#work for her. and he's (as he spells out) learnt purely for survival. it's a very different situation + anya doesn't /have/ to.

[muninnhuginn]

Ngl definitely thinking back to the cartoon-making chapter now we know that Twilight doesn't realise studying/pursuit of knowledge can be fun. No wonder the cartoon he made sucked. He was approaching it purely from the educational angle with zero idea of the entertainment aspect that makes edutainment programming effective.

It's not that he was really bad at writing the fun parts. He plain didn't realise there were meant to be any in the first place for it to work.

Copying the aesthetics with no understanding of what was underneath.

[leviiattacks]

Two Faced | Chapter Seven

↳ levi ackerman, the very person who was about to kindly behead you by a surprising turn of events manages to become your loving husband? you would be elated if this was true love, but it’s all thanks to a mysterious magic spell that your life is spared, for now at least.

pairing :: duke!levi x duchess!reader genre :: royal au ??? (at this point idek) angst, fluff, slice of life etc ?? word count :: 2.6k author note :: ofc the reader would still be considered to be a duchess which is why it’s duchess!reader but i guess there’s just more themes of war and titans etc than i expected. so i guess it’s also cadet!reader ?? i promise i have a plan OK! T___T. anyways i hope that’s alright and not very confusing the original premise very much still stands!! :D also i promise levi gets better maybe soon who knows... → click here for the next part ! 

It's understandable why she's noticeably alarmed by the shift in behaviour, the concept of Levi showing any inclination towards caring about you is foreign to the both of you.

"The Duke has also been asking me and Mikasa the most peculiar questions too."

You blink. "What sorts of questions?"

"Ones concerning your past" She begins and your curiosity piques. "Asked if you ever mentioned anything about your old life. Basic information, I don't understand why he would ask now."

"He asked about me?" You question incredulously. This is surreal.

Bobbing her head up and down you stare closely at her trying to figure out if she's serious and she passes your test with flying colours.

You don't know if you should be nervous or afraid, perhaps he shifted back to his loving self for a while? Thousands of explanations surge past you but you can't pinpoint what exactly could have caused him to ask such questions. As far as you know, he's never been interested in you unless a transaction has been involved. That's all it's been since he snapped out of the spell. A purely transactional relationship.

Sasha places a firm hand on your shoulder "Talk to him, figure out what's going on." Her suggestion makes you shudder, frankly you're fearful around him after the events of yesterday night.

Whatever sick and twisted mind game he's playing at you won't let yourself become prisoner to it.

"No," You shake your head simply. "This is another one of his stealthy tactics, I won't give into it out of desperation."

"All the more reason to question where his morals lay." Sasha is persistent. The anxiety is burning itself into your body and it's tough to disregard its presence.

If there's one thing you have learnt in your lifetime it's to put trust in as little people as possible. You have your confidants and are dedicated to keeping your friendships with them. Sasha and Mikasa are loyal at heart and their steadfast nature is incomparable. But, they are anomalies. As much as you would like to admit that there are many diamonds similar to those two you can't.

It's rare to find reliable individuals in this harsh reality full of wealth, jealousy and power hungry survival. Levi, is a man you refuse to put even an ounce of trust into.

Putting any faith in him is hazardous. His unflappable demeanour, self-control, the knack he has for long-winded and gradual manipulation. Distant, bitter and calculating. You think he wouldn't care less if you were to drop dead this instant. In reality you aren't a human being to him, simply a problem out of the very many he already has. So why the sudden interest? Why? What is it he's after this time?

You've signed your life away to this empire under the ruse of becoming an informant. You're risking your life for him. What more does he want to coax out of you?

Those are the thoughts that scuttle past you as you pace in one of the very many hallways within the estate. Your initial destination had been his office but you retreat. For now you choose to withdraw from a battle of words. You aren't prepared.

But life has a way of never letting you pick when you encounter him.

The sound of footsteps behind you is a blunt indicator he's near but you let your naivety pray it's simply a maid. "Cadet." And there he is. Snarling behind your ear, breath blazing.

Cadet?

He must be able to tell you don't recognise the name which rolls off his tongue, especially when the two of you aren't in a professional setting, its placement is odd.

"What? Do you think you're worthy of a better term?" He's taunting you, disgusted that you're dense enough to think you're deserving of any other title.

Arms clasped behind his back he takes a long stride forward, you take a step back in response, he steps forward again and you move in the opposite direction again.

"I'm not used to it that's all. I know I am no Duchess."

His raspy voice creeps into your ear "Get used to it. You are my subordinate, don't assume this is a level playing field."

"Do you hop into all of your cadet's beds very often Sir?"

The question comes out of nowhere and as soon as the words have left your lips you slap your palms over your mouth taken aback just by how easy it is for the impulsive side of your brain to defy him.

"Really?" He asks darkly, and when you narrow your eyes in bewilderment, he coughs, clearing his throat to begin again. "Are you willing to bring this up right now?"

He's as close as ever now, if he moves an inch closer his nose will brush against yours, it suddenly feels difficult to breathe but you swallow the struggle away still unsure if you can force yourself to reply to his question. Is there a right or wrong answer?

For once, you choose to be selfish and put your interests before anyone else's even if that means risking your safety in the process. You just want to understand for once how his brain works.

Balling your fists into two you manage to squeak out what you've been holding back "Do you pry into the personal life of each and every one of your cadets or does that special rule only seem to apply to me?"

"Do you give all of your cadets random days off?"

"Do you-"

He grabs the back of your ponytail with his gloved hands, his skin isn't directly touching yours but the firm grip he has on you doesn't stop your cheeks from flooding with warmth. Fumbling around you're about to scream when he pulls at your hair again jestingly, his other arm moves to securely hold you keeping you stuck in the position you're in.

"Levi." You squirm around awkwardly trying to escape his grasp but he doesn't find this at all amusing.

"Captain." His firm correction catches you off guard.

"Sorry. Captain." Your throat is dry as you croak out the short reply.

Straightening your back you try to shake off the hold he has on your hair but he only tugs your head backwards warning you. Your bare neck is exposed and his eyes slip to your half done buttons. Rolling his eyes he knows if it were any other male member of the corps even the oh so respectable and mature Erwin Smith who caught you like this they would fantasize about how you look underneath that flimsy button up. It's now slipping down one of your shoulders.

Moving the arm that has been holding you down he jerks the fabric back up your shoulder.

"I was under that spell of yours. You're naive to think there's any other reason." He returns venomously, his voice is dripping in poison determined to exterminate any of the attitude you've shown him in the past two minutes.

"Why all the questions about my personal life? I was informed you interrogated a few of my friends."

He tugs at your hair again, you tilt backwards. "What do you hope to get out of this? Find out I have some sort of secret feelings for you?"

In the blink of an eye your bubble has been burst, deep down you did hope that was what this was about. It's not that you would like for him to love you, you wouldn't mind it but, if he loves you your safety is guaranteed that's all that matters. That's what you tell yourself. You don't miss the old him no you don't.

The colour drains from your face when you hear what he has to say afterwards.

"Adorable." His tone is spiked in mockery. "How fond you are of me, but I have no interest in the likes of you."

Heart leaping to your throat the simmering rejection settles.

"And. If you must know, you were given a day off today because Hange insisted every cadet have a day of rest before we all relocate to the training facility's dorms." You curse yourself, the transfer had slipped your mind completely.

"Got it? Fucking prissy princess." The expletive makes you wince.

Then he's silent, it's deafening and bizarrely you find his silence all the more daunting and menacing than when he speaks.

Wrestling yourself out of the grasp he has on your hair is your next move but he loosens his grip without being told to.

Levi allows for you to retreat with no further arguments.

And just like that the rare day off goes past as quick as it happens.

You learn that ignoring Levi is your best bet at living a peaceful life within the walls of this Kingdom. Follow the orders he gives you and you almost always guarantee your own safety. Living. Even if it isn't a happy life you are aware there will be some pleasant moments. Living to experience those moments is the only motivation you have.

Erwin has said you would benefit from working with the rest of the cadets more often. It stops them from questioning why you receive personal training - after all they are unaware of the deal stricken up between you and Levi, it's understandable for the influx of questions.

You don't mind, after all training with Mikasa by your side for most of your days sounds more appealing in the long term. It usually gets lonely and tedious being alone. The prospect of being around the other cadets appeals to you too. You haven't actually had the opportunity to speak to very many of them and a few new members have apparently joined the ranks as of today.

Curiosity is kicking in, everyone is mumbling about the new cadets joining the squadron. You count as one of the new additions you suppose, there's no other explanation for why everyone whispers and murmurs as you stroll into the crowded training area with Mikasa by your side.

"Isn't she the one who banged her head?" muffled chuckles are heard but you pay no mind to the expected response, they'll soon be done talking about you when the next person in line embarrasses them self in your place. Levi's sharp tongue has conditioned you to pay no mind to the commentary of the other cadets. Nobody seems to be able to humiliate you in his fashion.

Mikasa doesn't take the same approach as you when greeted by the unwelcoming whispers, instead she whips her head in the direction of the insults, it looks as if she's thinking about careening one of her steel blades at the group just to instill some respect into them but the simple jerk of her body facing them is enough to make them rotate away in panic and curve the topic of discussion elsewhere.

She mutters something unclear under her breath, you would ask her to repeat her sentence but you're sure all she's done is call the boys infantile and stupid for the way they conduct themselves.

Everyone is introducing themselves and you familiarize yourself with some faces. Krista, the human embodiment of a dainty flower, she's as sweet as honey, A brunette ruffles her hair, she seems close to Krista, she doesn't even bother to introduce herself until she tells her too. Ymir, is her name.

Next you acquaint yourself with Connie, he's friendly and more than happy to converse with you, a breathe of fresh air from the cramped nature of the gossiping group from before.

Everything is going smoothly but then you feel a shoulder slink over your arm, it's not Mikasa it doesn't feel like her.

"You know Jean?" Connie is obviously very surprised.

That's when your eyes bulge out of your sockets in complete and utter shock at the slim chances of this possibility ever occurring, of all the people in all of the places, you just so happen to encounter Jean Kirstein again. He's a wildcard that's for sure.

It doesn't even cross your mind to think he could easily rat you out and ask why a noble woman such as yourself is here of all places. In fact, that concern is at the back of your mind far from your attention. You simply smile, happy to see a familiar face. You barely know him personally but from your last encounter you've been able to discern that he's welcoming and sociable.

He's incredibly friendly patting your head and completely bombarding you with questions "I would have never expected someone like you to show up." If it were anyone else you would have taken it as an insult but he's genuinely curious what brings you here, that much is obvious by his tone.

"Likewise Kirstein, I suppose we live in a small world."

You purposefully choose to not reveal much, you don't know who you can and can't trust.

He seems to catch on because he doesn't follow up on his inquiry. Instead he and Connie ask what part of Paradis you're from, what your parents do, all sorts. You're so engrossed in making up a somewhat believable story you don't even realize Kirstein's arm is still slung over your shoulder.

It's only until Hange yells "ATTENTION!" at the front of the training grounds do your notice the close proximity between you and your fellow cadet.

Slowly edging away from him you're swiftly able to detach yourself with no disturbances.

Hange is introducing themself, hands flailing in all directions and eyes wide describing how their additional role is investigating titans, they say if you're lucky enough maybe one day you'll be able to help with one of their secretive experiments. A towering blonde brute nearby whispers that Hange is eccentric and odd, a few others say it's surprising they're a superior.

Sensibly, you bury the frustration you feel down your throat, but God would you love if those childish fools kept their false opinions to themselves.

Erwin and Levi exchange looks probably deciding who speaks afterwards, it seem begrudgingly Levi agrees to take the stand.

The training ground abruptly falls silent.

Levi taking a step forward surveys the area and not once does he bother looking at you.

"Rules." His voice rumbles. "Which you all must follow." His gaze unusually centers in on Jean, you bear witness to how his form begins to tremble. Just one look from the Captain and he's about to dissolve.

The majority of his rules are basic and can easily be predicted, "You are expected to help with the cleaning. If your personal hygiene is that of a pig you may as well walk yourself out of the door now." His silver eyes are stabbing into the front row, most likely because Eren is there. He's apparently missed cleaning duty for two weeks now, it's miraculous how he's escaped unscathed.

After Levi is done wordlessly threatening Eren he rubs his hands together expectantly. Lips quirking up into one of his sharp cut-throat smiles he stares right at Jean. After a moment of silence he speaks with clarity. "No dating between cadets is permitted. No fucking either, sorry to disappoint Kirstein."

Metallic eyes are piercing into his wobbly form again and all of the cadets burst into a rupture of giggles. You too are about to join them. Truthfully, it is laughable that his notorious womanizing reputation is known even to the Captains.

But before you're able to laugh your breathe falters, you can practically feel jagged daggers twisting and digging into you. Quickly before he swiftly looks away you’re able to note Levi's eyes deliberately flick up in your direction, gaze boring into you, it burns.

You feel guilty but don’t know what it is you’ve done to produce such a hostile response.

Nevertheless, you can feel his scrutiny impale you.

[outerbankslut]

Listen Before I Go... Draco Malfoy

Summary • Based on the song ‘Listen Before I Go’ by Billie Eilish. At the final battle at hogwarts, Draco realises something too late.

Warnings • death, sadness etc. Swearing.

Word Count • 1.2k (Blurb)

Masterlist

(GIF isn’t mine, let me know if it’s yours)

    Take me to the rooftop

    I wanna see the world when I stop breathing, turnin' blue 

    Tell me love is endless, don't be so pretentious 

    Leave me like you do

    DRACO SAW IT all. It was all so sudden. He saw the eruption of light that emitted from in front of him, like blue electricity that blinded him until it was too late. He saw it shoot forward. He saw you in the line of fire. Your eyes turned to him almost in slow motion as you both knew what was happened and then a second later you were gone. Draco moved to do something. Save you, sacrifice himself but instead he felt your limp body fall into his arms as he fell to the floor barely holding you up. Your eyes no longer begging him, pleading for him to be okay, to not do anything. Your eyes were empty, lifeless. Skin cold as ice and unforgivingly colourless and hollow. A single tear trickled down your cheek as you breathed your final breath. The life was sucked out of you.

    Taste me, the salty tears on my cheek 

    That's what a year long headache does to you 

    I'm not okay, I feel so scattered 

    Don't say I'm all that matters     

    Leave me, deja vu

    YOU SAT UP confused as you looked around, sure that you were meant to be dead. But you felt fine. Your eyes scanned the chaos around you and saw the back of the blond boy you were looking for.

“Draco!” You shouted scrambling to your feet and across all the rubble towards the boy. “Draco...”

Confusion set in as soon as you saw the body laid across his lap. The tears in your eyes weren’t falling. Somehow you felt at peace with this revelation. Your heart aches seeing the boy you loved. 

His tear stained face sobbing and scrunched up in pain.

You were everything. The one person who chose to love him despite his flaws. Understanding and kind. You helped him realise how wrong he was about everything. Or at least how wrong his parents were.

But apparently you were too late. If only he’d chosen the right path and not let his misguided upbringing stray him towards the dark side. It was out of pure necessity. Survival. But if he knew this was going to happen to you because of his mistakes he’d go back and choose the right path a hundred times no matter where it leaves him.

His hands curled tightly around the ripped and worn fabric covering you as he sobbed into the crook of your neck. His cries begging you to come back. But the blond knew it wouldn’t work. You were dead and only the darkest and most dangerous of magic could ever bring you back. But the boy knew you wouldn’t want that. You’d curse him for even thinking about it at all. As the boy sat up he kissed your forehead softly, “I love you, Y/N.”

    If you need me, wanna see me 

    You better hurry, I'm leavin' soon 

    Sorry can't save me now 

    Sorry I don't know how 

    Sorry there's no way out 

    But down

    HE SHOOK HIS head as a lump formed in his throat choking him. Not allowing him to breath as he thought about you. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

His blue eyes cast towards the wand still grasped loosely in your outstretched hand that Draco remembered holding. Feeling your reassuring squeeze as you have him a smile. There was nothing now. The Malfoy hesitantly moved a shaking hand towards the wood in your hand seeing its intricate features you had loved about it so much.

His hand grazed one of your fingers wincing at its icy cold harshness. He felt his jaw clench. You’d never be able to go where you wanted in life. Never be able to become the amazing wizard you were. He choked back a sob that could shatter worlds as he thought about everything he already missed. It had all become something he looked forward to when seeing you. He craved the sound of you laughing, laughter that he had caused and the smile that appeared on your face. He missed seeing you excited over what class you were going to that day or new things you learnt. You’d always tell Draco about them and he’d listen despite already hearing it in that class before, just because it was you.

    Call my friends and tell them that I love them 

    And I'll miss them

    But I'm not sorry 

    Call my friends and tell them that I love them  

    And I'll miss them

    Sorry

    HE CLOSED YOUR eyes slowly saying goodbye to the the very things that looked toward him in adoration instead of disgust and hate and that held a comforting gaze as he felt footsteps wander behind him.

“What happened?” The stern but quick and distant voice Hermione Granger appeared behind him as he felt all the world falling around him. White noise and chaos. Would he be able to be without you.

You watched from afar as he cradled you no ounce of him ready to let go of you and Hermione approached from behind. You walked up to him your ghostly hand setting on his shoulder.

He could feel comfort surge through him. He felt the weight of your hand there. It almost felt like he could feel your breath on his neck. And almost as if he heard you murmur the words in his ear, your voice soft and sultry. He already craved the feeling of you again.

“Draco. It’s okay. You can let go now. I have to go now,” You turned seeing the ever growing white light around you. You were ready. Never ready to leave him. But you were ready to wait for him. You’d always wait for him. “But be strong for me. I’ll always be here. I’ll always be waiting. And when you’re ready, we can see each other again. Be happy and please tell everyone I’ll—I’ll miss them. Please live your life, okay? I love you, Draco Malfoy.”

You kissed the boys forehead and you saw the pain flash on his face. He heard every word. And it hurt even worse. He wouldn’t hear you singing in the halls or ever feel your presence around him again. He could only imagine. He let out small sputter. Burying his face in the crook of your neck as he pulled you closer to his body. And suddenly he felt a hand in his shoulder, just as you walked away from him. Towards the light.

He turned quickly only to see the Granger girl there an abundance of tears gathering in her eyes as she let out a small gasp inaudible to Draco as he sobbed. He didn’t know when he’d stopped but eventually he laid you down on the ground and stood up with his wand. His eyes were free of tears and his face monotone as he looked at everything falling down scattered around him. Giants were destroying structures of Hogwarts. Flashes of magic were everywhere. The setting was dusty and filled with debris. It was all falling apart. But Draco was glad you weren’t at the centre of it now. And if he needed to, he’d sacrifice himself. For everyone who’d lost someone, for you, for Hogwarts. For anyoen he hurt. 

And then maybe he’d see you again. Maybe he could finally make the right choice.

Note • I literally came up with this like two hours ago and it was meant to be a blurb but then I realised how similar it was to this song so I put some of the lyrics in and then edited it after and obviously it was a lot longer than before. I did only roughly edit so please excuse the bad grammar and spelling mistakes :) anyway so yeah finally fricking posted. Hoping to finish a stiles imagine for bricks’ writing thing but it finishes in two days so idk whether it’ll be finished but anyway I have to go revise for a psychology test that’s in like 7 hours oop.

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[johaerys-writes]

Where Blood Roses Bloom

Fandom: Castlevania

Pairings: Alucard/Trevor Belmont/Sypha, Hector/Lenore

Summary:

After Trevor gets grievously injured by a night creature, he and Sypha return to Dracula's castle to seek Alucard's help. The man they find there, however, is but a shadow of the friend they left behind.

Meanwhile, in far Styria, Hector does his best to survive in the vampires' court, a lamb amidst wolves. Little do the wolves know, the lamb has fangs of its own.

Chapter 7: Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground) is up! Where Hector tries to get used to his new life as the vampire sisters’ forgemaster, and Trevor and Sypha set out to find Alucard.

Read on Ao3! Or read from the beginning

Hector moves through the castle largely unseen.

He drifts along the torch-lit corridors during the day, when the vampires are asleep. After the sun sets, he stays in his quarters, hidden, out of the way. Biding his time.

It's not that he doesn’t enjoy his quarters. On the contrary. His new rooms are warm, spacious; Lenore has made sure he was given the part of the east wing that gets the most sunlight. The bedroom is large and tastefully decorated, the bed is wide with a crimson velvet canopy, there are priceless carpets covering the floor. The large windows of his forge overlook the snowy mountain range beyond the castle, past field upon fields of endless white. Hector has an office, too, with a mahogany desk and a small library, and there is even a small room for his personal servant to sleep in.

He has servants now. Hector, with servants. He never actually thought he would see the day.

It’s quite comfortable, really. Hector can’t complain. The vampire sisters don’t much care for him, and Hector has learnt to stay away. Striga and Morana are absorbed into their work. It’s all money and soldiers and plans of attack with them. He is sure Carmilla forgets he exists most of the time. He is someone else’s concern now.

He is Lenore’s concern now. Her pet.

Hector clenches his jaw as a rush of loathing and dull anger swells within him. The wind that blows through his half open window is suddenly not crisp and refreshing as it was a mere moment before, but frigid and merciless instead. The ring on his finger is cold now, but there are times when he can almost feel it thrumming with energy when Lenore is near. The thought that she might know where he is, what he’s doing, what he’s thinking at any given moment unnerves him.

Even a pet is more autonomous than this, he thinks, and the thought burns through his gut like pure acid.

That is his life now. Fear. Anger. Loathing, simmering under the surface. He is steeped in it, wallowing in it. He often tries to take his mind off it,  and there are moments when he forgets all about it. And it works, for a while. Until it comes back with a vengeance. Until he remembers where he is, what he is, and the force of the realisation chokes him, and he’s not even sure whether he's ever known anything other than this, something other than the sharp sting of betrayal and the hollowness it leaves behind.

Part of him thinks he’s always been like this: angry, miserable, fearful, easily manipulated. Small. So small. A pet, and a bad one, at that.

“Forgemaster, sir.”

He starts at the servant’s voice. “What is it?” he snaps at the man, scowling at him. He is wearing the vampire sister’s livery: black, silver and red.

“Lady Lenore has asked for you, sir.”

Hector turns to glance at the sun beyond the window, that has just dipped below the horizon. His stomach twists in knots.

“Prepare my clothes,” he orders his servant before snapping the curtains closed.

~

Lenore is curled on her couch before the fire when Hector is led to her quarters, a book open in her lap. She sets it down as soon as she sees him, and a smile curls the corners of her lips. A faint blush, like an early spring rose, creeps up her smooth, porcelain cheeks.

“Hector. You’re here.”

She gracefully uncoils from the soft cushions and walks up to him to inspect the new clothes she ordered for him. With light and careful fingers, she traces the thread of silver embroidery on the sleeves of his dark blue velvet doublet, the colour and fabric of which matches her own dress almost exactly, then moves up to his shoulders. They linger for a breath on his lapel, fixing it in place.

“This colour looks wonderful on you. I’ll have more doublets made in this hue. It brings out your eyes.”

There’s a sort of familiarity to the way she touches him. It’s gentle, and just a little condescending, and it makes his skin crawl. Hector can still feel the ghost pain of the bonding spell she cast on him, the ring burning around his finger. He still hasn’t forgotten what her touch has led to. He doesn’t think he ever will.

Still, he doesn’t dare move away. He grits his teeth through it, and his hands curl into fists, but he stands his ground.

Finally, she lets her hands drop. She motions for him to walk with her, and he obeys.

“You’re up early,” he tells her cautiously.

The servants open the doors for them, and they step out of her quarters. Her arm threads through his as they walk, and once again a spike of something sharp and uneasy slithers up Hector’s spine at the contact.

“My sisters ordered a council meeting. You’re coming with me.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t sound so enthusiastic about it,” she teases, glancing up. The trembling light of the torches along the walls casts shimmering reflections in her blood-red eyes.

“It’s just…” Hector swallows. “You’ve never taken me to one of your meetings before.”

She smiles softly. “There is a first time for everything, Hector.” Her fingers wrap around his wrist as she stops before the tall and doors to Carmilla’s study.

Hector has the strongest urge to bolt.

“We need more soldiers patrolling the borders,” he hears Striga saying as soon as he and Lenore cross the threshold. She has her head bent over one of the maps, brows gathered in a displeased frown. Carmilla is standing beside her, arms crossed before her chest, eyes rolling in exasperation. Her pale skin gleams like ice, even in the amber light of the fire in the hearth behind them. She is wearing a dark red gown cut low at the front, and on her fingers shine a multitude of golden rings.

“We have been over this,” she tells Striga, swirling the wine in her glass. Hector’s blood runs cold when he hears the sound of her voice. He still hears it, sometimes, in his nightmares.  “Morana has been over this, too. It's a perfect plan, and it's bound to work. You really should find something else to be obsessed with, Striga, because this conversation is boring me to tears.”

“Carmilla is right,” Morana says. “I have it all figured out. We have hired as many of the mercenary groups as we could find. The nearby villages are left with virtually no protection.”

Striga’s frown does not relent as she replies, “It is not enough. The men we have hired are barely enough to patrol the western border. To hire enough men would mean emptying our treasury.”

“Let me worry about the finances, hm?” Morana smiles at her, placing her hand on her shoulder. “You worry about your battle plans, my love.”

Striga opens her mouth to say more, when Carmilla cuts her short. “What is it doing here?” Her icy blue gaze glides over Hector, and it is filled with disgust.

“Hector will be attending some of our council meetings from now on,” Lenore says smoothly. Her fingers are still wrapped around Hector’s wrist. “It was part of our agreement.”

“I don’t suppose you expect him to sit at the table with us?” Carmilla says, aghast. She pours more wine in her goblet, filling it almost to the brim. “Go to your corner now,” she tells Hector, waving him away with a careless hand, “and be quiet.”

Lenore’s expression is one of utter calmness. She takes a small step forward and straightens to her full height, however small her stature, and doesn’t even miss a beat before she says, “If he stands, then I will stand also.”

Carmilla freezes in the act of setting down the pitcher. She blinks, and a flicker of amusement dances in her eyes. “You cannot be serious.”

Lenore says nothing as she continues to stand calmly beside Hector, meeting her Carmilla's gaze levelly.

The disdain in the curl of Carmilla’s lip is unmistakable. She rolls her eyes and takes a large sip of wine. “Ugh, just take a seat, both of you. You’re late as it is. Oh, and keep your pet on a tight leash, please. I don’t want to hear a squeak out of it.”

“Come, Hector,” Lenore says softly with a small, encouraging smile as soon as Carmilla turns around, and tugs gently on his wrist.  

~

The vampire sisters' plan is even worse than Hector thought. By the time he leaves the council room, he feels cold, numb. He barely even notices Lenore’s fingers that thread through his own as she takes him back to his room.

He sits on the chair next to the fireplace while Lenore walks to the liquor cabinet and pours them both a glass of wine.

“This is… this is madness,” he says. “When you first told me, I thought you were joking. An entire stretch of land, from here all the way to the sea? I can’t believe Carmilla is actually going through with it. I can’t believe you’re all helping her.”

“So dramatic, as always.” Lenore glides towards him and holds the wine out for him. “It will be difficult, yes. But not impossible. Striga and Morana will see to it. And you will be helping, too.” When Hector makes no move to take her offering, she sighs and reaches for his hand, guiding his fingers to curl around the stem of the glass. “It is a rather smart plan, actually. It ensures we have food for generations to come.”

“You’re talking about thousands of people, Lenore. Thousands, who will not submit to this willingly. Every square foot of land will need to be fought over, and holding it will not be easy.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Do you and your sisters really have need for all this blood?”

“It’s not just about the blood. More land means more control, and more control means more influence, more power. The vampires have been fighting amongst themselves for aeons, and we have found ourselves in the midst of their squabbles one too many times. After this, we will not be bothered ever again.”

“Perhaps,” Hector says grimly. “But at what cost?”

Lenore tips her glass over her lips, her eyes trained on him beneath her dark eyelashes. She stays silent for a moment before she says, “This is what you wanted, Hector. Is it not? When Dracula took you by his side, this is what he promised you. A cull. A... controlling of the population. Humane feeding, if you can excuse the term. What Carmilla has in mind is… precisely this.” She tilts her head to the side, “Minus a genocidal maniac.”

Hector’s jaw clenches. He wants to contradict her, but she’s right. This is exactly what Dracula had promised him, and why Hector pledged himself to his cause. Back then it had seemed like a good idea, the only viable solution to humanity’s problem. Part of him wonders whether all he had been looking for was just a cause to believe in, something to work for, to aspire to; a goal. A purpose. Something he could be proud of. Or perhaps he wanted someone to... to believe in him. To tell him what to do; to be proud of him.

Perhaps Lenore was right. Perhaps all he ever truly wanted was to be somebody’s pet.

His eyes fall to the ring on his finger, and his heart squeezes into something small and tight. Does it matter what he wants? Did it ever?

When Hector stays quiet for several moments, Lenore comes to sit by his side on the sofa.

“There is no need to overthink things, Hector,” she says softly. “Leave the administrative troubles to Morana. Your job is to make night-creatures. The sooner, the better, or I am positive that Carmilla will make good on her promise to throttle Striga. She is really starting to get on her nerves.”

Her fingertips are cool against his cheek when she turns his face towards her. Her scent reaches him; spring jasmine blossoms and sweet, cherry wine. “Can you do that for me, Hector?” she asks. “Can you start making night-creatures?”

Hector looks at her, really looks at her. It is strange, in a way, that she’s asking him this. She knows he cannot oppose her in anything, not now. She knows he is but a tool to be used, and Hector knows it, too.

But that’s who Lenore is.

Lenore is clever. Diplomacy is in her blood, even when there’s nothing left to bargain for. She is witty and calculating, and she always knows the right thing to say to disarm him. She is thoughtful and caring when she chooses, speaking to him softly, giving him what she knows he wants before taking it away. Lenore is beautiful and captivating, with her porcelain skin and her sanguine eyes, her crimson lips, like blood roses in the snow.

Lenore is poison.

She’s wormed her way into his confidence once. She’s won him over with honeyed words, and she’s cut him to pieces with sharp claws. Hector knows that she won’t stop, not until she has what she wants.

“I’ll do it,” he says quietly, and glances away. “I just… I need time. To make a new hammer.”

“How long?”

“I… I don’t know.” He swallows. “Forge-hammers take time. Days, maybe weeks.”

“Carmilla won’t be happy about that.” She sighs as she caresses his cheek with a light and slender finger. “I’ll stall them. Keep them off you for a while. You take your time. Yes?”

A shiver runs through him, makes his hair stand on end. He feels like a mouse, being toyed with by a cat. “Thank you,” he forces himself to say.

Lenore smiles. Hector watches as she sets her glass down and stands up. He expects her to say something more, to order him about, but she doesn’t. She rarely ever does, these days. She simply turns around and glides out of the room without another word.

As soon as she leaves, Hector lets out the breath he had been holding. He walks to the window and gazes at the endless fields of white beyond, and his features turn hard as stone. The ring on his finger thrums, an insistent reminder, and at that moment, Hector knows. He has to get away.

But he has to be smart about it. For once in his miserable life.

~~~

“We are leaving.”

Trevor doesn’t even turn to look as Sypha as he shoves his tunic in his leather travelling bag. The rest of his clothes are in a pile on the bed, and they are precious few; in less than a quarter of an hour, he will be ready to leave this place, and never return.

That is, if Sypha decides to stop bloody arguing with him.

“Trevor,” she says, “we can’t just—“

“Sypha. I said, we’re leaving.”

“But—“

“No but’s. No if’s. We are leaving and that’s that.”

A long, frustrated sigh from Sypha’s spot next to the window lets him know exactly what her thoughts are regarding that declaration of his. They have been at this for hours, but Trevor has made up his mind. And he is not backing down this time.

Sypha crosses her arms before her chest and pins him with a hard glare. “Since when are you the one to make decisions around here?”

“Since our host has —not so kindly —asked us to leave.”

“Yes, after you told him he is Dracula reincarnate.”

“And isn’t he? Didn’t you hear what he was saying? Weren’t you there?”

“I was there, and what I heard was you two being both quite rude to one another.”

Trevors narrows his eyes at her, but says nothing as he goes back to shoving their clothes in the bags. He huffs in frustration when Sypha marches towards him and sits flat on the bags he has been filling.

“I am not leaving,” she declares.

“Sypha,” he tells her slowly, trying hard to keep his tone calm, “I know you don’t like it when I tell you what to do. I know you think I’m rash and impatient, and perhaps I am, but we are not welcome here anymore. This has been made plain. We have done all we could for Alucard, but he doesn’t need our help. He told us so directly. Sometimes it is wise to simply admit defeat, rather than to keep on fighting a losing battle.”

“I will not admit defeat, and I am not leaving.” She frowns, her pretty brow wrinkling. “Alucard is our friend.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, woman,” Trevor rolls his eyes and huffs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Look, if you want to stay in this shithole, be my guest. I sure as hell am not staying here another bloody minute, because unlike you, I can tell when I am not wanted. And have we forgotten the people outside the door? I have no desire to join them, thank you very much.”

“No one’s joining them, you silly goose,” Sypha grumbles. They have gone over the same argument time and again since the day before, since Alucard stormed out of the kitchen. “If he wanted to kill us, why would he have helped us? Why would he have saved your life?”

“You saved my life just as much as he did.”

“Yes, but he didn’t have a reason to do it, nothing to gain.” She narrows her eyes. “ I am starting to reconsider my own reasons, now.”

Trevor groans in frustration. There is no talking with this woman. Why has she become so obsessed with staying behind and helping Alucard, anyway? Trevor was on board with her plan at first, but now he is starting to doubt whether there is a point. There really is no talking with Alucard either. Come to think of it, the two of them are very much alike.

He shakes his head in defeat and walks away from her, going to stand by the window. If Sypha is bent on staying behind, then he really doesn’t know what to do. Even if he wanted to stay, he can’t do that, not now. Not while things are like this. Not when he has seen the hatred in Alucard's eyes when he looked at him, at them both.

The bitterness that rises within him at the memory is now a familiar ache.  

“I think,” Sypha says quietly, shifting on the bed to face him, “that you care about him just as much as I do.”

Trevor presses his lips together and turns to frown out the window. Snow has been falling steadily since the day before, and a thick white blanket is covering the ground now. It makes the world beyond the castle seem quiet and serene, but in Trevor’s heart there’s only turmoil.

Of course he cares about him. Of course he does. He cares about him as a friend, a… a brother. It must be because they’ve fought alongside each other, watched each other’s back; being by somebody’s side when they’re in danger does things to people, creates a bond between them even if they do not wish it. That must be it, he tells himself: it’s only natural, a gut reaction, an instinct, forged when the three of them faced Dracula and his armies side by side. And Trevor would do it, again and again; he would face Hell’s fires as many times as he had to, if it meant keeping those he cares about safe from harm. If it meant doing what he was meant to do.

That’s the thing, though. Trevor knows how to fight. He knows how to kill night-creatures, he knows how to squash monsters, how to beat their brains to a pulp. It’s like second nature to him, wielding his sword and throwing his chain about, dealing with trouble head on. What he doesn’t know is… this.

He hasn’t the first idea how to deal with all this. He doesn’t know what to do with Alucard’s fury, or his sadness, or the hurt that’s right there , just beneath the surface. Even Trevor can tell, even though he’s shite at all of it, he’s terrible at talking about feelings. So he gets mad and swears and fights, even when there’s nothing to fight for.

Because… that’s what he knows. That’s all he’s ever known, after all.

Sypha’s footsteps are barely audible, absorbed by the plush rug. She comes to stand beside him, her arm shy of touching his own. “He cares about you, too,” she whispers. “He cares about us. And he needs us now. I know it, even if he doesn’t say it.”

“But what are we supposed to do about it, Sypha?” Trevor asks, his arms still crossed petulantly before him. “You heard the man. He wants us out.”

She worries her lip, gazing out the window. She looks tired, worn out. Neither of them slept well the night before, too wired after the argument they had with Alucard. This day, too, hasn’t gone much better, with them waiting for him to return.

“I can’t leave, Trevor,” she says after a short while. “Not again. I can’t… I can’t leave things like this. If only to find out what happened here, I must stay.” She turns to look at him, searching his face. “You…”

Trevor sighs. “If you stay, you know I’ll stay with you.” He reaches out and wraps his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close. “But he’s already been out all night and day. God knows when he’ll be back. We could be here, waiting for him, for days still. ”

“Then we go out and look for him. What?” she says when he blinks at her. “He can’t have gone too far. We’ll find him.”

Trevor gazes at the snowfall beyond the window, the sky that’s steadily darkening. It won’t be easy finding him, Trevor can tell that already.

He lets out a sigh and drags his palm down his face. “This better be bloody worth it.”

Read the rest on AO3!

[smiley5494]

of life-long secrets and little white lies

Merthur Week Day 5: “Any other lies left to tell me?” + Angst

read it also on ao3

Merlin nodded in false agreement and tried to hide the evidence of his heart shattering into pieces.

Rhys wasn’t entirely sure it was a good idea to try to assassinate the king. There was so much that could go wrong, but they were desperate, and the king’s head fetched a pretty penny. Rhys needed the gold, they needed it for their family, for their village—without that gold, the whole village would starve.

So they waited and watched. They learnt that the King went on regular hunting trips into the forest, and they learnt that on those trips the king often brought no one but himself and his manservant.

It couldn’t be better. If Rhys were to take out the king, then the servant would be easy to subdue, and the bodies would lie there for hours when the knights and councilmen would get nervous and go looking. By then, Rhys would be long gone, and their village would be able to eat come winter.

They waited, and when the King and his manservant rode through, Rhys drew back their bow and took aim. The arrow flew true and to Rhys’ horror the servant’s eyes glowed gold and his lips moved to form words the Rhys couldn’t hear. The arrow froze, hovering in the air in front of the king.

Rhys turned and bolted, they weren’t being paid to fight sorcerers, and they didn’t want to be killed either—they would find the needed gold elsewhere, somewhere where there were no sorcerers.

~~*~~*~~

Merlin had expectations on how his magic would be revealed. He’d dreamt the moment; he’d told himself that it would be on his terms or not at all. Somehow, it was fitting that it would be an accident—he’d reacted on instinct, his mind skipping over the consequences in favour of saving Arthur.

Arthur was staring at him in horror, and Merlin dismounted quickly, intending to check on his friend. Instead, he found a sword at his chest, a furious king where he had expected to see a friend.

“Arthur.” Merlin’s voice cracked on the name, and his tears fell freely. He fell to his knees, the ground cold and hard, but Arthur’s expression was pure stone.

“Why would you learn it?”

“I didn’t!”

“Bullshit!” Arthur swore, “bullshit, Merlin, I heard you. You said words—spells.”

“I had no choice! I was born with it; it was either learn to control it, or let it control me!”

“Merlin,” Arthur shook his head, and disappointment flashed in his eyes—there a second, gone in a heartbeat, “Sorcerers have to study to learn magic. It isn’t a born skill.”

“Do you think I wanted this?” Merlin snapped, still kneeling, “To live in fear, to know that if I were to show what I could do you would have me executed? Do you seriously think I learnt it? I would never betray you like that, Arthur, I love you too much to even consider it.”

Arthur turned away, his stony expression cracking for an instant before smoothing back over. He made to walk away and leave Merlin kneeling there, but not before he spoke the final words that broke Merlin’s heart; “Any other lies left to tell me?”

Arthur didn’t want to see him. As soon as they were back in Camelot, Arthur told him he had a day to finish up everything he had to do and leave. Instead of being executed, he was simply being banished—cleaner and far quieter; no need to involve more witnesses. It would be better for both of them, Arthur claimed, if he just left as though of his own accord.

Merlin nodded in false agreement and tried to hide the evidence of his heart shattering into pieces.

~~*~~*~~

Arthur both hated and missed Merlin. He’d thought he’d been beginning to finally count the younger as a friend, he’d thought that Merlin was someone he could always count on and trust. He should’ve known that it was too good to be true—he should’ve guessed that Merlin would betray him in the end.

“Arthur.” Arthur startled and turned to face his sister; she looked furious, and Arthur could’ve sworn he could physically feel her anger. “What’s this about you banishing Merlin?”

“Morgana—”

“No, Arthur,” Morgana snapped, eyes flashing, “What’s Merlin ever done to deserve this?”

“Morgana, the law is clear, he should technically be executed,” Morgana looked like she was about to interrupt, but Arthur ploughed on anyway, “banishment is mercy. It’s all I can do, Morgana, you’ll just have to live with that.”

Arthur stared past her; he’d made his decision, and he wasn’t going to change his mind. Morgana seemed to come to the same conclusion and she sneered at him.

“I’ll just have to live with that?” She asked, far calmer than when she had walked in, “I’ll survive, Arthur, but will you?”

“I wonder,” she opened the door and lingered slightly in the hall, “Arthur Pendragon, can you bring yourself to live without Merlin?”

Arthur closed his eyes as if that could block out his sister’s words.

~~*~~*~~

It took a total of three minutes for Arthur to get sick of George. The servant meant well, he truly did, but he was so formal. It was stifling, and after a week of sentences ending in Sire and perfect deference, Arthur missed Merlin more than he thought he would—try as he might, he just couldn’t change his love to hate overnight.

Love.

Arthur had never actually thought about how he felt for Merlin—he’d never had any true friends (Leon didn’t count, they hadn’t been close until the whole round table thing) let alone anything more, and he’d never recognised what Merlin was to him. Well, not until it was too late.

The knights of the round table hadn’t spoken to him except in increasingly formal tones since Merlin’s banishment, and every time he entered a room either Morgana or Gwen were in they left without a glance towards him. It left him lonelier than he’d ever felt.

Arthur stared at the papers in his hands. Taxes and finance were all well and good for the kingdom, but as a distraction they were hopeless.

His eyes instead fell on the last speech Merlin had written. For a peasant, Merlin’s handwriting was surprisingly neat, and he had a way with words that made Arthur jealous. For some reason, Arthur always kept the latest speech on his desk and when he couldn’t focus he reread the words Merlin wrote for him.

I wonder, Arthur Pendragon, can you live without Merlin?

Morgana’s words echoed in his mind and it was only then that he found the answer.

No.

~~*~~*~~

“Get up!” Arthur snapped at his sister. The round table stood behind him, bleary-eyed and dead on their feet. Morgana groaned, and beside her, Gwen groaned too. “Get up!—both of you—We’re getting Merlin back!”

Morgana sat up sharply, and her gaze fixed on Arthur’s, a predator fixated her prey. It had always been like that, Morgana being smarter, faster, better than Arthur. She knew where to strike to hit a person’s weak points, and she could dig into those points and tear.

“Finally figured it out, haven’t you, brother dearest?”

He nodded; “It’s time for a law change.”

“Well then,” she said, and her eyes burned a bright, magical amber, “what are we waiting for?”

~~*~~*~~

They found Merlin only an hour’s ride away from Camelot, in a small house that hadn’t been there a week before.

Arthur didn’t care to wonder how it was there, nor did he care to think over the way Morgana had led him straight to Merlin’s hideout—never-mind that Merlin clearly hadn’t ever left Camelot, despite his banishment.

“Merlin!” Arthur yelled, and Merlin flung open his door with an expression of stubborn fury.

“Shut up, Arthur,” Merlin snapped, “I know you’re here, and I know why.”

Arthur flushed, but his curiosity was piqued. “How?”

“Morgana told me,” Merlin answered, “but I want to hear it from you before I even consider coming back.”

Arthur took a few slow steps towards Merlin, and when Merlin didn’t run, he took a few more.

“Merlin,” Arthur’s voice broke, and it was so similar to how Merlin had said his name in that last conversation that Arthur felt his heart crack slightly. “Merlin, I’m so sorry.”

Merlin stared, his face a blank mask, “Arthur you banished me for something I had no choice in. You broke my heart with that, sorry doesn’t cut it.”

“I didn’t understand,” Arthur explained, “I was an idiot and a complete arse, and a—a clotpole. I didn’t understand because I had never been bothered to learn what was possible. I’m repealing the ban on magic, and I’m doing that because I didn’t understand because I didn’t know what I had until I lost it.”

Arthur paused for breath, and Merlin let him. “Until I lost you. I realised so much when you were gone, Merlin, I realised how much I love you. How much I need you by my side, even if we stay as friends.”

Merlin’s expression melted, and his eyes shone suspiciously. He surged forward, and Arthur wasn’t entirely sure which one of them initiated the soul-searing kiss, but neither backed down.

It was everything Arthur had ever dreamt of and more, because in his dreams there had been only nameless strangers, but here he had Merlin. Merlin, who kissed Arthur just as hard as Arthur kissed him. Merlin, who had stuck close to Camelot instead of going back to Ealdor.

The kiss sent shivers down his spine, and Arthur could’ve sworn he saw the heavens in Merlin. He loved this man so much, and he would gladly lay down his life, pass the crown over to Morgana if it meant he could spend just one more minute with Merlin.

“Will you, Merlin, allow me the pleasure of courting you?”

“Yes, Arthur,” Merlin answered, “but only if you try to understand and learn. You have to promise to listen and do your best to make this work.”

“I promise.”

[vylad243]

Morro and Harumi Headcanons.

Might include spoilers? Maybe? I don't know what you've seen.

There may or may not be over a hundred:

• Morro called Harumi 'Jade' instead of 'Princess'

• Harumi calls him 'Breeze' in return

• Morro and Harumi's friendship started because of their hatred of the FSM

• Morro helped reconnect Harumi with her parents when she died

• Morro braids Harumi's hair

• Harumi taught Morro how to dance

• Following a certain theory that I might post soon, Morro and Harumi visit Ninjago to make sure everyone is okay.

• Morro and Harumi greet the bounty every time her op ass dies

• Harumi likes to see how far she can step before she pisses Morro off

• Harumi tries to convince Morro and the FSM to fight all the time

• Harumi will use Morro as a "Date" for dances and parties and such whenever she gets the chance

• Harumi and Morro are constantly sassing each other

• Harumi likes Morro's elemental dragon and she tries to talk him into always having it out.

• Harumi once tried to get Morro to visit his parents in the departed realm but when he kept refusing she gave up, not wanting to push him.

• Morro once called Harumi his cousin and she freaked out, forgetting he was adopted by Wu, he hasn't done it since.

• Harumi called Morro 'Sour Green' once.

• It bothered Morro because there is a colour called 'Lime Green'

• Harumi will walk up to Morro with random rocks and ask him to identify if because he was once a miner and probably knew a lot about rocks

• Harumi found out Morro really like Amethysts and likes to say his favorite colour is purple, which he never denys 🤔

• Harumi likes to watch Morro's and the FSM's arguements and will occasionally eat popcorn during these

• Harumi is a bit afraid of how Powerful Morro is compared to the Ninja

• Morro showed Harumi all the best places in the departed realm and also showed her how to look upon other realms

• Harumi clings to Morro like a bat whenever they past the Great Devourer in the departed realm, the snake is surprisingly chill

• Morro has slight PDST from the cursed realm and Harumi feels useless whenever she watches him slightly freak out when it's mentioned

• Harumi learnt Morro likes hugs.

• She recently learnt only she can hug him.

• No matter how mad Morro gets at Harumi, he'll never let her suffer alone and will always be there when she needs someone

• Harumi hates that she can't help Morro in return though because he doesn't tell her anything, but she doesn't know that just her presence helps him

• Morro strongly recommends avoiding Harumi's adoptive parents in case they snap at her and he knows she's not emotionally prepared for that

• Harumi thinks Morro should get a service dog if they ever permanently stay in Ninjago

• He disagrees with her about that.

• Harumi and Morro get into alot of arguements about his safety once she found out he was actually allergic to a common metal found in alot in caves, hell if I know what it's called.

• Harumi feels like she's become a little too protective over Morro until she remembers the dumb shit he pulls

• Morro think that he's under protective of Harumi

• Morro tried his hardest to hide the fact he's half blind from her, the scar is so close to his eye, and how he moves his head, he feels like she already know, but she hasn't yelled at him yet so he's unsure (My headcanon hiiissssss)

• Harumi likes to call Morro 'Mini-god' and the Bounty 'Big God'

• It really gets him mad, but he loves her to much to say anything about it.

• Harumi likes Horror movies, but won't watch them, mention them, or talk about any near Morro because they scare him to no ends.

• It makes her really curious of what's in the Cursed Realm though.

• Morro likes puns.

• Harumi doesn't

• Morro can sing

• Harumi is mad he never does sing

• Morro can speak so many different languages it's ridiculous. He can speak Oni and Dragon too.

• Harumi want him to teach her, but she hasn't convinced him to yet. In reality she just wants to understand what he's saying half the time.

• Harumi and Morro insult each other every chance they get

• They don't do well separated

• English actually isn't his native language, he just learnt it at such a young age from Wu

• Morro is short and Harumi makes fun of it every chance she gets

• Harumi's favorite colour is actually yellow

• Harumi comes up with the craziest nicknames for him and he can't come up with any good ones, her personal favorite that he gave her was Onyx, but she really likes Jade too.

• Morro insults her in different languages

• Harumi doesnt like the second largest snake either

• Each time Harumi sees Morro cry she tries to cheer him up by saying "It's okay my life sucked too."

• He will passive aggressively say that she died when she was older then fourteen and she'll just hug him.

• Harumi and Morro's favorite spot is the waterfall in the departed realm despite Morro's anxiety with water

• Morro has heterochromia eyes, one green and the other is silver

• Harumi has pretty sky blue eyes

• Harumi and Morro like to insult Misko, the FSM, and Wu.

• They're both pretty socially awkward

• Harumi has tried to get Morro to tie back his hair

• Morro will stay up all night just to watch Harumi and make sure she's doing okay and not having any nightmares while she sleeps

• Harumi loves to sleep

• Harumi doesn't like fire to much, and ironically, Morro doesn't like water

• Harumi likes to lean against Morro

• They actually ignored each other's existence at first

• The first person Harumi saw in the departed realm was a childhood friend of her's

• The first person Morro saw was the FSM

• Yes they immediately got into an arguement

• Morro makes jokes about how Harumi took his plan, but little does he know his plan was the base to Harumi's plan, just different objectives, and outcomes, and boring stuff like that.

• Morro hates sleeping

• Harumi wonders if she would of been sent to the cursed realm despite redeeming herself, she also wonders that about Morro when he died again

• Morro hasn't told anyone that destroying the Cursed Realm was a stupid plan and that all realms use each other as pillars

• He also never said 'I told you so' when Djinjago was destroyed when the Cursed Realm fallen (Is that how you spell it)

• Harumi and Morro usually greet all those who pass into the departed.

• Morro has called the head writer in Cloud Kingdom stupid on multiple occasions

• Morro might be one of the only characters in Ninjago who doesn't have his destiny being written out by the people in Cloud Kingdom (I say this is a might, I'm not sure, but I'm sprinkling some theory juice in here)

• So technically he did prove destiny wrong since he gets to write his own now. (If the above is true)

• Harumi likes it when Morro does her hair

• Morro refuses to let Harumi touch his hair.

• Harumi is a bit jealous of Morro's powers, but that's only because she felt she could save her parents' life if she had them

• Morro would of most likely given Harumi his powers

• Harumi and Morro actually don't talk about Lloyd that much

• Harumi has tried to show Morro how technology works, but he's beyond that stuff.

• He thinks it's stupid, but doesnt care enough to turn back time to make technology never exist

• Morro actually finds a bit of pride being the first ever elemental master that was a villian, he thinks it's nice that it proves you don't have to become what others think you're going to be.

• Harumi thinks it's funny that Morro is kidna cheesy, but she excuses it because of his young age.

• Morro doesn't like being the youngest villian though

• Harumi thinks it's stupid that Wu puts so much pressure on kids

• Morro, despite having huge advantages against the ninja, liked to be fair and give then easier chances to beat him. (Like seriously, dude. You could of just phased through the FSM's shit. You didn't have to play by the rules)

• Harumi doesn't like The Overlord

• Morro questions how when The Overlord died he was sent to the departed realm instead of the Cursed Realm

• Morro never went to school and is purely self-taught, besides the things Wu taught him

• Harumi feel bad about everything she did

• Morro honestly couldn't care less about what he did

• Moror can play a guitar

• Harumi likes to visit Ninjago, she doesn't like how she has to hide everytime she does it though

• Harumi is afraid of what the FSM will do to her and Morro if they keep fighting with him

• Harumi really likes pearls

• Morro wanted to be a doctor when he was younger

• Harumi wanted to be like the Ninja until the Great Devourer Incident

• Morro made Harumi pet the Great Devourer once. He doesn't regret making her do that

• Morro's favorite flower is a lily

• Harumi's is either a Carnation or Devil's Paintbrush

• Morro is slightly irritated that the FSM made a giant snake that consumes everything in it's path and didn't take precautions to make sure it didn't do exactly what it did.

• Harumi will sometimes just agree with whatever Morro says

• Morro used to like the rain

• Harumi likes mysteries

• Morro once asked Harumi if her adoptive parents had kids, would the baby be the ruler because it's actual blood or if Harumi would because's she's the eldest and she was adopted at such a young age

• Harumi didn't know how to answer and said she believed the baby would

• Morro actually likes cuddles, he's just very selective

• Morro used to be friends with that Grundle he threw a stick at. He named it Honey.

• He never told Wu about his very dangerous pet

• Harumi likes sea creatures and the ocean. Again, mysteries

• Morro likes to read and used the read every chance he got

• Harumi asked Morro what it was like being Wu's student and he just pointed to the Great Devourer and walked away. She still doesn't know what that means

• Morro, despite accepting he's Wu's adoptive child, will fight anyone who says he's Wu's son.

• Harumi made one joke about how Morro should of used the water from his second death to help him survive his first death.

• He just responded with "That's not how boiling works"

• Morro likes to stargaze

• Harumi and Morro can both draw

• Harumi and Morro both don't like the idea of the other talking to other people, afraid they're gonna loose their best friend

• Harumi likes to pick grass from the Departed Realm and watch it fade away

• Harumi wants to learn how to play the piano

--------

And I'm gonna stop now, I need to save some hcs in case I need some more for later xD

[darkmindsthinktwistedthoughts]

Devil’s Temptation pt13

Warnings: Mob Styling Warlords, strong language

Masterlist

---

Chapter 13 – Unlawful Attraction

The repetitive sounds of machines beeping filled the private side room of the main city hospital. Small tubes and wires almost seemed to drip from every exposed inch of the old man laying on the bed. His skin was slightly ashen but nothing near what it was like when he was first brought in.

After a whirlwind surgical procedure to pull out the bullet lodged in his chest cavity. It was deemed advisable given his already poor health to keep him sedated until he was stronger to cope with everything. The suggested medical coma worked well for this impromptu plan. If you had just waited. If you hadn’t said that… this might never have happened. Although I should thank you old man. This should do perfectly.

Takahiro signed the papers and paid the bills. It was the least he could do for his bait. He sat with a serene look on his face as he watched the breathing machine puff up and down. It is so peaceful here. I wonder what it must be like to just lay there in dreamless sleep. The door to the room opened and Shin entered carrying a bottle of water that he must have brought with him from home given that it was not a brand stocked in the vending machines outside. I don’t know if you are seriously organised or just a little too OCD at times.

“He’s alive?” Shin looked over at the bed his face had a look of concern on it.

“Naturally. He still has a use after all.” Takahiro stood up and took the bottle of water from Shin’s unprotesting hand. Don’t worry so much and just trust me. I got this.

“You know you can be a real Shinigami?” Shin turned to him. His expressionless mask was back but only just. The worry was still behind his eyes. Small fleeting glimpses of it, but it was there.

“Does that repulse you?” Takahiro’s voice seemed to become thick like molasses as he spoke. His dark grey eyes moved closer. That hooded, heated gaze both thrilled Shin but at the same time, he was registering this situation to be distasteful.

Before he could protest the soft warm impact of Takahiro’s lips connecting to his had him rooted to the spot, his eyes fluttering shut. After a few seconds, cool air circulated over his lips telling him it was over and he opened his eyes to see Takahiro standing there a look of impish joy on his face, like a child that just got away with a prank. Takahiro cracked open the water bottle and drained half of it in one go.

“What do you want to do now?” Shin asked his voice a little shaken. Shin knew the consequences if this gamble didn’t work. He knew that this was not a well-constructed plan. He knew… he knew he would follow Takahiro into hell if that was where he was going. 

“Trying to tempt me? Oh, don’t make that face.” Takahiro chuckled at the glare Shin shot him. It wasn’t often he got to see a look with daggers to it. “Make a call. I’d say it’s time to go fishing.”

---

What was that? The gentle impact into his chest felt warm, and a faint smell of jasmine caught his attention. I know this smell.

“Mitsuhide?” A voice he never thought he’d hear emanated from near his chest causing him to look down to see with his own eyes that this was not some trick. There she was just as he remembered. Well perhaps not. Was she always this small? She’s been crying. He resisted the urge he had to bring his hand up to her cheek to get a better look at her face. I don’t deserve to touch you.

“[Name]? Whatever would a little mouse like you be doing here?” Mitsuhide quickly threw up a wall and backed away from her before he could wrap his arms around her.

“I wanted to see you.” She gave a faint nervous smile and his foolish heart thumped loud in his chest despite him telling it not too. Seriously? You, my dear, are extremely good at triggering responses. I don’t know what is worse. That you are able too or that I seem so ill-prepared with ways in which to stop you.

“You foolish girl. Haven’t you learnt that all I do is hurt people around me? Or maybe you like that?” Mitsuhide plastered his best condescending look on his face. His voice sounded mocking as if he was talking to something beneath him. It hurts. I’m sorry… I… you deserve better than this. Better than me.

“Stop it! I know you’re trying to push me away.” Her suddenly loud proclamation made his thoughts stall in wonder. “Mitsuhide I don’t think that that is all you do and I also don’t think you are being fair.” Her voice held such strong conviction it was for a moment as if he was looking into the eyes of some timeless oracle. She sees more than people think she does. Well played little mouse.

“Fairness is a luxury best saved for those pure-hearted little innocent things like you my dear. I am neither pure-hearted or innocent.” His face twisted at his own self-mockery. He was never one to host his own pity party. But that did not mean he was totally devoid of feelings. You really shouldn’t be near me.

“You don’t have to be.”

“What?” Her faint words sent him into a tailspin of emotions. What do you mean?

“Mitsuhide I…. I can’t forgive you.” [Name] stumbled clumsily through the words she wished to say. It was endearing in a way to watch the struggle she was having. Of course, you can’t how the hell would you?

“I never asked for you too.” His voice softened. Every part of his body was wanting to pull her to him and comfort her. The look on her face as she processed her thoughts, the fact she had so clearly been crying. The knowledge that some, if not all of that was caused by him. I just want to hold you and make it all go away. I know I have no right, it’s so very selfish of me to wish for it but… I do. And if I was given the chance to do just that… would I be able to let you go again?

“No, I know but…” [Name] took a step closer to him as if drawn by an invisible force to do so. “I can’t forgive you, but I can’t forget you either.” She turned her large deep blue eyes on him. They were sparkling with all of those trapped tears floating on the surface of that ever-swirling sea of emotion she kept within her. Gods… she’s beautiful. “Logically I know I shouldn’t care and I should leave and not look back. I know that. But I still can’t.”

“[Name]…” Mitsuhide felt the strength leave him as she reached out with her small, delicate hand and lightly touched his arm. I think my dear you might very well be the most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen.

“Please let me finish.” She retracted her fingers and returned her hand to her side. Fidgeting a little on the spot like a nervous child. Her eyes remained trained on him. “What you did I didn’t like, and I still don’t, but I also cannot say for sure if it was totally the wrong thing to do.”

“What?” Her words struck him to his core. She doesn’t think it was completely wrong? Why in all that is good in this world do you not blame me more? Scream, shout, hate me I��m used to that, all of it. Why? Why are you…

“We all have a past Mitsuhide. Ones we don’t talk about but they changed us at some point. I don’t think you are a bad man. I think what you did was out of concern for me and that is something a really bad guy would never consider when doing things right?” She was softness, warmth and light. So much light it was blinding in that instant he felt whatever hunger he had in him disappear. If it was possible to survive purely on how he felt in that moment right there he would gladly try. For her, he would try anything. This is dangerous…

“You give me too much credit my dear. I did what I did because it was the only option that would allow me to move on with my life without the hindrance of having to concern myself with…” He attempted again to steel himself. To put an edge to his tone and make himself as cold as ice.

“Stop!” [Name] grabbed his arm again without hesitation. “You’re lying.”

“Mm?!” He almost recoiled. But her small hand had such a tight grip on him that he couldn’t. She is so strong... after everything, she is still pushing forward. She took in a deep breath before exhaling. Her eyes danced over the hallway for a few moments before she closed them and continued speaking more calmly.

“You are lying Mitsuhide. Your smile is not reaching your eyes, your body language is set to mimic but it is not enough. I can’t forgive and forget but I’m wanting… No… I’m asking.” She paused, opening her eyes again she returned to looking directly into the eyes as if trying to read his soul. “Mitsuhide I want to try to understand you. I… I really…” She was drawing closer, or maybe he was. She felt so warm, just that one patch on his arm where she was gripping to him felt like he should suffer a burn. This is seriously a bad idea. And I am a total fool for not being able to push her away.

Standing there locked in a trance that was neither uncomfortable or painful it felt like the sands of time were falling slower. Every detail in that second was enhanced. The way her skin flushed by the faintest degree, her blonde eyelashes fluttering to cover and reveal those deep pools of blue. Her breath pushing its way out of her slightly gapped lips and brushing over him. She was so close…

“Mitsuhide!” The spell was broken and [Name] quickly backed up to put some space between them.

“To what do I owe this unexpected, poorly timed display of desperation?” Mitsuhide’s smile had a dangerous edge to it as he looked in the direction of their rapidly approaching interruption.

“I’m sorry, was I interrupting something?” Mitsunari almost skidded to a halt in front of them, looking between them with concern.

“No. whatever gave you that impression?” Mitsuhide maintained the smile whilst suppressing the desire to roll his eyes. [Name] gave him a light tap to his arm from beside him preventing continued teasing.

“Oh? Well if that is the case then I’m glad.” Mitsunari relaxed a little and smiled brightly. Oblivious to Mitsuhide’s mood. Ieyasu is right sarcasm is completely lost on you, isn’t it?

“What is it Mitsunari?” Mitsuhide asked after taking the offered note from the silver-haired bookworm and noticing the young man’s reluctance to leave whilst staring at [Name] with his violet eyes.

“I… I was just going to say that it’s nice to see you out of your room now Princess.” Mitsunari spoke with such honesty it was almost winding. If anyone in the group was an innocent it was him and damn if it didn’t show at times like this. I suppose some women might go for that type. Wait… would she?

“Thank you Mitsunari. I’m sorry about…” [Name] gave a small nervous laugh as she attempted to reply. No, that is a completely different reaction to an attraction. She’s trying too hard to be considerate. Mitsuhide remained quiet watching the two interact, analysing each twitch they made.

“No, no need to apologise. You were upset and I understand that. Your reaction was completely valid all things considered so please Princess there is no need to apologise to me.” Mitsunari smiled happily. I swear if you burst out and start singing a love ballad, I will take this note and hit you with it.

“You are as sweet as I remember Mitsunari. Thank you.”

“Not at all. Oh! Please excuse me I still have to give a report to Hideyoshi.” Mitsunari gave an awkward little bow as he quickly excused himself and left.

Mitsuhide opened the note and read the message. “Movement from the North has turned South – Main City Hospital.”

“Movement from the North?” [Name] had come close to him again leaning near his arm reading the same note.

“Esshu Industries my dear, I suppose something happened.” Mitsuhide spoke ignoring how his blood pressure spiked once more with her proximity.

“What?”

“If I knew that my dear, I would have no need for a network.” He chuckled as he glanced to his side at the inquisitive woman. “I’ll be stepping out for a while to check this.”

“I’m going too.” She spoke up as he went to move away.

“No!” He exclaimed as he spun on his heel and stared at her. Do you have any idea how reckless that would be?

“Why not? Why must I stay behind again?” She pushed and stepped towards him again. This was becoming a dance and dammit if it wasn’t one that he enjoyed on any other day but right now? No now was not the time.

“It is dangerous my dear.” He adjusted his tone to something softer that you might use to attempt to explain something rather difficult to a small child.

“I thought you said you had no idea what it was about.” She retorted petulantly.

“I don’t. Which is want makes this even more dangerous. I could be walking into something or nothing. To be completely honest with everything that is going on at present the former is much more likely and I cannot put you in that.” Mitsuhide was on the verge of considering pleading with her. The only thing preventing him was the idea that even if he did it would have no effect.

“Mitsuhide.” She took his hand in hers. She’s so warm. “I am sick and tired of being kept out of things I am involved in and not knowing anything of what is going on. I understand your concern and thank you for it.” Her eyes were searching him, it was like having someone running their fingers over the wrong side of your skin. Maybe this is how cats feel when you brush them the wrong way.

“If you wish to thank me you will stay here like a good girl while I go to work.” He spoke softly, almost in a seductively leading tone and placed his hand over hers, lowering his face towards her exposed neck.

“No.”

“Excuse me?” Her rejection made him loosen his grip on her hand and pull back. He began looking at her once more she was still the same still exactly as he remembered and yet. She’s learnt to play. And who taught you that move, my dear? I can’t say I mind it makes things more interesting after all but playtime is for much later.

“I am going. It’s dangerous no matter where I am. You can decide if I am going with or without you but I will be going Mitsuhide.” She removed her hand from him and began walking away towards the main entrance to the building. She really was going to leave with or without me? How very amusing. I had forgotten how stubborn you could be little one. How beautifully, frustrating…  

Mitsuhide smirked at the sight before stalking off in pursuit. Ok, my girl, you want to play? Let’s play….

---

[starsandsupernovae]

Not Caring

Summary: basically everyone’s coming back from a painful mission and Natasha’s just completely fine. Steve wants to know why. Cue Red Room era flashback and pain

“I don’t understand how you do it.” Steve said suddenly. The team was on the way back from a particularly harrowing mission, full of moral questions, questions to which there were no right answers only wrong ones they were forced to take, lives they were forced to take, and it showed the atmosphere was heavy, the entire team looking down at nothing or speaking in low tones. 

Except Natasha. Who was chewing gum and was playing -was that candy crush? on her phone.

“How I do what?” she looked up, her tone perfectly casual.

“Not give a damn.”

At this people tensed up, Clint sitting bolt upright, and next to Natasha, James opened his mouth, as though to object to Steve’s words, tossed at Natasha like daggers, but she deflected them with a shrug.

“I’m not sure what you mean. If it’s who I shot back there, you do realize that if I didn’t, the entire place would’ve gone up.”

“It’s not about who you shot, Romanoff.” He spat out, angry now, angry at her indifference, the way she just sat there, chewing her gum. “We’ve all shot, we’ve all killed people who maybe didn’t deserve it. But the rest of care. The rest of us, when we have to do morally questionable things, we question it! And maybe we need to put those feelings aside for the day for the act but afterwards we feel something. And today, when people have died, good people, we care about them! And you just sit there, playing on your damn phone! Every time something goes wrong, or we do something wrong, you don’t care! How do you do that?!” 

He hurled the words at her and these ones stuck, piercing through the shield she tried to always project around herself. She saw others trying to answer for her, they knew he wasn’t being fair, she didn’t owe him an answer for this. She shouldn’t answer this. But-

“How don’t I care?” she repeated, the quinjet going completely silent as she spoke.  “You sit there in your pretty red white and blue uniform, everyone in the world looking at you like a prince in shining armor, with all of SHIELD behind you, in your world of right and wrong, and you ask me how I don’t care?Are you sure you want to know? Because not caring isn’t something that comes easily. To really truly not care, that is something that’s learnt, over and over and over and over. It’s something you need to ask for. Do you want to know when I asked, Captain Rogers?”

Her voice was still low, but dangerously so, the low that warned people to stay away, the low that warned of the oncoming storm. The quiet that followed her statement was thick, heavy. Steve’s expression changed, as he subsided, realizing what he had said was out of line, but not taking it back now, not now that Natasha had started talking, telling them a story that he suddenly realized he didn’t really want to hear.

“I was young, a teenager, and it was an easy mission gone wrong” Natasha began. “A small peasant village in which the target was hiding. I don’t know why we had to kill him. I wasn’t given any information. Just a picture of his face and the knowledge that he had to die. I didn’t care. They weren’t even going to send me at first but there were rumors that he had protection. So they decided to add a black widow in training to the group, part of my training. When we came-” she dropped her gaze from Steve’s as she continued “Someone fucked up. They knew we were coming. We fought and they fell-they fell, one by one, blood seeping from the bodies, staining the pure white snow scarlet, as she fought, bodies of enemies and allies alike dropping down around her, screams ringing out in the cold clear air. She watched as innocent people got caught in the crossfire, their yells of anguish adding on to those in battle as they fell, more scarlet on white until the landscape was one of pure ruin and loss, until the screams of the dying faded into the crying of the surviving. Natalia had stood back from the man who crumpled away from her, her knife lodged in his neck, deep crimson liquid fountaining out. She surveyed the scene emotionless as she had been trained, walking over to each of the slain enemy bodies, lying limp, like so many broken dolls in the stained snow to make sure they were dead. She watched as the peasants ran and crawled to their fallen families, cries of anguish ringing out around her as their worse fears were confirmed but she continued on, following her training, pushing feelings aside, making sure there was no threat left. The dead outnumbered the living she had noted, with this casualty rate, after they had seen all they had, it was unlikely they would keep any of them alive, it was not an emotional realization, just a fact, like the cold of the snow, or the brightness of the sun illuminating the scene. She saw out of the corner of her eye one woman, shot in the stomach, bleeding out onto the frozen ground attended to by a small girl of no more then five years who was clutching to her in tears.“What is it they will do with the survivors?” the womans voice croaked out. She had gotten hold of a gun but Natalia, out of her range as she lay immobilized on the ground was unworried. She answered, not seeing why not to.

“There will be no survivors.” She paused considering. “The girl may be eligible for the Black Widow program. She would undergo the training and serve the Motherland as I do.” A look of pure pain crossed the woman’s face, whether from her words or from her wound, Natalia couldn’t discern. “She would be like you? Kill so many and feel so little? Live as a tool to be used? Less then human?” She turned slowly to her daughter, too young to understand all that was happening, too young to witness any of this at all, and something in Natalia stirred, remembering herself at that age, too young much too young to see what she had seen, to do what Natalia had done. She watched as, with difficulty the woman turned back to her daughter, staring her in the eye.“You know I love you, baby. I love you so so much.” The girl nodded, blinded by the tears that were streaming down her small face. “And I’m so sorry my child. I am so so sorry. But I love you too much to let them take you.” Natalia realized what was happening too late. She moved quickly, but not quickly enough, not nearly fast enough to reach them in time, to stop the woman bringing her hand up, to stop the shot ringing out, to stop the girl’s look of shock replacing that of blind trust, to stop that look freezing on her face forever as her body slumped down onto the snow, to stop the woman crying out as she did so, a cry that pierced even the Black Widow, a yell of pain, of anguish, but most of all resolve, that her daughter would not be taken as Natalia had, taken and tortured and trained. That she would not be the monster that her mother looked up at. And the Black Widow, the cold assassin in training fell to the ground tears of her own rolling down her cheeks. 

There was a horrified silence as she finished talking, still with the same tone, still with the same expression on her face, dull and emotionless. She smiled then, a terrible stretch of her lips, that couldn’t reach her eyes which were brought back up to Steve who looked away, unable to face her gaze in that moment.

“And then I went back to the Red Room. And I asked them, I begged them to teach me how not to care. Because caring hurt. And maybe you, Steven Rogers can deal with that hurt. But that little girl, the one who kept being torn apart and remade, the little girl who knew she would have to keep doing these things, who knew what she was being made to be, she couldn’t deal with that hurt. And so she asked to stop being hurt, to stop caring. Because she was little and she had been shot, and she had been stabbed, and she could deal with all of that. But this was too much. And so they were willing to teach and she was willing to learn and she tried, she tried so hard not to question, not to care. And maybe it worked. Maybe it didn’t. But she did learn how not to show anything at all. Not to anyone, not ever. And maybe she was wrong, because this little girl did a lot of things wrong. But that’s how I did it, Captain. That’s how I learnt not to care.”

The doors open then, no one had noticed them landing until she had finished speaking and the spell was broken as she stood and walked away, leaving the rest of them in silence behind her.

[grimoireoffolkloreandfairytales]

Perrault’s sleeping beauty is so good

1. Good fairy who saves dayplans on being last. The old one arrives on dinner and is muttering whole time so good one guesses what happens and decides to be last to give gift-she is genre savvy one. Or just knows she would have acted same way. SO SHE HIDES BEHIND CURTAIN, Flawless  disguise because forgotten fairy is Old and just wants to curse somebody.

2. Beauty is troll who after Prince comes into her room basically tells him ‘’what took you so long, do you know how long I have been waiting’’ with teasing smile.

3. Prince is stuttering mess who goes from kneeling before her sleeping form to launching cheesy awkward compliments.

4. She likes it and they talk for 4 hours until lady in waiting goes to tell them to get down because lunch is ready.

5. Beauty is much smoother talker because fairy gave her good dreams and apparently beauty got everything explained in them and probably spent decades preparing herself for day prince arrives.

6. Prince has to make big effort not to tell princess she dresses like his great-grandma. But she is beautiful, of course.

7. Everybody resumes their jobs after waking up.

8. Fairy apparently went around and touched everybody, even flies with her wand to put people to sleep and nobody stopped her? So either people really loved princess or fairy is martial artist who puts Flash at shame with her speed.

9. Also, she is responsible for thorns and briars around castle. Fairy godmothers are scariest creatures of fairy tale bunch. Think fae who almost completely get how humans work and are willing to exploit that to protect their charges.

10. King and queen are off for holiday while princess is in castle on fateful day and after she pricks finger they have to leave to rule kingdom (are her and prince relatives? Not that it would be weird for royals but given difficulties they had with conceiving one kid I think they just handed off duties to best friends which is much less icky).

11.Also they tried everything to get kid. Doctors, healers, pilgrimages, magic wells, name it nothing helped.

12. They conceived after queen got prophecy she will have daughter under year from FROG.

13. While bathing in lake. She is queen and she can’t get hot water but has to go to lake? What do poor do? Or she just has kink idk.

14.Also old fairy didn’t get invited because everybody thought she was dead.

15. Because she spent fifty years in some tower. Which sounds like good lifestyle to me and also what is 5 decades to a fairy? Some thought she may be enchanted which is valid I guess?

16. She arrives on dinner before gift giving but after christening and actually accepts explanation. She also shakes from spite while giving her gift.

17. She gets mad because other fairies got golden plates, goblets, forks and knives made of pure gold and decorated with rubies, diamonds and emeralds. AND THEY GOT BOX TO CARRY DINING SET IN. And of course box was gold and jewels too. But because old fairy was late they didn’t have box for her (even if king ordered one brought, but servants commisoned only seven) and she got best china which is nice but really pales in comparison.

18. Old fairy is lost for rest of tale. Old woman who keeps spinning wheel is just an lonely granny whom everybody forgot and lives up in tower and didn’t know about wheels because she is half-dead. Once princess pricks her finger she freaks out. She didn’t even know they had princess. Imagine finding out that information after you apparently murdered her.

19.King and queen carry princess to another tower and put her on bed of gold and silver. Their girl may be cursed but God help them if she doesn’t look great while she is at it.

20. Last fairy is brought news by means of dwarf in seven league boots who comes to tell her what happened. No idea what he was doing before or where he came from.

21. Fairy arrives from fairy land in FIERY CHARIOT DRAWN BY DRAGONS. Also kingdom is called Matakin and twelve thousand miles away from Princess’s.

22. King’s first action once he gets from shock is to rush and offer her hand to get out. Your daughter may be cursed and there may be dragons in your courtyard but he learnt lesson how you properly treat fairy godmother: with best manners ever.

23. Fairy puts everybody to sleep because she is aware princess will be afraid once  she wakes up in so different world ( fairy recognizing humans may be shocked by how world changed? and considering century long time? see what I meant by understanding humans). Plus this way princess has entirely loyal castle to defend her.

24. There is no dust or spiderwebs. She puts everybody to sleep. Fishes, rabbits, birds... and given she touched everybody with wand I just imagine fairy diving and catching spiders.

25. She puts fires to sleep aka extinguishes them. Don’t worry, they come back once everybody is awake so cooking can resume. Also princess has spaniel named Mopsey which slept by her side.

26. Given that food didn’t spoil and rot, that is either effect of time lock fairy put on castle... or she got all bacterias under spell too. Hey, she is dedicated, not out of character. And apparently she did everything in moment because ‘’ Fairies are not long in doing their business. ‘’ Eat your heart out Barry Allen.

27. In hundred years people tell so many stories about castle: it’s haunted, witches meet there each Friday, canniball ogre who is somehow capable of surviving thorns drags children back to castle...

28. In end only an old man remembers story because his dad told it to him 50 years ago.

29. Prince wants to go in because he desires adventure.

30. Princess got in mess because she was bored and explored castle so I would say they are good match.

31. Thorn hedge lets him pass but nobody else. Also it has tress bushes and every sort of plant life willing to protect princess.

32. Castle is creepy but hilarious? Because there is deadly silence but everybody is obviously asleep, even ones standing straight.

33. There is no creepy kiss. Hundred years just pass and magic ends.

34. There is creepiness from prince’s point of vies: princess’s beauty borders on divine, and upon sight of her he trembles and falls to his knees and when she awakens tries to explain that he loves her more than himself, and given this beauty is work of fairies I’m sure he is honest. Like, I’m sure they work it out and really fall in love and get to know each other but still...

35. It is interesting how we went from  prince being so awestruck that he trembles, kneels and would probably jump from window if she asked (and also being completely cute and awkward) to prince fighting his way through briars, killing enemies and kissing her while she sleeps. There is unhealthy focus on beauty and bit of objectification here but it is drastic change.

36. It seems to me that this version of prince isn’t as masculine and traditionally heroic knight as some others are.

37. Meanwhile everybody was dying of hunger. Because they weren’t in love.

38. Everybody is playing haunting music that’s been out of fashion hundred years.

39. They get married and chief lady of honor...draws curtains? What does that mean?

40. And prince is half ogre, but that is story for another time.

In short, this story is great and I need faithfull adaptation of it. Please give me my curious trollling princess and her cute, adorable husband who can go on for hours talking together and scarily competent slightly crazy fairy godmother

[stinkywriter]

SINFweek, day 6: POWER/KNOWLEDGE

I never wanted to be other than human. I was happy enough with the power words gave me, I was satisfied only thinking that apart from the world I live in, the only other that existed were the ones imagination created. But then, Doctor Dee arrived and told me I had the potential to make the things that lived in my head real for everyone. I could not resist. I wish I could say I was young and inexperienced, but I know I would've agreed in any moment of my life. Although the image if my characters walking around London that drove me to say «yes» never happened, I soon learnt that my abilities to visualise what I imagine brought me a considerable advantage in the creation magic art. John Dee wouldn’t believe I made so many creatures appear with such ease–even when that I was close to die of exhaustion and over-charging my aura in an almost daily basis. But I, however, was happy. The training bought me to a new view of the world, a view that I once felt lucky to know. I was passionate, and the doctor was proud. That is, until he found about the twins. See, knowing can hurt you—knowing can hurt even those who have made a way of life from it. John Dee, for an instance, was having a pretty good time in his life when everything began. He was working at home when I first happened, and even when I suddenly appeared one morning for breakfast after spending the night there, his wife was more amused than upset. I don't want to say I was another member of the family, because it's an unnecessary amount of pain given that I if had been uncle or brother to his children, he would've assasined his own nephew or grandson and forever condemned Judith to a life-long pain without her twin. I don't want to talk about a concerned and careful John Dee who was completely sure the twins would survive the process with no danger because they were my descending even if they were only eleven, but I have to say it, because I want to tell the truth. He was sure it was going to be just fine. That doesn't mean his actual intentions regarding the twins were as pure as he made me think. He easily convinced me that the sooner the better to start training in magic, and that there was a tradition to indeed make that start when the young future magician was eleven. I wasn't there when they were awakened. Dee arrived only hours after he had told me he would be back. Judith was holding to Dee's waistcoat, and she was walking inside his cloak. The Doctor was holding Hamnet against his chest. My son looked like a broken doll, his little head bended out so that I could see his face. He didn't look peaceful. The most powerful man I know couldn't do anything to save my baby boy. I lost a son, but after that, Dee lost his whole family. Not in the literal sense, of course, but now that I'm not blinded with pain, I can say it was much slower, more subtle and much more excruciating. He focused in no more than his work and studies again, and so, he couldn't see how his children grew up, he wasn't there aging with his wife. The only thing that changed for doctor John Dee in the rest of his pretended-mortal life was the effect of the spell that kept him aging in accordance with the years that had passed from his birth. That night, I lost a son, he lost his life. That night, we lost each other. That night, I learnt I couldn't handle all the worlds that existed. I learnt I couldn't even know them all. I learnt love goes before all curses, before all fights, before the greatest power, before the biggest knowledge.