#wait.... silence like the people who raised River?

[theranilord]

The Doctor mourned River twice at the same time.

[iitsarss]

╰ㅤ₊ㅤ๋࣭ㅤreader x gr13f3r　 confession　 ᠀

ꔛ word count: 753⠀╱⠀established friendship + crush 。

(¬_¬")⠀⠀⠀note ⠀╱⠀my ass cannot write smth more than 780 words long erm...yeah....more griefer i love him sm sm sigh i want to smooch him till he can't say anything comprehensible,,also yeah i see he doing this sht like yeah idk,,edit uh,changed 1 thing cause i just wrote the same thing again lol

Griefer was the epitome of immaturity and insensitivity, a walking disaster who thrived on chaos and violence. He relished in commanding others with brute force, going as far as having his father forcibly extract the Venomshank for him.

Now, here he was, standing by the very river where you two had first met as toddlers, struggling to get out the cheesiest words he could muster. It was surreal—how could something so simple be so difficult? He had even watched movies to prepare for this moment, which he would never admit to anyone—except maybe his gorilla pet, the only one privy to the embarrassing secret that he had a massive crush on you. But now, Griefer was a complete mess, unable to string a coherent sentence together without stuttering like a fool. He, of all people, blushing like some schoolgirl confessing to her first crush—it was mortifying!

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Griefer finally blurted out, “L00K, PUNK—I, UH—I L1K3 Y0U A L0T… 3RM… CAN W3 G0 0UT S0M3T1M3? W3 C0ULD G0 T0 TH3 ARCAD3 1F Y0U WANT—N0T THAT 1 CAR3 0R ANYTH1NG… UH, 3RM, CAN W3 HANG 0UT—L1K3 A DAT3? N0, N0T A DAT3! JU5T A HANG 0UT! Y3AH, THAT!”

The words came out in a jumbled rush, faster than he intended, leaving Griefer standing there, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of his chest,what was he even thinking? Calling you to come to that place? Too cheesy! Stuttering in front of you? Pathetic! And just brushing off his attempt in asking you out? God- Embarrassing! He waited, every nerve in his body tense as he anticipated your response, but when nothing came, he panicked even more, brushing it off with forced bravado.

“WA1T, F0RG3T THAT—1T W4S N0TH1NG—HA! J-JU5T A J0K3, ALR1GHT PUNK? JU5T A J0K3.”

Awkward silence hung in the air as Griefer mentally berated himself for how disastrously wrong everything had gone. What had he been thinking, bringing you here of all places? The whole scenario was too cheesy, and his stuttering made him feel like an absolute idiot—God, could this get any more humiliating?

For a moment, he stared at the ground, too embarrassed to meet your eyes. The smile on your face only made him feel worse, as if you were mocking him silently. His palms grew sweaty—though he convinced himself it was just the heat of the jungle—and he took another deep breath, trying to muster the courage to speak again.

“L00K, PUNK, 1—”

But before he could finish, you gently placed a hand on his cheek, and he froze, blushing furiously. What were you doing? He stared at you in bewilderment, his heart skipping a beat as he took in how stunning you looked up close. No, he couldn’t think like that—he was already embarrassed enough.

“PUNK, WHAT AR3 Y—”

His words were cut off as your lips suddenly met his, and Griefer’s brain short-circuited. Panic surged through him, and if he could blush any deeper, he would’ve turned into a human tomato. What was he supposed to do? He’d never kissed anyone before—not properly, anyway. The closest he’d come was a peck on the cheek from a girl back in high school, which didn’t count for much. But now, here you were, the person he actually liked,the person he actually thought of without any violent thoughts before going to sleep,kissing him, and all he could think was how utterly unprepared he was.

Slowly, as if moving through a dream, Griefer raised a hand to your hair, his fingers awkwardly threading through it before trailing down to your cheek. Okay, maybe he was getting the hang of this. His other hand found its way to your hip, pulling you closer, and he tried—really tried—not to mess this up. Which,spoiler!, of course, he did.

After what felt like an eternity—an agonizing, yet heavenly eternity—you both pulled apart. Griefer stared at you, his mind reeling. That… was actually a good kiss, especially for his first time. But then reality set in, and the nerves came rushing back. He had just kissed you—no, YOU had kissed HIM! He always thought he’d be the one to make the first move, and now he felt even more stupid. Who could blame him, though? He was just a hopeless guy in love.

Taking a deep, trembling breath, he looked at you, his hands still slightly shaky, and with all the courage he could muster, he blurted out one last request:

“C-CAN W3 K1SS AGA1N?”

[simplymarr]

Chapter three.

warnings: none. just some angst at the end.

Since that very first day, everything just flowed naturally.

I saw Vincent two days a week for weekly classes; tuesdays and thursdays. Two-hour classes in which it felt like a convesation between the two of us. He seemed excited about my enthusiasm and i was astonished about his intelligence. The way he carried himself, the ideas and visions he had just resonated with me.

Then after class and almost religiously, he waited for me inside his car with a cigarette on his mouth and drove me to the bus stop. We never spoke explicitly about this agreement, nor we questioned it. It just felt natural, like gasping for air or falling in love.

We both knew these rides were just an excuse to keep talking about everything we couldn't inside the classroom. Not only about my thesis and his corrections, but book recommendations, law philosophy, even music and art.

And we laughed. We laughed a lot.

"So, is it really as difficult as it seems?" I asked, gasping for air between laughs and taking more of a serene tone.

He turned his head and looked at me. Both hands on the steering wheel.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, being a lawyer. How do you know you're doing the right thing? That you're not fucking it all up?"

The question lingered in the air for a moment. Perhaps it wasn't just about being a lawyer.

He took a breath before answering.

"Well, that's the thing, non? you never know." He said. His gaze meeting the pavement in front of him as he drove. "Like all aspects of life, sometimes you need to guess". This last line pronounced as he looked at me softly, like someone who's hiding a secret.

Silence between the both of us until he broke it again.

"Well, of course it gets easier once your fucking thesis is done" He joked to lighten up the mood and we laughed once again.

The bus stop made it's presence again, and each time we arrived i still felt like it wasn't supposed to be there that quickly.

I looked at him with a strange nostalgia; like something else was supposed to happen, like i wanted him to give me an answer to a question i hadn't yet made.

I smiled at him weakly and he reciprocated, but his smile was filled with kindness, with mercy. His blue eyes pierced into mine for what i thought it was an eternity, but it didn't felt awkward at all. It seemed like he, also, didn't want me to leave the car.

Suddenly a loud horn from the street broke the tension and he quickly lowered his gaze. I stepped out of the car and waved at him as he looked at me through the window.

"Goodbye, y/n".

"Au revoir, Vincent".

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

From there, that one final interaction, the river that made our chemistry started to get motionless. My innocent question became something darker, premonitory.

As the next week arrived and found me, once again, in the classroom i noticed something strange in Vincent. Although i was standing quite far away from him it was the first time he didn't look at me, not even once. Maybe an occasional glance that he amended by looking away almost instantly, like he was just trying to make sure i was still there.

His hands moved with more fervor than usual, his tone quite hessitant. He asked a question and, as usually, i raised my hand, trying to ignore the now awkward tension between us. He looked at me quickly but then pointed at someone else to answer.

Strange, i thought to myself. I mean, it was okay. After all there was a room full of people, i wasn't the only one, wasn't i? Besides, we could discuss everything we wanted later in the car. I didn't have to worry about anything.

The class ended a couple of minutes earlier. I waited until everyone left so i could reach to him. I wanted to ask him a couple of questions about the remarks he emailed me last week, and maybe we could talk. To be honest, perhaps i just wanted to talk to him about anything.

"Vincent, hi. I hope you don't mind me asking about the remarks but-"

He stopped me mid sentence.

"We can discuss about it on Thursday, during class schedule". He said, with a firm voice, almost trying to sound convincing.

"Oh, i'm sorry, i thought there was no problem".

"If you're concerned about something you can email it to me and i will answer you whenever i can". He barely looked at me and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear as he turned away to reach his books.

I hessitated and left in silence. My face pale and a total confusion on my mind.

We still had the car. Right?

The world, as it was used to, once again proved me wrong. When i stepped out of the big, cold building no one was there. Well, at least no one waiting for me. I looked at the empty parking lot where the dark-green chevy was missing, and even if he never agreed explicitly to wait for me, i found myself feeling betrayed.

"Oh, for fucks sake, he's just your professor. Nothing else." I thought to myself, trying to make sense.

The walk home, for the first time in weeks, felt incredibly lonely. I looked at the bus stop from far away and i felt like it was laughing at me.

Head resting in the dirty window and my earphones on, i wondered:

"Was it something i said?"

"Did i just fucked it all up?"

next chapter soon

[journeytothewestresearch]

Is Six Ears an Aspect of Sun Wukong?

I've seen some people claim that Six Ears is not an aspect of Sun Wukong's mind. They either ignore the references to "one mind" and "two Minds" (and the Buddhist philosophy behind them), or they just say it's allegory and nothing more. Well, there are actually internal story details from chapter 58 that support the close connection between the Monkey King and his doppelganger.

1) The Bodhisattva Guanyin and her “eyes of wisdom” (huiyan, 慧眼) can’t tell them apart:

The various deities and the Bodhisattva stared at the two for a long time, but none could tell them apart (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, p. 106). 眾諸天與菩薩都看良久，莫想能認。 [And later:] Pressing his palms together, our Buddha said, “Guanyin, the Honored One, can you tell which is the true Pilgrim and which is the false one?” “They came to your disciple’s humble region the other day,” replied the Bodhisattva, “but I truly could not distinguish between them …” (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, p. 114). 我佛合掌道：「觀音尊者，你看那兩個行者，誰是真假？」菩薩道：「前日在弟子荒境，委不能辨 …

2) The tight-fillet spell works on both Monkeys:

Asking Moksa and Goodly Wealth [a.k.a. Red Boy] to approach her, the Bodhisattva whispered to them this instruction: “Each of you take hold of one of them firmly, and let me start reciting in secret the Tight-Fillet Spell. The one whose head hurts is the real monkey; the one who has no pain is specious.” Indeed, the two disciples took hold of the two Pilgrims as the Bodhisattva recited in silence the magic words. At once the two of them gripped their heads and rolled on the ground, both screaming, “Don’t recite! Don’t recite!” The Bodhisattva stopped her recital … (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, p. 106). 菩薩喚木叉與善財上前，悄悄吩咐：「你一個幫住一個，等我暗念緊箍��咒，看那個害疼的便是真，不疼的便是假。」他二人果各幫一個。菩薩暗念真言，兩個一齊喊疼，都抱著頭，地下打滾，只叫：「莫念，莫念。」菩薩不念 …

(If someone disagrees with this one, they need to show where it says Six Ears is faking the pain.)

3) Both the Jade Emperor and the imp-reflecting mirror can’t tell them apart:

Issuing a decree at once to summon Devariija Li, the Pagoda-Bearer, the Jade Emperor commanded: “Let us look at those two fellows through the imp-reflecting mirror, so that the false may perish and the true endure.” The devaraja took out the mirror immediately and asked the Jade Emperor to watch with the various celestial deities. What appeared in the mirror were two reflections of Sun Wukong: there was not the slightest difference between their golden fillets, their clothing, and even their hair. Since the Jade Emperor found it impossible to distinguish them, he ordered them chased out of the hall (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, pp. 107-108). 玉帝即傳旨宣托塔李天王，教：「把照妖鏡來照這廝誰真誰假，教他假滅真存。」天王即取鏡照住，請玉帝同眾神觀看。鏡中乃是兩個孫悟空的影子，金箍、衣服，毫髮不差。玉帝亦辨不出，趕出殿外。

4) Only omniscient beings like Investigative Hearing (Ksitigargbha's mount) and the Buddha can tell the two apart:

[T]he Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha said, “Wait a moment! Wait a moment! Let me ask Investigative Hearing to listen for you.” That Investigative Hearing, you see, happens to be a beast that usually lies beneath the desk of Ksitigarbha. When he crouches on the ground, he can in an instant perceive the true and the false, the virtuous and the wicked among all short-haired creatures, scaly creatures, hairy creatures, winged creatures, and crawling creatures, and among all the celestial immortals, the earthly immortals, the divine immortals, the human immortals, and the spirit immortals resident in all the cave Heavens and blessed lands in the various shrines, rivers, and mountains of the Four Great Continents. In obedience, therefore, to the command of Ksitigarbha, the beast prostrated himself in the courtyard of the Hall of Darkness, and in a little while, he raised his head to say to his master, “I have the name of the fiend …” (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, p. 112) …地藏王菩薩道：「且住，且住。等我著諦聽與你聽個真假。」原來那諦聽是地藏菩薩經案下伏的一個獸名。他若伏在地下，一霎時，將四大部洲山川社稷，洞天福地之間，蠃蟲、鱗蟲、毛蟲、羽蟲、昆蟲、天仙、地仙、神仙、人仙、鬼仙，可以照鑒善惡，察聽賢愚。那獸奉地藏鈞旨，就於森羅庭院之中，俯伏在地。須臾，擡起頭來，對地藏道：「怪名雖有…」。 [...] Smiling, Tathagata said, “Though all of you [Guanyin] possess vast dharma power and are able to observe the events of the whole universe, you cannot know all the things therein, nor do you have the knowledge of all the species” (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, p. 114). 如來笑道：「汝等法力廣大，只能普閱周天之事，不能遍識周天之物，亦不能廣會周天之種類也。」 […] [After the Buddha explains the ten categories of life and the four types of celestial primates (see the introduction here), he says:] As I see the matter, that specious Wukong must be a six-eared macaque … (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 3, p. 115). 我觀假悟空乃六耳獼猴也 …

In short, the twin monkeys are so hard to tell apart simply because they are representations of the true and illusionary minds (refer back to the article) within the same person.

So what does this say about Shadowpeach? I know LMK is a separate entity from the novel, but applying canon to this ship would make it more self-love, right? I'm sure those with creatively perverted minds know what I'm taking about.

[captain-mj]

can you plssssss write a part two to the love potion thing- pleaseee

I finally finished it! Part 1 here

Ghost saw Soap look at them. He hated it. He loved his lord and lady so much, but he did not like sleeping with them. But he did it to make them happy. 

Ghost shivered. He knew about MacTavish’s inclination to talk as well as his distaste for elves. 

Pilar grabbed his face and tilted his head towards her. She kissed him softly. There was something like pity in the kiss. It tasted too sweet. Cane syrup. 

“That’s enough.” Roba ordered and she got off of him, leaving to just lay there awkwardly. He ruffled Ghost’s hair. “Get dressed. You’re dismissed.”

Ghost got up, legs shaking. His body felt… wrong. Someone else’s, not his. He quietly put his gear on and went outside, a little surprised to see Mactavish still there. 

Instead of saying anything, he just stood there beside him to hold guard. 

“Got anything you’d like to say?” 

Soap glanced at him. “No, sir. Not any of my business what you and them do.” 

Ghost nodded. “Good.” They stood there in icy silence rather than their usual banter. “Long night.” 

Soap swallowed. “Yeah… Not going to whip me for this are you?”

Ghost laughed and it made Soap almost jump out of his skin. “No. I’m not. Not your fault they left the door open.”

Soap nodded slowly, though he didn’t look convinced. Their replacements came and Soap quickly left, barely speaking to them. 

Ghost sighed softly and went to find the only person who had any idea of what was he was. 

Roach. 

The man in question was at his shop. Despite the early morning, he was already up. A cup of tea was on the counter. Waiting for Ghost. Always waiting. 

Gary smiled at him and waved him over. Ghost took the food that was offered a moment later. He was starving and he quickly raised his helmet just enough to start eating. 

Roach stared at him as he did, eyes bright and shining. Ghost wondered sometimes if he suspected. He certainly suspected some things about Roach. Only one type of creature that he was aware of would cover their ears. 

“Thank you, Gary.”

Roach’s eyes moved like he was smiling. He kept refilling his tea and giving him more food until Ghost didn’t feel like his insides were eating each other. 

Roach then placed something down. Ghost stared at it for a moment, confused. It was like a small brick with a bow on top. “Is that soap?”

Roach nodded and pushed it closer. Ghost brought it to his nose, smelling the herbs he had mixed in. “Guessing you had some extra tallow?” Lavender. Camomile. Some flower buds from the woods. It smelled really good. 

Roach nodded to the question. He signed slowly. “Should help with your scarring.”

“Thank you, Gary.” Ghost said softly. He watched the soft blush appear on Roach’s face. If he didn’t love Roba so much, he thinks it would be easy to fall in love with him. Really easy. 

Simon glanced away. He shouldn’t be thinking like this. His lady would be upset. 

Roach shooed him away and Ghost smiled at him before leaving. He went home first to grab a few things. Change of clothes mostly. With his little gift, he headed back out. 

Ghost knew of a little spot near the river. It was a spring. Before the village was here, it was considered holy. Now it’s… just a spring. The thought made him sad sometimes. 

Ghost checked that no one was near and undressed. He hid his clothes, so people would just assume that he was a random elf. It may cause some trouble, but the woods were seen as a no man’s land. There was no need to bother each other when the only reason they’d be in the woods was for survival. 

The spring was always warm. Cold water hurt his scars but he hated feeling unclean so this was a godsend for him. 

Ghost sank into the water with a purr. It was one of the few pleasures he allowed himself. He started by wetting the soap, inhaling the sweet scent. 

Despite his attempts to stay quiet, he made little chirps and purrs of pleasure. He stretched and started at his shoulders. He scrubbed and scratched at his body, craving the feeling of being clean. 

His arms couldn’t quite reach his back. After a moment of awkward maneuvering, he gave up and instead soaped up his chest. The bubbles fell into the water and the moving the spring only made everything more fragrant. 

Footsteps. 

Ghost’s ears swiveled immediately and he glanced over. “Johnny.”

Soap stood there, leaning against a tree. He watched him impassively. 

Ghost leaned against the rocks of the spring. Another person Ghost felt would be easy to fall in love with. 

“You look human.”

“I’ve found that’s a lot less differences between us than people believe.”

“By people you mean humans?”

“I mean both. Humans. Elves. All bleed the same.” Ghost stared at him. “What are you looking for? You follow me into the woods to just stand there?”

Soap bit the inside of his cheek. Ghost could see the subtle flex of his jaw. “I…”

“Are you denying you followed me?”

“No. I was simply making sure you aren’t…”

“Aren’t what, MacTavish? I’m not dangerous. Been you’re Lt a long time. You have a problem with anything, that’s your problem.” 

Soap got down and undid his shoes silently. He looked at him quietly as he slipped off his shirt. 

Ghost swallowed, admiring his body. Tan skin, scarring, soft patches of hair along his chest. 

Soap pulled off his pants as well but left his undergarments on. He sank into the water with him. The spring had plenty of room and Ghost was up to his nose in it. 

“How long have you been with your lord and lady?” 

Ghost thought about it. “Don’t know. Years. I think. As long as I can remember, I loved them.” 

Soap made a face and looked away. “Right. This place is nice.”

“It is. Don’t tell anyone else about it. Don’t want people ruining it.”

“You okay if I use it?”

“...I don’t mind.” Ghost closed his eyes and another purr tore out of him. He felt Soap take the soap from his hands. 

Soap moved behind him and scrubbed at his back, fingers trailing over the deep whip marks. “Who did these?”

“Lord Roba has odd tastes. Masochism is one of them.”

“You enjoy this?”

“I didn’t say that. I said he does. I put up with it for him. As long as he’s happy.” Ghost said softly. 

Soap grabbed a handful of water and wet Ghost’s hair. “I see. What do they do for you?”

Ghost frowned. “Nothing.” Sometimes, selfishly, he wished that they cared about him as much. That wasn’t fair. They had so much to deal with. Rules and regulations and villagers. They were so busy. The least he could do is let them have their fun with him. “It’s okay though. It’s our relationship.” 

Soap nodded and hesitated. “If I wanted to ask about magic, could you answer?”

Ghost hummed. “I could try.”

“Love potions…” 

Ghost whipped around, looking at him with disgust. “What? Can’t get laid of your own charm? I never thought so low of you.”

Soap blinked, startled. “What if I said I wanted to break one?”

He metaphorically put his blades back down. “Oh. I don’t know. I feel like I should. But who needs that kinda stuff?” Ghost relaxed back into the water, making a steady purring noise. 

[eevylynn]

WolfTok

Sterek || E|| Booktoker AU || 2518 wc (2/3)

Stiles is shocked to discover that Derek moonlights as a Booktoker. What he finds even more shocking is the discovery that Derek uses it to promote his smutty books it writes under a pseudonym.

Yeah, we’re just going to continue to pretend that TikTok was a thing during Teen Wolf time. Don’t think too hard about this.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ch 2

A little over a week later, most of the pack was gathered to discuss their latest problem: a siren lurking in the river that ran through Beacon Hills. It had already kidnapped a few people, and they needed to figure out how to stop it before more went missing. Nearly everyone was talking over one another, tossing out theories and plans of action.

Jackson, arms crossed, was adamant that they call Lydia for advice. “She’s the smartest one in the pack. She’ll know what to do,” he said, as if that settled the matter.

“We should at least try talking to the siren,” Scott argued. “Maybe there’s a way to reason with it. Violence isn’t always the answer.”

Rolling her eyes at Scott’s suggestion, Erica shot back. “Yeah, because talking to a creature that lures people to their deaths with magic songs is totally going to work.” Isaac nodded in agreement.

 "Killing it does seem like the fastest solution," Boyd grunted outed, throwing a shoulder over his girlfriend’s shoulders in solidarity.

Stiles, seated near the edge of the group, was only half listening. His attention kept wandering over to Derek, who stood quietly in the corner, texting Peter who was over at the location of the latest kidnapping point, supposedly sniffing out a lead.

Once again, he just couldn’t help but have Derek’s “Samuel Blackwolf” voice narrating the scene, imagining Derek’s soft voice turning sensuous and velvety:

Away from the arguing beta wolves, Derek stood apart, the low light of the room casting soft shadows over his impressive physique. His back, broad and muscular, stretched beneath the fabric of his shirt, each movement a fluid testament to the raw strength that lay hidden beneath the surface. The simple gray t-shirt he wore clung to his body, highlighting the powerful lines of his shoulders, the subtle flex of his biceps as he typed on his phone. The shirt strained against the contours of his chest, taut enough to make Stiles’s breath hitch. And those jeans—oh, those jeans. They were tight in all the right places, hugging his thighs, the outline of his strong calves just barely visible beneath the fabric. His posture was casual, but the sheer size and strength of him made it impossible for Stiles to look away. Every inch of Derek seemed designed to command attention, effortlessly exuding the kind of confidence that made the heart race and the pulse quicken.

Stiles shifted in his seat, trying to force his mind back to the meeting, but it was hard when Derek was just so... Derek. Every subtle movement—the flex of his arm as he adjusted his phone, the way his jeans hugged his round ass so nicely, the stretch of his neck as he looked down at his screen—sent a rush of heat through Stiles’s body.

Derek’s soft voice broke through his betas’ rising voices. “Peter found signs of a disturbance near the riverbank—ripples in the water, maybe something moving upstream. He thinks it could be heading toward the woods.”

Before Stiles could even process that, his phone went off loudly, the notification tone echoing in the room. He winced, realizing too late that he had forgotten to silence it after doing homework earlier. Everyone turned to look at him, including Derek, whose thick eyebrows were raised, silently asking if Stiles was going to check that.

Flustered, Stiles fumbled for his phone, hoping and praying that it wasn’t what he thought it was.

It was exactly what he thought it was.

His face burned red as he saw the notification that Derek had just posted a new TikTok.

Stiles blinked at the screen, heart racing. Now? Here? How?

Wait.

Derek had uploaded a TikTok right in the middle of a pack meeting, while everyone was here.

While Stiles was here.

How did Derek find the time to do this? When did he film it? Did he do it just before they showed up? Maybe he’d filmed a bunch a while back and was just getting around to posting now? Was he even texting Peter earlier? His mind raced as he continued to stare at his phone, wondering if Derek had ever filmed any while the pack was around.

As his brain spiraled into a thousand questions, Stiles suddenly felt Derek’s gaze on him, heavier than before.

“Is everything okay?” Derek asked softly.

[continue reading on ao3]

[monstrous-munch]

Ok I’m back with more thoughts…. I ended up writing way more than I thought I was going to haha also why is it every time I actually write some stuff for this blog is fae or fae adjacent ?? pfft

Tw: voyerism, dubcon ?? Like at the start ?? Idk just to be safe, vague mention of rejection by other humans, mentions of feeling isolated, yall get jiggy with a water elemental

Ok, but imagine living by yourself, out in the wilds, away from the village full of people you turned you away. Do you get lonely sometimes ? Sure, but it’s better than being around those who don’t want you.

Most often you’re fine with it. You enjoy your own company, and spend your days in a comfort of your own making. But sometimes that ache arises. The one that yearns so desperately for warmth. To be held by another. To no longer feel alone….. when this happens you take a trip to the hot springs.

Slipping into the warm water, you bask in the heat - letting it seep into your tense muscles and ease that aching in your chest. Faint ribbons of steam dance in the silver light as you relax fully. You’ve been coming here for many moons now, and each time you leave feeling content.

Hands creeping downward, you gently brush the skin of your chest, stomach, thighs….before dipping further. The water already feels so good, why not add to the satisfaction you feel before it’s time to leave ?

Eyes closed, you feel the the pleasure from your fingers, and the warmth of the water - the way it’s gentle volume seems to craddle you, move against your legs, gentle lap at your throat.

With a soft moan you lazily lift you eyelids, only to be startled by the form of a man waist deep at the other side of the pool. Well not really a man. Although it takes on a humanoid shape, the figure across from you is completely formed from the hot springs water. You’d heard of creatures like this. Ancient magic so strong it took on a life of its own; through water, air, earth or fire.

There world around the two of you totally stills, waiting for someone to break the silence. It’s the water elemental who speaks first. Well, he doesn’t really speak, the sound of a babbling stream emerges from him, though you understand as if he were speaking in your own tongue.

A garble of flustered apologies tumble out. He hadn’t meant to watch you… but he couldn’t really not, seeing as he was the hot springs. He should have revealed himself when you first came to the pool, but you were so beautiful, he felt unable to manifest as anything other than a puddle. And the way your tension eased as you lay within the water…the way you seemed so much happier when you left… he couldn’t stand to take that from you.

After hearing all his rambling, only one thing hummed in your mind.

“You’re the reason I don’t feel alone.”

Although the elemental had no need to breath, you swore you saw him gasp softly, eyes filled with yearning as the water around you gently swirled.

Standing, you made your way towards him; parting the spring slowly with your hips as you came to stand before the curious being. Lifting a hand, you gently pressed your fingers against him. Sliding them up his chest as the water tension kept you from sinking in. With only a moments hesitation, you tentatively pressed your lips to his, cradling the warmth of his cheek and raising to your toes to press closer. The crash of an ocean wave filled your ears, what could only be a groan from this watery creature, as he pulled you’re naked body further against him.

Soon sweet moans filled the night. The elemental held you close, his touch at times almost human - strong arms around you, his mouth pressed to you neck - but the sudden morphing of sensations, into the caress of water you had grown familiar with, reminded you what held you was much more than a man. A gentle current seemed to spread you legs wider as you were filled over and over. First by a tender caress, the tide against a river’s edge in the mauve hours of evening. Then, growing, swelling, till you felt like a rocky cliff meeting the crashing waves of a storm. Despite the rhythm of waves rushing forth, you still felt safe, the warm water holding you, soothing you as it always had - only now the whispers of steam carried with them sweet words of worship.

With a final cry you pleasure reached its peak. The waves around you lulled, encircling you in a soft embrace. The spring had always been something that helped ease your loneliness, now running your fingers over the water elementals tenderly smiling face, you felt a lightness in you chest like nothing you’d known before.

[rainnmaybank]

Safe once again

vance x reader (GN)

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warnings!!: mentions of bad parent relations, breakups

like most nights, this one was miserable. rain poured down drenching the aura around. y/n was wet down to the bones. small flows of lightning swam through the clouds lighting up the surrounding.

it seemed to be fight after fight, i didn’t matter if it was with their parents, friends or best friend. no matter where they went arguments sparked and burned them.

that night was worse then it ever had been, her mother spoke words she knew she didn’t truly mean. y/n never forgot words spoken out of anger.

the words rang through their head over, and over, and over again. “maybe you should leave, all you’re doing is annoying everyone”

in y/n’s mind that translated to we don’t like you, we don’t want you. like being kicked out by the only people you ever loved, heart wrenching pain snuck it’s way though their veins the farther they ran.

no particular place in mind, y/n just needed to get away from it all.

the storm rolled in quicker, wind picking up and thunder rumbling closer. the grab-n-go. of course that as the only place still open at this time of night.

y/n pushed on the door, ringing the bell over their head mixed with the howling noise of nature.

there was nothing they could do but wait for the storm to lessen. roaming around the store to seem busy, boys pushed and shoved each other around the infamous pin ball machine. she knew who was there.

y/n kept their head down, tear stained cheeks didn’t mix well with fluorescent lights.

eventually y/n had came face to face with the last aisle, the end showed the boys whom had been making all the noise.

y/n paced themselves walking down that row, not wanting to reach the end to quickly.

to say y/n was sad was an understatement. anxiety crept through their veins now, all that they had know just threw them away. deep sense of dread flooded their mind, heavy thoughts ran like a river. feeling how it felt to no longer have unconditional love, nobody ever realizing how damaging that really is.

every step brought them closer to the end, pace after pace. their mind never silenced. it spoke so loud they hadn’t noticed how close they’d gotten to the boys. stopping themselves before running into them.

y/n raised their head only to be faced with the one and only boy who’d ever broken their heart.

vance.

for a moment it was like the whole world had stopped, their mind stopped, the sounds muffled in her ears.

he was exactly what they needed, what they missed. even if both of them were chaotic, they brought unspeakable peace to mind.

like starting death in the face, beautiful calming death. their worst nightmare but only need. they didn’t dare to speak a word in fear their voice would fail them.

like stabbing in their heart, pain intensified over their body, they weighed heavy to the ground.

vance glared over feeling the presence of someone not in his little group, a smug look covered his face till he noticed it was y/n.

his hands stopped playing as his mind lost focus, friends behind him confused looked at eachother then over at y/n, reading the room they stepped away from the two.

vance stepped away from the pinball machine examining y/n’s face as he approached them.

“you’ve been crying” damn those fluorescent lights. y/n spoke lightly “no i haven’t, it was the rain” they waved their hand towards the window. “yeah right, i wasn’t born yesterday y/n, what happened?” his hand moved brushing stray hair from their face

the warmth floating off his body was enough to crack y/n, tears swelled within their eyes once again, parting their lips and taking a deep breath y/n went to speak

vance stepped closer rubbing his thumb over their cheek, his voice was gentle in a way you hadn’t heard in a some time “tell me what happened” y/n slightly leaned into his hand as they began to speak.

“my mom…” was all they got out before the water works hit, that was all vance needed to hear pulling them into a tight hug.

vance waves bye to his friends as he took y/n out helping them into the passenger seat of his truck.

knowing the last place y/n would want to go was home, he took them to his place. his parents weren’t home.

y/n glazed outside watching rain drops racing down the window, the lightning light up their small town in ways it never had before.

stormy nights are just like stormy thoughts.

vance had brought them inside, handing them clean dry clothes and starting the shower, y/n was chilled to the bone from the cold drops of the sky.

he waited for them outside the door, sat against the wall thinking to himself.

the bathroom door creaked open to reveal a much warmer looking y/n, his heart skipped beats at the sight of them in his clothes once again.

pushing himself from the floor his body moved faster then his thoughts as he embraced them.

y/n had no fight left within, falling into his arms.

a safe place that never seems to run out of safety.

that’s what he was for them.

vance took them back to his room, “get comfy i’ll be right back” y/n nodded, exhaustion filled every inch of their body, back clashing into the mattress their eyes laid heavy.

it wasn’t long before vance had returned handing them a glass of water and a plate with their favourite cookies on it.

y/n smiled sleepily accepting his offer

they spoke few words as they shared cookies, warmth finally wrapped around the pair as y/n’s eyes closed small hums coming from their lips, vance smiled to himself taking the glass from their hands placing it on the nightstand.

he turned off the lamp beside him, wrapped his arms around y/n he sighed holding their body to his own.

vance was at peace once again.

y/n was safe in her mind.

[misspelledwordswizard]

Chapter 11 - Being alone is no longer an option

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The cool night air touched my warm skin, bringing a welcome refreshing sensation after such a hot day. I followed the Rancher towards the trees on a peaceful walk, feeling curious glances at our backs. I don’t know if he wanted to talk about something or just walk, deep down I hoped it was the second option, I wouldn’t complain about having a peaceful moment in nature without having to address complicated subjects.

My cheeks burned slightly due to the sunstroke I received earlier, unfortunately there is no sunscreen to protect me from it, I feel like I will have to deal with such misfortune regularly. As we walked through the trees we could see some animals, deer or wild boars, that ran when they noticed our presence. I wonder if at some point Twilight will tell me about being Wolfie, maybe it will take a while before he can trust me with such a thing.

— Rupee for your thoughts? – The deep voice beside me took me out of my thoughts, making me look at him, somewhat lost about what was happening around me.

— I’m just rambling... – I spoke vaguely as I searched for a random topic that I could use, while he waited for me to continue. – Where are we going anyway? What is our destination?

That is, indeed, a doubt that haunts me. Walking and walking, stopping at stables and occasional villages with no real objective, other than waiting until the problem appears in front of us, does not seem like a very effective way of doing things. The blond thought, his blue eyes wandering away from mine, probably searching for the right words.

— Our current goal is to reach the Deep Woods. There is someone Time would like to talk to who can help us a lot on this journey, maybe there is information there. – This is much more useful than I expected, they must be looking for the Great Deku Tree. – But if you want to know our real final destination, it is not defined. It depends on how things go.

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. My mind thought of several possibilities, or what I would do. I would like to be useful, I don’t want to be just a burden on their mission, but I don’t know what such na ordinary person with no talent for fighting could do to help the great heroes of the kingdom. We continued walking in silence, approaching the river and sitting on its banks, just enjoying the peace of the landscape and the symphony of nature.

— Why did you ask me to come with you? – I asked curiously, it wasn’t na accusation, I just didn’t understand his reasons, but he seemed confused. – I mean, if you wanted a moment of peace in nature, why would you ask a stranger to accompany you?

— You’re not a stranger. – I tried to protest against his statement, but I was cut off. – We may not be close yet, but you stopped being a stranger when you yelled at us for destroying your home.

I blushed at his words, they’ll never let me forget that. Twilight laughed at my reaction.

— I don’t mean it in a bad way, what I mean is that you’ve been part of this group for longer than you think. – He smiled, and it was as if he took away all my worries with just that. – But, to answer your question, I asked for your company because I feel good with it. Being around you makes me feel at peace, maybe it’s because you have this air of calm and comfort.

I frowned in disbelief, I can’t imagine a world where I’m synonymous with calm and comfort. But maybe I was something close to that for someone who’s used to the chaos of battles. Being around so many people who look like you must be hyperstimulating.

— And I want to get to know you better.

— Me? Why?

— Why not? – He questioned, raising na eyebrow.

— There’s nothing interesting about me.

— Everything about you is interesting. I can’t explain why, but you seem mysterious in a good way, I feel like the more I get to know you the more I want to know.

— Dear, you’re crazy. There’s nothing interesting in my life, besides being with you and your brothers.

Twilight laughed, shaking her head in denial, obviously not agreeing with my thoughts. He looked at me, analyzing my face in search of something I couldn’t identify.

— Darlin’, you have no idea how interesting you are to someone like us. – He concluded in a deep, somewhat enigmatic voice, I wonder what he meant by that.

I gave up on arguing, just letting the subject go, not having much of na idea of what else I could say. I looked ahead at the river, the moonlight shining brightly on the water. The calmness of the water did not reflect my inner self, I felt like chaos. I have never felt so lost, since I met them it is all I feel. It is not necessarily bad, just strange, I can’t stop thinking about it, my thoughts don’t change course, I feel like a scratched record repeating the same line.

But what else should I think about? “Wow, I lost my job, now I can focus on discovering myself and making new friends”. Well, the last part is not a bad idea, I think I am on the right path, at least. At the end of the day, if I am not thinking about this, I am thinking about my family, my past life and everything I could have done differently.  I’d rather continue suffering thinking about how I felt like I didn’t fit in here.

— Shall we go back? – The rancher asked, taking me out of my reverie again. But I didn’t feel ready, I didn’t feel ready to go back and pretend that I was dealing with all this well.

— I think I’ll stay here for a while longer, you can go ahead. – I smiled so as not to worry him. He seemed reluctant but accepted, letting me have my time alone.

I watched as he got up and entered the trees, getting lost in the darkness of the night. My eyes remained on the place he left for a moment longer, being alone became something strange to me, I was so used to it, but now that I remembered what it’s like to be around so many people important to me, being alone became uncomfortable, as if something was missing. I looked back at the river, ever since I found out I was in Hyrule as a child I had wanted to meet the Zoras, so I would stay near the rivers waiting for a Zora to miraculously appear near Hateno. I’m already na adult and I still haven’t met a Zora. Maybe I can ask Wild to introduce me to Sidon in the future, after all this is over. If all this is over.

I’ve never met the Rites or the Gorons either. Living my whole life in the same place hasn’t been so good for me, and in the short time I lived away I didn’t have that opportunity. But now that I’m traveling around Hyrule with heroes who travel between eras, I think I’ll have a chance to see a lot more than I expected.

— The night is beautiful, isn’t it?

— Yes, it’s calm. – I answered the voice next to me, without paying much attention. When I realized that I must be alone, I turned abruptly towards the voice, coming face to face with the scarlet red in the darkness of the man who sat next to me so casually. Before I could react – scream for my life – I felt a firm hand cover my mouth and hold my wrists with the other hand.

— Now, now, I won’t make the same mistake as last time, no one will hear you from here... no, no, stop, licking my hand won’t make me take it off, that’s disgusting, stop. – The shadow said, with na expression of disgust and irritation.

I tried to free myself from his grip without success, my second attempt was to turn to him and start kicking, at first it seemed to be working, but then he just pushed me back until my back was against the ground, and climbed on top of me, immobilizing my legs. I didn’t give up fighting, shaking my head to try to get his hand out of my mouth, still without success.

— STOP! Stop that or I’ll hurt you! – I paused for a moment when I heard the threat, staring at him, so in response I just raised the middle finger of one of the hands that were still held and brought it closer to his face. – Come on, you-

He didn’t finish the phrase when I started shaking again, trying to free myself and scream, this seemed to have destabilized him, because I managed to move my still-held arms to hit his face hard. By reflex he let go of me and brought his hands to his face, I quickly pushed him off me and kicked him away, getting up and walking away. Luckily my sword was with me, I wasted no time and wielded it, the only problem: No one taught me how to use it.

Dark Link didn’t rush to get up, still with one hand on his face and na expression of pain on his distorted face. He was kneeling in a relaxed manner on the ground, recovering and reasoning what had happened.  He glared at me, taking his hand away from his face to reveal his crooked nose, black liquid dripping from it.

— You broke my nose!

— Do you want me to break it again?!

I replied with a courage unknown to myself, raising my fist threateningly. The shadow’s face changed from anger to surprise and indignation, his cheeks darkening with what I could only imagine to be anger, as he looked up at me from below. Before I could react, a male voice was heard from the forest. They were calling for me, it took me a long time to come back. Dark snorted irritably, looking at me determinedly.

— I’m going back! Don’t get too close to those idiot heroes. – He said nonsense as he disappeared into the shadows. What did he mean by that?

As soon as the shadow disappeared, Sky emerged from the trees, with a worried look that intensified when he saw me in a battle stance – certainly not ineffective.

◇

I sat on the bed as all nine men gathered around me. I couldn’t hide what had happened, of course I didn’t want to worry them, but hiding important information only creates greater problems. And besides, how can I show that they can trust me if I don’t trust them? As soon as Sky showed up to look for me, I told him that the shadow had appeared and threatened me, so he immediately brought me back to the stable so I could tell everyone everything.

— How exactly did it happen? – Time was the first to speak, his voice was calm but I could feel concern in it.

— After Twilight came back here, I stayed there for a while longer, not long, but it was enough for the shadow to appear by my side. I could see the rancher brooding in the corner, maybe he blamed himself for leaving me alone, but he shouldn’t, I asked for it. It would be better to talk to him later.

— He held me down and covered my mouth so I wouldn’t scream, I was lucky and managed to distract him and hit him in the nose. That gave me time to get out, and he only didn’t come after me because Sky arrived right on time. – I explained briefly, I don’t need to give the weirdest or most humiliating details. I thanked the chosen hero again with a look, only the goddesses know what could have happened if he hadn’t shown up.

Everyone seemed apprehensive, they certainly weren’t expecting na attack so soon, and more than obviously it was aimed at me and only me. Whatever the reason, Dark Link didn’t seem to be giving up on me, whether to kidnap me or kill me.

— I understand. I’m sorry we didn’t notice before, from now on we’ll make sure at least one of us is with you at all times. – Time concluded. I tried to protest, I didn’t want to be a bother or always be watched, but he wouldn’t even let me start. – This decision is not open to discussion, but don’t worry, we respect your privacy.

The Old Man sighed, massaging his temple tiredly. The others looked at each other, after Time left Twi and Wars followed him, but the others stayed. The Sailor sat next to me, hugging me to comfort me, I hugged him back, sighing in exhaustion, physical and emotional.

— I know I need constant vigilance now, but we’re in the middle of the stable, is it necessary for so many to be around me? – I complained and all I got was tired laughter.

— Oh, we’re not here just to watch you, there’s not much we can do anyway. – Wild rambled, as he thought of possibilities. – But anyway, we have to make sure you’re not hurt.

— I’m fine, he didn’t have time for anything.

— I don’t want to alarm you, but since the rancher came back and Sky went after you there was a difference of more than na hour. I don’t know if you just didn’t notice the time passing until the shadow appeared, but he didn’t lack time. – Hyrule said worriedly. Na hour? Maybe I got lost in my thoughts more than I thought, even so, that’s a long time, why didn’t he attack me before?

— This is no time to dwell on what happened. If it’s okay, let’s use this time to make sure it doesn’t happen again. – Legend declared as he pulled me by the wrist outside. – Come on, all of you, we have to teach her how to use a sword.

There were no complaints from them, they just went outside. We went to a spacious area, away from the people who were there. The Blacksmith and the Veteran took charge of starting to teach me, starting with the posture and how to hold a sword. They were very strict, they didn’t seem to be in the best of moods, but that’s fair, their enemy appeared a few meters away and they couldn’t do anything.

— You have to hold the sword with one hand, how do you intend to use a shield while fighting?

— But I don’t have a shield.

— That’s beside the point.

I rolled my eyes, the Veteran could be quite annoying when he wanted to, but I’ll leave that aside, he’s being really nice in trying to teach me. Trying, because when he sees what a disaster I am he’ll give up. Four, on the other hand, is calmer and more rational, serious but not rude, it’s a good balance.

— The sword is light, you’ll be able to wield it well with just one hand. – The blacksmith reassured me, it seems he had already thought about it before making the sword. – It was Legend’s idea.

— Snitch. – The veteran complained, his cheeks pink with embarrassment. He doesn’t like to admit that he cares, even a little bit. I laughed softly, not wanting to receive a hateful look from the irritated little guy. Well, if everyone tried so hard so I could defend myself, the least I can do is try harder in these classes.

◇

I’m going to throw myself off a cliff before agreeing to take another class with those two. They’re very strict, they made me practice the same thing enough times that I felt like my arms might fall off, and all of that just to teach me how to hold the sword correctly and position myself. It was exhausting and tiring, just imagine when I start practicing real fighting.

Four tricked me, I thought he would go easy on me, or at least take pity on me, but he was the worst!  He kept scolding me about my posture, and if I faltered he would hit me in the middle of my back with the hilt of his sword. It was weak, not enough to hurt or make me sore, but it was annoying and scared me every time.

Legend, on the other hand, may not have let me start practicing my moves, but on the other hand, he made me practice my attention. While I was constantly swinging my sword in front of me, he would randomly come from the side or behind me. If I didn’t turn towards him in time, I would be knocked to the ground by a kick behind the knee or a sweep. My back hurts.

So I won’t apologize for the ugly face I gave them while we all gathered to eat. Those brutes, if it weren’t for Sky and Hyrule, I wouldn’t even be able to get up from where my muscles were so sore. Apparently, Hyrule has healing magic, something I only found out about now.  Very useful, I must admit, but I don’t feel comfortable letting him use it, I don’t want it to affect his health. The sleepyhead of the group was naturally soft and sweet, so he was a sweetheart, always helping me up when I was knocked down and checking that I was okay.

The others stopped watching the training a few minutes after it started, too worried about what we would eat, so they didn’t see my humiliation. I’ll ask Twilight to train me next time, at least he’s a polite gentleman who wouldn’t hurt a lady.

— Hey, do you want my mushrooms? I don’t like them. – Wind said next to me, offering me the pieces of mushrooms he had separated from the rest of the food. Well, to avoid waste, I accepted, moving my plate closer to his so he could put them there.

I continued to eat in silence, too tired to project any words through my voice, nothing very wise would come out anyway. At least we were allowed to wake up a little later tomorrow, it was a long day and if we had to wake up before sunrise again I wouldn’t be responsible for the hate crimes I would commit.

As soon as I finished eating I went to bed, without worrying about staying a little longer to socialize or participate in the group. I’ll do that when I’m rested, thank you. Not that the general mood is very good, everyone is tense with what happened to me earlier, I don’t blame them, I myself don’t think I’ll be able to focus on my own for a long time.

I threw myself on the bed, feeling relief overcome me as I finally rested my aching muscles. Soon after, I felt a weight being thrown over me. Opening my eyes in fright, I saw the Sailor laughing at my reaction as he rolled over and snuggled closer to me in bed. Okay, we would be sharing for today. It wasn’t bad, quite the opposite, it would be nice to have company after a bad day, it helps to calm my aching heart.

He didn’t say much, the brat was as tired as I was, his eyes were almost closing and he yawned, hugging me and covering himself. I hugged him back, helping me to get comfortable, petting him until we both fell into a deep sleep.

[ameliathornromance]

The Manor House: A Vampire Romance: Chapter 1

“... It’s just as I thought.” The Lord said, absently. His hands were ice cold, pressed against the sides of your head, forcing you to look at him as he examined your now exposed wound. 

The musty air stung as the Lord tilted his own head to one side, eyebrow raised. You clenched your jaw, trying to redirect some of the pain.

“What is?” You asked as he relinquished his grip on you. Flexing your jaw, the Lord turned his attention to a steel tray on your bedside. 

On it, there was an array of matching medical tools, a scalpel, needle holders, surgical scissors, clamps, curettes, gauze, small brown bottles and jars of mysterious liquids and salves with unintelligible labels, yellowed with age. 

“The head is full of capillaries because of the brain and how the body needs to protect the brain.” The Lord answered, “because of that, when you hit your head and it bleeds, it looks like you’re losing a dangerous amount of blood. But you’re not.” He sighed. “You’re lucky that it was only a small cut you got.”

Rolling up his sleeves, he uncorked one of the brown bottles and poured some clear liquid on his hands. The putrid smell of chemicals consumed the air as the Lord cleaned his hands with it, up to his elbows. He gave a shake of his hands to dry off the liquid. 

As he picked up one of the small jars, a thought occurred to you. “Where’d you get all this stuff?” It’s not like any Lord would just have all this lying around his Manor. Some of the Doctors at your village were third or fourth born Lords, while others had a magikal background. 

Lord Baal didn’t seem like he was kind enough to be tending to the ill and diseased… unless it benefitted him in some way.  

“I’ve always had medical supplies.” He said, simply. “I was a sickly child. I needed surgery and care often. It just became easier to have all the relevant materials at the Manor since it’s so far away from any town that may have a Doctor.” 

His answer made you frown. 

Lord Baal unscrewed the cap, placed it on the steel tray delicately. Using his middle and index finger, he dug into the salve. The salve looked like it had been made from beeswax, matching the honey yellow of Bee hives. 

During the night at the Manor, as you fell in and out of your dreamless slumber, you found yourself disturbed. Not by any sound… because there wasn’t any. Normally, you can feel the presence of other people, or hear them bustling around as they worked or got ready for the day. 

But there was none of that in this Manor. The silence was muted, suffocating. Unnerving.

Surely if the Lord was often ill as a child, there would be others around to keep an eye on him? To make sure that his body doesn’t fall back into old habits?

Of course, it could just be that due to your dulled senses, you just hadn’t picked up on other people in the Manor. You had been confined to this room after all, and had only been there a day or two.

The sharp sting of the thick salve being pressed into your fresh wound made you hiss out your thoughts, “so, why are you tending to my wounds then?” 

The Lord’s hand flinched away from your wound. “Sorry?” His tone dipped, like you’d just asked him what colour his underwear was.

“You’re a Lord, aren’t you? Aren’t there servants or anyone who would attend me?” You asked. 

You watched the Lord’s expression, waiting for him to contradict you, or say something demeaning for daring to question him.

But the shocked expression didn’t change. “There… isn’t anyone else.” His tone was solemn. Isolated. “It’s just me here.”

Silence hung in the air for a moment. The Lord scoffed. “You should consider yourself lucky to be attended to personally by a Lord of the Manor. Not many peasants get this kind of treatment.” 

“Peasant?” You repeated, indignantly. “I’m not a peasant!”

“Well with how you looked on the river bank, any commoner would have thought otherwise.” And with that, the Lord pressed his salved fingers into your wound.

“Ow!” You yelped like a pathetic animal.

“Oh hush.” He said, dismissively. “Like I said, it’s not that bad.” Lord Baal snatched up a gauze from the tray and forced it onto your cut, using bandages to secure it.

“Since it’s not as bad as I initially thought, tomorrow we will go through what you will be doing in the Manor to repay me.” He repeated his cleaning process once again, drying his hands on a few gauze and throwing them on the tray. “And then, I will set you to work.” 

You placed your hand gingerly on the raised bandage, where the gauze was. The pressure helped to soothe the stinging.

Lord Baal opened the bedroom door. “Our little chat helped me decide on what you should do. So get some rest, you’re going to need it.” And with that, he shut the door behind him, taking the used medical materials with him.

“‘Little chat’ my ass.” You muttered, still holding your head.

A Lord, with no servants?

You thought that they revelled in that. Having people to work under them, slaving away at doing all the difficult tasks while they put their feet up. Had the best food in all of the land and watched while their ‘lowers’ suffered. 

… Perhaps that’s why he had such a strong reaction to it. A Lord should have people below him, it was almost like a status symbol.

Maybe that’s why he wanted you to work for him. So, he could feel that sense of undeserved superiority. Even if you did owe him a favour, massaging his ego was not what you had in mind. 

In any case, working for the Lord was better than seeing the Witch Hunter again.

You rolled over to face the other side of the room.

Tomorrow, the real work begins.

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Masterlist

[mantis-dea]

When a Good Deed Causes a Series of Unexpected Events - Chapter 1 - The Encounter

As a general rule in a large city, you should MYOB - Mind Your Own Business. Of course, who would've thought calling a man an ambulance and giving him your umbrella would leave to something called Stands. Definitely not you.

My first Tumblr post! My blog will be fanfics, mostly JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and maybe Overwatch. Not sure if I will take requests yet.

For this story, I don't know how fast chapters will be coming out, nor do I know how many chapters it will have. I do want to say that, so far, this story in progress has over 10k words.

It's my first fanfic I'll be publishing, and a lot of it is just me going with the flow. I'll let you know if previous chapters have changed and what changed. Feedback is welcomed!

As you stand inside the old brick building, you watch pellets of water race down the glass windows, creating a blurry kaleidoscope of colors. You hear a distant low rumble of thunder, a reminder of the powerful storm raging outside. It’s been three days since you last caught a glimpse of the moon, hidden behind the thick veil of clouds that have been crying down on the city. This relentless downpour had transformed the streets into shallow rivers, and it seemed like the storm had no intention of relenting.

But you were grateful for the shelter of the building. It's a familiar haven from the relentless rain—a place where you've found solace amid the chaos of Lapalton's changing seasons. You decide not to think too much about the storm and to enjoy the soothing sound of the rain tapping against the windows. It's a comforting backdrop to the cacophony of voices and clinking glasses that fill the bar tonight.

“Why?” The drunkard’s wording slurred, “Why? Why did she leave me?”

You continue to clean a wine glass with a towel, your focus on your task. Such outbursts are common among the last-call patrons, and you’ve learned not to take it personally. But when he places a crinkled hand on top of yours and starts rubbing, you feel a surge of discomfort. You try to pull away, but he tightens his grip.

“Sir, please let go,” you say calmly, unsure if he’ll even pay heed to your comment.

Instead, he starts mumbling about how he can’t find someone like you who’s good at “care.” You raise an eyebrow at his words, having not a clue on what he’s even muttering about.

When he finally notices the deafening silence, he releases your hand and stands up. “You’re too fat for my taste anyways,” he mutters, stumbling towards the door, leaving no tip.

No. Tip.

Bartending for the rich is great, they said. It pays well, they said. High end bar, my ass. I’m barely pulling $10 a night in tips.

Several months back, you used to work at a small hotel. Checking people in, reserving rooms, and even sometimes cleaning the questionably wet bed sheets. There, you overheard your coworkers gossiping about Maria, a coworker who quit her job and became a high-class bartender, making six figures. The words “six figures” were all you needed to hear. You quit all your jobs without two weeks’ notice once you surprisingly got a job at SPW, a high-end bar in one of the biggest cities in America.

That hype immediately faded on day three.

Sure, your salary did increase, but it surely was not the six figures you were promised. You know what did increase? Your hatred for the wealthy. They constantly brag about being rich, but they can’t spare you a few dollars? The rare time you do get tipped fairly is if they bring a party with them; they only tip as a power move to show just how wealthy and considerate they are to their group.

After cleaning up the bar, you grab your things, open your umbrella, and lock the doors. Unfortunately for you, buses run less frequently past midnight, and it is currently two-thirty in the morning. So, your options are to either take the thirty-two-minute walk or wait an hour at the bus stop that is about two blocks away where drug addicts hang out.

You trudge through the pouring rain.

Walking home in this fucking sucks.

You do love rain, just not when you have to walk through it at two-thirty in the morning after a twelve-hour shift.

Surprisingly, you reach your block five minutes faster than usual. The motivation to make it home made you walk faster. All you wanted to do was sleep.

In the distance, you spot a familiar sight – an unconscious man leaning against the aged brick walls, slumping over. You live on the less fortunate side of the city, near the slums. The disoriented drug addicts, wandering drunkards, and the frequent thievery and robberies make this area one of the worse areas to live, but the inexpensive rent of a decently size apartment is a major selling point for you. Luckily, all the crazies you’ve encountered so far have been relatively harmless. Still, you’re always on edge whenever you pass one.

If people were amidst a drug exchange or passed out drunk, you’d wait it out; unless they overdosed, they typically don’t stay for more than half an hour. However, tonight, you don’t care. You don’t feel like waiting for this one to get up and go. The weather is abhorred, and you’re drenched, cold, dirty, and exhausted. A steaming hot shower and a good night’s rest sounds like heaven right about now.

You proceed with caution and approach. You were planning to just ignore him. However, your bafflement got the best of you. You halt and squat down to stare at the young man before you. Despite the alleyway being dimly lit, the man’s golden, disheveled hair shines like a polished gold bar. He looks around to be your age – early 20s. His expensive-looking black suit and pants consist of many cuts and scuffs; it seems as though he got into a fight with someone.

 You lean forward and take a whiff.

“Well, he’s not drunk.”

You put a hand to his nose; you feel a light puff of air. Then, you pull up both his tattered sleeves. No track marks. No injuries.

Your eyebrows furrow. This man is mysterious and sketchy. Mysterious because he’s hot and looks innocent. Sketchy because he’s in a not-so-good area in this awful weather, unconscious of all things. He looks like he got into a fight, but he’s completely uninjured.

I bet he’s part of an Italian mafia. Like that movie, Godfather.

You shot up and stumble back when you hear a small grumble from him. You stay deathly still for a minute, readying to bounce if need be. However, the man eyes never opened.

You let out a small sigh of relief. You feel terrible as he sits knocked out in a dirty alleyway in the rain. You truly do want to help him. However, you don’t know him. You don’t know who’s after him. Why he ended up here in the first place. It’s too dangerous to assume he’s a good person. Still, you did not want to leave him like this. You place an umbrella over the man and call for an ambulance before heading in the direction of your apartment.

Your apartment complex is unique – there is no main indoor lobby where you could chat with the landlord and take an elevator up to your floor. No, instead, you must walk up a flight of questionably rusty metal stairs to get to the door of your apartment. Fortunately, you are only on the 3rd floor and not the 13th floor.

You unlock the door to your apartment. The exterior would fool anyone into believing that the old building is rack and ruined. It may or may not potentially fail a building inspection, but the apartments - well at least yours - are very clean. The complex is a bit expensive for the area, but much cheaper compared to the inner city, meaning there are more people like you and less addicts living within the flats. Though, the smell of weed does pass by from time to time.

When you step into your apartment, a familiar, rubber, black mat greets you. You bend down to untie your dress shoes and place them neatly in the small compartment beside you. Your studio apartment is spacious. Hidden in some parts of your white walling are large storage compartments. You had a white sliding door that disconnects and reconnects the kitchen area from the rest of the living room. A black metal staircase to the left leads you to your bed. Very spacious indeed, but dark. Your only window is the one next to the entry door; though, at least it’s a large window. Another feature located to the left of your door is the bathroom that harbors a washer and dryer.

Turning the handle of your bathroom door, you hear the familiar click as it opens. You reach for the shower handle and, after a few moments of finicking, water streams down from the showerhead. As you shed your clothes and step into the shower, the hot water soothes your tired body, and a contented sigh escapes your lips. Thoughts of your job as a bartender, with its challenges posed by wealthy patrons, linger in your mind. Being a bartender has its moments of fun, but it's also filled with frustrations, and you can't help but think about the high turnover rate in your line of work. People can be demanding, and the pay is barely above the minimum yearly salary.

You dry yourself off, slip on a pair of warm pajamas, and head to bed. Usually, you would sit down and do at least an hour of assignments for your classes, but you are not in the mood today.

Your eyes flutter open. Stifling a groan, you sit up and pull out your flip phone from under your pillow.

9:42 a.m.

March 11th, 2008.

Normally, you’d sleep for a few more hours. However, your kitchen is starving; you have not gone grocery shopping for the past two weeks because you’ve been so caught up with work. Your boss proposed higher pay if you willingly worked from opening to closing this entire week. Of course, you outright rejected. Then, he countered with time-and-a-half. There was no hesitation when you told him, “Bet.”

Even with your 5’2” stature, the loft area of your apartment is too petite for a proper stretch. You slowly climb down your ladder to prepare for the day ahead.

After eating an instant mac-and-cheese microwave bowl, you put on your shoes, and head out. As you walk down the metal staircase, you notice the absence of the young man from last night. A pang of guilt courses through you as you think of the condition you left him in. You’re hopeful an ambulance came to give him the care he needs.

As you tread by where the young man was, you suddenly catch sight of something. Something that smitten you instantly. Amidst the dark, dank alley, something in the distance shines with an otherworldly brilliance, beckoning you closer. There is no resistance; you mindlessly walk towards the light, until you’re standing right in front it. Your head tilts. It’s still unclear as to what it is; the intense shine blocks the view. You reach out towards the light.

A sudden, searing pain has you screeching at the top of your lungs. You’re quick to clasp a hand over your mouth to muffle your screams of agony. Your body suddenly felt heavy, and you began to sweat excessively. The world seems to be spinning around you at a rapid pace. Something is not right, you thought, just as your legs buckle. You crumble to the ground.

[demonteabags]

The Baby Bird | Sanegiyuu Drabble

Description: Sanemi and Giyuu share a moment after an encounter with a bird. (Takes place around the same place as the sword-smith village arc.)

Warnings: angst, fluff, swearing, attempts at humor, Giyuu is actually funny

727 words

The master had sent Sanemi on a mission. Usually it wouldn’t bother him but this time his mission was with Tomioka.

When he met with Tomioka, he looked more gloomy than ever, which infuriated Sanemi even more.

Tomioka noticed he was more agitated than normal and tried his best to keep his distance. He didn’t exactly enjoy this day either, he hardly remembers his family at all aside from his sister, Tsutako, who practically raised him.

Even then, his memory of her has gradually faded over time and he’d almost completely forgotten what she looks like. His heart aches at the thought of her.

“Fucking hurry up, Tomioka!” Sanemi growled from up ahead.

Tomioka quickly sped after him as he shook himself out of his thoughts.

The two headed up the hill in total silence. The sun began to set and the two kept their guard up for any demons.

From what they know, this demon had been causing a lot of trouble in the local villages, and specifically targeted children.

They reached the village not long after the sun had fallen completely. They split up briefly and began to search for the demon.

Giyuu came across it first and attempted to slice of its head but missed and chopped its arm instead.

“What has gotten into you, Tomioka?! That should have been easy for you!” Sanemi spat before speeding off towards the demon.

In his anger, Sanemi fealty the finishing blow to the demon and watched it slowly disintegrate. He had expected Tomioka to follow him instead he was nowhere to be found.

The sun was rising so knew wherever he wouldn’t be in any demon trouble.

It wouldn’t usually bother him but he felt something was off the second he saw him. He had nothing better to do, so decided to go search for him.

He eventually found him bent down by a river. He stomped on over but stopped when he saw what he was holding.

Giyuu held a baby bird on his hands, which Sanemi assumed he must have scooped out of the river.

He had the bird wrapped in a small piece of cloth and he was gently drying it off as it tweeted in his hands.

Giyuu looked up and Sanemi for a second before looking back to the baby bird.

“Sorry for leaving you with that demon.” Giyuu spoke softly.

“It’s fine. I was more than capable of dealing with it.” Sanemi told him.

Giyuu hummed and stood up, making sure to be careful of the bird in his hands. Sanemi watched Giyuu’s cautiousness when it came to the bird.

When he knew the bird was dry, he carefully put the bird back on a branch in a tree nearby.

He'd never seen Tomioka show so much concern over people, but watching him care so attentively made him want to regret being so harsh on Tomioka in the past.

He could have sworn he actually caught a glimpse of him smiling as the bird reunited with its mother, before his smile turned to a look of sadness once again.

"You don't have to stay." Tomioka told him, eyes fixated on the ground in front of him. "If the demon has been defeated, there's no reason you have to stick with me anymore, and I'm sorry I wasn't much help."

That's what he's thinking? Sanemi thought to himself. He almost felt bad for him, but at the same time knew he should probably and report back to the master.

"I... I don't exactly hate your company, Tomioka." Sanemi told him. "Your gloomy face just pisses me off sometimes."

"Oh I'm sorry..." Tomioka told him, finally looking up at him. "I don't know i'm doing it half the time... My sister used to call it 'Resting bitch face."

Sanemi let out a snort of laughter at that. "So you do have a sense of humour! Wait till i tell uzui this!"

"i doubt he'll believe you tho." Giyuu told him.

"Oh fuck, you're right." Sanemi mentally smacked himself.

Before Giyuu could reply, his crow gracelessly face-planted the floor. Giyuu, with a sigh, bent down to help the poor old thing up.

"Hashira meeting! Shinazugawa! Tomioka! Report back to the master!" It squawked after catching its breath.

"Duty calls." Sanemi sighed.

The two headed back to base together, not talking the entire way there...

[jpitha]

Just a Little Further 22

Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

After I sent River and Ocean away, I took a moment to compose myself. Omar is watching, trying to see how I'm reacting, I think.

"Melody, if you're going to use your Voice, you need to be very careful about the things you order. You didn't specify to bring the Marines back alive, and now they're dead."

"You're right Omar, I need to be very careful when I'm wording things."

Ava doesn't seem to mind. "They did do what you asked though. and so quickly! I expected to not see them for at least a week."

It doesn't seem to bother Um'reli either. "You have to admit, it sends a message. People weren't taking you seriously before, and between this and what you did to Starlight... they're going to realize you are the real deal."

Omar looked ahead "Speaking of the real deal, look." He pointed.

We look out and...

Oh my.

The crowd.

It's wall to wall people in front of the entrance to the Throne. More people than I've ever seen in one place before. Not here, not on Starbase Picaresque, not even at home on Meíhuā.

And they are all here to see me.

I wish there was a rear entrance to the Throne. I bet there is, I wish we looked harder to find it.

I sighed. If we're going to do this, we might as well do it right. I looked back and my friends. "Okay, we're on. I'm going to try and impress everyone and see if they'll make a path for us. Once we're up I'll sit on the Throne and you can just stand behind me and look... official I guess. Ready?"

Nods all around. Good.

I turned back forward and thought about how I wanted to appear. My gown started to rustle like I was in a stiff breeze and my crown and wings appeared. I thought about the connection to the Reach and was able to tweak the air settings to get a breeze going around here too and as people looked back to see where the wind was coming from, they saw us.

The cheering created a wall of sound that we walked headlong into. It was practically a physical thing. As we stepped into the crowd Um'reli and Omar pushed forward to clear a path and the people parted like grass on the plains.

As we walked, I spread my wings for the look of it and they hung over the crowds as we walked past. People reached out to touch them as I passed and - I'll be honest here - I didn't think people would be able to feel them as they're made out of light and fog by the Nanites, but they could! I could even feel their fingers brushing over the feathers.

It's very odd to have a sensation from a limb you've never had before. If I concentrated, I could hear the individual cries from people in the crowd as we walked, but after trying that for a couple of seconds it was entirely too overwhelming, so I just concentrated on the noise as a wall of sound without definition. It was easier to take that way.

We made it to the top of the gallery, and I turned to face everyone. every seat was filled and the entire lower level spilled out into the street almost all the way to the dock. I had never seen this many people here before all in one place! Aviens, Mariens, Azurians, the people who wear pressure suits and a few others I haven't met yet, all shapes, sizes and colors.

They were here, to cheer me.

They were here, to worship me.

This, was all for me.

Omar, Um'reli and Ava took up station behind me, seen but in the background as I raised my hands and spread my wings for silence. A hush descended, and everyone stared up at me, waiting.

"People of Reach of the Might of Vxxz. Thank you for coming. Today is a great day. A Builder, an Empress returns to you, so that you can become whole once again!"

Cheers and shouts. I hold my hand up for silence once again.

"The road ahead is long. The Gate is locked, the starships here in need of repair and systems all over the Reach have languished. But! You remain. We remain. Now that I am here, I will begin repairs and upgrades. I will make our starships move again. I will open the Gates. I will reunite my Empire and we shall once again, rule the stars!"

More cheers. I wait for them to die down before continuing.

"Today though, you can come to me directly with your immediate grievances about things here, and me and my fellow Builders-" I gesture behind me "-will work to resolve as many as we can."

I sit in the Throne and feel the familiar cold tang of connecting to the Starbase. It feels different this time, smoother, more familiar. I lean back... and let go...

From all around the arena, my voice is heard. Everyone perceives my voice as coming only to them, direct to them. It's as if I am speaking to them, and them only.

"Speak your issue, and be heard."

"We are a family of 6 and yet, our quarters are such th-"

"Please, Empress, my son, he nee-"

"Those nosy Aviens next door are alway-"

"Food prices keep going higher and hig-"

As everyone talks to 'me' I am keeping a list of the grievances. I'm not sure how I'm doing it, I assume it's the Nanites plus how I'd naturally try and keep a list of information being used together, but as they speak, I track what their problem is. Amazingly, after they speak, I'm able to offer some soothing words to everyone. It's me and it's not me at the same time. Even with my full Builder persona activated, I don't think I have the parallel processing to complete a feat like this. The Starbase and the Nanites must be doing the majority of the work.

After only an hour or so, it's done. Everyone that wants to speak has spoken, and I have thousands upon thousands of complaints to sort. I give a farewell and offer a blessing to everyone, and order the restaurants across the whole of the Reach to feed everyone for free today - promising they will be reimbursed for their work.

Royal part over, it becomes somewhat of a festival atmosphere around the Throne area. People milling about, talking with each other, catching up with old friends, eating and laughing. From my perch on the Throne, I watch the celebration. I get an overwhelming sense of relief tinged with a small amount of anxiety over what it means to have an Empress again. It strengthens my resolve to do my best to have it mean good things for the people that live here.

How am I going to pay for all this? What to other Empresses do?

They owned the banks. They just ordered it.

Wait. There are banks here, right? Is it really that simple?

Simple is often not easy. But yes. You own your whole empire, including the banks.

That's it! That's how we'll pay everyone and fund everything. A quiet part of me yells that it probably isn't that easy, and isn't that how inflation happens and don't I need to start taxing people to get money to go in or something? I should look into it further, but it's a very quiet part of me right now. I can tune it out pretty easily.

I turn my attention to the list of complaints that were collected and with the Throne and the Nantes help, I try and do some rough categorization.

Neighbor Complaints - this is the largest list and will most likely be ignored. Should it though? Maybe I'll have the others look them over in more detail.

Food issues - this is second largest. We can look over it and see if there's some underlying issue. I can also look into the disused food distribution centers. Maybe they're turned off because there isn't the resources to use them anymore, maybe it's another reason. I feel like I can fix this one, and if I do, it will give me the biggest boost to my legitimacy.

Environmental issues - third largest and issues related to the environment here. I had just turned up the settings here yesterday, so I hope this helps eliminate those. This should be an easy win. Mei'la had mention something about how power usage felt wasteful here. Maybe there's something we can do to boost efficiency.

The rest of them are things like, asking when we're going to launch the Starships again and quite a few asking when I'm going to "take care of" the issue of other sapient groups. Hmm. I don't like that one. Luckily, the questions seem to be in the minority, but still.

Job finished for now, I stand up and stretch. My goodness, that was boring. I hope I don't have to do it very often. Looking around, I find Omar, Um'reli and Ava wandering around the area behind the Throne. "Find anything interesting?"

Omar gestures towards me. "Actually yes, look here. There's a door behind the Throne, out of sight of the people on the ground.

"What's behind it?"

"I don't know, there's no handle and I can't get it to open."

"You've had the Nanites for a day, try to do it as a Builder. Just concentrate on the door and imagine it doing what you order."

Omar stares at the door, and I can see the concentration in his hands and on his face. There's a small breeze around him and with a hiss, the door slides open into the ceiling.

"You did it! Congratulations, Builder!" I'm super proud of him.

Omar stares at the open door, and then down at his hands, and over to me. "That... was... the most amazing thing! I just thought about the door opening and it did! It's like magic."

Now he will be one of us. He has felt the power.

I'm just happy he was able to do it. "Come on Omar, lead on. Let's see what's in here."

We go into the darkened room, and Omar again concentrates and the lights come up. Like most Builder stuff it clearly hasn't been touched in a very long time, but again, there isn't much dust here at all. It looks like everyone left for the day and shut the door... but then the door stayed shut for who knows how long.

Inside the room is 6 chairs that are arranged around a long table. Each of the chairs is in the same green metallic substance as the Throne. They're molded into the floor instead of the ceiling, but to me they look like where the Builder operators would sit when running the station.

"This looks like where the Builders sit when they are the starbase. Come, let's sit and try it out. It'll feel odd when you first sit, and if you get that feeling in the back of your brain to let go and sink further, don't yet. You need at least another day of Nanite development, but I think we're safe to connect lightly. I'll stay out of the seats and if I see anyone in distress, I'll pull them out. See if you can find my notes from the celebration."

Omar, Um'reli and Ava all sit gingerly. Ava is especially nervous - she's the one that saw me scream when I tried to integrate too quickly, but after a moment, I can feel them with my connection to the Reach.

"Wow, this is amazing! Melody, can you hear me?" It's Ava.

"Sure can Ava, it sounds like you're standing right next to me." I look over, and her body is just sitting in the chair, relaxed, breathing normally.

"Okay, I found your notes Melody. Looks like you sorted it somewhat already? Wow, how did you collect all this data?" Um'reli must have found my notes first.

"I have to admit, I don't really know. I just... knew what to do. The Nanites know more than I do, so sometimes I just let go and let them drive. I have a feeling that isn't always the right choice, but until I get more familiar with things, sometimes I feel like it's the only thing to do."

"Melody? I found the docking bay. It's empty right now, but I think I see how to maneuver High Line from the umbilical to the docking bay. Once it's inside we can get a better idea of what it would take to refit it with human systems and make it a viable starship again."

Oh, wonderful! I'm so glad Omar is here.

"Yes please Omar, do that. We'll go down and check it out once you've finished and everyone has a chance to get more familiar with how to be Reach."

While everyone is working, I go back over to the Throne and sit down. I get reconnected and just look around for a while. I like watching the movement of people on the Reach. It's... soothing I guess? Oh hey, up further are gardens and parks! I was worried there would be no greenery here. I should ride the train up later and explore.

I can feel Omar, Um'reli and Ava behind me exploring things, learning how they work, and with them here, I swear the Starbase is starting to work better. I can see people looking in wonder at lights that were long off and now are on again, breezes blowing as the air freshens, and even I'm noticing people starting to clean and sweep. It really feels like we're turning a corner here. I get an alert that for the first time in [DEMARCATION ERROR] another train is wheeled out from storage. It's needed for the crowds.

I wish I knew how long [DEMARCATION ERROR] was. If the starbase doesn't know, it was probably a long time. That really speaks to the power of the original Builders if 11 million people could live here with effectively no administration the whole time.

It's almost too good to be true...

My reverie is interrupted by a radio signal. I look around, ah, there it is. It's the long range comms. Someone is signaling us.

Huh, FarReach is signaling us.

"Okay Melody, very funny. You've made your point. Open the Gate now please." FarReach isn't even bothering with any niceties.

"Hello FarReach. How are you doing?" I admit, I'm being a little petty here.

"Melody! Do you understand what's happening? Do you see how you're changing? Most of the BIs don't see it, but your commanding voice thing and that 'don't worry about it' aura doesn't work on AIs. I see your changes, what's happening to you, what you're becoming. Keep down this path and you won't be the Empress Melody.

You'll be the Tyrant Melody.

"Ava said there aren't very many AIs around on this side of the galaxy, I have a hunch I know why. An Empress would not keep people around that can't be placed in thrall."

"FarReach! I am insulted. You're saying that just because I can't control them, I wouldn't like AIs?"

"Maybe not you yourself, at least not yet, but that Empress nano machine package that was installed on you wouldn't like AIs for sure. It sure feels like the decisions you're making are more their decisions than your own. I know you Melody, this isn't you."

Isn't me? Every decision I've made so far has been mine. Sure, the Nanites have helped, but if I didn't like what they were recommending, I wouldn't have done it.

"We caught up to that Mariens, Ottarn by the way. We took them and their tiny crew aboard. Their ship was basically junk taped together. Even if he had made it to the Gate, they probably wouldn't have made it to their destination. We're going to take them wherever they want to go, and then head home."

They took Ottarn? Hmm. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing or anything. I'm worried about it though, I wonder why?

"FarReach, did you call us up just to insult me and call into question all the good work we're doing here? We're helping the people of this Starbase! We've already improved the environmental systems, and now we're beginning to retrofit one of their broken Starships."

"Ugh, Fine Melody. We don't have to agree. You and Omar and Um'reli and Ava stay over here on your side of the Galaxy and leave the rest of humanity alone. I don't care anymore, I hate it here. Open the Gate."

"Or else what?"

"Or else, Empress I will link away." It really sounds like FarReach is speaking through gritted teeth. AIs are usually so reserved and chill. I've never heard one as angry as FarReach right now.

"Why are you being so mean to Melody, FarReach? She hasn't done anything to you." I forgot that Ava, Omar and Um'reli can hear this call too. I wonder if FarReach knew too?.

"FarReach, I think I have to agree with Ava and Melody. Our leaving was our on decision. Melody didn't place us in thrall or order us to come with her with her Voice. She didn't even come back to you. Ava came and asked us. We're here because we want to be here." I can feel the emphasis in Omar's voice. He seemed like the one that was least up for the business of ruling, it that sure made it sound like he's all in. I'm practically bursting with pride.

"I can't believe I'm here arguing with you four. Open the damn Gate, or I'm going to WEP the reactors and link away."

"Wait, how can you WEP with Captain Q'ari locked up?" Um'reli sounds genuinely curious.

"I declared Captain Q'ari unfit to lead thanks to Melody's meddling Um'reli. That makes me the commander and as the commander I can declare WEP on myself. Anyway, did you really think AIs can't WEP their own reactors? We allow the commander to order it. If I link away and it fails, then my destruction will be on your head. I already linked a beacon back to Starbase Picaresque. They never linked one back so I don't know if it worked, but if it did, then they already know about what's going on here. I am going to ask one. more. time. Melody. Open the Gate, please."

Ugh. The nerve! Still, I don't want FarReach to try and link away and have it fail.

Or worse, have it succeed and then they can link back with a couple of dreadnoughts and Starjumpers... before we're ready for them.

Fine. I lean back in my Throne and let go just a little more until I expand beyond the Starbase and... There. There's the Gate. The lock isn't strong, you just know where... to... push... and... there.

Outwardly, nothing changed, but I can tell the Gate is open now to regular travel. "I unlocked the Gate FarReach. Go home. Tell them what we have. Let everyone know that those who want to join us are welcome to."

"Not a chance, Melody. You're on your own. I was friends with the friendly Information Warfare Officer who had a knack for firearms and loved coffee. I hope she's still in there somewhere. I'd like to meet her again." FarReach closes the connection. From my vantage point I can watch them thrust away. After only a few moments, the Gate glows painfully blue, and...

They're gone.

Why am I sad? I'm so sad she left. I still had so much to show them. So much good we're doing.

"Melody? Melody? Are you all right?" I can hear Ava, she's not connected to the chairs anymore. I open my eyes and see her looking at me on the Throne. "You're crying."

"Oh Ava." I stand up and hug her. "You heard her. FarReach says I'm not me anymore. She said that I've changed and that she misses the old me."

"Oh Melody. She doesn't know what she's talking about. You're still you. You're you plus so much more."

"Ava is right." Um'reli stands from her chair and comes over. "You're still you Melody. You've been changed, this is true, but everyone changes. A change like this won't fundamentally change who you are."

I sniff. "Thanks Ava, thanks Um'reli. I just... FarReach was my friend. She sounded so angry."

Omar puts a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it Melody. We know we're here for good reasons. That's enough. Besides, once we have our own Starship, we can head back to Human/K'laxi space and show them what we're doing. All kinds of people, AI and BI will want to come with us and help out. You'll see."

"Thanks everyone, I'm so lucky to have you here with me."

Omar is right. We'll show them.

We'll show them all.

Part 23

[quill-and-again]

A Moment - Shanks

[Moments are interactions between Quill and other One Piece characters that may not ever make it into the more canonical long-form stories. They can be angsty, spicy, smutty, or feature "bad ends". It's a way for me to play with Quill without the weighty commitment of a "canon".]

Summary: Quill doesn't like Shanks. Shanks doesn't get why. The two have ended up stranded waiting for their crews to find them.

Warning: While Quill is an OC, I write them in the "reader" perspective, because they're a reincarnator and their first life was this Earth/Reality. As a fan of One Piece, they are almost more "reader" than OC. This can be jarring for folks, hence the warning. (this may change the more I develop Quill)

"I don't trust you!" You snap, growling in your throat and glaring at a shocked Shanks before turning away. "Fuck! Of all the thousands of people to be stuck with, it's you."

There's a nervous, or probably disarmingly meant, laugh that comes from Shanks. "We just met today, yeah?"

You snort, keeping your back to Shanks, looking around for anything that can be set on fire. The act will give you something to focus on, and the light and smoke might guide the others. This is one of the few times you wish this body had a devil fruit to utilize.

"I can't imagine what I did."

"You-." You stop. You don't trust Shanks. He's not a threat to Luffy or the safety of the world, but there's too much you don't know about him.

The last thing you need is to be an involuntary guest on his ship because he learns you know the "fate" of this world. You had to trust Pops' with that information for a lot of reasons, but it's none of Shanks' business.

"Don't sweat it, red." You grumble.

"It is interesting." Shanks drawls after a few moments of silence. There's something in his tone that causes your guard to raise. When you look over your shoulder at him, he's relaxed, draped back against a boulder regarding you. "I can't see what you're going to do."

"No one can." You don't see any reason to lie about it. You have your own theories, but you haven't even shared those thoughts with Marco yet. "So tough shit, red, you're not going to be able to use it to learn things about me."

"You really don't like me." He sighs, looking up into the sky.

"... Why'd you jump in after me?" You don't want to give this slick bastard an in, but curiosity was killing you.

The two of you got separated from your crews because you'd both ended up on the same island's mountain. You were there with a few crew members, scoping out the area. Shanks had been there on his own, but only because he'd left his crew mates behind going off by himself.

The sudden storm gust had lifted your damnably small body just enough that you went over the cliff edge. Armament haki meant you weren't going to take enough damage to break anything, but it wasn't exactly a fun experience. A second after you'd hit the swollen river water, you'd heard someone else land in the water as well.

The crew knew better than to risk life and limb for you, the only people stronger than you on the crew were a couple division commanders and some devil fruit users.

Shanks laughs - the light-heartedness of it just pisses you off, but it's who he is, so you know he's not making fun of you.

"I tried to grab you." He explains, making a motion with his one arm. "When I missed I was going to ask if I should go after you, but the dirt under my feet gave out."

"You fell?!" You can hardly believe what you're hearing. He nods and you laugh. The clipped sound escapes, but you can't stop the full on laugh that follows. "You! Ahhhhahahaha! Fell! Sh-Sha-Shanks, Emperor of the Seas! Kluh-klutzed his way here!"

"Oi! Oi!" He grumbles, sitting up and giving you a sour look.

You snort again but get yourself under control, waving him off. "Fell. Heh."

There's an easy silence between you, but you've been keeping your observation haki on. When Shanks tries to break the silence you cut him off.

"So, are you-." going to tell me why my haki doesn't work on you?

"Not in a million years." You interrupt, waving your hand lazily in the air. "I don't hate you red, but you're not going to charm your way into my trust. I certainly don't owe you an-."

The cold edge at your throat stills you. Apparently, if Shanks uses his observation haki, it doesn't matter that you're using yours. The two cancel each other out. Shanks wasn't known for starting fights, he must be really unsettled by you.

"Fighting would be a way to advertise where we are." You say evenly. Shanks is fast. He's powerful on a level you don't know if you can compete with. Sure you've been sparring with the crew for a couple years now, but you're quite removed from your last real fight.

"Tell me."

The weight of those words almost buckles you. It's a command that hits your brain and your lungs at the same time. You aren't sure if it's fear that drives it, or a battle of wills, but if you were anyone else you were pretty sure you'd be telling him everything.

"No."

Twelve lives before this one. Wars, intrigue, loss, fear, anger, love, frustration, despair. Decades of experience. Centuries. In one life you were an actual elf and lived for a few centuries. If not for that you wouldn't have had any defense against him.

That said, you really, really did not want to fight him.

[expectiations]

Made this a separate post because i did not want to take away from OP's post and this could be unwelcome. Do not keep on reading if you like j*ack

While they do have similarities, River has several facets this guy does not have.

Her parents. The Doctor's companions and best friends. The Girl Who Waited and the Lone Centurion. The TARDIS and Sutekh. She is not exactly either human or Time Lord. She is a different species altogether.

Deleted the rest of this post because it's rather scathing but saying "River is so similar to him" is an extremely watered down version of River and that's what made me squint my eyes in the first place. Doing my best to put that damn audio out of my mind but River has traits that make her similar to him, but not 'so similar'. Like it was the Doctor who started the whole thing. The whole love story even the Daleks talk about. The one passed on in myths and legends in every corner of time and space.

River can actually keep up with the Doctor or be half a step behind him. She understands without his need for explaining which gives her the role of explaining to the rest of the cast on what's going on/to happen. She studied the Doctor to learn what she could of them, to separate what had been hammered into her by the Silence. The Doctor has had centuries to get to know her. To understand that she totes around guns because that was her teddy. That she's so good at flirting because she was taught as a kid. As a KID. She was raised as a weapon(!!). She's so scarred by trauma and brainwashing but she managed to break free from all that and become her own person. The TARDIS is her Mother. The Doctor is her home.

Like River is so so much more and she has her own life and I need to sleep but seeing River be compared to that guy gives me a visceral reaction the same way learning what that r+j audio did to DoctorRiver made me wanna puke. Like I expected that kind of attitude from the fandom but to make it sort of canon?? Be for fucking real.

And I'm never chucking this into my usual tags because unlike certain people, I don't go around shoving my dislike for a character into the tags that people who love that character follow.

[vivianleighwishesshewasme]

Arthurs Sacrifice part 1

Realized I never posted 1 or 2 on here. Opps. ADHA for ya.

Arthur finds out he has an 18 year old half Italian daughter from his first love. Tommy see's it as an opportunity against the Italians but her lover may be a bigger problem then they all expected.

Chapter 1: Prologue plus Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Prologue

Arthur had fallen in love before the war. Maria Amato had been out walking with Greta Jurrosi and Tommy when he’d been flagged over by the river. Arthur was smitten before she even extended her hand. She was as delicate and tiny as a toy ballerina. At 5 feet no inches to his 6 foot frame he instantly wanted to protect her. She also had a sharp wit and would match her interest to his. She had been patient, kind and amourous. He’d loved her for a year and she’d promised to wait for him.

When he came back he’d found out she’d left the country and she’d married. She had written him a single word not even to tell him she was no longer interested.

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Chapter 1 Arthur stood stunned, too shocked to speak. His whole world was caving in on him. Linda was in tears, her fists clenched in rage begging for an answer. She paced Tommy’s expansive wooden office like a caged tiger.

He didn’t know until 18 years later that his first love, Maria, had passed and kept a secret from him. A little half Italian girl sitting on a couch in Tommy's den, was his teenage daughter. She stood at 5’2 if he was being generous. Looked just like her mother. Delicate, soft and sweet.

Filomena Giordano had brought a letter, a birth certificate and a small bag with her to Arrow house hoping for a home and a family. Arthur felt helpless. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined all this. Nothing could have prepared him for the news that Maria had left intentionally when he’d gone to war. Taking his child to Italy, marrying another and raising HIS girl never caring enough to mention why.

“I want an explanation Arthur!” Linda bellowed in pain. She stood before him begging him with her sorrow filled eyes. He felt her pain.

How could he give anyone answers to questions he had himself? He just shook his head looking back and forth from his daughter to his wife.

They stood in Tommy's office frozen in time. You could hear people breathing; the room was still and unnerving. John poured some whiskey but dropped the lid roughly on the table, causing everyone to jump.

“John, no.” Tommy said, breaking the silence again.

Arthur walked in front of the girl, his little girl. He felt lost, robbed and anger started building. He could deal with anger. It was familiar to him.

There before him stood a carbon copy of his first love. She’d been a friend of Greta, Thomas’s first love. They hadn't initially hit it off, however she was the first woman who had made Arthur believe he was smart and capable in life.

Maria Amato, she’d quit writing when he’d left for the war. He hadn’t been surprised. A lot of men got dumped after they enlisted or were shipped off. He understood she didn’t want the pain or fear that he might not come back.

Instead she’d apparently gone back to Italy and disappeared. His math wasn’t wonderful, but the 18 year old girl that stood before him would have been a trip to Italy…..his child.

She’d never told him about and raised with another man. Now Maria was dead, the girl homeless and her stepfather enraged. Apparently Maria had married him in Italy, hence why Arthur never met the girl. Probably had been convinced the girl was his but upon her death bed had written a letter of confession crashing all their lives together.

Filomena Giordano…Shelby.

“I….I…” He stumbled looking as helpless as the little women in front of him. She’d apparently gone to the betting shop looking for work and answers. Tommy had recognized her face, like her mother’s, and immediately brought her to his home for an emergency family meeting.

She was nervous, crying and clearly uncomfortable with all the emotion. He’d wondered what kind of life she'd had. She was sitting on the couch in a ball, slapping at Polly or Ada’s hands when they tried to comfort her. She kept looking at him with those soft saline filled brown eyes. Her pain was searing through his heart.

“Someone needs to say something!” Linda demanded exploding into righteous anger. She’d found out with Arthur but was less forgiving toward the situation. Linda had just given birth to their son Billy. Hormones were still raging and the situation wasn’t helping.

“This was a mistake. I’ll figure it out.” Filomena, who barely reached his chest, got up to leave. The Shelby's shuffled to block her. She stumbled back and was caught by Arthur whos’ large imposing frame tucked her into him nicely.

“Your family, you belong with us.” Arthur said in a steady voice. He’d deal with Linda later. Polly was upset, muttering in Romany. John and Tommy were amused. This was going to be a shit show.

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