#vulgora x mc

[cut3sy-baphom3t]

oh god can i ask for Mc having a date with Vulgora? (if you have time and want of course) i love how you write btw!!

Why yes of course you may!! I'm a little rusty, so forgive me 😘

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

Vulgora stood outside of MC's living quarters, tapping their toes on the marble floor impatiently. Every now and again, they'd hear movement that sounded like their lovely partner was walking towards the door. But no. Once again, mc is taking forever in their pursuit to look "perfect" for their date with the explosive warlord.

Their first date was incredible, but it didn't start out that way. You see, it all started with bread.

----------first date incoming----------

Mc was having a very nice day. They awoke to gently sun rays and birds and a soft warm wind. They then had a delicious breakfast and a relaxing conversation with Asra, who somehow didn't turn the toast to ash or an icecube. Don't ask. Not even Asra knows, in all their infinite wisdom.

Next was a walk to the market to buy a loaf fresh, sweet, mouthwatering, perfect pumpkin bread. Mc had been looking forward to this all week! They had a few extra bucks to spend after paying rent... Asra.

There it was! The break maker and the pumpkin bread and the no lines! Mc made a beeline for the counter. They were a magician on a mission!

But of course Someone just HAD to be running right towards them.

I'm sorry, Running?

Yeah. No.

Vulgora was flooring it, throwing people and obstacles this way and that! They, too, were on a mission. Valdemar, in a desperate attempt to get Vulgora out of they're hair (horns?) bet Vulgora that they didn't have the "fortitude" to confess their feeling for mc and ask them on a date.

Oh, Valdemar... On bread day? It had to be on bread day?!

Mc heard the commotion and turned to see what was up, only to come face to face. Toe to toe. Eye to eye. Nose to nose with Pontifex Vulgora. They were red in the face and their gauntlets were emitting a shivering sound. Vulgora was producing a chittering noise as they stared into the eyes of their greatest battle yet.

Being emotionally vulnerable.

"MC! I-"

"It's bread day."

"Okay.. BUT LISTEN I-"

"...It. Is. Bread day. There is now a LINE for the bread... You have prevented me from getting MY pumpkin bread on BREAD day..."

Vulgora was very confused. " It's just... Bread. Right?

Mc moved in close, "I CHERISH this bread. I will FIGHT for this bread... I stayed awake and did extra readings so I could PAY for this bread." They pulled out their deck of magic cards. "I haven't slept in THREE. DAYS. For this bread. NO IT ISN'T JUST BREAD! HOW FUCKING D A R E YOU CALL THIS PUMPKIN BREAD JUST BREAD!"

Vulgora paused, fighting the urge to lean forward and kiss this bread maniac at their most beautiful After a moment they took a deep breath and yelled out, "I WILL KILL ANYONE WHO GETS IN THE WAY OF ME BUYING MY DATE BREAD!"

The crowd dispersed and Vulgora stomped up to the shaking baker man. "C-can I h-help you?"

"PUMPKIN BREAD! NOW OLD MAN! THIS IS A TIME SENSITIVE ORDER!" Three loaves of pumpkin bread we're instantly thrown into the pontifex's hands and the bread maker stated, full of fear albeit, that they were on the house.

Vulgora stomped back to mc and shoved one of the loaves into their arms.

Mc looked surprised and confused, "Date?" Is all they could manage to spit out before Vulgora grabbed their hand and began dragging them off in the direction of the colosseum.

"DATE. NOW." Vulgora's face was even redder than before, if that's possible. A couple plague beetles crawled out of the gauntlets, annoyed by the sudden shaking and shivering of the shiny metal.

Soon they were at the colosseum and mc was panting, hands on their knees, from trying their best to keep up with their manic kidnapper. Once mc regained their breath, they stood straight with the fullest intention of scolding Vulgora for making them and dropping one of the loaves. But the anger fell quickly.

They were eyeing Vulgora, who was awkwardly extending their hand towards mc with their gauntlets holding a loaf of pumpkin bread in a vice grip, averting their golden gaze towards the stands. Vulgora began to mumble.

"Wergoinonuhdaynuw."

"... What?"

"WergoinonuhDAYNUH!"

"SPEAK UP DAMN IT!"

"WE'RE GOING ON A DATE NOW! OKAY?! SO! YEAH, DEAL WITH IT, BREAD FREAK!"

Mc was flabbergasted. Not because of Vulgora 'asking' them on a date, but because Vulgora was so shy, so insecure about it.

Mc's cheeks began to burn as they took the loaf and broke it in half, giving one side to their date/kidnapper. "Ya know, if you wanted to go on a date, I would have said yes regardless. Thank you for the pumpkin bread though! No lines are best lines!" Mc giggled and took a bite of the sweet, prophecized, blessed, perfectly baked pumpkin bread, immediately 'mmm'ing and 'its so fucking good'ing.

Vulgora watched, in absolute awe. Mc would have gone with them willingly? How can they be so calm about it? Aren't they scared? Did they want to go on a date? Is Vulgora gonna smash?

But all those questions disappeared when mc opened their eyes and smiled so happily at the pontifex, making their way over and kissing their cheek. "This is very sweet, Vulgora. What did you want to do on our date?" Without missing a beat, Vulgora grabbed mc and hugged them with surprising gentleness, giving them a tight squeeze before go.

"I'm gonna give you the grand tour of my armory!" They announced proudly, chest puffed and throat chittering.

"Sounds like fun! You'll have to tell me everything about them and all their stories!"

To say Vulgora was relieved would be a massive understatement. Not only were they relieved, but they were incredibly excited to show off for an audience that seemed even more excited than they did!

Thank you Valdemar, for being annoyed with Vulgora and making this bet.

[angeledeggs]

Would you write something about MC being railed by the Courtiers in their demon form (and how we convince them to rail us in the first place) Thank Chu!!

I would 😂 thanks for the request! <3

Valerius🍷:

Probs a bit concerned for you at first, I mean... You're really into that?

Well, he's not shaming. After all, he is a bit charmed by the fact that you're attracted to him at all, even in his demon form.

If he ever realizes you want to get railed in his demon form (or if you tell him), he'll probably have to think about it for awhile.

After all, he doesn't want to accidentally hurt you with his claws or teeth or anything. And he is a bit self conscious of his demon form, anyways.

But he does, admittedly, get more confident when he finally notices the way you look at him in his demon form one day. He gets very.. confident, so to speak. Maybe a bit too confident.

Maybe just confident enough to push you onto the counter and bust your back out.

Or not. Who knows. He probably just keeps drinking his wine and chilling, like always. But if you keep looking at him like that-- he is going to go insane.

After a few more moments of you just looking at him in such a way, he dosent need convincing in the slightest. He would kill to get you under him at this point.

And that's exactly what he does.

Vlastomil🐛:

Probably extremely oblivious about it and will stay that way unless you come out and say it. And when you do (or if he figures it out on his own, then in that case, props to him.) he is absolutely SHOOK.

I mean, he's just giving you his dead stare and is like, "pardon me?". He already doesn't think of himself as quite desirable even in his human form cause of his age but like him in--

,,his demon form??

He doesn't know whether to be horrified or aroused.

Probably a bit of both, really.

He keeps trying to confirm it, like, "are you sure, my love?? you've seen me in my demon form, yes? I literally get covered in slime and grow a few feet taller---"

And when it finally sinks in that, oh, you really are into it, he gets much too confident about it. It's like a switch has been flipped or something, cuz he's immediately teasing you and getting you worked up just cause he knows now that you're into it.

Like Valerius, he dosent need much convincing to completely wreck you until the sun falls and rises, I mean, if you want it so bad, who is he to deny you?

Valdemar💉:

They're practically always in their demon form (or at least pretty close to it) so don't think that they don't happen to notice the way your gaze lingers on them.

Of course they'd love to get the chance to give you what you need, but they don't want to make it that easy for you.

After all, what good is a reward without a little work?

But you don't really say anything about it. But Valdemar knows that you want them. And so they finally decide to take matters into their own hands.

They put you to work in their dungeons for hours, knowing you'll do it for them. They feel a bit bad when it's dark and you're just finishing up, so they grab you by the shoulders and lead you away from the work.

They savor the silence before they speak, their body shaking slightly before they lean down and whisper to you. "May I?"

In the end, they don't need much convincing when you're there in front of them, looking so easy to make a delicious mess out of.

Volta🍰:

Like Vlastomil, she's probably going to not even notice that you're attracted to her demon form for a while.

Like, a while.

And then one day, she just realizes it right when you were about to tell her and she is... Shocked, for lack of a better term.

She dosent quite like the way she looks in her demon form. She dosent have much control over it though and while the pain stopped long ago, she knows the bones that snap out of her skin and the melting bits of her flesh might not be that attractive.

But you like it? You think it's hot?

She's... Flattered, really.

Probably doesn't need too much convincing. Like, as long as you reassure her that her sharp bones probably won't poke you and that you don't mind the melty bits of her skin, she is completely down to fuck you.

She kind of thinks you deserve it, anyway, for being so cute.

Vulgora⚔️:

Knows that you think their demon form is hot, but they won't do a damn thing unless you say it.

After all, they want to hear you say it.

They will definitely act smug when you finally say it. If you're very shy and just insinuate it, they'll take that too. Their endgame is to give you what you want, anyways

They definitely don't need an ego boost with how self confident they are, but it definitely gives them one anyway knowing that you think their demon form is hot.

Oh, but they're not gonna just come out and fuck you without you asking them to.

And even if you do, they'll be all sly about it, like, "ohh, i don't know, should i?" And they'll only stop when they see you getting frustrated.

They're giving you what you want in the end when they toss you on the bed and their bones snap into much taller, unnatural forms.

They just needed you to convince them, really.

(or not).

❀

[glamourgirl777]

What Dating The Courtiers Would Be Like ☆

(This is my personal opinion) (also feel free to send any requests abt the courtiers or the main 6)

Volta

My baby volta is new to all this so your gonna have to communicate your feelings HEAVILY.

Volta is very clingy so expect to have her attached to your hip 24/7.

Unless there's food somewhere else you ain't getting rid of her.

Vlastomil

If you so happen to find yourself dating this wormy man I would think that it could be very hard to capture his attention unless your talking about worms or palace gossip.

If you want something from him or want to talk to him dropping him subtle hints won't work at all. You'll have to tell him upfront.

Though I don't think his lack of interest in your day to day life comes from a place of malice.

it's just he's so consumed in his wormy activities that everything else goes over his head. To make the relationship work you'll both need to communicate HEAVILYYYYYYYYYY.

Vulgora

Vulgora would be really REALLY protective (maybe bordering on toxic....)

I feel like they would either be extremely affectionate with you anywhere and everywhere or be extremely reserved with their affections until behind closed doors.

Though since you captured the pontifex's attention you must be one hell of a fighter which makes them hold you in the highest regard.🤭

Vlademar

When you two first started pursuing eachother seriously I think that vlademar would love to give you very subtle acts of affection in public just to watch you squirm and get flustered.

Be prepared to have them DOTE on your health.

I also think that instead of "traditional" gifts vlademar would most likely give you cute but very morbid poems about their love for you.

Valerius

Despite how little I know about his character I just know that this man would be A MASSIVE tsundere.

He wouldn't be open with his affections until atleast a year into dating you but he would make sure that you know he loves you. (That one doesn't make sense but yk valerius doesn't make any sense either)

Also be prepared for alot of extremely drunk confessions that he will heavily regret in the morning.

[pandemoniclucio]

How do you think the courtiers would react to an MC who they’ve known for ages, like they grew up together and married young so they know almost everything about each other?

MC has known them before the devil came into the photo and they are very understanding of the courtiers more ‘questionable’ habits, hobbies and personalities.

(Sorry for the long ask but I saw a similar ask and thought it was intriguing, you don’t have to do vasimol if you don’t want too idm xxx)

The Arcana Courtier HC's #1

For this I'm just gonig with the assumption that the MC doesn't have a demon form or any implications to their immortality.

Valdemar

Don't ask me what you saw in them but let me just say they weren't as creepy as they are now. Maybe that's what drew you to them & caused your marriage to them.

You always knew that your partner had a taste for the more medical & somewhat morbid so you decided that you'd help them by using there skills to make a profit.

You were unsurprised that they eventually made a deal with the Devil, it made sense since they were hunugry to figure out all sorts of diseases.

When you reach Vesuvia after they get hired, you have to keep them & their experiments in check and make sure the doctors working under them don't see anything they shouldn't.

You both ended up in the realm of the Arcana after the Devil was defeated, but were contempt.

Valerius

You two knew from a young age that you were in an arraged marriage, but that just made everything more convientient, cause you fell hard for this beatiful drunkard.

You both were happy that he got the job of Consul but you knew the moment Nadia went asleep that he was aiming higher than expected.

Politics was a tricky game, so knowing that Val is a bit of a selfish prick, you made sure that he & the other courtiers didn't completely fuck up Vesuvia.

He did consult you on his upcoming business venture with the Devil, you did warm him about the consequences but supproted him even if you were opposed.

When he was released from the Devil's magic, you've never been more relieved and happy but before you could admit any of that you did give him a scolding.

Vlastomil

Somehow, centuries ago, you managed to snag the man's attention away from worms and marry him. Despite his love of worms, he has a deeper love for you.

Although he was a reknowned wormoligist, you were the one making sure that you had the coin to continue a life of some luxury. You were both happy either way.

You were sceptic when he told you about making a deal with the Devil. You supported him regardless, since it ment you no longer had to worry about other things anymore.

When the M7 saved the day and beat the Devil, he returned to his human form you were happy, since it ment the worm problem would die down.

Volta

Despite the fact that you were both poverty stricken and starved, you both managed to find some light in the darkness with each other and eloped.

The deal with the Devil was a double edged sword, you both got immortality and power but at the cost of Volta never being satisfied, but it got you both out of your terrible situation.

When you both reached Vesuvia, you actually convinved her to take thr job of sniffing out the foods for the plagye, this landed in her getting hired & you living a relatively good lifestyle.

When she was finallly released from the Devil's magic, you two finally enjoyed your dream wedding without any interuptions.

Vulgura

You must be either just as bad if not more war hungry than this crabby gremlin, or had some form of bloodlust in you that they admired enough to marry you let alone befriend. You two were like Ares & Aphrodite except human, and not causing any wars.

It was, honestly, a matter of time before your spouse decided to make a deal with the Devil. You were surprised that it did not happend sooner.

When you reached Vesuvia, you managed to convince Lucio & Nadia to hire your spouse as Ponifex.

As soon as the Devil was defeated you had to deal with a sad Vulgora since the violence has absolved whch was gine since they finally calmed the fuck down.

Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday & Marry Christmas. Enjoy your holidays.

[k1nky-fool]

The Ace of Swords

Book I: The Devil in the Details

Chapter IV: Blessings and Curses

Nadia Satrinava x OC, Callisto

Warnings: The Red Plague, angst, Lucio is still weird.

Masterlist

Chapter IV:

Lyra had asked for her presence the next morning. Which Callisto figures is good news, since she was conscious enough to ask for someone to talk to. When she arrived in her room, Lyra was sitting up. Valerius was absent from the room, which she noted as odd, but Julian was there writing down everything he could, even as illegible as his handwriting was. 

“Callisto, thank you for coming.” Lyra relaxes. “I need your help.” 

“Lyra, there’s not much I can do for you that Julian can’t.” Callisto said, noting that both her eyes had the red scaleria and she looked like she didn’t get a minute of sleep. 

“I know.” She said. “You can’t cure the plague, but you can make me look like I don’t have it.” 

She knew exactly what she was talking about. If Callisto could create light from any description, then making Lyra an illusion of health wouldn’t be impossible. “I would have to make you something that wouldn’t decay.” Callisto said. “A charm like that would take a little while to make.” 

“Valerius will pay you to get the materials and for the rush.” Lyra said quickly. “I need to be able to fool Lucio.” 

Julian stopped writing, and it caught Callisto off guard too. She however, recovered fast. “Hey, I don’t need a reason to make a fool of Lucio.” Thankfully, Lyra found it funny. Callisto took a notebook out of her bag and started writing down ingredients she’d need, and her regular rate for a spell like this. “Should I give this to you or the Consul?” 

“He’s meeting with the Countess for tea right now. Since you’re friends with the countess, you could catch him there.” Lyra said. 

“Gotcha.” She nodded. “Stay alive.” 

Lyra laughed. “I would rather give him the plague than die with a portrait unfinished.” 

“You know he’ll ask me to summon your ghost so you can finish it, right?” 

“Good, I’ll haunt him while I’m at it.” She huffed, turning over in bed. 

Nothing like an inevitable death to change an attitude. “Take care of her, Julian.” 

“I’ll do everything I can.” He said, but his voice was shaky, and unconvinced. Julian was never good at focusing on the present. The inevitable drop that every patient experienced was hanging over his head. There wasn’t much Callisto could do to help him out. 

When she found Valerius and Nadia on the veranda, sipping tea, Valerius was the first one to notice her. “Welcome Callisto. I take it Lyra got the chance to speak to you.” 

“Yes, she told me to give this to you.” He took the folded up piece of paper, and studied it. 

“That’s all?” He asked, perplexed. “I expected you to take advantage of the proposition.” 

“My prices are enough to sustain my lifestyle. Most of the high prices are for specific ingredients that are difficult for me to obtain.” She explained, as Nadia gestured to invite her to sit down. “Besides, I think it would be plain evil to take advantage of a client that needs my services.” 

“I appreciate the gesture.” Valerius said blankly, as if it pained him to say so. 

If Callisto had gotten to know Nadia at all in the last few days, then she definitely knew that Nadia had already figured out what was going on with Lyra whether or not Valerius had told her. 

“I hope you understand, Countess, Lyra’s privacy is very important to me.” He said, tucking the note into his jacket. 

“You needn’t worry Consul.” She promised. “The palace will keep her safe.” 

“I appreciate it.” He nodded. “If you would excuse me, I have some matters I must attend to quickly.”

Nadia didn’t immediately jump onto asking about what he learned from Lucio. Lyra’s prognosis was a shroud that hung over the entire palace. It seemed that she’d found a place in the hearts of everyone that stumbled upon her. Even someone as haughty as Valerius couldn’t help but fall in love with her. 

“She wants to finish the portrait, then?” Nadia asked. 

“Can you blame her? I’d haunt my shop if I left a spell undone.” Callisto attempted to lighten the mood, but the small smile on Nadia’s face disappeared as fast as it had appeared. 

“I often wish I could have answers to my questions, even as selfish as some are. It’s a horrible kind of longing, when you want for something that you know was never yours to reach for.” Nadia mused, looking up at clouds swirling above Vesuvia. 

“Why not try to reach for answers?” Callisto asked. 

“Because when I ask why, I am terrified to hear what I will be told.” Nadia said, honestly. 

“I get terrifying answers every day.” She said. “I’m more scared of finding questions that don’t get answers.” 

“Have you ever had a question that never got an answer?” Nadia asked. 

“I got four yesterday.” Callisto reported, and Nadia immediately looked at her in shock. “Valdemar, Vulgora, Volta and Vlastomil. I read them in front of Lucio and it is clear to me that they are not human. On top of that, whatever they are, they’re powerful enough to silence one Arcana each.”

“I expected that the news would get worse before it gets better. Not this much worse.” She sighed. 

“Did you learn anything from Valerius?” 

“He suspects that the court’s incompetence is related to Lucio’s influence. However, he did note that Valdemar is far more malicious than the others.” She explained. “I think if anyone knows the most, it’s the Quaestor, yet I suspect getting any answers from them will be impossible unless we have something to offer them.” 

“Hate to be crass-” 

“No you don’t.” 

“Fair enough, but we don’t have shit for Valdemar.” Callisto said. “There is nothing we have that they want.” 

Nadia agreed. “We may need to ask the Arcana for a new approach, then.”

She didn’t need to be asked twice. The deck all but lept into her hand, and with a small shuffle, a card fell out of the deck and landed face up on the table.  

The Moon was making his appearance once again, but the feeling she got was not any kind of answer or even question. Callisto closed her eyes and concentrated, but the vision that she received was a memory. Nadia’s open balcony door from a few nights ago. Clio’s voice rang in her head. 

“Invitation.”

“I have another approach.” Callisto said, “Do you have somewhere I can perform a ritual without being found?” 

Nadia caught her eye with a mischievous smile. “I do.” 

Callisto followed her through luxurious halls until they got to a gilded door that she quickly realized was Nadia’s bedroom, but they didn’t stop there. Nadia brought her to a wall in the corner of the room where a hidden lever revealed a stone staircase. They ascended stairs in silence for a long while, but Callisto couldn’t help but focus on Nadia pulling her by the hand as they continued. Once at the top, a beautiful studio was the reward. The ceiling was vaulted and there was an unmistakable owl roost near the top. The walls were marble, and the windows were stained glass. There was a crescent pool that was filled by a sparkling, waterfall, fountain. The other side of the room was home to a desk filled with small clockwork pieces. 

“Welcome to my contemplation tower.” Nadia smiled. “I admit I would often use this place to hide from the palace as a whole, but if you do not wish to be disturbed, then this is the place for you.” 

“I’m your only guest?” Callisto asked. 

“You and Chandra.” Nadia teased. “But to be completely honest, we are her guests.” 

She couldn’t deny that she felt special. Like maybe Nadia was more open to Callisto than she initially thought. Up until three days ago, Nadia was an elusive figure among Vesuvia’s most elite. Now she’s letting Callisto in on where she was hiding all this time. It’s a gesture of trust that leaves her blushing. 

“This will work perfectly.” She smiles, and sits beside the water. 

“What sort of ritual are you performing?” 

“I’m going to speak to an Arcana.” Callisto answered. “They exist in worlds far beyond ours, and magicians can reach them through a personalized gate. I’ve had a gate since I was fifteen, but it has been a while since I’ve tried to contact any of them.” 

“When was the last time you attempted this?” Nadia asked. 

“When Aunt Mosyne died. I spoke to The Empress to meet with her one last time.” Callisto said. “Now I’m trying to reach The Moon, but I need to stash my body here while I’m traversing the Arcana’s world.” 

“Is this dangerous?” Nadia asked, through a strained voice. “I admit I’m not an expert in this craft, but I understand that metaphysical travel is not always safe.” 

“I won’t lie to you. It’s fairly dangerous, but the good news is that magic is considerably amplified in metaphysical worlds.” Callisto said. “I’m not unprepared, Nadia.” 

Nadia let her lay down, and as she drifted off, she found herself being dropped into water. 

Callisto remembered this, knowing that if she could just convince herself that she didn’t need to breathe, she wouldn’t drown. 

When Callisto broke the water’s surface, she found a bench beside the fountain she’d crawled out of. Her clothes weren’t wet, and the world before her was something she knew she’d missed. Her gate was a beautiful pavilion in a garden, the night sky sparkled with moving stars that drifted around like ocean currents. Fluffy insects and glowing cotton puffs from the rainbow trees floated through the air and made their home in the gate. 

From the far side of the garden, Callisto spotted someone walking down the cobblestone path. Once the figure was within sight, she was left a little confused. “Morrigan?” 

“Oh, this is your gate.” She stated blankly, like she had only just realized where she was. Morrigan was always priestly, with long, dark robes and ornamented, black, locks. It was rare that her face held any expression, but Callisto’s skills always made it easy to read her. Though, while her senses were sharper here, Morrigan’s mask was stronger too, and Callisto was no longer more skilled than her old coven sister.  

“What are you doing here?” She asked. 

“Finding you, I suppose.” She replied, but Callisto knew she wasn’t being difficult. In these realms, there was often no telling where anybody would show up. The only thing Magicians like them knew was that they end up exactly where they’re meant to be. 

“Do you have a message or a question for me?” Callisto asked. 

“A little of both.” Morrigan said. “I gave Julian a tonic. It has the potential to delay the plague for some time, even in the second and third phases, but eventually the plague gains a resistance to it within the patient.” 

“That buys time, something we desperately need.” 

“But my question is a little more grim.” Morrigan warned. “The Runes have told me that you’re in dangerous waters.” 

“What do you want to know?” 

“What are you prepared to do to put an end to this?” Morrigan asked. 

Was this really Morrigan? It wasn’t uncommon to find figures that were illusions of those she knew. But the mask she put up was recognizable as hers. Obscurity was where Morrigan had always resided. It seemed that Callisto needed to find her more than Morrigan needed to find her. 

“I’m prepared to give anything.” Callisto said. “Vesuvia is sick, and I have an opportunity to eradicate the disease. I’d be selfish to give anything less.”

Morrigan leaned against the pillar as she watched the sparkling garden. “I was scared you might say that. I can’t deny that what happens next isn’t what you would have wanted.” 

There was something bugging Callisto about Morrigan being here. It wasn’t an imposter, but it wasn’t Morrigan as she knew her. She was more powerful, more stoic, more concealed, and more surreal.

All at once the truth was revealed to her like the light hitting her face just right to catch a glimpse of her true face. “You’re older than me.” Callisto noted. “But you’re six months younger than me.” 

“I should have known you’d figure that out.” Morrigan sighed, but wasn’t too upset by it. Callisto had a million questions, but knew Morrigan wouldn’t answer them. It was dangerous to know too much about the future, especially here in the metaphysical world. “Go, as I recall, you’re on your way to communicate with The Moon.”

So she finds out about this one way or another. “Do I make it?” Callisto asks. 

“You will find what you need.” Morrigan wisely dodges, but Callisto knows how to read a magician's words. Even if this journey goes poorly, she will find something she needs. 

“Thank you.” Callisto nods, and finds her own way down the path, until she’s passed through her gate into a road among the stars. Beneath the invisible road was a churning void of something horrifyingly alive.

“Ruff!” 

The bark startled Callisto away from looking into the abyss. The being that stood in front of her was almost like an Arcana. She was a dog, but she stood like a person, and wore a dress with many layers for traveling, with a wooden walking stick in her paw. 

“Hello.” Callisto greeted awkwardly. “You’re new.” 

She wasn’t immediately scared of the traveler like the abyss below. There were many things that could put on a friendly face to lure someone into a trap, but Callisto’s intuition hadn’t led her astray yet. 

“Can you take me to The Moon’s realm?” She asked.

The dog nodded. “Hmph.” 

Callisto followed her along the road, moving in rushed steps to avoid being out here for too long. Being able to walk for so long without feeling tired was always an interesting feeling. Though, Callisto found herself looking down at just the wrong moment. Something, reaching out of the void, wrapped itself around her leg, and pulled her to the floor, but as soon as she hit, and her guide noticed she’d fallen, the floor disappeared out from under her, and she plummeted into the abyss. 

When she could finally tie herself back to her senses, she was falling through branches until she hit a slimy, watery surface. Once she had surfaced again, she could stand on the marshy ground and take a look at where she’d ended up. 

It was nearly impossible to see farther than a meter in front of her with the mist hanging low in the air. Trees that extended far into the mist, rooted in the swampy water, and an ominous red light came from every direction and illuminated the mist, but Callisto found herself deciding that this mess wasn’t for her to navigate on her own. 

So long as she knew a tool to be in her bag, she could use it here. Asra’s compass pointed directly in front of her, and she followed it carefully. The needle would point her around certain puddles of water that looked suspiciously dark, and away from roots that she swore she’d seen move. The compass spun in a circle as soon as she found an island in the swamp with a red lamp post. 

“I hope you’ll forgive me.” A disembodied voice said to her. “Mortals hardly ever reach here if they are looking for me.” 

“Then I take it the invitation was from you, Hanged Man.” Callisto identified him easily. “I’ve heard your voice before.” 

“You’re sharp, magician.” The Hanged Man said. A raven headed being came from the mist and stood in the lamplight with her. 

“You likely know why I’m here.” 

“You’ve exhausted your answers, and you need more questions.” He summarized. “I can’t imagine a better reason to come to The Arcana realms.” 

“Well, you have a history of being elusive with answers. If I’m going to leave confused anyway, I might as well be confused about new things.” Callisto figured. 

“So what compelled you to traverse here?” He asked as Callisto sat on the ground under the lamp, but she was quickly met with a chair made out of woven roots that appeared beneath her.

She pulled her feet onto the chair, making herself comfortable. “As you said, I’ve exhausted my answers and need better questions.” She repeated. “It’s clear that the Plague is tied to the Court, but I can’t narrow down exactly how, or even what started it. I know that questioning them can only get us so much, and we need a new plan.” 

“We?” He clicked. 

“Nadia and I.” She clarified. “She and I are helping each other root this out.” 

“Why Nadia?” He asked. 

Her heart dropped at his question. “Why not Nadia?” 

“Why not Asra?” The Hanged Man parroted her. “Why not Julian, Valerius, Lyra, or Morrigan? Nadia is not your only option, so you have clearly chosen her. So why Nadia?” 

Callisto felt empty, not having an answer for something she really should have considered before now. “Because she was the only one that cared to ask me for my help.” 

“Then why didn’t you ask for Asra or Julian’s help? You had just as much agency to ask for their help as Nadia did to ask for yours.” He pointed out, but the mist closed around her, and she appeared in her shop. 

The shelves are stocked well enough for when she opens again, and the lamp outside the shop was dark to alert the street that she’s closed. Callisto was packing supplies for her bunk in the plague dungeons with the rest of the doctors. She would have to be there full time for the first few weeks, and she wanted to make sure she’d have everything she needed. 

The door unlocked, and she froze, as Asra caught her red handed. The Salamander sat atop the stove illuminating Callisto as she packed her bag. “I didn’t think you’d be in town until morning.” She pointed out. 

“Callisto, what are you doing?” He asked. 

“Packing.” She stated bluntly. “I’m going to the palace to study the Plague. I’m apprenticing under Julian.” 

Asra tried to rest his hand atop hers to slow her down. “Callisto, we talked about this-” 

“It’s not your choice.” She picked up the bag to leave Asra, but he grabbed the bag. 

“Callisto, you know how dangerous Lucio is!” He begged. 

“You keep saying that, but you haven’t explained yourself once!” Callisto shouted back. “No shit he’s dangerous, he’s the fucking Count. I’m not stupid, Asra, I can defend myself!” She yanked the bag away from him and began walking away. 

“You don’t know what he’s capable of!�� He yelled. 

“You don’t know what I’m capable of!” The shockwave that split the air of the shop made Asra’s ears hurt, as he fell to his knees. She was so angry and hurt that after nearly a decade of being his friend, the only time he wouldn’t trust her was when she really needed him to. “I wanted you to come with me! But if you won’t help me, then I’ll do it myself.” She began to leave, while Asra got back to his feet. “Now get out of my shop. I don’t want to see you again.” 

As she left the shop, she came back to the Hanged Man’s realm. She knew she’d never left, but the experience was jarring. He stood in front of her now. “Why didn’t you ask Julian?” 

She fell through the muddy ground and appeared in another memory. 

The dungeons were always most daunting at night. Especially as she aided Julian in an autopsy. 

“Forceps.” Julian ordered, and she did as he said. The masks they wore were a little difficult to see through as they fogged up in the damp dungeon, but while that made it easier to look at the violence in front of them, even with the herbs and flowers in the beak of the mask, the smell was always rancid. 

She knew he was investigating the neurocentric damage of the plague, so she looked away while she handed him tools to dissect the cadaver’s brain. 

“Scalpel.” was his next command that she obeyed. But as he continued, he slowed down. “I hate when I’m right.” 

“What?” 

“This state of cerebral necrosis is concurrent with nearly a week’s worth of decay.” He explained. “This patient passed last night.” 

The delusion symptom now had an explanation, but finding a way to combat it would be a long way away. 

“Why don’t you go get some rest, Callisto. You’ve been awake for forty-eight hours.” He suggested. 

“You’ve been awake for almost seventy-two.” She jabbed back. 

“We should both get some sleep.” He concedes. “Quaestor? Would you like to pack him up?” 

“Would I ever.” They appear, nearly out of nowhere, but their presence is always lurking beneath the palace. 

Julian helped her out of her coat as she took the whole thing off with her gloves. She helped him do the same, even as their masks bumped with how bulky they were. She hesitated to help him take off his mask, and instead reached for her own. 

He was nice enough to walk her up to her own bunk. “Are you alright, Callisto?” 

“I knew what I was signing up for. If I couldn’t stomach it, I’d have quit weeks ago.” She said plainly. 

“I think you’re ready to do your own independent studies.” He blurted. 

“You can’t be serious.” She laughed.

“I am.” He says. “I’m no magician, but you definitely are. Now that you know the basics, you can apply your own skills to your studies. I think it would do you a lot of good.” 

“You sure this isn’t you pushing me away?” She asked, unfortunately remembering how Asra had reacted the first time she brought up studying under Julian at the Palace. 

“Can you honestly say that your best work is elbows deep in corpses?” He asked, and he had a point. “With your own studies, you would also be able to split your time between your shop and the palace. You’d have a lot more luck using skills and tools you’re familiar with.” 

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” She agreed. 

When she came back, she was sitting in the chair again, but the Hanged Man was no longer standing with her. “I felt like I didn’t know Asra at all, but I knew Julian too much.” 

“So why choose Nadia?” His voice came from everywhere once again. The chair’s roots wrapped around her arms and legs and began pulling her into the water behind the lamp. She knew she wouldn’t have to breathe, but this also felt much more real than the other two illusions. 

Callisto couldn’t fight it at all and was pulled under the water. She had no idea how long she was under water, but eventually the roots released her as she relaxed. When she found the surface of the water, she wasn’t in the Hanged Man’s realm anymore. 

Knee deep water surrounded her as she stood on an obsidian floor. Off in the distance, she saw a pavilion, but instead of a roof, the pillars were so tall that she couldn’t see where they ended. But as she got closer to it, the crescent moon was framed by the pillars along with a wolf-headed figure. 

The Moon said nothing, but he stepped aside to show Callisto the water behind him that reflected the light from the moon above. 

The light swirled in a way that hypnotized her. “What is this?” 

“Watch.” Was all he said. 

The light changed to an image of Nadia and Callisto dancing together, but they both looked different. Callisto looked like an entirely different person. Different clothes, different hair, and her expression was one of whimsy and excitement. Nadia looked happier, wearing a suit instead of her regular dresses, and she held Callisto close, like they were free to be happy together. 

“Is this real?” She asked. Callisto hadn’t seen herself so happy since she was a child. 

“What are you prepared to do to achieve this?” He asked, and Callisto felt her heart begin hurting. 

She fell to sit down on the steps and tried to put pressure on her chest to stop the pain. “I’m not here for something so selfish.” 

“Are you?” 

“It’s not for me to have, while everyone else is still suffering.” Callisto argued through the stabbing in her heart. 

“You are suffering.” 

“So is everyone else!” She screamed out, but the pain wasn’t subsiding. “What do I have to do!?” 

The pain stopped all at once. She looked back at the water and saw her reflection staring back at her with plague infected eyes. 

Before she could even jump back in horror, Callisto awoke back in Nadia’s tower. Her heart was beating faster than a field mouse, and she jumped up to immediately run to test herself for the plague, but Nadia stopped her. “It’s alright! You’re safe.” She quickly assured. 

“I need to test myself for the plague.” Callisto ordered, and continued back down the tower’s steps. The cards would likely just confirm her fear if she were to read them, but Julian had many more ways to test for the sickness.

“Callisto wait!” Nadia followed after her. She didn’t catch up to her until she was already half-way to Lyra’s room. “Stop for just a moment.” She finally caught her wrist and stopped her. “What is going on?” 

“I got another question I don’t have an answer for.” She said, pulling away from her, but Nadia didn’t stop her this time, letting her head off to get to Julian. 

She knocked before entering, but she didn’t wait for Lyra to finish saying it was alright to enter before she opened the door. 

“Did Valerius play nice?” Lyra teased, but Callisto immediately went for Julian’s bag. 

“What are you doing, Callisto?” Julian asked, seeing her shaky hands find a guarded scalpel, and cut her finger with it. She took the bottled leech out and popped the cork off, letting a drop of blood fall into the leech’s water. She closed the cork again and waited to see the leech’s reaction. Every muscle in her body relaxed as the leech curled around the blood, instead of pushing itself against the glass away from the drop. 

“Oh, thank the stars.” She whispered to herself. Now she had much more to consider. “I’m ok. I thought I might have been exposed.” 

“I’m glad everything is ok.” Julian said. 

“Sorry.” Callisto said. “I need to get started on that charm.” 

Upon returning to the guest room that Nadia had given her, Valerius was not kidding about getting the materials fast. He also got her much more than she wrote down. She’d be set on rare herbs for months. 

He also managed to get her a selection of peridot stones. She was pulled toward the tastefully cut peridot ring, knowing that if Lyra had to wear this, it might as well be something nobody would look twice at. 

Callisto let her intuition guide her as she made the charm, figuring out the appearance that needed to be presented. She thought of what needed to be concealed and what she needed to include with every ingredient she added. When her work was done, she went to bed, but her mind was still racing. It’s no wonder that she ended up back at her gate. 

She walked in this time, thankfully without the sound of running water, she didn’t wake up in the fountain. But now that she was here, she couldn’t help but wonder why she was here. Such a long time away from here, but being called here twice in one day was quite a peculiar event. 

When she walked down the path, she immediately found herself in a brilliantly colored oasis, but she couldn’t stop and appreciate the beauty as she got the sinking feeling of recognition in the magic. This was Asra’s gate.

Looking back, the doorway had closed. So the only way out was forward. 

As the edge of the water came closer, she spotted a figure sitting against a palm tree, but he saw her too. Asra waved to her, but didn’t say anything, as if he already knew she was just passing through. But she figured she was here for a reason, so she approached him. 

“Hey, Callisto.” He wouldn’t meet her eyeline. 

Callisto knelt down in front of him and held out his compass to return it to him. “I got your message, but you need this more than I do.” 

“I got yours too.” He accepted the compass, turning it over in his hand, using it as a distraction to not have to look at her. “Are we really ready to be friends again?” 

The question pulled at her heart. “Asra, I needed you to trust me, and you didn’t.” 

“And I needed to keep you safe.” He said. “Callisto, I would do anything to keep you safe.” 

“Anything except trust me to keep myself safe.” She argued, getting back up to leave. 

“Wait, Callisto. I wasn’t lying in my message.” She stopped, letting him speak. “Even if I don’t want you there, I want you to be successful. If there’s anyone that can save the city, it’s you.” 

“I didn’t lie either, Asra.” She said, “You’ve been my best friend for six years. I know you wouldn’t be warning me if it wasn’t important to you. But you’ve known me as long as I’ve known you. Whatever you’re doing, I know it’s dangerous, but just as important, and I trust you to handle it. Let me handle the plague.” 

“I’m trying to take down the Coliseum.” Asra said. “Muriel is trapped there, and I need to get him out.” 

Callisto felt sick. Lucio and Vulgora were in charge of the Coliseum, and both of them had Muriel fighting in the arena. Muriel was the gentlest spirit she’d ever met. The horror of him being tormented at Lucio’s command made rage spread through her body, but when the sand beneath her feet began turning to glass, she calmed herself. 

“I can bring it to the attention of Nadia. At the very least, she can get him some place to rest away from the Coliseum and it might give you a better chance to help him.” Callisto offered. 

“Thank you, Callisto.” He smiled. “Anything you need from me?” 

She thought for a long moment. “I could use some advice.” She sat down once again. “I’ve exhausted all my answers, and I need better questions. When I spoke to The Hanged Man and The Moon-” 

“You managed to visit both The Hanged Man and The Moon?” 

“On the same day, but really I fell into both.” She explained. “Anyway, both of them were more concerned about my relationship with Nadia.” 

“You’re in a relationship with Countess Nadia!?” Asra exclaimed. 

“A friendship, Asra.” She clarified. “They wanted to know why I chose to help her instead of asking you or Julian.” 

“Well, why did you?” He asked. 

“Because she asked.” Callisto answered again. 

“Well, you could have asked too.” Asra said. 

“You sound just like The Hanged Man.” 

“When the Arcana give you a question, you usually can’t get another one until you have your answer.” Asra explained. “If that was the right answer, then you would have more questions by now.” 

“I don’t know what kind of answer they’re looking for.” 

“Well, deconstruct it. A little shadow work never hurt anybody.” He said. “What attracted you to Nadia?” 

“Intuition?” 

“And water is wet.” Asra commented. 

“Not here!” 

“Do you want my help or not?” 

“Fine.” Callisto groaned, thinking about the day she met Nadia. She closed her eyes and let the memory resonate within her. “She was curious, and mysterious.” She recalled her entering the Library and sitting down with her. She asked about her shop, and her craft with interest. “She was honest and intelligent. And the Arcana had a lot to say to her.” 

“What did the Arcana say?” 

“The Ace of Swords said she was powerful, and that she hadn’t yet decided to wield it, but when she did, she would lose almost everything, as the Five of Cups said. But the High Priestess promised her that her intuition would guide her.” Callisto recalled. 

“It’s good that there’s at least one level-headed leader in Vesuvia.” Asra said. “What about after the reading? What stood out about her to you?” 

“It was still the Arcana at that point.” Callisto admitted. “The cards had been difficult to read until Nadia came and asked her question. I was curious as to why they responded so well to her.” 

“So what was it that made them respond to her?” He probed. 

She thought back to her aura after the reading. “I was worried about her. I could see that her endeavor would lead her to danger, and I knew that if she did it alone, she would be hunted by her obsessions.” 

“Were you worried enough to go with her then?” He asked. 

“No, it wasn’t until we spoke at the Consul’s estate that I was fully committed to helping her.” She found. 

“Then what was it there that convinced you?” 

That was the question she was looking for to be able to figure this out. Nadia’s invitation was set in her mind, but the open door was not the choice. So what made her close the door behind her? “She asked me to call her by her first name.” 

“And why was that so important to you?” Asra asks, knowing it’s the last question. 

“Because she trusted me.” Callisto opened her eyes, feeling lighter now that she’d gotten to the bottom of it. Asra also realized what that meant for him and Julian. She didn’t ask them because they didn’t trust her. Julian didn’t trust her to handle the dungeons, and Asra didn’t trust her to make her own choice, while Nadia did. Her first gestures were ones of faith in Callisto, and she had given her faith to Nadia. 

“There’s a door in the Oasis.” Asra informed. “Keep going in the direction you were going before. If the door feels dark, leave it, but you’ll know when you find the right one. You’ll find someone that can give you more questions.” 

Callisto thanked him and got up to leave. “And Asra.” He looked up to her. “When this is all over, come back to the shop. It feels a little empty without you there, and Mosyne would haunt my ass if I ever locked you out of there permanently.” 

Asra smiled. “I’ll see you when this is all over.” He promised.  

Callisto did as Asra said, walking down the desert, ignoring the doors that pulled her in with intrusive and unsettling thoughts, but when she found the door near the end, she could feel something else pulling her in. It was something more mysterious, and mischievous. 

As soon as her hand landed on the doorknob, she was on a beach and the door was gone. The waves were illuminated as they crashed, and the sand was soft and pleasant beneath her, and the gentle breeze that tossed the palm leaves whispered in languages she couldn’t recognize. 

“Another curious student. How extraordinary.” A voice she knew spoke kindly. 

“Magician.” Callisto spotted them further down the beach and walked up to them. “I’ve come looking for questions.” 

“Then you have come prepared.” The Magician mused. Their fox-like expression made her certain that they had what she was looking for, but she knew no Arcana gave such questions out freely. 

“Am I really prepared?” she asked. 

“Are you willing to accept what you do not know?” They asked. 

“Yes.” 

“Then you are prepared.” They brought them away from the shore, and together, they entered an illusion of her shop. They sat down in her booth, and her tarot cards sat in the middle of the table. “First, what do you know?” 

Callisto explained everything to The Magician. How the court weren’t humans, Lucio was planning something, and the plague was connected somehow. 

“You have a lot of knowledge, but no perspective.” The Magician noted. “What perspective might give you a better image of your predicament?”

“I have the perspective of a Magician.” Callisto said. 

“There are even things which are unknown to me.” The Magician said. “It is clear that this perspective will not be helpful until you see through a different one.” 

 “Then what do I look through?”

“Perhaps you haven’t even answered your most important question.” They proposed. “After all, do you even know what The Red Plague is?” 

Callisto reached for the cards and asked the question. The Devil stared back at her, but while she did not receive any words, she heard the same chilling laughter that she heard the day Nadia came to her. “An obsession?” 

“Close.” The Magician smiled. 

Callisto focused harder, but when she closed her eyes, she saw nothing but red, and as burning chains slithered around her neck and limbs, she opened her eyes to expel them. “It’s a curse.” She realized. “Whose curse is it?” 

“You have your questions, magician.” They smiled, and the world fell away as Callisto woke up in bed. 

Asra’s compass was no longer in her bag. 

[greyspirehollow]

Chains

Pairing : Quaestor Valdemar x Liam (mc oc) ; platonic Fandom : The Arcana visual novel Warnings : angst ; hurt/comfort (still not good at warning tags grgrg)

Summary : Reverse ending ; Thinking they have betrayed him by aiding Liam becoming the new Patron Arcana of Death, the Devil punishes Valdemar (nothing related to assault, don't worry). But this cruel treatment will not go unnoticed...

The room was dark. The only source of light was the faint red glow of the chains that bound the Quaestor kneeling to the floor. The air was filled with the scent of burnt papers and parchments. They could still feel the trace of the quiet tears they'd shed when the Devil left, despite keeping their face as expressionless as possible. They were pretty sure they had bruises, and the tip of their right horn threatened to fall off at any moment because of how they'd struggled against their binds. They knew their labcoat was scratched, and that their bandages were loose. They could feel strands of hair tickle the skin of their cheeks. This... was simply cruel. Unjustified. After their centuries, their millenias of loyal services, how could the Devil possibly treat them like this?? They hadn't crossed any lines, not in the terms of their deal at least... So why? Their gaze remained on the floor as they let their thoughts consume them. What else could they possibly be doing? Struggle against the chains some more? To what end? They wouldn't yield.

But their train of thoughts was interrupted by the distant muffle of voices...

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In the corridors, some of Death's troupes looked around the rooms, opening every door they could, seemingly searching for something. Or someone. The skeletons were quick and efficient as Death advanced slowly, surveilling the operation. His cape flowed softly with each step he took. The skeletal soldier's search was fruitless so far, but it was also interrupted by a red figure down the hall. "...Vulgora." Death muttered, similarly to a greeting. Probably posted there to guard the halls, the Pontifex yielded a double bit great axe. But their expression lacked the usual bloodthirst and thrill of battle. As if... They didn't want to fight. Death was skeptical ; they'd always loved fighting. But he didn't have time to reflect upon that much : they charged at his soldiers, determined, and made the bones cackle and fall to the ground each time they'd seem them rebuild themselves. Death marched towards them, and drew their sword. He did well, because the Pontifex charged at him next. He blocked their attack, momentarily face to face with them. "They're on the second floor" if it could've conveyed confusion, Death's skeletal face would've upon hearing Vulgora's words. "The last door to the left." They sounded... worried. Death nodded and pushed them off, letting them pretend to fight off part of his troupes and taking only three soldiers with him as they rushed upstairs. He heard the Pontifex pretend to chase after them, and give up once he was halfway up the stairs. He climbed the marches one after the other.

______________________________________________________________

The sounds and muffled voices grew closer. Valdemar couldn't make out the words being said -what was the point, anyway?- but could only distinguish the clinking of metal on the floor. The steps grew closer.

"General ! They're in here !"

what...?

The door was pound against, exactly five times, before it fell off its hinges, hitting the floor with a loud thud and blowing an air current that made them squint their eyes, in addition to the sudden pool of light red light pouring from outside the dark room. They caught the glimpse of four silhouettes, three human sized ones and another, more imposing, standing in the center. The three smaller frames returned into the corridor, and seemed to go keep an eye on the surrounding area, the light they basked in revealing skeletons in armor. The Quaestor's gaze then landed on the fourth shadow : it slowly started approaching. On the floor, it noticed the carcasses of journals, books, files and parchments. And a copious amount of them, too... Two little green lights served as eyes to them, and Vlademar recognized those. Their teeth greeted together, but they couldn't find anything to tell him. Liam. The reason they were in this mess in the first place... That foolish necromancer, taking the place of the thirteenth major Arcana... They briefly looked back at the ground, but their head instantly snapped back up as they saw him crouch down beside a burnt book, about to touch the crispy pitch black pages. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF THAT!!" They shouted, instinctively getting up on their feet, only to be dragged back down by the red chains, drawing a pained grunt out of them. Their shoulders hunched slightly. Liam's hand immobilized in the air and he looked at them. They briefly wished they could still read his expression in this moment... "...Your research." he simply commented. They knew he was right. He got up, and slowly walked towards them. Their gaze was suddenly drawn to his sword, as it morphed into a scythe in his hand. They looked up right at those greenish lights he had for eyes now, their gaze unwavering. Death towered over them... They looked at him grip the weapon with both hands and raise it above his skull. He was going to do it, wasn't he? They weren't even mad. They found themselves... Strangely determined. Fine. After all, maybe it was the greatest service he could make them in th-

SHCLANK.

THUD.

....

....

..

The chains...

He'd aimed for the chains. Eyes wide, they looked at one of the metallic binds that was snapped in two by the scythe, and had fallen to the ground. Liam then snapped the other one.

SHCLANK.

THUD.

They felt the remaining ones around their body loosen, setting their upper body free. They looked at their shaky hands, and then back up at Liam.. Confused. He'd crouched down to their level. Despite the lack of... basically anything that could convey emotions on his face, they felt no ill will or threatening aura coming from him. As if... He wanted... to help...

"Do you think you can walk?"

The lich's raspy and otherworldly voice asked. "How can I possibly trust you?" was their immediate response, which they briefly regretted. Liam didn't seem fazed however. Even... Understanding. He removed the glove of his right hand, exposing his bones to the dark room's air, and reached for one of the burnt books that laid at their feet. They were about to protest again, gripping his wrist to yank it away from the fragile paper, but as soon as one of his bony digits made contact with it, it's as if the book was reborn. The pages found their normal consistency, and their handwriting appeared through the book again. Their jaw hung slack in a mix of confusion and bewilderment. "I thought... Y-you said it didn't work with..." they looked back at his orbits, inhabited by those two green lights, their gaze unable to hide their emotion. "This is... One of Death's tricks. A very brief reversal of time. It only works on objects..." He replied, as he got up and removed his other glove, going around and picking one by one the journals, the files and parchments, each seemingly coming back to life as he touched them. Valdemar was stuck in shock, still on their knees on the floor, the overwhelming amount of emotions swarming them without a single warning. He... He had to have ulterior motives. It couldn't be out of... kindness. Their brows furrowed "What do you want?? wh-why are you doing this?!" as they got back up on their feet, their hands slightly shaky. Liam looked back at them "...Do I need a reason to help a friend?"

...

Friend...? "You mean... Fiend." "I mean... Friend." Shock appeared on their features once more. Death took a slight breath and spoke up again : "But if it is easier for you, consider this a thank you for helping me get where I am now. A... Payback, if you will." he paused, turning around to face them "But the truth is, I only wish to help." The Quaestor stood there, dumbfounded, their brows knitted together due to... Whatever emotion they were currently feeling. They observed as Liam went around the room, picking up each and every single document that the Devil had previously burnt right before their eyes. They watched as he carefully arranged it all in a pile, then a mount as more and more documents were added. They took a few steps forward, their shaky hand reaching for one of the journals, flipping through the pages, then reaching for another one, and another, and another... Tears welled up in their eyes as they held at least a dozen against their chest, crumbling back to their knees and hunching protectively over them, as if they'd vanish if they let go. Their researches... Their life's work, their reason to live... Nearly wiped out like a speck of dust. They couldn't help the tears. Yes, they could muffle their sobs, and yes, they could hide their face against the pile of journals, but they couldn't stop the subtle shaking of their shoulders... Nor the bony hand that gently settled on their back and started caressing it soothingly, Liam crouching beside them.

______________________________________________________________

After a while of such deep and sudden emotions, Death stood back up, ordering his three soldiers to fetch the others, so all of them could carry the mount of documents out of this place. Valdemar took with them as much as they could, their legs slightly wobbly from the whole ordeal, as they, Death, and the soldiers hurried downstairs. They left the damned halls of the Devil's palace, and at the entrance, the Quaestor's eyes widened as they laid upon a familiar centaur-like figure. The horse skull turned to look at them "well, would you look at that! Quaestor Valdemar, in the flesh. It's been a while" Death. Their throat tightened and they looked at the ground in shame. This... All of this was starting to become a little too much. "Cut them some slack" Liam spoke softly, patting Death's flank. "I'm going to need you to carry them home. The Devil's not been kind with them..." Death nodded, although slightly bitter, lowering themselves so Valdemar could mount them, while the lich walked on foot. The Quaestor desperately clung to the journals in their arms, and as the gentle rocking motion of Death's pace nudged them, they felt exhaustion start to close onto them, despite their best attempt to keep their eyes open and surveil the soldiers which carried the rest of their researches.

______________________________________________________________

They woke up in what looked like a cottage, resting on a couch, with a thick blanket over them and a plush pillow under their head. They blinked awake, looking around, noticing Liam sitting at a table. The lich was studying what looked like maps ; there was a warm fire going in the fireplace. Their eyes lingered on the flames for a while before returning to Liam. They observed his skeletal hands carefully holding the paper, before their red eyes looked out the window, into the snowy forest around. The sight felt much less dreadful than they remember. The soft creaking of Liam's chair drew their attention. "Ah, you're awake. How do you feel?" It was... paradoxal to have Death sound so soothing... Or maybe it wasn't. "...Better." Warm. "That is great to hear." he put the map down on the wooden table, getting up to reach for a set of keys and picked two from it. He then walked over to Valdemar and gently placed the keys in their hand. "It's to access a small shed I have built nearby. I've made it so your research could be stored there, in Death's realm." yet another emotional blow for Valdemar. But of gratitude, this time. They closed their eyes and let out a soft sigh to keep their composure. "...Thank you." Liam nodded. "It's my pleasure." He was about to return to his table when Valdemar gripped his sleeve. He turned around. They'd stood up ; they seemed to be contemplating something. Their eyes briefly scanned Liam up and down, before they gulped and extended their arms, before wrapping them around him, in a clumsy hug. A warm feeling spread in the lich's chest as he embraced their smaller frame back.

Valdemar could've never guessed Death's embrace could ever be this soft and welcoming.

[totally-not-here-for-the-smut]

... sorry, the first point had Nadia talking in my head.

"Good gods, Valerius, you can't even manage to scramble one whole demon together".

I think that it's implied that demons were humans, once. They're much different from the major arcana, much more similar to humans, and also it says the became demons, probably for some kind of ritual or pact. I think there's another suggestion in Lucio's route: we learn there that Lucio can still redeem. As a tyrant he has done some serious evil, yes, but compared to other tyrants (real/fantasy) he was a pretty chill dude after all (yes, I know, he enslaved muriel, julian and basically everyone he needed stuff from, but it is FAR from the evil we see on a daily basis irl). Basically, Lucio still have a soul. The question is: why?

option 1. is he never got through the pacts. I'm a big fan of the "each time you do X a piece of your soul goes into it", and he didn't actually sealed the pacts - which makes them invalid to some degree.

option 2., time is of the essence. Until he gets confronted by everyone, Lucio shows an incredible lack of remorse, so maybe his empathy/soul was starting to whither. The process is stopped during his route.

option 3. is forgiveness. In his route he repents and gets a BIG forgiveness from some people. In many religions and esoteric traditions this is a big deal, for it lifts the weight of evil from a soul. He's literlly saved by the characters' compassion and help from MC into being accountable of what he did.

option 4. is he no longer suits the role. Each demon excels in one very specific deadly sin. Volta is gluttony, Vulgora is Anger, Vlastomil is Sloth (as is Pilato's in the Bible, since they both were judges who didn't care to do their job) and Valerius is greed; Valdemar's harder to pinpoint, but probably is Envy: he joys from other's misfortune and often times scientists are deemed "envious of god's knowledge"... plus, he's green... "green with envy"?. The seven deadly sins are so called because they "kill" your soul -that is, they send it straight to hell... to the Devil.

Now, wasn't Lucio just perfect for Pride? Yes, until MC came into the picture and slapped him humble. This severed his link to the devil and saved him: he couldn't ascend as a demon, because he had lost what it takes, that being the embodying of a deadly sin.

And about the mortality rate... they all seem pretty dumb, except Valdemar. I bet demons get themselves killed fairly easily, but in the arcana universe this is unsurprising since we all know Nadia is the only one capable of rational thinking.

Last thing... I love that Valdemar's one and only interest during the eons has been doing science. Iconic. Big bro of ours. Would have him as a mentor 100%, Julian is an idiot.

So… demons.

The Arcana demons are such a fascinating topic to me. So here are some ramblings & questions that are a cool territory for headcanons. Why? Idk I just thought about Valdemar for 4 seconds and opened a “new post” window.

My main question is, how many of them are out there, really? We meet four (and a half, if you count Valerius I guess) but these are just the ones that happen to be around because Lucio dealt with them. I really doubt that there are no others. They are definitely less common in (most) areas outside of Vesuvia, but still, they’re out there. (Am I thinking about making some demon OCs that are pissed off at MC for messing with their boss, for that sweet post-route action? Mayhaps.)

Most of the ones we see are special in their connection to the Major Arcana, so that might have been a limiting factor in the ability to become a demon in the first place, but there is a demon that doesn’t seem to be connected to any Arcana, and thus throws that theory under the bus, I’ll talk about him a bit later.

(Then again, it’s also never explained if there can be only one person connected to each Major Arcana, but that seems very unlikely, because the Satrinava family would kinda hog almost a half of the Arcana roster. Sharing is caring, guys.)

Valdemar is distinctly different from the other demons, which is likely connected to their age, among other things - we’re talking tens of thousands of years here. I’d say Vlastomil is the second oldest, and Vulgora and Volta being relatively young (wiki says that Vulgora became a demon “sometime in the past century”, but idk what the source of that info is) But even Vlastomil is nowhere close to Valdemar.

Which makes me wonder about the reasons behind that. What’s the demon mortality rate? Most of them likely just never make it to Valdemar’s age. Some might be killed at an early stage, others are banished to the Realms, like Vulgora was. So only the really intelligent ones can “make it”.

But there is another curious case of a demon that we never even meet, aside from a single event in the Realms that was probably not him anyway:

Continua a leggere

[portias-husband]

Idk if you're still doing HCs for the courtiers but if you are how do you think they'd react to a MC who is totally okay with walking in when they're trying to be intimating or threatening and just absolutely not give a f. Like for example if valdemar/volgra was in the middle of threatening their staff/worriors and MC just walks in "hi! My love. You forget your papers/knives at home xx anyway I have to go. Byeeee xxox" and kiss on the cheek and leaves.

Absolutely destroying any fear or tension in the room lol bonus points if they do it on intentionality

That sounds so funny! And cute at the same time!

Also since Valdemar is aroace, them and the MC have a queerplatonic relationship :)

Valdemar and Vulgora with an MC who interrupts them when intimidating people

- They actually find it cute, but they don’t show that on their face, just smiling that creepy smile which actually intimidates the people they are threatening more

- Actually invites you to stay and “help with the experiment” and sometimes you watch, with them going even more threatening on the people, although if you don’t stay, they will catch you up on what happened afterwards with that creepy ass grin

- They frickin love it and hate it at the same time

- Like they get to see the love of their life and have them be really cute but it also kinda undermines their whole atmosphere

- They will blush and their face will soften when they look at you, you’ll kiss them on the cheek and then turn back to the people they were threatening and start yelling at them again while you giggle

[im-ovulating]

The Arcana Masterlist

The Main 6

The Courtiers

Events

The Arcana Taglist:

Full Masterlist:

Navigation

*Reader is gender neutral unless stated as otherwise!

**Themes of posts will be specified next to each work in parentheses!!

[arcana-simp]

Could you do the M6 and courtiers realizing MC is a teenager?

I’ll be doing this in 2 parts so here's first with the courtiers.

Valdemar

Surprised

You’re their assistant in the dungeons and have been for a few years

They just assumed that you looked younger than you were and expected you to be and adult

Despite them being very impressed at your skill and ability now they know your age they will be a bit softer on you than before

You somewhat managed to grow into a child-parent dynamic with them teaching you and are willing protect you from most things

Volta

Oh she’s very excited you’re so sweet and energetic like her

Will ask you to help her with clothing and show her new foods that the kids are into

People actually assume you’re older than her because she’s so small so it’s kind of funny when they see her hovering around you like an older sibling

Or running look out for you when you two go our on midnight runs to the kitchen

Vulgora

They don’t like kids

Like full stop they think you’re weak because of your age even if you have fought them before

Will gradually warm up to you and treat you like an adult but wont fight with you on the basis that its demeaning to them to fight a child

People don’t quite believe this and think they’re very protective of you

One time when a someone tried to hit on you they yelled at him so loud you though they burst your eardrum

Valerius

Doesn’t really care

Teen adult centuries old demon he could not care less as long ad you can talk and gossip together

Surprisingly tries to drink around you less as to not be a bad influence

Takes you under his wing and let’s you coke around the palace with him on his duties when you’re allowed to

Everyone is very fond of the time you spend in the palace as he calms down around you and tries to be better

Vlastomil

He strikes me as someone who dislikes teen

Like he likes kids they’re happy to get dirty or play with worms but teens he just doesn’t like

If you happen to like or even just tolerate his interest in worms he may let you around him but it would take a while to even get him to consider letting you touch any or be around them

Would happily let you do his garden or help around outside as long as he can keep an eye on you

[cut3sy-baphom3t]

Maybe some hcs on how the courtiers would ask you to the masquerade? 👉👈

If all of them are too much maybe just Valdemar/Vulgora

This is such a cute ask, Anon! I am in a bit of a rush though, so I'm only going to be doing Valdemar and Vulgora 💓💓 I hope you enjoy!

How Valdemar and Vulgora would ask Mc to the Masquerade

+++---+++

Valdemar:

Valdemar is very... Old fashioned? But also incredibly creepy and mildly deranged.

They would to their best to "court" you months prior to the masquerade. It's the charming and Gentledemonly thing to do, after all!

If you accept this courtship (you don't have a choice) they will immediately thrust you into the realm of science! ... Okay, yeah by that I mean, they ask to have a look at your insides so that they can "be prepared".

Yes. Of course. Cut me open and STOP BEING STRANGE

Jesus Christ, I love you but chill! You've been "courting" me for 2 minutes!

Needless to say they will have anticipated that reaction and laugh at you openly

Yeah, them asking you to the masquerade is shocking, yet if they're interested in courting you, that must mean that your worth more to them than all the other soon to be corpses! And you know what? That's pretty damn sweet

Just don't count on them not cutting you open. It's foreplay damnit!

Vulgora:

There's no courting

There's no anticipation

There's not even a question

Vulgora will come barrelling towards you with intent in their eyes and a menacing grin on their glossy lips

Yes they wear gloss! Fight me, you know it's true!

This beetle babe will stop you in the hall (by unceremoniously pushing you against a wall) and very loudly demand be their date to the masquerade

One again, you have no choice. Sorry hunny. Okay, I'm not sorry, but the sentiment stands

If you say yes, they will scream out in a roar of "YEEEESSSSSSSS WE WILL BE THE MOST DEADLY, MOST VIOLENT COUPLE OF THEM ALLLLLL!!!" Then proceed to laugh hysterically as they return from whence they came, leaving you in shock and mild horror at what you have gotten yourself into.

Have fun booboo, try not to get too hurt~

[angeledeggs]

Hey! Xx can you please do a HC for the courtiers having a S/O that they’ve known since they were humans? Like the S/O probably became a demon In order to stay with them.

I sure can! Btw, this was SO fun to write<3!!

Valerius🍷:

He's so very touched to have you. He's self conscious and though most don't know it, you know after being with him for so long.

"Are you sure you still want me?" He'll whisper to you at night. "Don't you want something better than me?"

When he was younger, he would shrug away your touch and scoff at you. He dosent know how he managed to keep you. But now he doesn't. He finds one of his only stress relievers to be at night when you two cling to each other.

If you ever become a demon for him or do something supernatural to stay with him, he will definitely cry.

How could you still love him? How could someone as sweet and beautiful as you love a corrupt man such as himself?

It's not long before he asks you to marry him. He should have a long time ago. But he finds the matching wedding bands ease the ache in his heart often.

Vlastomil🐛:

He's very old. He can't remember how many generations he's lived through. How many people he's seen die. But you never do. And it's not long before he realizes what you've done.

He confronts you, begging for you to say that you haven't done anything wrong to extend your lifespan for him, but he takes one look at your eyes, and he knows.

He's so mad at first. Why did you have to stay with him? He didn't deserve you, anyway. You just had to commit yourself to him in such a way...

He sheds many tears in his office.

But one day he just can't handle distancing himself from you anymore. You're the love of his life-- he shouldn't have distanced himself from you at all, oh, he's so sorry.

He can barely explain his apology in between tears, but he gets the point across well enough when he fumbles with his own rings, when he messily slips one onto your fingers, when he drops to his knees before you.

Valdemar💉:

They never ask you how you live as long as them. They already know why. You're their beloved, and as long as you are happy, they are aswell.

At night they find themselves turn to your sleeping form and hesitate to touch you. Their fingers are claws, their skin is no longer it's natural shade, but green, they have horns. They do not deserve you. They deserve not even to gaze upon you. In their eyes, you are still the sweetest human in the world.

Only when you plead with them to finally hold you like they used to do they give in. They have missed your warmth in their cold, dead arms.

The very same night they finally hold you after so long, they blurt it out. "Marry me." They whisper. "What?" You manage. Valdemar's eyes are teary. They force your head to look away with a hand at your jaw. They tremble against your back, your form pressed against their chest. Their tears are cold against your hair. "Marry me." They repeat.

Your ring is made of iron and bone.

Volta🍰:

She's so touched that you've stayed by her side for so long. She dosent like to think of it, though. She feels a lingering dread in her belly when she does. Why, you're human, it's such a surprise you've lasted as long as her. She is a demon after all, the only way you could last as long as her is if you--

Oh, no. No. You shouldn't have done that at all, you shouldn't have become a demon just for her. Why would you do that?

She loves you more than anything, you're her darling, why would you do such a thing? She finds herself constantly crying at night, distraught even as you comfort her.

She can barely eat or talk to the other courtiers she's so upset, so angry at herself for not noticing and intervening sooner. She should have noticed! She should have noticed that you became a demon like her...

Two demons. She contemplates this for a long time. Two demons, together. A sudden thought strikes her.

She runs to you in the middle of the day. She trips over many things, but it's fine, she needed to do this on her knees anyway. She scrambles to your legs, still on her knees, and clasps your hands in her own, and declares her offer of marriage.

She has no ring for you. But she has a bangle on her wrist. And so that shall be your wedding ring.

Vulgora⚔️:

They would be happy forever if only besides you. They always told themself that. And it's so true. They love you so much, more than anyone, more than anything.

And they had always just assumed you were human like when you both met

They don't think much of you living as long as them, at first. They don't pay attention to many things, after all. And then one day, they're just looking at you when they realize, that, oh. That's why you lived so long. It's because you're like them.

They don't know what to think, they're kind of numb to it at first. How could they not notice?

They think of it for a long, long time. Such a long time. They are unusually quiet. And then one day they just embrace you so tight your back cracks, their muscles tight and tense.

Pressed in an embrace, they present to you their oldest sword, and they beg for your hand in marriage, to commit themselves to you as you had commit themselves to them.

❀

[glamourgirl777]

The Courtiers As Stock Photos

Volta

Vlademar

Vlastomil

Vulgora

Valerius

[crinklytinfoil]

For Day 4 of the Midsummer Masquerade: Group Sex

Words: 7287 Rating: Explicit

Relationships: Volta/Vulgora/Original Nonbinary Character Additional Tags: Oral Sex, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Group Sex, Threesome, Shameless Smut, Public Sex, Biting, Demon Sex, Demon Biology, Non-Human Genitalia

Summary: Finch, a Hjallan lock specialist, does not want to go to the Midsummer Masquerade. Unfortunately, they get hungry.

[k1nky-fool]

The Ace Of Swords

Book I: The Devil in the Details

Chapter III: The Inevitable

Nadia Satrinava x OC, Callisto

Warnings: Little more sexual tension, future NSFW, Lucio is unsettling, Plague victims, and a lot of angst.

Masterlist

Chapter III: 

“Mortals?” 

“Yeah, I don’t think Vulgora is any more human than Valdemar.” Callisto said. They were alone on the veranda. Nadia sent the servants away for a little while so they could privately discuss the findings of Callisto’s impromptu magic interrogation. “And Lucio mentioned getting his power from something more powerful than me, and he also had a little bit of a vendetta against death.” 

Nadia stared down at her tea, thinking over everything carefully. Callisto began to feel something heavy weighing down on the senses of her magic as she focused. “Nadia, are you being entirely honest with me?” 

“You know as much as I do, Callisto.” She says calmly. 

“About everything?” 

Nadia picks up that she’s searching for something more mystic, but that also means that she just has to follow along. Callisto knows it’s because she herself doesn’t quite know why she’s asking, she just gets the sense that she has to. 

“I can’t imagine what else you would need to know about the situation.” Nadia figures. While she isn’t showing any outward signs of aggression, Callisto gets the sense that she’s becoming defensive, but she knows the question she has to ask next. 

“What truly brought you to me in the library that day?” She finds herself asking again. “You said intuition, but you realize saying that to me is like saying the wind blew you in.” 

Immediately, Callisto could feel the shift in her aura that told her that there was a wall keeping Nadia from answering. So she decided that if Nadia didn’t feel safe enough to tell the truth, Callisto would start with her own honesty. “I can sense that there’s something strong keeping you from telling me.

“I did not hire you to scrutinize me.” Nadia keeps her voice low and calm, but Callisto is finally seeing the defensiveness. 

“I know you want me to stop, but you wanted my talents, and right now, they’re telling me that there’s something in you that flinches away from that answer like it’s burned you.” Callisto explains herself fully, but as soon as she says that, Nadia won’t look at her. “Oh, it’s burned you before.” 

Nadia takes a deep breath. “Why do you need to know?” 

Callisto takes out her deck of cards, and places it on the table in front of Nadia. “Ask the cards.” 

“Why would you ask them? Shouldn’t you know your own reasons for wanting that answer?” 

“I’m not asking them, you are.” Callisto said. “The Arcana are bound to speak nothing but truth. It’s also why they speak so cryptically. You‘re closed off. So if you can’t hear it from me, I’ll tell you how to hear it from them.” 

Nadia eyed her skeptically. This was a little more risky, since someone as solitary as her would usually be just as closed off to the Arcana, but Callisto could read in small, sparkling pieces, around Nadia that she could pull this off if Callisto was a good enough teacher. Thankfully, she was hopeful enough to pick up the cards. 

Her hands elegantly shuffled the cards together. “How many do I pull?”

“Start simple with just one.” Callisto instructs. Nadia shuffled once more and pulled the top card, and set it down on the table. It was The Tower. 

Oh, the Arcana like this idea. 

“How do I hear them?” She asked. 

“Start with what you see on the card. I made this deck myself, and every piece of art has a meaning, even if I didn’t know it at the time.” She explains. 

“I see a deer carcass covered in red beetles. Its antlers are cracking and on fire. The Tower behind the carcass is getting struck by lightning.” Nadia narrates.

“The Tower is a symbol. The tower was built for a purpose, but in order to move on, the tower must fall. It’s usually a signifier that something you have put a lot of effort into, or perhaps something comforting to you must be brought down in order to continue your journey.” Callisto explains.

Callisto gets up from her seat and kneels beside Nadia, as she holds the card lightly, reflecting the light off the gold accents. 

“Close your eyes and let the meaning of The Tower reflect onto the question.” She says. “Why is it important for me to know? Let it spiral, and feel for the answer. Let your intuition guide you to a stop, then listen.” 

Nadia is silent for what feels like hours, but could have only been minutes. Callisto stays silent and lets her focus. A tear comes from Nadia’s closed eye, but she wipes it away as she finally opens her eyes and sets the card down. 

“What did The Tower say?” 

“They said to leave my fear behind. And that you were waiting for me on the other side.” Nadia says quietly. 

Callisto can’t help but smile. Not just because of how The Tower had put it, but also because she was just proud of her. It wasn’t easy for Callisto to learn to hear every Arcana, but Nadia had managed it on the first try, with a random card. “And how do you choose to act on the voice of the Arcana?” 

Nadia stood, inviting Callisto along with her to the edge of the varanda. “I was all ready to give up hope in Vesuvia.” She confesses. “I had been entertaining the thought of just running away.” 

“Where would you go?” Callisto asked. 

“Back home to Prakra, with my tail between my legs, admitting that Lucio, the court, and Vesuvia had defeated me.” She said with the general frustration that’s been hiding in her since she saw her at the Consul’s estate. 

“So what stopped you?” 

“It was a helpless gamble for a reason to stay.” Nadia explained. “I had all but broken down under everything, but I was desperate for just a sign that not all was lost. It might have even been a joke at the moment, but I told Chandra that if she found any hope in Vesuvia, I would take it.” 

That was something a little odd. Not to Callisto, or any magician with a familiar, but Nadia wasn’t a magician. She was, however, suspiciously quick to learn magic, and she asked her animal companion to help in her support system. Nadia had all the signs a magician looks for when choosing an apprentice, but it seems she wasn’t interested in following that path. 

“I didn’t expect Chandra to lead me out into the courtyard, where I found Clio chasing butterflies.” Nadia says. “And when Clio led me to you in the library.” 

At the very least that explains why Nadia was so curious about her. However, Callisto’s attention was drawn to the new aura that surrounded Nadia. She was at peace. “Would it help if I said you’ve given me hope too?” 

“To someone of your power?”

“I’m just a magician.” Callisto said. “There are some things I’ll never have control of, but I don’t need to have control. What I need is someone just as devoted as I am to changing things. If you’ve found hope in me, then my only hope is you.” 

“I suppose we’ll have to do it together.” Nadia says. “If I may ask, why did you choose to help me?” 

“Well, since we’re being honest. I came to the palace because my aunt, Mosyne, died of the Red Plague, and I wanted to find a cure, so nobody would ever feel what I felt again. But The Arcana have been telling me that this plague is no ordinary illness. And now, they’re telling me that I’ll find my answers within the palace.” 

“And what do you make of that?” 

“Something is deeply wrong in the palace.” Callisto began. “Animals are beings that can be guided by forces like The Arcana. It’s why good magicians always have familiars. I think Chandra brought you to me that day because you asked her to find hope. I needed you that day because I was looking in the wrong place. From my point of view, Clio brought me an answer.”

“Then Fate has chosen us to solve this problem.” Nadia says. “Personally, I don’t like Fate deciding what my responsibilities are, but if there is a chance we can save Vesuvia from The Red Plague, then I suppose I will do Fate this one favor.” 

Callisto giggled. “I’m sure Fate appreciates the gesture.” 

Nadia smiles, but her attention is quickly caught by something in the garden. 

Callisto follows her eyes, and sees the same movement she does as it comes closer to the veranda. The movement stops as the crawling animal comes up the shrubs and exits onto the veranda’s railing. 

As it slithers into the faint sunlight, Callisto’s blood runs cold. “What are you doing here?” She asks quickly. 

“Callisto, look.” Nadia says, pointing at a small cloth bag in the snake’s mouth, that does look quite heavy for it to be lifting. “Do you know this snake?” 

Her question hangs in the air as Callisto is preoccupied with searching the garden for the magician attached to this snake, but she turns up empty no matter where she looks. “What do you have, Faust?” 

She takes the invitation cautiously and comes up to Callisto, past Nadia. Faust drops the bag in front of her and looks shy as she coils up, waiting for her to open it. She opens the drawstring and finds a circular disk with a pointing needle on it. 

Asra’s compass?

As Callisto holds it in her hand, she can feel the embedded traces of Asra’s magic that come to the surface with a pure intention. She can hear his voice with the whispering mystery that’s always followed him. 

“If you go where I can’t follow, then my heart is with you.” 

It was his first step. And Callisto could afford to take one too. If Nadia noticed the tear that escaped her eye, then she didn’t say anything about it. 

“Thank you, Faust.” She offered her hand to her. “You know I could never be angry with you.” 

If snakes could jump, she would have. Faust immediately slithered up her arm and squeezed with all the affection she’d missed in the last few months since they’ve seen each other. “I missed you too. Can you take something back to him for me?” 

She spent a few more seconds squeezing before she got back on the railing and waited for her next parcel. Callisto took the emerald necklace off, and focused on the gem. Thankfully, crystals and gems already hold magic energy very well, and this gem was already tied to someone they both knew and loved. She poured every emotion she could into that gem. Every moment she knew Asra was there for her and aunt Mosyne. And every moment she ever spent with Asra that she knew their friendship was one she never wanted to end. 

I could never forget where we came from.

She put the necklace in the bag and gave it to Faust, thankfully this one was lighter for her to carry, and she was off much faster than she arrived. 

“I suppose Fate is still hard at work, then.” 

“No, Asra is.” Callisto said. “I don’t know where he is, or what he’s doing, but I get the sense that it is just as important as what we are doing here.” 

“What did you do to that emerald?” 

“I sent a message. I don’t want our last meeting to be our goodbye.” She said, “What’s our next move?” 

“We need to find something that can string all of this together. You said Lucio got his power from something more powerful than you. I want you to focus on trying to find out what, while I speak to Valerius again. He is most honest when he is being judgemental, so it should be easy to get him to start insulting the rest of the court.” Nadia explains. “Whatever you need to search for an answer to Lucio’s plans, I will tell the servants to get for you.” 

Callisto nodded. “I will warn you that finding such a thing may be out of the range for even the Arcana, if Lucio managed to find a powerful being to deal with. There are beings more powerful than Arcana.” 

“I somehow doubt that Lucio is competent enough to find anything you can’t handle.” Nadia deadpanned. “He’s more of an opportunist, so I think this being found Lucio, and he was foolish enough to take its offer.” 

Figures that if anybody knew his personality well, it would probably be his wife, even as estranged as they are. “Reading the cards for answers about him works better if he’s at least in the room with me, but I know how to get around him.” 

“If you think it’s wise, then do as you need.” Nadia says. “Speaking of which, I believe the next session of his portrait is in a few minutes.” 

Callisto barely gets a “Shit.” under her breath before she’s running back into the palace to get to the studio on time. She doubts her usual excuse would work on Lucio.

The halls were so long and intricate that it was easy for her to get lost, and eventually, she was. A quick glance at the compass still in her hand, proved strange. It definitely didn’t point North. 

She followed the needle, and it brought her to an archway over a stone wall. The stone hummed with a magic she recognized. It was Aunt Mosyne’s magic, still sitting here, waiting to be discovered. She focused on the arch, pressing her hands to the stone, and eventually, she fell directly through the wall, landing on the floor that was just around the corner from the studio.

Collecting herself, and pretending like she knew that would happen, she continued on her way. The air became stale, and the warm light was no match for the cold and gray feeling of a presence that alerted her to an unexpected visitor. Callisto arrived at the same time Lucio was arriving, with Quaestor Valdemar in tow. 

“The canals are structured correctly. You do not need to worry about it.” Valdemar commented. 

“But Noddy keeps pestering me about it!” Lucio whined. 

“I will handle it.” Valdemar turned on their heel and walked briskly away, down the opposite hall. 

The immediate feeling that Valdemar was up to something wracked through her, as she was also now in the hall, alone, with Cound Lucio. Nobody to buffer her immediate instincts. 

“Callisto! running late?” 

“A magician arrives precisely when she means to.” And that’s exactly what she was scared she’d say. 

“Oh, all you magicians have your secrets.” Lucio mused. 

She could salvage this. “Besides, what better time to arrive than when the man being painted arrives?” 

“I suppose that makes sense. Can’t start without me!” There was still a long hallway ahead of them, and right now it didn’t feel like it was getting any shorter.

“A perfect model, and a worthy opponent. You can do it all, Count Lucio.” Callisto said, taking Nadia’s advice to get him talking about himself. 

“Please, just call me Lucio.” 

Callisto nearly stopped dead in her tracks. 

How do I even respond to that?

“Why?- have me drop the title?” She ended up saying, narrowly avoiding putting her foot in her mouth. “Forgive my curiosity, but you hardly seem the type to dislike being honored.” 

“Oh, it just gets in the way.” Lucio groans.

In the way of what? My respectful distance from you, because I’m flirting with your wife?

Callisto’s senses were picking up on something much more methodical than neither she nor Nadia expected. However she knew he likely wouldn’t be capable of it if it weren’t for something he really wanted. 

“Oh! Are you going to the Autumn Ball I’m throwing?” Lucio asked, almost desperately.

There likely wasn’t much of a choice now that he’s brought it up. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A small sacrifice to get him off her back. She’d heard about it around the palace, and she’d have to be an idiot to not notice the preparations for it. Last she heard, it was in three days.

Lucio clapped in excitement. “Great! Jules tells me you have a wonderful singing voice, I can’t wait to hear it!” 

Jules? Julian!? 

She’d have to remember to kill him the next time she sees him. Though, she knew several songs that were both direct and indirect insults to rulers or even Lucio himself. It would be funny to sing just one to his face. In front of all his biggest fans. 

“Sorry, you’ll have to wait. I’m best at singing when I’m drunk.” She chuckled, as they finally got to the studio door. She wasted no time opening it to find Lyra already set up. 

“Perfect! We can start right away.” Lyra quickly handed Lucio his costume and let him go get changed. As soon as he was out of sight, Callisto let out a breath and had to sit down. “How’d that go?” 

“Apparently I’m singing at the Autumn Ball in three days.” She deadpanned. 

“Hey, that’s not the worst I’ve seen some do when alone with him.” Lyra offered comfort. 

“Really? What’s the worst?” She couldn’t help but ask. 

“Marrying him.” Callisto had to hiss through her teeth to stop herself from saying anything. “The second worst is sleeping with him.” 

On that shocking note, Lucio came out of the dressing room in his mighty eyesore. Callisto had to remember what her goal was out of this to even keep herself in the room. With the light spell set up, she could focus on what she and Nadia needed from him. 

Callisto made her way to sit on the floor in front of Lucio as she set up a couple different forms of divination. Her cards sat in the middle, a pendulum to her right, and a palm-sized, clear, quartz ball to her left. Aware of her audience, she shuffled her cards with a few fancy moves she’d learned after years of doing this. 

“What’s all this?” Lucio asks. 

“I have to get some kind of work done while I’m here.” She shrugs, knowing that if Lucio knows she’d reading him, he’ll probably get much more defensive about the truth. “I’m asking the Arcana for guidance on how to best serve the court. Normally I’d do this in my meditation space at my shop, or even on my bunk in the dungeons, but I haven’t had a wink of personal time since the promotion, so I can’t think of a better first audience for my craft.” 

Most of that was a lie, and Lyra knew it. Callisto would do this anywhere there was room for it. She’s walked past her in a quiet corner in the palace halls, and even setting this up on the grand staircase like Callisto couldn’t even finish her regular commutes without dropping to the floor somewhere and asking a long chain of questions to mystic beings. 

Even still, Lyra didn’t stop her. Though, Callisto got the sense from her glare that she’d bring this up later. 

“Actually, if you could help me answer some questions, I would greatly appreciate it.” Callisto said, almost comically catching his attention. “The Arcana speak the truth, but they only lead me as far as my intuition can reach. You know the court better than anybody in the palace, so you’re the best person to fill in the blanks.” 

“Don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing, Callisto.” Lucio laughed, and she did her best to keep her smile as her heart dropped. “You wanted my help all along, and so you waited until you’d have me in one spot for a while.” 

Every muscle in her body relaxed all at once, but she did her best to play it off like defeat. “Alright, fine. You’re not wrong, I wanted to hear most from you because you know what’s going on. You respect my magic the same way I respect your swordsmanship. We know what real power looks like, and we ally ourselves with those that have what we have. Unfortunately, the rest of your court doesn’t have the same eye for greatness that you do.” 

Lucio’s expression was surely the one Lyra would capture. Callisto was well below him, but she could see in the face of victory that shadowed over her, she’d caught him in her web, and he didn’t know it yet. And he would never know it until it was too late. “This ought to be good.” 

Callisto shuffled the cards. “Who do you think we should ask about first?” 

“How about Valerius? He’s always been a bit of a thorn.” The card that all but leapt out of the deck, fell in front of them. Picking up on her surprised pause, Lucio got interested. “What does that mean?” 

She ignored him while she focused on listening to the card. The Hierophant Reversed called out in warning, almost panic. 

Tradition can only endure so much before it breaks.

“Consul Valerius is a staunch traditionalist, I take it?” Callisto asks. 

“Yes, he’s Vesuvian, born and raised. I would have replaced him by now, but his family has been serving the Countship for centuries, and it's more of a hassle to get rid of him than it is to bear with him.” Lucio rattled, somehow forgetting that the consul’s partner was painting his portrait as he spoke.  

“That’s quite helpful.” She noted, shooting an apologetic glance to Lyra, who took a deep breath and continued painting. “Who's next?”

“Hmmm… Oh! What about Valdemar? Even I feel weird around them.” 

Callisto shuffled the deck once again, but this time, the card was more resistant to being pulled. When it finally came face up, a dark, muddy, and sick feeling overtook her. Death Reversed. 

She had pulled Death before, and its voice always came in faint whispers, or strangely familiar, but altogether haunting songs. However, Death’s voice was beginning to fade, like parted oceans had snapped shut, and it’s drowning away. Callisto is left with the sense that this was recent. The hushed voices left behind a mist that was still fresh and cool. 

“Callisto?” He had to have called her name more than once, because she had to force herself out of the trance she was just put in. 

“Sorry.” She said with the most genuine shock she’s ever shown in front of him. “Let me try that again.” When she focused on the card again, that deep chasm was all she could feel. 

“Spill the beans, Callisto.” 

“Lucio, how well do you really know Valdemar?” She asked cautiously, hoping to ply him using his name as he requested. 

His face told her everything. He knew exactly what she found, but he was waiting to see how she would react to it. Only now did she realize exactly why Lucio is as dangerous as his enemies say. As soon as he’s decided it’s a battle, he had enough strategic patience to wait until his enemy was weak. 

There’s no better way for a coward to fight.

He wanted to see if she would keep his interests and keep quiet, or if she would let the secret out to Lyra. “They keep many secrets close to them. Are you sure they’re being honest with you?” 

“Are you saying my Quaestor may want to kill me?” 

“No. Whatever Valdemar is, they aren’t malicious toward you.” She assures. “Are they dangerous? Well, that depends on who you ask.” 

Lucio’s pleased smile made her sure that he’d be obsessed with her power. “How about Vlastomil?” 

Callisto read for the remaining courtiers, but she was left with the same feeling from Justice, Temperance, and The Tower that she felt from Death. Whether it was impending suffering from Justice and Vlastomil, a ravenous hunger from Temperance and Volta, or a searing burn from The Tower and Vulgora, the court was infested with this cosmic silencing wrath. Coupled with how Vulgora referred to her as mortal, Callisto could put two and two together. Valdemar, Volta, Vulgora, and Vlastomil are not human. 

“Nadia next.” That suggestion should not have scared her so much, and the fact that it did made her concerned that if Lucio was any smarter, he’d probably be able to tell there’s something going on between Callisto and the Countess. 

Looking at him now, she wasn’t exactly that impressed. And she’d been all but lying to him so far, so it’s not like he’ll notice. 

“Sure.” She shuffled the cards, but as she pulled the card, she realized that her mind may have been getting a little carried away as she thought of Nadia. The card she pulled came up as The Two of Cups. Immediately, she felt the need to smack the card to cover it up and quickly shuffle it back into the deck, as she made a habit of whenever this would happen in front of Asra, or Mosyne, but thankfully, the only thing that happened was that she froze and could feel the burning on her ears. 

“Oh, what’s got you blushing like that?” 

Shit. 

“Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for me to read for your wife.” She chuckled awkwardly. 

“Why, you got a crush on her?” Lucio asks unceremoniously, but as soon as Callisto starts scrambling her mind, trying to find something to say that could save her from the embarrassment in front of Count Lucio, he cut her off. “Don’t worry, I can’t be bothered to worry about what she gets her kicks out of. She lets me do what I want, and I don’t care what she and the magician do while I’m away.” 

Choosing between Lucio finding out she thinks his wife is attractive, and him finding out she and Nadia are conspiring to expose the court for magic corruption was a rather easy one to make. 

“But if you’re looking for flings around the palace, I could put in a good word for you with the usual suspects.” Lucio offered, but she was immediately hit with an ultimately selfish desire from him. 

“Thank you, but I’m fine without it.” She awkwardly rejects, now looking to Lyra for some kind of rescue. 

“I think this is a good stopping point for today’s session, Count Lucio.” Lyra said in her usual chipper tone. 

Lucio lets out his breath, and his chest deflates. “I love this fur, but it is very heavy.” He notes as he goes back to the dressing room. 

“That could have gone worse.” Callisto notes, but Lyra is staying quiet as she begins clearing her easel. The silence held sturdy until Lucio came out of the dressing room. 

“Callisto, do you want to go hunting with me?” Lucio proposes as he makes his way to leave. 

“Maybe next time, Lucio. Lyra and I have some lighting difficulties to go over.” The excuse would have been weak to anybody that knew better than him. 

Lucio shrugged, bidding them farewell, but as Callisto closed the door behind him, Lyra didn’t hold back. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m working with the Countess to uncover a magical disturbance within the court.” Callisto answered. “Unfortunately because their magic is unfocused and volatile, I can’t afford to let them know how I’m investigating.” 

“Wow, what aren’t you telling me?” 

“I promised that my antics would not be your problem beyond your favor. I’d appreciate it if you kept anything you noticed to yourself. How much do you really want to know about the court?” Callisto asked. 

“I won’t keep a secret from Valerius.” She glared. 

“I’m not asking you to.” Callisto agreed. “Nadia went to speak with him while I came to speak to Lucio.” 

“You are calling a lot of people by given names.” Lyra noticed. 

“I’m making friends.” She smiled. 

Lyra took a long look at the unfinished painting. “I only have one question.” 

“I have an answer.” 

“What did the cards really say about Valerius?” 

Callisto felt a pang in her heart, knowing what she had to tell Lyra. “Tradition can only endure so much before it breaks.” 

Lyra’s face went gray, but she nodded. “Nevermind, I might have to keep that one secret from him.” 

Despite everything, Callisto knew she was right. There are some things that some aren’t ready to hear. Receiving such a secret from the Arcana themselves is a power. And powers require decisions. The decision to reveal a secret is up to those that keep it. 

“Secrets kept are never safe. Certainly never safer than the truth.” She found herself saying. Valerius seemed to be an imperfect victim of Lucio just like everyone else in this damned city. 

“How am I supposed to say that to him? I know that it means that my partner is headed for a difficult decision, but it’s one that only he can make.” Lyra said. “Even if he actually takes it seriously, it only stands to hurt him.” 

That was her choice to act on the Arcana’s word like that. As it was everyone’s choice to bear after Callisto read their story in the cards. “As you wish.” Callisto found herself reaching for Asra’s compass, but now that it was in her hand, she figured she must have reached for it for a reason. “I’ll catch up with you later, Lyra. Stay safe.” 

She barely heard Lyra’s response before she was following the compass out, down the hall, and right to a strange little, hidden door near the Salon. It was a little taller than her height, but half of it was obscured by a portrait, and it blended almost perfectly into the wall, but the crease was obvious. But at this spot in the hall, very few would be in a position to notice this. 

Callisto pressed the bottom of the portrait and the wall came swinging out by only a few inches. The painting turned out to be mounted to the wall in a way that it served as a sturdy handle to pull the stone door out. On the other side, she could close the door behind her, and producing a light was no problem for her as she followed the narrow hallway to two tiny lights coming from the left wall that cut through the dark. 

Looking through the holes that produced the light, she found a clear view of the Salon with Valerius and Nadia still discussing their business inside. 

“I suppose I don’t see why you hired her.” Valerius says. She can see the nearly empty decanter of wine, and his completely empty glass. 

“Callisto is quite talented in her craft. She’s not like the charlatans or snake oil salesmen you see on the streets. Her magic had Lucio and Vulgora on the ropes in a duel.” Nadia vouched. “And she can wrangle Lucio. I admit that is more of an asset than I want it to be.” 

“She’s charming. I’ll give her that.” Valerius said coldly. “But charming is the nature of witches, is it not?” 

“Witches have a better sense for what’s going on in this city than you do.” Nadia stated, now getting up from her seat. “Honestly, Valerius. If you can’t listen to regular sense, then give the "nonsense" a try.” Nadia was quick to leave, and Callisto continued to watch Valerius after Nadia left. 

He sat in silence for a moment, at least until a knock came across the door, and Lyra entered the room. 

“I finished with the portrait session today.” She said, falling into the couch beside him. 

“How did that go?” 

“Callisto was reading him the whole time, so I didn’t have to talk to him.” She said. “Really I should thank her. She’s a natural at capturing his attention. He’s absolutely obsessed with the magic, and I leave without thinking about burning the portrait.” 

“The Countess is rather taken with her too.” Valuerius notes. “And I suppose I do owe her for inspiring you to find me.” 

Lyra giggled. “Don’t think I don’t understand your discomfort.” She assured him. “She’s… eccentric, and whimsical. Sometimes you see her do something and it’s like she’s just as surprised as you are that she did it. Sometimes she speaks in riddles, and other times she tells you the worst things you’ve heard to your face.” 

“Such is the nature of witches.” He muses again. “I’ll let her make her own impressions.” 

Callisto had no idea what exactly that meant, but Lyra was happy with it. “I’m glad. Do you want to stay here for dinner or go back to the Estate for Koa’s cooking?” 

“I’d prefer to go home.” Valerius said, and Lyra got a wild smile about her. 

“Selasi it is.” She grinned, bringing his hands with hers as they left the Salon. Seems everybody has an opinion on her. It makes sense, she’s a foreign influence, suddenly given a lot of power, and sticking her nose in their business. It was a miracle she’d only been in the middle of two fights so far. 

The claustrophobic hallway eventually ended with a stone wall, but once she pressed her magic against it, another portal opened just as she expected, and she stepped through. 

The sunlight on the other side made her flinch, and it seems this opening had been forgotten by the many generations of gardeners, and she had to push her way through shoulder-high shrubs to find the palace gardens. Next to a willow tree and the capricorn fountain. 

“Callisto?” When her eyes finally adjusted to the light, Julian stood by the fountain, looking quite puzzled. 

“Sorry, I keep finding these portals around the palace that respond to magic. I never have any idea where I’m going to end up.” She said honestly. Usually when she did that, people thought she was talking in riddles. 

Unfortunately, that’s just what magic sounds like when explained literally. Julian, at the very least, was used to this kind of weirdness. 

“Anyway, what are you doing out here?” Callisto asked. 

“Where did you come from?” He asked at the same time. “I asked first.” 

Callisto rolled her eyes. “There’s a hidden hallway that has a hole to spy on the Salon.” She told the truth. 

“That’s creepy.” 

“Yes it is.” She agreed. “What are you doing out here?” 

“I… was talking to Asra in the fountain.” She could tell he didn’t want to tell the truth, but she knew the effect she had on people. It was amazing that Valerius was so judgemental that he’d been the only one to resist it. Lucio seemed to notice it, but became obsessed with it. And Nadia might not even be affected by it at all. 

“I take it, he turned tail and ran?” 

“More like rippled away.” He joked.

“Ah, the teacup trick.” She easily figured. “Asra can communicate through water no matter how much distance is between him and his conversation.” She explained to Julian. “It’s something I’ve only seen him capable of doing.” 

“That doesn’t make much sense, but I guess that’s magic for ‘ya.” He chuckled. “Always a riddle or a trick.” 

“Anything new in the dungeons?” Callisto asked. 

Julian almost smiled. “Morrigan found the carrier.”

“What!?” It was amazing that Morrigan of all the doctors had been the one to find the Plague's carrier. “She was in my coven as a child.” 

“She found the Southern Crimson Beetle. It’s an invasive species from the south, and it seems that Morrigan’s studies lead her to isolate it as the suspect.” Julian explained.

“Those are used to dye high end fabrics. Just the red that Lucio seems so fond of.” Callisto recalled. When she bought materials for new clothes, it was always in the top rack behind the seller’s counter. 

“Well, if anything’s going to assassinate him, what better than his own clothes?” He joked. 

Callisto couldn’t help but giggle a little too. Having spent time with him, she gets a horribly uneasy feeling any time he’s in the same room. "By the way, I'm jinxing you for telling Lucio I can sing."

"That was a year ago! You weren't even my apprentice yet, can you blame me for talking about my friend?" Julian pleaded.

The moment didn’t even have the time to fizzle out before a servant came running out of the hedge maze. 

“Thank the stars!” She cried out. “Magician, doctor, come quick, we need help.” 

She caught his frightened eye for just a second as they followed the servant back through the hedge maze and up to the veranda and through the palace to the entrance hall. Where Valerius held Lyra’s unconscious body as he knelt on the floor. “Please, we were about to go home when she collapsed.” 

Julian immediately takes her gently and lays her flat on the floor, using his jacket to cushion her head. He takes her pulse and opens her eye, but he immediately stops all at once. Julian wills himself to unfreeze, and checks her other eye. Callisto reaches for her tarot deck, to confirm her own suspicions. 

The Tower stares back at her. It didn’t always mean the plague, but if she was asking about the sickness, this was her result. Even though The Tower had gone silent today, she knew it still had a voice, but it would be impossible for her to hear with whatever magic had silenced them. Whether reachable or not, it didn’t change Lyra’s fate. 

“Consul, I’m sorry.” Julian almost hesitated to say. “She has the Red Plague.” 

His face went pale, and he did his best to hide his shaking by holding her hand. “Isn’t there anything you can do!?” Valerius snapped. “Isn’t that your job!? To find a cure for her!?” 

Callisto took a chance, fully in the dark about whether she was capable of this type of magic. She’d only ever been able to put this into an object,  but thinking of Lyra, she just reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Valerius.” Her voice was quiet, and as the spell peaked, she couldn’t stop herself from crying. 

The panic that seized her made it hard to breathe. The desperation of being willing to lose everything but what fate is taking from her, left a gaping chasm in her heart. The fear of having to face a world that Lyra does not live in, made everything so much more hopeless. All of this from Valerius, was trapped within Callisto for a temporary moment. 

While she took that burden from him, the spell was an equal exchange. She knew what Valerius was feeling because she had been feeling it all just a moment ago. The aching feeling like this was all her fault. That she’d been the reason that Lyra was even at the palace, and that it was her carelessness that brought this upon someone she loves. Only Valerius would feel it imposed on himself. 

Their own emotions eventually filled in, but now they both knew exactly how each other felt about having to face this reality. 

He turned to her, somehow managing to stop himself from crying. “Why?” 

“Because I’m sorry.” Callisto was not as gifted in keeping her tears to herself, and couldn’t even stop herself from sobbing. 

Valerius wouldn’t utter the same as his dying words, but the gesture of placing his hand atop hers on his shoulder said enough for him. He was sorry too. 

She was set up in one of the guest bedrooms. The entire hall had a fence that kept the room quarantined for everyone’s safety now that she’s in the latter days of the second phase of the plague. Julian eventually emerged from the guest room and made his way to her by the fence. 

“How’s she doing?” 

Julian ran his fingers through his hair, revealing his expression was not a hopeful one. “Her infection has been a long one. The leeches wouldn’t even bite with how infected her blood is. Leads me to believe that something happened recently that might have caused it to rapidly spread.” 

He might not consider the same possibilities that Callisto would, and her immediate revelation. “Julian, she uses the beetles as pigment in her paint.” Which explained how she initially got infected. 

“So this was inevitable.” He sighs, knowing this was just one case among thousands just like it. 

Callisto saw another sign in her reading of Lyra. The pigments were only the start. The catalyst was a choice out of hopelessness. She kept a secret from the Arcana, and this was the ripple of it. It wasn’t her fault. There’s never any way to know for sure what the future holds, but making a choice that hurts to make will always be more painful in the fallout. Even if she had told him, there’s no way to know if this isn’t how her life would end. 

“Maybe it was.”

[nikodoesstuff]

The courtiers including valerius, when mc is injured severely (not close to death, but like really hurt) pls 👁👃👁

Yessssss. Thanks for the ask!

Valerius

He’s shocked when he sees mc covered in wounds

Literally he just stands there for a solid minute, not sure what to do

Then almost screams “WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED TO YOU” and rushes to mc to help them stand

If there are guards around he’ll order them to help carry mc to the doctor

If not, he’ll just do it himself

Surprisingly (and fortunately) his hands are strong enough not to drop mc half way through

“I told you it was a stupid idea to participate in such a fight, but did you listen? Of course not! And just look where it took you!”

“To you, carrying me in your arms…? In this case, no regrets.”

“You’re badly hurt and yet you still manage to joke around”, he tried to hide his slight blush with a note of annoyance in his voice, “If you can flirt in such state, you can walk on your own, magician.”

But of course he enjoyed carrying mc like that, although he would never admit it

After that, he made sure mc got the best treatment

He even gave them a bottle of wine with a small note “I do hope you will get better soon. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make you feel better.”

Vlastomil

He's hysterical

Remember the time he lost Wiggler? That is nothing compared to his reaction to his wounded lover

Calls for help asap

Q u e s t i o n s

S o   m a n y   q u e s t i o n s

He'll ask about how mc got so hurt, when, where, and especially by whom

If mc refuses to tell him who it was, he will try to find a person responsible for this by himself

Will sue and imprison anyone who he finds at least slightly suspicious

“I KNOW IT WAS THAT NASTY CREATURE!”

“WTF VLASTOMIL IT WASN’T FAUST, SHE’S LITERALLY A SNAKE”

“BUT HAVE YOU SEEN ITS EYES? THOSE ARE THE EYES OF A CRIMINAL MEGAMIND”

He’s extremely overprotective after all that, so he won’t leave mc alone for months

Volta

At the sight of injured mc she just rushes to them, nearly crying

That “near crying” state turned to a breakdown real quick

That sweet angel thought they were dying already

“ NOOooOOOo MC PLEASE DON’T DIE ON ME LIKE THAT, YOU’RE TOO YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL”

“Volta I’ll be fine I just need a doc-“

“PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS”

Mc literally had to cup her face so she would look at them and listen

She calmed down after that just a tiny bit

After mc was treated, she visited them every day, bringing snacks and cheering them up

Sometimes she would stay with them for literal days, too afraid to leave them alone

That was quite traumatizing for her

Vulgora

Oh no

O h   n O

They are furious

First of all, WHO IN THE WORLD DARED TO DO THIS

Second of all, they are pissed that mc didn’t even tell them where they were going, but if Vulgora had known and been there with them, they wouldn’t have been hurt so badly

They will even blame themselves for not being there to protect mc

So when it comes to helping mc get to safety, they will lash out on anyone who approaches to try and help them

They’re just too overprotective at this point, they fear that others can hurt mc more, so Vulgora will ensure mc’s safety by themselves

They will forcefully yet gently pick them up and bring them to the doctor

They’re amazed by the fact that, despite severe injuries, mc is calm and put together

After they get the treatment they need, Vulgora will ask for juicy details about the battle and who won

Their eyes beam with joy and pride when they find out that mc was victorious

As for the one guilty of hurting their lover, Vulgora will find them and make them s u f f e r

Valdemar

You could see the shock and deep concern on their face, which they were trying to hide

They immediately help mc to get to the dungeons, asking about the injuries on the way there so they know what they’ll be working with

Although they know what happened is very unfortunate, they are quite exited to treat mc’s wounds

Just like Vulgora, they admire their strength to be so calm, even when they are in so much pain

During stitching up wounds, they will try to distract mc from the pain with small talk, asking about everything that happened, what weapons were used, did the other one survive, etc.

“Why do you want to know their whereabouts?”

“Out of pure curiosity, of course.”

That was a lie

Mc specifically asked them not to get involved, but did they listen?

Well, who knows, but soon enough Valdemar had a new specimen, which was awfully similar to mc’s offender

What a coincidence

After treating them Valdemar was always the one to change bandages

They also closely looked after mc since then (which was basically stalking them), but mc never noticed