#dare i even risk the monkey's paw

[insomnova]

the people yearn for dragon age origins remastered

[ashprince-of-bel-air]

Little Dove: Part 3

The Caracalla brainrot is real. I wrote this and wanted to post it straight away! please forgive me if there are any spelling errors!

Part Two , Part 4

Those who wanted to be maybe be tagged: @sashaphantomhive @koshkahhh @properromanwhore

You could barely contain your excitement as you made the journey home with your father, your mind reeling at the fact you were going to be in the Emperors private box for the games tomorrow. You were an upstanding citizen of Rome, yet it was still rare for someone like you to be invited into the Emperors inner circle, to be in such intimate quarters with them.

The entire journey home your father was telling you how you had to behave tomorrow, how to act and address the Emperors, you were now his ticket to gain more influence in the senate and he would ensure that you did not fail. Your mind roamed elsewhere during his tirade of advice and instructions, too busy still remembering when Caracalla had kissed your hand that day at court. Once you returned home your sole focus on what you would wear to the royal box, you wanted to make a good impression before Caracalla. You may never gain another opportunity to sit in the royal box so you would make the most of it.

Raking through the gowns you owned brought on a fury, nothing was acceptable in your mind, thinking it all to be too cheap or to not fit your body properly. Rich gowns of silk were strewn over your bed as you tried each one on, inspecting yourself with great scrutiny in the mirror each time. A rose-pink gown is what you finally settled on, one that you had never worn before because of how it fit you. The gown showed off far too much skin and hugged you all too well in the right places, you felt all too exposed in this gown but thought the Emperor would enjoy seeing you in it.

The stress of cleaning yourself appropriately and choosing the perfect outfit caused you to retire to slumber early, wishing to bring the next day as soon as you could. It was an early rise for you and your father, you would not dare risk arriving late to the stadium now that you had access to the Emperors box. Arriving late could be seen as a slight up Caracalla’s generosity and your father wanted to make sure that you were to stay in his good graces.

You were both admitted without any issue, being guided towards your seats behind the emperors’ thrones, an action that made your heart flutter, knowing that you would be this close to Caracalla for the entire day. The first hour of the games passed by quickly, your wine cup was ever topped by the servants surrounding you, every time you took a sip you could feel the heaviness of liquid in your cup shortly after. The Emperors would arrive not long after you had made yourself fully comfortable, Geta passed you first, giving no interest in you, barely even noticing that you were to be present behind him. Caracalla noticed you as he walked past you, smiling coyly and drinking in the vision of you in the gown you chose, your skin was radiant against the pink hue of the silk that adorned your skin, a vision that he bore into his mind as he sat in front of you.

The games carried on with more enthusiasm now that the Emperors were in attendance, the crowd alight with excitement, knowing that the games were about to fully begin now. The roar of the crowd was loud in your ears, finding it hard to contain yourself in the royal box, wanting to succumb to the emotion of the crowd once again. The current fights were none of consequence for now, the prime fights would be played in an hour, where the best gladiators from the best Ludus’s would battle, for now you had to settle for the mediocre ones.

The wine was in constant supply, a thing you took advantage off, hoping the liquid courage from it would help you speak freely to Caracalla before the day ended. As the new battle began you felt the familiar paws of Dundus upon you once again, the cheeky little monkey crawling upon you once again, settling into a nice nook upon your lap. You chuckled as you stroked her head gently, smiling as she made herself comfy upon you. “Careful My Emperor, I fear that Lady Dundus may leave you at this point.” Caracalla chuckled as he looked back at you, that sly grin plastered on his face made your heart flutter once again. “You may keep her at this point, she is a tiny menace my little dove.”

You managed to hide your blush from Caracalla yet not from your father, he had been watching the two of you ever since your previous interaction, making mental notes and considering how likely it would be for Caracalla to choose you as a concubine or even a wife. Initially your father had banked on using your brothers as influence in the senate, pushing them to join the Roman army and gain influence that way, he had never envisaged his own daughter being the one to bring him glory.

Little Lady Dundus sat upon your lap happily, falling asleep at your gentle stroking, no one had dared to disrupt her at this point, not even Caracalla. The day went on without issue, the gladiator matches ignited the crowd more than yesterday, a good sign that it would also please the gods into granting you the rainfall you so desperately craved.

The prime match was upon you all now, Theokeles against Oenomaus. The most anticipated match of the day. Theokeles was a free man, having won his freedom from his victories as a gladiator, Oenomaus was a former gladiator himself, serving a ludus in the city. Both were well revered as fighters, this battle was one that had drawn many to attend, to see who truly the better fighter was. You watched the fight with bated breath, your heart pounding the entire time, watching the two fight. Theokeles emerged the victor, having Oenomaus in surrender, awaiting the decision of life of death from the emperors.

Caracalla turned towards you, his eyebrows lifting subtly, asking what verdict you he should give. You had heard of Oenomaus before, a warrior of well renown and even now was afforded a wife, a rare commodity amongst slaves in the ludus. You nodded and granted life, you wanted him to live to see another day. Caracalla smiled and gave the signal for life, your heart fluttering knowing that he did that for you.

The games ended for the day with that match, many people leaving the stadium as promptly as the match ended. The royal box was different, you watched your father converse with high-ranking senators and the emperors. You sat there uninterested, bothered more with Lady Dundus in your lap, playing and entertaining her. Caracalla saw you entertain Lady Dundus and it made him smile, nobody else had so much as bothered with her the entire time he had her, yet here you were, your undivided attention upon her.

“It seems Lady Dundus had taken a shine to you” Caracalla smiled at you, holding his hand out to Dundus, not even feeling offended when Dundus did not care. Caracalla tilted his head as he took in your visage, your smile as you interacted with Dundus, the way your body looked in that beautiful gown you chose. His fingers found an errant strand of your hair, twirling it around his fingers as he spoke to you. “There is another banquet at the palace shortly, I would love you to attended.”

Your head snapped up to face him, you were happily surprised to be invited to the palace once again, an invite you would gladly take without question. Caracalla took your hand in his own again and placed a soft kiss against your skin, he then left you with Dundus as he spoke to your father. Letting him know of the exclusive invite you had secured for the both of you. A carriage would be sorted for you, ready to take you back to the royal palace once again, ready to be in the Emperors private company.

[bitedownme]

Done thinking about how Yharim can get Ire out of SK's halls

Barter with the Brothers Death. It'd have to be one of them approach the Brothers, demanding a boon. Likely Yharim himself. And, to an extent, the Brothers are collectively humored by the idea. The fact that he figured out how to get to the outside of their halls is a feat in itself. All Death might even leave this one to his younger brothers to address themselves. He doesn't care either way. Every soul is his at some point. But Great Death, having witnessed what Ire was capable of, and Small Death, who likely had to piece together more than a few of the costumes souls, would have a field day bickering over it (there's a good chance they'd reluctantly agree, but they'd probably nab a couple years off everyone's life expectancy regardless)

Alternatively, there's the option of hunting down other enemies of SK who would be willing to attack his halls directly. There would not be many of them, but they would exist. Someone would just need to find them. No one is willing to wait that long.

Negotiate with the Worms. DoG, specifically. Yharim would hate it. Nurse would hate it. But Guide and Jharim would have them backed into a corner: name one other asshole who might stand a chance against the foreign god that stole their half dragon. And, if they get DoG to go along with it under the pretense of saving that annoying little thing he likes, whatever Hivemind that operates between the Worms might drag the rest of them along for the ride willingly or not.

The "My Creator(s) won't take me back and Death is avoiding me for as long as possible" route aka send Jharim and only Jharim and watch him get there and back by dusk. It's a joke, kind of maybe, but it is something that Jharim might propose knowing that he can take a hit or ten from the invading force and survive.

Wait it out. Not one of them would listen to anyone who would propose this idea. I'd wager all of them would become physically violent with anyone who even tried. None of them would even dare to consider the potential of leaving Ire there for any amount of time. Now, could she find her way out? Probably. Any other circumstance, any other situation, and Nurse is certain that her least favorite patient would have shown back up covered in viscera by now. But this isn't a normal situation

Barter with Jeser specifically. A massive risk. One that would require them vaguely knowing of the prince's plans to overthrow the king. He'd demand something astronomical from them in turn. Considered a last resort option, yet an option regardless.

The longer it goes on, the more restless and volatile each party member becomes. It appears differently between each of them, but the unease is obvious to every soul in that world.

-🍁

I think most frustrating part is that NONE of these ideas are either guaranteed or SAFE to work. Just a deal with Jeser or Brothers would be a monkey's paw situation, they'll probably get what they want but either they're going to throw away something equally important in return or receive it but it will come back wrong. Even Distortion, yeah, whatever entity controls Worms AND other entities from it would agree, there's just no guarantee their own invasion will work. Kicking one eldritch entity against another never works out well.

[courtorderedcake]

Hallow : ch xviii - CSSNS 2019

“The Goblin King was prepared to host the Darkness, stealing Fae women away to their corrupted lands underneath the ground as concubines. The Darkness chose another in his stead, but not before this selected vessel enacted a devastating attack in its vengeance, revealing its hatred & rage. The battle was a lesson the old kings had forgotten; never underestimate an opponent.

Many more lives were lost as they razed over any who dared defy The Goblin King’s will. Only the pure love of our rulers united in matrimony, breaking the Vorpal Dagger, sealed the darkness and the Goblin menace away. The light flourished under their fair rule, and the queen bore a child as pure as moon beams, swan feathers, and starlight. They lived happily ever after, and shall be written in history as Heroes for All Time.”

This is the history Princess Emma memorizes from the day she is born, paraded about and presented only with the highest protection. The palace is a cage she wishes to escape, desperately. Not careful what wishes she made, Emma discovers history is written by the victors - The Dark One has an entirely different version of the events that took place.”

Read on AO3 here.

Rated E for explicit themes, Mature situations, and Fae fuckery.

Written for @cssns

Ch 18 / ?? - In which battles almost won are lost.

Emma slept as Killian guided the ship through the portal, and then into the sunlit turquoise waters of a palm tree lined harbor. She had slept the day before in fitful bouts of exhaustion, losing herself in fever as he looked on helplessly, the Darkness snapping its jaws. The black that pooled like ink across her chest had spread, Emma whispering the word parasite in hisses at him between remembering things she shouldn't be remembering. She was hysterical, warning him about 'the parasite', and 'to remember the Dark One', staring at him before begging him for help he could not muster. 

It was clear that he was the cause of Emma's condition, both in action and in reaction to her. His ignorance in not noticing she was sick, throwing away her medicine, listening to the concerns over her cough so they had stayed on the isle for just enough extra time - it all fell on him. 

Alice Jones had been sickly, her disease life long. A spore grew in the dank caves of the Blackwater and its surrounding village, the Ladies Reform Academy, or the Baelfire Hold that caused Lichenlung, a lung disease that took female Fae. The disease itself wasn't deadly, but the fevers caused by weakness generally were. His mother had died from such a fever, her coughing fits and inability to choke down breaths eventually strangling her. He'd studied cures in the Naval academy, his required duties bringing him to the bedside of over two dozen women stricken with the illness. Even Milah had succumbed to it eventually, the message she left him still haunting him. 

Emma sounded and had symptoms like the people he had seen in their last days. He was honestly uncertain that the princess would survive, a thought that thoroughly terrified him and the Darkness. In the secreted corner where he harbored other emotions, terror was an understatement that threatened dire consequences. The Darkness finding he still felt whatever it was that made Emma so much more would break him, and risk it making good on its promises to hurt her. Even as panic gripped the small scrap of light left in him, the Darkness had only just begun to realize its precious shard would disappear. 

How to help her was the issue. The Dark One being loose had most surely made it to places like this . He'd only heard of them in his naval career, been told tales from his Father as a lad when the Blackwater Lord had spared him a glance, and generally been too busy doing the Goblin King's bidding to know too much about his surroundings. But in his understanding of Agrabah's history, it was a blackmarket goods and information brokerage hub. Royalty turned a blind eye on what was good for keeping gold in its coffers and ships in its ports; the thieves, ne'er do wells, and bandits did their best to not rob everyone blind.

He could not bloody well run in the market carrying the Princess of the United Realms in his arms. Were their healers the type to recognize them, or ask questions? Would their ship be inspected? Would he get a knife in his belly or more worryingly, Emma's? Killian didn't have any idea of if they even had healers, or doctors - they knew nothing about the place. It was the blind leading the… 

He found himself at her bedside more than he cared to admit, as if whispering apologies would save her from his spreading filth. As it became clear the waters were placid, he hauled pillows up beside him, laying Emma in the shaded corner. She woke briefly, fluttering her eyelashes against his neck and whispering his name. Steering them into the docks, he threw out his ties to the pier, knotting them with ease. A loud thunk threw off his precision as it reverberated through the planks, Killian on his feet with sword drawn in moments. Two pairs of startled brown eyes looked up at him, Anisapi dressed in embroidered kaftans standing in front of him on a great carpet. 

"We mean you no harm," the first said, his maroon kaftan matching his fez, primate tail whipping back with nervous anxiety. He smiled, or attempted to, but his sharp canines did little to aid his welcome. His voice was slightly scratchy, but it wasn't surprising as he shuffled his body weight between his feet and knuckles. "Our Sultana, may her sight never fail us, summons you to the palace. Come at once!" 

"And who the bloody hell are you, the petting zoo?" Killian flicked his sword upward, motioning for the Anisapi to back away. The monkey scratched at himself, but the jungle predator growled lowly. "I don't know a Sultana. I am here - 

"Be still, Dark One," the larger of the beasts snarled, his whiskers twitching. His eyes were more tawny than the monkey, his orange and black fur bristled in irritation. His large tail flicked wildly, snakelike. "Your lady is in danger. Sultana Jasmine can help your princess."

Killian tried to lunge forward, but the tiger was quick despite its size, pinning him on the deck. 

"How did you -" Killian panted, unable to push off its heavy weight as the Anisapi held him with ease, his paws massive. "How do you know about the princess? Who are -" 

Emma whimpered, Killian turning his head to see the monkey resting its fur covered knuckles against her forehead. 

Thrashing wildly, Killian swore as the monkey reached for her necklace and the shard. "Leave her alone, don't you lay a bloody paw on her  -" 

"Abu!" The tiger Anisapi growled lowly, and the monkey stopped short, pouting. "Don't even think about it. You are in enough trouble as it is." 

"I just wanted to -" The monkey protested, but the tiger snarled viciously. 

"You're upsetting our guests you furry toothpick." 

"To be fair mate," Killian hissed, pressing back against the tiger's hold, "You're the only one who is upsetting me. Get off of me, tell me who you are, and how the hell you knew we were here." 

The tiger's ears pressed lower on his head, but he sprung off of Killian to allow them both to stand. Killian pushed past them to check Emma, the monkey scooting away sheepishly. 

"Our Sultana predicted that you would come, seeking her aid. I am her advisor, Raja." The tiger Anisapi bowed low, his stature even at half height impressive. Emma shivered against him, burying her face into Killian’s warm chest. Raja gestured at the monkey, with a twirl of his claw. "This is her…" 

The tiger exchanged a nervous look with the other Anisapi, before the monkey spoke. 

"I'm her new assistant. Abu, at your service." The monkey winked at Emma with a grin, and she laughed slightly. Turning carefully in Killian’s hold with little noises of protest every so often, he heard her stiff joints creaking from fever. 

All your fault. You made her suffer, you make anyone who you are close to suffer. Imagine, thinking you loved her, or that she could love you! 

You'd destroy her. Ruin her. 

"I'm -" Emma attempted, but could not push any more words past her parched lips. She tried again, but doubled over instead as Killian’s guilt suffocated him without relent. 

Do you think she remembers it was you yet? 

Maybe she won't remember until she takes in her last gulps of air, wouldn't that be poetic? Certainly sounds like our flare for dramatics… 

Imagine her final moments knowing that you were her murderer, the one who she tried so hard to trust. So much for choosing to see you at your best, eh vessel? 

"It's alright. We know who you are, Princess… and we are aware of your companion. The Sultana knew you would be ill. Make haste to the palace, both of you, at once." Raja handed Killian a scroll, Abu unrolling another carpet onto the deck. "We have rooms made up for you both and healers at the ready. Hurry, Dark One."

Abu and Raja moved back to their carpet, which lifted into the air, its gold and royal purple threads shimmering in the sunlight. They sped away towards the city, leaving Emma and him alone again on the deck. She hummed against him, drawing her legs up into his hold before going limp again. 

"I want to go home. I want my mom." Her forehead rubbed against his chest, dampening his shirt. "Please, stay with me. I feel so - please ---" 

Killian couldn't reply, everything caught in his throat or tucked away from the Darkness. Emma didn't seem to notice, to his relief, her eyes fluttering closed. She slept soundly within seconds. Carrying her to the enchanted rug, he pulled her into his lap without comment, noticing how light she had become in only a week's time. 

You knew she wasn't eating, she wasted away in front of you and you knew that it was your fault. You condemned her to die, another reason your love was imagined. You did this to her. You will be her demise. Get the shard, let her - 

"NO!" Killian hissed, the carpet beneath him shuddering to life. It lifted itself, bright reds, oranges and turquoise dancing over the deck. He'd come back and grab their belongings, but for now, Emma needed whatever anyone was willing to give.

It was his hand that had caused this as he squeezed her beating heart, his hands that had tore her from the island, thrown away medicine into the sea, ignored her symptoms, and let her get this bad. 

We get the shard then and we leave, never to hurt her again. She will beg for you to leave her when she learns this is all your fault. The quicker you can get the shard, the better… It would be a shame if she remembered how you crushed her heart with glee. 

Her hair tickled his chin, blowing in the wind as the palace towers appeared. The scroll had been a very easy to follow set of instructions with a map to a far balcony where they would land. Once there, the carpet landed gently on tiled floor, servants appearing in procession. If this was an ambush, it couldn't have been planned better, the group surrounding them against a sheer drop. His neck hair rose, sweat beading there despite his best efforts. The Sultana was draped in blush silks, her dark brown hair seeded with pearls that lay in a golden mesh wrapped plait. She watched Killian warily, eyes darting to Emma as the princess began to wheeze. Taking a deep breath, he hoped beyond measure that they had not fallen into a trap of some kind. 

"She's barely conscious." Killian moved forward, guards raising curved blades to protect the Sultana. "Please, if that's what you brought us here for, the princess needs help." 

The Sultana looked at him, her deep brown eyes narrowing. She stared for a few seconds, blinking with a strange sort of unsure confusion in her eyes before finally straightening. 

"I am the Seer of the Sands, Sultana Jasmine." Jasmine's voice was soft and melodic, accented words clipped with formality. "May my sight be your own, and may we see all."

Her guards lowered their weapons, making the symbol of an eye with their index and middle fingers while muttering some short devotion. Killian glared, grunting at the decorum happening in favor of Emma's health. 

"Great, do you have a healer or help for her, or -" 

"Yes, of course Dark One." The Sultana nodded. "Come, follow me." 

Killian hadn't noticed before, but as he hoisted Emma further against his shoulder, he became aware of why the procession had unnerved him. The Sultana was clearly Fae of some sort, but the group surrounding her was made up of Anisapi, Elves, Fae, Nymphs, Mortals, and more frightening, a few Goblins. His nose wrinkled in disgust as he held Emma tighter to him. 

The Sultana led them nearby, pushing open thick wood doors to reveal a courtyard with a small pool and fountain. A shaded set of chairs were canopied by gauzy linens, with two sets of double doors on the far end. One was open revealing a hallway butted against a balcony looking over the city. The other had linen drapes that blew in the breeze, providing some curtained privacy to another chamber. 

"Down that hallway is your quarters, Dark One. Here," the Sultana opened the first set of doors, motioning Killian to enter, "Is where my Doctors and best healers will treat the Princess Emma."

The room was a polished sand colored marble, bed small but neatly made against a large stained glass window. Strange countertops on wheels were positioned with various bottles and instruments on them, and as Killian eased Emma into the bed he realized that a group of Fae were watching him expectantly in wait. Emma protested weakly when he let go of her to step out of their way, her soft exclaim falling to a sigh when a syringe filled with something the color of mud was injected into her arm. 

"Come." The Sultana linked her arm with Killian’s, his body jolting. She stared deeply into his eyes, ignoring his hatred for her touch, walking him to sit at the pool. "You must have questions, yes? And you must tell us what you know to help save Princess Emma. We must speak."

"Not bloody likely." He wrenched away, pushing back towards where Emma lay still. "What did they just inject her with? I don't care if you're a sodding queen, what are you doing with the princess? How did you know we were coming?" 

"I am Sultana Jasmine, Seer -"

"I know who you bloody are, how did you know!?" 

"If you had listened , rude man in my kingdom, you would know I can see the future. I see its many paths, and I have premonitions. It is how I have kept my Agrabah so safe; the gift of my mother, a Djinn."  She tried to lay a hand on him again, but he backed away, sitting in a corner where he could see Emma clearly. An Elven man with gloved hands was pouring a soft gel over her forehead that glowed a dulled color on contact. Others scribbled notes while a siren carefully peeled away the princess’s sweaty clothes with care, laying down a blanket of sheer silk. The Sultana cleared her throat expectantly, and his eyes flicked back to her with annoyance. 

"A Djinn?" he asked, incredulously. Djinn did not have offspring as far as he knew; they were born of chaos or created. 

"Yes. The premonitions are the reason I knew you would come." The Sultana hesitated, watching him carefully. He stared back, trying to ignore the Darkness and remain impassive. "If you had not come, the princess would have died in three days time. Here, you have a better chance, in the paths I saw."

The news brought an onset of instant relief and elation. He couldn't hide from the Sultana or the Darkness how happy it made him to know Emma would be alright, his words tumbling out without care. 

"So you know she will be healed, and what the future holds -" 

"Oh, God's no." The Sultana laughed, the sound lilting. 

You pathetic simpleton. Your princess is as good as dead, and all thanks to you. 

  "No…?" 

"We will do our best to help her, and she should recover." 

"Ah." He swallowed hard. 

"The paths I see are infinite, and I can only see so many. Like branches on a tree, I can see which direction the limbs go, or how large the tree is from a glance. It's when I need to see the branches and leaves that causes me to focus. You can only take in so much. So no, but I saw some outcomes, and what we are doing now will help prevent what negative outcomes I can." She smiled softly, her brown eyes warm. 

"How can we know that you are trustworthy?" Killian asked, leveling a cold glare at her. Her smile didn't waiver, but grew wider. 

"I suppose you can't, but if we wanted you dead, I have plenty of viper poison at my disposal that could kill you in mere minutes. Since you don't seem to be able to die according to the legend, it would be a painful way to suffer in unending agony, that's for sure." The Sultana shrugged, with a wink. "I suppose we will have to have faith in each other, yes?" 

He nodded slightly, and the Sultana turned, taking her leave. 

After an hour or so of watching different concoctions poured over Emma and watching countless Fae or Elementals write notes, he excused himself to his room. A dwarf with a shocking cobalt beard and studded eyebrows dragged in a large wash basin, not spilling any of the steaming water within. He grunted at Killian, dropping a few bottles and a large towel on a table before leaving. Without a second thought, Killian stripped to dip himself in the tub. The water was hot enough to pink his skin, but the heat felt right in the airy room as he scrubbed himself raw. 

Eventually, Killian felt his thoughts slip to Emma, marveling briefly how well Jasmine and she would get on, even though he had only just met Agrabah's ruler. Of course, Emma loved everyone, because she was too trusting, too bloody good for her own well-being. The Sultana though, seemed genuine. She seemed caring. A person who Emma would find a kinship with. 

If she survives to meet her. 

He buried his head in the steaming water, wishing he could rinse the Darkness and the doubt that ate away at him clean. 

  *✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

  The Darkness did not let him rest as the hours crept past, plaguing him with all manner of its devices, his teeth grinding as he tried to ignore it. It was easy enough to enjoy the heated water, the silks, the fresh fruit and drink that seemed to appear without end as servants politely knocked to leave tray after tray, even with the whine of it in the back of his head. But the unfamiliar feeling of wrong was wearing on Killian’s last nerve. It felt empty, as if the color was muted or his senses were dampened. 

Your senses are as sharp as ever, you delusional idiot. 

Killian chewed slowly on a date, trying to place the feeling while battling with the nasally voice. When he ignored it too long, it fell back on another of its old stand-by irritants sure to get a rise. 

“You’re the picture of a Lord now, Killian. The Blackwater family name lives on as a Jones.”

He choked slightly, his father’s voice echoing in his mind, the sneer on the man’s face as he glared across his desk flashing in his memories. Brennan Jones, surrounded by stacks of papers in his paneled study. Surrounded by his portraits of their ships, the Jones men of the Blackwater fighting war after bloody war for whoever was warring with who, at the expense of anyone but the royals themselves. Survival was guaranteed at a certain level of nobility, his father all but too happy to have two fit lads he could send away to gain glory while he bought or sold ships of lesser born men. Alice Jones had fought to keep Liam and Killian from the truths of their worth and the world for as long as she could. They had always had her love, and her support.

When she had died, it was like the colors of the world had muted where there was light, allowing Liam and him to see what they hadn’t before. In the shadows, the truth stalked. It bore down on them as they grew - Liam into the serious next in line Lordling that fought with Father over lives lost or cut corners, and Killian, who hid his hatred poorly but was the easier target. Liam couldn’t be everywhere at once. 

Brennan Jones, the master of all things in the Blackwater dominion, was keenly aware of Liam’s every limitation. He was more aware of Killian’s.

“Come now, m’boy. Waiting hand and foot on a Princess, and in the harem den of a Sultana feeding on sunned fruits - You spat on such futures when I presented them to you. You wonder why there is no color, no vigor in your blood… Your answer, is it hard to swallow?”

He threw away the fruit in disgust, the cruel laugh of his father a bellowing echo in his brain. Opening the doors to bring more air into his suffocating suite, he nearly ran headlong into a brightly colored mass of feathers. It squawked in surprise, raising arms ending in long plumess, the red and blue flashing in the light. 

“I’m - My Lord I -” A platter of something clattered to its bird taloned feet, as it stared at him with beady eyes over a mouth that tapered into a beak. More bird than Fae, but not an Anisapi, the reptilian skin and strange stature was wrong. The creature took a step back, its ears poking out under its crest, and the pieces clicked together. 

A spy, a snake, sent to watch you! 

“Why are you here?” Killian snarled, kicking the tray out of the way, the Goblin flinching back further. “Who sent you? Did you think I wouldn’t recognize poison?”

Kill it! Kill it, and kill - 

“My Lord, the kitchens - I simply work in the kitchens, my name is Iago -” The Goblin moved to grab the tray, but Killian was on him faster, wrenching his wing behind the creature’s back. “Please - I - what have I done, my Lord?”

Raja appeared from where Emma’s room lay, to Killian’s relief, moving towards them with purpose.

“This thing tried to -” Killian thrust the Goblin forward , twisting its feathered arm to turn it.

Raja cut him off, roughly tackling Killian to the floor. “Iago, did this Fae hurt you?”

Kill them ALL vessel, get the shard, take it and leave nothing but broken - 

“No, no, Raja sir, I don’t -”

“Did I hurt IT ?” Killian roared, staring in disbelief. “That bloody fucking Goblin -”

“Has been in the service of the kitchens here, since before your enemy was born.” Raja growled lowly. “He served the past Sultan and the Divining Light of the Desert Oasis, the Sultana Aura. He now serves the Seer of the Sands, Sultana Jasmine, and will serve her until the day her sight should ever fail us, forbid it to happen. He is no enemy of yours, Dark One, or your Princess.”

"Do it, do as I command, son! You worthless, whining, awful child. Do it. Liam would have! Liam had honor! He should be alive instead of you."

Killian only grunted in return, Raja standing quickly and offering a large paw. He swatted it aside, glaring at the trembling Goblin as he stood. 

“Do not send it up here again,” he hissed. The Goblin looked helpless, and Raja scowled. 

“He will, or your princess will no longer have me as her guard,” Raja rumbled out, his dark eyebrows raising in challenge as he bared his teeth. “Your choice.”

Killian gritted his teeth, glancing between the two.

“Please let him stay, Killian.” Emma’s soft whisper was barely audible, but his gaze immediately snapped to look at her. She leaned against the door to her room further up the hallway, the wind blowing the gauzy white curtains behind her. Still pale and flushed, when she stumbled slightly, both Iago and Raja were by her side within moments. 

"You are pathetic. Even Liam knew it, he told you he never cried when he took your lashes because he knew that you would never be anything more than a nuisance if you knew the truth."

“Princess, you shouldn’t -” Iago said softly, his Feathers bristling. 

"Everyone knew you were pathetic, but Liam took the brunt of it so you could try and be something worthwhile. You failed everyone so completely, and now you can't even protect the key to your freedom resting on that chain."

“Iago, you promised me you would help with my dreams,” Emma moaned slightly as they helped her back through the doorway, the curtains tangling around her slightly. “I want you to stay. You are fine, like none of the Goblin folk I have ever met. Please, please don’t stay away. Killian should have been told - ”

"You could take it, you could make someone get it for you. You won't though, will you, son? You know she's going to die because of you. You don't have to be a failure this time, this time you could be free!" 

“He attacked an innocent staff member because he is garbage specist scum,” Raja gritted out, Emma shaking her head emphatically in disagreement. “Iago could have been hurt -”

“I’m fine Raja, really,” Iago insisted. “My wing is fine, I was just surprised. Let’s drop it.”

“I don’t trust that thing, Emma,” Killian hissed. Raja stood taller, squaring his shoulders, but Emma raised her chin.

"She should not trust you. No one should."

“Leave us,” she whispered. Raja and Iago bowed quickly, leaving with a few of her medical team who were watching with confusion. Killian watched her slow movements, his fingers twitching when her hand rubbed hard against the column of her throat. 

Get the shard. 

"Yes, m'boy, get the shard. Get it and you will have everything you ever want."

"Well,” she said with a tired sigh, settling into her cot. She looked exhausted, but he noticed that more unsettling was her irritation with him. “Hey. I know we haven’t - I know we haven’t spoken in a while, but... Can you stop pissing off the staff and abusing them? It’s not exactly making an unpleasant stay anymore pleasant."

She coughed, looking at him pointedly. 

"Nothing has been pleasant with her around."

"Fine,” he grumbled. She nodded and laid back, with a sigh of relief.

“Now… Good morning. Are you alright? I had wondered if you left. I hadn’t seen you in so long.” 

We should have left. We should have taken the shard and -  

Killian scratched behind his ear, frowning.  “Good morning, Princess. If I leave I’ll say my goodbyes to you beforehand, but I - I haven’t made any plans,” he admitted, quietly.  “How are you feeling?"

"Honestly?" Emma whispered, her voice a dry and shrill echo of her normal honey timbre. "Like shit."

Good. Let her perish. Once we get the shard, that is. 

"You must be feeling somewhat better to forego your usual regal manner of speaking," he teased. 

“You are one to talk. What you did - Killian, I can’t -” She pinched the bridge of her nose before violently wheezing into another coughing fit. “I’m so mad at you right now, and I don’t have the energy to be mad. Why? Just -”

“That thing is a Goblin! That’s why!” Killian interrupted, looking at her with disbelief. 

“Just, can you please give him a chance?” When he didn’t answer, she shook her head sadly. “I’m so tired, and I can’t… I can't keep fighting with you. I can't have this dynamic anymore…” Trailing off, he felt a heaviness in his chest, the ache becoming more common. Was he sick as well?

"What is wrong with you?" 

“I said - I said fine! Fine.” He shrugged. “Fine, it’s sodding fine. It’s your bloody funeral.”

“Would you show up to my funeral, just to say I told you so?” Emma chuckled lightly, but he didn’t return her smile. 

“Depends on the menu you serve,” Killian replied dryly, shrugging. She smiled slightly, looking at him expectantly. His frown deepened as he carded his hand through his hair. “I’m just worried for you, and I -��

“I’ve been more worried about you,” Emma stated without irony. The Darkness scoffed in his Father's voice. 

She hummed, eyes closing and a cough rattling her chest. "You've been acting weird, and not just because I'm sick. This whole fight, this attack, how awful you've been lately to me and anyone else crossing your path… It’s not the you I know. I thought honesty and a little bit of snark -" Emma broke into more hacking, taking deep gulps of air. She reached for his hand, but he snatched it away, making a point of not looking at her directly after he saw her face fall. 

This is why you must leave! 

"I'll go get you some more water." He stood, dusting himself off. The ache in his chest was sharper, coupled with a feeling of shame. The Darkness tried to press at him to be angry, to attack her again, to insult and belittle her as he had done on board the ship but he refused. 

"No, wait - please stay, don't leave me here alone already." Emma reached out for him, but he walked away briskly towards a servant. She started coughing again, the steady decline of her health making it harder for her to breathe. "Killian, please?" she whimpered, but he rounded the corner as fast as he could get away from her. It wasn't the first time he had fled from her as she fought whatever illness had taken hold. 

His room sat behind her own, the walk out of the wing putting him in full view of where she rested. It had worried him at first, the open air home to the wind, pests, and sand, but a caregiver had eased his thoughts by mentioning a protective spell around the room. Emma seemed eased by the breezes, which had given way to his taciturn reluctance to be anywhere near where she was. Several times she had called out for him, once even attempting to follow after him until she stumbled into the arms of a nurse. 

When they were forced into conversation by Jasmine's crafty handiwork, Emma continued to question him about what came to pass in their shared dream. She was remembering more and more, specific details that made him squirm in his seat. She believed wholeheartedly they were simply dreams, but as they continued he caught her glances at him more and more. Her lingering looks, the blush in her cheeks that she tried to will away with a bite to her lip, the soft tone she said his name in - it all was entirely too much to be close to. 

It was as if his body wanted her desperately, her closeness addicting, but the Darkness and his common sense screeched at the reaction. Running from her was cowardice, but necessary. 

He spent time wandering the stalls of the market, numbly taking in the scents of foreign spices and the colors of vibrant silks. 

Get the shard and leave. Run away to freedom, take your life back from the hands of the weak Princess. Leave her behind. You're doing her a favor by abandoning her before we break her. 

The Darkness chattered non stop, its grating voice a low hum in the front of his mind. Deeper, there was an echo that he clung too, even if it was in whispers. It pointed at emerald pendants that caught the light, sparkling at him, and the patterns embroidered in the clothing the Agrabah people favored, hung on display. Golden swans swimming in unfurled blooms across damask and silk, a jeweled veil that went along to match made him pause, his fingers sliding along the fabric of their own will. 

"Pretty silks for a pretty woman in your life, yes?" The shopkeeper grinned, eyeing Killian with narrowed eyes. 

"No, I'm afraid I don't have -" 

The shopkeeper scoffed, swatting at his hand with annoyance. "Then look with your eyes, and begone."

He blinked at the man's bluntness, turning away with a snort of laughter. Emma would have loved this. If she were here, she would have charmed the man into giving her the bloody outfit for free, just because that was the beauty of who she was - 

The Darkness whined louder, as if it could sense his weakness. He fled, not to his ship where he had once felt nothing but comfort - no, that was filled with her too, her smell, her laughter; the bed was still a twisted mess of covers from where she had lain ill. He could see her there, or worse still, the images of them together, curled around each other in a gentle doze. Being there was like a candle being smothered, the air taken from every space. 

It took a few days of wandering, but he found a makeshift place to rest away from the palace that suited him. It had been, or was, a home of some vagabond at one point, cloth rags curtaining what had once been a wall, a full view of the palace and sky, while broken produce crates had been placed to use as shelves. A threadbare rug lay on the dusty floor, next to a straw pallet. 

Killian did not use the bed, instead sitting on the edge of the wall, looking out over the view as he tried to lose himself. 

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" 

The voice startled him, his head whipping around to see the man approaching him cautiously. He was dark haired, a true shock of it that was swept back in a messy swipe, his large brown eyes regarding Killian with a wary curiosity. 

"Sorry mate. Don't want trouble if this is your spot; just liked the view," Killian said evenly, not moving save to gesture at the palace. 

The man nodded, moving to sit across from Killian, producing two apples from his pocket. He threw one at Killian, who caught it easily. 

"It is one heck of a view," he said simply. After a long moment of silence, he spoke again. "Do you think that the people who live there are happy?" 

Killian tilted his head, looking out at the gleaming towers of the palace, and taking a bite of the apple. Chewing slowly, he swallowed hard without looking at the man. "No. I don't think there is much true happiness to be found there." 

More silence followed, both men eating their apples. It was broken again by the stranger. 

"Name is Aladdin, by the way." 

"Killian."

"It was nice to meet you, but a word of warning. Trouble is coming for those in the palace - and they deserve every bit of it. You're new here. Stay clear if you know what's best for you." Aladdin wiped his fingers on his patched pants, and Killian frowned. 

"Fair advice, but not very specific," Killian mused, shrugging off his frown before slouching back with false amusement. "What if I like getting into trouble? Is it worth my time to go seeking some fortune in their golden coffers?" 

Aladdin narrowed his eyes, jaw jutting up slightly. Anger rippled across his face. "No. No treasure," he said, the words dripping venom. His anger seemed to dissipate as he frowned, staring at the dirty floor. "There isn't anything there for a common thief of a street rat."

"Then tell me what is worth stealing, if you aren't part of the usual riff raff." Killian smirked. 

Aladdin hesitated, his earlier energy gone. 

"I won't know until tomorrow. I get the orders, and then I grab the object." He scratched his head, adjusting his fez cap. "I just know that any chance I get to punish the Royals is a chance I'm willing to take. The Sultana is heartless. She's a diamond that blinds you before cutting you into ribbons."

Killian arched an eyebrow. "It rather sounds like you and this Sultana are more than intimately acquainted."

Aladdin glared, turning red in his cheeks. "She's much too grand for someone like me," he hissed out. 

Killian nodded slowly. "Fine, I'll stay out of your way. I hope the job is worth it."

"When we're done, it will be." Aladdin grinned. 

*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ

Days passed slowly as Emma begged for company, particularly his. The Sultana and her had taken to each other as soon as Emma began to improve, giggling together as he passed, eating meals together, or talking long into the evenings. Jasmine exerted pressure on him to join them, but Killian dodged her with a practiced finesse he hadn't used since the days before Milah, escaping his father's rages. 

The Darkness still slithered in his mind relentlessly, bouncing back and forth between the voice of his captor the Goblin King, and his accursed father. The lack of rest coupled with the descriptions of his mother or a gory ending to Emma's life in Brennan Jones tongue was enough to turn Killian’s insides. 

It's fitting you lose every woman in your life to tragedy, isn't it? All three, sickened into an early grave. 

"Luckily, your mother never lived to know what you become. You would have her blood on your hands as well."

His mother had died so much like this, her frail body lost among the bedding as a healer sat nearby. 

Killian was beyond relieved at the absence of everyone in the palace upon his return, when he saw the princess hobbling towards him in the hallway with a determined look in her eyes. He tried to find an escape, but beyond leaping out of the window, there were none. She bared down on him, menacing even as he took in her exhausted countenance. 

"We," she gestured between the two of them, "Have a meeting in 5 minutes." 

Killian shook his head. "I don't think - I'm unavailable for any sort of counsel. I'm sorry -" 

Emma cut him off, with an annoyed wave of her hand. "Jasmine has been turning away suitors, and she mentioned that she was housing a sick woman with no known cure. Now, my life is tied to Jasmine's hand in marriage." Her voice broke slightly, but she was quick to cough, looking at him with hard eyes as her words dropped with wry, unhappy sarcasm. "You know, just royal things."

"The Sultana did what?" he hissed, anger beginning to course through him steadily. " Bloody hell , Emma, we need to -" 

"I tried . Jasmine is bound by the law here, and I am bound by… I need a cure. These suitors of hers may have something that can rid me of this. One of them says he knows what this illness is." She pointed to her chest. "The healers Jasmine has blessed us with can keep treating the symptoms of this, but not for long. I - There's nothing else that can be done. I need a cure, and quickly."

"This doesn't concern me, or you. We will stay here while they -" 

"Killian, you're not understanding me. I have no other options. This - this is a last resort that I'll be lucky to have work." Emma bit her lip, looking downcast. She did not meet his gaze as his rage grew into a panicked fury. 

Swallowing hard, she wrapped her arms around her frail frame. "We need to talk, Killian. I've tried - The treatment isn't going to do much more than make my symptoms better until it doesn't. I don't have a lot of hope at this point." The last sentence was whispered, and she closed her eyes before wiping away wetness. "I wanted your input. The situation here just didn't, well, pan out… Therefore, I have named you as my second. Should I die, you will be the shard's owner."

You've killed her, vessel of mine. Maybe I was wrong about your usefulness after all! You've freed us, and the United Realms will fall for it. 

"Your vengeance is finally within sight." 

Killian struggled to breathe, the Darkness triumphantly purring in his mind. The secreted feelings he held close burned, disbelief at the possibility that he might lose her, that he was the cause of her death, of her pain. He stared at her, trying to focus on her words. 

"Jasmine has helped me prepare all the documents that will be needed if Fae law ever returns to the realms." Emma pointed to the space on her chest where the shard had laid, its long chain empty. The absence of the silvery pendant was as jarring as the black bruise-like tinge of her skin underneath. 

WHERE IS OUR SHARD!? 

WHERE HAS THE SICK, SPENT, BITCH PUT IT!? 

The Darkness screeched in many voices at once, each enraged as his eardrums pounded inside his skull. His fingers balled into fists, the urge to bruise, to make Emma suffer for this crushing him under its weight. He couldn't, he would never - 

FIND IT FIND IT FIND IT AND PUNISH HER. FIND IT AND MAKE HER PAY - 

"You gave it to someone else!?" Killian growled as he moved closer, dwarfing her. She took an uncertain step back, her breathing catching in her throat. 

Emma gasped slightly, but choked out an answer with wide eyes. "It's alright. I trust the safety of it. Please -" 

"You trust - You trust ?" Killian laughed darkly, grinning at her with a malicious sneer. "When has your trust ever been worth a bloody damn? Your trust is meaningless, your faith is worth nothing, and now you have forced me to follow by your side if I want my freedom."

RIP HER APART, GET THE SHARD!

"I made the deal, I need the cure. I am sorry, but you have to trust me on this. I wanted to discuss it, but…" She pleaded, but he refused to hear any of it. The Darkness rose like a tidal wave, furthering every bit of him that sparked with hatred. "It's done. I need you to know my funerary needs, just in case the cure fails, but first we have to meet these suitors - "

"I don't care, Princess. When are you going to understand that I don't want to be here? We aren't friends, I am not doing this out of good will or kindness like your naivete expects. I want to be free of you," he snarled, watching her shrink into a coughing fit. "Does it please you to leash me, Princess? Do you relish in having your faithful pet at your beck and call? I don't want to have your blood on my hands, by tether or not, but if you insist, I will make sure that you regret it." 

"Killian, please, I -" 

  "THAT'S IT, M'BOY.

MAKE HER SUFFER."

"I don't want to be your second. I wouldn't want to be your fifth, or even your sixty-third!" Killian spat, his anger pouring out of him. His father's voice taunted him relentlessly, egging him on, and he could barely think over its noise. Something quieter tugged at him too, begging him to stop. It begged him to look at her tearstained face, and her clear horror as her hands rose to cover her mouth in shock. At the way she flinched back when he moved, or made a gesture, obviously in fear. He ignored it, lashing out as his father laughed. "You are an absolutely infuriating and insufferable companion; once you are healthy, you will give me the shard, we will end this alliance, and you will never see me again."

Emma stood in stunned silence for a long moment as he panted, before giving a short, barely there nod. 

"As you wish," she whispered, finally meeting his eyes. They were nearly as bloodshot as his own as she trembled. 

THE PRINCESS DESERVES THIS.

The smallest, barely there whisper was almost drowned out completely as it cried, trying to get him not to listen. 

The Princess does not deserve any of this, or any of this rage. She's scared of you. You hurt her . 

You caused this. You . 

"Now, where the sodding fuck are these suitors? The sooner we get this finished, the better," he seethed, Emma pointing in silence to a set of double doors with thick golden inlay. He pushed them open forcefully, coming face to face with a familiar man dressed in traditional finery.

"Ah, Dark One. Princess." Jasmine gestured from her throne for them to approach. A group of men stood before her, giving bows as Emma was helped to a smaller chair next to Jasmine's, Raja gesturing at him to move so that Killian stood by her side. The men drew closer beckoned by Raja as he stood in front of his Sultana. 

"The kingdom of Camelot has demanded the laws of the open palm be laid out, here forward," Raja boomed out. "The offer stands at a cure for the mystery illness plaguing her guest, given with an open palm, in return for the Sultana's hand in marriage. One by one, please present yourself. Tonight we dine together, and tomorrow you will begin seeking a cure. If the guest is injured, made worse, or dies from a proposed cure, the offer is void. If the guest dies before a cure is found, the offer is void."

"Thank you, Raja," Jasmine stated robotically. Her face was solemn, no hint of any emotion. 

Raja nodded, then set his sights on the first of the four men. 

The first was tall, and somehow sinewy, his fingers long around a golden cane shaped like a snake. His deep, wine and dark garnet robes were elaborately lined in golden embroidery that made his dark skin and eyes seem to glow as if lit by embers. 

"I am Jafar." He bowed low, the deep plum jewel in his tall turban glinting in the light. "I was the vizier of this kingdom at one time, and helped the queen navigate life with her Djinn powers. I have come to seek a place for my wisdom once more."

Jafar's thick, syrupy voice made Killian want to shudder, but what was more unnerving was that the man had spared no glance to his would be bride, or Emma. Jafar had leveled his gaze straight into Killian’s own, blinking slow, and never looked away even as his lips curled into a smirk. 

Killian tore his eyes away with difficulty as the next man began to speak. He was dressed in a grey and blue chiton, the silver clasps accentuating his pale skin, red hair, and matching the ice of his pinched glare at Emma. 

"I am Hades, named for the God and blessed by him to rule the Southern Hills. I conquered the Amazons, defeated the monsters this world let loose, and I alone tamed the great Titans of the old world until they grew too willful. I crushed them, and will crush anything in my path with ease should I gain your foresight." He knelt, dragging his glare from Emma to stare up at Jasmine. "You may not be my Persephone, but you will be a beautiful prize, hard won."

A knight dressed in leather studded mail bowed low next, dark hair and cheerful eyes matched by a blinding smile. He looked between both Jasmine and Emma with a prideful grin. 

"I am Arthur, the reason we are all here, King of Camelot, Holder of the Sword of Pure Truth, given to me by the spirit of Lake Nostros. I come to ask for either of your hands in marriage." Emma visibly tensed, and Killian swallowed back the urge to glare. "I am in need of a queen who loves her people, her kingdom, and her king. I thought I had that once, but betrayal and hardship is not unknown to any of us. I hope to not only heal you, Princess Emma, but potentially bring you or the beautiful desert diamond Sultana Jasmine happiness. You both deserve it, along with the utmost peace."

Arthur's eyes flicked to Killian briefly, and there was a glimmer of something that felt dishonest and unclean. It was gone so quickly it had to be imagined as Killian looked at the last man once more. 

His dark shock of hair was laid under a turban, the bright peacock feather in it held on by a glittering plum jewel. His face was familiar, large dark eyes and long eyelashes full of mirth and trepidation, as if he didn't quite belong. Killian looked harder, trying to place him. Was he a courtier? No, that couldn't be. Had he been in the market? The realization hit him, putting him immediately on edge. Aladdin winked at Killian in his disguise, as he purred out an introduction.

"I am Shah Ali of Ab'dua," Aladdin smirked up at the three of them. "And I will easily win your heart, as well as cure the Princess Emma. It's an absolute pleasure to meet you both."

[mirrorstone]

Like making a wish on a monkey’s paw, you ask for more Leagues and Legends content but it’s just me with a rambling daemon AU character study no one asked for.

Cassandra settled early. Her father looked down at her and called her “precocious” with the same kind of pride in his voice a man would have when talking about a prize racehorse or a pedigreed dog.

“It suits you,” he told her, looking down at the viper in her hands, whose eyes were inhuman gold, and she knew that he meant it. She had never, even on the best days, been quite able to convince herself it was entirely praise. Her father’s goshawk, Celosia, sometimes looked at them both like something she would have stooped on and eaten, if they were not too venomous to survive it.

Aurel saw the world in a different way too. He saw it in the shudders of footsteps against the ground, the taste of things in the air, the heat of their form left in passing. He saw it from low to the ground, where he went unnoticed and saw things that went unnoticed.

Grey settled late, or seemed to. Cassandra knew several months before their father did, simply because Grey never mentioned it, until he was asked directly Their father had looked down at them, his son and the rat perched on his shoulder, and frowned.

“Well, a rat belongs in a lab, I suppose,” he’d said finally, settling a heavy hand on Grey’s other shoulder. Celosia looked down at her from her perch on his shoulder, and ruffled her wings a little as though to draw his attention to the similarities of their positions. It had made their father’s expression grow a little more approving. He smiled like that down at Grey and Hypatia when her deft little paws put together delicate pieces of machinery, when Grey understood a concept after a single explanation.

It had taken Aurel a long time to forgive himself for settling on a form that made Grey live with a houseful of things that would devour him.

When Grey meets Jack for the first time, his daemon lights up, immediately swarms down his shoulder and darts over to the desk, skimming up it with the ease of a natural born climber and getting as close to the height of Grey’s shoulder as she can, flicking her bushy tail expectantly.

“Hello!” she says cheerfully. “My name is Maple. I’m glad to meet you! Look, we match!”

“We don’t,” says Hypatia, remaining right where she is.

“We sort of do,” Maple says, unswayed. “Some of the hero majors call me a rat anyway, so I think it works.” Jack can’t help but notice the way way Grey doesn’t move, like someone who trained themselves to freeze instead of flinch.

“Maple, come on, we just met him.” He holds out a hand, beckons, and she takes a flying leap onto his arm, agile and fearless. “She’s really friendly,” he says with a smile, an explanation that refuses to be an apology for her. “I’m Jack.”

When Jack arrived at the school, they took one look at him, one look at his daemon, and sorted him away into the guides without a second though. Barefoot farm boys with dust on their well-worn knapsacks and common pests as daemons are not hero material. Heroes have horse daemons, or eagles or tigers or wolves, fierce and majestic. Heroes have daemons who can fight. Jack’s daemon is useful as a scout, a spy, something small and common and easily dismissed. Jack is tall enough for the both of them, but he too is something common and easily dismissed.

When he gets into fights with the bullies, with their snarling wolves and mantling eagles, Maple spends the fights running, dodging, leaping up into their faces to bite before darting away. When he gets into fights, he gets beaten bloody whenever one of their larger daemons manages to pin her down, and his limbs go leaden and slow to respond, fighting against the persistent belief that they’re trapped under a sneering leopard’s paw, and she feels his pain and thrashes and berates and tries to bite until neither of them can fight back any more.

Jack never lets something as simple as a beating stop him from stepping into another fight. They both know what it feels like to be small and pinned down and hurt, and no one else in the entire world is going to feel that way if Jack can step in and feel it for them.

Grey will soon fall into the habit of calling them both “Squirrel” with an acerbic “am I supposed to be able to tell the two hyperactive redheads apart?” He will fall into many habits that year. The habit of tucking Hypatia into the pocket of his academy jacket to ensure she never gets left behind when he inevitably has to run after Jack for reasons that are always terrible and not worth the running (as he tells them at length when the running stops and he can catch his breath again.) The habit of tucking himself into Jack’s warm shadow and refusing to be left behind. The habit of leaving a cushion on his desk for Hypatia to curl up on, so that when he falls asleep at his desk and Jack moves him to his bed, he can move her too without touching her.

Hypatia develops another habit, eventually. Instead of the cushion, she starts falling asleep on top of Jack’s always packed knapsack. “Grey’s desk is too covered with books,” she sniffs when Jack comments, as though he has not come across her asleep on top of an open book as many times as he has Grey. They never say that it’s because if she breathes deep, it still carries the faintest scent of a place that used to be home. They never say that if she’s there, Jack can’t leave without them knowing.  

Cassandra’s daemon is a mountain pit viper. It’s not a cuddly animal, and it’s one that you know is dangerous the moment you see it, which I think says some things about the way she sees herself, but I think it’s also a little bit of wish fulfillment. After all, people don’t touch vipers not so much because they don’t want to, but because they don’t dare. A viper can defend itself very well with a single bite, and I think that’s something that I think an adolescent Cassandra would have wished for. His name is a mangling of the word “laurel” which according to Greek legend was created when another one of the women Apollo lusted after (in addition to Cassandra) chose to turn into a tree rather than let him have her.

Grey’s daemon is a fancy rat, with a grey hooded pattern. They’re small, quick, and can dash away and hide easily. Rats are also very intelligent. Specifically, he’s a domesticated species of rat because Grey is not a wild animal. He wants to live where people are, in the comforts of civilization (i.e. libraries, the only parts of civilization that matter.) I imagine there’s a certain stigma both to having a domesticated daemon instead of a wild one, and to having a rat daemon. Good thing Grey has perfected the aura of “I really don’t give a fuck what you think if you’re not a book.” Grey’s daemon is also the only one in his family that’s not a species native to the mountains, which is what we call foreshadowing.She’s named after Hypatia, who’s associated with the library of Alexandria, because I am predictable.

Their father’s daemon is a goshawk because I’ve chosen to ignore the convention bird daemons usually mean witches in the HDM universe. I wanted him to have a raptor daemon because they’re not social birds, and because they don’t really tame. Unless a raptor has imprinted on a human, even one trained for falconry always has a risk of simply flying off and never coming back. Goshawks are known for being particularly fierce and determined hunters. Her name is the result of me prettily mangling the Latin word for “lofty, proud.”

Jack’s daemon is a Eurasian red squirrel, not to be confused with the American red squirrel who is significantly less fluffy. Jack and his daemon are both quick, active, and like to spend an inordinate amount of his time up high, and it amuses me that they’re both redheads. I deliberately wanted Jack to have a “common” daemon, the sort of animal that you see everywhere and dismiss. But she’s also, at heart, a forest creature. Grey left his home with a daemon that didn’t belong there looking for the place they did. Jack and his daemon fit perfectly into their home, but they left, and now it no longer fits them quite like it used to. She’s named after one of the species of tree that grows heartwood. Apparently not all of them do. Make of that what you will.

Bonus Cassandra and Spider with spoiler for Remember the Dust under the cut.

Spider’s soul also bore venomous fangs, and a form that made people shudder, and perhaps that was what had first caught her interest. Spider had a daemon no one would want to touch, even if he were willing to allow the intimacy. Spider also had divided loyalties, between the person he held close to his heart and between the man he obeyed. Cassandra could work with that.

The first time she touched his daemon had come as a surprise to both of them. When she had crept up to Cassandra’s hand, lying on the table, and quietly asked “May I?” Cassandra had frozen, looking up at Spider who had frozen just as uselessly as she had, and then back down at the tarantula. Anthina was still, but only in the way she was always still when she was waiting. It was a thoughtful, patient stillness, not the frozen uselessness she’d managed to throw both humans into with only two words.

Cassandra had finally managed to choke out a “yes” and she crawled delicately onto her hand. Cassandra had cupped her other hand next to it, feeling every brush of the rosy hairs, every light tap as each leg touched down on her skin, and she had lifted her up. Even a few feet off the ground, she held Spider’s life in her hands, quite literally, and they both knew it. Anthina’s exoskeleton would not survive being dashed against the ground from even the height of the table, her venom not powerful enough to leave death that would follow her own. Cassandra’s heart had pounded so hard she was certain that Anthina must have been able to feel it through her skin, while she held Spider’s own heart cupped in her palms. She held her there, silently, for the count of ten heartbeats, then twenty, lost count, before she set her gently down.

Spider looked like a man who’d been smacked in the head with a sledgehammer. He cleared his throat twice before he could get the words out. “Well then.” That was all. It wasn’t his way to make a big deal of things. It gave her time to catch her breath.

It had been much longer before Aurel would let Spider touch him. Spider never minded. Maybe he knew somehow, like she did, the way Aurel was always aware of the warmth of him. The way he would slither into the spaces Spider had left, and coil up until the residual traces of heat faded away entirely. The first time he’d let Spider do it, coiled around his arm as Spider lifted it up like he was wearing something made of glass, Cassandra had felt surrounded by warmth for the first time in her life.

When Spider had argued with Thorne that day (Cassandra would always think of it as that day, needing no other qualifier) when he'd said he wouldn't allow what the man had planned to do, Thorne had not spoken. He had simply looked Spider, with a faintly puzzled look, like a man pinning insects to a board who had been greeted by one of the in a human tongue. His gibbon daemon had leaned in as though she was listening, when Spider's daemon added her words, and then reached down and crushed the tarantula in her nimble, clever hands. Spider died with a strangled protest caught in his throat, crumpled to the floor as his daemon dissipated into dust, and Cassandra did not cry. She already knew from long experience that no one would come to help if she did.

(Spider’s daemon is a Chilean Rose Tarantula. I just liked the incongruence of giving him a daemon named after something beautiful when tarantulas are widely considered to be grotesque.

Thorne’s daemon is a gibbon because in the HDM universe, people with monkey daemons are stereotyped as clever, conniving, and untrustworthy, but mostly because he is a HORRIBLE LITTLE MAN.)

[i-write-shakespeare-not-disney]

Only the Stars Remember

Click OP if Read more link won’t show. Feed back very appreciated. Sorry for typos, half asleep.

Click here for the Prologue

Opposing Stones-

The Galra were regal in their own way. Despite their strange purple fur, purple skin, yellow eyes, claws and fangs, they had a sort of composure that spoke power without showing it.

Such was the presence of the Galra Empress in the shuttle. She didn’t wear robes, or a dress, or even a crown. She wore armor. She wore battle gear. And even so, there was no doubt she was royalty.

It was in the way her chin remained raised, her eyes steady on whoever she spoke to. In the way she stood, back straight and a stance that was both defensive and challenging. Demanding respect.

There was a hardness to her features the Altean King and Queen couldn’t quite pinpoint. In the curl of her lip, subtle enough that it wasn’t rude, and the way her ears were pulled back. The clench of her claws and the lack of expression on her face.

“The war has reached a futile point. Neither of our people can continue without completely extinguishing our existences. We must find a way to make peace,” the King said in a firm, but gentle voice. He had a strange lilt to his words, making them almost musical.

“And what do you suggest it to be?” the Empress asked. “Every strive for peace has been rejected, broken. We offered supplies, and you used them against us. We offered land and your people refused to step on it unless it was to hurt my people.” She frowned and her head tilted down only slightly. “Of course, times you offered peace went unwanted as well. Battles broke out instead. One of which resulted in my husband’s death,” she spat, her teeth bared.

“And we empathize with you,” the Queen said curtly, becoming almost defensive as she stepped closer to the King. “We’ve lost many of our own as well. Brothers, sisters, children.” Her voice broke and she took a breath. “We discussed this, and… our son pointed out that each attempt at peace involved a single party. The gifts offered to you were simply to appease you, with no result for us. This may have caused the dissent. And the offers your people provided did the same.”

“Then what do you, or your son, suggest?” she asked in a flat tone.

The King and Queen looked at each other and the latter took a breath before stepping forward to be face to face with the Empress. “An alliance. A union of our people.”

The empress furrowed her eyebrows, her first vulnerable emotion- confusion. “A union?”

“A marriage,” she rephrased. “Preferably between royalty. We have the most influence over our people, the most respect.” She took a breath. “I understand you have a son.”

“Yes. Though he has deep… disdain for your people. I doubt he’d want to marry any of your children.”

The Queen’s jaw clenched, her eyes fluttered momentarily. “Not children. Child. I only have my son left,” she said softly. Her eyes met the Empress’ solid yellow. “I’m afraid the most surprising part of this is not a marriage between Galra and Alteans. It is… the fact they would both be male.”

The Empress frowned and shook her head. “He would never agree,” she growled.

“Even if it would bring peace to our people? End the wars? Is your son not one of the most respected generals as well as a prince? Is he not tired of fighting?”

“Keith has a great amount of anger fueling him,” she answered solemnly. Her heart clenched as she tried to remember the sweet little cub he had been once upon a time… and failed. It had been so long since her son had turned cold and vicious. Her innocent little boy had been replaced by a bloodthirsty war machine. Still, the prospect of peace was there. She raised her eyes to the Queen. “Your son has agreed?”

“He came up with the idea,” the King said from behind the Queen. “He wasn’t aware you only had a son, but when we told him, he said it was a marriage for peace. Not procreation.”

The empress took a deep breath and gave a curt nod. “Keep the ceasefire for the next three quintents. I will return with an answer. Let’s pray it’s a peaceful one.” The Queen nodded and watched as the Empress left the palace.

*

“My prince, are you certain you don’t want to eat?” he heard a gentle voice say behind him. Lance turned and shook his head, causing the servant to bow and walk away.

He took a shaky breath and ran his hand unconsciously along his forearm. His wound was long healed, hidden under his clothing and flowing robes. Still, Lance found himself sliding his hand over it when he was anxious or upset. He never noticed until he managed to pull his thoughts together.

“Lance,” he heard his father call. He stood up straight, and looked at his parents as they walked into the room in all their royal grace. “We’ve put the suggestion on the table,” he said.

Lance raised an eyebrow. “And? Will it work?”

“We don’t know, my son,” his mother whispered. “The empress agrees with the idea, but she is unsure her son will.” She grimaced slightly. “Are you certain you want to do this? Marry a Galra? Consummate a marriage with one?”

Lance gulped and shut his eyes. I made a promise, he reminded himself. If I could achieve peace, I would. No matter what. He opened his eyes, his answer resolute.

“Yes.”

“Very well,” she answered sadly. “We have three quintents before we receive an answer. That was the deal.” She touched his face gingerly, and Lance could see it in her eyes; she was thinking of his sisters and brothers. Of how alike they looked. Of how they were all dead now.

And now Lance was offering to marry someone from the species that murdered his family.

He pulled away and left the room, aching to be alone in his room. He had to constantly remind himself the Galra were not born murderers. They were not born evil. That to the Galra, it was the Alteans that were evil. He constantly had to remind himself of that Galra boy he had met as a child, the boy he befriended as they hid from the chaos. He had to remember how afraid that boy had been, how innocent.

That was what Galra were like. The war had turned them into what they were now. If Lance took away the war, there would be more children, more Galra like that boy he had met at that strange river. He had to overcome the prejudice. For his people.

For his nameless friend.

*

There was a fire coursing through his veins. He was in a state of mind that refused to acknowledge anything besides, attack. With each movement, he caused destruction.

He finally stopped when every practice drone, Altean cut-out, holographic target, and steel dummy was on the floor in piles of scraps and rubble. His claws twitched with leftover adrenaline, but he managed to step away and wipe away his sweat.

“General,” a low voice murmured. Keith turned, baring his fangs automatically. “Your mother wishes to see you.”

Keith scowled. She was back. Back from her peace meeting. Back from meeting with those revolting blue striped monkeys. Keith had told her not to go. He’d insisted he could lead his troops to a final victory. He just wanted to extend the bloodbath a little more. He wanted to inflict the pain they had inflicted on him.

Still, she had gone and refused his pleas.

Keith discarded his training uniform and put on his general uniform before going to meet his mother. Stiff back, arms at his sides, blank expression, Keith walked into the throne room and fell to one knee at the first step up to the throne. He had one beside her, but he hadn’t used it too often. He preferred his General status over Prince. Being a general meant he fought. Being a prince meant being calm and collected and patient.

“My son, where are your robes?” she questioned.

“My empress Q’arina, I don’t need them. Permission to stand?”

“Granted,” she said tiredly.

Keith lifted his gaze until he was looking up at her. “So then? Is there peace in the galaxy again?”

She looked at him with a somber expression and clasped her hands together. “Yes,” she whispered. “If… you agree to a condition.” Keith snarled, baring his teeth. “At least hear it before you throw a tantrum.” Keith curled his lip into a scowl and stared at his mother. Only her status as both his mother and his empress kept him from letting his tongue loose.

She took another breath and rose from her chair. He knew this move well. It was the “I-Am-Your-Mother-So-Do-As-I-Say-Young-Man” move. It meant she knew Keith wouldn’t like what was coming, and was already warning him not to dare object.

“A union between our people. We believe a marriage between our royalty will tie our people together and allow peace to settle.” Keith’s eyes went wide, his mouth opening to object. But she went on, ignoring the expression on his face. “The Altean queen has only a son left.”

“You want me to marry a male Altean?” he shouted in disbelief. He barged up the steps until he was face to face with his mother. “Over my dead body,” he snarled. “I’d sooner lead a level one troop against their castle than go anywhere near one without the intent to kill!”

Suddenly his mother cursed in ancient Galran and turned away from him, slumping into her throne. “Don’t you understand?” she cried. “I’m tired, Keith. Everyone is. Of the fighting, the killing, the dying, all of it! We have a chance to end this, why must you be so stubborn?”

“They killed my father!” he roared.

“And the continuation of this war could kill you next!” she shouted, suddenly standing so close to him, Keith momentarily felt like a scolded three year old. Then she broke into tears and cupped his face. “I miss your father. Every single day. But allowing this war to continue means I risk losing you too.” She shook her head, her paws shaking against his face. “I can’t- I won’t lose you too, Keith. If you love me, then please consider this. Bring me peace with the knowledge that I won’t have to send you off to more massacres and battles. That I won’t have to risk losing you.”

“Mother,” he breathed, suddenly less angry, less certain of his answer. “How would that even work? Our bloodlines would end there, I-”

“I don’t know every detail, my son. I told them I would ask you. They gave us three quintents before we had to return with an answer. I assume their prince will be there. We can figure out the questions then.” Keith grimaced. It sounded like a business deal. In a way, he knew it was.

But marriage had never been something Keith wanted or even considered. To him, it would only hold him back. A way to distract him from his goal. And he had always expected to marry a female, to continue the royal bloodline. If he ever married, he assumed it would be for the sake of procreating.

Ironically enough, now that he had to marry, there was no chance of that.

He wanted to say no. To reject the offer and provide a plan of attack instead. But the look on his mother’s face was too painful to ignore. “Mother…. I don’t want to marry. Not just the Altean, but at all. I can’t agree to-”

“You have time to think this over. Put aside your pride for once and be the prince you are. Consider what bringing peace would mean. By the third quintent, I will accept any answer you give me.” He sighed and wondered why she bothered giving him time if she knew he’d still say no. He turned to leave, his body shaking with the urge to return to training, to fight using his anger. But as he neared the exit, his mother’s voice came loud and clear. “You should know, my son, that if your answer is no by the third quintent, that I will agree with you. But I will also revoke your position as a general and demote you to cadet.”

The air left his lungs. And although he had expected the words to cause anger and violence in him, they left him weak and empty instead. He remained frozen there for a moment, unable to move before finally rushing out.

If his status was taken, he could not lead any more battles. Who was he without his power to declare and lead battles? Who was he without his rank?

*

Tensions were high. There had been no word on behalf of the Galra and the third quintent was almost over. Lance could see the tension in his mother’s face. They could only continue the war for so long before it led to total destruction.

Finally one of the servants rushed into the throne room, face filled with a mix of hope and fear. “They’re here,” he said. The royal family stood immediately and his mother nodded, granting the Galra entrance.

A few moments later, the Empress and Prince were walking in, rigid, dressed in royal robes and cloaks. The prince’s head tilted toward Lance, evidently fixing his eyes on him. His purple lip curled up into a snarl and Lance set his shoulders back, refusing to break eye contact. The closer they got, the softer the Prince’s face seemed to become. Almost solemn.

The Queen stepped down and took a nervous breath. “So then? Have you made a decision?” she asked the Prince.

The two shared a look before the Prince lifted his chin. “Yes.” He gulped and it seemed difficult for him to speak. “I… accept the condition.” A muscle in his jaw jumped and Lance had to gulp as he realized his future husband was a mere few steps away from him.

Even the Empress Q’arina seemed to relax her shoulders and let out a relieved breath as though she hadn’t been certain of her son’s choice. There was still tension in the room, though peace had been reached. It was fragile, Lance knew. It was uncertain. Peace was in their grasp, but neither were certain of what it would entail. Of whether it would succeed.

“Very well then. I believe we have details to discuss.” The Queen turned to one of the guards. “Bring out some food for our… allies. We will have a feast.” She turned to Lance and nodded, beckoning him closer, but Lance noticed the pain in her eyes. She was giving her only son away to a fruitless marriage. “General, this is my son, Prince Lance. Your fiancé.”

Bright yellow eyes looked him over and the rigid stance never left his muscles. “I’m Keith. Galra general and prince.” Lance lowered his head in a respectful bow.

The royal bloodlines sat in a tense circle around a table brought in by servants as food was placed on platters. The betrothed boys sat beside each other, their parents in front of them. After a few moments of picking mindlessly at the food, too overcome with uncertainty to be hungry, Empress Q’arina spoke.

“So what does this marriage entail? What are the terms of this peace treaty?”

“If I may,” Lance spoke glancing at both Galra and his parents. “The point behind the union is to unite our people as well. To show that peace or friendship between our species is possible. We’d be the example encouraging future friendships between our species.” Beside him, the Prince took a sharp breath. “This way, both our people are at stake. There would be peace by respect to us alone.”

“And what exactly,” Prince Keith spat beside him, “do you intend to have happen when we die? We can’t bear children. The royal bloodline would end with us. Then nothing would stop another war from rising.”

“Right, well,” Lance continued, having considered the idea meticulously since he thought of it, “although we’d be unable to procreate, we have servants. It’s not custom to bed anyone besides your spouse after marriage, but our case is certainly… unique.” Prince Keith scoffed, his claws scraping lightly against the table. “So… we could use their help. Bear children to pass down our kingdom to.”

“Of course, that wouldn’t be able to happen until… the two of you consummate your marriage. If only to honor the union,” the King intervened, speaking for the first time.

Both princes flinched at the comment. After so much violence, it was difficult to imagine making love to the other. Especially without the love being there. “And where would they reside? Would they alternate between our planet and Altea? Or live on one or the other?” Empress Q’arina asked, ignoring the more intimate details.

“By my understanding, your empire has suffered great damage. I would suggest the two live here on Altea until enough time is given for your planet to restore itself.”

Suddenly the chair beside him flew back, and his Galra fiancé was hunched over the table, muscles taught beneath his robes, his paws clawing into the table. “First I have to marry one of you. Then you say I have to lie with him. Now you want me to abandon my home? This is not peace, this is coercion!” he growled.

“Believe me, this is not something I want either,” Lance said calmly, standing. “I’d have preferred to marry someone for love. But I have a chance to end this war. To bring peace to my people, to yours. This is my duty as a prince, just as it is yours!”

Keith glared up at him, his resolve breaking as he looked into his eyes. He hated that most Alteans had the same blue eyes. They always reminded him of the girl he’d met as a child. He kept his jaw clenched and glared at him, refusing to back down, but acknowledging the logic in his argument. If anything, Keith would at least bask in the chance to make his life just as much of a misery as it would be for him.

“Well, perhaps this match is more compatible than I thought,” the Empress mused. Keith turned to look at her, the amused expression clear on her face. “So then, as long as these two remain in a peaceful marriage, there is peace between our people. And if anyone breaches the treaty, if anyone attempts an attack, or if anything happens to my son… the treaty is void.” There was an underlying threat to her words. Hurt my child and I will fight until our people are nothing but a memory in the universe. Hurt my people and my son will lead countless armies.

The ferocity was still in her. And Keith loved it.

The Queen nodded. “Precisely. And the same conditions apply to you.”

“So then… should we announce the joyous news?” the King questioned.

Prince Lance glanced at Keith and they each took a breath, letting out in an aggravated huff.

Their parents took it as a yes.

While the Queen left to let the Alteans know to gather for an important announcement, Prince Lance walked over to him and slipped off one of his necklaces. It was a large white stone with blue swirls in a circular pattern. “Take this. As an initial peace offering. It’ll show you are to be trusted.” He held the necklace out by its leather cord.

Slowly, Keith held his hand out as it dropped into his clawed hand. He huffed and put it on unceremoniously, his ears flicking as the cord caught behind one. “I only have this,” he murmured, reaching into his sleeve and pulling out the clear purple stone. The healer had said it had been lodged in his lower back. It was from the river. “It’s very special to me. Don’t lose it.” He held it out between his claws, and he saw the prince’s blue eyes focus on the stone, lips parting. There was a fondness to his look. “What is it?”

“Nothing. Thank you.” He took it and tore off a thin strip of cloth from his own robe and tied the rock to one end, wrapping it safely around before he tied the ends together and hung it from his neck. It glowed purple against his blue and white robes, obviously Galra-based.

Keith looked down at his own new necklace. Obviously Altean.

“My princes,” the Queen said. “It’s time.” They walked out, following after the Queen and King as they walked onto a balcony to greet their people. His mother stood beside him, and Lance on his other side.

“Should we hold hands?” the prince asked, his voice teasing and light, much more different from the tense, serious tone from their meeting.

“Don’t. Touch. Me,” Keith growled under his breath. He was vaguely aware of the Queen looking back at them, hand reaching out. They walked forward until Keith could see every Altean crowding together to listen to the news.

Their shock was evident. Their distaste evident in the way they seemed to press closer to their families, scowling up at the balcony. Keith could feel his anger rising again. These people murdered his father. These people tore his home apart. And he was expected to live among them. He could hear the rumble of his growl in his chest, but he kept it back. He knew Lance heard it. He could tell by the twitch of his pointed ear.

“The ceasefire will continue until the union of Prince Lance and Prince Keith.” There was a quiet murmur rippling through the crowds. “After the union of our princes, there will be peace among our people. No more battles, no more war. We will have a celebration, to honor this marriage and this new alliance. Anyone who attempts to breach this pact will be tried for treason. Peace will once again reign in Altea.”

The Alteans seemed as uncertain as Keith felt. Then one of the guards stepped forward and kneeled. “Long live Prince Lance. Long live Prince Keith. Long live peace between our worlds.”

The other Alteans hastily got to their knees and repeated the chant.

“These are your people now too, my son,” his mother whispered in his ear. Keith tried not to feel revolted. He suddenly wished he hadn’t given his stone away. He itched to get it back.

Once the news had spread through Altea, the King joined Lance as they boarded the Galra spaceship to bring the news to the Galra. Keith strapped himself in and leaned back, the white rock heavy on his chest. Beside him, someone strapped themselves in as well, and Keith could tell by the scent that it was Prince Lance. Or, he supposed, simply Lance. It didn’t make sense to continuously call him prince if they were to be married.

He ignored him for a moment, but then he spoke. “So… maybe we should talk. I’d like to get to know my future husband.”

Keith opened his eyes and snarled. “This is a peace move and only that. We don’t have to be friends, much less in love. We simply have to tolerate each other and refrain from killing each other.”

“There’s a phrase that sums up what you said without so much hostility. It goes like this: No thanks.” Keith bared his teeth, but his Altean fiancé only raised an eyebrow. He shook his head and rested back, shutting his eyes.

While Keith couldn’t bring himself to fall asleep, the prince beside him managed to snore within minutes. It was a soft snoring, so Keith didn’t bother trying to wake him. He opened his eyes and looked at him.

He had a strange tint to his hair. Blueish white, and it fell in waves just under his shoulders. The top half was pinned back, exposing his long face and pointed chin and high cheekbones. His skin was dark, though maybe the blue marks under his eyes and on his forehead made him look darker than he was. It was strange. His father had velvety dark skin, the white robes a stark contrast against him. Meanwhile his mother had such light skin, the robes nearly blending with her, only differentiated by the blue lining and embroidery. It seemed that Lance was a perfect blend of the two, reaching a softer, less dramatic tone to his skin. His fingers were long, and there wasn’t a trace of fur or hair on him that wasn’t his eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair. And his eyelashes…. Though his hair was almost white, his eyelashes were dark, fanning around his eyes. Keith knew that beneath those eyelids, the eyes would be a bright blue with whites on the edges and black in the center. Three colors for eyes was unusual.

He sat back and grabbed his necklace, wondering again what had happened to his friend. Being near Alteans for so long had made her prominent in his mind. He had never asked for her. But he’d heard of the kind of punishments that were inflicted upon captives and prisoners. As he grew up and began training in the troops, he knew he would never have a chance to see her again. The one good, innocent being in the universe had been taken, tortured maybe, killed for sure.

Thinking of her, he wondered if maybe this union was the best thing. He could marry in her honor. She couldn’t get the peace she wanted, but Keith was helping end the war. A union that would be an example for all future cross-species unions.

When the ship landed on the Galra planet, Keith shook his fiancé unceremoniously, and the latter woke with a start, and a loud snore. “What?”

“We’re here,” Keith muttered. “Stay close if you don’t want to get mauled.” Lance gulped and remained close enough to Keith that he could feel the warmth of his presence even through the fur. The King stayed by the Empress, and several guards took their places around them so they could be escorted safely.

As they walked, Lance’s eyes seemed to dance around the terrain, looking unsettled by the chasms, the toppled ruins, the barren land which no longer even provided what few rivers they once had. The entire planet was in shambles, rationing food, and the Alteans were having feasts without a care in the world.

“We’re going to fix this, Keith,” Lance murmured beside him. “I promise.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Princey,” Keith snapped, ignoring the hope rising in his chest. Was his home salvable?

“I always keep my promises,” he said solemnly. Keith frowned, but didn’t question it.

They reached the throne room and the Empress called for a broadcast. She implored every Galra to drop what they were doing and go to the palace. Within 20 dobashes, every Galra who could had congregated in the palace room. Others milled about outside, surrounding the castle. There were many, but in no way was it the number a nation should be.

Lance and the King were waiting in the dark, hidden by guards. Then the Empress stood and everyone quieted. “The war is over,” she announced. “There will be no more battles. No more bloodshed.” Soft whispers began, and she waited for them to quiet down before continuing. “We remain at a ceasefire for the time being. Until the union of your prince and general, Keith... and the sovereign prince of Altea, Lance.” The guards parted and Lance walked out, his shoulders back, his chin raised. He was not afraid. He would not be afraid.

The dissent was evident immediately. “Traitor!” “Blasphemy!” “Kill him!” It was obvious the Galra were quite blood thirsty and impulsive.

It wasn’t until a loud echoing roar shook the very palace walls that they all quieted down. It took Lance a moment to realized Keith had been behind the roar. “Enough!” he shouted. “There is no treason or traitor here. This is an end to our war for our people to prosper. It is a peace treaty and it will be respected! Any who go against the Empress or myself will be the ones charged with treason for endangering our people. Prince Lance and King Jobeth will not be harmed. After the ceremony, he will be your prince too, and you will respect him as such.” Lance raised an eyebrow, surprised that Keith had so easily and quickly defended him.

His glare was terrifying, and with his power, his ranking, Lance pitied anyone who was against it.

Many of the Galra were glaring at Lance, and he met their eyes, refusing to be intimidated. He knew the Galra held fears as well. He knew the innocence of youth. And he couldn’t help but search for that face he’d met when he younger. But his memory was so blurry, especially after the wounds he’d received after, he didn’t think he could recognized his nameless friend if he stood right in front of him. He wasn’t even sure he was alive still.

“Your planet and your people will receive help. The land will be restored, food supplied for sufficient portions, and no more war,” Lance said, his voice stronger than he felt. “Consider this your invitation. Prince Keith and I will be wed within the next four quintents on the land of Altea. We will have a celebration, a feast, and leave with peace among us.”

After the Galra had calmed down and left despite their disapproval of an Altean, Keith slumped into a throne chair in frustration. Lance could hear the bells.

Click here for Ch. 3

[ksmingyu-blog]

*waves* late to the party is my middle name aight lets get this party started kiddos hihi I'm Koko and ecstatic to be here at last~ do come say hi to my slow ass and my unfortunate child Mingyu -- he's just gone through some rough stuff but hides it behind a confident indifference & smiles & being too into other people’s business etc you’ll see--

anyhoo profile here (wip tbh) & background.. to remain undisclosed cause it's trash you don't need it, live in the suspense ha. take a look at my rules tho thanks I'm working on the rest bear with me, a snail supreme. do proceed forward for some random tidbits of info I guess?? also come plot with me ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

so ye his family is mega rich and he's super spoiled always got what he wanted, mainly because he just asked for it ( nicely mind you he ain't one of those whiny sons of bishes ) and his parents were the worst they set little to no limits and apparently were incapable of denying him anything ever. not that he had to fight for stuff to begin with lmao

buuuut they were also very distant when it came to anything else other than making sure he was dutifully studying, which they put aggressive focus on. keyword 'aggressive'

used to accidentally say insensitive shit to people because he had no sense of tact back then honestly all his parents ever commented was how cute he was and gave him a pat on the head while sneering at the 'lesser beings' like what type of adulting

this all totally flew over his head though he never meant anything bad by the words and he just wanted to be friends with everyone and wished everyone was happy and had all the things he had bless this boy

he shared a lot of his stuff with his lil sis too simply because he wanted to. Mingyu adored her to space and back -- still does

the only loving, genuine, healthy and lasting relationship he's ever truly had is with his sister. would die for her. no hesitation.

literally his childhood as homeschooling started was just STUDYSTUDYSTUDY seven days a week his parents and teachers pretty much ran him to the ground before boy was even eight

he went to private schools for middle & high school. mostly focusing on studying still but as he had more freedom to do as he pleased without having anyone monitoring his every move he started making friends and stuff and wanting more-- it was a ride to say the least, he learned some wanted to befriend him just for his money which was hurtful tbh but also he doesn’t blame them?? much? only thing that really got to him in the long run was that everyone wanted something from him and had ulterior motives so he’s definitely prone to having some trust issues.

fast forward some years and his life is pretty much set for him by his parents and Mingyu has no say in it whatsoever, he will go to the school they picked ( paid their way in because honey you're great but we can't take risks this is very important for your future and interests... ) and major in what they want and get a damn scholarship if it kills him and he's realized there's no way out this is his price for having everything, he's living just to fulfil his parent’s goals and whims

so he acts like the good son and starts college and studies like mad because that's what he's accustomed to but also almost out of spite and sense of justice and wanting to show them-- show everyone who whispers behind his back about how he got into the school that he'll earn the grades by himself thank you very much

but he's so angry?? still?? and he's not the only one okay yeah so this small squad forms of all these justice seeking kids who never wanted this crycry ( i feel the need to point out Mingyu was partially happy to be in such a prestigious school but none of it was him ) and they start plotting all kinds of shit right yeah lets just say it got out of hand fast. real fast. if he learned something from the experience it was that money can buy you a whole lot of things, fun and pleasure, friends, but it doesn't buy you out of trouble. especially when it's made public-- BUT so hey keep in mind tho this was swept under the rug quick so it didn’t really spread anywhere.. save kids telling it forward but anyway you're curious aren't you hA keep guessing

he's humiliated, kicked out of the school right before Christmas, and now his parents are raging and a breath away from actually disowning him -- lbr they would neVER, just to save face. but they give him a last chance to redeem himself months later-- funny that, he's back to where he started, except in a worse school, with less value, less of everything, no friends ( not that he would call the ones from before any such now, fake hoes the lot of them ) and this time he has no support to speak of from anyone, much less parents beside a small fund ( let it be said this 'small fund' is still ridiculous compared to anyone struggling with their income like... his family has such distorted concept about spending money ) and orders on what they expect by the end of this school career at Keisung. namely that he's learned his lesson or some shit honestly Mingyu is over it by now he's just focusing on surviving and pawing way for himself and trying to find some resemblance of reason behind this entire farce

RELEVANT INFO;; throughout the 2 years he's never gone home for holidays, he never gets calls from his parents or anything else, only his sister keeps in contact with him regularly and has even visited ( in secret ). but his mom does text him when there's some important event he's expected to attend because they still expect certain things from him and his future. so he might be gone a random night and be EXREMELY moody/snappy/sensitive the next day...s. ye. it is not spoken of. don't ask. he wont tell anyway. it just fucks him up a lil, being any amount of time in the presence of his parents is like taking three steps back and he needs to bounce back from it. honestly this boy needs therapy. a way out. something. friends.

tbh he's in the way to becoming good in compartmentalizing, instead of dissociating which is.. good? I guess? progress??? like boy is so out of touch with his emotions to begin with don't even get me started-- it's kinda unstable progress all around he gets these pouts of sudden EMOTIONS and then tries to smother them bc he's so used to thinking he's not allowed to feel or express any of it

freshman year was utter hell for him, beside feeling dead exhausted over months of.. abuse, to put it nicely, and focusing more on healing and trying to adapt and keep afloat-- he also quickly learned to keep his mouth shut and stay in his corner and avoid any more trouble than he's been in already because it really did nothing to help his nerves-- the damage was done though and he was a target for a while until the storm calmed and he was more or less forgotten

just to twist the knife in his lungs his parents donated to the school and it was made public :)

by the end of the first year he made a resolution, refusing to step down and act a coward any longer, gaining back lost confidence ( be it fool's kind ) and tried to make himself an actual presence within the Inferiors, a title and group he detested before-- still does but tries to accept now cause there's little else he can do and isolating oneself is less than safe in this school. which is something he did throughout the first year pretty much. I mean a lot of it was also because he didn't have the energy to deal with people, needing space and shit

so yeah now as he's close to his junior year Mingyu has been making a name for himself sorta nothing grand but he's been more involved, more out there, giving less fucks yet still very cautious but that is only healthy in this environment

following that he's now stepping in as a second in command of the inferiors!! fun times I'm sure. also I totally assume the previous one was a senior who graduated? yeah roll with it

basically he tries to steer clear of conflicts while promoting healthy self assurance -- and not caring about what any jealous idiot spits at you-- giving a helping hand to the younger ones cause from own experience he's decided he might as well do something about this crappy social construct ruling the academy that does no good for anyone. but also if you come for him, if you come for ANY of them, he ain't gonna make it that easy

also he's a newly appointed student council treasurer, calling out shitty financial decisions by everyone and anyone cause while he likes to spend and throw his own money around ( old habits die hard ) for simple pleasures he's smart enough to know to do such only because he can afford to

he's totally a justified asshole about it too if you're trying to start beef when before he stayed silent and just took it now he's barking back he's taking none of that shit anymore oh you're a piss poor envious monkey too bad bye. all the while smiling cause he was raised with proper manners >_> but if you're really actually in need of money and ask nicely he might help. just might. not necessarily for free but ya know

joined the taekwondo class halfway through sophomore year. try him bitch. I dare. actually pls don't he's a sensitive soul in need of some lovin ha HA.

anyhoo backtracking to boyhood-- parents made him take piano lessons for no other reason that to boast BUT SIKE he really got into it and once he had that down he was allowed to pick another instrument. Lemme tell you he's basically a pro pianist he's taken lessons and played it for over 14 years-- except he stopped awhile back cause it's so.. bad memories. even tho he loves it?? it's just a mush of conflict ok. another one he's quite handy with is cello with more than 7 years of experience. tried violin for a good 2 years. later on got interested and switched to traditional korean instruments of which he's played the komungo about 6 years, and haegeum since he started at Keisung pretty much.

music is kinda like an escape. not kinda, IT IS.

his music taste is just all over the place too don't even ask me he likes all sorts of glitch hop and chill edm and synthwave and jazz and post-rock and hiphop meets classical and indie plus some kpop groups

speaking of, he's done a handful of piano and cello covers of popular and less so songs that he posted on youtube over some years back honhon

I'm absolutely going to make this a plot in the future someone should nudge him back into playing piano too, or better yet lure him into creating a band or some shit

has a decent singing voice, it's not trained despite having taken a few lessons but he's ridiculously insecure about it lmao you'll never catch him doing anything more than humming and mouthing words.

also his recommendation for any song mixing regardless of genre will deadass be "needs more stringstrument"

did ballet for 5 years could probably dropkick you without a hair out of place. not that he would. unless you give him reason to. that wasn't an invite

likes drinking, doesn't smoke, has tried party drugs here and there but--- as this all is part of what landed him in this mess he's a little more.. careful. 'little' being relative word here

motto might as well be "party hard, live harder" or something.  which isn't as healthy as it might sound

so music acts as a de-stressing tool sometimes but also sex works he's not picky-- I mean yes he is with bed partners if you don't know what you're doing don't even bother. kinda freaky. and mouthy. but very attentive?? I'm just. gonna. leave that as a notion.

a health preacher to a point, will bitch about everyone's unhealthy habits. regularly exercises and eats all his veggies too. but also the kind to forget to eat for hours cause he was "too busy studying".

gets headaches though if he overworks himself, prone to stressing when he's overwhelmed

he's lactose intolerant jsyk

drinks coffee like it's oxygen -- contrary to popular belief he's not a regular at the nearest Starbucks, but instead visits this smaller cafe that makes bomb sea salt cream iced coffee he orders with coconut cream & half coconut sugar half whatever flavored syrup he's craving, with 2 shots of espresso.... yes. pretentious as hell but it's tasty sue him

lovesloveslooooves to play overwatch! tho he's not the best when it comes to technique and stuff but it's just fun ey for those who know anything about the game his fav heroes be d.va ( obviously ) sombra, zenyatta, lucio & symmetra ( more lore wise than playing -- meanwhile mun is all up in her ass in both aspects )

idk this is a damn novel already you get the idea ye just come to me so we can plot uwu I’m totally down and in fact craving for some pre-est too *winkwink*

[phynxrizng]

Respond to this postbyreplying abovethis line New post on Witches Of The Craft® February 2017: Leo Lunar Eclipse by mistressmyst February 2017: Leo Lunar Eclipse a message from Lynda Hill To view more of Lynda's insight, visit her website, Sabian Symbols February’s Leo full Moon on 11th February (at 12:32 am GMT) is a appulse lunar eclipse. As an eclipse it is not particularly powerful, but it is a lunar eclipse nonetheless. The two main elements of this eclipse, the Moon and the Sun, both have Sabian Symbols that speak of ‘circuses’ and performance. The Moon is on Leo 23: A BAREBACK RIDER IN A CIRCUS DISPLAYS THEIR DANGEROUS SKILL and the Sun is on Aquarius 23: A BIG BEAR SITTING DOWN AND WAVING ALL ITS PAWS. Many have said what a circus we are experiencing at the moment; we can feel like we’re witnessing ‘circus acts’, and, we may be wondering what is reality and what is just a part of the ‘circus’. The ‘performances’ that we are seeing, or, participating in, may have us feeling as though we are not sure where we are likely to land, and, there can be a feeling of reality versus theatre. This sense of mystery, or being uncertain, can be sense even more strongly as Mercury is on a Symbol that can bring further confusion with Mercury on Aquarius 6: A MASKED FIGURE PERFORMS RITUALISTIC ACTS IN A MYSTERY PLAY. There are, though, redeeming energies in this full Moon with both Jupiter and Uranus in good sextile and trine aspects to the Sun and the Moon. This shows the possibility, indeed, the necessity, of accessing our beliefs in the goodness of life, and, our personal freedoms. This is made stronger by both Venus and Mars in Aries; we are coming out of a very Piscean time where we may have had a ‘sink or swim’ feeling around events, in both a personal and a political sense, especially as we have been witness to some very strong political movements that have challenged or inspired us to action. We are likely to be revving up our energies and gathering up our strength and embracing more and more our individual thoughts, beliefs and feelings, and, we may have had to throw out things along the way, especially recently. Adding to the sense of of the need for more personal autonomy is Mars on Aries 11: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, OR THE RULER OF ONE’S COUNTRY. This Symbol speaks of the need to call the shots, to be in charge, to not let others call our agendas. Easier said at time, for sure, but, we do well to remember our true place in the scheme of things – we are asked to take control and not let others push us around or define us merely by our ‘country’; where we come from, what we do for a living; how much money we have. It seems we, our leaders, and our world may have a lot at stake. Yet, how do we tell what is reality and what is theatre? This lunar eclipse has been amplifying intensity levels and will bring this act to a head. WORKING WITH THE LUNAR ENERGIES The full Moon each month marks a time of heightened energies and events. It often marks the culmination of the energies released at the new Moon. Emotions can be supercharged as the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the zodiac and illumination is increased – it’s like we can see in the dark – and we can be hyper-aware as well as being hyper-awake. The effects of a full Moon can be major or minor, depending on how they interact with your own chart. Sometimes, realizations or events that are unleashed, or unlocked, can stretch their meaning months into the future. A lot can be learned at the time of the full Moon and whether it’s lunacy or illumination, or a combination of both, there’s magic unleashed. The Sabian Symbols He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount. Chinese Proverb Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting. Karl Wallenda I sit astride life like a bad rider on a horse. I only owe it to the horse’s good nature that I am not thrown off at this very moment. Ludwig Wittgenstein I get enough exercise just pushing my luck. Bumper Sticker If you can’t ride two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus. G. McAllister Better ride on an ass that carries me than a horse that throws me. Romanian Proverb No one reaches a high position without daring. Publilius Syrus The full Moon is on Leo 23: A BAREBACK RIDER IN A CIRCUS DISPLAYS THEIR DANGEROUS SKILL – the following is from my book The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom: – this Symbol works well if we feel that we are doing something that we are born to do, something we’ve worked hard to succeed at, doing those things, perhaps that feel ‘second nature’ to us. If we are not ready, or, practiced at what we’re attempting to do, we can be thrown off, we can end up having to go back and learn the ropes some more in order to accomplish what we’ve set out to do. Commentary: ‘A Bareback Rider in a Circus Displays Her Dangerous Skill’. She puts herself in the middle of the action, taking risks that are second nature to her. Training has prepared her to perform tricks and maneuvers that seem awe-inspiring, well timed and carefully planned. She is so well rehearsed that even the most dangerous stunts are done with ease. These things, however, can be so daring or dangerous that others would have trouble even imagining doing them, let alone actually attempting to do them. She has an amazing sense of balance and belief in her center of gravity. Oracle: You may believe passionately in what you are doing, but in order to prove yourself to others you need to present your abilities and feelings boldly and skillfully. You may need to be fully prepared to rush into the “ring” and show what you’re capable of. This done correctly will impress others, and may cause others to be in awe of your talent and the risks and dangers involved. However, remember to be wary of “running into the ring” unrehearsed, unprepared or in the wrong frame of mind. A sense of timing and the knowledge of what you’re doing is critical, as is being unruffled that others may be watching to see how well you succeed. If you have confidence in your abilities, there’s a good chance that you won’t be “bucked” or “thrown off”. You will have the ability to complete your mission and be applauded by others for your achievement. If, however, you are scared stiff of taking on this challenge, do you think you should chance it? If you are merely looking for applause, acclaim or recognition from others, without being sure of what you’re doing, this may indeed be a dangerous and foolhardy stunt. Do you feel you have the balance, skills and courage to do what is necessary? Keywords: Defying gravity. Controlling one’s animal instincts. Courage and mastery over one’s energies. Shows of strength. Situations where one might get “bucked”. Rushing in where angels fear to tread. Being shown in the media. The allure of drama and danger. Life as a circus or carnival. Amazing displays of skill. Superheroes. Comic book characters. Impressing people with well-rehearsed skills. The Caution: “Showing off”, losing control and falling. Demanding attention. Looking for applause. Fooling with nature’s energies. Arousing or controlling animal passions. Acting wildly and not thinking about the consequences. The Moon symbolizes: Emotions, moods, mother, family, clan, domestic issues, relationship to home and country. Feelings, sentiments, nourishment, emotional nurturing, monkey chatter mind, lunar and menstrual cycles, clarity of emotions or lunacy. Female energy – yours and others. The Sun is on Aquarius 23: A BIG BEAR SITTING DOWN AND WAVING ALL ITS PAWS – this Symbol can have us feeling like we have to ‘perform’ in some way that may not be second nature to us, although, if we’ve put in the time, studied what we need to know, practiced and rehearsed, we can move into a whole new sense of accomplishment as long as we are not compromising ourselves, or, doing what others expect of us. Staying authentic to who we truly are is key here. This speaks of the need to develop responses and perform above and beyond the normal expected level. Having to do what others tell you, or perform along the lines of how you’ve been trained may be fine for a while, but eventually you are likely to tire of doing the same things or not being taken seriously. Perhaps there are things you don’t want to do, but it seems your duty to perform. Look to your situation and see if you are compromising yourself or just acting out conditioned responses. Perhaps you are indeed excelling your normal level of performance, only you can tell. Keywords: Developing skills. Making excuses. Performing rote responses. Expecting others to perform. Entertaining people. Being theatrical. Stomach rubs. Big, tall, brute energies. Sitting down or standing up. Fur and fuzzy hair. Playing instruments. Dancing. Performances. Hand and arm waving. Animal training. Bears. Training in general. Learning by example. Fun vs. drudge. Circus performances. The Caution: Being unable to recover your feet. Instinctive and creative performing for the crowd or desire to be the center of attention. Defying authority. Being vulnerable. The Sun symbolizes: One’s core center, spirit, heart, issues to do with father, men, self, ego, your male side. How you radiate your sense of being. What others see, how you are recognized or remembered, sense of identity and connection with male energy – yours and others. Mercury is on Aquarius 6: A MASKED FIGURE PERFORMS RITUALISTIC ACTS IN A MYSTERY PLAY – just what is going on can be a mystery with Mercury on this degree. As with the Sun and Moon Symbols in this lunar eclipse, Mercury can have us wondering if what we’re seeing or hearing is really real. We may feel the need to somehow ‘perform’ in order to ‘fit in’, although, often with this Symbol, we have an even stronger sense of the need for stripping away what is false, what is theatre, what doesn’t ring true to our authentic selves. This Symbol shows being theatrical, conveying a story, putting on a show, getting messages across to others. “Mystery Plays” portrayed archetypal stories from the Bible, often performed in Latin. “Performers” traveled the countryside, entertaining and teaching with drama as well as humor. Sometimes the “Mystery Play” can show that things are not quite as they seem. Mysteries can play a big part here – is someone wearing a mask? You may find that you are not shown the true face of people or situations. Look to see who the performers are. Are you part of the play or in the audience? Perhaps you need to be cautious in what you reveal. Keywords: Rituals. Shamanism. Archetypes of personality. Putting on a show. Portrayals of performances that don’t always add-up. The unmasking of someone. Comedy. Banditry. Mystery. Drama. Acting. Rituals. Executioner’s masks. Smoke screens. Doing the technical but not the emotional. Saying or doing things because they “should”. Having alternate personalities. The Caution: Deceptive or neurotic performances. Unwilling to admit to changing times. Not knowing who the players are or what the plot is. Cautious revealing. Tricks. Ploys. Mercury symbolizes: Mind, thought, communication, memory, expression, intelligence. News, exchanges, chatting, conversations, short journeys, connections with others, telephones, emails, siblings, neighbors, the reasoning mind. Day-to-day activities. Cars, keys, small animals. Venus is on Aries 6: A SQUARE BRIGHTLY LIGHTED ON ONE SIDE – if we’re feeling hemmed in, like there’s no escape, as if there’s no clear way forward, we will do well to remember our creative and spiritual options – we can look towards the ‘light’ –there is always a way out of dilemmas when this degree is around. This Symbol often shows a positive nature that knows how to find ways out of situations by creating creative solutions. Don’t become too concerned with one side of issues in the material world, even if you feel boxed in with no way out. Don’t have all your eggs in one basket. You have the ability to simply look around with a more objective eye and apply simple, active solutions – there are always ways out of dilemmas. Look for the light and head towards it. Keywords: Illuminated solutions that provide ways out of tight situations. Having to put up walls to protect or defend versus taking down the barriers. Putting all your eggs in one basket. Feeling fully contained. Walls and fences. Boxes. Understanding the borders of one’s activities. Looking for stabilization. Lighting up dark corners. Sunshine. Stepping outside the square or feeling there is no square. Moving out. Windows and doors. Rubik’s Cube. The Caution: Surrendering, feeling trapped, seeing only one side of situations. Bouncing around. Wanting to escape tight situations. Feeling locked in or boxed in. Venus symbolizes: Relatedness, cooperation, what attracts you. The experience of sweetness, beauty or delight. Social interactions, love, friends, how you reach out to people. Feminine persona, relationship with mother and females. Money, possessions, sense of values. Mars is on Aries 11: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, OR THE RULER OF ONE’S COUNTRY – it is quite extraordinary that Mars is on this degree, really, with all that’s going on politically in the world right now. Mars here can remind us to take charge of our lives, to be our own ‘president’, to call our own shots. Even if we feel somewhat at the mercy of other’s ‘authority’ over us, we can break out of that by reminding ourselves of our autonomy… What interesting times we are living in. This Symbol shows that it’s time to take charge, to expand your base of operations and to show that you have the integrity and the necessary energy to get things done. It’s also about bringing a sense of order and discipline into your life – physically, spiritually or emotionally. Find your sense of inner power and make it work for you and don’t let others lord it over you. Be in control of your own destiny and individuality. Show that you can be given a position of responsibility and get things done. Keywords: Developing willpower. Inner power, discipline and integrity. Discipline of thoughts, emotions and actions. Leadership, power and ability along with their responsibilities. Accepting responsibility for one’s actions. “Calling the shots”. Rulers, presidents, leaders. Taking charge. The need for loyal subjects. Being voted in. The democratic process. The Caution: Taking control, lording it over everyone, being overbearing. Egotistical and self-centered. Undermining others through a lack of awareness or self confidence. Mars symbolizes: Drive, determination or agenda, how you get to your goals. How you express and handle anger, ambition, assertion of self and ability to step forward. The male principle, sexuality, the ability to step up to the plate when one needs to. Fight or flight. Jupiter is stationary retrograde on Libra 24: A THIRD WING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A BUTTERFLY – Jupiter goes retrograde on February 6 on this degree, adding to the need to find our balance, our equilibrium, etc. On a physical, emotional or political level, we can find the left and right working against each other as each side tries to gain control of the other. Needless to say, this can lead to all kinds of struggles. Finding our This Symbol can show imbalances of many kinds; physical, mental, spiritual or emotional. Understanding and accepting fragility and differences in our self and others can give greater empathy for those who have difficulty operating efficiently in the world. When the transformation into full potential occurs, it is wonderful, however, you may feel that you are unnaturally developed or somehow lopsided in the emotive, intuitive realms. Instinct may swamp logic or logic may take from instinct or intuition. Physically, one side of your body could work more efficiently or smoothly than the other. It helps to try to regain balance and equilibrium – try finding that still space in the middle. Keywords: Creative overbalance. Bodily impairments and handicaps. Being light, flippant and fluttering from thing to thing. Over-sensitivities. Oddities. Beautiful imperfections. Idiot savants. Imbalances. One side of the body being more perfect than the other. Wings, arms, legs, feet. The Caution: Unrealistic reliance on being different. Obsession with strange things. Flapping around and not getting anywhere. Restlessness, nervousness. Lopsidedness. Jupiter symbolizes: The big picture, expansion, exploration, aspirations, religious and philosophical ideals, issues to do with traveling, foreign lands, people and traditions, culture, education, generosity, luck, abundance, support, optimism. Insight through knowledge and wisdom. Saturn is on Sagittarius 26: A FLAG-BEARER IN A BATTLE –Saturn on this degree can bring out the desire, or the need, to stand up, to wave our flag, to salute our standards. However, with Saturn here, the push back may be rather strong, or, we may feel somewhat tired of constantly having to step up. It is going to be very interesting to see which way events go over the next few weeks, with Saturn on this degree. The trick is that Saturn is just now entering the orb of the Galactic Center, where we are said to be able to connect with the ‘Law Of Attraction’ (I feel that we can connect with that ‘law’ on any degree of the zodiac, it is just particularly strong on the degrees from Sagittarius 26 to Capricorn 1). With Saturn here, we may feel that things are out of our control, but, with faith, we can direct our responses, and, our realities into our chosen direction. Having said that, we may still need to stand up and be counted, at least in some measure. This Symbol shows standing up in “Battle” carrying the “Flag” for your nation, political, social or moral beliefs, or for some issue that needs defending or supporting. The “Flag-Bearer” is often the one ‘out front’, in front of the situation or the army; the one who’s unarmed and yet determined to represent their side. You may feel that there have been achievements done by you or others that need to be acknowledged. Responsibilities pile up on you, and the struggle is not always easy. Don’t worry, though, although everyone around you is busy, they are noticing your leadership abilities. You are often the linchpin of the whole situation. Keywords: Having the courage of convictions. Standing up for ideals. Representing one’s collective in a worthy cause. Carrying the standard or the ‘Flag’. David and Goliath. Being the messenger. Advocates. Ensigns. Leadership. Self sacrifice. Fighting for political ideals. Flag waving. The Caution: The sacrificial lamb. Overzealous idealism. Empty shows of courage. The fear of stepping out of line. Not knowing when to back off. An inability to keep quiet. Saturn symbolizes: Authority, rules, discipline and obligation The heavy stuff. What we fear, loss, karma, aging, the establishment, orthodoxy, tradition, status, the concept of time, walls, boundaries, limits, older people, restrictions, patience, conquering difficulties. Uranus is on Aries 22: THE GATE OPENS TO THE GARDEN OF ALL FULFILLED DESIRES – concentrating on where you want to be can indeed bring you more and more to that place. We need to step up to the plate and step through the gate, even if it means overthrowing some things that are outworn or unfulfilling in our lives. A sense of peace and fulfillment can be at hand with this degree, although we may have to let go of non-essentials in order to step into that rewarding space. This Symbol brings up fabulous opportunities and possibilities. You could find yourself in beautiful places with your desires met. There can be the promise of happiness; stability and feeling like you’ve arrived where you want to be. At times, though, you may be right at the point of what you want, but perhaps you need to make the deliberate action of opening the gate; admitting to your self what you want and where you want to be. Perhaps you need to knock, showing your intention of wanting in. Maybe you already have everything you need – look around. Keywords: Craving happiness. Gardens and their treasures. Trellises and flowing plants. Pathways to bliss. Gates and doors. Unlocking and opening gates and doors. Analyzing your heart’s desires. The grass being greener on the other side. Rewards and treasures waiting. The allure of somewhere else. Initiations. Passages to a better life. Acquiring property. Sexual fulfillment. Opening up to life’s possibilities and rewards. The Caution: Denying your self the right to receive just rewards. The grass being greener on the other side. Always wanting more and more. Possessions owning you. Uranus symbolizes: The unexpected, things that are individual or ‘different’. Charged, energetic dynamics, electricity, light, lightning bolts, sudden changes, those who live on the fringe of society. Sudden turns and twists of fate. Rebellion, surprises, liberation, freedom. Neptune is on Pisces 11: PEOPLE TRAVELING A NARROW PATH, SEEKING ILLUMINATION – staying true to your path can bring enormous rewards, especially if you’re been clear about what and where your ‘true path’ is. That light at the end of the tunnel does not have to be an oncoming train, although, at times, especially lately, that may be exactly what it has felt like. This shows having a quest, “Seeking Illumination”, having a “Path” and staying on it regardless of what life throws at you. Sometimes the search for high ideals and understanding places us at odds with the more conservative social expectations of others. It is the ability to persevere with the search, regardless of the cost, that marks the sincerity of any path or journey. You may, at times, have to go without some comforts or stick to a rigorous agenda. Most times this quest is very illuminating, sometimes it’s confusing. You will need to reject that which is unworthy, while staying true to your objectives in order to stay focused on the goal. Keywords: People “on the Path”. Sticking to one mindset, diet, regimen or habit. Having a cause to follow. Not looking sideways. Awakening one’s base senses in order to progress. Physical ecstasy. Being in the now. Going towards the light. Staying true to self. The promise of light at the end of the journey. The Caution: Being blinded by the light. Not knowing where you’re going. Denial of physical pleasure. Puritanical and one-eyed. Distractions. Narrow minded. Disillusionment. Neptune symbolizes: Mystical, “out there,” spirituality and con artists. Dreams, mysteries, mystics and religious issues. Intuition, clairvoyance, seeing into the invisible. Addictive, chaotic, charming, deceptive, illusory, co dependent, sensory awareness. Pluto is on Capricorn 19: A CHILD OF ABOUT FIVE CARRYING A HUGE SHOPPING BAG FILLED WITH GROCERIES = this Symbol, especially with Pluto on it, can bring up issues of having taken on too much, feeling burdened or held down by responsibilities. It can, of course, show situations where someone is not mature enough or ready to carry out all that needs to be done or taken care of. One can feel tired and weighed down, although, there can be a leap ahead in our development if we can rightfully sort out what is truly ours to shoulder and what is not. This Symbol shows having to “Carry” heavy loads, to shoulder responsibilities, do chores and jobs and help others, sometimes because there’s no one else who can or will do it. Often, the “Child” gets these responsibilities because they are the one who others know is going to take it seriously, completing the task, taking care of details. You may feel that you have been burdened with responsibilities beyond normal expectations and possibly beyond your capability. Despite being keen and enthusiastic, you must be careful not to try to take on too much, or do too much, or too quickly. Like a child, you need to play, be creative and rest. Keywords: Being the one everyone counts on to do the job. Feeling weighed down. Having to carry the “bag”. Lifting heavy weights and bearing the consequences. Taking on things above and beyond what one should. Acting the grownup. Maturing quickly. Looking after paperwork. Running errands. Providing food and sustenance for everyone. The Caution: Overloading the innocent and the inexperienced without thought of the consequences. Never being ‘off duty’. Dropping the bundle. Carrying the family. Pluto symbolizes: Unconscious motivations, depth psychology, history. Sex, procreation at a deep level, intensity, profound emotions, taking hold of one’s power. Being king or queen of one’s underworld. Strength, survival mode instincts. Big money. Big power. The Plutocracy. Power vs power struggles. Chiron is on Pisces 23: A ‘MATERIALIZING MEDIUM’ GIVING A SÉANCE – Chiron was on this degree for several months last year. Many people felt that their psychic abilities and intuition were increasing, leading to stronger impressions and being able to pick up on what’s going on. Chiron here can bring rich rewards from checking out what we ‘materialise’ through our thoughts, through the stories that we tell ourselves. What are the stories that take up your time and energies? How true or viable are they? This shows the ability, or the need, to pick up subtle energies and psychic clues in the environment. The “Materializing Medium” can receive radiations, frequencies or vibrations that cannot easily be sensed by most people. You may be experiencing a surprising sensitivity and awareness to spiritual forces and energies. This can cause confusion, other times enlightenment. Sit with any new impressions until you understand their authenticity or depth. Sometimes there is a need to free ‘stuck’ or earthbound entities. This can show someone who can “Materialize” things; make things happen just by thinking about or concentrating on them. Keywords: Spiritual channeling. A need to free up “stuck” or earthbound entities. Efforts to materialize things. Coming straight out with things. Giving voice to spirit. Tarot readings, clairvoyance and clairsentience. Things seen ahead of their time. Bringing messages from the other side. Contacting the dead. The Caution: False fronts or performances. Making things up. Using mind control to get a desired outcome. Weird energies or people. Quacks. Imposters. Fakes. Delusional. Chiron symbolizes: Our wounds, Chiron is known as The Wounded Healer. The wounds are The Stories That We Tell Ourselves, it is where we have to focus on healing, it can show things that are out of shape or misplaced or in need of repair. The Moon’s North Node is on Virgo 4: BLACK AND WHITE CHILDREN PLAYING HAPPILY TOGETHER – the Moon’s north node on this degree brings up issues to do with seeing others as equals; to see people on the same playing field, people just wanting to get ahead in life, being free to be themselves without fear nor favour. This Symbol shows the integration of people of different races, religions, economic status or places. You may find people from different or seemingly disparate or separate areas coming into your life, making it richer, more rewarding and interesting. Prejudice of any kind, whether religious or race based, economic or class systems, is an illusion based on social perception and excludes people that could add to our lives. Social perceptions can color how we see others and these need to be put aside. Rather, it’s about embracing brotherhood and caring. The integration, acceptance and enjoyment of all people brings depth and meaning to life. Keywords: Universal brotherhood. Overcoming prejudices and boundaries that separate people. Knocking down social barriers to relate freely. Being able to let go, relax and have fun with people from anywhere. Adopted siblings. Foster homes. Affirmative action. Trust and joy. Play that unites people. The Caution: Acting with morality that is swayed by public opinion. Not being able to adjust psychologically to situations that require creative responses. Racial prejudice. The Moon’s North Node symbolizes: This is known as quite a ‘karmic point’ (although all planets and points in a chart can be’karmic’). One’s destiny in this life. The things you are meant to integrate, move towards, become. Destined relationships and relationship issues can show up here. The Moon’s South Node is on Pisces 4: HEAVY CAR TRAFFIC LINKING TWO SEASIDE RESORTS – this Symbol can have us racing backwards and forwards, it can have us travelling, moving around, etc, or, it can have us thinking too much, not being able to settle where we are, not feel settled anywhere. This shows moving about, getting from destination to destination in a free flowing manner. Driving or flying or in a bus; there’s lots of activity going on. There’s also a need for space sharing, patience and give-and-take as people have their own needs. This can show communications and linkages between separate worlds leading to increased pleasure, OR, frustration, confusion or psychic indigestion and the need for a holiday. There’s a lot going on and confusion can set in if one doesn’t follow the rules to ensure a smooth flow of operations. Being ‘squeezed-in’ can bring a sense of panic but it can also bring pleasurable interchange between people and a chance to tune out. Keywords: Going with the flow. Running back and forth. Having to move continually. Pollution and car exhaust. Rush hour and road-rage. Plans for arrivals and departures. Public holidays. Traffic jams. Traffic banking up. Having trouble making left hand turns. Detours. Packing and unpacking. Luggage. Travel itineraries. Impasses. Nervous systems. Urine therapy. Constant phone calls. Switchboard jams. Heat and smog. The Caution: Distrust of connecting elements. Creating barriers. Constant traffic. No real human interchange. Road rage. Traffic works. No time for leisure. Accidents. No escape. The Moon’s South Node symbolizes: Past karmic patterns to be overcome, can be habits that are good, but can describe things, relationships, issues that you need to let go of, or, hold you back from manifesting your true destiny. Relationships that feel karmic and difficult, memories from the past. mistressmyst | February 10, 2017 at 5:56 pm | Categories: Articles | URL: Comment See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Witches Of The Craft®. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://witchesofthecraft.com/2017/02/10/february-2017-leo-lunar-eclipse/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

[solotheloso]

A BOON BARELY GIVEN - CH. 1

I felt the beast’s breath as it roared, a blast of heat washing over me as if I were standing in front of a furnace at full blaze. A curious stench, too, one that stank like rotten fruit and the crackle of lightning. I stood my ground even as I was rocked onto my heels; showing weakness would be a very bad thing at this stage.

“Hold, beast,” I shouted, sternly. You had to be stern with these types, otherwise they were likely to pluck your limbs from their sockets if they thought you couldn’t do anything about it. The blue-white glow of this one’s eyes didn’t even flicker, and it heaved in another massive lungful of air. It was unimpressed and prepared to show it.

“Hold!” I bellowed, stamping my foot hard into the shredded asphalt for emphasis. It stung a fair bit, but I was rewarded for my act of frustration as the creature balked for a split second. It was just a moment, one tiny fraction of a second, but it was enough time for my mana to worm its way into it and hold it there. It let out its lungful in a hacking wheeze, then glared at me like I’d just pissed in its corn flakes.

“Relax, big guy,” I said. “I’m just here for parley.” I stepped around the creature in a slow circle, clockwise. It didn’t move, just followed the sound and sight of me with tilts of its head. This was part of it. Walking the circle was a decent form of binding for things such as this, a ritual as old as the shamans and mystics.

The beast– the aberrant, as it was rightly called– rumbled and shifted its enormous weight. “Parley?” it spat. “A thing such as you cannot parley with us!” Flickers of blue-white played across its eyes and down its stony body, ending at the tips of the giant monkey-like fingers that dug furrows into the parking lot.

I rolled my eyes. “I think the fact that we’re having this conversation proves otherwise.” A rolling of thunder. I thought for a moment it was the swelling clouds that had been gathering above the city all night, but it was just the aberrant emitting a deep stone-on-stone growl of what I assumed was intense hostility. I resisted the urge to gulp and tried my hardest to suppress my sweat glands. “The work is strong, large one, it’s a fair parley and you know it.”

It tossed its head like a bull and pawed at the ground in a frustrated gesture. It had no horns, but the pronged crown growing out of what served as its skull could certainly do the job of them, I was sure. “Speak!” it growled. “Let this be done!”

I kept my pace moving around the aberrant. That’s very important, they said, never release the circle until business is complete. “I understand that one of the shrines was destroyed recently. The one in old town, near the factory district.” It froze, its death glare settling into what I assumed was merely a contemplative gaze.

“What do you know of this?” it rumbled.

“Very little right now,” I admitted. “I only know of the incident, not the culprit or the method.”

“Then what?” It snorted and raised its eyes to the sky, tracing the clouds as they boiled and churned.

“It’s why your folk are on the prowl tonight, isn’t it?” I waved a hand vaguely towards the city proper. “I haven’t seen this many aberrants out and about since the murders back in ninety-four.”

It shuffled and slapped a huge palm against the asphalt. I felt the vibration through the soles of my shoes and imagined what something like that might do to my ribcage. “Why do you mention? Do you taunt us?!”

“No!” I said quickly. “I’m not taunting you. I’m making you an offer. I’ll find the one that did it.” It stopped shifting its weight and bared its teeth at me. They were as thick as my wrist and each one came to a dull point, reminding me of a big dog’s teeth. Not for cutting and slicing so much as for ripping and tearing. The teeth of a predator.

“What could you offer that we do not possess?” it said, scornfully. I raised a hand and ticked off fingers as I spoke.

“First, I found you in under three hours. From zero information to an exact position, and I don’t even have your name.” It blinked. “Second, you weren’t able to tear my head off the second you saw me. Third, I worked a barrier spell out of whole cloth just before I started this sentence and you didn’t even seem to notice.” The aberrant gazed at my feet, where a faint light shimmered wherever my shoes made contact with the ground. It snorted and tossed its head again, though this time the gesture felt less hostile than before.

“Acknowledged. You have skill and guile. But what have you to gain from this? From…” it seemed to move the words around in its mouth, as if they were unfamiliar. “…assisting us?”

I paused, considering my words carefully. This was the delicate part. I decided to go the honest route and hope for the best. “I want an animus.”

The creature recoiled and for a split second adrenaline flooded my body, as it looked like it was about to pounce like a giant cat and turn me into red marmalade. But it settled back a moment later, then started to emit a warbling crackle that I only realized was laughter after several long seconds of confusion. “You are bold!” it grated. “But why do you think we would give you this?”

“They might be rare for us, but for your folk they’re just a fact of… life? Existence? Being?” I shrugged. “Something like that. Anyway, I know you can give me one and I also know you would never do it for free.”

“We are not in habits of giving anything, soft child,” it snarled. It had ceased simply keeping its gaze on me and now started turning to follow me as I walked the circle. This time, it was I who lost their temper.

“Enough games, aberrant! You’re damn unlikely to find anyone else willing to do your dirty work for you, let alone able.” It gnashed its teeth as I continued. “I know you won’t make any headway without my help. I know what’s holding you back.” I delivered this last sentence with the emphasis one gives a hearty ‘fuck you’. Not the most diplomatic behavior, I know, but I’ve never been known for my impulse control.

I’m not sure if it was the content of my statement or the tone, but I thanked my lucky stars I’d kept walking, as the aberrant immediately bristled and slammed its stony fists into the ground, sending fragments of pavement and clods of dirt flying into the air. One struck my cheek at a bad angle, careening off and leaving nothing but a fleck of blood and a sharp sting behind it. I cursed, and without missing a beat I enacted my contingency plan. I reversed direction with an about-face pivot and began to walk counter-clockwise. Widdershins. This time I didn’t look at the aberrant, just focused solely on my feet and the yard of ground in front of me.

“How dare!” the creature shouted. I didn’t respond, just kept walking. There was a grinding sound. “You insult us! Cease your games!” I kept walking. The sound slowly grew louder and the nape of my neck began to tingle. “Stop!” it bellowed. “Stop now!” Left foot, right foot. The tingle became a burning that held the promise of a blaze. “Enough!” Something in its tone made me look up, and I saw the creature huddled against the ground, crushed downward a good three inches into the pavement by some unseen force; an unwilling supplicant.

“Enough,” it repeated, more softly. “Your point has been made. Your will is strong.” Satisfied, I turned again, resuming the clockwise path. A bead of sweat ran down my back and it took all I had to keep my knees from wobbling.

“I had no plans to do that”, I lied, “but I felt it necessary to impress upon you just how serious I’m being right now.” It only huffed in response and looked off toward the end of the street. Hell, did this thing have pride? I’d never known the aberrants to possess any more individual personality than was strictly necessary to serve their purpose. This was a new development. I continued.

“Like I said, I’m serious. I can do this, and I know you can hold up your end when I do.”

It looked back at me. Was it my imagination or was its expression just the slightest bit resentful? “You ask for something beyond your station, but…” it shook its head. “Yes. We will consent to this bargain.”

I let out an inward sigh of relief. “Then I need your name. To seal it.” It nodded and lifted a primate-like paw to press against its chest, where the sternum would be on a human. It spoke in a low monotone, barely more than a murmur but somehow it cut through the night air like a knife and I didn’t miss a single bit of it.

“Zhouku, sentinel of the Blessed Black,” it said. I finally stopped walking, almost reeling for a moment from the sudden dizzy spell that overtook me. I lifted a hand and pressed it over my heart and spoke as the sentinel had, pushing my mana into the words and thinking nothing else. I spoke the name that was mine and mine alone.

“Sam, usurper and mage of the bloody wind.” I watched it carefully for a moment, but it had no reaction beyond lowering its hand to the ground. We had sealed a bargain with our souls– or what served as our souls, in its case– so neither of us was concerned that the other would get violent. It just wasn’t how things were done.

“Sam,” it said, slowly. “Sam. If you know as much as seems, you know time is short in this matter, yes?” I nodded.

“I know. Until the essence of the shrine is restored, the whole construct is at risk.”

“Yes. And if the construct falls–”

“Things are gonna get weird.” It gave me a strained look. I shook my head and continued. “How long do we have?”

It shuffled slowly on all fours towards the entrance to the parking lot. I wasn’t fooled by its ambling pace. I had heard of how explosively fast its kind could move if they decided to. “With fortune? Until the new moon.” Before it faded from sight into wherever things like it go, it spoke one last time. “Be swift, Sam. If you cannot deliver to us, you will have no concern of seeing the consequences of the fall. We will have wrath for your slights.”

I shuddered and looked up into the night sky. The bright crescent of the moon peeked out between the clouds, casting a ghostly light over the abandoned parking lot.

Four days.

[phynxrizng]

Respond to this postbyreplying abovethis line New post on Witches Of The Craft® February 2017: Leo Lunar Eclipse by mistressmyst February 2017: Leo Lunar a message from Lynda Hill To view more of Lynda's insight, visit her website, Sabian February’s Leo full Moon on 11th February (at 12:32 am GMT) is a appulse lunar eclipse. As an eclipse it is not particularly powerful, but it is a lunar eclipse nonetheless. The two main elements of this eclipse, the Moon and the Sun, both have Sabian Symbols that speak of ‘circuses’ and performance. The Moon is on Leo 23: A BAREBACK RIDER IN A CIRCUS DISPLAYS THEIR DANGEROUS SKILL and the Sun is on Aquarius 23: A BIG BEAR SITTING DOWN AND WAVING ALL ITS PAWS. Many have said what a circus we are experiencing at the moment; we can feel like we’re witnessing ‘circus acts’, and, we may be wondering what is reality and what is just a part of the ‘circus’. The ‘performances’ that we are seeing, or, participating in, may have us feeling as though we are not sure where we are likely to land, and, there can be a feeling of reality versus theatre. This sense of mystery, or being uncertain, can be sense even more strongly as Mercury is on a Symbol that can bring further confusion with Mercury on Aquarius 6: A MASKED FIGURE PERFORMS RITUALISTIC ACTS IN A MYSTERY PLAY. There are, though, redeeming energies in this full Moon with both Jupiter and Uranus in good sextile and trine aspects to the Sun and the Moon. This shows the possibility, indeed, the necessity, of accessing our beliefs in the goodness of life, and, our personal freedoms. This is made stronger by both Venus and Mars in Aries; we are coming out of a very Piscean time where we may have had a ‘sink or swim’ feeling around events, in both a personal and a political sense, especially as we have been witness to some very strong political movements that have challenged or inspired us to action. We are likely to be revving up our energies and gathering up our strength and embracing more and more our individual thoughts, beliefs and feelings, and, we may have had to throw out things along the way, especially Adding to the sense of of the need for more personal autonomy is Mars on Aries 11: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, OR THE RULER OF ONE’S COUNTRY. This Symbol speaks of the need to call the shots, to be in charge, to not let others call our agendas. Easier said at time, for sure, but, we do well to remember our true place in the scheme of things – we are asked to take control and not let others push us around or define us merely by our ‘country’; where we come from, what we do for a living; how much money we have. It seems we, our leaders, and our world may have a lot at stake. Yet, how do we tell what is reality and what is theatre? This lunar eclipse has been amplifying intensity levels and will bring this act WORKING WITH THE LUNAR ENERGIES The full Moon each month marks a time of heightened energies and events. It often marks the culmination of the energies released at the new Moon. Emotions can be supercharged as the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the zodiac and illumination is increased – it’s like we can see in the dark – and we can be hyper-aware as well as being hyper-awake. The effects of a full Moon can be major or minor, depending on how they interact with your own chart. Sometimes, realizations or events that are unleashed, or unlocked, can stretch their meaning months into the future. A lot can be learned at the time of the full Moon and whether it’s lunacy or illumination, or a combination of both, there’s magic unleashed. The Sabian Symbols He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount. Chinese Proverb Being on the tightrope is living; everything else is waiting. Karl I sit astride life like a bad rider on a horse. I only owe it to the horse’s good nature that I am not thrown off at this very moment. Ludwig Wittgenstein I get enough exercise just pushing my luck. Bumper Sticker If you can’t ride two horses at once, you shouldn’t be in the circus. G. McAllister Better ride on an ass that carries me than a horse that throws me. Romanian Proverb No one reaches a high position without daring. Publilius Syrus The full Moon is on Leo 23: A BAREBACK RIDER IN A CIRCUS DISPLAYS THEIR DANGEROUS SKILL – the following is from my book The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom: – this Symbol works well if we feel that we are doing something that we are born to do, something we’ve worked hard to succeed at, doing those things, perhaps that feel ‘second nature’ to us. If we are not ready, or, practiced at what we’re attempting to do, we can be thrown off, we can end up having to go back and learn the ropes some more in order to accomplish what we’ve set out to Commentary: ‘A Bareback Rider in a Circus Displays Her Dangerous Skill’. She puts herself in the middle of the action, taking risks that are second nature to her. Training has prepared her to perform tricks and maneuvers that seem awe-inspiring, well timed and carefully planned. She is so well rehearsed that even the most dangerous stunts are done with ease. These things, however, can be so daring or dangerous that others would have trouble even imagining doing them, let alone actually attempting to do them. She has an amazing sense of balance and belief in her center of gravity. Oracle: You may believe passionately in what you are doing, but in order to prove yourself to others you need to present your abilities and feelings boldly and skillfully. You may need to be fully prepared to rush into the “ring” and show what you’re capable of. This done correctly will impress others, and may cause others to be in awe of your talent and the risks and dangers involved. However, remember to be wary of “running into the ring” unrehearsed, unprepared or in the wrong frame of mind. A sense of timing and the knowledge of what you’re doing is critical, as is being unruffled that others may be watching to see how well you succeed. If you have confidence in your abilities, there’s a good chance that you won’t be “bucked” or “thrown off”. You will have the ability to complete your mission and be applauded by others for your achievement. If, however, you are scared stiff of taking on this challenge, do you think you should chance it? If you are merely looking for applause, acclaim or recognition from others, without being sure of what you’re doing, this may indeed be a dangerous and foolhardy stunt. Do you feel you have the balance, skills and courage to do what is Keywords: Defying gravity. Controlling one’s animal instincts. Courage and mastery over one’s energies. Shows of strength. Situations where one might get “bucked”. Rushing in where angels fear to tread. Being shown in the media. The allure of drama and danger. Life as a circus or carnival. Amazing displays of skill. Superheroes. Comic book characters. Impressing people with well-rehearsed skills. The Caution: “Showing off”, losing control and falling. Demanding attention. Looking for applause. Fooling with nature’s energies. Arousing or controlling animal passions. Acting wildly and not thinking about the consequences. The Moon symbolizes: Emotions, moods, mother, family, clan, domestic issues, relationship to home and country. Feelings, sentiments, nourishment, emotional nurturing, monkey chatter mind, lunar and menstrual cycles, clarity of emotions or lunacy. Female energy – yours and others. The Sun is on Aquarius 23: A BIG BEAR SITTING DOWN AND WAVING ALL ITS PAWS – this Symbol can have us feeling like we have to ‘perform’ in some way that may not be second nature to us, although, if we’ve put in the time, studied what we need to know, practiced and rehearsed, we can move into a whole new sense of accomplishment as long as we are not compromising ourselves, or, doing what others expect of us. Staying authentic to who we truly are is key here. This speaks of the need to develop responses and perform above and beyond the normal expected level. Having to do what others tell you, or perform along the lines of how you’ve been trained may be fine for a while, but eventually you are likely to tire of doing the same things or not being taken seriously. Perhaps there are things you don’t want to do, but it seems your duty to perform. Look to your situation and see if you are compromising yourself or just acting out conditioned responses. Perhaps you are indeed excelling your normal level of performance, only you Keywords: Developing skills. Making excuses. Performing rote responses. Expecting others to perform. Entertaining people. Being theatrical. Stomach rubs. Big, tall, brute energies. Sitting down or standing up. Fur and fuzzy hair. Playing instruments. Dancing. Performances. Hand and arm waving. Animal training. Bears. Training in general. Learning by example. Fun vs. drudge. Circus performances. The Caution: Being unable to recover your feet. Instinctive and creative performing for the crowd or desire to be the center of attention. Defying authority. Being vulnerable. The Sun symbolizes: One’s core center, spirit, heart, issues to do with father, men, self, ego, your male side. How you radiate your sense of being. What others see, how you are recognized or remembered, sense of identity and connection with male energy – yours and others. Mercury is on Aquarius 6: A MASKED FIGURE PERFORMS RITUALISTIC ACTS IN A MYSTERY PLAY – just what is going on can be a mystery with Mercury on this degree. As with the Sun and Moon Symbols in this lunar eclipse, Mercury can have us wondering if what we’re seeing or hearing is really real. We may feel the need to somehow ‘perform’ in order to ‘fit in’, although, often with this Symbol, we have an even stronger sense of the need for stripping away what is false, what is theatre, what doesn’t ring true to our authentic selves. This Symbol shows being theatrical, conveying a story, putting on a show, getting messages across to others. “Mystery Plays” portrayed archetypal stories from the Bible, often performed in Latin. “Performers” traveled the countryside, entertaining and teaching with drama as well as humor. Sometimes the “Mystery Play” can show that things are not quite as they seem. Mysteries can play a big part here – is someone wearing a mask? You may find that you are not shown the true face of people or situations. Look to see who the performers are. Are you part of the play or in the audience? Perhaps you need to be cautious in what you Keywords: Rituals. Shamanism. Archetypes of personality. Putting on a show. Portrayals of performances that don’t always add-up. The unmasking of someone. Comedy. Banditry. Mystery. Drama. Acting. Rituals. Executioner’s masks. Smoke screens. Doing the technical but not the emotional. Saying or doing things because they “should”. Having alternate personalities. The Caution: Deceptive or neurotic performances. Unwilling to admit to changing times. Not knowing who the players are or what the plot is. Cautious revealing. Tricks. Ploys. Mercury symbolizes: Mind, thought, communication, memory, expression, intelligence. News, exchanges, chatting, conversations, short journeys, connections with others, telephones, emails, siblings, neighbors, the reasoning mind. Day-to-day activities. Cars, keys, small animals. Venus is on Aries 6: A SQUARE BRIGHTLY LIGHTED ON ONE SIDE – if we’re feeling hemmed in, like there’s no escape, as if there’s no clear way forward, we will do well to remember our creative and spiritual options – we can look towards the ‘light’ –there is always a way out of dilemmas when this degree is This Symbol often shows a positive nature that knows how to find ways out of situations by creating creative solutions. Don’t become too concerned with one side of issues in the material world, even if you feel boxed in with no way out. Don’t have all your eggs in one basket. You have the ability to simply look around with a more objective eye and apply simple, active solutions – there are always ways out of dilemmas. Look for the light and head towards it. Keywords: Illuminated solutions that provide ways out of tight situations. Having to put up walls to protect or defend versus taking down the barriers. Putting all your eggs in one basket. Feeling fully contained. Walls and fences. Boxes. Understanding the borders of one’s activities. Looking for stabilization. Lighting up dark corners. Sunshine. Stepping outside the square or feeling there is no square. Moving out. Windows and doors. Rubik’s The Caution: Surrendering, feeling trapped, seeing only one side of situations. Bouncing around. Wanting to escape tight situations. Feeling locked in or boxed in. Venus symbolizes: Relatedness, cooperation, what attracts you. The experience of sweetness, beauty or delight. Social interactions, love, friends, how you reach out to people. Feminine persona, relationship with mother and females. Money, possessions, sense of values. Mars is on Aries 11: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, OR THE RULER OF ONE’S COUNTRY – it is quite extraordinary that Mars is on this degree, really, with all that’s going on politically in the world right now. Mars here can remind us to take charge of our lives, to be our own ‘president’, to call our own shots. Even if we feel somewhat at the mercy of other’s ‘authority’ over us, we can break out of that by reminding ourselves of our autonomy… What interesting times we are living in. This Symbol shows that it’s time to take charge, to expand your base of operations and to show that you have the integrity and the necessary energy to get things done. It’s also about bringing a sense of order and discipline into your life – physically, spiritually or emotionally. Find your sense of inner power and make it work for you and don’t let others lord it over you. Be in control of your own destiny and individuality. Show that you can be given a position of responsibility and get things done. Keywords: Developing willpower. Inner power, discipline and integrity. Discipline of thoughts, emotions and actions. Leadership, power and ability along with their responsibilities. Accepting responsibility for one’s actions. “Calling the shots”. Rulers, presidents, leaders. Taking charge. The need for loyal subjects. Being voted in. The democratic process. The Caution: Taking control, lording it over everyone, being overbearing. Egotistical and self-centered. Undermining others through a lack of awareness or self confidence. Mars symbolizes: Drive, determination or agenda, how you get to your goals. How you express and handle anger, ambition, assertion of self and ability to step forward. The male principle, sexuality, the ability to step up to the plate when one needs to. Jupiter is stationary retrograde on Libra 24: A THIRD WING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A BUTTERFLY – Jupiter goes retrograde on February 6 on this degree, adding to the need to find our balance, our equilibrium, etc. On a physical, emotional or political level, we can find the left and right working against each other as each side tries to gain control of the other. Needless to say, this can lead to all kinds of struggles. Finding our This Symbol can show imbalances of many kinds; physical, mental, spiritual or emotional. Understanding and accepting fragility and differences in our self and others can give greater empathy for those who have difficulty operating efficiently in the world. When the transformation into full potential occurs, it is wonderful, however, you may feel that you are unnaturally developed or somehow lopsided in the emotive, intuitive realms. Instinct may swamp logic or logic may take from instinct or intuition. Physically, one side of your body could work more efficiently or smoothly than the other. It helps to try to regain balance and equilibrium – try finding that still space in the middle. Keywords: Creative overbalance. Bodily impairments and handicaps. Being light, flippant and fluttering from thing to thing. Over-sensitivities. Oddities. Beautiful imperfections. Idiot savants. Imbalances. One side of the body being more perfect than the other. Wings, arms, legs, feet. The Caution: Unrealistic reliance on being different. Obsession with strange things. Flapping around and not getting anywhere. Restlessness, nervousness. Lopsidedness. Jupiter symbolizes: The big picture, expansion, exploration, aspirations, religious and philosophical ideals, issues to do with traveling, foreign lands, people and traditions, culture, education, generosity, luck, abundance, support, optimism. Insight through knowledge and wisdom. Saturn is on Sagittarius 26: A FLAG-BEARER IN A BATTLE –Saturn on this degree can bring out the desire, or the need, to stand up, to wave our flag, to salute our standards. However, with Saturn here, the push back may be rather strong, or, we may feel somewhat tired of constantly having to step up. It is going to be very interesting to see which way events go over the next few weeks, with Saturn on this degree. The trick is that Saturn is just now entering the orb of the Galactic Center, where we are said to be able to connect with the ‘Law Of Attraction’ (I feel that we can connect with that ‘law’ on any degree of the zodiac, it is just particularly strong on the degrees from Sagittarius 26 to Capricorn 1). With Saturn here, we may feel that things are out of our control, but, with faith, we can direct our responses, and, our realities into our chosen direction. Having said that, we may still need to stand up and be counted, at least in some measure. This Symbol shows standing up in “Battle” carrying the “Flag” for your nation, political, social or moral beliefs, or for some issue that needs defending or supporting. The “Flag-Bearer” is often the one ‘out front’, in front of the situation or the army; the one who’s unarmed and yet determined to represent their side. You may feel that there have been achievements done by you or others that need to be acknowledged. Responsibilities pile up on you, and the struggle is not always easy. Don’t worry, though, although everyone around you is busy, they are noticing your leadership abilities. You are often the linchpin of the whole Keywords: Having the courage of convictions. Standing up for ideals. Representing one’s collective in a worthy cause. Carrying the standard or the ‘Flag’. David and Goliath. Being the messenger. Advocates. Ensigns. Leadership. Self sacrifice. Fighting for political ideals. Flag waving. The Caution: The sacrificial lamb. Overzealous idealism. Empty shows of courage. The fear of stepping out of line. Not knowing when to back off. An inability to keep quiet. Saturn symbolizes: Authority, rules, discipline and obligation The heavy stuff. What we fear, loss, karma, aging, the establishment, orthodoxy, tradition, status, the concept of time, walls, boundaries, limits, older people, restrictions, patience, conquering difficulties. Uranus is on Aries 22: THE GATE OPENS TO THE GARDEN OF ALL FULFILLED DESIRES – concentrating on where you want to be can indeed bring you more and more to that place. We need to step up to the plate and step through the gate, even if it means overthrowing some things that are outworn or unfulfilling in our lives. A sense of peace and fulfillment can be at hand with this degree, although we may have to let go of non-essentials in order to step into that rewarding space. This Symbol brings up fabulous opportunities and possibilities. You could find yourself in beautiful places with your desires met. There can be the promise of happiness; stability and feeling like you’ve arrived where you want to be. At times, though, you may be right at the point of what you want, but perhaps you need to make the deliberate action of opening the gate; admitting to your self what you want and where you want to be. Perhaps you need to knock, showing your intention of wanting in. Maybe you already have everything you need – look around. Keywords: Craving happiness. Gardens and their treasures. Trellises and flowing plants. Pathways to bliss. Gates and doors. Unlocking and opening gates and doors. Analyzing your heart’s desires. The grass being greener on the other side. Rewards and treasures waiting. The allure of somewhere else. Initiations. Passages to a better life. Acquiring property. Sexual fulfillment. Opening up to life’s possibilities and rewards. The Caution: Denying your self the right to receive just rewards. The grass being greener on the other side. Always wanting more and more. Possessions owning you. Uranus symbolizes: The unexpected, things that are individual or ‘different’. Charged, energetic dynamics, electricity, light, lightning bolts, sudden changes, those who live on the fringe of society. Sudden turns and twists of fate. Rebellion, surprises, liberation, freedom. Neptune is on Pisces 11: PEOPLE TRAVELING A NARROW PATH, SEEKING ILLUMINATION – staying true to your path can bring enormous rewards, especially if you’re been clear about what and where your ‘true path’ is. That light at the end of the tunnel does not have to be an oncoming train, although, at times, especially lately, that may be exactly what it has felt like. This shows having a quest, “Seeking Illumination”, having a “Path” and staying on it regardless of what life throws at you. Sometimes the search for high ideals and understanding places us at odds with the more conservative social expectations of others. It is the ability to persevere with the search, regardless of the cost, that marks the sincerity of any path or journey. You may, at times, have to go without some comforts or stick to a rigorous agenda. Most times this quest is very illuminating, sometimes it’s confusing. You will need to reject that which is unworthy, while staying true to your objectives in order to stay focused on the goal. Keywords: People “on the Path”. Sticking to one mindset, diet, regimen or habit. Having a cause to follow. Not looking sideways. Awakening one’s base senses in order to progress. Physical ecstasy. Being in the now. Going towards the light. Staying true to self. The promise of light at the end of the journey. The Caution: Being blinded by the light. Not knowing where you’re going. Denial of physical pleasure. Puritanical and one-eyed. Distractions. Narrow minded. Disillusionment. Neptune symbolizes: Mystical, “out there,” spirituality and con artists. Dreams, mysteries, mystics and religious issues. Intuition, clairvoyance, seeing into the invisible. Addictive, chaotic, charming, deceptive, illusory, co dependent, sensory awareness. Pluto is on Capricorn 19: A CHILD OF ABOUT FIVE CARRYING A HUGE SHOPPING BAG FILLED WITH GROCERIES = this Symbol, especially with Pluto on it, can bring up issues of having taken on too much, feeling burdened or held down by responsibilities. It can, of course, show situations where someone is not mature enough or ready to carry out all that needs to be done or taken care of. One can feel tired and weighed down, although, there can be a leap ahead in our development if we can rightfully sort out what is truly ours to shoulder and what is not. This Symbol shows having to “Carry” heavy loads, to shoulder responsibilities, do chores and jobs and help others, sometimes because there’s no one else who can or will do it. Often, the “Child” gets these responsibilities because they are the one who others know is going to take it seriously, completing the task, taking care of details. You may feel that you have been burdened with responsibilities beyond normal expectations and possibly beyond your capability. Despite being keen and enthusiastic, you must be careful not to try to take on too much, or do too much, or too quickly. Like a child, you need to play, be creative and rest. Keywords: Being the one everyone counts on to do the job. Feeling weighed down. Having to carry the “bag”. Lifting heavy weights and bearing the consequences. Taking on things above and beyond what one should. Acting the grownup. Maturing quickly. Looking after paperwork. Running errands. Providing food and sustenance for everyone. The Caution: Overloading the innocent and the inexperienced without thought of the consequences. Never being ‘off duty’. Dropping the bundle. Carrying the family. Pluto symbolizes: Unconscious motivations, depth psychology, history. Sex, procreation at a deep level, intensity, profound emotions, taking hold of one’s power. Being king or queen of one’s underworld. Strength, survival mode instincts. Big money. Big power. The Plutocracy. Power vs power struggles. Chiron is on Pisces 23: A ‘MATERIALIZING MEDIUM’ GIVING A SÉANCE – Chiron was on this degree for several months last year. Many people felt that their psychic abilities and intuition were increasing, leading to stronger impressions and being able to pick up on what’s going on. Chiron here can bring rich rewards from checking out what we ‘materialise’ through our thoughts, through the stories that we tell ourselves. What are the stories that take up your time and energies? How true or viable are they? This shows the ability, or the need, to pick up subtle energies and psychic clues in the environment. The “Materializing Medium” can receive radiations, frequencies or vibrations that cannot easily be sensed by most people. You may be experiencing a surprising sensitivity and awareness to spiritual forces and energies. This can cause confusion, other times enlightenment. Sit with any new impressions until you understand their authenticity or depth. Sometimes there is a need to free ‘stuck’ or earthbound entities. This can show someone who can “Materialize” things; make things happen just by thinking about or concentrating on them. Keywords: Spiritual channeling. A need to free up “stuck” or earthbound entities. Efforts to materialize things. Coming straight out with things. Giving voice to spirit. Tarot readings, clairvoyance and clairsentience. Things seen ahead of their time. Bringing messages from the other side. Contacting the dead. The Caution: False fronts or performances. Making things up. Using mind control to get a desired outcome. Weird energies or people. Quacks. Imposters. Fakes. Delusional. Chiron symbolizes: Our wounds, Chiron is known as The Wounded Healer. The wounds are The Stories That We Tell Ourselves, it is where we have to focus on healing, it can show things that are out of shape or misplaced or in need of repair. The Moon’s North Node is on Virgo 4: BLACK AND WHITE CHILDREN PLAYING HAPPILY TOGETHER – the Moon’s north node on this degree brings up issues to do with seeing others as equals; to see people on the same playing field, people just wanting to get ahead in life, being free to be themselves without This Symbol shows the integration of people of different races, religions, economic status or places. You may find people from different or seemingly disparate or separate areas coming into your life, making it richer, more rewarding and interesting. Prejudice of any kind, whether religious or race based, economic or class systems, is an illusion based on social perception and excludes people that could add to our lives. Social perceptions can color how we see others and these need to be put aside. Rather, it’s about embracing brotherhood and caring. The integration, acceptance and enjoyment of all people brings depth and meaning to life. Keywords: Universal brotherhood. Overcoming prejudices and boundaries that separate people. Knocking down social barriers to relate freely. Being able to let go, relax and have fun with people from anywhere. Adopted siblings. Foster homes. Affirmative action. Trust and joy. Play that unites people. The Caution: Acting with morality that is swayed by public opinion. Not being able to adjust psychologically to situations that require creative responses. Racial prejudice. The Moon’s North Node symbolizes: This is known as quite a ‘karmic point’ (although all planets and points in a chart can be’karmic’). One’s destiny in this life. The things you are meant to integrate, move towards, become. Destined relationships and relationship issues can show up here. The Moon’s South Node is on Pisces 4: HEAVY CAR TRAFFIC LINKING TWO SEASIDE RESORTS – this Symbol can have us racing backwards and forwards, it can have us travelling, moving around, etc, or, it can have us thinking too much, not being able to settle where we are, not feel settled anywhere. This shows moving about, getting from destination to destination in a free flowing manner. Driving or flying or in a bus; there’s lots of activity going on. There’s also a need for space sharing, patience and give-and-take as people have their own needs. This can show communications and linkages between separate worlds leading to increased pleasure, OR, frustration, confusion or psychic indigestion and the need for a holiday. There’s a lot going on and confusion can set in if one doesn’t follow the rules to ensure a smooth flow of operations. Being ‘squeezed-in’ can bring a sense of panic but it can also bring pleasurable interchange between people and a chance to tune out. Keywords: Going with the flow. Running back and forth. Having to move continually. Pollution and car exhaust. Rush hour and road-rage. Plans for arrivals and departures. Public holidays. Traffic jams. Traffic banking up. Having trouble making left hand turns. Detours. Packing and unpacking. Luggage. Travel itineraries. Impasses. Nervous systems. Urine therapy. Constant phone calls. Switchboard jams. Heat and smog. The Caution: Distrust of connecting elements. Creating barriers. Constant traffic. No real human interchange. Road rage. Traffic works. No time for leisure. Accidents. No escape. The Moon’s South Node symbolizes: Past karmic patterns to be overcome, can be habits that are good, but can describe things, relationships, issues that you need to let go of, or, hold you back from manifesting your true destiny. Relationships that feel karmic and difficult, memories from the past. mistressmyst | February 10, 2017 at 5:56 pm | Categories: Articles | URL: all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Witches Of The Craft®. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://witchesofthecraft.com/2017/02/10/february-2017-leo-lunar-eclipse/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com Rrr