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aryaryxoxo · 2 months ago

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I have a fucking crush on the guy and you expect me to play a game against him—HIM?! Ushijima Wakatoshi x fem! reader

“Woah, look at that spike!” one of the commentators exclaims, eyes wide as the ball slams into the court with a deafening thud. The receiver dives instinctively, arms outstretched, but the sheer force of the ball knocks it past his reach, skidding across the floor. The crowd erupts in a mixture of awe and gasps.

“Ushijima is truly a beast,” another commentator adds, shaking his head in disbelief. “That kind of power—it’s like the ball bends to his will.”

“It’s no surprise that he’s the ace,” the first commentator continues. “His form, his precision, and the sheer strength behind every swing. You can feel the tension rise every time he jumps.”

On the court, Ushijima lands with calm composure, barely reacting to the roar of the crowd. His teammates rally around him, feeding off his quiet dominance, while the opposing team scrambles to regroup, rattled by the raw intensity of his spike.

“Rumors say no one has ever come close to blocking him,”

“Would you look at that, you’re trending again, Wakatoshi~!” Tendou beamed, practically shoving his phone in Ushijima’s face.

Ushijima didn’t even spare it a glance. He sat quietly, arms crossed, gaze distantly at the scenery behind the window.

Tendou scooted closer, persistent as ever. “Look! Someone said your spike just ended a man’s volleyball career. There’s even a meme of you turning into a missile. Come on, this is gold.”

Tendou laughed, but Ushijima remained silent.

I don’t understand why people are so interested, he thought. I just spike the ball.

“Okay, we’re nearing Tensei International Academy. Be ready,” Akira Saitō announced, standing from his seat to get the athletes’ attention.

At the mention of the academy’s name, a wave of murmurs swept through the bus. The once quiet vehicle now buzzed with chatter—excitement, and curiosity.

“Isn’t that the one with the massive campus?” Kai whispered.

“I heard they own two Olympic-sized swimming pools,” Jin said, leaning into the aisle.

“Oh, and they have their own currency,” Yunohama chimed in, eyes wide with disbelief.

“No way. That’s insane.”

Akira glanced back at the team, lips twitching into a small smile at their amazement. It was no surprise—they were seeing it for the first time.

After all, this was the first time Tensai International Academy would be hosting the annual volleyball summer camp. Although the official start was still two days away, Coach Washijō had insisted they arrive early so they could have the Tensai players to themselves for a little while.

“And also,” Goshiki added, his voice rising just enough to stand out over the chatter, "It houses some of the best athletes in the country—including the ace.”

Goshiki emphasized the words with dramatic flair, eyes gleaming as he turned to look directly at Ushijima. Every head in the bus swung toward him, like a synchronized movement, their eyes fixing on Ushijima, who sat near the window, unmoved by the sudden attention.

He could feel their gaze, even if they were behind him—heavy, curious, waiting for his reaction.

He had heard the rumors. Whispers that had been circulating on the internet, growing with each passing day, about one player at Tensai International Academy who possessed skills so extraordinary.

It was as if she were two steps ahead of everyone on the court, every move a calculated strike. Some even claimed her vertical leap defied physics, and her agility was beyond anything they'd ever seen.

The video clips that were being shared showed her lightning-fast reflexes, her incredible power behind every spike, and an uncanny ability to read the game.

“Rumors say she could rival Wakatoshi Ushijima,” Goshiki added, eyes still fixed on the ace.

…

“Holy shit, this is a huge court,” Semi said, his eyes wide with disbelief. He wasn’t exaggerating. The volleyball court gymnasium was massive, far larger than the one at Shiratorizawa.

“Oh, you’re early!” Hiroshi Takeda smiled at the team as they entered the gym, his warm gaze sweeping over them.

“Coach Takeda! Long time no see!” Akira called out, grinning as he stepped forward. The two shared a brief side hug, the kind of easy camaraderie that only old friends had.

“I must say, I’m not surprised when Coach Washijō said you’d be having a match when you arrive,” Coach Takeda laughed. “You know him,” Akira replied.

“The boys will be here soon. Why don’t you make yourselves at home? Change and stretch first, yeah? Your changing room’s over there.” Takeda pointed toward the silver double doors near the left corner of the gymnasium. “You can leave your stuff there for now; the bedrooms are still being arranged.”

The team shuffled toward the locker room, setting down their bags. Some of them paused, eyes wide at the spaciousness of the room, clearly impressed by the luxury it offered.

“If this is the locker room,” Tendou said with a grin, looking around in awe, “imagine the rooms we’ll be sleeping in for the next two weeks.”

Ushijima simply set down his bag and changed into his jersey, his focus entirely on preparing for the match.

“Did you think she would show up?” Goshiki asked, glancing at Semi as he too changed into his jersey. Ushijima didn’t need to know the name, to identify who exactly they were talking about.

“From what I know, Tensei's women's volleyball team is part of a summer camp in Brazil,” Semi shrugged, slipping on his shirt.

Goshiki’s eyes lit up at the mention of Brazil. “That is so cool! I wish I could go to Brazil.”

Well, that’s unfortunate, Ushijima muttered quietly to himself, his expression as stoic as ever as he zipped up his bag. Coach Washijō had made it clear: he needed to shut down the rumors about Y/N L/N being able to surpass him.

He paused for a moment, glancing toward his teammates, who were stepping outside the locker room, chatting among themselves. Maybe I should do some research on her, he thought, the idea lingering in his mind for a second. But then, he pushed it aside. There was no point in overthinking it now.

Ushijima grabbed his water bottle and followed his teammates out, his focus sharpening once again on the match ahead. Even if it was just a friendly, it was still a match—and he had no intention of treating it lightly.

Once outside, the Tensei men’s volleyball are now stretching on the other side of the court. They notice Ushijima stepping out and most of them, mostly first year gape at the site of him.

“Haruki, where is Kaito?” Coach Takeda asked, holding a clipboard.

Haruki, the captain of the Tensei men’s volleyball team, jogged up to the coach. “He’s sick, sir. Caught a cold last night.”

“Perfect timing,” Takeda muttered, shaking his head in disappointment. “I’ve told that kid a hundred times—stop drinking soda.”

Across the court, the Shiratorizawa team was scattered across the sidelines, stretching and warming up. A few paused mid-stretch, catching bits of the exchange.

“Kaito Kobayashi isn’t here? Damn it, I was actually excited to block his spikes,” Tendou groaned, lying flat on the floor as he stretched his legs side to side. His tone was more disappointed than playful.

“That means they only have one spiker,” Ushijima said calmly, arms crossed as he looked toward the court, already analyzing. He could see a blue haired man, arms now wrapped around Haruki’s shoulder.

“Or maybe he’s just scared he’ll have to face Shiratorizawa’s ace,” Ren chimed in with a grin, laughter spilling out. Ren Sakuragi—the one spiker left on Tensei’s lineup.

“Ren Sakuragi,” a sharp voice rang out, slicing clean through the chatter and bouncing off the gymnasium walls, “I can’t believe you’re backstabbing sweet, sweet Kaito like that.”

The air shifted—heads turned. The atmosphere thickened, as if the court itself was holding its breath.

But the voice had no clear source. The Shiratorizawa players exchanged confused glances, scanning the court.

Then, they noticed the Tensei team—every one of them looking up.

Slowly, their eyes followed the silent cue, rising toward the gymnasium balcony.

And there she was.

Bathed in sunlight streaming from the high windows, standing tall with arms crossed, the words “Glory to Tensei!” printed in bold behind her like a crown— Y/N L/N.

“I thought you were supposed to be in Brazil—sipping coconuts and swimming with the pros,” Ren called out, teasing from the court below.

Y/N smirked, leaning casually on the railing. “I thought you might miss me,” she replied. “So I stayed.”

The Shiratorizawa team went silent, their eyes widening in surprise. Tendou, who had been lying on the floor moments ago, shot up in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape.

“Wait, that’s her?” he muttered under his breath, eyes flicking between his teammates. His grin widened, both impressed and intrigued.

Ushijima’s gaze remained steady, but there was a faint shift in his posture. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but the sight of her—so confident, so poised—felt different from the rumors he’d heard. He wasn’t one to be easily distracted, but something about her presence drew his attention.

“The flight got canceled,” Emi Kobayashi, the Tensei women’s volleyball setter, replied flatly, her tone deadpan. “We’re flying out on Tuesday.”

As the news about the flight delay settled, Coach Takeda cleared his throat, catching the attention of the Shiratorizawa team and their coach.

“I must apologize for the lack of our spiker today,” Coach Takeda said, his tone a bit sheepish but still composed. “Kaito’s absence has certainly put us in a difficult spot. I assure you, we’re just as disappointed as you are.”

Coach Washijō raised an eyebrow but nodded politely, his arms crossed. “Good thing she’s here, right?” He gestured toward Y/N, who was gracefully making her way down from the balcony.

“What?” Y/N barely caught herself on the stairs, her foot slipping as she almost lost balance. She shot a look at Coach Washijō with wide eyes. “Sir, with all due respect, I look like I just ran through a marathon in a tornado—in sweats and crocs,” she added, gesturing down at her mismatched outfit and wild hair, clearly not prepared for such attention.

The gymnasium erupted in soft chuckles as the tension broke, and even some of the Shiratorizawa players couldn't help but smile at her sudden, unintentional comedy. Tendou is particularly eyeing Ushijima.

“From what I heard online, you once won a match barefoot,” Coach Washijō said with a sly grin, glancing toward Y/N. “And besides, everyone’s expecting a match between you two, Today is the perfect time, isn’t it?” he added, his eyes shifting toward Ushijima, who was standing quietly off to the side.

The moment his gaze landed on Ushijima, the atmosphere in the gym seemed to tighten.

That’s the problem, I can’t play a match against HIM

Miyu: How much do you bet Y/N is crying right now because she cannot witness HER Ushijima play upclose? Natsuki: 1000 yen. Girly pop sis is probably bawling Y/N: I’m still the captain mfs Miyu: A captain in loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Natsuki: im still confused why you liked that guy anyway. Natsuki: Isn’t he like stoic? Emi: Oh god, what did you do Y/N: Ushijima Wakatoshi is not stoic, that’s... ugh, I mean, have you SEEN him?? 😍 Y/N: Like, seriously, the guy is PERFECT. His spikes? Literally untouchable, like he could break a wall with that thing. Y/N: And don’t even get me started on his height. I swear, I have to look way up just to meet his eyes. Y/N: 🤩 It’s like I’m staring at a literal giant. And his focus? Honestly, I’ve never seen someone so laser-focused and still look like they’re cool about it?? Y/N: He just has this presence, y’know? It’s like... he's in another level. 👀 Y/N: Oh, and when he wears his jersey? I’m sorry, but I think I might just die from how good he looks in it 😅. Y/N: Like, how can anyone NOT have a crush on him? It’s honestly impossible! 😳💖 I could go on, but you get the point, right? 🤭 Emi: …

I have a fucking crush on the guy and you expect me to play a game against him—HIM?!

“Y/N?” Coach Washijō's voice cut cleanly through her internal chaos. She blinked, snapped out of her meltdown like someone had slammed a cold towel to her face.

“Can you be the replacement spiker? It’s a shame that we came all this way just for you guys to be incomplete,” Coach Washijō asked with a tone so polite it was almost suspicious—but Y/N could smell the BS from a mile away.

She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, not from embarrassment—well, maybe a little—but from the sheer absurdity of it all. A sudden friendly match, her Crocs still on, hair looking like she’d fought a hurricane, and now her teammates giving her that look. The kind that said: "Go on, miss hopeless romantic. Your prince awaits."

Y/N gave them a deadpan stare. "Traitors," she muttered under her breath.

One of them winked, while another gave her a thumbs-up. The entire gymnasium seemed to hold its breath, all eyes trained on her, waiting for her response. Y/N's gaze drifted to Ushijima, whose expression remained unreadable, yet there was something in the way he looked at her that filled her with an unexpected sense of courage. This match had been long overdue.

"Fine," she huffed, turning back to the coaches. "Give me five minutes to not look like I rolled out of a laundry bin."

…

“Not gonna lie, this isn’t what I expected from someone whose nickname is The Ace,” one of the Shiratorizawa players murmured, thinking Y/N couldn’t hear. She did. And it didn’t surprise her anymore. It was the same response she’d gotten from every team, every gym, every court.

Y/N was on the floor, having failed to block Ushijima’s spike. Her timing was off, her hands missed the ball completely, and the next thing she knew, the floor was greeting her a little too harshly. “My ass is already flat!” she yelled, pushing herself up and giving her teammates a sheepish smile.

The score was 1-5, in favor of Shiratorizawa. This is good, she had seen enough. The energy in the gym was thick, tension hanging in the air, but she had her eyes on the prize now. Ushijima is next to serve—just as she had planned.

"Place me in the position where, after Ushijima’s serve, I’ll be next to serve," Y/N had told Haruki before the game started.

The whistle blew, sharp and loud, signaling the serve. Ushijima’s eyes narrowed, focusing on his target. With a swift, fluid motion, he tossed the ball into the air.

Y/N braced herself as the ball came hurtling toward her side of the court. From the first six points, she knew they would try to make her receive it. They had seen her slip, and now they were counting on it.

But Y/N positioned herself on the court with an almost eerie calmness, she knew exactly what to do. Haruki had passed the ball with precision, and the setter, effortlessly set up the play, delivering a perfect pass straight into Y/N’s hands. She could feel her muscles tense as she lifted her arm and spiked the ball directly toward Goshiki.

It was a setup. A trap.

Goshiki was caught off-guard. She could see it in his eyes—he wasn’t prepared for the left-side angle. He struggled, misjudging the timing and the angle of the ball. The ball bounced up, too high and unsteady for him to control, giving Y/N a moment of satisfaction.

Shirabu, the setter for Shiratorizawa, dove toward the high ball without hesitation, his eyes locked onto the ball. He passed it up to Ushijima, who stood ready to strike. The timing was perfect for Y/N, and just as Ushijima leaped, ready for another of his signature spikes, Y/N readied herself.

She didn’t let the moment slip.

With a well-timed jump, she leaped higher, positioning herself perfectly at the net. She stretched her arms forward and waited for the impact of the ball. Ushijima’s spike came down with devastating speed, but Y/N was prepared, looking at Ushijima, it felt like time stopped. her hands firmly blocking the ball with precision. The sheer force of Ushijima’s spike collided with her block, and it bounced awkwardly off her hands.

The court was silent for a split second as the ball ricocheted. But the moment was fleeting. The ball didn’t fly toward the Tensai side; instead, it spun off the other side, nearly impossible for anyone to recover.

The Shiratorizawa side scrambled—arms reaching, feet stumbling into desperate positions—but they didn’t stand a chance. They were caught off-balance, a half-step behind, trying to react to a move they hadn’t even seen coming. The ball slammed into their court with a thud. Silence cracked for a moment—then the referee signaled the point.

The Tensai bench exploded with cheers, clapping and shouts echoing across the court. But Ushijima wasn’t listening.

He was staring at her.

Y/N stood tall on the opposite side, her breathing steady despite the heat of the rally. Then, she turned—eyes locking with his. There was no cocky grin, no mocking smirk. Just a smile. Calm. Confident. Unshaken. She turned her back on him without a word, walking toward her teammates.

Ushijima felt his heart jolt in his chest. Not from adrenaline. Not from anger. Something else.

Something dangerously close to admiration or...

…

The final whistle echoed across the gym. The scoreboard: 20–25, in favor of Tensai. Gasps and murmurs filled the stands, mixing with cheers from the Tensai bench. They had done it.

The match had been heated—relentless spikes, brutal blocks, and moments of pure chaos—but Y/N had played it like a chess game. Every move calculated, every fake deliberate. Her plan had been simple, yet ruthless: force the Shiratorizawa players to chase her tempo, not their own. And it worked.

The players lined up along the net. One by one, hands were shaken. Tendou reached her first, grinning wide despite the loss. “You got me good,” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I swear that set was going cross, but nope—dump shot.”

Y/N grinned. “Aw, don’t feel too bad. I only do it to people I like messing with.” Tendou snorted. “That’s somehow worse.”

She laughed, but her voice caught in her throat as she saw the next player. Ushijima.

Her pulse skipped. He extended his hand, silent and stoic as always—but when Y/N reached out, he wrapped his fingers fully around hers. Warm. Firm. Gentle.

Y/N could feel it—her knees almost gave out. Yup, I was going to die. Right here, right now, in the middle of the court. No glory, no spike. Just death by hand contact.

“Looks like we finally did what they wanted, huh,” she managed, forcing her gaze to stay on their joined hands instead of his unreadable expression. Her voice tried for playful, but her heart was doing full gymnastics.

There was a beat of silence. Then— “Yes,” Ushijima said quietly. Then he was gone. Just like that.

She finished shaking hands with the rest of the Shiratorizawa team. She was just about to escape the chaos when she heard it. “Y/N~!” Y/N didn’t even have to turn to know. Miyu, Of course.

Y/N sighed and turned slowly, bracing herself like she was facing a final boss.

Miyu stood there with heart-shaped eyes, literally sparkling with mischief, phone in hand like a weapon. “Can you take a picture with Ushijima?” she asked sweetly, voice dipped in fake innocence.

“What.” Y/N froze.

“One picture! Come on.”

“I—what—no—why would I—?”

And that’s how she ended up standing side by side with Ushijima, the scoreboard behind them. Miyu was practically vibrating with excitement as she took the photo. Y/N forced a smile, heart thundering, especially when Ushijima shifted just slightly closer, their arms brushing. The camera clicked.

Miyu: *sent a picture* Miyu: you two look so cuteeeeeeeeeeeee Natsuki: Y/N looks like she going to explode lol Y/N: because i am Natuski: My baby finally touched her husband Y/N: that sounds so weird Miyu: also, i sent it to Ushijima 🤭 Y/N: WHAT HUH WHAT Natsuki: GIRLGIRLLOOKATUSHIJIMA’SIG Y/N: ….djndimsajdbasjda

Y/N abandoned the chat and clicked on Instagram, thumbs trembling. There’s a new notification, @.wakatoshi_ushijima tagged you in a post. Her heart stopped a bit when she opened it.

There it was—the picture. The scoreboard glowing behind them, their arms nearly touching. The caption read: “Well played, @.Y/N_.”.

Y/N stared at her screen, frozen. Her brain short-circuited.

Oh no. She was falling. Hard.

Then a message popped up in the group chat.

Emi: the summer camp is cancelled due to an overlapping schedule. Coach said we’ll be joining the boys’ summer camp instead. Emi: They’re doing mixed scrims.

...

A/N: USHIJIMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA part 2? hehe

Warnings: grammar and cringe (?)

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astrobydalia · 4 months ago

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Vietnamese astrology observations

Some observations on the Vietnamese astrology signs to celebrate the lunar new year. Disclaimer: these are based on observations and experiences from my pov as a dragon lmao As always credits to @novy2sirius for the inspo and knowledge of these things.

astrobydalia

🎋I've rarely seen Tigers getting married or having a relationship that lasted more than 1-2 years💀💀 But the few ones that I've seen with stable marriages had spouses who were incredibly independent, someone who they admire and acts like they don't need/want the tiger person all that much. When tigers have these kinds of parters, they seem to be the most devoted and engaged in their relationships

💮Tigers are highly attracted to danger (e.g. Mr Beast), sometimes to very concerning extents

💮Tigers 🤝 having the attention span of an ipad kid. They like to command attention to themselves but don't like it when others demand their attention

💮Which speaking of, Tigers ooze main character energy I’ve noticed. They are the star of the show and they know it. It's hard to not notice them in a room and honestly they really do have that 'it' factor, have this ‘unique’ energy to them (I think Lady Gaga is very representative of this vibe)

💮My honest opinion on Tigers tho is that they’re annoying af, tend to be very abrupt and the kind of people who don’t know when it’s time to stop and stfu. Tiger men in particular I’ve noticed tend to say and do very inappropriate things often.... However I've seen older/more mature tigers that are pretty chill and simply have BDE

🎋Cats/Rabbits have beautiful smiles and a very youthful look to them. I’ve noticed however that they tend to smirk a lot, often appear cunning and mischievous cause they looooove messing with people, a lot of teasing and provoking. Very witty.

💮Also, cats/rabbits are pretty horny and slutty. Even when they don't talk about sex at all their energy is very sensual, they come off as "easy" iykwim

💮I’ve also noticed cats/rabbits have like some glow to them idk they look like this ✨🎀🪄 to me

🎋Horses are talented and really good at their job and crafts but they are also kinda bland and uninteresting tbh. On a surface level, they are cool cause they are rather playful, social and very engaging, they also have an approachable and warm aura. However they feel a lil vapid and superficial to me after some time. They don't look deeper into things and don't consider long-term consequences. They're also pretty aloof and inexpressive a lot of times

💮Horses are very agile tho both mentally and physically. They are quick to respond to immediate or short-term situations/problems and I've also seen they are prone to be on the go 24/7

💮I’ve also noticed horses tend to look strong, fit, muscular or in shape even when they don’t go to the gym

🎋I don't initially gravitate towards snakes but I always end up vibing with them incredibly well. Very profound, intelligent and insightful people. They have a lot of knowledge and wisdom about life. If you are looking to have philosophical convos they will totally deliver, both street smart+book smart

💮It's extremely hard to get close to them on a personal level tho. They have sus energy and seem to hide a shit ton of things about themselves.

💮Snakes are also very good at easing themselves into leading positions, they sneakily take charge of situations.

💮Snakes have a wild side when underdeveloped tho. A lot of snakes I know are into conspiracy theories and/or are all about this idea of going against the system or the stablished rules but like in a very unhinged way. Tend to also make apparently mindless decisions that make ppl go "wtf are you doing?". In many cases they can become controversial af (e.g. Kanye, JK Rowling)

💮Something I’ve noticed a lot with Snakes is that they tend to randomly ghost people. They’re the kind of people who you never really know where you stand with them unless y’all are super duper close. Tend be secretly very judgmental and have a very all-or-nothing mindset in their relationships (obsessive AF). They play A LOT of mind games with ppl all the time

🎋Both Tigers and snakes have difficult love lives and are prone to getting in abusive relationships. What I’ve seen with snakes in particular is that they tend to be the toxic and manipulative ones most of the times (e.g. Chris Brown). With tigers I've seen it go both ways but what stands out with them is that they tend to get in relationships where there is a MAYOR power imbalance in some way such as huge age gap or things like that (e.g. Amber Heard or Marylin Monroe). Tigers are attracted to forbidden people and that's also why they are the most prone to cheat

🎋RoostersI've noticed have very neat features, sharp jawlines, high cheekbones, nice lips, etc. They always look really snatched af and their bodies seem to have perfect proportions regardless of their body type.

💮And yeah I've seen they are indeed the most arrogant out of all the signs here

🎋Both Snakes and Roosters are rather funny and sarcastic, but roosters pull it off more naturally. They guenienly have an unbothered and unserious vibe to them so humor comes to them effortlessly even when they don't try at all. With snakes it feels like they are intentionally trying to be punny so it doesn't land the same a lot of times

💮A lot of roosters have memorable moments that become iconic memes😭:

💮A lot of Roosters ik actually do not think of themselves as being funny or charming at all. They usually describe themselves as serious and hardworking

🎋Dragons have a very large and in charge personality, they often appear chill and normal at first glance but I’ve noticed they tend to be known for being unapologetic and highly expressive (Rihanna, Ryan Raynolds, Emma Stone, Adele, Kenue Reeves)

💮When developed dragons quite literally and genuinely don’t give a fuck what people think, say or do to them. “Im just doing me” energy

💮Dragons tend to enhance their own self-importance as a defense mechanism when they’re insecure tho. They might or might not be the most confident but they’d rather die than let others see that

💮Dragons very often lack self-accountability or self awareness and tend to not handle conflict well. They are prone to having one-sided beef with people who aren't even thinking about them, I’ve seen this so much!!!!💀💀😭 It's giving:

💮On that same line, Dragons tend to be advocates against mean or bad ppl I've noticed but this often manifests as them getting in personal vendettas about things that have absolutely nothing to do with them. So a lot of times all they're doing is causing a chaos nobody asked for

🎋Goats I wanna protect tf out of them. It's so hard to stay mad at them fr, they have the most endearing energy and they're very popular from what I've observed.

💮When underdeveloped goats have the worst emotional intelligence and tend to be very emotionally volatile. Tend to take things personally very easily and make other people pay for their own issues

💮Goats are the definition of a simp when in love or in a relationship. They LOVE romance and tend to be really good at it as well

💮Goats are very soft spoken too!! I always find myself LOVING their voice or the way they speak, it's really soothing and hypnotic

🎋I honestly don’t like monkeys all that much, I can vibe with them cause we’re friend signs or whatever but they tend to be pretty childish, emotionally immature and self-centered imo. They can be very deep and intelligent but also fail to be responsible and take things seriously a lot of times

💮The good side of them is that they are very creative and they are the type of person that never gets old to have around, they have many hidden talents

💮Something else I like about Monkeys is they are really good with kids and are very family oriented. They truly love children and will prioritize the younger people in their life whether it’s their own kids, their siblings, etc

💮I've also noticed Monkeys can be big big liars. They lie a lot and for no reason at all.

🎋Pigs aren't really all that ambitious, what they mainly want out of life is to live with as much comfort, ease and financial stability as possible and that's it. The good thing about this is that this can make them rather genuine people, not the type to have a hidden agenda or anything like that

💮Pigs tend to be lazy but they can be hardworking at the same time. They drag their feet to do anything but when they finally bring themselves to put in the work they actually deliver great results. They are VERY financially smart too, you can count on them to get high-value and high-quality stuff

💮Honestly pigs actually have a lot of potential, they can be very disciplined but their main thing is that they expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter

💮I’ve noticed pigs are very likable but also tend to be socially awkward at the same time. They're like that one introverted person everyone loves and wants in the group

🎋I don't vibe with oxes for some reason. They appear calm, unassuming and grounded but my god they are strategic, calculating and ruthless affff. Very self-righteous too, have a very unapproachable energy😭

💮Oxes have a very harsh and cold “you gotta do what you gotta do” mindset and which can be really good but I think that's what I find the most unsettling about them. If you try to appeal to their more emotive side once they’ve set their mind on something they’ll look at you like this:

💮Oxes are very disciplined and resilient tho. If people try to tear them down those people will fail miserably. Truly a force to be reconned with

💮Oxes are super duper loyal too in EVERY aspect of their life, similar to dogs

💮A lot of oxes that I've seen were surprisingly into occult as well or were into holistic forms of self-improvement. They can be very "zen" people

🎋Oxes and pigs are the most materialistic signs from what I've seen.

🎋Snakes and dragons are the biggest gatekeepers. Not just with material things but with anything that is valuable to them and gives them sense of power (think of the legends of dragons always guarding a treasure and the sneaky and secretive nature of snakes)

🎋Rats are usually very playful and energetic I’ve seen but in a more graceful and charming way. Very good entertainers and cool people to have around to be honest, another sign that tends to be popular.

💮Rats seem to be all-rounders, very adaptable, fast learners and open-minded which is the main reason why I've seen they find success in the matrix.

💮The main negative I’ve seen with rats tho is that they can be rather opportunistic and hypocritical but they hide this very well. They’re really good at sweet talking others and staying in people’s good graces. Very manipulative and deceitful, they can easily hide any ulterior motives and appear genuine to others

💮A lot of Rats I know are interested in health and wellness in some way, having good hygiene, eating good food, working out, meditating, etc. Cooking in particular is a big thing with them I've noticed

🎋Dogs feel very mid to me….. I recognize they are MUCH more creative, intelligent and clever than horses imo but their go with the flow energy can make them very unoriginal or predictable.

💮Dogs are also the definition of “same old story”. Strong tendency to stay stuck in the past, going back to their old ways and never really reinventing themselves

💮The good thing about this tho is that its true dogs are loyal and consistent af tho, the kind of loyalty and devotion most people would only wish to find in someone and they are also peaceful, compromising and charming

💮Dogs are very pretty too, they clean up nicely but I've noticed they tend to be super insecure about their image

💮Dogs appear kind and trustworthy regardless of what kind of person they are deep down. Either they're genuinely very lawful and righteous people or very fake and phony, the type to smile to your face while planning to murder you in their heads

That's all folks!

astrobydalia

#astrology #astro #astro observations #astro notes #zodiac #birth chart #astrobydalia #dalia rants #astrology observations #astro community

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blueberrisdove-sideblog · 5 months ago

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༄.°🧅. BOXER MYDEI HEADCANONS

𝓼𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 : After a brutal, sweat-drenched match that left his knuckles sore and his opponent crumpled on the mat, Mydei stood victorious, the roar of the crowd fading into the pounding of your heart. His body, still tense with adrenaline, radiated heat as he pulled you into the dimly lit locker room, his gaze heavy with something far more intense than the fight he just won. The scent of sweat and leather clung to his skin as he pressed you against the cool metal lockers, hands rough yet deliberate, claiming you with the same relentless force that secured his victory in the ring.

𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 : nsfw/smut [MDNI], vaginal, cum cum…balls….big dick Mydei, p*ssy slapping, size kink, f*cking in the locker room, p*ssy eating, crying during s*x, after-care, holding orgasm, spanking, breeding kink & other stuff.

Boxer!Mydei Who is incredibly disciplined in the ring, his body a perfect blend of muscle and agility. Every punch, every movement, calculated with the precision of someone who’s been trained for years. Despite the brutality of his sport, he’s all focus, a determined look always in his eyes as he secures another victory.

Boxer!Mydei Who is quiet and reserved outside the ring, the kind of person who enjoys the calm after a storm. Once the fight is over, he seeks you out, a rare, genuine smile breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. His victories are never as sweet without you to share them with, and his touch is soft as he pulls you into his arms. “You’re so cute baby.” He mutters as he rests his chin your your head.

Boxer!Mydei Who isn’t shy about his needs once he’s alone with you. After winning a tough match, he’s not one for small talk—he’d rather show you how much he missed you during those hours spent fighting. His hands are rough, but when they’re on you, they’re steady and gentle, slowly undressing you as his eyes never leave yours.

Boxer!Mydei Who spreads your thighs while you both are in the locker room, eating you out. His tongue swirls around your clit, as you gasped softly. While he entered one of his fingers in your pussy.

Boxer!Mydei who forces you to hold your Orgasm and not allow you to cum, making tears streamed down your cheeks and beg for release.

Boxer!Mydei who finally lets you cum all over his fingers, giving a sharp slap on your pussy with your hand. Takes our fingers and slowly slides his cock in your entrance. His hips slapping against your ass, as your eyes rolls back. “Feels so good, doesn’t doll-face? Look at your face all fucked up just for me. And only for me.”

Boxer!Mydei Who loses all self-control when he's deep inside you, the heat of the fight still burning in his veins. His hands grip your hips possessively, holding you in place as he thrusts into you, his voice rough with a mix of love and pure, unfiltered desire. "You'd look so perfect carrying my child," he murmurs, pressing kisses along your jaw as he moves faster, deeper, desperate to fill you completelv.

Boxer!Mydei Who gets impossibly turned on at the thought of you swollen with his child, the idea making him snap-his movements growing more deliberate, more intense. "Gonna make sure you're mine in every way," he groans, pressing a hand against your lower stomach, as if he's already imagining the life he wants to put inside you.

Boxer!Mydei Who groans when he sees the way your body takes him so perfectly, his hands pressing firmly against your hips to keep you in place. His eyes darken as he leans down, his breath warm against your ear. "You want it too, don't you?" His voice is teasing, but there's a deeper need behind it. He watches your reaction closely, and the second you whimper his name, his control shatters-his pace becoming rougher, more deliberate, as he chases the thought of filling you up completely.

Boxer!Mydei Who, after the release, holds you close in the aftermath. He runs his fingers through your hair, whispering sweet words of praise in your ear. "I’ll always fight for you." Even if he’s a fighter in the ring, it’s you he’s fighting for, and when he pulls you in for a final kiss, it’s full of softness and devotion.

Boxer!Mydei Who whispers in your ear while still catching his breath, his voice husky from both the fight and what he just did to you. “You take care of me better than any championship ever could.” His fingers trace lazy circles on your skin, his body still warm from the adrenaline, refusing to let you go even as exhaustion starts to settle in.

© 2024-2025 blueberrisdove-sideblog all rights reserved. pretty please, do not steal my dividers, translate and plagiarize any of my works, or either repost my works in any other platform without asking, thank you!

#blueberrisdove #honkai star rail mydei #mydei smut #mydei x you #mydei hsr #mydeimos #hsr mydei #mydei x reader #mydei #mydei x y/n #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail smut #honkai sr #honkai star rail #honkai x reader

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buckiverse · 5 months ago

Note

hiiii, im callista, the one who actually made the CAWK ANALYSIS DIAGRAM, and im begging you to talk about xav and raf too so i can add them to our very important research <3

☆ warnings: mdni, a cock analysis for rafayel (including lemurian form) and xavier

☆ a/n: when i saw your post on twitter I was so shocked >< (in a let me pick up a mf pen and paper type of way) but, when I started cooking this one I did in fact realize I am a monster fucker when it involves rafayel (and sylus too who am I kidding fr), so I am looking forward to the updated research hehehe

sylus, caleb, and zayne ver.

R6.76GGPV - #dc9ca2

Rafayel’s physique is striking. He’s tall, with a lean, wiry frame that speaks to his grace and agility. Don’t be fooled by his size—this man is one with the water. His strength is deceptive, fluid, and undeniable. And, let’s be real: he’s lean, he’s sculpted, and damn, he looks incredible. His stamina is off the charts—of course, he’s a God of the sea. Hello?

Now, let’s get to the real topic at hand: his cock. It’s not the biggest—6.76 (17.1704 cm) inches, rounded to the nearest decimal—but Rafayel is a grower, okay. And what he has is a masterpiece. Gorgeous. I mean gorgeous. The kind of cock that makes you want to worship him, offering yourself up at his altar. There’s a bit of girth to it, too, and trust me, it’s a blessing in itself.

The head? Perfectly shaped, a stunning, pretty pink—honestly, it could be my new favorite lipstick shade. As for his pubic hair? None. Nada. Rafayel is smooth, clean, and pristine. (or he has designs because, yes the fuck he would) But here’s the thing: he doesn’t care what you do with yours. Whatever you’re working with, it’ll drive him wild.

Oh, and the veins. He doesn’t have many, but each one is perfectly placed like his cock was crafted by the gods themselves (maybe because he is one). No more than three, all connecting at various places on his shaft, and if you trace your fingers on it—even if it's a feather-light touch, his cock will jump. It’s almost too pretty—like a work of art you can’t stop staring at.

☆

Now, let’s talk about Rafayel as the Lemurian. His cock in this form? Thick. Fat. Gloriously imposing. At a solid nine inches (22.86 cm), it’s crowned with a knot at the base that’s thick and impossibly enticing. And his shaft is covered in soft, smooth scales—silky to the touch, like oiled skin or delicate petals. That knot? It’s primal, and when he’s overcome by the need to breed, it’s game over. Once he’s inside, don’t even think about running. You’re his, and he’s not letting you go until he’s filled you with his little sea heirs.

Oh, and just imagine him murmuring in that low, teasing voice: “Isn’t this what you wanted, pretty girl?” And you know his eyes are dark and overcome with need.

The scales don’t stop at his cock, either. They trail up his sides, climbing his torso, adding a texture that’s as sensitive as it is otherworldly. When you run your hands over him, he’s electrified, almost trembling with the intensity of sensation. And his cock? Hyper-sensitive. In this form, he’s consumed by the urge to breed, to claim you completely.

Careful what you wish for—because when Rafayel takes you, there’s no turning back.

X6.5GGPT - #c97677

As we all know, Xavier’s figure is quite shrouded in clothes. But truly—his figure is imposing. He’s tall, surprisingly muscular, it’s easy to forget this man is a trained (experienced) hunter. Of course he’s in good shape—it’s impossible for him not to be. He needs to be agile and perceptive—just like how he fucks by the way (like a jack rabbit).

So, his cock. Well, it's pretty—too pretty. A solid six and a half inches (16.51 cm), and yes, he’s a grower. Like I said, his clothes hide everything. And it’s thick, too thick for his own good—Xavier has a habit of reveling in your reaction to it—everytime. When he pulls his pants down and he watches your eyes grow big, your pupils dilate, he can see the wheels turning in your head.

The head is like a mushroom and is so pretty pink, it has a beautiful red tint to it. So thick and it stretches you out everytime, and the tears pooling in your eyes get him going, he might say something like “You’re everything—do you know that? Everything.” Oh gosh and he keeps the hair low and trimmed or he’s bald—a perk of aging slowly is that everything grows slowly too.

And did i mention—he can make it glow. The craziest thing about him is that he's a come machine. He has this innate ability to pump endless amounts of come into you—he needs too. He has too much stamina and can go forever.

He’s literally fucking insatiable, once he has a taste of you.

☆

R6.76GGPV: rafayel-6.76inch-girthy-grower-pink-veiny

X6.5GGPT: xavier-6.5inch-grithy-grower-pink-trimed

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tsumuus · 6 months ago

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spiderman!izuku who...

Spiderman!Izuku who had always been the shy, freckled boy you knew since childhood. As your best friend, he was always there with his warm, lopsided smile, listening to your stories, and cheering you on when life got tough. Izuku Midoriya was dependable, maybe a little awkward, but endearing in every way. What you didn’t know, however, was that your lovable, nerdy friend also spent his nights swinging across the city, clad in red and blue, saving people as Spiderman.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell you. He did. But every time he thought about revealing his secret, the fear of putting you in danger stopped him. So, for now, he kept his two identities separate, even as his feelings for you grew into something much more than friendship.

Spiderman!Izuku who was patrolling the quieter streets one night when he spotted you walking home alone. He hadn’t expected to see you- it was late, and you usually had someone accompany you. But there you were, clutching your bag tightly and looking over your shoulder every few minutes. Izuku’s heart raced for a different reason than the adrenaline of swinging through the city. He wanted to swoop down and say something, but that would’ve given too much away.

Then, it happened. A group of thugs emerged from the shadows, blocking your path. You tried to stay calm, but their intentions were clear as one of them demanded your bag. Panic gripped you, and you barely registered the blur of red and blue that landed between you and them.

Spiderman!Izuku who saved you that night, making quick work of the robbers with his webbing and agility. You stared in awe as Spiderman, the Spiderman, protected you, his movements precise yet effortless. When it was over, he turned to you, extending a hand to help you up from where you’d stumbled. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle despite the mask.

You nodded, too stunned to speak. He stayed just long enough to make sure you were safe, then disappeared into the night before you could thank him properly. From that moment on, your view of Spiderman shifted completely. He wasn’t just some vigilante swinging around the city- he was your hero.

Spiderman!Izuku who listened to you gush about Spiderman the next day with a bittersweet smile. “He saved me, Izuku!” you exclaimed, your eyes sparkling. “He’s incredible- so brave, so kind. And have you seen his moves? Amazing!”

Izuku felt a pang in his chest. On one hand, he was thrilled that you admired Spiderman- him. But on the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel overshadowed by his alter ego. You liked Spiderman, but did you like Izuku? He doubted it, especially when you were so open about your admiration for the masked hero.

Spiderman!Izuku who couldn’t hide his feelings for you, no matter how hard he tried. As your friendship continued, the lines between Spiderman and Izuku blurred in his mind. He found himself wanting to spend more time with you as both versions of himself. But he held back, afraid of complicating things or putting you in harm’s way.

You, meanwhile, started noticing the little things about Izuku- how he always seemed to know when you were in a bad mood, how he looked at you like you were the most important person in the world, how he’d disappear at odd times but always reappear with an apologetic smile. The more time you spent with him, the more you wondered if your growing admiration for Spiderman was distracting you from someone who’d been by your side all along.

Spiderman!Izuku who finally couldn’t take it anymore. One evening, after you’d finished another ramble about Spiderman, he blurted out, “What about me?”

You blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

“What about me, Y/N?” His voice cracked with vulnerability. “I… I’ve been here the whole time. I’ve always been here for you. Do I… even compare to Spiderman in your eyes?”

His words hit you like a ton of bricks. You stared at him, realizing how much he’d been holding back. Suddenly, all those little things you’d overlooked- his kindness, his unwavering support, the way he looked at you like you hung the moon- clicked into place.

Spiderman!Izuku who revealed his secret that night, unable to keep it from you any longer. When he pulled off his mask, your breath caught. “Izuku…” you whispered, a mixture of shock and realization washing over you.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” he said, his voice trembling. “I didn’t want to put you in danger. But I can’t stand the thought of you not knowing how much you mean to me. As Spiderman and as Izuku.”

Tears pricked your eyes as you stepped closer. “You idiot,” you said softly, a smile breaking through. “You’ve always been my hero. I was just too blind to see it.”

Spiderman!Izuku who finally got the happy ending he’d been dreaming of. From that moment on, you were no longer just friends- you were partners in every sense of the word. Whether he was swinging through the city or sitting next to you in class, Izuku knew he’d found his greatest strength in you. And for you, knowing the man behind the mask only deepened your admiration for the boy who had always been by your side.

a/n spiderman izuku my love

masterlist

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jambalaya-enthusiast · 7 months ago

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MOUTHWASHING CHARACTERS HEADCANONS!

under the cut!

Captain, Grant Curly.

Nationality : His mother is Half Australian/Canadian. And his father is Half British/American.

Age: 36

Height: 193 cm ( 6'4 )

Sexuality: he is questioning,but he definitely ain't straight.

Comes from a very big and happy family,is the 3rd oldest brother to 2 sisters and 1 brother. And has 2 older brothers.

His parents are very happily married.

His family is the type to host dinner parties every now and then and invite the entire neighborhood over for barbeques.

has a reputation of being 'the picture perfect family'.

He is the tallest out of his siblings.

Got his driver's license first.

Is very protective of all of his siblings,even the older ones.

Valedictorian.

Was the sports team's captain for 3 years running.

Extremely well liked at the gym,lots of newcomers look up to him.

Can play the violin, effortlessly.

Can also play the guitar very well.

His family had a Rottweiler for 17 years.

All of his siblings have moved out.

Was a very popular jock in high school,but so kind that students and teachers alike loved him.

Met Jimmy in middle school,and for some reason became joint at the hip with him. His fellow peers didn't understand why he liked jimmy so much.

Has had a fuckton of girlfriends all throughout highschool and college.

Only drinks beer,does not smoke.

Is kind of a country bumpkin.

Co-Pilot, Jimmy "Jim" Zare.

Nationality: American. ( Mom is from Louisiana,Dad is from Florida ) Born and brought up in Texas.

Age: 34

Height: 180 cm ( 5'11 )

Sexuality: Closeted gay with internalised homophobia.

Comes from a nuclear family consisting of him and his parents.

Did not have a happy home life growing up.

His parents did not have a happy marriage and were constantly fighting.

M O M M Y I S S U E S

his mother didn't like him from the get go,he was very close with his father up until his death.

His mysogynistic behaviour comes from the pent up hatred towards his mother.

Used to be a kleptomaniac.

Contrary to popular belief,he takes good care of his hygiene.

tw. ( used to self harm,but hated his scars,hence he always wears full sleeved clothes )

When he met curly,he wanted so badly to be friends with him because he thought he was so cool.

Had no friends other then curly growing up.

Picked up a smoking habit at the age of 14.

Heavy drinker.

Although he is quite lanky,his agility is shit.

Might be ooc for him,but he's an incredibly talented chef. But hates talking about it.

His grades were average at best growing up.

Was a great swimmer.

After his mother's death,his grandparents took him in.

Has a huge ass crush on curly but feels so disgusted with himself that he passes homophobic comments in front of curly to erase any suspicions.

This pent up crush slowly started building up into hatred.

The school counselor did try to look out for him,but he just never cared.

Never been in a relationship.

Nurse,Anya Marinova

Nationality: American/Russian.

Age: 29

Height: 175 cm ( 5'9 )

Sexuality: Closeted Lesbian.

Her parents divorced shortly after she was born,she never really saw her father because her mother moved to America soon after the divorce.

Her father did help out with her education.

She has a half-sister. ( Same mother different father )

Is very close to her half-sister.

Her sister was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer at the age of 7,it's where she got her dream to be a nurse from.

Loves listening to music when she goes out for walks.

Is a skilled scuba diver.

The only makeup she wears is mascara.

Isn't really all that close with her mother.

Her grades were very very impressive up until college,where she slipped due to feeling burnt out.

Jollibee > Kfc

She has visited russia once when she was 8

Used to have a pet snake.

Has lots and lots and lots of friends from high school and college that she still hangs out with.

Doesn't drink but occasionally smokes due to stress. ( She has never told a single soul this )

Prior to boarding the tulpar she had heard about curly. ( Due to his popularity )

Loves sweet things.

Wanted to be a vet originally.

Mechanic,Swansea Harold.

Nationality: American. with Welsh/Irish Ancestry.

Age: 58

Height: 172 cm ( 5'8 )

Sexuality: Straight.

Used to slack off in college.

His father passed away without having seen his son's sobriety.

His mother was heavily disappointed in him,up until he decided to get sober.

Is the middle child of 7 siblings.

His older brothers helped him out financially throught out his struggling years.

He met his wife when he was in his mid to late thirties,his wife had already been divorced with a son.

After his marriage he had a daughter with her.

Drinks root beer a lot.

His sneaker collection is no joke,he has a closet dedicated to them.

Curly was an intern of his,and he is incredibly proud of him.

He actually had given his paella recipe to jimmy.

Snores very loud.

Dislikes sweet and heavily spicy things.

'who the fuck messed with the thermostat?' kind of a dad.

Has showed up to every single one of his kid's school events.

Is quite scared of his father in law.

Whenever Daisuke would fall asleep,he would sometimes sneakily play on his game boy kid.

Mechanic Intern,Daisuke Juanez

Nationality: Half Japanese/ Half Mexican.

Age: 20

Height: 177 cm ( 5'10 )

Sexuality: Questioning.

has 3 older sisters.

His parents relationship was quite tumultuous but they always managed to work it out.

Comes from wealth.

His three sisters are already well settled in different countries.

Was very popular back in high school and college.

Although his grades weren't the brightest,his charismatic personality is what drew people to him.

Runs very fast.

Although he was popular, he's only been in a relationship twice.

The arcade which he frequents has kids waiting for him to show up,to teach them how to win.

Loves to eat different cuisines. ( Indian and Mexican are his top ones! )

Loves eating spicy food.

Had a weeb phase.

Used to be in the theatre club in school.

His family loves animals.

Has 7 cats.

He got his left ear pierced at 16. His mom whooped the shit out of him.

Very clumsy,has random ass bruises all over his body.

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northopalshore · 2 months ago

Text

Derivative astrology

Your spouse's reputation

For this method, we'll be looking at the 4th house of your natal chart, the 4th house ruler & planets in the 4th house to determine your future spouse's (public) reputation and quite possibly what they are known for. Although not a direct link, it can also give you hints about their possible career too. Does not translate to their actual Midheaven sign or placement, it's their energy.

Signs & degrees

Do not repost on other sites! Especially on TikTok man, I see you ʕ⁠´⁠ಠ⁠ᴥ⁠ಠ`⁠ʔ ฅ 🔊 🍽️ Northopalshores' Masterlist| union persona chart| paid readings

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋ Common additional asks

In °0 👉🏻check for Aquarius

In retrograde 👉🏻 calmer or opposite version of non retrograde

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑

Aries (°1,°13,°25)

Your partner is known as quite the flirt. Not to say they are a Casanova, but something about them just oozes raw sexuality, confident and some how childish fun or innocence. They can be coy and act like they got their shit together (high nose and everything) but they're not trying to sell anyone that image permanently. They are known for their enthusiasm and energy often giving 100% of themselves into something even if it may appear measley to others. They are also protective and may get rather hot headed (have a brat streak) to them. They are a hard worker and people appreciate their strength and resilience.

🍡Possible careers: dancer, self employed, any job that requires movement or physical attraction/contact/agility & hard work or labour.

Taurus (°2,°14,°26)

Your partner is known for being a levelheaded individual with a friendly yet professional temperament. They have a warm and strong presence that eases the mind of everyone that they meet. They are always seen as presentable and expensive. People know them for their good taste and easygoing yet still strong and enduring personality. They have the ability to ease one's doubt with just their presence alone. They are seen as gracious and we'll mannered too, many will find your spouse relatable.

🍡Possible careers: Anything that has to do with children, beauty, fashion, partnerships, business person

Gemini (°3,°15,°27) | Mercury in or conjunct the 4th House

Your future spouse is know to be quite the comedian. They are someone people find incredibly entertaining and always the interesting character. It may be hard for people to peel their eyes or attention away from your spouse as they are naturally humours. They are known to be someone with a quick mind, and a knack for talking. Like, reaally talking. People could praise them for having a good voice or something about their voice just feels so good to hear or is prominent in some way. They could be the person with the funny accent, expressive speech pattern, good voice or chronic overthinker/oversharer. Witty, smart and also tend to critique themselves a lot. Either way, their voice & thoughts plays an important role in their reputation.

🍡Possible careers: Singers, musicians, teachers, writers, comedians, actors, whatever that requires talking, expressiveness, creativity and entertainment

Cancer (°4,°16,°28) | Moon in the or conjunct the 4th house

Your partner as a kind, reassuring presence. People often come to them for support or see them as an emotionally supportive and nurturing individual. They may feel like a mother in a way, even if they are a man. They are known for their empathy and compassion as well as their emotional intelligence. Your spouse gives off the energy of a caretaker and someone who is careful & considerate. Some may come off like a mom or a grandmother to others lol.

Ex: Barack Obama has natal IC in Taurus °28 Cancer. Michelle is known for her calm demeanor, and her authentic personality. She's disciplined, caring and emotionally intelligent. I should also mention he has Moon in the 4th house. She was well respected and loved as during the time she was first lady.

🍡Possible careers: Retail, home realtors, doctors, advisor, nurse, doctor, anything that requires authenticity and "soul"

Leo (°5,°17,°29) | Sun in or conjunct the 4th House

Your partner has a reputation of being loud & proud (and for some, abrasive). They are a strong character on their own and do not let anything change their way or perspective about anything. They are known to have a strong mentality, they are also known as a passionate fighter. Something about their looks is always talked about or noticed as well. They could be known to look a certain way.

🍡Possible careers: entertainer, actor, model, teacher, anything that requires them to be bold and bring attention to themselves

Virgo (°6,°18)

Your future partner is known to be quite the critique in both the good way & bad. They're known to be quite and have a lot on their mind. This usually is most evident when they start getting into "the zone" and people will know not to obstruct them during that time. You partner is know to be a generally good natured individual who may come off as rather dry at times even if they are a naturally friendly person. They are know to be smart (which means more towards intuition or introspection). Your partner has quite the reliable reputation being everyone's go-to person.

🍡Possible careers: doctor, teacher, nurse, secretary, someone that works at a church or any job that requires them to help others or methodical work

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑

Libra (°7,°19) | Venus in or conjunct the 4th House

Your partner is known to be an easygoing, likeable person with a strong sense of justice and morality. They're likely known as someone smart and persuasive too. Their looks, business, connections or relationships with other people tend to be the highlight of their reputation.

🍡Possible careers: Model, any job that requires them to deal with other people, socializing, interacting, debating or planning, group work, secretary etc

Scorpio (°8,°20) | Pluto conjunct or in the 4th House

Your partner is known as a shy, or rather repressive. They are known to be rather messy & reclusive as well. They are known to be strong and passionate and is able to endure a lot of things that come their way. They could seem rather emotionally driven, raw and powerful but they may or may not know how to control that energy. Some may be been as rather violent or have self destructive tendencies. In some cases, they may be described as "to exploit or be exploited". They could be known as scary too lol.

🍡Possible careers: anything that requires hard work, may have dangerous or controversial careers, something that requires a lot of strength or resilience from them, anything that requires them to oppose something

Sagittarius (°9,°21) | Jupiter in or conjunct the 4th House

Your spouse has a big personality, and someone that everyone tends to like due to how enthusiastic and friendly they are. They tend to have a comedic reputation, being someone chill yet still sharp and knowledgeable. They have the "funny man/woman" reputation. They are known to have a big or exotic, exaggerated energy about them.

Ex: Ryan Reynolds has his natal IC in Sagittarius °22 Capricorn. Blake is known to be a fun and humourous person (sort of embodying a similar energy as him in a way) though people tend to have mixed feelings about her due to her abrasive (exaggerated) nature. I don't think she was acting when she was in Gossip Girl lmao.

🍡Possible careers: anything that requires them to be the center of attention, something that requires them to think or give their opinion about often, could be a desirable job, anything related to storytelling as well like writers, actors or a lyricist

Capricorn (°10,°22) or Saturn in & conjunct IC

Your partner is known to be someone with a good head on their shoulder. Someone with a clear purpose or desire in life. People find them respectful and hardworking. They take on most of their duties seriously and may be hard on themselves as well. It's their hardwork and professionalism that people usually notice most (what they're known for).

In the °22nd degree specifically, people have very.. varied opinions of your spouse. On one hand people may really like them and find them powerful and influential yet on the other hand people can also find them to be self centered or obnoxious.

🍡Possible careers: anything surrounding business, anything that requires them to be a certain way or at more in control of themselves, a job that may be criticized or requires them to be responsible (I know it's vague asf but that's usually the case). Could also work for themselves.

Aquarius (°11,°23) or Uranus in & conjunct the IC

Your spouse is known as someone who is innovative and resourceful. They have a quick way about them, and usually they are known to think outside of the box. They may be known to be quite rebellious and brazen. May be known as quite the smarty pants too. Someone who does things their way. Their methods may be questionable, but they seem to be quite certain of it. Some with these placements may have a partner with a "trainwreck" reputation.

🍡Possible careers: the dreaded freelancer (lmao), anything in relation to the internet or technology, doing what they want, a career that requires them to express themselves as they want or are

Pisces (°12,°24)

Your spouse is known for being a kind, funny person with a mellow personality. They are also known for being a "bubbly" mutable person, that does not judge or ground themselves to a certain way or energy, they tend to have a youthful personality regardless of their age. They are emotional and sensitive but may appear rather irrational at times. They are known to be quite the sociable person as well even with strangers. Also, they have a bit of a "clumsy" reputation. Their creativity and sensitivity is what they're most known for.

🍡Possible careers: teachers, caretakers, actors, whatever that requires them to adapt themselves accordingly, dealing with children or music and creativity

Asteroids

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑

Mars in or conjunct the 4th house

( not an asteroid but I wanted to separate mars from the others)

Your partner may have a "hustler" grindset (mindset). They are likely known as a pathfinder too (doing things that others may not, taking more risks, doing things first). They are known to be a vitalizing presence that may act before thinking or strike when the iron is hot! They are an opportunistic person, and are seen as very passionate about whatever it is that they do (albeit annoying at times or one track minded).

Ex: Beyoncé has Cancer IC °18 Virgo with North Node & Mars in the 4th house. Jay-Z is a business man through and through. He is a way paver, and has his money on his mind.

Neptune in or conjunct the 4th House

(Again, not an asteroid but I wanted to separate it)

Your partner is known as someone very charming yet misleading. They are known to be a people person, or someone that everyone can get along with. People may idealise your partner as well for their talents, looks or personality.

Chiron in or conjunct the 4th House

Your partner is known to be a self sacrificing person. They may give more to others than themselves. They have a very healing presence and are known to be rather humble. Though for some it means that they are seen as someone incompetent or easy to brush off or disrespected.

🍡Possible careers: healers, doctors, advisors anything requiring patience, support and understanding

Groom (5129) or Briede (19029) in or conjunct the 4th house

Your future spouse may be known for being your partner, people usually link their reputation to you in some way. Could also be seen as someone dedicated. If you are masculine and are attracted to the feminine, then having Briede in the 4th can result in them being more prominently noticed in as a partner or in their career life compared to you & vice versa for Groom.

Ex: Michael Jackson has Groom in Cancer °0 in the 4th house. Both Lisa and Debbie were noted as his spouse and are still known for being so married to him. He is more the center of attention in the public eye when they are together is what I mean.

Ex ii: Ariana Grande has Briede in her 4th house. Even when she's with any of her parents, she is more popular or seen as the center of attention more than her partners.

Juno in or conjunct the 4th House

Your partner is known to be a very professional, yet zealous and vibrant. People find them to be very attractive (personality wise) as they look and act confident & desirable!

Starr (4150) in or conjunct the 4th House

Your spouse is known to be someone that people tend to idealise or admire. They are the "it" person, or someone that may seem like they have the upper hand in life & especially in their career or with their public life. They are just perceived as someone very charming & lucky.

Fama (408) in or conjunct the 4th House

Your spouse or partner can be quite popular, they tend to be the talk of the town or wherever that they go (for whatever reason). People could notice your partner most when you are together or they may boost your image in a way. It's not necessarily tied to traditional fame.

North Node in or conjunct the 4th House

Your partner is known to be quite the workaholic. They are someone with a clear purpose in mind, and are very focused on themselves & that aforementioned sense of purpose. They tend to be people who are respected for whatever they do as well.

Lilith in or conjunct the 4th House

Your spouse is known to be the unconventional type. They tend to stand out the most wherever they go or wherever they work due to their distinctive energy and personality, this can make them sort of a "star player", but at the same time can mean they attract a lot of competition or jealousy as well. People tend to look or stare at them a lot. Still, I think this placement can go both ways; either they are seen as an asshole or people are assholes to them (they make others insecure).

₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ . ₊ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑ ⊹ .₊๋‧₊ ˚ ⊹ ࣭ ⭑

Hope this helps ♡

@northopalshore

#derivative astrology #Derivative 4th house #spouse reputation astrology #future spouse indicators #astrology blog #astrology observations #astrology notes #astro observations #astro notes #astrology #astrology content #astrology ramblings #astrology community

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teshadraws · 2 months ago

Text

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 70]

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AO3 Link

Nia, Tobias, Samir and Junie meet a few new faces--and one old acquaintance--in the village atop the mountains, and focus on recuperating before their search for Yveltal continues.

Nia feels dizzy with relief as they’re taken to the village. She tightens her arms around the neck of the lucario who’s carrying her, grateful that they’re doing most of the work of holding her and Junie up.

Junie is quiet where she’s nestled in the crook of Nia’s neck, surely just as exhausted as the rest of them, so Nia closes her eyes as the moonlit snow of the mountainside rushes by at an incredible speed, wind whistling against her ears with each impressive leap through the air. The lucario are beyond agile.

Lucario—Nia’s evolved form. She’s sure she’ll have a million questions for them once she doesn’t feel like a lump of a person anymore.

Could Nia make leaps like this one day, if she stayed in this world long enough to evolve? She’s pretty sure she could already manage the snowshoe technique they’re using with a little practice, and she’s weirdly proud that she thought of something similar during the avalanche, spiking her aura through her snowshoes to cling to the ice like cleats.

The lucario leap and bound silently, though, gracefully navigating the mountainside in a way that Nia knows she would struggle with. They move as a seamless group, like a school of fish, and Nia wonders if they’re using aura to communicate rather than words, or if they’re just that well-trained. She could probably use her own aura to find out, but she can tell her energy is low after holding back the avalanche.

Plus, some part of her suspects that would be rude. Like eavesdropping.

So Nia stays quiet and keeps her aura to herself, despite the way she can feel other auras brushing by hers on occasion, gone too fast for her to decipher what they’re feeling.

Time passes in a surreal blur, both endless and instant. Finally, Nia notices the lucario beneath her slowing down, and she lifts her head to see that they’re cresting a snowy ridge, light glowing from beyond its lip. And when they reach the top, Nia can see its source.

The village. It’s tucked away inside the shallow bowl of a valley, the slopes surrounding it too gentle for an avalanche to form. The buildings themselves are made from stone and wood, low to the ground with steeply pointed, snow-covered roofs. Thick ice crawls up the foundations of the buildings and hang as icicles from the edges of their roofs like delicate adornments, glistening with firelight from the torches outside nearly every home. Through the cracks in windows and doors, Nia can see more firelight beckoning with its golden glow.

Nia doesn’t think she’s ever seen a more inviting sight in her life. She’s so ready to be warm.

The lucario who rescued them cluster together as they enter the village proper, the leader striding forward with purpose and a destination clearly in mind.

Since night has already fallen, it seems like most of the villagers are already tucked away inside their homes, but there are still a couple of Pokemon out and about, nearly all of them species Nia hasn’t seen before. Ice types, most likely.

There’s a giant polar bear with icicles growing on his face like a beard, a basket full of some kind of vegetable or root sitting on his hip. A tiny blue and white bear cub with a dripping nose toddles after him.

A large white yeti Pokemon with an afro-like snowball atop his head pushes a sleigh of crates across the snow with his powerful arms. He passes by them with a quiet word of greeting to the lucario and a wary glance at Nia and the others.

A pale blue dinosaur Pokemon with a build similar to Maggie and a lovely sunset-toned frill atop her head watches them curiously from her house’s window.

Nia can’t manage more than a tired smile when she meets each of their gazes, but they don’t seem all that excited to see strangers. Fidel did say they’d be seen as outsiders, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t have a warm reception, even if some part of Nia can’t help feeling a bit hurt when they don’t return her friendliness. She tries not to take it personally.

“The Matriarch will want to speak with you right away,” the lead lucario says, catching Nia’s attention. It’s clear from how he says it that it’s an order, and not an offer.

“What about Fidel and Samir?” Nia asks, looking back at the zoroark’s limp form being carried between two of the lucario. “They’re both hurt.”

The lead lucario glances over his shoulder at Fidel, then looks forward again. Wordlessly, the two lucario carrying Fidel peel off to take the zoroark elsewhere.

“Hey!” Tobias barks. “Where are they—"

“The healer. Is your injury urgent, Skiddo?”

Nia glances back again to see Samir shake their head no, which Nia knows better than to fight against even if they really should get their leg looked at sooner rather than later.

Nia wishes they could rest before having to explain everything, but the lucario ahead of them is all business and strides through the small village at a quick pace, his tall ears pricked. She doesn’t think he’d agree to dropping them off somewhere for food and sleep before accomplishing what he has set out to do.

Luckily, it’s only a couple of minutes before Nia sees their destination. It’s a building larger than the others, and the ice at its base is much taller than the other clusters in the village, surrounding the structure like a fancy crystalline frame. A small set of stairs leads up to thick wooden doors, and the lead lucario opens them without hesitation, the others following him inside.

The lead lucario guides them down a surprisingly ornate front hall decorated with rugs on the floor, tapestries along the walls, and shelves and side tables displaying beautiful stones and gems. It’s dim, the wooden interior warm but not well-lit, and Nia barely has a chance to look around before they’re reaching the end of the hall and turning to enter a smaller room.

The new space is surprisingly cozy, almost like a den. It’s dim, lit by the flicker of a fireplace, but it’s just as well decorated as the front hall. Tapestries cover the walls in geometric patterns and abstract depictions of Pokemon, mountains, and plants. More stones and gems sit atop shelves and bookcases, glinting in the firelight. And in front of the fireplace, sitting atop a plush rug, are two tall chairs.

The lead lucario guides their group around the chairs, the pack gently setting them down onto their own shaky feet. Nia shudders as the heat of the fire hits her back; the warmth is both incredibly welcome and somehow too hot after being exposed to the frigid air outside. She watches over Samir’s head as most of the lucario exit the room, save for the leader who guided them here.

A new Pokemon catches Nia’s attention next, sitting in front of them in one of the high-backed chairs. She’s sipping from a stone mug with her eyes closed, but Nia’s gut swoops with surprise and lingering guilt as she realizes the Pokemon looks like Ezra. She has a similar shade of sleek, dark blue fur and a gleam of gold at her forehead. And around her mug, the impressive claws of Ezra’s evolutionary line are curled. The only differences are that she’s larger than Nia’s friend, and her striking red ears are held much lower beneath a tall, proud crown of feathers. Maybe she’s the sneasel line’s evolution?

The second thing Nia notices are the barely visible streaks of gray around her face, marking her age. A thin, patterned shawl also rests around her shoulders. She must be on the older side, but there’s something about the confident, leisurely way she holds herself that makes Nia feel like she’s still a force to be reckoned with.

“Matriarch,” the lead lucario says, bowing respectfully.

Nia hurries to bow as well, clamping a hand over Junie when the bird nearly falls off her shoulder.

“Soren,” the Matriarch says in return, voice wry. She opens sharp, cat-like eyes to look over Nia and the others. “So you’re the mites that set off the avalanche? You and that zoroark.”

The lucario, Soren, answers for them with a nod. He must’ve used his aura to let her know that ahead of time.

“Interesting that there’s a riolu among you,” the Matriarch comments, looking at Nia with idle curiosity. “It’s rare for riolu to separate from the packs, isn’t it?��

Nia exchanges an uncertain look with Tobias and Samir. What does she say to that?

“She’s human,” Soren answers, his tone unreadable.

Nia’s head whips over to stare at him. Soren stares back with piercing blue eyes.

There’s no way he should know that, so…he must’ve picked that up from her aura, even if Nia’s never noticed much of a difference between a Pokemon’s aura and a human’s aura. But she knows he’s been paying careful attention to hers ever since they met. Even now, she can feel his energy—a deep, almost royal blue color—brushing near hers, not quite looking at her feelings or thoughts but almost…encircling her. Guarding her aura and preparing to counter if she uses it in some way.

She doesn’t like the claustrophobic feeling.

Nia swallows down a note of fear. Okay, so they know she’s human. They still rescued them and brought them to the village, so even if Soren’s guarded stare isn’t her favorite thing in the world, they aren’t immediately freaking out about her humanity.

The Matriarch sips at her drink, watching. Waiting.

“I-I am human,” Nia admits. “My name is Nia. These are my friends—my teammates. Tobias, Samir, and Junie.” She gestures to each of them in turn. “The zoroark is our friend Fidel.”

The Matriarch glances at Soren, then back to them. “You four seem relatively unscathed for how injured the zoroark is.”

Nia winces, fresh guilt clogging her throat. “I used my aura to protect us, but Fidel was scouting ahead. I…I couldn’t reach him in time.”

The aura surrounding Nia’s tightens for a moment. Nia feels a flicker of Soren’s emotions.

Suspicion. Unease.

Just as quickly as they arrived, the emotions distance themselves.

“You held back the avalanche by yourself?” The Matriarch asks, tone neutral.

Nia nods.

Soren continues to stare at Nia, frowning. “You also knew that we were approaching you on the mountainside. And what our intentions were.”

Nia frowns back at him. Should…she not have been able to do that? “Yes..? I felt your aura searching for ours. That you were looking for survivors to bring back to the village.”

The lucario doesn’t respond, though the furrow in his brow deepens slightly.

“I suppose the next question is why you were trying to climb the mountain in the first place,” the Matriarch says, finishing her drink and setting it onto the side table with a quiet clunk of stone on wood. “Not many venture this way, and for good reason. You would’ve been dead by morning without the pack’s goodwill.”

Nia swallows, nodding. “W-We know.” She glances at Soren. “Thank you again.”

Soren doesn’t respond.

Beside her, Tobias steps forward. “We were sent here on a mission by Augustus, the Lexym guildmaster.”

The Matriarch straightens in her seat, clearly recognizing the name of the rillaboom.

“We’re looking into the world’s instability and suspect we might know the cause of it,” Tobias continues. “And we’re trying to figure out how to fix it before it’s too late.”

The Matriarch hums. “Is that so? A noble aim. And what could the mountain offer you in such an endeavor?”

Tobias glances at Nia and Samir. Nia nods.

“We want to explore the mountains to see if we can find evidence of Yveltal sleeping nearby.”

Though the Matriarch and lucario don’t visibly react, something in the air—in their aura—grows heavy. Cautious.

“We’re actually trying to find Xerneas,” Nia clarifies, a little frantic. “But we thought since they usually sleep so close to each other, we could narrow down the search if we could confirm Yveltal’s resting place first.”

“Yveltal’s location has been lost to time,” the Matriarch says. The light of the fire flickers across her face, giving her an eerie look. “What leads your search here?”

“The barren landscape, for one,” Tobias says.

“A-And the crystals,” Nia adds. Soren and the Matriarch lock their gazes onto her. “We ran into a researcher on a mission a couple weeks back, and he said he was coming here to investigate some strange crystal formations. Carnelian the sableye?”

The Matriarch sits back, her eyes narrowing. Quietly, almost too low to hear, she says something to Soren. For a moment, Nia thinks she’s just too tired to understand the jumble of words, until Soren answers back with something equally incomprehensible.

Oh. That’s…a different language. It’s a consonant-heavy tongue, and some of the sounds are entirely unfamiliar to Nia, throaty as they are. Nia thought that whatever allowed her to understand and speak Ordirune—the most common language in this world—just translated all languages, but apparently not. Nia glances at Junie, still perched on her shoulder, but the rookidee looks just as lost as Nia feels. Tobias and Samir seem equally out of the loop, their shoulders tense and brows furrowed.

Huh. She’d put the whole language translation thing on the backburner, but this makes her curious again. If there are multiple languages in this world, then doesn’t that mean Nia should still be able to speak plain English? Or…will her tongue always twist it into Ordirune?

She hopes not. Something about losing her native language entirely makes her feel…sad.

Finally, the Matriarch turns back to them. “If Augustus sent you, then he surely sent a letter to vouch for you, yes?”

“He did,” Tobias confirms, grimacing. “But we lost our pack in the avalanche. Our items were wiped.”

The Matriarch sighs, rubbing at her forehead with her knuckles. “Of course. In that case, I will need to have Soren check your aura.”

Tobias and Samir both lean away, visibly uncomfortable.

“Why?” Junie asks, suspicious.

“To verify that you’re honest about your intentions,” the Matriarch explains. “If we have any knowledge regarding Yveltal, I will not risk that kind of power falling into the wrong hands.”

Nia supposes that makes sense, but…

She glances again at Tobias and Samir and their tense postures. They clearly hate the idea of a stranger they don’t trust reading their aura.

“Could you just check mine?” Nia asks, taking a step closer to Soren. “Tobias and Samir are private people.”

“You can check mine too!” Junie chirps.

Tobias starts to protest behind them, but apparently thinks better of it as he falls silent.

“Will that work?” Nia asks.

Soren seems unhappy with the compromise, but maybe that’s just how his face always looks because he only hesitates for a moment before nodding. Then, he closes his eyes and holds out a paw in front of Nia and Junie.

And then, all at once, the aura that had been skimming around Nia's engulfs her. It's heavy, and it doesn’t hesitate before carding through her aura with purpose, digging between her ribs and pulling at her soul like taffy as it searches for something in particular.

It feels so…intrusive. Nia desperately hopes this isn’t what it’s like when she reads someone’s aura. She always tries to be gentle when she does it, turning their soul over in her hands like a delicate turtleshell to read the patterns and scars on its surface.

Soren’s aura feels like a pat down, like someone physically digging their fingers through her brain, clinically pulling away her thoughts layer by layer without care. It doesn’t hurt, per se, but it does feel deeply uncomfortable.

“Stop!”

Soren homes in on a particular chain of emotions, pulling at them to read the train of thought attached. A moment later, she realizes it’s about their mission. She glimpses the vague storm of feelings attached to the memories: the desperation, hope, and fear of learning about this world’s destruction and all that would come with it. And following that, their desperate plan to fix it and Nia’s burning desire to succeed. Her hope to save everyone in this world and her own.

“I said stop!”

Tobias?

Suddenly, blessedly, Soren’s aura retreats. It feels like fighting her way out of twisted, too-hot blankets. Like a gasp of fresh, cool air.

Nia’s legs nearly give out as she comes back to herself. Tobias’ arm is looped around her back as a steadying heat, though, and Samir is pressed close on her other side, the two of them the only things keeping her from collapsing into a heap of shaky limbs. Junie trembles against Nia’s neck.

“What were you doing to them?” Tobias snarls. “I’ve seen Nia do that with a hundred ‘mon and they’ve never looked like that!”

Soren’s blue eyes focus on Nia, narrowing. “You have read others’ aura?”

Nia nods, rubbing her hands over her arms and giving herself a shake.

“She’s done it with me and it never felt like that,” Junie snaps, making them all look at her. She’s glaring up at Soren despite the way she shakes. “Dude, I-I don’t even understand what you just did, but even I can tell it was super rude!”

The Matriarch snorts. “Soren, it seems your bedside manner continues to lack.”

“It was the most efficient method of verifying their claims,” Soren protests.

“Well maybe don’t pick the most efficient method if it’s going to suck!” Junie yells.

“Did you at least find an answer?” the Matriarch asks.

“I did,” Soren confirms. “They’re telling the truth.”

The Matriarch nods, satisfied. Then she looks back to them. “In that case, I apologize for the cold welcome you’ve received so far. We’re always wary of outsiders, but particularly when they come asking after such dangerous information.”

Tobias doesn’t respond, looking too riled up to answer politely. Nia doesn’t either, still trying to steady her own voice.

“In all truth,” the Matriarch continues, crossing her legs and folding her clawed hands atop her lap. “We summoned Carnelian here to research the crystals for a similar reason. While we weren’t hoping to find Xerneas, we have been concerned by the Silen mountains’ increasing instability. Although we’re aware that the issue is much more widespread than our little corner of the sky, I wanted to be sure that Yveltal’s presence wasn’t contributing in some way.”

“T-The mountains’ instability?” Nia echoes. “Like…the avalanches?”

The Matriarch nods. “The weather has been slowly growing more and more unpredictable each year, changing centuries-old patterns and creating volatile conditions. Storms and deadly winds are more common than ever, and our winters are harsher. And while the village itself has not been claimed by any, thankfully, a mystery dungeon formed on the next mountain over just last month.”

“And you already knew that Yveltal slept here, in the mountains,” Tobias guesses, brow furrowed and voice suspicious.

“We have records stating as much,” the Matriarch admits. “But we never sought him out. Intruding on a legend’s domain without reason is just asking for trouble. But when we noticed strange, unknown crystals growing on the mountainside…”

“You thought it best to look into them, just in case,” Nia finishes.

The Matriarch nods. “I wanted to know where exactly Yveltal slept, and if his proximity has been harming the village. Expediting the disasters. Carnelian was called in to verify that the crystals are indeed connected to Yveltal, and to track them to their source.”

“So have you already confirmed that they’re from Yveltal’s cocoon?” Tobias asks.

The Matriarch shakes her head. “Not yet. Carnelian believes we’re close, and has good reason to believe they are indeed from Yveltal, but we haven’t found his resting place.”

“Still, it sounds like we’re after the same thing, right?” Nia says. “If Carnelian can lead us to the crystals and we can confirm that Yveltal is actually here, that narrows down the locations where Xerneas could be sleeping.”

“And you believe Xerneas will be able to fix the world’s disruption,” the Matriarch says.

Nia winces. “W-Well…it’s more a hope than anything certain, but...”

“The dimensional border around our world is weakening,” Tobias says. “And soon it’s going to break entirely. We’re hoping that if we can find Xerneas, she can use her life energy to fill the gap and keep the barrier intact.”

There’s a long moment of silence where both Soren and the Matriarch take that in, looking thoughtful but not particularly surprised.

Finally, Soren speaks up. “Our pack has known for years that this was an issue involving the world’s aura, but where did you get such information?”

“Giratina,” Nia admits, cringing when both Soren and the Matriarch look at her in surprise. “It’s…sort of a long story.”

Soren huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. The spikes on the back of his paws catch Nia’s eye. “And even Giratina believes Xerneas will fix this?”

“You don’t think she can?” Tobias challenges.

“You should be more preoccupied with whether or not Xerneas will want to.”

A tense moment of quiet follows, the crackle of the fire the only sound in the room.

“What do you mean?” Nia asks.

“Xerneas and Yveltal are the gods of creation and destruction,” Soren says. “The cycle of life and death. If this is meant to be how the world ends, then Xerneas will likely not stop it from happening.”

Nia’s stomach churns. “W-What? But…if she can fix it, why wouldn’t she?”

“It’s not her role,” Soren says simply. “Her duty is to rebuild once the destruction has already passed. Not to prevent it from occurring at all. If there were no winter, there would be no spring, after all.”

Nia shakes her head. No, that can’t be true. Right now, Xerneas is their only hope. If fixing the border is impossible, then…then this whole world and everyone in it will die. And so will the human world.

“And how do you know that for sure?” Tobias growls.

“Because Xerneas is the god of creation,” Soren says. “The guardian of life energy—of aura. We lucario are her most devout followers. We follow her guidance our entire lives.”

Another long pause. Nia feels panic slowly rising in her chest.

“S-So what does that mean for us?” Junie asks. “This was the only idea we had, right?”

Soren doesn’t answer, looking calmly resigned to such a fate.

The Matriarch, however, scoffs. “For such a stubborn bunch, you lucario are so weak-willed. I, for one, am not letting my village die without a fight.”

Nia looks at the older Pokemon in surprise.

Soren sighs. “Matriarch, you know as well as I do that finding and waking Xerneas is a long shot on its own, but convincing her to stop the cycle of life and death is simply a fool’s errand.”

“Ha!” The Matriarch bares her sharp teeth at Soren, the expression feeling more like a challenge than a smile. “Then consider me a fool, pup. You and your father might believe in following the will of the world, but I do not.”

“Then…you’re on our side?” Nia asks, quiet.

The Matriarch looks at Nia with a gleam in her eyes. “Thankfully, while the pack is not under my control, neither am I under theirs. So consider my village an ally in this wild legend hunt of yours. August always was one for crazy ideas.”

Hope lifts once more in Nia’s chest. “So you think we can do it? Fix the barrier?”

“Won’t know until we try,” the Matriarch says with a shrug. “And it’s better to die fighting than to roll over and guide death’s foot right to your throat.”

Soren makes a derisive sound from his spot off to the side, clearly disagreeing with the sentiment.

Nia is sticking firmly with the Matriarch on this one. Nia doesn’t care if Xerneas thinks this is the natural order of things, or if a new world would be born from the ashes of this one’s destruction. This is her world. Her people. This world and the human one both. She won’t let them go without a fight.

“So the plan remains unchanged, then,” Tobias says, glancing between Nia, Samir, and Junie.

Nia takes a breath and nods. “We find Yveltal to confirm his presence, then use his location to find Xerneas and ask her to reinforce the barrier.”

“And if she refuses?” Soren asks. His tone is neutral, but only just.

“Then we cross that bridge when we get to it,” Nia says, voice a bit sharper than necessary.

“Three cheers for winging it!” Junie says, pumping a wing from her spot on Nia’s shoulder.

Tobias snorts.

Samir looks just as solemn as they usually do when the topic of their mission comes up, but thankfully the skiddo doesn’t seem to have been shaken from their resolve at all. Their front leg, however, is still being held delicately above the rug.

Right. Samir’s injured, Fidel is unconscious somewhere, and between exhaustion, stress, and hunger, Nia feels moments away from withering away into a pile of dust. Right on cue, her stomach growls, loudly. She groans and covers her face with her hands, embarrassed.

“Sounds like you’re more than ready for food and rest,” the Matriarch says, clearly amused. “We can move forward with the search tomorrow morning. Have Eira take a look at your injuries, and then rest up. You should all be able to fit comfortably in the guest lodgings with your old acquaintance.”

Old acquaintance?

A timid knock comes from the doorway, and Nia turns to the newcomer. She perks up when she sees a familiar little ghost Pokemon, his translucent purple body nearly lost to the darkness if not for his diamond eyes glinting in the firelight.

“Carnelian!”

The sableye looks shy but pleased by Nia’s excited greeting, returning her wave across the room.

“Enter, Carnelian,” the Matriarch says.

The sableye skitters over to join them, smiling with sharp teeth. If Nia had seen such a face in the human world she probably would’ve had nightmares about it, but here and now she finds it strangely endearing.

“It’s so good to see you!” Nia says, feeling her tail wagging behind her. She has to fight off the urge to hug the nervous little ghost.

“I-It’s good to see you too,” Carnelian says. He looks between Nia and Tobias, then quickly averts his eyes from Samir and Junie’s curious gazes. “I-I was shocked when Cobalt sent word that you were here!”

Cobalt? Maybe one of the other lucario.

“Are you all right sharing the guest house with me during your stay?” Carnelian asks. “I-It’s the only one in the village since they usually never have visitors, but I-I wasn’t expecting anyone so I did have quite a few of my books shipped over, which in hindsight feels rude but—”

“Books?!” Nia interrupts, ears pricking.

“Oh, now you’ve done it,” Tobias says.

Junie laughs. “Just try keeping this nerd out of your place now!”

Carnelian lights up. “Oh! Well, I-I’m happy to share!”

That is music to Nia’s ears. While they’re sure to be busy while they’re here and Nia still has plenty of books to read at the guild, she’s excited to see what the sableye has on hand.

“Go on, then,” the Matriarch says, catching their attention. She waves them out with a clawed hand. “Tomorrow morning, you’ll join Carnelian, Nouf, and Soren bright and early in the search for Yveltal.”

Soren is helping? Nia looks at the lucario, surprised.

In turn, the lucario scowls at the Matriarch with more expression than Nia has seen from him all night. “With all due respect, Matriarch, I never agreed to help.”

“Ah, but I have ways of getting your father on my side,” the Matriarch says, winking at Nia and the others. “Preparing the young leader-in-training to socialize properly with outsiders is a valuable skill, wouldn’t you say?”

Leader in training? So Soren isn’t the leader of the lucario pack, but the son of the leader? Nia supposes that does explain his stoic but deferring demeanor in the Matriarch’s presence. Even now, the lucario is visibly reigning in his irritation, jaw clenching and eyes closing for a moment before he regains his calm countenance.

“We shall see.”

“That we shall. Carnelian, if you would?”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

The sableye leads Nia and the others out of the room and down the hall, back outside and into the frigid bite of mountain air. Nia shivers and steps closer to Tobias to leech some of his meager warmth, keeping an eye on Samir on her other side. The skiddo is still limping, carefully navigating the icy ground so they don’t slip and fall.

Carnelian is surprisingly chatty as he leads them across town, clearly familiar with the place after a couple weeks of living here. He points out the purpose of each building they pass, from the market to the town storage to the homes of individual civilians.

Nia feels a little bad interrupting him, but she can’t help asking, “Carnelian, you don’t happen to know how Fidel is doing, do you? The zoroark that showed up with us?”

“O-Oh! Yes, Eira was checking him over when I left,” Carnelian says. “I don’t think she was too worried about him. She starts frosting over her workspace when she’s really stressed, and when I left, everything was still ice-free! In fact, I-I think she wanted to move him into the guest quarters to have somewhere warm to recover, so he might even be there already when we arrive.”

Oh, that would be lovely. While Nia’s just relieved to hear that Fidel is in good hands, she’ll feel much better once she sees him again for herself.

Thankfully, they reach Carnelian’s house—or, more accurately, the guest lodgings—soon thereafter. It’s a cozy triangle of a building, similar to the other houses they’ve passed, with warmth spilling through shuttered windows and painting the snow around its base with golden light and blue shadows.

Carnelian pulls open the front door and leads them inside, and Nia’s eyes immediately find Fidel’s bright red mane of hair. The zoroark is curled up beneath a pile of thick blankets, bandages peeking out from under his fur. The quilted lump of his body rises and falls with steady breaths.

Thank goodness.

At his side, an unfamiliar Pokemon is placing medical supplies back into a sturdy woven bag, though she pauses to look up as they enter. She’s very clearly an ice type, mostly white with light blue accents and two shards of ice atop her head. However, she also comes across as very feminine—almost like she’s wearing a kimono. Her arms flare out around her wrists like long sleeves, and a red sash-like piece circles her middle before arcing out behind her like a bow. She floats a few inches off the ground, no legs beneath her, and her face almost reminds Nia of a skull, the skin beneath her eyeholes and jaw a frostbitten purple. Her eyes are just as blue as Soren’s, striking a balance between beautiful and haunting.

Her expression warms as she sees them, though. “Welcome back. These are the rest of our guests, I assume?”

“Yes!” Carnelian moves to stand at the healer’s side, presenting the much larger Pokemon in an unusually confident gesture. “This is Eira! The best healer in the mountains.”

Eira gives him a playful nudge. “I’m the only healer in these mountains, you sly spirit.” Then she floats forward and bows to them. “It’s nice to meet you all. I assume the Matriarch let you know that I would be attending to your medical needs?”

“Yes!” Nia bows in return. “Thank you so much for taking care of Fidel.”

“Of course! Go ahead and take a seat, and I’ll check on the rest of you one by one.”

Nia takes a look around as they step inside the building, amused by what she finds. While the walls are a warm wooden brown, and a patterned rug spreads over most of the floor, any décor, is hidden behind towers of books and loose-leaf paper. Tabletops are similarly covered by piles of stones and gems.

Carnelian has certainly made himself at home here, huh?

Their spare bed, luckily, is already set up on the floor next to Fidel, close to the fireplace set into the wall. Nia groans with relief as she flops into it, spreading out and stretching her sore, cold muscles in the warmth of the fire. Junie does the same with a happy sigh, and Tobias and Samir follow shortly after, the four of them piling together on the makeshift cot like puzzle pieces as their bodies are finally allowed to rest.

This is heaven.

“Carnelian, why don’t you grab them some food?” Eira says, more of an order than a suggestion even with her light, almost tinkling voice.

“O-Oh! Of course, you all must be starving!” Carnelian hurries out of the house, and Nia blinks after him, surprised yet again by his eagerness.

“Excuse my cousin’s excitement,” Eira says, floating over to them with her medical supplies in tow. “He doesn’t often feel comfortable with strangers, but he told me all about Team Scarlet when he first arrived the other week. He’s thrilled to see you again.”

Nia flushes beneath her fur as she sits up. “We didn’t do that much for him, really! We were just doing our job.”

“Mm.” Eira looks at Nia fondly. “Yes, I imagined you’d say something like that. Well, just know that you have my thanks, regardless.”

“You’re his cousin?” Junie interrupts, looking curiously between Eira and the door where Carnelian had disappeared.

“I am!” Eira says, looking proud as she starts pulling out medical supplies. Bandages, herbs and little jars of ointment become organized piles on the floor. “When the Matriarch mentioned the crystals and their possible importance, I knew Carnelian would be up for the task. He’s very sharp, you know.”

“I can’t wait to see him in action!” Nia says.

Eira hums her agreement, glancing over their group with an expert eye before settling next to Samir and gesturing for them to extend their injured leg. The skiddo looks annoyed, but silently does as asked. Eira hums and feels around their leg, all the way from the lump of their knee down to their hoof, noting when they tense up and asking where it hurts most.

Nia looks away since Samir seems strangely embarrassed about the injury. As she soaks up the heat of the fire and pets Junie’s soft feathers, her eyes catch instead on Tobias. The charmander is scratching at his neck with an irritable expression.

“You okay?” she asks.

Tobias jumps, his face flushing. “Yeah. Yeah, just, uh. An itch.”

Nia frowns, tilting her head. “You sure? I thought I saw you scratching at your neck when we were climbing, too.”

Tobias averts his eyes, looking disgruntled. “’S fine. Just some old injuries acting up in the cold.”

“Oh. Maybe Eira has something for that?”

Tobias shrugs. Then, he looks back at Nia. “Are you okay? After whatever that lucario jerk did earlier?”

Nia blinks. She recognizes the deflection for what it is, but she’s also surprised Tobias is still thinking about that. “O-Oh. Yeah. I mean, it wasn’t great, but it’s not like it hurt or anything?”

“It was super creepy is what it was!” Junie says, sitting up from where she’d been sprawled across the blankets like a bird splatted against a window. Her feathers puff out as her anger reignites. “I thought it’d feel like when Nia reads my aura but it felt like the dude was rifling through my pockets or something! Except it was my head or my soul or whatever, which made it ten times worse! Talk about an invasion of privacy.”

Tobias’ eyes darken and he glances at the door, as if debating whether or not to march back outside and find the lucario to chew him out properly.

Nia lays a hand on his arm to keep him in place. “Yeah, it, um…felt a lot more intrusive than I would’ve liked. Junie, you said it doesn’t feel like that when I read your aura, right?”

Junie looks up at Nia, surprised. “What? No, definitely not! When you do it it’s all warm and stuff! Like…I’m your little guinea pig and you’re giving me a nice bath or something.”

Nia snorts a laugh, caught off-guard by the comparison. “Like what?”

“You know what I mean! It's like...how little animals get nervous about people handling ‘em, and you need to reassure them and be gentle and stuff so you don’t stress ‘em out, right? When he was doing the aura stuff, it was kind of…scary? I could feel how easily he pried my thoughts open, and he didn’t really care that I was nervous. But with you, you’re always super soft and stuff and you don’t pry like that, so I always feel safe!”

Oh. Nia doesn’t think she realized she was actually worried about this until Junie immediately laid her fears to rest. Hot tears prick at her eyes.

“Aww, c’mon, don’t get all weepy on me! Your little guinea pig doesn’t know how to deal with that!”

Nia barks another laugh. “Stop saying that!”

“She’s right,” Tobias says, catching Nia’s attention. His eyes are low, something in his posture a little upset. “I was nervous when you read my aura, but it wasn’t bad at all with you. I’m sorry he didn’t treat you two the same way.”

Fresh tears spring to Nia’s eyes. “Tobias!”

“Stop, you’re making her cry more! One guinea pig can only handle so many tears!”

Their delirious conversation continues until Eira gives Samir the all-clear. The skiddo’s leg is bandaged from the top of their hoof up to their knee, a chunk of ice tied to both joints. Their entire leg is also elevated on a pillow, and they look down at the setup with a disgruntled expression.

Nia’s happy mood dampens.

“All right,” Eira says with a little clap. “Other than that sprain, you should be good to go, Skiddo. No walking for you tomorrow, but you should be clear for the day after.”

Samir looks away with their ears low, not answering.

“Hey, that’s not too bad!” Junie calls, trying to cheer Samir up. “C’mon, we’re weak to ice types, dude. We’re lucky we even made it up here at all!”

Samir huffs, still not looking at any of them. Nia’s brow furrows.

Eira floats over to Tobias next. “Tobias, right? Let’s give you a look next.”

Tobias sighs but doesn’t argue, removing his winter gear and letting the ice type look him over. He is pretty beat up, bloody scratches and blossoming bruises littering his skin. Luckily, they all seem pretty minor, at least to Nia’s untrained eye.

Junie flutters around the charmander, chirping about how he’s going to look like a chameleon with all those colorful bruises, and Nia takes the opportunity to scoot over to Samir, who’s still glaring down at their bandaged leg.

“Hey,” Nia murmurs. “You okay?”

Samir doesn’t meet her eye, but they do nod.

Nia doesn’t believe them.

For a long moment, Nia worries at her lip, working up her courage. “Hey, Samir? I wanted to apologize.”

Samir finally looks up, visibly confused.

“About what I said on the mountain, after the avalanche,” Nia explains, shame squirming in her gut. She looks down, picking at the melting snow encrusted onto the bottom of her coat. “And during the avalanche too, I guess.”

Samir stares, still not getting it.

“I didn’t listen to you. Or, well, I almost didn’t. About letting Fidel go. I knew it was too dangerous to let my shield drop, but I just thought if I could grab him, I could—” Nia cuts herself off, taking a breath. “You were right. And I’m sorry that I argued with you. And then yelled at you afterwards. I was really worried about Fidel, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you when you were just trying to keep us safe.”

Samir doesn’t respond. After a few beats of silence, Nia peeks up at them.

The skiddo seems flabbergasted, blinking at her and her hunched, contrite posture. Finally, shakily, they whistle a quiet low-to-high response: Okay. It’s okay. They still seem like they’re trying to wrap their head around her apology.

Nia breathes a sigh of relief as one of the many, many weights on her shoulders melts away.

“Thank you. I just wanted to say that right away, especially since we’ll be separated most of the day tomorrow,” Nia says.

The skiddo’s glare returns as they focus back on their injured leg. They narrow their eyes, then glance at Eira, who is smearing some kind of salve on Tobias’ cuts and bruises and bandaging up the worst of them. Then Samir’s eyes flick to the door.

Oh no. Nia recognizes that look.

“Samir,” Nia warns in a low voice, leaning closer. “I saw that. You are not sneaking out to join us tomorrow.”

Samir huffs and shakes their head, stamping their other foreleg ineffectually against the blankets as they meet Nia’s gaze. No, they whistle.

“Samir, you have to rest! What if you hurt your leg more by walking on it too soon?”

Samir is shaking their head fervently before she’s even done talking. They meet her eyes, whistling again. No.

Nia stares at them, trying to understand why they’re suddenly so stubborn about this. They did this on the mountainside too, when they were freshly injured and trying to hobble down to help unbury Fidel despite Nia and Tobias telling the skiddo to stay put.

For someone so serious about Nia and Tobias playing it safe, they aren’t very safe with themself, are they? It’s like Samir thinks they’re playing by different rules, like they don’t get to rest just because they’re hurt. Like something terrible will happen if they do.

And then it clicks.

Nia feels her heart drop. She stares at the desperate shine in Samir’s eyes, at the way their mouth trembles the slightest bit.

Samir’s old partner abandoned them when they got hurt, right? So who’s to say that Nia and Tobias won’t do the same?

Nia hesitates, but then reaches out to cup Samir’s face in her hands. The skiddo jolts a bit, surprised, but doesn’t pull away. “Samir, you know you’re allowed to rest when you’re hurt, right?”

Samir’s eyes widen, something like fear crossing their face. They tug weakly against her hold.

Nia tightens her grip. “Samir, we want you to rest. It’s fine if you sit out tomorrow.”

Samir shakes their head, closing their eyes tight.

Nia tries to put all the conviction she can into her voice. “We aren’t going to leave you behind or think you’re a bad partner or something just because you got hurt, all right?”

Samir slowly stops fighting, cracking their eyes open again to search Nia’s face.

“We’re not your old teammate, Samir. When you’re ready to go again, we’ll still be here, okay? But until you’re better, just…please rest. We don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

Samir’s expression crumbles. They yank their head free of her hold and dip their head to hide their face.

Nia silently panics, hands reaching. Was that the right thing to say? Did she make it better or worse? What does she do now? Scoot closer or leave them be?

Before she can decide, Samir gently buries their face in her lap, careful not to prod her with their horns. They’re shaking.

Oh.

Nia quietly turns her body to hide the skiddo from the others’ view, stroking a hand down the back of their head and through the surprisingly soft mane of their leaves as Samir shudders.

“You’re our teammate, Samir,” Nia murmurs. “And more importantly, our friend. You don’t have to prove yourself every moment of every day, okay? Especially if it’s going to hurt you. We don’t want that. Okay?”

Samir sniffles, but finally nods against Nia’s stomach. She smiles, relieved.

By the time Eira deems Tobias’ inspection finished, Samir has pulled themself together again, wiping at their face with their good foreleg. They look mortified by their little breakdown, avoiding Nia’s gaze, so she just gives them one more gentle smile before shuffling back to Tobias and Junie.

Tobias is covered in small bandages and shiny poultices, his expression resigned. Junie is making fun of the charmander even as Eira checks her over, gently extending her small wings and feeling for any breaks or strains.

Luckily, Junie is cleared with no injuries, and then it’s Nia’s turn. She dutifully takes off her own winter gear and follows Eira’s instructions as the ice type looks her over, gently squeezing and feeling along her limbs and shoulders.

As Nia answers Eira’s questions, she spots Tobias once more scratching at his neck, annoyed expression twitching into something painful before he pulls his claws away.

Nia frowns. She doesn’t know why Tobias doesn’t want Eira to see whatever scars he has perpetually hidden beneath his scarf, but…

She looks over her shoulder, to where Eira is finishing up. “Hey, Eira?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you have anything for…old wounds? Uh, like when they act up in the cold?”

“For scars, you mean?” Eira asks, coming back around to face Nia with a curious expression.

“Um,” Nia looks over Eira’s shoulder, at her partner, and back. “I think so.”

Eira follows her gaze, making a quiet “Ah” of realization. Then she nods and digs into her bag, handing a jar of salve over to Nia. “Here—advise him to put it on once in the morning, any time during the day when the itching is bothering him, and once at night before bed, all right? Don’t be afraid to really pile it on. It should help moisturize and soothe the irritation, and it has a nip of a numbing agent, too.”

Nia takes the jar gratefully, cradling it in her hands. “Thank you so much.”

“Just doing my job,” Eira says, echoing Nia’s earlier words with a smile.

Just as they’re finishing their last checkup, Carnelian finally returns with food in tow.

“S-Sorry for the wait!” the sableye says, gently kicking the door open and shuffling inside with two bowls in hand. Soup? Whatever it is, it’s steaming hot, and Nia’s stomach rumbles as she takes a deep sniff of the air. “I had to get an extra pair of wings to help me bring them over.”

Behind Carnelian, a fluffy, red and white penguin-like Pokemon waddles in. He’s holding two more bowls of soup, one notably smaller than the rest for Junie’s tiny stomach. “Hey, Eira! Got some hungry bellies in here?”

Eira smiles at the newcomer. “That we do. Thank you for your help, Nico.”

Nico smiles back, and he and Carnelian quickly pass out the four bowls of soup. The food smells wonderful, hearty and well-spiced and loaded with some kind of vegetables. Or maybe roots?

Whatever the ingredients are, the dish has Nia drooling.

They quickly tuck in with a word of thanks, and Nia practically inhales her food, savoring the hot, salty broth, the soft potato-like vegetables and withered greens, and the slice of bread that Nico pulled out—from his tail?—and handed to them once they were settled.

If Nia weren’t so focused on devouring her meal, she’d be curious about all the ingredients they used for it. Vegetation doesn’t seem like it would do well in this climate, considering the lack of trees and grasses they’d seen on the way up. Maybe some kind of cold-resistant berries or crops grow up here? Or maybe they use roots or pine needles or tree bark or something. She thinks she remembers something like that back in the human world.

Whatever the answer is, Nia doesn’t think she’s ever tasted anything better.

Nico chats idly with Carnelian and Eira as Team Scarlet eats, the bird looking proud of how quickly they drain their bowls. When they’re done, satiated and warm and ready to pass out, they give the bird another round of thanks that he accepts with a bashful “Shucks!” before taking their bowls and spoons and heading out for the night. Eira follows him out, wishing everyone a good sleep and letting them know she’ll be back before they set out in the morning, and to send Carnelian for her if Fidel showed any worrying symptoms overnight.

Carnelian tries to start up a new conversation with them after that, but they don’t last long before they’re slurring their words through big yawns. Nia’s eyes feel heavier and heavier with each passing blink, and Junie has already slumped over into a lump of snoring feathers.

“You’d better get some rest before tomorrow,” Carnelian says with a smile. He slides a few more logs into the fire and peeks at Fidel’s sleeping face before retreating to his own nest in the back of the lodge with one of his books. Huh. It’s pretty dark over there, but maybe ghost types have good night vision? That would make sense.

They’re all too exhausted to go far, so they lie down to sleep right where they’d been sitting. It’s not until Nia almost flops right on top of something hard that she remembers the jar she’d been keeping tucked away in her lap.

Oh, right!

Nia holds back another yawn and pushes herself back up. She squints over at Tobias, grateful that Junie is already out cold and Samir is quickly nodding off themself, their head dipping. “Hey, Tobias?”

Tobias was just about to lie down, too. Instead, his jaw cracks with a yawn as he looks back at her, matching her low tone. “Yeah?”

Nia holds the jar out to him. “Here.”

Tobias blinks sluggishly at the jar, then back at her, a furrow in his brow. “What’s this?”

“You said you had old injuries acting up, right? Like scars? I asked Eira if she had medicine for something like that and she said to use this when you wake up and go to sleep. Oh, and also if it itches during the day.”

Some alertness returns to Tobias’ expression as he realizes what Nia’s saying. He stares at her, face flushing, before he finally takes the jar and holds it close to his chest. “Oh. Um. Thanks, Nia. I’ll give it a try.”

Nia hums and flops back down in her spot on the bed, sighing happily at the softness and warmth. Just before she drifts off to sleep, Nia’s sharp ears hear the quiet spin of the lid being opened.

She hopes it helps.

#pmd #pokemon mystery dungeon #pokemon #lucario #froslass #weavile #tesha draws #tesha writes #pmd seekers of soul

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