# Bring Me The Horizon

[bandomgay]

Mikey on side stage for tourdust okay so the universe is throwing anything at us now okay

[spoiled-oatmeal]

Hello, I’m still insane, but this time in a different font. Mhin has been at the forefront of my brain to the point I’m considering charging them rent. I’m also hoping that some creative writing will help me find the motivation to finish my research papers. I also haven’t written fanfiction since my Wattpad days back in middle school, so I hope this is at the very least palatable. Enough excuses, enjoy!

Word Count: 899

~~

It’s 5:00 A.M., barely even considered night anymore, Mhin feels every joint scraping and creaking, while they meticulously scrub their hands and face until their skin feels dry even under the copious amounts of water. Their transformation into a hideous monster both scars their skin and their mind as they wince while they force themselves to look into their reflection to make sure they got all the blood off. Mhin’s mind wanders to the foolish newcomer, their persistence to get close to Mhin in spite of their harsh words and cold exterior. Despite their ignorance about the town and the dangers of the night, they are one of the only people they feel they can almost talk freely with. As Mhin puts on their freshly scrubbed clean clothes, they find themselves desiring to leave into the night instead of attempting to get a few hours of sleep.

As they step outside, they feel the cool air of the early morning and the first hints of the sun rising to signal the beginning of the morning. They feel their feet dragging against cracked stone paths, and the weight of their sore muscles as they slowly walk to the Wet Wick at a crawling pace. As they approach the building, they can’t bring themselves to enter through the front door; they can’t stand the idea of interacting with Leander or any of the Adderstones in their current state. They decide to round the building instead, looking for the corner room that they have regretfully seen the insides of before, knowing that Leander would’ve passed off that room to you. They find the room looking up at it from the ground, seeing the curtains drawn and the room dark. Before Mhin can even think about feeling regret for waking you up, they begin to scale the wall, aiming for the window. Their face twists into a grimace as their head pounds and their muscles scream as they force themselves to continue to pull their body towards their end goal. As they cling to the windowsill, they try to open the window… Unfortunately, the only time this newcomer decides to be safe is when it’s in defiance of Mhin's goals… the window is locked.

All of Mhin’s emotions start to boil over, the pressure in their skull, their muscles feeling like they're attempting to pull off their bones, and the frustration from getting so close to your comfort and being blocked by one locked window. They start pounding their fist against the thin pane of the window, barely restraining themselves enough to avoid breaking the glass.

~~

You wake up with a start to aggressive pounding at your window, the sudden noise causing you to cower into yourself, pulling the blanket tighter around yourself. You note that the room is still dark due to the lack of the sun rising. Knowing that a common thief or murderer would be unlikely to have the courtesy to alert you by pounding on the window, you hesitantly crawl out of bed to peek around the curtains to see what the source of the noise is. It’s Mhin… Mhin’s pounding at your window before the sun has even greeted the horizon. You throw the curtains open, surprising Mhin, causing their fist to stop midway through hitting the window. They look… bad… their hair is tousled, their eye bags seem heavier and darker, their skin so pale it's almost transparent… they just seem tired. You quickly unlock the window and open it, grabbing Mhin around the torso, being mindful not to move the bandages around your hands too much. Mhin, holding on to you, practically falls through the window, finding their long-sought comfort in your arms. You attempt to pull away from the embrace to give Mhin their precious personal space and to get a better look at their physical state, but your attempts are futile. As you attempt to pull away, Mhin pulls you tighter. You both stand there in the last rays of moonlight, embracing to find whatever comfort you both seek. 

“Are you tired?” You ask barely louder than a whisper.

They pull away from you, exhausted and slowly nod. You start to reprepare the room for bed, reclosing and locking the window and closing the curtains, while Mhin starts to remove their shoes. You lie back in bed and cover your eyes, trying to decide how much more sleep you think you’ll get for the rest of the night, when you feel the bed start to dip. You remove your hand to see Mhin settle themselves between your legs, and you start to sit up, wondering what kind of sleep they had in mind. “Mhin-” Before you can finish, they push your shoulder back into the bed and wrap their arms around your torso before laying their head on your chest. After you calm your heart rate and decide if you're disappointed about misreading the situation, you tighten the bandages around your hands and rest your hand in Mhin’s hair as their breathing slowly starts to level. Maybe after a few hours of sleep, they’ll regret this and you can revel in seeing how red their face can get, maybe they’ll start avoiding you for a while out of embarrassment. But for now, they’re in your arms, taking solace in your comfort. And unbeknownst to you, Mhin starts to feel a little more human.

[silentglassbreak]

I usually don't so this, but since you posted it not so long ago, are the requests still open? And if so, can I ask for meeting Noah after a show, talking about fantasies and maybe some vampire role-playing? But also lots of fluff after because he's a good top. My name's Maggie and my most prominent features are that I am short, I wear glasses and I have dark curly hair.

Alrighty, let's just get right into this one, because there is truly no time to waste.

After Writing Notes: Baby, I am so sorry. I have no clue how we got here...but here we are? Once again, we went a lil off prompt, so I apologize if it wasn't exactly what you were looking for? I hope you enjoy regardless! Just a heads up, this is -BY FAR- the darkest one I've written so far.

Rating: Explicit AF

Warnings: smut, kink, blood play, roleplay, blood...blood...blood, horror themes, light BDSM (choking and biting)

Die For You

February 14th, 2024.

Valentine’s Day is the bane of my existence. I was so tired of the patrons, the demanding orders, and - mostly - the couples. It was vomit-inducing. Did my recent breakup contribute to the way I was feeling?

Sure. Probably.

Did it change the fact that I was in the foulest mood imaginable?

Not in the slightest.

I leaned my head against the brick wall of the building, my break slowly waning, signaling I was due to go back in and finish the last two hours of this God forsaken shift. Being a waitress had no perks. None.

Instead, it came with cons that I had to endure in order to pay my bills.

“Hanging in there, Maggie?”

I sighed and turned to the door, hearing Alexa’s breathless voice. She was certainly struggling in there without me.

“Yeah, just getting some air. I’ll be in there in less than five.”

She nodded and stepped out into the cool evening air. She pulled a cigarette from her pack, lighting it between her lips.

“Have you seen the announcement on Insta?”

I rolled my head to the side to glance at her. “What announcement?”

She smirked, pulling her phone from her back pocket and opening the app, handing it to me.

The poster was on the Black Veil Brides page. It was blood red, with bright white font.

BLOOD BATH

October 31st, 2024

Kia Forum

BRING ME THE HORIZON

FALLING IN REVERSE

BLACK VEIL BRIDES

BAD OMENS

ICE NINE KILLS

THE FIVE BIGGEST BANDS OF METAL

ONE NIGHT ONLY

TICKETS SELLING FAST

My brain almost didn’t register what I was seeing.

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” My eyes were blown out as I looked up at Alex.

“Nope. Tickets are $850 a piece, I checked.”

I groaned, tossing my head back. “I could never afford that, let alone before it sells out.”

Alexa scoffed, sucking in the smoke of her cigarette. “You’re hilarious. I just wanted to make sure you’d want to go.” She snatched her phone back from me.

“What?” I quirked an eyebrow at her.

“I have two tickets.”

My heart fell into my stomach. “E-fucking-xcuse me?”

She cackled. “Who else would I take? I’ve got a savings for a reason, right?”

My jaw was hanging open. “Alex, that’s insane. That’s $1,700!”

“$1,896, actually. Including taxes and fees.”

“That’s insane!” I repeated.

“When are we ever going to get to see all of those bands at once? It’s obviously some kind of crazy event. Can you imagine the crossovers we’re going to see? The theatrics!” I couldn’t speak, I was too stunned. “Plus,” She dropped her spent smoke and stomped on it. “I figured you needed some cheering up today. I know Bad Omens is your favorite.”

I could not physically restrain myself any longer, throwing myself at her and wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

“You’re the best fucking human being alive, you know that?!” I peppered kisses on her cheeks, making her squirm.

“Yes, yes, I’m aware.” She wiped my smeared lip gloss off her face.

She stalked back to the door, pulling the handle. “Now let’s finish this bullshit, so we can go celebrate. You’re buying.”

October 31st, 2024

The line to get in was impossibly long, so Alex and I were sat on the ground, chatting about the songs we were excited to hear, and who we were most excited to see.

“Spencer is the actual love of my life, and I cannot wait to see his fucking face.” She gushed.

I smiled. “Oh, don’t I know. But Andy? Ugh, how fucking mouthwatering.”

The doors would open shortly, so we stood, and promptly filed our way in. The venue was huge. We both agreed we would not be drinking, figuring we had a long time to stand and would end up exhausted.

We opted to grab two water bottles from the bar and head to the GA floor. We were early, luckily, and managed to grab a spot up at the rails.

Waiting nearly an hour, the lights finally came down, and the crowd erupted. Alexa was absolutely feral, listening to the opening of Rainy Day playing. When Spencer bounded onstage, full suit attire, and blade in his hand, she nearly jumped the rails.

As he passed us near the stage, I noticed something. I tapped Alex’s arm and she leaned her head down to hear me.

“He’s wearing fangs!” I shouted. She glanced up and looked, seeing the same.

Her eyes rolled as she licked her bottom lip. “Fucking bite me, Daddy.” She groaned, and I bursted with laughter.

She was so unhinged.

Ice Nine Kills finished their set with Welcome to Horrorwood, sending blood red confetti into the air, before gracefully stepping off the stage. During the set I had noticed a few things that almost seemed…off?

First of all, it wasn’t just Spencer with fangs. It was the entire band. Being as close as we were, I could see the shiny white fangs exposed every so often when they’d open their mouths to sing. These weren’t cheap, Amazon pop-ins either. They were convincing. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have sworn that they were their actual teeth, filed down to sharp points. It was interesting.

As well, everyone in the band seemed to have a looming presence tonight. It was so difficult to explain, but it just as if they weren’t just looking at the crowd, but like they were searching it. Looking for something specific, with pointed stares and glaring smiles. It ran a chill up my spine when Spencer made direct eye contact with Alexa for a full minute while singing Hip To Be Scared. It was as if he was looking at a meal.

She ate it up, as expected.

The next set, however, was Bad Omens, and I could not have been more excited.

I had seen them twice before, and their Setlist didn’t stray much, so I was actually shocked when the usual Loading Screen didn’t show, and the opening to Artificial Suicide didn’t begin.

Instead, the opening song was Blood. That was so odd. I didn’t think they even performed this song. The crowd loved it, however.

They still started in all ski masks, and removed them for the next track - Like A Villain.

During the chorus, I was singing and swaying, giving my full attention, but stopped as soon as Noah moved close enough that I could see it.

He was also wearing fangs. My eyes darted to Jolly, who was easiest to see from where I stood. He licked his lips and, as I suspected, there they were - sharp and white.

Alexa seemed to also notice this, tapping me to lean in. “It’s called Blood Bath, so it must be a vampire themed show for Halloween.”

I nodded, because that seemed legitimate.

But still…

I expected that out of Ice Nine or Black Veil Brides. Hell, Oli Sykes actually had fangs.

But Bad Omens?

They weren’t as theatrical. I was surprised they had agreed.

However, I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt eyes on me, and my attention was pulled back to the stage. A pair of deep, nearly black eyes were staring at me.

The song had changed, and we were on Nowhere To Go. And he was staring at me.

No, not at me. INTO me. Something in my soul felt exposed, as if I had shown up to this show nude.

I couldn’t break eye contact. I was caught between being starstruck, and immensely terrified. His lips were turned up in the slightest of smiles.

“Are you ready?”

I swallowed hard.

“I’m in the driver’s seat now.”

He finally broke his gaze, headbanging between screams.

Once I was released, I inhaled a sharp breath, turning my back to the stage. Alexa noticed as I crouched down, breathing hard.

“Babe?!” She bent down next to me. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head. “It’s too hot in this crowd, I’ve got to go.”

She got down to my eye level. “Maggie, you want to leave during Bad Omens?!”

I nodded feverishly, my dark curls sticking to my neck. Despite being sweaty, I had a cold chill climbing up my spine.

“I’m going to have a panic attack. I need a break.”

Maggie nodded, looking solemn. “Okay, let’s go.”

I stopped her, grabbing her arm. “No, you stay here. Save our spot. I’m going to go get some air, and I’ll be back.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re sure?”

I stood up, adjusting my shirt that had bunched up at my waist, and pulled my glasses on top of my head.

“Yeah, I’ll be back after their set.”

She sighed, but hugged me and told me to be careful.

I pressed my way through the crowd, not chancing another glance at the stage, despite feeling the eyes on my back.

-

The evening air was cool, in the fifty-degree range. I worried my sweatshirt with my fingers, feeling the air pull in and out of my lungs.

I had slipped out of the side entrance to the smoking area. I ducked under the ropes and to the back of the building to be alone. The tour buses were back in this area, but I paid it no attention, working hard at calming my nerves.

I had been out here for at least forty-five minutes. I could hear the music inside, and knew Bad Omens’ set had been over now for about five minutes. Figuring it was now a good time to make my way back to Alex, I pushed back into the building, seeing the crowd had not moved much.

I had tried to enter at several different points, but the bodies were condensed so tight, and unwilling to give up their spots. After fifteen minutes of trying, I growled and pulled my phone out, tapping Alexa’s name.

When she answered the phone, she shouted. “Hey! Where are you?”

“I can’t get back up there! No one is letting me through!”

She groaned. “Fuck! Okay, I’ll come out.”

“No! Don’t do that! Black Veil Brides is next! You cannot miss that!”

She went quiet for a second. “Maggie, I don’t want you to be alone.”

I stepped back outside so I could hear better. “I’ll be fine. I’ll watch the crowd to see if I can make it back in later.”

“You’re sure? Cause I will leave right fucking now. You know you’re more important.”

“Babe, you spent almost all of your savings on this. I’m not ruining it for you. I can see from back here.”

“Promise?”

I smiled. “I promise.”

Electing to stay outside a while, I sat on the curb behind the building, going through the photos and video I captured of Ice Nine Kills’ set. I managed to catch Spencer staring at Alex on camera, which I promptly sent her.

She responded quickly.

Alexa: OMFG HE’S IN LOVE WITH ME

I giggled, shaking my head at her response. Going back to my photo album, I sat watching the videos when I heard Black Veil Brides start.

Bleeders was the first song. Fitting.

Alexa: Dude…Andy’s wearing fangs too. It’s definitely a theme.

Me: Love it.

The music was so loud that I hadn’t heard the footsteps behind me.

“Excuse me?” Startled, I jumped up, turning around.

An impossibly tall, hooded man stood, hands in front of him, eyebrows raised.

It took me about three seconds to register who it was, and my mouth fell open.

“Are you okay?”

Noah fucking Sebastian.

I was caught between stunned, ecstatic, and horrified. He had such a soft look on his face. He looked immensely different than he did on stage. He wore black joggers with his own logo on them, a plain black hoodie, and a black baseball cap.

“Wh-“ My voice shorted, so I cleared my throat. “What?”

He smirked slightly. “Are you okay? I remember you from the crowd, and I saw you leave. I almost stopped the set when I saw you crouch down.”

I was floored. He noticed that? I knew he saw me, but Jesus Christ, I didn’t think he saw me?!

“Yeah, I, uh…” I stammered. “I just got really hot. The pyrotechnics and all.”

He nodded, chancing a step toward me. “You sure? You look pretty pale.”

Fantastic. Not only did I leave early during his performance - which he fucking saw - but I also looked fucking peaked at the same time.

I forced a calm smile. “Yeah, I’m good, promise.”

He seemed satisfied with that, putting his hands in his pockets. “Did I freak you out? When I stared at you?”

That was on purpose?!

I didn’t get a chance to answer. “I just perform better sometimes when I have something to focus on.”

I was bewildered, my eyebrows knitting together. “And that something was me?”

He smiled, a warm expression. “I guess so.”

“Why?” I couldn’t stop it from falling out of my mouth. Did it matter?

He shrugged his shoulders. “I liked your face.”

That’s a really strange answer.

“Okay?” I shifted one foot to another, not sure what to say or how to act.

“Why aren’t you watching the show?”

I sighed, moving back to the curb, deciding to sit back down. He made quick work of doing the same, sitting about a foot to my right.

“My best friend is up there. I couldn’t get back in to where she is. I tried.”

He nodded. “Ah.” His hands still in his pockets and knees bouncing rhythmically, he glanced around.

“Well, I’m going to watch from the balcony. Want to join?”

My heart rate sped up, screeching in my chest. His lip twitched at the same time, which was ironic.

“I,” My brain was misfiring, but I knew better. “I can’t.”

His eyes almost fell, his expression turning nearly…sad? “Oh?”

“I can’t leave Alex. I promised I’d make it back to her at some point.”

“You can bring her if you want.”

My mind was short circuiting. This couldn’t be fucking happening.

“I, uh, don’t know.” Something was too weird. This didn’t just happen. “I really shouldn’t.”

He nodded, pursing his lips. “No worries.” He stood up, stretching his arms over his head. “If you change your mind, I’m going up before Oli’s set. I’ll be around.”

With that, he turned around, and took a few steps. He spun back around and raised an eyebrow at me.

“I didn’t catch your name.”

“Maggie.”

He smiled. “See you later, Maggie.”

-

Me: I NEED TO FUCKING SPEAK TO YOU IMMEDIATELY.

Alexa: What level urgency? They’re playing In The End.

Me: B L A C K.

Alexa: OH FUCK IM ON MY WAY.

Alexa and I were regular show goers, so we had code we used.

Urgent situations were assigned a color.

Green: Good to go. Nothing to worry about.

Yellow: Shit’s getting weird. We need to keep eyes open.

Red: Urgent. Get to me ASAP. Serious situation.

Black: Get here now. Highest level priority.

Alexa came barreling out of the door and ran toward me, out of breath. “Are you okay? I got a knife in my boot that they didn’t take. I can stab someone!”

I grabbed her shoulders. “I’m fine!”

She stopped abruptly, narrowing her eyes. “What? Then why the urgency? I missed the end of the set!”

“I met Noah Sebastian.”

Her face deadpanned. “I beg your finest pardon?!”

I just nodded. “Out here. He remembered me from the crowd.”

“Are you fucking with me? Cause Maggie, I love you, but I’ll punch you right here, right now if you’re lying.”

“There’s no need for violence. She isn’t lying.”

Both of us snapped our necks to our left, the hooded figure stepping out from behind one of the buses. Noah came into view, hands still in his pockets.

“Nice to meet you, Alex.”

She visibly reeled, a shrill screech leaving her mouth.

“Holy fuck! It’s actually him!”

I giggled, glancing back at Noah, whose eyes were on me again. I straightened my spine, feeling that same fear sinking in from before.

“I was telling Maggie earlier that I planned to watch the rest of the show from the balcony with the guys. Wanted to invite you to join.”

Her mouth hung open, hand reaching for my arm and pulling me close. “We’d love to.” She answered for us.

I shot her a look. I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to do this. I still had the unnerved feeling that something wasn’t right.

She ignored my stare, smiling brightly at Noah.

He returned her grin with his own, which was oddly menacing. I noticed at that moment that he still had the fangs in.

“Awesome. Follow me.”

We did as we were told, following him into the back of the building, passing people who obviously were working on the show. We were far enough behind Noah that I pulled Alex in close, whispering to her.

“I feel weird about this, babe.”

She stared at me incredulously. “Why? Isn’t this your biggest fantasy?”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course it is, but it feels strange. Why us?”

She shrugged. “We manifested it? I don’t know. Shit like this happens all the time.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it does.”

The balcony he lead us to was private. It was between sets, so the other members of the band were sat, relaxing, beers in hand. It was set up as a lounge, three couches lined up.

Noah graciously introduced us to the other band members, and we shook their hands feverishly, awestruck. It wasn’t lost on me that all of them still had the fangs in.

Alex had struck a conversation with Nick Folio, explaining how she played drums in high school. I sat slowly on the end couch, seeing the view of the stage that was incredible. The couch sunk next to me, and I glanced over to Noah, who was tapping a message into his phone.

“Aren’t those uncomfortable?”

He looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

I pointed to my canines, and he snorted.

“Oh, right. Yeah, you get used to them.” He locked his phone and slipped it in his pocket.

I nodded. “You guys are dedicated to the theme, huh?”

He smiled, showing off the sharp points, and ran his tongue over one. “They’re not easy to take off.”

“Mm.” Must be glued on.

“Can I ask you something?”

He nodded, leaned back on the seat with his arm over the back.

“Do you do this all the time? Pick up random fans?”

He narrowed his eyes, grinning at me.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because it seems abnormal. What makes us so special?”

He sat up, leaning forward on his elbows so he was inches from my face, his breath cool. “What makes you think you’re just some random fan?”

I scoffed. “Because I am?” I leaned away from him, needing air. “I’m just a girl. Short. Glasses. Mop of hair. I didn’t even wear makeup tonight.”

He leaned back as well, keeping a distance between us. “So? Why does that mean you aren’t special?”

I rolled my eyes. “I think I’m not the first fan to be in a balcony with you.”

He nodded. “You’d be correct.” My heart sunk just slightly. “But you’re the first one I went looking for.”

My eyes popped open.

The fuck did that mean?

“Looking?”

He snickered, sighing loudly. “You got me. I thought you were attractive. Really attractive, okay? I figured I’d see if I could catch you.”

This caught me so far off guard, I nearly fell off of the couch.

“You think I’m attractive?”

This made him belly laugh, my disbelief.

“Maggie, can I let you in on a secret?” I just nodded. He leaned his head over, whispering. “I think you’re mouthwatering.”

A sharp tingle shot up my spine, and I wriggled next to him.

The lights went down, and the crowd cheered as Falling In Reverse began their set.

Popular Monster. This show was a trip.

We watched the show, Alex and I singing along to the lyrics of nearly every song. Every so often, Noah would lean over and tell me something about the song playing, complimenting Ronnie’s artistic ability or the instrumentals. The guys all seemed to be enjoying it as well, air-guitar and drumming. 

It was just far enough away that I couldn’t tell, so I leaned into Noah. “Is Ronnie wearing fangs too?”

He nodded, lips nearly touching my ear when he spoke. “It was Oli’s idea. We all have them.”

Made sense. I smiled at him, catching his eyes wandering my face. His arm was tucked neatly behind my back now, resting on my hip. Something about the encounter changed. I didn’t feel fear anymore, rather, Noah’s presence felt safe. It felt comfortable and I felt myself craving it. The air almost lightened, my shoulders relaxing as I exhaled a breath I had been holding.

“Can I tell you something?” I nodded, leaning back in to hear him. “I’d kiss you right now, if you’d let me.”

My eyebrows shot up. He pulled his face away, running his tongue over his bottom lip. A pit opened in my stomach, causing me to swallow harshly. 

“And what if I don’t?”

He smirked, his tattooed finger coming up to swipe across my bottom lip. “That, darling, would be a tragedy.”

It was involuntary, the way my body pressed closer to him, the soft skin of his lips brushing against mine. It wasn’t quite what we wanted, but it was so close.

My self control was fading, and he knew it, his hand tightening on my hip.

“If you’d let me?”

That was it. My lips were pressed against his, molding to his mouth, and breathing into his soul. I felt the sharp tooth scrape over my skin, which elicited a hard groan from me. His other hand came up to the side of my neck, and his fingers tangled in my curls.

We lasted this way for several minutes, finally pulling away with a sharp hiss from his mouth. His eyes were feral, wild. His grip on my hair was tight. He bored into my eyes, speaking something that I couldn’t read.

We were pulled from our moment when a hand tapped my shoulder. I whipped around quickly, and his hands released me.

Alex stood, eyes wide, and smiling. “I hate to interrupt, but I’m going to run to the restroom. Just wanted you to know.”

I wiped my lips with my thumb, feeling a sharp pain. I nodded at Alex, who furrowed her brows, bending down to speak directly at me.

“Watch the fangs, babe. You’re bleeding.”

I looked down at my thumb, the deep red filling the ridges of my print.

A hand came up to wrap around my wrist, staring at my finger. He swiftly and smoothly lifted it to his lips, sucking it into his mouth. When he released me, my finger was clean.

He smiled a sheepish grin at me in response to my shocked expression. “Too weird?”

I wanted to say yes, because that was the normal person thing to say. However, given the heat that had pooled in my stomach and the way my thighs clenched together, I just shook my head.

The music was loud, booming into my chest, and I leaned back onto the couch, staring at Noah.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked me.

“That there’s no way this is real.”

He smirked. “Sometimes, it’s better to believe it’s not.”

This confused me, but he was wrapping his arm around me again, pulling me into his side, and looking down at the stage. We tried to watch the performance, we really did. But within minutes, I was in his lap, straddling his hips, and our tongues were fighting for dominance while his hands roamed up and down my legs.

I sighed, closing my eyes as his lips trailed down my jaw to my neck, nipping gently at my pulse point. He licked a stripe up my windpipe, causing me to rut against him.

“Fucking hell, Maggie.” He leaned back, and I pulled back, hands on his shoulders. “You’re so fucking amazing.” 

I blushed, leaning back down to nibble on his ear. In my peripheral vision, I caught my phone on the couch lighting up. I had four missed texts from Alex.

“Shit!” I grabbed my phone and sat back on his legs.

“Everything okay?”

I shrugged. “Alexa isn’t back, and I haven’t checked my messages. I got distracted.” I said, eyeing him mischievously.

He responded by scratching his nails down the front of my leggings.

Alexa: BABE Spencer is out here talking to Andy!!!!

Alexa: OMFG he’s looking at me. I’m going to talk to him.

Alexa: HE REMEMBERS ME FROM THE CROWD.

Alexa: He asked me to go to his balcony. I have to. It’s the one next to Noah’s. I’ll be there if you need me.

I smiled at my phone. “Such a weird night.”

“Is she okay?”

I nodded, setting my phone back down. “Yeah, uh,” I shook my head, trying to understand how this had happened. “She met Spencer Charnas, and she’s in his balcony.”

He nodded, looking apprehensive. “She’s a fan of his?”

“The biggest. She’d die for that man.”

His eye twitched at that, almost a wince. “Mm. Maybe she should stick with you?”

My face fell, confused. “Why?”

He bit his lip, glancing over to where Folio sat, who was staring directly at him. “I don’t know. Just seemed like the kind of thing you guys do.”

I nodded, falling off of his lap. “Usually, but this is kind of once in a lifetime.”

He sighed hard, his eyes glancing back up to Folio. “I wish it wasn’t.”

This was confusing, his entire demeanor had shifted.

“Are you okay?”

He worried his bottom lip with the fangs, and nodded. “You, uh,” He looked at his bandmates, who were all giving him a look. “want to see the bus? I need to get something, but I don’t want to leave you alone.”

There was something under his tone that made me almost flinch. It was as if he wasn’t giving me a choice…

“Okay? I mean, or I could wait with Alex in the next balcony?”

“No!” Noah’s voice was harsh, causing me to wince. “I mean, let her have her time. Once in a lifetime, right?”

I nodded, unsure.

“You trust me?”

I sighed, suddenly wildly unsure. “Should I?”

He nodded fervently. “Yes. You should.”

-

The tour bus was enormous. It was also a total mess. It was as if it was more lived in than an actual home. I try not to judge, but there was stuff everywhere. Drink containers, beer bottles, random garbage, clothes. The shades were drawn, and you couldn’t see outside. 

Noah turned around with a look of embarrassment on his face, a hard contrast to the persona he had on all night. He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

“Sorry, the guys said they’d clean up…I guess they forgot.”

I shook my head, giving him a warm smile. “No worries. You guys have to live here, I get it.”

He sighed. “Can I be honest?”

“I’d hope so.” I giggled, hands in my sweater pockets.

“I didn’t need to grab anything, I was just hoping for some privacy.”

My eyes widened, and I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Oh…” Suddenly uncomfortable, I began scanning the bus for all of the exits, the closest being the door behind me.

“You don’t have to stay, it was just stuffy in there and the guys are kind of really fucking nosey.”

This made me smile. “I caught that.” I pursed my lips, looking around, trying to soothe the hammering in my chest. “I could stay.”

“You sure? Oli is going to go on soon.”

I nodded. “Once in a lifetime?”

This almost made his face fall, and he leaned against the counter of the kitchenette sink. “I wish it wasn’t.”

This gave me pause, and I moved to stand next to him.

“What do you mean?”

He pulled his hat off, revealing his mop of long dark hair that was overgrown. “I just…” He trailed off. “I don’t get to have normal relationships, yaknow? Date? See people more than once? It doesn’t really happen.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why not?”

He smirked at this, looking down at his shoes. “My lifestyle doesn’t really allow it.”

I nodded. Rockstar life had to be tough.

“Well, just because you can’t date someone, doesn’t mean you can’t be friends, right?” I won’t lie, I was slightly hopeful.

“It’s kind of more complicated than that.” 

I nodded, not wanting to press further, and an uneasy silence fell over us. After about three minutes, he finally spoke.

“I liked kissing you.”

I couldn’t prevent the grin that cracked on my lips. “I liked kissing you too.”

“I didn’t bring you back here for that. I just thought I’d mention it.”

This was one of the pivotal moments in life where you decide how it goes. Walk away? See what this is, and make the smart choice to end it? 

Or consider this the Gods giving you a gift? A one-time chance to fulfill a fantasy you would otherwise never get again?

I decided quickly that life was too fucking short, and moved to stand in front of him.

“Can we…just do what we want? Because this will never happen for me again, and I find it painfully difficult not to jump on you right now.”

He peered up at me through his lashes, his eyes pitch black. “Yeah? You’re sure? I don’t want to be a dick, but you know I can’t continue anything after tonight.”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes for a second, and opened them with no hesitation left, staring directly at him. 

This gave him the answer he was looking for, as it took less than a fraction of a second for him to have me pinned against the wall behind me, hand on my throat, lips attacking my mouth feverishly. A smooth growl rumbled from his throat, and something inside of me clenched. 

With the grip in my neck, he guided me to spin, lifting me up onto the countertop. My legs wrapped around him instinctively, and I breathed into him, feeling his hands smooth up my legs, and push them apart so he could press himself between them.

His mouth pulled at the skin of my jaw, surely leaving bruises I’d have to explain to Alex later. When I felt the sharp point of the fans against my skin, I placed a hand on his chest.

“Noah?” He didn’t pull back, but only hummed in response as he licked and sucked on my collarbone. “Maybe you should take the fangs out?”

He stilled, frozen. This caused me to do the same, waiting for his next move.

“I can’t.”

My brain didn’t register that. “Can’t?”

“They aren’t coming out.” He breathed again on my skin, making me shiver. “Is that a problem? If it is, tell me now.”

The idea of not going further made my body physically scream, so I just shook my head, signaling for him not to stop.

His arms, strong and solid, lifted me clean off of the counter and pulled me into the hallway, our lips reconnecting. In the back of the bus held a large bedroom area, and with one hand, he slid a door shut behind us. 

He lowered me onto the mattress and became so gentle, I almost couldn’t handle it. His hands reached to unzip my sweatshirt, pulling it open to reveal my crop top. I chose to go without a bra tonight, knowing I’d be keeping my sweater on. His eyes roamed to my hardened nipples pressing against the fabric, and he bit his lip in response.

“If at any point you want to stop, tell me, okay?”

I nodded.

“Say it. Say you understand.” His voice was callous, no playfulness left.

“I understand.”

This brought a wicked smile to his face, fangs pressing out and his tongue gliding over them. “Good girl.”

He was ruthless, his hands pulling my shirt up, exposing my bare breasts, hands grasping them with force, pinching each nipple between his fingers. I yelped at the sudden painful sensation, but pressed into his touch. His knee balanced him on the bed, pressing against my core. I writhed under him, begging for friction.

“So fucking needy, darling. All in good time.”

I sucked in a breath, nearly whining at his teasing. His right hand snaked up my chest, grasping at my throat. The pressure was so much, but I couldn’t ask him to stop because it was so good, I was okay with dying right here like this.

His other hand slid down my stomach, nails scratching into my flesh, before he gripped the waistband of my leggings and tugged them down.

“Tell me how bad you want it, baby.” His fingers loosened just enough for me to speak.

“So bad. Need it. Need you.”

His eyes were roaming my body, eyes settling on the jet black panties I wore. His hand pressed flat against the fabric, making me hiss at the sensation.

“You want me to eat you? Devour you?”

I nodded frantically.

“If I do, I’m going to bite you. You alright with that?”

I froze, staring up at him, tears running down the side of my face. 

“You can say no.” His voice was smooth as honey, dripping down his lips and right into my soul.

“Please.” It came out as a breath, just the ghost of a word.

A harsh snarl left his lips, and he dropped onto the floor with lightening speed, pulling my leggings off and gripping the waistband of my underwear, ripping them apart to show my already soaked pussy.

His fingers slid through my lips before coming up to his mouth, his eyes rolling back at the taste. “Fucking stunning.” He groaned.

His mouth attacked me, licking long, flat stripes up my core, causing my hips to buck. I whimpered, trying not to make too much noise.

His hands gripped my thighs and pulled me closer to the edge of the bed, bringing me right to his face.

“No one can hear us here, baby. Fucking scream for me.” 

I let go, letting all of the harsh, vile sounds leave my throat with no restraint. His mouth sucked hard on my clit, making my vision go stark white behind my eyelids.

“Oh my God, Noah, I’m going to come, please don’t stop.”

He latched harder, a finger penetrating into me, pressing against my sweet spot and smoothing circles into it, bringing me crashing over the edge of bliss. My back lifted off of the mattress, my entire body tingling.

At the exact second my orgasm slammed into me, I felt a stinging, slicing pain on the inside of my thigh, causing me to scream out and look down. Noah’s face was still buried between my legs, but his eyes were staring directly at me. His fingers continued to massage me through my euphoria while his lips pulled at the sore spot on my thigh. When he lifted his face, my body finally calming, a deep crimson fluid sat on his lip before his tongue came up and swiped it away. 

He rested a palm flat on my stomach as my breathing slowed. “Are you okay?”

I blinked back the tears and gasped in a breath. “More, please. I need more.”

It wasn’t even me speaking anymore. My body had transcended to another plane and I was watching from a different dimension at that point.

He smiled, his teeth tinged with blood - my blood. “What’s the magic word?”

“Jesus, fuck, Noah! Please!”

His hand snatched me by my waist, flipping me over and pulling me back up so my feet were on the floor. His arm held me up, as standing wasn’t an option with the way my legs felt like gelatin. I felt the warm fluid from the wound on my thigh dripping down my leg.

He paused, reaching for a drawer and grabbing, what I assumed to be, a condom. I heard the foil open and be discarded. He let go of me for ten seconds to put it on, and before I could think about anything else, he was pushing inside of me. The feeling was achingly delicious, the stretch and burn of it. Noah was exceptional. My body fell forward, hands reaching out balance. He thrusted mercilessly, pounding me harder into the mattress, his breathing loud and deep, guttural moans escaping him.

After a few moments, and my vision slowly blurring as I began climbing the hill once again, his hand wrapped around my neck and pulled me backward to stand straight up. I whined, leaning my head back on his chest.

It was without cause, but I still asked. “Bite me again? Please?”

I didn’t want it, I needed it. I was ravenous for the pain and the feeling of him being so connected with me. 

“Don’t say that.” His words were breathless, but I was persistent.

“Please, Noah. Please.”

“God damn it.” He tightened his grip on my neck and I felt his lips touch my skin before the fangs sung in deep, piercing the thin skin just above my clavicle.

A scream pierced through me as the pain sent white hot shock waves through my body, my vision cutting out and my orgasm tearing through me. I vibrated at the stimulation of it all, and began to feel by body going slack, my skin tingling with a numbing sensation. My eyelids began to feel heavy, Noah's lips still latched to my skin. I could swear I felt a sucking feeling. That would be one hell of a hickey later.

Noah's thrusts suddenly stilled, his throat growling against me, his fingers gripping my hip violently, surely leaving bruises.

I was still riding the high of my climax when I felt everything starting to go sideways as the room began to spin. His arm wrapped around me quickly as I felt my consciousness slipping.

"Easy, baby. Easy." I hadn't even noticed him slip out of me, or unlatch from my throat.

Suddenly, his hands were gentle, laying me down on the bed on my back. Through my hooded lids, I could see him standing, tall and muscular. I could see all of him, and as badly as I wanted to savor it, I was so sleepy.

His hands pulled a soft, red blanket over me, and he put a finger up. "One second, stay here."

He disappeared out of the door, and I felt my eyes threatening to close. My brain was shutting off quickly, and it wasn't going to be optional anymore.

He came back within a minute, now wearing shorts, with a large blue Powerade, and a pack of Reese's in his hands. He set them down on the mattress next to me and slid his arms under me, lifting me up onto the pillows of the bed.

"Maggie, you still with me?"

I could only mumble in response, the pull of sleep tugging me down.

"Don't fall asleep. You need to drink this." He opened the Powerade. My hand came up to take the drink, but my fingers had very little sensation. "Here." Noah used one arm to lift me partway, and held the bottle to my lips. "Just take sips."

Once I had sufficiently drank a quarter of the bottle, suddenly feeling parched, he recapped it and began tearing open the Reese's. "Eat this, you need to increase your blood sugar and carbohydrates."

Feeling slightly more coherent, I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Why? Did that orgasm almost kill me?" I snickered, taking a peanut butter cup and peeling the wrap off the bottom.

"No, the orgasm didn't." He said pointedly, but made work of getting up and heading for the door again. I laid, slowly munching the chocolate, eyes trailing after him. I pulled the blanket up to my chin, feeling strikingly cold suddenly. I felt a numbness in my toes and fingertips. Something about it bothered me, but also didn't?

He walked back in, a damp rag in his hand. What did he need that for? He used a condom, I thought?

Noah sat next to me on the bed, and ran a hand over my cheek gently, giving me a small, comforting smile. "You feel better?"

I nodded, still chewing the second peanut butter cup. "Much."

His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Good, I'm glad."

Smoothing his hand over to my hair, he pulled it away from my neck, and pressed the damp rag to it. I winced, pain shooting up into my face.

"Christ!" He pulled his hand back, and I noticed the rag was a deep red. "Am I bleeding?"

He shushed me, moving my face back over. "Not much anymore, it's mostly stopped. This is just a little alcohol to sterilize it." He sighed as he pressed the rag to my skin. "Next, I'll clean up your leg."

My mind, suddenly clear as day, began running through all of the most ridiculous scenarios possible. Regardless of how stupid it sounded, I still had to ask...

"Noah?"

"Hmm?" He raised an eyebrow, pulling out a large bandage and unpeeling it from the paper.

"Are you an actual vampire?"

His hands stopped, and his neck snapped up at me. His eyes were deadly serious, but his lips twisted in a sick smile. "Now, why would you say something silly like that? Of course not."

"But-"

He chuckled, his body shaking, and continued applying the bandage to my neck, hand lingering on my cheek as he looked in my eyes.

"No, I'm just a guy with kinks, that's all."

Did I want to press this further?

I looked back up at him, and he smiled brightly. That's when I noticed.

"You took the fangs off."

He peered up at me, running his tongue over his teeth. "Yeah, something like that."

Noah began pulling the blanket from my leg when he stopped abruptly, his eyes shifting to the door of the room. His hand gripped my leg, and he spoke under his breath.

"Fuck." His eyes looked back at me, a panic now rising. "You have to go. Now."

He grabbed my arm, and began pulling me off of the bed gently. "Can you stand?" I heard the door of the bus open, and people speaking at the front.

The urgency in his voice was frightening, so I swung my legs over and attempted to stand. The room swayed slightly, but I managed to stay upright. I nodded at him.

"Good, okay," He stood off the bed, and ran to the other side, picking my clothes up and tossing them at me, sans my torn panties. "get dressed. I'm going to open the window, there's a ladder just outside. Climb down it and go. Fast. Go to your car, and leave."

I was stepping into my leggings and looked up at him. "I have to find Alex, first."

He huffed, frustrated, and helped me put my shirt over my head. "Don't. Just go."

Noah pulled the window open silently, and pulled me over to him once I had zipped up my sweatshirt and slipped my shoes on. "Noah, what-"

He pressed a hand to my mouth. "Please, just listen to me. Leave. Don't look for her. Just go. Fast, okay?"

My eyes welled up. The terror was back. Why was he hiding me? Was he embarrassed? Did he not want anyone to know I was here? Why didn't he want me to look for Alex?

He hands hoisted me up effortlessly, he didn't even groan when he lifted me to the window. I slipped a leg out, and turned my head to him. "Noah?"

He looked at me, eyes sparkling bright, brighter than I had seen. "Yes?"

"I hope to see you again."

The smallest smile turned his lips up. "If you're lucky, you won't."

-

Alex's phone wasn't picking up and she hadn't responded to any of my messages. Bring Me The Horizon's set was about over, and she was nowhere. Ice Nine's balcony was empty - they all were. She wasn't in the venue. She wasn't outside. She was gone.

Her last text to me had me walking behind the building, looking through the busses.

Alexa: Spencer invited me back to his bus with him and Ronnie...I can't believe this is real life!! I will text you when I'm done! ;)

I only knew which bus was Noah's, but I felt like an absolute creep looking through the others, trying to see into the windows. I was standing next to one, on my tip-toes, trying to see through the tint, when my ears picked up on something...

It sounded suspiciously like screaming...but not the kind I would expect from someone having a good time. Not the kind I just made.

I rounded the corner, finding one last bus, and noticed it appeared to be moving. This had to be it. As I approached, figuring I would just wait until she was done, it stilled, and the night went eerily silent. Something about it made my stomach drop. I considered going back and getting Noah, asking him to check it out, but I had already come to terms with the fact that whatever that was, was over.

Instead, I made a soft wrap on the door, hoping someone would answer. Nothing came, no sound or motion. I sighed. Someone was definitely in there. Maybe they fell asleep? I almost did.

I knocked harder with the same result. Eventually, I pounded, hollering. "Hello?"

My fingers reached for the handle, and I noticed the door was unlocked, the door opening easily. I looked in, and noticed it was dark, only a neon blue light emanating from the back somewhere. I stepped up the staircase, peering my head around the corner.

"Alex?"

What my eyes saw, I was nowhere near prepared for. My eyes met hers, only hers were upside down, head hanging off of the edge of the bed, tears running down the sides of her face. They were also lifeless, and so was she. She was laid on the bed, fully dressed, and blood poured from her throat and pooled on the floor. There were two men on top of her, mouths latched to her chest and throat.

I couldn't help the gasp that came out, my eyes watering at the scene. I brought my hand up over my mouth and both men looked up at me. I couldn't register what I was seeing...

Spencer Charnas and Ronnie Radke were on top of my best friend, and their faces were absolutely covered in her blood.

Their fangs shined, covered in the red viscous liquid, and harsh growling hisses came out of their mouths.

Before I could scream, a hand had grabbed the back of my sweatshirt and pulled me down the stairs, and was dragging me away from the bus. I thrashed, screaming and fighting against the person pulling me away.

"No! No! Please! Stop, please!!" A hand came up over my mouth.

"Shut up!" My eyes looked down, and through my bleary tears, I saw the tattoos. The familiar tattoos.

Noah pulled me over to another bus and pressed me against the side. He loomed over me, his eyes dark again, all of the light gone.

"I told you to fucking leave!"

I couldn't speak. I was stunned. "I...they...Alex..."

"Alex is gone." He was so matter of fact. Stern, even. A choked sob broke out of my chest.

"No, no please, you have to help me."

"I am helping you! You have to leave! Before anyone realizes you did." His hands were against the bus on either side of me. "Please Maggie, please just leave."

"Noah..." I stared at the sharp fangs. "Your teeth..."

He hung his head. "Maggie, listen to me. You were never here. You lost Alex at the concert, and she went missing. They already reported her missing to security." My eyes went wide, tears streaming. "Now, go home. Stay there. And never speak about this again. Understood?"

I didn't respond, I just glared at him. He was one of them. A monster. He drank my blood. He tried to kill me. Him and his friends...they killed Alex.

When I didn't answer, he grew impatient, slamming his hands against the bus, making me flinch.

"God damn it Maggie, do you understand?!"

I just nodded, and he let one of his arms fall. I slipped by him, but his hand caught my arm. I stopped, staring up at him.

"I'm so sorry." His eyes were soft again, but I ripped my arm from him. He looked taken back by my sudden brazenness.

"No you're not..." I took several steps forward, but I took a deep breath and stopped, turning to see him still staring at me.

"But you fucking will be."

[arclundarchivist]

Spoilers for C3E93

-

-

-

Lonesome Roads

Morrighan finally stopped running when she realized her only companion was a literal shadow, clinging to her like a chilled coat.

“Will they be okay?” Cyrus asks, his voice distant and near in equal measure like a whisper from an opposing cliff.

“I- I don’t know,” she murmurs, slumping to the ground, her sword clattering to the ground beside her.

The last remnant of Opal is hot in her other hand, yet she refuses to release it. Holding it all the tighter.

“I love you.”

Her ears fall as the tears begin to fall yet again.

“Morrighan?” Cyrus prompts again.

“I said I don’t know!” she exclaims and falters, staring into the blank eyes of her friend’s spirit, and sees his face fall.

Why does she cling to him so?

‘I did not make you mine just for you to die here.”

But a part of her has.

And she needs direction.

Where can she go?

Where is she needed?

What will be demanded of her next?

How much more will she lose?

“Fate is a funny thing, deary, but one can always find a way to tug the threads in the right direction.”

The voice of the woman who cast her on this path, the one that took her first name.

She could have answers.

But what would the cost be this time?

What more could she give… no, what more would she give?

“What would you have me do?” she asks, speaking to the empty air.

There is no response, no urging, she misses when the guidance was a constant, an ever-present ringing in the back of her mind that showed her where to go.

But now there is silence, a comfort akin to the grave.

Fitting, perhaps, when she considers her position once more. 

“Where will we go?” Cyrus demands, shifting closer to her, and she part of her wants to push him away, the other wants to pull him into an embrace, but she is not sure if she can accomplish either.

“I wish I knew,” she mutters.

There is a flash of black, winging through sun-set tinged sky.

She looks up, and there is a raven winging towards the horizon.

A sign. 

She stands, taking up her blade, and glances back the way she came.

The road is being set before her.

“Cyrus… how does it feel?” she asks.

“Hollow, yet comforting, for I am not alone.” he murmurs, shifting closer to her once more, “Do you know where we are going?”

“No… but I hope it leads us back to the others in time,” she states, and she starts walking.

Unspoken is a worry she fights to bury.

She has seen Opal. 

What the Spider Queen demanded and stole from her?

Morrighan gave away her name.

She lost her friends.

Her only companion is a literal shade of himself.

She’s going to walk the path and go where she is needed.

Yet, she can’t help but wonder: “What will be left of me at the end of the road?”

----

Fy’ra stands, her fists drenched in blood as she confronts yet another band of this “Vanguard.”

Flowers and mushrooms of verdant shades are already beginning to bloom from their corpse.

It was true what she said all those weeks ago, “The Wildmother is not kind.”, but to see her vengeance, her rage enacted by her own hands, was… both haunting and exhilarating.

Her flames now carried a green tinge to their breadth, granting life as readily as they consumed it. She was a font of regrowth and healing the likes of which she had never been before.

And that had been helpful, for more than the Vanguard had become Opal’s target.

Mad Arcanists, cultists, supposed traitors, aberrations born of the Red Moon, and a horrid spider that dogged their every step.

One the Queen refused to call off as if she was elated by the constant challenge.

The constant growth of her champion.

Fy’ra was still herself but growing stronger every day. The Wildmothe had been truthful in her promise. Theirs was a conversation, a growing bond that she wasn’t truly certain the conclusion would bring.

Opal, though… was twisting all the more.

She continued to stretch in height, her six arms casting aside the blades at most times to wield lengthy and ichorous claws.

But what truly hurt Fy’ra in her soul was the young woman’s eyes.

Jet-black, with but a glimmer of the old opalescent sheen. And she swears when she watches her as the night overtakes the day, she sees others open in the corners and panes of her face. 

She looks to Opal now, pulling her claws from the belly of the woman who led this band. A towering goliath woman, now so much meat scattered about the ground.

Fy’ra’s heart seizes as for but a moment, Opal brings her fingers towards her mouth as if tempted to taste the blood soaking them, but then her hands drop.

A sign that despite it all, her little sisters are still in there.

She approaches as Opal stands, looking down at Fy’ra with a flat expression.

“Are we done here?” Fy’ra asks.

Opal speaks, her voice now tinged with an insectile trill harsh to the ears, “She says yes. If we succeed, those not fool enough to kill will get to be as they were before… or they will seek to martyr themselves as well. I don’t know, and she doesn’t care.”

“Of course, she doesn’t.” Fy’ra remarks bitterly, “But we can rest?”

Opal is silent, staring at the red moon resting on the far horizon to the south.

“Yes. For now, her son is attacking her somewhere else, so we have time.” Opal remarks, and she turns stiltedly and begins walking toward the dark woods from which the pair had come.

Fy’ra jogs to keep up, “Opal, is she still listening?” 

Opal glances at her, “Not fully.”

“I suppose that is the best I can hope for,” Fy’ra mutters, and she reaches out, gently taking the hand she knows to have originally been Opals.

“How are you?” Fy’ra asks, and Opal squeezes her hand just a tad.

“I’m surviving,” she returns, and then in Fy’ras mind, so rare now, her true voice speaks, “And it’s so hard, Fy’ra.”

“I know, I know, but this will not be forever.” Fy’ra comforts.

“She doesn’t like that,” Opal warns aloud.

“I do not care,” Fy’ra replies defiantly, and the wind around them flares with heat as if in agreement: “We walk this path together until the threat of the Ill Omen is finished, then…”

She lets the implication hang, and Opal smiles, but she can’t tell which part of her it is.

“How is Ted?” Fy’ra asks, and the look on Opal’s face is stark confusion.

The words that follow turn Fy’ra’s flaming blood to ice.

“Who?” Opal asks.

“Y-your sister.” Fy’ra chokes, a dawning realization punching into her core.

Opal pulls her hand from hers, and looks into the dark shadows between the trees and there, the flaring of additional eyes.

After several moments of silence, she looks down at Fy’ra, and it is not an illusion, for four pairs of inky-black eyes burrow into her as Opal says, “You’re the only sister I have in this world, Fy’ra.”

Fy’ra is stunned into silence as Opal keeps walking, her true voice trickling into her mind: “And I will always remember that. Thank you for being here with me.”

“I- you’re welcome.” Fy’ra returns, the realization that Ted had once again paid the lion’s share of her sister’s actions drilling a cold nail of resentment ever deeper into her heart.

“This is only until this plight is over, swear it to me.” Fy’ra growls, feeling a point to her teeth that was not there a moment before.

The wind caresses her in warmth, which she takes to be an agreement.

So she will wait, and she will work and she will protect Opal from all that comes at them in the days to come.

But not forever.

Nature is not kind, and it appreciates an ambush.

----

Dariax wanders Zephrah for days until he finally accepts that Dorian is truly gone.

“Why’d he leave me?” he asked himself and pretty much everyone around, but they couldn’t find the answer any better than he could.

He was alone. Again.

Had he upset Dorian? Did he blame him for Cyrus dying? He-he had the healing mojo. He could have got to him, done something, paid close attention but-

But he’d wanted to save Opal.

To hug her and tell her everything would be okay to rip that crown off and chuck it in a hole.

But he failed at that, too, huh?

Maybe that’s why they had all left him.

They were better at this than him, saving the world. He’d always been just along for the ride, trying and not really managing to keep up.

Dorian was a hero, Morrighan was a Champion, Fy’ra had all the answers ever, and Opal… Opal was strong. She’d held onto that burden without complaint for so, so long.

And he… had just run along behind them, trying to prop them up when they needed it.

But it wasn’t like the first three ever actually needed him. They had their shit together in ways he couldn’t even dream of!

But Opal, he could have- he should have-

“I should never have let her take that crown,” he mutters, bitter with himself as he downs another drink in that little post Dorian had left him in. He glances at the lute, and more self-loathing burbles up.

“I should have put it on, or let Poska take it, or left it with the Wildmother.” he continues rambling, “I should have done something.”

“You trusted her.” a soft voice remarks beside him, but he doesn’t look up.

“I did! I do, I- she was- she is- I should have done more to help her!” he yells, and heads turn to look at her.

“You did,” the voice comforts him. Suddenly, his head feels lighter, and a memory comes unbidden.

She hadn’t asked them to leave her.

She’d fallen into his arms, curling in and sobbing softly for a moment before falling into a peaceful sleep. The first in a while.

“You did what you could, how could you have known a god could feel desperation?” the voice offers, and he glances up, a beautiful Kitari woman smiling down at him, one he recognizes.

“It-it’s you.” Dariax breathes as the Observer smiles and gently moves some of his unkempt hair out of his eyes.

“It’s me,” she states.

“Do you need me in the fight, the big moon fight that folks have been telling me about, cause I’ll go, I just…” he falters, uncertainty eating at him, “I don’t know how much good I can do.”

“You do good in everything you attempt, Dariax,” she comforts, “But I require nothing of you, for I am simply content at the moment to watch how this all transpires.”

“You-you’re not afraid?” Dariax asks.

“The fear of the unknown is never far away,” she offers, “But unlike others, I will not let myself be ruled by it.”

“Then… what should I do?” Dariax murmurs.

“Be true to who you are, aid where you can, I am not looking for a Champion Dariax, but there are many out there that simply need a friend.” she offers.

His face falls, “I was a friend to Opal. To Dorian and the others, look how well that turned out.”

“Their roads have diverged from yours for now, but I do not think that will be forever.” the Observer states.

“Really?” Dariax remarks, hope returning ever so slightly.

“Their road will be trying, the paths winding, for you and for them each, but nothing in the stars states that the end that awaits you all is a tragic one. Keep hope.” she offers.

“Well…” Dariax mutters, swirling his drink and glancing up at her. “I guess I have something to fight for after all, yeah?”

“I’d say so,” she states with a smile.

He grins back, somber and reserved, and then glances around, catching that same look in the dozens of faces around him.

“Hey folks!” he calls out, drawing their gazes to him, “Next rounds on me!”

The mood around him goes on an upswing, and he turns back to the Observer as she looks around her with gleaming eyes.

“So… wanna stay for a drink?” he offers, “Or a song, maybe?”

She laughs, “You amaze me, Dariax Zaveon.”

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his head bashfully, “Th-thank you.’

And he sits with her, talking about times long past and hopes yet unachieved, his heart soaring at the prospect that when all this is over, he can see his friends once again. 

Not considering how changed they all might be.

But as the saying goes: Ignorance is bliss.

Goodbye, Crownkeepers, for now… or forever. 

[whisperiin]

chrome is my fav but I like seeing my favs suffer a bit so 🤭 can I request an angsty to fluff one-shot (or whichever format you prefer) with chrome and a childhood friend gn!reader? (friends with feeling for each other teehee!!!) smth like reader goes missing during a mission on earth and a year later reader is found as a construct and brought back to Babylonia? emotional reunion with chrome and everything 😭🫶🏻

chrome makes me explode!!!! he has no business being so romantic.

Thank you! I adore your blog and I hope to see it grow in the future!! <3

hi anon, thanks so much you're so sweet !! i totally get you tho ... i loooove making my favs suffer teehee it's so fun ... i also really like this prompt i love love love angst to fluff !! fun fact, i actually have a wanshi smooching oc with a similar backstory !! great minds think alike (〃´𓎟`〃)

i wrote mooostly from chrome's pov since the reader got yoinked so i hope it's alright that they don't have Too much involvement, but all that aside i hope you enjoy!!

here i am (following your steps).

content warnings: implications of/vague allusions to death (you get better though)

When CHROME takes the mission report into his hands, he feels like the world has been pulled out from under his feet.

Your squadmates' faces were similarly grim — downcast eyes, lips pressed into thin lines — and no matter how hard he wanted to, he couldn't deny the truth of the matter, relayed to him in your captain's trembling apologies and Babylonia's standard typewritten font.

Your name, your rank, reported missing in action.

Chrome keeps his face carefully blank as he reads the rest of it over. Maybe he should have been there with you, he thinks. Maybe if you had one more person with you, then your squad wouldn't have had to split up, and you wouldn't have had to go alone, and —

"Thank you for letting me know," he says, a mask of fake reservation, and then he turns to leave.

There are pictures of you and him that you put up in his sleeping pod that he can't bring himself to take down, unopened gift boxes piled on top of the desk in the Strike Hawk lounge addressed to him. He thinks about how he wanted to straighten your jacket one more time before you swatted his hand away, and he wonders what you would say if he asked if you would still want to spend the rest of your life with him, like you believed you would growing up. You would always stay over for dinner, anyway, and his father already likes you — what's one more night, and one more, and one more?

It's a foolish, childish notion, but still the thought of it, the empty, gaping hole where you had once stood beside him, haunts him so.

Chrome sets the mission report face-down.

Time without you passes slowly. After each mission Chrome spends another hour searching for you, and after each mission he returns to Babylonia without even finding the slighest trace of you. Not a torn piece of your coat, your pistol, your remains — nothing to officially pronounce you dead, and precious little else to remember you by.

Sometimes, he catches himself checking in on the private comms channel he set up for the two of you. Today, too, he finds himself listening to the silence that your voice used to fill, casting his gaze off to the horizon, past devastated streets and ruined buildings —

— And then he catches a flash of something in the distance that almost eerily reminds him of you.

He doesn't waste a single moment before he gives chase, your silhouette that he was so used to seeing growing clearer and clearer with each step. Even though he might just be deluding himself, he needs to see with his own eyes that it's not you to believe it.

The silhouette turns at the sound of his footsteps and at the sight of your face, the world is pulled out from under him again.

"...Chrome?"

(How long has it been since he last heard your voice?)

"It's you," he says softly, falling from his lips like the answer to a prayer that even he can't quite believe. "...You're here."

The words bring a smile to your face — soft and bright and oh-so-familiar — and he reaches out for your hand, sliding down to hold your wrist. His fingers press against where he might feel your pulse but it's still, silent, cold, with only the same subtle thrum of electricity that sits beneath his own synthetic skin.

"I'm here," you echo, and for just a moment he sets aside all the questions running through his head.

Chrome takes another look at you, at your new metal body, at the same face he had seen every day growing up and seen in his dreams every night since you disappeared. He straightens your jacket and lets his hand rest on your shoulder for one moment, then two, waiting for you to swat his hand away.

"Chrome," you say, placing your hand over his. "Can I stay over for dinner?"

The question draws a surprised noise out of his throat, and his expression slowly melts into a smile.

"Always," he replies. "...And for however long you want to stay afterwards."

[fancyloveavenue]

5 Easy & Affordable Ways to Decorate Your Home for Any Special Occasion

When there’s a special occasion on the horizon, decorating your home can make it feel magical without spending more. You don’t need to hire professionals or break the bank to transform your space into something festive and inviting. With a little creativity and some budget-friendly ideas, you can make your home stand out and feel special for any celebration. Let me walk you through some easy and inexpensive ways to do it.

1. DIY Decorations: Let Your Creativity Shine

You’d be amazed at how much a little DIY can do. Making your own decorations saves money and adds a personal touch to your home.

Think of simple ideas like paper garlands, bunting, or handmade flowers. You can use cheap materials like colored paper, tissue paper, or fabric scraps you already have. If you have kids, this could be a fun project for them too.

Another idea is to repurpose things you already have. Empty glass jars can be turned into candle holders or vases. Add some ribbon, lace, or string lights for a cozy, festive vibe.

With DIY, the possibilities are endless—just let your creativity flow!

2. Custom Neon Signs: A Statement Piece

Have you ever thought about custom neon signs? They’re perfect for adding a bit of modern glow to your decor.You can pick it for a birthday party, anniversary, or even a festive holiday. These neon signs instantly make a space feel special.

You can personalise the message to suit the occasion—maybe a cheerful “Happy Birthday!” or even a simple “Celebrate” in a fun font. What I love about neon signs is that they’re not just decorations for one day. You can keep them up as a stylish feature in your home even after the occasion.

Sparky Neon offer a wide range of customisable options, so you can choose something that fits your theme and budget. It’s not as expensive as you might think, and the best part? You don’t need to worry about storage—they look great all year round!

3. Rearrange What You Already Have

Now, this might sound too simple to be effective, but trust me, a little rearranging can completely transform a space.

Start by decluttering and clearing out anything that doesn’t fit the occasion. Then, move furniture around to create an open and inviting area, especially if you’re hosting guests.

You can also bring out your “special occasion” items—maybe that fancy tablecloth, candles, or a few extra cushions. Rearranging doesn’t cost a thing, and it allows you to highlight different areas of your home for the celebration.

Sometimes, less is more, and simply refreshing what you already own can make all the difference.

4. String Lights for a Warm Glow

There’s something about string lights that instantly makes a room feel magical. They’re versatile, affordable, and easy to set up.

Drape them around windows, across walls, or even weave them through your DIY decorations. If you have an outdoor space, string lights can transform a garden or balcony into a cosy, twinkling haven.

You don’t need to buy anything fancy—simple fairy lights or warm LED string lights work beautifully. You could also experiment with battery-powered options if you don’t want cords everywhere.

The soft, warm glow of string lights creates an ambience that’s perfect for any celebration, no matter the occasion.

5. Flowers and Greenery: Nature’s Touch

Adding fresh flowers or greenery to your space is one of the easiest ways to decorate. You don’t even need to spend a lot—wildflowers, leaves, or branches from your garden can work just as well as store-bought bouquets.

Arrange them in vases, jars, or even teapots for a charming, rustic look. If fresh flowers aren’t an option, you can use artificial ones, which can be reused for future events.

Another idea is to create a small centrepiece for your dining or coffee table. Add candles, fairy lights, or a bit of ribbon to the arrangement, and it will feel effortlessly elegant.

Flowers and greenery add life to a space and help tie everything together, making your home feel fresh and festive.

Final Thoughts

Decorating your home for a special occasion doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity and effort, you can create a cozy, welcoming, and festive space.

Start by trying some DIY projects to add a personal touch, and consider adding a statement piece like a custom neon signs, it’s a stylish, versatile choice. Rearrange your furniture, add some string lights for a magical glow, and finish off with some flowers or plants to bring in a touch of nature.

The best part? These ideas don’t just help you save money—they make your home feel unique to you. So go ahead, try these tips, and enjoy celebrating in a space that feels as special as the occasion!

[allylikethecat]

The Secret History - my official review

OKAY SO: I actually finished it last week (and have low key read half The Plated Prisoner Series since then but that is besides the point) but then my body decided to give up on me and I disappeared from the interwebs for a minute BUT I feel like this book has been a group project since so many of y'all lovely people recommended it and I owe you an official review so here it is!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

I would call The Secret History a three and a half star read for me. I enjoyed it, I didn't feel like I was trudging through it / had to force myself to read it, but it also isn't something that once I finished I was disappointed that it was over / that I wanted to read again. I would probably recommend it to friends if I knew they were into very literary reads. I will admit that it felt like something I would have been assigned to read in school (not that that is a bad thing! I read one of my all the favs The Left Hand of Darkness originally for an English class) and isn't necessarily something I would pick up on my own.

There were times I was on the edge of my seat and very excited, but other times I was very much like "omfg please get to the point" I did for some reason really like Cloke and Judy and I honestly haven't thought enough about the book critically to determine if I was supposed to or if I was just so annoyed with everyone else that I did. I also felt like the main six students were all kind of the same? I'm not sure but I know for a while there Charles / Camilla / Francis all kind of blurred together to me. I also 100% was under the impression that Julian was going to play a bigger role but instead of the "charismatic teacher" I was promised in the blurb he was just kind of ... there sometimes. If anything Henry was more the charismatic one which he achieved by being so NOT charismatic.

However as I said I did still enjoy the book and I am happy I read it. I might even eventually check out Goldfinch by Donna Tartt because I have also heard good things about that one. For now though I will be sticking with some of my romance novels. They might not be considered literary and I know a lot of people think they're silly but they bring me joy which is what reading is all about 😊

HOWEVER I do have one major complaint: The font in the paperback edition of this book was so damn small I had to get a reading magnifying glass to be able to read the words without a headache. I guess if anyone else is looking to read it, keep that in mind 😂

If anyone else has any other book recs though send them my way! I'm always look to expand my horizons with new reads! (Even though my physical TBR is over 100 books currently...)

[jetbootcollection]

As the streets fill with noise and the skies fill with fire, I feel nothing.

For in my long travels across every map put to parchment I have faced deities, beasts, and despots alike. Faced their rancor, their steel, their arrows, their magiks. And I met them in kind to prove that my own path was more righteous.

Entire worlds fit to bursting with primordial light or darkness have witnessed my crusade. I have traveled the breadth of the firmament to do battle with the concept of melancholy. The very gods themselves have come to me to ease their burdens.

And so, as the streets fill with noise and the skies fill with fire, I feel nothing. For but this fleeting moment...

I know peace.

There is no war looming just over the horizon that I must forestall. There is no monstrosity barreling toward me to devour my entrails. There is no cry for aid from the throats of the downtrodden or dying.

I know peace. The people have gathered to celebrate, their cheers filling the streets as they vow to remember and move forward. Fire fills the skies in wondrous shapes and colors to show the people that life is worth living.

I know peace, the world melts away. I am greeted by a hyur as infinite as he is plain. The Grand Architect himself. He thanks me for the journey I have walked and will continue to walk.

By all rights I should be angry. To my well trained eye, I see before me the very font of all the challenges and troubles I have faced, every obstacle overcome. By his deft hand has risen every storm, shiver, and scream.

But all I can do is smile, as I would have it no other way.

I know peace, and the world I have fought everlong to preserve returns to my sight. Soon the streets will hush and the fires will relent to the stars beyond. And on the morrow a new dawn will be rising, bringing with it another year of this grand journey of adventure.

as important as the rising is to the lore of ffxiv it remains deeply funny to me that on a yearly basis, we dissociate so hard that our wols meet a real human being, and not just any human being but The Guy Who Produces The Video Game You Are Playing

[digitalskills-hub]

How to Create Your Own App in 2025: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

In today’s digital era, apps are not just for tech giants or professional developers. Whether you're a small business owner, a student with a great idea, or a creative mind exploring new horizons, 2025 is the best time to learn how to create your own app — even if you don’t know how to code. Thanks to powerful and user-friendly tools, creating a mobile app is more accessible than ever.

This blog walks you through every essential step, from concept to launch, in a simple and beginner-friendly way.

Step 1: Start with a Clear Idea

Every great app starts with a strong idea. Take time to define:

What your app does

Who it helps

What problem it solves

Your idea should be simple and focused. For instance, a task reminder app, a food ordering service for your area, or an app that helps students manage study schedules. Write your thoughts on paper or use a mind-mapping tool to organize them.

Step 2: Do Market Research

Once you have your idea, look around to see if similar apps already exist. Analyze:

What features those apps offer

How users have rated them

What users complain about

This step helps you understand where you can improve or stand out. Tools like Google Trends, App Store reviews, and user forums can offer helpful insights.

Step 3: Define the Core Features

As a beginner, it’s better to focus on building an MVP — a Minimum Viable Product. List the features your app must have in its first version.

For example, if you’re making a recipe app, your MVP could include:

Recipe categories

Search function

Save favorite recipes

Share via social media

Avoid adding too many complex features in the beginning. You can always update the app later based on user feedback.

Step 4: Choose an App Builder Tool

You don’t need to be a software engineer to build an app today. Many no-code or low-code platforms let beginners create apps without writing a single line of code.

Popular tools in 2025 include:

Thunkable: Ideal for Android and iOS, easy drag-and-drop interface.

Adalo: Great for building native mobile apps visually.

Glide: Turns your Google Sheets into mobile apps quickly.

FlutterFlow: Best for those looking for more customization with low-code options.

These platforms offer templates, component libraries, and step-by-step guidance to make your job easier.

Step 5: Design Your App

Good design matters as much as functionality. Start by creating wireframes (basic screen layouts) using tools like:

Figma

Canva (mobile templates)

Adobe XD

Keep your user interface clean and intuitive. Choose fonts, icons, and colors that match your app’s purpose. For example, use soft colors for a meditation app, or bold tones for a fitness tracker.

Step 6: Start Building the App

Now it's time to bring your design to life. Use your chosen platform to:

Add pages/screens

Insert buttons, images, and text

Link the screens for smooth navigation

Connect to a database if your app needs to store user data

Most app builders have preview options so you can test the look and feel of your app as you build it.

Step 7: Test Your App

Before launching, test your app thoroughly. Check how it performs on different devices, screen sizes, and internet connections. Ask a few friends or family members to try it and provide feedback.

Focus on:

Usability

Navigation

Speed and loading time

Any bugs or glitches

Make necessary adjustments to enhance the user experience.

Step 8: Publish Your App

When you're satisfied with your app, you can publish it to app stores:

For Android:

Create a Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time fee)

Upload the APK file

Add descriptions, screenshots, and submit for review

For iOS:

Join the Apple Developer Program ($99/year)

Use Xcode or app builder integrations to submit the app

Complete the App Store checklist and publish

App review and approval may take a few days, depending on guidelines and content.

Step 9: Promote Your App

Once live, your app needs users. Start promoting using:

Social media platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter)

Blog posts and SEO (like this one!)

App Store Optimization (ASO)

Paid ads (Google Ads, Meta Ads)

Word-of-mouth marketing

Create engaging content around your app’s features and benefits to attract attention and build credibility.

Step 10: Keep Improving Based on Feedback

Your first version isn’t the end — it’s the beginning. Listen to your users. Add features they request, fix bugs, and keep enhancing the app. Regular updates not only keep users happy but also help with app ranking on stores.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to create your own app in 2025 is a powerful skill that opens doors to entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial growth. You don’t need to be a tech expert. With the right idea, smart planning, and easy-to-use tools, you can launch your app and start making a difference.

So, what are you waiting for? Start building your app today — your future self will thank you.

[tevivinter]

Six Song Soundtrack

i was tagged by @serbarris, thanks!!

Rules: If you're tagged, make a post with links to music and/or lyrics describing six things/events about your OC/story.

Caelen Mercar

Event that defines your character's past:

Drown - Bring Me The Horizon What doesn't destroy you, leaves you broken instead Got a hole in my soul growing deeper and deeper, and I can't take One more moment of this silence, the loneliness is haunting me And the weight of the world's getting harder to hold up

How your character sees themselves:

Hostage - Normandie My mind is running red lights To escape this situation I hold my breath and bite my tongue Pretend and play along I rewind, reset, restart, repeat Again when morning comes

How others view them:

Centuries - Fall Out Boy Some legends are told Some turn to dust or to gold But you will remember me Remember me, for centuries

Their closest relationship (romantic and platonic):

Mother Tongue - Bring Me The Horizon So don't say you love me, fala: amo Just let your heart speak up, and I'll know No amount of words could ever find a way to make sense of this So I wanna hear your mother tongue Black Sheep - Dorothy Oh, I feel it deep in my bones I was born to break every curse, every chain So I'm singing Hail, hail the black sheep We are blood, we are family

A major fight scene:

Burn - 2WEI, Edda Hayes I could burn the city down I could put you underground Make the stars fall from the sky Make the clouds and heaven cry I could burn it all down, down, down

End credits song:

House of Memories - Panic! at the Disco Baby, we built this house on memories Take my picture now, shake it 'til you see it And when your fantasies become your legacy Promise me a place in your house of memories

tagging @l-llavellans, @asexualtabris, @wickedwitchofthewilds, @the-font-bandit, @megthemariner, no pressure!

[deadn30n-arch]

FAREWELL, WILLOW TREE. ( CH. 2 )

a note from the author: hello! this story is an SVSSS ( Scum Villain Self-Saving System ) and Honkai Star Rail crossover inspired by a storyline created through rp with my friend @yingren / @vainrot. ( if you aren't following east i highly recommend it, i love him dearly and he's a great inspiration for me ♥ ) it follows the plot of Jing Yuan && Ying Ren initially being transmigrated into Cang Qiong Sect. later, they return home with Liu Qingge && Yue Qingyuan being reverse transmigrated onto the Xianzhou Luofu themselves. the pairings are Yue Qingyuan/Jing Yuan and Ying Ren/Liu Qingge. this story is written from the perspective of Yanqing, who was 'adopted' by Liu Qingge and partially trained by him in our canon.

tw for: character death & mild depictions of gore in later chapters.

please keep in mind this was written purely for mine and East's enjoyment. comments are absolutely welcome, but i am not looking for constructive criticism on my writing style. thank you! keep in mind, also, it's been more than ten years since i last wrote fanfiction. the pacing and wording might come off a little odd even after heavily editing this, i'm so sorry. ;_; non-mutuals and personals may interact. font has been condensed to <small> text.

CH. 1 🌿

dawn swept down across the horizon, soft and subtle like a dove. the man sleeping on the couch suddenly blinked open his bleary eyes, and slowly sat up. he pressed the heel of a palm over one of his eyes while his face screwed up into something unpleasant.  “ that dream again… “  he muttered bitterly to himself. this was the third night in a row he’d dreamt about that day, but it couldn’t be helped with where he was right now.

around him everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. the stench of stale air could practically choke a person to death. it was obvious this place hadn’t been touched in years, but Yanqing had already spent three fitful nights and days here, seeking comfort from the ghosts of memories that still haunted its walls. hoping they’d bring him even a sliver of solace.

it’d been more than a century since Liushu Pavilion had seen any guests. not long after its master had betrayed the Luofu and fled, the entire building was sealed under Jing Yuan’s orders, and guards were posted to prevent trespassing. most people demanded the place be burnt to the ground, infuriated by Liu Qingge’s traitorous choices, but Jing Yuan insisted on keeping it intact. nobody knew why  –  but many guessed it likely had to do with sentimental reasons. it was no secret that Jing Yuan was softer than most of the arbiter-generals, and had a tendency to hang onto things that others would throw away without hesitation. but in the face of such a heart-wrenching betrayal, nobody could figure out why he wanted to preserve this place.

heaving a sigh, Yanqing shook the grogginess from his head and made his way into the kitchen. this place was just as neglected as the rest of the house  –  the only things that appeared brand new and out of place were a bag of rice, a box of tea, and a couple of fresh food items stored away in the fridge. as he stepped onto the threshold, he glanced at the old and dirty coffee pot in the corner. the sight of incited a memory of a question he’d asked so long ago about it.

“ shizun, why do you keep this coffee pot around? i’ve never seen you drink coffee before. “

Liu Qingge kept his back to Yanqing as he clumsily continued trying to cut vegetables for their lunch. he’d never been the best cook, but he managed all the same.  “ i’m keeping it for someone. “  he answered curtly.

back then, Yanqing couldn’t figure out ‘who’ that someone was. now, years later, with all the knowledge he had and the events he’d witnessed, he knew precisely who that coffee pot was for. these days, it only made him tired to think about him.

even after all these years, within Yanqing was still a sea of turbulent emotions toward that person. over time he’d come to hate him, had even convinced himself that he’d cast some kind of spell over his shizun to get him to betray the Luofu. but deep down… deep down he knew that wasn’t the case. he’d always known that this was a decision Liu Qingge made of his own volition. that he’d made his choice for the sake of love.

Yanqing felt bitterness well up in his chest again as he reached up and dragged a tired hand down his face.  “ it’s been over fifty years, and i still can’t forgive either of you. “  he spoke aloud to the empty space. 

indeed  –  fifty years had passed. Yanqing had lost his boyish charm and grown into a dashing young gentleman who now bore the title ‘Cloud Knight General’. his hair was longer, his figure taller and more full. from an outside perspective he probably looked no older than twenty-three, but he was well over three hundred by now. the boy had become a man; had witnessed the ascension of Fu Xuan to the role of arbiter-general, and faced the hardship of saying goodbye to the last two people who were most important to him.

their recent departure was part of the reason Yanqing found himself dwelling in the abandoned halls of Liushu Pavilion. death and grief had a way of drawing people into doing the most ridiculous things in order to cope, and even Yanqing hadn’t been spared from it. being inside Liushu Pavilion didn’t seem all that ridiculous, but to Yanqing who struggled with loathing for the man that previously owned it, it sure felt like it.

when Jing Yuan and Yue Qingyuan passed, Yanqing had always imagined it would be a gentle end for the two of them  –  as the two of them were both very gentle people. one might leave before the other, but the other would join shortly thereafter. Yanqing viewed them as parents; as benevolent guardians with soft eyes and genial hands. even after Liu Qingge departed this place, they continued to help guide Yanqing with a firm but compassionate nature to everything they did. they carried on, doing their best to fill in his absence.

never did he imagine their end would, in fact, be so bloody. never did he imagine their end would be at the hands of that traitor.

it was always Yanqing’s greatest wish to see those two rest in peace. to be guided to their end by a gentle hand. even though Yanqing knew such a thing technically was impossible for someone like Jing Yuan  –  a long lived species destined to succumb to mara  –  he still held fast to hope. even when Jing Yuan instructed him to kill him when the day came. if that was to be his fate, then at the very least Yanqing would guide a blade into his chest with tempered mercy. he wouldn’t force him to suffer.

so why was he denied even this wish? why were the things Yanqing wanted the most, always taken away from him at the last second? why why why? wasn’t it enough that he’d suffered the abandonment of his parents, of his adoptive shizun, of betrayal–

why did it have to be Cheng Luan piercing Jing Yuan’s chest, and not Yanqing’s flying sword?

why, when Yanqing finally mustered the courage to say goodbye, was his heart ripped out once more from his chest?

and why did Liu Qingge’s eyes look so empty? so devoid of life as he did it?

when Yanqing watched him rip the lives from Jing Yuan and Yue Qingyuan, he couldn’t understand why Liu Qingge looked no different than their corpses pooling blood on the ground. his gaze so cold, so hollowed out, like an endless void swallowing all the life spiraling around it. it was like his own soul had been siphoned from his body, and he was left as nothing more than a re-animated corpse. he’d stared at Yanqing with an unfeeling expression before leaping away, never once uttering a word  –  never once showing remorse for having murdered his two friends. it didn’t matter that Jing Yuan was on the verge of succumbing to mara insanity…. shouldn’t it have sparked something in Liu Qingge? shouldn’t he have felt even the slightest bit of sorrow?

what exactly gave him the right to make that decision in the first place? what even brought him back to the Luofu; a place that hadn’t seen his face in a century?

three weeks have now passed since that day, and Yanqing still wasn’t any closer to the truth. the more he thought about it, the more it didn’t make any sense. when he tried to ruminate on it, it only ended up leaving him leaning more on the edge of asperity. in this moment, his temper flared. 

he suddenly flung open one of the cupboards, grabbed an ornate teapot  –  the white one painted with willow branches on it that Liu Qingge had favoured the most  –  and violently smashed it on the ground. he then stared with empty eyes at the scattered pieces of porcelain for a long time but felt nothing. no regret. no remorse for doing it.

he couldn’t count on both hands the amount of times he’d brewed Liu Qingge’s favourite tea in that pot, or the conversations they’d had while drinking the tea, and the smiles and memories they’d shared together.

in the broken pieces he saw his own smiling reflection; that young boy full of dreams and aspirations, who clung to Liu Qingge’s sleeve and chattered away happily about all the new moves he’d learned. he remembered how badly he wanted to impress Liu Qingge back then. he remembered how joyful he felt each time Liu Qingge imparted a new piece of knowledge onto him.

smashing the pot wasn’t enough now  –  the more he dared to recall, the angrier he became. soon enough, the cups belonging to that set were also in pieces on the ground beneath his feet, one by one, and he even kicked at a couple of them.  “ what made you become like this?! “  Yanqing yelled desperately at them.  “ why did you do it!? why did you leave me behind?! “ 

fifty years of repressed emotions were finally coming to surface in this moment  –  fifty years of enduring without complaint, while never having the chance to understand, was crumbling away at last.

angry tears sprung to the corners of the general’s eyes and flowed freely down his face. he continued to smash as many of the ornate dishes he could get his hands on with reckless abandon until the entire floor was coated in a sea of broken clay and porcelain. even after doing this, he still didn’t feel close to satisfied  –  he probably wouldn’t until he had Liu Qingge’s neck in his hands and he could ask him why why why!

Yanqing had never been a violent boy or someone who was easily prone to anger. he’d tried to continue to be soft, to be understanding, but even the most tempered of people could unravel at the seams when put under the right amount of duress.

just as he was about to whip around and start ransacking the entire pavilion, he suddenly froze in place.

he could hear the sound of a guqin coming from somewhere deeper within.

it was unmistakable. it’s sad, mournful tune carried throughout the house and drifted straight into Yanqing’s ears. what’s worse; he recognized this tune. he knew exactly what this was, and who was playing it. it made his heart ache terribly behind his ribcage. a vision of warm sunlight and white willow branches briefly flashed before his eyes. he saw, in vivid detail, pale hands carefully strumming the strings of a jade guqin.

all at once his rage surged forward like a violent tide, and with newfound energy he stormed his way through the house until he was able to locate where this person was within. half-way through, he’d already drawn his sword and was poised, ready to drive it into that man’s heart as ruthlessly as he’d watched him drive one through Jing Yuan and Yue Qingyuan’s. it was only fair, right? if he had the audacity to come back, then he should be able to accept his punishment.

Yanqing couldn’t forget the look of horror on Yue Qingyuan’s face as he watched Jing Yuan’s lifeless body hit the ground, or the mechanical way Liu Qingge had then turned on Yue Qingyuan and run him through with Cheng Luan. he did this as if it were the most natural thing in the world; as if it were his destiny to send his friend on the same journey as his husband.

Yanqing flung open the sliding door, sword raised, fury burning like a wildfire in his heart.

just as he suspected, Liu Qingge was sitting in front of the same small table he used to play haoyu on, and was plucking the guqin’s strings. he was clad in pure white with silver threads, looking like a ghost dragged from the afterlife and his hair completely down. his eyes were closed and he made no notion he knew Yanqing was there as he continued to play that haunting melody.

he acted like nothing was wrong.

Yanqing wanted to sever his head from his shoulders for that. in an instant he stalked over to where that man was sitting, who looked as if he hadn’t aged a day since they’d last seen each other, and pressed the tip of his blade against Liu Qingge’s throat.

his former Shizun didn’t move. he didn’t even try to dodge the attack, he just kept on playing without a care in the world. as if a single flick of Yanqing’s wrist wouldn’t sever his artery and make him bleed out.

seeing this lack of reaction from Liu Qingge filled Yanqing with so many more complicated emotions that he became overwhelmed by them. he choked, his hand trembling, and accidentally let go of his sword. the weapon clattered on top of the guqin and disrupted it’s tune. Liu Qingge’s hands paused at last with this. eventually he opened his eyes and met Yanqing’s fierce stare head on, allowing him to glimpse at the vacancy in the dark pools of his irises.  “ you won’t take revenge? “

Yanqing immediately felt queasy, but ignored his comment.

he asked uneasily instead. “ how… long have you been here? “

“ a while. “

“ …were you the one who put the blanket on me while i slept? “

“ yes. “

Yanqing grit his teeth and lunged across the table, knocking haoyu aside as he grabbed Liu Qingge by the lapels.  “ do you understand what you’ve done!? “  he yelled as his repressed emotions burst forth yet again.  “ do you have any shame at all shizun?! do you have a heart!? do you know what’s going to happen now that you’re here?! do you even know how i feel right now?! “  Yanqing’s words continued to fly from his lips in an unleashed fury. everything he’d been holding onto after all these years was finally unfurling from his tongue and lashing Liu Qingge across the face, each one like a sharp slap.

Liu Qingge said nothing for a very long time, nor did he react, simply peering up at him wordlessly. just when Yanqing couldn’t take it anymore, he finally spoke in a tone of voice so uncannily desolate it sent shivers down Yanqing’s spine.  “ i didn’t see it clearly before, but you really did grow up. “ though he failed to answer any of Yanqing’s questions, these words alone seemed potent enough to sap the strength from Yanqing’s body in an instant.

his golden eyes darted from side to side, searching Liu Qingge’s barren gaze as if desperate to dig out something he couldn’t find. the longer he searched, the colder he became, and the more he realized that the man he once knew didn’t dwell in those eyes anymore. what sat before him now was nothing more than a shell of that person he once idolized.

Yanqing slowly let go of him and sunk to his knees, burying his face in his hands. he wanted to weep as much as he wanted to scream and shout and obliterate him to pieces, but he just couldn’t find the strength to do it. all these years he’d fantasized on how he’d make Liu Qingge pay for what he’d done, but when finally given the opportunity… he couldn’t. he just couldn’t.

amidst his silent laments, he heard a rustling and some scraping sounds. when he looked up, he realized that Liu Qingge had returned haoyu to the table, but on either side of it were two swords placed. one was Cheng Luan, still sheathed. the other was the cracked black blade he’d only seen a handful of times, and who didn’t belong to Liu Qingge. furrowing his brows, he leveled his gaze with his former master.

“ they’re your’s now. “  Liu Qingge said. it’s as if he could read Yanqing’s mind and knew the question before it even left his lips.  “ i told you you’d inherit them one day. i wasn’t planning on giving you his weapon too, but i know i don’t have the luxury of being buried with it now that i’m here. “

his weapon?

his weapon.

Ying Ren.

Yanqing snapped his eyes onto that cracked sword and viewed it with so much contempt that, if it were a living, breathing person, it might’ve shriveled up under the intensity of his gaze. seeing it raised another question to his mind though, one that he turned to Liu Qingge for.  “ why are you giving me his weapon? doesn’t he need it? “

just like before, Liu Qingge didn’t give an answer.

frustrated with his shizun’s indifference, Yanqing snatched the weapon up and inspected it with a few turns in his hand. he saw nothing remarkable about it whatsoever; he couldn’t even appreciate it for it’s exquisite craftsmanship, filled with so much contempt for Ying Ren.  “ i don’t want this. “  he missed the look in Liu Qingge’s eyes as he said this  –  something akin to sorrow. in the end he set it back down at the same time he watched Liu Qingge rise to his feet. he then saw him extend both of his hands out in Yanqing’s direction.

“ i’m ready to face my punishment. don’t worry, i won’t run anymore. “  just like that, he made it clear he intended to let Yanqing take him to the shackling prison. so many questions were still left unanswered in Yanqing’s mind, and he was beyond agitated with everything, but he conceded. he moved to stand up and extended his own hand as a golden light began to materialize in his palm. it formed a set of immortal binding cables, which he then wrapped around Liu Qingge’s wrists. there was no need to put him in cuffs; these cables were specifically designed to repress the spiritual flow of a cultivator. it was effective no matter how strong the cultivator was.

Liu Qingge watched this with a vague sense of interest.  “ so you mastered the technique after all. “  he mused aloud quietly.

“ i made sure to master everything you left behind for me to learn. “  there was a hint of something indescribable in Yanqing’s voice, intermingled with his exhaustion.  “ are you surprised? “

“ of course not. “  Liu Qingge replied indifferently.  “ i would be insulted if you didn’t. if you have the audacity to still call me your shizun, then you should make sure you’ve mastered every single technique in that sword manual. otherwise, i’ll kick you off the edge of this ship myself for being a disgrace. “

to this, Yanqing shot him a glance with a raised brow, but didn’t say anything more. for a second he heard the old Liu Qingge in those words and it took him by surprise. he almost considered trying to ask him questions because of this, but he knew the kind of person Liu Qingge was; he could grill him all day, but he wasn’t going to get any of the answers he wanted if Liu Qingge was unwilling. that was how he’d always done things. so rather than start to pester him, having unveiled some of his shizun’s old temperament in those declarations, he made to leave instead. just as he was about to open the door, Yanqing found himself stopped by Liu Qingge.  “ i have one request before we go. “  Liu Qingge looked to him with askance.

Yanqing frowned.  “ … what is it? “

“ don’t separate me from him. “

“ huh… ? him? “

Yanqing turned to look back at Liu Qingge and noticed that he was holding a small clay jar between his bound hands. he’d seen it before, briefly, by Liu Qingge’s side when he was playing the guqin just a moment ago, but didn’t pay it any mind. he also hadn’t noticed him pick it up a moment ago. now that he got a better look at it, he realized it was jet black all over and painted with a bunch of red spider lilies of various sizes. on one side two words stood out to him in white paint  –  a name that made his blood freeze over.

Ying Ren again.

Yanqing felt nauseous all over again. his vision swam and he pressed a palm against his forehead. he knew what that symbolized now  –  what it’s contents were. he couldn’t bring himself to look at Liu Qingge when he posed his next question despite already knowing the answer.  “ that’s– … wasn’t he immortal?  “

he heard Liu Qingge sigh softly.  “ he was. these are his ashes. “

Yanqing didn’t want to hear more. he couldn’t bear it. if he did, he really would just shatter on the spot. he now knew why Liu Qingge was wearing white instead of grey-blue and silver; he was in mourning. trying not to imagine how Liu Qingge must be feeling right now, he stated in a strained voice;  “ as long as you do as what you said, then there won’t be any reason for me to confiscate that. “  he paused for a moment, deliberating over something, and then continued.  “ … i’ll see about making an exception for you in the shackling prison. normally letting a prisoner take objects in with them isn’t allowed. “

Liu Qingge loosened his tight grip ever so slightly on the urn and visibly relaxed.  “ this master thanks you. “  something about him had changed so drastically that hearing these words gave Yanqing another pause. he’d never heard Liu Qingge refer to himself in such a way and it left him feeling perplexed. 

did Ying Ren’s death thoroughly break him that badly? or was it the fact he’d killed Jing Yuan and Yue Qingyuan? or was it a mix of the two? did he feel any regret for having left Yanqing behind too? what turned him into this kind of person? Yanqing so very badly wanted to make inquiries despite knowing it’d be the equivalent of talking to a brick wall.

in the end, he resigned himself to swallowing it all down his throat and leading Liu Qingge out of Liushu Pavilion and toward the shackling prison.

[xuchiya]

"Sunshine" || park seonghwa

|| "she is my solace. she was my solace ... " ||

genre: angst. non!idol seonghwa. dad! seonghwa

Seonghwa stepped into the meadow, the field a riot of color beneath the soft caress of the sun. Wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze, their delicate petals painting a mosaic of pinks, yellows, and blues. The light was warm, but not harsh, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Birds sang a symphony of peace from the trees lining the field, their melodies weaving through the air like a soothing lullaby.

Wooyoung glanced at Seonghwa, noticing the way his friend seemed to melt into the scene, yet there was a noticeable weight in his steps, as if his feet were made of lead. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Wooyoung said softly, trying to draw Seonghwa out of his thoughts.

Seonghwa nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon where the wildflowers met the sky. “Yeah, it is,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a deep breath, the scent of blooming flowers filling his lungs, but it did little to lift the heaviness in his chest.

“You seem... off,” Wooyoung observed, concerned etching his features. “What’s going on?”

Seonghwa let out a sigh, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of the world rested upon them. “It’s this place,” he admitted, voice soft like the daisy he touched with the tip of his fingers as he passed by them. “It’s so peaceful, so perfect. But it makes everything I’m feeling inside so much louder, you know?”

Wooyoung nodded, understanding. “Sometimes, being in a place like this can bring things to the surface. It’s okay to feel that way.”

Seonghwa kicked at a tuft of grass, watching as the blades scattered. “I thought coming here would help clear my mind. But all I feel is...”

“Lost?” Wooyoung finished for him, his voice gentle.

Seonghwa nodded, his eyes welling up. “Yeah. Lost.” He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply—pushing down the tears and grief.

Wooyoung nodded, “Then maybe it’s not about clearing your mind,” he said softly. “Maybe it’s about finding a way to carry the heaviness a little easier, even in a place as beautiful as this.”

Seonghwa looked around at the vibrant flowers, the peaceful trees, the birds still singing their song. Despite the beauty, his heart still felt heavy, but somehow, the small figure running up to them made everything bearable. “Appa!” a little girl, hair tied in high pigtails, leaping over the daisies and dandelions.

Holding a bunch of different flowers in hand before stopping in front of Seonghwa, the little girl reach out with her short arm towards Seonghwa, “Fwowers for you!”

  Seonghwa chuckles, leaning down to take the flowers in her hand before looking at her, “Thank you sunshine!” She giggles before running off somewhere else again. Seonghwa stood back up, holding the said flowers in his hand and looking at them. Seonghwa watches closely as his daughter giggles trying to catch a butterfly with Yunho and San playing along.

“She loves going out a lot. Mostly in this place.” Seonghwa glanced at the open flowery field, the afternoon sun not so harmful in their skin yet he caught Hong joong and Jongho under the beach umbrella like vampires.

Seonghwa agrees, “She does love going out, seeing the flowers and all” He chuckles seeing the said person running towards the trio— making Hyerin scream before laughing, running away from Yeosang. Seonghwa felt his chest light yet still heavy seeing the view in front of him. It is what he wishes everyday, what he dreams to wake up on and what he wants for his daughter.

But it still misses more.

  “Appa— chankaman…” Because Seonghwa is so preoccupied with his thoughts, he didn’t realise his shoelace had come undone and his daughter, running in small font— kneel beside him. He chuckles, watching her as Hyerin took the shoelaces in her tiny fingers, “Do you know how to tie shoelace, sunshine?”

She hums looking up at Seonghwa, her eyes round and innocent, “Yesh! Hyerin knows how!” He nodded, a swirl of pride in his chest, “May I see how then.”

Hyerin chuckles, nodding at her appa’s words, “Hyerin taught to do this while singing so Hyerin don’t get conshoes.” Seonghwa chuckles, placing a hand over her head and ruffles them, “Confuse but go ahead.”

Her eyes disappear as she giggles, “Okay appa!”

As soon as Hyerin starts tying his shoelace, her next words catch him by surprise and his smile soon drops little by little until he soon realises where he had heard those words before.

“You make a promise so you cross them together and knot ‘til they tie~” She made a lousy cross and then pull them together, he watches her softly as his heart aches making his eyes and nose clog with tears, “You loop it and tie it so the promise never breaks~ a ribbon like a rabbit as it bounce when you walk~”

Hyerin is soon doing the double knot, and Seonghwa joins in even though his heart was heavy as his hands and shaky like his breath as tears run freely down his cheeks, “Double the tie so … “ 

“... the promise would become a wish.” Seonghwa finally broke, his shoulders shaking as tears continuously fell from his eyes and down to his cheeks; inhaling and exhaling yet coughing as it added to the pain (mentally) he was dwelling. He had held on for too long that the mere actions of his daughter were the final tip to break the dam; an overflowing and immense grief had knocked him.

Wooyoung saw him and immediately knelt beside Hyerin, “Hyung?”

“A-Appa?” He gradually looks up to his daughter. If it were the tears in his eyes, he could see you. Hyerin really was a photocopy of you, from the hair down to the mole on her left foot. He survives the day with grief and blithness to have her in his arms as he falls asleep yet it never beats the feeling of also having you in his arms.

Wiping his tears, using the back of his hand, “Appa is okay, just a dust in my eye.”

“Eomma said that is a lie.” His eyes were wide like saucers, his breath hitch at the back of his throat, “E-Eomma?” Hyerin, innocently looking at his father, nodded poking his father’s cheek, “Right cheek has a dimple wheweberyou lie bee-cause you give people shmile after you say you okay even if you are not.”

Seonghwa chuckles even with tears in his eyes, nose red and cheeks stained with tears, he gives his daughter a real genuine smile; he is taken back when her small fingers were on top of each of his cheeks “Eomma shaid you look ugly when you cwy.” 

Seonghwa laughs despite himself, the sound coming out more like a sob. “Did she now?” he asks, his voice trembling with emotion.

His daughter nods solemnly, her big eyes studying his face with innocent curiosity. “But I think you’re pwetty,” she declares with the earnestness only a child can muster. “Even when you cwy.” Touched by her words, Seonghwa feels a fresh wave of tears welling up. He pulls her into a tight embrace, her small body warm and comforting against his. “Thank you, sunshine. That means a lot to me.”

She pulls back slightly, her eyes searching his. “Are you gonna be okay, Appa?” Seonghwa takes a deep breath, “Yes, I will be. It’s going to take some time, but with you? I know I’ll be okay.”

Seonghwa looks at his daughter, the path winding through the sea of wildflowers. Each step felt like a monumental effort for Seonghwa, his heart aching with the weight of his grief. He looked up, the sight of the tranquil meadow contrasting sharply with the turmoil inside him.

"Do you ever think I'll really move on from this?" Seonghwa asked, his voice trembling.

Wooyoung glanced at him, eyes filled with empathy. "It's not about moving on, hyung. It's about moving forward. Carrying the memories, the love, the pain with you, but finding a way to keep living."

He paused, his breath catching in his throat. The pain was still there, a constant companion, but so was the love of his daughter, the support of his family. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the field, a promise of another day.

"Do you see her?" Wooyoung's voice was gentle, drawing Seonghwa's attention back.

Seonghwa nodded, tears welling in his eyes. "I see her."

"She will take care of you no matter what happens," Wooyoung said, walking back to join the others. "It's okay to grieve, to feel lost. But let her love guide you through. You'll grow stronger, better, when the sun shines again." 

It was this time that Seonghwa took notice of Wooyoung retreating body, “Woo~”

His daughter looked at him, her face scrunch up in confusion, “Appa, you’re talkwing to yourself again. Let’s go home?” Seonghwa took a deep breath, the scent of flowers filling his lungs, looking at the field then to his family and nodded. 

Seonghwa looks down at her, feeling a profound sense of gratitude, he feels the heavy weight on his heart lighten just a bit. He knows the road ahead will be challenging, filled with moments of grief and sorrow, but also with love and healing. He knew he had every right to grieve, to feel the pain that had settled so heavily in his heart. But he also knew that with his daughter, he could find a way to move forward.

With his daughter’s small hand in his and the support of his loved ones, Seonghwa feels a glimmer of hope. He knows he can move forward, carrying his memories and pain, and grow into a stronger, better person.

With a final, resolute step, Seonghwa made his way back to the cabin with his daughter, feeling the first stirrings of hope amidst his sorrow. The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew he wasn’t walking it alone. And as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the field, he takes comfort in knowing that the light will shine again, guiding him through the darkness.

Hyerin turning around over their clasp hand, she waves goodbye to the seven male figures, "bye-bye uncles~" imitated by a soft light as they waved back to her. To the side, she saw another figure but this time, Hyerin found herself looking somehow a lot like her.

She waves softly at Hyerin, the same light imiting behind her, "Bye Hyerin-ah. Take care of appa for me."

Hyerin, innocently waving back at her with a soft smile, "bye-bye eomma~"

[sheetal-12]

Dear Theo..

Where is my life going? What make it our mind? He loses things their joy and leads us to melancholy. I rot without my feathers and these colors. With them I recreate things anew. All things become cold and dull after time tramples on them. I want to invent new fonts and colors, other than the ones with which our eyes stumble every day.

All the old colors have a sad glint in my heart, are they so in nature or are my eyes sick? Here I am redrawn as I ignite the fire that lurks in it.

At the heart of the tragedy there are lines of joy I want my colors to show, in the fields of "crows" and ears of wheat with their twisted necks. Even the "farmer's shoes" that filter misery, there is joy that I want to capture by color and movement... Ugly things have an artistic peculiarity that we may not find in beautiful things, and the artist's eye does not miss that.

Today I drew my own portrait, and every morning, when I look in the mirror, I say to myself: You refined face, you ugly face of Vincent, why don't you renew it?

I spit in the mirror and get out... Today I reshaped my face, not as nature wanted it, but as I wanted it to be..

Two werewolf eyes without resolution. A green face and a beard like the tongues of fire. The ear in the painting was protruding I didn't need it. I grabbed the feather, I mean the razor, and removed it.. It seems that I got confused, between my head outside and inside the painting... Well what am I going to do with that lump of meat?

I sent it to the woman who didn't know my worth and thought I loved her.. It's okay let the appendages come together.. Here's my ear, talkative woman, talk to her... Now I can hear and see with my fingers. Indeed, my sixth finger, the feather, can do more than that: it dances, creates and caresses the skin of the painting.

I sit and meditate: the world has grown old and its wrinkles have increased, and the face of the painting is beginning to relax more. Oh my God, what can I do before night falls on the tower of the soul? The brush, the colors, and I quickly fix it: straight and short strokes, sharp and graceful, my colors are clear and primitive. Yellow Blue Red.. I want to bring things back to their spontaneity as if the world had just come out of its first cosmic egg.

I still remember: It was dusk or after dusk and before dawn. The lilac color (denoting the night) wets the horizon... Ah, the shiver of lilac, when we went out into the orchard to steal the cranberries. I was sitting in the middle of the tree watching a green and yellow worm while Ursula the more miserable jumped gleefully among the branches Suddenly she lost her balance and sank, my chest trembled before hanging on my neck, I held her to me, breathing like a frightened antelope, and when she moved away from me a berry had left its night nectar On the white of my shirt, since that day, when I was twelve, I felt its lilac nectar on the white of my shirt.

From that day on, when I was twelve, I feel I would be happy if a lilac hole were to open in my chest so that white might flow, what a lilac tremble.

The idea pushes me a lot, can I not do it Lie in the sunflower, yellow, oh I, absorb the rays of this joyful planet, stare and stare into the sun's eye where the soul of the universe is until my eyes burn me.

Two things stir my soul: staring at the sun, and at death.. I want to travel in the stars, and this miserable body is holding me back! When will we, the sons of the earth, go, carrying our bloody handkerchiefs, but to where? .. To the dream, of course.

Yesterday I painted flowers the color of clay after I planted myself in the dirt, and the ears were green and yellow growing over my head, and the crows of memory were flying without air. Heads of wheat and crows. Crows and wheat... the crows are pecking at my brain. Cork... Cork... everything is a dream. Dreams are in vain, and the feather of dust deceives us all the time.. Soon I will restore the trust of the dirt, and release the bird from my chest towards the land of the sun.. Oh swallow, I will open the cage for you with this pistol.

Goodbye, Theo, I'm leaving for spring.

- Vincent van Gogh

[papillon82fluttersby]

Famous Five Art Nostalgia #LC09

Introductory post

Introduction to ‘Les Cinq’

‘Les Cinq’ Masterpost

📦🛻💎 Les Cinq font de la brocante / Les Cinq et la statue inca – The Famous Five and the Inca God

Original publication date: 1975 (France), 1983 (UK)

(Original cover by Jean Sidobre, 1975)

In this book, the Five discover the joys of antiquing!

~~~~~~

Plot summary:

(Disclaimer: All provided translations are my own.)

George is joined by her cousins for their customary summer holidays at Kirrin Cottage. After a ‘boring’ week spent sunbathing, swimming, picnicking, biking, boating and enjoying Joanna’s delicious cooking, George is lamenting the lack of mystery to solve. In the course of their outings, the children have made a new friend called Bastien, who’s an antique dealer recently installed in the village.

(Happy greetings!)

[TRANSLATION: George: Here they come! Here they come! Timmy: Woof, woof! Julian: Hello, Timmy! George: Hurry up, there’s a nice snack waiting for us!]

(George is booooooored 😩😩😩😩😩😩)

[TRANSLATION: Narrator: That first meeting was followed by many others. Bastien, with his southern gab and cheerfulness, won the children over. But after a week, George was showing signs of impatience. George: The Famous Five are all together and there's not a single mystery on the horizon! Julian: Come on, George, the holidays have barely begun!]

One day, Bastien receives a life-size wooden statue that he assumes was sent by his associate, Alain, despite there not being any message indicating its origin. The statue, which is the effigy of a Bolivian god, is hollow and amplifies the voice of anyone who slips inside it. The children have fun with it and call it Tocotoc*. [*Note: ‘Tocotoc’ is a play-on-words on different levels: it sounds like what children might imagine a pre-Colombian Central American name would be; it’s similar to the written form of the sound someone makes when knocking on wood (‘toc-toc’); and it’s similar sounding to the French phrasing “en toc”, which is used to describe an object that is fake and cheap.]

Despite its ‘wow’ factor, which brings in many customers to Bastien’s shop out of curiosity, the statue is bulky, not particularly valuable, and not very likely to find a buyer. And yet, a couple of days later, a Spanish man offers a large sum to Bastien for the statue. Bastien is a bit taken aback by this offer, and ultimately refuses because the statue is actually useful to him in bringing customers to the shop.

(A strange offer)

[TRANSLATION: Bastien: All things considered, I’d rather not part with Tocotoc just yet. When I get back to Paris after the holidays, I’m sure I’ll find a buyer! Narrator: A few days later... Bastien: I’m not in the mood to be messed with today... George: What happened? Bastien: I had a visit from a stranger. He wanted Tocotoc. I told him it wasn't for sale. I thought the man was going to take it by force!]

A few days later, another man makes a huge offer for the statue, and Bastien refuses again. The Five feel that there is more to the statue than meets the eye. The two men, who are obviously in cahoots, finally find a ruse to get Bastien away from the shop, steal the statue and load it into a van. Fortunately for our protagonists, George had been left at the shop, and she manages to slip into the van undetected. When the thieves stop off at a café, George takes her chance and tries to drive the van away.

(Thinky thoughts outside the café)

[TRANSLATION: George (thinking): What if I went into that café and publicly accused Luis and Antoine? George (second panel): No one would believe me and the two thieves would have plenty of time to get away!...]

But due to her poor driving abilities (she’s 11, and has only ever driven her parents’ car in and out of the garage), she soon loses control of the vehicle and crashes into a tree, fortunately at low speed. The various onlookers think that she has either stolen the van or run away from home and they call the police, who in turn call Bastien and George’s father who both clear up the situation. On the way home, Bastien asks the Kirrins to please keep the statue, fearing that the thieves might come back to the shop for it.

The thieves indeed do not get deterred and make another (failed) attempt to steal the statue at Kirrin Cottage. Intrigued by their persistence, the Five examine the statue more closely and discover that a solid gold disc adorned with precious stones was hidden inside its chest piece.

(Seconds away from discovering the golden disc hidden in the statue)

[TRANSLATION: Narrator: After George's parents have gone to bed, the Five head to the shed. George: Let’s take a closer look at Tocotoc. Anne: Why insist on stealing it? Dick: It's not even made of precious wood. Narrator: To get a better look at the statue, the children decide to lay it on the ground. Suddenly, Tim spots a mouse! … Julian: Look out! Tim!!!]

The thieves try their luck again and finally make away with the statue – not realising that the golden disc is no longer inside.

The Five would like to know where the statue originally came from, but Bastien threw the packaging away long ago. Our investigators are stumped until Bastien receives a new package containing five statuettes from Bolivia. A closer examination reveals that the statuettes are hollow and filled with precious stones. The children conclude that these antiques are used to smuggle gold and jewels from South America to Europe. The address on the box shows that the intended recipient was not Bastien in Kernach (which is the French equivalent to Kirrin village), but another antique shop in Fernach, a small village located 3 km (2 miles) away. Having thus found the thieves’ headquarters, the Five go on a reconnaissance mission to see whom they are facing. They do find the remains of the statue, which has been cut to pieces by the bandits searching for the golden disc. RIP Tocotoc. 😢

Meanwhile, Bastien receives a threatening letter demanding that he bring the golden disc and the five statuettes to a certain location on the beach that night, or else. Bastien agrees to the rendezvous and calls the police, hoping that the bandits will be arrested, but the policemen think that Bastien’s call is a hoax and they don’t come. Furious that Bastien did not bring the golden disc and the jewels, the bandits kidnap him and take him to a yacht anchored in the bay. The Five, who had been waiting nearby, approach the yacht in their own boat and are able to eavesdrop on the bandits. George puts together a plan and sends Julian and Dick swimming to Kirrin Island, instructing them to hide and wait inside the castle.

George then buys time by putting on an act for the bandits, eventually “confessing” to having found the disc and hidden it on the island. She lures two of the villains into the dungeons and, together with Julian and Dick, they lock the bandits inside.

(A daring plan!)

[TRANSLATION: George: We discovered the dungeons at the bottom of this shaft. That's where we buried the golden disc. Thief: Go ahead! George: Mr Kopak should have come with us! Thief: Move along instead of talking!]

Julian, Dick and George then head for the yacht to capture the third bandit (Mr Kopak, the gang leader) and rescue Bastien, Anne and Timmy, but the yacht has disappeared!

On the yacht, Kopak had finally realised that he had been tricked and was planning to go to the shore with Bastien to recover the gold and jewels. As he angrily holds Bastien at gunpoint, Anne gets the jump on him with Timmy’s help and grabs the gun herself. The bandit is tied up. After reuniting with George and the boys, they all go to the police.

As a reward for recovering the stolen jewels, the La Paz museum in Bolivia sends the children a reproduction of Tocotoc, which they set in the garden at Kirrin Cottage.

~~~~~~

Cover art through the ages:

(Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list; sometimes the dates are difficult to pinpoint; and I have purposefully not included editions that re-used similar cover art, with differences only in layout and font style.)

(Cover art by Jean Sidobre, Hachette, 1977 – minor layout changes compared to the original 1975 version)

(Paul Gillon, Hachette, 1995 – sneaking onboard the yatch)

(Frédéric Rébéna, Hachette, 2012, with a title change – this statue is A LOT more gilded that I’ve been led to believe from the text 😶)

(Auren, Hachette, 2023 – Tocotoc has turned ferocious, grrrr! 😬)

~~~~~~

Thanks for reading!

[mintbecrazy]

I love playing with typefaces. I installed like 270 fonts recently lol

Btw It is a quote from the song "can you feel my heart" by Bring Me The Horizon

Look at what i created a few days ago

Very nice....everyoness got their own vopar style 💯💯💯

[buckypascal]

@daredevilhub Creator Event 2022 || Day 7: Free Space

It's blasphemy, but the words don't make sense no more.

Ask no questions and you'll get no lies. Turn the cheek and blind the eye.

'Cause we've found no sign and we've seen no light. We hear no voice when we pray at night.

But we swore, and now it's too late to turn back.

So don't try and tell me that you still believe. No, don't preach to me.