#she has also used a loaf of bread as a weapon before and refuses to speak of the instance

[tadbitsketch]

*throws Ellegaard page at you*

[rainbowtransform]

Neither Of Us Will Be Missed

Hello! This is a wip I’ve been trying to get done for a bit now! It’s Manhunt Dream and Dream SMP switch places, basically. :D. If you wanna read it on Ao3 it’s right here! This is the first chapter of three coming up, and I hope you guys enjoy it!

                                                           ***                                                                 

Dream’s fingers twitch, and he grabs the final Ender Eye, examining it. He places it into the portal, hears the age old sound of a large door finally opening, and he takes a deep breath. They’re somewhere else, he thinks. His hunters are trapped somewhere else, they won’t be here until the dragon’s dead. (And then they’d Jump back to the beginning, to the not-dead dragon and the Hunters ready for another year of pursuit and tricks and they only grow smarter). 

(Dream doesn’t know why they’re all trapped in an endless cycle, but they killed him a few times, and he’d killed them, and he’d beaten the Dragon before. It never stopped, it always Jumped, and Dream never stopped running. And they never stopped chasing.)

But Dream takes a deep breath, and then jumps into the Portal.

                                                          ***                                                                

“Who’s Tommy?” A man in a pig mask asks him, and Dream’s immediate response is to back up just a few steps. He bumps into a cabinet, and hears a harsh breath and a finger (maybe) touching the back of his arms before Pig Mask⸺before Techno⸺takes a step forward. “Oh, that guy⸺”

Dream pulls out his axe and holds it up to Techno. “Who the fuck’s Tommy?” Dream asks, feeling dumb as Techno’s own expression changes into a look.

What the fuck are you talking about, Dream, he’s asking. Dream doesn’t respond with one of his own, instead opting to look around while keeping Techno in sight. There’s an Enderman sitting in a boat, there’s a cabinet behind Dream with someone inside it. There’s particles all around them and there’s deep gasps coming from that area, (invisibility); there’s chests next to the Enderman, Techno’s in front of Dream, and there’s windows all around him with two doors next to Techno. 

Dream holds the axe tighter, acknowledges how Techno doesn’t take his eyes off Dream’s hands and then. Just the slightest flicker to the cabinet behind him, Techno lunged forward and Dream bolts.

He manages to snag Techno’s cape, blue instead of his signature red, on his axe and Dream kicks open the doors and runs into the forest.

                                                          ***                                                                

Dream covers his tracks, swipes snow over his footprints and makes new, fresher ones going in tons of directions. He breaks twigs, and branches, overturns rocks and tries to pretend to rush through something. It’ll make it more believable, but it won’t hold Techno for long. When it’s done, Dream climbs into a tree and examines the inventory that’s been given to him. 

A stack and a half of steak, Netherite armor, Netherite weapons, some wood, sticks, half a stack of bread. Some iron, Enderpearls, no blaze powder, but Dream’s been given worse. He’s got a water bucket, too. And Techno’s cape, which he think he needs to put on a branch somewhere else. So, all he’s got to do is find a lava pool, and he’d be good enough for the Nether. This Hunter must be Techno (but how?) instead of his Normal ones. Dream has to be extra cautious about this. Even if the Jump resets, Dream still can get hurt, injured, and killed. 

Dream makes a little place for himself in the trees, splits half of a loaf and eats it quickly. He wraps up his arm, bleeding from the fight earlier. Dream watches as the moon rises, and knows that when dawn breaks tomorrow, he’ll be up and ready to go.

Nether tomorrow, find blaze rods, make Ender Eyes, find the End Portal, fight the Dragon.

It’s a plan. It’s a plan, and it’s Dream’s plan, but he knows that there’s going to be hiccups along the way. Techno won’t let himself go down this easy, nor will he ever actually let Dream go. Techno doesn’t rest easy, and Dream knows that the whispers of Technoblade never dies aren’t just whispers. 

Dream sets himself, takes a deep breath and settles down. He can go to sleep, can’t he? He’s safe for right now. 

(But Techno’s looking, Dream. You aren’t safe here.)

Dream climbs higher in the tree.

                                                          ***                                                                

“Where are you?” Fangs calls. “Come on, Mask. We’re not playing anymore.”

Dream holds his breath, refuses to move from his spot in the wall. The compass Fang keeps around his neck with string sticks on Dream’s skin. They’ve all got a Compass, and some of them keep it close to them (Flame keeps his in a gold chain, in the same place as Fang, while Cat and Bow keep theirs in their backpacks. They’re all back-ups, after all.)

But Dream got the compass. He stole Fang’s compass. And Fang’s alone, right now, so he can’t find Dream and if Dream doesn’t move, or make any sound he’d never find him. Fang clicks his tongue, and snarls. 

“When I find you,” he promises. “I’m taking the compass back.”

“Or next Jump,” Cat says and Dream hears a quiet thump as he jumps down and peers around. 

“Hey,” Fang says. “Do you mind if I borrow your compass?”

“I left mine at the Base,” Cat said. “George is brewing a bunch of potions, though. I guarantee if we go back right now, he’ll be done with them. We can come back and find him then.”

Fang hums. “I think he’ll be long gone by then.”

“But we’ll still have three more Compasses. And we’ll get yours back.”

Fang sighs. “Of course,” he says. “Where else is he going to go where we can’t follow?”

“That’s the Spirit,” Cat says. 

They walk away, and Dream breathes a sigh of relief.

                                                          ***                                                                

Dream wakes up an hour into the sunrise, and he bolts upward. There’s nothing there, just some clean fresh snow and Dream shivers. His hoodie’s designed to keep him warm in some rough temperatures but not in extreme cold like the fucking Arctic. On the bright side with the snow, his old tracks are now covered and Dream can go about running through the trees. 

Dream moves quickly, he slides down onto a lower branch and jumps to the other trees. He weighs skipping breakfast (the other half of the bread) before his hunger gets the better of him. He’s been doing Jumps since he was sixteen, and he has done his fair share of skipping plenty of meals and fainting (and, by result, failing the Jump) so he’s already decided to not do that. 

He eats the bread as he goes, and almost misses the branch. But he scrambled to grab a hold to the tree’s trunk with his (freezing) fingers, and he almost snarled. But Dream’s also learned when to be quiet and when to be bold. He holds onto Netherite things and (no doubt) Techno’s got them, too. The Jump’s all about being fair, and Dream with Netherite, even against Techno, is not fair.

Dream rights himself on the tree and takes a quick glance around again. Some snow is shaken off the trees where Dream had landed, but he shakes it off. By the time Techno comes looking in this area, Dream will already be far far away in the Nether. 

Dream folds his fingers into his armpit, trying to think for just a moment. While his fingers warm up again, he’s already planned for three encounters, two deaths, and a reset. 

He doesn’t want to walk through the snow, but with how the forest is growing thin, there’s no choice. He slips down, lands with a crunch sound and Dream stands. The snow’s basically covering his lower body right now and he tries to wipe it off before it melts into his jeans.

Dream takes off Techno’s cape and throws it over a high branch. That’ll at least confuse him for a second, if Techno’s smart (which he is) then Dream just bought himself about thirty seconds of escape time. 

He sets off to find a lava pool, or a warmer climate at least. Dream climbs over some hills, checking for a flash of pink or a glint of something before he continues onward. But there’s nothing except the endless Arctic and some blue dye that’s been scattered around. He’s brushing the snow off his shoulders, when he notices the purplish glint of a Portal just a couple paces away from him. 

Nether, Dream thinks. He’s got to find the Fortress, get some blaze rods and then get back to the same portal, in the same freakin’ Arctic. (But he can bring some lava with him, right? To keep him warm? It worked last time, when Bow and Flame were the only ones who were chasing him. 

Dream steps through the Portal, hoping that the bucket of water won’t evaporate in his pack, and he goes from a freezing temperature, to overwhelming heat

                                                          ***                                                                

He’s on a pathway, snaking its way toward something else, and Dream’s instantly wary. He’s shifting, ready to jump off the side of the pathway before he notices the huge lava pool that’s below him. 

“Okay,” he mutters. “Then I guess we’re following the path.” He holds onto the compass around his neck and darts forward. 

There’s a bunch of cobblestone and a wood bridge that’s just… it’ll burn too easy, Dream notes. But it also might help to keep Hunters off Dream’s trail. Dream pushes his way through and there’s another portal sitting right in the middle of this huge place. There’s a chest a couple steps away which Dream riffles through and ultimately thinks that it’s useless. 

And he looks at the portal, sticks a hand through it and then takes it back. He really should go find the Nether Fortress. But, the portal’s also ticking his curiosity and Puffy always told Dream that he’s never satisfied. 

And if this portal takes him to a different one, then he won’t have to go back to the Arctic! 

So, he steps through.

                                                          ***                                                                

Niki laughs and runs her fingers through Dream’s hair. “You’re just full of questions today, aren’t you duckling?”

Dream nods, and points at the bowl she’d been mixing. “What’s in it?” He questions again and Niki laughs. She’s almost twenty-one years old, and Mom and her have been together for almost a year now. 

“Oh, it’s just something really quick that I’m making.” Niki says, smiling. “Some jelly tarts, maybe a pie later on. Want to help?”

Dream nods eagerly, and there’s a brief moment of: what am I meant to do? Before Niki gives him a bowl and a whisk and shows him how to mix the ingredients without making a mess of himself and the kitchen. 

When Mom comes home from Foolish’s doctor appointment, there’s cooling pastries in the kitchen and two sleeping people on the couch.

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He’s standing on a town. That’s the only way he can explain it, and he’s staring across at this huge building. It’s red and stone bricks build on top of the water itself; and Dream takes a quick step forward, eyes dark. He wonders why, exactly, it’s there. 

(You can hide there, Dream. For a little bit. Techno won’t know you’re here.)

And so he breaks into a run, and slides into the house quickly and quietly. He takes a deep breath, and looks through the windows, his mask feeling plain in this colorful world. There’s a huge castle to the left of him, a quartz building to the right and right in front of him looks like a courthouse and another house that’s been abandoned. 

(Hide, hide, hide, hide, they’re here. Can’t you hear the heartbeat? Let’s go.)

Dream takes off, and he hears a quick shout behind him, but it doesn’t matter. He’s got to go, and he slides to the left and runs to the castle. It’s big enough for Dream to climb the tops of it and get away from whoever’s calling his name right now. 

The compass burns hot on Dream’s skin.

                                                          ***                                                                

“Mom.” Dream says, lips stiff. “Mom I didn’t do it, okay? Whatever they’re saying, I didn’t do it, Mom. Mom, please.” Dream’s sixteen.

He’s scared. He doesn’t know what he’d done to deserve this, but whatever it is, it’s apparently bad enough that a Hunter’s after him. Niki is holding onto Puffy’s hands, and Foolish is crying, he’s reaching for Dream. 

“‘Dream. Dream!” Foolish keeps saying, reaching for him. He wants to be hugged, and Puffy’s holding him back. 

“Duckling,” Puffy says, her eyes wet. “Dream.” 

And his head snaps to meet her eyes. She never calls him Dream. Niki guides Foolish further into the home, all the while he keeps looking back at Dream, and Puffy looks away, swallows, and then remeets her son’s eyes. “Dream,” she says again. “I can’t…. We can’t…”

“Mom,” Dream says again, voice breaking. “Mom, please. I didn’t, Mom.”

“No, Dream.” She says. “You’ve got a Hunter on your back. And with Foolish, we can’t. I’m sorry, duckling.”

And she closes the door, and Dream’s left with a chill right to his very bones.

“Mom,” he whispers. “Puffy…”

                                                          ***                                                                

And that’s the first face he sees once he’s climbed to the top of the castle. Puffy, looking at him with her mouth open, calling his name. His hands shake, and he takes a moment to drink her in. Her hair’s the same as always, and she’s wearing Netherite. That’s weird.

Only Hunters get Netherite. 

She’s not a…?

(She is, she is, she is. Stay away from me, stay away from me, stay away from me.)

                                                          ***                                                                

He takes a look at the others, too. There’s a boy with bandages all over his arms, a almost-naked guy walking with him, a creeper hybrid (Warden, stay away), and⸺Cat.

(He’s not alone, but he is alone. But everyone else had Netherite except the boy does that mean they’re all Hunters? Is the boy an apprentice?)

Dream feels a tear roll down his cheek. Puffy’s his mother, sue him. Doesn’t mean he can’t miss her. Why are there so many Hunters? He jerks forward, loses his balance just slightly, and hears the creeper call up a “be careful,” and Dream shrinks back and lets loose a hiss. 

The creeper hisses back and Dream bares his teeth. Cat doesn’t look like he really cares all that much, but he just calls a simple “Don’t fall. Remember what happened last time you tried to climb the castle?”

Dream says nothing back. Cat raised an eyebrow and waits, impatient and taps his foot. “You’re just not gonna say anything?” Cat calls again, and Dream edges toward the edge of the Castle’s back. 

“Dream?” Cat calls again, and Dream snaps his head over. 

“You don’t know my name,” he shouts finally. “You’ve never learned it. How did you find out?”

“Your name?” Cat calls. “Why wouldn’t I know it?”

“Duckling?” Puffy calls, looking worried. 

Of course, Dream thinks, glancing back to Puffy. Why wouldn’t he know his name? They’ve got his mother on their side. 

“Dream?” Is that⸺Bow? Flame?⸺“What’re you doing up there?”

Dream swallows. Five Hunters. God, he’s really in trouble isn’t he. 

He jumps.

                                                          ***                                                                

Dream is sixteen, and he’s on his own. He’s got one Hunter on his tail, and he’s killed the Hunter a million times. Dream’s been killed a million times, and he’s killed the Dragon a million times. Each time, it resets him with the Hunter to a different World and Dream doesn’t know why. 

He’s Captain Cara Puffy’s kid. He’s got to survive for his brother, and for his mothers. The crystal in his pocket hums warmly. At night, Dream takes it out and he knows that it honed into his Home World, and he wonders what’ll happen if he takes it home.

The Hunters would find him and his parents, wouldn’t they? They’d hurt his family, just to get to him. And isn’t that ironic? Dream hasn’t hurt anyone. 

He hasn’t. Dream doesn’t know where Wilbur and Tommy went, he doesn’t know how Technoblade managed to escape but he wasn’t involved. He wasn’t. 

Foolish comes to Dream’s mind. His birthday already passed and he’s what? Ten now? Maybe older, but Dream can’t quite remember what age he is, let alone his brother. (Age didn’t matter when he was sixteen and on his parents’ doorsteps, with a Hunter closing in on time; age didn’t matter when he was almost seventeen and threw himself off a cliff because that’s better than dying to a Hunter. Age doesn’t matter when you’re on the run.)

But that hasn’t happened yet. Right now, he’s still sixteen running from One Hunter.

                                                          ***                                                                

Dream rolls to a crouch, and takes off again. He���s got Technoblade, Cat, Bow, Flame, Puffy and the Warden after him. Dream keeps going, oblivious to his mother’s calls of his name and his nickname. He can't, he won’t go back. This is a trick, he thinks to himself and he looks over at the forest that’s beside him and the buildings thats in front of him.

He makes a rash decision, and runs into the woods.

[ushiwakatrash]

On your knees, King! (Part 3)

Bakugou x reader, Todoroki x reader

Fantasy AU

!Warnings!: Swearing, betrayal, lil dash of angst, shitty writing, abuse, physical harm

Synopsis:

Bakugou is the esteemed King of the Kingdom of Barbarians and because he succeeded in ruling the lands that were once governed by the Yuuei Kingdom, an offering must be made for the peace of the people. As the so-called ‘black sheep’ of the royal family, the King of Yuuei a.k.a. your father, offered you–naming you the most precious thing he could give; but you know the truth behind his words.

PART III

← Part 2           Part 4 →

Things started to get hectic in both the Yuuei and Barbarian kingdoms for only a few weeks were left until the wedding. Seeing the decorations being put up only meant a reminder for both Shoto and (Y/n) that it was real, it was happening-- but it was happening too fast for them to comprehend.

The princess was in a daze during her meal time with the only family she had left, her father. Ever since her mother passed away, things turned into hell.  Before fully agreeing to give their daughter away, the queen stood her ground in protest and resisted the King’s order. 

Blinded by rage, he threatened his wife with a sword but still, her gaze was firm and decision never wavered. The last string of patience the king had snapped and he swung his sword towards the woman, slicing her deep from the chest to her abdomen. 

In his state of shock, he stood there, hands shaking. His lover was no more and all because of the stupid Barbaric king, all because of his useless daughter, he lost more then just his kingdom. He had lost his wife.

 It took a long while for the king to come to terms with the thought of his diseased lover but he channeled all his pain into making another’s life miserable. 

Out of everyone, he had to choose his poor daughter, who he had blamed for everything.

“(Y/n)! I expect you to be on your best behavior and for once not be a failure to this family. Am I clear?” A tired nod was all she could answer. The king quietly stood up from his seat and hastily made it to (Y/n)’s side. A loud smack resounded in the room.

“I am a king here and I expect you to treat me like one, you useless bitch! When I ask you a question, answer me properly!” This was the king nobody from outside knew about. Only the people inside the palace knew about the true nature of this ‘kind’ king.

“Yes, your majesty. I have made a mistake.” The old man just scoffed and retreated to his room, leaving his daughter alone to dine. Because she is the Princess of the commoners, people from the palace were often enraged to see her being treated poorly by the only real family she had.

With no words being said, a cloth with cool water was handed to her by one of her most trusted maids, Ochako. “Milady, it is to avoid swelling.” (Y/n) gratefully took it and dabbed it over the reddening spot on her cheek.

“Now that my father is away and in his quarters, won’t you maids join me for my meal? Let’s leave some for the guards standing in the doorway as well.” This occurrence happened frequently. They knew it was no bribe from the princess, but pure genuine kindness. She was a far better ruler than her damn father.

“But ma’am...” the princess slouched in her seat to get comfortable “Oh come on, we’ve been doing this for quite some time now! I don’t wanna eat alone” she unleashed her puppy eyes and the maids couldn’t refuse any longer.

Her hand maid ushered the rest of the servants in the room to take their seats and they joyfully shared stories over the table. See, (Y/n) was really interested in the commoner life not to compare to her own, but to get to know the ways of her people. 

This is why even if the king treats her badly, the servants in the palace would never turn against her and if they had to take sides, they would all go to princess’ aide. 

“Milady, how are things with your fiancé?” the bold maid named Mina asked. “M-Mina?! You can’t just ask things like that!” The head maid Momo scolded. “No it’s okay Momo, guys you’re my friends just drop the Milady shit and call me (Y/n)”

Mina gave a victory smile to Momo and the the latter just sighed. “I haven’t met him yet in all honesty, but I think we’re going to their castle in a few days, or maybe tomorrow. I didn’t really listen to what that stupid old fart told me” 

They held their laughter at the nickname the king’s daughter had for him. “I hope even if he is one of those Barbaric bastards, he treats you fairly” Ochako had a sad smile on her face. The princess already had enough of her father’s torturing so having a bad husband would only continue her hell.

“In all honesty, I thought you would be wed to Prince Shoto. You were such a good match! I’m sure you would be happy with him” “Yes, Jiro that was the plan but it seems that fate had decided to push us apart. I’m sure I would have been happy but I’m not closing my doors to the thought of the new King as a husband. Maybe he can entertain me.”

“You can hunt together or maybe go on horse rides to lakes to watch the sunset!” (Y/n) knew this was too good to be true. Her soon to be husband was a brute, it would be weird if he was indeed that romantic. “Hah. I doubt he even has a romantic bone in his body. Anyway, I’ll be leaving first, girls. Ochako would you be a dear and please prepare my bath after you’re done eating. Do not worry, you can take your time and rest. Goodnight to all of you.”

“Sure thing princess!” “May you rest well.” “Nighty, (Y/n)”!”

-- 

“Oi hag, what kind of woman is she anyway? If it’s just some pissy girl I’d rather decapitate her family.” The older blonde smacked hiS HEAD. “Watch that stupid mouth of your brat! I’m sure she’s the perfect match for you. When has your mother been wrong?” The former queen smirked.

“She better not be weak. I don’t want my reputation to plummet because of some woman. I’m leaving with Kirishima to go hunt!” “Bring me a fat boar while you’re at it!”

--

Kirishima flew freely in the skies with Bakugou sitting snug on his back. At the same time, (Y/n) went to the woods after eating to let off some steam. Every time she thinks about her stupid father, rage fills her head. Nothing was her fault so why was she treated so badly.

The special spot (Y/n) and the friend who gave her necklace was her safe place. It was also the best spot to hunt boars, pigeons and if you’re lucky, deers.

She brought a bow and a sword with her and began to position herself to be hidden from her preys. Her sharp gaze caught a healthy fat boar in sight and the same time her arrow hit, a blade fell from the sky.

“Who’s the fuck did this to my fucking boar?!” A big gust of wind blew and standing before her was a huge red dragon, scales as red and as shiny as rubies.

“That’s my boar fuckface! Look for your own!” A blonde muscular man hopped off the dragon’s back. The Princess had put her cloak on to seal her identify, the man had a hood on too but his muscles were out for the world to see.

“You deaf, boy?! If you weren’t flying so high, you could have seen that my arrow had already pierced it before your dull blade could. Hands off my catch!” The man pulled the sword out of the boar and pointed it at the princess.

“No way, it’s mine! If you want it, fight for it!” (Y/n) wasted no time as she unsheathed her own weapon from it’s scabbard and went in for an attack. The blonde was surprised at the sudden movement of the woman but blocked her sword nonetheless. 

“You got spunk woman, but can you even handle my strength?” “Hah please, I can take you on any day, dandelion!” Their sparring took quite a while and Kirishima just sat at the back with a slight worried look on his face.

The girl took notice of the dragon’s structure and thought maybe it was hungry, but in fact Kirishima was just getting bored. When she managed to push her opponent back a little, she ran towards the boar and threw it at the dragon.

“Here boy, catch!” the smell of meat made Kirishima quickly respond and at the end of the duel, it was the red dragon who immersed victorious. 

(Y/n) laughed at the face the man made when their loot was snagged by the dragon. “Oi Kirishima! Why’d you eat it?!” The dragon just huffed in response. The girl went close to the dragon to try to pet it and because of the treat given by her, Kirishima bent his head to get the pats he loved. 

She then directed her attention to the male with a huge scowl on his face. Digging through her pouch, she handed him a loaf of bread and cheese. “Here, take it. I enjoyed our spar. I would have loved to ask for your name and to spar another time, but I think it’s impossible now.” she smiled sadly.

The blonde on the other hand only got curious “Why?” “I’m getting married soon. I can’t just hang around guys freely.” The sun was starting to set and people may have started to look for her in the palace.

“It’s time for me to go. If we see each other again, let’s exchange names, dandelion. I hope you can take me to the skies some time Kirishima! Have a safe journey home”

She didn’t wait for their response as she fled the scene quickly. 

Taglist: @the-sander-fander @cathwritestragediesnotsins @emilymikado @itsmysticalmystery

Taglist is open!

[twinkleton]

at the end of the century - douxie x reader

Whew, this was a douzy to write! I'm so sorry about the wait, maybe it's length will make up for it! This is part two to my last fic, so be sure to give the first part a read if ya haven't! I wanted to include a familiar for the reader, but it just didn't make sense for the story. I'll happily write another fic that has a reader with one if anyone would like! Also, to avoid confusion, this takes place during the "first" battle at killahead. No time travel going on yet, obviously it's changed to where Douxie is involved in the fight. Hope you guys like it!

Tags: @purplesinnerw @clarencebells

As per usual for Camelot, its streets were bustling with its citizens up bright and early for morning shopping. Traders were bartering their newfound treasures, and parents were buying food and supply for their families. For Y/N however, she was neither a trader or a member of a family. She had nothing, except her magic. Of course she felt terrible tricking people into looking the other way while she grabbed onto a loaf of bread or an extra shirt she’d need, but in order to survive it’s what she had to do. After a while, the guilt can subside. She’d rather be doing this than have to rely on anyone ever again.

Still, as she leaned back against a wall, taking a bite out an apple she’d taken earlier, she couldn’t help but feel jealous at the sight of a little girl on top of her father’s shoulders, laughing along with her mother without a care in the world. She’d argued it was because of having to look at someone so privileged, but really it was because of having to look at someone so loved.

---------

Three years later,

Tensions had reached their peak between Morgana and King Arthur, and a war was about to begin against Gunmar and his army of Gumm-Gumms. Morgana had had enough of his mistreatment of magical creatures, therefore her loyalty to him was hanging by a thread. It didn’t seem enough that Arthur seeked help from the trolls of Dyoza, as she believed he only saw them as pawns. 

Back in Merlin’s study, him, Douxie, and Archie were discussing how to prepare for the upcoming battle, more specifically, what to do about Y/N. 

“No, we are not leaving her here!” Douxie shouts at Merlin. Archie gives him a concerned look.

“Douxie…” he says, trying to calm his friend.

“No, Y/N has never given us any reason to doubt her. How could you suggest such an idea as to lock her up until the battle is over? What has she ever done to deserve that?!”

“Hisirdoux, this is not about what she has done, but she potentially could do. We know how close she is to Morgana, and Morgana will say or do anything to persuade her to be on her side. With Y/N she has an advantage, an extra card in her deck. Keeping her here is only a precaution. It’s a way to keep Y/N safe and to keep Morgana from being stronger,” Merlin explains. 

Douxie isn’t convinced by that. He knows Y/N. He knows that she would not want to be stuck here while the rest of them go off and risk their lives for Camelot. And if Morgana sees her on their side, maybe Y/N could be the one to convince her to stop. 

“Clearly you’ve forgotten that she was the one that stopped me from bringing dark shadows into Camelot. Ever since she’s been here she’s done nothing except be the kindest and most understanding out of all of us. There’s nothing Morgana could say or do that would convince her to go against that.”

“I’m with Douxie,” Archie agrees. “Surely Merlin, you can have a little more faith in the girl. And with her training from Morgana, she could be our biggest asset against her and Gunmar.”

Douxie gives him a scratch behind the ear, silently thanking him. Archie beams at him. 

Merlin gives a sigh in defeat, not willing to argue anymore about the subject. “Alright, we won’t keep her here. However, should she side with Morgana, I fear her safety will be gravely-”

“What are the three of you up to?” As if summoned by them talking about her, Y/N walks in. 

All three of them stop in their tracks, faces blanched.

Douxie decides to sacrifice himself in explaining. “N-nothing Y/N! We were just uh..trying to calm down Archie! You know him, always been a scaredy-cat,” he nervously chuckles, picking up Archie and frantically petting him. Archie’s face screams unenthused.

“Ah yes, frightened I am.”

Y/N giggles at the absurdity going on. She walks over to Douxie, saving Archie from him. He relaxes in her arms, belly exposed for Y/N to give light scritches. 

“Aw, it’s alright, Arch. I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you, okay?” she playfully reassures. Despite obviously not needing the comfort, Archie purrs at that. Much like everyone she’s come across since being here, Archie full-heartedly loved her.

Merlin takes the opportunity to leave the room. “I must go. There’s still much to be done before the battle.” He stops at the door, turning to look at Y/N. “We all trust you, Y/N. Please, don’t let that be a mistake.”

She understands what he meant by that, and stays silent. Merlin takes his leave.

Douxie glares at where Merlin was standing moments ago. “Don’t listen to him. We know you’d make the right call with Morgana.”

Y/N lets Archie out of her arms, the familiar jumping onto the table. “I don’t know what to do. Morgana is adamant that Arthur will never see through his hatred with magickind.”

“Don’t you see Y/N? This is the only way to stop my brother and his tyranny.” Morgana had been hiding away, deep in the forest. The only person she trusted with her location was Y/N, on the condition that she swore not to reveal it to anyone else, or else their lives would be the first one targeted in the upcoming war. Y/N agreed to the terms. 

“And you honestly believe Camelot or the world even would be safer with someone like Gunmar? Once he defeats Arthur, there would be nothing to stop him from conquering everyone, including you. The world would be in shambles,” Y/N insists. It pained her heart arguing against Morgana, the first person in the longest time she’d felt safe with. It wasn’t easy for Morgana either. 

“What have I been trying to tell you from the moment you set foot in that castle? Arthur fears us, he fears Gunmar, me, and you. Magic is nothing to be afraid of. You’ve seen the wondrous things magic can do.”

“And I’ve also witnessed the horrible things it’s capable of. I know magic can be good, but people like Gunmar have to be stopped. Please Morgana, you can still do the right thing,” Y/N pleads.

Morgana turns her back on her apprentice, beginning to walk away. “The same could be said for you, my dear.” 

Despite her best efforts, Y/N can’t stop a tear from falling out of her eye. Douxie immediately walks over to comfort her, wrapping his arms around her. 

“I’m afraid, Doux,” she admits, grabbing onto the front of his tunic. “I spent years not trusting anyone, fending for myself, and the whole time I was so lonely.” Soft whimpers could be heard coming from her.

Douxie begins softly petting the back of her head, patiently waiting for her to continue. 

“Morgana was the one who saved me from that life, who gave me hope. She felt like the mother I never had.”

She slightly pulls away from Douxie, wanting to look at him. Looking into her grief-stricken eyes made Douxie almost want to agree to Merlin’s plan of keeping her here, just so she wouldn’t have to face Morgana. He knows she wouldn’t want to do that however.

“What if she’s gone after this? Will I be left all alone again?” Deep down she knows she wouldn’t be alone, but her paranoia was telling her other things.

“Never,” Douxie assures. He pushes her hair away from her face, pressing his hands against her cheeks. “I promise, darling. You will never feel alone ever again,” he swears. Y/N’s fears melt away with his words, her eyes refusing to leave his. They didn’t notice how close they had gotten until Archie interrupted. He hops onto Douxie’s shoulders, causing him to let go of Y/N in order to regain his balance. He lets out a huff of annoyance, with Archie giving him a cheeky smile. 

“Don’t worry dear Y/N. No matter what happens, Doux and I will always be here for you.” She smiles at that, giving Archie a loving pat on his head. 

“Thank you, Archie,” she says, looking back at Douxie to grin at him, implying that their moment wasn’t finished. Douxie gets the hint.

--------

Deya slams her amulet into the bridge, opening up the portal to seal away Gunmar and his army. Y/N had stayed with the trolls of Dyoza to help them against the Gumm-Gumms, leaving Merlin, Douxie, and Archie to defeat Morgana. 

The fight had gone too long for Merlin who was injured, weakening his magic. Archie had been knocked out earlier by a strong blow from Morgana. Douxie was holding his own despite Morgana being far stronger than him, however it didn’t last long. 

Pushing her hands away from her, a huge burst of dark wind cascaded the arena they were in, leaving Douxie and Merlin blind. Morgana seized the opportunity to trap them, tying them up in rope created by her magic. They struggled against them, but there was no use. Morgana started cackling with glee, believing she bested them.

“You fools! You should’ve known better than to go against me. You wasted your lives trying to protect my cowardly brother, and now all your squabbling will be for nothing!” Morgana rises into the air and raises her hand, a strong light pulsing from it, no doubt from her charging her final blow against them. 

Douxie frantically looks around for any sign of help or weapon to use. Finding nothing, his last resort is to use words.

“Morgana! Think about Y/N! You know she doesn’t want this!” he shouts, desperation clear in his words.

“Don’t act as if you care about what she wants! You only see her as your puppet, another pawn for you to use! She and all magickind will finally be free once all of you are gone!” A final pulse comes from her hand, the light so bright it hurts to even glance at. All hope deferred, Douxie’s final wish was for the truth to be heard. 

“You’re wrong! Y/N was the reason I changed for the better! I used to be whiny and immature-”

“Hisirdoux! Now’s not the time for a heart to heart!” Merlin interrupts.

Douxie ignores him, “I used to be bitter about the hand I was given, but Y/N gave me a reason to be grateful for what I had! She’s the brightest out of all of us, and I’m so, so lucky to have met her, befriended her, and fallen in love with her!” A wave of peace fills Douxie, accepting his fate. 

His words have left Morgana speechless. Doubt floods her mind, for the first time since this battle began. However, she snaps back into her fury. 

“Very well, you can die with a peace of mind. I’ll tell Y/N all about your feelings for her while she grieves over your dead body,” she maliciously answers. She throws her hand down, an enormous beam of light launches from her hand.

Douxie closes his eyes, waiting for the feeling of burning skin to come, but it never does.

“There won’t be any need for that, Morgana!”

He recognizes that voice, and his eyes shoot open. The ground beneath them shakes, as Y/N throws up a shield so large, it sends Morgana’s magic flying all across the other side of the room, most of it hitting Morgana herself. She lets out a cry, falling to the floor. 

Y/N sprints over to Merlin and Douxie, freeing them from the ropes.

Douxie gleefully says, “Y/N! You made it! You’re okay- how much of that did you hear?”

Y/N giggles, “Just that last bit. You know, the important bit.”

Douxie lets out an embarrassed chuckle. Archie, having finally woken up, flies over to the couple. “I’d hate to interrupt this lovely reunion, but we do have a ninth-level sorceress to take care of.”

They all turn towards Morgana. “Right, let’s finish this,” Douxie commands.

Douxie and Archie team up, using magic and fire to seal Morgana in a ring of flames. Morgana growls in anger. Y/N puts up shields all around her friends, blocking any of Morgana’s attacks from hitting them. When Morgana shoots her magic at Y/N, Merlin defends her, the bolt ricocheting off his staff and back towards Morgana. Douxie jumps towards Morgana, armed with a sigil designed to freeze her. He successfully reaches her, and the both of them are frozen in the air, except she has no control.

“Hurry! I can’t hold her that long!” Douxie warns. 

“You’ve lost yourself Morgana! Bound to dark magic,” Merlin yells, slamming his staff to the ground, a large sigil of his own covering the floor. 

“I have no choice but to seal you away!” He begins the spell, balls of light rising from the floor. Morgana is able to swing her staff at Douxie, throwing him across the room. However, before she can move, Y/N replaces Douxie, freezing Morgana once more with an even stronger hold. 

“Do it! Finish the spell!” Y/N shouts. 

Morgana screams in frustration. “How dare you, Y/N! I am the reason your life has meaning, I’m the reason for everything you hold dear! You’d be nothing if it weren’t for me!”

“I never was nothing! The only thing I used to be was alone! You’ve given me a family, and for that I’m grateful, but now I have to protect that family! And the only way to do that is to get rid of you!” Y/N turns toward Merlin, “Any day now!”

Merlin chants the final line of the spell, and a beam of light expels from his staff, hitting Morgana at her feet, encasing them in stone. The light slowly works its way up her body.

“I will destroy you all! No matter what it takes, no matter where you go, I will not rest until I’ve ended you and all that you love!” Morgana vows, hitting Y/N with a bolt, knocking her down. Douxie sprints and catches her before she hits the floor. 

Most of Morgana’s body has been encased, leaving only her torso and head free. “I swear on your lives I shall rise again!” 

“And we’ll still be here to stop you once more, buttsnack!” Douxie promises, firmly holding onto Y/N. Once all of her has been frozen, Merlin crosses his arms, finishing the enchantment. Y/N opens up a portal to the Shadow Realm, and Merlin hurls Morgana into it. The last thing heard from Morgana is fearful screaming as Y/N closes the portal.

With the battle finally over, everyone gives a huge sigh of relief, falling to the floor. Archie marches over to Douxie and Y/N, jumping on top of them and licking their faces.

“Arch! That’s disgusting,” Douxie complains with a smile, clearly not meaning it. Y/N hugs Archie, giving him a kiss on the forehead. Douxie beams at the both of them, feeling so content in the moment. 

He puts a hand on her shoulder, “Are you alright, love?” Archie hops off of Y/N, deciding to give them a moment alone.

“I’m okay, more than okay really. She was too far gone, there was nothing more we could do,” Y/N answers. “Now, about your little declaration of love there.”

Douxie nervously giggles, “Yeaahhh, about that. Look desperate times call for desperate measures! Had I known you were just going to waltz in anyway, I would’ve waited for a more romantic evening to confess my undying love for you.”

“Uh-huh.”

“There would’ve been flowers, music, little sweet buns iced with our initials toget-”

Y/N cuts off his rambling by grabbing his tunic with one hand, resting the other on his cheek, and pulling his lips towards hers. Their first kiss is a soft one, with Douxie wrapping his arms around her, pulling her even closer. They let each other go, feeling the sudden urge to laugh at one another for their impeccable timing.

“I love you too, Douxie. More than anything,” Y/N confesses.

Douxie grabs her face and pulls her into another kiss, convinced this is the happiest moment of his life.

Eventually, they remember they’re not alone. They look around to see Merlin passed out on the floor. 

“Merlin!” they both shout, running over to him. Archie apparently had been trying to wake them up, waiting for their moment to be over in order to tell them.

“Why didn’t you tell us he’d passed out?!” Douxie scolds.

Archie waves his paws in defense. “Pardon me, you know I’m all for happy endings. I just didn’t want to be the one to tell you it’s not over yet.” Douxie lets out a groan, slamming his hand to his forehead.

“When do you think he’ll wake up?” Y/N asks.

“Hopefully, soon,” Douxie answers, doubtfully.

--------

Nine centuries later, 

“FUZZBUCKETS!” Douxie screams in the air, being dragged along by a mephit he, Y/N, and Archie were trying to catch. 

“Don’t let go of it!” Y/N shouts, trying to sprint ahead of the creature.

“Ah yes dear, that was the plan all along! To free this poor tortured beast!” he yells sarcastically, before slamming into the ground for the fifth time that night.

“You know it was your sense of humor I fell in love with first!” she quips. She opens up a portal on the floor and jumps into it, opening up another one right in front of the mephit. She draws up a sigil that the mephit bounces off of, knocking him down.

“Ah well, luckily for you I’m quite the jester!” Douxie jokes. 

Archie swoops in and blows fire at the mephit, fatally wounding it. Douxie is then able to cast the creature away. They all let out shouts of victory, Y/N giving each of them a high five. 

“You know, one of these days you two will be the death of me. Maybe don’t start flirting with each other until you’re absolutely certain you’ve caught the shadow mephit,” Archie chides.

Y/N scratches behind Archie’s ear as a way of apology. “I’m so sorry dear husband over there insists on putting his hands on me at every available opportunity. He’s quite the scoundrel,” Y/N teases. 

Douxie scoffs at that remark, pretending to be offended. “Pardon me, dear wife. But if I recall correctly it was you who-” He doesn’t finish his sentence as he’s distracted by the lights suddenly flickering and then bursting. 

“Hisirdoux,” a voice calls out. 

“Is that…?” Y/N questions, looking around.

“I think it is…. Merlin!” Douxie grins in excitement, happy to know his master is finally awake. 

A green sigil lights up from underneath Douxie, making him jump back. Merlin rises up from it, except it’s only a projection of him. 

“Hisirdoux, my faithful apprentice-”

“You darn right I’ve been faithful. Who leaves a guy hanging for almost a millennium? You could’ve sent a raven, or a text! There’s texting you know!” Douxie whines. 

“It’s so good to see you, Merlin,” Y/N says with a smile, giving him a bow. 

Merlin smiles back, “Lovely to see you too, dear Y/N. I see Hisirdoux hasn’t tormented you enough to run to the hills yet.”

Y/N laughs, standing back up, “Actually, he’s done quite the opposite.” She raises her left hand, showing off the ring on her finger. Douxie wraps an arm around her shoulders, eyes staring lovingly at her. Merlin beams at the both of them, glad that they’ve had each other all the years. 

“Congratulations, you two,” Merlin proudly says. 

“Thanks, Master,” Douxie responds gratefully. The last nine hundred have been wonderful with her and Archie at his side.

Merlin clears his throat, “I’ve come here to task you all with a mission. You must bring the Guardians of Arcadia, with haste.” The projection of him fades away, leaving the three of them alone. 

“Errand boys once again, aren’t we?” Archie complains. Douxie lets out a sigh. 

“Don’t think of it as an errand, think of it as another adventure,” Y/N suggests, wrapping her left arm around Douxie and letting Archie climb on top of her shoulders. “It’ll be fun! You’ll see.”

Douxie chuckles, and brings his left hand to her head, pulling it closer to him to press a light kiss against her forehead. “With you, my love, anything’s an adventure.”

--------

Bonus, 

“Wait, so the two of you are wizards?! Not just baristas at the cafe?!” Toby questions. 

“Yup!” Y/N replies. 

“And you’ve been living for nine hundred years?!” 

“Yup!” 

Steve gives Y/N a quick up/down glance, “Well, you certainly don’t look it.”

Douxie glares at him, “Careful, she’s married.”

Steve raises his hands in defense, “I’m just saying! Wait, to you?”

“Yes!” Douxie barks at him. 

“Today’s actually our eight hundred and ninety-sixth anniversary,” Y/N informs them with a smile. 

“And you’re spending it here? Wow Doux, you suck at romance.” Toby criticizes.

Douxie scoffs, “Alright, you go celebrate eight hundred and ninety-five anniversaries and report back to me!”

Y/N lets out a giggle, “Maybe that’s enough questions for now.”

[fifteenleads]

A YOI x Chrono Trigger AU fic from Ye Olde 2018-ish Era. Go figure.

I can’t even remember what the hell I titled this before. Welp.

.

Chapter One: “That’s a Nice Band-Aid, Darling.”

.

They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and that a hero's adventure begins with a cliché-ass wake-up call - something like, "Good morning, Crono!," perhaps. How that even made it on to TV Tropes, Yuuri would never understand. But it is on TV Tropes, and he is in bed reading it.

He's glad his mother doesn't wake him up that way, at least. But then again, he's always up before five a.m. anyway. Sadly, the daily deliveries won't take care of themselves.

Yuuri glances at the time on his tablet. 4:59. Someone will come knocking in three, two, one --

"Yuuri! Get up!" Mari's voice is accompanied by three sharp raps on the door. "Go with dad to the plaza and help him set up!"

This is the part where the hero typically groans at being woken up before grudgingly getting themselves out of bed, but Yuuri Katsuki does not groan. He shouts back that he'll be down in a minute while looking for that darned sock that has gone missing now, of all times. Phichit would surely laugh hard at seeing his best friend hopping frantically on one foot while wearing a poodle-patterned sock. It'll probably go viral on Instagram, too, but that's pretty much a given already. Someone has to part the boy from his gadgets long-term after the Millenial Fair is over.

The minute is up, so Yuuri gives up and gets another sock from the drawer. It is patterned with the face of a silver-haired man surrounded by snowflakes. He has no idea how that found its way into his pile of clothing, but for now, mismatched socks are better than being late.

Yuuri makes his way downstairs and greets his mother, who is busy in the kitchen. Hiroko sends him off with an allowance of fifty kin and packed lunch for him and his father. He ignores Mari's snickering as she musses his hair while glancing at his feet.

The ride to the plaza is pretty short. It is already bustling with people even at such an early hour, all the sellers trying to outdo each other in showing off their wares. Yuuri chuckles as his father joins in the fray, calling out to everyone about the best katsudon in town. Everyone is excited for Hasetsu Kingdom's first Millenial Fair, and with it, the hopes for a thousand years more of peace and prosperity to come.

Toshiya leads the way to their assigned spot, a quaint little corner by the northern area of the square. The tent had already been set up the day before, so all that's left to do is to arrange the food and drinks before the first customers come in. Yuuri passively observes the hustle and bustle around them. Much energy is palpable in the air, and the excited hubbub only grows louder as the sun rises. Some stalls have weapons and armor, others exotic trinkets and accessories. He even spots a merchant selling animals. Phichit would probably want to pick up a new hamster on the way home later.

His eyes wander to the secluded area beyond the main square. Yuuri hoped Phichit's solo exhibit would be a success this time, too. His friend loved tinkering with machines since he was little, and it brought him and his family great fortune as he won scientific contests left and right. His magnum opus, a two-machine teleporter, had impressed the university professors and the panel of judges alike, earning him the highest thesis grade and the first prize for the National Physics Summit.

Yuuri's hand stills when his father calls his name. He had been adding portions of garnish to the newly-cut fried pork cutlets. He instinctively opens his mouth to apologize, but Toshiya immediately pats his back and pushes a one hundred-kin note into his hand. "I'll take care of the stall. You go have fun." He winks at his son mischievously, and Yuuri pushes down the growing blush creeping onto his cheeks.

"Th-Thanks, dad," he mumbles, bowing slightly before making his way to the northernmost part of the square. Phichit would probably be busy right now, but he would never refuse breakfast and morning coffee. It had been their time-honored tradition as college roommates, after all.

Yuuri stops by a mobile café and orders two tall hazelnut lattés and a baguette loaf. He is turning to leave with breakfast in hand when he bumps into the next person in line, spilling hot coffee over his white shirt. The other person, too, recoils in pain, reflexively putting a slender finger into his mouth to nurse it.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so, so sorry!" Yuuri exclaims, setting aside the food and drink and beginning to fuss over the man. He searches his bag for the small bottle of salve he always brings with him, and proceeds to apply a small amount over the man's injured finger, covering it with a band-aid afterwards.

The other man chuckles as he lets Yuuri take care of him. "It's quite all right," he assures airily, waving the bandaged hand with a smile. "I was also too close to you in line, as well." His blue eyes crinkle beautifully as he smiles, and Yuuri fights yet another blush from coloring his face. "I love this band-aid, though!" the man comments. "Where did you get it?"

"F-From the kids' section of the pharmacy," Yuuri admits, embarrassed. He just had to use that one by mistake instead of the flesh-tones ones, did he? Why now, of all times? "The poodle-patterned ones were part of a limited edition series."

"Nice!" the man exclaims in delight, scrutinizing the design closely. "Thank you so much for giving me this one. I love it!" He winks at Yuuri and places a light kiss over his own bandaged finger.

Yuuri wishes the ground would swallow him whole right this instant.

"U-Um, I think I'll get going now," he excuses himself, retrieving the coffee and bread from the counter. "My friend is waiting uphill. I'm so sorry again." Yuuri quickly nods his head and goes on his way, but the other man takes a long stride and ends up beside him, taking the baguette loaf out of his arms.

"It's okay, I'll help you," he offers happily as they ascend the stone steps. "I'm alone today, anyway." The man cradles the food with his left arm and extends his right hand out to Yuuri. "I'm Binktop, by the way. What's your name?"

For an instant, Yuuri is tempted to laugh out loud. The funny name hardly matches the man's regal appearance at all. He must be a foreigner, like the many others who have come to Hasetsu Kingom to join in the festivities. As a citizen of Hasetsu, therefore, he is to show this man the utmost respect and hospitality he deserves, funny names or not.

He shakes Binktop's hand, the cool skin sending small shivers down his spine. "I'm Yuuri. It's nice to meet you, Binktop."

"A pleasure." Binktop returns the handshake with a smile, and they continue going up the stairs. "So, Yuuri, are you also alone here today?"

"Our family actually has a food stall down at the main square, but my dad told me to enjoy myself today," Yuuri explains. "I'm on my way to see my friend, actually. He's an inventor."

Binktop's eyes widen and sparkle in delight, and he accidentally climbs two steps at once. "Wow! He must be really smart!"

"He is," Yuuri nods fondly in agreement. "Phichit has a solo exhibit today. This project won him first place at the National Physics Summit last month."

"That's amazing!" Binktop gushes in admiration, his silver bangs parting to reveal twinkling blue eyes. "I can't wait to meet him!" Yuuri smiles back proudly in response.

They reach the top of the stairs in a minute. The miniature square is cluttered with various machine parts and wires of different lengths and calibers. The two main pods have already been set in their positions, though not yet fully-assembled as Yuuri remembers them. It's definitely like Phichit to cram at the last minute.

The soft whirring noise dies down as the two approach the left pod, and a brown-skinned young man in a bandanna and overalls comes out to greet them. "Yuuri! You're here!"

Yuuri shrugs good-naturedly and hands Phichit the cup of coffee. "I'd love to hug you, but you're covered in oil and soot right now." He smiles widely at his best friend. "Good luck with your exhibit today!"

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much! You don't know how much I need it!" Phichit downs the coffee in an instant, breathing rapidly through his mouth afterwards to cool his tongue. "I heard the prince is coming with the royal delegation to watch my demonstration! I am so nervous!"

This time, Yuuri pats Phichit's shoulder encouragingly, not minding his hand blackening with soot afterwards. "You'll do well, Phichit! You've done this before; you can do it again."

"Good luck, Phichit!" Binktop adds, sending a friendly wink and a thumbs-up of his own. Phichit is surprised at the additional voice, and notices the other man for the first time. His nervous expression immediately changes to one of teasing, instantly directed at his friend. "Yuuri!" he whispers loudly. "Who's the hot guy?!"

"H-He's not - I mean -" Yuuri splutters, coughing into his hand to stop himself. He doesn't even bother hiding his obviously-reddened cheeks anymore; nothing ever escapes Phichit's notice, anyway. Tonight's phone call is going to be a long one.

When Yuuri has composed himself, he turns to Binktop. "Phichit, this is Binktop. I ran into him in the square today. Binktop, this is my friend, Phichit."

"Hi there!" Phichit merrily extends a hand to Binktop. "Phichit Chulanont, at your service!"

"Binktop," he introduces himself, shaking Phichit's hand. "Yuuri here has told me a lot about you."

"Hahaha, good things, I hope!" Phichit laughs, before shooting Yuuri an expectant glare. Yuuri grins back before taking another sip of coffee.

Phichit shows them around the workplace, pointing out the different parts of the invention and which part goes where. His black eyes shine brightly as he rambles in tech jargon while explaining the principle behind the teleporter. Binktop nods excitedly while asking questions, while Yuuri merely watches them interact. Despite his "nerdy glasses," as Phichit had christened them, he is not really into scientific stuff, having taken up a sports major in university.

"Sure thing! I was about to give this thing a test run, anyway." Phichit beckons Yuuri to come over. "Yuuri! Could you kindly step on the left pod? Binktop wants a demonstration."

Yuuri opens his mouth to protest, but knows better than to interrupt his friend when he is in scientist-mode. He may have also wanted to impress Binktop with his bravery, but he doesn't know it yet. Huffing, he finishes the rest of his coffee in one gulp and does as he is told.

Phichit flips the switch, and Yuuri almost loses his footing as he feels himself being sucked away into a vacuum space. Black, wavy lines fill his vision for a moment before everything around him returns to normal. He steps off the right pod and flashes the peace sign at Phichit and Binktop from across the square.

Binktop immediately makes a beeline for Yuuri and embraces him tightly, while Phichit pumps his fist in joy. "Wow, amazing!" he exclaims as he cups Yuuri's face. "You actually teleported!"

"That's how it's supposed to work," Yuuri answers matter-of-factly, but even he has an undeniably huge smile on his face. Phichit's exhibit is surely going to be a massive hit amongst the fair-goers.

"Can I give it a try, too?" Binktop asks Phichit excitedly, still not letting go of Yuuri. "It looks like so much fun!"

"Of course, Binktop!" Phichit laughs, gesturing at the left pod. "Anything for Yuuri's friend!"

Binktop lets out a whoop and disentangles himself from Yuuri. He lightly steps onto the left pod and runs a hand throuh his silver hair. "Watch me, Yuuri!" He sends a playful wink in Yuuri's direction before nodding at Phichit.

"All right, let's do this!" Phichit flips the switch again. Nothing happens at first, so he turns the machine off and on while observing the monitors. Worry begins to creep into his expression as he starts fiddling with the controls, but still, nothing happens.

A gasp from the left pod directs their attention to Binktop, whose pendant is glowing brightly from inside his shirt. It seems to be resonating with the core machine of the teleporter, from which ominous sparks begin to fly out. Phichit shouts at Binktop to get off the pod immediately, but Binktop hears it too late.

A large wormhole, unlike the one Yuuri had seen briefly while he teleported, opens up in the space behind Binktop and appears to be sucking him in. Trying his best to hold his ground, Binktop cries out for help as he extends his hand. In a panic, Yuuri runs up to the left pod and tries to grab him, but his whole body disappears in a flash of light, and the wormhole closes in an instant. Yuuri is left alone on the pod, Binktop's golden pendant in his hand.

Phichit is the first to regain his voice after a few minutes. "What the hell... This wasn't supposed to happen..." Yuuri turns to his friend, who is kneeling by the controllers in shock. Long tracks of tears have washed away the layers of soot on his face.

He runs down to embrace Phichit, who is now trembling in his friend's arms. "Yuuri, I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean for this to happen!"

Yuuri runs his hands over his friend's back, ignoring his own swimming vision and the violent hammering of his own heart in his chest. Now is not the time to deal with an impending anxiety attack - not when Phichit needs his help.

"Phichit. Look at me," he instructs calmly. "Breathe with me."

Together, they go through the motions, inhaling and exhaling deeply in unison. Most of the time, it was Phichit who did this for Yuuri when they were still in college together. It always helped calm Yuuri down after an attack, and Yuuri is more than glad to return the favor now. They cannot afford to be too calm, however - they still have to find out where the hell Binktop went.

Some day this is turning out to be. Yuuri swears never to get up before five a.m. ever again.

Phichit looks up at him and nods determinedly. Yuuri lets go of his friend as he begins to go over his notes. "Either the telepod malfunctioned, or something else did it," he thinks aloud to the clearing at large. "I'm suspecting your friend's pendant had an unusual reaction with the core interface, causing a ripple in the space-time fabric or something."

Yuuri gapes at Phichit incredulously. "You mean, like, time travel?!"

"I don't know yet." Phichit bites his lower lip in deep thought. "That wormhole could have led anywhere. It's too dangerous to try anything at this point."

"We have to bring Binktop back, Phichit! There's no time!"

"I know that!" Phichit snaps, rubbing a blackened hand on his temple at the sudden outburst. "It's not as easy as it seems. We have to find out how to open that wormhole, for starters. There must be something about that pendant."

Yuuri lifts the pendant in his hand against the daylight. It is a small, round, golden medallion with intricate rose patterns bordering its circumference, hanging from a simple chain. The pendant also seems to be pretty old but well-maintained. He briefly wonders where Binktop must have gotten such a valuable trinket and how much it must have cost, but pushes these thoughts out of his mind.

A tiny spark jumps out of the medallion, causing Yuuri to drop the pendant onto the left pod in surprise. Immediately, it causes another reaction, violent gusts of wind forming around them as the wormhole opens once more.

"Well," Phichit laughs brokenly, "that was easy enough!" With a hand shielding his face, he struggles to walk against the wind's direction and tries to pick up the pendant off the ground.

Yuuri has other ideas, however. He uses his stronger body to his advantage and overtakes Phichit in a second, picking up the pendant and wearing it around his neck.

"Yuuri! What are you doing?!" Phichit shouts in alarm. "Get off the pod now!"

To be honest, he has no idea what he is doing, either. His body is already protesting his sudden decision, his heart rate going up, his breathing more rapid, and his hands slippery with sweat. But above all, Yuuri feels that it's the right decision. It's more reckless than heroic, by all means, but nevertheless the right one, just the same.

"I'll bring Binktop back!" he shouts at his friend. "I'll get us back home, I promise!"

Again with the stupid promises, but Phichit seems to finally support his decision. He nods determinedly and hands Yuuri a long, steel wrench. "It's my favorite one! Bring it back safely, okay?"

"Thanks, Phichit! I will." Yuuri waves the wrench nervously as he steps into the closing wormhole.

"Be careful, Yuuri!" Phichit shouts after him. "I'll try to follow you as soon as I figure things out!"

A chuckle escapes Yuuri's lips. It's just like his friend to jump at the call. If anyone is more suited to be the hero of this story, it would definitely be Phichit, and Yuuri, as the dutiful friend, would support him all the way. Funny how things have turned out the other way around this time.

For now, he, Yuuri Katsuki, will be the hero of this story, and he swears on his life to bring Binktop back.

Yuuri raises a thumbs-up to the fading image of his friend, not caring if he doesn't see it. He lets the distortion fill his senses completely until the black nothingness consumes him and claims his consciousness.

[nadjaofstatenisland]

will you tell me some hunger games au thoughts pretty please!!!

Alice -  Katniss

Hal - Peeta

FP - Haymitch

Gladys - Gale

Penelope - Effie

Clifford - Snow

Fred - Cinna

Hiram - Finnick

Hermione - Johanna

Tom - Boggs

Sierra - Coin

Mary - Prim?

(we could also explore the parents as other tributes from the 74th games  with Penelope - Foxface, Hermione - Glimmer, Hiram - Marvel, Clifford - Cato, Gladys - Clove, Daryl as the district 3 kid who rigs the platforms to be landmines, FP as Thresh?? and honestly no one is good and pure enough to be Rue... maybe Fred is Rue i dunno)

I won’t lie Mary as Prim isn’t quite right (i think mary is more fun as coin but sierra does fit that bill better) but lets just go with it. Mary’s name is called and Alice volunteers to go in her place. Gladys pulls a screaming Mary away as Alice goes up on stage. Hal is called. They’re off.

FP as their drunk mentor with a laundry list of issues and Penelope as their frantic extra ass escort who can’t take FP very cute. I always enjoyed Effie and Haymitch sassing each other yet coming through for their children tributes and working together when they need to and it that isn’t a FP and Penelope dynamic I don’t know what is.

So much of Katniss and Peeta scream halice. Hal trying to be nice to her and not trusting him and planning his death. Alice also absolutely hating FP and convinced he’s not going to do shit to keep her alive and he’s just going to help Hal. Hal and FP keeping their entire plan away from Alice because they knew she’d fuck it up if she knew about it for real. (which on a side note is how i like to pretend the fbi plot in s3 actually went.) Alice and Hal screaming compliments at each other to FP to make the other look stronger and getting furious at each other. The time Hal told the country he’s in love with Alice and she responded by cutting his hand open with a vase. Hal already knowing he doesn’t have a chance to win (and his confession that his own mother thinks alice has a way better shot than him) and he just hopes being in there doesn’t change him and Alice all FUCK YOU WE CAN’T ALL AFFORD TO HAVE MORALS.

Clifford as Snow because really... the whole rose thing. That’s all I got but it works. Oh, and the white hair. Fred as Cinna, aka the only person Alice can really trust and in turn secretly sets her up to be this symbol of rebellion. Fred always propping his friends up...

Hal working with the careers to save Alice?? To misdirect them from her plans and not let on to what her skill is! Thinking of Hal teaming up with the career pack of Hiram, Hermione, Clifford, and Gladys is very funny to me. And Alice taking out both Hiram and Hermione whew. Nice. Alice going crazy looking for Hal when she realizes they can both live. And HOW DID I FORGOT. That drawing in Hal’s prison cell opened me up to the idea of artist Hal and that’s like Peeta’s whole thing after baking wow.

Very powerful Penelope making it to the end. And her technically dying because of Hal.. sad. He didn’t want that kill. And the finally three being halice and Clifford damn. Alice would absolutely pull some sneaking shit to win and this always ties back to Haymitch and Katniss parallels and Alice and FP ones. Kids from the seam = kids from the southside.

Alice going back and ruining everything with Hal when she realizes he was 100% genuine in everything he did in there. And her feeling like her friendship with Gladys is ruined because Gladys is jealous of Hal ooof. Yet Gladys still helps them train when they find out they’re going back in and her whole speech about how it would be so much easier to hate Hal if he wasn’t so nice... how true is that.

Alice and Hal both half taking care of FP so he doesn’t drink himself to death. Alice throwing a bucket of water on him and IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO WAKE YOU UP GENTLY CALL HAL and Hal is there with a loaf of bread to wake him up and practically stabs a piece for Alice. 

Hiram as Finnick... look it works okay he’s just as vain. And Hermione as Johanna this cold, jaded woman who refuses to love anyone works really well. Also Hiram constantly flirting with her and Hermione constantly taking her clothes off in front of her because they both get off on making Alice uncomfortable?? I love it. There was no reason for Hermione to strip and oil her breasts to practice wrestling during training but damn if she didn’t do it in front of Alice.

And then the actual games and Alice’s immediate mistrust of them but knowing FP set up some stupid plan with them for her own good. Alice having to watch helplessly as Fred is beaten and killed in front of her... Hiram and Hermione keeping Alice and Hal alive in the games and eventually separating them and therefore them getting taken separately.

Hal and Hermione being tortured in a joining cells while Alice and Hiram suffer from ptsd back in “safety.” Alice being stuff under the watchful eye of Tom while she does Sierra’s bidding and becomes this symbol she didn’t want to be,

OH WHEN ALICE THINKS THEY’RE ALL BEING TAKEN TO THE CAPITOL TO BE MURDERED SHE’S LIKE SWEET SWEET HAL... I NEED TO KILL YOU BEFORE THEY DO and she goes to murder him with an empty syringe... only to find FP and discover his plan and try to kill HIM with it. Also when she finds out what they’re doing in the capitol to Hal and FP is the only one who she’ll accept comfort from because she knows FP is the only one who remotely cares for Hal the way she does. I - 

And their whole reunion when she goes running to him before she realizes he’s been brainwashed and he winds up choking her ouch. Him having all those memories of her distorted. Not knowing what was real or not. His sad “I must have really loved you huh” and she can only nod and even then she can’t say it back because she just doesn’t know. And her fear that the way Hal sees her now is the way the whole world actually sees her that she actually is awful. And Gladys comforting words that of course she’s not that way. Oh and lol at Hal asking her “so Gladys and I were both okay with you kissing the other one? that was all just... cool between us?? umm.”

Gladys discovering she actually has a knack for fighting and makes a pretty good weapons expert/soldier. Mary’s eventual death and Alice realizing that even though they won the war, she lost her own battle and the thing that meant the most to her and she takes a shot and kills Sierra when she knows she was supposed to kill Clifford. (its okay he dies too.) Alice going into herself and giving up on life because if her sister is gone she really doesn’t feel she has anything left to live for. And it’s not for years that Hal comes back and the two of them finally realize the war really is over and while life may not be perfect it doesn’t mean they can’t try to live their lives. Even if it takes them 15 years to marry and have children... okay this was all a mess of a rant but you get the idea...

[onderzoeken-vos]

B A S I C I N F O ; ; ;

NAME: Lillianna Esper AGE: 27 (pre-ts) DOB: December 27th SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Pansexual ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Panromantic HEIGHT: 5'6" (168cm) WEIGHT: 128lbs (58kg) DEVIL FRUIT: Inu Inu no Mi model: Gingitsune (Silver Fox) OCCUPATION: Information Broker // Sniper HOME ISLAND: Glacis (North Blue) HAIR COLOR: Dark orange, almost red HAIR LENGTH: Shoulderblades/midback HAIR TEXTURE: Combination of straight and wavy EYE COLOR: Amber/gold (slitted like a fox) SKIN COLOR: Pale DISTINCTING FEATURES:  — scar above left eye, usually covered by her hair  — small key tattoo on left wrist OUTFIT:  — plain white tshirt  — black skinny jeans with three decorative zippers  — knee high combat boots with extra zipped pouches attached  — black knee length cloak with lacing details on the sleeves  — katana holster attached to belt WEAPONS:  — black compound bow with sniper scope  — katana EXTRAS:  — has a large black briefcase that she uses to carry her bow and important documents for    her job

Personality and backstory under the cut

P E R S O N A L I T Y ; ; ;

▶️ STUBBORN

It takes a lot to sway Lillianna’s mind. Once she sets herself on something, she’ll see it through to the end, no questions asked. This can be both a blessing and a curse at times.

▶️ NO SENSE OF DANGER

Lillianna has quite the mouth on her, and it’s gotten her in trouble on more than one occasion. Sarcasm and sass are her middle names. Sometimes she’ll be able to rein it in, like when she knows there’s an actual threat around (she’s not stupid, though some may beg to differ). Otherwise, her filter doesn’t really exist.

▶️ RESPONSIBLE

As stated before, once Lilly puts her mind to something, she’ll see it through to the end. In the same vein, if she knows she can’t accomplish something, she’ll take it in stride and admit defeat. You won’t see her trying to put the blame on others when it was clearly her own doing.

▶️ SNEAKY

This goes without saying. Lilly is extremely sneaky, and can get herself out of just about any sticky situation if the need were to arise. Either physically, by knowing her surroundings and every possible exit, or just by talking her way out of it. She’s good with words; something she quickly learned was needed in her line of work. Getting around guards and other security measures are also another feat she’s just about perfected at this point.

▶️ CAUTIOUS

Despite having little to no sense of danger, Lillianna can be quite cautious, especially if she’s in a situation with someone that gives her bad vibes. She can read people pretty easily, and the minute she sees something off with their body language, or tone of voice, her guard goes up. This usually happens when she’s working with people in the underground, and she knows to tread lightly around them since one minute they could be nice to you and the next they’re stringing you up.

▶️ CURIOUS

Lillianna is always looking for new things to gain knowledge on, whether it be through books or real life experiences. She’s very much like a cat, and sometimes that can get her into just as much trouble as her mouth does.

▶️ SMART

Ever since she was a child she was always thirsty for expanding her mind, which has led her to where she is today. With her job she needs to be smart, both book smart and street smart, considering some of the characters that come to her looking for information. Working with the Government, the underground and everything in between also means she needs to have her wits about her at all times. One small slip up could be the end of her career, or her life.

▶️ AMBIVERT

For the most part Lillianna is an outgoing person, but she has her moments of being shy and reserved. It really just depends on the people she surrounds herself with at any given time, and how comfortable she is with them.

▶️ SLY

Lilly knows how to play her cards, and she does it really well. She knows how to pull the rug up from under someone without them noticing until it’s already far too late, or make you think one thing is happening when she’s actually doing the complete opposite.

▶️ EASY TO ANGER

It doesn’t take much to tick Lilly off. She gets easily annoyed by so many different things, from certain sounds (the enhanced hearing from her Zoan doesn’t help this any) to something stupid someone around her has said. It’s why she often finds herself in scuffles with pirates and other ruffians when she’s trying to relax in a bar. Like usual, she does have a good grasp on controlling herself when the situation deems it necessary, but sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle, depending on how annoyed she is.

B A C K S T O R Y ; ; ;

Before Lillianna was even born, her parents worked for the World Government. After she came into the world, they didn’t stop, and often left her home alone with babysitters. When she became old enough to read, the library was her favorite place to be. She could lose herself on the pages of books for hours, and forget about the fact that her parents were essentially neglecting her.

Soon it got to the point where her parents practically orphaned her, and babysitters were no longer a thing. They even stopped paying for the home, almost like they forgot about her, and Lillianna, no older than a preteen, was left on the streets to fend for herself. Because of this, she holds a deep seeded resentment toward the World Government. She blames them for taking her parents away; blames them for her being forgotten.

Living on the streets made her harder, a little angrier, and her sass and sarcasm only continued to grow the longer she struggled to survive. She grew to have some pretty bad trust issues, and because she surrounded herself with some unsavory people just to get by, her polite filter was practically nonexistent.

It wasn’t long before Lilly grew tired of it. It got to the point where she eventually broke into some poor stranger’s home, and was found by the owner while she was scavenging their kitchen for food. He was a rugged old man, and didn’t look at all pleased when he noticed her huddle in the corner scoffing down a loaf of crusty bread. But despite how he looked like he was ready to kick her back out into the streets, he decided to take her under his wing. It must have been the look in her eyes, maybe. She wasn’t sure.

What she did know though, was she would forever be grateful to this man.

He wasn’t nice by any means. Often growled at her, or gave her harsh punishments if she talked back—which she did often. But he allowed her to indulge in her thirst for knowledge at the local library while he was off working on his fishing boat, even encouraged it. And he looked after her. Made sure she was fed, and even told her stories of his own past when he’d had a little too much to drink, which she drank in every second of it.

Now, Lillianna would never admit to loving this man like a father, but the feelings were very close to that. He was more of a parent to her than her own mother and father ever would be.

As she continued to collect information, both from books and various different newspapers, Lilly became even more aware of just how corrupt the Government actually was. Many different news articles and other media were conflicting, making it quite obvious that various things were being covered up. With this, her anger grew, and she decided to go off on her own. She knew she was good at gathering information, and was extremely stealthy from her years living on the streets. Deciding being an information broker was the best route to go, she set off.

The Revolutionary Army quickly became one of her top customers, on par with the Underworld, where she would sell off any World Government info she came across as a huge fuck you to the organization. Anything she could to pull the rug up from underneath the people who essentially ruined her family, she would do it.

On more than one occasion she was propositioned by the RA to join them seeing as to them she was a good fit for their cause, but she refused every time, knowing she wouldn’t be able to live a life of taking orders. Honestly, she wasn’t a fan of any kind of authority figure.

Thinking that it would be smart to also work on her combat skills, Lilly quickly learned how to use a compound bow, something she knew would be unique and not often thought of by her enemies, and it wasn’t long before she was rather proficient with it. If anyone were to ask, she would even go to the lengths of calling herself a self-trained sniper. But, because using a bow wasn’t practical in close range combat, she also learned how to use a sword, a katana she picked up at a strange, shoddy little weapons shop in one of the towns she’d stopped on randomly.

Unlike the proficiency she had with her bow, her sword skills left much to be desired. But it got the job done when it was needed. She hadn’t died yet, anyway.

A couple years into her job as an information broker, Lillianna slipped up and sold a World Government secret to a Government spy, which lead to the Government retaliating by murdering both of her parents as a warning. She didn’t really care at the time, not having much of a relationship with them after they willingly orphaned her, but understood the threat all the same. What would stop them from killing her father figure next, or even taking her own life?

This incident is what caused her to become even more cautious and distrusting. Lilly took a lot more time investigating who exactly she’s making deals with now, and with her ability to gather info without anyone noticing, luckily it’s not that hard to do so. It’s also added to the long list of reasons why she hates the WG.

Lillianna gains her Devil Fruit a few years after The Incident while searching a Marine warship for intel. At first she was going to leave the oddly shaped fruit, but decided to snatch it at the last minute as just another rebellious act against the Government. Of course, she didn’t eat it right away, wanting to make sure she was safe since she had no idea exactly what Fruit she’d stolen was.

[osmw1]

Poison-Wielding Fugitive   Chapter 24

“Payment? It’s not like that was a quest or anything.” “We’ve gotta draw a line in the sand. You try tellin’ others that you did all this for free and you’re gonna find yourself in a heap of trouble.”

Oh, okay. I had no choice but to follow along. Arleaf’s father also understands the concerns Veno had.

“At any rate, this village ain’t exactly wealthy... we don’t even have the lump sum for the knowledge you’ve given us. Even if I were to use my store as collateral.” “Umm, you can pay me with whatever you’re comfortable with.” “And as I’ve said already, if I take advantage of you here, you’ll be in deep.” “But…”

That’s true. If we stick out too much, it’d be dangerous for us. We can’t forget that there are still people after us. There are even wanted posters posted in the tavern.

“Father, don’t shout at Yukihisa.”

Arleaf stands up for me. Nice. You’re my breath of fresh air. And she’s been looking up to me ever since the whole Bloodflower thing too. Damn, that feels good. Mm. Whoops. I’ve been subconsciously ogling her. Gotta stay cool and collected.

“… ugh. The whole village—and of course our family—is grateful to you. That’s why we can’t have you work for free. To take advantage of people is the beginning of corruption. So be considerate of us and make your demands. Don’t take us merchants lightly either.”

Arleaf’s dad annoyedly grumbles.

“So… what should I ask for?” “Ah. There’s nothing we can give you that could ever make up for the knowledge you’ve given us. But what we can do is…”

He brings out a sack of coins and puts it on the counter.

“This is the money we’ve collected from selling the cure, plus donations from the villagers. That and you’ll have my Arleaf to make up for the rest that we owe you. Don’t go too crazy on her now. Think of it as a favor for me.” “Huh?”

What did Arleaf’s father say just now?” I got the money part. But I’m not too sure about the next bit. What about Arleaf now?

‘He shall use Arleaf to cover the rest of thy remuneration is what he said. Thou can use her to satisfy thy lust to thy heart’s content. How fortunate for thee.’

Oh, no, no, no, no. Dumbfounded, I look over to Arleaf, who then blushes and casts her gaze downwards. What the hell? You can’t just sell your daughter!

‘Think carefully. Thou may seem like a simpleton, but thou have the knowledge to cure Bloodflower. They must know they can milk thee for other secrets. Hence why he is entrapping thee with his own daughter. It is a dirty trick often used by humans.’

Maybe, but still… What happened to drawing a line?!

‘Perhaps these are separate matters. They likely have the money they owe you. How cunning of them.’

I’ve just refused the proprietress’ offer for her niece. What am I going to do about this?

“Blasts…”

Arleaf’s father frustratedly curses under his breath, while Arleaf’s mother… peeps on us from the door. What is this, some kind of movie? Was Arleaf’s dad ordered by his wife to sell their daughter and so he reluctantly offers her to me?

“Don’t get me wrong, boy! What I meant was don’t go crazy and working her to the bone! Don’t you lay a hand on her!” “Father!” “Uhh, working, like have her help me out to pay off the debt kind of thing?”

Oh, I get it. Yeah. That’s totally what he meant. Man, was I surprised. But it seems like her mom is still pushing for marriage. Still, that could be convenient for me.

What am I saying though? I’m a wanted man. If she’s affiliated with me, she’ll probably be wanted for being an accessory. I can’t marry her. Plus, what’ll happen when Veno learns how to undo the spell? Do I return back to Japan? Or do I stay here in this world forever?

I can’t say so for sure right now. So it wouldn’t be fair to Arleaf.

‘That is surprisingly virtuous of thee. Especially knowing thy… fantasies and delusions of her.’

Shut up, Veno. That’s a whole different thing. Yes, I’ve thought of us adventuring together, but that’s not even close to what you’re suggesting.

“That’s right!”

Arleaf’s dad agrees with an exclamation. It’s convenient for us both, I see. I’ll take the negotiation tactics I’ve learned from working in a black company and use it on him.

“That said, though… I’m an adventurer and I don’t stay anywhere for too long. I wouldn’t want to impose upon Arleaf.” “I-I know you’re an impressive adventurer, Yukihisa! I’m prepared to follow you to the ends of the world. So, please, take me in.” “Mu?”

New party member? Hey, are we getting a new party member? ... is what the gleam in Muu’s eyes seems to mean, but I want to say no.

“Uhh… well, while I’m still here in this village, you’d really help me out…”

“Only for the time being,” is what I implicitly said. Arleaf looks gutted while her dad has a beaming smile on his face. Talk about jealous. Sheesh.

“I’ll follow you wherever you go, Yukihisa, and I’ll prove it to you.”

Arleaf shows how obstinate and zealous she is. I’m not even that strong or anything!

“Well, uhh… for the time being then, let’s do our best together.” “For sure!”

While it’s true that I’m trying to make a living in this village, more often than not, the quests I do are from you guys anyway… The payment I’ve received for the cure did thicken my wallet quite a bit, so I’ve still got money to stay for a while. The problem is the cost of maintaining our weapons. The crossbow and armor I have equipped are quite the specialty items, so I’d like to think the maintenance on it is on the expensive side. If worse comes to worst, then we’ve gotta find out where we can get new equipment that’s easy to use. And the biggest problem is when I really have to escape, I’ve got to part from Arleaf so that she’s safe too.

“Don’t you even think of laying your hand on my daughter, y’hear?”

Calm down, old man! I never said that I would!

“Hmph. Should be alright then. You’ll find out how scary she can be too, Cohgray.”

Arleaf’s dad muttered smugly, but what does that even mean? Arleaf herself trembles with anger, showing her bloodlust for her father again.

“By the way, Cohgray, you feelin’ peckish at all? Why don’t you stay for dinner?” “… Father, you’re just—” “What? You can’t hide it from him forever. You might as well show him now.” “You’re the worst.” “You can’t back out of this one. This ain’t only for Cohgray, but for you too, Arleaf.”

Umm… I haven’t had a say in this at all. Aren’t you guys getting carried away? I look over to the back of the shop and see Arleaf’s mother visibly sigh. What? I don’t understand at all what’s happening.

“A showcase of our daughter’s finest home cooking. You’re excited too, eh?”

He presses me with a threatening look.

“Oh. Yes.”

For whatever mysterious reason, I guess Arleaf’s family is treating me to dinner tonight.

“Thank you very much for saving my life. I apologize for not having an earlier moment to thank you directly.”

Arleaf’s mother politely bows and greets me before showing me to the back of their store.

“Oh, not at all. I’ve only done what I ought to. How have you been feeling since then?” “I would even say better than before.” “That’s really good to hear. I’m glad the proprietress is feeling better too.”

I break the ice with the proprietress and her huge change.

“I am doing no worse than her for sure, haha.”

Hmm… I don’t think Arleaf’s mom changed nearly as much as the proprietress did. I think she’d be better off not to, actually. She’s swelling up like a balloon… any more would be bad.

“Mu.” “But Mr. Cohgray, it seems you are quite adept at alchemy as well. What a clever boy you have.”

Arleaf’s mom pets Muu as she speaks. With Muu around, I seem so much more skilled at medicine than I actually am. In reality, Muu’s just a weird chemical reaction that I’m using as my adventuring buddy.

“Good grief… my husband and him barking orders sure brings us trouble though. Arleaf, too, for my husband’s sake…”

For your husband’s sake… what? Could you perhaps give me a proper answer?

“Like I said! Keepin’ it a secret won’t do nobody no good. You get it, don’tcha?”

Ah. Arleaf’s mom stares daggers at her husband. What is happening? I thought Arleaf was just cooking for us.

‘They must be scheming to poison thee. Well, not that it would be effective.’

Surely that can’t be it, Veno. Their expressions don’t match up. And Arleaf herself seems to be bothered too. It just seems like her dad’s going nowhere with that.

‘Aye… but something is up. Consider my curiosity piqued.’

Seems like Arleaf’s in the kitchen and caught up in cooking.

“Cohgray, come check over these ingredients here!” “Father!”

While Arleaf is distracted by her dad, I look over the ingredients. Veno’s knowledge kicks in. I’ve been to various taverns and inns for meals since I’ve come to this world. There’s nothing that I wouldn’t know of about.

There’s meat that I’ve cooked with, veggies that I’ve had at the tavern, some regular-looking ingredients, and a loaf of crusty bread. Nothing’s unfamiliar.

Yep. Nothing special about this at all. Seeing that I’ve finished looking, Arleaf’s dad nods at me, clueing me to look at her cooking. While displeased at this situation, she starts cooking as she’s been told. She looks like she knows what she’s doing.

“Goodness… it’s embarrassing how you cling onto your daughter.”

Arleaf’s mom begins to chastise her husband.

“It’s the truth. But don’t go pokin’ the bear.”

Arleaf’s mom lets out a big sigh, seemingly like this is a long-standing problem.

“Let’s do this later instead. So, Mr. Cohgray, where did you learn medicine? Perhaps… you come from a prestigious family?”

As expected, they keep inquisitively prying. They’re essentially handing their daughter off to me, so it’s only fair they’re concerned.

“Umm… I had someone who knows lots about this subject. He taught me everything. I’m just from an average family.”

Not a single word of that was a lie. That’s a life pro-tip I’ve learned from working in that sweatshop. Hide your secrets amongst truths. Like how a job opening would advertise how cozy and spirited the workplace is, you’ve got to make your shortcomings look like your strengths.

While it’s true how the veterans would be all friendly with each other, the newbies often get ostracized and get forced with more work. Create a façade of truths while glossing over what you want hidden. You’ll have more people believe you than you’d think.

As long as there are suckers, there will be people tricking suckers. In this case, the someone who knows lots about this subject is Veno, but I don’t have to say whether or not he’s human. I’ll mislead them to think that I’ve learned all this beforehand, while the truth is that Veno had just been teaching me each step of the process one by one. They don’t need to learn the whole truth. At any rate, I can talk my way out of this. Plus, they’re normal people so this whole thing is a piece of cake.

‘One would say thou possess quite the silver tongue. Thou seem quite excited to cheat them too.”

I want to refute him. Is Japan really better than this world? I can’t say… There might be a sword hanging above my head, but I’m starting to think this isn’t all bad. At any rate, it’s great that I don’t have to work overtime and that I sleep well.

“Is that right? You must have had a great mentor then.” “It’s all thanks to him that we could eradicate this illness…” ‘I would love to give him our thanks then.”

For some reason, I sense Veno all puffed up with pride.

‘How dost thou like mine knowledge now?’

Yeah, yeah. You saved the day, but don’t forget I’ve been dragged into this by you. So, please, be quiet. If they pry any more than this, it’s gonna get a little dicey.

previously: /ch001/ /ch002/ /ch003/ /ch004/ /ch005/ /ch006/ /ch007/ /ch008/ /ch009/ /ch010/ /ch011/ /ch012/ /ch013/ /ch014/ /ch015/ /ch016/ /ch017/ /ch018/ /ch019/ /ch020/ /ch021/ /ch022/ /ch023/ /ch024/ /next/ (full list of translated chapters) (discussion thread on Novel Updates) (please support me on Patreon or Paypal)

[john-ian-lewis-blog]

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins due 12/17/17

Summary:This week’s reading had a lot of details when it comes to how Katniss feels and what later unfortunate events she will have to go through in the Hunger Games to stay alive. Such as the desperate search to find Peeta and him keep  alive as well as go to  “The Feast” to get the supplies for Peeta which is bloody.

Reflection: I liked this week’s reading because it’s getting closer to the last few people and the weather has been getting worse to add  suspense of what can possibly go wrong or happen next. I am glad Katniss finally found Peeta even though he is badly injured because I was annoyed for a while that it took the book a long time to finally show us what to Peeta after he helped Katniss escape. I am excited to see how Katniss and Peeta will win even though they have a huge disadvantage in weapons as well as training.

Literacy Device: “Daylight was on our side” This is an idiom since daylight was not on their side buy they were saying they had time to do whatever and this was probably one piece of good news so far.(pg 264)

Vocabulary: gesture( pg 265) Def: a hand movement Own Def: A pose Sentence: Donald Trump uses hand gesture when he talks.

Quotes:

Quote 1: This quote shows Peeta is being quite stubborn despite his leg being quiet bad to the point that walking is a struggle. Peeta refuses to let Katniss go by herself and Peeta wants to go with her but knows he can’t due to his legs this shows Peeta still cares for Katniss and he thinks he can still help in his condition which is admirable but again he can barely walk so he is more of a burden then help or an ally this quote was picked because I am honestly quite desperate since the book seems more hard to find quotes as you get further in.(pg 268) Quote 2: “There was a dent in her skull but she was not dead” A big man named Thresh grabbed a rock the size of a loaf of bread and smashes it to a girl head names clove and it dents her skull but she lives…somehow. This show how brutal the Hunger Games can be and how when people are desperately fighting for their lives what they can do and what they will use to kìll someone else for their own survival. It also shows though that this guy Thresh is no joke and you should think twice before facing him. Since you know he can easily kill you with a rock.

Image

[queen-of-the-merry-men]

365: An OQ Anthology {Day 7}

If you were granted more time with someone you lost… how would you spend it?

The Wish | Day 1 | Day 1 cont. | Day 2 | Day 2 cont. | Day 3 | Day 4 |

FF.net link

Day 7: Robin is reunited with his Merry Men.

--------------

Day 7

Robin could tell they were getting close. The trees had become familiar and he'd started spotting landmarks hours ago. It was dark but he knew they'd be reaching the Merry Men's camp any moment now.

Then he'd be reunited with his men… and his son.

It was a beautiful night, one he would've enjoyed had his mind not been so preoccupied. The full moon was out lighting up the forest floor, though not nearly as much as the torch in his hand. The air was cold but not freezing. His cloak was more than enough to keep him warm. It was lovely but that didn't make the trek any easier.

He can hear Regina huffing by his side. They'd been traveling for days now – the two of them on foot, while Henry followed on horseback with the baby – and she'd grown more than a little tired, not that she'd ever tell him so. If she had any complaints she'd buried them under her many layers of determination… and guilt.

He wishes that he didn't blame her. Wishes that he didn't feel the slightest tug of irritation every time he remembers why they were forced to take this journey in the first place. His son should've been with him from the start but instead he'd been a realm away and he wishes he could say that wasn't her fault but it was. If she had fought for Roland like he'd hoped she would then they wouldn't have had to take this journey.

She knows it.

And he knows it.

But he also knows that one fact isn't nearly enough to make him love her any less.

"We should be there any minute now," he promises her.

"Good," she says, nodding her head. Her gaze flickers over her shoulder before she leans in to whisper to him, "I think Henry's getting a little tired."

"I'm fine."

They immediately hear him declare his imperviousness through a thinly veiled yawn as he sits atop the horse Regina guides. Robin smirks at his words, knowing damn well they'd caught him nodding off at least three times in the last hour, only returning to the world of the waking when he remembered the weight of the precious baby girl swaddled to his chest.

Robin had asked them both, many times, if they'd like to stop and make camp for the night but they'd swiftly refused. They were too close to stop now and they were too anxious to get to Roland. Besides it's not as if they had time to waste.

Robin's mind swiftly flickered to the numbers on his forearm.

359.

He'd checked them this morning. He had 359 days left. Well, 358, once it hit midnight. And he didn't want to spend another one without his son. Seven had been more than enough.

A few minutes later they came across a familiar oak tree. He recognized it by the dingy grey band tied to it's third-lowest branch. The band he'd tied himself.

Sherwood…

No sooner had he passed that tree than an arrow went sailing past his face to the ground near his feet. He and Regina immediately step back, the horse whinnies in fear and Henry is suddenly wide awake again. Robin's heartbeat spikes when he sees the arrow go past his eyes but he knows it's just a warning shot.

"Take one more step and the next one goes in your chest!"

The voice comes from the trees above. It echoes and there's almost no way of knowing what direction it comes from. But that doesn't worry Robin. He knows that voice. Gruff, and blunt. He's heard it nearly all his life.

"You say that as if your aim is that good!" he shouts back, in his unmistakable accent. "I know for a fact that it isn't John!"

Things go deadly silent. None of them move. The trees don't rustle, not one animal makes a peep. Everything goes still.

Robin swallows before speaking again, softer this time but still loud enough to be heard.

"I know you're still here," he says. "Show yourself and I'll explain why I'm here too."

It's silent for a moment but then soft rustles start to come from the forest floor. He sees them come out. His men. At least seven of them, from behind trees and down from branches. Even with the night shadows over their faces he could still see the skepticism in their eyes. They stand defensively, weapons not raised but still in hand. They knew his voice, they knew his face but they don't know if it was really him. And he can't say that he was surprised by that.

There's more rustling and he feels a sharp thud from his left side. A shadow, bigger than the rest and far more intimidating, rushes up to him and he's suddenly staring down the wrong end of a crossbow.

John's brown eyes are hard and unbelieving. Robin can see that his finger wavers just below the trigger on the crossbow. Regina's rushed to his side by now, ready to throw a ball of fire in his defense. He holds out an arm to stop her, his eyes never leaving the face of the man he would forever call his best friend.

"John…"

"Who are you?!" he growls.

"John… it's me," he breathes.

"No it's not," John grits out. "You can't be!"

"I am!"

"You're not!" John shouts. "I know you're not because I buried him! I buried my friend. I put an arrow on his casket and watched him sink into the ground! So whoever you are, you can't be him!"

Things grow quiet once more. The air around them has grown thick with paralyzing tension as the two of them stare each other down. John's breathing is heavy and unsteady, same as his trigger finger.

"You're not real," he asserts, shaking his head. "You're a trick!" He turns to Regina. "Was this you?! Did you do this?!"

"She did nothing!" says Robin, his voice firm. "John…look at me."

He doesn't.

"John… Look. At. Me," he harshly orders.

He looks at him then. Robin looks back.

"We met when we were ten years old," he says. "You'd just lost your parents in the war. You were small and hungry and alone so you tried to steal a loaf of bread from a vendor on the street. He caught you. He was going to drag you to the sheriff. Said they were going to cut off your hand and you were terrified. Until I threw an apple at his head. He fell over and let you go, I grabbed your hand and we ran down the alley together as he chased us, cursing the whole time. We were huffing and puffing when we finally stopped and I turned to you and I said –"

"Rule number one of stealing… only do it when no one's looking," John's softly finished. He was silent then. They'd never told anyone that story. They'd never had a reason to. He slowly lowered his crossbow.

"Is that really you Robin?"

He nods. "Yes… it really is."

He expected more questions, perhaps a bit more yelling as well but he gets none of it. Instead he gets a crushing bear hug and a clap on the back.

"Welcome back old friend."

[hoitash]

Adventure One: The Faerie’s Ultimatum!

A new year, a new set of adventures! Our elven exterminator has earned herself a Title and shiny weapon! Will the faeries quietly accept her refusal to rejoin them? Let’s fine out.

Three weeks passed with little incident. A Farmland village sent two replacements, grateful gangers swelled the ranks, and slowly the new squads formed a cohesive group, each in their own way. Piece by piece, the Westward Branch of the Office of Pest Control regrouped from the losses inflicted by the Worm.

Squad Twelve, for whatever reason and despite William’s constant pleading, failed to gain a fourth member. Langford insisted the three’s “squad spirit” was too strong to meddle with. Finally William gave up, resigning himself to an understaffed squad, even if that squad had a Worm slayer, a duster killer, and a dwarf who spent part of his wages to buy a small cannon for the Pest Control Office’s armory making up its ranks.

Said cannon was the main gripe William had that day.  As nothing else of note was occurring, after a brief patrol the squad retired to the barracks for some bread and liquid bread.

“I just don’t see a case where we’d both need a cannon and not need the Army,” William remarked over his loaf, “it’s the same reason we don’t have more powder weapons in the Armory –if we need that many it’s time for the city guards to get involved.”

Georg shrugged and sipped his beer, “Seemed like a good idea.”

“We’re the sewer squad,” William insisted, “from what I’ve heard you can’t even safely shoot a pistol down there.”

Georg shrugged again in reply.

William sighed, surrendering to the dwarf’s stalwart stubbornness. Since the incident with the Worm and subsequent squad reshuffles, Squad Twelve’s duties consisted mostly of quick sewer patrols and sluice inspections, a task made easy thanks to the raker’s vigilance in the wake of the Worm’s subterfuge. Though it lacked the duty pay of exterminating, the standard payment kept them moving forward.

Leafa, enjoying not having to enter the sewers unless absolutely necessary, downed her mug of beer and sighed, “I just wish they’d give us more exciting work –all this idleness is getting to me.”

“I’ve never known an elf to hold still very long,” William remarked, “they always have an energy about them, besides the casting power, I mean.”

Leafa nodded, her hand reflexively reaching to the pommel of her Church sword, “I don’t mind light duty once in a while, and I hate going in the sewers, but we barely even get to do a thorough patrol now that the Spire’s taken an interest in things.”

“They still say it’s too dangerous,” William said, “Never mind we have a Worm Slayer with us now and the Worm never got control of the slimes, thank Heaven.”

Leafa gave a sheepish shrug, “It was a group effort, you know –without the druid we would’ve been Worm turds… well, you would be, I’d be….”

“But you’re not,” William cut her off, “You’re a citizen of the Confederation, remember? The faeries can’t touch you.”

Georg nodded in agreement.

Leafa smiled, “True, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try. We’ve already seen that.”

“And in response we’re getting an Army Regiment,” William replied, “and the last time I saw an Army uniform was the yearly recruitment drive last spring. Even I know what a big deal it is for the Army to come here.”

Georg nodded again.

Leafa smiled and opened her mouth, but the sound of the city bells ringing cut her off before she could speak.

The elf’s ears twitched, “That can’t be good.”

“Attention all Exterminators!” a voice boomed from the Office speaking tubes, “Attention all Exterminators! Report to the West Gate immediately! All Exterminators report to the West Gate immediately!”

William hauled himself up, “You heard them, let’s go.”

The three exterminators bolted from the room to join their fellows as they dashed for the West Gate, several squads of city guards joining the mass as they ran along the quickly emptying roads.

William matched pace with a guard sergeant, his only armor a skewed helmet slaped over his matted hair. As they passed people quickly leaving the streets for their buildings, the bells clanged as their feet echoed along the stones.

“Sergeant!” William called, “Any idea what’s going on?”

The Sergeant glanced at William, then his Exterminator badge. After a brief nod of greeting he replied, “Word is there’s a druid at the gate under a peace flag.”

“What?” William snapped, “Why assemble us there if they’re not going to arm us first? Or at least let us put on our armor?”

The Sergeant shrugged, “Last I heard unless its iron armor’s no good against fae and their kin, and we don’t have enough for everyone anyway. As for weapons, there’s emergency arms at every gate, though if you ask me we’d be better off breaking out the muskets. Oh, there they are.”

As the scattered groups of guards and exterminators approached the gate, William looked to where the Sergeant’s gaze focused. Several city guards were unloading muskets and handing them out to waiting exterminators, while a squad of musketeers waited at the base of the gate tower. Langford stood by the wagon, arguing with the city guard captain while more guards clambered into the gate’s bastion’s to mount the wall.

William left the Sergeant to it and dashed up to Langford, Leafa and Georg catching up as their sergeant waited to be noticed.

The Captain, a scruffy fellow in hastily fastened leather armor and an unwaxed mustache, jabbed a finger at the Senior Exterminator as he nearly shouted, “We need to blast that fucker to paste before he can react!”

“He’s under a flag of peace you imbecile!” Langford –wearing no armor and his badge poorly pinned in place- barked back, “even mustering the guard risks an incident!”

The Captain retracted his finger and folded his arms, “I don’t take chances with faeries.”

“Is it true? Leafa interrupted, “There’s a druid outside?”

The two turned to the elf, and, after absorbing the squad’s presence, nodded.

“He’s demanding to speak with Langford,” the Captain explained, “and refuses to elaborate his presence to anyone else. He bears a flag of truce, but as I just said, I’m not taking chances.”

Langford sighed, “Fine, do what you want. I’m going to see what that damned druid wants.”

Leafa swallowed, “Most likely me.”

“We don’t know that,” William said, “they could just be here to complain about the Frontier or something.”

“We’ll find out the hard way, it seems,” Langford said.

As the Senior Exterminator headed for the parapet, the Captain handed Georg a musket from the nearby cart.

“I know it’s a smaller caliber than you’d be used to,” he explained, “but it’s something. The Gate Guards have iron shot cartridges, each man gets three shots.”

Leafa’s ears twitched, “Do you honestly think you’d have time for three shots?”

Glowering at the elf, he replied, “No, but it’s good for morale. You want one?”

Leafa rested a hand on the pommel of Schimmern, grateful she at least had a weapon on her when the call came, “Fortunately my sword does not leave my side, Sir.”

The Captain managed a small smirk, “Fair enough. Sergeant, what about you?”

“I’ve never fired a powder weapon in my life,” he replied, “So thank you, but not until I’ve had a chance to practice first.”

The Captain nodded, and then Langford’s voice boomed out toward the Farmland beyond the wall.

“I am Senior Exterminator Matthew Langford! Who are you to stand before the wall of a settlement of the Confederation?”

In reply, a voice like a rainstorm replied, “I am known in your tongue as Streamwell, and I serve the faerie you know as Farseed.”

Leafa gasped, “Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.”

William put a hand on the elf’s shoulder, who jumped as he managed a weak smirk, “It’s fine.”

“What business do you have here, druid?” Langford demanded.

“My master demands the return of one of the elves of a tribe under his protection. He demands Leafa of the Tall Trees Tribe be handed over to me so that she may rejoin her people.”

Leafa whimpered, her ears twitching madly as Langford’s voice boomed back.

“Leafa Talltree, Esquire, has resided within this city for over a month and a day. As a result she is a citizen of the Confederation. More than that, she is a Titled member of the Confederation Office of Pest Control and a Tithing Member of the Church. To demand her is a violation of the Accords between your master and the Confederation and constitutes an act of war. Leave these walls now or you shall be fired upon!”

To accentuate his statement, over a hundred musket wielding guards and exterminators aimed their barrels downward, their match and flintlocks cocked and ready. Leafa held her breath as she watched the parapet, her hands over her ears to protect them from the fusillade she knew was coming.

“I have said my peace and thus will depart,” the druid responded, “know that my master is not one to take no for an answer. We shall return.”

“And we shall be ready to reply with iron, druid. Now return to your master and report your failure, and tell him we shall generously overlook this overstep in the interests of continued friendship between the Confederation and the Tall Trees and Far Trees Tribes under his protection.”

“I shall do as you ask, though know he also protects the Far Marsh Tribe as well.”

Langford said no more, and, after several agonizing moments, the guards and exterminators lowered their muskets.

Leafa exhaled and slumped to the ground in relief, “Thank Heaven.”

William, though clearly also relieved, sighed and muttered, “Last I heard the Far Marsh Tribe bordered the swamps near the edge of the Frontier and the Farmlands.”

Georg grunted, “Could be trouble.”

Leafa groaned, “I can’t believe it…to think he’d go this far for me….”

William, his eyes anywhere but the elf, asked, “You wouldn’t happen to know… why… he’s so interested in you?”

The elf’s ears twitched, though her eyes remained on the road as she replied, “For the obvious reasons, of course.”

William sighed, “I was afraid of that… ah, Senior Exterminator! What do we do now?”

Langford, having appeared from the gates not long before, approached Squad Twelve with the air of a barber about to announce the need to pull an abscessed tooth.

Leafa hefted herself up and took a step closer to the Senior Exterminator, “Sir, I am so sorry-”

Langford raised a hand to cut her off, “None of this is your fault. None of this. Do you understand me?”

Leafa opened her mouth, closed it, and nodded.

Langford grinned and patted the elf’s head, “Very good. Oh shit, is that the Mayor?”

The squad turned around to see several men surrounded by six guards walking down the street. The guards wore chest-plates, helmets, and a brace of dwarven double-barreled pistols. Amongst them walked a stout man with short white hair, a robed man with a large symbol of the Church hanging from an iron chain, and an older man with an aged red cloak fluttering behind him.

Langord swore under his breath, “Great, the Mayor, the Senior Priest, and a Merchant Guild Master.”

William glanced to his commander, “Guess they heard about the druid.”

Langford sighed, “This is going to be my whole day.”

“Sir!”

Langford glanced to the south to see a young man running as fast as he could towards him, several notes held carefully in one hand. Raising a single brow, Langford took several steps closer to the man as he skidded to a halt in front of the group.

“You’re a runner from Town Hall, right?” Langford asked.

The runner, gasping for breath, nodded and held out the notes, “Pigeon came this morning… messenger… at the East Gate… confirmed… thought… you should know… first….”

William and Leafa flanked the runner in case he collapsed. Langford, meanwhile, took the notes and scanned them over. After a moment he grinned, his gold teeth glinting in the daylight.

“This’ll pacify the fancy-cloaks, at least,” he said.

Leafa’s ears twitched, “May we ask what the good news is, Sir?”

“It’s the official report from the Confederation Council’s Army Secretary,” he replied, “They’re mustering a Regiment and it should be here in two weeks.”