#KIDNAP A KEEPER FOR INFORMATION

[trappedinacomputer]

I personally can't wait for tr!Bad to hit the anger stage of grief

because the last time he went through the "anger" stage of grief he kidnapped and tortured someone

fingers crossed it happens again or its something worse :D

[aphroditesmoon]

smoke signals (part iv)

lighthouse keeper!sevika x selkie!reader

summary: sevika is content with her life, the loneliness that comes with her job is inevitable. but then one day, as she reaches the peak of mundanity, almost turning into insanity, you appeared. cold, quiet, clueless, sea-sent you, like a wish fulfilment for her.

warnings: selkie!reader, reader has selective mutism in beginning. makeout (no smut yet)

a/n: a long awaited chapter, idk who will read this still but if you've been an og, thank you for your patience <3

taglist: @lilredbird101 , @djstinkyfartz @vellichor-and-flowerpetals

wc: 6k

part 1 part 2 part 3

---

Your whole life has been spent disregarding the feeling of fear that crept in your heart as you travelled. Because that's just the way you were. Ghosts could lurk beyond closed doors, and you'd find yourself kicking them open and challenging them upfront despite the fact that your heart is beating outside of your chest.

Little bird, your mother use to call you. The irony of being compared to an animal of the sky as you remained below wasn't lost on you. But that was how she saw you. Free, unafraid to soar.

And so that was how you continued to live as you cherished the memories of her, untethered to anyone or any place, uncommitted. And the freedom feels oh so good for a while. But as it goes for anything you do for too long, it will start to hurt soon enough.

But now that you've had a taste for stability, you're not sure if you could live without it anymore. It was inevitable, you know. The way you had imposed yourself on Sevika was so sudden, your presence had existed without any sort of grounding. Floating around her, making yourself fit in places you shouldn't. You'd be as easy to get rid of just as you were as easy to be taken in.

You're not so sure when the eviction would be due, but what you do know is that today, the process had begun.

You can hear Sevika conversing with the old man, Vander, as you remain seated at the corner of the boat, letting them unload her stuff in. The waves are peaceful today, the sailing would be smooth and wind gentle, you predicted.

Casting a quick glance behind you, you found that the older woman had already been focusing on the back of your head. Her piercing eyes don't move after being noticed but instead intensify. Whatever words being said by the man next to her was clearly being ignored.

In this very moment, you wished you could read her mind. While she assumes that you could already.

Sevika turns back to Vander once he finished asking his question, leaving you to the sea again. "What?" She asks him.

Vander sighed and shook his head in a fatherly manner before repeating himself. "I said, what the hell have you gotten yourself into, woman?"

Sevika responded with her usual annoyed grunt and looked away from him.

"I left you alone for a month and you've already found yourself in new trouble."

"She's no trouble, and I'm in no shit. So check yourself, Vander." She didn't mean to sound so defensive, and it wasn't like she didn't understand what he had meant with 'trouble', but she's also actively trying to avoid the facts that are currently staring right at her face.

"Oh, no? So when we get to land, you'll be handing her over to the arms of those wretches with no problem, aye?" Sevika shoots him a glare.

"I...have not come to a definite conclusion."

Vander raises a brow at her.

"You can't keep her Vika, that's kidnapping." He says matter of factly.

She snorted at the possibility of you ever being her unwilling captive. "Never said anything about that."

Vander relented and dropped the subject with another defeated sigh. She knew she was acting like a child, avoiding the truth and refusing to make the call.

She doesn't know why its so hard, she had come to this decision weeks ago when you had first appeared outside her door, and the fact that you had given her little to no information about yourself since then, just makes this issue even more complicated.

But how can she give you up to the enforcers when she knows that even they won't make an effort to really return you to wherever you came from? At first, the plan was to get you out of her hands. But now, the idea of sending you straight into the lion's den is absolutely unbearable.

The only person she'll ever really care about, and now she's forced to let you down?

She wonders if you know what this trip would really mean, you seem to be lost in your own thoughts for more than expected and she isn't sure if it's because of the change of scenery or the addition of another person in your presence that will soon be multiplied overwhelmingly.

A part of her wants to go over to you and wrap a comforting arm around your shoulder, but she's not sure if she should. im fact, she's not sure on how she's supposed to act around you at all, feeling like no matter what angle she tries to come from, the killing blow of her oncoming betrayal will be seen as just as traitorous in your eyes.

But god, what else is she supposed to do? Sevika's mind has reached a blank wall.

Impulsively, Sevika approached Vander with a question. "Say old man, you don't mind if we stay over at your place for a night or two, do you?"

Vander seemed surprised but not displeased. "Uh, sure. Why not?"

Sevika thanks him in a whisper and feels relief in her lungs as she's gifted with more time to come up with something better.

"The kids will be glad to see you." Vander added with a short laugh.

"The kids." Sevika breathed out, reminiscing about the last time she saw them, which was 2 months ago. "How are they?"

Vander shrugged, "They're well, and stubborn as usual." Vi and Jinx are your typical growing young adult and teenager. They had somehow inherited both Vander's bravery and stupidity despite not really being his children.

"The bar however, suffered many losses because of those damned pirates from last month. The kids have been helping me fix things up, but it just hasn't been the same." And that was the other issue when it came to the town, the random and consistent attacks from the pirates.

Thieving is a repetitive crime in town, but the damage that these pirates have done is incomparable.

The Black Fury pirates are notorious for their crimes all over the map and some might even call them legendary. They had only recently been invading Zaun during their little pit stops. They are well armed and not afraid to use their weapons. Even the enforcers have been unable to do anything about the sudden attacks.

Sevika can only hope that they won't be back here anytime soon.

She watches as you turn to face a different direction as the boat is finally reaching land. The silence of the journey is now being replaced by loud chattering voices of fishermen, sailors and townsfolk.

Once Vander managed to tie up the roads as the bottom of the boat meets the sandy ground.

People looked, but not at any particular interest towards the three of you as you cleared up your bags and tools out of the vehicle and made your way deeper into the crowd of lively people.

You survey your surroundings with an eager but patient manner, finding comfort in the way the voices mesh together, overlapping over eachother to the point that you wouldn't be able to make clear on anything.

You enjoyed calmness and peace, especially for these last couple of weeks. But anyone who knew you (not that there are many), would know that you truly thrived in loudness and bustling spaces that most humans find themselves in.

You jolted when you felt Sevika slip her fingers around yours, clasping your hands together. When you looked up to her as you continued to move behind Vander, she only cocked her head at the crowd and said; "can't lose you now."

You continue to gawk at corner shops and messy stalls selling cheap jewelry and greased up food as she leads you on. You could still feel her turning around every few seconds to look at you, as if afraid that you'd somehow disappear despite already being in her grip.

You didn't mind it at all. In fact, you were kind of glad for it. You were glad that she deemed you worthy enough to look back for. And you also seemed to enjoy the feeling of her strong calloused palms holding onto your colder, and much smaller ones. Buzzing warmth spread all over your body from the contact.

Although she tugged on your arms, she never pulled on it and let you walk at your own pace while you regarded the people with a keen eye, frowning deeply when you came upon a spray painted symbol of the Black Fury pirates on the passing walls.

The image had seemed to spook you for a little bit as Sevika noticed that your admiration for the dirty streets has been overtaken by something else. Your focus now shifted on arriving safely to Vander's home.

"We're almost there." Sevika mutters to you, translating your sudden gloominess to being tired and overwhelmed.

Sevika herself is not that big of a fan of chaos in the town. She favors bars and restaurants, sure. But the idea of having to be around so many people for too long have always put her on edge and increased her irritability.

She's more of a homebody, she'd say. But seeing how in awe you were of the vibrant streets and market had somehow forced her to see certain things from your point of view.

She took note of certain things that you looked at for longer than usual. The way your lips part open in pleasant surprise when being offered fresh fruits by stall sellers you've passed by in a flash, the way your eyes crinkle at the sight of rock-kicking children chasing around a dusty black cat.

And of course, the way your eyes lit up as you're met with the holy fish market, all in it's glory of sea water smell and middle aged mothers doing grocery shopping for their families.

The bar was much less full than you expected, probably because it was still morning. Only very few and sober customers were inside by the back booths being sheltered by the dim yellow lights above them. The moment you set your foot inside, you were greeted by two teenagers that came from the counter seats, welcoming the old man and Sevika with expecting smiles.

"Oh, well if it isn't the scary big shark coming to grace us with her prsence." The shorter, blue haired girl spoke.

She gave a half hug to Sevika before she slowly noticed your existence, quiet and careful behind her. "And, who's this?"

"A friend." Sevika spoke, too quickly for her own liking.

"Oh that can't be true, I thought Vander's your only friend." The redhead, who you assumed is the blue hatred girl's sister, responded.

Sevika rolled her eyes and dropped her bag on the floor before walking away with you still holding her hand. "I need a drink." She called out to the bartender as she seated herself down on the stools with you. “Of course you do.” The red head snorted.

"Whiskey neat for me and uh-" She glanced over at you and back at the bartender. "Do you got...juice-?" The bartender cringed. "Apple juice, that's it." He answers.

"Sure." Sevika sighed and nodded her head.

You didn't argue, but when your drinks came, you had slyly grabbed for hers first and tipped it over your lips before she could stop you.

Sevika stared at you with horror, watching you slam the glass back on the counter and began tearing out your throat with a violent and continous cough, hunching your back.

"Great." She groaned aloud. "Get me some water." She demanded from the bartender.

She lightly patted your back as you continued coughing up, amusement painted all over her face. "Your stubbornness is admirable, but it'll also be the cause of your death."

You chugged down the glass of water with relief while ignoring her words.

After enough time have passed, Sevika forced through the obvious elephant in the room and spoke first. "We'll be staying over here for tonight."

That part was clear to you. You looked widened your eyes in question, and then what?

Sevika wasn't sure either.

So instead of answering you, she changes the subject. standing up and clearing her throat, she then says; “I'm going to go put our stuff upstairs. But then after that. I was thinking that I could show you around, give you a little tour. How about that?"

You were unresponsive at first, mouth agape and brows furrowed in confusion. But then after a minute, you purse your lips close and gave a single nod. Sevika moved around you and grabbed the bags from the floor before disappearing up the stairs and away from your sight.

---

You're not sure how to feel at this very moment. It wasn't just Sevika and the impending doom of knowing you're about to be removed from her life. It was also the stupid symbol painted red on the fading pale walls you had witnessed a few minutes ago.

Sometimes it felt like no matter wherever you went, no matter how far you're willing to travel, the symbol will always follow from behind, haunting you for the rest for your life.

The last time you had a run in with the pirates was a year ago, at an unpopular island far away from Zaun. The incident has no significance to you.

What had really shaped your life was your first run in with them, as a baby.

There is truly no running from your past. Your mother had only managed to escape your father through death.

It was the classic selkie tale. Your poor mother had been kidnapped and forced into marriage with the pirate king of the Black Fury as he held onto her coat, making sure she'd be unable to escape.

She suffered for years by his side, and even after you came along, the sorrow and yearning for the sea never ended for her. And when the opportunity to snatch back her coat and her freedom appeared, your mother did not wait to claim the waves as hers again with little you following along.

Your peace didn't last long though, for they were relentless in tracking her down to the very ends of the worlds. And found her, they did.

You still remember pushing into the pulsing wound on your mother's chest as blood swims out freely after you've managed to remove the arrow from her skin.

He never tried to come for you. You're both glad and offended for that. You're glad that there's no target on your back, but you're offended that he perceives your existence as having so little value, being able to be so unaffected by the fact that he had robbed a child of its mother.

Sometimes it even feels like mockery when you keep bumping into them in every crook and corner of the earth you run to.

A wicked reminder of what he had ripped off of your arms. And even now, your father somehow manages to find his way into your life, mocking you as you're about to lose another person you care about.

You try to play it off for the whole damn time, but as you're sat at this squeaky stool, throat sore and apple juice untouched, all you really want to do is break down into tears.

You hear Sevika's faint footsteps nearing you and felt her hand on your shoulder seconds after.

Tilting your head up towards the woman, you're met with a certain softness in her face that she only reserves for you. She is silent at first, analysing your expression and trying to figure something out but not knowing what it exactly is.

"You ready?" She asks you then. You lifted yourself off the seat and beckoned at her to lead the way as a response.

You don't miss how she made sure to keep you on her right side and away from the open street. You noticed the flex of her palms and almost reached out for her hand first but managed to hold yourself back.

You would rather die than show to anyone else but yourself on how truly desperate for connection you really are on the inside. And so you waited for her fingers to find yours, but disappointingly, they don't.

"I thought I'd take you to the market first." Sevika says, breaking the silence. "It's less hectic this hour. If you think it's full now, wait till you see how it gets in the afternoon." It wasn't often that you'd get to see a nervous Sevika, and it was even less often that you'd get to see her rambling.

"It has like a shit ton of stuff you'd like- not that I really know what you like besides fish." She added with a short laugh. "But you're a girl, and girls usually like jewelry and sweet treats and shit, so yeah.",

“Shit” You repeated after her quietly before humming to yourself while keeping up with her steady pace. It hasn't even hit 12pm yet, but the sun is already scorching, it's heat being so strong that you're sure your skin could stretch and break under the direct streak of it.

You were grateful for the worn out roof shielding you and Sevika from the sun momentarily, but as you begin sweating from your forehead down to your back, reminiscence of the cold and welcoming sea comes in flashbacks at the back of your mind.

Being able to be one with the water again seems to be your only source of comfort for today. You find yourself peeking your head out to search for the sea once you reach the market entrance that's close to the shore.

Sevika waits for you to enter first, keeping herself close from behind. It was honestly hard for you to truly be immersed in the little shops when you can't help being incredibly aware of her presence.

It had never mattered before if she was watching you. But as of right now, you just couldn't shake off the feeling of having your every little movement be judged under her observation.

You wondered if the version of you she saw in her eyes, is the real you. You wondered if she truly sees you or if she's just seeing a skewered, misinterpreted version of you.

Well, at this point, it doesn't really matter now, does it?

Slowing down your steps, you start to notice a pattern in the stalls. They all are selling around the some thing for different prices.

One thing that looks attractive in this stall, will surely be found in a couple stalls upfront in a more expensive pricing range and maybe more choices of colour.

You lingered at the small jewelry stall that focuses on beaded bracelets and charms as a small purple bracelet attracts itself to you. It has a small seashell shaped charm in the middle with lilac and white beads around it.

The old lady selling it only offers you a warm smile as you window shopped on her collection.

"Do you want it?" Sevika asks. You quickly shook your head no but saw that she had already pulled out a few coins out of her left pocket before pouring them onto the old woman's hand.

"Take it." She cocked her head to the bracelet hanging right by your eyes. You pulled it off its hook and slipped it around your wrist with ease, grinning to yourself as it fits you perfectly.

"It's your color." Sevika complimented as she guided you forward, her hand stays on the small of your back.

"Thank you." You whispered gratuitously. She doesn't react as she doesn't hear you, but it doesn't matter as she will always know the words you never speak through the way you look at her. It's almost like you're interlinked with her.

---

The two of you spent the next 2 hours just walking hand in hand, trying out fruits on a stick and testing cheap perfumes on your wrists before picking your favourites and not buying any of them at all.

The conversations are kept short between you two, but it remained intimate somehow, real and vulnerable in a world that is anything but.

Sevika tells you about her favourite foods and how this market has been standing tall for over 30 years since she was still a child.

She had even graced you with a story on how she used to participate in thieving activities, pickpocketing topsiders that roamed the street and didn't know any better.

"Sometimes they don't even realise anything's missing." She tells you with a snort.

"It was all fun and games until one of them catches you in the act, though. These topsiders, they like to get the law involved. And contrary to popular belief, those ass kissers don't perform based on fairness."

You frowned at yourself. "You got caught?" You ask her, each syllables sounding mouthy as you spoke them. You can’t imagine Sevika ever getting caught with anything.

Sevika snickered. You don't miss the way her eyes widened slightly when she heard your voice, it always takes her by surprise. "The real question here is, how many times did I get caught?" By the bitterness in her tone, you're gonna assume it was a lot.

You feel your feet ache while walking on the street, exiting the market as it starts to get more crowded at the hour.

Sevika mentioned lunch and you could hear your stomach growl at the mention of grilled fish.

Bending down to rub the soles of your feet, Sevika stops at her tracks when she notices that you're no longer beside her. She sees you and poses a questioning look. "You good?" She asks.

You hummed lightly and decided to take the oversized slippers completely off. They never fit right since they belonged to Sevika, but either way, it has always been your nature to be barefeet.

You let out a relieved sigh and smiled at the feeling of your feet being met with the hot pavement that has been sunbathed for hours.

Sevika is amused at your antics but says nothing when you shoved the slippers into her arms before resuming your journey.

The place she takes you to next is familiar to Vander's bar, but has more space and people inside. The door rings with a small bell as she pushes it open. Sevika leads you to a small booth before heading over to the counter to order for you. It’s almost instinctive at this point. The need to take care of you. The ability to know your needs before you do. She came back soon after, sliding into the seat next to you instead of sitting opposite you.

“I um, got you the seafood set.” You nodded absentmindedly, pretending to care. There is an intense silence and awkwardness that builds itself between you and her. Sevika cracks her knuckles in anxiety, avoiding looking at you for a solid 4 minutes before eventually tilting her body to face you. You turn to face her too, pursing your lips into a small line as you wait for her to speak.Sevika opens her mouth and stutters. “I-I_” her mouth closes again, this time with her eyes too as she winces at her verbal failure. Your hand reaches out to lightly trace over her left hand that sat on the edge of the table.

Her eyes reopened as she lets out a deep exhale. “Hi.” You mumbled, starting the conversation for her. Her nose flared as a choked laugh escapes her. “Hey.” She responded.

“Do you know why we’re here?” She asks gently as she tries to read you. You say nothing, your whole body freezing at the question. Sevika lets the silence lingers for a few moments before she starts again. “I need to get you back home, sweetheart. I can’t keep you with me forever.”

Why not? You wanted to cry out to her. But instead you just stare at her, reactionless.

She keeps looking at you like she’s waiting for you to break, and when you don’t, she’s even more scared because she can’t tell how you’re feeling.

“Can you tell me anything? I could just give you to the enforcers, but I'd rather not do that.” It sounded like a threat, Sevika thought and silently cursed herself for it.

You turned your gaze downwards towards your lap, thinking to yourself. Then, you looked back at her and imitated writing on paper. Sevika got the message instantly and scrambled off her seat to find a piece of paper and a pencil. She returns victorious and slides the material towards you.

You hesitated with the pencil in your hands, knowing that whatever comes next will be a direct result of your confession. But you’ve reached the end of your rope, there’s nothing to grasp on anymore at this point anyways.

Sevika frowned as she watched you drawing a circle instead of writing. Her confusion fully formed into terror as you finished your sketch and slid the paper back to her.

She felt her throat tighten as she stares down at the drawing. “Do you know what this symbol means?” She asks, meeting your darkened gaze. You raised a brow as if to ask back; “do you?”

Sevika then pulled the paper into her hand before scrunching it into a ball, squeezing it with her fingers. “You’re with them? The pirates?” You shook your head and made an expression of disgust. “No? So you ran away from them?” She attempts again. “That’s how you ended up in the waters? Because you tried swimming away from them.”

Obviously that wasn’t an accurate representation of what happened, but that would be the easiest way to explain it to her. “I escaped.” You whispered out, voice cracking. Sevika’s intense look faltered as she stuffs the ball of paper into her jacket pocket and moved closer to you. She wanted to say something comforting, reassuring, but she wasn’t even sure if she was in a place to promise you anything at all.

The moment abruptly ended when the waiter appeared out of nowhere, placing two plates of hot meals before the both of you. In a flash, Sevika recollects herself, calming herself down as she returned to her initial seat and insisted you eat first before any more discussion is continued.

You were starving, and the sight of well cooked fish distracted you as quickly as a shark does its prey. Sevika had to force herself through every chew, her appetite had disappeared at the sight of the Black Fury symbol you had drawn out. She had so many questions, so many worries. Were you a fugitive then? Would you be killed if anyone from the crew spotted you? Would she?

Sevika watches as you devour the meal in such a short amount of time. How long had you been in the sea before you reached her lighthouse?

The ship couldn’t have been sailing anywhere near it, she would’ve seen it if it had. Your entire existence is a fucking mystery. She was intrigued as well as concerned. She has this strong nagging feeling in her chest that begs for her to protect you, a part of her that has long known what she refuses to admit. And that is the fact that she cared for you, more than one should for a stranger, or even a friend.

She wanted you too. Gods, she wanted you like nothing else. And that feeling scares the shit out of her.

And yet, attraction and all things emotional and possessive aside, the survival focused part of her is whispering in her ear to let you go. To give you up as soon as she could.

You have brought colors back into her life. You made her feel things she wasn’t sure she could still feel.

Think of all you’d lose if they discovered that you’ve been harbouring a fugitive. She urges herself.

Nothing much. She argues back. And it’s true. Sevika has already lost everything important to her. Everything except…you.

To know the exact shape of your hand against hers and never be able to feel the vreases of your palm and grip of your fingers again would feel like death itself. Even now, considering the idea of giving you up, made her feel broken, like all the air in her lungs have been ripped out of her chest. The Gods have already taken everything from her.

Once the heart is sure of what the mind isn’t, the pull would be hard to stray away from. How would she live now, in the cold and unwelcoming walls of the lighthouse?

Now that she has experienced what it was like to be warm again. Now that she knew exactly what she wanted from life. Because isn’t that what life is all about? To finally have wants again, and to live for the hope of it all.

Would it be selfish for her to ask for this one damned thing?

Just to be able to have you at arms length, always. To never know what it’s like waking up everyday being sure of your absence. I’m not asking for the whole world. She thought to herself.

But losing her would be the equivalent of losing herself and all the parts she have just learned existed in all the shabby, worn out corners of her deep and dark heart. It would break her. Is she so truly and very sinful that she deserved that?

The conversation was not brought up again by either of you once you were done eating, and the walk back was quiet as her hand held onto yours for the whole time. Her tired heart could not carry the conversation again, it would have to wait for the next day to come.

Now all she wanted was to hold you, to never see a world without you in it. And it is as if you feel the same way, with the way you lean into her touch and lets her keep you close.

—

Midnight strikes on the clock as Sevika wakes up with a gasp. Her arm reaches for you instinctively but finds only emptiness by her side on the small bed.

Her paranoia is halted as she finds you by the window. As you always are, even in the lighthouse. Sevika smiled to herself as she admired her view. She gently pushes herself the covers off and walks herself to your small standing figure.

Once you two arrived back at Vander's place, you had quickly went upstairs while she discussed the new information with Vander.

His face turned grim once he saw what was drawn on the crumpled piece of paper she had pulled out of her pocket.

Sevika knew Vander. He would never tell her to give you up, and yet she could still see through his facade and knew that he was afraid.

Neither of them had a solid answer on what the right thing to do is. It's all about perspective at the end of the day, isn't it?

Right and wrong. It all depends on whose perspective you're seeing it from.

You didn't flinch when she grasped your shoulder and remained unmoving as you stared off at the small view of the sea. There’s longing in your eyes. Your brows are knitted together as you stare away. “You miss it don’t you?” She mutters softly, snaking an arm around your waist.

Sevika sighed out softly as your back fell against her chest. “I miss it too.” And she did. She especially missed the mundane days of daily cleaning and fixing while you lurked near her like a little shadow, thinking you're subtle when you're not.

Your fingers wrap around hers as they remain on your waist, an acknowledgment.

“You know, at first I only ever took the job as a way to punish myself.” You frowned at her words, still looking out.

“I wasn’t a good person before you, never claimed I was” She murmured against your shoulder, grazing her lips gently on the cotton of your shirt. “I don't even think I'm a good person now.” She's not. She's selfish with the way she refuses to let you go.

“The lightkeeper before me went mad.” Sevika spoke.

“A shipwreck happened by the rocks, and no boats or help came until only two months later. He tried to find survivors by himself but failed. The bodies, their mangled and bloody state, it haunted him.” You tilted your head slightly, your gazes connecting as her head found safe haven in the crook of your neck.

“The stench…they said it covered the whole tower. And when they finally found him, he was just a shell of a man, out of his fucking wits.”

Your chest tightened at the visual imagery of her story. “When they explained what happened, I thought to myself; oh that’s perfect, just what I need.” A bitter laugh followed after her words. Your frown deepened as you felt sadness enter your heart.

“What a masochist, I know.”

“But then, as the months passed and routine formed, I realized it wasn’t so bad after all. It's isolating, sure. But I've always managed to feel alone even in a room full of people. The only difference now is I can see it as much as I feel it.”

“And then…” She trails off. “And then my first body appeared. You.” You twisted your neck up to lock eyes with her. “And gods did you haunt me as much as that poor man was haunted.”

There was sadness in the way she carried herself tonight. The way she held onto you like she'd never see you again. Was that the plan, then?

To lay everything out in the open one last time, in case the opportunity doesn't present itself anytime in the future?

You couldn't say anything even if you wanted to. There was desperation in the way you gawked up at her, yearning that clawed on your chest. And so you did the second best thing you could next to talking and closed the distance between you two.

Sevika had no hesitation once you’ve captured her lips with yours. Her metal hand found its place on the side of your face, cradling your cheek softly as her right arm brought you closer to her, gripping your waist with need.

The kiss was hot and passionate. You fit against her like she’s been moulded specifically for your body. Her tongue darted out and wetted your bottom lip. Gasping out softly and melting into her arms, Sevika snuck her tongue inside your mouth. You held onto the back of her head like holding onto reins and pulled on her hair. making her groan into the kiss.

Sevika is tireless now, her craving for you is carnal. Turning you to the side until you back bet the glass window, Sevika only broke off the kiss to attach herself on your neck instead. Her arms travel lower until she’s able to lift you higher and position herself in between your thighs as your legs wrap against her waist easily. Her grip on you is bruising, but you wanted all of it, the pain and intensity, everything that came with her.

Sevika tries to be gentle as her teeth finds the sensitive point of your neck, but as you whine against her, all of her composure fell apart. She bit into your neck and sucked into it, eager to mark you. Your nails dig into her back, making her moan into your skin.

She needed to become one with you, needed to be the one to make you fall apart. Needed to be the only one who knew how you'd look and sounded like in such a vulnerable position.

And she knew that you needed it too. Sevika would give you what you wanted, even if it's the last thing she'd do.

The next day, Sevika was woken up by the harsh streak of sunlight and you were nowhere to be found.

[pome-seed]

The Soldier's Keeper ★ 1

Pairing: Winter Soldier!Bucky x Doctor!Reader

Word Count: 1.6k

Summary: A doctor, taken from your lab where you study degenerative muscular diseases, find yourself trapped and charged with caring for a living weapon. Terrified for yours and your family's safety, you must work to appease your captors and care for a man who seems haunted beyond words. And as time goes on, you begin to learn just how human the man really is.

Warnings: Mentions of kidnapping, fear, weapons, and death.

Authors Note: Hi! This is the first chapter of a very very long series. (basically the prequal of the soldat story I posted) I'm a little nervous doing this, but I thought it would be fun. I'd also like to say, I tried to do my best writing a woman who is terrified- so that includes a good amount of nervous stuttering and rambling in the first chapter. Bear with me! Please enjoy, comment if you'd like and let me know what you think! And please be kind!

Series Masterlist Next Chapter

The door slammed behind you with a shudder, making you jump. It was dark. Quiet. Silent, even. The silence that followed made your pulse jump. Your gaze fell upon your charge. It couldn’t be real. It just couldn’t be. You felt glued to the floor, your nerves screaming at you to run, to hide, to close your eyes and pretend none of this was real.

But you couldn’t. 

You had no choice. 

Getting to choose was a luxury, one you weren’t allowed.

The large contraption of metal claws and tangled wires wasn’t what first caught your eye in the room. It was the man. Just a man. Unmoving and unspeaking. He sat on a black bench, made to restrain and recline. His long dark hair hung in his eyes, but his gaze stayed pinned to the floor. 

You knew who he was. You wished you didn’t. 

Hydra wasn’t an entity you wanted to be aligned with. Hydra wasn’t even something you were aware was still around until weeks ago. You were just a woman. A doctor. A scientist. A bright mind with many questions and a burning need to find purpose. 

But you bore the burden of knowledge. Of curiosity. 

You were determined to find the answer to deteriorating muscular disease. You were drawn to the topic from a young age, watching classmates and strangers alike die out from disease. Lose their ability to move, to function, to live. 

You spent your life studying it. 

And it only took seconds for you to regret it. 

Here you were now, tasked with caring for a man forced to live through time and death. A man you knew nothing of a mere month ago.

You slid a hesitant foot forward, your flat scraping the stone floor. Silence stretched, only broken by the friction of your shoe. He hadn’t moved. You held your breath, forcing another step forward. Your stomach turned as you drew closer. You held your shaking fists to your chest, trying to convince yourself  you weren't as scared as you were. 

Why were you so scared, damn it? He was just a man. But then again, men were always God's most brutal creation. And this man, he was different. 

Hydra’s officials spent those first few days briefly informing you about the man, and his condition- between threats to your life and family.

They told you of the broken creature that was the winter soldier. The man whose mind had become nothing more than a button of yes and no. Kill or be killed. They told you of how he could pull your spine from your back with his hands tied and his eyes closed. Of how a single word put him in action. 

You knew he wouldn’t act unless commanded to, but that didn’t halt the fear. A loaded gun still held the reputation of death, even with its safety on.

You stood only a few feet away now. You saw him clearer now. You tried to take him in, humanise him, knowing that's all he was. But god, was it hard. The shadow across his face, caused by his hair, didn’t hide his dull blue eyes. They stared straight ahead, haunted and waiting.

“My…” your voice cracked against your will, exposing your fear. “My name is Y/n…” you spoke quietly, afraid if you were any louder, he would snap. He didn’t move. 

“I’m- I’m here to help you,” you whispered, standing before him now. “I’m a doctor, you see...” Your throat felt dry. Did your voice always sound like that? “They told me your muscles are- well, that the cryo sleep is- um-” you swallowed. Your tongue felt heavy. “They told me your muscles- the tissue is deteriorating. The cryo chamber is having unexpected side effects…” 

You watched him as you spoke. If you didn’t know better, you could almost guess he was still asleep. Or dead. “Can-” you tilted your head at him. “Can you hear me?” 

No response. Not even a twitch. With great hesitance, you knelt before him, your bare knees pressing into the plush carpet. You were lower than him now, but leveled enough. And still, it was like he was looking right through you. “You’re in there, aren’t you? I mean-” 

He blinked, just once. But it was enough. He didn’t even seem aware of it. His brows were furrowed together, his jaw screwed tight. A dark shadow of  a beard speckled his skin. His hair hung in his face, shielding him. 

“I’m- I’m here to tend to you.” You whispered. “I’ll be monitoring your vitals, and the state of your muscles. But-” you tilted your head. “They also want me to clean you up.” He was so still it was unsettling. You weren't surprised, he must be used to every type of needle and poke and prod in the book. 

You glanced back at the door, where a small tray sat atop a table. You took your time steadying yourself on shaky legs, retrieved the tray, then returned to your spot. You dragged a chair over and sat it on the seat. you stared at the man, your heart heavy in your chest.  

It was still dark, flickering light bulbs buzzing overhead. It was still quiet, your breaths sounding like screams. It was still deeply terrifying. But you needed to do as you were told. 

“They want me to shave your-” you gestured to your own face. “I know it's- well- I don’t know, but I don’t really get to say no, you know?” you stammered, your words failing you. You paused, then swallowed, allowing yourself to gather your bearings. “What I mean is- is it okay if I touch you?” 

Silence. 

Tense, thick, palpable silence. You bit back the fear rising in your chest as you reached a hand towards his face. “I’m sorry, I really am.” You whispered, pulling your hand back to pick through your tray. There wasn’t much. Just a bowl of water, a razor, a rag, and a cheap can of shaving cream. 

You had never shaved a man's face, but you’d shaved your legs about a thousand times. How different could they be? “Can you-” you swallowed. “Please, lift your head.” It felt wrong to touch him, to move him. He was so deeply human, sitting before you. It was sickening. After a long moment, he tilted his head back, bearing his throat.

You choked down the dramatic gasp that wanted to follow. His eyes were dull, staring straight through the space ahead. “Thank you,” you whispered, grabbing the rag. Having been unfamiliar with shaving like a man, you followed the steps you would on your own. You draped the rag across his lap and picked up the scissors. 

You spent the next few minutes in painful silence, snipping away long tufts of hair. You shook off the stray hairs onto the tray, then laid the rag back over his lap. After wetting his face, you used your fingers to smear shaving cream across his skin. Goosebumps rose over your arms as you did so, guilt and uncomfortability burrowing in your bones.

Holding a razor to the throat of one of the most dangerous men alive felt wrong. So deeply wrong. He stared straight ahead, unblinking as the blade scraped over the veins in his neck. His breath tickled your knuckles as you dragged the blade beneath his lips. He was like a doll, or a corpse. 

“I’ve never done this before, believe it or not.” You whispered. “I mean, I’ve shaved. Just- never shaved someone else, you know? It’s not something people often do.” You paused, asking him to tilt his head to the left. “Though, I’m guessing you’re pretty used to people doing things for you.” You paused. “Not in the privileged, type of way- I just mean, it’s pretty clear you don’t get to make a lot of choices for yourself…” you trailed off, then had him tilt to the right.

“I am sorry about that…” you whispered. “Having a choice, its- it’s the difference between being a thing, and being human. That’s how I’ve always seen it.” You washed off the razor, then continued. “I mean- I’m a woman, you know?” You laughed dryly, nerves making your tongue loose. “History is written by men taking choices away.”

The razor almost slipped from your fingers when his gaze flickered to yours. You couldn’t stop the gasp that time. You froze, the blade pressed to his cheek. “I’m really trying not to make you uneven right now.” You whispered, the nervous joke falling short. 

For the first time in what felt like the eternity you spent in that room, his lips parted. You held your breath, waiting to hear his voice.

The doors behind you swung open. You flinched, cold dread spreading down your spine. You yanked back the razor when you realized you nicked him. “I’m sorry,” you mouthed, wiping the cut with the rag. 

“Finished up yet? This isn’t a spa. We just need him clean.” It was an older man, a voice you recognised. 

“Yeah- yeah, I’m done.” You rushed, patting his face dry. You shoved everything back on the tray and scrambled to the side. You noticed the soldier go stalk still again, his gaze tracking the new man.

“Great. We need to get started, then.” The man- Pierce - started. His gaze found you. “You’re no longer needed.” The words sent a sickening fear pooling in your stomach, twisting and heavy- like it would rip right through you. A pair of men in suits approached you. “You’ll be summoned when we’re ready for you to start your treatments.”

You blinked. Hands circled your biceps. The tray was shoved into your hands. You were moving towards the door. you wanted to glance back, but your bones felt rusted shut. 

They weren’t going to kill you today. But how long would it last? How long would your value survive you?

Authors Note: Hi! Okay, sooo I hope you guys liked it, or at least feel a little intrigued. It gets a lot better further on, I have like 30 more chapters already written, so just let me know if you want more!

Also, this was originally written from a "she" Pov, so if you find any mistakes, let me know- I had to edit everything to say "You/your" after. Anyways, please comment and be kind!

[nightghoul381]

S-Tier Mission: Sadistic & Sweet

Ellis Twilight ~ Chapter 1

This a fan translation so it is definitely not 100% accurate. I do not own anything related to Ikemen Villains. Support Cybird by buying their amazing stories!

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Premium End | Epilogue

Ellis always spoiled me.

Like marshmallows in hot chocolate, my body and mind would melt away—

Before I knew it, like the bitterness of chocolate, the thorns had become a part of me.

Kate: “Ellis, I’m glad your wound has healed nicely.”

Roger had just confirmed the diagnosis that he was fine after suffering injuries during a recent mission.

Ellis: “Yeah. The injury wasn’t serious, but I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Kate: “No don't be, I’m very glad that you weren’t seriously injured, Ellis.”

(…Even though I said that.)

If I was being honest, I didn’t think I’d ever get used to witnessing the bloody scenes on missions.

Ellis made sure that I didn’t get involved in situations where someone got hurt.

(But as Crown’s Fairytale Keeper, I can’t just be shielded like that…)

Kate: “…I need to be more responsible.”

Ellis: “Huh?”

(Oh, I said that out loud.)

Kate: “If I get stronger, maybe I can protect you too, Ellis.”

Kate: “I want to improve more, so I figure I have to work harder.”

Ellis: “Kate, I think you’re still doing your best…”

Ellis: “If that’s what you want to do, I’ll support you.”

As we walked, his large hand gently embraced mine.

I was always spoiled by this kind of warmth and kindness.

Ellis: “If there’s anything I can do for you, would you please tell me?”

--

Victor: “Well then, here it comes—The mission you’ve all been waiting for!”

Victor: “I’m calling it an ‘S-class mission’! Wow, that’s exciting!”

Kate: “S-class… is it really that difficult?”

Victor: “Nice to hear from you, Miss Kate.”

Victor: “The ‘S’ stands for… ‘Sexy’ and ‘Sweet’, so it’s the perfect mission for you!”

Harrison: “…How dare you say something so embarrassing.”

Ellis: “You think? I agree with him.”

Kate: “!?”

Victor: “Really? I knew Ellis would understand!”

Victor: “There have been a lot of kidnappings and murders targeting women recently.”

Harrison: “It seems the police have already determined that the series of crimes were committed by the same perpetrator.”

Harrison: “But it also seems that powerful people with connections to higher-ups are involved in the incidents, and the details are being covered up internally.”

Harrison: “So, instead of the police who aren’t taking action, we at Crown will carry out the purge.”

(They want me for such an important mission?)

Kate: “Um, what exactly is the plan?”

Victor: “Yes, yes, of course you’re curious!”

Victor: “First, I want to get more information about the mastermind behind these incidents.”

Victor: “So we must make contact with the key man—Oliver Robbins.”

Harrison: “All the women involved in the incidents have been wooed by him.”

Victor: “So, with your charm—”

Victor: “Can you get any clues from the guy?”

Ellis: “…!”

Kate: “I’m to get clues…”

(Can I get close to my opponent… without them realizing my plans?)

Ellis: “…”

Noticing Ellis’ gaze, I remembered our previous conversation.

--Flashback—

Ellis: “Kate, I think you’re still doing your best…”

Ellis: “If that’s what you want to do, I’ll support you.”

--End Flashback—

(This time, I’m not only expected to act as a fairytale keeper, but also as a member of the mission’s team.)

(This might be my chance.)

Kate: “Okay. I’ll do my best!”

Ellis: “I’ll support you. That’s okay, right Victor?”

Victor: “Oh, of course, that was intended. And Roger too.”

Roger: “Me?”

Victor: “Roger, you’re willing to use your enhanced hearing ability to keep watch of their surroundings, right?”

Roger: “Well, I guess that can’t be helped. But in return, I expect a lot of money.”

Kate: “I look forward to working with you, Roger and Ellis.”

Victor: “Kate, once you complete the mission successfully, I’ll have to give you a special reward. This is an S-rank mission after all.”

Victor: “To be honest, I’d like to accompany you and help you out as well, but…”

Roger: “Don’t be greedy, Victor. You have plenty of work to do, Mr. Queen’s Aide.”

Roger: “Besides, isn’t there someone more qualified to protect and evaluate Kate?”

Victor: “Yes, you’re right. Ellis, could you do me a favor?”

Ellis: “So you’re saying I’ll be protecting Kate… what do you mean by evaluating?”

Victor: “’Sweet’ or ‘Severe’…”

Victor: “I look forward to hearing about it.”

Leaving the dining hall, I exchanged glances with Ellis.

Kate: “…I never thought I’d be evaluated by you, Ellis.”

Ellis: “Yeah. But I was already going to support your efforts.”

Ellis: “I want to be the closest person to watch over you, so this is good.”

Ellis: “To be honest, I feel like I’ll be giving you perfect scores for trying your best on your mission.”

Kate: “N-No, Ellis. You’re not allowed to pamper me like that just because you’re my boyfriend.”

Ellis: “…Really? Why not?”

I felt like I was being drawn into his twilight-colored eyes that were staring intently at me, but I held myself back.

Kate: “I-I appreciate your kind thoughts, but this is also a chance for me to train myself, so you have to be strict with me.”

Ellis: “Okay, I get it. But then can I help you try to train yourself?”

Kate: “?”

Ellis: “If you perform well, I’ll give you a sweet reward.”

Kate: “…Well, what if I don’t do well?”

Ellis: “If that happens… I guess I’ll have to punish you.”

Kate: “What?”

I was startled by Ellis’ mischievous smile.

Ellis: “Let’s do our best, Kate.”

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Premium End | Epilogue

[reccyls]

Victor's Main Route: Blind Love Chapter 25 + His POV Story

< Previous Chapter | Masterlist | Epilogue >

If life were a fairy tale, it would be easy to achieve happiness. Don’t do what you shouldn’t. Don’t enter the forbidden woods. Don’t open doors that should remain shut. Don’t discover secrets that should have stayed hidden. Don’t fall into a forbidden romance.

The newspapers the next day told the story of how Scotland Yard discovered Nox Liberator’s hideouts. Its members were detained and their actions were restricted.

Following Her Majesty’s recent kidnapping, Scotland Yard has received reports from citizens about meeting locations of Nox Liberator. The Yard infiltrated said meeting locations and arrested all members in attendance. The captured members of Nox Liberator are currently being held for questioning. Their testimonies revealed the name of one of the group’s central figures. However, the figure in question has been confirmed to have died in a residence near a village some hours from London. His cause of death has been ruled to be suicide. It is believed that he took his own life after the kidnapping attempt failed.

And this was the truth that would remain unknown:

The nobles who had supported Nox Liberator had been secretly planning to overthrow the government. They were condemned by Crown’s hand. Those nobles had provided meeting places and procured weapons for Nox Liberator, leaked confidential information to them, supported them financially, along with a host of other illicit dealings. Their ultimate aim was to become the rulers of the country themselves. With the monarchy overthrown, they would be the highest ranking people left. And to make this happen, they were willing to use Nox Liberator as their pawns before discarding them.

(But that won’t happen.)

Even if Nox Liberator had managed to overthrow the monarchy with the help of those nobles who wished for a republic, The future that awaited them would not the future of equality they had hoped for. They would have just ended up crushed beneath the nobles’ heels. That was what the nobles had cooperated with them for, after all.

I, Fairytale Keeper Kate, hereby confirm that I have witnessed the executions of the Lord President of the Privy Council, as well as Ben Brown, leading figure of Nox Liberator. Let my words here be proof that evil has been paid unto evil.

After typing out the last sentence, my hands stopped.

(Even though this massive incident has finally come to an end, Crown will have a new evil to condemn tomorrow.)

I slowly looked around my bedroom. Only a month had passed since I first moved in, but I felt as if I had been living here forever. I had gotten used to this room very quickly. The small suitcase sitting on my bed was still empty.

(Today’s the day, but…) (“I want to leave,” hasn’t crossed my mind.)

Until all the evils of the world had been erased, and there were no more people unfairly oppressed, Crown will continue to exist and work towards their ideal of a peaceful world being made reality. Somewhere along the way, I had fallen in love with this place, where I could record their deeds and contribute to that dream as Fairytale Keeper. And I also fell in love for real.

Victor: If you want to return to your old life, I won’t stop you. Victor: Only you can decide what you want to do.

I had thought Victor was a composed, capable adult with a mischievous side at first. But as I learned his secrets, and touched his heart, I also learned of his fate.

Kate: …I need to write.

My heart was full of Victor. I turned back to my typewriter, and continued working on the report about Victor that I had left unfinished until now.

(The man I’m in love with is a mature, capable person, but he has a cute side to him too.) (As a ruler, he cares for the country more deeply than anyone else, and has dedicated his life for everyone’s sake.) (He has been protecting me for so long, and has shown me both deep affection and deep kindness.) (He is my destiny.)

I reached for the music box that was sitting beside the typewriter.

Kate: Ah…

The music box began to play. This melody was what connected me with my love.

...

Victor: May you be blessed by more happiness than anyone else in the world.

...

Victor: Get up and run!

...

Victor: You’ll be okay. I’m here.

...

Victor: If you appeared before Will once more and thus made your way to me again… Victor: That could surely only be fate at work.

...

He had saved me over and over again. Without realizing it, he had been a part of my life so many times.

The day we first met, the bombing at the church, and now. What guided me here was neither coincidence nor misfortune. My life has–

I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the report that I finally finished. For now, I put it back in the drawer. And to fulfil my duty as Fairytale Keeper, I left my room with the report on the recent incident in hand.

-----

Liam: Oh, hi Kate. Where are you going?

As I was walking down the hallway, I met Liam and Harrison coming from the other direction.

Kate: I’m going to submit this report to Victor.

Harrison: We just saw him headed that way.

Kate: Really?

If I ran, I could probably catch up to him. And just as I was about to bid the two of them goodbye…

Liam: …You’re still going to be here tomorrow, right, Kate?

Kate: Huh?

Harrison: Hey, don’t say things like that. It’s Kate’s decision.

Liam: …Yeah, you’re right. Sorry.

Liam looked depressed, while Harrison seemed a little anxious. Knowing what they were thinking about, I felt a warmth spread through my heart.

Kate: I’m planning to talk to Victor about it right now.

The two of them brightened when they saw me smile.

Harrison: We’ll support you no matter what you decide. If Victor’s giving you a hard time, call for us.

Liam: We’ll always be on your side!

Kate: Thank you, both of you.

And then I began to run.

…

Liam and Kate watched her disappear down the hallway.

Liam: It looks like things will be okay.

Harrison: She looked pretty determined. Should we have a proper welcome party with the others?

Liam: I like that idea!

-----

Elbert: …Kate.

Kate: What’s the matter, Lord Elbert?

When I reached the garden, Elbert called out to me, sounding rather uncomfortable.

Elbert: Today is…

Alfons: Pardon me, could I get some assistance?

Alfons suddenly leaped out from behind a nearby flowerbed, interrupting whatever Elbert had been about to say.

Kate: Alfons!? What were you doing…

Roger: Hey, catch that thief!

Roger bursting onto the scene yelling at us to capture Alfons made me even more confused.

Alfons: Oh do be quiet. It’s just a little bit of medicine, what’s the harm?

Roger: Being hungover doesn’t give you the right to raid my medicine cabinet!

Alfons: You utter brute! My hands being full isn’t an excuse for you to be so rough, let me g– agh!

Elbert and I watched from the sidelines as Roger trapped Alfons in a headlock.

(Not again…)

While I stood there dumbfounded, Roger seemed to remember something and called out to me.

Roger: Oh yeah, today’s the last day of your promise with Crown, isn’t it?

Elbert and Alfons both suddenly looked in my direction.

Kate: That’s right. It’s why I’m looking for Victor.

Roger: I just passed him in the foyer.

Kate: Really? Thanks!

I began to run again.

Kate: See you later!

I waved goodbye to the three smiling figures.

…

Alfons: Sounds like she’ll still be here tomorrow.

Roger: Yeah. That’s nice, isn’t it, El? Roger: You’re happy that we’re getting another companion. It’s written all over your face.

Elbert: …I am.

-----

Ellis: Oh, Kate.

Kate: Ellis, Jude! Have you seen Victor?

Ellis: He looked like he was going to the palace. Did you need him for something?

Kate: Yes, I want to submit my report to him.

I gave them a quick bow and started walking past them.

Jude: You staying?

He had a dubious look on his face as he spoke.

Kate: I was going to talk to Victor about that too.

Jude: Figured. Anyway, do whatever the hell ya want. Jude: Not like you bein' here or not makes a big difference.

After they left, I once again began racing for the palace.

…

Ellis: I really hope Kate stays. Do you think she will?

Jude: What are you, a moron? Jude: The answer’s obvious.

-----

At long last, I finally arrived at Victor’s office. However…

(He isn’t in?)

No matter how many times I knocked, the door remained shut, and I didn’t hear any response from within.

William: Were you looking for Victor?

Kate: I have a report to give him, but it looks like he isn’t here.

William walked over from the other end of the hallway, looking amused.

William: He said he had something very important to do and left. You must have just missed him.

It reminded me of the time he had been avoiding me, and my shoulders dropped.

William: Don’t worry. He isn’t avoiding you. William: You really did just miss him, unfortunately.

Kate: Oh… okay, that’s fine.

Reassured by William’s words, I turned to start searching for Victor again.

William: Today is the promised day. Has your heart decided what it wants?

I stopped in my tracks.

Yes.

I’ve decided. (+4/+4)

Mostly…

Kate: I’ve decided.

William: I see. Then you had better tell him yourself. William: No matter what path you choose, Crown will respect your decision. William: This is the fruits of your labor, of you always rising to meet us ever since you arrived. William: Regardless of what Victor says or doesn’t say, we will always be your allies.

Kate: William…

Emotions welled in my chest, and William smiled.

William: Whatever you want to say, tell it to him.

He turned to leave, just a step ahead of me.

-----

(I didn’t manage to find him…)

Kate: What’s that?

When I returned to my bedroom, the suitcase that I had left on my bed was gone. In its place was a large box. Inside was a jet black dress, and a single notecard. I knew Victor must have left it. The message simply stated a time and location, and a single phrase: “I am waiting for you.” My heart skipped a beat.

Kate: …All right!

I gave myself an internal pep talk. Checking the clock, I confirmed that the time written on the card was quickly approaching so I changed into the dress. I also took the report I had written about Victor, and paused to run my hand across my music box. Then I retrieved the box of matches I had kept in the drawer. I was ready.

-----

When I pushed open the door to the ballroom, my beloved standing within turned to face me.

Victor: It suits you just as well as I had imagined. You look beautiful, Kate.

Kate: Thank you very much.

I approached him, step by step. When we were standing almost face to face, he finally spoke again.

Victor: Today is the promised day. What do you want to do?

I tightened my grip on my report.

Kate: My one month is up, but I still want to continue being Crown’s Fairytale Keeper. Kate: Crown works to create a world where no one, not even a single person, will ever be unjustly oppressed again. Kate: My duty as Fairytale Keeper is to record evil, like in a fairytale. Kate: And it is something I want to do, from the bottom of my heart.

His expression softened, and then changed.

Victor: That report cannot be allowed to exist.

His words were stern. The atmosphere around him seemed to transform him into another person entirely.

Victor: No trace of the man known as ‘Victor’ can ever be left in recorded history. You know this.

Kate: …I thought you would say that.

The thought crossed my mind while I was writing this. Even though I never wrote down his name, this report was proof that he had existed. So, I made up a choice.

Kate: “If you take my hand, there is no salvation. There is only a path to destruction.”

I lit a match.

Kate: When you said those words to me, I had made up my mind.

I brought the flame to the corner of my report.

Victor: What are you…?

I dropped the burning report, watching until it burned itself to ashes. And then I spoke again.

Kate: I will remember everything. And that will be enough.

Victor looked stunned. I smiled.

Kate: Even if your existence is lost to the darkness, and this love will disappear without a trace… Kate: I will remember you, forever. Kate: If the only thing that awaits me is destruction, as long as I am by your side, Kate: My life will be a happy one, Victor.

As he listened to my words, his lips curved into a gentle smile.

Victor: Are you sure you are prepared?

Kate: Of course.

I took his outstretched hand, and stepping over the ashes of the report, we walked out onto the balcony. I still remembered the very last lines of the report.

The day we first met, the bombing at the church, and now. What guided me here was neither coincidence nor misfortune. My life has been determined, ever since our first meeting. I am sure of it.

My eyes fluttered shut as he kissed me deeply. When I opened them again, he was the only thing I could see.

This must be what people call destiny.

He bowed, and once again held out his hand. Night’s silence was broken only by the sound of the wind. But the beautiful melody of that music box was playing in my ears. He was smiling as he spoke. I was sure I would remember what he said for the rest of my life.

Victor: Now that you’ve taken my hand, let us go forward, into eternity. Victor: Because there is nothing in this world, not even death, that can tear us apart.

As we began to dance, hand clasped in hand, I had a feeling that this moment would become my life’s most precious memory.

(If life were a fairy tale, it would be easy to achieve happiness.)

Don’t do what you shouldn’t.

(But this fairytale begins once you overcome those forbidden acts.)

And even if my life were to wither away into dust, Our story would last for all of eternity.

His POV Story: A Dance With Destiny

Victor: Hmm…

Staring at an assortment of dresses, accessories, and shoes, I found myself at a loss.

(This one suits her… but this one is hard to pass on as well…)

Everything in the pile in front of me was something I had bought for Kate. I’d ordered a number of things for her before as well, but she had stopped me then. But these gifts were also things that would be necessary if she chose to continue living here.

(I don’t have any doubt that you will choose to stay…)

But I still couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

(What if she does say no?)

She had tried to agree immediately when we had spoken last night. But she realized that I was giving her one last chance to escape. And she was going to think it over carefully before giving me her final decision.

(If she ends up changing her mind, I don’t know how I’ll ever recover…)

Although I was overjoyed that the person I loved had fallen for me in turn, There was still a chance, however slim, that she would refuse to stay.

(After all the hardship I’ve caused you, why am I fretting over something so small?)

Because I knew Kate well, I knew that she would choose to continue being Fairyale Keeper, and accept my feelings for her.

(And that’s exactly why I want you to be the one to make that choice.)

Because I treasured her, I wanted to keep her away from the world of darkness. But perhaps, since the very beginning, I had hoped that she would fall.

(Wherever you may fly to, I want to be where you return in order to rest.) (I have always wanted that.)

My love was just for her, something dark and heavy. I knew that if she accepted it, I’d never let her leave for the rest of eternity. So if she was going to fall, I wanted her to make the choice to let gravity pull her down.

(I’m not playing fair, always forcing her to make the first move.)

But she was the one who had unwittingly fallen in love with such a man.

(I won’t ever let her go. So I have to wait, until those words fall from her own lips.)

I was gradually filling my bedroom with Kate’s things. Once she took my hand, she’d be living here as well. So this was just preparation for our life together.

Victor: Maybe I can go with her when she submits her resignation letter to the post office and cancels her apartment lease…

(Buf if we went together, people would probably think she was quitting in order to get married.) (Well, that’s not entirely wrong. And it would be a very clear warning to anyone watching.)

If Kate knew what I was thinking, it’d probably surprise her. In her mind, I was still a mature, reliable person.

Victor: …Black it is.

I picked up a beautiful, jet black dress.

(She chose to live with the reaper in the world of darkness.) (No other color will do.)

Though there were different interpretations, some people said that the white of a wedding dress represented how you would be stained by your partner’s colors. And in contrast, a black dress meant that you would not let anyone’s colors stain you.

(It’s like she is becoming death’s bride.)

Perhaps, someday in the future, there would be a day where we would be joined for real. I had no intention of binding myself to anyone other than Kate. I could even play the part of groom and have Kate dress up as the queen, to have a public ceremony.

(...That would be an abuse of power.)

And if I did that, my existence would be recorded in history, which I could not allow. This idea would remain just a fleeting fantasy.

(I must be in a very good mood to be entertaining thoughts like this.)

I finished writing a brief message on a notecard, and packed it away with the dress. The woman I had been in love with for so very long, Was finally going to take my hand, and fall into the abyss with me.

-----

I heard the sound of clicking heels and turned. Dressed in all black, Kate was absolutely stunning.

Victor: It suits you just as well as I had imagined. You look beautiful, Kate.

Kate: Thank you very much.

There were no truer words that could have fallen from my lips. She approached, step by step, and when we were standing almost face to face, I spoke again.

Victor: Today is the promised day. What do you want to do?

Kate tightened her grip around a bunch of documents that appeared to be a report.

Kate: My one month is up, but I still want to continue being Crown’s Fairytale Keeper. Kate: Crown works to create a world where no one, not even a single person, will ever be unjustly oppressed again. Kate: My duty as Fairytale Keeper is to record evil, like in a fairytale. Kate: And it is something I want to do, from the bottom of my heart.

(You truly are strong.)

No matter how many horrors she would witness, her sense of duty was unwavering. Her strength was mesmerizing.

Victor: That report cannot be allowed to exist.

I had to tell her this.

Victor: No trace of the man known as ‘Victor’ can ever be left in recorded history. You know this.

This report was the product of a month of Kate’s hard work to learn about me. It pained me to say that she couldn’t keep it.

Kate: …I thought you would say that.

But contrary to what I expected, Kate seemed almost cheerful.

Kate: “If you take my hand, there is no salvation. There is only a path to destruction.”

She suddenly pulled out a match and lit it.

Kate: When you said those words to me, I had made up my mind.

She set the report on fire.

Victor: What are you…?

The report fell to the floor and burned to ashes. Kate smiled when she saw that I was at a loss for words.

Kate: I will remember everything. And that will be enough.

Her smile was a ray of light piercing through the darkness.

Kate: Even if your existence is lost to the darkness, and this love will disappear without a trace… Kate: I will remember you, forever.

When my life was shrouded in mist and I had no idea what my future would bring, you were the white robin that flew to me.

Kate: If the only thing that awaits me is destruction, as long as I am by your side, Kate: My life will be a happy one, Victor.

(Your strength, your kindness, your honesty, and your beauty never fails to exceed my expectations.) (You are my one and only beloved.)

Her words were almost like a proposal. I laughed and held out my hand to her.

Victor: Are you sure you are prepared?

Kate nodded with pride in her eyes.

Kate: Of course.

She put her small hand in mine and stepped over the ashes of her report.

(I wish I had read it before she burned it, but I’m sure Kate remembers every word.)

I led her to the balcony, hoping she would tell me what it said, just like hearing a bedtime story.

Our first meeting, the bombing at the church, and now. What joined our hands together was neither coincidence nor misfortune. Even beyond my scheming, this was something that had always been meant to happen. I knew, ever since that first day at the church where she saved me.

“My fate is to destroy her.”

And yet, she still took my hand, knowing it would be her doom. She had even laughed, and said that nothing mattered as long as we were together. This must surely have been “destiny” at work.

I smiled, and kissed her. Kate’s eyes shut adorably, and I moved even closer to her so that I would be the only thing she could see when she opened her eyes again. She laughed, and I laughed too. And bowing, I held out my hand to her once again. Night’s silence was broken only by the sound of the wind. But the beautiful melody of that music box was playing in both our ears.

For the rest of my life, I would wear a crown of thorns as I sat on the throne as Queen Victoria. There was no doubt of that.

(But, I’m also sure that things will be just a little different now.)

Victor: Now that you’ve taken my hand, let us go forward, into eternity. Victor: Because there is nothing in this world, not even death, that can tear us apart.

The dance we shared with our hands clasped together was a single page in a long, long story.

(We will never end, never be driven apart. Not for all of time.)

Because even after death, we would walk onwards, hand in hand… Our story would last for all of eternity.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Normally, I post theories on this blog, and what I usually do is solve plot holes, but I'm currently rereading Deathly Hallows, and I honestly forgot how stupid some decisions there are. So, I'm compiling some of them here to maybe theorize and solve these plot holes later. But for now, I'm baffled.

1. I just reached the part where they started camping in the woods, and Harry just started being hungry, and I don't think I can adequately describe how dumb that is. Like, I can get wanting to stay hidden and stuff, but why not call Kreacher?

I mean, Harry showed in HBP he can just call Kreacher to him:

But the question was, how to call him? What did you do? Quietly, tentatively, Harry spoke into the darkness. “Kreacher?” There was a very loud crack, and the sounds of scuffling and squeaks filled the silent room.

(HBP, 419)

Why not call Kreacher and tell him to bring food to the tent? He's a house-elf, so he could apparate through their wards with no problem. They could've had Kreacher's cooking still, I just don't get it.

2. They didn't actually need to leave Grimmauld Place at all. The book explains it like this:

“Harry, I think he can. I—I forced him to let go with a Revulsion Jinx, but I’d already taken him inside the Fidelius Charm’s protection. Since Dumbledore died, we’re Secret-Keepers, so I’ve given him the secret, haven’t I?” There was no pretending; Harry was sure she was right. It was a serious blow. If Yaxley could now get inside the house, there was no way that they could return. Even now, he could be bringing other Death Eaters in there by Apparition.

(DH, 271)

But Yaxley wouldn't be a Secret Keeper, he couldn't bring other Death Eaters inside. This isn't how the magic works.

After Dumbledore dies, everyone he told the secret to becomes the Secret Keeper. Hermione is a Secret Keeper. She can reveal the secret to Yaxley by appparating him, but that doesn't turn Yaxley into a Secret Keeeper. It's just one Death Eater who knows how to get in that Harry and Co can kidnap, obliviate, or kill if they're really stressed about it. Yaxley couldn't bring anyone else inside regardless of how much he wanted to. He isn't a Secret Keeper, so all the other Death Eaters would've had to wait outside and watch the place the house should be in like they did up to this point.

And sure, Snape is a Secret Keeper but considering he somehow lied his way out of telling them the secret, even though we see Death Eaters stationed outside Grimmauld Place, I think it's safe to say, he wouldn't tell even after Yaxley knew and potentially returned with this information. I mean, the fact the Death Eaters are watching outside Grimmauld Place tells us Snape didn't tell them, and it should tell Harry, Ron, and Hermione Snape didn't betray the secret, as otherwise, the Death Eaters would've just broken in to search for them.

3. If we're talking of the Fidelius Charm and Secret Keepers, I don't get why Bill and Arthur Weasley have to be their own Secret Keepers. Why create this plot hole so late in the game? I mean, up until book 7, I didn't question why James and Lily had to have a third party as their Secret Keeper. It was just how the spell worked. Well, not anymore.

So, now I have to wonder why they were convinced they needed someone else, someone outside the house? Perhaps it was out of paranoia? So that if something happened to them anyway there'd be someone outside who could bring help?

4. And don't even get me started on the Battle of the Seven Potters. I mean, apparition or side-along apparition are completely viable methods of transportation, so why brooms? Wtf?

I mean, the Order makes this same ludicrous decision in OotP, when they transport Harry from the Dursleys to Grimmauld Place on brooms, so at least they're consistent in their stupidity.

Like, I could make an excuse for the use of brooms if they're trying to evade the Trace. According to how I believe the Trace works, the Trace wouldn't pick up on a broom the same way it didn't pick up on the flying Ford Angelica. It's an item already enchanted, magic isn't being cast, so it doesn't pick on it. So, while the Trace would pick up on apparition, it won't pick up on broom flight.

The problem with this is that in OotP we see the Order cast magic inside the Dursleys' house, making any chance of avoiding the Trace moot:

“Don’t be stupid, it’ll be much quicker if I — pack!” cried Tonks, waving her wand in a long, sweeping movement over the floor. Books, clothes, telescope, and scales all soared into the air and flew pell-mell into the trunk.

(OotP, 53)

And in DH, Harry is already 17, and the Trace shouldn't be a problem for him, so this excuse doesn't really hold water...

I'm sure I'll remember more as I continue reading, but these are the ones that really bother me now. Rant over (at least until I find a hopefully not super contrived way to make all this make sense in-universe).

[shebunie]

could you write about a reader who helps run an underground black market? while others are specialized in murder and money, her trade centers around secrets, blackmail, and information. she likes to see justice being served and will only give information if she feels the person’s reasons are honorable.

mizu came to her once to learn more about violet. there, mizu is forced to share her story with the reader. the reader feels that mizu’s revenge will bring justice and she told her some really helpful information. because of this good interaction, mizu decides to come back to learn more about fawler.

when she comes back, she realizes that the reader got into some trouble (maybe with shindo) because their reasons were not reasonable and they resorted to kidnapping and torturing her to get information. mizu decided to go rescue her, but it’s unclear whether or not she’s doing it out of affection or purely for the information.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬

𝗠𝗶𝘇𝘂 𝘅 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁! 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼, 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟮.𝟱𝗸 𝐀/𝐍: 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼! 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝘂𝘇 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱. 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 <𝟯𝟯

In the shadowed heart of the city, where the lights whispered secrets and the night held its breath, there existed an underground black market that thrived on the currency of secrets, blackmail, and information. In this clandestine realm, enigmatic and veiled in the shadows, you reigned as the orchestrator of whispers and dealer of knowledge.

A master of intrigue and keeper of delicate truths, you believed in a peculiar sense of justice. Only those with honourable intentions could pry open the sealed envelopes that held the city's darkest truths. For you, it was not about the money or the power, but the satisfaction of seeing justice served.

On a fateful night, as the moon hung low in the inky sky, a figure cloaked in mystery and determination stepped into your dimly lit sanctuary. 

“A newcomer, what business do you have to visit me at this hour?” You spoke, eyes never leaving the inked stained paper, with each brush stroke holding grace and poise.

The stranger, behind those orange-tinted glasses, were piercing eyes that seemed to carry the weight of unspoken stories, stepped further into the dimly lit room. Their voice, like a carefully orchestrated melody, cut through the silence. "I seek truths that have eluded the grasp of justice, and whispers that dance on the fringes of the consciousness."

You looked up from your work, a subtle curiosity in your eyes. "Not many dare to tread into these shadows without a clear purpose. What truth do you chase, and what drives you to seek it in the obscurity of this place?"

“I’ve come to fulfil a vow, revenge, I’ve come to know the whereabouts of a white man.”

Your keen eyes studied the stranger, gauging the sincerity in their words. The air seemed to thicken with the weight of their purpose. The inked quill paused on the paper as you leaned back, shrouded in the ambience of secrets.

"Revenge, in pursuit of a white man. Such tales often unravel threads that bind destinies," you mused, the subtle glow of your lamp casting flickering shadows on the walls. "But before I delve into the shadows of information, I must know more. Who is this white man, and why does he stir the flames of revenge in your heart?"

The stranger hesitated for a moment, as if deciding how much of their truth to reveal. Finally, they spoke with a mixture of determination and sorrow. "His name is Violet. He is a man of influence, a puppeteer in the daylight, orchestrating schemes that ruin lives. I've sworn to kill all four white men that resided in Japan, for cursing me with the blood of impurity, a demon."

Your expression remained unchanged, but a glimmer of sympathy flashed in your eyes. The pen resumed its dance across the parchment as you spoke, "Revenge can be a treacherous path, often blinding the seeker to the consequences. What do you seek from me? Information, evidence, or perhaps a way to dismantle this puppeteer?"

The stranger's eyes bore into yours, reflecting a mix of determination and desperation. "I seek all that you can provide. Names, connections, his hidden lairs, and the strings he pulls. I want to expose him for what he is and make him pay for the lives he's ruined, including my own."

Nodding slowly, you set aside the parchment and ink, the tools of your trade, and leaned forward. "A perilous journey, but I understand the weight of injustice and the burning desire to right the wrongs. I will help you, but you must understand the rules of this realm. The information I provide comes with a price, not in currency, but in actions. You must be prepared to navigate the shadows with precision and, if needed, dance on the edge of morality."

The stranger's gaze remained steadfast, a silent agreement passing between you. "I accept the terms. I will do whatever it takes to bring Violet and every white man in this forsaken place to justice and end their reign of manipulation."

"Good," you responded, a sense of purpose resonating in your voice. As the stranger rose to leave, the room seemed to absorb them into its shadowy embrace. The lights outside flickered, casting an ethereal glow on the figure disappearing into the night. The underground market, fueled by the currency of secrets, had found a new player in this unfolding tale of revenge and justice.

As the door closed, leaving only a faint echo in the quiet room, you returned to your desk, resuming your work with renewed purpose. The city's secrets were about to unfold, and justice, like a silent guardian, awaited its cue in the heart of the shadows.

In gratitude for your assistance, Mizu vowed to return, her purpose now intertwined with the unseen threads of fate that bound them. Time passed, like the silent footfalls of a forgotten melody, until Mizu returned, seeking enlightenment about another elusive figure—Fowler.

“I can’t help but notice your business, dear orchestrator,” Your sanctuary has been disturbed. Trouble had come knocking in the form of Shindo, a ruthless force that recognized no boundaries in its pursuit of information. You decide to humour him.

"Shindo, my old acquaintance," you replied with a calm demeanour, though a spark of caution glinted in your eyes. "What brings you to the heart of secrets? Your reputation precedes you, and I have no doubt that your visit is not a mere social call."

Shindo, a towering figure with a cold gaze, smirked as he approached your desk. The dim light reflected off the polished surface of his leather coat, giving him an air of calculated menace. "Cut the pleasantries. I hear you've been delving into matters that don't concern you. Secrets that dance on the edge of my territory."

You leaned back, steepling your fingers, your expression unreadable. "I simply provide a service, Shindo. Information flows like a river, and I merely guide its course. What concerns you is not my concern unless it becomes a transaction."

Shindo's eyes narrowed, and he leaned in, his voice a low growl. "There's a name echoing in the city— a samurai. What do you know about him?"

You hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing your words, "I've heard murmurs of a shadow in the night, a samurai navigating each crevice to find your white devil," you replied, keeping your tone measured. "But as you know, my dear Shindo, information is a delicate currency. If you seek to exchange, you must bring something of value to the table.”

Shindo's gaze intensified, and a sinister smile played on his lips. "I don't play games, woman. Give me what I want, and you may continue your little charade in the shadows."

Your response carried a subtle defiance, "Information is not a commodity to be demanded, Shindo. It's earned. If you wish to dance in the realm of secrets, you must learn the steps." The tension in the room thickened, a silent standoff in the theatre of whispers.

“Then you leave me no choice—" With a mere tilt of his head, a large man came into view "Take her," closing in you swiftly, you tried to pry yourself away from his grasp. 

Assessing the giant's imposing presence, you quickly analyze potential weak points and notice a subtle hesitation in his movements. Without revealing fear, you calmly address Shindo, "Physical force may bend the body, but the mind remains unbroken. We can find a more civilized resolution, gentlemen."

Shindo's icy gaze meets yours, contemplating your words. The room hangs in suspense, the shadows concealing the unfolding drama as the dance between power and subtlety continues.

Mizu, arriving at the dimly lit hideaway, to question you about Fowler's location, sensed the shift in the winds, the discord that had disrupted your sanctuary.

The wielder's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the aftermath, her fingers brushing against the ink-stained remnants of your meticulous work. The once-calm hideaway now bore the scars of a struggle, a battle waged in the name of hidden truths.

Determined, Mizu traced the whispers of witnesses until Shindo's name echoed through the clandestine passages. Fueled by a blend of concern and determination, she sought answers, discovering the brutality that had unfolded within the walls of your secret refuge.

“You're a stubborn one, all bloodied up and you won't even say a single thing.” Shindo snickered as he watched your shackled self breathe heavily, crimson red flowing down your body. 

Shindo's taunting words echoed in the hushed air, you spat at him, “I'd rather dwell in despair than give you what is not meant to be.” 

“He will cut you with a knife.” 

Mizu's eyes flashed with a mix of fury and concern as she stepped forward, her presence a force to be reckoned with. "Shindo, this violence serves no purpose. If you seek information, there are other ways to obtain it."

Shindo chuckled, seemingly amused by Mizu's defiance. "This one," he gestured towards you, "holds the key to the knowledge I desire. A stubborn whore who values secrets over their own well-being."

Mizu's gaze shifted between you and Shindo, her resolve unwavering. "Release them. I won't stand idly by while you desecrate the pursuit of truth."

Shindo, unfazed, signalled to his henchmen to loosen their grip slightly. As the pressure on your shackles eased, Mizu's,  eyes locked onto yours. As the room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the unspoken negotiations hung thick in the air. 

In that precarious moment, Mizu's motives blurred like reflections in rippling water. Was it affection that spurred her into action, or merely the pragmatic pursuit of information?

Mizu's gaze remained locked with yours, a silent exchange of understanding passing between you. Her motives were a complex dance of affection and pragmatism, each step carefully measured in the shadows of the dimly lit room.

Shindo, still revelling in the perceived power dynamic, grinned wickedly. "Well, Mizu, if you're so eager to play the hero, let's make a deal. I'll release this one," he gestured towards you, "if you come join me for tea."

Mizu's jaw tightened at Shindo's proposition, her eyes narrowing in a blend of defiance and calculation. She considered the implications of Shindo's twisted offer. "Tea?" She scoffed, her voice cutting through the silence. "You mistake me for a fool. Release them, and we can talk about information. But I won't indulge in your sick games."

Shindo's laughter echoed in the room, the sound sending shivers down your spine. "Ah, Mizu, always so serious. But you see, this isn't just any tea. It's a meeting of minds, an opportunity for understanding. And if you refuse, well," he trailed off, his gaze lingering on you.

You felt the weight of the unspoken threat in his words, and a flicker of concern passed through Mizu's eyes. The delicate balance between affection and pragmatism teetered on the edge, the room holding its breath in anticipation.

Mizu's voice, calm yet laced with determination, sliced through the tension. "We can discuss what you want to know. But know this, harm them, and you’re dead."

Shindo's smirk faltered for a moment, the first crack in his confident facade. He glanced between you and Mizu, weighing his options. The room seemed suspended in a fragile standoff, the outcome uncertain.

After a tense pause, Shindo nodded to his henchmen. The pressure on your shackles eased further, and Mizu's eyes never wavered from Shindo's gaze. As your shackles fell away, the samurai stepped forward, shielding you from Shindo's view. The room breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Very well, We shall discuss matters over tea, and perhaps you'll see the wisdom in cooperation." 

Mizu, her eyes never leaving Shindo until he disappeared from sight, leaving you two alone in the empty, cold dungeon. The sword-wielder waited for a moment to confirm he had left before turning her attention to you.

Concern etched on her face. Gently, she examined the wounds that adorned your battered form. The faint rays of the moonlight cast a soft glow on her features, revealing a mix of emotions that played out in the depths of her eyes.

She approached you. With gentle hands, cupping your face as she assessed the damage, the cold metal of the shackles leaving angry imprints on your wrists.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice a low murmur in the dimly lit dungeon. You managed a weak nod, vision blurry as you couldn’t handle the pain any more, passing out in her hold.

Time blurred in the darkness, and when you awoke, the dim glow of the moon had given way to the soft hues of dawn that shone through the cracks of the cabin. Mizu, ever watchful, was seated by your side. As your eyes fluttered open, she met your gaze with a mixture of relief and concern.

"You're awake," she said, her voice a gentle whisper. "How do you feel?"

The pain lingered, but it was bearable. Mizu's care had brought a measure of comfort, and you managed a faint smile in response. Her hand found yours, a silent reassurance.

"What happened with Shindo?" you asked, the events in the dungeon still a fragmented memory.

Mizu's expression hardened as she recounted the negotiations. "He wanted information, and he thought he could use you as leverage. But we made a deal. We'll talk, share what we know, but no more than that. If he harms you, he's signing his own death."

A flicker of embarrassment passed through your eyes, realizing the gravity of the situation. Cerulean eyes softened as she sensed your vulnerability, her thumb gently tracing soothing circles on the back of your hand.

"Don't blame yourself," she reassured. "I won't let anything happen to you."

“I— I know.” You held your gaze, as the dawn's light painted a soft glow on your features, and for a moment, in the swordswoman's eyes, the weight of the world seemed to fade. “But you did not have to go through all that hassle to save me.”

Mizu felt a warmth within her that transcended the dimly lit surroundings. Tilting her head down while she turned around so that her back faced you.

"It wasn't a hassle, and you're worth every risk," she said over her shoulder, her tone carrying a sincerity that echoed through the quiet cabin.

As the dawn's light continued to filter through the cracks of the cabin, a newfound closeness enveloped the two of you. The air seemed to hold a lingering tenderness, and Mizu's words hung in the quiet space like a promise.

Silence settled between you, broken only by the distant sounds of the waking world outside. 

"I meant what I said," she spoke, her voice a soft murmur. "I won't let anything happen to you. We're in this together."

A gentle smile graced your lips, as you scooted closer to the samurai, leaning to place a light peck on their cold-tinted cheek “I appreciate everything you’ve done, Thank you.” 

Mizu's cheeks warmed at the unexpected gesture, hand adjusting the kasa on their head down to block your view from her flushed face. Letting out a low hum of agreement. 

"I'm just glad you're safe," She admitted, her voice a soft murmur.

A soft giggle left your lips, placing your head on their shoulder as you embraced the warmth of the moment. 

[vase-of-lilies]

❀ Pairing: Dark!Wanda Maximoff x Little!Reader (F) x Dark!Natasha Romanoff

❀ Warnings: Mentions of established kidnapping, faking of death, not much smut but small mentions of it, mentions of NON-CON and DUB-CON, MDLG, dark content that is not suitable for minors, forced age regression (if there are some that I missed, please let me know!!)

❀ A/N: Welcome back to the tiny verse everyone! This is the main story of how these other stories are slightly connected. This will be short and straight to the point so not really a story just some main points! This has spoilers to ALL of the fics mentioned! I recommend reading it in this order: Ours For The Taking, Their Little One, Mommy Knows Best, Into the Tiny-verse (this one:) ), His Sisters Keepers, And then any drabbles or stories after that:)

It was well-known information that Natasha could not have a baby. The horrors of the red room she had to endure were to blame. Wanda could, but she didn't want any children. All she wanted was to take care of someone. You. However, Bucky was a very overprotective brother and kept you away from the two women with everything he had. He thought they were dangerous.

During a mission, it was time for the two women to take you away from Bucky for good, making sure that you were truly theirs. And you were Theirs For The Taking. They made you feel so good, making sure you came with ease and teased you and touched you. You were afraid, and sadly you broke just as easily. They were grateful that all of those exhausting orgasms chased all the thoughts of escape out of your mind. Getting settled in with Nat and Wanda, they were discussing that they did want a child, and they knew that your inner child was just waiting to come out. It was something you missed out on after getting hurt with Steve and Bucky.

So, they forced their way into your mind to fish out what little girl they wanted to find. They made you Their Little One and kept you safe in the cabin that you all lived in, in the woods. When Bucky went to Wakanda to fight with Steve, Wanda, and Nat stayed behind with you, making sure you were taken care of. Wanda, being your main source of milk and more Mommy!dom type care, was your "Mommy" and Nat was your "Mama."

Something the three of you figured out was that really only three words pushed you to your tipping point; your Tiny Space. And those three words? Mommy Knows Best. Tiny space is where you have become completely dependent on your mommies. Needing to be carried everywhere, they trained you to put you in diapers when you are in that space, they even make sure that you have all your stuffies in your crib with you at a time. They truly love you and you love them. But now all that's left is making sure the team falls in love with little you, making sure that they love you like your mommies do.

Showing Bucky the real you... That was their biggest fear, showing you to Bucky after they faked your death and took you to make you their own. He knew something and thinks he knows His Sisters Keepers. Now living in their cabin they made just for you, they went to work, you stayed home and colored, played with your stuffies, and napped while they were gone. They would call you, make sure you were okay, and once they were back home it was snuggle time! This was your favorite time of day because this was when you were able to fall asleep the most comfortably.

After drinking some of your mommy Wanda's milk from your favorite pink baby bottle, you were out like a light holding onto Nat's hand. When Nat needs to go get your diaper changed, she brings your toy lion to you, helping you snuggle with it while she pulls your footie pajamas over your diaper-clad bottom. Still slightly asleep from the sedative they put in the bottle with your milk, little whines pour from your mouth. Wanda is quick to soothe you as she carries you with her to her bedroom, laying you down on her bed as she starts to get ready for bed as well.

All this time, they just needed someone to take care of, love, and adore. They were so damn lucky to have found you, and they wouldn't know what to do without you. But they don't have to find out any time soon. And you won't ever find out what it's like to live without them either.

[peopleareaproblem]

Names in Severance

Studies show that first names tend to be particular to individuals, whereas surnames are tied to the family.

- The You You Are, Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD

I went on a deep dive on researching name meanings on Severance, as I'm sure many others have. For those of you not insane enough to do this, my findings are below the cut.

Spoilers up to and including episode four of season two.

Why am I doing this? Well, names play a massive role in this show.

Gabby chooses the name William for her baby but Gabrielle names him Declan, which clues Devon in to something being up with her. The first chapter of The You You Are is about names, and after Ricken's reading Rebeck says she'll have to change her name again.

But most notably: the innies have no last names of their own and don't know the first names of their superiors. This divide is a huge aspect of the power dynamics of the severed floor and seemingly the rest of Lumon, as Cobel is referred to casually as Harmony by Natalie and other superiors but only ever as Ms. Cobel by the MDR department. Helena knowing Milchick's first name and casually calling him by it is what finally confirms Irving's suspicions, and he immediately weaponizes it against him. "Yes, do it, SETH."

I'm listing the full known name at the top (except for repeats like last names being the same) and then the meaning of each name in a subsequent line. So for example "Ricken Lazlo Hale" gets three lines: the first one for Ricken, then Lazlo, then Hale. If it's in the same line it's a different possible meaning for the same name. My own notes are in brackets.

MDR

Mark Scout of Mars (the god) - warlike, indicator, sign someone who goes ahead to gather information about enemies

Peter Kilmer stone kiln worker, famous sacrifice

Helly R. / Helena Eagan torch (Helen of Troy's kidnapping started the Trojan War) little fire

Irving Bailiff green water, river Irvine law enforcement officer

Dylan George toward the tide (going with the flow?) farmer, earthworker

ADMIN

Judd a river, descending, flowing down (the river where Jesus was baptized by John)

Harmony Cobel / Selvig agreement, calm, music (harmonizing two different tones) fishing boat bay of seals (nordic place name, I thought this was meaningless until episode four and now I'm like ???)

Seth Milchick appointed, placed (the third son of adam and eve sent to heal the family after cain killed abel) a jewish dietary law forbidding "boiling a (goat) kid in its mother's milk" (this has got to be on purpose, but what does it mean??)

Natalie Kalen christmas day, birth of the lord slender, fair, blessed, pure, keeper of keys

Ms. Casey watchful, vigilant (this one really convinces me some of these names are chosen with great care)

Doug Graner dark river manager, german place name

Ms. Huang phoenix (literally coming back to life in a blaze of fire)

MARK'S LIFE

Gemma gem, precious stone, "a small cellular body or bud that can separate to form a new organism"

Devon cattle, divine, poet

Ricken Lazlo Hale powerful, wealthy ruler healthy

Eleanor shining light

Patton Thune nobleman money

Rebeck Gulk instrument, tie, snare friend/servant (sometimes: of Christ)

Danise devoted to bacchus / dionysus

Alexa defender of man

THE EAGANS

Kier (CEO 1865-1939) a vat where fabrics are boiled/bleached/dyed

Imogene maiden, innocent

Ambrose (CEO 1939-1941) immortal

Myrtle (CEO 1941-1959) evergreen shrub (evergreen = never dies)

Baird (CEO 1959-1976) poet

Gerhardt (CEO 1976-1987) hard spear

Phillip "Pip" (CEO 1987-1999) friend of horses seed, excellent

Leonora (CEO 1999-2003) light

Jame (CEO 2003-) follower, supplanter, protector

Helena torch

OTHERS

O&D

Burt Goodman fortified town good man

Felicia lucky, successful

DYLAN'S FAMILY

Gretchen pearl

Jim protected/protector

Merrick fame, power, ruler of the sea, dark

Ruth friend, pity, compassion

PETEY'S FAMILY

June young

Nina little girl / shortened form of any name ending in -nina

THE ARTETAS

Angelo Arteta angel evergreen oak

Gabrielle / Gabby woman of god / talkative

Bradley (NOT William) broad meadow (NOT will helmet / desire to protect)

Declan good man / man of prayer

Kai keeper of keys, the sea, king

MISC.

Asal Reghabi honey again stupid? (ghabi = stupid)

Cecil Fields (Burt's partner) blind / sixth pasture

Charlotte (Cobel, name on breathing tube) free

—

And what does all this mean? WELL, some themes I'm picking up on are the water, fire and earth, as well as light and living forever. It's of interest to me that both Gemma and Peter refer to a sort of stone, which is a plus for Mark/Petey shippers. There's a lot of water imagery connected with Lumon, but Eagan means fire. Then there's Huang meaning phoenix, which is rebirth through fire. I'm not sure how to take this yet but it's percolating.

The double meaning of Gemma is also really giving some big clone energy, I'm sorry to say. I know the makers of the show have stated that there's not a clone thing going on, but there's something happening here. I hope Ms. Huang isn't her clone, mostly because they're wildly different looking people whose only real commonality is being asian women.

I've also been looking into alchemy and the Philosopher's Stone as it relates to the themes of Severance, and all of this really rhymes with a lot of that. (I might make a seperate post about it tbh.)

Kilmer meaning kiln worker also really fucks with me, what with the water/fire/earth thing. You need water to mold clay, but firing it in a kiln turns it solid. In the Perpetuity Wing Irving tells Helly: "It’s an unnatural state for a person to have no history. History makes us someone. Gives us a context. A shape. But waking up on that table, I was shapeless." And Mark was a professor of history, and Casey made him sculpt his feelings out of clay, and he sculpted the tree that Gemma hit with her car, which neither of them remember... there's something here, I think.

I think Ricken and his friends, especially Patton, are descended from old money and may even be distantly related to the Eagans.

And then there's Reghabi, which doesn't seem to exist as a name/word outside of this show, but "ghabi" literally only returns results about the Urdu word meaning "idiot". I might be way off base but it makes me worried Reghabi isn't trustworthy. It's giving "the surest way to tame a prisoner is to let him believe he's free".

[trappedinacomputer]

With a Keeper going missing and the Ghosties all thinking it was Bad, I will say:

Bad has considered making a deal with the Keepers to stop leveling in exchange for "the ability to achieve his goal better" and while I don't think they would accept immortality just for him not leveling; I do think that if Bad had something they wanted that they suddenly couldn't get to they would probably be more open to making a deal of sorts..

Look, all I'm saying is that Bad has a history of doing whatever he deems necessary in order to achieve his goals and we know for a fact that that can involve kidnapping and torture.

On top of that, if he is once again an angel, he himself admitted that he is not bound to time and if his theory about the Keepers moving through time is true, he theoretically could capture one in its travel...he did say he hates time travelers.. I believe if anyone could capture something that moves through time, it's the one creature not bound by time.

He has also shown an interest in figuring out what exactly the Keepers are and how they operate so stealing a log book? Perfect for more information. Kidnapping a Keeper and holding them somewhere? He can study what they are more closely and he gets the added bonus of seeing how other Keepers react; when the Keepers showed up yesterday to question about the missing Keeper, he didn't seem the least bit concerned, he was just.. observing their reaction. Also he did at multiple points mention wanting to eat them [the Keepers] and well.. we all know the most popular theory about what happened to Ron, his last kidnapping victim...

I say all of this with the knowledge that Bad more than likely has nothing to do with this and this is just some world building involving the Keepers and Observers, but I'm having fun so :3

[charliemwrites]

Okay, Alejandro time!!

(He’s a keeper but not via kidnapping. Still a deranged arrangement tho lmao)

You’d been a hostage - a tourist or just a casualty of narcos, it doesn’t matter. The men said all kinds of awful things while you shivered in the corner, tired with ropes that would leave scars.

It all happened so suddenly. You had no warning, no instinctive sense that something was going to happen. One second it was all half-drunk men playing cards and watching football - the next there was a metallic clank and the world went bright and loud.

Alejandro is the one to get you out himself, cutting so carefully through the binds. He helps you up on shaky feet, makes a furious expression at the state of you. You can’t hear what he says over the ringing in your ears and the distant cacophony.

He gets you outside, sits you in the passenger side of a big black jeep. You shiver and shake, wide-eyed. When he tries to move away you cling, begging him not to leave you, please please.

He shouts something to his men, then turns back to you. Gives you a once over. This time you can hear him cursing under his breath when he sees the damage to your bare feet. Another soldier brings a blanket that you’re quickly swaddled in.

You meet Alejandro. He takes you back to base, his sergeant riding in the backseat and trying to get your information. You give him what you can, glancing at Alejandro every now and then for reassurance.

He’s your savior, your angel.

On his base, you Velcro yourself to him, heart pounding when anyone else gets too near. He coddles you through the medics, through a debrief with his men, through a brutal punch to one of your arrested captors saying something nasty.

You shouldn’t be filled with warmth at the show of violence. But that it’s on your behalf means the world.

“Why are you letting me do this?” You ask, guilty as he leads you around for training drills.

“Because you need me, no?” he replies.

You do. “What… what if I never stop needing you?”

He hums as he considers that, head tipping side to side.

“Maybe you won’t. I will still let you be here by my side.”

And he makes good on it. As you heal, as you reunite with your family, as you settle into a post-trauma life, Alejandro lets you cling.

More than cling, he cares for you. Coddles you, just like he did that first night. Always hands you food first, and gives you extras from his plate if you still see hungry. tucks you into bed and gets you up in the mornings. Gives you little tasks for Los Vaqueros to keep you busy and keep you from feeling too guilty.

He starts calling for you by nicknames and you’re all too happy to perk up at “princess” or “kitten” or “cookie” exclusively. He starts pressing kisses to your temples, hugging you around the middle from behind while talking to his soldiers.

And because you’re always with him, you end up at a bar one night too. It’s loud, but the base gets loud too sometimes, so you don’t mind. What you do mind is someone making a pass at you after being told no - twice.

You stumble away, yelping for Ale and you all nearly get thrown out of the bar for the hell he unleashes. The night doesn’t last long after that and you apologize for ruining everything, trying to hold back tears. He shakes his head and bundles you in close.

“No, listen. I take care of what’s mine, yeah?”

“And… and I’m yours?” you ask hopefully.

“Yes, love.”

You nuzzle into him all the way back to base. Then spend the night in his room - not for the first time, though this instance is much… steamier than usual.

Ale is a romantic through and through. He takes you apart piece by piece with such care, whispering words of adoration into every inch of skin. He’s a proud man too, has to come twice before sinking into you with a sinful roll of his hips, hair falling around his face as he moans above you.

The next morning, he sees you in his shirt and has you for breakfast at the kitchen table. You follow him around that day with pretty hickies everywhere and his deodorant on your skin. He promises that you can move into his on-base apartment whenever you want.

Rudy helps the two of you the next day.

Still, you know he loves you. You know what kind of man he is. Good and brave and fierce. Loyal the way poets write. He would never stray… but you wish you had reassurance that you belong to him, and him you.

You get a bracelet that only he can take on and off, his name engraved proudly in the metal. He keeps the key with his dog tags. It feels right; you feel possessed. He gets this dark glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes when he sees you thumbing at his name.

A matching bracelet peeks beneath his sleeve when he raises his hand to call his soldiers’ attention. You keep the key on a necklace in the hollow of your throat on proud display.

When Valeria makes a snide comment about it upon meeting, you tilt your head at her.

“You seem like a very unhappy person.” And flounce off.

Alejandro laughs raucously about it still hours later, praising you while you sit in his lap and sip his beer.

[rendy-a]

Could I request a self aware twst au with like the first years :D?

I want to thank all the people who interacted with that post earlier today. It gave me enough motivation to go out and finish this piece.

While trying to think up concepts for this work, it occured to me that all the first years (except Ortho) were in sports clubs. That means there is one event perfect for you to bond with your first year friends.

Ace kicks a pile of canvas laying in a heap at his feet, “This is ridiculous!  What if something happens while we’re gone!”  His mouth twists into an unpleasant grimace.  He looks to his basketball club members for backup, but no one will meet his eye.  So, he turns to where he knows he’ll find support.  “Oi, Sebek!”  The green haired fae is distractedly pounding away at a tent stake nearby but it is easy to see from his expression that his heart isn’t in it.  “What happens if someone tries to kidnap the Player when we aren’t there to protect them?  You know how famous they are!”  Sebek stops hammering and slowly looks up, tears forming in his eyes. 

“SILVER! SILVER!” he shouts to his clubmate, “What if I’m not there to protect the Player!  Forget this event, we must return to the school with ALL HASTE!”  He looks to his fellows for support but again, none of the senior students stop what they are doing.  Ace, however, is fast to abandon his own camping site and join Sebek.  “Right, right?” he eagerly urges Sebek on, “What does this even matter if our Player isn’t here to see it?” 

“Stop it,” the sturdy voice of Jack growls, “It doesn’t pay to get worked up over it.  This is in the story, so we have to do it.  That’s just how it is.”  Sebek stares at the wolf beastman silently, tears falling from his eyes.  “Maybe we can tell them about it later!” Deuce tries to cheer his fellow freshman up, “I’m sure they’d like to hear about it.  They always listened to my card stories before…well before it happened.  I think they’d like to hear about this too!”  At that Sebek seemed mightily cheered and returned to setting up his tent with gusto, muttering about what he’d tell the Player about later.  Ace scoffs, sensing his defeat and returns bitterly to his own site. 

Epel wanders over and observes Ace silently.  “You finished?” Ace asks in surprise.  “Yeah, Leona is a great leader and took charge of getting us set up right away!” Epel informs him, “I had time to put up my tent and help Ruggie set up one for Leona too!”  Then he looks down and kicks Ace’s sad abandoned tent as well, “I just wish the Player was here to see it.  I bet they’d have been really impressed with how fast I finished.”  Ace frowns and complains, “But they aren’t here.  They are back at school with the Arts Clubs.”  This causes Epel to scowl deeply, “Dagnabit!  I didn’t need a reminder of that!  I can just picture those frou-frou artsy types trying to suck up to the Player.  Trying to get them to talk different, eat different, just…” He doesn’t finish the thought but the way he grinds his teeth shows how he feels about the idea.

The sound of pounding tent stakes and shifting canvas is diminished when the booming voice of Coach Vargas booms out, “Listen up, young campers!  Now, I know you don’t need any additional motivation to showcase your strength and fortitude here after I’ve done an AMAZING job setting up this EXCITING AND ENTERTAINING EVENT!”  Here he pauses and casts a quick look over his shoulder before straightening up again.  “But if you do!”  Then he smiles a beaming smile and sets his hands on his hips.  That’s when you pop out from behind him, “Hey guys!  Guess who’s here to do their memory keeper duties!” 

Ace jumps over his canvas pile in a rush to get to your side and stumbles over it.  “Woah, calm down,” you admonish him cheerily, “I’ll be here all weekend.”  Epel asks in an innocent sounding voice, “You will?  You really will?”  You pat the two boys on the shoulder and search out your other first year friends in the crowd.  Sebek is sobbing quietly in front of his tent and Deuce is waving excitedly from the distant track club area.  Jack gives you a small nod before turning back to his area as though he is unaffected by your appearance, but the cloud of dust kicked up by his wagging tail says otherwise. 

You turn toward Vargas and look expectantly.  He looks blankly back at you until you awkwardly say, “Go on.”  He looks at you a moment before clearing his throat, “Ah yes, yes.  Harumph!  Anyway, tents are up!  Get over here and listen up for your next task!”  Then he looks at you as though seeking your approval to hand out the task.  You shrug and then nod as though to say, ‘Sure, go for it.’  Vargas gives you a toothy smile and then proceeds to hand out a familiar sounding explanation about the tasks to be assigned to the clubs.  You wave lightly before heading back to the cabin to get your own things sorted out.  The eagerness of the students fades as fast as your departure.

“So…,” Deuce begins carefully, “We are going to try now?  Right?”  He looks at Ace for confirmation.  Jack snorts behind him, “I was always going to try.”  Then he makes a fist and puts on an eager smile, “I’m going to knock this challenge out so fast that the Player can’t help but notice me!”  Deuce turns away from Ace to join Jack instead.  The two Track Club members fire each other up over their plans to dominate the camp tasks and stand out to the Player.  Deuce quickly becomes so distracted by this that he forgets Ace entirely.  This is just the chance Ace has been waiting for to quietly slip away.

“So, Prefect,” Ace begins as he appears at your side.  You yelp and drop your backpack, catching it before it hits the ground and damages your precious ghost camera.  “Ace!” you shout, “What are you doing here?  This isn’t in the event!”  He looks at you quietly and you quickly backtrack, “I…I mean, shouldn’t you be with the Basketball Club doing…something?”  Ace smiles, happy to have avoided an awkward situation.  “Nah, I’m not going to mess around in the woods.  It’s a team effort, so as long as those other guys do the grunt work, I’ll be fine.”  You roll your eyes at his attitude.  “Plus, why would I want to be anywhere but with my best buddy, eh Prefect?” 

You consider this carefully before slyly narrowing your eyes and gesturing to your unbuilt tent.  “Sure, thing, Pal.  Why don’t you hang out and help me build my tent.”  Ace grimaces, not wanting to do the work but mostly afraid you’ll pick up on his lack of tent-building expertise.  The odd standoff is concluded when you hear Coach Vargus bellow, “Nonsense!  That won’t do for either of you!  I can hardly deprive the Prefect of the chance to enjoy this stimulating muscle-building activity and as for you Ace, well, you are just slacking off.”  Ace starts to stammer as you just stand there cringing.  Coach Vargus calmly approaches Ace and lifts him up by his collar.  It reminds you of how you lift a misbehaving Grim by the scruff of his neck.  You wave awkwardly at the departing Ace as he looks imploringly at you from the Coach’s grasp.  ‘Oh well, you reap what you sow,’ you think.

A tiring amount of time later, you brush your hands off on your thighs and declare, “There, done!”  Then you slowly head over to grab your pack holding the Ghost Camera, among other supplies.  The sun is barely at its peak, but you are already sweating with exertion from putting up the tent.  You wonder how your more athletic friends among the first-year students are handling it.  You know they are more used to the effort, but you hope they are taking necessary precautions.  Perhaps you’d just remind them and see if they need to borrow some sunscreen.

You know realize that sunscreen was the least of your safety concerns.  You watch in disbelief as Sebek continues to scale a sheer cliff in search of a lantern blossom flower.  The reaction of the nearby students was mixed.  Silver seemed remarkably unconcerned as he spoke to Riddle nearby.  Meanwhile, you and several NPC characters were more nervous.  “He is going to fall, isn’t he?” you ask the nearby Scarabia A.  He looks at you for a long moment and then shrugs his shoulders.  You are not reassured at all. 

You turn instead to Ignihyde C and gesture, “This game doesn’t have a mature rating, so he can’t die.  Right? Right?”  The surprised student looks at you with his mouth falling open before he stammers, “R.right.”  Then he looks up at the precarious position of the green haired fae and mumbles, “But maybe you should cheer him on anyway.”  You look more intently at the NPC and demand, “Do you think that would help?”  He answers you in a fluster, “W..well, if my oshi…I mean friend…if my friend cheered me on, I think it would really help me do my best!” 

Right.  That is just the sort of thing friends do.  “HEY SEBEK!” you shout.  The fae somehow hears you shout and looks arrogantly over his shoulder at the spectators but when his eye catches your form, he shakes, and you fear he will tumble from the cliff.  “HOLD ON SEBEK, YOU CAN DO IT!  I BELIEVE IN YOU!”  From even the great distance between you, the image of determination that crosses his expression can be seen.  He sets off with a renewed vigor, making daring transitions and finding ways to make speedy progress.  With several movements that make you gasp and hold your breath; he reaches the lantern blossom and plucks it from the ground. 

Much faster than the ascent, Sebek’s return to the ground was accomplished quite shortly.  He was still a considerable distance up when he leaps from the cliff edge to race to your side and show off his prize.  He eagerly holds out the glowing lantern blossom for you to view.  “Its so pretty,” you comment politely, “I wish I had one.”  He gasps and grabs hold of your hand, forcing the poor battered flower into it.  “THEN YOU MUST HAVE THIS ONE!”  You give him a shocked look, “No really, that is unnecessary.  I’ll get one some other day.”  He smiles at you smugly, “No need Prefect.  Any time you need a lantern blossom, I will fetch one for you.”  You guiltily hold out the flower to one student after another, but no member of the Horseback Riding Club will take it from you.  “Prefect,” Riddle finally says in a commanding voice, “Its rude to return a gift.  We are more than capable of retrieving another lantern blossom.”  Sebek and Silver nod in agreement, backing up the Dorm Leader.  You think it’s time to go before you cause this club any more trouble.  You make your excuses and dash off to the lake.

As you part a pair of branches and emerge from the forest at the lake’s edge, you catch sight of some members of the Spelldrive Club nearby.  Ruggie seems to be fishing up a storm while your first-year friend Epel watches from nearby with his own pole.  “See,” Ruggie tells his underclassman, “That’s how its done.  Now in return for that free lesson, how about you show me what you learned by catching enough fish for the rest of the club! Shishishi!”  You roll your eyes at the obvious attempt to foist the work off onto Epel but are surprised with your friend shouts “YES SIR!” with enthusiasm.  You catch Ruggie’s eye and give him a quiet tsk tsk which only earns you a mischievous wink before the hyena beastman set’s off toward camp.

You slowly saunter over to Epel, who is fully engaged in his fishing.  “So, got a plan?” you asked over his shoulder.  “Eh!?” he gasps and drops his pole, “Player!  I..I mean Prefect!  It’s you! Ya’ had me surprised outta my skin there!”  You give him an apologetic smile.  Epel stoops down to retrieve his pole and shyly replies, “My plan is just to catch the fish.  I’m not going to give up until I’ve caught at least a dozen!”  Then he holds up his arm and bends it at the elbow, giving you a little flex to show off his determination.  You hold in a laugh, “Well, if you are that fired up, why stop at only one dozen?” 

Epel’s eyes go wide for a moment and then he gets a maniacal grin.  “Yeah! You’re right!  I’m going to catch you at least two dozen fish!  Or maybe three or four!”  You know Epel is not the type to break his word, so you quickly interrupt to calm down his ambitions, “One dozen is enough!  I was just joking.”  You wave your hands toward the ground as though to say, let’s lower our expectations.  Epel frowns and mutters under his breath, “That isn’t going to impress anyone.” Then he looks at you determined, “Just wait and see!  I’ll catch plenty of fish so don’t go eat’n with any other club!  When tha fish are in tha bag, I’ll make ya Gram’s special fish stew!” 

As Epel gets to work, casting his line and reeling in the lure, you sit beside him on a rock.  When the time seems right, you snap a picture of him eagerly lifting a small fish from the lake on his line.  “There you go!  One down!” you say as you transfer the ghost camera to your elbow and give him a small clap of encouragement.  He preens a short second before frowning down at the small fish.  “Tha’ next ‘un will be twice as big!” he shouts in determination before casting his line again. 

True to his prediction, soon Epel gets a tremendous tug on his pole.  You both shout and leap to your feet at the strength of the fish that appears to be on the line.  “WOAH!” Epel shouts.  You lean over the edge of the lake, trying to see the monster fish Epel has snagged.  Epel too seems interested in his opponent and plans one foot firmly while leaning forward to stare intently where his line entered the lake.  With a sudden flash, a scaled hand emerges from the lake to grab the tip of Epel’s rod and tugs Epel, pole and all, into the lake.  You quickly slide back as far more of Floyd emerges from the lake.  He gives you a toothy smile before his trademark laugh emerges and he returns to the lake.  Epel does not immediately surface, and you are concerned for a moment before you spot him further down the shore.  Though he has concealed himself behind a log, you can tell his ears are flushed with embarrassment.  You kindly decide to give him his space.

Halfway to camp, your stomach begins to growl.  You thought sadly about Gran’s special fish stew, now beyond your reach.  You hoped that you’d manage to sweet talk some fish off someone.  They were your friends, so someone is bound to share, right? 

The size of Deuce’s eyes when you asked him sweetly if he’d share his food with you rivaled that of the empty plate you held out to him.  “Please?” you finish your plea for lunch.  Deuce flushes and quickly removes his pack from his shoulder, pulling out a fairly large fish.  “No problem, Prefect, I’ve got enough for two here!”  You make a little gesture to celebrate your victory and compliment him, “Yeah!  Great job catching such a big fish.  It looks so huge, I bet its even enough for three people!”  Immediately Deuce denies this, “NO!  NO, IT’S NOT!”  When you pull back in surprise, Deuce continues in a softer voice, “I…I mean this one is just perfect for two.  It…its just meant for us.  To share.  Together.” 

You hold up your hands and agree, “Sure, sure.  Just you and me.  I get you.”  Deuce seems so very pleased by your response that you decide to just let his strange response slide.  Plus, you need him to cook that fish.  “So…what are you making?  You know, just for us to share?” you ask as you saddle up to his side?  Deuce looks back and forth between you and the fish, “I sure know how to cook this.  Yup, I really do.”  Your mouth falls into a little O and then you glare at him suspiciously, “Deuce, do you know how to cook fish?”  He doesn’t meet your eye but assures you that Trey taught him some recipes.  You still have your suspicious but figure if it was a Trey recipe, it would be alright.

“So, what do we do?” you ask Deuce.  He looks at you with a dreamy expression, “We?  You’re going to cook with me?”  You shrug your shoulders, “I mean yeah, that’s how Trey’s recipes are, right?”  Then you lean in close and whisper, “Like…Like in the game when we made that chestnut tart together.  Right?”  Deuce quickly agrees, “Right!  Together!  You and me!  Just…you and me… Ahem!”  He finishes with a cough and then, to your relief, sends you to the forest to collect some herbs. 

You had a handful of samples and a general area to search for more.  Apparently, Jack had scented some out while setting up camp and taken cuttings so his clubmates could retrieve more later.  You smiled at the foresight of the first-year student.  You weren’t sure exactly what Deuce needed, so you gathered a few handfuls of each type.  You walk back to the camp and set your bounty on the table next to the fish Deuce has prepared.  It looks like he’s used the time you were away to fillet the fish and make a simple dough.  Seeing the dough gives you confidence that this really is a Trey recipe. 

“So, what now?” you ask him.  “Chop up the herbs and mix them into a paste with water,” Deuce directs.  “Sure,” you say while gesturing to the pile, “but which ones?”  Deuce pauses and looks at the large pile of greens you have sitting there.  “Oh…um…All of them!”  Now your doubts are back.  “Are you sure about that?” you ask him carefully.  “Yeah!” Deuce replies confidently, “Just like Trey says, the more the merrier!”  You carefully take two sprigs of herbs and chop them up and then, while Deuce is preoccupied with the dough, give them a taste.  Honestly, the combination of the two isn’t bad.  ‘Well,’ you think, ‘what to I know about cooking in a magical world anyway?’  So, you chop the entire pile of greens and mix it all into a thick paste.  Deuce combines your herb paste with the fish and puts it into a small pie shell he has formed with the dough.  Then, you pack the ‘pie’ into the hot rocks of the fire to roast. 

While the pie bakes, you sit side by side on a log and chat about normal things.  Or maybe it was more like you chatted and Deuce listened.  You didn’t mind, he was good company even if he seemed preoccupied.  You were telling him about Grim’s latest antics when you felt something on your hand.  You give a small yelp and tug your hand into your lap.  “Ah!” you examine your hand as you brush it off, “Was that a bug?”  Deuce, who you suddenly realize had gotten far closer to you than you’d noticed, nervously remarked, “Oh yeah, that…was probably it.  Ha ha.”  Finally, you ask, “Are you cold?  I bet we could find you a seat closer to the fire if you are.  You can be as cozy as our pie.”  Deuce seems embarrassed for a moment before suddenly becoming alarmed, “THE PIE!”  He jumps up and fishes the pie from the fire. 

He brings it to you nervously, “I think it is fine…”  The pie has a small amount of char around the edge that was directly in the fire.  If it hadn’t been made by your good friend, you’d probably have refused it but, since it was made by Deuce, you don’t have the heart to refuse.  “Oh yeah, looks fine.  I guess…lets try it?” you say trying to convince both yourself and Deuce of the pie’s editability.  Deuce lets out a happy sigh and breaks the pie in half, handing you the slice with fewer burnt edges.  He makes no move to eat the pie himself but seems to hold his breath, waiting for you to try it.  “Well, here it goes?” you say in a worried tone.  You take a bite; it’s terrible.  You force your mouth into a wide smile, “mmm…” you mutter for him in pity.  You decide to use the same method for the pie as you used the last time you were forced to eat Lilia’s cooking.  You cram the pie down in three huge bites, trying to finish it off while tasting it as little as possible. 

For a moment, Deuce seems greatly pleased with the gusto in which you eat before the look of alarm sets on his face and he tilts his head to the side.  Or maybe he is tilting his whole body?  Oh, no.  It’s you that is falling.  Then the blackness takes you as Deuce’s frightened shouts fade out, “HELP, I think…I’ve poisoned…the player…”

You wake up groggy.  If that was all, you’d have considered yourself lucky, but it also appears you’ve been tied to a tree.  You are confused for a moment until you recall the storyline of the Camp Vargus event.  Right, Coach is probably out tormenting students right now while anyone captured is tied up.  Great, just great.  You look up when you hear a long howl echoing through the forest.  ‘Is that Jack?’ you think to yourself.  If Jack is already in his wolf form, then this camp is nearly over.  You sigh and lean back into the tree, waiting for someone to come along and release you.

It isn’t longer than an hour before a very tired but eager Jack arrives to untie you.  “Guess you are the hero of the day, huh?” you jibe at him.  He flushes as he rubs the back of his head, “Oh, you heard about that.”  He tries to pretend indifference but moments later he is asking for more details, “So what did you hear?”  Well, this is a challenge to answer since you hadn’t actually heard anything about it.  You just remembered it from when it was a game plot.  “Well…didn’t Floyd change into his mer form?  That was probably cool to see.” 

A look of incredulousness passes over his face, “Yeah well, other guys probably looked cool too.”  You nod knowingly, “Yeah, I heard you got to Sebek use his training to lure the monster into the bog.  Who knew there would be a chance for him to show off his skills out here.”  Jack huffs, “Yeah but he wasn’t the only one using his skills out there.”  Now you smile, feeling a bit mischievous yourself, “Oh, for sure.  I mean what would we have done without our MVP from Savanahclaw.”  Jack lets out a relieved sigh and smiles.  “Yes, Ruggie sure did pull though.  I don’t normally approve of his sneaky habits, but you have to admit he really came through today.” 

Jack’s eyes widen and he stands there in a silent shock.  “Well, let’s get going.  Are you hungry?  I could sure go for something right about now.”  Then you dust off your knees and start heading toward camp.  After a moment, you decide you’ve tortured him enough and pause, waiving your hand to signal him to join you.  When he reaches your side, you give his uniform sleeve a tug.  He bends down and you use this opportunity to give him a pat on the head and then rub his soft ears.  “You did good, Jack,” you praise him softly.  Then you thread your arm through his own and tug him along to camp.  “Now, let’s go get some grub.  Just don’t take anything Deuce gives you, ok?”  Jack smiles and follows you along, tail wagging all the way.

[icy-watch]

Z is now the Guardian of the Grim Real, the Nightmare King is imprisoned, Sneak is in the Waking World, and this seasn ended with a lot of questions.

Does everyone who went to the Fall Festival seriously think a bunch of kids put together a creepy act this year? Did the blind witch get off her island? What route did the Night Buereau take, bc honestly that made no sense! And so many more.

I'm still thinking that the blind witch will be the antagonist in the next season.

And thoughts I had about Z are now completely altered, so that's fun.

I'm thinking we're going to learn a bit more not just about Lunia, but past Dream Keepers in s2. They seem rather important to the Dreamworld.

I really don't know what to expect beyond that, so I will see everyone tomorrow for the first episode of s2. Until then!

Correct

The Grimspawn were taking Cooper to the Nightmare King in the first episode. Horrifyingly, yes they were. To have him imagination drained.

Logan and Mateo are going to go thru big character developments. Logan's going to become less of a bully, and Mateo's going to break out from his little solitary artist shell. And they're going to become good friends. And they have.

The kids are going to become Dramcrafters. They did! Even with Logan’s unique form of Dreamcrafting, he’s still a Dreamcrafter.

The Nightmare King is having the kidnapped dreamers create dream creatures to make Grimspawn. ):

Mateo, Izzie, and Cooper will get their hourglasses soon. Logan is going to take much longer. Mateo, Izzie, and Cooper did get their hourglasses, but Logan… yeah. Still waiting.

The 1 girl with the hair twists is the Dream Bandit. I connected the dots! I connected the dots!

The Nightmare King knew Lunia in some way. Ha ha ha. Ha ha. Yeah.

The Night Hunter and Zoey are connected in some way. There’s too many physical similarities. And the song is a clue. EPISODE 4! I SAW IT WAY BACK IN EPISODE 4! Honestly, that kind of surprised me. I thought I started seeing the connection later.

They’re going to use the locating device to find a person in the Dreamworld at some point in the future. They did!

Logan is going to bring Lunia’s hourglass to the Nightmare King. TToTT He didn’t know, but still.

The mission to rescue Logan from the Nihgtmare King will go disastrously. But they will manage to save Logan. I feel like this was pretty predictable.

Strick will capture Z-Blob and there will be a rescue mission for him. Yay! I mean, totally sucks that he got kidnapped, but I predicted it!

Zoey is the Night Hunter’s daughter. Officially pointing it out in ep11.

Nova will prove her conspiracies correct. Girlie knew what she was talking about.

Something happened to Lunia and her dream creature before she left. Hahahahahaha. Ouch.

Incorrect

Grimspawn were dreamers who have been trapped in slumber. Honestly? I think this would be neat. Very dark, but neat.

The reveal of the Dream Bandit’s identity will be revealed after the group make it thru the Forge. It actually happened beforehand.

We won’t get the Sandman for a few episodes. 9 episodes – instead of 2 or 3 – later…

The Nightmare King will try to recruit Logan and replace the Night Hunter. That could have been a fun plot point to follow on, but it makes sense that the NK was planning to use Logan to spy on the others.

The Night Hunter and the Nightmare army are going to hurt Albert. Thankfully, they just locked him in a cage. It could have been so much worse.

The Nightmare King was sealed away in the Murky Realm. Probably on the same island. And the Night Hunter had to fight off her wolf to free the Nightmare King. Really thought I had something there.

Something happened between Lunia and her dream creature that she didn’t state in the windows. She put that information in the painting Zoey and Mateo hid behind. Sadly, no. I really felt that the painting would be more important.

The Insomniacs, as a whole group, aren't going to learn the truth. It's all going to be chalked up as a very bad dream. I'm pretty sur they all know that Nove was correct now.

Nova will be the only 1 to actually learn everything. And she and Izzie are going to have the good heart to heart that they need. Putting this here bc it seems like Nova wasn't told everything in ep19. She was told somethings, but not everything. And she and Izzie didn't have their much needed heart to heart.

The Nightmare King and his army will be locked in Brooklyn. Sadly, they weren't. It really would have been funny. To me.

Partial

The Nightmare King has the Grimpawn on a mission to find someone with a powerful imagination to help him take over the Dreamworld and the Waking World. While technically true, it was originally just the Dreamworld at first. Wanting to take over the Waking World happened when the Night Hunter told him about Z-Blob.

Cooper is going to struggle with Dreamcrafting. While he still struggles, it wasn’t the way I initially tried to guess that he would. He just needed to learn to think outside of the box.

Zoey will be the key to finding the Sandman. She was, but not in the way I was expecting it to happen.

The loose Night Terror is going to terrorize people in the maze. It did show up and cause terror in the maze, but it was to a single person.

In ep19, we’re going to see how Lunia defeated the Nightmare King and how the Night Hunter became the Night Hunter. We got 1 of those. Was really hoping for both.

The Dream Chasers will defeat the Nightmare King thru the power of friendship and dreams. They defeated him thru the power of friendship and imagination. I was so close!

Ep20 will have the big battle in where Mateo is going to try to reunite the halves of Z-Blob, and failing until a pivotal moment that'll change the tides of the fight. Well, there was a big fight and Mateo reunited the 2 halves of Z. It just didn't go the way I expected.

Unconfirmed

Mr. Oz def knows about Mateo an Izzie's first adventure in the dreamworld. A part of me is thinking that he was spying on them, and making sure they didn't actually get into serious trouble. And another part of me is thinking that he specifically chose Mateo to pick up the hourglass. Putting this here bc it’s never really been addressed. It’s most likely incorrect, but nothing in the show explains how Mr. Oz knew to go look for the Night Terror that came back with Mateo and Izzie, how he figured out where they all were, or how the hourglass moved from the middle of the road to the garbage.

When someone who actually gets trapped in the dreamworld by the Grimspawn, they will die if they're kept there too long. This might actually be correct, but I can’t recall off the top of my head if it was ever really addressed.

Logan will use Lunia’s hourglass again. It could still happen!

Then there's that 1 book Izzie tossed to the side in the middle of their last minute scramble to hide all of the Dreamworld items. I'm thinking that that's the book that Mr. Oz was looking for. This is hasn’t been addressed (and probably won’t be), so I’m putting it here.

The Night Hunter was coerced into his position. Putting this here, bc most of his backstory hasn’t been confirmed.

Sneak doesn’t like being in the Nightmare King’s army, and he’s going to help Logan and the others in the future. I’m hoping this’ll happen in s2.

Mateo and Izzie’s mom just up and left 1 day without saying goodbye to her kids. I… yeah. This still needs to be addressed more in the series. For now, it goes in unconfirmed.

The blind witch is going to be the next antagonist after the Nightmare King's defeat. Surprisingly, not confirmed in the last episode.

The blind witch lost her sight in a fight. Not surprised this is unconfirmed. I'm thinking this'll be something addressed in s2.

The song Zoey’s mom sung can be used to activate Lunia’s hourglass. We can assume that it can, but it hasn't been shown in the show yet.

Whatever happened between Lunia and her dream creature effected the way the Night Bureau sees and treats dream creatures. We actually don't know the answer to this, so it's going down here.

When Zoey and the Night Hunter have their long awaited fight, he’s going to get his hands on the pocketwatch. Hoping and begging for s2.

Lunia is stuck in the real world, unable to dream, after creating the realm the Nightmare King was imprisoned in. We don't know where she is to even say whether or not this is true.

[batsu4eva]

So, there’s this anecdote in America which most certainly never happened, but we Americans like to tell it amongst ourselves for a laugh anyway. So, it was November 22nd, 1963 in Dallas, and a very traumatized, bloodied Jackie Kennedy is being escorted by a bodyguard. He says “Other than that, Mrs. Kennedy, how was the parade?” I don’t know. I think that joke’s funny. And in a way, kind of relevant here.

…Anyways, our coterie almost ate each other. Session bullet points below as always. :)

First thing's first- we need to rescue the sire of one of our coterie members (Tee) because the church of Set is REALLY doing some bullshit right now. And I mean like, "kidnap you by literally making you walk to our place in your sleep" bullshit. We don't have a total plan at the beginning of this session but we're starting to prepare, and now just about all of us have at least one dot in Fortitude. Yay! More on this later, put a pin in it.

Sooooo, we go out to meet the Ventrue primogen to explain what we found so far in this whole murder investigation since we're now obligated to do so. And considering literally only one of the coterie is Camarilla aligned (currently) he was rather nice.

Since technically he now owes US, he asked us to name our favors, and Tee's issue mentioned earlier is now starting to be dealt with as my man said he'd see what he could do.

Oh also another one of our coterie members (Vanya) has a date with him so yayyyy :3

Carmen, realizing her opportunity to take care of a personal issue without... Well, making a mess, has asked to see if he can get someone at the police station to reopen the case on her death. If you remember her story... She was pushed down the sewer, and it was ruled as an accident because the people who basically murdered her lied to the police about it. As she has begun processing her emotions, she's realized the reason why she was angry: She wants justice or some sort of karma to play into her situation.

Sooooo... THAT was the first time Carmen openly admitted to the coterie that she didn't just die- she was murdered. And so she got sympathies because of course, nobody is introduced to the world of darkness unscathed and all that. We're closer now yayyyy :)

On top of that, Carmen calls her crush enemy-turned-informant to update the situation and ask on an update with ANOTHER person they're supposed to meet up with soon- one Daniel Hill, the childe of the Toreador primogen to question him on the journal's last entry to see if he wrote it.

So we're REALLY getting somewhere now! We're feeling good, right? Well, hold onto that feeling. Because that is going to go away VERY quickly.

Soooooo, we go to meet the Toreador primogen at her studio. Things are going fine, if a bit wishy washy since we don't know how she'll react when she's told we want to ask her childe about his possible involvement in a crime scene. That is, until Vanya almost trips the fuck out and frenzies right there due to some BADDDD rolls, and Carmen escorts her outside, manages to distract the public (oh god why is the NOSFERATU doing this lmaooooo) while Vanya ACTUALLY frenzies in an alleyway, eats some rats, and we breathe a sigh of relief.

Side note, in call we're laughing and we're like "WOW that was almost really bad." Well I have some news about what happens like right after this

So while Carmen and Vanya are out, Tee and Rorie explain the situation to her primogen, she hesitantly brings her childe out, and they ask for a sample of his handwriting and to explain what he was doing there on the night of the keeper's murder.

Sounds simple right? Well, let me tell you about Daniel. Motherfucking. Hill. Shoutout to my ST's acting skills because we fucking HATEEEEEEEE this man. He's physically a very young adult but actually in his 30s although you wouldn't be able to tell because he acts so annoying and immature. And that's exactly what he was here.

Not only was it like pulling teeth to get him to fucking admit that he wrote the last journal entry and was there at the crime scene at the night of the murder, but he literally wouldn't tell the rest of the coterie what he heard, or saw, or pretty much anything that doesn't sound similar to "nanny nanny boo boo". Yeah so Tee ends up ALSO frenzying and trying to kill this guy.

Obviously, Rorie (who was with him) holds him back from murdering the primogen's childe, IN FRONT OF THE PRIMOGEN, and unfortunately gets chewed up a hell of a lot himself as he tries to find him some food. So that's one bridge built with one primogen and a bridge burnt with another. But we'll worry about that later. Right now we're trying to keep a death/torpor from happening and getting Tee fed before the situation escalates further.

Well, the situation does escalate quite a bit because Rorie gets his arm bitten off basically and we all end up fighting him at some point to keep him subdued. Our boy Jason (Tee's bf and just general chill guy helping us out) pulls up, feeds Tee with his own blood, HE frenzies, we feed him with the blood packs he brought, crisis... not averted, but not as bad as it could've been. Obviously though, we can't walk back out looking like a horror movie cast, so we end up walking back to Jason's place via the sewers. Leading to the scene above.

We get fed, Tee's INCREDIBLY shaken, Rorie's missing an arm, and in general we are all just very, very tired. And now we all hate Daniel Hill. Like what the fuck Danny. Also we think he's the murderer now because he literally avoided every single one of our questions so good fucking job on that one man LMAO Anyways, that's all for now. Ofc have bonus screenshots below hehe. It seems like each session just gets rougher and rougher for our poor group 😭😭

[cosmxc-ars3hol3]

Oh, ashes, ashes, Dust to dust

Title - Oh, ashes, ashes, Dust to dust

Rating - General Audiences

Archive Warning - No Archive Warnings Apply

Category - M/M

Fandom - Keeper of the Lost Cities - Shannon Messenger

Relationship - Councillor Bronte/Fintan Pyren

Characters - Fintan Pyren, Councillor Bronte

Additional Tags - Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Book 03: Everblaze (Keeper of the Lost Cities)

Summary - ‘After Fintan burnt Oblivimyre down during his healing, he sneaks his way into Bronte’s Castle in Eternalia so he has somewhere to stay. Bronte decides to help him stay hidden/keep people thinking he’s dead.’

its gonna be a multi chapter (hopefully) fintante fic that my tumblr mutual kale gave me when i was bitching about the appalling lack of fintante fics on ao3 (thanks kale!)

The fic is also under the cut

Bronte lightleaped back to his castle with a heavy heart; his and the other councillors' castle was luckily not in the section of Eternalia that got burned down by fintans Everblaze. He unlocked the door, his bodyguards trailing in behind him, patrolling the lower levels of the castle. The air was thick with the scent of ash, an unsettling reminder of the chaos that had unfolded, strange but not yet suspicious.

The goblins conducted a thorough search that ended with them telling Bronte it was safe, yet Bronte couldn't shake a feeling of unease. It must be leftover nerves from what happened at Oblivimyre. Going alone, he went to the more familiar and comforting parts of his castle. Weary both emotionally and physically, he went to his lounge room, intending to calm down and eventually sleep, if he could, for the night. But as he got into the room, a prickling sensation told him he was not alone.

"Who's there?" Bronte's voice cut through the silence, betraying a mixture of weariness and apprehension. He could tell there was someone there. Today had taken its toll on him, and now the break in felt like a cruel twist of fate. The scene of earlier in the evening rushed back to him: the council’s idiotic decision to entrust Sophie, a mere 13-year-old, with the responsibility of bringing Fintan back to sanity. to fix what used to be impossible.

Sophie is the only currently existing telepath with the ability to bring back a broken mind. He would say skill, but she didn't work for it; she was handed it on a silver platter by her creators, the Black Swan.

The Black Swan were a group of law-breaking rebels that, although they aren't totally law-abiding, they're also not as evil as everyone originally thought. They used to be the only known rebel group, but through a fiasco a few months ago, when Sophie was kidnapped, it was revealed that there was another rebel group, one that had everyone pinning their actions and crimes onto the Black Swan. It was then revealed that Fintan, an old friend to many of the current and past councillors, was a part of this newly discovered rebel group. The council decided to break Fintan's mind in an attempt to get more information out of him—information that he was refusing to give up willingly.

The break ended with many things going wrong, all of which are public knowledge and heavily talked about amongst people. Alden's mind broke, and with the help of the black swan, Sophie realised that she could heal him, something previously thought to be impossible.

The council decided, against Bronte’s better wishes, to heal Fintan's mind and try to get the same information that they previously failed to extract. It was a gamble that Bronte had foolishly hoped the council wouldn't take.

Bronte knew what his old friend? enemy? Bronte didn't know how to describe him; he knew what he is like. was like.

As he predicted, the healing went wrong—so much more wrong than he could have ever predicted himself.

Sophie, without a hitch, healed fintan’s broken mind.

That's where it went wrong. Bronte knew that it would be stupid to bring back Fintan's sanity, he was already too far gone from how he used to be.

Bronte looks back to those days with fondness and love.

Fintan used to be so good, so caring. Bronte knew that the person his old friend used to be was dead. and now his old friend has died.

In an attempt at something, while they were all in that building, all glittering and seemingly perfect, he called down Everblaze.

He's dead now, as is Kenric. and Bronte has to cope with losses.

Kenric, a trusted ally, was among the casualties, leaving Bronte to deal with the loss, although he didn't have it as hard as Oralie did. Kenric's death hurt because it was avoidable; Fintan’s hurt because Bronte was mourning the person his friend used to be.

‘Whoever is here, you better show yourself before I get my bodyguards,’ Bronte's voice held a steely edge, a futile attempt to mask his trepidation. The intruder remained hidden, refusing to reveal themselves despite Bronte's threats. With a resigned sigh, he shed his supposedly "fireproof" cape, not that it worked when faced with Everblaze, the sun’s fire on earth, only able to be summoned by the most powerful of pyrokinetics. Fintan did it in absolute zero conditions with a still-healing mind.

As much as Bronte hated to admit it, Fintan scared him.

‘If you don't come out now, I will be calling them in to find you,’ he warned. ‘I'm sure you're aware that goblins have excellent senses. They will find you in no time. So either show yourself or risk my bodyguards and jail,’ he finished. sitting down on one of the chairs lying around his lounge room, where he knew the perpetrator was hiding, waiting for them to emerge from their hiding spot to show themselves so Bronte could finally go to bed and try to process that evening.

‘I'm sure I can handle the goblins. Im sure I could take you out too,’ said the intruder.

‘Show yourself now, or I will send the full force of my inflicting your way. Responding tells me where in the room you are.’ said bronte with an eerily calm voice when compared to his threatening words.

‘alright, alright. I will show myself IF you agree to hear me out, not call for your goblins, or arrest me,’ replied the stranger. Although Bronte recognised his voice from somewhere, he couldn't place it, but the voice felt really familiar.

And why would I agree to that? Chances are, you're a member of a rebel group, probably the same one Fintan was working with. You're a criminal, a big one at that, because you chose to break into a councillor's office.’ Bronte stated, ‘You should be glad I didn't immediately get my goblins to sniff you off here and into a jail cell,’ he threatened, even though he knew it was pointless.

The ashy smell he picked up on entry to his castle that he mistook for his own clothes wasn't him. The intruder was a part of the same rebel group that fintan was a leader to.

He waited a moment before adding, ‘But I'm curious, so I'll agree.’

‘Hopefully curiosity won't kill the cat.' replied the intruder, about to finally reveal himself, ‘Hey bronte.’

It was Fintan. somehow it was Fintan.

‘You’re supposed to be dead,’ said Bronte in shock.

He punches Fintan.

[nightghoul381]

Ellis Twilight~ Main Route Chapter 3 + Letter

Disclaimer for route warnings | Masterlist

Additional Content Warnings: None

This a fan translation so it is definitely not 100% accurate. I do not own anything related to Ikemen Villains. Support Cybird by buying their amazing stories!

Part 1

Ellis: “Escort?”

At the breakfast table, Victor had been told of my unexpected first job as ‘fairytale keeper’.

Victor: “Right! With the two of you protecting Kate, our secret will be protected.”

Victor: “Kate will be able to observe you two up close and record your sins…”

Victor: “This plan kills two birds with one stone, since it allows her to fulfill her duties as a fairytale keeper as well!”

Victor: “What do you think, Ellis?”

Ellis: “I’m fine with it as long as you are, Kate.”

Ellis: “There’s no guarantee that something like yesterday won’t happen again…I’d like to be by Kate’s side.”

Victor smiled at Ellis’ reply, and then looked at Jude.

Victor: “Of course, Jude, you’ll take responsibility right? You hate being in debt, don’t you?”

Jude: “Tch…”

(I think I’ll feel safe as long as I’m close to Ellis…)

Just because I’d been with Ellis, I was mistakenly identified as ‘Jude Jazza’s girl’ and my life was threatened…

I can’t help but be wary of Jude.

Jude: “Just don’t cry when ya see something scary, princess.”

(It’s scary…but Victor has come up with a good proposal, so I can’t be timid here.)

Kate: “I’ll be okay, I’m surprisingly strong!”

Jude: “…hah”

Jude laughed at my smile and lowered his gaze to the newspaper.

Ellis: “Then it’s settled. I look forward to working with you, Kate.”

Kate: “Yes, thank you.”

I also smiled at Ellis, and unlike Jude, he gave me a soft smile in return.

Ellis: “Come to think of it, you could speak in a more casual manner.”

Kate: “Eh…”

Ellis: “You could just say ‘ yeah, thanks’.”

Kate: “Y-yeah…thanks.”

Ellis: “Mmm, feels good.”

I was soothed by the warm feeling that Ellis had given me…

Victor: “Now that we’ve settled on a good plan, it’s time for your first mission.”

At Victor’s words, my spine stiffened.

(This will truly be my first job as ‘fairytale keeper.’)

I brace myself, knowing that this first step is crucial in gaining their trust.

Victor: “—Actually, I want you to gather some information.”

Victor: “About the kidnappings happening all over London.”

Part 2

Victor: “—Actually, I want you to gather some information.”

Victor: “About the kidnappings happening all over London.”

Kate: “Kidnapping…incidents?”

The disturbing words brought back the nervousness that was etched into my skin when I first met the members of ‘Crown’.

Victor: “Yes. All ages. From toddlers to teenagers, and of course adults.”

Victor: “What they have in common is that many of the adults were prostitutes or street performers.”

Victor: “A singer popular in the bars has also disappeared… but many of the people lived without a fixed address.”

Jude: “Since the victims weren’t very important, and their addresses were unknown, it’s hard to report them missing.”

Jude: “So, as usual, the police won’t take action.”

Sadly, as Jude had said, the status of the people working in red-light districts is looked down upon.

Behind the scenes of a glittering world, they are treated like garbage.

Victor: “So, here’s the thing…”

Victor: “Did you know that an art fair is currently being held in London and performers are gathering there?”

Kate: “Yes. It’s not as busy as the social season, but it’s still quite crowded.”

Victor: “Jude, Ellis, I would like you to go there and gather information.”

Victor: “They are rootless but they are more connected than you might think.”

Jude: “Why should I have to go? Such a pointless mission.”

Victor: “It may have something to do with the people were involved in the human trafficking that you recently took care of privately.”

Victor: “It’s the ship you’re stuck on, isn’t it? Also… I believe it’s been a long time since you’ve been on holiday.”

Apparently, this was information that Victor wouldn’t have known unless someone told him,

Jude glared directly to his side.

Jude: “…Ellis.”

Ellis: “I answered honestly because I was asked. I’m sorry.”

(Surprisingly, the power balance between those two may be equal…)

Victor: “And with that, I say, have a good day!”

Directed by Victor’s incredibly bright voice, we headed off to our mission.

(It’s even more crowded this time…!)

Appetizing aromas wafted from the gorgeous stalls lined up at the art fair venue.

It’s not just the food that makes people happy,

There were people painting pictures on the street, and people performing on large stages set up on the street corners.

As I walked around, I felt like I’d be engulfed by the lively and fun atmosphere.

(I can’t keep up, I’m so excited…I need to concentrate properly on the mission.)

(Right, let’s focus now.)

Kate: “Ellis, Jude. Could you tell me about the curses that you two have?”

Ellis: “We haven’t talked about that yet, have we?”

Ellis: “My curse is the curse of ‘Thorns’ and Jude’s is ‘The 13th Wizard’.”

Ellis: “They’re the curses that became the motif for Sleeping Beauty (Thorn Princess).”

(The curse of thorns and the curse of the wizard…)

The wizard is a villain who hates the fact that he wasn’t invited to the princess’ birthday party and tries to kill her by putting a curse on her.

(I can understand how the wizard is a villain, but…)

(What is the sin of ‘thorns’?)

Part 3

(I can understand how the wizard is a villain, but…)

(What is the sin of ‘thorns’?)

As I was thinking about it, Jude suddenly stopped and looked back listlessly.

Jude: “No need for the three of us to stick together. Go gather information.”

Ellis: “But, what about Kate’s escort?”

Jude: “You can handle it on your own.”

After saying that, he quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Kate: “…Does he hate me because of this?”

Ellis: “He’s like that to everyone, so I don’t think he hates you.”

Ellis: “Maybe it’s so you don’t end up in danger if we’re seen together again.”

(Hmm, could that really be true…?)

I gently swallowed back the words that had reached my throat.

Kate: “…Well if that’s the case, he’s a pretty kind person, right?”

Ellis: “I wouldn’t say he’s too kind. He loves tormenting people he hates and hearing their screams.”

Kate: “…”

(It’s scary how clearly I can imagine that…)

He’s the complete opposite of Ellis, who shows kindness to everyone he meets.

As if further proof, as soon as we separated from Jude, he was approached by people from all over.

Red-faced man: “Hey, you! Thanks for takin’ care of me the other day!”

Ellis: “You’re welcome. Don’t drink too much today.”

Kate: “Who was that…?”

Ellis: “He was passed out on the street, so I carried him home on my back. I don’t know his name.”

Kate: “Eh!”

(You brought a stranger home and took care of him?)

Surprisingly, that’s not the only instance—

Furniture craftsman: “Ellis, thanks to you introducing people to me, my business has gotten back on track!”

Student wearing glasses: “Good to see you again! I’d like to thank you for helping me repair my bicycle, so would you please give me your contact information…?”

Cat: “Meow”

Ellis: “You’re welcome.”

(Even the cat is thanking him…!?)

(It’s surprising to see him receiving so many thanks from so many people as we walked by…)

That alone shows how much good Ellis does on a regular basis.

Kate: “You have a wider network than even I do as a postal worker…!”

Ellis: “I guess so. I think that’s normal.”

Ellis was smiling happily when he saw the other people smiling.

(I’m sure what Ellis did for me yesterday is something he does on a daily basis.)

When he sees someone in trouble, he extends a hand to them.

A person who spreads happiness.

Those words came to mind as I watched Ellis happily conversing with the people of the town.

(I wonder if such a person would even have any ‘crimes’ that I should record…)

(Or perhaps I should say--)

(I wonder why such a kind person works for an assassination organization or for someone like Jude.)

Even though I was witnessing so much kindness from him… a question suddenly came to my mind, making my heart flutter.

Ellis: “Kate…Kate.”

Kate: “…Ah, sorry! I was thinking.”

Before I knew it, Ellis tilted his head and peered into my face closely…

Ellis: “Thinking about me?”

Part 4

Ellis: “Thinking about me?”

Kate: “…gh!?”

Like two lovers looking into each other’s eyes, our eyelashes were almost touching, and my heart jumped as he stared at me.

(Ellis doesn’t seem to be aware of it, but… it feels like he’s too close.)

The same thing happened when he came to visit me in my room the morning after I was taken to Crown Castle.

This is the second time his twilight eyes have come this close to me, and I look away as I feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

Ellis: “Ah, hit the nail on the head.”

Choices:

1. I was thinking about you, Ellis.

***2. How do you know? +4 +4 **

3. It’s not a hit

Kate: “How do you know?”

Ellis: “Hmm… How do I?”

Ellis smiled and handed me a mug with steam rising from it.

Ellis: “Yes, while you were thinking about me, I got some milk tea from the shop over there.”

Ellis: “Thank you for helping me with the delivery the other day.”

(….Ellis, you’re a scary man…)

Ellis lowered his long eyelashes, took a deep breath, and took a sip of his milk tea.

Ellis: “If there’s anything you wan to ask, just ask.”

Kate: “…Yes.’

Ellis: “‘yeah’, right?”

Kate: “…Ellis, why are you in Crown?”

Ellis: “Victor invited Jude, and Jude agreed, maybe that’s why?”

(Since Jude joined, that means Ellis joined…?)

Kate: “Why are you with Jude?”

Ellis: “You’re full of questions.”

Ellis smiled and wrapped his hands around the mug.

Ellis: “Before I met Jude, I was living here and there.”

Ellis: “I happened to meet Jude when I came to London.”

Ellis: “A lot of things happened and I made a promise.”

Kate: “A promise…?”

Ellis: “In exchange for me working for him, Jude will grant my request.”

Ellis: “So… until then, I’ll be with him.”

The feeling that something would happen if I continued to listen made my heart race.

Kate: “Ellis, what was your request…?”

Ellis: “It’s—”

Performer with a fancy hat: “What!?”

(…!?)

I was surprised by the loud voice, and when I turned, it seemed that right behind me was the back of a special stage.

The performer was scratching his head in confusion.

Performer with a fancy hat: “Without the two of you, I can’t do it…I’m so disappointed…!”

(Neither have come… other performers maybe?)

Kate: “Ellis.”

Ellis: “…yeah.”

Part 5

Performer with a fancy hat: “Without the two of you, I can’t do it…I’m so disappointed…!”

(Without both… another performer maybe?)

Kate: “Ellis.”

Ellis: “…yeah.”

--“What they have in common is that many of the adults were prostitutes or street performers.”

We exchanged glances and headed toward the performer who had a troubled look on his face.

Kate: “Um, excuse me.”

Performer with a fancy hat: “Hmm? Oh, sorry folks, but my stage is in ten minutes!”

Ellis: “You just said that you can’t go…”

Performer with a fancy hat: “I haven’t heard from my companions who were supposed to come out with me.”

Performer with fancy hat: “I wonder how many people this is… it’s been a little weird lately.”

(He hasn’t heard from them… and multiple people…)

(If we talk to this person, we might learn something.)

Ellis: “If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear more about that story.”

Performer with a fancy hat: “I’m sorry, but I don’t have time for that right now! I have to quickly think of a performance I can do on my own.”

After waving his hand to shoo us away…he looked straight at our faces again, as if he had just had an idea.

Performer with a fancy hat: “It would be a different story if you folks would cooperate with me on stage.”

Performer with a fancy hat: “Haha! What am I saying? No matter how desperate I am for manpower, getting amateurs involved is a no-no.”

As he shook his head, as if saying it was just a momentary flight of fancy, Ellis quickly closed the distance between them.

Ellis: “Cooperate? What can I do?”

Performer with a fancy hat: “Haha! What are you so excited about? I was just kidding.”

Ellis: “But if I cooperate with you, you’ll tell me all the details, right?”

Performer with a fancy hat: “…Why is that, brother, you’re just ‘curious’ right?”

He looked at us, his nice-looking face contorted with confusion.

Performer with a fancy hat: “But giving information about one of your friends comes with a certain amount of risk.”

Performer with a fancy hat: “I can’t guarantee that you don’t have any malicious intent. After all, this is our first time meeting.”

Kate: “What can we do to get you to trust us?”

Performer with a fancy hat: “I suppose…”

Performer with a fancy hat: “If you don’t complain even if you’re the target of a knife-thrower, or tied up and submerged in a fish tank…”

Performer: “I might be able to trust you.”

(Target of a knife thrower…!?)

Ellis: “Okay. I’m good at that kind of stuff.”

Not confused like I was, Ellis fearlessly agreed to the conditions.

(As expected, he’s used to going to business meetings with Jude, so he’s used to negotiating…)

I thought that Ellis’ cooperation with the sow would be enough to seal the deal, but the reality was not so easy.

Performer with a fancy hat: “Tch-tch-tch… it won’t work if it’s just you, my brother. I need your girl’s cooperation too.”

Ellis: “…Why?”

Performer with a fancy hat: “Why for the sake of the show, of course!”

Performer with a fancy hat: “An emotional finale about a tragedy that tears lovers apart! It’s sure to get a lot of applause.”

(…knife throwing… tied up in a fish tank…)

Ellis looks at me with concern as I slowly turn pale.

Ellis: “Kate, you don’t have to force yourself.”

(Ellis was the target of Victor’s knife throwing, so I’m sure he’ll be okay.)

There’s no way I could imitate that extraordinary physical ability, but…

It’s up to us to get information from this person.

(In this case, I have to trust Ellis and this performer and just do it…)

Kate: “I understand, I’ll cooperate.”

Next Chapter