#my Shephard... sobs

[rigels-nigels]

[strangerathecinema]

finally finished lost, feel like shit

[lost-inanotherlife]

I am so curious now I need to ask, top 5 unhinged jack moments?

oooh this is going to be a good one! thanks for the ask! let's see...

"Orientation" (S2x03): MY JACK SHEPHARD TOP ICONIC MOMENT OF ALL TIME. When Desmond escapes from the hatch and runs into the jungle, Jack runs after him, reaches him and points a gun at him. Desmond starts remembering stuff, he's seen Jack before, he remembers something about "a girl Jack was worried about", he asks him what happened to "the girl" (Sarah) and Jack shouts "I married her!" and then breaks down crying like I don't know what. He's so unhinged and pathetic in this scene, I love him. You can watch him being hysterical here.

"Par Avion" (S3x12): To be honest this is THEE most unhinged Jack moment of all time, but it's not my favourite. However, I must add it to my personal top 5 because it IS unhinged. I'm talking about this moment:

I just find the juxtaposition INSANE: one day this man is having a mental breakdown and is about to potentially MURDER (I say "murder" because it was premeditated) Ben while performing the surgery, the next he's playing football with the Others and helps Ben while he's in a wheelchair. I dunno, makes you think about Jack's mental stability, am I right? Lol. What's more, the final scene is hilarious: we hear this ominous, powerful music that ends with a sudden stop right when Jack throws the ball on the ground. I'm sorry, this is such a fun, unhinged moment, I can't with this man...

3. "White Rabbit" (s1x05): another jungle scene for our El Jacko. Jack runs into the jungle thinking he's hallucinating his father, eventually he has a menty b, sits down on a rock and starts SOBBING. I've talked about this episode and how this scene reminds me of another scene from "Alice in Wonderland" (the Disney movie). I LOOOOVE IT.

4. "The Beginning of the End" (s4x01): when Jack straight-up tried to kill (failing) John in front of a fucking crowd. I'm not adding anything else, just this screenshot:

5. Various episodes: these aren't "unhinged" per se, but when Jack tries to act "normal" , to give "advice", or to "flirt", I kinda get the same unhinged vibes. Exhibit A, exhibit B, exhibit C (but there are many such cases, lol).

What do you think of my top 5? :D

[zack-is-silly]

I need YOUR help

My mother has given in to me begging and begging and sobbing to get my baby!

My baby is a German Shephard weighted stuffed animal

Now you may be asking what does this have to do with me!?

Well I need YOUR-yes you! YOUR help naming this precious baby!

So give me the name you think would best suit the beast

@beetleboness @honkshoooooooo @crack-cocaine-kibe @leonardodevieve @gh0stwithaheart @waiting4thestarstoalign @teddie-iee

Also feel free to just say 'fuck you' and not help me I will NOT take it personally

[keen-eye]

Sweet Sammy, Spun of Sugar and Spice. but under the Surface is Something Sinister. old Scratch Slinks in the Shadows to Steal his Successor away. you’re just a Sad, Scared, Shaking little thing.

Selfish Sammy, Saving Souls is the Slogan. your father needs a Soldier not a Son. a Sassy Spitfire out of Spite, you are Separated from Society and Scrutinized So you Spread Strife. your Sitter is your Sentry, he Shoves and he Strikes. your Supervisors Scold and Stalk. Seeking Sovereignty is Silly, you Shall never be Safe. you leave Stanford in Sorrow after your Sweetheart is Slain. it’s no Surprise, you Saw it coming.

Special Sammy, his Servant is your Suitor and you are her Student. you’re Susceptible to her Soothing Supportive Speeches that Sound Similar. She’s So Soft and you Shouldn’t. your brother is Suspicious that you’re Sneaking Secrets. the Siren Says that he needs a Subordinate not a Sibling. you know that him Selling his Soul wasn’t Solely for your Sake. you are Smeared as Subversive. 

Stupid Sammy, Sinners can’t be Saviors. how is a Slingshot and Stones Strategic when you’re a Supernova? you Scoff. you’re Someone to be Saved or Something to be Stopped, he Swears. Surely he’s not Serious. you trade your Shotgun of Salt to Shoot Spirits for a Sulfurous Substance that you Suckle and Swallow. that Seeping Sewage Slides into your Stomach leaving a Stinking Smell that Stains. you’re Sickening. Screw you, you Spineless Sack of Shit. this is So far from Strong. he broke the first Seal with his Sadism, but the Sword does not say Sorry to the Supernatural. he is your Saint, and your Subjugation is Severe. there is no Serenity in the Solitude he Subjects you to. you Satisfied?

Shameful Sammy, your Stigmata are the devil’s Sacrament. you Sought Salvation and with a Smile you Sacrifice yourself during the Showdown to take the Serpent through that Sinkhole down South. nice Sentiment, but there is no Solution. no Scripture nor Sermon will Save you, no Spell nor Surgery can Slice out your Scars. you Soulless Sonofabitch, you Soppy Sap with your Sanity Slipping away. the Shoe has dropped. your Sentence is Suicide by Syringe under that Steeple. you’re all Stitches and Safety pins, a Soul Survivor. 

Small Sammy, you’ve Shrunk to half your Size. Shush now, no one is Sympathetic to your Soundless Screams nor Swayed by your Silent Sobs. you Struggled and Suffered to take a Stand and now you Surrender and Submit. you Sheared Sheep, you Stunted Stag, you Soft-Spoken Sombre Stranger, where is your Self-respect? your Shine was Snuffed out, and now that Sly Snake Still Slithers, Scheming to Snatch your Sun So you cannot Sleep. pick a Side? that Ship has Sailed and Sunk, Stockholm Syndrome Suits you. your Superior is the Shephard that led you to Slaughter. your Synergy is Synonymous, your Shared Shackles Strangle you, but Separation would be Suffocating, so you Stay. you’re Smiteful Shurley’s Slave, don’t you See? your Story is not your Story.

i also posted this + my other poems on ao3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65187418

@sammybirthdaybonanza

[klarolineashur1919]

La Tua Cantante Series

Pathetic Little Thing

Part 1: Alec

"Is this the start of your rebellious teen phase?" Alec trailed along Jane in this little park they came upon.

"As long as we clean up after ourselves the masters won't care too much" She says nonchalantly her eyes landing on a couple in the distance.

"What about no feeding on the locals?" Alec piped up one of the Volturi's rules for living in the town.

"Occasionally the locals end up on the tours, as long as we don't make this little outing a habit it should be fine" Alec and Jane stared at the little teenage couple who probably snuck out of their parents house to meet here. It was very late at night hardly anyone was out.

"Do you want to join me?" Jane asked still staring at them with a look that if Alec didn't know his sister he would have thought was jealousy.

"No actually, maybe Ill stumble upon my own act of rebellion" Alec lightly chuckled and Jane preceded to hers. Alec wandered off in the opposite direction of Jane's fun. It was a few minutes passing of wandering and Alec thought maybe he wouldn't find a midnight snack.

Alec started to feel something as he walked as if something was pulling him in a certain direction. He then eventually smelled what he was craving. Blood.

Suddenly he heard a girl's voice screaming that perked up his ears.

As he focused on the girls screams that sounded like it was towards a group of italian boys. They were laughing and speaking in things in italian that dulled Alec but also made him wrinkle his nose in disgust. He also heard dogs barking and growling as he approached the scene.

He saw as a group of italian boys probably around twenty in numbers were surrounding a girl. Some of them were surrounding two German Shephards holding them by their leashes antagonizing them.

Alec moved towards the group unnoticed when he stepped on something. Realizing they had the contents on the girls purse all over the area around them as he picked up her passport.

Aisling Barton. 14 years old. American from New York.

"Tourist" he ringed smirking as he threw the ID over his shoulder.

The boys were playing with Aisling, they pulled at her hair, ripped at her clothes, hit her in different places, threw things at her while she frustratingly was trying to communicate with them. She kept making erratic movements with her hands. It then hit Alec that she was deaf. But then he saw her dark brown almost black eyes and how they weren't focused on anything. She was blind as well as deaf. What a pathetic little thing Alec thought as he watched the scene before him. He leaned against a tree as if he watching a show.

But the more Alec just stood by and watched it happened. Something snapped inside him that he thought was gone long ago.

Memories.

Her screaming was replaced with his.

Once he was just poor boy who everybody but his family hated. They saw him as an easy target, an easy person to blame for all their troubles. Him and his sister were beaten, tormented and bullied daily just because they were different. The villagers children would always attack them in groups. The group of boys started to get even closer to her.

Surrounding them as they beat them nearly to death. They were stomping on her to the point Alec heard bones crunching. They put them under their heels and spit at them from above. One of the boy pressed his heel into her temple then Alec noticed something.

Silence.

The girl had stopped long ago with her sobs. She stayed silent as they started to pull up her legs. Jane stayed silence too.

"This is boring" Alec said loud enough for one of the boys to turn. Before the boy could say a word Alec's mist had reached him, it had reached all of them.

Aisling pov

Aisling felt alone in her hotel. Girls that were in the studying abroad program left hours ago. But she did have Aries and Athena laying on each side of her. She couldn't sleep in this new place. She didn't want to be here but her parents shipped her off to wherever they could.

She was a hindrance to them.

Even though she was a very independent girl.

Too independent as she decided to take a night walk. She was completely reliant on Aries and Athena at night when it came to her sight. But she enjoyed night walks. The stillness and freshness in the air. At night the busyness of everything was completely at peace. It seemed even more so in this town. But then she felt something start to happen. Several feet on the ground. Then before she knew it she was knocked to the ground. She could feel Aries and Athena going crazy and then they were pulled from her. She tried to not let go of the leashes but they stomped on her hands. She cried out clutching her hands to her chest. She was surrounded and she knew it. She tried to sign to them but they just pulled her in different directions clutching at her clothes. She kept trying to communicate with them hoping they would understand but screamed out in fear and frustration when her purse was finally taken from her. She kept trying to sign but their hands on her, the rocks and foul-smelling cans that met their mark, her clothes barely holding together, she accepted her fate. They started to kick and stomp on her making Aisling barely conscious.

She thought she was going to die as a man's heel pressed against her temple but ended up just kicking her head. They started to pull her body to the ground but something happened. All the bodies froze and then something miraculous happened. She felt a sort of mist come upon her and her senses changed. Her vision became it's usual grayish blur that it was during the day but never at night. Her hearing was better than her usual. She could usual only hear very loud bass music but right now she could hear boys screaming. She felt Aries and Athena come back to her side. Athena going behind her barking but she seemed frightened.

Aries stood in front of Aisling barking wildly as if he was afraid too but he would die to protect her. Aisling tried to make sense of her new found senses. She could see movement and the bodies still before they fell. She was actually shocked she never had been able to see the shapes of things before. But now she saw the bodies standing still or kneeling down while a force moved one by one to them. Some dropping to the ground while others they're bodies became halves of themselves flying in the air. Aisling didn't understand.

The screams were the worst part. It was the first human sound Aisling ever heard and it terrified her. But all of a sudden it stopped.

Aisling & Alec pov

Alec came closer to being in front of Aisling.

She wondered what he was an animal...an archangel...a monster.

"Strange" Alec almost purred as he sucked the blood off his fingers staring closely at the girl before him.

Aisling ears perked up as she still felt the mist around her and realized it was the reason she could hear. But she didn't hear what the voice said only knew a voice came from whatever was in front of her. Even as she imagined or she actually could hear her babies still barking.

"You know you're the bravest dog I've ever met" Alec kneeled before Aries as the dog was the only thing standing between him and Aisling.

Athena had started to back away making Aisling confused. She never felt her dogs this scared before. What was in front of her?

Then she felt the mist start to leave and her vision went black. Little bit of sound she heard for the first time was gone.

"What to do with you?" Alec hummed melodic type of way as he surveyed the girl as she laid on the ground twisted up in different ways.

She gently started to pull the German Shephard to the side of her making a space between Alec and her. Alec sat there wondering what he wanted to do.

He could tell she was trying to use the dog to get up but she was weak. But her hand started to crawl up the ground towards him and he moved away. He knew she could tell because her hand stopped. Alec looked around perplexed as to why he was even thinking about this. But for some reason he just couldn't go for the kill. She's such a pathetic little thing there was no fun in it. Then something caught his eye. A phone on the ground by her purse. He slowly walked and kneeled down to it picking it up. He stood up playfully tossing it up and down in his hand catching it as he stared down at the pathetic little thing.

"Decisions....Decisions" He looked around at the mess he made realizing it was quite a mess.

Then truly looked at the braille phone and realized his first call to make.

"Felix come to the exact location I text you and come with haste" He ended the call and texted the description of the spot. He didn't want to clean this up. Call it laziness if you want. His eyes never left the girl as he wondered if he should leave her for Felix. He turned around ready to leave thinking he was going mad for even making it a decision but he didn't know what it was that made him go no further. A cosmic pull..an instinct whatever it was something snapped in Alec that he could not leave this girl to die. He rushed over to the girl lifting her up like she was made of glass. Something in him tensed all over that her animals faded into the background.

Everything around him became different as he held her to him. It was her...her smell..her blood..

He needed to hurry for whatever he was going to do. He rushed to the nearest public place at this time of night. Called the phone again. 112 he dialed for an ambulance. Saying the address and condition of the girl before hanging up. He with uncharacteristic gentleness laid her against a wall. He stared at her for a time and she raised her head to him. Did she know he was there? He didn't know never took the time understand her kind he thought as if she was another species from mortal. He was leaving her when she reached up toward him but he left to quickly. He waited on a rooftop nearby for them to come. Eventually someone joined him.

"You owe me" A growl came from his side.

"Is it taken care of?" Alec didn't take his eyes off the girl.

"I surveyed the mess you made and called Santiago. He'll clean it up" Felix said in a prideful manner that Alec thought he had no business in having.

"That's not what I asked" Alec calmly straightened his cuffs as the ambulance came.

"I am not your errand boy" Felix sneered as Alec smirked. He still didn't bother looking at him even as mist started to leave his hands making Felix step back.

"I won't tell if that's what you want" He said through gritted teeth still slowly stepping back but the mist kept coming.

"I'll make Santiago keep quiet as well plea-" Felix actually tripped over his own feet making Alec giggle and turn around while the ambulance was leaving. Alec strolled over to Felix ending up kneeling next to him.

"Next time do as you were told like a good boy" Alec roughly patted his cheek making Felix grimace. Alec causally got up making his way back to the park.

"Incompetence" Alec gave a disappointed shrug at the scene before. Blood specks still littered the ground. He still smelled death in the air not that he minded the smell. He even thought he saw an ear on the ground or a bit of throat. Beer bottles and cans covered in blood.

That didn't annoy him though.

It was the contents of Aisling Barton's purse that littered the ground still. He kneeled down annoyed snatching up the purse itself. There he saw a card to the Hotel San Lino. Alec bit his lip and stared at it.

He made a decision that night. Something that not Jane or Aro helped him make and one neither of them would approve of.

He debated over it but he made it all the same.

That he was going to see her again.

[pullingonmyownheartstrings]

MW3 SPOILERS!!!

MAJOR SPOILER RIGHT OFF THE BAT!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

My thoughts on the MW3 campaign after playing it last night. I successfully avoided spoilers and social media the whole day yesterday.

Seeing people talk about Soap's death is so weird to me. Cause as a writer, it makes sense to me.

- "His death was anticlimactic."

- "It was rushed."

- "They treated him like a side character."

- "Ghost, Price, and Gaz didn't react at all."

I think people forget that COD is propaganda for the military. In the moment, you can't grieve. You don't have that luxury. Their silence. Price's hesitant response to even say that they had a casualty. Not to mention the jump from Laswell writing up the report to the boys on a cliff woth Soap's ashes. That had to have been a couple of weeks. They had time to process their grief. They'll probably still hurt. They are going for revenge. Price already started with Shephard.

On the note of his death and how some people saying it was anticlimactic? I personally think it was perfect. We played most as Price and Soap through the whole campaign. The flashback mission to Verdansk. The moment between Price and Soap where Price said he shouldn't have stopped Soap from killing Makarov. They really put in perspective what they both put into all of this.

And for the people saying they hoped his death would be more dramatic. That wouldn't go along with how Makarov carried himself or his plans. The man constantly talked about how time was precious and everything needed to happen according to his plan to the T. He talked and talked and talked about how time was important. He wouldn't have wasted time showboating. It makes sense that he killed Soap so quickly.

His quick death was so jarring and shocking from how it was carried out. It had me sobbing for an hour on a call with friends. One friend was ahead of me and finished the campaign just to get in the call cause he knew how I was going to react. I didn't even process Makarov getting away. Silent tears rolled down my face until the moment you cut the wires and stopped the bomb. I started uncontrollably sobbing. Hearing Ghost's "Johnny..." killed me.

The game may have felt rushed due to how high paced it was. It was high stakes. Millions of lives were on the line.

I'm going to play through the campaign again. I want to take my time now that I know what's coming. Enjoy Ghost and Soap banter when they were on the island. Shove Makarov around more than I did with the Verdansk mission and take a longer moment to appreciate Ghost in his OG gear and mask.

It's still a good game. I'm not okay, and it's going to fuuuucking hurt for a bit. I have opinions on some other aspects of the game, but I don't have time to continue on at the moment. I'm on lunch at work.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing okay after this. Please go drink water. All these tears are gonna make you dehydrated. ❤️

[springleggedstarro]

".... Fratello? Tonio?"

Starro opens his eyes groggily, vision slowly focusing as he wakes up. He's still holding Conny close, leaning against the polar bear.... still miffed and disappointed on how the slumber party crashed apart. Nearby, he sees Dunite and Aoki sleeping on a couch, wrapped in each other's arms.... and, illuminated by the just-rising sun, is Icia. Her clothes are a bit dirty, and the tip of her hair seems to have been broken off.

She approaches and kneels in front of him, voice barely above a whisper. "Good morning, Tonio... did you sleep alright?"

He murmurs a bit before responding, stars swirling with a gentle blue and red. "No.... not really. Spent most of the night crying."

"I understand that.... I'm sorry," she replies, looking at him sympathetically. She really is sorry about leaving so suddenly.

"Were you able to find Joy...?"

"Yes, we were.... she was brought to the inn I told you about."

"The one with the really flirty innkeeper with galaxy arms...?"

"Yeah, that place. She's okay.... really scratched up from running. We think she was taken by a being called Remnant."

Starro grimaces. "Any creature with a name like Remnant sounds like bad news...."

"Very much so." Icia looks out the window for a few seconds before turning back to her brother. "Are you alright...?"

Starro stares at her momentarily before chuckling.... it's more angry and miserable than humorous. "What do you think? ... sorry, that was rude of me...."

"It's alright. I don't blame you for being bitter."

He looks down.

"I feel bad for not being more worried about Joy.... just- all this bad stuff happening... and Joy getting kidnapped is probably one of the worst things that could happen.... and it had to happen on my birthday. I'm just.... I dunno. I feel bad but I'm also really upset. I just wanted to have a fun party with my favorite people, and I couldn't even have a full night for that."

"I know.... I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Nothing we can do about it now."

She leans down a bit to try and meet his eyes. "If you'd like, we can reschedule...? Or do something else?"

"It won't feel the same, so no.... thanks, though," he mumbles, turning away.

Icia sits up. ".... well.... if you'd like...."

She reaches behind her and slides the gift bag she brought forward. "You could still open your gift....?"

Starro stares at it for a moment, the blue and red diminishing ever so slightly.

"...."

"You can open it later, of course. But maybe, you can still feel like you have at least a bit of your birthday back now. No birthday is truly complete without gifts, after all."

There's a bit of silence before Starro gently takes the bag out of Icia's hands, staring at it. He feels a lump well up in his throat, forcing himself to swallow back a sob as he reaches his hand inside.

Something plush and furry greets his touch first.... and out he pulls a plush German Shephard.

Starro can't help but smile as he hugs the plush. "You remembered my favorite dog...!"

Icia nods with a smile. "I remember you always talking about wanting one. Even if you can't have a real one here... plushies are easier to take care of anyway."

The remaining bitterness ebbs away as Starro hugs both the plush and a still-sleeping Conny. "Thank you, Viv.!!"

She chuckles. "There's one more thing in there.... I think you'll really like this one."

He tilts his head before peeking into the bag.... a very familiar pattern and color combo catch his eye, fabric made up of red and black plaid.

"..... Viv, where did... where did you find this...?!" He utters, pulling out the flannel shirt.

"Just the clothing store in Candleton. But I immediately remembered... this was Dad's shirt. And you loved wearing it, it was your favorite."

"I.... I did.... after you disappeared, I basically claimed it as mine." He unbuttons the shirt and carefully puts it on, making sure to not wake Conny up as he adjusts the collar and rolls the sleeves up past his elbow.

Icia smiles more. "It just felt right to get. A little part of who you are.... and now we both have something of who we are."

She shows him a simple black bandana.... identical to the one from the crate during the kingdom rescue.

"You went and got the bandana..? From the dungeon?"

"Oh, gods no, I simply decided to make an impulse purchase while shopping for you. Now we both have a little more of ourselves here." She puts the bandana back in her pocket before smiling at Starro.

"Happy birthday, baby brother."

He smiles even more, golden yellow shining through his stars.

".... Thank you, Vivian."

He yawns, leaning back against the polar bear and hugging Conny as Icia checks on everyone else. His mood has substantially lifted, and knowing Joy is okay has also helped. Everything feels more or less better.

"..... Hey Viv?"

"Yes?"

"..... I think I only have one wish that I wasn't able to get fulfilled. I don't even know if I can."

"And what might that be?" She picks up a pillow, fluffing it a little.

"I wish I knew who our relative here was. So I could talk to them. And know who else is my family."

Icia freezes dead in her tracks.... if it weren't for the sudden, gentle crack of ice on the marble floor, Starro would have never thought twice. But the sound echoes slightly through the lounge, causing Starro to freeze.

.... I heard that wrong, he thinks. There's no way.... that's impossible, right? There's no way she knows....

He looks over. Her expression, while blank, is... conflicted. As if she's debating with her own mind on her next words. Starro's eyes widen.

".... oh my god, you do know who it is..." He manages to whisper.

Icia slowly walks back over, sitting on the nearest chair.

".... I was waiting for the right time."

"Well, everyone's asleep now, it's just us awake. Come on, tell me who it is!!"

"They won't be asleep for long if you don't keep your voice down!"

Starro takes a deep breath, his heart racing. He can't believe it. He's actually about to learn who his relative is.

"So who is it..?!"

".... you're not going to be particularly happy with the answer," Icia warns.

"Viv. I've been wanting to know for months. Please, just tell me who it is. I can take it. I want to know. Please."

There's a long, tense silence.

"..... the former king."

The former king? Who-

Starro freezes.

".... wait. You mean.... Slyn."

She nods.

"The former king Slyn."

She nods.

"The abusive former king."

She nods.

"The man locked in the dungeon right now for basically betraying all the kingdom's residents, and who was in love with the worst villain in the history of villains. The man who beat everyone here, including you, out of petty, spoiled anger. The man who helped drive all the fear into everyone's minds. The man who used his title as 'king' for nothing more than to spoil himself and an excuse to hurt or scream at anyone.

"That man is our sibling."

"He's our older brother."

Starro stares at Icia for a very, very, very, very long time before groaning quietly.

"There's really just.... not one normal person in our family, is there...?"

Icia shakes her head, hands folded in front of her. Starro runs his hand through his hair, a rainbow of emotions mixing through his cheeks. Out of all people, it had to be Slyn. Of course it did.

".... are you okay, Tonio?"

"Yeah."

"Are you sure."

"Yeah, I'm fine, just.... a lot to take in."

He takes a deep breath and looks at Icia, head spinning. He really doesn't know how to react to this.

"So.... what now?"

"... you're going to think I'm crazy."

"I've done and heard of a lot of crazy things in my life, Viv. I can take it."

Icia takes a deep breath. "..... I'm going to try and help him."

"... what?"

"I'm going to try and.... I suppose... 'reform' him. There's a lot of issues going on, but... I don't know, it's difficult to explain, I just.... I don't want him to be locked away forever, especially since gods know how long 'forever' really is here."

"... you feel sympathy for him, don't you."

Icia nods. "I suppose so. In my defense, I had this plan for even before I knew we were related."

Starro sighs and lays his head in his hand, rubbing his forehead. "Alright, you're right... I think you're crazy. This feels like that "I can fix him" trope in stories and movies."

Icia shrugs. "I've known him for a long time... and I still have much to know. I don't believe he's completely irredeemable, though. He had sympathy. He wants to help people. He wants to be better. He just doesn't think he can yet. Related or not, I'm going to try and help him."

Starro sighs, a long, dramatic, exasperated sigh. He doesn't necessarily like this plan.... then again, he doesn't even fully know what this plan is yet.

".... would you like me to introduce you to him at some point, still?"

He thinks for a long time before nodding.

"Does he know?"

"He does. And he hates us. He views us as replacements."

"Of course he does...."

"Hey.. he doesn't know what Ma put us through. I'm not saying he should be glad he didn't grow up with us, but there are some things we went through that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Not even him.

"We all were screwed over by our mother... there's a common ground there. Only we know what she was really like, and we've all seen different sides of her."

Starro nods, looking down. Icia sighs a bit.

"I don't know.... we only have each other, though. And Slyn should have someone there for him too, having experienced... whatever he did from our mom. If no one else will treat him with at least some degree of decency and try to help him, I will."

"Alright, alright, I get it, y'don't gotta convince me with your fancy royal monologuing, heh."

Icia chuckles a bit. "I'll find a time after the kingdom celebration for us all to meet. Alright...?"

"Okay.... thanks, Viv."

"Of course. Now go ahead and get some more sleep, you still look exhausted. I'll close the curtains for you." Icia walks over to the giant windows and unties the giant curtains that reach all the way to the ceiling, yanking them closed. It's extremely heavy and tough to pull, but she still manages to pull them closed enough for Starro to not have the sunrise in his eyes.

He cuddles back up to Conny and the bear, feeling the flannel over his arms and squeezing the dog plush softly.

Okay.... maybe this birthday wasn't a complete bust, he thinks. I did have fun while it lasted... even if all of that other stuff happened... and I got to learn who my... brother is. Even if he's the most hated man in the kingdom right now.

.... meh. If Viv can work with that, I probably can, too.

He slowly drifts back to sleep, his stars a gentle, hazy yellow.

[the-unknown-void]

Yeah sorry I'm becoming a little relentless on reblogging myself but.. little known fact about me: I DO actually want attention.

also maybe I'm having an emotional time

But also-

PLEASE SEND ASKS TO MY ASK-BLOG PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEEEEEEEASE I'M BEGGING YOU I DON'T CARE IF THE SAME PERSON SENDS ASKS OVER AND OVER I DON'T CARE I JUST WANT TO ROLEPLAY MY BLORBOS IN ASK-BLOG FORM IT WOULD BE SO SO FUN. PLEEEEEEEASE YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HALF-LIFE JUST LOOK AT THE CONTEXT-INFORMATION STATION OR JUST ASK ANYTHING, ANYTHING AT ALL!!!!! I'M ON MY KNEES THIS ISN'T EVEN FOR ATTENTION, IT WOULD JUST BE SO FUN, I HAD THIS WHOLE PLAN WHERE THE SHEPHARD SIBLINGS WOULD SLOWLY BECOME MORE OPEN AND YOU'D LEARN MORE ABOUT ALICE'S STORY THROUGH THINGS SHE AND THE OTHERS SAY PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE SAY SOMETHING TO THEM

*ugly sobbing*

@voids-roleplay-askblog

[idratherdreamofjune]

Unsolicited blanket webcomic rec!

Word to the wise... if you’re looking for something new and exciting to read to set the right tone for 2022, have I got a story for you! The Silver Eye - newly back to updating from a Chapter 1 revamp hiatus! If you’ve been waiting for the right time to pick it up, now is definitely that time.

  Starring: Short Earnest Angst Prince Apen, Redheaded Drama Child Enel, sisters Berlyne the Bold and Chara the Kind, and a certain masked craziness-monger currently known as Velvare. Also featuring Grump, MD, his peerless sister Idony, and the mysterious but radiant Ruya. Villains also on hand. You will find the Story and Art consistently entertaining, enchanting, and engaging. Emotional comfort not guaranteed. Testimonials available within, inquire at leisure. Or, simply see for yourself why it deserves your attention.

[girlinthefireplace16]

Lost Rewatch - 1x20 Do No Harm

“I know you made a promise, but I’m letting you off the hook. Let me go, Jack”

[sir-yeehaw-paws]

I spoke too soon THERE'S STEVE.

Good he's taking that leave after all.

My wife's an Admiral now. Very sexy of her. Altho she definitely doesn't think so. I can understand that much. It's a heavy burden to have on your shoulders.

Dr. Ann Benson making me cry here. What a sweet lady. Determined. And very sweet.

Always good to see you Samara.

I SAY BEFORE THE ENTIRE MISSION HAS ME SOBBING.

We stopped her from Shooting herself.

Shooting with Garrus is such a good time. I could've let him win but.

Naaaaaaaahhhhhh.

JACOB

THERE'S KIDS IN THIS BASE? That does not seem safe.

But we got them all out so PHEW.

I called you a monster because you are a monster hope this helps!

JACOB IS GONNA BE A DAD?

Flirting while Garrus is just along for the ride and sighing in complete exasperation is so funny. If I had it my way it'd be on giant Normandy polycule but ALAS. I did not write this script.

THEY ARE SO CUTE.

SEND HELP.

ADORABLE. THEY'RE ADORABLE.

WE ARE LEGION. WE SHALL MIND MELD.

Legion gets me so bad I love them.

Let's get you a Homeworld back Tali.

Tali: I love you

Shep: Keelah Salai

That's cool my hearts overrated anyway

THE SIZE OF THIS THING

LEGION :(

;-; That. That's so sweet. Oh man.

PEACE. THERE IS PEACE.

When Tali says, "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She's looking at the landscape, but when Shep returns with, "Yeah, it is." He's looking at her oh my god my heart.

TALI FACE TALI FACE TALI-

Going underwater to confront the Leviathan was so damned cool. What a fun section. Whether this thing is on our side or not remains to be seen, of course.

Immediately followed by side ops clean up, and Thessia. Which I can sum up as basically, "the worst time for everyone yet." I don't think Shephard got this mad when he DIED. Which is. Something.

So if the Asari race descended from Protheans..does that mean most of the races did? After all they all but conquered the galaxy in their time. Or something close to it. I'm losing track slightly.

I feel awful for Liara, and everyone is edgy and irritable AND THEN, THE ICING ON THE CAKE is Kai Leng sending you a GODDAMNED EMAIL after just to gloat.

Petty. Childish! Almost hilariously so.

Everyone needs a hug. Desperately.

So..vacation at Anderson's apartment, squad? Vacation.

And then there was 3.

All these years in space and now we're on Earth. In Vancouver.

Anderson is an Admiral. Kaiden's a Major and we

Are grounded. Partially for wiping out the Batarian colony, *I think*? And for. Other stuff.

Not a Mass Effect game unless something explodes in the intro. I can't really tell how long it's been between ME2 and now but boy oh boy does Shephard sound tired.

Vega, this new guy is pretty much what I'd concur is the definition of 'beefcake' look at the SIZE of this man.

Anderson gave up his Council Position huh? I wondered why he'd gone Admiral. Now I know.

So the kid in the vents wouldn't let us save him, but he's okay later. We go to Mars, and Kaiden and Shephard have enough (sexual) tension to cut fucking glass. At this point you two ought to punch this out or SOMETHING. A fight (or idk something!) might do you both a world of good. Perhaps moreso on Kaiden's end, but eh, who can really say.

Gentlemen have you heard of marriage counseling.

WE CAN FINALLY CLIMB. AND RUN LONGER THAN TEN STEPS WITHOUT WHEEZING.

LIARA. Always good to have Liara back she's fabulous. Where's my GF tho, I guess Tali is probably off doing stuff with the migrant fleet.

Is this a woman? A biotic? An AI who knows!

Illusive Man is once again a royal pain in the ass because of course he is.

KAIDEN.

I wandered around the Citadel largely wasting my time because I was putting off talking to Udina I have priorities.

What HAPPENED TO YOUR FACE BAILEY WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOU

:( Shep :( He sounds SO SAD here. The Dr's behind him just let him talk. They don't even bother interrupting him. But then, why would they?

SHOCKING SHOCK OF SHOCKS Council can't help, and the sky is blue.

Oh and we dream now.

You know what Samantha you're completely valid EDI does have a very sexy voice.

*Insert EDI and Glyph ship here*

The memorial on the Normandy is an awesome detail that also sucker punched me right in the feels.

My priorities are in order:

I find myself wondering as I play if Mass Effect was always planned as a trilogy from the get-go because it absolutely has that sort of feeling to it.

And man if Hackett isn't a real one. Man's had our back since day one and has yet to let us down. Pouring one out for Hackett.

[bayyshort96]

Yes hello hi!

I am All Souls Trash! 🗑

I desperately need someone to talk A Discovery of Witches and the All Souls world with. I’m dying in my love and adoration of these characters 😭😭

[avehoneymoons]

Jack & Kate | Certain Things

[boltertokokoro]

^-

^- continued

Cannoness finds a SoB Novice’s Emperor Doujin

Commander Shephard as a Space Marine

Daemonette giving boy haircut

Sisters of Silence idol fanmeet.

Lelith being attacked by cheese when she least expects it

Sleepy hospitaller

To join the weekly Discord drawthread, be my Patron for 2$ a month! patreon.com/luth

[effiethebookworm]

TSE Appreciation Week Day One!

Hurrah, my first TSE Appreciation Week is here!! I have been preparing since late May, and I am almost done with all my fanfictions! Here is the first one. It is called Heirloom, like the theme for today. It uses both the Heirloom prompt and family dynamic prompt, even though the Shephards aren’t my favorite family. It was my first ever attempt at choose-your-own-adventure, and it turned out...decent, I think.

Heirloom

In this Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Fanfiction, you are a young Prince Joshua of Cedulan. That's all you really need to know for now, so enjoy!

1.

“Come on, Granpappy!” your oldest daughter Aphera yells from on top of the hill that you and your father are climbing. “Don't you want to sled with me?” Your father, King Amnon, chuckles.

“I'm coming, Aphera. Remember, patience-” she interrupts him. “Is a virtue. I know, Granpappy.” Amnon leans heavily on his cane as he walks.

“Would you like to stop for a moment, Father?” you ask.

“No, no. Aphera needs me.” Although he's only fifty-three years old, many years of ruling the kingdom of Cedulan have taken their toll. His beard is almost entirely gray, and his face is covered in wrinkles. He is tired more and more, although his eyes always twinkle when he plays with his granddaughters. Adara pulls on your gloved hand.

“Up,” she says in her quiet but insistent voice. You scoop her up and put her on your shoulders.

“Walking in the snow is hard, isn't it?” You ask. You crane your neck to see her nod her head vigorously. You are all at the top of the hill now. Aphera is constructing a snowman. Adara pulls on your ear, her signal for down. You reach up and grab her tiny hands.

“Ready?” you say. She squeals in response. You yank her forward, off your shoulders and swing her onto the ground. Aphera, watching, exclaims,

“I want a turn, Daddy!” Amnon interrupts.

“I thought you wanted to sled!”

“Weeeeeelllll, I guess we can sled now and do horsie rides later.”

“What's sledding?” Adara says.

“Here, Dara, I'll show you!” Aphera sits down on the sled. “Daddy?” You walk over and give her a push. She flies down the hill, whooping and calling. Adara's eyes grow wide with jealousy.

“I want to, Daddy!” she whispers. “Wait until Aphera comes back. You can sled with me then.” Aphera trudges up the hill, panting, sled in tow. Her woolly dress, coat, stockings, boots, hair, and even eyelashes are caked with snow.

“I almost hit a tree, but I didn't!” she proudly announces. “Adara, you wanna go with me?” Before Adara can respond, you tell her,

“Since this is her first year, I think she should only go with adults.” Aphera frowns. Amnon walks over and says,

“You can go with me next, after them.” You grab Adara's hand and walk with her to the sled that Aphera dropped into the snow. You plop down in the back, plop your boots firmly into the snow, and tell her,

“Sit here, in the front.” She does, and you hand her the reins of the sled. “Hold on tight to these.” You release your boots, and push off. As you gain speed, you see a wide grin spread on Adara's face. You go over a small bump, and are airborne for a moment. Adara laughs. You are very surprised. Adara has only laughed three times before in her life. As you slow to a stop at the bottom of the hill, she rolls off. She giggles while you grab the sled, sit her on it, and start pulling it up the hill. Her giggles eventually stop, and as you reach the top of the hill, you hear a scream from Aphera.

“Granpappy!” You sprint up the hill with the sled behind you. Adara, quickly realizing that she is extra weight to pull, rolls off the sled and starts running beside you. She is surprisingly fast for a three-year-old, almost keeping up with you. As soon as you reach the top of the hill, you see what made Aphera scream. Amnon is lying on the ground, his face contorted into a grimace. Aphera is standing over him, hysterically sobbing.

“Granpappy, Granpappy, wake up!” You shake him.

“Father. Father, speak to me.” He moans.

If you tell the girls to run for help, and stay with your father, go to 2.

If you try to scoop him up and take him to the palace yourself, go to 3.

2.

“Adara, Aphera, run home as fast as you can and tell the doctor to come here now.”

“But-” Aphera says, but Adara clasps her hand and starts running towards the palace. You put your hand directly in front of his mouth and nose. His breathing is fast and shallow. You look him over. No blood, no signs of an injury. You feel his forehead. Normal temperature. Please, you pray, let the doctor come quickly. At this, you hear the sound of a galloping horse.

“Help!” you yell. “The king is ill!” The horse and rider come up the hill.

“Prince Joshua, are you al-” the rider sees Amnon on the ground. “My King!” You are annoyed.

“Yes, and he's ill. I need to get him to the palace as soon as possible.” The man considers this. “Put him on my horse. I can sit behind and make sure he doesn't fall.”

“Thank you.” You manage to get Amnon onto the horse, and he is quickly taken to the palace. You grab the sled (Adara would be devastated if it was stolen) and run to the palace.

If you check on your daughters and then your father, go to 4.

If you check on your father first, go to 5.

3.

You start to panic. What am I going to do? An idea strikes you. You roll your father onto his back. He groans softly.

“Hang in there, Dad.” you whisper. You grab him under his shoulders and knees and hoist him up. You stagger backwards for a few steps, startled by his weight. Muscle is heavier than fat, you remind yourself, and he was quite fit.  You start walking down the hill, slowly. You hear Aphera crying behind you, but you can't turn around. Suddenly, you slip on the now-icy snow. Thankfully, Amnon lands on top of you instead of the ice. You get an idea.

“Adara, bring the sled to me, please.” She arrives momentarily with the sled in tow. You roll your father onto it, grab the reins, and start pulling him.

“Tell me if he falls off,” you direct Adara. She grunts in response. As you jog over the snowy hills, the palace slowly gets closer. You are out of breath and sweaty now, and you almost collapse when you reach the gates. A guard with an elegant fur cloak greats you.

“Prince Joshua, how are you?”

“King Amnon, f-fell and needs-needs a doctor.” you manage to pant out. The guard notices your father on the sled, and shouts something. Suddenly, ropes fall from the turrets above you, and two more cloaked guards slide down. One of them pulls a tiny key from inside her jerkin, and uses it to open a hidden door next to the drawbridge. The other guard opens his arms and faces up. You are confused, until a large object drops from the top of the building and the guard caught it. He unfolds it, and you see that it is a stretcher. The guards put him on it, and carry him through the secret door and into the darkness of the palace. You are in shock, both from your father's collapse and the complete preparedness of the guards. You knew that all of them were medically trained, in case of an accident, but you had no idea that they were this good. You quickly remember that you left Aphera and Adara behind. You turn around and see them a few feet behind you.

“Girls, why don't you go to the nursery. I'm sure Mother is expecting you.” They nod, still sniffling, and the guard escorts them inside. You stand there still, almost unable to move.

If you check on your daughters and then your father, go to 4.

If you check on your father first, go to 5.

4.

As you open the door to the East Wing of the palace, the familiar smell of the Christmas Feast hits you like a mace. The memories of past feasts with your parents and siblings, Isis, the girls. This will be April's first, you think. And possibly Father's last. You manage to get to the royal suite, and into the nursery. As you open the doors, Aphera and Adara rush to your side. Good, they managed to get back.

“Daddy, is Granpappy alright?” Aphera asks. You manage to smile and say,

“I'm sure he will be.” Isis stands up out of the rocking chair, holding April. She hands April to Aphera.

“Girls, why don't you take April for a walk?” Aphera's face brightens a bit.

“Maybe we can teach her how to walk.” You can feel a headache coming on.

“She's only two months old, Aphera. There's-” Isis elbows you.

“Well, you can try. But don't drop her.” They walk out of the room, and you collapse into Isis' arms. She leads you to sit down, and you fall onto the bed. Your throat hurts because the tears won't come. Isis sits next to you.

“Aphera told me what happened. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.” you whisper. “I am a grown man, the crown prince of Cedulan. Feelings are below me.” Isis frowned.

“You were happy when April was born, right?” You nod. “And angry when King Bhatair called you a royal pinnacle of idiocy?” You groan. “Well, those are feelings too. And if you can enjoy happiness and indulge anger, why do you refuse to cry?”

“Weakness,” you hiss, barely making noise. Your throat is throbbing now. “I cannot show weakness to anyone, ever. Not when I'm in battle, not at home, not even alone with you. Weakness is the mark of a coward.” Isis stands.

“The true coward is the one who is afraid of his own feelings. I'll leave you alone.”

Go to 5.

5.

You walk through the halls of the vast royal suite towards your father's room. The last time you had been there was four years ago when your mother died. She had been bloodily assassinated by a man with an ax. He still hadn't been caught, and you sometimes had nightmares about him. As you reach the door to the atrium for your father's room, you notice a few nurses ducking in and out of the door, murmuring to each other. You open the door to the atrium and the doctor greets you.

“Good afternoon, Prince Joshua.” Skipping the pleasantries, you say,

“How is my father?” The doctor's face falls.

“I am afraid that he has suffered a heart attack. He will die very soon, probably this week.” Oddly, you don't feel sad. Just.... numb. Like you are completely detached from the situation. Like nothing exists anymore.

“Oh,” you hear, and realize that it was you. “May I see him?”

“Yes.” The doctor opens the door and ushers you in. The room is rich, filled with deep purples and blues, satin and mahogany. A very old man is lying on the bed. You realize that it is your father. He turns to you.

“Hello, Joshua.”

“Hello, Father.”

“I'm sorry I spoiled your outing with the girls.”

“No, Father. Don't apologize. It isn't your fault.” He smiles slightly.

“I want to give you and the girls and Isis some presents, for Christmas.”

“But Christmas is in two days. Why not then.” He smiles again.

“Please bring them, as soon as you can.”

“Yes, sir.”

Go to 6.

6.

“Granpappy, are you okay?” Aphera asks as soon as she sees Amnon. He deftly changes the subject.

“How would you girls like your Christmas presents a few days early?” He asks. Aphera claps her hands. “Yay! Presents!”

Two servants come out of the corner, each holding a small stack of presents. Amnon takes a large one off of the top, and hands it to Aphera. She quickly tears off the paper, and opens the box. Inside are a small assortment of items. On top are a pair of boots, made of supple black leather with golden buckles. They are a bit too large, but you can easily tell that she loves them. She tries them on happily.

“They're beautiful, Granpappy!” “They're a bit large, but you'll grow.” His eyes glow at seeing her so excited. She picks up the next item, a silver locket. She opens it, and inside is a tiny, yet amazingly lifelike painting of her and Amnon laughing together. She gasps.

“The locket belonged to your grandmother's mother, and I had the painting made.”

“It looks just like me and you!” Aphera says with wonder. She puts it on carefully.

“I'll wear it every day.” She picks up the next, and smallest item. It is a tiny key that you have never seen before. “What is this?” she asks. You are wondering the same thing.

“There is an old Cedulanian custom that before a king dies, he passes on this key to the oldest child of his oldest child, unless that child is over the age of fifteen, in which case it should be passed to the next youngest sibling. Joshua,” he says, now addressing you. “I am sorry that I couldn't pass the key to you. I truly wished to, when you were a boy, but the tradition must be followed.” He turns back to Aphera. “This key unlocks one door in the palace. When you find it, use what you find there well. It will help you, if you know what to do.” He winks at her, and she giggles. You notice what Aphera didn't, that Amnon acknowledged that he is dying.

“Thank you, Granpappy. I love you!” She climbs onto his bed, and wraps her little arms around him.

“I love you too, Aphera.”

He gives her a pat on the head, and announces,

“It's your turn, Adara.” Adara steps forward, and receives a smaller box. She carefully unwraps it, and folds the wrapping paper into a neat square. She opens the box, and stares at the contents inside. She pulls out a thin book, and murmurs,

“What is this?”

“This is a journal, cursed by your great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother Melete Dolan to never run out of pages. It has been used by many before you. When you learn to read, read it and let the wisdom of your forefathers and foremothers guide you. Someday, you will also write in it, and pass it on to your children. I gave it to your aunt when she was a girl, but she died as a child.” His eyes cloud over, remembering a painful past. Adara opens to the middle, and a hair clip falls out. It is studded in tiny amethysts and onyx. She holds it up to the candlelight, and the room is instantly filled with tiny rainbows and shimmering light.

“That,” Amnon says, “has belonged to every middle daughter since Alla Jamiese, Melete Dolan's fourth daughter. It belonged to my mother,” he takes a deep breath, “Antigone Shephard.” Everyone in the room except April gasps. It is taboo, though not forbidden, to utter the name of Antigone Shephard. You are shocked. Your parents named you Joshua only because they wanted to break the a-name tradition to distance themselves from Antigone. You had heard rumors that they had wanted to name you Adam, but were too stubborn. Your father continued.

“Adara, that hairpiece holds much history of powerful women. There is a legend that the clip itself holds characteristics of its previous owner. I beg of you, always be careful. Do not allow Antigone's mark to hold power over you. You are young now, and you will forget my words.” He turns to you.

“Joshua, Isis, remind her when she is older.” Adara interrupts.

“Granpappy, if it is so dangerous, why are you giving it to me?” You are shocked. Adara has never uttered a sentence this long before.

“My dear, the legend also tells of the reversal of power. If it is true, you will have the power that Antigone used for evil. You can, and must, use it for good.” Aphera nods, and you pick her up and put her on the bed. Amnon kisses her gently on the forehead, and she smiles. She jumps down on her own, and Amnon beckons for Isis, still holding April, to step forward.

“April. Little April, you will not remember me. So I leave to you my Collection.” Your eyes widen. Every member of a Levantine royal family, Cedulanian, Bellingwrathe, Amethystie, Desdemonian, and so on, has a Collection. Every collection has an object from each year of the person's life, usually on a theme. It was a tradition that the Collection was buried with you, so this was highly unusual. Amnon pulls another box off of the pile and hands it to you. You start to open it, but the king stops you, saying,

“No, Joshua. Let her open it on her birthday.”

“Which one?” you ask.

“The second one after she learns how to read. I left her a note in there. I wish for her to read it herself.”

“Yes sir.” You bow.

“Isis, this is for you,” he says, picking up a tiny box, the last from the pile.

“Thank you, Amnon.” she says as she opens it. She gasps. “Oh Joshua, look!” Inside is a ring, a necklace, and a bracelet. They are all made of pure gleipnir, the most valuable substance on all of Elladess. Amnon chuckles.

“Yes, that is the Queen's Jewelry.” Isis frowns.

“But I'm not-” “You will be soon.” Amnon smiles sadly. Isis side-hugs him. You notice her eyes are watery. Come to think of it, so are yours. No emotion. No sadness.

“Joshua, it is now your turn.” The king shifts in bed, and pulls something off of his belt. Your heart starts to race. You've been waiting for this moment all of your life.

“Prince Joshua of Cedulan,” he says, “I, King Amnon II of Cedulan, now present to you the Silver Eye, cursed by your ancestor Melete Dolan. Use it well, wisely, and mercifully. Never bring it into Nedarian buildings, or use it for evil. Do you promise that you will uphold these rules?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to hand it down to the next heir to the throne when you die?”

“I do.” Your father pulls out a long, purple and silver telescope from a small leather pouch, and bids you,

“Kneel.” You do, and you hold your arms, bent at the elbows, above your head. He places the telescope gently into your hands. The metal is cool, and the telescope is the perfect weight. Lighter than a broadsword, but heavier than a sabre.

“Rise, Prince Joshua, rightful owner of the Silver Eye. You have taken the oath, and it is now yours.” You slowly rise, and your father sits up and ties the case around your waist. Then he falls back onto the pillow, tired.

“Thank you, Father.” You say. “You are tired. We will leave now.”

“You are welcome, my son.” Amnon says exhaustedly.

“Goodbye, Granpappy.” Aphera says, and Adara waves.

“Farewell, my girls. I love you very much.” You herd the girls out of the room, and back to your family's suite. You go down to the kitchens and ask for dinner to be brought up to you while Isis helps the girls into their nightgowns and robes. You return and eat, and then put the girls to bed. You and Isis then go to bed too, although you cannot sleep. You lie there for hours, thinking.

“You can't do him any good by not sleeping.” You are startled.

“I thought you were asleep.” You tell Isis.

“Goodnight, Joshua,” she says.

You take her advice, and fall asleep quickly.

Go to 7.

7.

As soon as you wake, an attendant is by your side.

“Sir, I am sorry to inform you that your father passed away in his sleep.”

“What?” Your mind is foggy from sleep and you don't understand.

“Sir, your father died in his sleep. You are the king now.” The servant is down on one knee. “My king.”

Isis murmurs something next to you.

“Isis. Wake up.” you almost say, but decide to let her sleep. You wish that you could have. You will never be able to again. You kiss her on the forehead, and silently slide out of bed.

THE END