#griffon rakell

[lienanna]

De berg

We begeven ons in godenlanden en leggen ons lot ook direct in godenhanden. De rit naar het basiskamp van onze trektocht door de Himalayas leidt over de weg des doods. In een tienpersoonsbusje honkebonken we over de gravelweg vol gaten en keien, rakelings langs de afgrond. We passeren de ene na de andere aardverschuiving en de chauffeur moet regelmatig een stukje achteruit de berg af rijden om een ander groot voertuig te laten passeren. Bibberend van angst en aan elkaar vastgeklampt doorstaan we de aanblik van misselijkmakende afgronden. De acht Indiërs met wie we het busje delen kijken ondertussen niet op of om, die zijn wel wat gewend. Volgende keer lopen we de eerste 2500 meter liever zelf de berg op.

Vier dagen zijn we aan de wandel met negentien overwegend jonge Indiërs, een expeditiehoofd en twee lokale gidsen. Een keukenteam van vier man sterk loopt met een kudde muilezels voor ons uit om onze tenten op te zetten en ons bij aankomst te voorzien van warme chai, snacks en maaltijden. Dat is zeer welkom want op de wandeling tot bijna 4000 meter hoogte is het KOUD. Mijn drie lagen broeken, truien en jas zijn vier dagen lang mijn tweede huid. De wandeling is een achtbaan van ongemakken (gevoelloze vingers, blauwe plekken op de heupen van het slapen op hele dunne matjes op bevroren ondergrond, een gat in de grond als plee waar mijn darmen volledig van op slot gaan, een gek benauwd gevoel door de hoogte waar ik een beetje woozy van word) afgewisseld met de mooiste vergezichten. De lokale bevolking gelooft niet in de goden van het Hinduïsme maar aanbidt hun eigen berggoden en dat snappen we helemaal. Hoe hoger we komen, hoe indrukwekkender en majestueuzer de natuur.

Het is grappig om met Indiërs in de bergen te zijn. Ze leren ons spelletjes en uitingen van populaire cultuur. Veel van hen zijn uitgelaten over de hagelbui die ons treft, hun eerste keer ‘sneeuw’. Ze mopperen weinig, maar missen wel hun 34 graden Celsius van thuis. Van de expeditieleiding krijgen we uitleg over de meest basale dingen: hoe je de veters van je wandelschoenen strikt, hoe je je tent in kruipt, hoe je een slaapzak gebruikt. Het werkt op onze lachspieren maar dat het nodig is blijkt wanneer ze vertellen dat er eerder mensen zijn geweest die slapeloze nachten hadden omdat ze dachten dat de slaapzak een hoofdkussen was. Ongeveer de helft van de groep kampeert voor het eerst.

De organisatie van de wandeling leent ons een ‘ecobag’, een soort fannypack waar we elke dag het zwerfvuil dat we op de berg vinden in kunnen stoppen. Gezamenlijk halen we 13kg afval van de berg. ‘Littering’ is hier nog de normaalste zaak van de wereld, blijkt in het afsluitende kringgesprek waarin we terugblikken op vier thema’s die aan bod zijn gekomen tijdens de wandeling, waaronder duurzaamheid. ‘Ik ga proberen wat minder afval op straat te gooien en ik ga proberen iets minder voorverpakt voedsel te eten,’ zeggen een aantal van onze medewandelaars eerlijk. Bewustzijn van het milieu heeft nog een lange weg te gaan.

Flora en fauna:

Koeien in verschillende staten van ontbinding en overal botjes. Wie zich verveelt, kan een heel koeienskelet bij elkaar puzzelen.

Een glimps van een Himalayan monal, de nationale vogel van de regio. Prachtig gekleurd verenkleed. Veel overvliegende gieren (Himalayan griffons), imposante beesten met een vleugelspan van meer dan een meter. Ik krijg de fancy verrekijker met autofocus die we geleend hebben en hele vakantie meesjouwen niet goed aan de praat, dus niet van dichtbij kunnen bekijken.

Blue pine en verschillende soorten rodondendronstruiken. De dennennaalden ruiken bijna citrusachtig en de rodondendron heerlijk kruidig. Als ik ooit nog eens parfumeur word, begin ik hier.

[fanastywhump]

Another TLMGO piece by @tenmastrousers, an old commission for a story I wrote forever ago. Premise is that Griffon (redhead) got shot with a poisoned arrow and when he gets a fever, his skin literally burns. Raphael (blond) has to get him stabilized and out of there before the second attack comes.

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Got tagged by @newbornwhumperfly to use this picrew and do another round of the gw team. That’s actually, like, a perfect Nyla??? I want to marry her.

I will tag @cubeswhump and @boxboysandotherwhump aaaaaaaand @albino-whumpee ;)

[fanastywhump]

prompt huh? Idk, hekkin infected injuries are hitting it for me right now, or maybe a whumpee scared of their caretakers if infection isn't your thing.

Griffon tried to run it though his mind, run through the crucial steps on infection control, but the brain-scrambling nature of his fever in addition to the putrid smell his leg was giving off proved more challenging than he was able to tackle currently. His bag, where was his bag again? Oh. Right there. Beside his green-tinted leg. Was it really that green? He blinked at it, mesmerized by how it shifted and swirled as he turned his head this and that way. The pus that he had could have sworn a moment ago was only seeping out of it was now full on erupting from the wound. He shield his eyes, don’t want to get that nastiness in the face. 

“Hey Griff?” Griffon started with a yelp, wrenching that stupidly heavy leg of his to the side. A monster. There was a towering monster before him. Squeezing his eyes tight, he prayed that it couldn’t see him in return. “By the Ones, firefly, that looks worse than you thought originally right?” Griffon whimpered in reply; he could sense it coming towards him. He had to fight, he had to get away, his leg felt light as a feather right now, he bet he could make a run for it. Wanting to catch the monster off guard, Griffon threw himself to the side, tumbling down the hill with his eyes still shut tight. The monster roared but he was getting away, he was getting away! Then something grabbed him and held him tightly, so tightly that he couldn’t move. Thrashing and screaming, Griffon fought to get away. He could tell his leg was gone by now but he didn’t need it anyway. Something stabbed into his arm and the life ebbed away, leaving him pathetic. Weak. Unprotected. 

“By the Ones, Griffon, this antidote better help hallucinations too.”

[fanastywhump]

How about Whumpee learning that their parent died and completely losing it, sobbing and falling to the ground as Caretaker tries to comfort them?

“No! NO!” Griffon screamed, fighting against Raphael’s grip. He could just barely make out Brayford’s still form over Raphael’s shoulder. His tears boiling and steaming as they hit his cheeks obscured his vision more but he knew. He just knew. It didn’t even register that he had crumbled against Raphael’s chest until they were both on the ground, kneeling together. “I can’t lose another father, Raph,” Griffon sobbed, “I can’t lose another parent.” He could feel Raphael stroking his hair, could feel Raphael’s tears, but it just wasn’t registering. The pain, the crushing, drowning breaking was too much. Raphael caught his wrists just as he was about to smash his fists into something, anything, something to take it away. He struggled weakly but Raphael just pulled him tighter to his chest. Whispering in his ear, Raphael breathed, “I lost your parents, I lost my own. We’ve grieved for them together. And Brayford,” he swallowed thickly, “Brayford-he...Brayford was our-“ Raphael, who always had too much to say, couldn’t finish but Griffon didn’t need him to. So they cried. They cried and mourned as they had before.

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 16. Pinned Down

(repost from @fanastyfinder )

They readjusted their position above Griffon, straddling his chest. He kicked his legs uselessly, trying to throw them off, but it was too much. Their weight combined with the pain forced him down. They just watched him struggle, smiling pleasantly. Adjusting their grip of the hilts of Remembrance and Deliverance, Raphael’s swords, those were Raphael’s swords, they twisted the blades ever so slightly, burying the swords deeper into the floor underneath Griffon’s hands. Griffon heard  delicate bones snap further, shattered pieces piercing through his palms. His hands sparked weakly, but sputtered out. He screamed, pulling everything he had from his core, but his fire refused to come.

“Don’t you think,” they cocked their head, observing the damage, “that if you actually did succeed in doing that, that you are just making it worse? I don’t really think hot metal is in your best interest right now.” They fiddled with Deliverance absentmindedly, each little flick of the wrist shredding Griffon’s palm even more. Griffon tried to reply, but each twist made him want to vomit in pain. They took that as permission to do the same with Remembrance, alternating the swords as they mutilated his palms. Griffon couldn’t even move his fingers anymore. He might never again. It took everything within him not to beg.

He could barely hear Raphael in the background, begging for him. Another grinding twist and Griffon did throw up this time, choking on the vomit. His head flopped to the side, towards Raphael, who was fighting from where he had been forced to his stomach. A boot on his neck and his hands bound behind him, Raphael was squirming and screaming. Griffon couldn’t really make out what he was saying anymore, his head was spinning too much. They were saying something again. He tried to concentrate through the pain.

“--what would you give to save his life?”

“My own.”

NO. Griffon screamed it, “NO! No, Raph, no!”

“Interesting.” They let go of the swords, which stood upright without them. Stepping off Griffon, ignoring him as he thrashed, they strolled over to Raphael. They crouched before him and after that, Griffon couldn’t see what was happening. He was sobbing uncontrollably now, unable to hear anything else over the noise, crying Raphael’s name, ordering him to stop as his vision started to grow fuzzy, the edges darkening. The last thing he saw was Raphael being lifted to his feet, a muzzle-like gag strapped to his face. His eyes, his eyes, that pain was so much worse. “No,” Griffon whimpered again as his vision tunneled out with Raphael being carried away in the center, leaving him to the dark.

[fanastywhump]

Marlee-Raph? Hey Raph?

Raphael-Yes, my starlight. Come to keep me company?

M-I had a bad dream.

R-Where’s Griffon?

M-I can’t find him.

R-Ah, I’m sure he is here somewhere. Would you like me to help?

M-I wanna sleep with you.

R-Okay starlight, but watch out, I snore. But I’ve been told that it chases the bad dreams and monsters away.

A torture later...

M-Raph? You were having a bad dream.

R-AHhe-Hello,my starlight. Yes, there are many monsters these past couple weeks.

M-Do I need to find Griffon?

R-He has done enough, dont worry him.

M-Can I stay?

R-yes, please don’t leave

M-I’ll try and snore extra loud, okay Raphael?

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 21. Laced Drink

(repost from @fanastyfinder )

(Actually this comes right before Whumptober 4. Human Shield, so go check that one out for a continuation of this story from Knox’s POV)

Griffon sniffed at his drink. He hated alcohol and parties and yet, here he was, undercover at one of Alistair’s balls. Slipping the thin glass off a passing servant’s tray,  the young noble had shoved the wine into Griffon’s chest, almost spilling the liquid on Griffon’s costume. “Something to loosen you up,” Alistair had purred, winking and blowing a kiss before effortlessly melting into the loud crowd. Griffon had been half tempted to upend the foul beverage into the large vase he was standing next to, but that wouldn’t have been fair to the plant. He took a sip hesitantly. It wasn’t awful, delicate and sweet with a hint of honey. Usually he stayed away from the stuff because he was a terrible lightweight, embarrassingly enough. No, Griffon was just fine being in control of his own thoughts. Taking another tentative sip as he leaned against the wall, he glanced over at the plant again and shook his head. Leave it to Alistair to have a rare Oonaloni fern in the completely wrong habitat. Griffon had thought that Alistair had a greenhouse here at his impressive estate. Surely his gardeners would have known better. He glanced down and was surprised to see that the glass was half empty already. Too much. Handing the unfinished drink to another servant, Griffon tugged uncomfortably on his mask. It was getting chilly in here.

Raphael swirling past him and snagged Griffon’s hand, pulling him off balance. Raphael’s halfling ears were covered by the ruff of his lion costume, his long braid tucked under his shirt to come out the bottom as a tail.  Laughing, he tugged Griffon onto the dance floor for a lively waltz. After a moment, Griffon fell easily into the steps, but glared at Raphael. He couldn’t quite make out the other’s expression because of the dark film obscuring his burgundy eyes, but he assumed Raphael wasn’t too bothered. “Come now, my lord, have some fun,” Raphael teased, swirling Griffon around into his arms.

“I was fine where I was,” Griffon replied tersely. The dancing was making him extremely dizzy and he was having a hard time concentrating on the rhythm, which was odd. It wasn’t like he was unused to complicated steps with his and Raphael’s fighting practice every day. He swayed on the next step, but Raphael steadied him. He didn’t say anything, but Griffon felt his grip tighten. They finished the waltz, bowing to one another. The next dance was much slower and Griffon was grateful when Raphael took the lead, his hand on Griffon’s waist, supporting him. “Sorry,” he muttered, “Must be out of practice.”

“Must be,” Raphael repeated, but he frowned slightly.

“It’s my elaborate plan to get out of dancing.”

“Well, you are an incredible actor.” Raphael didn’t say anything else for the rest of the dance, leading the pair to swirl in time with the other couples. Griffon couldn’t shake an urge to fall asleep that had snaked its way into his head. Usually, events like this knitted him up with anxiety, but right now, he desperately just wanted to rest. As the song ended, Griffon tugged away.

“That’s two more dances out of me than you should have gotten,” he joked. “I’m going to go find the greenhouse.” Raphael opened his mouth to argue, but suddenly Alistair was at his shoulder, running his hands over Raphael’s shoulders.

“Going so soon?” he pouted at Griffon. “Pity.”

Griffon smiled awkwardly. The lights were so bright in here, yet the temperature was definitely dropping, despite all the bodies. “Which direction is the--”

Alistair simply extended a jeweled finger towards one of the massive doorways. “Perhaps take your older friend with you. He looks like he is having hard time, poor thing.” Griffon turned and saw Knox practically cowering in the corner. His ivory dove costume was making him look rather like prey. Nodding to Raphael and Alistair, he moved towards Knox, tugging his arm gently.

“Let’s get out of here.”

“O-oh t..th-oh thank the Ones,” Knox breathed shakily, tugging on his doublet with a nervous movement. Together they walked through the halls. Guards pointed them in the right direction, but Griffon couldn’t help thinking that they were just going deeper into the castle. His head was pounding and he hadn’t even realized that he had slowed so much until Knox looked back at him in surprise from several steps away. “G-Griff?”

Griffon put a hand against the wall as a wave of nausea hit him, but missed completely, staggering to the floor. Knox rushed back and caught him under the arm. Griffon tried to stand, but it was as if the cold was creeping into his bones, freezing him up and telling him to collapse at the same time. The need for sleep was overwhelming now. He barely felt Knox dragging him into a nearby room. “Knoshh?” It came out in a slur. He started to try again, but the door banged open right behind them. Griffon recognized that Knox had unhooked a mini crossbow from beneath his costume just as he shoved Griffon into a corner. A large, very angry man stood in the doorway, gripping a much larger crossbow. Preparing for a fight, Griffon automatically called on his fire, igniting his hands with ease. Except the flames did not come. He stared stupidly at them, trying again as the man advanced.

His fire remained asleep.

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 4. Human Shield

(Repost from @fanastyfinder )

(Directly after Whumptober 21. Laced Drink, which is in Griffon’s POV)

“P-please,” Knox begged, dropping his crossbow to the floor in an attempt at peace. “He is just a b-b-he is just a child.” Ignoring him, the man advanced, his own crossbow trained on Knox’s chest. Glancing back over his shoulder, Knox saw that Griffon was awake, eyes barely slitted open under auburn bangs. He had propped himself in the corner, appearing to be standing on his own, but Knox could see his trembling legs.

“I remember you.” Turning his head back to the man in surprise, Knox opened his mouth, but the man continued, “Knox Nikkel,” spitting the name. “You left the brotherhood and now you fight with the monster and its little master.” He jerked his head towards Griffon, growling, “He doesn’t know what he is playing with.”

Knox had no idea who this man was. The Blight-oath grew quickly, branching off in all directions like the disease it was. It was entirely possible they had never met, but maybe they had. He dared not take his eyes off the man, but he backed up even more until his back was pressed against Griffon’s chest. “J-j-just let go,” he whispered and after a moment, he felt the younger man’s shaking body slumping against him. Knox was essentially holding Griffon upright, pinned between the wall and himself. He felt the little hot puffs of breath against his neck, sweat soaking through his shirt to coat his back. So young to go through this, Knox’s heart hurt as Griffon’s beat rapidly with his, thudding against him.

“Knox…” Griffon murmured into his shoulder.

“Shh,” Knox hushed him. He said to the man, “K-kil-killing him will a-a-accomplish-will do nothing.”

“Bullshit,” the man barked. “Move! Betrayer or not, I will honor the mark you still wear, but get out of my way.” Griffon took in a sharp breath and squirmed weakly. Knox could hear shouting down the hallway, coming closer.

“No,” Knox said simply and stepped forward. Without the support, Griffon’s body crumpled to the floor, safely out of the way of the crossbow bolt that slammed through Knox’s chest. It threw him back, the broadhead embedding itself into the wall. He heard Griffon scream and saw white-blonde hair flash into the room. He thought he saw the Blight-oath man collapse, his neck at an impossible angle. Braxton. His name had been Braxton. He felt hands grab his face and saw Raphael’s horrified face. “Get Griffon,” Knox said, smiling as he let the roaring pain take over his vision with black.

[fanastywhump]

8 and 18 for the bois

8. If your OC had to take the S.A.T. tomorrow with one night to prep, how would they do?  both emotionally and academically.

Griffon would academically be fine but he wouldn’t think it. The boy’s a wizard with science and biology but you’d better believe he would be cramming and doing an all-nighter on the subjects that he felt he was “lesser” in, resulting in a super cranky, high on anxiety test taker. I must say though, his notes would be gorgeous.

Raphael would go over the material once, maybe twice if he thought he needed it. He has one of those “if I don’t know it by now, I won’t ever” mentalities. He knows his strengths and weaknesses academically (being that he would get good marks but he does have to work for them)

18. What’s the trashiest item in your OC’s wardrobe, when was the last time they wore it and why do they still have it?

Not a wardrobe piece, but Griffon still has the blanket that Marlee was wrapped in from 6 years prior when they were on the run. That thing is scorched and burned and smells absolutely terrible despite constant washings from Annetta and Raphael, but he always keeps a swatch of it in his bag. You can find him rubbing it between his fingers when he is thinking or stressed.

Raphael doesn’t own anything trashy (although some few misguided souls might say the shade of crimson he wears is tacky.) He is too vain for that plus he is a good enough with a needle that he can repair or repurpose anything outdated. In modern times, he would be one hella DIYer.

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 27. Ransom

(repost from @fanastyfinder)

“I’ve come to trade,” Griffon said evenly, forcing his voice to be calm. He forced himself not to look at Raphael, who was kneeling beside them.

“You haven’t got anything that I want,” they said, their hand resting on Raphael’s bowed head.

“I want to trade places with him. A life for a life.” Raphael looked up at that, shaking his head violently in a no. Griffon could only imagine his protests but the muzzle-like gag covering the lower half of his face stopped them.

“No,” they said simply. Griffon clenched his fists at his sides. “Honey, it was cute the first time,” they continued, perching their chin on their palm. “When Raphael so gallantly took your place, my heart melted, I must admit. But the price is never the same twice.”

Griffon’s hand erupted into flames, his calm facade ripped apart as he said, “Give him back to me, Z!” He barely had time to register the panicked look in Raphael’s eyes as they snapped their fingers in response and the guard behind Raphael plunged a dagger into his shoulder. Raphael pitch forward, but they jerked him back, never letting go of his head. Griffon didn’t even have time to scream.

“Now,” they said calming, “don’t ever try that again, Griffon Rakell. Your little pet can only take so much.”

Z is referring to this: Whumptober 16. Pinned Down

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 17. “Stay with me”

(repost from @fanastyfinder )

“Griff?” Raphael whispered, dropping to his knees beside the still body. He reached over to draw the blanket away from the face but hesitated, afraid at what he would find. It definitely was Griffon, the tight auburn curls were a dead giveaway, but he had yet to move. Unlike Raphael himself, who noticed that his hand was shaking in midair. “Stop that,” he ordered himself and pulled the cover away. It was Griffon, but unlike anything Raphael had ever seen. His usually tan skin was white-pale and his face was sunken in, dark circles making his closed eyes seem to sink right into their sockets. Bright blue, vine-like veins spiderwebbed across his temples, spreading down the face to wrap around Griffon’s throat and running under the rest of the blanket. Raphael had no doubt that the blue threads covered Griffon’s entire body and forced himself to check. There was more blue than skin, pulsing gently across Griffon’s chest. Which wasn’t moving.

“Oh no, you don’t, you gotta stay with me,” Raphael demanded, ripping off his gloves to feel for a pulse on Griffon’s neck. It was ice cold. “Griff, stay with me,” he repeated, frantically checking other pulse points, the other side of the neck, the wrist, anything. It was pathetically weak, but he was able to pick up a heartbeat. “Oh thank the Ones,” Raphael sighed, clutching Griffon’s limp hand. He had no idea what had caused this, but Griffon wasn’t waking up. Besides the veins, Griffon seemed otherwise physically fine. Malnourished, yes, but Raphael expected to find him in a bloody pulp after 3 weeks. He would almost rather have that and an awake, angry Griffon than this.  What was even more alarming was that he was just there, lying on the ground. Not guarded, not restrained, nothing. Just left here. Like dead, Raphael thought, swallowing hard.

He began lifting Griffon up into a sitting position, only to have to catch Griffon’s neck as his head rolled back. “Easy, can’t have you breaking that,” he tsked.  He wrapped the blanket around the limp form, swaddling it tightly, which was difficult with one hand. Satisfied, Raphael scooped Griffon up in his arms, cradling his head to his chest. Griffon stirred. “Griff?” Raphael held his breath, but Griffon must have just been reacting to the temperature difference. He turned his head slightly into the crook of Raphael’s shoulder, but otherwise nothing. Raphael shifted his weight, murmuring apologies as he jostled Griffon into a position where he would be able to draw at least one of his swords if need be. Gazing down at his charge, Raphael stroked the lines on his face for a moment. “You’re going to wake up,” he assured Griffon, and ultimately, himself.

[fanastywhump]

@kilspantsu aka to_yo.art on IG doodled Griffon, Avery, and Raphael after reading my Whumptober 20 prompt from today. Apparently Ave is bitching about Raph and doesn’t really care that he is choking poor Griff.

https://fanastywhump.tumblr.com/post/614952854725230592/whumptober-20-trembling

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 9. Shackled

(Repost from @fanastyfinder )

“Can you just keep still?” Griffon hissed. “It is almost time to start.”

Raphael tugged at the red hood that covered the sides of his face, and more importantly, hid the long ears that identified him as a halfling. “I don’t know why we didn’t just storm behind there and grab him before any of this mess began.”

Griffon kept his eyes forward towards the stage. “Because if we just play along, there is less risk that someone has to die.”

“And if we grab him and go, than he doesn’t have to go through the humiliation, Griff.”

“And what of the other ones? What happens if one disappears and the others see us? They will be tortured or worse.” Griffon sighed heavily. “I am not saying it is the right choice, Raphael. It is just the one I feel we must take.” He hung his head.

Raphael rested a hand on his hunched shoulders. “I know, Griff,” he said gently. He watched as the officiators strolled on stage, waving to the small crowd that jostled closer to the stage. They moved forward with the mass. Then the slaves were paraded across the raised platform. The posters had proclaimed seven Ruffleloos for sale. There were all ages, with the youngest being no more than five years old. Each one looked worse than the next, but the ruffles on their ears and tails were full and well groomed. They were shackled together by the feet and hands, shuffling together as a unit, each tiny step moving them all only so far. The littlest Ruffleloo, a little girl who was coming in from off stage, was crying, a pathetic hiccuping noise that broke Raphael’s heart.

“That could be Marlee,” Griffon breathed, and Raphael could hear the tears in his voice.

“Thank the Ones that it isn’t,” Raphael said. He took note of the dead expressions on the ducked heads, the defeated way they huddled together, it was too horrible. “I want to take them all,” he said.

“Me too,” Griffon whispered. He began to say something else, but the little girl stumbled over a board. She almost went down, but the Ruffleloo climbing the stairs just out of view, shot an arm out and steadied her before moving to his place beside her. He was the last in the row, a young boy no more than thirteen. He looked defiantly out at the crowd, his tail swishing in agitation. His glare met with Raphael’s gaze and hope immediately sparked behind the rage.

“He sees us,” Raphael murmured to Griffon.

“Let’s get our Avery back then,” Griffon said. The bidding began, the Ruffleloos who had been sold unshackled from the line and led away. The prices did not match their appearances, but it was the ruffles that they grew that made the prices jump so outlandishly high. Ruffleloos produced the highest quality materials that Verascass had ever seen. The little girl was by far the most expensive, purchased by two women who caressed her face before throwing a blanket around her and leading her off. Raphael prayed that they treated her for what she was, a child. Then it was time for Avery.

Raphael did the bidding, his hand raised far higher than those around him. Griffon stood stiffly beside him, keeping his eyes on the boy. Fortunately, no one seemed too interested in an obviously unruly slave, except for one sleazy looking man, but he threw down his number and spat at the duo when Raphael bid twice the previous amount. Raphael paid the auctioneer silently and grabbed Avery roughly. The boy played along, fighting against him until they were safely out of the market. With a cry, Avery tackled Griffon, hugging him tightly. With his face crushed in Griffon’s shirt, Raphael barely made out the small “You came for me.”

Griffon smoothed down his hair reassuringly. “Of course we did.”

Joining the huddle, Raphael said, “We always come back for family.”

[fanastywhump]

heyyy! May I ask what the story This light must go out is about? And can you also tell me a bit abou the characters I just found your blog. :D

Hi! This is the inner book flap/synopsis that I wrote up when it was my senior capstone in college: 

Born with the ability to create flames from his palms, Griffon Rakell must flee when his parents die in a disturbing fire that destroys the entire estate, taking with him only his blind infant sister Marlee, and Raphael, a halfling who has been his best friend since birth. Six years later, Griffon and Raphael are still on the run, doing what they can to protect those who are less fortunate with the help of the Monarch Society, an organization that does what it can to bring light into a dying world. Mission by mission, the men fight against the evil group known as the Blight-oath, As things go downhill, Griffon must accept that his powers do not make him the monster he believes himself to be as Raphael continues to fight to prove halflings are not the dirty creatures that the world sees. Griffon and Raphael will stop at nothing to protect their little family, but there are parties who are determined that this light goes out. 

Basically TLMGO is a old world dark fantasy novel that is geared towards New Adult audiences. It focuses on love and found family; regardless of the form, love is just as essential. I find that romantic love is so highly centralized in media so the most important form of love that I want to showcase is platonic love, the one between brothers. Why can’t two male best friends say they love one another and it not be weird? Beats me. 

I talk about the characters in the briefest way possible on this post (it’s so vague lol have fun) but if people want, I can definitely start uploading their visual references and more details.

Most of the content I write for this blog isn’t necessarily canon. I mean, all of it I can definitely see happening and is in character for the cast but isn’t necessarily what is absolutely gonna happen, if that makes sense. Anywho, I’m very mean to my babies, which is why we now have an entire blog dedicated to it.

[fanastywhump]

Whumptober 31. Embrace

(repost from @fanastyfinder)

Laughing, Raphael ran to Griffon. He lifted the smaller man off his feet and spun him around gleefully. Griffon’s hood fell back, revealing his own, beaming face. As soon as Raphael set him back down, Griffon grabbed him in a fierce hug, burrowing his face in Raphael’s chest. Raphael squeezed him tightly in return. “We did it, my lord,” he said into Griffon’s curly red hair. Griffon pulled back, looking up at him with an uncharacteristically bright smile.

“We lived,” Griffon said simply, looking over at Avery and Marlee, who were twirling and dancing in the field of daleants. Knox stood not far off, his small twin girls grabbing at his legs for attention and an arm around the waist of his wife, Gracie. Griffon’s smile dimmed for a moment and Raphael followed his gaze. There was Annetta in the distance, kneeling on the bed of flowers. Cedric and Nathanael stood before her, each with an arm outstretched. After a hesitant moment, she took them and they pulled her up. Each taking her side, they led her to the guardians standing as a pair. They parted as the trio approached, and there was Brayford, shining in a brilliant light. With a cry, Annetta dropped the couple’s hands and ran to him. Brayford easily caught her in his arms, kissing her deeply. As Raphael watched, the huge man seemed to grow younger and as he blinked, a Brayford of twenty years held Annetta, who was still the same. He saw the young man whispered something in her ear, a nod from her, and another rich kiss before setting her down. Cedric and Nathanael moved to take her hands once more and the three watched as Brayford turned back the guardians. In a moment, they were gone in a blaze of glory.

Raphael hadn’t even realized that he and Griffon had been moving towards them, but here they were. All of them together again. He looked at his strange little family, growing bigger all the while. Looking up, he saw Lillianna standing a distance away. He ran to her, tugging her into his arms. Slowly, she came with him to the huddle of people. Raphael held her close and threw his other arm around Griffon, who was now carrying Marlee. “We lived,” Raphael repeated, tears pricking his eyes. “We lived.”