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mmkin · 1 year ago

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Shark Bait - Arlong x Reader

Arlong x Fish/Human Hybrid AFAB Reader

Content Warning – This is a darker story than my other Arlong Pirates related work (and has no connection to said works, consider this my dark Arlong AU) and was inspired from a prompt/headcanons from @sheisabitchbicth here on Tumblr and contains elements of yandere, dubcon, and noncon. (and yes, this work is 18+/NSFW!)

If no likey, there’s the Back button. I have other OP stories or other works that may be more your taste.

If you like this kind of thing though, then read on. I’ve been wanting to do something dark for a bit, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so, so have fun with this guilty pleasure project of mine :) All feedback is very much appreciated. (Update - the story is now available to read on my AO3. The story will be updated here and there, follow where you wish. Enjoy!)

Shark Bait - Part 1

You had never met another fishperson in your life until Arlong’s crew came across you. Your parents were slaves who had escaped together, using their combined skills to make their way out. From what your mother told you, they became friends while they were slaves, and after their escape they were lovers for a while. Eventually, they parted, though on amicable terms. Your mother never told your father that she was pregnant, though.

She did not want to return to her family or native land, though. So she found an island that seemed out of the way, and settled there. People felt bad for her for being a former slave, so when you were born, they looked in the other direction, so you for the most part led a quiet life. Your father’s heritage gave you the ability to breathe underwater, so you would go fishing, or search for various items that would augment your mother’s meager income. Sometimes you might help out neighbors in a similar manner, so even though you were half fishwoman, you found some acceptance in your community.

By the time you were in your late teens, you were used to most people not noticing your gills, or the color of your skin. You stayed out of trouble and often out of sight. If you dressed appropriately and wore a large hat or hood, you could escape the notice of Marines who touched upon your island during their trips. It was a quiet life. Were you happy? Sometimes you were not sure. As you’d gotten older, you wanted to know more about your father’s people, and there was only so much your mother could tell you.

So one day, you’re out swimming, and looking for treasures that you can bring home. Since you’ve pretty much picked clean the areas closest to the island, you’ve had to venture out further, which hey, it’s great swimming practice. You feel at peace in the sea, feeling it move through your lungs as you move through the water. You know there are fish- and merfolk and Sea Kings and beasts out there, but at the moment it’s easy to imagine that you are alone in this world. You drift past the coral, admiring it.

Suddenly, you see movement out of the corner of your eye and turn around to see what you are almost certain is another person darting off in the murky distance, if it’s not a large fish. A few of the people on the island dive, but you know that none can dive this far or deep. So maybe it’s a big fish that would probably be a welcome meal for your mother. You’re debating whether you should go after it before a shadow passes overhead, and you look up, wondering if it’s another fish, when in shock you realize it’s a ship. You were so absorbed in your work that you’d failed to notice the coming of a ship, nor did you expect one as the Marines did not come by often. You drift towards the hulking dark shape before something much, much closer swoops down in front of you, close enough that you feel the water displacement against your body as he fills the space.

You see clear blue eyes and the longest nose you’ve ever seen, and there is a grin full of the sharpest teeth you’ve ever seen or even imagined. A short shriek bursts from your throat before a wave of lightheadedness overcomes you.

The next moments are a haze as you try to fight passing out. You are pulled to a strong chest before you are dragged to the surface, a red sun filling much of your vision as you stare dumbly at the chest of the person who’s taken you. You gasp softly as the two of you break the surface of the water, and your limbs hang limp as you’re hauled onto a ship that is most decidedly not a Marine ship. Or even a merchant ship, from the looks of it.

As your head lolls back, you get another look at the face of your captor. No, you didn’t imagine that serrated nose, or the mouth full of sharp teeth, and you start to panic, finding your strength and starting to push against him.

“Oh, we have a feisty one here,” Sawnose chortles, letting you go for but a moment before he grabs your wrists in his large hand, hoisting your hands above your head, leaving you helpless under his scrutiny, and he is not the only one staring.

“Let me go!” you cry, trying to kick him as other men surround you, with a variety of skin colors, some of them having fins, or other fishlike features, in a wide assortment. One thing they all have in common – and you do with them – are their gills. If you were not so frightened and anxious, you might be reveling in the fact that you’re finally meeting other fishmen for the first time in your life.

You are lifted off your feet, and can not help but feel like a hooked fish that is being held up by a fisherman for inspection or display. You try a few more kicks, but Sawnose is incredibly tall and his arm is long enough to keep you at just enough distance to keep you from any effective kick. He laughs as your feet graze his upper legs and stomach.

Your next instinct is to curl up as you see the hungry gazes that are fixed on your damp and near-nude form. You’ve found that diving is more comfortable the less clothes you wear, so you’re in a tank top and briefs, which both cling to you, your net bag hanging empty at your side. The way you’re being handled makes you wonder if these fishmen might try to sell you into slavery. You know your mother will worry about that if you do not come home.

“So, what’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?” Sawnose asks with an amused tone. You try to be silent, but he snarls at you, and it’s obvious he could cause serious injury, so you have no choice but to answer his question, and any other that he wants to ask you. You confirm that you are indeed the child of a fishperson. When asked what that parent’s name was, you utter it, and his eyes widen.

You are dropped to the deck, wincing as you land on the bare wood. It is then that you learn that your father was once a crewmate of the man who’d just kidnapped you. For a moment you feel your heart leap up in your throat. Will you have the chance to meet him? But your heart plummets to the pit of your stomach when you learn he’s been dead for years. You start crying, and surprisingly, Sawnose kneels next to you, stroking your hair.

“I want to go home,” you plead.

“Silly girl. You are home,” he asserts as you give him a confused stare. He informs you that since you are the offspring of someone from his crew, it means you belong to the crew, and to its captain above all else. So… this means you’re not going to be sold into slavery? You’re just going to be conscripted into a pirate crew?

Fuck. Your mind races as you wonder how you can find your way out of this predicament. Because this can not fucking happen to you. Just because your father was a pirate… a father you’ve never met, who’d never even held you in his arms after you were born. What cruel fate has wrought this?

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” you manage to inquire as you rise to your feet, crossing your arms to maintain as much modesty as you can. It’s one thing to dive near-naked, when there is no one else around to impede on your enjoyment of the sea, and another to be ogled at by so many eyes. When’s the last time these men saw a woman?

Sawnose laughs, and introduces himself and his crew. He is the mighty captain Arlong the Saw, leader of the Arlong Pirates, and Lord of the East Blue. Your island is his next target in the expansion of his territory, and his men have been scouting around it for a couple of days, staying out of sight. You are an unexpected – but not unwelcome, Arlong assures you – find. Since you’re now part of the crew, you will be spared the tribute that Arlong and his crew are going to extract from the island.

Your thoughts fly to your mother. As a single mother, your mother never had much money. Usually there was food in your belly, and always a roof over your head. Your mother occasionally managed to scrape together enough money for a treat, for what was life without small enjoyments, she would say. You knew she had a bit of money squirreled away for medicine or doctors, and to your dismay, you remember how she has needed more of these in the last couple of years. How will she be able to afford all that on top of Arlong’s tribute, especially if you’re not there to help her?

As Arlong’s words sink in, and the reality of what your mother and the rest of the village faces, you feel light-headed again. Since you were a child, you would get an attack like this rarely, usually after being dealt with an emotional blow.

And this isn’t just an emotional blow. It’s a fucking emotional sucker-punch, and you actually pass out.

Someone is stroking your forehead and hair, and for a moment, you think it’s your mother tending to you. But you’re not in a bed, you’re… on someone’s lap, and your head and neck is on top of what you’re pretty sure is an arm. You hear conversation going on around you, footsteps bustling about, commands being given as the island comes into sight. A quiet whine escapes your throat as you struggle to gain consciousness.

“Looks like the little clownfish is coming awake,” you hear someone chuckle. You would come to hate being called that, for your captor uses it when he thinks you are being silly or stupid.

Who is calling you that, you wonder, and it all comes crashing upon you. Arlong. Arlong the Saw. Who just claimed you for himself and his crew. Who just told you the ultimate fate of your father. And who will terrorize your island and collect tribute from villagers who only want to live a quiet life. You try to bat away the hand that’s touching you, and suddenly find your wrist ensconced in the iron grip of the hand you just tried to defend yourself from.

“Now, now, there will be none of that,” you hear him chide, and you open your eyes, seeing these bright blue eyes and that impressive nose hovering over your face. Your first instinct is to scoot back but the arm that had been supporting you now holds you in his lap in an iron grip. It’s hard to not feel vulnerable pressed up against this impressive specimen of a fishman. And as your gaze darts around, you realize that the other fishmen are pretty tall too. Taller than even the tallest man in your village.

Now you really do feel like a little clownfish, surrounded by all sorts of predatory sea creatures.

#yandere #arlong #arlong pirates #one piece #arlong x reader #opla #opla x reader #one piece x reader #writing #fanfiction #arlong/reader #sharks are sexy #arlong the saw

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giggly-squiggily · 1 year ago

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i believe you when you say you're not gonna forget it but you're getting this ask anyway just so i can say thank you for indulging the uzusane and also sanemi with a mimosa is a physical need by now lol

Nya ha ha! I am here to deliver the ultimate Uzusane experience! (Well- at least within my abilities areljarjkekjrajke) I couldn't remember if you ship them or just wanted a Tengen-Sanemi centric fic so I left the relationship ambiguous. The important thing is- Sanemi's got a Mimosa! :D I hope you like it Rey! :3

Cloud 9 (Taglist Peeps):

@thatbigbisexual29 @duckymcdoorknob @wolfyeatstacos @gladdygirl18 @baby-tickles2022 @cupcake-spice13 @backy-san @t-wordiiish @sarahmaystock5578 @rachi-roo

Sanemi Shinazugawa was a simple man.

He got up, made his ohagi and tea in the morning, and went about whatever set of missions he was assigned to that day. Sometimes he managed to sneak a few hours of training in between reports, sharpening his skills and perfecting his breathing styles.

It was bitter, exhausting work; but Sanemi wouldn’t ever say that. Not out loud anyway. Master Kagaya gave his worthless life a second chance in this business. Complaining just felt disrespectful.

His brain and heart may have felt that way, but his body?

“Gaaaaah…”

His body had other plans.

��That’s one hell of a groan, Shinazugawa. Are you feeling alright?” Tengen looked over at the shorter man, understanding in his gaze as he watched him try to stretch out the aches along his spine. “You overworked yourself again.” “Shut up- I’m fine. This is noooothing!” He couldn’t finish without a groan as he stretched, waking up another sore spot that sent pain pulsing down his legs. “...it’s nothing.”

“Uh huh. And I’m shorter than Shinobu.”

“Definitely dumber.”

“Everyone’s dumb compared to her- the point is, you’re clearly strained!” Tengen did a fancy gesture before pulling out a pamphlet- where he kept it, Sanemi had no idea. “Lucky for you- I’ve got just the place to go! Check it out; there’s this new spa that opened up-”

“No thanks.”

“It offers mud baths, massages, pedicures-”

“What the hell is a pedicure?”

“They even have drinks! We can get tipsy!”

“And just how are we supposed to do this? We have missions and…” At Tengen’s guilty look, Sanemi blinked.

“You didn’t.”

“He said it was fine!”

“What if I said no?”

“You haven’t really.”

“Kyojuro?”

“He went with me last time. I’m sharing the love!”

“What about your wives?”

“They’re having their own spa day with Mitsuri and Shinobu- look, Sanemi- you and I both know how badly you need this! Hell- I need this! Just looking at you makes my body ache.” Tengen rolled his shoulders in emphasis, letting out a low groan of his own. “It’ll be nice- just you and me; hitting up a spa and finally getting some good ol’ relaxation time.”

Sanemi considered. It did sound nice. The idea of someone riding his back of aches and pains nearly made his legs give out. And the idea of getting drunk was kinda fun…

“Okay- fine. Since you’ve already gone through the trouble of getting us both time off.” Sanemi rolled his eyes, trying not to blush at the whoop of joy Tengen let out.

~~~

“Welcome to the Wisteria Spa! We’re here to treat your chronic aches and pains.” The woman who greeted them was small but strong, her wrinkled face held a pair of eyes much like their own, and her smile was fond as it was warm. “You must be one of ‘Gaya’s children- it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“‘Gaya?” Sanemi raised a brow, even more confused when Tengen snorted.

“‘Gaya’ is Master. Madam Hira here knew all of the Master's family for generations.” The bigger hashira laughed harder at Sanemi’s shocked stare, turning back to the amused old woman with a bow. “Thank you for having us.”

“Of course. I take it you’ll be having the usual routine?”

“Yes! Oh and- can you bring out you know what? It’s Sanemi here’s first time afterall.” Tengen grinned at him, eyes twinkling. If there was ever a more humanized version of a red flag. Sanemi felt a shiver run down his spine.

“Oh, absolutely. Now- come in, come in.” ~~~

“Ahhh…isn’t this nice Shinazugawa?” Tengen was a picture of bliss, face painted with some sort of mint colored cream as the various girls worked on his arms and back, digging into the muscle with practiced movements. “All those demons we have to fight- we don’t get enough time to really relax.”

Sanemi would have responded had he not been fighting for his life. Hands clutching the sides of the table, he willed himself to stay still as the girl digging into his back dug out every knot within. It hurt- a lot more than he anticipated; but that wasn’t the issue. Pain he could handle any day of the week.

This however- it was torture.

“You know- I don’t ask you this alot, but how’s your personal life going? Did you finally get the guts to ask somebody out? I know it' a bit hard out there for someone like you, but I can help.” Tengen grinned at him around his mask, fighting down a laugh at Sanemi’s strained expression. “Too much for you, Shinazugawa?”

“If it’s too much pressure, I can lighten up.” The girl offered, voice kind and concerned.

“N-No. It’s fi-ine!” Sanemi grunted, wincing when a whimper escaped. Tengen’s eyes widened with glee at the sound, sharing a look with the girl working Sanemi’s back. “I can ha-handle it!”

“You sure?”

“Y-yes!” He could do this!

“He's a tough one- your friend Let's see what happens when you two get your feet done.” The woman working on Tengen grinned, earning a laugh from the others. Sanemi pushed his face against the cushion, scrunching his face against the worn leather. He could handle this- just focus on something else- something else-

“I know it's hard out there for someone like you, but I can help."

He didn't know why it cut so badly. It wasn't anything new coming out of Tengen's mouth.

At least now he had something to take his mind off the ache.

~~~

Turns out, Sanemi could not handle it.

“Oh man- you’re so ticklish!” Tengen laughed at the sight, grinning at the other as Sanemi sank in his chair, one leg pulled up to his chest while the other was in a vice grip. They had made it through the massages- barely in Sanemi’s case- and were now getting these “pedicures’ Tengen raved about.

It was nice at first- the water was warm and they were offered drinks once they were comfortable. Whatever they gave him was sweet and citrusy, fizzing against his lips as he sipped. He never really liked oranges, but he wasn’t going to turn down a free glass of alcohol.

Then the actual pedicure started and every nerve in his body lit up like a clap of lighting.

“Shuhuhuhuht ihihiihiiht! Gheahhahahahah, whihiihihihy dohehehehes it tihihihihickle?” Sanemi was doing everything in his power to not rip his leg free. Not that he could- the earlier massage plus the few sips of the fancy orange juice made his body feel like air, too floaty to really form any strength. “Gahhahahad, I’m so shahahhhaharry!”

Hm. Maybe that’s why they do this after? To make sure you can’t get away?

Sanemi had to give these ladies more credit.

“No worries, dear- you’re not the first to react this way.” The older woman working his foot laughed with him, hands unyielding as she scraped at his calluses with a small box. “Uzui’s friend- the blonde one who eats a lot- he could barely keep it together himself when we did this. Though I will say you’re much more ticklish than him.”

Tengen busted out laughing, delighted. Sanemi would have chewed him out had he not been fighting down an embarrassing squeal. Sinking in his seat, he covered his face with his hands, unable to muffle the sound of his giggle fits. “Ahehahahhahhaaha! Whehehehhen dohohohoes it ehehehehend?”

“Well, given they’re only on the first foot- not for a while.” Tengen tucked his arms behind his head, smiling in ease. “Try to enjoy it, Mr. Tickles. You’ll get used to it eventually. Have some more Mimosa.” The glass was pushed into his hand once more, fizzing and delightful.

Through his giggles, he managed to get it down in one gulp, earning a whooping cheer from the other.

~~~ “What did I tell you? This is the best part of the whole day.”

“Hm…this isn’t bad at all.” Sanemi tipped his head back, the hot water steaming his skin and making him flushed. The final trip of their little spa day was a dip in the baths- the one thing Sanemi rather enjoyed.

Granted, he enjoyed all of it- but he wasn’t getting tickled here, so that was an added bonus.

“Aren’t you glad you came? I’m glad you came. You’re always so…tense. It’s bad for the skin.” Tengen leaned back against the edge, towel over his freshly washed hair and positively glowing. “You’d end up looking like one of those wicked witches from the fairy tales if you kept going.”

“Gee- thanks.”

“You're welcome.”

Rolling his eyes, Sanemi couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head at the other. “Can I ask you something? Why did you actually invite me out? It’s not as if we hang out often outside meetings and whatever.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve known you forever, Sanemi! Why would I not invite you?” Tengen’s voice was matter of fact- as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. “Sure- you and I might not be as tight as we could be but…I want to change that.”

Sanemi blinked, wondering if he should have drunk that second and third mimosa before coming here. It sounded like things were getting heavy. He didn’t know if he was in the right state of mind for this conversation. “Tengen-”

“I’m not…I’m not the nicest to you. I like to think my goofing on you is fairly harmless, but your face earlier when I asked about your personal life. You looked…hurt.”

“Well yeah- I was getting my body cracked in half.”

“You know what I mean- emotionally hurt; like my comment gutted you. I didn’t think about it before but…I go too far. I’m so adamant about getting a rise out of you so you can just-shit; relax- I forget you’re just as prone to bruise like the rest of us- if not more.”

The happy buzz of his drinks soured some in his stomach as Sanemi let the words fall into him. Was he that obvious? “It’s not like you're wrong though. I'm not exactly some sweetheart like Mitsuri or a lovable guy like Kyojuro. I’m loud, angry, rash- and a colossal jerk on a good day.” The water blurred some- must have been the steam. “I doubt anyone wants to deal with someone like me. This is who I am- a walking talking scumbag with an ugly mug to match.”

Tengen was quiet, the only sound between them was the shifts in the water.

“I really made you feel like that.” When he spoke again, Tengen sounded so, so sad. “I’m sorry, Sanemi. Really, I am.”

“D-Don’t be. It’s fine.” God- why did his eyes get so blurry? The steam was making them burn too. He turned away, hoping Tengen wouldn’t hear the break in his voice through the water. “I-I’m fine. I’m…”

A hand found his shoulder, squeezing it gently.

“You might be, but I’m not. I can’t be- knowing how much of an asshole I’ve been to you. Sure- you’re bold, brash- and some days I wanna throw you in the trash.” That got a wet laugh out of Sanemi. “But you’re also brave and resilient and willing to do whatever it takes to save people. You love others so much it visibly hurts- you just-care. And you know, I think that’s what the Master sees and admires most about you- what we all admire about you.”

Sanemi couldn’t make his voice work- too choked with tears. He didn’t turn around, but he did reach out to pat Tengen’s hand, hoping that would tell him everything he was feeling.

“You still need to work on your skin routine though. Scars aside, you’re dryer than Rengoku’s hair. What’s gonna happen if someone goes to stroke your cheek and they end up scraping off their fingerprints? They'd get away with so many crimes!”

Sanemi threw his head back with a cackle, the sound all the way from his belly as it echoed around the room. A snort escaped soon after, and then Tengen was laughing just as hard, hanging onto his shoulder as they laughed and laughed.

It was the first real laugh Sanemi let out in a long, long time.

~~~

“Wow…that was rather nice.” Sanemi felt good. Real good. His aches were gone- it felt like he was doing total constant breathing without having to try. If desired, he bet he could run all the way back home without breaking- that’s how good he felt.

“I told you! And you were gonna turn me down!” Tengen shoved him lightly, nearly sending them both off their feet. It was like they were two drunken idiots, even though the alcohol in their system was barely there anymore. “We should do this more often.”

“Head to spas? We’d lose our edge.”

“Nah- that’s a once and a while treat. I mean- hang out more. You and I.” Tengen was watching him, eyes kind. “I rather liked today. I feel like I got to know you more than before.”

“You sound like a guy in a romance novel. Is that how you got your wives? Practiced a few of those cheesy one liners everyday until they gave in?” Sanemi grinned, laughing when Tengen jabbed his ribs a few times. “Ahah! Ohohohokay okay!”

“You’re cheeky when you're relaxed. I like it. So…?” He waited, returning to the original question with a raised brow.

This would likely mean more teasing; Tengen would have a lot more to work with in driving him mad. His daily training sessions would be weekly, and he’d probably have less time to himself with how Tengen loved just popping in whenever he felt like it.

“Yeah…you know, I’d like that.” Sanemi smiled, nodding. “Let’s do that.”

Tengen whooped, throwing his fists into the air in victory. Sanemi ducked his head to hide his grin, barely suppressing a chuckle.

Yeah. He’d like that very much.

Thanks for reading!

#demon slayer #fic #fluff #tengen uzui #sanemi shinazugawa #can be read as platonic or romantic #I couldn't find the ask where we originally talked about them and I'm honestly lowkey mad at tumblr for it #watch as I post this I'll find it aijlrejarkekjrajer #anywho!#some angst towards the end because what's a spa trip without some heart to hearts am I right?#spa days #they deserve to be happy your honor

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pineflower-askblog · 5 days ago

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🌸 New Intro 💜

Hey! I’m Ramona Flowers

I was told to come here..?

I’m new

(Changing the intro cuz I have a bunch of new stuff in mind)

Kim is also here

Should’ve mentioned that sooner

Ramona’s text

Kim’s text

(Mod text)

This blog is moderated by @kekeartzworld

My Ramona Headcanons:

• Bi with a feminine lean

• This timeline Ramona is in a relationship with Kim Pine

(PineFlower is my guilty pleasure ship)

• @pin3fl0w3r-kidd0 is her daughter

• Most events from canon still happened but Ramona hooked up with Kim after a drunken make out session

• Doesn’t plan on getting back with Scott anytime soon

My Kim Headcanons:

• Gender fluid and bisexual (projecting myself onto her)

• In a relationship with Ramona

(PineFlower save me)

• Cameron is her daughter

• Canon stuff still happened just that Kim ended up with Ramona

• Still the drummer for Sex Bob-omb

Rules:

• No NSFW for the sake of the minors on this platform

• Don’t try to hurt Ramona or Kim

(Even if they can easily whoop your ass)

• Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, pedophilia, zoophilia, etc. is not welcomed on this blog

• No harassment towards the writer whatsoever

(Please be respectful of my headcanons)

• No Scottmona asks sorry that ship’s not really my taste

(And same with ScottxKim)

That’s all for this new intro

Goodbye for now!

#new intro post #pinned intro #scott pilgram takes off #scott pilgram vs the world #spto #spvtw #ramona flowers #kim pine #pineflower #kimona #roleplay #rp blog #asks open #kekeverse #kekeartz alt blogs

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prpfz · 22 days ago

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🕊 21+ Looking for Jujutsu Kaisen 1x1's.

Hello, 21+ here looking for 18+ writers interested in the writing for the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom. In particular, I would love to write a Gojo x Utahime (gojohime) pairing. They're a guilty pleasure ship that I have consumed heinous amounts of fanfiction for in an attempt to cope with my undying obsession 🙏 now, I'd love to try my hand at finding an rp partner interested in further developing and characterising Gojo and Utahime in either a canon-compliant, canon-divergent, or an AU plot. I'm sooo ready to dive in emotional rollercoaster that comes with their shared history, their clashing personalities, and tension in whatever route we choose to pursue for the ship. Honestly, I enjoy delving into character explorations, the development of complex and twisted relationships, and I adore adding personal flare, lore and our own takes to the character/ship (utahime scar lore potential keeps me up at night).

In terms of themes, I’m open to exploring darker, more mature topics, including dead dove elements, so if you’re into tackling twisted or taboo subjects (dub/noncon, incest, violence, etc), feel free to bring it up. I'm an adv. lit, multi para, discord-based writer with very few limits, so nsfw/smut is very welcome too. I do need to note that I would heavily prefer to muse Utahime in this rp and have so many headcanons and thoughts already in my head for her, so please get ready for some rambles. In terms of double-ups, I’m open to it with canon x canon pairings if its desired (which can be mxm, fxm, or mxf and i'm willing to try writing for a lot of the mains in jjk), but I’m not interested in OC x OC or OC x CC— let's keep it to canons only.

Like the ad, and I'll get back to you soon.

give a like and anon will get back to you

#jujutsu kaisen rp #jujutsu kaisen roleplay #fandom roleplay #fandom rp #oc roleplay #oc rp

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thevindicativevordan · 2 months ago

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Any comments on the Game Awards announcements ?

Never played Mafia 3 because of how repetitive the gameplay loop was despite initially being interested in the story. The Old Country is a neat premise but I’m holding off until I know more about how it actually plays

A rogue like Elden Ring game? Not my thing but that’s cool. Probably will wait until the next RPG from From personally

In addition to the Naughty Dog yearly rerelease of a TLOU game in a different format, we finally see their new IP! It looks… fine I guess? Pretty generic if I’m being honest. I do not care about celebrity voice actors Druckmann, move full time to Hollywood if you just want to make movies (all the brand placement too felt jarring and ridiculous).

Borderlands 1, 2, and Pre-Sequel were guilty pleasures of mine, but 3 was awful. Even for Borderlands the story sucked and the gameplay mechanics don’t hook you in with how many looter shooters there are these days.

The Outer Worlds 2 made me laugh. Looks like an improvement on the first one gameplay wise when it comes to shooting which is welcome. Betting id has been helping out. I really hope Bethesda was able to share the ship flight/customization/combat tech from Starfield with Obsidian, that is the one aspect of Starfield I absolutely loved and it’s what kept me playing Starfield for dozens of hours. Obsidian did a survey way back then and if they implement everything they talked about in there then I think this could be a ME1 -> ME2 style gameplay upgrade. Story wise they need to avoid how repetitive they got with TOW1, once I realized every single zone followed the same set up of “here’s the incompetent male boss and his hyper competent female subordinate who actually runs things” it soured me on the game somewhat. Either someone at Obsidan was taking shots at the leads or they were extremely lazy. Biggest improvement I’m hoping for is the companions

CIRI’S BACK! Extremely excited for that! Looks like she traded in her Elder Blood powers for Witcher mutations. Guessing they’ll handwave it with stopping the White Frost draining her powers, but I would actually like to have an “Elder Blood” skill tree. Looks like she’ll get access to some new Signs and equipment Geralt didn’t have if the trailer is at all indicative of how they want the game to play. When a new Witcher School got announced I had thought for sure we would get a custom Witcher, but I’m cool with Ciri taking over from Geralt. I’m amused at all the people who started with W3 and getting their first taste on how CDPR rolls. Yes they’re probably going to override your choices, they did that in every Geralt game. Remember ending up with Triss in W2 no matter if you chose Shani in W1? No Ciri probably won’t look the way in the game that she does in the trailer. CDPR constant fiddles with how the protagonist looks up until the game releases. Geralt in game doesn’t look like the Cinematic Trailer Geralt, Fem V got a complete rework from how she looked when first revealed, etc. Yes CDPR is “breaking the lore” but they always did that. Remember Alvin? Remember how Ciri was never the Messiah, it was her son who was supposed to be important? Never got mentioned in W3, nor did they bring up Emhyr’s plan to impregnate his daughter or False Ciri. Remember how you could break Geralt and Yen up permanently in W3 if you felt like it? All those were major lore breaks. Hell there even being monsters at all in W3 was a major lore break.

Only thing I am disappointed by is Ciri getting a new VA. Jo Wyatt crushed it in W3, big mistake not to bring her back imo.

Project Robot looks sick!

Congrats to Astro Bot on winning GOTY

#the game awards #witcher 4 #cirilla fiona elen riannon #borderlands #the outer worlds #elden ring #mafia #video games

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acacia-may · 11 months ago

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Hi Acacia!

I'm so happy to see you back here 💕

Anyway for the ship ask game I'd like to ask about Zora x Nebra and Finral x Vanessa. 😉

Hi Lola! Thank you so much for your ask and the welcome back. It's nice to be back, and I'm very excited to answer your ask. Thanks for sending it in and for playing! 💖

Zora x Nebra I honestly never thought about or would have thought about if not for the fandom. I'm not sure I can really imagine my personal perceptions of Zora and Nebra really getting along with each other seeing as they are so different as people and have such wildly different priorities and values, but if they did manage to come to appreciate, respect, and even admire their differences (as they do in some of the great fics I've had the pleasure to read about them 😊), then I could definitely support the ship. I can also see how the banter they might have would be fun and entertaining. I just personally don't have much of an opinion on it or any clear ideas on how it would happen or what their interactions with each other would be like, so I'd say I'm pretty neutral on this one personally, but I do see the appeal. ^^

Finral x Vanessa is a favorite pairing of mine for sure, though I also love them in a purely platonic sense as well. I did the big write up about them here, but to summarize, the Finral and Vanessa dynamic whether romantic or platonic has always been one of my favorite things in all of Black Clover. They just know each other so well, are so good for each other, and just care for each other so much and so deeply as friends. They're basically platonic soulmates in my opinion. For that reason, there is definitely a part of me that doesn't want to change the dynamic at all and doesn't want it to go to a romantic place. It is so beautiful and so healthy just as friendship and the world needs more examples of healthy, deep, and platonic relationships (and male-female friendships especially!), but... on the other hand, I'll admit imagining their friendship taking a more romantic turn someday is a huge guilty pleasure for me.

I'm usually not much into romance in fiction or in real life, but best friends to lovers (when it's done well) can really get to me, and in this particular case, I think, after everything Vanessa and Finral have both been through and suffered in their lives, it's just nice to imagine that they get to have a happy future and a relationship that's comfortable and easy with someone who really understands them—someone who is genuinely supportive and who truly sees them for who they are: both the good and the bad and who chooses to loves them anyway. 🩷💚

And I don't think it is completely impossible for them for find it with each other (even if it's definitely unlikely, especially now that Finral's history with Finesse has been established). While I do believe they are genuinely best friends (and not in any sort of "mutual pining" situation or something like that), the idea of them as a ship does make sense to me because I can imagine their relationship taking a more romantic turn under certain, specific circumstances (that take place way, way in the future after Finral does some serious soul-searching: learns to love himself, kicks that incessant flirting habit, builds confidence, and sorts out what it is that he actually wants, just to name a few things), and I can imagine a world where they could end up romantically interested in each other and happy together in that way, in a relationship that develops healthily and naturally by just building on that strong friendship foundation they already have kind of like the ‘icing on the cake’ of their already amazing bond. It's not impossible, I think, and I'll admit it is something I really enjoy thinking about and sometimes exploring in my fics.

They are definitely in the "guilty pleasure ship" category, but I do think it makes sense (to an extent) and it's extremely compelling for me and one of my favorite canon character x canon character pairings in Black Clover.

#thank you so much for the ask!!#ship ask games #acacia's ramblings #finral x vanessa #vanessa x finral #finessa #i will always love them no matter what direction they go (or don't go) in their relationship

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sparingiscaring · 1 year ago

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"A Ticket To..."

@caperingcryptid @fallenlondonficswap

For my part of the Secret Swap! Hope you enjoy!

"A Ticket To..."

A brief look into a Captain of a Tramp Steamer, ferrying passengers across the Unterzee. Inspired by the (maybe singular?) woman and Steamer that has safely ferried nearly all of us to Polythreme and back, at least once.

General : Zailing, NPC Zee-Captain, Polythreme (Briefly), Elder Continent (Briefly), Unnamed PC Death

(1177 Words)

The Charmed Captain knew her job.

Sell tickets at a stiff price, and ferry those that could afford the tickets (and the occasional stowaway) from London to the exotic land of Polythreme, and back again if they so paid, on the most reliable ship the Unterzee ever knew. Few took travelers this way, and fewer still continued the charter business after the first trip ‘round, if they even survived that first go. The private ships fared better on the whole; Pleasure-Yacht horns rang loud in the skulls of her crew as they zailed back, complimenting the spray of zee-foam soaking every cloak from the Swift Clippers.

Worst of all were the Zubmarines. For how expensive the bloody things were, and how their owner’s bragged, one would think they’d learn to stop dinging into the hull of honest ships at some point, but the Captain knew better than to expect a change. Just grit her teeth, and order the latest stowaway to – and yes, she means you in the back, the Longshanks with a guilty look in his eyes – to make himself useful, and go hammer out the dent, and maybe they’ll be rations enough for him after all.

The Captain knew better than to be jealous, however.

Her Tramp Steamer, simple as it was, was as charmed as she was. Far more than those she shared the zee with, at the very least. Oh, sure, the technician within the Zubmarine could dive beneath the Wax Wind with ease, but she always held back the tug of a smile as they zailed past the floating wreckage, the shattered remains of hull-collapse, the ship lost with all hands. And no jealously lived within her heart as the Steamer roared past the Swift-Zee Clipper, her ship churning up the mirror-smooth water their captain had just slipped into moments before. Her austere almost always failed with the Yacht, though. That paragon of opulence, luxury, and wealth, impaled by a chunk of flint-sharp glim? It was almost too good to be real.

They saw the Fathom King, in the end. The Charmed Captain never had. They’d come and go, and come again, through whatever deal they’d struck with His Complexity, but she needed no deal. No machinery, no finery, no speed. Just luck. Just favor, though she didn’t consider herself plenty faithful. Just a charmed fate, it seemed.

Her Tramp Steamer zailed from London to Polythreme, and little ever changed. No feral crocodiles ever threatened her crew in the relative quiet of Home Waters, unless there was a revered Monster-Hunter coincidentally on board to spear the beast with bone-notched harpoon moments before disaster. The Northern Wind never howled, lest everyone onboard had remembered to pack for false-winter, with Neathproof jackets and gloves and books to don and endure with.

The Wax-Wind of the South only blew on them when the deck was empty, and died out with the first head that popped up from the hull, or out from Captain’s Quarters – and, she’d noticed, it wouldn’t blow at all unless some daft Archaeologist or Baronet had decided to treat her ship a brothel, in which case the wax was more than welcome come one’s turn to sleep, to plug ears and block out the sound. And, luckiest of all, the talking ships of the Sea of Voices had yet to successfully engage her own Steamer in their desperate, lonely conversations, no matter how they moaned and whistled.

Well, aside from the one time, but her Charmed little Steamer hadn’t spoken a word since. A fluke, of course. Nothing to concern herself with. Even if her whistle sounded almost like a song, every time the whistle blew. Even if the whistle had begun to blow by itself, each one crying out in a melody all too familiar to the Captain’s memory.

For unrelated reasons, it wasn’t long after that when the Captain chose to branch out her offerings. Charter somewhere else, perhaps. Apis Meet was becoming a popular destination, after all, or so she heard.

The old girl was getting complacent, traveling the same current, week after week. Seeing the same dark patches of zee, the same floating lifeboats, the same zailing and suken ships drifting by on the dark lapping waves. It would do the Tramp Steamer some good, to try something new. Something to distract such a fine vessel from her whistling and singing and life-becoming. Keep her simple, and charmed, and keep them both safe.

And, for the Captain, the pay was more than worth it. She’d even given up her own cabin, to the poor overpaying sap.

It wasn’t a regular route, but it was often enough to keep the whistling at bay. And it was charmed, just the same. Off to Port was the scattered remnants of some doomed vessel, a hull just like the Steamer’s own, coated in still-hot wax, kept afloat by the very thing that destroyed it. And yet, her passengers pestered one another into improvised games of quoits, while another pair spoke of the Fathomking as if he paid homage to the Presbyterate. There was no recreation of Hyacinthus, no splash of wax or wave of cold zee-water to punish their insolence, not even when boredom gave way to chess and cards, and strings of profanities from the loser that would make the Admiral blush.

No punishment. And no whistling from the Tramp Steamer, either.

Just tall tales, and idle reading, when they docked at Apis Meet.

The Charmed Captain never doubted it for a moment, of course. Hundreds of trips ‘round the Unterzee in her career, by this point, and nothing had ever gone wrong. Why would it start now? It would never start, no matter what route she took. No matter where her charter took her.

She left the Meet as evening came to a close, ferrying her passengers away, back to the London they so knew, fighting the waves with well-traveled experience. She never arrived late, after all. Every leg of the journey always arrived on time, just in time. Sometimes, even early, if a particularly fated passenger happened to be aboard.

All the same. Always the same, no matter how routine this route had become. The screams of Polythreme, and the Light of the Elder Continent, were both just facts of life, now. Nothing to jump at. Nothing to worry over.

Just like the whistling that began overhead. Not melodious – a harsh sound, like a sneeze held in for far too long, finally let loose, finally freed from the light that held the life at bay. For her part, the Captain smiled as she shook her head.

To Hell with it. A Singing Steamer was probably just as charmed as the rusty old thing had been before, after all. She’d likely be just as fine a zeefaring vessel, all things considered. Still safe, reliable, and secure, from London to Polythreme, and back again.

And the occasional charter south, when the Charmed Captain could stand to go a week without a familiar whistling from the most honest ship in the Unterzee.

#fallen london #ficswap #fanfic #dame's writing #saw the zailing on the 'things i enjoy reading' and i had just gotten emery off of the charter ship #and had to go with the idea~#alt jokey description - a cool lady watches your pcs die. then makes fun of them. then her boat gets even cooler cause she's better than yo

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darkrpfinders · 20 days ago

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🕊 21+ Looking for Jujutsu Kaisen 1x1's.

Like the ad, and I'll get back to you soon.

#jujutsu kaisen roleplay #jujutsu kaisen rp #jjk rp #jjk roleplay #mxf #mxm #dark roleplay #dark rp #spicy #dead dove #tw noncon #tw incest

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thecandywrites · 2 years ago

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The Talisman Chapter 6

I know, it's July, but I could not get this story off of my mind. And it's my guilty pleasure that my muse tortures me with scenes and lore every other moment of my day as I try to be an adult, with a family, and a job, and a life and other responsibilities. But this helps me get through all of that. So, enjoy.

The Talisman

Chapter 6

“Why are you looking at me like that?” You asked Udwar as you noticed him staring at you.

“You um, you look good in Neveahan clothes.” He complimented.

“Even as old as they are?” You questioned self consciously.

“Neveahan clothes are never out of fashion. They’re usually made of dragon silk and dragon wool and such fibers are notoriously very hard to work with but once you master them, the clothes can last for centuries, or so I’ve heard.” He offered.

“Oh.” You nodded.

“Hungry?” He asked hopefully.

“Yeah.” You nodded before he led you down to the galley to get a bowl of rice with chunks of meat in a sauce poured over it.

“Thank you Naxi.” You thanked the cook sweetly as you took it from her and grabbed a utensil from the large tub of them.

But you couldn’t help but notice the way the others seem to look between your weapons and Udwar. The way one would look at a parent of a misbehaving child, expecting the parent to fix the behavior. But a few quick and hushed but sharp words from Naxi had them simply huffing and walking away.

“You’re welcome, Hashimi Bon.” She smiled back.

“Is something wrong?” You asked Naxi.

“No. Nothing’s wrong.” Udwar quickly reassured you.

“Are you sure? Because everyone seems to look at me like that.” You pointed out.

“Then they shouldn’t be on the ship.” Udwar insisted before he had you follow him to a small balcony at the back of the ship that you didn’t realize you had a door to- that connected your room to his on the other side of the wall as you sat down on the small table in the chair and looked out over the ocean and the sunset over the water.

“Seriously, why do others take so much offense to me?” You asked him.

“It’s nothing.” He tried to shake his head no.

“It’s something Udwar. I want to know.” You insisted.

“It’s because my grandfather made a law, that no one can come within 100 paces of any member of the family with weapons that could ever possibly be used against us, without first swearing a blood oath, that all of their relation should be cursed and die if they do.” Udwar explained.

“Because of the blood of the covenant should be thicker than the water of the womb.” You recalled.

“Yes. Exactly. But because you have no one to swear against, there is no way for you to make such an oath. Which is why you have the Hashimi decree to protect you.” He clarified.

“Oh.” You blinked.

“I will have any who look at you with anything but the utmost kindness and respect, removed from the ship, so that their looks do not cause you offense.” He insisted.

“Would it be better for me to enter into a blood oath with you? For the sake of the others? So that they know that I would never mean or cause you harm? Surely the families that have practically adopted me, and are practically my family found, would be enough for such an oath. Because hurting you is tantamount to hurting myself.” You tried to reason.

“Unfortunately, such a thing is not possible without consequences.” Udwar tried to gently warn you.

“What consequences?” You asked.

“Ok, so what Hashimi- really means to me and my culture and those that follow me, is- it’s a status and a condition that basically means- a wedding engagement. And because I am the Shahmah- or um…I think the closest thing that would equate to in Common is like a warrior king, away from his throne. Because I am the Shahmah and you are my Hashimi, that makes you my fiance. But, just like any other political marriage of convenience engagement, Hashimi will protect both of us, until we can get to the island.” He explained.

“Oh.” You murmured in understanding.

“And at this point, if we were to enter into a blood oath, it would be tantamount to getting married, or eloping even.” He explained.

“Would that be such a bad thing though?” You asked and he nearly choked on his food.

“You ok?” You asked as he beat his chest to try to learn how to breathe again as he pulled a flask on his hip up to drink from it, to help clear his throat as he nodded but coughed and beat his chest to quit choking.

“I’m fine.” He breathed once he stopped choking and wiped the tears in his eyes.

“I…I didn’t want to say anything before. But I’ve noticed how you avoid all the other women, but yet you are not romantic or affectionate with men either. But you do not show the same aversion to sexual intercourse itself in it's varying forms with your generals and commanders.But there is a distance you put yourself, almost like insulation from having any of it yourself. And I don’t know if you truly don’t want to be around them or because of this talisman and it’s power- and the nature of the link between yours and mine. I have also watched as you chastise anyone who is unarmed but yet, refuse to let anyone who isn’t me or one of your generals anywhere near your person.” You revealed as you looked him over curiously.

“I have noticed you become… uneasy and uncomfortable with anyone who expresses any romantic or intimate relations with you, both male and female or the middle gender either. And you have refused the blood oath of anyone but your closest military planners. If we were to enter into a blood oath, and if it was to be construed as us getting married, wouldn’t that give you a chance to use me as an excuse to not be close to anyone who makes you uncomfortable? We would not have to partake in the physical aspect of that arrangement but could still enjoy the benefits of it. And I would keep a lack of consummation private and in my confidence. You have done so much for me already. If I can even just do that much for you, I'm willing." You professed as it looked like you had given Udwar a kitten or a puppy the way his features softened and seemed to beam with adoration.

“Why would you want to do such a thing?” Udwar asked, in pleasant surprise.

“You…you behave similarly to others I’ve known who have been the victims of abuse and assault and even rape. And I can safely promise and swear to you that I would never touch you without your consent. I know that there are some people who are repulsed by intimacy and romance completely. The way a child is before they sexually mature.” You bravely professed as Udwar looked down and away a bit guiltily and self consciously.

"I am not one of those people." Udwar reassured you as his cheeks darkened.

“Are you?” He asked.

“Yes and no.” You answered.

“How so?” He gently prodded.

“Before I put this talisman on? I was not. Once I put it on- to a degree, yes. Like no other man was suddenly at all handsome to me. No one was even remotely tempting in that respect. But yet, I longed for someone and something, that I can not know or understand. It’s…it’s difficult to explain beyond that.” You surmised as he seemed to nod in understanding.

“But, you should not be embarrassed. It is only because I have been watching closely that I have noticed. No others have come to such conclusions. All the other women wonder if the fault for your disinterest and refusal is either with them or the talisman itself. Not with you.” You reassured him.

“It’s just that, as much as you do to care for and protect me. I feel very strongly that I should do the same. I’ve heard the other women scheming. They are eager to get back to your home. And are expecting to be put up in a palace just as grand as the one you’ve told me, your father had built for your mother and his other wives, just like the way your grandfather did with his harem of women. Even if it’s just a marriage of comfort and convenience until we get to the island, and return the talismans. You can always say to them, that I fell in love with the island and the home on it, more than I did you. And if the blood oath is simply to swear not to hurt each other physically, that is enough. I have also heard others speak of divorce. We could always divorce too if and when we need to. I do not mind. And that way, you can focus more singularly on your kingdom. And making sure that the gold and treasure you will surely have, will be used to protect it and it’s people.” You explained. As you could tell he was trying to be polite in his refusal to even this offer.

“Just…a thought.” You shrugged.

“As much as I…greatly appreciate the offer. If I were to do such a thing, it would not be fair to you. If I were to bring you anywhere close to my home, my mother would find a way to make you a queen, whether you wanted to be or not and find a way to keep you there and hold you for ransom until all the gold was returned to the kingdom.” Udwar offered.

“I have an answer to that if you want to hear it.” You replied.

“Ok, let me hear it then.” He invited.

“When my mother first put on the talisman, she stopped having her moon blood altogether. And when I put it on, the same thing happened to me, in fact, it’s been like I’ve never fully developed as an adult in body, even though my mind did. And now that I reunited with Chevron in a way, I have come to have more…understanding. And what was relayed to me was that Velena vowed to Uviem that she would never bear any other child than Worlf’s. And she would carry no such child in any other place than her island of Salanz. My mother, once she put on the talisman, everyone said she aged so gracefully. It was like it froze her in time. Even though she grew old in spirit. I feel it’s the same condition that rests on me. If we were to get married, again, for convenience, say that I have to go to the island, because again, the talisman will not leave me. And you can not get there without me. But that I have become barren because of it and it will not release me from the punishment until I go there and the talisman returns. And even if your mother comes with us, she can not stop this. And she is not stronger than Uviem themselves. It would only have to be a charade, I think for a few months right?” You reminded him.

“If I’m going to marry anyone, it’s going to be who I love more than all others and who I trust more than anyone. And someone who really loves me for me. Not because I’m a conqueror or because I’m the Shahmah. And as much as I appreciate the offer, because I know you are offering such a thing out of kindness and genuine feeling, it wouldn’t be honest.” Udwar gently countered.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, or our circumstances change or need to change, the offer is open ok?” You offered.

“I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.” He smiled and nodded.

“But for your information, because you asked, you have my consent to touch me ok? Because I know you do not mean harm or intend to do anything to me that I would not be willingly consenting to do.” He specified.

“Likewise.” You smiled sweetly as the two of you shared a smile before you turned back to your heaping bowl like dish of dinner.

“This is really good.” You praised the food as you ate, savoring the flavors blooming in your mouth.

“It is, I’m happy you enjoy it.” He smiled happily as it seemed you passed that particular point, much smoother than you feared.

“Do you know anything about Salanz? Other than it has a mountain of gold on it?” You asked, changing the subject.

“What do you want to know?” He asked.

“Have you ever been there?” You asked.

“No, but I’ve been to the other islands around it, they’re very nice, a bit on the hot and humid side though.” He admitted.

“How come there are two holes on either side of it?” You asked.

“They’re called ‘Current Holes’ where the outer layer gives way to the inner one. And the currents are strong enough because of forces like gravity and the like, that they pull all ships who get too close or that approach from the easier sides, through to the middle world and then shoot them out on the other side again. And they go so fast that ships colliding with each other is fairly common and then all the shipwrecks wash ashore on either end again. It’s what makes traveling there so dangerous. Because they’ve practically engineered the land and the sea to keep Neveah protected.” He explained.

“Then, how are we getting there?” You asked.

“The talismans will guide us in- safely, however, our talismans are tied to that island as much, if not more than they are tied to each other. And because of that, when the talismans are together, that's when the safest and best route will reveal itself. That island is extremely special among all of the others, because of the Current Holes.” He reassured you.

“But if only the talismans together will guide us in, how are you going to get the gold out again?” You asked.

“Use the same way in to get out, the talismans will guide us.” He answered simply before you nervously took another bite of food to keep yourself from arguing with him as worry and doubt seemed to claw their way through your mind and heart.

“There is no need to fear me. You are more than welcome to tell me anything you wish to. I can see that you’re worried. How can I reassure you?” He asked as he watched you closely.

“How many years has it been since your grandfather, Wrolf, left the island?” You asked him.

“Seventy six.” He answered.

“Don’t you think the island has changed in those seventy six years? Don’t you think that perhaps the other dragons would want to claim Chevron’s hoard?” You asked worriedly.

“Nope. Not at all. According to my grandfather, he used his own talisman to put on a special spell on the whole island that nothing would change and that nothing would be taken away while he went to go get Velena. And Uvian, the god that the talismans were blessed by, is a god of vows and promises. And will not fail.” He did his best to reassure you.

“But…he died so long ago. How can Uvian hold up his side of the promise, if who he promised such a thing to- is dead?” You asked.

“Because he made the vow with the talismans. And those who wear them by birthright, are still living. And therefore, will still be honored by the vow.” He said as he held up his own for emphasis before you self consciously put your fingers over your own and held it in your hand for a moment.

“What if it’s all an exaggeration?” You questioned worriedly.

“Have you ever had a dream, since you put that on, about a place, with sand as white as clouds? With water as blue as the sky is on a cloudless day? And about a thick green jungle? With two towers of rock piercing the sky like two towers of a castle on a hilltop?” He questioned before you frowned but did not answer.

“That’s where we’re going. When you put that talisman on, and that talisman accepted you as the natural heir, Uvian has tried showing you your inheritance. You may have just thought it was a pleasant dream, that’s all.” He explained.

“Oh.” You murmured softly in response before you let go of the talisman and continued eating quietly.

“Do you have any memory of such dreams?” He asked thoughtfully.

“I usually don’t sleep long enough to dream that much. And I usually don’t remember much of anything from them. But I get bad nightmares sometimes that make me never want to sleep ever again.” You quietly confessed as you moved the small grains of rice in the rich, creamy sauce that remained around in your bowl as the memories of such dreams and nightmares began to wash over your memory while your face contorted and frowned deeper while your brows pinched.

“What do you see?” He asked patiently.

“I don’t want to remember. I try very hard to put such things out of my mind.” You insisted as your cheeks flushed while your face grew pained at the flashes that came to your mind seemed to upset and agitate you.

“Then don’t. Nightmares can be just that, they’re not real. It’s just…imaginary.” Udwar tried to soothe.

“What if we get there- and the sea has washed away all the gold?” You suddenly blurted out.

“That’s not possible.” Udwar shook his head softly at the notion with a soft and gentle but reassuring grin.

“But, what if it was?” You asked.

“Then it won’t be long before more gold washes ashore. The place is right where one hole spits out the current from the other.” He tried to offer.

“And what if there is so much gold, that in order to get it all, you have to destroy the island to get it all?” You asked worriedly.

“I won’t destroy the island, just to get at the gold. We have an agreement, you get the island, as intact as possible. And if removing all of the gold will jeopardize the island, then only the gold that can be safely removed from it, without damaging the island itself will be removed. And that is all. My grandfather said a really good house is there. And I know you wish to make it your home. I will not destroy your home. I promise.” He offered before you felt a measure of peace and reassurance.

“Thank you.” You thanked him.

“Here, I got you this.” He offered before he pulled out a small little something wrapped in special waxed paper.

“What is it?” You asked.

“It’s a chocolate bonbon.” He offered before you took it and cradled it in your hands before you unwrapped it and couldn’t help but smile when you sniffed its sweetness before you took a small bite and let the chocolate melt in your mouth.

“My mother said she only got to have these on her wedding day. I understand why she called me Bonbon. Very sweet. Almost too sweet.” You admitted as it was the single sweetest thing you had ever had to eat in your life.

“The seeds that grow to make that, grow on the island.” He offered encouragingly.

“They do?” You asked in delight before he showed you a picture on his arm of the trees and the pods they grew from on the trunks and then, showed, through his tattoos how you prepared the seeds from the pod, baked them in the sun and then roasted them and crushed them and added milk and sugar to make what you just ate. And how much labor went into such a thing. But that it was well worth it because of how good it was.

Then you pulled up your sleeves to show him the other tattoos on your arms so he could identify it and what the hell you were looking at and explained it so it all made sense and that the picture across your chest, was a picture of the island itself. And the tattoos on your back? Would show the route to get there, but would only show a little bit at a time before you pulled your sweater off, to rearrange the top to reveal your back so he could see it and then copy it on a map, so that you would not have to expose yourself for anyone else or to anyone else, which you appreciated and he told you that, should it ever itch, to let him know, because that would indicate that the map changed before he indulged you and scratched your back anyway and smiled when you leaned into the touch anyway. You had never thought such a little, humble thing would feel so divine.

“For the last three years, I’ve hid these away. And it.. it makes sense that what I’ve felt I’ve been without my whole life, was right on my skin the whole time. And that…” You stopped yourself from saying much more than that.

“That what?” He asked as he started to slow his scratch and move to simply, gently rubbing as you turned slightly toward him.

“Once my mother told me where I came from. I always had the urge to climb the mountain, just to get to the top, just to see for myself. Just to look at it and see how much bigger and better Ustas was. But my mother warned me that it was too dangerous and that what we fled from was much worse than what we had. And when I asked her about these places that were on her own skin, she could only reason that they were the home of the original wearer, but that it belonged to her family and not us. And that the pull she always felt, was simply to reunite with the woman’s family. But, she remembered what the old woman said about who was chasing her and wanted to keep her safe, even in death.” You explained.

“But?” Udwar gently prodded.

“But one day, the tattoos seemed to practically glow. And suddenly my mother felt like the woman was safe from the one looking for her, but that same nagging feeling, that she needed to go back became the strongest. But by the time she could get us away, we had not even made it half way up the pass and she suddenly grew faint from fear and collapsed and said that we were too late. That the life we chose was the only one we were going to have. And she walked us back down. And she never said anything about it and grew irritated and agitated if I ever brought it up again and once we were back there, the glowing stopped and then the tattoos simply seemed to fade, like something left out in the sun for a long time. And while she wore it, it was as if, she didn’t need to eat so much, didn’t need to sleep so much, like the talisman itself was sustaining her, until it had reached it limits that is.” You revealed with a somber frown as a look of realization seemed to dawn on his features for a moment.

“Does that mean something?” You asked.

“Yes. The talisman is very powerful. And the god who blessed it is unusually strong. It does provide such things to the wearer.” He confirmed before it was your turn to frown deeper at his statement as you simply turned back to your bowl to think about that as it was clear you were perplexed but you did not wish to discuss what was really on your mind.

“So then what happened?” Udwar asked, trying to draw you out.

“And then, once we got back to Ustas, just as the tattoos had seemed to fade almost completely from her skin, so that it barely looked like a faint bruise, she could show more, but that also meant she got exposed more. She got sick from being in the icy water, washing the lines, because I was sick and couldn’t do it with her. And if I had just sucked it up, she wouldn’t have gotten too cold from being in the cold water so long. She practically collapsed onto the floor. And all the Lord and Lady cared about was that if she finished her chores before she did.” You revealed as you still felt a resentment rise like bile in your throat as your jaw clenched while your nostrils flared and your expression became stony.

“She died soon after. And when I was at her bedside, I was so angry at them, but I felt so helpless, and I put on the talisman and I wished someone would come along and do to them what they had done to us and leave them cold and forgotten in the freezing cold and that’s when…” You began.

“That’s when what?” He asked.

“I felt like I created you in my mind. Or just, an idea of you. The Lady always read fairy tales to her children stories about brave knights, coming to rescue princesses in towers and all that. But I wanted more than that. I felt I needed someone who would be everything they were scared of. A conqueror who would come, turn them all out into the cold and turn them on their heads and pass through the place like a swarm of locusts, and then whisk me away to this place that was painted on my skin. And…that’s exactly what happened. It took three years. But it happened. And when I saw you on the horizon, I had completely forgotten all about it, until just now.” You admitted.

“Hmm.” He hummed with a small grin that was threatening to bloom into a full smile.

“Well that’s…something, because that's exactly what seemed to happen that day.” He murmured as he seemed to pull a bottle of wine out from a box under the small table that you thought was just a box, supporting the table itself as his touch leaving your back, had your body moving to be closer to him as you scooted your chair closer to his so that you sat almost together, with the side of the ship at your back and the small table between you and looking out at the ocean and the sunset on the horizon.

“How do you mean?” You asked.

“When my father fell, he cried that he was freezing cold and his hands showed signs of frostbite, even though it was the middle of summer and quite hot where we were. And suddenly he came down with hyperthermia- which is what happens when you get too cold for too long and you die of being exposed to the cold. And when I tried to take it off, it was like it was frozen to his skin. And when he passed and it thawed, I took it, trying to throw it far away. But the moment it was in my hand, I felt you. I felt your anger and rage and resentment and how powerless you were to show any of it. And when I put it on, I could see the outline of you. Like a shadow. And when I realized what had happened. I put it on and in that moment, I knew exactly where you were. The castle’s picture bloomed on my chest. And I immediately mobilized the army and while I knew it would take me a while to get to you. I had never felt such a drive before in my life. And when the talisman told me that it accepted you as it’s heir and accepted me too, then it was practically a done deal after that.” Udwar explained.

“Oh. So…you really did travel through the entire Europa continent- just to get to me? All because…I used the talisman to call to you?” You asked.

“Yep.” He nodded before you took a swig from the wine bottle after he took a swig and left the bottle in the middle of the table to be between you.

“Huh.” You blinked.

“But in order to motivate the army, I had to promise them the gold on the island.” He excused.

“Ah, because otherwise, there’s no way you would’ve…?” You vaguely excused.

“Nope, wouldn’t have made it past the docks otherwise on the shore.” He offered as he nodded towards the land that was behind you.

“Is the dream your grandfather and father had of taking that fortune and either using it to build an empire- your dream as well? Or did that die with them or is it alive in a sibling?” You asked.

“The ones who followed my father think it is mine as well and if I say anything otherwise, they will not follow me with any real loyalty. But my mother, once the talisman accepted me, she has been pushing for that, quite hard. Thankfully I left her behind back at home.” He answered.

“But now is when you need your army and their obedience the most.” You seemed to add in understanding.

“Yes.” He nodded with a sigh.

“I'm worried for you then.” You offered before you took another pull of wine before putting it back and reached for your sweater again to stave off the cool breeze on the sea.

“I’m the one person in the world you shouldn’t worry about or worry for.” He tried to reassure you.

“If anything, you’re the one I will worry most about.” You offered as you pulled your sweater back on to keep yourself from trying to find more warmth from Udwar himself because you couldn’t trust yourself that much if a simple back scratch was having you itch to get all of your clothing off. Because while the talisman kept you from desiring every other man, it seemed to only amplify your own desire for him, hundred fold. As you never would have imagined yourself hungering like this for anyone else. But yet here you were, on this beautiful balcony, ready to fuck him in time with the waves of the ocean.

“Why?” He asked but you hesitated to answer him.

“You can tell me, you can’t say anything that will upset me. I would really like to know.” He tried to invite you before you seemed to search for the right words.

“I worry for you, because, I sense, that you have no other identity or feeling or thought outside of this talisman and your own family’s legacy and ambition. Even now, you seek reprieve from your own family members who are on these other ships, as they all fight, and bicker and squabble about who gets to be what in the kingdom that they all fantasize you will either buy or build yourself. And because you wear the talisman, and have led so well so far, they all look to you to lead them beyond the island. And they all have a much bigger goal. And you still struggle to hold onto your own dreams, even when they clash with your reality so much. And how…discontent you are, with everything, even yourself. But that if you say anything to the contrary, you’re afraid they’d slit your throat in your sleep and would then kill me in the process. And how that would put us both in mortal danger and you don’t want to do that. So you have to play the role of Udwar, Conquer of Legend. And you don’t know where he stops and where you yourself truly begin. You’re terrified of not living up to such a great expectation.” You realized as you reached up to hold the talisman in your grasp and really sense what it was telling you about him.

“I know we both feel like we’ve lost our parents in ways that were unfair and unjust and that nothing we could ever do will bring them back. And all we’ve done is try to move on with our lives since then. But we have…wounds that are three generations in the making that have been festering like splinters and we have no idea how to get them out so that we can heal- other than to go to this island, and return these talismans from where they came from. And maybe that notion is right. Maybe once we do return these to where they came from, we will both get the relief we’ve always yearned for. And what once afflicted your grandfather and Velena, will be healed and whatever unfinished matters they had between them, will finally be settled once we do. And if once we do, our claim on the island will be null and void, maybe we should remove as much gold as we can, first and foremost before we deal with the talismans and once we do, we can just…go our separate ways or just…stay friends?” You proposed.

“How about we cross that bridge when we get to it, either literally or metaphorically speaking?” Udwar offered.

“Deal. Well, the sun is setting and I’m getting quite tired. Goodnight Udwar.” You offered as you stood and went to reach for his bowl as he seemed to reach for your own in turn, which made you both pause but giggle in amusement.

“If you’re that tired. Just go inside and get some sleep. I can return these.” He offered.

“Thanks.” You smiled before you let him take your bowl before you simply bent over and hugged him from his seat, still in the chair.

“Thank you for coming to save me. And showing me that there’s a chance I can have a better home than any other that I’ve ever known. You’re a good man Udwar. No matter what you’ve had to do- to do that for me. It’ll be ok. Don’t worry about me, I won’t say anything to anyone else about anything otherwise. Your own thoughts and feelings are your own. Keep them as close as you can. I’m sorry that the talisman tells me about them anyways, whether you want it to or not. But I’ll try to protect your privacy ok? You deserve that much.” You offered as you nuzzled your head next to his as he hugged you back and before you knew it, you were practically sitting across his lap.

“Why do I feel like this hug was three generations or at the very least, three years overdue?” He seemed to ask as he seemed to take all the time he could to savor it as your body betrayed you by practically curling around him. The way you used to be able to do with your mother when you were little and this small, secret moment was so precious as it finally filled a life long and multi-generational need.

“Because when your dad died, when my mom did, we both wanted comfort yet craved destruction at the same time. And now that you’ve done the destruction, now we get to finally give and receive the comfort we’ve both craved.” You answered.

"And I think, that anything left over from your father or my mother or especially Worlf and Velena, in the talismans, that the age old adage, that you should ‘let sleeping dogs lie’, I think we should do the same. Leave the past in the past, respect it of course, but…don’t feel you have to apologize to me for things you have never done and that you are not guilty of ok? All that matters is that we’re together…” You tried to comfort him.

“And that we’re going home.” He finished before you could say it.

“Yes, exactly, we’re going home. It’s just a home that neither of us have ever known yet. It’s gonna be fun. A proper adventure.” You offered with a smile.

“If I stay here too much longer, I fear I’ll fall asleep.” You teased before you pulled yourself away.

“Goodnight Udwar, thanks for the bonbon.” You thanked him before you got up and took the rest of it with you, taking tiny little bites to savor each morsel.

“Goodnight Sioban…Queen of my Soul.” He finished in a hushed whisper the moment you were gone before he simply held his head in his hands as he suddenly felt so guilty and conflicted and confused about what to do or how to even start to do anything. Because with just a single embrace, he was ready to abandon every thought, dream and ambition of ever living up to his own expectations or desires to be King of a great nation. Because to finally hold you like that, was better than anything he had ever known and everything he could have ever dreamed of- for the last 3 years and ever since his own sexual assault when he was a boy.

And the peace that just flooded him and his senses, was something he had never felt so strongly and intensely before, to the point it was overwhelming.

Because you were right, he had spent all of his adolescent years avoiding all sex and intimacy with everyone since his assault. And once he had the talisman on, his own libido died. But yet, any time he got to see glimpses of you, that part of him began to heal and grow hungry again. And having you so close now, he was fighting every urge to do something about it. And with that understanding, he had never wanted to just curl up in your lap and cry like a baby and tell you all about it, just to have you soothe and comfort him and then show him what real, true love felt like. And if you had given any indication that you were open to more of it, he would have happily just taken you to his bed and even though he was far from sleepy himself, just to have the honor and privilege for you to feel safe and comfortable enough to sleep in his arms, would be the achievement of a lifetime, because he felt safe in doing the same in yours.

But he also sensed how much your guard was still up because your talisman must have told you how firmly he had set his sights and ambitions on finally being the one to accomplish his father’s and grandfather’s hopes, goals, ambitions, dreams. This was not going to be an easy war to win and not a simple problem to be solved. He just needed more time. But with every blow of the wind, the closer you all came to his home, the more he feared he was unprepared to go back and face everyone, let alone, present you to the nation as the key to unimaginable wealth. He needed to prepare both you and him. But he could only move as fast you were comfortable with.

And as much as your notion of entering a blood oath was almost too much of a temptation. He also, would never forgive himself if he tricked you into entering such an oath with him. Just to turn right back around and have the consequences of it- turning you into a queen, you had no desire or interest into being, at least, at the moment. He could feel how dead set you were against it. And it would take many more nights like tonight to ever soften your resolve on it. While also fearing that every moment he spent with you that was like this one, was weakening his own, as if it was made of chalk, rather than stone or iron.

#The Talisman #That is a continuation of a story I did for Monster March #Because the plot bunnies won't leave me alone #monster boyfriend #Monster Husband #Monster fiance #orc love story #Orc boyfriend #Orc fiance #midevial orc period drama #oh there is going to be monsterfucking in this #trust me

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