#plan on drawing their true forms again but that's taking awhile...

[pastry3]

redraw of that one drawing

[countrymusiclover]

10 - Sister's Plan

Part 11

Yoda's New Padawan

@tyrionsprincess30 @mrskenobi19

Suddenly we both just blurted out the weight on our chests, catching each other completely off guard. "I'm pregnant."

Obi-wan's POV

Hanging my mouth open in shock I slapped my hand to my forehead knowing that Anakin must be behind this. Even when he was a child I could see the way he looked at her. When we returned to the Temple he was so nervous about seeing her after years of being apart. Y/n and her sister just stand still for a few moments then ran to each other embracing the other in a hug with a huge grin. I smiled a small one myself at seeing her happy. Her smile is something precious that I get to see rarely. But I still hope that no one on the Council suspects anything from us. We would get thrown off the Council and have to turn in our lightsabers if they discovered us.

Y/n's POV

Wrapping my arms around my sister I was afraid about being pregnant. But it helps that she has to deal with the same thing as me. Finally we pulled apart and she runs a hand through her hair mumbling out with a nervous smile. "So he's the father and Anakin is the father of mine." I nodded understanding her words glancing to Obi, tugging him towards her by his wrist. He looked at his feet nervous but spoke to my sister with true words. "I never wished to hurt her, Padme. And I'm sorry I've been sneaking around with her." She shakes her head taking his hands in hers stills smiling up at the Jedi master. "I'm not mad, Master Kenobi. In fact I figured you two would get together for awhile. Anakin once said you're encouraged to love." I weakly smiled up at Obi who intertwined my hand with his own.

"We need to consider the risks of keeping the truth a secret. We'll need to find a way to hide the fact that we're pregnant." I explained to my sister unsure of what to do. Master Yoda is already suspicious of us. It won't be long before the rest of the Jedi Council follows. "Maybe we could go back to our home planet and raise our children there." Padme suggested taking a seat back on the long couch. I plopped down by her eyeing Obi who runs his fingers over his beard again. "It would do more harm than good. It would likely draw more attention to the both of you." Turning to face my sister I play with my fingers. "I need to talk with Master Yoda." Padme and Obi both whipped their heads my direction, mouths dropping opened in shock. Obi-wan stepped up softly speaking shifting from foot to foot. "Dear, are you sure that's the best option..."

Getting to my feet I run my fingers through my hair staring into his blue eyes. He crossed his arms over his chest locking gazes with me. I know he trusted Master Yoda, admiring his skills with the Force for many years. "I trust him Obi. I don't want to have to hide. It's not like we'll have a choice when I'm almost as big as a balloon." He sighed dropping his head seeing Padme eyeing him. She tucks hair behind her ear trying to stand tall. "I think it's a good idea. Yes the Jedi has rules but...surely every Master forms a connection with their padawan." He throws his head back hating to admit she had a good point. Taking his hands in my own I give him puppy dog eyes hoping he'll let me do it. "Please, Obi. If they make us turn in our weapons then that's what we will do. Then we will raise our child whenever we want."

Leaning up on my toes I kissed his cheek walking out the door. Heading towards the council room I remember the first time I met him inside that room. The day he asked me to become his padawan. "Age a concern it is not. Potential I see in you. Wise to take you on as my apprentice it is." Getting to my feet I bowed to him handing him back his lightsaber I voiced. "I accept, Master Yoda." Opening the door I see him standing by the window staring at a sunset. He turned to me and I bend down on a knee greeting him. "Master, I need to tell you something." He lifts his head standing in front of me declaring. "Explanation needed not. Know of you and Kenobi I already do." My nervous smile fell in shock as I feel my heart staring to race. Of course he knows. That's why he's called a Jedi Master.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[cellard0ors]

Fic: Movement (2/?)

Still dedicated to the wonderful @peachworthy. you read part one than you know - GMM Rhink AU - College Student Link/Pornstar Rhett AU

“Got it right again, man! You’re going to ace this test!” Rhett crows as he tosses down another notecard and Link pumps his arms in triumph. The two of them are settled in the kitchen, piles of books and notecards spread around as well as few bottles of beers and some bowls of chips.

Link picks up one chip and pops it into his mouth, grinning at his roommate fondly, “Well, couldn’t’ve done it without you, pal. You are, without a doubt, the best study buddy I’ve ever had.”

“Aw shucks, gonna make me blush,” Rhett laughs even though it’s Link who feels his cheeks actually grow warm, his friend’s laughter a common cause of the occurrence.

They’ve been living together for over a month now and it’s been beyond amazing. Link would’ve never guessed a guy like Rhett and a guy like him would work so well together.

It’s like they’re the world’s weirdest, most convoluted puzzle yet all the pieces click together to form a full picture that is nothing short of a masterpiece. True, there’s a lot about Rhett Link doesn’t know yet (and gosh is there a lot he wants to know) but their friendship is running smoothly.

Well, smoothly save for the massive crush Link has on the guy, albeit he’s doing his damned best to squash it. Yes, Rhett’s attractive and yes, he’s the first guy Link’s ever met that he’s felt a real zing for, but the fact of the matter is – Link would much rather have him as a friend and roommate than lose him as a…well, Link’s not sure if he’d lose him, but the mere possibility keeps Link’s lips sealed.

Besides, it’s okay to crush on someone and never act on it. People do it all the time. Not to mention that it’s a bit…odd to crush on someone in Rhett’s line of work. Isn’t it?

Link can’t think of too many people who will admit to crushing on an adult film star. Regular, mainstream film stars, sure – but adult film stars?

Yeah…

Although, to be frank, Link’s sure there are some that do. And, hopefully, some of them are not the creepy internet troll-y kind of people, but genuine salt of the earth folks like himself. Because, okay, he is crushing on one so…

Rhett is toying with the cards, maybe looking for the next question to quiz Link on when he asks idly, “Y’know, Link – I gotta say, I admire your stamina.”

That remarks makes Link choke on the drink he’s just been consuming, a cough clearing it up some as he croaks, “I’m-I’m sorry?”

Rhett hums noncommittally, as if not noticing the gaffe, “You’ve had yet to grill me about my job. Normally, once folks hear about it, that’s all they want to talk about.”

“Oh,” Link breathes out loosely, “Well, ah-? It-? It just…seemed rude to-to ask…”

“Been over a month living with me now. You telling me you ain’t interested?”

“I didn’t say that!” Link quips back much quicker than he would like, but Rhett just gives him the most perfect smile. All sincere and warm beneath his beard and remember, Link, you’re doing you’re best not to crush on him!

Rhett is still toying with the cards, eyelashes downcast, the very visual definition of shy as he murmurs, “Just sayin’…I don’t mind if you wanna ask some stuff.”

Link’s eyebrows rise in such a way as to damn near bump his glasses off, “Y-You sure?”

Rhett draws in a deep inhale and then sits the cards down. He crosses his arms and leans back in his seat, looking quite serious even despite the casual red flannel and jeans, as if this was more of an interview (or perhaps an interrogation?) than anything else, “Shoot.”

The a million and one questions that Link has kept at bay about Rhett’s job and more personal life threaten to cave his skull in as they crash about in his mind. However, he has to go with the obvious, “Know this’ll be predictable, but…why?”

Rhett just bobs his head in an understanding nod even as Link pushes on, “Why and how?”

Rhett sucks on his teeth before picking up his own beer and taking a fortifying sip before continuing, “The two are kinda interconnected to be honest. Had a fallin’ out with my family. Think I mentioned it in passin’ to you once. But, to clarify; they weren’t too happy with my chosen living destination nor with the fact that I’d come to terms with the notion that I’m attracted to both the ladies and the gents.”

Link’s mind immediately (and joyously) clings to ‘the gents’ remark, bookmarking it for future reference, even as Rhett continues his tale, “You grew up where we did. So you get it.”

Link does. And then, to nail the point home, Rhett adds, “Probably get it a lot more than others. If my…instincts are to be believed.”

Shit.

SHIT.

Link’s whole body immediately bursts into flame, the tips of his ears so hot he’s sure they’re glowing bright red.

Rhett knows I’m gay. He knows. I thought having a radar for that kind of thing was bullhonkey, but he knows and oh, lord, oh lord – do I give off some sorta vibe? I know that girl in my screenwriting class, Stevie, she teased me about being an A-Level twink or something, but I didn’t think-!

Rhett’s laughter carves right through Link’s insecurities, “Take a breath, brother! Look like you’re about to pop!”

Link does and Rhett just shakes his head, still grinning, “Point being – I was pretty much a babe in the woods when I came to LA. Not two nickels to my name, so I took whatever gigs I could get. Managed to snag a few commercials and things of that nature, but you know the drill. Jobs are hard to come by. And a guy of my height?”

He blows out a big breath and tosses all of those luxurious curls about with a rueful head shake, “Yeah, most people fingered me for a baller, so – again – jobs were hard to come by. But then, wouldn’t you know it? A friend of a friend of a contact told me about this part they thought I’d be perfect for.”

Another deep barrel chested chuckle emerges as he reminiscences, “Mighta been nice of ‘em to let me know it was actually a part of me they thought would be perfect.”

Do not zero in on his crotch! Do NOT zero in on his crotch! Charles Lincoln Neal the Third DO NOT-!

Link keeps his eyes so steadfastly forward he probably looks like some bug eyed zombie. If Rhett notices, he doesn't comment, “Anyway, when I found out what the role was, I had planned to politely decline but, y’know, the money they offered…”

There’s an easy shrug and this Link can look at. He looks at Rhett, who looks a bit sheepish as he scratches at one side of his beard, “I mean, again, you grew up where I did. So, you know how the whole ‘wait until marriage’ thing was drilled into your head, but I figured it wasn’t like anybody would know. My family’d cut me off, my friends were few and far in between, and the people on set…”

Now he looks a bit happier and Link can’t help but smile along with him, “The people on set were all right. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard the kind of stories people tend to spin – the exploitation, the drug abuse, other questionable stuff…place I was at wasn’t like that. I mean, maybe I just lucked out or something, but it was…”

Another shrug and he goes for his beer again. Link figures this is as good a time as any to get in another question, “So, you did that and then you…? Just kept going?”

Rhett nods as he drinks, the bottle leaving his mouth with an obscene pop that Link is going to do his best to forget all about right now and certainly not recall at any point in the future (and most certainly NOT when he’s jacking off later), “Yeah, I did the one and the director really liked me. He pull me aside and told me about this company he was trying to set up with a couple of buddies of his. They wanted to go in a classier direction – know how funny that sounds, but he was serious.”

“So, what? No, like, blockbuster porno knock offs? Like ‘Sex in The City and ON the City’ or ‘Arma-get-it-on’?”

“Think you stole that last one from an episode of CSI.”

“I did, doesn’t change the question.”

They’re both smiling like a couple of fools, but the mood is good and the atmosphere light as Rhett sighs, “Yeah, nothing like that. I’ve actually worked with a few female directors, shot some things with great budgets, nice lighting, good costumes…”

“Oooo, costumes,” Link teases in the silliest voice and Rhett swats out at him. Link avoids the hit even as Rhett rolls his eyes, “I’m serious, dude. Some of the things that department pumps out looks better than anything you’d see in Hollywood.”

“Hmm, some kinda wood,” Link snickers and this time Rhett’s swat makes impact, brushing Link’s shoulder and Link would be embarrassed by the giggle he lets out, if it weren’t for the way Rhett’s nose is all scrunched up, making him look beyond adorable, “You’re sucha brat!”

Link sticks out his tongue and Rhett just laughs. They turn their attention to the drinks and chips for awhile before Link circles around to another question, “You like it then?”

“It’s a living,” Rhett confirms, not really answering one way or another, “Like I said – make great money, work with some really nice people.”

“Uh,” Link scratches behind one ear, “Hate to ask, but, um…clean people?”

Rhett doesn’t seem offended, “You bet. Have to be. Another reason I’ve done this as long as I have. Money's great, but the safety is even better. I’m currently under contract with that same company I told you about – the one that director brought me under. On top of wanting to,” he air quotes his next words, “be classier’-”

He drops the quotes, “They wanted to provide an excellent work environment. Heck, me and the other actors and actresses probably have a cleaner bill of health than the entire state. Can’t shoot scene one until you’ve got the A-Okay.”

“Huh,” Link absorbs that with some surprise, but then, he supposes it really shouldn’t be. The adult film industry is a big lumbering beast right alongside it’s more recognized counterpart. No reason one shouldn’t be as cautious as the other. If anything, one has more right to be cautious.

Thinking on this, Link suddenly feels an odd pang. It’s a shame in one way that’s one viewed as more reckless than the other, more questionable. But, when viewed through a mostly puritan lens…

Not wanting to get too philosophical, Link switches gears, “You been in a lot of films?”

“My fair share.”

Another dodge, but Link will let him have it. However, he can practically feel devil horns rise as he asks with a naughty gleam to his eye, “Win any awards?”

Rhett’s practically preening, “Several.”

“Really?” Link asks with some surprise, but Rhett suddenly looks quite naughty himself. Naughty and…a bit too hot for Link’s liking as the heat that always seems to surround him when he’s near Rhett rises and woo boy, he’s really failing at this squashing-the-crush thing.

“If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll show you one of my trophies some time…”

Everything in Link melts into a puddle and he’s not sure what expression he’s wearing, but it’s one that makes Rhett’s whole face light up, “…or maybe, just maybe, I’ll show you a little somethin’ else…”

If it’s possible for a melted puddle to also explode, then Link’s just done it. Rhett bursts into guffaws as he reaches forward and, very smoothly, pushes Link’s jaw up because Link’s jaw? It dropped. He didn’t even feel it drop.

And then, to just add more fuel to the fire, Rhett rubs the pad of his thumb along the bottom of Link’s chin, right below his lip, “Damn, son…you’re just too much for words.”

“I…”

That’s it.

That’s all that Link can offer.

Just one sound, one vowel.

Silent and stunned and Rhett draws back, looking like the cat that ate the canary as he lets him go and rises up from his seat, “Think you need a moment. I’ll be back in a bit.”

And – just like that – Rhett saunters out of the room.

[owl-with-a-pen]

This one has been on my mind for awhile, kinda odd. What if female brainy and Nia had an interaction? Hearing female brainy say that she was married had me thinking that perhaps she was married to “another Nia” seeing as she said it was a female I can imagine they looked similar!

- I really like this idea! I decided to set this back in 5x10, just after Nia is injured by bottle!Brainy. Thank you for the prompt, I hope you like it! x

The moment Brainy fled the room, Nia had wanted to go after him. If pain hadn’t flared up her side the second she’d tried to get off the bed, she would have done just that. Instead, she could only lie there, waiting for the fire in her nerves to dull with every steady breath that passed through her teeth. Nothing was broken, Kara’s x-ray vision had already confirmed that, but that bad Brainy had really done a number on her ribs, enough that she was pretty sure she’d have a nasty bruise to show for it by tomorrow.

Alex had insisted that she lie down for at least a little while, and if the room hadn’t spun so violently when Nia had sat up to argue with her, she’d be wherever Brainy was right now, trying to help him through all this.

In the end, Kara had volunteered to go in Nia’s steed, which she was incredibly grateful for. If anyone was going to get through to Brainy right now, Nia had no doubt that Kara could do it. He needed someone he trusted there with him, someone who could offer their advice, their support, hell, even some kind of motivational speech if needed, and if there was one thing Nia knew Kara was awesome at, it was motivational speeches.

It still sucked that she was stuck here, though. That she couldn’t be there for him.

Nia grimaced as she wriggled on the bed, trying desperately to get comfortable. It wasn’t exactly easy, the mattress was about as thin as paper and, without the guard rails up, Nia was one awkward shuffle away from toppling face down onto the linoleum beneath her.

Alex had left a little while after Kara, promising she’d be checking in regularly. Nia couldn’t exactly fault her, she did have a whole organisation to run, after all. Still, she kinda wished it didn’t mean that she was left alone with…

Her.

Nia really, really couldn’t figure out just what the hell Director Dox’s deal was. Brainy’s female counterpart hadn’t gone with the other Brainys to Al’s bar. In fact, Nia wasn’t even totally sure where she’d been at all. There was certainly something more languid about her than the other Brainys. She wasn’t quite as high-strung, and yet there was a calm focus in her expression that proved she was putting her thought tracks to good use. Doing what, Nia wasn’t sure, but she’d seen that look on Brainy’s face enough times to know what it meant.

Director Dox had been planning something, maybe from the second she’d reached this timeline, and it had nothing to do with the bad Brainy.

Nia assumed that whatever it was that had Director Dox’s attention, it’d be enough to draw her elsewhere. And yet, even after everyone else had left, there she remained, hanging like a shadow in the doorway.

She’d made herself comfortable in the archway, her back was pressed against the frame, her body angled so that she could watch Nia without being obvious about it.

Except, it was obvious. Totally and completely obvious.

That gave Nia reason to smile, at least. Guess subtlety escaped Brainy in any reality.

When it became clear Director Dox wasn’t going anywhere any time soon, Nia cleared her throat, glancing towards her. “You don’t have to do that,” she said.

To her credit, Director Dox didn’t look surprised that she’d been spotted, only curious. She quirked a brow. “Do what?”

Nia smiled, rolling her eyes. “Keep watch over me.” She eased herself up the bed a little, hissing as a sharp twinge rolled through her chest. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a few bruises.” She sighed, glancing past Director Dox, out into the hall. “I’m more worried about-”

“Prime.” Director Dox didn’t phrase it like a question. Instead, she lifted her chin, pushing herself into an upright position.

Nia pursed her lips. “I’ve just never seen him like this before,” she admitted. “Like he’s so uncertain of himself.”

Director Dox considered something before she folded her arms, stepping out from the arch. Nia watched her as she crossed the room towards her. “It is true,” Director Dox began reluctantly, “that while he is inhibited… he is not capable of reaching his true potential. So far from Colu, it would be difficult to notice any variances from the rest of our kind without them present. Unless, of course, an event such as this occurred.”

Nia winced. Brainy had never really gone into detail about his inhibitors before, only that he considered them a part of him, that they served a purpose - to prevent him from becoming his mother.

Nia had tried to pry more into exactly what they did for him on several occasions, but Brainy had always been reluctant to go into detail. She’d hoped that maybe after time, he’d build the confidence to tell her more about them. Finding out in this way, though, felt so inorganic, and totally outside of Brainy’s comfort zone. She knew just how much he’d tried to hide his past from his friends, especially where his ancestors were concerned, but being faced with an evil variant of himself? The shrinking technology his own mother had used to bottle worlds?

Everything they had learnt today had been divulged without Brainy’s consent, and Nia knew just how uncomfortable that had made him.

Although, it wasn’t what Director Dox had said about his ancestors that had shaken him the most. Nia had seen the moisture that had welled in Brainy’s eyes the moment he’d realised that the bad Brainy had used his own inhibitors to fool them. She’d tried to squeeze his hand then, just as firmly as he’d been squeezing hers, but he’d hardly reacted to her. Instead, his eyes had already begun tracking listlessly, so far out of reach, distant from his own reality.

She’d known he was going to run long before he’d let go of her hand.

Nia could still feel the impression of him, though, the warmth of his palm clasped around hers. She blinked suddenly, clenching her jaw as she began to feel a prickling in her own eyes. “He blames himself,” Nia murmured. “For what that other Brainy did.”

“He does,” Director Dox acknowledged solemnly. At some point, she’d pulled up a chair to Nia’s bedside. She sat heavily against it, joining her fingers together before splaying them out in front of her. She stared into her lap, brow furrowed. “The other Brainy took advantage of something outside of Prime’s control.” She met Nia’s eyes with disconcerting pragmatism. “Although, it is also true that it would not have been possible for this bad Brainy to fool us had Prime not been wearing his inhibitors.”

“That’s not his fault,” Nia gritted, clenching her hands against the sheets. “He didn’t choose this.”

“He didn’t,” Director Dox agreed, voice softening as she pursed her lips. She studied her hands for a long moment before glancing up again, resting her forearms against her knees. “Lack of control can be daunting, especially for us. But… that was not what terrified Prime today.”

Director Dox pulled an odd kind of expression then. A tight, almost-smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Nia’s breath stuttered suddenly, a strange bubble forming in her chest. Her eyes… they reminded her so much of Brainy’s. Although, Nia supposed they were Brainy’s eyes.

“What do you mean?” Nia asked numbly.

Director Dox sighed, easing forward in her chair. “Losing you, Nia,” she said. “That is what scared Prime the most.”

Nia’s throat closed up. Although a lot of her altercation with the bad Brainy was kind of fuzzy now, she still remembered the aftermath. Of being curled and dazed on the floor, grabbing for Brainy’s arm as he’d cradled her against his chest. She could still see that flash of terror in his eyes, could hear his voice as he’d murmured her name over and over into her hair, burying his face against her, unwilling to let go.

“I know how that feels,” Director Dox continued, her smile already beginning to wane. She was leaned in so close now that the tips of her fingers brushed against the mattress. “I… I had a wife.”

The use of the past tense hung heavily in the air between them.

Nia swallowed thickly. “What happened?”

“She died.”

Nia closed her eyes. She shouldn’t have asked, the answer had been a given. “God,” she murmured, “I’m- I’m so sorry.”

Nia wasn’t sure what possessed her to do it, but when she saw the vulnerable furrow in Director Dox’s brow, the pained look in her eyes, Nia desperately wanted to do something, anything to try and help. And so, she reached out, taking Director Dox’s hand in her own.

A shudder passed down Director Dox’s spine and her fingers clenched around Nia’s, squeezing tight. Something heavy settled in Nia’s stomach. From the moment Director Dox had stepped into the DEO, she’d held herself so strongly. She was a leader where she came from, someone who had to exude strength and control at all times so that the people under her watch would feel safe.

But, she wasn’t on her Earth anymore. Her Earth was gone, destroyed, alongside everyone she loved. Still, there was an old pain in Director Dox’s eyes, one that suggested that the loss of her wife had happened long before Crisis.

“Death is not quite the same for Coluans,” Director Dox said slowly, her hand laxing in Nia’s. Still, she didn’t make any move to pull away from her. “We can store the essence of our loved ones within the Big Brain, our network of minds. You do not truly lose them in that way.” Director Dox looked up suddenly, that focus returning to her expression. “It is one of the reasons why it’s so important to us. You cannot be complete without it. Inhibited, the connection to the Big Brain is not present and so, had Prime lost you, he would have experienced death in a far more mortal sense of the word.”

Nia’s mouth felt dry suddenly. She shook her head slowly, uncomprehendingly. “But, I’m not Coluan,” she said in confusion. “Brainy wouldn’t’ve-”

“Nia,” Director Dox said, sudden enough to stop her. Her grip doubled down around Nia’s. “My wife wasn’t Coluan, either.”

“Oh.” Nia blinked. She hadn’t exactly expected that, although if this version of Brainy was anything like Nia’s, then she would have likely left Colu far behind the second she’d been given the opportunity.

That odd expression of hers made a lot more sense now. Nia recognised it as a sad kind of nostalgia, clouding the pain that she clearly felt behind a mask of vague half smiles that never quite reached those large, dark eyes.

Brainy’s eyes.

Whenever Director Dox looked at her, it seemed to ignite so much within them. A fondness and reverence identical to her Brainy’s.

Nia’s heart clenched. If Director Dox’s life had been so similar to Brainy’s, then was that why she’d stuck around when everyone else had left? Why she’d been watching Nia so closely? Why every lingering glance in her direction looked like it held a storm behind it?

Was it possible? Could it be possible?

“Querl,” Nia said, pushing herself forward, ignoring every ache and pain warning her against the movement. “Your wife. Who was she?”

Director Dox’s lips trembled slightly, barely perceptible, but it was enough. She didn’t need to say it out loud, Nia was already certain she understood. That pain could only mean one thing.

Director Dox was clutching onto Nia in much the same way one might clutch onto a ghost.

“I’m sorry,” Nia managed. I’m sorry I’m not her. That I can’t be her.

But, if Director Dox was right about the Big Brain, at least it meant she carried a piece of her Nia with her, wherever she went.

Still, Nia suspected she couldn’t hold her wife’s hands like this, couldn’t stare into eyes that she thought she might never see physically realised in front of her ever again. Nia was suddenly much too aware of the blood still smearing her brow, how every twinge of pain reflected in her expression must have hurt Director Dox as much as it had Brainy, maybe even more.

Director Dox’s dark hair slipped forward as she bowed her head, lifting Nia’s hand in her own, as though she was afraid her fingers might slip through hers at a second’s notice. “You were right,” she said, choking out a small laugh. Her lips were so close to Nia’s hand, that her breath scattered across her knuckles. “I don’t have to be here.” When she looked up again, her expression was sincere, her eyes bright with fresh moisture. “But, I want to be.”

Nia offered her a gentle smile, strengthening her hold around Director Dox’s – Querl Dox’s - hand. “Okay,” she said softly.

They didn’t say anything to each other past that point, and Nia didn’t try to pry. She couldn’t say that she trusted Director Dox’s motives, couldn’t even say she knew what those motives were, but for the moment that didn’t matter.

Maybe she couldn’t be there for her boyfriend right now, but she could be there for his counterpart.

Maybe, that was exactly where she needed to be.  

[chaptersofnow]

the royal kiddos of Chrysalis, Cadance and Shining armor

Flurry Heart, Skyla, Instar Pale and Crimson Sweet

Bios under the cut

Name: Flurry Heart Nickname(s): Age: 26 Pronouns: She/her, They/Them Identity: Nonbinary Lesbian crush/relationship: Dating Pumpkin Cake Parents: Cadance, Shining Armor, Chrysalis Sibling: Skyla, Crimson Sweet, Instar Pale Special Talent: Magical blacksmith, Love magic Occupation: Princess Location: Crystal Kingdom Likes: Heavy metal, wrist bands, doing make up, teddy bears Dislikes: annoying men, people who think she isnt working hard as a princess Bio: Flurry Heart, oldest child to Shining armor and Cadance and heir to the crystal empire. she was an absolute sweet heart,  curly pigtails absolutely beloved by the kingdom. However when she entered her teen years she went into a hard goth phase and never got out of it. a real 180 on her personality. none the less she still works hard to work on her hobbies often, keeping up with her princess duties and making her family proud. At the end of the day she happily cuddles up with her girlfriend Pumpkin as they show each other funny pictures on their phones and watch stupid movies until they pass out. Growing up Flurry heart and Cozy Glow were good friends,when Cozy Glow had to come along with Celestia and Luna for trips to the empire for Flurry heart to cantorlot the two got to spend time together. it took a bit of warming up as Cozy glow was a few years older than the royal princes, but when the two started hanging out they were best friends. Cozy glow would often sneak her to cool places, steal snacks from the royal kitchen and so on. Cozy also was the one who introduce her to heavy metal saying quote "I don't know if you'll like this you seem like the type to like classy music like the nutcracker of sumthin'" the next visit  Flurry heart had dyed her whole mane black and had on the messiest smudgiest make up. it was a real kicker to watch this 15 year old walk is like she was hot shit. Cozy glow gave her more CD, taught her to style her hair, put on makeup and the whole thing. When they got older Flurry returned favor by custom making Cozy Glow her armor when she was officially made a guard of cantorlot. Flurry heart tries to not let the comments of the citizens and visiting dignitaries get to her, and it helps to have her parents supporting her . She met her girlfriend Pumpkin Cake when the mare began to take on Sugarcube corner deliveries herself, like Flurry heart recalls knowing her when they were real little, and seeing her at gatherings where pinkie brings the cake twins to come have fun. but they never really got to talk. but with the constant deliveries and Flurry Hearts development for a sweet tooth Pumpkin cake was around often. at some point the two started dating and Pumpkin moved to the Crystal empire and lives with flurry heart. Pumpkin works in the royal kitchen and Flurry heart is a black smith specializing is creating magic infused armor. 

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Name: Skyla Nickname(s): Age: 24 Pronouns: She/her Identity: Agender Bi pony crush/relationship: Parents: Cadance, Shining Armor, Chrysalis Sibling: Flurry Heart, Crimson Sweet, Instar Pale Special Talent: Love Magic Occupation: Princess Location: Crystal Kingdom Likes: keeping on schedual, looking good, being looked up to, tradition Dislikes: not receiving recognition for her work, physical labor Bio: Second born to the empire, Skyla is defiantly the most cookie cutter princess of the four crystal heirs. She takes after her mother but is a lot of uptight in keeping tradition, making sure everything is set to be on scheduled and so forth. she may have picked this up from her aunt twilight more or less. while her family around her tries to keep her grounded and calm she can't help but get in a big tilly over not having control over things. its gone from not being able to control her pretend play dates as a filly to making sure the daily happening don't get off course. Her older sister Flurry Heart, while working hard and still making sure to get her work done, is a lot more laze in things and is ok with letting things slide if they don't go according to plan. Which tends to lead Skyla to try and follow after her and fix these things even if they don't need to be fixed. Skyla puts on a nice happy face for the people but all her siblings know she holds quite the temper when no one is looking, especially when Flurry tries to tell her to calm down. Flurry was originally the one being trained to take over Cadance's spot as queen of the empire one day, training in the use of her magic. However when Flurry found her true calling as a black smith the honor was passed down to Skyla who has happily worked hard to catch up. Skyla see's herself as bearing a torch for the future of the empire and that she has to be perfect and so must everything else around her. Fearing things to be able to fall apart at any moment. after the big war against darkness Skyla had begun to realize for a few years, realizing no great danger would ruining the kingdom. But after the Queen Erroria incident where her and her family had been captured she has brought back up her walls and has become more uptight then before. 

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Name: Crimson Sweet Nickname(s): Stripes Age: 11 Pronouns: They/Them Identity: Nonbinary Girl crush/relationship: Parents: Cadance, Shining Armor, Chrysalis Sibling: Flurry Heart, Skyla, Instar Pale Special Talent: helping  people make friends Occupation: Princess, student Location: Crystal Kingdom Likes: friends, beetles, small notebooks, the beach Dislikes: Mirrors, thunder, rotten food Bio: Oldest of the two kids born after the marriage of Chrysalis to the crystal family. a marriage made out of many years of apologies, forgiveness and new found friendship. After Chrysalis accepted the friendship of twilight and equestria she spent many years making up for what she did, so her people and everyone else. She was blinded by anger and sadness, when she ruled she truly believed the only way to feed her people was to take their love, and when shown a new way she felt foolish for never realizing and having let her people starve that she denied the change at all. After the Hive came to accept her as their own again she led beside Thorax and his council. Thorax had always been too young to rule all by himself so with a queen with years of experience around to help him things in the Hive improved in new ways. now with her relationship with the Hive repaired Chrysalis slowly made progress to apologize for what she did to Candace and Shining armor. it took awhile to move past the day she invaded and tried to ruin their wedding, but in time over years of forming bonds they had a new wedding. introducing Chrysalis to their family. Chrysalis still lived in the Hive and though their wedding was official for the time it more stood for political alliance between the two, as chrysalis wasn't ready to let thorax stand alone as leader yet. Her staying ended up being what saved the colony, when the war of darkness arose through equestria the entity tried to reclaim the changlings once again as is minons. Had chrysalis not been there to protect them they would have surely been corrupted once again. After the war ended Chrysalis felt safe leaving Thorax as ruler, chrysalis now lives in the crystal empire with Cadance and Shining armor. over the years they have had two children, Crimson Sweet and later Instar Pale. Crimson sweet is still of the younger royal kids, they are quite rambunctious and love to run around with all the other kids in the kingdom. they love to eat and their favorite thing to do is make picnics, they take outings with their school friends almost every week. Bringing along cute snacks that Pumpkin Cake has made for them. 

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Name: Instar Pale Nickname(s): Age: 10 Pronouns: He/him, Any Identity: Genderfuild bi pony crush/relationship: Parents: Cadance, Shining Armor, Chrysalis Sibling: Flurry Heart, Crimson Sweet, Skyla Special Talent: Studying Occupation: Royality, student Location: Crystal Kingdom Likes: cool weapons, books with cool covers, drawings, collecting things Dislikes: loud noises, making decisions, strangers Bio: Youngest of four, Instar is the quiet baby of the family. Growing up in a family as big as his everyone around him babied him, saying he was always so sweet and cuddly. Which led to an amount of coddling that turned him into a very antisocial pony. he struggles to talk to new people and wont go anywhere unless he is with someone he knows so he can duck behind them to avoid conversations. hes a total hypochondriac, believing to be constantly sick and feeling weak all the time dispute his health being fine. Instar likes to spend time with Flurry heart and shining armor the most, Flurry heart because she is quite and they get to just sit around listening to music and reading. and his father because he gets to sit on the side line and watch him work. Instar doesn't think they'd make much for a guard but they love to read all about the different weapons, armors and Technics taught through history and the country. watching his father display these things, or Flurry heart MAKE them is right up his ally. If you do manage to get him to talk to you he is an info dumping machine and will talk your ear off about some obscure history thing he's learned recently.

[artisticzaati]

Ravii’s Transformation.

Written in a tumblr form for those interested. 

Amadeus is written by @akkalatechlabs and Ravii’s written by me. 

-- 

Summary: The drawing I did is pretty much how Ravii turned into Phantom Ganon. All thanks to a corrupted Sheikah.

--

Grinning, Amadeus walks over to the Glacian. Whistling at him to get his attention.  

“So, a little birdie told me that you wish to, what was it?” He snaps his fingers beside his head, trying to find the correct words to say that would catch his attention quick, “... Resurrect Ganondorf, was it? If you believe a scientist like me, I may have a clue on how to do that.”  

Crossing his arms his grin only grows wider. “... you have the last remaining things he owned, correct? Bring those with you and meet me back here. I will show you something mind blowing... extraordinary!” Amadeus claps his hands together, staring at Ravii.  

“So, what do you say? You have nothing else to lose, anyways. Lost your only friend and all that, correct? Nothing more to lose! 

   ... Let's test it out.”

The Glacian turns away at the Sheikah until he mentioned his name - eyes widening he slowly turns his head back at the grinning man.  

“How did he know? Unless someone... No. There is no one who would know of my plan like this.” Ravii thought quietly, staring at the corrupted Sheikah.

"... You. How did you know?" Ravii glares down, grabbing him by the jacket.  

"...You better not be playing a game here, Techie. I have lost my patience with this Hyrule and everyone in it. If you jest with me, I will not hesitate to kill you." Ravii shoves him away, his hand shaking. If there was a chance, even a little chance what he said was true... He should try. This man was right - he did lose everything. All the allies he made... Friends, family.  

   ...He had nothing.  

"...Meet you here you say?" Ravii glances away for a moment, thinking of all his options.  

"... I'll be back, then." Ravii spins around and storms back to his home to gather the outfit and mask he held so dear to him.  

  “Oh Din...” Ravii thought to himself, “Please do not be a trick.”

Dusting off his shoulder, Amadeus watches the other walk away. Cackling, he whistles over a guardian and rests against it in the meantime.  

“Test subject number 2.0 is interesting, isn't he?” Amadeus chuckled, patting the guardian he was leaning on, his focus was back on Ravii who was far away now. Just a mere spec disappearing in the distance.  

“He isn't from this place so I wonder how he will react, hm?

   ... Guess we will find out!”

--

As promised, even if it took some time - Ravii was back. Walking to the other he hid the clothes and mask behind his cape.  

"So... you are still here." Ravii glances up at the guardian, swallowing nervously a bit. His gaze trails back down to the ex-Sheikah.  

"I brought them." Ravii revealed the outfit he found; it was Ganondorf's of the Era of Time's. Along with a skull mask with horns on the top and sides. A gift from long ago from him.  

"Now how do we save him from the Realm he is lost in? We must not delay any longer!" Ravii's eagerness cracked through, screaming at Amadeus.  

"Show me!"  

“Patience, patience! Just a little longer!” Amadeus rolls his eyes and backs away from the guardian. Immediately the guardian stands back up ready to follow wherever he went. Amadeus waves his hand to Ravii to follow him as he walked further to the left of them.  

The more they traveled, the more the grass looked like it was dying. The trees were decaying more and more as they walked to wherever the destination was. Finally, Amadeus stops in front of a large mass of malice oozing from a pit that was left over from the last war on the Calamity that happened awhile back. Since test subject 1.0 was a failure and a mistake on his part, he needed someone who wasn't important to him instead.  

  This man was the perfect subject.

“Here we are! Have you ever seen malice before, your Majesty?” Amadeus bites his cheek, holding in a cackle, “This here is what will bring him back.”

Ravii felt... uneasy here. Looking at all the death around them. This did not seem right. Even in his standards. However, if this was the only way... He had no choice.  

"... No. I do not know what that is." Ravii looks at the malice, his glance trailing back elsewhere, "How will this bring him back? All I see around here is everything dying, you idiot. I do not want that muck on his clothes. Especially the cape since it means more to... Ah, never mind!" Ravii grumbles, glaring at Amadeus. "This better bring him back. If these get ruined for a joke, I will kill you on spot."

“Malice is... well..." Amadeus ticks his head a bit, thinking to himself.

“Apart of Ganon himself. So, this will bring him back! You'll see! I am never wrong! My calculations are on point. I know what I am doing.” The ex-Sheikah bows and points his hands at the malice.  

“Just throw them in and watch closely. You'll see your King come back to life before your eyes! …” Amadeus grins, 

     “You can save him, Ravii!”

The Glacian's eyes widened. 

   He could... save him?  

"I..." Ravii was left speechless for once. This is what he was dreaming about for years - this moment. Bringing his father back to life. Showing everyone he was capable. That he could do something right for once.  

"Alright... I will do it then. If you are tricking me, I swear to Din..." Ravii shook his head and walked to the pit, looking down and swallows nervously.  

 “Just do it.  

    Throw them in.” Ravii tells himself.  

It was so easy yet... he held onto the outfit and mask tightly.

... He was nervous. What could he say to him when he returned?  

'Sorry it took so long? Sorry I couldn't save you back then?'  

  So many thoughts rushed in Ravii’s head.

"..." Ravii takes a deep, shaky breath and looks at Amadeus for a moment.

"So, I just... throw them in? That's it? No magic? No spells...?" Ravii asked cautiously. It seemed too easy...  

Amadeus rubs his chin, looking down at the pit and back at Ravii.  

“Yeah. That is it! It is said in the old texts back in that blasted castle library I found, ‘To resurrect the dark one’..." Amadeus leans towards Ravii, placing his hand by his mouth, grinning, “That being Ganondorf! ‘One must bring the last remaining possessions of him to where the world decays’...”  

Looking around at all the dead flowers, grass and trees around him, Amadeus shrugs, "Pretty sure this is the spot. Since this is the only place in Hyrule like this.  

   Trust me. I did the research.” Amadeus stands beside Ravii, glancing at the mask for a moment and back up at the Glacian.

“Need a moment to think?”

"...I see." Ravii glances at him for a moment, listening to what apparently this text had to say. Ravii glances back down to the last possessions of Ganondorf in his arms.  

"... I lost everything. My kingdom, my family, everyone who put their trust in me..."

Ravii bit his lip thinking back. Flashes of different faces appearing in his mind of those he failed time and time again.

"...I'll fix what I did wrong. I can save everyone after this. I can put this mission to rest when father is back..." Another deep breath from Ravii, 

    "...For Glacia."  

Ravii smiles to himself and throws the outfit, cape and mask in the pit.  

Watching them sink into the malice.  

Amadeus covers his mouth covering the biggest grin he had. Walking over to the pit he watches them sink deeper, more quickly than the bucket did in his last experiment. They must have some energy in it or perhaps it was because they were indeed, of Ganon’s of another timeline. 

   Many questions ticked in his head.  

But! But, but, but... this wasn't about these stupid clothes or that mask that was the subject here.  

      It was...

“Oh? What the blasting beakers is THAT? Come closer! I see something happening!” Amadeus gasps, waving Ravii closer to the edge.  

“Hurry! Hurry!”

Ravii immediately runs over beside Amadeus, closer to the edge and looks around.  

"Where...? I see nothing, Techie." Glaring at Amadeus for a moment he looks back down. Everything he threw in there was gone. He suddenly felt his heart drop.  

   They were gone.

He just threw them in there without even thinking for a moment of how ridiculous this was!  

"You lied to me... you lied to me, didn’t you?!" Ravii turns to the other, "That is all I had left of him!" Warm tears began to run down the Glacian's cheek as he turned away to look down again.

"Maybe everyone was right... Senka was right... Octavo was right... Alaric..." He clenches his fists, shaking as he looked down at the pit.  

"...I am on the wrong side...I've wasted so many years. I am... lost."

Ravii covers his face with his hands, peeking through his fingers as more tears ran down. He didn't know what to do anymore.

"...Father...everyone... someone help me."

“... Hm. Looks like you missed it. I did indeed saw something there!” Amadeus chuckles at Ravii's breakdown and walks over with his hands behind his back, humming to himself.  

“Well...

   That's a shame...” Amadeus glances at the pit once again and back at Ravii.  

“Oh, wait... I forgot one more itty-bitty thing.  

   He needed a host.” Amadeus kicks Ravii into the pit and kneels down, watching him fall in.  

“Now it's complete!” Amadeus grins.

Ravii gasps and turns around quickly as he was pushed, watching Amadeus's expression change.  

"What!?" Ravii falls back first into the malice, feeling something grab him, pulling him in. From panic he takes off his cape and tries to stand, trying to crawl out and climb back up. The more he tried to crawl out the more the malice came back almost... alive, grabbing his ankles and legs, dragging him back in.  

"Techie! Techie! Please!" Ravii cried out from complete fear, "Help me! Please!" Ravii looks back at his legs sinking deeper and deeper with each second passing.  

Ravii looks back up, the most frightened he has ever looked in his entire life and Amadeus was up above, watching him. Not doing a damn thing to help him.  

“Get someone! They...They will save me! Anything! Anyone...! Please..." Ravii chokes on a sob as he slams his fists against the wall.  

"...I don't want to die..." Ravii's head and shoulders dropped as he cries, sinking deeper into the malice. It was up to his waist now.  

“But you have no one who can save you or would even want to! Plus...” Amadeus sits at the edge, dangling his feet down as he cackles, "I've never seen the malice so... attracted to another like you before! It's so attached to you!  

  ... It's fascinating!”

Amadeus takes out his slate, tapping away at it.

“Subject 2.0... when in contact with malice it becomes almost infatuated with the subject... perhaps the subject's closeness with Ganon himself is the cause. Or perhaps there is something more that I do not realize?” Grinning he looks back down, cupping his hands by his mouth and yells, “Let it happen! It'll hurt less!”

Ravii swallows nervously.  

He was right. No one would save him.  

   No one.  

The malice dragged him in further in quickly, despite struggling to get out. He was scared, he wanted to go back.  

Struggling.  

  Struggling...  

He grew tired and held his breath as the malice dragged him in. His head was already in and his hand slowly sunk into it. Leaving Amadeus's view now completely.  

Everything was dark. He couldn't hold his breath anymore and choked. His first instinct was to scream again for help yet why bother?  

This was it for him. His eyes burned. He couldn't move. This was absolute hell. Never in his life has he felt so hurt. Betrayed. Lost. Everything all at once manifests in him.  

Anger.  

 Hatred.  

He couldn't die here.  

   He had to live... live... l i v e...  

"..."

《 What a worthless creation you are ... 》  

Ravii's eyes snap open. He knew that voice!  

  "...help..." Ravii managed to whisper as malice drowned him out. 

 Amadeus watched as Ravii was completely in the malice. Waiting for... another reaction. At least SOMETHING to happen.  

“... Hm. Well, that was underwhelming.” Shaking his head, he stands back up and notices Ravii's sword. Must have dropped when he pushed him in...  

“Well, at least I get a free sword!” Amadeus cackles and picks it up, looking at it closely.  

“I could use this for my own creati-…" His eyes widen and moves the sword a little, staring at the reflection. Tilting it a little to the side, he notices a hand slamming on the ground from the pit and he turns around immediately as his skin crawls at the sight.

Ravii slowly crawls out of the malice pit, covered in malice from head to toe. As the malice drops to the ground it reveals Ravii, wearing the outfit he threw in. Cape and all. Coughing and wheezing, he raises his gaze at Amadeus wearing the mask he threw in.  

His skin was tainted. His eyes a hollow black. His gaze on Amadeus was intense.  

"..." Crawling closer to Amadeus he slowly stumbles to his feet and pointed at him.  

Finally, he spoke in a low tone, a voice that was no longer his.  

  " ... my sword."

“. . .  

  ... Fascinating.” Amadeus hands the sword to him, his eyes still wide with curiosity and fear. If he played this right, he could perhaps live to see another day.

“Ravii... are you in there?” The corrupted scientist walks around him, this was the clothes Ravii threw in alright... What a reaction. This was very different from his own transformation for sure when he was in contact with the malice. Was it because he was from a different timeline? Different effects? Oh, he HAD to bring him in for more studies! This experiment was DEFINITELY as success!  

“... Majesty?” Amadeus spoke as he glanced up at the almost lifeless man in front of him.

Ravii stood there quietly. Holding the sword down in his hand. Head held down as he wheezed and coughed. Looking down the sword he held it in front of him as it began to warp and twist into a trident, malice like substance swirling in the middle of it. Ravii wheezes again dropping his head down.  

He wanted to speak but his lungs and throat felt as if malice was drowning it out. Causing him to be silenced. Ravii stood there, struggling quietly. Standing in front of Amadeus waiting for something.  

  Anything.  

Amadeus watches quietly. He was in absolute awe of what he was seeing. What was this? Malice? No, this was something else. He needed to bring him back to the lab.

“... Hey Ravii?” Finally snapping out the thought, Amadeus snaps his fingers in front of Ravii's face. Hoping for a reaction.  

  Nothing.  

He looked almost.  

     ... Dead.  

"Let's head to my lab. I have a lot of research to do and you need supervision.” Slowly Amadeus takes out his slate, making sure Ravii doesn't suddenly attack. His presence made him... actually nervous.  

Ravii tried to speak once more. Malice gurgling from his mouth he tilted his head. Falling silent again. Letting Amadeus do what he wished.  

He would follow. Without any fighting or disagreements.  

     ... Perhaps he could help him.

[i-will-physically-fight-you]

Gibbous Chapter 5.2

This is a new scene added to Chapter 5, but I decided I also wanted to post it on its own--originally wrote it to be a flashback sequence for the newest chapter but I went a different direction. If you’re curious about Logan’s and Remy’s relationship in Gibbous, well. Enjoy :)

-

He was uncertain how long he remained unconscious. Only that when he opened his eyes once more, the light seeping through his office’s window blinds was dimmer than before. There was also the sight of Remy on top of his desk, causally swinging his legs with a white stick in his mouth. He blinked, then blinked again but Remy didn’t disappear from his vision.

“Hi, Boss Man,” Remy waved, “Hope you had a nice nap, didn’t take you for one to sleep on the job.”

Logan’s eyes flitted to the closed office door and then back at the vampire.

“Remy—”

“Chillax, nerd, it’s just a lollipop,” Remy said, drawing out of his mouth to show off the cherry red piece of candy stuck to it. “Want it?”

Logan glanced between the half-licked lollipop and Remy. He took the time to check the office door, ensuring it was locked. He shoved away the lecture about germs for a later date as he inhaled deeply.

“No, Remy, I do not want the lollipop,” He said, fingers tracing his tie, “what I want to know is why you’ve decided to lockpick your way into my office. Again.”

What went unspoken was Logan’s question as to how the vampire managed enter his office without his expressed permission. It was true prior to Remy, Logan had little personal contact with vampires. But he did know that they had compulsions that kept them from entering dwellings and rooms without permission.

Remy, however, seemed immune to this. He’d be more concerned about it if it was anyone other than Remy.

The vampire’s lips twitched, revealing a glimpse of sharp white fangs, “And I want to know if you’ve decided to go back on that little promise of ours.”

Logan stiffened. So, this was not a frivolous social call after all. His mind raced a figurative mile a minute–did Remy know what was wrong with Virgil? No, he didn’t know. What his words implied was that he also knew something was up, but he was just as in the dark as Logan. It was why he was here, acting on a suspicion that Logan had gone back on his word–

“Well?” Remy asked, chomping down hard on the lollipop, “have you?”

Logan liked Remy. He was eccentric and exceedingly chatty—sometimes to the point of grating on Logan’s nerves. He was also smart and didn’t care about societal spats such as the diversion between vampires and werewolves.

However, when he did get down to business—well, intimidating would be a mild way to put it. There was a reason why Remy had managed to survive for centuries. A feat few of their kind could claim, especially these days. Logan had only seen him once before like this just a month ago.

It’d been a bright August afternoon—blue skies without a cloud in sight. He’d been in half a dozen meetings that morning regarding Halloween events at the library. An autumn human holiday that frankly appropriated a lot of their kind but that was besides the point. He’d finally managed to get a moment to himself when Remy showed up.

“Yo, Boss Man!” Remy had said, strolling in.

“Whatever you need, please make it quick.” Logan said, his eyes glued to his computer monitor. He was so focused that he barely heard the click of his office door’s lock.

“Or what? You’ll lock me up in a dark basement?”

The temperature in the room dropped. Logan, in all his meticulous planning, hadn’t quite planned this confrontation. He’d assumed Virgil would refrain from telling Remy, just as he had with the police.

“Remy, listen—”

“No, you listen here, Specs,” Remy interrupted, his eyes a boiling crimson, “Look, I like you. You’re the first werewolf in a long while that hasn’t tried to immediately chew my head off upon meeting me. You’re a smart guy—so I’m betting you’re smart enough not to do something stupid like hurt Virgil again, hm?”

Remy loomed high above him. Much like he was a grim reaper staring down at the poor hapless soul that was Logan just ripe for the reaping.

“Yes,” Logan said, finding his voice, “yes, of course. I promise to never harm Virgil in such a way again. I’ve realized Virgil isn’t the type to run off to the authorities regarding our existence. I am not excusing my actions but please understand—he was a stranger, a potential threat to my pack. I—I did not want to resort such barbaric tactics but I couldn’t lose them. Not when I—”

Despite his careful countenance, he couldn’t stop the inhuman pitiful whine that escaped him. He bowed his head low, hands gripping tightly to the edge of his desk.

“I’ll accept whatever punishment you think best for my actions.”

There was a few painful beats of silence. Then something pressed against Logan. At first he tensed up, expecting a knife or blade of some sort. It was far too large to be either, however, and it wasn’t until he smelled faux leather and dark coffee roast that he realized what was happening. Remy was…hugging him?

“Is this a good enough punishment?” Remy whispered, adjusting his arms around Logan slightly.

“I don’t understand—”

“Listen, don’t get me wrong. I’m still incredibly pissed about what happened. Maybe I’ll be for awhile. But, well. I can’t say if I was in your position that I wouldn’t have reacted differently. And you seem pretty torn-up about it, so I’ll give you a pass this time, yeah?”

Logan nodded.

“Good. Wanna grab some coffee together?” Remy asked, withdrawing from the hug to stand up.

“Coffee?”

“Yeah, coffee. One teeny little break wouldn’t kill ya, would it?”

“Perhaps not, but the caffeine could possibly.”

“Ooh, werewolf, right.” Remy snapped his fingers, “you can get decaf, or a herbal tea. C’mon, my treat?”

And just like that, he was back to his usual peculiar self. Up until, now, where he glowered from Logan’s desk like a demon ill-disguised as a gargoyle.

“Well?” Remy hissed, “Did you hurt him?”

As much diversion as there were between werewolves and vampires, at the end of the day they weren’t much different from one another. Remy wasn’t a werewolf, he didn’t have the urge to howl at the moon and sniff others as a form of greeting. But he was a vampire and vampires were just as protective of those they claimed their own, as a werewolf was to their pack.

Logan growled before he could stop himself, “Never. Have you?”

Remy stared, scrutinizing him quietly. Then, he raised an eyebrow, smiling with a set of teeth stained cherry-red.

“Glad it wasn’t you. Now, spill the tea on what you know.”

[giant-sketches]

I’m super excited to show you all this one because it’s just so cute!!! I loved drawing this part and I hope you keep enjoying my little narrative. I plan on making the next one a little animated since you all seem to enjoy those ones as well. I feel like you all are now starting to understand the story and my portrayal of these characters thus far, so if you have any questions about where this might be going or about the sides/their world please shoot me an ask! I’d love to answer them!!!

I’m also open for prompts, requests, and commission! ;3

Anyway, let’s get to this!!!

- Patton with Virgil in hand have entered into the fort to find Roman and Logan. Surprisingly, it’s actually Roman who finds them first. As they first stepped inside they caught a glimpse of him zipping down one of the distant corridors, only to pivot back around and begin sprinting towards the two. Roman seemed to be out of breath and frantic for some reason. Patton began to worry something drastic had happened while he was talking with Virgil in the facility. Roman was now in front of him with both hands gripping Patton’s shoulders.

Roman: “Patton! Where have you been?”

Patton: “Roman, I’m sorry I had something to do for a little bit inside the facility. You look really worked up, is everything okay?”

Roman: “What? Oh, yeah everything’s fine I just kind of overdid it with the workout and then Logan asked me to go looking for you since you hadn’t returned. I’ve been running all over! I had no idea you��d still be inside the facility.” 

Patton: “Goodness Roman you had me worried there for a second. I’m sorry I didn’t report in for so long, but everything’s okie dokie…or at least most of it. We do have a bit of a puzzle on our hands. More specifically in MY hands.”

- Roman gave Patton a confused look until he turned his attention down towards the elevated hand that carried a shrunken Virgil inside. Virgil the whole time had been gripping Patton’s thumb as Roman’s shoulder grab had caused him to shift around. Roman quickly released his grip and jumped back in surprise.

Roman: “AH!”

Patton: “Roman! There’s no need to shout.”

- Roman couldn’t help it! How else was he supposed to act when the last time he saw Virgil was a 1000 feet tall giant? It was a huge surprise to now see him so tiny and sitting on Patton’s palm. He gingerly moved back over to get a closer look. 

Roman: “Virgil? Ho-how did this happen?”

- Virgil tilted his head up to meet Roman’s gaze and gave him a weak smile. He still wasn’t sure how to act around Roman after hearing about how he acted during and after the experiment. He knew to trust in Patton’s words that Roman really cared for him, but it was still hard not to think back to those more painful moments. He hesitated before answering.

Virgil: “I-I’m not sure actually. I don’t remember a lot of what happened afterwards.”

Roman: “You don’t remember? Then you have no idea how big you grew?”

Virgil: “I didn’t at first so I asked Patton and he told me. I-It still sounds unbelievable to me but I know deep down it’s true.”

- Roman didn’t know what to say, for once. If Virgil knew about how massive he had become then there was no way he wouldn’t have asked Patton about their reactions. Roman felt like he had failed to keep his word to Virgil, to see him as family and not as a monster. He could feel the guilty lodging itself in his throat. Virgil noticed this and felt a nudge from behind. Patton was rubbing his fingers against Virgil’s back to encourage him to speak up. 

Virgil: “I heard that I might have rattled you back inside the facility. Instead of saying sorry I want to let you know that it’s okay to be scared of me sometimes.”

Roman: “You can’t mean that Virgil!”

Virgil: “I do. After shrinking down like this I’ve come to understand that you can’t help it. Even though you know you’re not in any danger, you have this instinctive feeling of fear when in front of something that big. It subsides quickly though so I know that right now instead of being constantly afraid of me, that the guilt you’re feeling right now is what’s eating you up inside and I don’t like to see you like that Roman. Know that I forgive you and it’s okay to forgive yourself too.”

- Roman’s face filled with relief at those words and he gave a loud sigh.

Roman: “Thank you Virgil. I really needed to hear that. I was going crazy from the guilt of how I felt after that testing session. I thought I was no good, that I was a bad person for being afraid of my friend. You’ve saved me from those dark thoughts.” 

- Virgil smiled gently at Roman and Roman smiled back.

Roman: “Anyway we should start making our way to Logan’s study to have a talk with him about what might have happened.”

Patton: “Yeah, let’s get going.”

- The three of them started moving down the halls towards Logan’s study. Roman first entered and announced their arrival with a single knock. Patton with Virgil followed second and it doesn’t take long for Logan to realize what has happened.

Logan: “Yet another unexpected development I see. This must be why you were gone for so long Patton. Can you explain what happened?”

Patton: “Sorry to say I can’t. I just found him like this on the floor of the facility and both Virgil and I have no explanation as to why.”

Logan: “How curious.”

- Logan stepped in for a closer look. Virgil on the other hand was worried he might want to do another round of testing. He gulped his nerves down the best he could.

Logan: “Are you unable to grow back?”

Virgil: “Yes. I think I’m still too worn out.”

Logan: “I see, then we’ll save any other tests for a future time. I personally have some ideas on what’s going on; However, even I can see that not only was the experience physically straining, but also caused quite a bit of mental exhaustion. It’s late so we should all get some rest, but first-”

- Logan had walked back over to his desk and opened up his right-hand drawer to look for something. Virgil wasn’t sure what was going on, but was relieved to hear he wouldn’t be asked to participate in any further testing for awhile. Logan then came back with a sticker sheet in hand. The sheet was covered in stars of different colors in six orderly, vertical lines. 

Logan: “Patton, you did a wonderful job today in finding Virgil, calming him down, and returning him to base. To show you my appreciation for your hard work I’ll give you a star. What color would you like this time?”

Patton: “Usually I go with blue, but I want a purple one today please. It reminds me of Virgil!”

- Virgil’s face turned to a bright red instantly from Patton’s remark. He pulled his hood up over his head to hide his embarrassment. Logan carefully peeled off one of the purple colored stars from the sheet and placed it on Patton’s cheek. Patton giggled a bit and smiled widely. 

Patton: “Thanks for the kiss Logan.”

- Logan’s face blushed slightly as he covered up his face to hide his crooked smile. Virgil was completely lost as to what was going on.

Virgil: “Patton, what do you mean by kiss? What are the stars for?”

Patton: “Oh I guess you wouldn’t know yet since you haven’t been here for very long. Logan doesn’t enjoy physical forms of affection like Roman and I do so to show his appreciation he gives out these stickers instead. Cute right?”

Logan: “It’s not meant to be cute Patton. I’ve already explained to you before it’s in order to boost morale and keep the status que of our relationships.”

Patton: “Sure, sure. Whatever you say Logan.”

- Virgil had never seen Logan so flustered and couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle. Logan glared at him with a look of caution and Virgil quickly ceased. Logan then felt eyes on him and turned his attention towards Roman who was shooting him pup dog eyes in anticipation. He sighed heavily.

Logan: “I can surmise from your expression that you too would also like a star Roman.” 

Roman: “Yes please!”

Logan: “Hmmm, I suppose that even though you ran ahead during the rescue operation and verbally harassed a comrade until they feld, you did show humility by apologizing and have thus made solid amends with them by talking it out.”

- Logan paused in contemplation. Roman left waiting anxiously.

Logan: “All right you can have a star for your efforts to correct your mistakes and grow from them. What color would you like?”

Roman: “Red please!”

- Logan once again gently peeled off another star, this time a bright red one, and placed it on his cheek.

Roman: “Thanks for the kiss love!” 

Logan: “….sure. Now I’d like to give one to Virgil as well for participating in the testing, but since he’s so small I’ll refrain for now. I hope you understand.”

- Virgil was somewhat disappointed he couldn’t receive a kiss from Logan like the others because of his current size, but he did understand.

Virgil: “I understand.”

Patton: “Awe Virgil don’t look so down kiddo! Here, I’ll give you a kiss instead!!!”

Virgil: “Wha-”

- Before Virgil could even utter a word he was lifted up towards Patton’s face and felt a pair of soft lips press up against him. It was such a pleasant feeling that he lost himself in it as he let himself curl up against them. Resting his face against Patton’s thumb and lips made him feel so warm and safe. Roman then suddenly joined in by wrapping his arms around Patton’s shoulders. The motion caught Virgil off guard for a moment, but he fell back into his previous position quickly.

Roman: “No fair! Don’t leave me out!”

- Roman then proceeded to kiss Patton on the head while keeping him in an embrace. The entire scene was full of love for one another and comfort. It was only broken from a slight cough coming from Logan who was the on-looker left out. All three turned their attention towards him.

Logan: “Not to cut this short, but as I stated before it has become rather late and I think it best for all of us to get some rest. It’s been a long day afterall.”

- Indeed it had. First Virgil was lured out by Deceit’s note to meet him in the forest, then the others went out to look for him only for Roman to chase him off even more. Virgil’s secret had been revealed and it took a lot of convincing to get him to come back to base where he would be safe. Afterwards apologies were given, but a sudden test was brought up by Logan when everything had just been resolved. That test later ended with extremely unexpected results, but all of this made the family stronger and more connected in the end. It was finally time to rest and start over fresh in the morning. 

Logan: “I presume you would like to keep watch over Virgil tonight, correct Patton?”

Patton: “Yes I would. He can sleep with me in my bed for the night.”

Virgil: “You want to share a bed?!”

Patton: “Sorry if it’s uncomfortable kiddo, but you need to stick with one of us when you’re stuck at that size.”

- Virgil understood why, but he was still nervous to share a bed. He’d never once slept with someone else before. How was he supposed to act?

Patton: “No need to look so worried. I promise that I won’t roll over on you or anything. Just think of it like a slumber party.”

- Patton hadn’t fully understood Virgil’s woes and gave him a reassuring smile. Virgil wasn’t worried about being squashed by Patton, but he had never had a sleepover before so he was still perplexed. Would he even be able to calm down enough to sleep?

Logan: “Then I leave him to you, goodnight.”

Roman: “Sweet dreams!”

Patton: “Night, night!”

- Logan returned to his desk for a moment to organize a few things and Roman was the first to leave the study. Patton left right after and started towards his room. He took out his room key from a necklace he tucked underneath his clothes and walked inside. The lights turned on automatically and a soft, female voice said ���Welcome Patton.’

Patton: “Hello room!”

- The interior was covered in warm, pastel colors. Mainly shades of blue, pink, and pale yellows. The walls were decorated with photos of the three hanging out, of cute animals, and a few motivational posters. There were quite a few of Logan’s star stickers too scattered around the room stuck to all sorts of objects. Patton had set Virgil down on the pillow on top of the bed as he went inside his closet to change.

Patton: “Virgil, I’ll change in here and you can change out there. Unless you like to sleep in your hoodie then I guess you can just wait for me.”

- Virgil usually didn’t sleep in his hoodie so he took it off and set it next to himself. Shortly after, Patton came out of the closet and walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed in. He then laid down facing Virgil and patted his hand on the pillow to motion for Virgil to lie down as well. Virgil did so and Patton proceeded to hand him a small cloth to use as a blanket. 

Patton: “Here you go kiddo, don’t want you getting cold. Also, hand me your jacket and I’ll put it on the nightstand for you.”

- Virgil did as he was instructed and snuggled himself into the tiny blanket. He smiled at Patton to let him know he was comfortable and Patton smiled back in response.

Patton: “Goodnight Virgil.”

Virgil: “Night Patton.”

Patton: “Goodnight room.”

- With that the female voice responded ‘Goodnight Patton’ and the lights turned off, followed by  a spinning night-light engaging to cast a pattern of stars on the ceiling. That’s so like Patton, Virgil thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep. He began to dream about the feelings he had felt when being held and kissed by Patton and he could feel his fatigue fading away and his body growing. 

To be continued.

@paranoidgurl @suckedinfandoms @pattonvirglsanders @crystalk17 @enby-phoenix @avenirunknown @gentlegiantdreamer @sanders-sides-virgil @bluegreeninbtwn @notkolaidoscop @just-some-gt-trash @lgbtqiaemo

[thisiswhatwereupagainst]

LITTLE KNOWN X-MEN VILLAINS--- THE RAVENS! A hidden race of psychic vampires that walks among humankind!

The Ravens are a group of vampire-like beings who appear in a story in X-Factor #54 and X-Factor #56-58. Their story stars Archangel, whom they try to make into one of their numbers. Like a lot of Marvel vampires, Ravens don’t drink blood (I think there was a Comics Code law against it for awhile or something, which is why so many Marvel vampires or vampire-like beings are energy-suckers instead?) but they do call themselves “vampires” as well as Ravens, as do others, and they have all the same other tropes---they live forever unless killed and the only means of death seems to be beheading or if they fail to keep their number at 24 through converting someone else if one is killed. They can’t be photographed, nor captured on film, and are weaker in sunlight. They can fly or levitate, and they can teleport by transforming into energy or mist (their true form) before reforming in their human shape elsewhere. They have super-strength that comes from the lives of all those that they have consumed, as the process adds the victims strength to their own. As for for they feed on instead of blood, they’re a very specific sort of energy vampire. They feed on the painful memories of human beings, seeking out people who are suffering great mental/emotional anguish from the bad things that happened in their lives, and sucking it out of them. Which would sound great if not for the fact that it KILLS the person and leaves nothing but a skeleton! They can do it partway, though---Azure, for instance, takes the memories from a businessman to get info on the stock market to fund his decadent lifestyle, which doesn’t kill the man but merely gives him a heart attack. The feeding process is traumatic; a mere touch from one was described by Beast as drawing up some of his worst memories as well as “like my soul was burning, like it was draining away into her hands” In order to find the best prey, Ravens can sense pain in others, sensing both a person’s suffering and their strength in their aura. It’s for this reason that Crimson, one of their number, is attracted to Archangel---she wanted a meal of horrible suffering, as well as seeking a warrior’s soul, for she had tired of feeding on the homeless and destitute. Archangel, who was going mad due to hallucinogens he had been exposed to, was reliving the memories of his torment at Apocalypse’s hand as well as other traumas, and this is what made her want to feed on him. But Crimson’s plans go beyond merely devouring Archangel; she manipulates another Raven, Azure, into going after him as a competition. Archangel kills Azure, just as Crimson hoped, which means. . . .the circle is broken. Another way that Ravens differ from traditional vampires is that, as previously mentioned, only 24 of them exist at any time. No more, no less. They spread out over the globe, but concentrate in major cities. There are six in New York alone, and they’re the named ones who star in this story. If one Raven is killed, as mentioned, they’ve got 24 hours to make a new one. And Crimson argues successfully to the others that Archangel should be the new one, that he proved his power and worth by killing Azure. In reality, her plan is that once Archangel is a Raven too, she’s going to use him to kill the others, and then drain him for herself, believing that his pain energy would give her the power to survive despite all the other Ravens dying. Naturally, this did NOT go as planned. Archangel beheaded her with his wings just as he had Azure, and when Cobalt’s head was crushed in the fight with X-Factor, the rest of the Ravens went up in literal smoke due to the circle being shattered beyond repair from too many members dying: “Ravens,-- creatures seemingly of flesh and blood-- implode, dissolve into their true form of shrieking, noxious mist” that shoots up out of the theatre roof en masse and dissipates on the wind. As a note, the ones in this tale are all named after colors (Crimson, Cerise, Cobalt,  Azure) or gems (Ruby, Beryl, Coral). The names are apparently unisex; Cerise and Beryl are used as names for women by humans, but the Ravens who bear those names are male. They also all hate each other, and are extremely petty, jealous, and competitive with one another. And yet, their hatred binds them together, and they will hang out in little packs to hunt with each other, as well as engage in little challenges with each other, such as pursuing the same prey, to pass the ennui of eternity. And killing each other isn’t an option, for previously mentioned reasons. As is common in vampire media, there’s an air of pseudo-bisexuality/homoeroticism/etc in the way that they talk about their prey, because the male Ravens will say things like “he’s not my type at all” or talk about how they wish they could “have” Archangel right now and things like that, and like. . . obviously they are talking about feeding on his energy, but the phrasing out of context sounds sexual if you don’t know that. The “Lesbian Vampire” trope actually does get averted for the female Ravens, but that’s probably just because this story happens to focus on a male target. And Crimson herself, despite her appearance of being the “seducer” type vampire lady, doesn’t really do that with Archangel---she never flirts with him or rubs on him or anything, nor ever seems like she’s actually attracted to anything but Archangel’s power and energy, and I like that. That said, her dialogue is fantastically campy AND vampy, saying/thinking things like  “I will use his fascination for things dark and deadly to bind him to me” But what I like most of all about them is, like so many vampires, they are DRAMATIC AS FUCK. They kidnap Archangel to make him one of them in a dark ritual and they do it in an abandoned, decaying theatre and STRAP HIM TO AN UPSIDE-DOWN ANKH while they chant in ancient long-dead languages and they drag Charlotte Jones towards him to be a human sacrifice as his first victim AN UPSIDE DOWN ANKH IN A DECAYING THEATRE Like. How Goth can you get? I love it. I love them. Ridiculous. I think the Ravens are really cool, and I like to think that the ones NOT involved in this story are still out there, despite the implication that the deaths of this bunch caused the circle to “shatter beyond repair” and that the others around the globe went up in literal smoke too. I like to think they didn’t though, that they made new Ravens, and twenty-four of them are out there still. I’ve also got a wild headcanon that they might be an offshoot of mutantkind descended from Selene. They’re not just energy vampires like her, they specifically take the memories of their prey, and part of Selene’s energy vampirism was that she too had the remember the entire life of those she absorbed. It doesn’t seem too wild to me to think that the first Ravens might have been her children or descendants, ancient as they are implied to be, and evolved into these completely new creatures over the long centuries who could convert others into their kind. We’ve actually seen that before---Bishop once stated that in his future there were a group called the Emplates, who resembled Emplate (another vampire-like mutant) and preyed on mutants. Since later it was discovered that Emplate can "infect" another individual with his powers, it makes sense that Emplate would be the progenitor of the group from Bishop's timeline. So, maybe it’s the same deal with Selene and the Ravens. To be clear, no connection in canon is ever made between the two, and the Ravens are NOT portrayed as being mutants or related to mutants in any way, but a race unto themselves, I just couldn’t help being reminded of Selene by them, both in how they feed and a lot of the things they say, the cruel and petty personalities they all have, the way they look at mankind, their ancient nature, etc. And like...I think it would make sense! Also:

Bobby: hey girlfriend, what is my type again? of woman? that I like? Opal: It’s me, that’s why we are together, see how that makes sense? Bobby: yes it does that is why I am with you, a woman, who I like I am starting to see why Bendis picked him to be The Gay One

[thiswasinevitableid]

Laying in Wait (Indruck)

The prompt for the third was:Legend of Hag Hill

When you’ve lived somewhere your whole life, you develop one of two relationships with local legends: complete and utter belief, or the belief that the legend is utter bullshit. 

For Duck, Hag Hill is solidly in that second category. Weird lights, sudden, disorienting fog, ghostly laughter; he’s hid out on the hill smoking or making out or killing time and never seen any of it, no matter how dark the sky is when he’s there. 

He’s here for a slightly new reason tonight, as some kids from his Comp 101 class at Kepler Community College asked if he wanted to hang out and pull some mild pranks on the hill. Sure, hardly anyone comes on it this time of year, because Halloween looming on the horizon always gives the tales about the hill more substance in people’s minds. He mentioned this, hoping he could sway them towards a night at the Wolfe Bar and Grille or maybe just chilling in someone’s apartment or dorm, rather than freezing their asses off on a hillside, but they all insisted. So here they’ve sat, for over an hour, under a midnight moon, with not a soul passing by.

Then again, what else would he be doing? Sitting in his shitty apartment, swearing at the heater and watching some late night, bargain bin movie? The only thing he likes doing at home he can do here. Well, kind off. Odds are the other guys would complain if he started jerking off. 

See, there’s this guy in his entomology class. Tall, with a weird face and a weirder demeanor, and only taking the class because he needs to fulfill his breadth requirements. He sits at the back next to Duck, didn’t say a word to him until two weeks ago, when he asked if Duck would help him study for the upcoming quiz. Duck assumed it was because he was the closest person to ask, but once they sat down in the coffee shop on H Street, it became clear that Indrid, his new study buddy, had another reason.

“Thank you for agreeing to help me. You, ah, you clearly know your stuff.”

“How the fuck can you tell?” He barely spoke in class. 

“I see you filling in the slides with the correct answers well before the professor says them. You know some of this already.”

“You gotta know a decent amount about bugs if you wanna work for the forest service.” He mumbles, bracing for the Smokey the Bear joke.

“Oh! Oh of course, that makes perfect sense. I imagine invasive species, and symbiotic ones, are of interest in that field.”

They hadn't gotten to the notes for the quiz, because Duck got going about invasive insects, which lead to a discussion of moths, which lead to Indrid showing him his Deaths Head Moth tattoo, proudly explaining he’d designed it himself. They met at the cheap Chinese buffet the next night, and did actually study between trading stories about how they came to be in Kepler. Indrid laughed at once point, dyed-silver hair catching the warm light in the dim room, and Duck suddenly found that strange face strangely handsome. 

It’s nice to have a crush, it’s been awhile since he had one on a guy who might one day reciprocate. He’s pretty sure Indrid’s been checking him out this week. It’s hard to tell with those red glasses he wears. 

“Fucking finally.” Colton, he’s pretty sure that’s the guys name, shushes them into position, shattering Duck’s fantasizing.

“Can’t believe he fell for it.” Says the guy next to Duck

“I’m a pretty smooth talker when I wanna be” Colton whispers. 

Duck suddenly has a bad feeling about this, tries to back up only to snap a stick and have Colton grab his arm. 

“Hello?” A voice carries from the other side of the outcropping of grey stones. 

“What the fuck man, let go.” Duck hisses, leaves rustling under his feet.

“I really hope that is a deer.” The voice mutters.

“Now.” Colton pops up, dragging Duck with him, all the boys letting out their most blood-chilling screams.

There’s a responding yelp, followed by a cry of pain as their victim falls backwards into bramble. Duck recognizes the pink and yellow sweater as soon as he sees it, and his heart tries to crawl out his toes when the frightened gaze lands on him.

“You get it?” Colton looks to his left, where one of his friends is holding up his phone. 

“Yep. Fuck, man, you really think we’d invite you to chill with us up here? You’re such a fuckin weirdo.”

Indrid doesn’t even look at the others, his eyes remaining on Duck.

“Is, is that what you truly think of me?” 

“Pfft, see, this is what I mean. That weird way of talking, those glasses, even heard you talking to yourself, which is even fuckin weirder than that thing you do with your hands.” 

Duck likes it when Indrid flaps his hands; it means he’s excited, and an excited, happy Indrid is a sight he’s rapidly grown to adore.

Without a word, he grabs the offending phone, deleting the video before the others register what's happening. 

“What the fuck?”

“You wanna see a funny prank? Fetch, dipshit” He hurls the phone as far as it will go, the others flipping him off and calling him every name under the sun as they run after it. 

Indrid is gone when he turns back, but he’s in time to see a flash of color disappear around the next curve in the trail. The taller man is picking thorns from his sweater, and freezes when he hears Duck’s footsteps. 

“I swear, if you try anything like that again, I will push you down the hill.”

“‘Drid” Duck reaches out, touching his arm to stop him, “I’m so fuckin sorry, I had no idea that’s what they were plannin, I thought we were hanging around to do some silly jumpscare on anyone walkin by, not that they fuckin lured you out here.”

Indrid is clearly contemplating pushing him down the hill anyway. 

“C’mon, I’m tellin the truth. Remember what happened the last time I tried to lie?”

The other man blinks, then snickers, “Ah yes, the abysmal attempt to blame cockroaches for your missing homework.”

“I’m still real fuckin sorry. And, uh, I deleted the video. Hope that phone broke on the rock when I threw it.”

Indrid raises an eyebrow, “Valiant.”

“Hush, I’m tryin to help.”

“I know.” He grins a little wider, “it's a pity, I’ve never lived in a place with a haunted hill before. I was looking forward to observing it with friends.”

“Eh, you ain’t missin much. Place is about as haunted as my apartment.”

Indrid elbows him playfully “Come now, don’t ruin my fun. Is it true people have seen strange lights?”

“That's what they say.”

“And that you get lost in a fog never to be seen again.”

“It's a tiny hill in the grand scheme of things. Hard to get that lost. Uh, where are you goin, by the way?”

“Back to my car.”

“But the parking lot’s-” he turns, finds  low, thick fog behind him, “thataway?”

“I thought it was this--oh, oh dear.” The fog is all around them, seeping into Duck’s skin.

“Okay, uh, well, we now it’s at the bottom of the hill, so all we gotta do is follow the slope.”

“...What slope?”

“The fuck?” The ground is flat, no matter how far he feels out with his feet.

“I propose we keep walking until we either get out of the fog or find the road.” He seems incredibly calm. 

“Good, uh, good plan.” He falls in just behind him, keeps his ears open for cars or other signs of life. He’s starting to worry, gets so distracted by it that he collides with Indrid’s back.

“Duck, are the lights associated with Hag Hill red and orange, by chance?”

“Yep.”

Indrid points to where two lights hover in the distant, dark fog, like the eyes of a waiting beast. 

“Well, fuck.”

“Run!” Indrid shoves him back the way they came, sprinting behind him on his long legs. It isn’t even two minutes before they hit a dead end.

“What the fuck, this cliff bit is on the other side of the fuckin hill from where we were!”

“Somehow I doubt the spirits care where we began, merely where we end up. Quickly, down here.” He tugs Duck behind a large, dying tree, the two of them huddling close together. 

“Dare I ask what happens to people who see the lights?”

“Never seen again.”

A bitter chuckle, “of course.” Indrid scrubs his hands up his face, tilting his glasses up as he does. Then he hisses, “Ouch, damn it all” and pulls a thorn from his finger, “gah, it still stings.”

“Here, lemme see.” Duck gently takes his wrist, “huh, yeah, looks like you got it, so at least it ain’t gonna fester. As for the sting..” Quickly, he dips his head and kisses the skin. Looks up to find Indrid blinking his brown eyes in confusion.

“What was the purpose of that?”

“To, uh, to make you feel better?”

“Are you trying to flirt right now?”

“No, uh, fuck, uh, I mean, I, uh, fuck, Indrid, if we’re gonn get eaten by ghosts or some shit, there’s somethin I wanna do.” 

With that, he grabs Indrid’s forearms and pulls him forward, kissing him. Indrid sighs against his lips, then hums happily as Duck works his way into his lap. He growls a little and Indrid shivers, breaks the kiss to nip and kiss at his neck while Duck brings his fingers up to his mouth, kissing his knuckles before drawing the pricked finger between his lips and sucking.

“Duck” Indrid purrs, nuzzling his cheek.

“Right here, darlin.”

Chills skitter up his spine and Indrid goes dead still in his arms, eyes wide as they stare over his shoulder. 

“Oh dear, our apologies young gentlemen.” The red light forms into a woman as it speaks, the orange light doing the same. Both are dressed like they belong at  a living history museum.

“Yes, we did not know you were lovers. Those for whom our hill was meant.”

“Your hill? But don’t that make you-”

“Hags? Yes, by the language of our fellow townspeople, we were such things due to our magic.”

“I lost my life to them.” The orange-eyed sighs.

“And I mine avenging her. They buried us here, unmarked, not knowing it had always been our favorite space. A space we wished to be for others in love, in our absence.”

“I’m sorry they were so cruel to you.” Indrid says softly. 

“In the end we triumphed, our love stronger than death. We live eternally in our beloved hill, they rest uneasy and miserable in their graves.” Red eyes waves her hand, and the fog clears.

“There is your way to town, should you wish to depart now.” Orange eyes smiles, “and if you wish to tarry, around that bend you will find a place better made for privacy.”

“Thats’, uh, that’s mighty generous of you, but I’m gettin cold.”

“And I ought to check on my rats.” Indrid stands, helping Duck up before bowing a bit awkwardly, “thank you both for your, ah, help?”

The women share an enigmatic smile, and then they’re gone. 

“Let’s get the fuck outta here.”

“Agreed.” 

As they wind their way down to the parking lot, Indrid looks at Duck shyly, “Was your desire to kiss me purely near-death experience related?”

“Nope. Been thinkin about it all week. You, uh, wanna go on a date this weekend? One with less fog and mortal terror?”

“I’d be delighted.” They reach Indrid’s beat-up compact, “would you like a ride home?”

“Sure, thanks ‘Drid.” 

Indrid opens his door, then pauses, fingers drumming on the car, “or you could, ah, could spend the night at my place?”

Maybe it’s a leftover adrenaline rush, or maybe it’s just Indrid, but Duck’s suddenly feeling pretty damn brave.

“Hell yeah, darlin. Let’s go.”

[thebladeblaster]

Heart of the Vanguard Concept Chapter part 2

(Concept chapters are basically just to test to see if people will like a fic idea I have. This fic crosses over Yugioh Duel Monsters and Cardfight Vanguard.)

“Hello Aichi. It’s been awhile.”, Yami replied.

“Remember Aichi normal people can’t see Yugi’s little ghost friend.”, Misaki whispered.

“Oh! Yeah that’s right!”, Aichi replied, remembering.

“It’s fine I’m simply a observer.”, Yami replied, and Aichi nodded.

“Ghost? What?”, Emi questioned.

“It’s nothing, Emi.”, Aichi replied.

The two of them started a rock paper scissors. Aichi threw scissors and Yugi threw rock.

“Looks like you're going first.”, Aichi said and Yugi nodded.

As the duel started Yugi could feel an intensity from him. He could easily tell just how passionate he was just from his eyes alone.

Yugi

Hand: 6

“First, I summon Beformet allowing me to add Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts to my hand. I’ll activate Polymerization fusing together Berformet and Gazelle to summon Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast!”, Yugi started.

Chimera the Flying Mythical beast

ATK 2100/DEF 1800

Yugi

Hand: 3

“Woah, a fusion monster already! That’s not good.”, Emi commented, looking at her brother worriedly.

“That’s our Yugi!”, Honda said.

“I set one card facedown and end my turn.”, Yugi finished.

Yugi

Hand: 2

“A strong start as always.”, Aichi complimented.

“Let’s see if you can get through this.”, Yugi replied.

“We’ll see. I draw. I summon Noble Knight’s Companion Wingal.”, Aichi started.

Aichi

Hand: 5

Noble Knights’ Companion Wingal

( BEAST-WARRIOR / LIGHT / EFFECT/ ATK : 1400 / DEF : 1200 / LV 4

This monster is always treated as a warrior monster. You can tribute this monster to special summon a monster with “Blaster Blade” in its name from your deck or hand, this card becomes equipped to it and the equipped monster gains 400 attack. When this monster is in the graveyard you can equip this monster to one light warrior monster you control. When this monster is equipped to a “Noble Knight” monster it counts as a “Noble Arms” equip spell.

“That’s not good.”, Yugi commented.

“You remember Wingal’s effect don’t you. With his effect I tribute him to special summon Noble Knight Blaster Blade! Stand up my avatar!”, Aichi replied, searching his deck for Blaster Blade and placing it down.

Noble Knight Blaster Blade

( WARRIOR / LIGHT / EFFECT/ ATK : 2100 / DEF : 1500 / LV 5

Effect: When this monster is summoned or special summoned you can select one Noble Arms equip spell from your graveyard to equip to it. Once per turn, when this card is summoned or special summoned you can tribute one equip spell card you control to destroy one card your opponent controls.)

Yugi imagined the form of the silver knight clad in futuristic armor. He had piercing emerald green eyes and blue glowing lines on his armor. This was Aichi’s ace monster for a reason.

“And with his effect he equips himself to Blaster Blade from the graveyard and Blaster Blade gains 400 attack.”, Aichi continued.

Noble Knight Blaster Blade

ATK 2100->2500

“I equip Blaster Blade with Noble Arms Caliburn raising his attack by 500 and with its effect I gain 500 life points.”, Aichi continued.

Aichi

Hand: 4

Noble Knight Blaster Blade

ATK 2500->3000

Aichi LP 4000->4500

“Oh no! Now Blaster Blade is as strong as Blue Eyes!”, Anzu commented.

“Stronger it has a effect after all.”, Misaki replied, causing Anzu to turn to her.

Somewhere Kaiba felt more grumpy than usual, gripping the phone he was on a call with across the room. The phone shattered on impact, scaring his poor employees.

“Fire whoever designed that weak phone!”, Kaiba ordered.

“But they don’t work for you?”, an employee questioned.

“Then I’ll hire them so I can fire them!”, Kaiba replied angrily.

Back at Card Capital…

“I activate Blaster Blade’s effect tributing Caliburn to destroy your facedown card. Burst Buster!”, Aichi continued.

Blaster Blade ATK 3000 ->2500

Yugi sent the card to the graveyard revealing it to be Magic Cylinder.

“Why did he get rid of the bigger boost though?”, Honda questioned.

“Have you not learned anything about his deck from all his duels you’ve seen?”, Misaki questioned.

“I activate the effect of Caliburn. Once per turn when it’s destroyed I can re-equip it to a Noble Knight monster I control.”, Aichi continued.

“So, Blaster Blade?”, Honda questioned.

“Obviously. Not only that but he can reactivate its effect to gain more life points”, Misaki replied.

“You sure know a lot about Aichi’s deck.”, Anzu commented, sweat dropping.

“Well, he does duel here everyday and I have a perfect memory.”, Misaki pointed out.

“That’s true.”, Anzu replied.

“Yeah...that’s why Misaki always beats me when we duel. She knows everything I’m about to do like she’s reading my mind.”, Aichi said.

“I’m not reading your mind, you're just really straightforward.”, Misaki replied, causing Aichi to chuckle.

“Don’t take it too personally, Bro you're simply a man of culture. The strategy is attack, attack and attack again! Offense is where it’s at. ”, Kamui said to Aichi.

Aichi LP 4500->5000

“I set two cards face down and I attack Chimera with Blaster Blade!”, Aichi continued.

Aichi

Hand: 2

Yugi LP 4000->3100

“I activate Chimera’s effect allowing me to special summon Gazelle from the graveyard.”, Yugi said.

Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts

ATK 1500/DEF 1200

“I end my turn.”, Aichi replied.

“I draw, I activate Pot of Greed.”, Yugi started.

Yugi

Hand: 4

“I activate Ancient Rules to special summon Dark Magician from my hand.”, Yugi continued.

Dark Magician

ATK 2500/ DEF 2100

Yugi

Hand: 2

“I activate Thousand Knives, allowing me to destroy one monster on your field if I control a face up Dark Magician.”, Yugi continued.

Yugi

Hand: 1

“I don’t think so! I activate the effect of Morgan, the Enchantress of Avalon from my hand! With her effect if I control a Noble Knight monster and a Noble Arms spell I can tribute one to negate that effect.”, Aichi countered.

Aichi

Hand: 1

“That’s what I wanted you to do I activate One Shot Wand! Dark Magician gains 800 attack and I attack Blaster Blade! Dark Magic Attack!”, Yugi replied.

Yugi

Hand:0

Dark Magician

ATK 2500->3300

“That’s going to go through however before that I activate my trap! Until Noble Arms Are Needed Once Again which allows me to evacuate cards on the top of my deck equal to the number of Noble Arms equip spells I have on the field and add one then place the other in any order.”, Aichi replied.

Aichi

Hand: 2

He looked at the two cards on the top of his deck choosing one and placing the other on top of his deck.

Aichi LP 5000->4700

“Due to One Shot Wand’s effect it is destroyed and I draw one card. Then I attack you with Gazelle!”, Yugi declared.

Yugi

Hand: 1

“Alright.”, Aichi nodded.

Aichi LP 4700->3200

Yami narrowed his eyes.

“He’s planning something he could have activated the graveyard effect of his trap to avoid damage but he didn’t.”, Yami whispered.

“Yeah, I think you're right. I think he’s planning to summon ‘that card’.”, Yugi whispered.

“I end my turn.”, Yugi said.

“Alright, I draw. You know I never thought we would get to duel like this outside a big tournament.”, Aichi said.

Aichi

Hand: 3

“Well, you're a good guy to spend time with outside them.”, Yugi replied.

“Gah! D-don’t say that! I’m not really great. I’m honored that you actually accepted my invitation.”, Aichi replied, blushing nervously.

“Don’t sell yourself too short. You really are a great friend besides honesty I was nervous to meet you at first too. I saw the last nationals Q4 was really impressive for newcomers.”, Yugi replied.

“Well...we lost though?”, Misaki questioned.

“Even still you got to make up for it in Battle City and I’m sure next time you’ll beat Team Asteroid at nationals!”, Yugi replied.

“You really have a lot of confidence in us. I understand Kai, Misaki, and Kamui but why me?”, Aichi questioned.

“Cause from what I saw your a great duelist who has a strong bond with your cards.”, Yugi replied.

Aichi looked very embarrassed with steam coming out of his ears and Emi tried to cool him down a bit.

“Aichi doesn’t take praise too well.”, Emi said.

“The poor guy looks like he’s about to explode.”, a kid with green hair and glasses said.

“Atb yo.”, a kid with brown hair and green eyes added.

“He’s just modest. Honestly, I prefer that to Jonouchi’s overconfidence.”, Anzu replied.

“I-I don’t deserve y-your praise. Your y-you know you.”, Aichi stuttered.

Yugi couldn’t help but feel a warm feeling at how much Aichi really seemed to admire him.

“Don’t tease him too much, Yugi. He might actually explode.”, Honda joked.

“No, I mean it. I think you're a really reliable guy and a good rival.”, Yugi replied.

“R-rival!? T-to y-“, Aichi stuttered as more steam came out of his ears.

“There he goes, I think you broke him, Yugi.”, Miwa joked.

“I-I summon N-noble Knight Drystan. I a-activate Wingal’s effect f-from the graveyard to e-equip him to one light warrior monster I control.”, Aichi continued stuttering nervously.

Noble Knight Drystan

ATK 1800/DEF 800

Aichi

Hand: 2

“D-Drystan’s effect activates w-when a Noble Arms spell is equipped to h-him I can t-target one face up card a-and destroy it. I chose Dark Magician.” Aichi continued still stuttering.

“I can’t stop that.”, Yugi replied, sending Dark Magician to the graveyard.

Aichi took some deep breaths trying to calm down.

“It can be rather cute how nervous he gets.”, Anzu teased, immediately causing Aichi to become a blushing mess again.

[klea221]

Blood and Gold Part 1

*This is a fic of my own. I have not finished campaign 2 yet but I am being self indulgent and writing because I cannot get enough of Mollymauk. (I refuse to let him be dead!)*

The wind off the river was warm and calming, just like any other day in Marquet.

Merchants bartered and unloaded cargo. Children stopped to gawk at the foreign goods only to be quickly shooed away.

Life here was simple to the untrained eye but for those who knew better, “freedom” came at a cost.

Beginning to climb off the rocks and through the reeds, I realize that my hiding spot is in jeopardy. Stilling, I hope to remain unseen by the guards.

Casting “disguise self”, I make my way to the passenger ship. The price is a steep 300 gold but once I get to the menagerie coast, I can start my new life. Surely, its worth the cost. Hopefully, my sister Yara will keep up the illusion until I’m far enough away…

I limit my time outside the cabin to twice a day to keep up the disguise. The rest of the time I use to plan my next steps. Of course I had never really “worked” before but, I had extensive tutoring and training at the palace which could come in useful. Armed with my bow, a dagger, and my sword, I could become some sort of adventurer! It could be like the stories father used to tell us growing up about the great heroes of the past!

Shrugging it off, I remind myself not to get too carried away. Surely, it would be more reasonable to work in a tavern of some sort…

Suddenly, I am pushed out of my thoughts by my sister’s message,

“(Y/N)! Its me, Yara! I was unable to keep up the act! Father has sent a search party! Be safe”

~~

Even with closed eyes, I can still smell the blood. As quick as the rebellion came and left, the damage was already done. The streets of Ank’Harel were stained red. Noble houses were torn a part and everyone was on edge.

After a week of negotiation, things began to change. Hopefully things would go back to “normal”.

“We will form an alliance! There will be no more bloodshed in this city. We have a duty to the people, Ozai!” commanded the king.

“Yes, of course. There is however, a price for my… compliance” says General Ozai.

“Name it” answered the king, trying to remain prideful.

“Your daughter will marry Omar, He will become the Prince”.

“It will be done”.

I couldn’t breathe.

Omar was just as cruel as his father-if not worse. He was even rumoured to keep many slaves. Surely this man could not ever love let alone be a good husband. I felt sick. As I looked around the room, it spun and no body seemed to care.

~

“I will not hear anymore of this (y/n). My word is final! You will marry Omar! The wedding will be next month and that is that!” yelled the king.

My father almost never yelled, especially not to me. After the rebellion he seemed to be unhinged and there would be no use in arguing. My fate is settled; marry Omar or go far away-and never return…

“I understand” was all I could muster before storming off to my chambers. I grabbed all that I could and made my way to the docks.

~

My eyes shot open as I rose from the hard cot. The ship’s horn bellowed, vibrating the floor and walls of the cabin. Looking over to my window, I could see a huge lighthouse in the shape of the Wild Mother. This is it! This must be Nicodranas! Excited for what this new place has in store, I toss all of my things into my bag and leave the ship for the last time.

~~

I cannot help but feel captivated by the delicate blue hues around me. The air is a beautiful combination of warmth, sea salt, and the smell of cinnamon. Looking over to a bakery, I see freshly made pastries and decide I should indulge myself! Why not?

Before I am able to take my first bite, the heavy presence of guards makes me uneasy. Trying to be stealthy, I make my way into an alley and case “disguise self” for the first time today.

“Hey! I can do that too!” says a cheerful accented voice.

Looking over my shoulder, I see a blue tiefling magically transform into a blond human girl in peasant’s clothing.

“My name is Jester! I’ll keep your secret if you give me your donut!” she says happily eyeing my purchase.

Though she is quite forward, I feel comforted by the tiefling and decide that maybe I shouldn’t be alone anymore.

“Why don’t I just buy us some more then! Oh- and my name is y/n!” I tell her as we walk back to the bakery.

~

Jester can talk nonstop! Normally this would be a little much for me but, having travelled alone for so long, I welcome it. Jester quickly tells me all about the city, her mother, and all the tricks the so called “Traveler” has taught her. Sticking with my plan, I tell her that I am looking for work while in Nicodranas. She happily takes me to her Inn where her mother helps me secure a job. I work hard cleaning up after guests and fetching them any food or drink that they require in exchange for room and board. It is very hard work but, Jester keeps me company most days.

~~

One night as I’m folding tablecloths, I hear a commotion on the stairs. Its Lord Sharpe and he’s livid!

“IF I EVER SEE YOUR DAUGHTER AGAIN I WILL HAVE HER KILLED!”

Oh no! Jester what has she done now!

Trying to stay out of the argument, I look up to see Marion on the staircase with tears streaming down her normally poised face. This was really bad indeed…

~

Making my way up to Jester’s room, I can already hear Marion and Jester.

“But Mama! It was just a joke! Surely he can’t be serious!” whines Jester. She’s completely unaware of the gravity of her actions.

“Lord Sharpe is an extremely powerful man Jester, I don’t think we should take the risk! I think it would be best if you left the city for awhile. Maybe with time things will blow over” says Marion, pushing the hair out of Jester’s face.

Opening the door, I try to aid Marion in convincing Jester to play it safe.

“Jester, your mother is right-I-I’ve seen what men with power can do…” I say cryptically.

Not sensing that Jester is understanding, I take my chances and tell them both my REAL story. I tell them all bout my engagement and how awful the ramifications would have been had I stayed. Who knows, maybe I would’ve been killed one day to give Omar the throne…

“Jester, we can go together, we can keep each other safe from bad guys. I’m sure the Traveler will help us!” I say, trying to persuade her.

“Thank you for telling us this (y/n). You are a true friend. I know you will keep my little sapphire safe!” she says pulling me into a hug.

“It is settled then, we will leave at once!” Jester says.

“Here, this should help you two along” says Marion, placing a rather large coin purse into Jester’s hands. “Be very careful Jester, and try not to play too many tricks!” warns Marion.

~~

Jester had decided that we would search for her long-lost father (whom she had never even met). Not wanting to crush her hopes, I tag along on the mission.

In Port Damali, our “investigation” runs dead. Despite this, we manage to gain a member into our little group. Having noticed our cleric abilities, a half-orc sailor named Fjord offered to travel with us. He tells us that he wishes to enroll at the magic academy in the Dwendalian Empire.

As we lead the coast and travel towards this new Empire, the air become noticeably cooler. The ocean views become obscured by rocky mountain terrain, and I begin to feel anxious for the road ahead.

~

As we arrived at Trostenwald, there was a commotion by the lake. Curiously walking closer, we see a giant water snake and a tiny screaming girl curled in its grasp.

In a matter of seconds, a female monk leaps onto the scene in a flash of blue robes. She begins to pummel the beast with her staff. Seeing as she may need help with killing the snake, the three of us run to help.

Aiming by bow toward the beast, I surprisingly manage to hit it right behind the head. However, before I can get too excited, I realize the beast is far too large for one arrow alone to take it down. The snake angrily strikes at the monk who narrowly dodges the attack.

Fjord runs up to the beast and draws his sword while I prepare another arrow. This time, I aim for the eyes.

Now blinded and confused, the creature is unaware of Fjord’s presence. He quickly begins to cut through the beast’s tough skin, killing it.

As the snake falls to the ground, the crowd erupts with cheers.

Jester runs over to the little girl and quickly casts “cure wounds”. My heart finally slows down knowing that the girl is safe.

“YOU GUYS THAT WAS AWESOME!” yells Jester, waving her hands around.

“Ugh, yeah! That was pretty rad” says the monk. “My name’s Beau by the way”

“Oh! I’m Jester! And this is y/n and Fjord!” says Jester, happily.

“Nice to meet you” I say shyly.

“Are you guys travelling too?” asks Beau.

“Yes, we are making our way north to the Soltryce Academy” says Fjord.

“Ah- the Soltryce Academy you say… No offense but you guys are gonna need some serious coin for that” says the monk, knowingly.

“You don’t say… You wouldn’t happen to know anyone who is hiring, would you?” says the half-orc.

“Well I mean, I was going to do some work for the Baumbach Brewery before this snake thing happened… You’re welcome to tag along if you’d like” offers the monk.

“Hey! That sounds like it could be fun!” says Jester.

~

After living in a palace most of my life, I try not to complain too much about manual labour but this job was BRUTAL. The four of us have done nothing but haul boxes and crates for hours on end. My body was sore and sweaty despite the cool air of Trostenwald.

By the time we got to the Nestled Nook Inn, my body was on autopilot. Not bothering to eat, I head upstairs and crash onto the bed.

~

With an aching body, I finally pull myself out of bed and open the door. I am greeted with the comforting smell of fresh bread and breakfast meats. Sitting down with the rest of the group, I forget my table manners and devour the food placed in front of me.

Not long into breakfast, the little girl’s father from yesterday enters the Inn. Nervously, he makes his way to our table and thanks us graciously. Before leaving, he dumps a hatful of coin onto our table. The coin pile draws much attention so, I rush to divide the pile evenly.

As Jester begins to converse with the table next to us, quick introductions are made. Before I can dwell on the halfling’s odd appearance, two more strange figures make their way noisily through the Inn.

Quickly turning my head in annoyance to the commotion, my heart stops for a moment. Having lived in Marquet all my life, I was used to Tieflings as they were common to see around the city. This lavender one however, was a sight to behold. And Gods was I in trouble…

[cellard0ors]

Fic: Movement (3/?)

For @peachworthy (The tale continues!) Part 1 here, Part 2 here

Link’s doing his best to tip toe in. It was a long night at the café he’s currently working at and he doesn’t want to wake Rhett. True, his roommate’s hours are strange (to say the least) but it’s always been ingrained in Link to be as respectful as possible.

Mrs. Neal raised her boy to be polite and one of the heights of good manners is not charging into the house you share with someone else in the middle of the night, raising a ruckus.

But as Link edges towards his room, he notices a glow coming from the living room and finds himself unable to not take a peek. Maybe Rhett left the television on?

Yet when he gets closer he sees that while yes, the television is on, it’s not because Rhett forgot about it. Rhett is actually in front of it, but not watching it. Instead his eyes are downcast and…wet.

A light sniffle comes from him and he runs the back of his right hand beneath his nose as if to wipe at it. Link can just barely make out a paper in his left hand when Rhett senses him.

Rhett turns and blinks, folding the paper up and clearing his throat, doing his best to sound amiable even despite the clear note of tears in his voice, “Oh! Hey, man! Didn’t know you were home.”

“Yeah,” Link says softly, “Had to stay late. Boss wanted to do a deep clean on the place after we closed,” he then adds cautiously, “You okay?”

Rhett looks back to his letter than to Link again as if internally debating something. Finally he comes back with, “Yeah. Kinda.”

He holds the letter up, “Got a message from my Momma.”

Link can only offer a sound of acknowledgement, not certain where to go from here. Rhett shifts about on the couch and Link takes it as a signal for him to come over, so he does, sitting across from his friend.

Rhett lowers the letter, but plays around with it, turning the carefully folded rectangle of paper over and over in his hands, “First time I’ve heard from her in a long time.”

“Good?” Link feels stupid and kind of helpless, but he’s trying and this is the only thing he can think to offer. Rhett sniffs again, but his lips twitch as if to smile, as if he recognizes that Link is doing his best, “I suppose. Looks like my brother got married awhile ago. Dad’s alright, stuff like that.”

“I see.”

“They’re still living in the same place. Mom changed jobs, but she likes the new one more. They adopted a dog and-and…” he sighs and just tosses the letter on the nearby coffee table, linking his fingers together to tuck his hands behind his head.

He lets out shaky breath, eyes directing upwards towards the ceiling as if to stave off more potential tears, “They’re fine…”

Link licks his lips, feels awkward and awful, and can only manage to say Rhett’s name before Rhett’s hands lower and he curls in on himself – his tall lanky form growing small as he whispers to the floor, “…totally fine…without me.”

That alone breaks Link. Without a second thought he moves over, draws Rhett close and hugs him tight. The bigger man lets himself be held, lets Link gather him up like a small child and rock him as he silently weeps.

Link murmurs nonsense into his hair for a while, little things like ‘it’s alright’ and ‘it’ll be okay’ and he doesn’t know if he’s doing more harm than good until he feels Rhett’s tense body begin to uncoil, begins to hear his breathing smoothing out.

Once he feels like Rhett’s doing better, he releases him – gets up and finds some tissues, a wet warm washcloth and a glass of water. He offers it all silently to Rhett, who takes it – using the washcloth to wipe his face clean, the tissues to finish up the job. He finishes more than half the glasses of water before he mumbles, “Sorry about that.”

“You ain’t got nothing to be sorry for, bo.” Link doesn’t know where the endearment comes from. He hasn’t used it in ages and just as he’s about to explain it, Rhett lets out a broken bubble of laughter, “‘Bo’? Oh, man…haven’t heard that in an age.”

Link offers an apology but Rhett waves it off, “Nah, Link. I…I like it. I’ll be your ‘bo’.”

And then he turns vulnerable green eyes on him as he asks quietly, “Mean…if you’ll be mine.”

This is, of course, when Link knows his crush is over. It’s over because he’s now completely and totally in love with Rhett and he swallows thickly, even as he nods, “Yeah. Of course.”

“Good.” Rhett nods to himself as if they’ve just made a blood pact or something and he looks at the television which is just showing some random commercials. He gestures to it, “How’s about we watch something, huh? Get our minds on something else.”

By ‘our’ Link recognizes he probably means himself in particular, because Rhett can’t possibly know about the revelation Link’s just had, yet he feels a little too…seen. He bites his bottom lip hard and – even though he knows he shouldn’t – finds himself playing the part of devil’s advocate, “We can – or you can tell me if you plan on writing back.”

Rhett sits up straight, eyes wide, and Link wouldn’t be surprised if the man snaps at him. Link feels like a total jerk – just because he’s realized he’s in love with Rhett doesn’t mean he should hurt him this way, and, he knows that’s the real reason he said what he did. A sort of, ‘please-push-me-away’ move.

But he did anyway and now he braces for an argument, an insult – something. But then, much to his surprise, Rhett says hollowly, “I don’t know.”

Link presses his luck, “Mean, if she wrote you…think it means she misses you…”

Rhett snorts, “Doubt it. Probably just felt a bout of guilt. Thought she should reach out to her black sheep son.”

“Or maybe she wants to hear from you,” Link offers, “Know you’re alright.”

“Yeah and what am I supposed to write?” Rhett grumbles, “‘Hey Ma, I’m doing good. I filmed a three way yesterday – how ‘bout you?’”

“…a three way?” Link repeats, but Rhett continues on as if he didn’t hear him, “It’s not like I can tell her or-or any of them what I’ve been up to. I don’t think many parents like to brag about their kid’s accomplishments when that accomplishment is DPing a woman while making out with a guy at the same time.”

Link wants to ask what ‘DPing’ is, but he thinks he has an idea and it’s probably best not to get too in depth (pun not intended) on that, as he instead takes a different route, “It’s not like you have to tell her about your job. You can just say you’re in LA, you’re healthy, you got a fantastically handsome roommate named Link…”

That makes Rhett laugh, but in a good way, some of his ire easing, “‘Fantastically handsome’, huh?”

Link spreads his hands out, “What can I say? I’m truthful.”

Rhett chuckles some more and shakes his head, “Nah, I mean – sure, I can tell her all that, but if we…if we do reconnect, I’m just-? I’m afraid it’s going to come up.”

“Thought you said you aren’t ashamed of what you do.”

“I’m not,” Rhett affirms, “But she’s my mom. They’re my family. You know that and I know you get why it’s not something I want them to know about…”

“Well, I mean, I could tell you to get another job, but if this is what you like doing-!”

Rhett gets up from the couch and starts pacing, “It’s not that I like doing it. It’s that I’m good at it. And, like I’ve told you – good money, good co-workers,” he sighs and his pacing picks up pace, “I mean, granted, I’m getting on in years and I can’t do this forever and I always did plan on getting out when I, y’know, found someone.”

Someone not you, a thought hisses in Link’s ear and he almost physically swats out at it as Rhett continues, “‘Cause it’s not like I’d want to be in a relationship and do…what I do. It’d feel sorta unfaithful to me, albeit I know some people in the biz who are married and their partners are fine with it, but for me…”

Rhett stops pacing and flops down on the couch, groaning, “…and it’s not even like I can show off. I can’t show someone one of my films with pride and be like ‘look what I did’! Not my folks, not my theoretical other half, not-!”

“Me,” the word leaves Link’s mouth and he’s sort of shocked it left him. Rhett is shocked too, head whipping in his direction at the declaration and Link’s mouth just keeps working on its own, disconnected from his brain, “You…you can show me. If…if you want.”

The last comes out almost silent.

And Rhett just…keeps looking at him.

Link can hear everything. His breath. Rhett’s breath. The ticking of a clock some place. The television show whispering some medical mumbo jumbo. The air conditioning. His heart beat. All of it. He hears it all and then he hears a tentative, “Yeah?”

And Link just nods.

*I swear the next part will have some kind of sex. I know it’s weird that I’ve had 3 parts of a fic now about pornstar!Rhett and no porn but it’s coming. I just…got lost in feels here.

[lordseochangbin]

barista boy- han jisung

hi guys! i haven’t written fluff in awhile & i have a soft spot for jisung now so <3 here you go !!

you know those mornings when you wake up fresh and feeling good? ready to tackle the day? feeling like nothing will stop you from being the successful- yeah. you tried.

mornings were never like that, but in today’s case you tried your best to keep that smile plastered on your face no matter how badly it hurt your cheeks. the meeting was soon, and you really craved your favorite cup of coffee so you decided to go to the coffee shop that just opened to get one.

when you crave something, you can literally taste it. your heart is in need of that sweet sensation on your tongue and it’s all that’s on your mind. you walk inside the busy place to see two people in line before joining them.

are you blind or is your favorite drink not on their menu?? it’s literally a basic drink?? a simple coffee grind and milk?? why the fuck is it not on their list??

all hopes of your good mornings are shattered and you find yourself giving up. you knew it, one bad thing in the morning and it would ruin your entire day.

that was, until you saw the cute barista at the counter. just from seeing him you blushed, your fingers twirling a piece of your hair and putting it behind your ear before you could look up at him and smile.

“hi! welcome to ‘coffee shop’ what can i get ya?” the boy said in an enthusiastic morning that surely woke you up

“oh.. umm i have a quick question? do you guys have chocolate lattes by any chance? i don��t see it on the menu”

“oh sorry ma’am, those are out of season”

“o-out of season? it’s a regular”

“not here ma’am, it’s out of season”

“oh come on, please!! please make me one?!”

the boy looked at you with the slightest bit of annoyance in his face before you could start begging again, the crowd behind you wondering what the hold up was for.

“okay, okay fine! i’ll make the drink, it’s on the house”

shit. jisung did NOT just say it’s on the house. can he take it back? he.. he can’t take it back. you were annoying as fuck but jisung couldn’t help but to notice how cute you were. maybe you were just so cute that it was annoying.

“wait it is?” you asked in shock

“y..yeah” he replied with a small laugh. well that’s going out of his paycheck.

“oh..okay thanks” you said before getting out of line.

minutes later, you felt a tap on your shoulder drawing you away from your phone. “here’s your drink” the boy said

once he handed you the cup you noticed the long message under the name section

“you never told me your name so i put it as ’annoying ass customer that cant buy from our menu :)‘“

oh my god. you bought this coffee to look professional at your meeting, now how were you going to do so when that was written on it.

“wait.. wait!” you called after the boy until he met the counters.

“what” he said, turning around. the second he turned around you slipped on the glass floor, causing both you and the drink to fall towards his chest. jisung grabbed your wrist to ensure your coffee was steady in your grip while his other hand held your waist tightly.

you looked up to the boy, meeting his eyes that made your cheeks flush red. “hmm, shy now aren’t we?” he whispered with a smirk before helping you back on your two feet.

“as for the name, keep it. it’s still valid” he said before disappearing into the kitchen.

---

that night, you still couldn’t forget that boy’s smile. you had so much going on in your head; you wanted to go to the carnival tonight with but you had to cancel because of work.

all light provided by the sun was gone for the day, and walking home alone wasn’t ideal but staying at work wasn’t either. to make the trip a little less dreary for yourself however you weren’t sure it was open. it was on the way so it wouldn’t hurt to check.

you finally met the cafe to see the sign’s lights turned off. bummer, you thought to yourself, before you could hear a loud noise from inside the shop.

you quickly ran to the door to find it unlocked, the sound slightly alarming and triggering your inner instincts. fear ran through your veins as you sprinted to the origin of the sound and you found a burglar tackling the cute barista on the floor.

it was even more alarming when the burglar turned around and saw you, barista boy looking at you in shock as well. you didn’t even expect yourself to be here either.

the burglar got up, cornering you against the kitchen and the barista boy is running away. why the fuck is he running away? pussy ass bitch. you dig in your purse quickly to find the bottle of pepper spray as the burglar inches closer and closer to you.

but where did you put it? one hand searches for it while the other tries to push the burglar away and before you know it you're spraying the pepper all over the guys eyes.

the burglar screeches in pain as you try to run away before jisung could frantically run into the room with a broom in his hand, screaming at the top of his lungs like a madman.

“jisung! jisung stop he’s down” you scream as jisung idiotically makes an attempt to beat the guy.

he turns his head to see the guy covering his eyes in pain before looking at you, “wait..you already got him down?”

“yeah” you pant surprisingly as you notice the disappointment in his face. he was really trying to be a superhero with that broom.

“did you call the cops?” you ask him before the police could enter the building.

“he’s right here sir,” jisung says. quickly a woman runs into the building and instructs the police to leave the kitchen and it’s just you and jisung inside.

“so…” you say, leaning against one of the counters as you watch jisung try to avoid eye contact with you.

“um… thanks for helping me out i guess”

“you welcome” you reply. at that, jisung says nothing and leaves the kitchen.

unsure of what to do, you walk out of the kitchen as well before you could encounter a broken glass on the floor. grabbing a towel nearby you pick up the pieces.

“you should ask her out” jisung’s jaw drops at the words of his mother.

“mom?! i should what now?!” he whisper-screams as jisung’s mother grabs him by the ear.

“do you see that? that’s what a good woman is like” jisung watches as you pick up the remaining pieces, his heart immediately softening.

“go help her out” his mother says before jisung could find himself stumbling in front of you.

you look up at him from the ground as he awkwardly stares back. “h-hey.. i was just picking up these pieces of glass”

“i can tell” jisung replies. shit, why is he ruining this entire thing for himself?

you look back at the ground while jisung nervously itches the crook of his neck. how do words form? how do people talk? jisung knows what he wants to say but it’s just not coming out.

“ouch!” you say to yourself. jisung kneels onto the floor, his hand carrying yours as he focuses on the cut on your hand.

“are you okay? does it hurt?” he immediately asks.

“it’s okay jisung it’s just a-”

“no wait we need to get this bandaged” jisung helps you off the ground before guiding you to the emergency kit.

you watch as he delicately wipes the blood from your cut and wraps the bandage around your finger.

“is that too tight?” he asks, a sly catch of concern in his voice as he waits for your answer

“no.. no that’s fine” you reply. is he real? is this really happening? while he secures the bandage your mind is thinking about how soft and warm his fingers are, how you weren’t sure if you were able to let go.

“you know.. annoying ass lifesaver, i’ve been meaning to ask you something”

you look up to him, surprised to see him looking back at you. your shoulders tense and your heart starts beating faster before you could reply, “yeah, what’s that?”

“would you like to go to the carnival with me? i know it’s a bit late and we just met-”

“yes” you suddenly reply

“really?!”

“yes…” you repeat in a reassuring voice

“then let’s go!” you didn’t even ask. your hopes and dreams come true the second jisung takes his hand in yours and you’re running out of the kitchen.

“i’m going out mom!” he screams at the top of his lungs in excitement.

“have fun lovebirds!” his mother replies making jisung look back at you.

you laugh at her words which makes jisung blush, “don’t listen to a thing she says” he tells you before you two find yourselfs running to the fairpark.

---

once you two get there, it’s all laughs and games. you learn jisung is a fucking coward and very.. VERY touchy. you drag him to the ride called the “DROP” and he’s clinging onto you like it’s the end of his life.

his fingers are intertwined with yours as you meet the games. there’s a whole bunch and jisung sets on eye on a game to win you a prize.

“just wait here, i got this. im gonna get the BIGG teddy bear for you!” jisung says in excitement as he goes up to the game.

it’s a simple toss the ball at the targets until their all down game, but jisung can’t seem to win the big prize. he empties his wallet after seven attempts to win the big teddy bear for you before he turns around and pouts.

“do you have change?” he says in a sad tone that makes your heart melt

“jisung… don’t worry” you say giving him a peck on the cheek, “let me try”

and that’s what you tease jisung with all night, the fact that you won on your first try.

jisung is carrying the bear with one hand, the other holding onto yours before your friends who you planned to go to the festival with noticed you.

“y/n!!” they said calling out for you. now jisung knew your name for sure.

“hey guys! what’s up?” you ask them, giving each of them a hug.

“nothing much, is this what you were so busy with?”

“no, but it just ended up this way” you laughed

“do you two wanna join us, we’re gonna go to the theater room!”

you turn to jisung who’s sipping on his drink, “do you wanna go watch a movie?” you ask him

“sure! why not?” jisung simply replies with a smile that makes you wanna cuddle him all night.

at the movie theater you two decided that you’d sit all the way in the back, just so you could prop your feet up the seats in front of you and just for privacy.

jisung put a arm around your shoulder and you snuggled into his chest. who knew the boy that got your name wrong this morning would be in your arms tonight?

jisung pressed a kiss to your forehead before whispering, “is it getting hot in here or is it just me?”

“it’s just you” you reply

“what?”

you look at him in slight panic and chuckle, “what?!”

you two start laughing and your cheeks turn pink at your sudden ability to flirt before you are hushed by an old couple nearby.

you cover jisungs mouth as he tries to laugh louder in order to annoy the couple but resulted in you two getting kicked out.

—-

“the movie was fun while it lasted, right?!” jisung asked, handing you a cup of coffee.

you two were now back at the cafe alone, you sitting by jisung with the teddy bear sitting across from both of you.

“before or after you got us kicked out?” you asked him sarcastically

jisung let out a laugh before he could point out the name on your coffee cup

“i changed it up a bit”

“annoying cute ass, what an improvement” you comment, rolling your eyes before looking at him.

suddenly he’s inches away from you. “it is quite the improvement, im so glad i met you annoying ass” he said before his lips could meet yours. jisung grabs your chin to kiss deeper but before you know it your coffee is spilt all over you.

“shit, shit! im so sorry babe” he replies

“it burns jisung, it literally burns!” you squint your eyes in pain at the just made coffee making contact with your skin.

jisung grabs a handful of tissues to dry off your jeans before placing a few kisses all over your face.

“ill make it up to you, adding your favorite drink to the menu!”

you look at him with a disappointment look, seriously not buying it.

“and it’s on the house!” jisung says persuasively. that’s what makes you smile; free coffee and a cute guy. what’s there to lose?

[revlyncox]

Naming Our Joy

Taking note of all of the things that make us happy - large and small - is a helpful practice. This Platform Address was written for the Washington Ethical Society, June 20, 2021.

We started a project at our house on June 1. Even though we’re not yet back to spending a whole afternoon indoors at the library with the children, we wanted to collectively celebrate the experience of a summer reading club. The kids used several sheets of flip chart paper to draw one hundred rectangles, plus doodles and illustrations and instructions for a shared reading chart. Everyone in the house has their own color of magic marker to color in a rectangle with the name of a book as we complete it. Reading, for us, is a delight. Asking each other questions about what we’re reading is a love-language. And so, as the rectangles have bloomed in six different colors throughout the month so far, each one has been a small notation of joy.

Sometimes we think about the seasons of our joy only in terms of peak experiences. We think of the Winter Festival, or New Year’s Eve, or the state fair, each a symbolic splash on a monthly page in the scrapbooks in our minds. If you’re a person who celebrates birthdays, maybe that’s an important milestone. Maybe camping or travel or visiting family we can rarely see sticks out in our minds as we anticipate our hopes for the year ahead. These are all good things. And yet peak experiences are not the only things that bring us joy.

It seems to me that paying attention to all of the things that bring us joy can help carry us through times of transition. Many things in our shared lives are improving, and we’ll get back to some of our favorite big, celebratory events in adapted ways; meanwhile, let’s value all of the things that keep us grounded in the best of who we are and who we can be. Today, as we hang on the cusp of summer, celebrating parents and graduates and weddings and pride, yet still aching from a difficult year and a half, let’s open our minds and hearts to all the forms of joy we can name.

Today’s story, “A List,” from Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel, gives some hints about how to notice joy. The attention to detail in this story, the room Lobel makes in the narrative for pause, and the enduring friendship that is the focus of the entire series are all helpful lessons for us as we gather up sparks of happiness in our own lives, fireflies that may be only with us for a moment, but whose lights we can remember for years. From this story, I learn that small things count, that it’s important to rest and reset, and that we can find joy when we travel together.

Small Things Count

As we are naming our joy, small things count. Frog begins his day by checking off tasks like, “get dressed” and “eat breakfast.” Those things matter. There are days when self-care is a victory, and days when we need to practice self-compassion because those tasks are out of reach. In some ways, it’s a practice of mindfulness, of paying attention to where we are in the moment. As we dress, we can notice the feeling of fabric on skin, and we can hold in loving kindness all those who saw to the completion of that garment.

I think back to times when celebrating small things got me through the day, or helped me inch toward a distant goal, or just brought me back to center after being knocked off balance by the regular turns of daily life. After my children were born, I decided to give fitness walking and running a try. I had never done that before - my favorite team sports up until that time were swimming and frisbee - but something about taking time for myself with my headphones every day was appealing at that point in my life. So I got a “couch to 5K” application on my phone to help guide me through workouts that started very small, and gradually increased until I could participate in a whole race.

The first couple of days were frustrating. I felt like I spent more time lacing up my shoes than I did actually running. But eventually, because there were records, I could look back and see my stamina increasing over time. Not every day, because some days are better than others, but over time there was improvement. I could celebrate when I could run rather than walk for a whole minute, and then a whole five minutes. When I was able to value the time I spent on the practice, even if all I could do that day was walk around the block, I had more energy to keep going. I did get to run in a race eventually. I have since switched to a different form of exercise for my regular workouts, because I have age-appropriate knees, but I did learn something about finding joy in small achievements. Sometimes we need to work up to things gradually, and when there are setbacks we need to work up gradually again. Writing down the joys and the milestones can help.

Focusing on the positive aspects of the experience and on the signs of improvement helped me sustain a practice. The same can be true for groups. I think people at WES have experienced Appreciative Inquiry before. Sometimes we think of Appreciative Inquiry in terms of a meeting or an event or a process of discernment, it’s also a paradigm shift in our organizational life together, a perspective where we lift up and leverage strengths rather than focusing on deficits. The philosophy of Appreciative Inquiry was developed by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva at Case Western Reserve University in the early 1990s. So Appreciative Inquiry has been around for awhile now, and there are newer ideas we need to incorporate about competing value systems and multicultural competency, yet I think it is worth returning to an approach where we ask questions about what’s working and build a positive vision for a future we can move toward together. To bring out the best we can be, we need to identify and nurture what’s best right now.

As our community gradually re-emerges from the pandemic and builds toward a new normal of accessibility, inclusion, compassion, and justice, we will face setbacks, and the speed of our hopes may outpace the reality of how fast we can go without leaving people behind. Let’s find joy in each moment, each time we find ourselves sharing time or space or intention. When you appreciate something about WES going forward, write it down. Ask questions about how members can keep doing what you do well. Share your excitement about small things with others. Make a list, because small things count.

Rest and Reset

The second thing we learn from Frog and Toad about naming our joy is that we can rest and reset. The first thing on Toad’s list is “wake up.” That’s what makes it the beginning of the list. Every day is new. The last thing on the list is “go to sleep.” Toad does not take for granted that he will automatically remember to rest at the end of the day, he puts it on a list. Maybe some of us need a reminder sometimes, to care for our bodies instead of pushing to do one more thing. And when he doesn’t know what else to do, Toad pauses. Now, as the reader, we can imagine that it would also have been a fine choice for Toad to let go of his attachment to his list and either help Frog try to find it or create a new plan, and maybe that’s something some of us need to hear as well, but I also have some admiration for a character who will simply pause rather than rushing into the next thing without consideration.

We’ve talked before at WES about the tension between our focus on “deeds, not creeds,” and the philosophical foundation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person--value that people simply have without earning it. What we do, and the impact we have, is of greater concern than the intentions of our minds or the secrets of our hearts. Yet we cannot forget that worth is inherent, even if we or our neighbors haven’t achieved any great deeds lately. So I hope we can encourage ourselves and each other to rest. People need time to bask in their inherent worth; to notice the beauty of the people and world around them and within them; and to care for their own valuable, precious being. It may be the case that allowing rest for ourselves will also remind us of the inherent worth of others, and will lead us to create a world where every person can have what they need rather than putting up obstacles to separate the worthy from the unworthy. Rest may give us a foretaste of the Beloved Community. Rest creates room for the experience of joy.

The reset part is also important. We can experience time as a kind of river, and there are ways in which the past and the future flow into one another, yet most of us experience time as moving. The past and the present and the future are connected, but they are different from one another. Rest gives us an island in the river so that we can separate them, looking back and looking forward and looking around us so that we can differentiate what was from what is and from what we anticipate will be. Things that brought us joy in the past are worth remembering fondly, but that doesn’t mean repeating the same thing will bring us the same joy or is even possible. Being present in the here and now, resting in the sense of not striving or problem solving or planning or fixing, helps us experience what is bringing us joy right now, without diminishing that joy with comparison to the past or the future. Frog and Toad go to sleep. Maybe tomorrow they will take another walk, or go swimming, or grow a garden, or write a letter. But the comfort of being in that moment is where we pause at the end of that chapter, and pausing helps us value the joy in that moment. Rest and reset to highlight the joy of the present moment.

Travel Together

A third thing we learn from Frog and Toad is that traveling together can help us amplify joy. The thing on Toad’s to-do list that transforms his day is meeting up with Frog. As companions, they support each other in new discoveries, they affirm each other, and sometimes they can be of service to their friend in a way that brings its own kind of joy. When Frog sees the list, he says, “Oh, that is very nice.” Frog appreciates the project his friend has worked on, and that’s a source of happiness. When Toad is disappointed about losing his list, Frog sits with him, simply being present, the peace of friendship providing a balance to the sorrow of a project gone awry. As the evening nears, Frog reminds Toad of something on his list, and reconnecting with his project brings Toad the excitement of a reclaimed goal. There is more joy in their adventure together than there would have been for either of them alone.

May it be so for all of us. Sometimes companions are hard to find, and most relationships come with moments of tension and conflict, yet there are ways we can cultivate a practice of presence with one another that amplify joy, make sorrow more bearable, and help sustain us on the journey. Some of the secret is in the first two things we learned, that small things count and that we can take time to rest and reset. Small affirmations and appreciations make a difference in our relationships, they help us find joy in each other. Taking time to rest, being fully present even when our companions are having a difficult time, letting the new day reset us for the here and now to be with our loved ones as the people they have grown to become, all of these are practices of friendship that make room for joy.

Over the past year and a half, we have had to reassess what it means to travel together. We share time differently than we used to. We find connection in chat messages and text messages, shared movies over an internet connection, recorded sentiments and songs, notes back and forth about books we’re reading, and cards in the postal mail that are ever more precious. May it be so that in-person connections become more practical for more people, but that does not take away the value of the connections that sustained us during this time. We don’t need to devalue the ways we had to adapt, and we definitely don’t need to abandon the people for whom those adaptations are still needed. We are better together, and that includes the friends who have limited mobility, or sensory sensitivities, or transportation challenges, or delicate immune systems. Our beloveds of inherent worth come in many varieties.

I believe there are spectacular adventures ahead for WES. This continues to be a vital community of exploration, mutual support, and action for justice. We will find new ways to live out WES’s core values, and become ever more fluent in new and old ways to connect as members journey in collaboration. We are better together. In that, there is joy. I invite you to continue that joyful journey and your commitment to WES.

Conclusion

Our joy is cultivated and uplifted when we notice it in progress. This is especially true of the small joys, the moments of contentment, discovery, and affection that sneak up on us without being scheduled. Taking note of our joys - writing them down, sharing them with each other, savoring the moments, naming these times as what they are - helps us to experience them fully. Small things count, so give every moment of joy its due. Rest and reset, finding ways to be fully present and to bask in your inherent worth. Travel together, with appreciation for your companions, respect for their inherent worth, and joy in what you can discover in your shared journey.

[himikiyo]

waidmanns heil // himikiyo week day 7

Himikiyo Week Day 7: Free day

The screaming finally stopped.

In the Republic of Greater East Asia, Korekiyo and Himiko find themselves taking part in the Program. Battle Royale AU.

Read on AO3 or under the cut

The screaming finally stopped.

It was a relief to be freed from such awful sounds. Labeling them as mere screams seemed to undersell the whole thing, really. The gurgles, the thunks of weapon hitting flesh, the ragged, heavy breathing. It all came together to form a violent cacophony that seemed impossible to block out, even on the other side of the wall.

Himiko had been sitting there on the floor, knees drawn up to her chest. She could have made herself more comfortable, made use of the furniture, but she didn’t dare. Even with all the blinds drawn, she was afraid of being seen through the window. Better to stay low when she could help it. It was strange how in the space of just a few days, being seen had become one of her biggest fears.

The cottage door opened with a creak. There was a single exception to her desire not to be perceived.

“Are you alright?” she asked quietly, only once the door had closed again. There could still be others nearby.

“Yes,” they said. The cadence of their voice was as calming as ever. They barely even seemed out of breath. “You needn’t worry about me. A few minor scrapes and bruises perhaps, but nothing serious. I’ve endured far worse before.”

Korekiyo lifted a hand to tug their mask down and show her the warm, sweet smile that adorned their features. Expressions so soft were always for her eyes only. From her position in the corner, still hugging her knees to her chest, she couldn’t help but smile back in gratitude. Their lipstick was still flawless too, as was the nail polish on those fingers gripping the edge of their mask. Their other hand was down at their side, holding a sickle. Blood dripped sluggishly from the blade, spattering on the floor.

They were one step closer to winning the Program.

“Who?” she asked, using up all her effort just to say that one word. She didn’t know if she wanted to hear the answer, but maybe that blood belonged to a stranger, someone from one of the other classes in their year. And if it wasn’t, she wouldn’t be able to stay oblivious to the truth forever. The names of the dead were read off several times a day, along with the new forbidden zones. If it was someone she cared about, she’d know they were gone soon enough. Did it make a difference who killed them?

Kiyo must have thought it did, because they looked away from her. Their gaze dropped down to their combat boots, stained with dirt and blood.

“Chabashira.”

“Oh.” Himiko looked down at the floor too when they said that, her stomach twisting uncomfortably. She hadn’t recognized the screams. Somehow she felt as if she should have.

“I’m sorry,” Kiyo said hesitantly, wiping off the sickle on the window curtains. Nobody was very motivated to care about the property of whoever lived on this island, not when the bigger concern was staying alive. The homeowners would be reimbursed for their troubles. Who cared if they had to replace a few things?

“No, it’s fine. You did what you had to do.” She tried to make her heart hard and remind herself of the end goal of all this. The two of them out in the world together again, able to heal and move on from all this. To do that, everyone else had to die, whether by their hands or someone else’s. Himiko cared about all her classmates, but no one could come close to Korekiyo on her list of priorities. Her love, her Kiyo-chan, the one she was always beside.

She didn’t even like Tenko that much. She hated her pushiness, the way she never let her forget about her crush even after several rejections. For some reason, her eyes stung anyway.

“I’m still sorry.” Sickle tucked in their belt now, they moved closer, drawing her in to their chest in a warm embrace. “You don’t deserve to be caught up in all this.”

“Neither do you,” she said. They didn’t answer. Probably thinking about how they killed too easily to be innocent. They just cradled her awhile longer, pulling back only enough to press kisses all over her face. Even in that moment of affection, they were both listening for sounds outside. Things were quiet, but that could change in an instant. They couldn’t afford to be caught off guard.

“How about I make curry for dinner, hm? Then we can plan our next moves.” More forbidden zones would be announced at 6:00 PM, just an hour away. Hopefully their little shelter would remain safe, but it was good to plan anyway.

“Do you think it’s okay to cook?” They hadn’t so far, subsisting only on the meager rations in the backpacks they were given.

Kiyo shrugged, glancing around. “I don’t see how it would draw attention any more than being here and not cooking. And the food is here, so why not? We’ll barricade the door. Just stay close to me.”

Staying close to them was never a burden.

Cooking and eating dinner went smoothly, thankfully. She knew it couldn’t last though. Sipping the last of their tea, the two of them sat on the floor, maps spread out between them. When the announcement came on, they marked off the new forbidden zones together, silently checking each other’s work.

When Chabashira Tenko was included in the list of the dead, Himiko didn’t flinch, her palm sweaty against Kiyo’s thigh.

The numbers kept going down. Only about fifteen left alive now, by her count. Fewer and fewer competitors. Fewer people standing between them and going home. They would escape the Program. They’d go home, wash off the blood and grime in Kiyo’s luxurious bathroom, grateful to their wealthy, absent parents for once. They’d be forgotten, safe and anonymous.

When it was time to leave the cottage, they took her out the back door, so she wouldn’t see Tenko’s body out front. The kama was in their hand again, rust-colored flecks still marring the blade.

The boy slinking through the weeds towards them didn’t have a chance to reach for his gun. Kiyo’s aim was always true.

Fourteen remained.