#writer's block is rude

[avelnfear]

Chapter Eight

Masterlist

Talia wasn’t as cold as she was made out to be. Not in the depths of her heart, anyway. She couldn’t have been with her childhood friend that had kept her company, telling her tales of the outside world and showing her ways to win fights without showing her hand. Eventually, she’d understood how special her friend was, but even before then she’d been keeping her softer demeanor hidden. It would not do to show the League of Assassins or Father that she wasn’t as cold and unbothered as an Al Ghul should be.

Her friend featured in her dreams as often as in her waking moments, although the dreams were so different from what her life was like. It showed her in a very different environment, older, with a son, Father was long dead, and she was just meeting her friend for the first time as a grown woman. It showed her the consequences of her friend knowing their history too soon from the start, and anytime she was tempted to spill the beans about what she knew it was quick to remind her. The dreams were clearly not always in order and some details were hazy, but she was grateful for the valuable information they provided.

As was inevitable, her friend had to stop visiting for a period of time due to the rules of time travel and all that. She didn’t look for them, knowing that she’d find them again when the time was right. Father never found out about her friend, although he was suspicious for a little while about what she was hiding until she threw him off the scent with a more feasible “secret” than a time traveling friend from other lives. On the outside, she shouldn’t have had the level of experience needed to lie to Father, but, on the inside, she knew how because she’d lived longer than him.

All this rushed through her head in seconds as one of her people knelt before her. She hummed lightly to let him know that she wasn’t upset, merely thoughtful, and his relaxation only proved to her that this was the right way to lead. Leading through kindness and respect rather than fear and respect. The information was so much more free this way, and the loyalty was even stronger. 

“You did well Simon.” She practically purred the words as a plan with several contingencies sprung to the front of her mind. “Keep watch as you have done for so long and don’t worry about interfering just yet. Everything will work out. Report back to me when the day is set for that man’s plan, and remember Plan Ouroboros.” She nodded her dismissal, and the nod was returned as Simon retreated to his post.

Talia settled onto the ground with her legs crossed and her hands resting on her knees. She let her eyes close, extending her awareness to make sure she was still alone in the room while she descended into thought. It would not be wise to let down her guard even in her own room at the heart of a stronghold that belonged to Father. She needed to be careful, now just as much as ever and maybe even more than usual.

This situation was truly one that she could never have dreamed of, even when she’d discovered that she was not alone in her memories with the arrival of her precious child, her shining star. He’d kept it fairly under wraps, enough that no one who didn’t know what he should be acting like wouldn’t pick up on it, but she picked up on it, responding by nurturing him the slightest bit more in whatever way she could.

It’s not to say that she didn’t hope for her and her child to reunite with the friend they both knew, no, Talia had always hoped that such a situation would happen. She just didn’t think it would be so… perfect. The friend was currently away, there was no evidence of anyone else remembering anything, and she was currently in a position where taking over the League, with her friend and Plan Ouroboros to help, would go off without too many issues in most scenarios. It was absolutely wonderful, almost as wonderful as the faces of her loved ones as they realized just who she actually was and who she stood with.

That thought led her to think about Bruce, her Beloved. At first, she’d thought what they’d had was true love, but now, through the lenses of hindsight, she knew that it was true love, in a different way then her first imaginings. Bruce was her Beloved Brother, which made it a little weird when she remembered he was the Father of her precious child, but she dealt with those feelings as they came. Choosing to ignore them most of the time, like right now for instance.

Talia wondered how her other precious child was doing. It had broken her heart to have to curse him to deal with the side effect of the way she brought his mind back, but she knew it was a necessary part of his character going forward. She’d not tried to manipulate him nearly as much nor in the same direction as previously, but she still knew he’d done some heavy things that he’d surely regret, again. She hoped that one day he would see her as the maternal figure she’d hoped to be.

Her friend was going to absolutely tear Father apart, but that wouldn’t be beneficial. No, to truly make the amount of impact while maintaining the distance they wanted, she’d have to be the one to face Father. Which meant that she’d finally be able to show her friend the fruits of her labor combined with the genius of their training. It would only make the shocked faces of her loved ones even more amusing and entertaining. It would single handedly prove that she was correct to hide cameras all over the League’s bases, aside from all the obvious information gathering opportunities.

Talia was starting to grow restless, itching for a weapon in her hand or something to do, somewhere to move, but that was not what this exercise was for. She already had great self control, but there would never be any harm in making sure to hone that particular skill. Out of spite towards herself, she emptied her head of thoughts for the next two hours.

A knock at her door pulled her out of her thoughts, it appeared that it was time to go on a mission, and, judging by the breathing pattern and the depth of said breathing outside her door, it was one of Father’s minions and it was urgent. This was likely the mission to go and set up the structure that would be used to kidnap the Bats and the Birds, how amusing.

Standing and wiping any and all signs of emotion from her face, she made towards the door, this would prove to be very interesting, no matter how the cards fell.

~`~`~

Elle stared at her sleeping original, at her ma. They’d talked to Ghost Writer who’d told them that he’d do some research yet promised no results. She’d read between the lines to see that Ghost Writer just wanted a good story with plenty of suspense this time around. Danny had been mildly annoyed at the prospect of waiting, which she understood given what case they were looking for the answers to, but he hadn’t gotten too angry, meaning there must still be time or hope left. Clockwork had worked Danny till he was ready to drop, and even sleeping as much as he had didn’t fully get rid of the exhaustion.

Her thoughts were a mess because of the excitement-anxiety-happy-belonging that churned in her core due to the upcoming chance to live with Danny. She knew that she’d have to watch her behavior in order to not accidentally incriminate her beloved template to any of their precious bats, but she could, no, she would do it. Elle wanted so badly for all of them to remember, to know what all they’d been through together, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

She hoped that there wouldn’t be too many misunderstandings with her around. She’d only been speaking in Ghost Speak for a couple of years now, and it never really translated all that well into simple conversations in mortal languages. Elle had been exploring the Realms for those years, only using mortal languages again when she needed to go on missions now and then to keep Danny safe. 

Putting that thought from her mind, she curled around her original once again, basking in the complete sense of safety that they were giving off. Things would be okay as long as she always had her wonderful parent to come back to. She just hoped, prayed and desired for her Pops to wake up, or his memories to at least. She wasn’t sure just how stable her original would remain without him by their side.

~`~`~

Jason had slept until just an hour before Danny returned, and he was now standing outside of their door, building up the courage to knock. He didn’t know why it was so difficult, it was just Danny after all, but something was telling him that knocking on the door would change a great many things. It seemed nonsensical at best to assume that something so simple could truly change so much, but Jason hadn’t gotten this far by ignoring his instincts.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock, only for the door to swing open and an unfamiliar girl to look up at him, blinking slightly in shock. A wide, teasing grin swept over her face as she leaned back to face further into Danny’s apartment and called out, “Ma!! Tall, Dark and Handsome is here to see you!!” Jason flushed at the words. What?! 

Did Danny have a girlfriend? Who? Why hadn’t they told him beforehand? Had Danny moved or gone missing? Who was this strange girl standing in the doorway? Why did she seem to recognize him? What was the nickname for? Why-? What-? Huh-? He could swear his brain was shutting down because his vision was going all weird and he could hear a strange humming that seemed to bubble in volume.

“-ason. Jason. Jason!” He suddenly became aware of the fact that he was laying on Danny’s ridiculously comfortable couch while Danny’s face swam into view in front of him. “Can you see me, Jason? Do I need to give you the same treatment I gave Tim?”

Jason flinched at the idea of being slapped like that, it had sounded like it really hurt. “No, no, I’m… good, I think. Um.” Why was Jason fumbling on this so hard? There was no real explanation for it.

“Ma!” The word was extended teasingly from someone out of sight, the voice was gleeful and reminded Jason of the girl who’d opened the door. “Is Tin Can awake and aware yet?”

Tin Can? Wait, did she know who he was? Who was- 

“Danielle Helene Rhea Nightingale, you stop teasing our guest right this instant.” Danny’s voice cracked like a whip with all the intensity of one of Alfred’s commands. He was glaring at someone behind Jason, and the fire in his eyes captivated Jason. It was so intense and so breathtaking and- he stopped the train of thought right in its tracks before it became a train wreck and got himself slapped.

“Sorry Ma.” It was the sort of dragged out apology done by someone who’d been reprimanded about this very thing far too many times. “I’ll be good.” The girl walked around the couch and into his sight, looking properly chastised. 

“Why does she call you Ma?” It took a second for Jason to recognize that he was the one who asked the question. The other two were looking at each other by the time he did, having a silent conversation that Jason couldn’t understand.

Danny sighed. “We come from a place that often uses a language that doesn’t translate well into any language that I know of. It’s a small town on Earth with a lot of immigrants that taught me their language. Elle here is my adopted child, and she used only that language for a couple of years. Old habits die hard and all that. The actual translation, before you ask, is a little bit close to something like: the parental figure who primarily looks after emotional needs that is there for their child in any time they are needed. English translates that to Mother and all the variations of it due to the supposed gender roles enforced by the history of the language and other stuff like that. She also tends to call me Pa or Da as well, but she’s been calling me Ma since I agreed to let her come live with me full time now that I have a safe space.”

The girl, Elle, nodded behind Danny, affirming what they were saying. “Yeah! I might have some weird stuff that I say sometimes, but I’ll always try to elaborate if it’s brought up that there’s a misunderstanding!” She beamed at him with a massive smile that lit up the room better than the lights were.

“Oh… That makes sense. What does the language sound like?” He felt his head tilt, internally cursing the fact that he’d started to copy a couple of Danny’s mannerisms, his brothers would never let him live that down.

Elle and Danny shared another series of looks that Jason couldn’t translate. “Are you sure you want to know? It’s not very… human in nature.” Elle seemed almost, afraid? concerned? conflicted?, one of those three or maybe all about the answer she would receive.

“I gathered as much from the translation and how you two are dancing around the subject. If you don’t want to share with me, then don���t, I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. You’re someone Danny cares about, so you’re someone I care about.” He tried to smile to show more emotion than his voice was giving off, but he didn’t think it worked because Elle looked close to tears.

“It’s your decision Little Rocket, you decide. I’m not quite comfortable speaking in that language right now, so it’s all up to you.” Danny was more gentle and soft in voice and face and behavior than Jason had ever seen, and it made him fall more for him. Wait-

“Okay then, here goes!” She opened her mouth and made some sort of noise that sounded like sunlight filtering through water on a warm and sunny day mixed with the feeling of lots of clouds covering the sun while simultaneously feeling like watching the stars on a windy night while on a tall perch covered in the warm sensation of knowing where you’re going, who you’re going to, and how far you’re willing to go to get there over the rippling view of watching light bend at a molecular level all spiraling with the distinct flavour of peppermint and spearmint combined. It was an odd sound, but it wasn’t one he hated. The strange flavour was something he could do without, but the overall sound gave him an odd sense of peace-joy-mine. It was beautiful.

Looking over at Danny, Jason saw the sheer look of pride on their face, and it just made Jason fall even farther. He could admit it, to himself if no one else, that he’d fallen for his gorgeous neighbor with the wonderful fighting skills, mysterious past, good cooking skills, and the beautiful behavior around children. They were stunning, marvelous, funny, and loyal. He had always been able to feel something in his chest screaming in joy every time he was around his wonderful neighbor, but he’d ignored it before now.

~`~`~

Talia smiled darkly as she went over the plans her people had leaked to her about Father’s plan. It was wonderfully stupid, leaving her plenty of room to separate her precious child from the group to keep him away from the devastation and destruction that would surely be wrought upon the League when this plan went through. She checked the date for the kidnapping against the schedule in her mind, causing her smile to grow in darkness and size. Yes, that date would be perfect for the maximum destruction of Father’s ways.

She composed herself before turning back to Simon, who’d brought her the wonderful news. “Wait until the prisoners are with Father and you will not be missed before activating Plan Ouroboros. Alert the others. Thank you for bringing this to my attention and following my orders.” She received a simple nod as Simon headed out, but she considered that enough, knowing that her orders would be spread among all of her followers.

Turning, she walked deeper into her quarters. There was a small window of time for her to prepare everything that she would need to make Father’s devastating plan immediately backfire, but she was still confident that it would happen. All she needed to do was finally reach out to an old friend of hers as soon as Ra’s decided where he was going to imprison their loved ones. Truly, nothing could be as wonderful or exciting as this. Then again, her friend always was one prone to surprising things. Oh how interesting this was turning out to be.

~`~`~

Ra’s Al Ghul was excited. Everything was proceeding according to plan. Finally, he would have all the tools necessary to rule the world for all of eternity. All that was left was a little kidnapping, a little torture, and a little bit of breaking a civilian with wonderful connects, and he would have what was rightfully his. He couldn’t wait.

Taglist: @blacksea21090 @chrysanthemum9484 @samgirl98 @may-rbi @justwannaseesomebrozawa @serasvictoria02 @treepainting @fluffykster @enderglace @sigdexae @persephoneblackrose @angelofsongsoteira @lazy-bouqet @littlefeather345 @icedbluesoul @autumnwulf @thefearfullone @alixanterm @skulld3mort-1fan @dulceringo @vidimirrayne @betinaplayingwriter @the-legal-shipper @currant-owo @crystalqueertea @fisticuffsatapplebees @bugaboo25 @dannyphantomphan @botwadtict @kyrianclawraith @mnemovoid @lyra689 @demiourgias @d4ydr34min9 @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @emeraldcorpral @bobred18 @emergentpanda-blog @apointlessbox @pastalavistamf @v-inari @shadow-otaku20 @hellomygay 

[eywaseclipse]

Because fatherhood looks good on you Jake💙🥹

[shukruut]

???

[b1mbodoll]

i’m so obsessed with the thought of a threesome with hybrid!jake and hybrid!heeseung, like they both are in heat fighting over who owns me by trying knot in me first. ( PLEASE ELABORATE IN THIS IDEA)

hihi! first of all, please do not tell me to elaborate on an idea (especially in all caps)!!! sorry, but i struggle with tone comprehension and with a lack of tone tags this seems very demanding and pushy and i don’t like it T_T i will elaborate on an idea if i want to, and a demand doesn’t really make me feel like writing for it because if you can’t be bothered to take the time to be kind when asking, why should i take my time writing a full drabble?

second of all, i do like this idea but what kind of hybrids? i know you included knotting but i cant be expected to know what type of hybrids you’d like me to write about (if i decide to write for this)

[lesbiradshaw]

do not leave numbered ratings in the notes of your public bookmarks on ao3. this is not fucking goodreads 😭

[alwaysxlarrie]

sooo even tho i have an outline & louis simply existing, i’m still struggling w a lil writers block w my cult leader louis fic :/ i’m blaming starting a new job this month making me behind on everything fandom-related lol. anyway! thought i’d post a snippet to get back into the flow again (if anyone has any cult leader louis inspo, pls send it my way !!!)

‘Raising an eyebrow, Louis keeps his hands clasped together in front of himself with casual confidence —— a complete contrast to Harry’s hands timidly interlocked with each other behind himself. “Sorry, love, you’ll have to refresh my memory.”

Harry shouldn’t be disappointed. It’s not abnormal for someone giving a speech to not remember every interaction they’ve had with each person in the audience. He shouldn’t feel let down; shouldn’t feel a thick cloud of dread, heavy as a boulder, spreading throughout his body. He shouldn’t feel an overwhelming urge throw a tantrum, to make Louis remember him, to set himself apart from everyone else.

There would be nothing wrong with wanting Louis to remember him —— if it was about his excitement for the organization or the music. But that’s not why he wants to set himself apart from everyone else.

“Oh, uh. Sure, yeah...” Clearing his throat, he prays to the universe and God and anyone else listening to not let his face flush with a burning red blush for what he’s about to say. “When I—um—wolf whistled?”

“Wolf whistled?”

If nothing else, Harry can bask in the glory of getting rid of the interested-out-of-politeness-and-networking look Louis’ been sporting with the other students; at least he looks genuinely amused now. Harry’ll worry about the potential cons later.

He refuses to let himself visibly squirm, but there’s nothing he can do about the sheepish expression he’s undoubtedly sporting now. Sheepish and blushing —— fuck, he is not doing himself any favors with selling himself. “Yes. And, well. The thumbs up?”

Louis hums, stroking his chin with his palm, like he’s trying to remember. A few moments that feel like hours go by; Harry has to physically bite back the urge to keep talking, to see what else he can say or do to make Louis to remember him. But finally, a mischievous sparkle appears in his eyes as he nods and quirks an eyebrow —— such a simple facial expression and yet Harry has to fight off the urge to whimper at the sight. “Ah, yes. The eyebrow wiggling and wolf whistling.”

Harry tries to smile but it likely looks like a grimace instead. “Yeah, that was. Uh. That was me.”

Chuckling, Louis smiles at him -- a good sign, hopefully -- but he still can’t help but feel like it looks like a smile he’d give a puppy. Harry can’t decide if that’s good or not —— maybe Louis finds him cute and charming but maybe he’s just humoring him out of pity —— but regardless, smile is a smile. He’ll take it.

“I know, sweetheart. Just wanted to see how far you’d go to remind me. You’re persistent and dedicated. I like that -- two very important qualities in our line of work.”’

tagging @kingonafiftymetreroad @greenblueish @twopoppies @allwaswell16 @momrryrights @zanniscaramouche @jacaranda-bloom @homosociallyyours @infinitelymint @itsnotreal @crinkle-eyed-boo @beelou @lululawrence @disgruntledkittenface & anyone else who wants to post something !!

[oakgreenoak]

[setokaibapetty]

Monday's Muse: Writing Prompt

You can't just invite yourself on someone else's revenge quest!

[rise-my-angel]

.

[hopelessromanfic]

bro i got kicked off my family’s netflix right after i finished season 3 of my rewatch

[snowywanderer]

Your Story as Only I Remember It

Pairing: Wanderer/Kazuha, very vaguely (pre-relationship)

Words: 1731

Warnings: vague mentions of the crimes Wanderer committed

Description: The Wanderer is sent to Port Ormos at the same time the Crux fleet are docked there. One Kaedehara Kazuha happens to be a member of the crew, and the Wanderer gets an opportunity to tell the truth about the Raiden Gokaden.

—

When he had accepted his past actions, the Wanderer hadn’t expected it would lead to running errands for Lesser Lord Kusanali. While he is less than thrilled to be subservient to another god, he can at least say she seems more tolerable than the others. Not that that’s exactly a high bar.

He still wonders why exactly he needs to be the one to go to Port Ormos. Lesser Lord Kusanali simply said she didn’t want to spread alarm, but he knows in the past she’s just told her people to treat her like one of them.

A man bumps into the Wanderer as he walks. He bumps back harder, which earns him a glare. The man acts like he isn’t afraid at all, which makes his blood boil.

Ah. That’s right. Back in Snezhnaya, all knew his name and all feared him. Here in Port Ormos, he is simply another man. He has yet to decide if it’s a good thing or not.

The end of his trip brings him to the docks. It’s been centuries since he had to people-watch out of necessity, but he finds himself delaying his return trip to observe the crowd. He ducks as far out of the way as he can. Still, no one looks at him twice.

Many passersby rush with panicked looks on their faces, though some stroll slowly without a care in the world. Children duck between the legs of sailors and merchants, A sharp voice draws his attention to a particular ship where a tall lady in red barks orders to her crew. Something compels him to pay special attention to them.

For the most part, they are dressed in clothing indicative of their home nation of Liyue. As they move, though, he sees one is dressed in Inazuman clothing. Said person turns towards him for just a moment, their eyes meeting for barely a second. Something about him is…

“Niwa?” The name leaves his mouth, albeit quietly, before he can think. How can that be possible?

The Wanderer closes his eyes for a moment and shakes his head. Now that he looks again, he sees the man has lighter hair and dresses somewhat differently. Still, the red streak in his hair and his facial features tell the Wanderer all he needs to know.

He turns away and leaves Kaedehara Kazuha behind as fast as he can.

—

“Who would’ve guessed the God of Wisdom had such a wonderful sense of humor?”

“You’re back.”

“Were you expecting me not to return? I don’t think I had much of a choice.” The Wanderer sighs and meets Lesser Lord Kusanali’s gaze. “Tell me, why did you really send me to Port Ormos?”

“I can sense lying to you here would be a bad move. I am aware the Crux Fleet is currently docked there, but they won’t be for long.”

The Wanderer’s eyes widen. “You… want me to seek him out?”

Lesser Lord Kusanali nods. “Yes. You told the Traveler you wished to let the descendants of the Raiden Gokaden know the truth. Here’s your chance.”

The Wanderer isn’t sure he can bring himself to even look at Niwa’s descendant, but he can’t argue. She’s right.

“Fine. I’ll head back out tomorrow.”

“Good.”

—

The Wanderer finds himself once more in a sea of people who don’t know who he is, and who don’t care to find out. As far as they’re concerned, he is a human. He still isn’t sure if that’s a good thing.

The ship comes into view once more, but Kaedehara Kazuha is nowhere to be seen. His patience begins to run thin after only a few minutes. With a sigh, he turns around and walks off.

The Wanderer doesn’t see the slightest hint of red clothing as he walks through the crowds. Before long, he’s walked far enough to have left the city entirely. He rolls his eyes and lifts himself onto a nearby cliff using Anemo energy. Maybe from a higher vantage point he’ll see… something.

Huh? He hears a faint tune. Is someone else nearby? His feet carry him towards the sound before he can think.

The source of the music turns out to be a man in Inazuman clothing with a red streak in his hair and an Anemo vision resting against his back. It’s the very man he’s been looking for. The Wanderer just stands and watches him for a moment.

The song ends, and the Wanderer realizes he was somehow playing music on a leaf. Before he can question anything, Kazuha turns back to him.

“Do you need something?”

“You’re Kaedehara Kazuha.”

“Do the tales of my feat even reach across the sea? I must say, the rumors have long since removed themselves from reality.”

“Rumors?”

“The people of Inazuma bore witness to an act they deemed impossible, and many a tall tale has sprung up as a result. I simply saw blocking the Musou no Hitotachi as necessary, and don’t care for the fame it brought about.”

As much as he’d like to ask more about facing Beelzebul head on, the Wanderer senses he shouldn’t. He can’t do that to a descendant of his old friend. The more he thinks about it, the more Kazuha’s speaking style reminds him of Niwa. They are different, sure, but there is much overlap.

“You didn’t come to speak of that, though, did you?” Kazuha breaks the silence. “I apologize for being presumptuous. First, what is your name?”

“I’m afraid I don’t really have one. I am simply a wanderer, and most call me such. Really, I’m fine with just about anything.”

Kazuha gestures for the Wanderer to sit next to him. He does, with a sort of awkwardness he hasn’t felt since he was the Kabukimono.

How is he meant to bring up what he actually wishes to discuss? Does he build up to it, or just come out with it? Which would hurt less, and why does he care about whether he hurts Kazuha?

“What were you wishing to talk to me about, Wanderer?”

The Wanderer averts his gaze. “I guess I’ve been curious about you since the Traveler mentioned you.”

It’s true, but it’s not what he wanted to say. He knows he should probably just get it out already, but some strange part of him wants to get to know Kazuha better.

“Curious?”

“We are both wanderers from Inazuma, and we bear the same vision.”

“Yours is the the style of Sumeru. Did you obtain it here?”

One could say that, the Wanderer thinks.

“Yes; as a matter of fact I received it only very recently.”

Kazuha does not pry further, and the Wanderer is grateful. It’s been a long time since he’s had a conversation with someone without feeling like they want something from him. He wants to bask in the moment a little longer.

It all happens in an instant. Kazuha shifts his legs and for a moment they brush against the Wanderer’s, and the latter panics. He pulls away quickly, as if burned, and words pour out of his mouth before he can stop them.

“I’m responsible for the downfall of your bloodline.”

He didn’t mean to say it. Well, he did, but not like that.

Kazuha looks shocked, reasonably so. “Huh?”

“I’m—“

“I know what you said, but… those responsible for my clan’s decline were caught long ago.”

“This… is going to take some explaining.”

Explain the Wanderer does. He talks about his days living with Niwa and the others at Tatarasuna, the Doctor’s interference, the way he sabotaged the Raiden Gokaden, the dark path he took as a Harbinger, and his attempt to erase himself from the world which resulted in history being altered. Kazuha listens attentively.

“You tell a version of events I am unfamiliar with. And yet, I can sense you are not lying.”

How can Kazuha sound so calm? Doesn’t he hate the Wanderer? Why isn’t he furious? Why doesn’t he pull out his blade and finish him off right here and now?

“I have come to terms with what happened to my family. I enjoy wandering, and find it difficult to imagine settling down anywhere. Your actions resulted in many positive experiences for me.”

The Wanderer’s eyes widen. How could anyone see anything he’s done as good? How can Kazuha hear of the atrocities he’s committed and still feel calm?

“I cannot ignore the amount of suffering you have caused for others. Yet, you tried to erase the wrongs you have done. You didn’t have to tell me the truth, but you did.”

“What does that mean? Where does that leave me?” The Wanderer’s voice shakes as he speaks.

“I do not know, nor do I think it is up to me to say. Thank you for letting me know.”

Kazuha lifts himself up with Anemo energy, and drops down the cliff. The Wanderer looks helplessly after him, but does not follow. He watches as the red clothes fade into the distance, and stays rooted on the spot until he can no longer see them.

The Wanderer shakes his head, turns around, and heads back towards the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

—

“I suppose you must have found him?”

The Wanderer barely nods in response.

“You don’t seem happy about it.”

“Kazuha is not Niwa, yet it’s clear they are related. Perhaps in another time, under different circumstances, I could befriend him as well.”

If Lesser Lord Kusanali notices the change in his temperament, and he’s sure she does, she says nothing about it.

“What’s stopping you now?”

“I have done far too much harm to him for him to forgive me.” He deserves to surround himself with people better than me, the Wanderer can’t bring himself to say.

“Does he have to fully forgive you in order to befriend you?”

He stares at the archon for a moment. “I doubt there are many who could find themselves chatting idly with someone who ruined their life.”

“If that is your answer, I will not ask you to chase him down again.”

—

The Alcor departs from Port Ormos not long after. The Wanderer is sure of this, but he is not around to watch it leave. He wonders, briefly, how long it will take for it to return. When it does, will he bump into Kazuha again? The Wanderer, once again, isn’t sure which option he’d prefer.

[bitletsanddrabbles]

Modern AMEW

Not today, writer's block! I'mma write a THING even if it is stupid and short and just exists to say I wrote a THING!

-

"Mama, I can't find the kittens," George pouted, looking under the sofa.

Mary sighed. Sybbie had wanted a kitten, so for her birthday Tom had taken her to see Mr. Mason whose cat had just had a litter. Of course George and Marigold had come along and by the time the birthday girl had selected her new pet, the others had fallen in love with two of it's litter mates. Fortunately Marigold's kitten went with her back to Brancaster, but given that it was a litter of four, none of the children could abide the idea of the last kitten being left all alone, so it had been taken for Caroline, even though she was too young to care. It had all gone well enough, so far, but George was having problems with the notion that kittens, unlike toys, could move and therefore wouldn't always be there when you wanted them. "They've probably fallen asleep somewhere, Georgie, and you should let them be. Kittens need to play, but they also need a lot of sleep."

The boy sighed, but obediently stood and nodded. At least he was old enough to understand things the first time he was told.

Mary smiled and ruffled his hair. "I'm sure they'll turn up. Why don't you see if your father has time to play a bit of cricket? He normally has a bit of free time about now. And speaking of finding things, I need to find Thomas. We were going to do the roof inspection today."

"Alright, Mama!" Apparently concern for the missing kittens was easily overruled by the possibility of maybe hitting the ball this time. He was getting better at it. He started to run out of the room, then immediately checked himself to a fast walk, apparently remembering the rules about running in the house.

Mary watched him go with fond pride, then, checking her watch, went in search of her third butler. They'd agreed that three o'clock would be the best time for the inspection, so it was odd that Thomas wasn't already there. Although he had his faults (although he'd grown out of the worst of them, thankfully), he was normally Johnny on the spot when it came to punctuality. He wasn't in the office. Thinking that perhaps he'd gotten talking and lost track of time, she checked the staff break room, but he wasn't there. Andrew was there, though, so she asked him.

"Last I knew he was going to the library, m'lady," the young man replied. "There was something he wanted to look over for the event tomorrow."

'The event' was Edith giving a reading from her most recent book. It was being held at Downton rather than Brancaster because the book was set in Yorkshire...and, Mary was quite certain, because her sister wanted to drive her insane. Really, she wasn't always popping up to hold events at Edith's house! Still, that wasn't Andrew's problem. With a nod and a word of thanks, she turned and headed to the library.

As she walked through the door, Mary immediately spotted Thomas sitting on one of the sofas. "There you are. I've been wait-" she stopped, her notice moving beyond 'butler' and 'sofa' to take in the entirety of his situation. She sighed. "Oh. Oh dear."

Thomas gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry. I sat down." He grimaced. "In my defense, my shoe had come untied and I just meant to lace it up, but before I was done the grey one got me and...well."

"Yes, I see." Mary looked at the butler, firmly pinned in place by a small pile of fur in his lap. If you knew the colours you were looking for, you could pick out all three kittens - grey, black, and multi-coloured. They were clearly all asleep.

Thomas simply looked at her. She'd never seen the man look so helpless in her life.

After a moment of debate, she did the only thing she could do under the circumstances. Shaking her head, she sighed and looked at the mantle clock. "I suppose we can do the inspection a bit later. They're kittens, they can't sleep that long." She gave the butler a smile that was probably more confident than she felt.

"I'd think not," Thomas replied, although he didn't sound as certain.

"Right then, aim for four?"

[millllenniawrites]

btw if you’re leaving nasty comments on other writers’ fics, I’m gonna block you. I don’t care if I’m friends with that writer. I don’t care if we write for the same characters. we are fic writers. we are creators on this hellsite. if you aren’t going to respect one person’s content, you GET NO MORE CONTENT

[killadelphias]

legit read a fic recently where someone censored a word in the BODY OF THE PROSE and ohhhhhhh that was fuckin bleak 😒

[rinhaler]

If you’re a blank blog you’re getting blocked

If you don’t have an age indicator you’re getting blocked

If you say ‘part two?’ You’re getting BLOCKT

[mvrtaiswriting]

i posted so much in a day like who is THIS person don't worry i haven't even possessed. yet