#Valen encounters a possession...

[beepbeepinthecorner]

Before The Being could think to react, Laine's weapon was piercing it's stolen form- pinning it to the ground.

A wail escapes The Being's lips, "Laine-! What are you-!"

Laine does not allow it to finish it's deception. "Valen has learned to carry herself with grace," she leans in dangerously, "you are lumbering."

Immediately the act stops. "Ah. You figured it out faster than most." The face that should have been Valen's contorts wickedly into a vulgar expression Laine had never seen cross her wife's face. Something grinning, something gloating.

The being's gloating falters. It seems unused to piloting a physical form, and for just a moment allows it's commandeered face to betray just a hint of worry. "You couldn't. You'd be certain to annihilate your wife's soul in the process."

"I think not." Laine reaches a hand into her satchel, retrieving a small vial. "I know where her soul lies." The being tries to speak once again, but is swiftly cut off. "But if you don't mind, I'd like to speak to her for a moment."

Unceremoniously a vial of a foul smelling something is shoved under Valen's nose. From within her own body, Valen encounters the strangest sensation. An all too familiar scent pulling her bodily from a viscous ocean- coughing and hacking back into consciousnesses.

"Laine?" Is all she can muster in her state of disorientation.

"Not much time darling-" Laine speaks hastily, urgency tinting her normally calm voice, "The spirit has it's claws in you. With your permission, I am going to try to flush it out."

Valen's eyes feel as though they are lead, the searing pain of the spear in her shoulder all that's keeping her awake. She musters all the strength she has left, and slurs out one sentence before she is dragged back into her ocean of dreams.

"Burn the fucker out."

[yugiohmdx]

Starborn: The Celestial Prophecy

In the distant future, humanity has spread across the stars, living in vast space cities and colonized planets. But beyond the reach of technology and reason lies the ancient and mysterious Celestial Realm, a dimension of magic, where powerful beings known as Starborn wield cosmic forces.

Chapter 1: The Forgotten Legend

The galaxy thrives under the rule of the Astral Federation, a coalition of planets that uses advanced technology to maintain peace. Yet, despite their efforts, there is unrest. Whispers of rebellion stir in the dark corners of space. Ancient prophecies, long forgotten, speak of a time when the Starborn would return to balance the scales between magic and technology. Most dismiss these as myths, but on the edge of the known galaxy, something stirs.

On the desolate moon of Ithara, where the sky shimmers with distant stars, a young scavenger named Kira Valen finds herself in possession of an ancient artifact — a crystalline shard radiating otherworldly power. Kira, a scrappy survivor with dreams of escaping her mundane existence, soon learns that the shard is part of a greater whole, a key to unlocking an age-old prophecy.

The moment Kira touches the shard, she experiences a vision of the Celestial Realm — a dimension filled with colossal beings bathed in starlight, where planets are born and destroyed with a mere thought. A voice, distant yet powerful, speaks to her: “You are the Starborn, the last of the chosen. You must awaken your power, for the balance of the cosmos is at stake.”

Chapter 2: The Celestial Seekers

Unknown to Kira, her discovery sends ripples across the galaxy. A secret organization known as the Celestial Seekers, who have spent centuries searching for traces of the Starborn, sense the awakening of her powers. Led by the enigmatic Lord Erevan, they hunt for ancient artifacts that can control the Celestial Realm, believing they can harness its power to rule the galaxy.

But Kira isn’t alone. Soon, she meets a rogue pilot, Jax Taryn, a former Federation soldier who now works as a smuggler. Jax is rough around the edges, but he has his own reasons for seeking the Celestial Realm. Together, they must navigate the treacherous politics of the Astral Federation, avoid the relentless pursuit of the Celestial Seekers, and seek out the remaining shards that will unlock Kira’s full potential.

Along the way, they encounter a motley crew of allies: Lira, a cybernetic warrior with a mysterious past, and Zephyr, an eccentric starship engineer obsessed with ancient myths. Each member of the crew has their own reasons for joining Kira’s quest, but they all share one thing in common — the fate of the galaxy lies in their hands.

Chapter 3: Battle for the Cosmos

As Kira learns to harness her Starborn abilities, she uncovers the truth behind the ancient war between the Celestials and an evil force known as the Voidbringers. Eons ago, the Starborn were created to protect the galaxy from the Voidbringers, who sought to plunge the universe into eternal darkness. Now, the Voidbringers are stirring once again, and the only thing that can stop them is the power of the Starborn.

The Celestial Seekers, however, believe they can control the Voidbringers and use their power to reshape the galaxy in their image. As they gather the remaining shards, Kira and her crew must race against time to stop them from awakening the ancient evil.

In an epic confrontation on the edge of the Celestial Realm, Kira faces Lord Erevan, who reveals that he too is a Starborn, but one who was corrupted by the Voidbringers. The battle between light and darkness unfolds, not just in the physical realm, but across the fabric of space and time.

Chapter 4: Ascendance

With the final shard in her possession, Kira undergoes the ultimate transformation. She ascends into the Celestial Realm, becoming a full-fledged Starborn. In her hands lies the power to create and destroy worlds, to bend the stars to her will. But with great power comes great responsibility. She must choose: wield the power to annihilate the Voidbringers once and for all or risk losing herself to the corruption that once consumed her enemies.

In a climactic battle, Kira unites the magic of the Celestial Realm with the technology of the Astral Federation. With the help of her friends, she manages to seal the Voidbringers away, ensuring peace for the galaxy — but at a great personal cost.

In the aftermath, Kira is hailed as a hero, but she remains haunted by the visions of what is yet to come. For though the Voidbringers have been defeated, the balance between magic and technology remains fragile. The galaxy is safe, for now, but Kira knows that one day, the Starborn will be called upon once more.

End of Book One.

Themes:

• The struggle between magic and technology

• The burden of power and responsibility

• Friendship and loyalty against the backdrop of cosmic conflict

• Destiny vs. free will

Sequel Teasers:

• New threats emerge from the far reaches of space

• The Celestial Realm holds deeper mysteries yet to be uncovered

• The Voidbringers’ true origin is revealed, and the final battle for the universe looms

[blccded]

blue-blooded — an interactive fiction | demo [tba] | romance, low fantasy, mystery

What would you do, if you knew how it would all end?

Your story begins where you die, and your fate is far more grim than the pretty fables recounted in books of fantasy and enchantment. With your untimely demise comes the world's end, all whilst you lock gazes with the person who caused it. 

But before you can proceed, you are thrown back to the beginning— back to day zero, in a tranquil village on the outskirts of a kingdom where magic vibrates in the very air and power is worn as a royal mantle.

When you find out that you possess magic wielding abilities, so do they. A knight arrives to your village, bearing the emblem of the Crown. Flocked like cattle into an oversized crate drawn by horses, you and your neighbor are taken from your homes to be trained within the imperial stronghold. 

Despite your predicament, there's something itching the back of your mind… Your neighbor’s eyes oddly remind you of something.

A customizable MC— from gender (non-binary inclusive) and sexuality, to appearance and personality!

Choose to pursue a cast of complex RO’s (gender-locked & gender-selectable)

...Or simply build up (or down) your relationships with the various characters you will encounter on your journey.

Make decisions that MATTER and break the fourth wall.

Get taken from your family, live at the Crown’s mercy (or attempt to escape), and train your skills and abilities in the royal stronghold.

Unveil the secrets lurking in the shadows of your neighbor’s past and the throne— or don’t.

Dictate the fate of the world and save it from inevitable perish— or don’t!

The Neighbor (m/f)

With a posture ever still as a statue, the soft glow of the furnace illuminated the cold features of a face seemingly void of emotion, “Home? Such an empty word holds no bearing to me.”

VALENS, your neighbor, the true protagonist. Although you grew up side-by-side and possess a similar inclination for magic, their elusive nature and standoffish personality had barred you from ever growing close, despite having saved your life once. And yet, they seem oh so familiar...

The Knight (m)

The gallant knight is praying before the altar. He turns to you, with fingers interlocked and a smile, “Repentance is just about your own salvation, it never saves the one you wronged.”

CALDER is strikingly handsome; like those valorous princes from tales of old, who gallop in on white steeds and save the damsel in distress. His eyes are as his heart: easy-to-read and kind, and yet his fierce loyalty to the throne trumps all. Although he may treat you with compassion, do not be fooled: his devotion forever lies elsewhere.

The Companion (m/f/nb)

With a furrowed brow and wide eyes, they held your gaze carefully, almost as though they were seeing a ghost. They laid their hand atop your own, “I had three visions of you— where you died, are about to die, or are dying.”

Although you don’t meet SIBYL in the most favorable of conditions, they have an air about them that makes you feel like all will be well. Despite being blind in their right eye and plagued— or, by some standards, gifted— with visions of possible futures, they always maintain a positive disposition. Even if it is at the cost of their own happiness.

The Crown (m/f)

The midnight air was cool and crisp, the kind that burnt your throat if inhaled too sharply. But nothing compared to their piercing look from upon the throne. A smirk danced on their lips, “Tell me, what shade of blue would you dye my blade?”

With their brother mysteriously abdicating the throne and unrest seizing the kingdom, ERIS ascended the throne and ruled with an iron grip. Merciless and conniving, they are a feared and rarely a loved ruler. It is rumored that there exists a gentleness within the hard exterior. Their true nature and intentions remain unknown.

LORE | RO APPEARANCES | VALENS TAG | CALDER TAG | SIBYL TAG | ERIS TAG | ANSWERED ASKS 

[aquariusxiv]

Valentein Prince, Human Occultist

I wanted to make a version of Valen just following all the steps in Strike!, up to level 5 - this is very obviously a broad strokes of several incarnations of the character.

Creation - Level 1 Background: Arcanist - Valentein has studied and practiced ritual magic and handling magical items. Skills:  Adventuring Contacts (Connections), Rituals, Arcana, Research, Random Components Wealth: Poor (1) Trick: Identify Magic Item - Always knows what powers an enchanted item holds.

Origin: Frontier Folk - Valentein hails from a rural area rather than a large city. Skills: Pathfinding, Horseback Riding Complications: Uncultured - Valen’s word choice, pronunciations, or body language can easily mark him as an outsider.

Personalize: Skill: Encylopedic Knowledge/Trivia - Valen is a font of random trivia, connected and disconnected from his field of study. Complications: Lame - Valen has an old injury from his youth that can cause problems.

Gear: Component Containers, Spellbooks, Arcane Tomes, collection of jewelry and trinkets from friends and past adventures, Impressive Spectacles, Ornate Black Coat

Kit: The Scholar kit advance, as well as the Broad Expertise advance, applied to ‘Arcana’.

Relationships: Ally: Valen has a number of odd friends and acquaintances among adventurers, any one of them might come to his aid - from the draconian Moragin Flametongue to the catfolk chieftain Noriko of the No’Jiyuu clan.  Neutral: “Jedza” Thorolf, a rival occultist. She and Valen used to work together until they parted ways when their adventuring company split in two. Jedza doesn’t want to see Valen hurt, but won’t hesitate to take an advantage if she sees one. Enemy: While Valen has allies and rivals among adventurers, he also has enemies and negative forces. One of these, Kasera Silverblade, is a gang leader that wants revenge.

Motivation: Valen claims his motivation is to discover knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but that’s not entirely accurate. He wants to accumulate knowledge, facts, magic, and power to prove that he is the best to others, and to himself.

Combat Class: Necromancer. While he possesses other offensive spells he has a particular talent in animating and commanding the undead. Class Feature: Gift of Undeath At-Will Powers: Speak With Dead, Phantasms, Deadly Poison Encounter Powers: Command Undead, Raise Ally

Combat Role: Leader. Valen knows and directs supportive and healing magic. Feat: Minor Controller. Ties in nicely as a third, less developed aspect of the magic he knows.

Level 2 Fallback: Improvisation. While it may seem at odds for a creator of ritual magic, Valen is not by nature a meticulous, prepared person. He tends to ignore danger, brazenly assuming ‘I’ll think of something.’

Combat Role Power: Reveal Weakness

Reputation: Admired among occultists - Valen wants recognition for his power and success at performing ritual magic.

New Trick: The Cards Will Tell - While using his father’s divining deck, Valen can reliably perform a ritual to get a sense of what the new day holds.

Level 3 Combat Class Power: Greater Mark of Death.

New Advance: Bestiary. Valen is good at assessing enemies in combat.

New Feat: Limber Leader.

Level 4 New Reputation: Rather than increasing Valen’s occultist reputation I want to keep him as less of a big deal, so instead I’ll just take a new reputation: Famous in Northumberland.

New Complication: Angelbane. Valen has a... complicated history with angels, and has earned the ire of more than one of them.

Level 5 New Advance: Take Advance ‘I Have One Somewhere’ from the collector mini-kit.

New Feat: Nothing Fazes You. (Stubborn)

[fae-fucker]

Zenith: Chapter 17

Andi enters Dark Matter and it’s all dingy and weird and there’s a bunch of unexplained aliens everywhere, prompting Andi to think that nobody would recognize her even if she wore a sign on her forehead.

Meaning that her bragging about how people would kill each other to capture her in the last chapter was useless.

Thanks for wasting my time, Shinsay.

The individuals in this pub are all war veterans and very fucked up and Andi angsts about it.

“This,” Dex said, spreading his tattooed arms wide and pulling Andi from her thoughts, “is the gem of the Olen System.”

“You haven’t seen very many gems, then.”

Oh no she di-unt!

Seriously, is this supposed to be the witty banter? I’m weeping.

Dex is having a great time in this place and Andi angsts about how she prefers "solitude and silence” over going outside, which is probably the most relatable thing that’s come out of this idiot’s inner monologue so far. We also find out that she’s used to attending fancy balls, because even when the story is about space pirates, Shinsay can’t stop sucking SJM’s crusty dick.

Andi also angsts about how nasty Dark Matter is. 

Bitch, I thought you were a space pirate? The Bloody Baroness? This is where you should be at home. Why are you whining like a little baby?

Apparently they’re all in one big room, but they first have to find Dex’s informant, so Andi suggests that they split up. Did they not decide on a meeting spot? God, these people are so incompetent. 

Also, Andi’s team are there as well. I don’t ... I don’t even ... Why were they all worried about leaving Andi with Dex in the previous chapter?

WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

“Soyina can be a little...off-putting,” Dex said. “The two of you have that in common.”

Andi gave him her trademark glare.

“I simply meant that you can both terrify any man with a single glance.”

She flashed him her teeth.

TrADeMarK glARe

God, this dialogue could kill a man to death.

Dex bribes the bartender for info about his informant (god, all of this is so fucking stupid and badly planned), though Andi was ready to beat the info out of her. 

Subtle. 

“There are other ways to get information, you know,” Andi said as Dex turned back to look at her.

He threw his head back and laughed so hard, she got a glimpse of a chipped tooth in the back of his mouth. Andi was pleased to see it. She’d broken it with her elbow long ago, and it was worth the tiny scar she still had as a trophy.That was the day she’d completely disarmed him during training for the first time. The day that led to their first kiss, which led to more kisses, and a night spent...

“Why are you laughing?” Andi growled.

Dex held out a hand for her to pass by, feigning courtesy she knew he didn’t possess. “There’s one thing you never did learn from me, Androma.”

“Loyalty?” Andi asked. “How to keep my mouth shut?”

“No.” Dex patted her on the cheek, then sidestepped her swing at his face. “How to have fun.”

I had to read that, and now so do you. 

Also, that implies that Andi learned it from somebody else and that Dex doesn’t actually know how to have fun. Which the book seems to realize, based on Andi’s reply. 

It also implies that Dex thinks bribing people is ... fun?

We switch to Dex’s POV.

The last time he’d seen Soyina, they’d shared three bottles of Griss and locked themselves in the bathroom of a wealthy Tenebran’ s mansion until morning.

The night had been glorious, but when he’d woken the next day, his Krevs were missing, and his pants along with them. He was tied to the golden toilet pipes, all his glory out for the poor servants to see.

HIS GLORY 

I’M CACKLING

Can someone please take the word “glory” and “glorious” from Shinsay? To stop them from using them in quick succession if nothing else.

And of course, despite Dex being an alien, I guess he’s got universally compatible junk? How convenient.

Soyina has “migratory” tattoos, which change location constantly. Not really tattoos then, are they?

Soyina wants to take a proper look at Andi, but:

Andi didn’t move, a silent statue in the darkness.

As opposed to a ... very chatty statue, I suppose.

Dex is worried that his two hot, dangerous exes will team up and fuck shit up together. But we all know that’s far too cool for Shinsay.

Soyina demands to see Andi’s dumb face in exchange for help, because

Soyina had a passion for darkness, and Androma Racella’s soul was the darkest of them all.

I’m gonna piss my fucking pants. 

Of course, both Soyina and Dex admire how hot Andi is, and Soyina (whom I’ll just call Soy from now on) reveals that she knows that Andi is the Bloody Baroness, which is apparently a secret because Andi acts surprised. 

I’m ... I’m so fucking confused, y’all. 

Turns out that Soy works for Nor as one of the torturers on Lunamere, and Soy asks Andi if she’s ever tortured anyone and how good she’d be at it because she carries all this DAAAHKNESS inside her.

I can’t believe two adult women wrote this in all seriousness. Are we sure they’re not taking the piss?

Soy waxes orgasmic about how fun torture is, and reveals that she’s also a Revivalist, which means that she can bring people back from the dead as long as no more than three minutes has passed since the time of death. 

How does she do that? Uuuuuh “with science, dear girl!”

No, really. That’s exactly what we get for an explanation.

Ya didn’t even try there, huh.

Also, if Andi is young enough for Soy to call her “girl,” how old is Soy? Did she bone down a much younger man with Dex? Damn, Soy here is a cougar. Or a felon. I guess she for sure is the second, being a torturer for a dictator and all.

Dex’s head was beginning to spin, wondering how he’d ever taken an interest in a woman who was so clearly off her axis.

He glanced sideways at Andi.

Two women, then.

Shinsay, beating the reader with their 500-page book: THEY’RE BRUTAL AND EDGY!! DID YOU GET THAT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT?! YOU WORTHLESS, SPINELESS SLUG?! ADMIRE THEM!! BE IN AWE!! SO BRUTAL AND EDGY!! BLOODTHIRST AND ANGER!! ARARARARARARARARAR!

Anywhoo, half of Soy’s payment for helping them has already been sent to her, but the other half is ... Well, this:

“I haven’t forgotten...” Dex felt heat sliding into his cheeks as he glanced sideways at Andi, then back at Soyina. “The other part of your payment, you’ll receive...”

“Now,” Soyina said, smiling like a predator. Her lips pressed together in a pout as she saw the look of horror on Dex’s face. “A deal’s a deal, bounty hunter. I’ll be waiting.” She stood up from the table, her chair scraping against the floor as she walked away.

Dex watched her slip into the bathroom, waggling a finger at him as she disappeared behind the closed door.

Who wouldn’t want to fuck this guy in the public bathroom of the most disgusting pub in the galaxy?

Imagine his face right next to yours. Innit a dream come true?

“You can’t be serious,” Andi said, her face aghast. “You’re actually paying her with...”

“I’m not paying her. I’m simply offering her memories,” Dex said. He stood up, mussing his hair with a hand as he backed away from the table. “You should know, Androma, how much fun five minutes with me can be.”

“Three minutes,” she said. “On a good day.”

1) Sounds a lot like Soy thinks you’re paying her.

2) Shinsay, if you’re not mature enough to let your characters say the word “sex,” then maybe don’t write about sex. When they constantly make references to their nights of passion but you won’t even let them say the word, it looks kind of childish, like you want the prestige of your characters being sexy and mature but can’t say the word because it’s too dirty. Just a thought. 

We go back to Andi’s POV, and Soy, no joke, calls Andi “Dark Heart” while they discuss the Lunamere prison.

Shinsay ... bleapse ... stop this ...

There were no elevators to reach the seventeen floors of the prison, and each stairwell would only allow them to descend one level. Andi and Dex would have to traverse the entirety of each hall—and dispatch any guards they encountered—in order to reach the next stairwell down.

This sounds like incredibly dumb and inconvenient design but I guess Shinsay really want that cool action movie shot of their two faves fighting through SEVENTEEN corridors of guards, because I bet Valen will be on the lowest level.

Andi angsts.

In her mind, she saw herself four years ago, seated on a marble bench while hundreds of Arcardian soldiers stared back at her. Classmates, who now hissed her name like a curse. Teachers and trainers, whose bodies were rigid with hatred for her failure.

She saw a silver gavel gripped in an angry fist, the boom as it came down like a war hammer. The general’s twisted expression as he stared down at her, and Kalee’ s mother with tears in her eyes, a sadness burning so deep that it scalded like the still-fresh lacerations on Andi’s wrist.

Guilty, the judge had intoned. Guilty of treason.

So ... if a bodyguard and a general’s daughter get in an accident and the daughter dies ... Why is the bodyguard accused of treason?

It was an accident. Also, treason implies that the general is the leader of the country/planet, and that Andi tried to murder him. But that’s not what happened. Andi didn’t deliberately try to murder him, she was in an accident which killed his daughter, who was a dear friend of hers.

I doubt that Shinsay are trying to imply that Andi’s sentence is the work of some corrupted officials who wanted her dead for some reason (which would explain only some of the stupidity), so none of this makes any goddamn sense. 

The plan involves Andi and Dex offering themselves up for the prison guards to just take them in, getting locked up in separate but conveniently close cells, and Soy getting them out of there so they can find Valen within an hour, before Soy sounds the alarm to save herself from Nor’s wrath and not look like an accomplice.

Now ... y’all don’t need me to explain how stupid this sounds, do you?

We’ll see if their plan really is this dumb before I start ranting for real. 

The prison only has one entrance and one exit -- the former is for the prisoners, the latter for the corpses. Andi and Dex are supposed to exit, with Valen, through the latter.

“That, my dear friends, is my playground. My palace of pain. The prisoners come in, and I pick and choose the tools that will make them sing. And when they die? They go out that doorway on a transport ship. Up and away, out to float with the stars.”

God, Soy is so fucking edgy, we get it, Shinsay.

Andi hates that she’s so edgy, because Andi has a pure soul.

[Andi] killed to stay safe, to keep her crew alive when all the other options ran out. Afterward, she meditated and mourned the deaths. In sleep, the faces of the dead haunted her. But Soyina smiled about stealing lives, as if each death only upped her pride.

SHINSAY YOU CAN’T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND FUCK IT TOO.

IS SHE A RUTHLESS, BLOODTHIRSTY MURDERER OR IS SHE A SAD WOOBIE WHO HATES WHAT SHE DOES!? SHE CAN’T BE BOTH THE PROUD AND EPIC BLOODY BARONESS AND A SMOL BEAN WHO JUST WANTS TO MAKE IT ALL STOP.

YOU FUCKING HACKS. 

Andi asks if Soy can smuggle in their weapons, and Soy is like “my mind is my weapon my good bitch,” which makes Andi think about how she’d totally beat her in a fistfight.

Alright, Andi, put your dick away.

“My cuffs,” Andi said, glancing down at them, “cannot be removed. You’ll see to it that they stay intact.”

Not a question. Rather, a demand.

If they can’t be removed, what does Soy have to do with them staying intact?

I swom to jon.

Andi thinks this is all too easy (you don’t say?) and asks Soy why she’s helping them. Soy and her family were apparently visiting the Olen system when the war began, and the Unified Systems refused them reentry in fear of them being spies, so they were forced to stay in the Olen system and join the war. 

So uuuh ... how old is Soy? Cuz her fucking Dex is kinda gross now that I think about it.

“[...] Many would think my allegiance would still be to the Unified Systems, that I would hate the Olen System even more for forcing us to fight in a war against our own home planets. At first, I did hate Olen. But my allegiances changed when I saw what the Unified Systems put the people of Olen through for nearly a decade.” She sighed. “Ah, well. I guess I’m considering this job a chance to leave Olen behind, head back to what was once my home and rally for change in my own ways.”

Can someone please explain to me how this answers Andi’s question?

Cuz I still have no fucking idea what her motivation for helping them is, and I’ve read this paragraph at least five fucking times. 

Does she want to return to the Unified Systems, which she hates, to rally for change to help the Olen system, which forced her to fight for them in a war she wasn’t a part of?

And how exactly will helping these people get Soy out of Olen, when she’s clearly planning to stay in Nor’s good graces and enjoys her work as a torturer?

What the fuck?

Soy makes a joke about how no matter what happens to Dex and Andi, they’ll be meeting her in the corpse pile one way or another.

Cold dread slithered its way up and down Andi’s spine.

Dead or alive. Andi hoped for the latter.

Uhh ... Thanks for ... clarifying? 

She winked at Dex. Before she left, she leaned down and whispered into Andi’s ear.

“We didn’t, by the way. Earlier, I mean. Your comrade wanted to whine like a baby about his feelings for you.”

Oh my god. Are you telling me that this badass war veteran and torturer and necromancer accepted Dex’s whiny manpain as payment instead of a quick fuck?

Shinsay, you goddamn hacks. Are you too cowardly to make Dex fuck anyone else than Andi, to make him sell his body?

Cheap and garbage. That’s what your book is.

Goddamn cowards.

Soy leaves and then Dex asks Andi if she trusts him. Her heart flutters or whatever, but she says no, which Dex approves of. He tells her to play along with him and then this happens:

He grinned like he was holding on to a secret.

Then he lurched forward and, in one sweeping movement, mashed his lips up against hers.

Non-consensual kissing?

Happy Valentine’s Day, motherfuckers.

[texanredrose]

@makas0ul, part 2, because why not. More arranged marriage miscommunication shenanigans.

Part 1 / Part 2 (here) / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10

Yang drew in a deep breath and let it go slowly, trying to keep herself calm and centered. The steady plodding of her horse's hooves over the worn dirt road helped, as did the rhythmic creaking of her saddle, and she focused all her attention on the subtle music of a small army on the march. It was a trial as of late- she'd always been quick to anger, especially regarding matters close to her heart- but one she was weathering like so many battles over the past decade or so. When the war between the clans first started up and her father became the dreaded Defender of Patch, she stayed one step behind him, learning to fight and lead in his shadow. She wasn't as good at that later part as her sister, she thought, but Ruby had left on some mad quest as per her usual the moment everyone was behaving, leaving the blonde to bear the crown alone. Her father refused to take it- the future belonged to the youth, he'd said, and he trusted his daughter's judgment- but now she wished above anything that he had ascended to the spot in her stead. The job itself wasn't so bad most days, seeing as the various clan leaders respected her authority and themselves were grateful to have a reason to lay aside their weapons and come together once more, but there was always some little detail that proved to be a thorn in her side.

For the past few years, that thorn was the kingdom of Atlas, seemingly hell bent on making war with the Valen provinces. It was a meddlesome annoyance but, seeing as it relied on combat prowess, Yang had triumphed time and time again simply by outlasting her opponents. The Atlesian soldiers couldn't adapt to Vale's warmer climate quick enough and she exploited their recurring dehydration issues to drive them back from the shores. But now, they were at peace with the kingdom across the sea, and her newest headache came in the form of her wife.

Queen Weiss Schnee was a force to be reckoned with in her own right, but in ways that completely blindsided the warrior. Some of it was to be expected in hindsight- they'd grown up half a world away, surrounded by differing customs and values- but she hadn't quite anticipated just how persistent the other woman could be. They were raised differently, they dressed differently- complete opposites. The Atlesian was all long sleeved, high necked dresses, riding side saddle with a straight back and a tilted chin, the absolute picture of grace, while Yang was more comfortable in trousers and an open faced vest barely tied together with a leather cord, sitting astride her big bay with a slight slouch, ready for anything but relaxed all the same. They were already starting to acclimate to one another, though, and the results were... interesting.

It wasn't a bad thing all the time. Ever since her comment about having the thin blade she called a sword but being unable to wield it, Weiss had taken the slight criticism to heart. Valens were warriors by nature, after all, and she thought it a deficiency that she couldn't even begin to hold her own in a fair fight. Luckily, that was easy enough to fix; although he was soft spoken, Yatsuhashi was one of the best swordsmen in Vale and a patient teacher. Where she could not possibly hope to match his strength, Weiss had become quick and flexible, and she was now skilled enough to make even Yang seriously doubt trying to challenge her to a duel even in jest. And, despite the two of them speaking Atlesian when alone- which, if the little smiles she earned were any indication, the blonde was getting better at speaking; at least her wife wasn't suppressing a cringe at her accent anymore, anyway- Valen spilled from her wife's lips in a way that made even some of the older warriors blush and wonder if they were doing it wrong this whole time. That crisp, almost haughty dialect Weiss used just made the words sound so much better and she'd caught a few of her personal guard imitating the accent when they thought no one was looking.

All that was fine. Yang actually found it really amusing, honestly.

What wasn't so amusing, however, was when her own words came back to bite her in the ass.

Weiss had taken it upon herself to learn the language and customs of Vale; unfortunately, Yang had only focused on the former of Atlas. She'd conveniently missed how the foreigners measured their unions and had already paid a bit of a price for her ignorance. Their first week together, spent at Fort Beacon, was rife with cold glares and bristling anger, all because the blonde had refused to consummate their marriage.

She hadn't meant any offense, of course. They were practically strangers and, while she'd seen enough of the woman's character to determine her course of action in trying to win Weiss over, it made her intensely uncomfortable to think about... intimate encounters that didn't feel too dissimilar from a night spent with a prostitute. The expectation that they would just... do it, without taking time to really connect on an emotional level, wasn't something the warrior could wrap her head around; it felt cheap of her to simply assume that she would have the ability to touch her new wife in such a way without earning that privilege first. She thought she was being considerate.

Atlas, however, was different, and Weiss saw their separate bedding arrangements as an insult, apparently.

"Hey, Blondie." The blonde blinked, shifting her gaze from the horizon ahead of them to look at the bear of a man riding beside her with a massive club strapped to his back, his black eyes glinting with mirth. "Your wife's at it again."

Almost dreading what she'd find, Yang turned further in her saddle to look further back along the convoy. She was riding near the front, as per usual, as much out of habit as so she could be one of the first to lay eyes on her hometown again. The Atlesian vacillated between riding at her side and further down, often having spotted something that needed 'correcting' as she put it. The Valens weren't nearly as strict about their marching order but the blonde didn't interfere; the warriors who'd accompanied her as a wedding party would learn first hand that Weiss was not a woman to be trifled with and word would spread quickly if she allowed things to play out. There were a few who had spoken out against the marriage, seeing no reason to shackle Vale as a whole to the kingdom across the sea, but they would likely mind their tongues if rumors started flying that Yang's bride was equally terrifying when incensed.

And, honestly, she was beginning to wonder if the woman possessed any other state of being.

"What is she doing?" Although slightly exasperated with her wife's antics, Yang couldn't help the way her lips curled into a small, dopey grin. Yes, it was something of a headache remaining a step or two away from the woman to ensure she didn't accidentally get in over her head- the blonde had made it abundantly clear that anyone even thinking to harm even one hair on Weiss' head would be sorry- but she honestly got a kick out of watching the prim and proper Atlesian trying to whip the lax Valen into some semblance of order. It was like watching a mountain lion herd cats, but the results were obvious. Everyone sat straighter in their saddle or marched together with a sense of decorum, and though she personally was never addressed about her own poor posture when riding, Yang couldn't help but try her best to emulate her wife's poise. That just meant there were others she could address instead, though.

Today, she seemed fixated on keeping the 'bannermen' marching in time, their burdens carried aloft proudly rather than resting against their shoulders. Yang had only brought them along because it seemed proper- like something out of those old fairy tail books her sister loved- but now it seemed like the group might actually have some idea of how to properly do the job before they reached Patch. Each carried a flag with a different design attached to the long poles, depicting the eight major clans that remained more-or-less intact now that the war was over.

Junior offered with a helpless shrug. "She's something else, huh?"

"Yeah," the blonde replied with a fond sigh. The whole lot were teens on the verge of adulthood, far too young to be veterans of the civil war and the defense against Atlas. They were largely too intimidated by the crowned Dragon of Vale to think about refusing her wife's orders, but they were a good bunch.

"You gonna go save 'em?"

"They're fine." She turned back around to face the horizon. "But, make sure they get an extra dessert tonight, would ya? I think they deserve it."

"As you wish, my liege," he mockingly said though she didn't even think to take offense to the tone. Junior was one of the men she'd fought beside during the largest defense against the Atlesian army during their initial invasion just south of Patch. It was the site of the thickest fighting, when Atlas was at the height of its power and motivation; breaking the invasion turned the remainder of the war in Vale's favor and she couldn't have done it without the man's club bashing down those who refused to fall to her fists.

Idly, her gaze fell to Ember Celica, once again adorning her wrists and catching the midday sun. Once their week was up, they'd traded weapons back, but in the meantime they'd established a sort of ritual. Yang was never allowed to drape the thin swordbelt around her waist herself; that was Weiss' duty and hers alone. Likewise, the blonde carefully strapped her cestus onto pale, thin forearms with reverence. Now, the process was reversed, of course, and she took a bit of pride and a larger amount of happiness in being able to slip her arms around the woman's waist to fix Myrtenaster in place on her wife's smaller frame. Whether or not that same amount of care was returned depended on Weiss' mood, which seemed to be growing more sour as of late, harsher tugs on the leather fastening her cestus in place.

It wasn't until last night, just as they'd made camp on the other side of Forever Fall and a day's ride from the shore, that Ren had explained the situation to her, at least in part. A fearsome fighter in his own right, the young man was much more suited to studies than war and had taken the liberty of bribing a member of the Schnees' entourage in exchange for a few scrolls on customs and courtesies. When he finally got to identifying and translating the segment regarding marriage customs, the young man immediately brought the issue to Yang's attention, having correctly guessed she was not as informed on the subject.

Just as it had hurt Yang to consider having her weapon returned to her, there was a similar dishonor in refusing to consummate their marriage. The blonde had no idea and Weiss had yet to say as much outright but that had to be it; in trying to pay the woman proper respect, she'd unintentionally insulted the Atlesian.

"Junior, we should get in just before sundown, right? You think the ferries will still run?"

"The bigger ones, no, but I'm sure there's a fisherman or two willing to make a few trips. Some of us would have to stay behind with the horses, though." He shrugged again, shifting in his saddle impatiently. Riding always made him antsy, for some reason. "You that eager to be back home?"

"Yeah, actually," she said, glancing over her shoulder again. With Weiss riding beside them, the little retinue of banner bearers looked like proper soldiers, their burdens lightly flapping in the breeze. "I definitely need to be home by tonight."

"Then you will be," he replied simply, nudging his steed to move a little quicker. Those on foot would be able to keep up so long as they didn't hold the pace too long and Yang found herself focusing intently on how she would approach the matter. Honestly, she'd prefer to wait, but if that was viewed as a problem for her wife, then there simply was no other way around it.

She had to do something.

Twilight in Patch was always a treat. The softly lapping waves slipping along the shore brought with them a cool night breeze that smelled of salt, the occasional gull calling in the distance a counterpoint to the low drum of the city market. A dense copse of trees were all that separated the Xiao Long home from either, tucked away from sight in a small clearing. The house itself wasn't too impressive- before the civil war erupted, they farmed their own food and hunted game, and every beam was set in place by a member of her family, none of whom were above a basic skill set- but it was sturdy, cozy, and much quieter than their makeshift camps and Fort Beacon.

Yet, Yang couldn't find it within herself to accept the calm. Her father was off in the village proper, entertaining the visiting clan leaders for the night so the newlyweds could have some privacy. Both of them would have to weather their steady stream of congratulations at yet another feast the following day- while her wife likely wouldn't see it as such, the attempted invasion was the best boost Vale could've hoped for towards healing, not only uniting the kingdom against a common enemy but providing additional supplies whenever Atlesian cargo was captured, which meant a lot of celebrations before winter hit and they would have to use their own stores- before seeing to a few administrative duties the blonde was already dreading. Leading a kingdom into war was certainly easier than managing it at times of peace, or at the very least it was more entertaining.

"Is there a particular reason you're staring aimlessly out the window?"

Blinking, Yang shifted her attention towards the doorway, noting her wife's stiff posture as she raised a single pale brow in askance, arms crossed over her chest. "I was just thinking about tomorrow."

And avoiding thinking about tonight, she mentally added while turning to face Weiss properly. It was strange, returning to her childhood home as not only a Queen but a married one besides, and briefly she considered if her father's subtle present of a new, larger bed was more appropriate than a new room would've been. At least then there would be no memories to distort; she half expected Ruby to come dashing in any second, jumping up onto her bed to hear one more bedtime story before retreating to her own room.

"I'm surprised they didn't attend the wedding," the Atlesian said, her voice even and expression neutral, but Yang was getting better at reading her wife's posture. Weiss was tense and wary, as if expecting something ill in response.

"I didn't want to risk tempers flaring." Furrowing her brows, the blonde took a few steps away from the window, slowly closing the distance between them. "While I know attacking Atlas would be a dumb idea, some of the clan leaders are still angry about the damages done to their villages, their people. We might be less strict in our courtesies in Vale but we're also not above offense; having a bunch of drunk warriors with grudges in the same room as their former enemies when none of us know each other's customs as well as our own... it just seemed like a recipe for disaster."

Lilac eyes were trained on her wife's form, expecting at least some of her stiffness to slide away- and it did, just barely. However, the woman seemed more inclined to accept the answer for what it was and turn herself to other things. "I suppose my room is down the hall-"

"No," she said, her heart rate picking up slightly as she spoke. It still made her nervous, because to her mind she was asking for something she'd yet to earn and that always made her anxious, but all she received was a flat look at first.

"Ah. Then I'm in this room?"

"Yes. With me." She tried to sound resolute but broke at the last second, hunching her shoulders slightly. "If that's okay?"

That seemed to break the metaphorical mask Weiss perpetually wore, surprise flashing across her expression before it was shoved aside. There was no hiding the little bit of hope that seemed to take up residence in those blue eyes, though. "Why now?"

"What I said about not knowing each other's customs- that's something I'm guilty of." Her gaze lowered to the wooden planks beneath their feet. "I spent so much time learning your language, I forgot to even find out what Atlas' marriage customs might be like, to compare them to our own. That's my fault and I apologize. You only asked of me to treat you as my wife and, though I felt like I was doing that right by Vale standards, I wasn't by yours because... we... well-"

"You haven't bedded me yet." The woman supplied, saving her fumbling for the word. It was a blunt and crass way of putting it but Yang suspected that was at least in part for her own benefit; the informal language did seem to hint that her wife might not be as cross with her as she'd assumed. "You aren't wrong. By Atlesian standards, we aren't wed. But this is Vale-"

"And you are a daughter of Atlas." The blonde raised her gaze to meet those peerless pools of blue and edged forward a little further with that interjection, still mindful of any sign of retreat from the other woman. It still felt too soon, too abrupt, but she didn't want to continue hurting Weiss, or forcing the woman to disregard her heritage. "I want to respect that. Even if it still... makes me uncomfortable."

"You're not the first to say so." Initially, the non-sequitur threw Yang off, but she quickly realized what the problem was when her wife's hand moved unconsciously to brush beneath the scar that neatly bisected her left eye before catching herself and looking away.

It suddenly hit the Queen of Vale harder than a warhammer. The night of their wedding, she'd lead both of them to their temporary room, which was just one of the nicer lodgings at the Fort that was spruced up a bit for the ceremony. Her headdress was already off but Weiss hadn't removed hers until after they were in the room and before Yang brought up their separate sleeping arrangements. Honestly, she'd almost forgotten how to speak Valen much less Atlesian when confronted by the beautifully pale features of her bride, how her white bangs fell across her forehead like tiny wisps of moonlight, how her eyes shone like gemstones, and that cute button nose that hindered the severity of her expressions only slightly. The scar- faded and uneven- was an after thought, something she noticed and immediately did her best to ignore, but not out of disgust. An injury like that, after all, could've just as easily taken the woman's eye or worse, and the thought was more distressing than she would've guessed possible. The thought of her hurt... even if they hadn't even known the other existed at the time, it made her sick.

So, not only had she failed to heed one of Atlas' customs, causing Weiss some amount of grief, she'd also mistakenly lead her wife to believe that the unintentional rejection was caused by something the Atlesian obviously felt ashamed of still.

"No, Weiss, that's not what I meant." Throwing caution to the wind, the blonde stepped up and lifted both hands, cupping the other woman's cheeks softly. Aside from outfitting the other for the day, physical contact between them was sparse- again because she hadn't felt like she'd earned that privilege yet- but there were only so many ways Yang could think of to offer comfort and reassurance, all of which required touch. "You are beautiful- you- you're-" She cursed, unable to find the right words and switching to her mother tongue to save them both. "Please, believe me; you are like a legend come to life, a Goddess walking among mortals. The sun is jealous of your radiance and the moon of your composure; you put the stars of the night sky to shame. I'm so sorry I made you think otherwise. It was never my intention."

There was a moment of silence, skepticism showing plain in her wife's face before blue eyes flicked to hers, shoulders dropping ever so slightly as tension slid away. "Then... what did you mean? What... what about me makes you uncomfortable?"

They were both using Valen now and, at this point, Yang felt it was easier to simply roll with it rather than switch back to Atlesian. "It's not you, Weiss. Well, I suppose that's not- what I mean is." She took a deep breath and let it out, trying to center herself. "Weiss, just because we're married doesn't mean I can touch you without your permission. I don't believe that." She rubbed her thumbs lightly along the other woman's cheekbones in an attempt to soothe and almost distractedly happy when she felt slim hands come to rest on her hips. "When we left the feasting hall, I didn't even know if you'd be willing to stay with me, much less have me touch you. I didn't want to pressure you into anything; we'd hardly met, you were forced into this, and I'm... I'm not the one you would've picked, if you were given a choice in the first place."

"I think you sell yourself short, Yang," the Atlesian said, her voice soft. "You... possess a certain kind of charm that would be entirely alien in Atlas. Had we met in my court instead of yours, my opinion of you wouldn't necessarily be a poor one." Tentatively, Weiss moved her hands, gloved fingers tracing across the skin left exposed by the blonde's vest, delineation in muscles earned from years fighting and riding. "You're strong and kind, firm and gentle, powerful and sincere. These things... do not often come together in my homeland."

The blonde frowned, lilac eyes drifting to the faint scar as worry filled her. "No offense, but your people sound a little... barbaric." Somehow, that brought a chuckle out of the other woman, which was enough of a boost to her confidence for Yang to move a little closer, allowing her left hand to drop down to her wife's shoulder. The right remaind, though, her thumb tracing the bottom of the scar. "Will you tell me one day how this happened?"

"I'll tell you right now." Weiss closed her eyes, any trace of amusement absent as she continued. "It's my father's belief that children should be seen and not heard, and even then only when called upon. It was a lesson I... forgot once too often."

Yang instantly felt her blood boil, absolutely livid at the implication, but she had to be sure even as heat suffused her being. "Your father did this?"

"Not personally, but it was on his order." The Atlesian turned her head, away from her touch. "It was years ago. Old news."

She wanted to argue, clenching her jaw for a moment to keep the words on her tongue and set her right hand on the woman's shoulder. Even if she itched to regain the former contact, she wouldn't push, at least for the moment. It took a supreme amount of effort but she managed to go for a different approach, though there was no hiding the anger lurking in her tone. "Your father's never allowed near our kids unsupervised."

Blue eyes turned to her, half of a laugh out of her mouth before it was cut off. Even if she'd managed to keep from expressing her rage in a direct manner, there was one way it always showed through. "Your eyes..."

"I'm upset," she said, as if that was all the explanation she needed for suddenly sporting blood red pupils. It was something she'd noticed over the years warring with Atlas, yet another difference between their homes. The kingdom across the sea relied on steel, bulk, and advanced weapons to win their battles while Vale's warriors focused on skill, camaraderie, and the development of their inner chi. The blonde's always manifested with a surge of heat and blood red eyes, somehow empowering her to weather blows that would tear weaker souls to shreds.

Weiss seemed to notice her higher body temperature a moment after her eyes, appearing somewhat surprised, but she didn't draw away. She did glance at the hands on her shoulders, though, making a thoughtful noise in the back of her throat. "I... suppose that explains why half of Atlas is convinced you're part dragon."

"It's just my chi. It tends to flare when I'm hurt or mad." The warrior pulled in a deep breath, trying to center herself. "And right now I'm just... I'm so angry. What sort of father would do that to his own child? Why weren't you allowed to speak your mind?" She was going in the wrong direction, her voice beginning to raise the more she spoke, so she cut herself off with a growl. "He was probably just jealous you're smarter than he'll ever be."

Perhaps insulting the man wasn't the best move but it certainly went a long way towards cooling her temper. Had she known before the wedding, venting her frustration might've included at least one punch, but she suspected that's all it would've taken. The soon-to-be former King of Atlas looked as though he was made of broken glass, all jutting edges poorly smoothed over by an unsteady hand. One good shot might've crushed his skull in and she didn't feel particularly remiss for having that thought.

What remained of her rage was snuffed out in the blink of an eye as she became abruptly aware that Weiss was moving. The blonde expected her wife to draw away, gain distance, as most often did when she became peeved. Instead, the woman moved closer, the hands that spent most of the conversation tracing along the grooves of her abs slipping around to her back and pulling her closer. It was exhilarating; Weiss didn't often initiate contact between them, and even that was limited. A touch at the shoulder or elbow for attention, a brush of hands in reassurance, or a playful swat after a bad joke or a particularly awful pronunciation were about as far as the two had gotten.

This was actually their first hug and all the tension keeping Yang's shoulders rigid flowed out at that realization, her own arms encircling the Atlesian to hold her gently as she bent her head down to whisper in her ear. "No one else is going to hurt you like that, ever again." She felt emboldened by the positive contact and gently pressed her lips against her wife's temple. "I promise."

"That's a difficult pledge to make," Weiss replied, though she didn't seem perturbed by the kiss.

"So? I'm the Queen of Vale and the Dragon of Patch." She closed her eyes, soaking in the feel of the smaller woman pressed against her. "It doesn't matter how hard it is; I'll do it. You're worth protecting, Weiss."

At that, her wife drew back ever so slightly, a silent request for her to open her eyes and look. The moment she did, the blonde saw the slight wonder sparkling in those blue eyes, as if some part of the Atlesian was unable to process her words. Finding herself suddenly lacking the willpower to resist- and hoping she wasn't overstepping her bounds- Yang quickly snuck in another kiss, this time aiming for the scar. The reaction was immediate- a slight jolt that passed through her wife's frame- but no motion was made to push her away or discourage her. Instead, the moment the blonde drew back to reaffirm her promise, a slim hand quickly slipped up to cup her jaw and guide her into a proper kiss.

This time, it was the warrior's turn to jump, shocked slightly at how good it felt and how her eyes slipped shut seemingly of their own accord just before she pressed into the contact. There was a bit of pride welling in her chest at having gotten this far, earning this little bit of glorious affection from the Atlesian, but that would be something she could reflect on later. The matter at hand was keeping up with the woman as she suddenly drew back, trying to hide her sudden shortness of breath by surreptitiously inhaling deeply. Seeing as Yang's arms were still wrapped around her, though, it was a futile effort, and one she abandoned completely when the blonde let out a breathless laugh, leaning forward to rest their foreheads together.

"Well, that was... something." Weiss offered, obviously flustered for perhaps the first time in their all-too-brief relationship.

"Yeah." The blonde smiled. "But, the choice is still yours, you know. We could just sleep. It was a long trip and a night in a proper bed will do us both some good."

Her offer seemed to be carefully considered before blue eyes flashed with determination. "I would rather we consummate our union, Yang. Some part of me thinks my father might be foolish enough to try taking Vale again, either by brute force or subterfuge. I want there to be no doubt where my loyalties lie."

"With me?"

The Atlesian drew back enough so Yang could get the full effect of how she rolled her eyes. "Yes, you dolt, with you."

"I'm just making sure," she replied, trying to sound at least a little annoyed but failing miserably as a wide smile split her features, to the point she was sure her cheeks would start hurting if she held it long enough.

Although she was already missing the contact, the blonde stepped back so she could begin undressing. She was quickly stopped by her wife, intent on tackling the task herself. First went her weapon, each cestus laid with reverential care on the desk pressed against one wall, and then her vest, followed by her trousers, which were all relatively simple. However, lithe fingers slid them away from her body with such deft precision that Yang almost had to wonder how often her wife had undressed another before settling on the more likely explanation: she was simply too meticulous to fumble with the simple buttons and ties. When the tables were turned and the warrior was faced with the task of removing the dress- which laced up the back and how did Weiss even manage to dress herself every day anyway?- she found the other woman's calm instructions easy and offered with only a little teasing lilt to her voice.

Unlike the Atlesian, who had remained almost clinical during her turn, Yang couldn't help but let her fingers wander across newly exposed skin. She didn't need the aid of a mirror to be aware of the scars crisscrossing her own back, barely hidden by her luscious hair now that her vest was removed, and she could see well enough the ones on her arms and knuckles from more battles than she could count. In contrast, her wife's skin was smooth and unblemished, except for the mark marring her face, and further cementing in the blonde's mind that she was, in fact, blessed enough to have married some forgotten deity trapped on the mortal plane. Everywhere she touched, a shiver followed, until finally Weiss refused to allow her exploration to continue and lead both of them to the bed. Only once they were both laying down, underthings discarded with far less care than the rest of their respective ensembles, was the blonde allowed to continue.

It was slow going, especially at first. Committing to memory a thousand responses, touching and touching again to see if the same reaction would come or if it was just surprise, and once her wife even commented on it.

"At this rate, we'll need days to finish this, you know."

"Then days we'll take," she replied, ensuring she met the woman's gaze as a small smile curled her lips. "I'm in no rush."

It wasn't perfect. They were learning together what worked and what didn't and the Atlesian was reluctant to speak up on some of those things, so Yang had to read her body language, the pitch of her voice, the hitch in her sighs to determine her pleasure. The blonde was easier, more straight forward, but she kept in the back of her mind to not ask too much. Then they moved together, out of sync but eventually finding their rhythm, giving and taking in equal measure. There were still some rough spots but, for a fight night together as a wedded couple, it certainly wasn't bad.

When they finally came to rest late into the night, covered in sweat and curled up together, the Queen of Vale felt peace descend on her much easier than it had in the past six months, and she hardly had the presence of mind to draw a blanket around them before slipping off to sleep.

The morning light streamed in through the open window, birds singing their song loudly for all to hear. Faintly, she could remember waking before the sunrise in this very room, rushing downstairs to help her father with breakfast for themselves and Ruby before following him out to their small garden, and cutting wood when she got older to take to market. The simple joys of a life filled with hard work, before the wars and the blood and the crown she now bore, and she sighed slightly at the mental acknowledgement that she'd already overslept. No doubt her father or one of the clan leaders would come banging on the door soon, calling her to the town square to introduce her wife to each of the grizzled old warriors and those set to take their places, but the moment she started to shift, a voice cold as ice froze her in place.

"Don't. You. Dare."

Blinking the world into some small semblance of order, Yang noticed that her arm was loosely curled around Weiss' waist, pulling the smaller woman's frame against her as they lay together. Suddenly, all the memories from the night before came rushing back and there was no stopping her from carefully leaning over and pressing a kiss to the Atlesian's cheek. "Morning."

"Yes, it is morning, very astute observation." Her voice was thick from sleep and her eyes remained closed but there was nothing subtle about the way her wife pressed back against her, one arm laying over the blonde's. "Now, stop moving. I want another hour, at least."

There was a cheeky comment on the tip of her tongue about having tuckered the woman out so thoroughly but the woman did have a tendency to be a bit cranky early in the morning. "Kept you up with my snoring, huh?"

"Actually, you don't snore when you sleep on your side, I've noticed," Weiss replied, snuggling under the covers a bit further. "I'm simply comfortable and we just finished a long trip. Is an extra hour too much to ask?"

"Nah, not at all." Closing her eyes, the blonde inhaled deeply and let it go, happy to lounge in the morning with her wife for a while longer yet.

The worst that could happen would be the clan leaders starting the celebrations without them and, honestly, that was fine by her. Everyone would soon know of the Atlesian one way or another and she didn't doubt they would all be as awestruck as she was. Unfortunately for the lot of them, she was the one lucky enough to be married to the woman.

So, that was a thing. *shrug* I may come back to this eventually. No idea what I'd do with it but fluffball-warlord-uxorious Yang is a lot of fun to write. There’s now a Part 3.

[beepbeepinthecorner]

A Possession

Before The Thing could think to react, Laine's weapon was piercing it's stolen form- pinning it to the ground.

A wail escapes it's lips, "Laine-! What are you-!"

Laine does not allow it to finish it's deception. "Valen has learned to carry herself with grace," she leans in dangerously, "you are lumbering."

Immediately the act stops. "Ah. You figured it out faster than most." The face that should have been Valen's contorts wickedly into a vulgar expression Laine had never seen cross her wife's face. Something grinning, something gloating.

The being's gloating falters. As if unused to piloting a physical form, for just a moment allows it's commandeered face to betray a hint of worry. "You wouldn't. You'd annihilate your wife's soul in the process."

"I think not." Laine reaches a hand into her satchel, retrieving a small vial. "I know where her soul lies." The being tries to speak once again, but is swiftly cut off. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like a word with my wife."

Unceremoniously a vial of a foul smelling something is shoved under Valen's nose. From within her own body, Valen encounters the strangest sensation. Like a hand grabbing her by the nose and dragging her bodily from a viscous ocean- coughing and hacking back into consciousnesses.

"Laine?" Is all she can muster through pain and disorientation.

"No time darling-" Laine speaks hastily, urgency tinting her normally calm voice, "The spirit has it's claws in you. With your permission, I'm going to try to flush it out."

Valen's eyelids droop as if lead, the searing pain of the spear in her shoulder all that's keeping her awake. With all her remaining strength, she slurs out one sentence before being dragged back into a choking slumber.

"Burn the fucker out."