#wedding costs

[weddingplannervn]

Vietnam Destination Wedding By THO's - What Is The Cost A Wedding In Vietnam

Vietnam, with its captivating landscapes, vibrant culture, and affordable living costs, has become an increasingly popular destination for weddings. But what does it actually cost to host a wedding in this enchanting country? This article delves into the various factors influencing wedding expenses in Vietnam, providing you with a comprehensive overview to help you plan your dream day.

Vietnam Destination Wedding By THO's: The Average Cost Of A Wedding In Vietnam

The cost of a wedding in Vietnam can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

Location: Urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City tend to be more expensive than rural or coastal destinations.

Guest Count: The number of guests directly impacts costs, especially for food and beverage expenses.

Wedding Style: A traditional Vietnamese wedding often involves elaborate ceremonies and banquets, which can increase costs.

Time of Year: Peak wedding seasons may result in higher prices for venues and vendors.

Vietnam Destination Wedding By THO's: Tips for a Budget-Friendly Vietnamese Wedding

Off-Peak Weddings: Consider having your wedding during the off-peak season to enjoy lower prices.

Weekday Weddings: Weekday weddings often come with discounted rates for venues and vendors.

DIY Decor: Get creative with DIY decorations to save on floral and decor costs.

Local Vendors: Utilize local vendors for photography, catering, and entertainment to benefit from competitive prices.

Guest List: Keep your guest list manageable to reduce expenses on food, drinks, and invitations.

Vietnam Destination Wedding By THO's - Crafting Your Dream Wedding

By understanding the various cost factors, the average expenses, and the nuances of traditional and modern Vietnamese destination weddings, couples can navigate the planning process with confidence and create the wedding of their dreams in this captivating Southeast Asian destination. With the guidance of Vietnam Destination Wedding by THO's, couples can unlock the true enchantment of a Vietnam destination wedding and embark on a journey that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Please contact us:

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VietnamAsiagroup: https://vietnamgroup.asia/blogs/news/top-5-best-wedding-planners-in-vietnam https://vietnamgroup.asia/pages/wedding-hang-sang

Explore some of our works:

Vietnam Wedding Planner BY THO's in Hanoi: https://www.weddingplannervn.com/wedding-planner-in-hanoi/

Vietnam Wedding Planner BY THO's in Danang: https://www.weddingplannervn.com/wedding-planner-in-danang/

Vietnam Wedding Planner BY THO's in Ho Chi Minh City: https://www.weddingplannervn.com/wedding-planning-in-ho-chi-minh-city/

Indian Wedding Planner in Vietnam by THO's: https://www.weddingplannervn.c…dding-planner-in-vietnam/

Our Collaborative Partners

Danang Dance Troupe Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/VuDoanDaNang

Danang Dance Troupe Website: https://vietnamgroup.asia/pages/vu-doan-da-nang

VietnamAsiagroup's Danang Dance Troupe: https://vietnamgroup.asia/blogs/review/tong-hop-top-5-vu-doan-chuyen-nghiep-da-nang

Danang Band Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/bannhacDaNang

Danang Acoustic Band: https://vietnamgroup.asia/blogs/review/top-5-band-nhac-da-nang-music-acoustic-band

VietnamAsiagroup's Danang Band: https://vietnamgroup.asia/blogs/review/top-3-band-nhac-da-nang-music-band

[amandaanddonnie]

Many of you asking about our WEDDING REGISTRY

[weddingdjs]

New Blog Post: A Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Catering: Costs, Packages, Styles, menu, bar options, prices, types, average costs and how to save money #weddingcatering https://angelsmusic.net/2023/11/08/a-comprehensive-guide-to-wedding-catering-costs-packages-styles-and-tips/ 

[pjakes]

Here Comes the Bride, Part I: Financing a Dream Wedding

Weddings are one of the most important and memorable events in a person’s life. They are also one of the most expensive. According to a recent survey by The Knot (a wedding planning and resource site), the average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2022 was $28,000. This does not include the cost of the honeymoon, which can add another $4,000 to $5,000.  So how do couples finance their…

[merrybrides]

21 Hidden Wedding Costs You May Forget To Budget For

You've probably already factored in the wedding budget basics, but what about those unanticipated costs that you wouldn't be aware of unless you worked in the wedding industry?

You know Here Comes The Guide has got your back! We're calling out 21 pesky hidden wedding costs many couples get blindsided by.

We see you, hidden fees.

#1 → Venue Fees

This may come as a surprise, but not all services and equipment are covered in the venue site fee (also known as the rental fee or facility fee). So don't get lured in by a low site fee, thinking that it will cover everything! A site fee typically covers rental of the space for a certain number of hours. And it can be misleading to see an enticingly-low rental fee compared to the true cost of renting a space! Site fees vary from venue to venue, can be in addition to "per person" fees, and can even fluctuate throughout the year—so it's important to understand what's included in the site fee for each venue you're considering.

Be aware that it's possible to get nickeled and dimed for all the extras: tables, chairs, linens, dance floor, cake cutting, corkage, valet service, A/V equipment, lighting, and so forth. You can also end up paying more than you expected for setup, breakdown, security, and cleanup! These additional charges can really add up, so save yourself a big headache by understanding exactly what's included in the rental fee—and what's not—before you sign any contract.

#2 → Venue Rentals

Some venues are what we like to refer to as "blank slate venues" which are essentially just the space: we're talking 4 walls, a ceiling, and the floor. They are clean canvases that can be transformed to create the wedding style of your dreams; however, it does mean you'll have to essentially build your event from the ground up. (Insert dollar signs here.)

The benefit is that you have total control of where to save and where to splurge, but just keep in mind that a blank slate venue could require everything from tables and chairs to generators, heaters, kitchen equipment, and even portable restrooms! This could lead to extra expenses that may not have been included in your original budget, so get a clear picture of what your dream wedding will entail before booking that beautiful blank slate venue.

#3 → Taxes and Service Charges

We're all familiar with sales tax in our everyday lives, but don't forget that sales tax applies to your wedding, too! Know your local tax rates so you can build that cushion into your budget. We recommend setting aside between 5%–8% of each line item for taxes, to be safe.

Then there are service charges. A "service charge" is a mandatory fee that gets added to your venue and/or catering contract (on top of any "minimum" you're required to spend). This extra fee is applied to things like venue maintenance, service personnel, and administrative costs.

Now brace yourself when we tell you: A service charge of anywhere from 15%–25% will be applied to your food & beverage total—so it's going to be a sizable addition to your final bill. (Deep breaths.)

Taxes vary by state and service charges vary by venue, so it's important to get these line items built into your estimate.

#4 → Tips and Gratuities

Yes we realize that you're already spending a lot of money on your wedding, but tipping to show your gratitude for above-and-beyond service is always appreciated by your vendors. Keep in mind that unless it's built into your contract, tipping is never mandatory��so you are free to do so at your discretion. We recommend taking a good, hard look at your wedding contracts to see if a gratuity is already included. It's pretty standard for it to be covered in your venue, catering, and even transportation contracts. When it is included, no additional tipping is required.

Also, you technically aren't required to tip the owner of a business—just their employees. The thought process behind this is that you're already paying what the business owner has deemed an adequate price for their service. However, feel free to ignore this rule if they rock your socks off.

Tipping can be tricky to navigate, so we highly recommend checking out this comprehensive guide to tipping your wedding vendors with suggested monetary amounts. 

#5 → Outside Vendor / Catering Fees

Some venues may impose a fee for bringing in your own caterer / vendors outside of their "preferred" list—and it can cost a pretty penny. So be sure to ask your venue about their vendor policy before you sign the dotted line or set your heart on a specific vendor. Do they allow outside vendors? Are there fees associated with bringing in your own caterer or vendor team? Are you contractually obligated to stick to the venue's preferred list or in-house caterer? In some areas, an outside caterer or vendor must be licensed and insured, so get clear on all the details before you book a particular venue.

#6 → Contingency Plan Rentals and Permits

We all know the importance of a solid contingency plan for outdoor weddings. Just keep in mind that a Plan B isn't always free! It may cost you to reserve that extra "just in case" event space, those outdoor heat lamps, or that gorgeous sailcloth tent. And in some areas you may be required to obtain a permit for tents, canopies, and other accessories such as heaters and generators. Check with your venue about potential contingency plan costs, and whether or not you'll need a permit. You want to make sure that if a contingency plan does need to be activated, it won't bust your budget.

#7 → Parking and Transportation

If your venue isn't equipped with on-site parking, you may be faced with a dilemma: Is it your responsibility to pay for guest parking? Or should you hire a shuttle to transport guests from the parking location to the venue?

Here's the good news: In terms of wedding etiquette, transportation expenses to and from the wedding venue fall to the guest. However, if nearby parking is limited or you're concerned about accessibility or guests getting back to their rooms safely post-open-bar, you can consider arranging and covering the costs of a shuttle service. Which, of course, you'll want to budget for.

#8 → Vendor Meals

Vendors aren't superheroes who can work a full wedding day with no breaks—so please remember to feed them! Ask your caterer what they offer for vendor meals, and give them the final "vendor meal" count at the same time you confirm your final guest count. You should provide a meal to any vendor who is on-site during your reception including your photographer, DJ/musicians, wedding planner, and videographer. It's also a great idea to check in with your vendors beforehand to ask about any food allergies or dietary requirements.

Vendor meals generally have a less expensive price per person than your guests' meals, but if you really want to spoil your vendor team you can add them to your total guest count so they receive the same delectable dish as everyone else.

#9 → Travel Fees

If you hire vendors outside of your local area, you may be responsible for covering their travel fees. This additional fee helps pay for things like gas, travel time, tolls, car repairs, flights, accommodations, and so on. Some vendors will charge standard mileage rates while others may charge an hourly travel fee, so it's important to discuss this with prospective vendors before booking.

#10 → Overtime Charges

It's easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of your reception: the drinks, the dancing, the champagne! But be mindful that extending the party will cost you—per hour. Your venue and on-site vendors will charge to stay past their contracted times, and oftentimes at a higher dollar amount than their typical hourly rate. To avoid this extra expense, carefully schedule your wedding timeline with a bit of extra cushion, and plan out an afterparty in advance where everyone can meet up to keep the party going.

#11 → Insurance

Wedding insurance may financially protect you against not only the financial impact of unforeseen scenarios, cancellations, or postponements, but also against vendors who do not fulfill their obligations. Whether your venue requires it or you simply want to safeguard your wedding investment, wedding insurance is something you'll want to inquire about.

Policies and coverage vary not only from company to company, but also from state to state. But the good news is, it's typically quite affordable and many companies like WedSafe offer a free, no-obligation online quote.

#12 → Setup, Breakdown, and Delivery

If your wedding incorporates professional floral installations or large-scale décor rentals, you'll want to set aside extra funds for setup, breakdown, and delivery to your venue. These fees cover transportation to and from the venue, the cost of additional labor, and the time it takes your rental company or floral designer to set everything up and break it all down.

#13 → Tastings and Trials

Typically vendors will charge a fee for a tasting or trial that gets applied to your total...if you book them. If you don't book them, that money may be theirs to keep. But even if you do end up booking them, keep in mind that multiple changes to the menu, mockup, design, or styling could cost you extra. To avoid an upcharge, ask about their tasting and/or trial policies and whether or not additional revisions come with a fee.

#14 → Dress, Tux, or Suit Alterations

Unless you can find a fits-you-like-a-dream dress or suit right off the rack, chances are you'll need some alterations. And unfortunately, those don't come free with purchase. In fact, depending on how much work needs to be done, alterations can end up costing hundreds of dollars! And let's not forget the wedding-day accessories and shoes needed to complete your look. Factor all of this into your wedding attire budget so you don't break the bank.

#15 → Wedding Ring Resizing Fee

Whether it's your engagement ring or wedding band, there's always a chance you'll have to get it resized for a perfect fit. The price depends on the ring metal and style, as well as how far up or down it needs to be resized. Minor adjustments could cost less than $50 while major overhauls could go into the hundreds. Oftentimes the jeweler you use to purchase your ring will offer a resizing service free of charge, so be sure to ask about that!

#16 → Marriage License

This may seem like a small detail, but you can't get legally married without a license! So the cost of this mandatory piece of paper must be kept in mind. The amount depends on where you live and varies greatly, but you can expect to pay somewhere between the $20–$120 range. And extra copies of your marriage certificate could cost you as well.

#17 → Snail Mail Postage

If you're sending save the dates, invitations, thank-you notes, and more in the mail, be sure to factor the cost of postage into your stationery budget. The cost will depend on the weight and dimensions of your envelopes, so err on the side of simplicity with your invitation suite. Oversize packages, oddly-shaped envelopes, or heavy-duty layered enclosures could really cost you—especially when you need to send them out to a large guest list, or ship them off internationally! We recommend mocking up an idea of your stationery suite and getting it weighed at the post office before you commit. That way you can factor in the exact cost of postage before you purchase all of your invites.

#18 → Day-Of Items and Gifts

Those day-of details can really make your wedding special. Imagine getting ready with your wedding party in a plush suite amongst bottomless mimosas and brunchy bites, while your guests delight in the curated welcome bags you put together and your soon-to-be-spouse gets teary-eyed over their surprise gift. But let's be real: these special moments come at a cost!

You'll want to factor in the cost of a getting-ready space if you don't already have one, as well as any gifts, guest favors and/or welcome bags, and even morning-of drinks and snacks. Just be aware that some hotels charge a welcome bag delivery fee to take the packages to your guests' rooms. Asking the front desk to hand them out to your guests at check-in may be a more budget-friendly (or even free!) option.

#19 → BYO Alcohol

Although bringing your own alcohol can potentially save you big bucks (booze gets an insanely high markup), be aware of the potential hidden costs! For starters, your venue may charge a corkage fee to cover the cost of serving, which is typically calculated per bottle. Or you may need to hire licensed bartenders to serve your alcohol. Or if you'd like your caterer to staff the bar, they may charge a fee or require you to purchase liability insurance—or extra security! And let's not forget you'll still need to provide mixers, garnishes, glassware, barware, napkins, ice, limes, etc. depending on your cocktail menu.

Ask about all of these details before booking a BYO Alcohol wedding venue, and be sure to purchase your alcohol from a supplier that has a buy-back policy so you can return any unused bottles!

#20 → Pre-Wedding Event Attire

You know you'll want to look cute for the pre-wedding parties. Factor in any dresses, suits, swimsuits, shoes, undergarments, or accessories that you'll want to purchase for your shower, bachelor / bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, etc. This goes for your honeymoon, too!

#21 → Post-Wedding Purchases

There may be some additional costs to consider after the wedding such as cleaning and preserving your wedding dress, ordering framed prints of your wedding photos, purchasing thank-you cards, or buying souvenirs on your honeymoon. Aaaaaand we're spent.

⟡ The Moral of this Story ⟡

It's safe to assume you'll encounter surprise costs while planning your wedding, so our best advice is to:

Build an Emergency Fund / Unexpected Costs Buffer of at least 5% into your overall wedding budget. This will safeguard you against going into debt for your big day.

Get everything in writing!!!! Seriously, before you sign the dotted line on any venue or vendor contract, make sure you know exactly what is included in your package—and what's not. A well-written contract locks in the pricing you have agreed upon, and spells out precisely what you're purchasing, eliminating any surprise changes to fees or services.

[ndostairlyrium]

Vacanze Romane playing in the background

Ankh: "I'm gonna get your ring back"

Cullen: "You better. That thing costed me a fortune"

[aidensm8]

The progress I made so far -vs- The vision I have for the project

Yes, I am sewing my own wedding gown. It's economically cheaper and a good test of my skills as a seamstress

[mapsontheweb]

Average Money Spent on Weddings in US States.

via @WSBChairman

[mustasekittens]

congratulations christopher!

self indulgent near-future in which when christopher graduates high school buck n eddie take hiim to hawaii to celebrate and they all have a nice vacation over here. friend n i were brainrotting it a bit and we decided buck definitely hyperfixated on hawaii and stuff (history, nature, geography, mythology, etc)

[bropunzeling]

reading the notes of that wedding cost survey like, as a person who recently planned a medium-sized wedding with no small amount of family and community help, while i respect that many people on this website do not want to go the full nine yards, i don't think they realize how much one yard will cost them

[tategaminu]

the rayllum comic being the most expensive one as it should be 💅

[docholligay]

Jetty and I adding flavor to a local wedding

[cannibal-wings]

WIP Wed for You Pay the Cost.

Been a while huh? Sorry about that, I've been furiously rewriting this section. (this is my third full rewrite of this sequence). It's been gnawing at me, it wasn't quite right before. But now I think it is.

Ok, this is a bit of the Water Room/Hall section. Just a bit. The sequence is long and I don't want to share the whole thing.

Trigger warning for my namesake. Leon eats a guy. (It was bound to happen eventually)

He yanked enough control back for himself to leap back to the pillar and then across to the overlook next to him. He made short work of those archers too. His knife was just as deadly as his claws and felt better to use, like the haze was lifting slightly from his mind. His heart had stopped roaring in his ears and he felt like for just a moment, he was going to be ok. Then he heard Ashley scream and all semblance of humanity fled him in an instant.

Leon jumped from the railing and landed hard on the back of a cultist, if he didn’t die on impact the foot claw to his throat finished the job. He looked from the various cultists that were gathered around him. Reinforcements from deeper within the castle. They all brandished weapons, spiked flails and shields, long, curved scythes, and a couple daggers.

Leon ignored them all and searched for Ashley, he spotted her running along the perimeter of the room, someone was chasing her. He bellowed out another roar. It was enough to make the cultists flinch. Leon started to move, he felt different, he felt predatory, his hands weren’t reaching for the guns strapped to his back, nor the knife that was missing from its sheath.

A blade dug into his side, one of the scythes. A cultist had managed to get a hold of herself and struck him, she managed to hit a spot that was still soft, the carapace underneath his shirt hadn’t fully moved in and hardened over that spot. It was luck. The last bit of luck her life held. Leon spun on her, grabbed the blade and yanked it free from his body with a hiss. Then with another hand he grabbed the shaft of the weapon and pulled. For a second, she tried to fight back, her hands gripped her weapon instead of letting go. This got her within striking range. Leon stepped on the scythe, snapping the shaft in half and raised his own scythe like claws. She was dead before she even realized she was in danger. One claw sliced across her throat while the other spilled her guts to the floor.

Leon looked away from the gore and back to the edge of the room. He spotted Ashley, she had lifted her bolt thrower and shot at the person pursuing her. He growled low in his throat, deep, and started to stalk over to her side. But he stopped when the person went down and Ashley again ducked behind the safety of a pillar. He felt a smile break across his lips. She didn’t need him, not right now at least. That meant he had all the time in the world to finish up what he was doing.

He spun on the cultists who had started to advance. That grin only grew wider, he could feel his jaws split and his mandibles pull away from his face. Leon moved much faster now, almost too fast for his mind to catch up, instead he started to rely on instinct, and let his body move without his input. He was able to dodge another scythe, he turned out of its reach and one of his secondary arms lifted itself to block a dagger, he heard the sound of metal and sharp claw clash. He kept his momentum and jumped straight over the heads of two of the shield wielding cultists. From behind he raked his claws across their back, he could feel them snag on bone from the spinal column and he ripped.

Humans, he was quickly learning, were very, very soft. Even infected humans. They were soft and weak and so easy to play with. Now that he was stronger, now that he couldn’t be hurt easily, it was the perfect time to begin to test his own abilities. He licked his lips and swallowed. The sweetness of the water still lingered, he wanted to replace it.

A cultist with a dagger tried to stab him in the back, the blade bounced harmlessly off and Leon turned. The cultist took a step back, his eyes full of fear. Leon could see that he was fighting with himself, trying to decide if he should hold his ground or run. Leon made the choice for him. He disarmed him with a quick slash to the wrist, his claw carving straight through the man’s arm, detaching the hand completely. It fell to the floor but Leon could hardly hear it over the sound of his own blood pounding in his ears. He flared his jaws and advanced on the man. The cultist had a hand over his stump, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. He looked back at Leon and screamed.

The scream was cut short when Leon’s outer mandibles covered part of his face, neck, and shoulder as he bit down. He opened his inner set of jaws, feeling them spread wide too as he chewed through the skin and muscle. The strength in the cultist’s legs fled and he tried to drop to the ground. Leon felt the weight shift and shoved his two clawed fingers into the torso of the man to hold him up. That sickly sweet taste was finally covered up with an addicting salty wash of blood. The cultist under his jaws had died, the last weak pumps of blood faded. He had likely been choked out, either by Leon’s jaws or his own blood.

Leon didn’t mind, the body was still warm, and he was hungry. So hungry. He hadn’t realized just how so until just now. Suddenly all that mattered was filling his gut. He wondered if just one cultist was going to be enough? He had his face buried in the man and didn’t see the other cultists backing up, giving him space. He also wasn’t aware of the archers as they all took aim. If they hadn’t begun to fire upon him, there’s no telling how long Leon would have stayed and feasted.

The arrows peppered his back, and a few of them wormed their way in between his plates. Lucky shots that finally pulled his attention away from the corpse he was eating. It was the smell of singed fabric that got him to look up. The pain from the arrows he hardly felt. Leon dropped the body; it landed in a crumpled heap by his feet. A large portion of the man’s neck, shoulder, and chest were missing. Leon’s jaws dripped with red instead of black this time. He licked his lips but there was too much to clean off, it was just spread around his face. He shook his head and sent droplets flying. More arrows rained down him, he noticed several cultists picked up shields and held them up. Leon simply raised his arms while he looked for a perfect angle of attack.

While he still couldn’t reach their level in one jump, he could grab hold of a decorative banner that was strung up between two of the balconies. It held his weight as he climbed it, his claws leaving tears in the luxurious fabric. Arrows continued to zip past him. Some bounced harmlessly off of his back plates, others caught the fabric, but most missed and hit the wall in front of him. Leon ignored them, they weren’t a threat to him, not a real one, but they could hurt her and that was unacceptable.

He made his way up to the stone railing and hauled himself up and over. At close range the archers were nearly useless. They couldn’t get an accurate shot off, and Leon’s carapace deflected most of the energy in the bolts if they did hit. He growled low under his breath when one did strike him in the chest, but the tip didn’t penetrate, it didn’t even crack his shell. Leon quickly cut them both down. With a loud roar he put one leg up on the railing and looked out over the water hall. He could feel that the cultists were regretting attacking them. He saw the way they shrunk back, how they flinched when he roared.

The stone under his feet cracked as he pushed off and leapt to the next balcony. He felt invincible. He felt good. As he tore apart more archers, he wondered why he ever resisted in the first place? It was a gift and he had been foolish to squander it. He was confident he could protect her now, and forever.

Ashley kept moving along the perimeter of the room. She kept herself out of the line of fire of the archers up top, but she also got the feeling that she wasn’t their target. A loud roar reverberated through the room. She clutched her ears at the sound. It wasn’t like anything she had ever heard before; no animal came close. It was like something out of a science fiction or horror movie. One-part velociraptor screech and one-part big cat roar. After the initial roar it would taper off into a vibrating growl.

She couldn’t spot Leon, he had vanished from view, and she only hoped that whatever it was that made that sound hadn’t torn him apart. There were bodies everywhere. She could still hear the sounds of combat, they were still after something, and the couple cultists that tailed her, told her all she needed to know about the situation. It wasn’t over. Worry was starting to creep over her when another horrible growling roar overtook the chanting of the cultists. She hadn’t heard a gunshot in what felt like ages.

Ashley was moving quickly, away from the edge of the room that dropped off to the second floor. She didn’t like the idea of accidentally going over the edge. But when she rounded the corner to the other side she stopped. There was a cultist with a shield, he was backing up himself, taking cover from something. Then he spotted her and began to hurry towards her. He was speaking something in Spanish to her, that she couldn’t understand. It wasn’t chanted, it almost seemed normal. He was afraid of something and kept pointing up to the balconies above them.

“Leon?” Ashley called out and moved back. In the back of her head, she had considered the thought that it was Leon who was responsible for the state of the room. But she also reasoned that if it was him, then this level of brutality was necessary. The man was still walking towards her, he was still trying to say something to her. By this point another had joined him. This woman wasn’t trying to speak to her though, she was just interested in doing her job.

Ashley hefted her bolt thrower up, it was loaded. She had already taken someone down and retrieved her used bolt. Later she could sort through her thoughts on that action. But right now, she needed to make sure she survived long enough to make it that far. She was confident she could take out the one without the shield, but there was no way her bolts were getting through that thick wood.

Wordlessly she aimed and fired. Her first shot went high and to the side, it dug into the cultist’s arm and she howled in pain. She gripped the shaft of the arrow with one hand and started to pull. Ashley quickly readied another shot and fired. This one missed completely and she took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if she’d have time to reload, she had to make this last one count. Leon’s words ran through her head and she tried to imitate what he did, how he fired. Strong through her core, through her upper body. Don’t hold your breath, have steady arms. When the woman looked up Ashley shot. This time the bolt went straight into her chest. She dropped to the ground.

Ashley had made it to the opposite wall, she was still wary of the archers above her, but her main focus was on the man with the shield who was still moving towards her. “Leon!” She called his name hoping he could hear her over his own fighting. She would need help with this one, she knew it. Ashley dug bolts out of her bag and began to feed them into the bolt thrower. Maybe she’d talk to the Merchant next time they met about that extended magazine, because three shots were not cutting it. “Leon!” she tried calling out again, a bit of panic creeping into her voice. “Leon I need help!”

The man was too close for comfort now, she debated running straight across to the room to the other side, to put real distance between them while she figured out another plan. She was going to call Leon’s name again but as the words left her mouth something rammed into the man with the shield and pinned him against the wall.

The man had only moments to adjust the shield in a way that let him turtle up behind it, hiding all of his appendages while he sank lower to the ground. Leon snarled and began to tear at the shield with his claws, they left deep gouge marks in the wood. Ashley watched, stunned, as Leon threw himself at the shield, jaws snapping, as the man pleaded.

Leon managed to tear a hole in the shield and he shoved his hand inside to make it bigger. He wanted to be able to rip the shield in two, split it, but his hand was too large to fit inside. He growled in frustration, the motion vibrating his whole throat and chest. The strong wood of the shield was preventing him from getting his kill and he was getting beyond frustrated. He shoved his body weight against the shield, pressing the man into the wall. Then he backed off and heaved himself against the shield again, and again. Then went back at it with his claws. Each one tearing chunks of wood away.

Ashley watched him work at it. She shook her heard. “No,” she whispered. “No that’s not Leon, that’s not… that’s not Leon.” The creature in front of her wasn’t a man, it was a monster. If it wasn’t for the guns still strapped to his back, he would have been unrecognizable to her. He was covered in blood, it dripped from his jaws, it ran down his arms, and coated his hands. That roar she heard earlier was him. The thing that ripped apart the bodies around this room was him. “Leon stop!”

Immediately he froze and turned to look at Ashley. She gasped and ducked back behind the pillar. Her heart was hammering in her chest. The way he looked at her, for just a moment, like she was something to be hunted. Again, she thought, that isn’t Leon. She tried to steady her breathing, calm herself down. When she poked her head around the pillar he was still standing there. He was still looking her direction, only now he seemed thoroughly confused. He tilted his head slightly, his pedipalps raising a bit. The glow in his eyes dulled. “Leon?”

She watched as he opened his mouth, but no words came out, just a warbling sound, and a soft growl. Then the man with the shield decided to act and shattered the brief moment of peace. He pushed off the wall and rammed Leon with the shield. The movement caught Leon off guard and his feet slipped on the wet tile. He could feel himself hit the railing and lean back over it. But he didn’t go in. Two of his hands gripped the rail and his head whipped back to face the cultist. He let out another roar and spread his mandibles wide.

Ashley moved back behind the pillar and put her hands to her ears to block out the sound of screaming and flesh tearing. The wooden shield had snapped loudly, Leon had gotten through, and she wasn’t brave enough to look at what he was doing to that poor man.

---

Hopefully I don't rewrite this bit again. I really wanna nail this feral side of him, and I keep going back and changing things slightly, and redoing parts.

oh ho ho what could have caused this????? Why is he acting like that?? Will he come back to his senses??? I know these answers and soon you will too!

The estimate of getting an update done by tomorrow was uh, hopeful. It's not going to happen. I'm hosting some friends tonight, and I have DnD tomorrow. I still have to rewrite the whole fight with the Garrador after I lost it two weeks ago (I was so mad I just skipped it and started to rewrite Water Room), and I have to do the treasure puzzle room too. Then it's just the last scene after Water Hall. I'm like, 70% done with the chapter, but I don't think I can pump it out tomorrow. So it'll be a few more days.

[artemispt]

This made me tear up a bit. All the siblings together ❤️ Helping Blanca 🥹

[stuck-in-jelly]

I need to preemptively apologize for the man i will become when season 6 of The Dragon Prince drops cause I’ve already lost my mind over a unofficial poem and a single official poster

[147poundsofteenwolf]

I’m torn because on the one hand: I don’t want Buck or Eddie to cheat because that’s not cool and like many have been saying, it��s a bad Bisexual Stereotype. But on the other hand I really want a drunk, sloppy, borderline second base groping each other Buddie Kiss. What’s a girl to do…