made out of fabric or plastic… It was all fake...and you were starting to starve.

Your lack of eating also seemed to worry Larry, but you feigned being fine. Despite the fact that you hadn’t really eaten in days. It was wearing down on you pretty bad at this point. Despite your lie, Larry seemed to still be lost on what to do with you. You honestly couldn’t blame him though. You were quite an enigma. Then, Larry was reminded of something and had explained that he was going to go to a place called Bunkum to attend a session in a place called Popit Academy and graciously offered if you wanted to visit while he was participating. At that time, you really didn’t know that you could explore other planets...but this was a strange new universe with strange new ways. So what could possibly go wrong?

So, from one planet made of patches to one with strange gadgets on it, you arrive at a place called “Needlepoint Peaks”.

Which was filled with crisp mountain air and little floating objects that harassed you at every angle. It was quite frustrating, as they would cling to you and you would have to constantly shake them loose. It seemed to amuse Larry to the point of chuckling as you both headed down the mountain together. While on the way, you even decided to take a bite out of the crackers that were sticking out of the ground. Which turned out to be a big mistake.

The ‘treat’ was about as stale as they come. It was hard to chew and it had the lingering scent of cardboard and dust. You promptly spat it out and coughed violently while Larry looked at you like you had lost your marbles.

Despite everything looking tasty, it was all dried and stale, nothing more than deceptive decorations for your ever growing hunger that gnawed away at you from your insides. You could only sigh helplessly as you passed the deceptive goodies and just focused on following Larry to the next destination. Once down from the mountain, both of you arrived at a place called ‘Stitchem Manor’, which seemed to be occupied by two lightbulbs and a monster. The family greeted Larry and seemed to notice you, despite you attempting to hide your taller figure behind the Elder Curator. The smaller lightbulb seemed to be very eager to meet you, as he strode up and waved and said a rather friendly hello. You timidly come out of hiding and meet up with him too. Returning the greeting politely. The lightbulb seems to happily chitter about as you stare at him. He then graciously introduces you to his father, a clear idol in his eyes, and his mother. Who wasn’t a monster. She just looked scary as hell.

You politely greet them in return and Larry explains your situation to the family. It seemed that Larry had decided to see if you could visit with the Pud family, which was a rather strange name, until he was through with his lessons at the popit academy. Seeing if one of them was available to show you around Bunkum until he came back later. You almost rolled your eyes at the thought of needing a guide or babysitter, but you didn’t know this place. So you really should stick with someone until you understand the ropes. The younger-looking lightbulb, who was named Newton, proudly volunteers to show you around Bunkum. A desire to give his ‘new strange-looking chum the best tour of Bunkum they have ever experienced’. So he says. Apparently, his parents were both worried about his proposal. Not because of you, but apparently Newton had caused a heap of trouble for the natives of Bunkum and was still in too-hot water because of it. Despite making peace with most of the locals and trying to clear his name from the titan incident...whatever that was. It sounds bad just by the name alone.

However, after enough begging, his parents gave in and decided to allow him to show you around Bunkum. Satisfied with the ordeal, Larry had headed off and Newton’s parents headed back inside the large manor.

Once alone, Newton had grabbed your hand before suddenly letting go in surprise. When questioned, he just stared and made a comment about how your ‘knitting’ felt strange against his hands. You just merely shrugged and walked ahead, Newton quickly taking the lead again as he rambled on and on about stuff to do while you were visiting.

The first stop was Manglewood. Which could only be reached by boat. Which just made the ride over much more boring than usual, except when Newton would talk about it and mention all the things to do there. It helped to pass the time until the island in question came into view. By appearance alone, you would’ve thought you both were lost in some bayou in the heart of Louisiana, but that wasn’t far enough from the truth. There were film reels, movie cameras, and set pieces all strewn about the landscape. Making it look like a set that was covered in moss and willows. However, you also took notice of a strange figure sitting at the edge of the landmass. Simply sitting there and watching the boat. Once close enough, you seemed to make out that it appeared to be...dog-like? Like a sock puppet type of dog? It was just waiting there and once you both touched down on land, it sped over to investigate. In which, it happily jumped aboard and sniffed around.

Once it glanced at Newton, it’s face changed to a certain type of disinterest but once it scanned over to you, it began to wag its’...butt...and bark happily. You confusedly look at the animal before waving and greeting the...dog-thing. Having it jump up on you and lick you with a fabric tongue, thankfully it didn’t seem to leave any slobber behind.

Newton explained that it was a creature called Oddsock and it seemed to be protecting Manglewood. He almost seemed a tad bit jealous that Oddsock had taken a liking to you so quickly, even if he didn’t show it openly.

He led you off of the boat and further into Manglewood, the dog sticking close to your side.

There, you both found a man who introduced himself as Marlon Random.

He was quite a character. Looking like a spool of film with a strange hairstyle to go with it, the dancing, the personality, the references to movies and such...he was probably the most enjoyable to be around. He didn’t even seem to mind Newton. Greeting him as if it was any other day, in which Newton had replied half-heartedly and explained your situation. Once Marlon heard of your plight, he stopped and looked at you closer. Taking notice of your strange appearance as well, he nods and laughs lightly. Eager to show Manglewood to you, despite Newtons’ protests. You had decided to visit the space area and discovered that floating in space was incredibly fun. The zero gravity, peaceful music playing in the background, and just the weightlessness of it all...it was truly an experience. After that, he took you over to the old-style diner. You jammed out to some old-style tunes, which strangely came from Earth of all places, and you even tried to take a few bites out of the food laying around. Getting the same result as the one from Needlepoint Peaks. You even tried the milkshakes. Which were SO SWEET. Too sweet even!

It was like everything around here was made out of two dumptruck loads of sugar. Plus, you couldn’t really force past it, as it was strong enough to hurt your teeth anyway. One secret spit out later and you lot had decided to settle in for a bite.

With the exemption of you. So while Newton, Marlon, and even Oddsock enjoyed the food...you found yourself without a meal yet again. Your aching belly rumbling in disdain as you sigh quietly. You just had to endure for a bit longer...you would get home soon...hopefully. Thankfully there was water to drink. So you had that instead. Still, you had a kick watching Newton shove fries and pieces of food into that hole in his neck. Which made sense, as he simply couldn’t shove it past the glass that covered his head. It just made you wish you could enjoy it with them...wait...why were they looking at you...why were they laughing --? A tickling sensation pretty much crawled around you as those bothersome floating objects began to stick to you again, resulting in you crying out in agitation and shaking about in the seat to dislodge them. Your companions seemed to find the situation hilarious as you pluck them off and flick them away from yourself. Huffing a bit at your group as they laugh at your grumpiness. But once it was all said and done, the last places being too ‘dangerous’ for you to explore, you both decided it would be time to head out to the Ziggurat. You would’ve headed to a place called ‘Zom Zom’s’ however Newton explained that he only took a special type of currency called ‘collectabells’, which got a chuckle out of you. Sadly, you didn’t really have any currency at all. So you skipped on going there. He probably wouldn’t have anything in your size anyway. So, both of you cross the bridge and ride the gondola into the distance while Marlon and Oddsock waved you both off. In no time at all, the temperature began to drop and snow began to fall from the sky. The wind from the gondola didn’t help the situation either, your clothes could barely keep out the chill. Newton didn’t seem bothered by it, which wasn’t a surprise to you. That fluffy coat he was wearing looked comfortable.

You would ask to wear it, but it was just too small for you. Plus, Lightbulbs radiate heat, so he was probably all warm and toasty underneath that fabric. Talk about being lucky.

Finally, the gondola came to a hill and along that hill seemed to be a towering figure. It almost looked like a burlap sack...like something you would shove potatoes in. Once closer though, it seemed similar to the last creature you encountered.

If logical reasoning could be fathomed here, that must be this land’s protector as well. Seeing by how they grew alert to the approaching elevator. Once it stopped and you and Newton stepped off, the large figure approached curiously. Similar to before, the creature met Newton with a poker face about as blank as the snow, but he gave you a rather silly smile once he looked in your general direction. What you didn’t expect was a large friendly hug to accompany that smile. You were pretty much scooped up and pressed against the taught cloth-chest of the large figure, gasping for air as it cuddled you. Newton began by explaining that this was the Ziggurat, which also happened to be Toggles’ home. Which was the name of the creature hugging you. He told you about the grand library and the ballets that would be held here every day and that hopefully you would enjoy the shows while you both were here. With a few desperate taps on Toggle, you were released and were finally able to get a full breath of air. You almost felt bad for Toggle’s worried face, but a reassured pat on their arm seemed to make them satisfied that you were okay. You walk along, following Newton as he gives you a brief tour of the entrance. Toggle following close behind you both as you walk towards a large and towering brass-like structure that was the centerpiece of this frozen wasteland.

Then, you met Papal Mache in the temple sanctum. Who gave Newton a rather skeptical glance after your arrival before staring at you for a brief moment. Once again, another remark on your appearance was made.

It almost made you wanna put a bag over your head and hide away from the world.

And what is with everyone asking where your ‘stitching’ was? You’re not made of fabric!

You just let out another sigh as Newton repeated the spill from earlier encounters while you busied yourself by looking at the temple architecture. From the looks of it, it seemed to be the insides of a large pipe organ, with stained glass windows of ballerinas and russian-esque soldiers. Which made sense, as Russia was known for its musical culture and revered classics in the modern world. While you admired the art and such, Papal Mache seemed to understand and decided to escort you both down to the library. Which was being looked after by...a dog...woman...thing.

You simply just shake your head and decide to listen in on her history lessons that were offered to you, which were indubitably interesting and selectively inspiring.

Especially once you began to read some of the pamphlets that Toggle helped save from a flood. Toggle even stayed and sat down to listen to his heroic deeds for a bit. Out of curiosity, you pick up one of the pamphlets. No wonder the lady-dog would’ve been so upset to lose some of this history, it was pretty interesting! However, it was short-lived once Newton grew bored and pulled you away from the library with a rushed goodbye to the friendly dog lady. Nearly leaving Toggle behind. Only then did you realize how cold you were getting from the temperature after sitting still on a cold floor. You begin to shudder as the cold wind brushes against you and you slow down as the cold bites at your flesh.

Curiously, Newton had questioned what was wrong as you trembled helplessly in the frigid gales. Once you explained that humans can get something called hypothermia from excessive cold and die, Newton practically flipped his lid.

A quick grasp of your hand and he took off with you in tow.

He quickly rushed past Papal Mache and through the temple to get you to a large furnace on the other side.

Once close enough, you could feel the warmth of the furnace melting away the freezing ice that had wrapped itself around your body. Replacing it with warmth and comfort. Once at the entrance, you graciously sit down on the warmed metal and let out a blissful sigh of relief. You were pretty much scolded by Newton for not telling him earlier and a worried Papal Mache arrived on scene not much later. A brief questioning later and Papal figured it might be best if you don’t stay here too long. Not that he didn’t enjoy new visitors, but because you just weren’t equipped for such freezing temperatures. Which were even worse when night fell.

You nodded in understanding and let out a sigh of brief disappointment, but the snow was hard to endure at this point. Once you thawed out, you both would be heading to your final destination, Bunkum Lagoon.

The sound of small rapid footsteps grace your ears as a smaller version of the big guy came scuttling onto the scene. A brief slide later and suddenly it was the big guy again! Only then did you realize what ‘Toggle’ meant. It made you almost wanna laugh. Papal Mache decided to speak up to the large silent hero about your incident and Toggle seemed to become saddened by the news, but nodded in understanding anyway. You felt bad for such a rapid departure, but what else could be done? It was best to finish touring Bunkum so you could get back to Stitchem Manor so you could wait for Larry. Once you got warm enough, you stood up from the ground and Newton rejoined you as both of you walked back into the temple and towards the back where a large elevator awaited. Both of you got on and Papal Mache and Toggle waved their farewells as the elevator began to move and drop down. You had no idea how this would get you to a lagoon, but if you weren’t at the risk of getting hypothermia, you may like it a bit more… Newton seemed to be more apprehensive about this place, unlike the last two places you both visited. He began to talk about a wicked queen who probably boils her disrespectful subjects in hot oil and how she would probably tear him limb from limb if she as much as smelled him. You probably broke a sweat listening to his anxious worries about the next destination. Didn’t seem to be as peaceful as the last two places, just from what he was saying alone. You gulped as the air began to become more humid as the elevator slowed to a stop.

Once outside, the first thing your eyes caught was the sunset that was glistening over the very large lake that resided in a city filled with towering spires and buildings. You couldn’t hide a gasp of awe as you stepped out into the residential areas and admired the masquerade theme that the city had going for it. Plus, there were airships and clouds as far as your eyes could see. It was truly breathtaking. Newton slowly slinked out after you, scanning around as if to keep an eye out for danger. You had thrown caution to the wind as you walked out further into the Lagoon, Newton squeaking and following behind you for a change. You pretty much just happily stroll through the town, looking at all of the cardboard, stickers, and crafted creatures fluttering about. A stark contrast to a human like yourself.

Suddenly, a sudden shout came from above. The noise made Newton cry out in fear as he hid behind yourself as a hovering platform came into your view. On top of it was a marionette looking female as she called down to the both of you. From the tone of her voice, you already knew you weren’t gonna like her. Her tone was bratty and easily portrayed the type that she was. That type being a heavily spoilt princess that expected everyone to obey and respect them, despite them not deserving any. She was also being followed by another sack creature, this one resembling a bird. She immediately began to chew out Newton for one reason or another, you weren’t exactly paying attention as she hissed at your companion. It was almost like she was demanding an explanation as to why he was in ‘her’ kingdom. Newton had managed to pluck up enough courage to creep out from behind yourself as he explained your situation once more. About how you were from ‘very far away’ and a friend had asked if someone was willing to show Bunkum to the newcomer. Despite the fact that he tried to pass it off as him trying to make amends by doing this ‘tour’ with you. Despite the fact that he selflessly volunteered for it, no pressuring from his father or anything. Still, you said nothing as the ‘Queen of Bunkum’ introduced herself to you and you to Swoop, who had landed and was staring at you after giving Newton another neutral passing glance. It even almost seemed to flutter happily for a bit. It made you wonder why all of these sack creatures seemed to be happy to see you, but that can be pondered later. Right now, you just wanted to go and explore this last location before the night began to fall.

With courtesy, you bowed a bit and greeted Pinky. Being sure to call her ‘queen’ in a respectful manner. She looked like the type that was prone to suck-ups.

In which you assumed correctly. Almost seemingly flustered with your polite behavior, she cackles a bit before welcoming you to the Lagoon and ‘knowing fully well that you WILL enjoy your stay ’. However she does give you a warning to keep ‘that yellow ninny’ out of trouble, to which you assured her that she had nothing to be concerned for. Satisfied, she calls swoop back to her side and the levitating platform hovers off into the distance. A thankfully short encounter. Newton lets out a relieved sigh as you continue on. A desire to explore in your veins as the sun continues to set. It was kinda sad that you couldn’t hang out with the bird like you could the other two, but it probably has a job protecting the queen. Still, you continued on. Your lightbulb co-conspirator follows you from close behind. Just waiting to see what you decide to do with the rest of your day. And It was a rather eventful rest of the day.

Both you and Newton had attended various events. Such as an air joust festival, a puppet show, and you two even climbed the tallest tower in the district and listened to the bells of the tower ring. You even got to see the ‘legendary creative heart’, which was strangely disturbing. Despite it being just a giant valentine heart with large bird wings, it still pulsed like an actual heart. You honestly didn’t know how the locals could stand being next to it for so long. Even from this distance it was loud enough for you to hear. You just brush it off and try to ignore all of the bothersome floaty things that came from it. Hopefully none of them would stick to you. At the end of your trip, you both stopped on a pier to watch the sunset over the lagoon. The purple and pink clouds just brought out a tranquility in the atmosphere that almost made you forget about your troubles and your lingering sleepless exhaustion. Despite being here for about a few days, you were starving and getting any sleep was rather rare. Mostly since weird things would occur while you were dozing.

You fell asleep in the rocketship once and a large flower garden had grown up around you while you had slept and you only took notice when you woke up. It was hard to explain it to Larry. You even crashed in Clive’s factory and when you awakened, some new robots were by your side. Seemingly not made in the factory at all, as they didn’t even have the same body shape as the Sackbots. Clive was about as stumped as you were when you showed him. It was just...when you fell asleep, weird stuff would happen to you and the things that surrounded where you were sleeping. So now, you just try to stay awake as much as possible. Even if your eyelids felt like cinder blocks and tiredness nipped at your aching muscles. The thing that bothered you the most as your empty stomach.

If you couldn’t sleep nor eat, how would you even make it out of here?

There was no sustenance to keep you going. You’re pretty much running on emergency energy right now. Burning stored calories and trying to stay alive while you were at it. The constant insomnia was also wearing down on you. You just felt like you could fall asleep right here on the pier. But Newton jostles you awake by reminding you that you both had to head back to Stitchem Manor before night fell on Bunkum. You nod slowly in understanding and finally muster the strength to stand up with a long stretch. From there, Newton led the way back to his home. Leading back the way you came. Back up the mountain, back through the Ziggurat, back down the mountain, through the swamp again, and back to the boat. Once you both set sail, you watch the sinking sun with a lazy gaze.

It was quite a trip...but you really wish you were home. It wasn’t like you were miserable here. These strangers were so nice and open to you, despite your off-putting appearance. You just wished you had something to eat right now...and maybe a nap. Or a thousand year sleep, which would be far better. Still, Stitchem Manor came into view at the cliffside and you both began to dock the boat. By the time you both arrived home, the sky had turned to twilight as you slowly walked after Newton.

Who seemed to be rather jovial after todays ‘adventure’. Both Nana Pud and Captain Pud were there to greet you both at the gates of the manor, Larry Da Vinci was there as well. Seemingly having an idle chit chat while you both arrived. Once you two were noticed, you sluggishly came to a stand still next to Larry while Newton griped about being pampered by his doting mother. You and Larry couldn’t help but chuckle as you all said your goodnights and you and Larry headed away from the manor. You manage to look over your shoulder as the younger lightbulb seems to be happily waving to you while he and his parents go inside the manor. You returned the favor, albeit a bit more slowly as exhaustion slowly caught up to you. Once you were out of sight of the manor, Larry had asked how your day went. You pretty much told him everything. About the fun you had in Manglewood, the freezing experience in the Ziggurat, and the jousting shows in Bunkum Lagoon. You spoke of all the people you met and how Newton was informative and made sure to look after you. It seemed to earn Larrys’ approval as he nods as the pod comes into sight. Once you both were aboard and a course was set for Craftworld, you decided to settle in on the pillows on the far side of the pod. Where it was a bit quieter than the control room. Larry decided that he would drive you both back to Craftworld while you took a nap. You didn’t mind and happily accepted the offer. Though, he probably could tell that you weren’t getting enough sleep. You could practically see the darkness lining your eyes.

Now you were wrapped up in soft materials and laying in a nest made from pillows and such. Your mind was so tired and strained from being awake for so long that all you could think about was how many people you met in the last few days. How many potential friends you could make...but it was still a mystery as to how you arrived on Craftworld in the first place. Let alone how to get out of this dimension and safely back to Earth. If you wanted to go back...that is. I mean, you were still hungry. Even more so now. You could only sigh as the feelings of hunger went away some time ago after you tried to not focus on anything. You were still lost. Even if you met some friendly faces along the way. Still... how did you get here? And how do you get back? You merely blink as these questions run through your mind and you just let out a deep exhale and close your eyes tightly. You just needed some sleep for now. Maybe this is all just one big fever dream and you’ll wake up back in your normal bed with normal humans around you. No fabric, no cardboard, so sponges...just flesh and bones. Organic stuff... REAL stuff.

Or...at least the things you HOPE were REAL things. Oh, but it was just another problem to solve for tomorrow.

You let out another final long sigh as your heavy eyes finally close and you drifted off to sleep in record time.

Blissfully unaware of the images and energy seeping from your head while you slept peacefully throughout the whole trip back to Craftworld.

[karajaynetoday]

for the prompts, can I get “I’m so in love with her/him, I don’t know what do do.” with luke, pretty please?? tomorrow or next week is fine

Hi Shelbi! Thanks so much for this request, hope you enjoy this lil blurb xo

(and by lil I mean 1.6k words but I got carried away as per usual. anyway, enjoy some soft Luke weekend away in a cabin-based friends to lovers!)

(This is a fem reader insert blurb)

More writing here | send thoughts/feedback/suggestions here | if you’d like to be on my taglist go here

--

This weekend trip away to the lake with your close friend group had been in the works for months. The date had finally arrived, and all week your group chat had been buzzing with notifications from people  talking about the fun supplies they’d bought, or screenshots of the excellent weather forecast, or memes about bears (that, to be honest, made you a little nervous).

Luke had offered you a carpool spot in his car, along with Michael and Crystal, which you gladly accepted. Originally the idea of camping in tents had been floated, but you were definitely thankful when instead Crystal found an incredible cabin on Air BnB that had more than enough room for all of you, plus private lake access and heaps of nature trails and other activities nearby.

When you showed up at Luke’s, overnight bag in tow, you suddenly felt super nervous. These were all your best friends that you’d known for years, and it definitely wasn’t your first trip away together as a group, but lately things between you and Luke had been… different, somehow.

He’d always been a great friend to you, making sure you had a ride home after a night out, or buying your favourite snacks whenever he hosted an event at his house, or inviting you on walks with Petunia because he remembered you had a dog similar to her growing up and it helped with your homesickness. But lately, you found yourself thinking of him more often than not. In those moments where you’d slip into a daydream about your future, and envisaged travelling the world, or walking down the aisle, or settling down into a house with little ones of your own one day, the only person you could see by your side in those daydreams was Luke. But then reality would set in, and you’d have to remind yourself that he’d never really shown any interest in you beyond friendship, so you couldn’t get your hopes up too high.

Michael and Crystal were already there when you arrived, so you helped pack the remaining supplies into Luke’s car and got on the road as soon as you could. The lake was about a four hour drive away and you’d agreed to share the driving, so you all rotated through various seats in the car. For the final hour of the journey, sunset had passed and you were driving through darkness as you made your way through the wooded area leading towards the lake. Michael had offered to drive the final shift, and Luke sat next to him in the front passenger seat, leaving you and Crystal in the back. You’d both assured the boys that you’d keep them company, and you wouldn’t dare fall asleep, but the steady rhythm of the car quickly lulled you into sleep.

You couldn’t have been out for more than 20 minutes or so when you silently stirred and blinked furiously to try and wake yourself up more quickly. You were about to make a joke to Luke and Michael about definitely not falling asleep, when your ears picked up on them having a murmured conversation amongst themselves up the front.

“I’m so in love with her, Mike. I don’t know what to do.” Luke sounded exasperated, and you saw him run a hand through his mop of curls – a clear sign he was feeling anxious.

“Mate, I’m telling you, there is a solid 95% chance that the feeling is mutual. I see the way her face lit up when you offered her a lift to the cabin, or when you invite her on walks with Petunia, or when you have her favourite snacks at your house parties. I would bet a solid amount that she’s in the exact same boat as you.” Michael was trying to be patient and kind, but you could tell from his tone that he was a little amused by Luke’s predicament.

You froze when you realised they were talking about you. No. Surely not? Luke… Luke didn’t have feelings for you, did he? He couldn’t be IN LOVE with you? Plain, boring old you? Was this a dream? It has to be a dream. You pinched yourself, hard, and let out a small gasp at the pain before you could realise what you’d done. Luke’s head whipped around to the back seat, and you made eye contact.

“H-hey, sweetheart. How long have you been awake?” He asked, his tone wobbly and unsure.

“Oh, literally just woke up a second ago. Must’ve moved around in my sleep and bumped my elbow too hard, that’s why I gasped. Sorry if I gave you a fright!” You were desperately trying to sound as normal as possible.

Luke’s face visibly relaxed, and you knew you’d sold the lie well enough. Your heart was still pounding over what he said, but in this car right now was not the time to address it. You could see Michael eyeing you curiously in the rear-view mirror, almost like he didn’t believe a word of your elbow bump story, but you just flashed him a smile and focused your gaze out the window, even though you could barely see a thing in the darkness of night.

When you arrived at the cabin, the others in the group had beaten you there, and already started claiming bedrooms and stocking the kitchen, and they’d even used the outdoor grill for dinner which gave the area a delicious aroma. Stepping out of the car, you gave your arms a nice big stretch and took a deep breath in and out. You’d lived in a more rural area growing up, and being near the trees and the water really made you feel more at home.

Before you could protest, Luke was carrying your bag inside as well as his own, and you scurried along to claim a bedroom before they were all gone. You settled for a small bedroom that was more like a nook just off the kitchen, but it had a nice big window that you thought would give wonderful sunrise views of the lake when you woke up the next day, so its size and the single bed didn’t bother you.

After a welcome night cap and a brief discussion of plans for tomorrow (Calum offered to cook breakfast, Ashton was coordinating yoga down on the lake’s shore, Crystal and Sierra had mapped out some easy hikes, and Michael and Luke had organised boat hire and tubing), you all adjourned to your own rooms for some sleep. You’d been tossing and turning for what felt like hours, replaying Luke’s words that you overhead in the car in your head, when you heard someone step into the kitchen and open the fridge. You’d left your bedroom door slightly ajar because it was kind of warm in the cabin, so you were able to crawl up the bed and squint out into the kitchen to see who was on the hunt for a midnight snack. Even without your glasses on, you could tell the blurry, broad-shouldered, white-singlet clad kitchen intruder was Luke from a mile away.

You didn’t want to startle him, but you weren’t sure how many other chances you’d get this weekend to talk to him entirely alone. You pulled a sweater over your head, located your glasses and slowly shuffled over to the doorway.

“Hey, kitchen intruder. What’s on for midnight snack?” Your voice was soft, but Luke still jumped a mile and clutched at his chest, and you couldn’t help but giggle.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you. To be fair, hearing the fridge open metres away from me unexpectedly was a bit of a heart stopper too, pal.” You teased, crossing across the kitchen to lean up against the counter next to where Luke was making a nutella sandwich.

“I guess that makes us even then, sweetheart.” Luke shot you a wink, and you felt your heart leap in your chest.

“Gonna make one for me too, or what?” You said, making grabby hands at Luke’s sandwich.

“Well considering you asked SO nicely…” Luke stuck his tongue out at you, but pulled out more slices of bread onto the cutting board and started making you a sandwich anyway.

You paused for a moment, and took Luke in. Even in the middle of the night, after a long and tiring drive, he still looked so damn good. And he was making you a chocolate-y snack. What a dream. A dream, that if you just took a little leap of faith, could maybe be part of your reality.

“Hey, Luke?” You half-whispered, almost not wanting him to hear you. His head perked up immediately, sparkling blue eyes meeting yours with a curious look.

“Yeah?” He half-whispered back.

“I know what you should do.” You spoke louder and more purposefully this time, the adrenaline taking over as you angled your body towards Luke’s.

“About what?” Luke countered, not moving an inch as you got a little closer.

“About the girl you’re in love with.”

Luke froze, dropping the butter knife covered in nutella onto the kitchen counter with a loud clang. He swallowed audibly, before fixing you with a look that you couldn’t quite read.

“Oh yeah? What should I do, do you reckon?” The mystery stare was gone, and the familiar mischievous glint you loved to see in Luke’s eyes replaced it, as he moved in and closed the gap between you, bringing you chest to chest.

“I think you should tell her. Mike gives good advice, there’s a pretty good chance she feels the same.” You could feel yourself smiling uncontrollably, as you glanced up and realised how close Luke’s face was to yours.

“I guess I’ll take my chances, then.”

Before you could respond, Luke cupped your face with both hands and kissed you, hard. You felt like your skin was on fire, and your heart was about to burst out of your chest, but kissing Luke also felt like coming home and finding everything you’d ever hoped and waited for.

The nutella sandwiches could wait. You had some making up for lost time to do first.

Taglist: If there’s a line through your name, I couldn’t tag you, so please message me to let me know your new URL or what the go is! Tumblr might just being dumb, who knows. @suchalonelysunflower @blackbutterfliescal @redrattlers @loveroflrh @spicycal @notinthesameguey @metalandboybands @cheekysos @ashton-trash  @another-lonely-heart @queenalienscherrypie  @becihadshawn  @allthestarsandthemoon 

[countessofbiscuit]

The Captain & the Resident’s Daughter: War

. . . . . . . . . 

Rexsoka Week - Tuesday - War 

“Stay silent, and perhaps they will spare you.”

. . . . . . . . . 

Part the First

Part the Second

Although this story forms the conclusion to this week’s series, it is being published in accordance with today’s theme. 

Two new characters must be introduced: Lt.-Colonel Calvin Kesting of the King’s 13th Foot, and Commodore Fenton Wolfe, Flag Officer at the Cape. 

Upon receiving new orders at Madras, Commodore Ferris’s tea-waggon run is tasked with ferrying a force to a desolate island ... 

(N.B. this story is one thousand words in length and contains period-typical attitudes and language.)

. . . . . . . . . . 

The capture of Rodrigues was not an action to bestow any great distinction upon either army or navy. Not a single shot was fired, nor had Commodore Ferris any cause to regret not employing the Plassey’s ruse of 1761; Port Mathurin and its fifty-odd nominally French inhabitants surrendered with only mild complaint; martial law was announced; and the squadron was unburdened by four hundred men of the King’s 13th and the Company’s 8th. Until such time as Commodore Wolfe’s squadron could sail from the Cape to begin the real business of divesting the whole of the Mascarene Islands from the French, Lieutenant-Colonel Kesting’s force was to be, in Ferris’s wry opinion, as an army marooned, with little to do but erect tents, race tortoises, and, for the scholars among them, attempt to chart the transit of Venus. 

Indeed, Captain Rex’s orders were more likely to confer general acclaim, for he was to lead a party of Glorianas and secure half a dozen of the island’s immense and valuable chelonians for the squadron’s tables; a brevet command which Rex had warmly accepted over the head of Mr. Bonterry, for Miss Tanough begged to be included — having expressed a secret wish to traverse the island — and Dona Olga remained sadly by the board. 

Unencumbered and enthusiastic, Miss Tanough formed the vanguard of the expedition; she outpaced them all, and, promising something pleasant in her coy smiles, led Rex on a merry chase over Mont Lubin towards the empty southern shore before the remainder of the party had given any thought to an ascent, for there were tortoises aplenty at its base.  

The day was clear, the tide high, the native birds loud; and above the tall, brushy vegetation sloping towards the water — into which Miss Tanough had long since disappeared — a small, unmarked vessel could be seen behind a distant skerry. 

“Miss Tanough!” shouted Rex, taking his sword to the worst of the knee-high scrub. “Miss Tanough, do have pity. Some of us received no coffee this morning for Davy Jettster had burnt it, damn his eyes for a layabout.” 

Descending further, Rex grew perturbed, both by his flighty companion and the solitary vessel: its impression of some local fishing craft gave way to the appearance of an unmanned chasse-marée hove to. And his preternatural unease was justified when, above the wind, he perceived something to chill his blood: the screams of Miss Tanough. 

Rex had never considered himself a man of uncommon athleticism, but any observer with coin to spare might have laid any number of impressive odds against the captain and not been disappointed. He ran like the dogs of hell were upon his heels and brayed for Miss Tanough as though possessed by them. 

Presently, he came upon a jolly boat in the sandy surf, and some yards off, a violent struggle between Miss Tanough and two salty devils attempting to strongarm her into silence. 

Rex freed his pistol from his sash to charge headlong at the villains; but the sight of a braided officer doubly armed prompted one of the men to brandish his own piece, the muzzle of which was pressed under Miss Tanough’s chin; and behind Rex came the dreaded words, accompanied by the sound of a pistol being cocked. 

“Rendez-vous, monsieur!” 

A French lieutenant emerged from the near undergrowth; and conceding that he was fairly outflanked and outgunned, Captain Rex had to surrender his own pistol and sword into the sand. His cooperation earned him a mighty blow to his ribs and head, the ballooning pain of which rendered him sufficiently pliant to be bound and bundled towards the boat. 

Miss Tanough hung from parts of his person like a fanatical pilgrim, her own wrists bound, demanding his release. “Stay here, Ahsoka,” said Rex, knowing her wilfulness. “They must spare you, as gentlemen.” Whether or not his captors were gentlemen, they were not fools; and they would not leave an outraged mouthpiece to their coup de main. Miss Tanough too was tossed into the boat, and they were rowed with great vigor towards the chasse-marée that would surely bear them towards some frigate just beyond the horizon, and thence to some forsaken citadel on Mauritius or Réunion. 

The officer, clearly a zealot for intelligence to have lain in under the lee of an invading force, began swiftly to make various demands and enquiries in French; but Rex would give him neither the satisfaction nor advantage of responding in kind. For once, Miss Tanough seemed to be of similar mind, sitting mute but resolute beside him, with one eye for the retreating shore, and one eye for his wound, staunching it with the handkerchief she had retrieved from his waistcoat with surprising familiarity.  

“Your name, English dog,” demanded the officer, frowning for all of Frogdom. 

“I am Captain Felton Rex, of the 3rd Bengal Cavalry. You will address me as Captain or sir.”

“Very well, monsieur — and who is this?” 

Beyond the mortification of his own situation — to spend a dull decade in India begging for a French foe to redden his blood, only to be captured by one on the wrong end of furlough! — Rex had now to consider with great anxiety what might await his companion in an enemy prison. 

The truth would not do. Many firm friends did she have — indeed, Rex feared the retribution of the Generals as greatly as any frog should — but she was the daughter of a mere nabob with a forgotten baronetcy and few influential friends of his own outside Hyderabad; and the sworn protection of a prisoner over a pretty, unmarried girl would count but for little. 

A solution to their predicament came easily to mind, planted in jest by Codry and rendered plausible by Rex’s use of her Christian name; but he would not force such a ruse upon her for all the wretched world. 

Miss Tanough, however, spoke with perfect decision. “I am his wife.” 

[peterstanslizzie]

Reacting To: The Hollow (Season 2 Episode 3)

Episode Title: The Return

Spoiler Warning: Kindly proceed if you’ve already seen the episode or aren’t bothered about spoilers.

1. Adam and Kai aka Kaidam exit the portal but didn’t make a soft landing. It appears they have returned to the main game setting of ‘The Hollow’, but most likely on another level with different rules. Adam tries calling for the Weird Guy, otherwise known as Weirdy but he still is a no-show.

2. They head inside a castle (not Colrath, the dragon’s castle from last season) to try to find Mira. I wonder if they’ve tried contacting her on her cell phone? Hey, it’s worth a shot? The castle is pitch dark inside but lucky for them, Kai can use his fire powers to light the place up. However, there are a couple of distractions that are in their way; Creepy-crawly ones. Eww...

3. As they’re trying to navigate themselves through the castle, we spot an elf or gnome spying on them. And it’s really agile and keeps swooping over and around them. The elf, who appears to be a she, attacks Adam and Kai with her large fish hook (?) because she thinks that they’re invading her castle home. 

4. She swings her knife-hook thingy at Kai and it leaves a small wound on Kai’s finger. It’s actually bleeding a little; Oh my poor baby! So, bleeding is possible in this game...well, if this is all still a game that is. Kai freaks out and randomly faints into Adam’s arms. How cute! But how dramatic lol. Nonetheless, I stan how much of a disaster gay he is. 

5. We find out that she needs to fill her cap with blood in order to survive despite not being able to tolerate the sight of blood. Kai hesitates at first but Adam reminds him that if they are still playing the game, they need to cooperate with her. 

6. As a return, the gnome gives the boys a riddle to help them find Mira, before suddenly disappearing. The riddle goes like this, “To find others of your kind, you must leave this world behind. Here’s a clue if you wish, look for water without fish.” At times like this, they really need Mira to help them decipher that riddle quickly. 

7. Kai theorizes that the “water without fish” is referring to a puddle and he begins jumping into various puddles in the castle, much to Adam’s dismay. Why are there random puddles all over? I haven’t a clue. Here is when we get some tea about Reeve; Apparently, Adam and Mira couldn’t get along with him and he decided to quit the team. Yea, but why couldn’t they get along with him? From my deduction, Reeve seems like the kind of person who has a short temper and likes to march to the beat of his own drum. 

8. Kai spots a wishing well, which most probably is the solution to the riddle. And it actually is! They descend down the well but they are caught off-guard by a stream of rapid water at the bottom, which washes them out of a waterfall. They survive but are totally exhausted.

9. They wash ashore and are then dragged and taken by a group of parrot-people I’m assuming. Adam and Kai wake up and are startled by what they’re seeing. These cockatoo/parrot people are able to communicate with them but it’s very....parrot-like I guess. Meaning, they speak in very broken sentences and like to repeat themselves. 

10. The leader of the group mentions about Cherufe, the leader of their island and how they wanted to sacrifice them to him so that he doesn’t destroy the island. Luckily for them, they are not the ones being sacrificed but the leader mentions about another one of their kind who is about to be sacrificed instead. And that person is Mira probably?

11. They think that Mira is the person under that mask. I don’t think it is; That’s too straightforward. It has to be Reeve or Vanessa or something. Let’s see if I’m right. 

12. All of a sudden, a nearby volcano starts erupting and the parrot-people start chanting for Cherufe’s name, signalling that he is on his way. Adam jumps onto the platform to rescue the masked person and it turns out to be Skeet! Okay, so I was wrong. But if Skeet’s there, where’s Mira? Didn’t she trail behind him last episode. 

13. Adam tries to get him out of there but the parrot-people stop him because they don’t want to make Cherufe angry. Speaking of Cherufe, it makes a grand entrance by emerging out of the volcano after a spout of lava was released. Everybody is freaking out.

14. Adam again tries to free Skeet from his restraints but the knots are tied really tight. Kai distracts Cherufe with his flamethrower but it’s not having much of an effect. After putting a little more vigor into it, Adam manages to set Skeet loose and the three of them start running away from the monster. 

15. Skeet tries to use his super-speed to quickly run away but he forgets that they’re on an island. Fortunately, Kai manages to spot a boat and they are able to escape from Cherufe’s wrath. 

16. It also helps a lot when the monster is a volcano monster that turns into stone once it comes into contact with seawater. 

17. As Skeet is telling Adam and Kai about how he ended up in such a predicament, his recollection is pretty much aligned to what Adam, Kai and Mira had went through. He says he got split up from Reeve and Vanessa. Also, Skeet is aware about Reeve being Adam and Mira’s former teammate. 

18. As day turns into night, they are still stuck on the boat, paddling to who knows where. Skeet tells them he just wants the game to be over so that he can go home but Adam is adamant (lol that rhymes) that they find Mira first. 

19. It’s great that Skeet reminds all of us the rules of ‘The Hollow’, that is if one team player dies, it’s game over for the rest. This means that Mira, Reeve and Vanessa are all still alive. 

20. The scene cuts to...OMG finally we see Mira and she’s running from something or someone firing green lasers at her. Where could she be? Will she bump into Reeve or Vanessa or maybe other players of The Hollow? (like the ones we’ve seen in the trailer). 

21. Yay! More backstory! Mira and Skeet knew each other since preschool and based on his body language and expression, it seems to me that Skeet has a crush on her. Cute! I would ship these two hard but I need to see how Skeet would interact with Mira first.

22. Adam notices that something is pulling the boat fast and he tries to paddle the boat in the opposite direction but the force is too strong. Since Skeet has super speed, I think he could pull a Dash Parr from the Incredibles and use his legs as propellers for the boat. Let’s see if he does that. 

23. Kai, with his super intelligence figures out that the boat is being pulled in by a cluster of nuclear plants that have cooling pumps that suck in massive amounts of water. All of Adam’s efforts aren’t really working and they need to think of something fast or they’ll be toast. C’mon Skeet, use your powers!

24. Suddenly, a spacecraft/hovercraft flies over them and begins firing red lasers at the nuclear power site, where there appears to be ANOTHER TEAM! And the ship seems to be targeting this other team. Their powers are as follow: One guys is able to teleport, the other guy is able to shoot lightning bolts and the girl has Black Canary’s power of sonic screams. And with their combined effort, they are able to overwhelm the ship at first but it suddenly comes back and shoots another round of lasers and hits the girl and she disintegrates into digital dust! OMG Did she just die?

25. Adam, Kai and Skeet witness the entire thing and they also catch glimpse of Weirdy casually walking towards the other team. They try to get his attention but they’re too far away.

26. Weirdy inform the remaining two members of the team that it’s game over for them and they also end up pixelating (Is that a real word?). I wonder where they went or if they’ve woken up from the game? I hope that they’re not gone GONE. Weirdy then disappears soon after. So, is he supposed to be one of the bad guys of this show or what? It’s hard to tell. 

27. Adam, Kai and Skeet manage to get themselves off the boat before getting sliced into pieces by the pumps. Adam spots a satchel that was left by one of the guys who disintegrated and he goes through its contents. He finds a map but it’s not the same one from before. It first shows the three regions Adam and Kai have been in: the castle, the volcano island and the nuclear power plant. But within a split second, the maps starts closing in and the locations start disappearing. It could be that the map is resetting itself once another team takes its possession. 

28. I can’t tell if either all the locations have been erased or only the nuclear power plants is the only remaining location on the map. Skeet tells them about an idea he has on how to escape the game, which is to lose the game on purpose. I understand his plan but I don’t think they should risk themselves like that. 

29. The flying spacecraft returns and begins firing at them. Skeet attempts to test out his idea but Adam saves him in the nick of time. Adam is such an amazing hero. He be saving everybody, even those who weren’t on his side. The three of them hide behind a corner as the ship lands and a bunch of soldiers emerge out of it. I’m getting such Star Wars vibes here. 

30. Skeet still believes that losing the game will work and calls for the soldiers to come to him. This obviously annoys Adam to no end and they start running away. They reach a dead end and as the soldiers are about to corner them, Mira calls for their attention from inside one of the nearby buildings.

31. The episode ends on a cliffhanger where the soldiers start firing at them. They’re obviously gonna make it alive. Duh! Stay tuned for my reaction to episode 4, which will be out very soon.

[surprisebitch]

My 10 All-time Fave Anime

I first wanna get it out there that there is still a lot of anime I plan to watch and have yet to finish. This current top 10 all-time fave list is based from anime I have completed. I am currently watching a lot of anime, so this list could potentially change!

Each synopsis comes from MyAnimeList. Here’s my profile if you’re interested, and feel free to send a friend request!

Anyway, onto the list! This is not in order btw, just 10 titles!

My 10 All-time Fave Anime

1. Given (2019)

Tightly clutching his Gibson guitar, Mafuyu Satou steps out of his dark apartment to begin another day of his high school life. While taking a nap in a quiet spot on the gymnasium staircase, he has a chance encounter with fellow student Ritsuka Uenoyama, who berates him for letting his guitar’s strings rust and break. Noticing Uenoyama’s knowledge of the instrument, Satou pleads for him to fix it and to teach him how to play. Uenoyama eventually agrees and invites him to sit in on a jam session with his two band mates: bassist Haruki Nakayama and drummer Akihiko Kaji.

Satou’s voice is strikingly beautiful, filling Uenoyama with the determination to make Satou the lead singer of the band. Though reticent at first, Satou takes the offer after an emotional meeting with an old friend. With the support of his new friends, Satou must not only learn how to play guitar, but also come to terms with the mysterious circumstances that led him to be its owner.

2. Rurouni Kenshin (1996)

In the final years of the Bakumatsu era lived a legendary assassin known as Hitokiri Battousai. Feared as a merciless killer, he was unmatched throughout the country, but mysteriously disappeared at the peak of the Japanese Revolution. It has been ten peaceful years since then, but the very mention of Battousai still strikes terror into the hearts of war veterans.

Unbeknownst to them, Battousai has abandoned his bloodstained lifestyle in an effort to repent for his sins, now living as Kenshin Himura, a wandering swordsman with a cheerful attitude and a strong will. Vowing never to kill again, Kenshin dedicates himself to protecting the weak. One day, he stumbles across Kaoru Kamiya at her kendo dojo, which is being threatened by an impostor claiming to be Battousai. After receiving help from Kenshin, Kaoru allows him to stay at the dojo, and so the former assassin temporarily ceases his travels.

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan tells the story of Kenshin as he strives to save those in need of saving. However, as enemies from both past and present begin to emerge, will the reformed killer be able to uphold his new ideals?

3. Assassination Classroom (2015)

When a mysterious creature chops the moon down to a permanent crescent, the students of class 3-E of Kunugigaoka Middle School find themselves confronted with an enormous task: assassinate the creature responsible for the disaster before Earth suffers a similar fate. However, the monster, dubbed Koro-sensei (the indestructible teacher), is able to fly at speeds of up to Mach 20, which he demonstrates freely, leaving any attempt to subdue him in his extraterrestrial dust. Furthermore, the misfits of 3-E soon find that the strange, tentacled beast is more than just indomitable—he is the best teacher they have ever had.

Adapted from the humorous hit manga by Yuusei Matsui, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu tells the story of these junior high pupils as they polish their assassination skills and grow in order to stand strong against the oppressive school system, their own life problems, and one day, Koro-sensei.

4. My Hero Academia (2016)

The appearance of “quirks,” newly discovered super powers, has been steadily increasing over the years, with 80 percent of humanity possessing various abilities from manipulation of elements to shapeshifting. This leaves the remainder of the world completely powerless, and Izuku Midoriya is one such individual.

Since he was a child, the ambitious middle schooler has wanted nothing more than to be a hero. Izuku’s unfair fate leaves him admiring heroes and taking notes on them whenever he can. But it seems that his persistence has borne some fruit: Izuku meets the number one hero and his personal idol, All Might. All Might’s quirk is a unique ability that can be inherited, and he has chosen Izuku to be his successor!

Enduring many months of grueling training, Izuku enrolls in UA High, a prestigious high school famous for its excellent hero training program, and this year’s freshmen look especially promising. With his bizarre but talented classmates and the looming threat of a villainous organization, Izuku will soon learn what it really means to be a hero.

5. Attack on Titan (2013)

Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in one hundred years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations.

After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Based on Hajime Isayama’s award-winning manga, Shingeki no Kyojin follows Eren, along with his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and his childhood friend Armin Arlert, as they join the brutal war against the titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached.

6. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (2011)

Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki are regular middle school girls with regular lives, but all that changes when they encounter Kyuubey, a cat-like magical familiar, and Homura Akemi, the new transfer student.

Kyuubey offers them a proposition: he will grant any one of their wishes and in exchange, they will each become a magical girl, gaining enough power to fulfill their dreams. However, Homura Akemi, a magical girl herself, urges them not to accept the offer, stating that everything is not what it seems.

A story of hope, despair, and friendship, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica deals with the difficulties of being a magical girl and the price one has to pay to make a dream come true.

7. Hunter X Hunter (2011)

Hunter x Hunter is set in a world where Hunters exist to perform all manner of dangerous tasks like capturing criminals and bravely searching for lost treasures in uncharted territories. Twelve-year-old Gon Freecss is determined to become the best Hunter possible in hopes of finding his father, who was a Hunter himself and had long ago abandoned his young son. However, Gon soon realizes the path to achieving his goals is far more challenging than he could have ever imagined.

Along the way to becoming an official Hunter, Gon befriends the lively doctor-in-training Leorio, vengeful Kurapika, and rebellious ex-assassin Killua. To attain their own goals and desires, together the four of them take the Hunter Exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death. Throughout their journey, Gon and his friends embark on an adventure that puts them through many hardships and struggles. They will meet a plethora of monsters, creatures, and characters—all while learning what being a Hunter truly means.

8. Ranma ½ (1989)

Ranma Saotome is a top-class martial artist and prodigy at the Saotome “Anything-Goes” school of martial arts. While training in China, he and his father meet a terrible fate when they accidentally fall into a cursed spring. Now, Ranma is cursed to turn into a girl when splashed with cold water, and only hot water can turn him back into a boy.

Things are only complicated further when Ranma discovers that his father has arranged for him to marry one of Soun Tendo’s three daughters in order to secure the future of the Tendo dojo. Though Soun learns of Ranma’s predicament, he is still determined to go ahead with the engagement, and chooses his youngest daughter Akane, who happens to be a skilled martial artist herself and is notorious for hating men.

Ranma ½ follows the hilarious adventures of Ranma and Akane as they encounter various opponents, meet new love interests, and find different ways to make each other angry, all while their engagement hangs over their head.

9. Love Live! School Idol Project (2013)

Otonokizaka High School is in a crisis! With the number of enrolling students dropping lower and lower every year, the school is set to shut down after its current first years graduate. However, second year Honoka Kousaka refuses to let it go without a fight. Searching for a solution, she comes across popular school idol group A-RISE and sets out to create a school idol group of her own. With the help of her childhood friends Umi Sonoda and Kotori Minami, Honoka forms μ’s (pronounced “muse”) to boost awareness and popularity of her school.

Unfortunately, it’s all easier said than done. Student council president Eri Ayase vehemently opposes the establishment of a school idol group and will do anything in her power to prevent its creation. Moreover, Honoka and her friends have trouble attracting any additional members. But the Love Live, a competition to determine the best and most beloved school idol groups in Japan, can help them gain the attention they desperately need. With the contest fast approaching, Honoka must act quickly and diligently to try and bring together a school idol group and win the Love Live in order to save Otonokizaka High School.

10. Demon Slayer (2019)

Ever since the death of his father, the burden of supporting the family has fallen upon Tanjirou Kamado’s shoulders. Though living impoverished on a remote mountain, the Kamado family are able to enjoy a relatively peaceful and happy life. One day, Tanjirou decides to go down to the local village to make a little money selling charcoal. On his way back, night falls, forcing Tanjirou to take shelter in the house of a strange man, who warns him of the existence of flesh-eating demons that lurk in the woods at night.

When he finally arrives back home the next day, he is met with a horrifying sight—his whole family has been slaughtered. Worse still, the sole survivor is his sister Nezuko, who has been turned into a bloodthirsty demon. Consumed by rage and hatred, Tanjirou swears to avenge his family and stay by his only remaining sibling. Alongside the mysterious group calling themselves the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjirou will do whatever it takes to slay the demons and protect the remnants of his beloved sister’s humanity.

I hope you find something you like here and will check some of my faves out!! ❤️ Let me know if you do and what you think!!! x

[chrysalispen]

(these are the things) i can do without;

Holy shit y’all this is so NSFW lmfao

uhhhh. nero/wol, light bondage, breathplay, warning because this is consensual but not safe or sane. don’t try this at home, kids.

NSFW below the cut, as always. AO3 link is here.

======

As per usual, Nero Scaeva had only himself to blame for his current predicament (pleasant though it was).

Name your price and I will pay it, he had said, and he really ought to stop making such impulsively magnanimous gestures in order to get himself out of hot water every time he crossed the eikon-slayer's temper. Particularly on those occasions when it stood a fair chance of ending poorly for him-- which, he owned, was somewhat often.

In his defense, he had expected that fulfilling a 'favor of her choosing' would have something to do with one of her adventurous impulses. He simply hadn't considered the possibility that this might be the sort of adventure on the table. Table- or bed, as it happened. In this case the four-poster in her bedroom to which he had been bound. 

Aurelia sat on her mattress alongside his prone form with her feet tucked primly beneath her knees, clad in only a short chemise and a pair of smallclothes as she studied her knotwork (and really, whomever had taught the most objectively terrifying woman on the godsdamned star entire how to tie strips of vanya silk as if they were nautical rigging on a Limsan frigate could get buggered as far as Nero was concerned), looking for any weakness in her technique. 

"Really, sweetling, all this over one broken alembic, and one barely worth the name, at that. Was your plan simply to frustrate me into submission?"

Nero was a born contrarian. He had prided himself upon that fact since boyhood, had pontificated upon it during his various clashes with one Cid Garlond, and very often had relied upon it to win arguments with Livia sas Junius on more than one occasion in his less-than-illustrious past. He was, in short, what an army recruiter might politely term ‘spite-motivated.’ Or perhaps he simply had the perverse urge to find out to what extremes she might be driven should he ever manage to push all of Aurelia’s buttons. 

Although that particular remark, he allowed, might have perhaps been a step too far. She leveled upon him a stare that could have frozen an industrial forge. 

"All things considered, I really should do just that," she retorted. "I can if you like."

"By all means, please continue."

The Warrior of Light was not a woman given to displays of ill temper. That said, perhaps she might not glower in the precise same way that Garlond did, but hells bedamned if the last time Nero had seen this exact look on her face hadn't been right before she proceeded to wreck every toy in his Castrum Meridianum laboratory and wipe the floor with him for good measure.

His grin was a challenge, a silent gauntlet tossed at her feet. It did not go unnoticed.

"Your willingness to cooperate does you great credit," she said with false sweetness. "I assume you won't mind if I take my time, then, as I'm certain you shall find it no great task to remain still-- and silent."

The Warrior of Light answered his insolent smirk with a smile of her own and leaned forward with one slender hand braced upon his chest. 

Overeager fool that he was, he dropped his guard. His jaw went slack, anticipating the plush softness of lips pressed against his and the velvet heat of a tongue to slide against his teeth.

Instead, he received a mouthful of silk for his trouble. 

He tried to curse in surprise, but all that left his mouth was a muffled growl of annoyance before the gag was pulled taut -- not enough to hurt or to chafe, but it ensured that the use of his words would be too much effort for him to bother. Still, that was harmless enough, and Nero supposed he should have expected it when she had told him exactly what sort of favor she intended to have him grant. A light slap, a bite or ten, perhaps (though he sincerely doubted it, knowing her) a bit of dirty talk. 

Charming if rather pedestrian, in his personal estimation, as far as such things went-- but one had to start somewhere.

She did none of those things. She touched him with light, tickling trails of her fingers from collarbone to navel, showering a line of tiny kisses along his hairline and then his brow and cheekbone, traversing a warm, sweet path downward. Amused at the notion that such a delicate touch would have any real effect on him, Nero allowed himself to relax and enjoy her soft attentions, lulled into lazing contentment right up until the moment her teeth nipped at the soft skin just beneath his jaw. 

He hissed his discomfort around the gag, at the tiny, sharp pinprick of pain amidst the warmth, and then there was another, and then another as she made her slow and unhurried way along his neck, one side, then the other. At the fleshy juncture that met the plane of his shoulder, she latched onto him in earnest, suckling gently through the sharp sting of her teeth, tongue flickering over the bruise she left behind as if to soothe. 

Nero did not need a looking-glass to know what he would see: violet-red marks blooming like flowers upon the canvas of his flesh from ears to the base of his throat, marks that would be clearly visible even above the high neckline of his work doublet. 

Violence thoroughly leashed beneath that soft and ladylike exterior, he thought, how very strangely apropos for a killer of gods. 

The thought set his nerves alight. Heat and tension flickered through his stomach, tightening like the bonds that held him trapped, and beneath it he felt the twitching of his cock, nudging against the barrier of his smalls with slowly escalating insistence. He exhaled through the corners of his mouth, his eyes fluttering shut for a handful of moments.

What she had traversed with fingertips she now traced more intimately, dragging the damp softness of her mouth over every sensitive spot she knew he had. Tiny bites across his collarbone, barely openmouthed kisses along his sternum that seemed to sear him with each touch of her lips, a saucy flicker of her tongue over a puckering aureole, and the maddening tickle of her hair trailing close behind, warm and golden as it tumbled over his chest. 

His limbs trembled as though he were - at thirty-four winters! - the callow schoolboy he had once been, breaths coming in quick and shallow sips through his nose by the time she pulled herself upright. 

Her fingertips traced the border of flesh and cloth just below his waist, ruffling the wiry curls that peeked slyly from the waistband of his smallclothes, her nails ghosting in light and careful strokes over the firm ridge of his erection through his smalls. Nero’s hips surged upwards, trying to find something, anything to grind against-- only to meet resistance in the flat of her palm pressed against his stomach. Gods damn it-

“If you can be a good boy and stay still for me,” she said, “then I’ll let you talk again.”

A stab of alarm curled through his gut when she moved back towards the bedside and turned away from him -- surely she would not be so brutal as to make good on her threat to stir him and leave him to suffer -- and then he felt the shimmy of the mattress, saw her hands at her hips as they slid down her flanks. She was not leaving but merely removing her smallclothes. 

He sucked in a soft breath through his nose. The heat below his waist had increased steadily with her teasing, and when her fingers brushed against his trapped cock in the process of reaching for his waistband he uttered stifled curses in Ilsabardian into his mouthful of silk, blunted nails digging into his palms enough to hurt. 

Forcing himself to still his hips while she worked the laces loose, while she tugged his smalls down his hips and freed his length from their confines, aching and heavy: that was a uniquely exquisite agony. 

She extended one of those lovely, powerful legs to straddle his waist so that she knelt astride him like a riding chocobo. Embarrassing as it was he couldn’t stifle the helpless groan he made at the sight of damp honey-gold curls hovering mere ilms above him, radiating palpable warmth. 

“Don’t move,” she whispered, and braced one hand upon the neatly carved edge of her headboard.

The other wrapped about his flushed and throbbing cock, adjusting the angle with achingly slow precision until the head nudged at her entrance. His eyes were open enough to see the intense focus on her face as she began to lower herself onto him, and in that same instant he was all but lost in the sensation of soft, wet heat enveloping his crown, a desperately desired friction that felt even more of a shock to the senses with his control wrested from him.

He observed her silent expression of bliss in open fascination: the slow backward tilt of her head, the delicate arch of her neck, her soft and breathy sigh, nails dragging light furrows into his flanks as she took him into herself. Sliding smoothly into liquid heat until he was swaddled in it, from base to tip. 

The sensation was almost enough to break his resolve. Almost---but not quite. 

Nero grunted against the gag that bound his tongue flat against the floor of his teeth, and his forearms twitched, the tug of his wrists insistent against the restraints of silk that bound them to the posts. But he remained still, bent his entire being on it, even as he wanted more than anything to move, to thrust, the very thing she had said she would not yet allow. 

At last she had settled carefully atop him, as soft and warm without as within, the plush curve of her rear cushioning her weight against his hips. She reached out to hook one index finger in the fabric and tug it free from his mouth, and he wasted no time in opening it.

"I am fairly certain," he began, his voice laden with sarcasm, “that this novel method of yours constitutes torture beneath imperial jurisdiction.”

"Don't be so dramatic."

He released a resigned sigh- a short, soft huff. "Sweetling," he said, plaintively. "You are cruel to me. Cruel."

"And you are altogether too accustomed to getting what you want when you want it." She kissed each corner of his mouth. "You willingly surrendered yourself to my tender mercies and I intend to enjoy every second of it." 

"Something tells me 'tender' might be debatable." 

"And you are quite clearly enjoying this."

"Perish the thought,” he smirked, though that too was quickly becoming an effort. Her hand left the headboard to stroke the planes of his torso, tracing lines of old scars and muscle, following the path of golden filament curls downwards to their joining at the base of his belly. 

"Perish nothing. I'll wager you dreamt about this plenty of times before we even met." Aurelia nipped at one of the bruise marks she’d left on him, and the resulting moan buzzed against her lips as they trailed down the column of his throat. "Nero tol Scaeva, the right hand of the Black Wolf, bound to the eikon-slayer's bedposts whilst she rides him-"

"Left."

She clenched around him, a rippling squeeze as thrilling as it was diabolically deliberate. “Hmm?”

"Left," his back arched like a shortbow strung too taut, knees flexing and heels digging into the mattress, "his left-hand man, darling, I'm left-handed-"

"Pedantic and filthy? Truly, I have won Garlemald's greatest prize." Her laugh was a whisper against his collarbone, laden with tolerant amusement. "Though I must allow that you are quite charming when you’re this desperate." 

"And I will neither confirm nor deny-" She rocked atop him with a thrust and his breath stuttered to a halt before he hissed out an oath, "-confirm nor deny the contents of my fantasies, no matter what you do to wring them out of me, you thrice-damned temptress." 

"Goodness, you are so complimentary tonight. Perhaps we ought do this more often- or at all."

"Let me move.”

“No.”

“So help me, I will chew through these," he cut himself off with a howl of growing exasperation when her teeth sank into a nipple, “buggered bits of godsdamned frippery if I must.”

"Will you? But say the word and I'll relent." She sat upright. The curve of her grin was teasing and triumphant. "Perhaps."

"You think to have me beg you for release?" 

She did not answer but instead set herself to work unlacing the neckline of the short undergarment she still wore. Though Nero was well aware it was a show for his benefit, he was unable to look away as she coaxed the knots to unbind and eased the leather strips through each opening. 

Once she had judged the laces loose enough, she grasped the hem with both hands and pulled her last article of clothing over her head in a single fluid motion. Muscles shifting in deceptively powerful thighs, the long waves of her hair curling in graceful honeyed patterns over smooth skin flushed and dewy with sweat, she leaned forward to brace her hands along either side of his torso. Gravity tilted the soft swell of her breasts forward in kind to slide over his chest: just enough of a taste of her to torment. 

"Once I've freed myself-" 

The threat died on his lips when her fingers tangled in the thick curls at his nape. He growled in frustration. "You won't."

"Don't tell me what I won't do." The grip on his hair tightened as if she were scruffing a kitten. "Aurelia, I will break this bloody bed," he hissed. "Do not tempt me."

“I suppose that is one way to get what you want." He'd hoped he might provoke her temper, give him an upper hand. Instead, Aurelia smiled at him, soft and winsome, her grip on his hair relaxing and her fingers descending to trace the shell of his ear. He stared at her, unable to maintain even playful belligerence in the face of this new distraction, feeling suddenly and unaccountably flustered. "You can also have what you want if you just ask me nicely."

“You mean if I debase myself enough to beg you for the privilege.”

"If you ask nicely," she stressed. "And say it like you mean it."

Nero was fairly certain he was in trouble. The sting of those bites and the sensation of his hair pulling against his scalp left him with far less care for his pride than he might otherwise have owned, and the near-glacial pace of her hips was quickly eroding what remained of his willpower. But he did nothing in half-measures and he was not going to give in without at least a token resistance. It simply wasn't in his nature.

"Dearest hero," he purred. He dipped his chin so that his lips brushed against hers and in the softest and most conciliatory voice he could muster, he whispered: "Make me."

The grin he gave her was the widest, most shameless, most infuriating, most insufferable he could possibly muster, and Aurelia---

Her answering smile was as bright and hard as an uncut diamond. 

Seven hells. He was definitely in trouble. 

Nero was bracing himself for some sort of retaliation - perhaps she would grasp another handful of his hair and pull, or bite, or deliver a blow to his flank - so when she instead rested her cheek upon his shoulder, lips gently nuzzling at his neck and hands stroking his sides in a light and careful caress, he was left at something of a loss.

"Are you certain?" she murmured. “You would rather fight me?”

That low and husky whisper jolted its way straight down his spine. 

Refusing to answer, he caught his lower lip between his teeth. Her lips drifted about his earlobe, and with a torturously slow roll of her hips, she drew it into her mouth and tugged with the barest scrape of her teeth before releasing him. A groan welled deep within his gut, made almost nasal by its escape from the depths of his throat. Her nails scraped over his stomach, just enough to raise gooseflesh as they drifted down to his hipbones, then inward until her fingertips stopped at the space where they joined.

There was nowhere left for them to wander, and he grit his teeth when she circled the base of his cock with index finger and thumb in slow strokes.

"Well, 'tis a terrible shame you can't bring yourself to be aught besides stubborn." She was touching herself now; her fingers trailed over the folds that had spread open to accommodate him and kept moving until the heel of her palm rested perhaps an ilm below her navel. Her index and middle fingers curled in, very gently- once again, just enough to tantalize him, to torment. "I could force you to lie there and watch me pleasure myself- if that is really what you'd prefer."

"Aurelia," he began, wetting his dry lips with the tip of his tongue. 

She said nothing, only smiled. Sweat rolled down his temples from the crushing effort he exerted to not only remain still beneath her ministrations but to appear unaffected by them. It was a fight he knew full well he was losing; when she leaned toward him again it was like watching a hunter approaching to see what fantastic creature she had caught in her snare.

Her other hand trailed a fair expanse of collarbone and shoulder, bruise-mottled and flushed, paused at the soft hollow of his throat, then carefully wrapped about his neck. She applied no pressure, but her thumb tracked in idle lines over the rhythmic throb of his jugular. 

She might as well have squeezed, in truth. The sound that emerged from his own mouth was something strangled and desperate, and on its heels before he could stop himself-

"Please-"

-came surrender. 

Nero swallowed, the sound a very audible click. A large part of him was mortified at just how quickly he'd acquiesced to her teasing the moment she’d dared to grip him thus, but he was painfully hard and he was trying not to think about how much of it was directly related to that soft hand and the remembered warmth of it as she closed it around his throat.

Movement along his neck at last: her hand, sliding back into his hair. He felt something akin to disappointment before she gave the curls at his nape a cheeky little tug.

"You have permission to move," she whispered.

His soft sigh was the only warning she received before he flexed his legs just enough to brace his feet for traction and bucked. 

The sharp upwards thrust tore a high-pitched cry from her lips. She released her hold on his hair when the motion unbalanced her, slamming the flat of her palm back against the headboard hard enough that they both winced at the cracking sound of its impact. He gave her exactly enough time to regain her balance before he repeated the movement, and she doubled over, tucking her head beneath his chin. A third repetition, a fourth, a fifth: slow and savage thrusts that left her writhing atop him.

Unable to resist the opportunity to tease even through the haze of his own lust, Nero grinned at her.

"Lost control of your steed, have you?"

Rebuttal took the form of a fierce kiss, one he accepted with a low and greedy moan into her mouth. When she relinquished him to take air, her mouth damp and slightly swollen, her dark violet-blue eyes shone with that hard, determined expression he secretly so loved to see.

"If a racing chocobo cannot unseat me, tribunus," she breathed, panting audibly, "I harbor serious doubts that you will fare better."

"I have put that particular chapter of my life behind me. That said, if you mean to have me put your riding skills through their paces," his smile took on a feral cat's curl, "I am told my testing methodologies trend towards the rigorous."

His motions eased as he taunted her, just enough to savor his riposte; it wasn't as though he were entirely in possession of his faculties, after all. 

Aurelia took only a moment to consider her response before she lifted her hips perhaps an ilm or so; he clenched his teeth at the friction of it. Honey-blonde hair draped about his face like a curtain as she loomed over him, ragged breaths fanning against his brow with each shallow inhale and exhale. There was the slightest pressure of her lips just along the lower rim of his third eye: a tiny kiss that was sweet and almost maidenly, at stark odds with the deep rosy flush that had settled into her skin.

Her other hand abandoned its ministrations to trace the expanse of upper chest and collarbone--fingers damp with her slick, but almost unnoticeable with the heat and sweat that clung to them both-- until he felt light and careful pressure once more, the sensation of her palm stroking softly from ear to shoulder. It felt as though he had invited a predator in heat to brace its maw about his neck, either to claim him as her mate or to crush his trachea beneath her bite.

His breath stilled for that one moment, trembling and trapped, and the smile the eikon-slayer bestowed upon him was incandescent.

"Well," she whispered, "one can only hope."

Her thighs clenched to hold herself fast against him, knees digging firmly into his ribs as she met his thrusts with a roll of her hips-- moving with him so that she would not harm him, he realized (that quip about racing chocobos had been no idle jest, it seemed). The bedposts made an alarming cracking sound, but the bonds held fast despite the tension.

His hands clenched into fists so taut that his knuckles went white and his forearms strained; he wanted her to make good on that promise, wanted to feel her fingers closing around his throat- 

His next words seemed to wrest themselves free of his lips of their own accord. He wasn't actually certain she'd heard his request at first until, without stilling the motion of her hips against his, she adjusted her stance.

Her hand grasped the curved outer edge of the headboard she'd carved for purchase until her weight rested against the forearm she had braced against the stained rosewood, slim shoulders rising and dropped with shallow breaths, flushed the same lovely rose as her cheeks as she peered down at him.

"Nero, I don't-" a particularly deep thrust wrenched a stifled whimper from her lips and her reflexive clench knocked the breath from his lungs in a glorious gut punch, an echo of that earlier thrill, "I don't want to hurt you-"

"You won't." The warmth of her touch, the weight of battle-calloused fingers and palm, threatened to slip away with her hesitation. He didn't want her to be gentle. Not right now. "I promise."

Doubt lingered in her eyes but she leaned towards him. Golden hair fell forward in a soft shower, the shining locks loose and curling from the heat between them, space somehow silent and filled all at once as she sighed--

--and relented. Her thumb rolled over his pulse, carefully applying pressure. 

The engineer's breath escaped him in a harsh and painful gasp.

Fingers closing about the straps of cloth that bound them to her bedposts, he strained and writhed beneath her, reveling within the twin cages of her hand about his throat and her cunt about his length. His hips snapped forward and up in rapid strokes, renewing and increasing his pace, seeking end in whatever form it might take.

Starbursts of color prickled at the periphery of his vision, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. He was acutely aware of his heartbeat, throbbing through the length of his body from his compressed throat to the engorged tip of his cock, the sound of it muffled and distant as though he were underwater. His prize was the most intense orgasm of his life; the wager against it, his mortality. It was both terrifying and exhilarating. 

As the heat and pressure ratcheted upwards, self-inflicted strangulation coiling into the tension of approaching ecstasy, he felt increasingly certain that one of two things would happen: either he would lose consciousness or simply expire betwixt the eikon-slayer's thighs. Coming and dying at the same time. 

Well, Scaeva, you could certainly choose worse ways to go, he thought. 

A choked laugh sputtered past his lips but he had no time to give the matter either regret or further consideration. Liquid fire seemed to settle into the base of his spine and sear itself into his bones like a branding iron. His entire being was consumed by mindless sensation, a tempering with a single base purpose, and cogent thought failed against it.

Moments later her constriction eased just enough to relieve the growing ache in his chest. Climax and relief came so close on the heels of each other that time itself seemed to collapse inward; he could not tell where one ended and the other began. The scrape of air against the burning brand of his throat faltered, stuttered into a cracked and desperate moan at the same instant he felt the heat of his own release spilling into the grasp of slick heat and smooth muscle. 

His vision faded to black at the edges for long moments and his pulse throbbed through his temples, and he kept moving, the motion of his hips slowing by increments into eventual stillness as euphoria began to fade, heat and sensitivity bordering upon overstimulation.

Nero could perceive the withdrawal of her palm from its place about his throat, the trail of her fingertips at their ingress, the impression of movement just above. Her knuckles brushed slick flesh and the wiry hairs at his base and on the edge of consciousness he felt her shudder, thighs rigid and shaking; she cried out wordlessly and her fingers stilled. He groaned as she spasmed around him.

For some few moments the pair were locked in exhausted stasis; the only sound that passed was inhale and exhale, hot and labored. 

Her hands returned to the back of his neck and then his wrists, one at a time, tugging and plucking, and he realized she was loosening his bonds. His arms fell limp and half-numbed to the sheets as she gathered the silk and discarded it somewhere between the bed and the side table. He managed to summon enough strength to move a few ilms, then grimaced at the protesting ache in his shoulders and the overflow that had made it onto his hips and belly and into the sheets.

"Stay there," Aurelia panted, sounding as broken as he felt, "stay there, just let me-"

She braced her weight one last time against the headboard and eased herself up to roll her weight out of the low-slung cradle of his hips and onto the mattress, fingers clasped securely between her legs as she did so in a valiant (but ultimately futile) effort to contain. Nero happened to catch her eye right as she made the exact same face he did - a wince that was somewhere between discomfort and distaste - and laughed weakly. 

Aurelia blinked at him in momentary confusion, then her expression eased into a rueful, rather embarrassed smile. 

"...I can't bloody believe I did that."

"Well," he ran a hand through sweat-soaked curls, "I did ask you for it."

His smile, largely unrepentant, lingered as she exhaled with a deep heave of her chest and reached for the pitcher on the side table. "I was worried I might have hurt you. I could have hurt you."

"But you didn't." There was no response, only the sound of pouring water. He leveraged his weight onto his elbows to try and sit up and was shocked at how much effort that single act required. "However, point taken. Discussion later when we're both a bit less scrambled?"

"Agreed. Here, drink this."

He felt the warm whisper of her breath on his cheek and a brief press of her lips before the tin cup was pushed gently into his nearest hand. The water was cold and clean and tasted sweet. He swallowed slowly, letting it ease the rawness of his throat. 

She poured water into the small bowl on the table and wrung out a hand-towel and Nero watched her face as she tended to herself before selecting a second cloth to do the same for him. Her expression was once again calm and pensive, though her flush remained, her hair softly disheveled. Ignoring the ache in his arm he reached up to tuck a damp forelock out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear.

"Do you think," she began, then caught herself, "Never mind."

"Hm? No, go on."

The wet cloth idled upon the mild rise of his hipbone at his encouragement. Her cheeks seemed to bloom almost crimson with self-consciousness, dark blue gaze listing towards the edge of her pillow before shyly flickering upwards to meet his own periwinkle blue in a half-lidded, hesitant little smile that should not have felt so appealing as it did, not so soon- and then she said:

"....I, ah. I think I would not... be entirely opposed to doing this again sometime. If you like."

"As chance has it, I think I would very much like." His eyes drooped shut. Seven hells, he was actually worn out. "...some other time."

She let out a small chuckle and kissed him again, ruffling his hair as she did so. Nero felt the weight on the mattress bounce slightly as she slid off the edge and onto the floor.

"Where are you going?"

"To powder my nose." Aurelia bent over and snatched a piece of cloth off the floor. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

She slipped past the partition; he could hear the weight of her footfalls as she climbed the stairs. Wearily he shut his eyes again, telling himself it was only for a moment or two. He didn't realize he had lapsed into a doze until a hand tapped his shoulder and he saw her standing there wearing nothing but the oversized drape of his shirt. She held a large plate in her hands. 

"I realized I was hungry and I thought you might be too," she said, smiling. "Sliced sourdough with Thanalan goat cheese. And those fig preserves I put up last week."

"...We're going to get crumbs all over the sheets, you know."

"That's for future me to worry about. Come on, sit up."

Nero did, leaning back against the pile of pillows, and found the plate shoved into his hands while she crawled back onto the mattress and flopped comfortably next to him with a tomestone in one hand. He set the plate on his thighs, tossed an arm around her shoulders, and selected one of the slices she'd laid out as she curled against his chest. They ate in companionable silence as she flipped through the contents of the tome with her thumb. 

"What's that?" he said around a mouthful of bread, cheese, and sweet fig. After their recent exertions, it tasted ambrosial. "Don't think I've seen this type of stone before."

"An 'irregular' tomestone, whatever that's supposed to be. I thought since I happen to have one of the most brilliant engineering minds of the current age at my disposal, he might be persuaded to stay in bed with me and sift through some really choice Allagan data. What do you say?"

"My, eikon-slayer," he drawled, "but you are cold when it suits you. Tying a man to your bed just to use him for his translation services?"

She cast a coy little smirk over one shoulder. 

"I had to tempt you to stay somehow."  

"A most unorthodox approach - if one to which I find myself quite reconciled. Did you make Garlond the same offer?"

"...I see that near-asphyxiation has done naught to lessen your cheek." She tweaked his ear, then rocked forward on her knees to reach for the empty plate. By some miracle, only a few crumbs had made it onto the coverlet. "You're using me for my wine cellar. I'd say it's a fair exchange."

"Then the answer is no, I assume?"  

"Answer?"

"You did not, in fact, make the same offer to Garlond."

Aurelia scoffed, turning her back to reach over the washbasin, and set the plate down in the open space on the far side. "Obviously not."

"Ha! Then you admit you think me the expert."

"Cid would have translated it for free," she let out a loud and very unladylike yelp of laughter when his arms wrapped around her middle and dragged her across his thighs, "Wait, Nero, wait-"

"We have discussed these bloody comparisons of yours before-"

" 'Twas a jest!" Aurelia managed between helpless, girlish snickers, squirming beneath the arm that pinned her and the fingers that mercilessly tickled her sides. "Seven hells, that could not have had a more perfect outcome had I contrived-"

"Surely you didn't think you were going to get away with that, you little minx."

Rather than offer further resistance to continue their tussle, she rolled beneath the press of his hand onto her back, arms draped gracefully over her head. The high ruffled neck of his doublet undershirt was unlaced and the open neckline plunged towards the edge of her sternum, hem rucked up far enough by their wrestling that it brushed the outer curve of her breasts in a way that kept catching his eye. 

His scowl eased and his hands stilled, and Aurelia saw she’d successfully disarmed him. 

"Actually," she grinned and tugged upon that single untameable forelock, curling it around her finger as her other hand circled about the nape of his neck, "I had rather hoped that I would not."

She coaxed him to close the distance. Her smile was as bright and unwavering as the sun. Another defeat at the eikon-slayer’s hands, he thought-- but hardly one he minded overmuch. 

Battles like this one, after all, were well worth the loss.

[xzhonglis]

Never Meant to Be

Characters: Angela Ziegler, Reaper/Gabriel Reyes, Genji Shimada, Tracer/Lena Oxton, Widowmaker

Summary: Takes place during a raid of an Overwatch base with Mercy being caught in it. She crosses paths with Reaper and chaos follows. 

Rating: T for mentions of blood

Categories: angst, hurt

The air was thick with smoke, falling debris and ash littering the ground as explosions rocked the normally peaceful atmosphere. Her normally stark white and vibrant orange suit was dimmed by the soot covering her from head to toe, the headpiece of her biotic scanner having been broken by a rock. The attack on their base had been unpredicted but very calculated by Talon making her wonder if there had been an undercover agent in their midst. There was no way someone could have walked in and simply set the bombs off, it made no sense. They were very thorough in their routine security checks… Or so she thought. 

With a grimace, Angela continued on, hand grasping her bloodied shoulder. Honestly, she would have gotten out sooner but being her, she did her best to do a sweep of the crumbling building, digging through rubble or administering aid when possible. It’s just who she was. Nearly tripping over what was left of a pillar, the medic caught herself with a steady hand on the wall. From where she was in the building, she could see the dozens of Overwatch agents fleeing the building, relief immediately flooding her body. Good, they’d made it… It was now time for her to evacuate. Hopefully the team had done the same, but Angela knew they were capable of taking care of themselves--well, most of the time anyway. Righting herself, the blonde doctor continued the descent down to the first floor, her steps lighter than they had been before. She would make it, they all would. Talon may have destroyed their base, but not their spirit. 

Nearing the base of the stairs, Angela heard heavy footsteps causing her to pause momentarily and listen. From the way it sounded, they were very close and she vaguely wondered if they were in trouble or trying to escape the building just as she was. Rounding the corner and entering the room, she froze in her tracks. Blue eyes would widen in shock, hand lifting to cover pale pale lips. It was as if Death himself was standing before her, the bone mask sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. Her intrusion did not go unnoticed, the dark hooded figure now giving her his full attention. An inclination of his head caused her to step back, the air suddenly turning cold and tense between them. 

“Reaper,” she whispered, heart pounding in her chest. Was he the one behind the attack? All evidence seemed to point towards him, yet something was off. Why attack a small base? Why not the main building? 

A deep chuckle was her response, the sound reverberating in her bones, “Mercy.” 

This was not good. Angela knew various Overwatch agents were on Talon’s list but she did not expect to be cornered so easily or be so alone, so vulnerable. “What are you doing here?” The answer was obvious, but she decided to tread the waters anyway. Even though her voice was soft, she stood firm, eyes never leaving him.

“You tell me, Doc.” It was more of a rhetorical question but the answer itself seemed to stop time. She hadn’t been called that since… Since…

No.

“What… What did you just call me?” That can’t be right. The only one who called her that is dead, has been for years and yet… His silence only confirmed her suspicions, Death seemingly toying with her. It was almost as if he was amused by the predicament as he stood with his arms crossed beneath his chest. 

“Gabriel…? No, it can’t be,” her voice would trail off then, pale orbs filling with sorrow. A dam that she had desperately trying to build was suddenly burst open, emotions racking her frail frame. He was supposed to be dead, they had a burial for him, they mourned him, her heart was broken over him. “You’re not him,” Angela whispered, her mind frantically trying to put up what defenses it could.

“I’m not? Is it because I’m a monster? A monster you helped create?” Reaper’s voice was dark, a certain rage lying underneath the calm exterior. He took a step forward, nearly towering over her then. 

A shaky hand immediately flew to her pistol, breath hitching in her throat. “Helped create? I’m not sure I understand?” In all honesty, Angela didn’t understand. How could she have created something so dark and unearthly? In his close proximity, she could smell death and decay rolling off of him in waves, the severity of it nearly causing her to gag. 

“You don’t remember? You don’t remember calling out, falling to your hands and knees, digging through countless amounts of rubble until your hands were bleeding and you were exhausted? Don’t remember trying to resurrect a dead man even though there was nothing left of the physical body? I guess there are limits when it comes to playing God.” His words were like venom, stinging her very core, each word causing her to wince. During his verbatim, Reaper had made his way into her space, close enough she could reach out and touch him if she so wished. 

In that moment, all traces of doubt were gone, it was him. No one knew what she had been through that day and to hear it brought up so plainly tore at her, blue eyes misting over with tears. “Gabriel, I’m… I didn’t know how it would affect you but I had to try… I had to try to save you. I needed to save you.” Having lost so much that day, Angela couldn’t bear to lose someone else, especially someone close to her. She gave her all and then some to bring him back, working tirelessly until the point of exhaustion and someone physically pulling her away from the scene. Perhaps she had been selfish in her ideals but at that point during the crisis, she felt as though she needed to prove that she could save someone, to prove herself as worthy in holding the passage of life or death in her hands. The other underlying factor was that while they hadn’t agreed on everything in the organization, Angela respected Gabriel as an officer and as a man. He was a close friend and often lent an ear when she complained about Jack Morrison’s running of Overwatch or just listened to her incessant ramblings of nanobiotics and various subjects. It also didn’t go unnoticed by the young doctor that her heart would flutter in her chest at the very mention of his name. 

“It would have been better for us both if you hadn’t tried,” his raspy voice brought her back to reality, hollow eyes staring into her own. 

The implication of his words hit her like a ton of bricks, her medical instincts taking over. “Are you in pain? Why do you hide behind a mask?” Forgoing any warnings her brain was throwing her, Angela reached up to place a hand on his mask but was promptly stopped, clawed fingers gripping her wrist. 

“Rather bold of you, Doc, when moments ago you were trembling in my presence,” Reaper sounded amused then, a deep rumble vibrating in his chest. While his grip on her wasn’t crushing, it was firm enough to where she couldn’t escape his grasp. 

“I just want to know what’s been done to you, I could maybe reverse it and you wouldn’t have to worry about… About this.” The blonde nodded towards his face, worry etched in her features. If she had caused such damage, it was probable she could fix it, right? Even if it took time, modifications to the nanobiotics, she’d try. 

“The damage is done.” Dropping her wrist, Reaper stepped back, looking off to the side, studying the broken glass of the window. 

Just as she was about to speak, a hand pressed against where his ear would have been, as if he was receiving something across comms. 

Isn’t she a target, Reaper? Either you shoot, or I will. We’ve overstayed our welcome.

Drawing a shotgun, he levelled it at her, no sign of remorse or emotion as he stood there. Time stood still now, the two of them engaged in a stare down. Who would move first? Or, who would break first? 

Pursing her lips, Angela stood tall, eyes glossing over once more. This was their reality now and they were on opposite sides. They’d never be able to regain the time they’ve lost or rekindle what they once had. Those were the thoughts that hurt her the most. Why had it turned out this way? This brought about all new heartache that was so deep, she clutched the front of her Valkyrie suit. 

In a moment’s hesitation, a shot was fired, but not from his own weapon, the sound echoing off the walls around them before a flash of green was in front of her, the sound of metal clashing causing her to flinch. The bullet was deflected into Reaper, causing him to hiss in pain before using his wraith form to escape the room.

“Angela!” The cybernetic ninja landed before her, sword drawn at the ready. “Are you alright?” 

“G-Genji?” Her voice broke then, Angela aware of how exhausted she truly was as she wobbled on unsteady legs. “I’m fine, but we should get out of here, it’s unsafe.”

“Everyone else is out, we were worried when you didn’t make it to evac. Can you make it?” Scanning her for injuries, Genji noted her bloody and now bruising shoulder and broken halo but other than minor scrapes and cuts, she was mostly fine. 

With a nod of her head, Angela gave him a weak smile, “I think so. Thank you, Genji.” 

Hesitating a moment as if he didn’t believe her, Genji responded with a nod of his own, “Very well.”

It only took them a few steps before Genji realized that she, in fact, could not make it on her own. Fatigue had begun to settle in her bones, her gaze hazy and her breathing uneven. Stopping, he crouched before her, causing her to nearly stumble over him due to her lack of attention. “Get on, it’ll take less time to make it out of here.”

“Genji, there’s no need for this, I am perfectly fi--” 

“Angela, you’re not. I can see it and you know it. Now,” motioning once more for her to get on his back, he waited, not saying another word. 

With an apologetic look, she gingerly placed herself on his back, hands around his neck as his hands hooked under her legs. “I’m sorry, Genji…” 

Humming in response, Genji stood, surveying the area for any threats before continuing toward their destination. “You should have been more careful. You could have really gotten hurt or worse--” His words fell on deaf ears having noticed that she was asleep, her breathing evening out against his back. Shifting his hold on her to make her more comfortable, the ninja shook his head, wondering what he was going to do with her. Angela never ceased to amaze him. 

Arriving at the makeshift medbay, he was met with an exuberant Tracer who was throwing too many questions at him before he could even respond to the first one, most of them being about the injured woman on his back. “Tracer, I know just as much as you do at the moment but Ang-- Mercy needs to rest. She was with Reaper when I found her.” 

“Do you think he did this to her? He’s lucky I hadn’t found him first! Poor doc, I hope she pulls through it okay!” Letting his slip up go, Tracer frowned at the sight of her.

“I’m sure she will, she’s one of the strongest people I know.” With the help of the former Cadet, they were able to lay Angela down fairly easily without waking her, stepping aside to let other medics tend to her injuries. While they were both anxious and worried, there was nothing they could do but wait for her to wake and fill them in on what happened. 

Unheard by Tracer, Genji whispered, “Please be okay, Angela…”