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nerdzzone · 4 years ago

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-More Hearts Than Mine-

Summary: Raising a child is hard. Raising a child with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars is even harder. And raising a child with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars who you’re not actually in a relationship with is even harder still.

Especially when a global pandemic is sweeping the world.

With lockdowns and stay at home orders looming on the horizon, the uncertainty of their situation becomes almost too much for Whitney Taylor to handle. Chris suggests that they quarantine together to avoid any potential separations but, given what happened the last time they spent more than a few brief moments in each other’s company, that could cause more problems than it solves…

Chris Evans x OFC

Sequel to: Once Bitten - Twice Shy

Part Two

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Part Three

I did my best to take Scott's words to heart. It was eye-opening and, while it didn't change my concerns about how Grayson would be affected, it helped me soften my guard a little bit when it came to Chris.

We were both in over our heads, stuck with feelings that we didn't know what to do with and insecurities that left us unable to fight for what we wanted. I had doubts and I had questions, but if what Scott had divulged was true then I did have some sympathy for Chris because I knew exactly how he'd been feeling for the last few years.

So, I decided to talk to him. To hash it out, lay it all on the table and see what he had to say. I wasn't entirely sure I would change my mind about the situation, but I wanted to give him a chance to explain his thoughts and feelings unlike how I'd shut the conversation down after Christmas.

But I didn't count on how chaotic it was to be trapped in a house, all day every day, with a child who was almost three. Even with three adults, there were days when it felt like we were the ones who were outnumbered as we took turns trying to keep him constantly entertained and stimulated. To our credit, it was working and we were managing to keep Grayson from being bored, anxious to go out to a park or noticing that things were all that different, but it meant that I had no time or energy to deal with heavy conversations. Things were fine between Chris and I, we were getting along well enough with no more noteworthy disagreements, but there hadn't been a good time for any kind of heart-to-heart.

Things only got more complicated about a week and a half into our lockdown when Chris had to start doing interviews. He had a new show, Defending Jacob, coming out in a few weeks and he had to start the promo for it.

Most people who were working from home these days with small children running around had way more difficult situations to balance than we did, but we knew it would be tricky to keep Grayson from getting curious and barging into an interview. He'd proven to be quite sneaky when he wanted to be and Chris was anxious about the whole thing. He wasn't a big fan of interviews at the best of times so doing it over Zoom made him even more nervous. He spent the whole morning fretting about it being awkward, concerned that he wouldn't be able to relax and act natural, and it seemed like he was channelling his anxiety into his worries about Grayson. He very much liked to be in control of what the world saw of Gray and having him crash an interview wasn't what he wanted. I completely agreed and assured him several times that I wouldn't let that happen, but I could tell he was still stressed about it as he dragged himself off to get ready.

For the first hour or so that Chris was working, things went well. We read a story and played with some Lego, activities that wouldn't get Grayson too excited and noisy, but when Scott suggested that he curl up on the couch and watch Finding Nemo with him, we ran into a problem.

"Okay!" Grayson cheered, jumping up from where we'd been playing on the floor. "Be right back!"

He took off down the hall and I leapt into action, calling his name and stopping him just as he got to the bottom of the stairs.

"Where are you going, buddy?"

"To get my bear!"

Grayson's room was upstairs, next to Chris' office. He knew where Chris was so I knew there was a good chance he would stop by to say hello on his way past the door.

"Why don't you go get settled on the couch with Uncle Scott and I'll get your bear so you don't miss any of the movie?" I suggested. "Is he in your room?"

"No," he shook his head. "He's in Daddy's office."

I held back a groan, knowing that Gray would not be happy if I explained that he couldn't have his bear for the movie because we weren't allowed in Daddy's office right now. But I also knew that now he'd decided that he wanted to watch a movie, it wasn't likely that he would settle doing anything else either.

"Well, Daddy's very busy in his office right now," I explained. "But I'll go upstairs and see if I can sneak in and get him, okay?"

Grayson agreed to that suggestion and ran off back towards the living room as I glanced at the clock on the wall quickly and hoped that Chris was between interviews. I knew he wouldn't be done for the day just yet, but he had a few lined up so there was a chance that he wasn't currently on a call.

As soon as I pressed my ear to the door of Chris' office, my hopes were dashed. I could hear the sound of laughter echoing through from his laptop so I knew he was in the middle of something, but just as I was about to walk away I heard something that caught my attention.

"You have a son of your own, don't you?" The interviewer asked and I cringed, knowing that it wasn't something Chris liked to discuss. His character in the show was a father though so I wasn't surprised it had come up, it gave them a segue that they hadn't really had before. "How is that going with this lockdown?"

Ever the professional, Chris didn't even hesitate before he answered even though I knew he would be annoyed by the line of questioning.

"Oh, it's great! He's staying with me until all this is over so it's great that we get to spend so much time together," he told the interviewer. "I'm lucky enough to be in a situation where I can just take a few months off until things cool down without too much worry so we've just been relaxing, building blanket forts, watching movies and getting in some bonding time that I miss out on when I'm busy. It's had some challenges, but it's been really nice."

I knew I shouldn't be listening, it was rude to eavesdrop even if the conversation would shortly be broadcast to the whole world, but again, the interviewer's next question had me too intrigued to walk away. Despite all the talking points that he could have chosen from Chris' answer, he zeroed in on one thing.

"He's staying with you for the entire lockdown? Is there a rekindled romance we don't know about?" He asked. "Or is his mother no longer in the picture?"

My jaw dropped. I didn't know who Chris was talking with today, but it wasn't like his team to set him up for any interviews where he would be asked questions like that and most interviewers were too polite to fish for the kind of gossip you'd find in a trashy magazine.

"Oh, I'm not gonna get into all that." Chris' tone was much more clipped than it had been moments before - he was clearly not impressed by the question either. "It's not anyone's business really, is it? But I will say that she is definitely in the picture and one of the best moms that I know. She's staying here with us too."

My heart melted a bit at his compliment even though I knew the words he added at the end meant that we were in for a whole new gossip storm.

It suddenly felt like I really was overstepping by standing at the door listening to this conversation without his knowledge so I headed back downstairs. As I got back into the living room, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent a message to Chris:

It would appear that you have a stowaway. I know you're busy, but please return Mr. Bear at your earliest convenience.

I put my phone away as I explained the situation to Grayson, but luckily, he was too interested in the movie to pay much attention to what I'd said. By the time Chris came down with the bear, it was like he'd forgotten that he ever cared about it in the first place.

Most of my attention was on Chris at that point though. The way he scurried into the room, avoiding looking in my direction at all. He looked ashamed and withdrawn and I couldn't hold back a sigh when he left the room quickly as I knew that he was beating himself up over the conversation that he didn't even know I'd heard.

Chris was sullen for the rest of the day. He perked up around Grayson, but whenever Gray was distracted there was a scowl or a frown firmly planted on his face. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know how without confessing that I'd overheard his interview. Given his mood and the ease with which we fell into disagreements these days, that seemed like it would cause more issues than it would help.

The news broke at about eleven that night and I knew because I was suddenly inundated with texts from friends and with follower requests on my private social media accounts. I pulled up the video and watched the interview, feeling another wave of empathy when I saw the annoyance written all over Chris' face as he answered the questions. He'd found a subtle way to shut the interview down almost immediately after the incident and I was proud of him for handling it so diplomatically.

I added it to the list of things that I needed to talk to Chris about whenever I got the chance as I pulled myself away from my laptop and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth before bed. However, when I got into the hallway, I noticed a light coming up from downstairs. As far as I knew, everyone had gone to bed almost an hour ago, but I had a good idea whose thoughts would be keeping them awake so I headed down to investigate.

My suspicions were confirmed as I walked into the living room and saw Chris on the couch, his phone in his hand and his brow furrowed.

"Uh oh," I started, making his eyes snap up towards me. "Are you doomscrolling?"

The angry look on his face softened slightly as he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Doomscrolling?"

"Yeah," I shrugged with a smile. "That's what the kids call it these days when you spend too long scrolling through the news or Twitter, just soaking in all the bad shit in the world."

Chris chuckled as I moved into the room and sat on the opposite end of the couch that he was on, tucking my feet underneath me.

"I didn't know you were so down with the kids these days."

"I'm getting old, Chris. I'm almost thirty-two, I have to stay cool somehow." I shot him a wink. "But anyway, what are you reading that's making you look so grumpy?"

Chris sighed and locked his phone, putting it on the end table next to the couch.

"I said something in an interview today," he admitted. "Something that I shouldn't have said."

I watched him for a moment, waiting for him to look at me and elaborate, but when he didn't, I spoke up.

"I hope you're not about to tell me that you regret saying what a good mom I am or I'll be really disappointed..."

That comment brought Chris' gaze back to me, his shock evident on his face until it faded into a grimace.

"You heard what I said?"

"I watched the video," I admitted. "I had a flurry of Instagram activity that tipped me off."

"You didn't read the comments, did you?"

There was worry written all over Chris' face when I shrugged.

"Of course I did. Can't have my self-esteem getting too high, can we?" I was teasing, but his look of gloom only deepened. "Chris, it doesn't matter. I'm no supermodel, they're not saying anything I don't already know."

"See, this is what bothers me," Chris snapped. "My so-called 'fans' are out there spewing all this crap about you and you're acting like it's all true, so who cares? Well, I care because it's bullshit and you don't deserve it!"

"I didn't mean it like that," I assured him, keeping my voice quiet in an attempt to cool the situation.

We'd been here many times over the years and I knew how enraged the comments made Chris. He saw right through me, he knew that I took some of the things that had been said to heart, but who wouldn't? It's hard not to take it personally when someone points out your biggest insecurities, the things that you hope no one else notices, the things that you tell yourself can't possibly be true or as bad as you think in your head. It's impossible not to let it get to you a little bit, but I was well practiced at dealing with it and had grown a thicker skin.

At least, when it came to the comments about my appearance. The comments about how I'm not good enough and how Chris could do better always struck a cord, but it was nothing I couldn't handle.

"No?" Chris huffed. "What did you mean then?"

"That I know I'm an easy target because I'm not stick thin with a boob job," I answered, wanting to diffuse the situation before Chris got too upset. "They're cruel and mean, but they're just jealous because they think their dream boyfriend is taken now."

"Well, anyone who claims to be a real fan of mine wouldn't talk like that about someone I care about," he grumbled. "I shouldn't have answered, I should have just ignored the question."

"Actually, I'm glad you didn't. I'm glad you set the record straight rather than have everyone think I've abandoned my child. I would probably get even more hate for that."

"He shouldn't have even asked about it," Chris continued. "It was so out of line. Why can't people just mind their own business?"

"Because everyone adores you and has a burning desire to know everything about you," I teased, stretching my feet out to nudge his leg gently. His lips twitched briefly into a smile, but it faded as fast as it appeared. "Even my friends were all messaging me, asking if it was true like gossiping teenage girls. Everyone wants the Chris Evans scoop."

That comment earned me a chuckle and I relaxed slightly, hoping that he was starting to calm down.

"I'm sure your friends were more interested in the gossip about your life, not because of me."

"I dunno," I shrugged. "They always liked you."

Chris smiled, but a sigh slipped from his lips as he draped his arm over my feet where they rested on the couch next to him. We sat quietly for a moment as I continued watching him, wishing there was something I could say to ease the worry in his mind, but his next words left me a little bit speechless.

"I do get it, you know?" He said, his eyes still fixed firmly on the ground in front of him. "I get why you wouldn't want to be with me. I get that it's a lot to deal with."

My heart sank at his admission and I scrambled to figure out what to say.

It wasn't ideal - discussing our relationship, while he was already feeling quite murderous - but he'd brought it up and it was hard to say when we'd get another chance. Once again, I found myself fighting the urge to bolt for the door, but I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, hoping that this would be a civil conversation.

"Chris, it's not that," I insisted, my voice soft in what I hoped would be a soothing tone. "Maybe they didn't do anything to ease my concerns, but the bullies on the internet aren't what scared me away."

"No?" His eyes flicked up to meet mine. "Then what did?"

He sounded so defeated and I bit my lip to keep my emotions from bubbling up. The truth was that I didn't know where to start. There was too much floating around my head, too many questions and too many explanations that made less sense now that I knew what I knew after speaking with Scott. I was scared, but it was a very justified fear that could only be made sense of by answering his question with another question.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were in love with me?"

Chris raised an eyebrow, but shrugged off the question.

"You didn't seem like you wanted to hear it, Whitney. I told you that I was all in after Christmas and you shut me down pretty fast," he pointed out. "I didn't think blurting out a confession of love would do much to change that."

Had that been what I was referring to, it would have been a fair argument. However, I was referring to long before our latest incident so I shook my head.

"I talked to Scott," I confessed as a slight look of betrayal slid onto Chris’ face. "Don't be mad, he'd had a few drinks and was feeling sentimental. He told me that you were in love with me long before Grayson was even in the picture, but you never told me."

"I slept with you, didn't I?" He questioned, a defensiveness creeping into his tone. "Doesn't that make someone's feelings pretty fuckin' clear?"

"Hardly," I scoffed. "People sleep with people they're not in love with all the time and it becomes even less clear when they meet up afterwards to have a discussion about their relationship and that someone makes no mention of being in love."

"Was it really a discussion? Or did I show up at your apartment just to hear you lay out the ground rules?"

I faltered slightly as I thought back, but after a moment of reflection, I nodded.

"It was a discussion."

"I believe the first words out of your mouth were 'I think we both know that we're better off as friends'," he informed me. "Doesn't leave much room for debate."

"I was scared." That confession came out less confidently, but I found my voice again quickly. "And I assumed that's what you wanted too because you never pushed back."

He cocked his head to the side, a hint of a smirk on his face.

"You weren't the only one who was scared."

"I was the only one who was pregnant," I retorted, my tone growing harsher as my frustrations started to rise. "I was the only one who was trying to make a massive life decision while hormonal and growing another human being inside of them."

"That's fair," Chris nodded, his voice much calmer than I expected after my burst of annoyance. "But I wasn't about to pour my heart out and tell you how I felt when you kept talking about what a mistake we'd made as if you'd never regretted anything more in your life."

"Getting pregnant was a mistake," I clarified. "I love Grayson and I wouldn't change it for anything, but we can't say it wasn't a mistake at the time given our situation."

"A situation that you didn't want to change."

"Only because you never told me how you felt," I shot back. "I didn't want you to commit to something out of a sense of obligation. I didn't want you to put up with me for a few years until you dumped me for someone more in your league who you actually cared about."

There was a look of surprise on Chris' face at that revelation as it became more and more obvious to both of us that we hadn't been as good at communicating as we may have thought. It seemed we'd both been so convinced that we knew exactly how the other person felt that we hadn't bothered to actually ask them.

"But I did care about you," he assured me. "And you never told me how you felt either."

"I slept with you, didn't I?"

There was a smirk on my face as I threw his words back at him despite the anxiety that was bubbling inside me.

"A wise woman just informed me that sleeping with someone doesn't necessarily mean anything," he teased, a soft smile on his face. "But I think it's safe to say that we were both cowards."

"Again, in my defence, I was pregnant," I reminded him. "I was trying to make a logical decision while my brain was muddled with hormones."

"But you could have told me after," he pointed out. "We lived together for year after he was born, Whitney, and you never even dropped a hint."

"Oh, please," I snorted out a harsh laugh. "Do you remember what that year was like? We had a newborn baby who never slept for more than ten minutes at a time and you were flying in and out for the first six months, filming one of the Avengers movies. I was delirious, exhausted and emotionally wrecked. I wasn't in the right head space to give much thought to our relationship."

"So, if I had made a move back then? Would it have made a difference?" He asked. "Because it didn't seem to matter much a few months ago."

This was the real issue at hand.

It was all well and good to talk about the past and how we'd managed to come this far so oblivious to each other's feelings, but the real discussion was where we were at now. And the truth was, that I didn't know.

I opened my mouth to answer, but shut it as my words escaped me. I shifted nervously, shrugging under his stare until a sigh fell from my lips.

"I'm not sure anymore," I admitted. "If you'd told me how you felt back then, if you fought for us to be together then I might've been swayed."

"But now?"

"Now, I think we made the right decision for Grayson."

Chris was still staring me down, his eyes locked on mine as if he was looking into my soul. It was an intensity that was hard to endure and I was relieved when he spoke again, despite how his words made my heart ache.

"But what about the right decision for us?"

"That's not what's important," I insisted. "I've seen so many of my friends struggle through their parents' bitter divorces, I don't want that for Gray. I don't want us to lose our ability to work as a team and put him first."

"Yeah, you mentioned that several times," Chris huffed. "But I don't see why you're so fuckin' convinced that we'd end up hating each other."

His frustration and impatience was shining through and I felt my panic rising again. Chris had made his stance clear and I knew I needed to make a decision soon or my lack of decision would decide for me, but I felt like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. The thought of not being with Chris made my heart ache especially now that I knew the extent of his feelings, but the thought of being with him and the consequences that could come from that set every anxious nerve in my body on edge.

I found myself scrambling for something to say that was non-committal, but would placate the situation. I floundered until, fortunately, a tiny voice from the doorway saved me.

"Daddy said a bad word..."

I leapt off the couch, desperate for any excuse to get away and Chris raised his eyebrow at my swift reaction. I ignored him as I looked at Grayson, who was rubbing his eyes with one hand and clutching his bear in the other. He looked so small, standing there in his little flannel pajamas and I smiled at the sight.

"That is a bad word," I agreed. "Daddy shouldn't have said it. But what are you doing up?"

"I had a bad dream."

His voice was small as he was still half asleep and Chris stood, following me over as I walked towards him.

"I'm sorry to hear that, buddy," he said, lifting him up in his arms. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Grayson shook his head. "It was scary."

"Awe, I'm sorry, sweetheart," I frowned as I rubbed his back, my heart melting at how small he looked in Chris' arms. "Do you want me to tuck you back in or Daddy?"

He rested his head on Chris' chest and pulled his bear so close that his answer got muffled by the stuffed animal's fur.

"I want to sleep in Daddy's bed..."

I looked up at Chris, letting him decide if that was okay, but he was already nodding his head.

"Sure, we can do that," he assured him. "But don't hog all the blankets this time, okay?"

Grayson giggled and I smiled as they headed to the door.

"Goodnight, boys," I called to them before they disappeared. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight." Chris paused to answer me and flashed me a look that made me feel like a schoolgirl being scolded by the principal. "This conversation isn't over."

It felt like a foreboding warning and it left me so flustered that all I could do was nod before he turned and continued on his way to his bedroom.

He was right.

Our conversation couldn't end there unless we wanted another four years of miscommunication and mutual longing, but I didn't know what to do. I wasn't trying to be difficult, but both options seemed destined to lead to heartache. Of course, I had no evidence to prove that we wouldn't live happily ever after, but he was Chris Evans. He was the man that women all over America, all over the world, would kill to be with. And I was just me. Once I fell off whatever pedestal he'd put me on in his mind and he realized how ordinary and unremarkable I was, it wouldn't last.

And I couldn't spend the rest of my life waiting for the other shoe to drop.

With a sigh, I headed to the stairs. My head was a mess despite my hopes that talking to Chris would bring me some clarity. It seemed I was starting a pattern of coming away from late night conversations with more questions than answers, but I was beginning to think that might be due to the fact that I would never be told what I wanted to hear. No one could make this decision for me and no one could make it a fool proof choice.

There was always a risk when it came to love. I just had to decide if that risk was worth it and start being honest with myself about why I was so scared. Were my intentions really as noble as I wanted everyone to believe? Or was I using Grayson as a shield to protect my own heart from pain as much as his?

Part Four

Tags: @maggotzombie @moonlacebeam @mizzzpink @zaylaugh @flowery-mess @flowerjewels @njrronaldo7 @hockeychick10

#chris evans fanfiction #chris evans fic #chris evans fanfic #more hearts than mine

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kinetic-elaboration · 4 years ago

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March 19: 2x11 Friday’s Child

Finally watched this week’s TOS. This was a hard day again and I’m tired and basically as soon as the ep ended my mood deflated again but I think I can write up a few notes and then crawl right back into bed again.

Another episode about negotiating for a mining treaty, huh? (I’m keeping track of all of these, roughly, for my own Nefarious Purposes).

The aliens are seven feet tall and they wear silly outfits.

Wow, what a dumbass red shirt. You’d think Starfleet would train people NOT to just randomly draw their weapons in diplomatic situations.

I honestly forgot there were Klingons in this.

DC Fontana wrote this!! I forgot that too.

Lol Kirk just drops the deceased red shirt. And then keeps holding his hands out like ‘what am I to do now?’

“They want to negotiate for our rocks. Our stupid, useless rocks. Everyone wants our rocks! So weird.”

I’m actually kind of surprised DC Fontana wrote a Klingon ep but like... I guess it’s not that surprising given this guy doesn’t even have a name and is also really dumb lol. At least he’s not in brownface.

When Kirk and Spock disarmed I didn’t realize they were throwing down their communicators and I was a little confused as to why they had to carry so many phasers each.

Kirk’s pretty upset about the crewman’s death, which I get, he always goes feral when one of his people dies and I appreciate that about him... but that guy really did fuck up lol.

I like seeing Scotty in command.

Oooh mood lighting in the tent. And Spock is meditating I think.

Emotion is “inefficient and illogical.” No wonder Kirk thinks they can never be in love!!

And yet jealous is also inefficient and illogical and I detect some of it in Spock when the blonde Cappellan comes in.

“They consider combat more pleasurable than love.” Hmm sounds like someone else I know.

... Honestly I wish the Grounders had been like this. I feel like there’s more thought in creating this society in one episode than in creating that one over 7 seasons.

I love Bones in this and his role as cultural translator.

The Federation believes in self-determination.

“The sky does not interest me.”

I really do dig the world building here. There’s so much going on in this one ep, even just in part of an ep, and you really get the sense that this is a whole world with its own rules and customs and values, and its own complex political machinations that our mains have really just wandered into.

Also the soundtrack today is NOT messing around. TV composers just don’t go this hard anymore, sorry.

Oooh now the Klingon’s afraid at the prospect of fighting Kirk.

The Enterprise just walked into a coup I guess.

Lots of fighting! Kirk must be having fun.

Scotty is so commanding! I feel like he and Uhura were already friends at this point. Like whenever he’s in command she seems really comfortable just wandering up to his chair all the time.

Also why are they ALWAYS signing stuff?

Yessss silent triumvirate communication.

“To live is always desirable.” I mean she’s not wrong but so much for being willing to die without a fuss lol.

It’s kind of wild how this ep started out being about a mining treaty and drama with the Klingons and all of this alien political drama and then basically becomes all about saving one (1) pregnant widow (and themselves) from huge, ,hostile aliens in funny feather boas.

Sulu insulting Scotty’s knowledge of ships lol. Not smart.

Can’t believe the Klingon couldn’t get his weapon back but Kirk got his communicators back no problem. Who is the smarter alien?

They’ll find us BY SCENT ALONE what a detail to just throw in there!

Lol this whole scene with McCoy and Eleen is hilarious and ridiculous in equal measure. Like I can’t entirely blame her for not wanting to be touched intimately by a strange alien man (rude!!) but also I do enjoy McCoy’s gruff insistence that he WILL care for his patient. This is what AOs didn’t get about “Grumpy Bones.” He’s not mean, he’s just...not up for niceties when he has a healing to do. He WILL care for you dammit!

And he has soft hands.

Spock is loving this.

Kirk’s subtle reverse psychology. “Well if you don’t think the communicator plan can work” and then Spock like “I didn’t say that exactly...”

They aren’t human, they’re humanoid!

And again, the subtle taunting/goading of Bones: “Well if you can’t do it...”

I’m a doctor, not an escalator! One of the best lines.

Detective Scotty. Kind of ridiculous how he solves the case of the taunting Klingons luring them away from the planet...but then sticks around a bit more just in case.

The child is McCoy’s!

Spock is so uncomfortable with this giving birth thing. “Oh look Captain, vegetation!”

“Just repeat ‘The child is mine.’“ “Yes, the child is yours.” Lol.

Arts and crafts with Kirk and Spock! I love that this is a McCoy ep with subtle space husbands in the background.

Favorite moment though is McCoy trying to teach Spock how to hold a baby. “I would rather not, thank you.”

“Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on...won’t get fooled again.”

I love that Chekov is consciously messing with them about everything being from Russia.

Also the absolute GALL of the Klingons trying the exact same ship luring technique a second time.

Can’t believe that Bones wants to go off and have fun with the boys and just leave the baby alone in the cave. You’re a dad now McCoy!! Be responsible!

“Small patient.” Yes very small!

Cool little robot battle station unfolding at the helm.

I feel like when Kirk and Spock have that exchange about cavalry coming over the hill and Spock says "if by that you mean..." Kirk should have answered, "I thought I just said that." But then that wouldn't be very Kirk of him. He never makes fun of Spock.

This Klingon is not having a good day!

Scotty and the redshirts here to save the day.

I guess Maab wasn’t so bad after all. And Elaan is perhaps a little confusing, but I admire her desire to both save herself and adhere to her people’s traditions, even if those are incompatible desires.

Spock absolutely IS going to consult linguistics about baby talk. Probably Uhura specifically.

LEONARD JAMES AKAAR. Absolutely one of the top 5 final bridge scenes. They really missed an opportunity to return to the planet in a later movie or series and interact with the Teer.Captain Picard meets Leonard James Akaar.

This was a good ep! I really only remembered the Bones and Elaan parts with the baby, so I forgot all of the political machinations and stuff in the beginning of the ep. It’s a pretty solid world building episode and of course, lots of McCoy, can’t go wrong with that.

I actually think it makes a lot of sense for Bones to be the child’s “father” tbh. Like, I know everyone thinks it’s funny but like... in our culture, we assign pseudo-parental roles to people who aren’t blood relatives of children based on the adult’s relationship with the child’s blood relative and that’s arguably weirder. Like you can be a kid’s step father by marrying his mom even if you really don’t have any relationship to him, so why shouldn’t McCoy, who saved Leonard’s mother’s life and delivered him, and convinced her to actually desire to raise him, be considered his “father”? ESP given that this society seems to have no place at all for fatherless children. They just can’t conceive of such a thing. So “father” has to encompass something other than, or not strictly limited to, biological father. She was so quick to assign McCoy fatherhood status, I have to assume this happens a lot, that people take on that role for non-bio children.

Not a lot for Spock to do today but I think he had fun. He got to explode some rocks and make some bows and shoot some arrows. And Kirk got into a lot of fights so I think he enjoyed himself.

I don’t know if I believed the Cappellans were 7 feet tall but they did look broad and alien so I will give them that.

It was nice to see Scotty in command again. I’m so mad at AOS still for making him comic relief. I think he’s actually quite a serious person. Talking with my mom, I’ve decided that the crew can be grouped into ‘cracks jokes through a crisis’ and ‘generally gets very serious in a crisis, reserves humor for calm moments’ and while Sulu, Chekov, and Spock are in group 1, Scotty is definitely in group 2 with Kirk and McCoy. (Uhura seems generally lighthearted and fun loving but not funny per se so I don’t know how to group her.)

Also this is one of the early filmed Chekov episodes (as you can see by the hair) and he spends it, again, at Spock’s station. It’s so obvious he was introduced as Spock’s protege, not as the navigator, which I think is very interesting. Like I want to hear the backstory on that.

Next week’s episode is The Deadly Years, which I remember as being very solid.

#star trek tos #the year 2021 #2021: star trek #2021: star trek tos

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ronninoir · 5 years ago

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Can I Steal You For A Second? Chapter 25

Summary: Adrien is forced to participate in a new dating show, but becomes more excited when Ladybug says she’ll participate as her civilian self.

AKA: AU where Adrien doesn’t know Marinette, the superheroes are 22 and Gabriel is mean and ruthless but not Hawkmoth.

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Start from the beginning Chp 1 on AO3

Chapter 25

Marinette was not okay. She woke up Monday morning, almost forgetting about the Rose Ceremony last night and all that had conspired. She almost didn’t believe it, until she ran to Hanna’s room and saw nothing. Marinette just stood there, staring at the empty space, remembering how they had helped her pack just like every other week yesterday afternoon, not realizing that it really would be her last time in this room.

A couple of minutes later, Juliette joined her, standing in the doorway next to Marinette, staring at the room. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. But most of all, she needed to talk to Adrien.

Marinette and Juliette didn’t leave each other’s side all day. In fact, they barely left Hanna’s room. They just sat in there, on her bed, in silence and occasionally told stories of times they had shared. Marinette felt as though she and Juliette were mourning Hanna, even though she was very much so alive. Her time on the show, however, had ended, and they both knew they needed to get it all out of their systems now, before the date card showed up tomorrow and they moved on to a new week. They had already decided they weren’t going to be like Zoe, moping around until she got kicked off herself.

Marinette had almost forgotten about her patrol with Chat that night, until Juliette excused herself for a shower and an early lights-out, Marinette mimicking the thought, headed to her room. She was very grateful that Juliette was still there, at least to make the sting of losing Hanna feel a little less, since she had someone to share it with.

When she got to their meeting spot, Ladybug was suddenly very anxious. She had never felt this upset with something Adrien had done, and she didn’t know how far she could go into the patrol without bringing it up.

Turns out, not very far.

As soon as Chat stepped onto the rooftop, Ladybug dropped her transformation and blurted out, “What the hell happened last night?”

Chat, being the smart man that he was, quickly dropped his transformation as well so that Adrien was standing in front of her. He looked uneasy and very very confused at her line of thinking. He did however, try to play it off. “Well, it’s nice to see you too Bugaboo.”

“Don’t you Bugaboo me. What in the world made you keep Lila and send Hanna, of all people, home?”

Marinette watched Adrien’s face drop and his left hand automatically reached up to rub the back of his neck. “Oh,” was all he said in response.

Marinette knew she needed to give him a chance to speak to explain his actions, which she figured there was a good reason for, but she couldn’t help herself. She had been so upset about Hanna leaving and the fact that Lila got to stay only fueled her frustration. Seeing Adrien standing in front of her on this rooftop in a secluded part of Paris looking uncomfortable and in no way sorry for his actions made her frustration turn into anger very quickly.

“Oh? That’s all you have to say for yourself? Oh?!” Marinette was fuming, so much so that she started pacing, unable to stand still with all of the anger floating around in her. “You decided to keep the evilest person in Paris on the show giving her the illusion that she has a chance to win your heart, and in exchange decided to send home the sweetest, kindest, friendliest person who actually cares about you and was such a good friend to me.” Marinette gave out an angry sigh/screech that would have woken the neighbors if there were any in this area.

“Marinette I can explain—”

“Oh?” Marinette interrupted. Internally, she was yelling at herself to stop talking and yet this part of her that was sick of Lila and her crap and just having to deal with all just snapped and that part of her won out and she knew there would be nothing to stop her from this rant until she ran out of things to say. “You can explain? Yes, Adrien, please explain to me why you would keep this girl who has been bullying me the entirety of the show, that you even have proof that she has been targeting me, and instead get rid of one of my best friends and allies!”

Adrien waited a beat before opening his mouth to talk. “Marinette,” he said softly, gently taking a small step towards her, as if she were some wild animal waiting to attack him. Which, once she thought about it, she kind of was. “I need you to realize how much say my Father really has in this show.” At the mention of Gabriel, Marinette rolled her eyes. Adrien paused in his slow walk at the motion, but continued to speak in that same soft voice. “Something about Lila freaks my Father out, and I have to keep her on the show at least until the Top 3. I think it may have something to do with her dad being a diplomat, but that is one point that my Father won’t budge on.”

“So?” Marinette asked, fire in her voice. “Why does your dad have to rule your life? Stand up to him, Adrien, tell him what you’re really thinking and show him that you are an adult who can make his own damned decisions.”

Adrien was right in front of her now, and she could see the worry and sadness in those beautiful green eyes as his hands gently found hers. “Marinette,” he whispered, his voice even softer now, “You do realize that if it’s just going to be me and you at the end, that everyone else will have to go.” Marinette huffed out air exasperatedly, realizing that he was right but not wanting to admit it. “I hated sending Hanna home, especially knowing what she means to you, but I had to. Lila showed me that there is a heart in there on Saturday, so I decided to give her another chance. Hanna just happened to be the first one that you truly cared about that I had to send home because it was time.”

All of what Adrien was saying made sense, and yet... “Lila showed you she has a heart?” Marinette asked icily, her anger cooling into something much much worse. “I thought the decision to keep her was because of your father, not because you decided she’s a decent human being.”

She released his grip and walked to the other side of the rooftop, sitting aggressively on the edge, and debating whether to transform and storm off or stay and continue to be mad at Adrien. She ended up choosing the latter.

She heard his footsteps and knew he had followed her before he spoke, “You didn’t see the way she was Saturday night. She looked defeated and was upset and crying. When we talked, I really thought that Lila had a heart in there, some sort of shield that she had decided to put down for me.” Adrien paused, but Marinette waited for him to continue, none of that eliciting a comment from her. After a moment, Adrien let out a sigh. “Marinette, I know you don’t like her, but I don’t like leaving any of these relationships in a bad way. You saw what happened to Sofia. Lila would have been an akuma that would be vicious both mad or sad, and she was broken on Saturday. I’m keeping her on the show to appease both my Father and myself, so that I won’t feel as guilty if she gets turned into an akuma.”

Marinette hadn’t thought about that, how Adrien felt after Sofia’s akuma. She knew that every time she accidentally pushed someone to be transformed into an akuma, she always felt guilty, but grateful that she could at least do something to help them.

Her anger subsided slightly, and she was about to tell him so when Adrien spoke up once again from behind her.

“Marinette, do you want to go home?” Adrien asked, softly. So softly, she almost thought she had imagined the words. Marinette whipped around, and noted that although Adrien had followed her, he remained standing a good distance away from her. When she looked at him, he wasn’t making eye contact with her, and was instead studying his feet.

“I can’t go home, Adrien, we have to patrol.” She quipped, rolling her eyes and turning back towards the Paris skyline.

“That’s not what I meant,”

Marinette didn’t even bother to turn around, her annoyance obvious in her tone. “Well, then what did you mean?”

“Do you want me to send you home from the show?”

Marinette froze. She slowly turned back around and faced Adrien, reading his posture a completely different way. He looked like a dejected kitty that had been kicked out of the house in the rain and was coming to the realization that he may not be let back in. She quickly got up and ran towards him, forcing him to look her in the eye.

“Adrien Agreste, where in the world did you get that idea?” Her voice was significantly softer, her anger dissipating at his thought process.

“You’re mad at me, I just figured you were done. That you wanted to leave and forget I or the show ever existed.” When she looked in those eyes, she again saw the worry and sadness in them, but this time she understood that those were because of her. Worry that she would feel the need to leave, and overwhelming sadness that she would actually do so.

“Oh, Kitty, that’s not how these work.” She reached out and cupped his cheek and was relieved when he leaned into the touch. “People in relationships get in fights all the time. My parents are constantly bickering over little things and my mom gets mad at my papa a lot, but they get through it and solve their problems and then they love each other even more after it’s all done.” She pulled him into a hug and just held him. He was clutching her as if she was his lifeline, which she may just be.

“We bicker and fight all the time as Ladybug and Chat Noir, what made you think that this was anything different?” Marinette asked as they broke apart.

Adrien’s face pinked and he dropped eye contact once again before he answered, “That relationship is permanent. We can’t quit saving Paris, and I knew we couldn’t quit being partners no matter what. So, I just assumed we fixed our problems and forgave each other solely because of how much Paris needed us together. But, you and me as our regular selves, well, you have to choose me and I figured that if you’re this mad at me, you may not want to choose me anymore.”

His voice slowly tapered off at the end, so Marinette had to strain to hear the end of the sentence, but when she realized what he said, her heart dropped. She didn’t know what she could have done in the past seven years to make him see their relationship differently, but she’s glad that she was able to show him how proper relationships, both friendships and dating relationships work now. And she could show him what unconditional love looks like, and how much he deserves to be loved that way.

“Oh, Adrien,” she sighed as she embraced him again, this time their lips meeting. Marinette poured her love into the kiss, hoping Adrien would realize her point without any words being necessary.

When they broke apart, she whispered, “Adrien, it’s going to take a lot more than me being angry at you for me to leave you. I’ve stuck with you for 7 years through good times and bad, and I don’t plan to quit anytime soon.”

Adrien let out a sigh of relief, which showed on his face as well, as he wrapped her into a hug. “Will you marry me?” he breathed into her hair.

The question caused butterflies of excitement to stir in her, but she pushed the thoughts about their future away as she whispered, “It’s not time for that, silly. We still have a couple of weeks to go, and you still have to meet my parents first.”

That caused Adrien to pull away from Marinette and blush slightly. His expression changed slightly as he studied her before hesitantly asking, “So, you’re not mad at me anymore?”

Marinette considered for a minute, and realized that she would never be able to stay mad at him for long. She had burned through most of her anger with the yelling and figured they could come back to the “Lila has a heart” conversation and discuss that without the yelling and anger present.

“No, I’m done being angry for now,” she answered calmly, which caused Adrien to let out a small laugh of relief. “Just,” she started, trying to figure out how to phrase what she was thinking, “let me know next time? Like just give me a heads up when Juliette has to go home, so I can be better prepared.”

Adrien nodded solemnly, “I will,” he promised, before pulling her into another hug.

Marinette savored the feeling of having Adrien’s arms around her before she pulled away and brought them both back to reality. “We really need to go patrol.”

Adrien sighed softly before giving her a kiss on her forehead, “You’re right, Bug, we need to go protect Paris.”

They quickly found their kwamis hiding behind an air conditioning unit, trying to look as though they weren’t spying on the two of them from afar.

Once they had both transformed, they made quick work of their patrol. They were however stopped short when they came across a rogue akuma, just flying around Paris looking for a victim to akumatize. Ladybug made quick work of purifying it, but it wasn’t until she was back in her bed at the mansion as Marinette that the thought occurred to her that the akuma could have been coming for her before she burned out all of her anger on that rooftop.

~~~

Hello everyone! I hope you don't hate us too much after that last chapter, but hopefully Marinette vocalized some of your feelings tonight for you!

We love all the comments and we always look forward hearing what everyone has to say!

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kurtty-drabbles · 5 years ago

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House of M- Redone

N/A: I think I did a House of M before. One where Kitty helps Wanda and Pietro and that´s cool, but, I had an idea for this au, and well, let´s see if I can do here.

@dannybagpipesarecalling @djinmer4 @bamfoftheundead @muninandhugin

One thing must be said about professor Katherine Anne Pryde. One of many things if you ask anyone that knows this professor even for one day. The woman takes her job seriously-the school was in dire need of a mutant to teach the history of mutants once proving the teacher wasn´t a real mutant and such employment could cause a scandal- all her 22 students are equal in her eyes.

Now, is important to point out how this school, in Genosha, is not exactly top-notch or elite like as the school where the Princes of Genosha attended- the School Emma Frost owns has all the stereotype images of elite and Emma never shies away- the education system in Genosha is great, but, still Kitty´s school is not an elite. No one in her classroom is a future king, or has omega level powers or is the reincarnation of a great figure- as Kitty never look down at any of her students.

Now! let be register in any record available that Kitty Pryde takes her job seriously. Donning herself with her most comfortable jeans and wearing a white shirt- her Magen David in display and proudly as always- the teacher is counting the heads of her students. "22 as always, thank god. I didn´t lose anyone...for now" Kitty jokes and her students follow along.

"Teacher...what about Larry?"

"Larry...is our secret" she makes a shush sign and wink at them. A few chuckles happen and now she´s back to the program. "Ok, everyone knew knows what are you looking?" the question has Kitty point directly to the big museum- the words museum is extremely hard to miss- as a few hands raise.

"We´re here to see the story of Genosha and our founders. And to be away from our class" and the other kids' nods. Kitty feels old as she´s not getting the joke nor the memes they´re sharing, well, it doesn´t matter in the end. She´s here to do her job.

"Correct and most important..." her words die-off in her lips and even brains as Emma Frost is climbing down the stairs with her little students- some of them are the princes of Genosha-wearing a smirk hauntingly beautiful for a woman who only wears white.

"Well, well, well. What we have here? a little cat" Emma spares no punches. "A school trip or are you with your kids? Did Piotr finally got his wish?" and Kitty is a professional and she knows that punches the daylight of Emma is a big no(for many, many reasons)

"No, Emma. Thank you for caring. I´m here with my students to see the museum...and I ought to teach all of them the importance of not dress like a whore, something you must teach your students...right, Emma?" she feigns innocence as her big doe eyes transmit nothing but good-will towards another professional.

Emma looks back to see her students equally confused. "We´re going back...oh, Kitty, carefully, the guide´s name is Peter but I heard he´s married already" and she fakes concern putting her hand on her heart as if taking real pity of the situation.

"Ah, thank you for the warning, by the way, Scott always loved and will always love Jean Grey. Had a nice life and try to not be naked on your way back" Kitty states cheerfully as Emma leaves not looking back.

Kitty´s students- Mercury, Rockslide, Pixie to name a few- did a clumsy bow. The future ruler of Genosha is there and while they want to show respect for this future leader, and the kids have many people in their lives hamming this idea into their minds, they aren´t sure how to do the bow. The result? something too clumsy to resemble a bow.

Well, the princes didn´t seem to care.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The museum has a renovation and it shows. Long gone are the days where the building would resemble a haunting church. Kitty is guiding her students- the guide, Peter, had to take a leave to solve a problem and Kitty is more than well-prepared to do this job-to each section of the museum.

Many questions are being made right now. "Hey, hey. One at a time" Kitty chided them. They didn´t seem to care though.

"Teacher, what´s this?" she points to the war section. To be more exact, to the many fights the X-men fought in the past. Kitty follows her gaze and seems to get the underline question here.

"The X-men in the past fought many adversaries. Bigger than you can imagine. This one here...is Apocalypse" and the students are muttering among themselves impressed by the sculpture- it was a bit of controversy as the X-men feel it would be as if they´re giving a shrine to Apocalypse, but, a deal was made and in the end, a small size sculpture of Apocalypse is in the museum- "and he caused a great problem to the team"

"He killed Prof X...right?"

"Right...he did and Jean Grey was the one to finally locked him in his tomb"

"Will he come back?"

Maybe...he was locked. Not killed.

"Of course not. Jean Grey took care of that"

______________________________________________________________________________________

"Alright, who can tell me the names of the original X-men?" Kitty asked as this prompts all the other kids to stop and think. Few hands are raised.

"There´s Logan" and Kitty crosses her arms in an X position. "Wrong. Logan was never an X-men. He helps them here and there but he is not an X-men nor Avenger"

Silence is her ally.

"First we have Jean Grey" she look at them bemused. How they did not know Jean Grey is the first X-men? "she is one of the most powerful mutants in the group"

"Second, we have Dr. Hank MCcoy"

"Third we have Iceman aka Bobby Drake"

"Fourth, we have Scott Summers" a few hands raise up to speak and Kitty can roll her eyes already knowing the answer. "Yes, my bad. Mr. Scott Grey"

"And finally, we have Angel aka Warren Warrington"

The students are taking photos of the original team. Making jokes about how young they all look "defeating evil wearing that? They´re fearless"

________________________________________________________________________________________

Kitty claps her hands together and has a big grin on her face. "Ok, kids. This is where the good part begins. Do you reconize those 3 in the painting?" and the students send a sarcastic no to her face. Kitty ignores them. "This is Pietro, the prince of Genosha and the diplomat of our land. This is Lorna, the mistress of magnetism and this...this is our Witch Queen, Wanda"

And the students take pictures and take a moment to admire this moment. "and their father?" Kitty rubs her arms and refuses to lie. "Magneto is a complex story, even to a bystander, Magneto is banished from Genosha and is whereabouts is unknown" and her words sink in for the others.

Suddenly a hole in the wall appears. The one and only Juggernaut appears and speaks. "I´m Juggernaut, Bitch" and the children scream -some take selfies- and Kitty is in front of the students. "And I want the princes of Genosha"

Oh yes, he´s dumb.

Oh no, he´s dumb and strong.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

He´s big. He´s dumb. I can work with that.

Kitty looks at the students and hissed. "when I count to 3 runs to the exit, got it?" and they nod in silence.

"1" Juggernaut is in a position to attack. Head-fist is his special move.

"2" she can feel the tension.

"3!" she said and the kids run as Juggernaut is stuck on the flooring-half of his body is stuck in the flooring-Kitty´s powers are far more useful than anyone would give credit. The kids managed to leave the museum and Juggernaut is now pissed.

Kitty crackle her knuckles. "Wanna stay here to cool off?" she suggests deadpan. Juggernaut has a smart reply and sadly it can´t be appreciated as Kitty doesn´t seem to understand stupidity fluently as he does. "Fine, let´s end this soon"

And she caught a whiff of brimstone. "The cavalry is here" in his german accent and Kitty can reconize one of the most famous mutants in the Red Guard.

"You´re late," said Kitty open the bottom case of Juggernaut´s helmet. She chides him without looking at the azzure figure of Nightcrawler. She can miss his astonishment expression.

Juggernaut, however, is not here to take autographs from Nightcrawler. And using his superior strength the man breaks the flooring and is now free.

"Miss, let the professional" he stops as Kitty looks at him with fire in her eyes. "do you have a plan, Nightcrawler?" and she smirks as she says. "I do...can you give me a sword?"

The nerve of this woman!

And Juggernaut is angry. Juggernaut ignored Nightcrawler to go chasing Kitty. "Come back here, Bitch"

"I´m not Juggernaut!"

Kurt Wagner watches the scene with his jaw drop.

Snapping from his daze, the mutant goes after the strange woman. Kurt notices her intangibility and how she´s pressing the second bottom on his helmet.

Oh...OH...

And Kurt is quick to press the remain buttons and taking his helmet off.

Mark Cain is now powerless without the helmet. And Kurt can take care of the rest.

"That was incredibly risque of you" Kurt begins looking up and down to the woman-in no moment she ever said she was an X-men or Avenger which makes her action even more reckless- "But at the same time...that was incredibly brave of you, thank you"

"Thank you...he tried to hurt my students...motherfucker had come"

Who is this woman?

"What´s your name, fraulein?"

"Uhm, what´s yours?"

"My name is Kurt Wagner, I´m from the Red Guard"

"I´m Kitty Pryde. History teacher" and adds. "no swords?"

"No swords, miss History teacher...is against the laws"

"Damn"

________________________________________________________________________________________

"Wow! Rogue" Kitty said as she saw Rogue carrying Mark Cain to the van without breaking a sweat. Kitty and the students are impressed to see Rogue, however, Kurt is not amused she´s showing more reaction to his own sister than him.

"I´m still here, you know..."

"I know...and we fought against Juggernaut" and she winks at him. Kurt is never this confused about a woman as he´s now.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Emma Frost is ever happy that Juggernaut is a complete moron and mistakes the future leaders or leader- is not sure if Wanda´s sons would want to share the throne or not. They both seem uninterested now- of Genosha with Kitty´s students.

"Miss Frost...are you and Miss Pryde in love?" one of her students dare to make such an idiotic question.

They´re only children after all.

"EWW. If I have to date a woman...I can pick someone who is on my age and has a better fashion sense than Kitty...plus, I meet Kitty when she was a teen and it would be eww in so many ways"

#House of M redone #Kitty Pryde #Kurt Wagner #Kurtty #nightcrawler #Kurt she´s not impressed yet #Rogue is awsome and everyone should know this #Emma and Kitty are frenemies

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butterfly-winx · 5 years ago

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Eraklyon

Eraklyon is known for its riches, political intrigue and peculiar standing in the magical society. The lavish lifestyle of its inhabitants is supported by the ores and minerals hidden in the crust beneath the country, that has caused many an envious eye to be thrown at it.

Eraklyon is located on Manubra 47, a mid sized planet they share with 27 other countries spread over the continents divided from each other by unique freshwater oceans. Two of their most prominent neighbours are Nishii and the island country Callisto.

Eraklyon, like Magics has the means to supply basic amenities to its inhabitants free of charge, though on Eraklyon they do mean the barest necessities: shelter and water. Nevertheless those two taken care of the general stress level about self-sustenance among the low economical classes is staggeringly low compared to other countries of the Magical Universe.

Just like on Solaria, the favourite trade products are gems and minerals that they gladly share with their more famous business partner. A lot of jewellery is is made on Solaria, but mined in Eraklyon. Though semi- and precious stones may be what they are most know for, their other mining products such as oil and carbon gases is what gets them into tension with their neighbouring countries.

As nice as a life in such a well-off stable society sounds like, Eraklyon has never been the object of envy for most people who know what lies beyond the exterior. The country is almost always locked in war with one or the other bordering region in a never ending conflict over territories and mining rights on ground and on the colony planetoids. Borders have shifted considerably over the centuries, the people being displaced adopting a bi-lingual and bi-cultural lifestyle fluent in both Rak (the language of Eraklyon) and the other language of their residence. The instability this introduces had many people flee overseas to Callisto, or straight up just as far away as possible, onto another planet.

The war at current times is tame. It has morphed, and had to because of the massive causalities it has reaped in the past. Neither Eraklyon, nor Nishii, the two main perpetrators in the fight, are technologically underdeveloped. They had the means to employ weapons of mass destruction against each other and not too long, only two centuries ago they did, nuking most of the people and inhabitable zones of the planet. Magic may not be able to solve all problems, but with the use of the nature core most life was salvaged, the only evidence of it ever happening a scar on the surface that is slowly being filled by the seas. It was a grim reminder to the ruling class, that at the end of they are nothing without the people they are sworn to lead, serve and protect. The very ways of warfare had to be rewritten.

At this point, no one on Manubra 47 is allowed to hold an army at steady whose sole purpose is to lead wars. Military and its deployment are only permitted when the purpose serves the well-being of all people of the country, say an outside invasion or criminal activity, but never for the personal interest of the ruling classes. They are permitted personal protection units, but even those are limited in size. So the tension moved, the stress of being a casualty moved from the people’s shoulders with the war being solely confined to the royals and rulers themselves.

What began there is known as the Bello Sicarii, the personal war of assassinations, hits and extortion among the members of the royalty. This experience is what shaped Sky’s life growing up and necessitated employing Brandon as a body double for most of his life. It is not rare that it happens, because of the specific rules that further define the Bello Sicarii. In the first years, hits had an extremely high success rate, neither party really used to the new rules and the implemented security measures were lacking, leading to a much too frequent change of regents. That left countries destabilised and at the brink of another civil crisis that neither party on Manubra could afford.

The new postulations drafted specified, that in order to retain a ruler for as long as possible, adults would be largely spared but their progeny would not. Children before reaching adulthood were fair game, as interrupting the succession line of a ruler carried almost as much weight as an assassination itself. After an heir has reached adulthood, matters would get much more complicated with the young royal being able to sign contracts, make diplomatic agreements and get entangled in business relations, as to such that their “removal” would have significant consequences for the planetary peace and economy. This is something frankly normal to Sky, but he is sweating up a storm thinking if he had to ever explain that to Bloom in the event that they got married and were thinking of having children. (This is also the reason why Bloom’s impersonation of Princess Varanda of Callisto passed for so long, since Varanda has truly never left the protective hideout she had been brought up in and no one off planet has ever seen her.)

Religion on Eraklyon is a double edged sword. Their main belief is a strong doctrine that aims to lead people down a very predestined, rigid path of moral righteousness. In doing so, painting one lifestyle as supremely right, it has the tendency to demonise anything else that deviates from it. Especially magic.

Eraklyon, like Earth, operates a split society where non-magic people and magic users and creatures live in almost separate societies with a hierarchy of their own. While non-magic Eraklyonites know of the existence of magic and do use it in certain amounts, they fear it more than they appreciate it. Especially witchcraft, which has become a notorious example of why magic is bad in the eyes of religious people. In ancient times witch covens liberally offered trade and magical problem solving to those who were willing to pay a certain price for it. It snowballed into a sort of worship that angered the rising power of religious folk, who protested this kind of exchange because of the missing toil in the magical solutions. In their eyes there was no moral lesson, no growth in allowing oneself to rely on spells and magic alone, so they despised the the craft so much that witches entirely left the planet at some point.

The religious doctrine permeates almost everything concerning social life. The rigidity of it demands clearly defined social classes that are largely kept separate, like castes. Elevating oneself is of course possible, so the spiritual leaders say, if only one behaves according to the path of the right. Otherwise every misfortune that happens to one is justly brought upon punishment. This idea is by the way remarkably at odds with the motto of the country that states, Imbalance is paramount for progress, as it keeps social mobility at stagnation.

Imbalance and asymmetry are also beloved design elements that set Eraklyonites apart from other cultures off planet. They are not as avant-garde as people from Zenith, but favouring rich hand-woven fabric, brocades, taffeta and silhouettes that remind of 19th century Earth fashion. No two sides of a building, dress, or haircut are the same but the overall picture is never off kilter, both sides of the design packing incredibly high detail density. For this reason clothing is still hand-crafted and is not a mass market product like in other countries or planets.

One happy thing though that everyone will be able to tell you about Eraklyon, is that they celebrate a lot. They have 18 religious and commemorative days that are bank holidays, but on top of that they also value birthdays very much. Every person automatically receives the day off on their day of birth and may request other ones off for those of their immediate family - meaning spouse, sibling, children, parents, even up to grandparents. Job applications in Eraklyon typically start with a big wall of birth dates requested to give the employer an idea of when one might not be available to work. For seasonal work, people are preferred whose family doesn’t have predominantly summer birthdays, just to make sure harvesting is done on time without Celebration Delays, as they call that.

Eraklyon is a core member of the Company of Light. Being constantly at war gave them the advantage of having armies at the ready to be deployed to protect people from the Ancestresses attacks, plus their experience in battle strategies has come handy more than once, latest in the fight against Tritannus. The people of Eraklyon are a proud people, infused with blind love and trust in their homeland despite its shortcomings. However, they offer the same fierce love and loyalty to all the people close to their hearts.

#butterfly fic #eraklyon #eraklion #worldbuilding #I think I am going to make a separate post on the magic community on eraklyon -and diaspro by extension- on a separate post

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svynakee · 5 years ago

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castlevania s3 thoughts

Well more like complaints. Although I do find it worth watching; maybe after S4 comes out, though. Because S3 is really just a fancy teaser for S4.

I really don’t like how Castlevania S3 felt like a waste of time (except for 30% which was very good). I mean yeah I watch shows to waste time in general but hear me out.

By the end of S3, it feels like nothing happened. The status quo is kept. There’s a lot of setup with a tenuous promise of S4 payoff. There might be growth, but really, everything feels more like the catalyst for growth to happen later. It’s like following your GPS and it says “You’ve arrived at your destination :)” but you find yourself at some dusty crossroads and there isn’t even a petrol station in sight.

That’s basically all I can say without spoilers. I have a lot more to say with spoilers. So-

If Castlevania S3 was divided into 4 basically unrelated stories (Styria, Lindenfeld, Isaac’s travels, Alucard’s castle), at least half of them ended up saying/contributing nothing to the overarching plot, setting and characterisation. It felt like an extended trailer. Action, twists, your favs making an appearance…then goodbye, screen fades to black, see you next season.

TLDR version: get rid of Isaac’s entire arc, develop Sumi and Taka or get rid of them, Lindenfeld sorely needed more focus, no need to change Styria but more Styria would be nice.

Compare to S1, which was also mostly setup for the plot resolution in S2. It didn’t feel like a waste of time. Why? Because of the threat of Dracula? I don’t think so. It’s because when we first meet Trevor, we’re presented with a very solid image of who he is. He’s alone, he’s purposeless, he doesn’t want to take up his family legacy. 3 episodes later and he’s got two “friends” and a clear goal to pursue. And he’s no longer a nameless drifter – he’s the last living Belmont, vampire hunter, returning to his ancestral home so he may arm himself to face Dracula.

Alucard

Alucard’s story was the worst offender in my opinion. We start with Alucard being alone and sad in his empty castle. We end with Alucard being alone and sad in his empty castle. While this could be an interesting start of darkness for the dhampir, the fact that we don’t really see the results make it an overall unsatisfying season. Suki and Taka contributed nothing. We learned almost nothing about them. Their motivations were frankly generic – they want to fight vampires? Well we already know people who do that. Their obsession with the castle’s engine? Goes nowhere. Their friendship with Alucard? Shallow, not really built on mutual points of interest. Then they die.

The truth is, Sumi and Taka were dealt a bad card to begin with – Alucard, to be exact. Because a ranged and close quarters fighter duo of vampire hunters has direct competition with the previous season’s S&T, Sypha and Trevor. Instead of giving them the time and development needed to grow apart, they seemed more like plot devices to get Alucard to where he needs to be in S4. Or just to prove he’s lonely and gullible. And a bottom.

I feel like there’s a lot of potential in this storyline. Perhaps Taka and Suki’s interest in the castle is more nefarious; maybe they were part of a bigger group. Their betrayal of Alucard could cause him to reconsider his father’s stance on humanity. As a stepping stone, I have no complaints about this storyline. But that’s because there’s nothing to say. Its impact all depends on S4 and S4 isn’t out yet. So, the entire thing just feels frustrating, a pointless distraction from the other storylines.

Isaac

Isaac should not have gotten as much screen time as he did, unless they actually did something useful with him. As much as I love his character (Casually putting Godbrand down? Instant fav.) his presence in S3 feels like pointless pandering. Because he spent all that time doing nothing.

We know who Isaac is, because of S2. We know what his motivations are: return to/avenge Dracula. We know his general worldview, the thing that makes him what he is – he has a low opinion of humanity, is highly disciplined and loyal to Dracula. And the thing is, NONE of these things change in S3. Instead we’re treated to Isaac repeatedly almost thinking humans are okay, then getting proven wrong when he tries to give them a chance, then killing everyone.

This is would serve a purpose if: Isaac was seen as ambivalent towards humanity or conflicted about condemning them in S1 (more like Hector, perhaps). Isaac was more like original Isaac, an unhinged sadist and being saved by Dracula starts him on a path to redemption which is repeatedly denied.

But no. Isaac is always shown to be calm, disciplined and set in his views. Having him go through this completely unchanged makes his character ‘arc’ a waste of time.

The problem is Isaac’s storyline also feels unnecessary plot-wise. Isaac finds humans disgusting and his power is to be a monster spawn point. The fact is, if Isaac shows up one day with a monster army and wants to kill humans, we don’t need an explanation for it. Isaac himself is the explanation. The only thing that needs resolving is ‘how did he get from the desert to bother the heroes’ and that can be solved by “I took a boat” or “I found a transportation mirror” or even “I used a night creature to carry me”. He can just tell us. It can be a shot of him travelling. Or a cheesy montage set to rock music I don’t care.

So the fact that character-wise Isaac is just going through a series of resets is made even more tedious when you realise that plot-wise he’s also been completely useless.

His big fight was fun, but it lacked emotional impact. The wizard wasn’t opposed to Isaac, either in terms of good/evil or ideologically. There was no catharsis to the wizard dying because we never knew those townspeople. Who got turned into night creatures anyway. By Isaac.

Belnades and Belmont (the dancing bear)

The Lindenfeld plot I would say has all the elements of an excellent story but needed more time. More focus. I hated S3’s style of constantly jumping between the four storylines, especially when one of them involved Isaac going through a banal cycle on another continent and the other had the Discount Belmont and Belnades.

In my opinion, Lindenfeld only suffered because there wasn’t enough focus to really build up the almost Lovecraft-esque mystery for Trevor and Sypha to investigate. Germain barely interacted with them, we only got his story via infodumping and a bad dream. Their relationship with the Judge didn’t feel deep enough that his ‘betrayal’ had impact (besides, it was bundled up with Alucard and Hector’s betrayals so there’s a bit of overexposure apathy). And it’s hard to be sympathetic towards townspeople when, for most of the series, townspeople are shit. Townspeople blamed Belmont for Dracula’s horde. Townspeople tattled on Lisa. Townspeople antagonise Isaac. Showing us 1 family eating dinner isn’t going to change that.

There was something of a start to an emotional arc where Trevor questions Sypha’s naiveté, his future with her, etc. which would have been stronger if it wasn’t just the start of an arc. Leaving them horrified at the truth of the Judge, the destruction of the town and their inability to prevent disaster is absolutely fine. But when it’s also paired with Isaac’s Are Humans Bad Merry-go-Round and Forever Alone Alucard, yet another “to be continued” ending instead of closure was frustrating.

Hector but not really

Hector, similar to Isaac and Alucard, starts and ends in the same place. I have no complaints about the Styria storyline though because Hector isn’t the character carrying this subplot. Lenore is.

Lenore starts out with a clear goal and obstacle to that goal. The other vampire sisters seem unconvinced that she can solve it, or that any of them can. Lenore succeeds despite these odds, proving her own strength, cunning and patience. She also shows how her way, the diplomat’s way, has the same value as Carmilla’s schemes, Striga’s military knowledge and Morana’s talent for governance. She has an arc. Sure, it’s a villain arc, but villains need them. S2 had Carmilla working against Dracula, putting her forces into place, manipulating the war council, stealing Hector to her side. S3 has Lenore.

Meanwhile, the Styria subplot also sets up the new villains for the heroes to face – cunning Carmilla, strong Striga, strategic Morana and manipulative Lenore. Along with Hector the army spawn point. We have the new location, Styria. We see the dynamic and power hierarchies of the new villains. We learn about their overarching goal and how they mean to achieve it. Lots of setup, even more than the other storylines, but it has a satisfying arc within it that means it gives closure.

If S3 was freed from Static Isaac and Sumi/Taka (who have expiry dates and arrived half stale), the Styria storyline could benefit from the extra time. Better establish the dynamic between the four sisters (as opposed to Striga-Morana, Lenore-Hector and then a little bit of Carmilla). Give Hector more time to show his emotions; his despair, his loneliness, his genuine desire to have a friend despite his better judgement.

Final thoughts and Season Finales

Overall, the strongest parts of S3 are bogged down by subplots that really didn’t deserve so much screen time. I question the editing style of constantly jumping between the storylines; it comes at the cost of emotional investment into each one. The finale is especially strange to me. Two fights and two sex scenes that clashed, broke tension and made it tough to respond emotionally. Isaac’s fight should’ve happened earlier, a mid-season spectacle that really doesn’t have emotional impact. Lenore’s manipulation and betrayal could have been a second-to-last episode thing. The heroes naturally deserve the prime spot of season finale; the disastrous end of that fight also sets up the gloomy tone of the ending.

Sumi and Taka can die whenever, however. I literally could not care less whether they tried to kill Alucard after sex or over dinner. I barely care about their reason for attempted murder. I don’t know what part they play in the grand scheme of things and I am not invested in them as individuals.

If the entire point of the arc was to prove that Alucard was a bottom, just have him absent the entire season and add a post-credits scene of him using a dildo. Then he accidentally smashes it with his vampire strength and cries on the floor.

#castlevania #netflix castlevania #castlevania s3

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strawberryybird · 5 years ago

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Spare some Ignatz and Leonie thoughts, ma'am? For a humble Leonatz fan?

it’s leonatz time !!!

i truly do not know what the conventions are for headcanon or ship posts so if this seems like a stream of consciousness about leonatz and my own verdent wind ending fanon... that’s because it is.. fhdgbfhg

i know in their ending it has them both disperse and reconnect after a few years, but my jury is out on whether i want the golden deers as a whole to faff off in separate ways and grow into themselves outside of war or Stay As A Family Forever a la my CR vox machina willful ignorance..

.. ok i accidentally wrote half a fic. It’s unedited and unbeta’d and it’s really a stream of consciousness.. but have it anyway fhdgkh. lmk if this needs a content warning?

so lets say the deers all stay as one big patchwork quilt of a unit (other endings be damned) and they.. all move up to Goneril territory because Claude needed to be near Almyra, and Hilda is Hilda, so off they went. With the truth of Lysithea’s crests coming to light, and the reality of it setting in, it feels like the war didn’t end, it just changed tact.

For Hilda and Lorenz, it’s become a diplomatic whirlpool of exchange of resources and information in a post-war world where the Church is in shambles, the crest nobility system is barely holding itself together, and there’s a ticking time bomb with white hair resting in the sun room upstairs. And the only ones who knew what had happened were little piles of ash in an underground bunker.

Marianne dives even further into healing magic and the information they swiped from Slither, with Hanneman across the desk. Manuela was stretched thin enough between Enbarr, Garreg Mach and Byleth’s side, but there was a place at their table for her too.

Byleth chips in what she can, where she can, already spread thin enough across the country. Her soft mint hair is always a welcome sight in the library. Claude has to travel between Almyra and Byleth after the war in their effort to kick in Fodlan’s walls for good. Raphael comes with them all at first, but soon he’s also out travelling across the former Alliance, helping rebuild and show the best side of the deer’s little army - the unrelenting hope of the world they were fighting for. But he’s back every few weeks with his bright smile and brighter news.

It seems like everyone has their place in this new world they’ve stumbled into. Leonie’s never been much for studying more than military tactics - goddess knows magic had never much taken to her. Give her a bow and a target and she’s golden. Ignatz had always had an open book of some sort or other - but the level of detail Marianne and Hanneman were going in tended to be reserved for his watercolours.

(It just takes a moment for them both to find their feet in this new kind of fight)

Their old teachers had swept Garreg Mach for any books that could possibly shed light on Lysithea’s health, and Seteth and Manuela had returned to Hilda’s castle with sackfulls of manuscrips and books they dug up from the wreckage of Thales’ chambers, and all these books needed a good home. So they lost a bedroom and gained a library with a built-in wardrobe.

Somehow both Leonie and Ignatz ended up in there at an ungodly hour of night, both intending to do the most useful thing they knew of: reading books they don’t understand. Because that was what everyone else was doing, and firing arrows at the problem wasn’t going to cut it this time.

They don’t talk at first. Because it’s them, and of course it’s them. They know each other so well, just a smile suffices for a whole conversation.

On the second night, Ignatz’ candle burns out in its own puddle of wax. Ignatz stammers out the same ‘sorry’ he’s been stammering at her for 2 years of school and 5 years of warfare, and Leonie brings in one of the gas lamps from outside the door for some proper light. Issue solved. Ignatz closes the heavy curtains to make the light seem brighter, and the room seem warmer, and he gently thanks her, as he’s always done. Leonie shrugs it off like she passed him the salt, because that’s what she’s always done.

The third night, she stops being cowardly because there’s no longer time for that (there was never any time for that), and asks for Ignatz’ help with one of the Slither’s manuscipts.

Next to her, Ignatz flushes red as roses (or blood, or Edelgard’s armour, Carmine red as Ignatz once told her) and says he was actually just about to ask her for help on the one he’d been studying.

They both miss a beat.

Leonie knows she shouldn’t be laughing at their own uselessness, but goddess, it’s the most cathartic thing she’s felt in three weeks. “You’re meant to be the smart one of us”, she says, lightly cuffing his shoulder, smile still on her face. “I always was a bit duff at tome smarts.”

“Oh no,” he stammers back, “I was never very good at magic without Professor and Lysithea’s help. Plus, it was only Cutting Gale, it’s nothing like any of these texts.”

“Plus,” Ignatz continues, adjusting his glasses, “You’re a brilliant battle commander. You always know just what do on the battlefield. It’s amazing,” his blush was still high in his cheeks, “how much you carried our army.

“I don’t know if we ever said thank you.”

Leonie stopped short and looked at Ignatz, candlelight caught in his glasses.

“You don’t need to thank me any more than I need to thank you. It was war, we did what we had to.” She said, missing nonchalant and landing in the netting some real emotions.

Leonie had been forthright about her feelings, and the war only reduced her bullshit tolerance to a cool zero. If something needs to be said, she says it. Always has done.Apart from fear. Fear is the one that sits in her throat at night and wraps its fingers around her memories of Jeralt’s last rattled breaths, and the rain, and the way Lysithea gets worse as the storms roll in from the sea.

The war has changed, but the game remains the same. Don’t let your loved ones die. And the less she understood how to fix Lys, the more useless she seemed to in this brave new world.

“Battle tactics aren’t much use when reading unhinged medical texts, Ignatz.” Leonie said, looking at their decimation of order on the table, with quills and ink and parchment spilled over the resources.

And he smiles at her. “Neither is painting. I’ve had 5 years to feel like I’m a useless cog in the war machine, and you’ve only had 5 months, Leonie. But I get it.”

Leonie pretends her laugh isn’t as watery as it is, and Ignatz has enough exposure to Lorenz’ noble prattling to politely ignore how her cheeks flushed with various emotional reactions.

“So a knight and an artist walk into a library at midnight.”

Ignatz chuckles lightly, “now that’s a Claude-level of bad joke”

They spend the rest of the night talking, and by the time sunlight is streaming through the curtains, Leonie feels a little bit lighter.Only a bit lighter, that is. But as Ignatz had once told her in the forest, his arms full of paint and hers full of arrows; it’s a nice thing to be understood about this kind of thing.

#ask #birb does fic //#tumblr PLEASE don't fuck my formatting fhdkgh #Leonie/Ignatz #Spoilers #THANK U FOR THIS ASK MY DUDE #I . I REALLY ENJOY LEONIE/IGNATZ OK #there's a lot im not happy with in this bc im too heavy handed #but i tried to keep it very raw and blunt for my gal leonie bc that's Her #also i listened to a tonne of sad music listening to this im so sorry LMAO #like this isn't shippy shippy but i don't see them like that apparently H #also. i haven't finished VW... do not at me on these ending specifics i'm Not There Yet LMAO #uhhh im writing a follow up to this as i type #BUT THANK YOU FOR THIS ASK PLEASE TAKE THESE EMOTIONS AS RECOMPENSE!!!!!!#THANK :D #sonofcarnelian

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mrneighbourlove · 5 years ago

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Fall of a Dynasty: Ch 3. Signing the Fine Print

"I've stopped the bleeding," Doctor Boo-Boo yawned. He was sleeping in his private quarters in the castle after completing surgery on Tulilaid's foot. The captain of the guard had fallen from his horse during a routine scouting drill when his saddle slipped off due to the buckle breaking. It was an accident, but broke a few bones in his foot. Unfortunately, it needed surgical repair, so he was off duty for a few weeks. Still, with Kelly fussing over him, he would be back in tiptop shape in no time. "The Emperor will be fine. She just needs rest now."

"Thank you, my brother said he'd be along shortly, he had to uh... put on more presentable attire." Ralnor worded his sentence delicately. "Not come in his night robe."

"You don't have to sugarcoat it, prince, I know how much the king and queen fuck."

"... very well then, he had to change out of a pair of leather pants."

"Nice. Anyway, I'll come back and check on her in an hour. I need check on Tulilad now, make sure he wasn't quoting that obnoxious poetry since the drugs make him loopy."

"Thank you." Ralnor waited until Dr. Boveir exited the medical wing and turned his attention to Zannah. "We are... quite surprised. At this kind of visit, I mean."

Zannah was incredibly tired, but the moment she locked eyes with Leere, she was being kept up by spite. No way she’d fall asleep around that woman. Ralnor was rumoured to be quite the snake himself as well. “That tends to happen when people try to assassinate you.”

"Tell us what is happening." Ralnor told Zannah. "We cannot help you unless we know the full story."

“My Empire is in the middle a civil war Ralnor.”

Rinku tilted her head, her wrinkles frowning at the thought. “We haven’t heard about that.”

“Because it’s been very small, and I’ve kept a tight lid on it until now.”

"Civil war?" Ralnor sounded... uneasy. If there was unrest in the Kikai Empire, it would not be long until it spread elsewhere. He would not risk having it spread here. "I'm assuming someone is trying to take your throne."

“Worse. They’re trying to tear down the fabric of my Empire for a democracy. But yes, I imagine they want the seat of authority once all is said and done.”

Leere shrugged dismissively at the Emperor. “I’m guessing you came to Hyrule to discuss that very issue. Until of course you were attacked.”

“That is correct as well.”

"I'm here, I apologize for the wait, my queen had need of me." Covarog did change clothes but forgot to wipe the lipstick off of his cheek. "Doctor Boveir filled me in on what happened. What's this nonsense about a fight on our doorstep?"

"Evidently, brother, there is a civil war in the Empire." Ralnor informed Covarog. "They want a democracy now."

"That's... more fighting, more deaths, it could threaten to spread here if it is not contained."

"Exactly."

"We have to get this issue resolved at once." Covarog asked Zannah. "Who is the perpetrator behind this?"

Zannah scowled, hiding her disdain with a half-hearted chuckle. “What? Not even a hello?”

We'll have time for pleasantries later, for now, we need information." Covarog was concerned about the Empire once again getting too haughty and trying to attack Hyrule. The last thing he wanted was another war. The kingdom had just recovered from Vul'kar. "Who is behind this?"

Zannah sighed, breathing softly. “A man by the name of Jaster Fett. He had enough influence to lead my Theron to betray me.”

"Is this someone you know or someone new?" Ralnor inquired. "If it is an enemy of the past, we could handle this with an advantage by predicting his next move."

"I've never heard of this man." Covarog thought for a moment. "The only person I ever knew to so open about his method of attack like this was your brother."

“I’ve never heard of this man until recently.” Zannah’s eyes gleamed malice at Covarog, the mention of her brothers from the likes of him infuriating her. “You’ll have to be more specific. My twin who was decapitated in front of me, or my eldest brother?”

"The bastard that kidnapped our sister, is that clear enough for you?" Covarog said dryly. "He's the cruelest son of a bitch that I ever knew."

Ralnor agreed with a nod. "Bastard for sure, though at least he's dead."

“I kidnapped your sister. Along with my Android.” Zannah didn’t know if he was playing a joke on her, but she’d keep her pride damn it.

Leere narrowed her eyes at the Emperor. “You seem almost proud of that.”

“Of course. It was one of my greatest military achievements.”

“Even if Rinku captured you and hog tied you.”

That quieted Zannah up good on the subject. “My brothers are long dead Covarog.”

"The only reason you're in our good graces is due to my wife, let's not forget that." Covarog glared at Zannah. "For some reason, she thought you worth sparring even after what you did to Kanisa, not to mention my wife's sister."

"Brother, let's stay on point." Ralnor had to be the voice of reason here. Even though he did not care for Zannah either, he thought there was definitely something to gain from this. "I suppose I should get right to the point. We negotiated a treaty, saying that we would not declare war on the Empire and the Empire would extend us the same courtesy. We would help each other in trade and provide supplies if there were to be a disaster. Yet, we never had lines of declaration about aiding during a civil war."

“Excuse me? You’re my ally? What do you think will happen to Hyrule if I’m not leading the Empire?”

"Simple." Ralnor spoke without batting an eye. "We crush it like we wanted to years ago. If you can't control your own people, and they become a threat to us, then we will use our forces to contain this mess you allowed to spiral out of control."

“And how many dead will that leave in Hyrule? Thousands. Can you have those deaths on your head King Covarog?”

"You honestly think that we will lose? You know my wife's capabilities. You've seen her army of dragons and elemental sorcerers." Covarog did not look too worried. "We have one of the best armies and a giant naval fleet thanks to Admiral Corsaire. My father's relationship with the local monsters would definitely help. Besides, I have it in good word there are many who would love to take a swing at the Empire. Yet, I do think there could be a way around this."

"I agree, brother, though it depends on whether or not she would take the offer and swallow her pride." Ralnor knew he and his brother had the same idea. "We could introduce you to someone who would solve this problem very easily."

“I’m asking if you can accept the dead on your side.”

“Zannah. Don’t you think the casualties of war can be avoided? At least mitigated?” Rinku rocked back and forth slowly on her chair. “You have children of your own. You don’t want them being caught up in a skirmish.”

“My children? My children are both safe in Danjur and already on deaths door. They often wondered why they weren’t outright killed due to the magnitude of their injuries. Don’t speak of my children.” Zannah groaned as her leg injury pulled her aches. “What possible friend can help me? That sounds like another debt.”

Leere looked to the two brothers. When she figured out who they were talking about, she shook her head. “No. I’m not having him interact with her black hearted soul.”

"You don't dictate who he can and cannot interact with." Ralnor reminded Leere. "He decides whether he wants to or not one we propose the idea to him. Besides, you know he has a love of conflict."

"Not to mention, he is probably the only one who could put her in her place." Covarog snorted in amusement. "I know he did with me."

"He does that to everyone he meets, the bastard." Ralnor groaned. "The question is, what would he want in return?"

"I suppose that's for him to know and her to find out."

Leere threw her hands in the air. She was ready to go to bed and deal with this lost fiery reptile in the morning. “Fine. She gets a cell, right?”

"Unfortunately, no." Ralnor mused. "She is, after all, still part of our treaty and a visiting diplomatic guest."

Covarog yawned, tired as well. "How do we get him here?"

"Oh don't worry." Ralnor looked up at the ceiling. He knew Bonegrinder always heard the voices in the castle. "He knows to come."

"Good goddesses, why did he insist that we meet down here of all places?" Covarog hated the cold and the tunnels were dark, dank, and just that. Freezing.

"I would have been happy to meet him in the library like last time!"

"He likes to make an entrance and I told you to wear an extra layer." Ralnor responded to his brother's complaining like an annoyed parent. "And he likes to play on his own turf."

"Not to mention, we have cripple here stuck in a wheelchair."

"She couldn't walk down here."

"Not like she's going to be able to run from him if she gets scared either."

Leere was glad they could all get a fresh morning after a night’s rest. Zannah didn’t seem to think that 6 hours was a proper sleep though. “My son has a better wheel chair then what you provided Covarog. I’m freezing my ass on this thing.”

"Well, I'm sorry that we don't have one with memory foam cushioning for your pompous ass like Annuciata does for your son." Covarog held out his hand in a gesture. "Do you want to postpone this meeting so your ass will be more comfortable while I order you a perfect chair?"

"Brother..."

"Fine. She's being testy."

"I agree. But we're here to negotiate."

"Where is the big guy anyway?"

"Oh, he's here." Ralnor assured them. "He's just watching for a moment. You know how he like to observe."

"Pretty prince, what did you bring old Bonegrinder?" The snake was on the ceiling, hidden by shadows. He chose not to reveal himself just yet. He wanted to know more firstly before getting involved with another royal leader. "A green lady to add to his precious collection of children? Blue and White will be intrigued."

"No, Bonegrinder, she is actually here because we told her that you could help her."

"Hmm, and help the green lady with... what?"

Leere jabbed Zannah’s back, poking hard with her finger. “Well Zannah. Do you want to tell the lovely man what you’d like?”

Zannah hissed at both Covarog and Leere. “I loath you both. And what man? I don’t see anyone because you have strapped to this chair and we are in a dank catacomb.”

"Hehehe, what makes you think that Bonegrinder is a 'man' as you put it?" The snake was amused. "That he is even human? Is your worldview so limited, green lady?"

"Oh, you made him laugh, that means he likes you." Covarog informed Zannah with a grin.

"Just wait until she has had a day full of his antics." Ralnor rolled his eyes. "Then she'll get why I can't stand him."

"Oh, pretty prince, you love old Bonegrinder, you just won't admit it."

“Enough of this. I came here to ask assistance for my Empire. Show yourself, or do you waste my time with false friends Covarog?”

"False friends? Now, now, green lady, do you mistake Bonegrinder for a ghost?" The Anagari slowly slithered downward from the ceiling. Over the years, he had grown from giant to enormous. Now, he was wider in girth and longer in length. Yet, he still held the daunting face of insanity displayed across his features. "He assures you, green lady," His tail coiled around her wheelchair, bringing her closer to his face for her to see him truly up close. "He is not a spirit nor a specter, he is very much alive."

"See? Told you. He loves an entrance."

“You’re a giant chimera!” Zannah was openly shocked by how huge the snake man was.

"HAHAHAHA!" Bonegrinder actually laughed, deeply, at her stunned face. "Green lady, Bonegrinder is an Anagari, an Echidnan, a child of Mother, and one of many in her legion."

"If you think he's big, Mother is three times his size."

"And Mother is many."

"Very much so."

"Tell him, green lady, tell him what you wish of him." Bonegrinder's tail tilted her chin upward to keep her gaze upon him. "Do you wish for knowledge? Do you wish for strength? Or perhaps do you wish to surrender to the fate the deities have dealt upon you, knowing there is no winning against a divinity."

“I wish for my Empire I so carefully built up from near annihilation to not fall to the hands of filthy traitors. It survived Ganondorf, and it must survive now. I have citizens to look after. The Hasai people will grow weak with time if left to a democracy.” Zannah coughed, the cold getting to her lungs.

"Hrm, so you wish for your people to survive," Bonegrinder slithered around Zannah, circling her as he spoke. "But what are you willing to sacrifice? His magic, Echidnan magic, has its price... even the two pretty brothers know this."

Zannah gripped her chair handles tightly. If Zizi was here, she’d be with every human that hated her guts. Part of her wondered if the three siblings brought her here to be become a snack. “You’re all friends, and you all represent Hyrule’s interest. What do you want from me?”

"He already knows of the little problem back in your home," Bonegrinder informed Zannah. "A civil war with someone trying to take your throne. However, you have lost the faith of your people. If you were placed back on the throne, then this would eventually happen again."

"Thus, where my suggestion took place." Manaco suddenly appeared aside of Bonegrinder. "And he listened. The question is, will you?"

"Your people admire strength and dedication to the betterment of the whole... yet, he can give them one thing you've failed to do." Ralnor placed his hand on Manaco's shoulder. "Loyalty."

Leere and the others spent an extra hour and two discussing without Zannah how they could deal with her little predicament. It her who took Manaco down to Bonegrinder to discuss their plan with the giant shaman.

"And to keep the Empire under wraps, and to ensure that no future betrayal or lack of control happens again in the future at your hands, we decided to select our nomination to the throne." Covarog declared. "Your daughter, Athena. While she was not originally our first choice, Manaco here then had a splendid idea."

"I'm the nephew of Queen Zarazu, the child of her younger sister and a well-respected Waku back home." Manaco then laid out his proposal. "I will marry Athena and help her govern the Kikai Empire...”

"Hehehe, see, green lady?" Bonegrinder chuckled. "They have thought this plan well... however, where Bonegrinder comes into play is his magic to ensure this runs smoothly. Are you ready to hear his price?"

Zannah crossed her arms, her eyes staring down Manaco’s soul. To marry his daughter and take the throne was a serious step to take. “When did you want to marry my daughter boy?”

"Pffffttt..." Covarog tried to contain a snicker. "Good goddesses, you're blind, woman."

"Seriously?" Manaco looked miffed. "I've liked her since I first laid eyes on her. She just wouldn't have anything to do with a 'little kid' when she was a 'cool teenager'. You know how that goes." He shook his head. "Besides, I am a man now. I have my own house, my own land, I have bested others in combat, and by Hasai law, that means I have entered into adulthood. I may not be direct royalty, but I'm the best chance you have at regaining the respect of your people. They already adore my mother and my father, and I have won their trust in the past."

“Hmmm. Perhaps I should have groomed you, instead of producing all your half siblings.” Zannah didn’t hold snark, but real hindsight in her voice. “In her condition, however, I don’t think she’s mentally strong enough to marry anyone.”

"And that is where this old snake comes in," Bonegrinder simply waved his hand over Zannah's leg and the wound... was gone. No pain. No scar. No indication there ever was a hurt. "See, green lady? There is more to this snake than meets the eye."

Zannah stood from the chair, kicking it back towards Covarog. She had no words at first, but when she found them, she knew exactly what she would say. “Tell me your price once more. Heal both my children, and I will pay it.”

Leere crossed her arms. She supposed mother hood could make even the hardest killers soft.

"Not only will you agree to this plan, but in the future, Bonegrinder will have use of you," The Anagari informed Zannah. "No matter how much you deny the deities or curse them, they do have a handle in your fate. One day, Balance will be challenged by Chaos. The world will be at stake; not just your survival, your kingdom's survival, but everyone's." He used his magic to depict a feminine figure with eight wings fighting against a blob of shredded teeth which threatened to swallow her whole. "Queen Luimaya will play a vital role years from now. We will all have to fight and stand with Balance. His condition is you, your kin, your people, will be faithful not only to Luimaya but to the deities as well. Only then, will they possibly not consider your soul damned for daring to achieve what a mortal should never dream of."

“Then perhaps your deity should have a chat with my own. Exodrum is a god of fire and war. His blood is in me. I don’t know about a war in the future you speak of, but he’d choose the side that can bring the most challenge.” Zannah was still confused. “I’m already Hyrule’s ally. If a nation threatens them, we attack. Nothing changes there.”

"You think your puny god of fire can disobey the mother of the heavens if he doesn't want to do what she says?" Bonegrinder asked Zannah with a very disturbing smile. "You seek power, green lady... you have never experienced true power before. Yet, the question remains... do you agree?" He held out his hand.

"This snake is told that this is a gesture human do to show the agreement is complete. Once you take his hand, there is no going back on your word. He will heal your children, and help save your nation, but the prices are yours alone to pay."

“I agree. Heal my children and make sure that the bastard known as Jaster Fett perishes.” Zannah looked to Covarog, tilting her head. “There’s nothing you want as King?”

"Loyalty is good enough for me, as well as the previous arrangements in the treaty. Besides," Covarog admitted with a chuckle. "Gloating is good enough for me."

"That and once again, the queen spoke on your behalf." Ralnor reminded Zannah.

"The Empire, under Manaco's and Athena's rule, will report directly to Hyrule. It will become an extension of our country."

"And there's that."

"So, green lady," Bonegrinder asked her once more, offering his hand, swirling with magic to seal the binding. "Do you agree?"

“What?” Zannah couldn’t believe that her territory would become a state of Hylian law. It was moment she found hard to breathe.

Leere, however, took a deep breath of satisfaction. When she heard what Zannah did to Zizi, she thought back to how she should have killed her long ago. This was suitable payback. “That’s right. The Empire becomes part of the Kingdom to Hyrule. What’s the matter Zannah, you look a little green in the gills there.”

“So I’m to exit the throne immediately?”

"Yes." Covarog was not giving Zannah a chance to argue. "My kingdom has been burned by your flames one too many times, Zannah. We're not allowing it to happen again."

"The only reason that we're not taking this opportunity to simply crush your nation is due to the queen's insistence that an overflow of allies is better than not enough." Ralnor explained to Zannah. "Simply put, you are a pawn on our chessboard now, that will be moved as we see fit. We took one out of your books, Zannah. Figured you'd at least have an inkling this was coming."

"Worry not, green lady, Bonegrinder will ensure your little girl is healthy enough to take over and provide an heir." The Anagari flicked his tail. "Your bloodline will continue... but the throne is now out of your reach."

“I’m a Queen in a game of chess. Don’t insult me you tiny Gerudo.” Zannah internally thought about this choice. What would T0-D say? What would Annuciata say? What should she say? She had an idea all three would agree. Turning to Bonegrinder, she shook his hand. “Do what you can to help my people. That goes for the rest of you worms as well.”

"Queen? Of nothing now, Zannah."

Once the Emperor took the hand of Bonegrinder, there was magic working there. A seal formed around Zannah's wrist. It was not large, only small scribble of elegant writing. This would hold Zannah to her word. The Gerudo brothers had expressed to the Anagari that they held concern of her trying to find a loophole or break her bond.

"Now, green, little, lady... tell this old snake. Where are your children?"

________________________________________________________________

Previous Ch. https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/614055858328977408/fall-of-a-dynasty-ch-2-friends-in-high-places

Next Ch. https://mrneighbourlove.tumblr.com/post/614060759069130752/fall-of-a-dynasty-ch-4-a-family-made-whole

Crossover with @ridersoftheapocalypse. Story arc revolving the Hasai.

#Crossover #ridersoftheapocalypse #Bonegrinder #Zannah #Covarog #Manaco #Ralnor #Leere #Rinku

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journeysintowebcomics · 6 years ago

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Girl Genius Liveblog #213

UPDATE 213: Political Marriage

Last time Agatha and pals had gone into the many underground passageways underneath Paris, because Hoffman says they can get into the forbidden library where not even Colette can get in. Along the way, they encounter a civilization of xenophobic and suspicious mole people, nowadays less xenophobic and suspicious, thanks to Hoffman. Let’s continue.

Ah, Hoffman has been adopted into the royal family of ‘the moligarchy’. I really appreciate the pun, that’s a nice one. The king is sitting on a pile of gold and treasures; with enough style it’d make a dragon nod in acknowledgement.

Turns out the royal heir who will get married to the opposite civilization in order to broker peace is Hoffman. Hah! I bet that’s why they were okay with being peaceful with each other now, beause the mole king here saw the way to get a political marriage without having to make one of his people marry the enemies. Still, it does seem to me like the mole is sincere about liking Hoffman, so it’s not really that bad – although Hoffman sure looks like he disagrees. Let’s just hope his grades in political science will skyrocket thanks to the experience.

Looks like even though the civilization up there on the surface doesn’t know about the moles, those down here know about what’s going on up there. The mole king hopes she’ll solve the time bubble soon so he gets to try his favorite cave snails from over there again. Oh boy, the stakes are getting even higher and higher, aren’t they. Maybe Agatha should market those snails around with her face.

I have a feeling saying ‘suspicious and xenophobic’ about other civilizations is the running gag of this volume, hah. Regardless, going to ask the enemy king sounds like a plan, and since Agatha is with Hoffman, she has societal influence! Thank goodness, things are going kind of well.

Far away, in Mechanisburg and its time bubble, Gil is coming to inspect the situation, and hope for good news. He arrives in a drill vehicle with ‘eloi eater’ inscribed on it. Hey, that’s a reference to that H.G. Wells book about traveling in time, right? I remember reading it ages ago. It was a good book, yup. Either way, they managed to extract someone in perfect condition, without accelerated aging or sudden death! Everything’s going well over here. Heck, maybe Gil will be able to solve the Mechanisburg problem before Agatha finds a way to – or at least he’ll manage to save the characters with names and familiar faces.

Speaking of familiar faces, turns out the person his crew saved is not a person Gil’s fond of.

Ah, now there’s someone I hadn’t seen in a while. Honestly I’m somewhat surprised he was trapped here. I had thought he’d be lucky enough to not be trapped in Mechanisburg. But hey, he’s alive and intact, his luck is still good. Besides, now that it’s been proven someone can be extracted from Mechanisburg and survive, this means soon someone like Tarvek can be extracted! I’m really glad about that.

It takes a brief scuffle and someone who isn’t Gil to explain the situation before Othar of the bright blue eyes listens – those are some really great eyes, honestly. Gil says there are other problems, and I suppose he means the...things coming for the Baron. How much time does Gil have to get to Wulfenbach, I wonder?

A new volume is starting! First, a couple images.

Reminds me of the circus times. The baba yaga thing...even though that was a cottage and not a turkey. Oh, simpler times, how do I long for thee sometimes.

And this must be the inside of the library! With almost no books at all, so it’s more like...a museum, not a library. Doesn’t look like Hoffman came along, so I guess he stayed down to get married, but Colette is still here. I like Colette, she’ll be a nice ally to have here.

You know, now that Othar is free, maybe Gil will send him to go see Agatha in Paris, instead of going all the way there. Othar isn’t an idiot – when he’s not in a sidestory – and he’s decently competent. He should be of help, and it also would keep him out of Gil’s hair. Although Othar is a spark, he’s not an expert in time, no? Sending him to do what he’s good at may be better.

Aha, there’s Tarvek, still not melting from all the poison he was stabbed with. The guy holding him is Vanamonde, no? I think Vanamonde will be left frozen for a while longer after Tarvek is freed, although...he’ll be a convenient person to keep trying things on, if they continue doing that.

The outer base is under attack. Must be the Other’s forces, trying to ruin everything. Seems like Gil isn’t leaving without Tarvek, though. Tarvek’s return to Girl Genius is imminent! And by imminent I suspect it’ll be a volume or maybe two before he’s free. Yeah, I don’t have the utmost faith on Girl Genius’ pacing, but hey, things could be worse.

So turns out Paris has numerous secret kingdoms under it. It’s all so crowded the royal palaces are like two hundred meters from each other. Hard to believe you can have a war when everything is so close, hah. And part of the reason why the secret kingdoms are a secret is because the people who have heard about them don’t want to believe they exist. Guess they’re all suspicious and xenophobic.

Among the many guests for Hoffman’s wedding, there’s someone who identifies herself as an ally of Agatha, from her diplomatic corps. Since Agatha is being suspicious and not xenophobic, she demands to know who she’s talking with. She doesn’t get an answer, but she’s told there’s someone who can vouch for this woman. That person is Dimo, who is...looking far more elegant than usual. Guess that means this woman is trustworthy.

Oh hey, I faintly remember that bear. How nice!

Jager bear, huh. Does that mean this bear had a dose of that Jagerbrau? I always thought it just was a bear the Jagers managed to subdue and ride around, but nope, it’s a Jager bear. And likes opera. Truly, lady Jenka is fulfilling her current role of the eccentric beauty. I suspect she came to this party because it’s underneath Paris and therefore it’s in some proximity to Agatha.

The message Jenka had was that the Castle is urging Agatha to fix the problem in Mechanisburg, as if she wasn’t currently working on that. He warns the thing that’s coming to Mechanisburg, attracted by the time bubble, will arrive in less than two years. Well that’s like...seventeen volumes, so there’s still plenty of time.

I was wrong – it seems for now – and the reason why Jenka and Dimo are here is because they had to meet with a few people. One of those people was just murdered, and the person who killed him is infected by a slaver wasp, as proved by the wasp eater alarming everyone about it. Hm, hm, I see. Was this something Lucrezia ordered, perhaps? It was implied her plans would start getting afoot now. Maybe it’s already happening.

Huh, there really are many revenants here, more than expected. I suppose asking the king here how to get into the forbidden library isn’t a good plan anymore. Also Hoffman is here again. Nice of you to join us.

Regardless, this seems like a good place to stop.

Next time: in three updates

#girl genius #girl genius liveblog #webcomics #liveblog #webcomic liveblog

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gluupor · 7 years ago

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A 10 Things I Hate About You AU written for the Andreil Week prompt: fake dating

Katelyn squared her shoulders as she looked up at her new high school. It wasn't the first new high school she'd attended, hell it wasn't even the fifth. Her father's military career led her family to moving so often that she was used to being the perpetual new kid. Not again, though. Her dad had promised this time. Even if he got transferred he would let her finish out the year at the same school. She had one chance to make friends in order to have the best senior year possible.

She found the administrative office easily and she was pleased to find that another student had been assigned to show her around. This was common practice, and it was generally an outgoing overachiever who volunteered to help her. Based on the biceps of the girl waiting to show her around, Katelyn guessed that she was involved in sports.

"Hi, I'm Dan Wilds," said her guide.

Katelyn introduced herself, and Dan led her out of the office making small talk. Dan walked her to her first period class, gave her directions on how to find her other morning classes, and promised to pick her up right before lunch.

Her morning passed easily: she was stared at a normal amount due to her new kid status and she even chatted with a few friendly people. In chemistry, they did a mini first day experiment. They were assigned partners alphabetically and she was paired with a short blond guy.

"Do you know why chemists enjoy working with ammonia?" she asked her lab partner, unable to stop from embarrassing herself in front of the cute boy.

He frowned at her, confused. "No," he said suspiciously.

"Because it's pretty basic stuff."

He stared as if he were worried for her mental state, before he cracked a smile. She had a feeling that it was a rare sight. "What do you do with a sick chemist?" he asked in return.

She smiled, wanting to dance in happiness that he was countering her nerdy joke with one of his own. "What?"

"If you can't helium, and you can't curium, then you might as well barium."

Her laughter caught the attention of the teacher, who instructed them to get back to work.

"That was your fault," her partner grumbled, without irritation.

"Not just mine," she said. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate." He gifted her with another sunshine smile.

By lunchtime, Katelyn's stomach was growling and she was happy to see Dan. Dan led her over to a lunch table that already had several occupants.

"This is my boyfriend, Matt," introduced Dan. "And our friends, Allison and Kevin. Guys, this is Katelyn."

After Katelyn fielded the usual questions about where she was from and whether she was liking South Carolina, Allison leaned forward expectantly. "So, seen any cute guys yet? Or girls? Anyone you're crushing on?"

"Well," said Katelyn, feeling her cheeks heat. "There was a guy in my chemistry class. Short, blond, named Aaron?"

"Aaron Minyard?" asked Allison. "Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no."

"Why not?"

"Hey Nicky!" Matt called out to a boy sitting at a nearby table. "Come join us for a sec."

The boy looked up and nodded, making his way over to their table and sitting across from Katelyn.

"The new girl's got a thing for your cousin," explained Matt.

"The saner one," added Allison.

"Oh, honey, no," said Nicky sadly. "You'll never get anywhere with that."

"Why not?"

"My cousin is a twin," said Nicky. "And a couple years ago his mother died."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry," said Katelyn with genuine sympathy.

Nicky waved her comment away. "Not the point of the story. Anyway, he and his brother promised to stick together after that. So now Aaron's not allowed to date unless Andrew does too."

"Guys," said Katelyn, looking around the table. "This really doesn't seem like an insurmountable problem."

Matt gestured over Katelyn's left shoulder. She turned, and saw a boy who must be Aaron's twin. He was a little more muscular than Aaron, and dressed in all black. A student passed close by the table where Andrew was sitting with a white-haired girl, and leaned over to say something. Andrew responded by brandishing a knife.

Katelyn gasped. "That must be against the rules," she said. "And the law."

"Andrew hates everyone," said Nicky. "He's never going to date. We thought that he and Renee-" he indicated the girl sitting with Andrew "-would start going out, but they both came out as gay last June. Now there's no hope. Aaron's going to die alone."

"No, this can still be fixed," said Katelyn, her stubborn nature showing itself. "I'm sure that Andrew's a good guy deep down." She glanced back and found Andrew's dead-eyed stare focused on her. "Er, very deep down."

"The only way that someone will date Andrew Minyard is if you paid them," said Allison flippantly.

There was a brief pause. "That's not a… bad idea," said Nicky.

"You'd have to find someone who isn't scared of him," said Dan.

"Everyone's scared of him," said Kevin, speaking up for the first time. "And for good reason. You remember how he reacted when I asked him to join the exy team."

"Well, you were slightly… over persistent," said Matt diplomatically.

"Anyway, it's not like I have money to bribe anyone," said Katelyn.

"Don't worry about that," said Allison. "I would pay just for the fun of it."

"That still doesn't solve the problem of who would agree to go out with him," said Matt.

Katelyn had gotten distracted, watching as Andrew said something to a boy passing his lunch table. The boy turned to regard Andrew and Andrew again slid a knife out from somewhere. The boy just rolled his eyes, gave Andrew a salute, and walked away nonchalantly.

"What about him?" she asked.

"Who?" asked Matt craning his head to see. His jaw dropped in incredulity. "Neil Josten?"

"He started going here at the end of last year," explained Dan. "We tried to make friends with him, but he blew us off."

"I heard that he killed his own father," said Kevin.

"I heard that he's in the mafia," added Nicky.

"He's at least half-cryptid," said Allison.

Katelyn shrugged. "But he didn't seem afraid of Andrew," she said.

"He was apparently raised by stabby psychopaths," said Dan. "Maybe Andrew just reminds him of home."

"Neil is very pretty," said Matt hesitantly.

"True," agreed Nicky. "If Andrew hasn't noticed then he was lying about being into dudes."

"And his clothes definitely indicate that he needs the money," mused Allison.

"And he and Andrew are perfect for each other, in that they're both terrifying assholes," said Dan.

"Great!" said Katelyn happily. "It's settled. We’ll bribe Neil to date Andrew so that I can date Aaron." She was certain that everything would work out in her favour: she'd made up her mind that she was going to have a perfect senior year and she was very good at getting what she wanted.

After classes ended for the day, Allison tracked Katelyn down and led her out to the school's football field. The field hockey team was practising and several students, including Neil Josten, were running around the surrounding track. Allison kept her attention on her phone as they waited, but Katelyn watched Neil run. He was faster than he should be, based on his height.

They approached him when he was finished, stretching out his leg against a bench and gulping down sports drink.

"What do you want?" he asked, wiping the sweat off his brow with the sleeve of his t-shirt.

"I have a business proposition for you," said Allison.

Neil snorted. "Pass."

"I will pay you $100 to take Andrew Minyard out on a date," continued Allison, ignoring Neil's input.

He straightened and eyed them in consideration. "Why?"

"I want to go out with Aaron," said Katelyn, making herself as earnest as possible. Maybe if he sympathized with her, he'd help her out. "And he's not allowed to date until Andrew does."

"That doesn't really take what Andrew wants into account," said Neil.

"Oh, don't put yourself down, Josten," said Allison. "You're a catch. He should be grateful to get a date with a specimen like yourself."

Neil gave her a flat look. "And what's in it for me?"

"One hundred dollars," said Allison slowly. She turned to Katelyn. "I already said that, right? I'm not imagining things, am I?"

"I have my own money," replied Neil.

Allison gave him a very judgmental once-over. "Do you?" she asked, sounding generally curious. "Then why do you look like… that?" She waved her hand, indicating Neil's entire body.

"Besides, I know you're aware that I'm not interested in dating," continued Neil. "I told you during your interrogation last year."

"That was a friendly getting-to-know-you chat, you giant drama queen," huffed Allison. "And it's just a date; we're not even asking you to get to first base. Just take him out somewhere nice, on me."

"I don't need your money," Neil reminded her. "But," he said, raising his voice to cut off Allison's reply, "you probably can get me something that I do want."

"And what's that?"

"I want on the exy team," he announced. "I missed the tryouts last spring."

"You can't be on the team just because you want to be," said Allison, rolling her eyes.

"You're friends with Kevin Day. Get him to agree to give me a fair chance at a tryout and I'll ask Andrew Minyard out on a date," bargained Neil.

Allison's eyes narrowed. "It's a deal," she said, and stuck out her hand to shake his.

"Why are you doing this?" Katelyn asked Allison as they took their leave. "You seem very invested in this."

Allison blushed slightly and averted her eyes. "Andrew spends all his time with Renee Walker. I was hoping that if he had someone else then she would be looking for some companionship."

"Ah," said Katelyn, sagely. "So you're also just a giant loser with a crush."

"Shut up," said Allison. "I'm not a loser, I'm a queen."

The rooftop access door slammed open and Andrew automatically lit a second cigarette, passing it over as Neil took a seat beside him.

"I received some interesting information," said Neil, clearly trying to get Andrew to ask him for his news. Andrew remained quiet, just to be contrary. Neil huffed, but continued anyway, "The new girl has a crush on your brother."

"It doesn't matter," said Andrew. "It doesn't affect me." Aaron wasn't going to break his promise and start dating, not until Andrew decided that he could.

"And that's where you're wrong," said Neil. "Somehow she's enlisted the help of Allison Reynolds and the two of them are bribing me to take you out on a date."

"They're bribing you?" repeated Andrew.

"Yup," said Neil. "Allison's going to get Kevin to agree to let me tryout for the exy team."

Andrew shook his head with mock severity. "I should have known better than to trust a junkie like you. All it takes is a single offer of your drug of choice and you're selling me out."

Neil knocked his shoulder into Andrew's. They'd met during Neil's first week at school, when he'd been searching for somewhere to sneak a cigarette. Since then they'd been meeting here regularly, slowly becoming almost-friends. Andrew was surprised by how much he liked the casual contact.

"Wanna go on a date with me?" asked Neil.

"I hate you," said Andrew.

"We just started sonnets in English," said Neil. "You could write me one: 'How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways.'"

"We don't have enough time for me to make a detailed list."

"Maybe just a Cliff's Notes version, then? Ten things you hate about me?"

The ten things Andrew hated most about Neil were also the things that Andrew found most attractive about him, so he didn't respond.

"The deal I made is that I have to ask you on a date, not that you have to accept," Neil said. "So technically I've already done what I said I would. After all, I can't take you out if you say no."

Andrew smoked and considered his options. Agreeing to date Neil, even as a ruse, appealed to him. Maybe he could take advantage of the situation and somehow convince Neil to date him for real. However, if Andrew suddenly started dating then Aaron would follow. Was this something for which he was willing to loosen his hold on Aaron?

"Where would you take me on the date?"

Neil blinked once, obviously not expecting the question. "I was thinking of doing something like paintball," he said casually.

"Why paintball?"

"What, you don't want to attack people without them threatening to call the cops?" said Neil. "I know you prefer knives to guns, but I'll teach you how to handle a gun: I'm a crack shot."

The fact that Neil had obviously put thought into where he would take Andrew, specifically, on a date made up Andrew's mind. "What will you give me if I say yes?" he asked.

"What do you want?" Neil volleyed back.

What he wanted was for Neil to not ask stupid questions. "A bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue," he said instead.

"Deal," said Neil, his eyes shining. "I'll see if I can get Allison to pay for it."

Andrew was aware that this was a stupid plan that was going to end in pain, probably his own. He was giving up his hold on Aaron for what would surely turn out to be a pipe dream. He should know better by now, but Neil hadn't let him down yet. Perhaps, if he played his cards right, this was something that he could have.

#AndreilWeek2018 #aftg #andreil #neil josten #andrew minyard #my fic

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raendown · 7 years ago

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Lovely anon, I am sorry for your wait. It seems I am always busy and therefore always late getting to these.

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Rating: T+ Word count: 1855 Summary: Madara enjoys learning new things about Tobirama, if only so that he has something new to tease him with.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

Picky

Tobirama was going to get them both in trouble if he kept making that face. Granted, the way his nose wrinkled ever so slightly was kind of adorable, but even if he disliked what the daimyo was saying so much he should still know better than to show it so visibly. Doing his best to keep his version of a pleasantly interested expression on his face, Madara lightly jerked his foot against his companion’s ankle across the fancy dinner table. Tobirama looked up at him with a frown.

“What?” he hissed, lowering his voice so that only Madara could hear him.

“You’re doing it again. What’s your problem? He’s just talking about increasing crop revenues, what are you even disagreeing with?”

Instead of explaining himself, Tobirama deepened his scowl and looked down at the plate of food he had barely touched. Madara wondered if he wasn’t just feeling ill. As shinobi they both had large appetites – it took a lot of calories to build as much muscle as their line of work required – but he hadn’t seen his mission partner eat more than a few tiny bites of the vegetable curry they had been served for dinner. It was a worrisome thought, actually. If Tobirama was ill then he wouldn’t be on top of his game later when they spoke with the figurehead of the Fire Nation to request more funding.

Both of them returned their attention to the daimyo and his longwinded speech. As they listened, however, Madara allowed himself to peek over at his companion every couple of minutes when he was sure no one was looking, checking to see if the other man was still making those faces.

He was.

It struck him as slightly off behavior. Tobirama was a well-trained diplomat, much better versed in the intricacies of social behavior than his elder brother, so it was strange to see him being so obvious about his personal feelings for someone. Madara didn’t think much of their weak-minded Lord either but at least he wasn’t making scrunched up faces just listening to the man talk. Even he knew that would be considered childish and uncouth behavior.

The mystery was solved when he happened to glance over just as Tobirama brought his chopsticks to his bowl for another tiny bite. He watched the man dip the utensils in to his food and dig through it like he was looking for something in particular, his nose wrinkling again as he pushed a large piece of water chestnut off to one side, nostrils flaring with distaste when he shoved a sizable chunk of yellow pepper away as well. A look of relief appeared in his eyes as he excavated a small piece of mushroom and deposited it in to his mouth, chewing happily until he looked up and saw Madara watching him with a great deal of amusement.

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to play with your food?” Madara asked in a whisper.

“She taught me if I didn’t have anything nice to say that I should shut my mouth.”

“You didn’t learn that lesson very well, did you?”

“Fuck off and let me eat.”

Madara snorted softly, trying not to draw attention. “I would if I thought you might actually eat some of it instead of shoving it around your plate like a pouty child.”

“I said fuck off.”

Straightening his back and tensing his shoulders in the way he always did when he was getting defensive, Tobirama glared and very pointedly dug his chopsticks deep in to his bowl, pulling out a large portion of curry to shove it all in his mouth at once. He managed to chew three times before his entire face pinched and his eyes squeezed shut in a manner that sent Madara back some fifteen years in time. Suddenly he was sitting at the dinner table in his childhood home watching Izuna try something new for the first time and spitting it back out because it was ‘yucky’.

“Oh sweet sage,” he murmured, glee rising up and brightening his entire face. “You’re not grumpy over whatever he’s talking about. You don’t like your food! You’re picky!”

“I hate yellow peppers,” Tobirama hissed, spraying rice over the table and looking twice as disgusted.

“Amazing. Just amazing. This is great.”

“Shut up, Uchiha.”

“What else don’t you like in there? I see you’re not eating your chestnuts either. What, they don’t suit your snooty taste?”

If looks could kill Tobirama’s glare would have struck him down as the man drew himself up impossibly straighter and ground out between clenched teeth, “I don’t like the texture of them, for your information. It makes my skin crawl.”

“Remind me to stock up on water chestnuts when we get home. I’ll carry some around with me wherever I go and then you’ll never bother me about my reports again.” Madara snickered, clapping a hand over his mouth to muffle the noise. It only got worse when he saw Tobirama look down at his plate again with a look akin to a man marching to his doom.

“Only if you remind me to slip a few snakes in to your office again.”

“That was you! I hate snakes!”

“Yes, I know you do.”

Now they both glared at each other, utterly consumed with their own little world until they were jerked back out of it by a half-familiar voice called out Madara’s name. He whipped his head around to find the daimyo – and everyone else as well – staring straight at him.

“Ah, my lord?”

“I asked if everything was well, Uchiha-san.”

“Our sincerest apologies, my lord, but it seems as if, ah, my partner here has fallen ill. I believe he…ate something he disagreed with.” Madara did his best to imitate the innocent face which he’d seen Kagami use so many times to worm his way out of trouble. Whether it was that or his words, one of them seemed to be effective as the daimyo’s expression turned sympathetic.

Madara did his best not to react to the foot which kicked him under the table. Just this once he would have to allow his partner a fair retaliation.

“Perhaps it would be best if you retired for the evening, Senju-san? We would not wish for any of our loyal subjects to fall ill at our table.” The man at the head of the room clapped his hands and two servants rushed forward to remove Tobirama’s dishes. He was pompous and overly puffed up with his own importance but he was also gracious to those who served him. One could ask for little more from those in power.

“That is infinitely kind of you,” Tobirama murmured, clearly mortified to have to leave. Several other important figures were present, representatives from other clans or noble lords of the capital city, and many of them were already whispering to each other.

“I believe I should accompany him,” Madara heard his own voice say. “If my lord does not mind?”

“Of course, of course. We look forward to your companion’s better health.”

Both of them nodded politely and made their way from the dining hall side by side. Tobirama was already pale enough that he had no need to play up the image of illness as they walked the ten minute journey back to their rooms. He did make sure to lessen his normally perfect posture while Madara made a passing attempt at looking concerned.

The moment they were alone in their shared quarters with the door closed behind them Madara found himself shoved roughly up against the closest wall. It wasn’t exactly unexpected, though, and he schooled himself to be still as Tobirama shoved their faces close together with an irritable growl.

“Ate something I disagreed with?” he demanded. Madara smirked.

“Do you think anyone else caught my phrasing?”

“I don’t know why I put up with you.”

Knowing an apology would be little more than useless words, Madara opted for a tactic which had yet to fail him. His tongue traced along his bottom lip, waiting until Tobirama’s eyes dropped to watch its progress, then he tilted his head to the side and forward so that he could drag it against the stubble coming in on his lover’s chin.

“Because I let you play around with all those filthy fantasies you have. Naughty. What would your brother say if he knew just how depraved his little Tobi really is?”

“How many times have I told you not to talk about Hashirama and sex in the same sentence?” Despite the irritation clear in his voice, he stilled pressed himself forward until their bodies were flush against each other. “I hate you,” he groaned as the tongue lapping at his jaw turned to gentle nibbles. Madara chuckled against him.

“No you don’t.”

“Hmph.”

Moving upwards to take the other man’s earlobe between his teeth, Madara suckled gently before pulling away to murmur against a tattooed cheek. “How is it that I didn’t know you were such a picky eater?”

“Because you are woefully unobservant.”

“I resent that.”

“Last week I disposed of half of that concoction you made for dinner without you even noticing. You added eggplant. Ugh.”

“That was expensive! It was imported! And you threw it out!?” Madara jerked his head back to stare at the other incredulously, irritated when he received a prissy little huff in return.

“You seemed to like it. I moved it all on to your plate.”

Somewhat mollified by that, Madara tilted his head in thought. “Oh. That would explain why I feel like I’ve been eating more lately. Very sneaky; I almost approve. Tell me, what other things should I avoid?”

“Do you want the entire list?” Tobirama asked him dryly.

“You’re that picky? I thought it would just be a few things!” Amusement returned, along with the image of a younger Izuna sticking out his tongue in protest of what he had just eaten. “Well I’ll be damned. Senju Tobirama has the palate of a child!”

“I am not a child! As you well know!”

“Mm, yes, I can feel that.” Madara winked as he rolled his hips just enough to rub their lower bodies against each other in some interesting ways.

He was foiled, however, when Tobirama pulled away with a roll of his eyes.

“Well you can forget about that,” he murmured, turning and heading for the door leading to the bathroom. Madara gaped after him. It was just a bit of teasing, he hadn’t expected the other to take it so poorly.

Although he really should have, actually. He knew exactly how easy it was to offend his lover.

Rather than wallow in apologetic sympathy or even contemplate the idea of fixing the bad mood he had created, Madara allowed a slow, evil grin to cross his face. He had all the ammo he needed now to get back at Tobirama for that incident with the snakes. When they got back home he was going to have a long talk with Hashirama about his brother’s eating habits. Dinner time was war time now.

#rae writes #madatobi #madara #tobirama #fanfiction #naruto shippuden #creating the link is working differently right now for some reason?#it doesn't usually look like that :\

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queen-scribbles · 7 years ago

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The Road to New Heomar

@pillarspromptsweekly #43: Whodunit. More Adi, because why not? :D

Adela had always loved a good mystery. It was part of what drove her to study languages; each new one was a mystery all its own, and there was always a satisfying payoff. Equally fun but perhaps more frustrating for those around her, she had a long-standing habit of hunting out birthday presents that had driven her parents to more and more convoluted hiding places.

This love of a good mystery, coupled with more general curiosity, was probably what drew her in to the ciphers’ work room as she left Hadret House, and then more specifically to the pieces of parchment affixed to the wall. Some seemed to be missing persons cases, others leads on a sect of some cult or other. But the one that really caught her eye was the mishmash of notes and leads regarding a caravan that had disappeared en route to New Heomar. Now that looked like a good mystery. Individual people disappeared all the time, for good or ill, and big cities always wound up with at least one cult hiding in the warren of its streets. But for an entire caravan to vanish without a trace, that was impressive, And she was more than a little curious.

she didn’t have a lot of time to scan the various scraps of parchment tacked to the wall before Hiravias tugged on her arm. “C’mon, Watcher, I don’t think they’re lookin’ for help with any of this.”

“Just satisfying my curiosity,” Adela laughed,” twirling her braid as she let him pull her toward the door.

>X< >X< >X<

But the hint of mystery about this caravan remained, teasing the back of her mind as she ran errands and solved little problems for people around the city. She got so lost in dwelling on it, Edér had to wave a bowl of stew under her nose for her to catch on it was dinner time.

“I know you love a good mystery, Adi, but don’t take it too far,” he chuckled.

“Sorry,” Adela said, accepting the still-steaming bowl with a sheepish smile. She set aside her quill and the journal she’d been scrawling notes in. “Thank you.”

“Welcome,” Edér said with a wink. “You’re plannin’ to track it down, ain’t you?”

“...Maybe,” she conceded, pushing the stew around with her spoon to cool it faster. “I wouldn’t ask for coin or anything to do it, solving the mystery would be enough for me. But I know that’s not compensation enough for some, so I’m hesitant to drag you all with me looking for them.”

“Well, I reckon the idea of findin’ people who probably need rescuin’ would also be reason enough,” he pointed out. “Not everything’s gotta be done for a reward.”

“True.” Adela scooped up a bite of stew and blew on it before eating. “I guess in the morning we’re going caravan hunting.” It would give her time to look over her notes.

Edér grinned. “Sounds good to me.”

>X< >X< >X<

Not everyone was as enthusiastic about this plan, but none objected, so after a bright and early breakfast, they left Defiance Bay along the same route the ill-fated caravan had followed. At least, same route as far as Adela could remember and had subsequently written down in her notes.

“You do know how far it is from Defiance Bay to New Heomar, yes?” Aloth inquired diplomatically as they walked through early morning mists. “Not to disparage your intelligence, I just know how... focused you can get, one that leads to a significant chance of us finding ourselves rather more towards New Heomar than we expected.”

“Yes, I know how far it is to New Heomar,” Adela laughed. She’d figured he’d be the one to say something. “Don’t worry, according to the Row’s notes, there’s a small village halfway between that the caravan never reached, either. So, in theory, unless we find evidence they went a different route, that’s as far as we’d have to look.”

He looked slightly reassured. “That;s still a lot of ground to cover, you realize.”

“I do. But it’s a good bit less than all the way to New Heomar, and I have a good feeling about our odds.”

“That’s the spirit,” Kana said cheerfully, approaching from behind. He flashed them both a toothy grin. “I’d much prefer a happy ending to this mystery, for the sake of both the missing souls and the story it will make.”

“Much as it’s in my power, I’ll see what I can do,” Adela replied, amused. “In service of both ends.”

“Do we know how far from the city they made it before they disapeared?” Aloth asked. “Or anything else that might help narrow the search area further?”

Adela shook her head. “Out of sight from the gates, but beyond that it’s anyone’s guess.”

“Why a group this size wanna go to New Heomar anyway?” Hiravias interjected, flicking a bug from Adela’s braid as he caught up. “That’s what I can’t figure out. From what I hear, they aren’t exactly swimming in wealth and available land in that part of the Dyrwood.”

“Maybe only some are staying in New Heomar and the rest are bound elsewhere,” Adela said with a shrug. “We can ask them when we find them.”

The druid grinned and adjusted his eyepatch. “Ah, blind optimism. It’s almost inspiring, in a way.”

>X< >X< >X<

Adela needed that ‘blind optimism’, as she quickly found out why books--of both fictional and informative natures--glazed over the ‘searching for hours to find a lead’ part of mysteries. If she’d possessed even a modicum less curiosity and tenacity she probably would have given up. After all, if the ciphers of Dunryd Row couldn’t find anything, what made her think she’d have better luck?

Finally, though, she caught sight of something off the road, so hidden in the underbrush a taller individual would likely have missed it. With a whoop of triumph, Adela shoved her grimoire into Aloth’s hands--simply because he was closest--and ducked into the close-knit tangle of weeds and flowers. She emerged a minute later, dirt and dead grass clinging to her braid with the same fervor her hand clenched around her find.

It didn’t look like much; a short curl of copper skewered through a scrap of parchment, the perfect colors for blending with the dying undergrowth. Adela smoothed out the wrinkled from the aprchment to read, half torn off, ‘...better luck in New He...’

“This was them!” she said excitedly, rocking up on the balls of her feet and rubbing her thumb over the hastily scrawled words.

“How can you tell?” Aloth asked, brushing some of the dirt from her hair as he offered back her grimoire. “Not to imply I disbelieve you, just curious as to your reasoning.”

“Aside from the incredibly faint but still useful traces of someone’s soul essence clinging to it?” Adela grinned, flipping her braid back over her shoulder before accepting the grimoire. “Call it an educated guess. I know there were a couple animancers traveling with them, animancers use copper more than your average Dyrwoodan. Also,” she handed him the scrap of parchment, “that handwriting matches one of the manifests Hadret House had as evidence.”

“A convincing case,” he agreed. “So what now? And why wouldn’t a cipher have picked up the essence and found this already?”

“It’s really faint,” Adela said. “I think the only reason I felt it is due to being a Watcher. Even a skilled cipher would have trouble, if they sense it at all. As far as what now, it seems we need to go in that direction.” She nodded toward the woods off the path.

“Perhaps we should stop for a rest first?” Aloth suggested. “We’ve been at this for hours, a chance to simply relax would be welcome.”

“I’ll second that,” Hiravias said, giving Aloth a friendly nudge with his elbow. “We need a chance to eat; I can hear Edér’s fucking stomach growl from five feet away.”

Adela glanced over her shoulder, toward where Edér stood with Kana and Pallegina, and he shrugged in sheepish confession. “Alright, short rest to get some food in our bellies” --her own growled at the realization of how long ago breakfast had been-- “then into the woods we go.”

“Tell me, Watcher, do you have any theories regarding what happened?” Pallegina asked as the six of them found places to sit.

“I do, actually,” Adela nodded. She dug out a bag of dried fruit and tossed it to Kana for him and Edér to share. “I think they did it themselves.”

Edér frowned. “Why would they do a thing like that?”

“I haven’t the foggiest,” she admitted. “But think about it: this route isn’t exactly an easy one, but the biggest dangers are bandits, wild animals, and Glanfathans who object to people trespassing in their sacred places.” Hiravias grunted consensus with the last one as he scooped out a handful of dried apricots, and Adela smiled grimly before continuing. “From my experience, none of those threats are particularly... neat.”

Odema’s caravan flashed through her mind, and the smile turned to a grimace.

“That’s puttin’ it nicely,” Edér snorted. “Nothin’ makes a mess like wolves.”

“My point exactly,” Adela said, gesturing broadly with her apple. “Someone decided they wanted to disappear and the road to New Heomar was the best place to do it; dangerous enough no one would question their loss, not so dangerous someone skilled would be in real trouble. And with how well their tracks are covered, this is someone who knows what they’re doing.”

“Which begs the question of how they’ll react if we find them,” Kana pointed out. “If they’re wanting to disappear, I can’t imagine they’ll take kindly to being found.”

“Good point,” Adela conceded. She took a bite of her apple while she muffled it over. “S’ppose we can figure that out if we find them. If I’m right, we’ll have to see what they wanted to disappear from and go from there.”

“Considering you think there’s animancers among them, I can’t imagine their reasoning is anything good,” Aloth muttered.

“Not all animancers are bad!” Adela protested almost reflexively. “Like I said, assuming I’m even right, we’ll see what we’ll do when or if we find them.”

They sat for a few more minutes, enjoying the cool breeze that sprung up, before stowing the food and following Adela into the adjacent woods.”

>X< >X< >X<

Whoever or whatever was responsible for the caravan’s disappearance, one thing was certain: they were very thorough. The trail got no easier to follow, even when they were well away from the road. Adela almost wished they had Sagani with them, but Hiravias was doing an impressive job tracking, so hopefully the end result would be the same.

Bent blades of grass, scuffed off tree bark, a tuft of horse hair snagged by a bramble, slowly but surely they tracked their quarry through the woods. Finally they reached a point where Hiravias held up a hand and gestured ahead, toward a section of trees where more light was coming through. They slowed their pace, moving as quietly as possible, and crept closer.

In the clearing beyond the trees rested three wagons, the horses unhitched but grazing nearby. The kith who comprised the caravan--mostly folk with a few elves mixed in--sat or stood in small groups spread out across the clearing. They looked relaxed for the most part, but a few along the fringes were clearly more wary.

Guards, then, Adela mused. They all seemed to be here of their own volition; no one was being treated as prisoners or unwilling tagalongs that she could see. But she didn’t get a chance to pat herself on the back at the further evidence she was correct.

The nearest of the wary ones, as elf who looked maybe half Aloth’s age(best she could tell, elves were hard for her to pin down), swiveled toward where they crouched. His eyes narrowed and he pulled a pistol free of his belt. “Who’s there?”

Adela looked at her friends, shrugged, and then stepped into view, ignoring Aloth and Pallegina’s hissed cautions. She heard footsteps behind her, but didn’t look to see who followed. Edér, probably. Maybe Kana.

“I don’t mean you any harm,” she said, holding her hands well away from sceptre and grimoire both as she looked up at the elf. “I’d heard in Defiance Bay there was a missing caravan, and wanted to help. I know mishaps with caravan can be nasty” --the singing wind of a bîaŵac, Odema’s hand pressed against his crimson-painted stomach-- “and I wanted to make sure you were alright. That’s what happens when you cross curiosity and a bleeding heart.”

“Well, we’re fine,” the elf snapped. He lowered the pistol, still eyeing her suspiciously from under shaggy red hair. “So you can take your tall as blazes friends and fuck right off, aye?”

Adela looked back. Sure enough, Edér and Kana. “Sure, sure. I’ll tell Dunryd Row you’re safe and they can stop looking. I’m sure they won’t press for more details.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” A nearby human spun on one heel and hurried over, placing a restraining hand over the elf’s as he started to raise the pistol again. “Dunryd Row’s looking for us? Gav, maybe we should explain a little, ac?”

The elf sighed out a heavy breath through his nose but nodded. “Fine.” He tucked the pistol in his belt and cocked his head sharply as he looked at Adela. “This all of ya?”

Tempted as she was to say yes, this seemed a situation best helped by honesty. “No.” She gestured toward the trees, and Hiravias, Aloth, and Pallegina stepped out as well. “So, what’s your explanation for vanishing without a trace?”

The woman smirked and tugged at one of her tied-back curls. “Not entirely without a trace, aimica, or you would not have found us.”

“Point,” Adela nodded. “I’m Adela, by the way. Adela Tecali.”

“Hanna,” the woman replied in turn. She bobbled a hand casually toward the elf. “This is Gavryl. We” --this gesture encompassed the whole caravan-- “are just looking to be left alone.”

“Plenty of ways to do that without the disappearin’ act,” Edér chipped in.

Hanna hesitated, and Gavryl crossed his arms with a snort. “Not when you’ve been harassed, many times publicly, for months, ac? Rumors spread, and even seedy provincials are unwilling to have you.”

“Harassed....” Adela bit her lip. “Are you animancers, by any chance?”

“Ac, some are,” Hanna nodded. “The rest are friends and family tired of seeing loved one viewed with suspicion because they dabble in an... unknown science.”

“That’s a diplomatic way to describe it.” She could almost hear the eyeroll in Aloth’s voice.

“Aloth,” she muttered, before flashing Hanna an apologetic smile. “My friend isn’t fond of animancy, to put that diplomatically.”

“And what about you?” Gavryl asked bluntly.

Adela shrugged. “I think it’s fascinating. Don’t practice myself, but like all fields of study or inquiry, I only take issue with it when it’s misused.” She shifted her weight and eyed the collection of kith scattered around the clearing. “So tell me, is the point of this disappearing act just to be left alone, or are you looking for somewhere your animancers can work without suspicion?”

“Both, really,” Hanna admitted, playing with the ends of her sash. “Most simply study the theory of it, but there are one or two among us who run small experiments occasionally. We were hoping to be written off as lost and find a small village somewhere to call our new home.”

“You don’t expect people to wonder where you came from?” Kana frowned. “Kith are a curious lot, I’ve found.”

“New settlers, looking for a home,” Hanna said with a shrug. “It’s not even entirely a lie, and there are enough new settlers in the Dyrwood, it shouldn’t raise too many follow up questions.”

“Well, then...” Adela ran one hand over her braid. It wasn’t a foolproof plan, but neither was it an openly malicious one. “I won’t stop you. But you realize Dunryd Row is very good at what they do, so if they’re looking, someone else will find you eventually. For your own sake, make sure you have a very good case at the ready for when that happens.”

“I don’t suppose,” Hanna began slowly, “you’d consider teling them you found the wreckage of our caravan in a swamp or something?”

“Hanna!” Gavryl protested.

“If they think we’re dead, they’ll stop looking,” she shot back.

“And animancers wonder why they’re viewed with suspicion,” Aloth said under his breath.

“If I tell them that, they’ll want to know how I found it and how I know it’s you.” She shook her head. “I’m fine with leaving the mystery for them to solve on their own, like we did, but if you’re simply looking for a new home than I don’t feel comfortable lying for you.”

“I understand,” Hanna said with a nod. “We will be content with your silence, then, aimica.”

“That I’m happy to promise,” Adela agreed. She heard Aloth shift behind her even though he didn’t say anything, and mentally placed a bet they would be having another of their discussions when they made camp that night. “If it’s acceptable to your friend?”

Gavryl shrugged. “Guess we don’t really have a choice but to trust ya, ‘less we want to become the paranoid, murderous lunatics everyone thinks we are.”

“Gav,” Hanna sighed reprovingly.

“What, I’m sayin’ we trust ‘em,” he protested. He made a shooing motion with one hand. “An’ now that’s settled, off with ya.”

“Sure,” Adela shrugged. She gestured to her friends. “Come on. We have other things to do.”

They all followed without comment, either for or against her decision.

“So, no reward, then,” Hiravias said casually once they were almost back to the road. “Not from them in thanks for our silence, or from Dunryd for solving their mystery.”

Adela shrugged. “Just a good hunt and knowing we solved a mystery. That’s good enough for me, how ‘bout you?”

He grinned. “I suppose as a follower of the Seeker God, I have to say yes. Still, a more tangible reward wouldn’t go amiss.”

“I hear you,” she laughed. “But we don’t always get one. So the satisfaction of the hunt will have to do.”

That truly would be enough for her.

#queens fic #pillars prompts weekly #adela tecali

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kinetic-elaboration · 5 years ago

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November 13: 1x23 A Taste of Armageddon

Feeling pretty tired now, and it’s been a rough day, but I did rally to watch, and enjoy, an episode of Star Trek.

A diplomatic mission today. The Enterprise comes with friendly intentions!

I don’t entirely get this Ambassador or the back story here. They want to set up diplomatic relations with this solar system, because Federation members somehow get killed there a lot. But the Eminians don’t ever leave their solar system, so if the Federation is having problems with them it must be because the Federation is messing around in their space. So perhaps you could just no go there?

Mmm love Kirk being A Captain. “I’m thinking about this ship, my crew.” He’s not a fan of Ambassadors or people usurping his power.

And Spock seems very interested in all of this.

Aw yeah another cool 50s sci fi background! There are more of these than I remembered.

All of the interior hallways, as well as the exterior painting, are all nice and bright and multi-colored for those new color TVs.

It’s hard to pinpoint why, but I feel like this is an effectively Alien culture. Like maybe it’s the weird hats or the colorful hallways or the initial mysterious nature of them, but they just feel very not human, in a way ST alien guest stars don’t always manage imo.

Those annoying colonists lol. Sent them to a new planet and now they’re attacking us.

“If this is an attack... where’s the attack?”

Everyone in Star Trek does a lot of scanning and surveillance.

“Our civilization lives--the people die--but our culture goes on.” Literally America’s COG plans.

“I do not approve. I understand.” I love Spock so much.

The target has been “classified destroyed.” Kirk is confused and rightfully so.

Hmm, is Spock meditating?

Oh, there’s McCoy! Guess he didn’t get the memo yet that he and everyone else is dead.

Scotty know when Kirk’s voice isn’t Kirk’s voice. I love Scotty also and appreciate that he’s getting a bigger role at this point in the series.

I guess Spock is still a “Vulcanian.” Ngl... kind of wish they’d stuck with that. It has a certain ring. I feel like this is the first mention of their telepathic abilities--aside from the mind meld specifically. And they’re “limited” abilities. But not so limited that he can’t control that dude’s mind without touching him--and through a door. Mom suggested the ability is stronger with touch, which makes sense, especially as they do have psychic bonds with each other. But still. That looked pretty powerful to me.

Kirk is so apologetic about possibly being forced to kill.

“I’ll cover you.” It’s probably because of STXI that that affects me so much lol.

I can’t believe “there’s a multi-legged creature on your shoulder” worked! I remember seeing this ep for the first time and just completely losing it at that.

No one’s even gonna talk about the Prime Directive today, I guess.

So it’s already escalating as Anan said: real weapons used to destroy their weird suicide machines, now real weapons to attack the Enterprise.

Scotty’s not impressed by their fire power though.

If only Spock were here to be reminded of his father.

“The best diplomat I know is a fully activated phaser bank.” But they’re not military lmao.

Kirk is so turning up the charm again with Mea. But she’s not very susceptible to it and he’s getting kind of impatient, so it’s like Aggressive Charm.

I feel like this ambassador isn’t very smart. He’s too trusting, doesn’t seem to have great instincts. As opposed to Scotty, who is also Brave and Good, taking a stand.

“The haggis has hit the fan.” Please tell me that is not a real Scottish saying.

I know Kirk and Anan are supposed to be, like, tense and dangerous and threatening in this scene, but it’s reading almost flirty. “Would you...like a drink?” Kirk’s little finger crook thing.

You can tell he already has a plan at this point, which is kind of unusual in terms of Star Trek structure imo. Like usually you’re more with Kirk as he develops a plan, and here you’re watching him hint at the plan. “I don’t need my ship to destroy your whole planet” and so on.

“A man like that would have preferred to die fighting.”

How’d the diplomats get down to the planet? I thought the shields were still up.

They’re really giving Fox the Cliff’s Notes version of their society, huh? “Nice to meet you, you’re off to die now, sorry, really.”

Spock’s like “Oh, no, an Ambassador being killed?? How terrible...”

“Keep her from leaving. Sit on her if you have to.” Unexpectedly hilarious like wtf kind of order is that. And then the Yeoman like trying to look all fierce and Mea’s like “Yeah, okay,” eye roll.

“I’m practicing a peculiar variety of diplomacy.” Spock is such a bad ass. And he’s having a good time being action hero.This is why Vulcans think he’s weird.

Now he needs to find the Captain!

Kirk and Spock both using schoolyard tactics to win fights: tripping someone, the old spider trick. And they’re effective!

Quite possible even better than the spider scene is this ‘Spock comes to rescue his boyfriend and Kirk already has two guns trained on the room’ scene. “I thought you needed help.” / “Oh, I need the help.”

“We’re not going to kill today.” Honestly this one speech is deeper than all 7 seasons of the 100. Also more optimistic and nicer.

Kirk versus the computer again lol. This time, with firearms!

“A feeling is not much to go on.” IT IS IF IT’S A SIMPLE FEELING AMIRITE FELLAS?

“You almost make me believe in luck.” / “You almost make me believe in miracles.”

Honestly where the fuck is EITHER of those things coming from? Like no one was talking about luck and they definitely weren’t talking about miracles!! No one mentioned any miracles, Jim!!

He always gets so flirty after the danger is over, though. Every single time. “Ah, yes, all is well, now time to say something romantic or suggestive. As a treat.”

And then they play that weird comical music over Spock’s confused face as if that made it less queer.

So anyway this isn’t the official Vietnam War Episode but it’s kinda giving me Vietnam vibes. (According to the amazon trivia, I’m right: the computer tallies of the war dead was inspired by Vietnam causalities being shown on tv at night.) From an American perspective, it’s far away, it’s largely invisible, but it’s also long, it seems to exist for its own sake.

Also interesting that no one ever mentions why the two sides are fighting--probably because after 500 years, they don’t know. They just continue on in this mechanized, unceasing way.

That was a really good episode, and even though the actual danger of computer isn’t really what they predicted, I think it holds up regardless, in a different way.

I mean first of all technology has done a fair bit to sanitize war--the use of drones, for example, that allow the aggressors not to see their damage.

But also, and this is like only a half-thought really, but... One thing I think about a lot that the show didn't predict is that the internet allows us to see so much more than any other group of people in history. everything is very close, and there are pictures and videos and so on, from all over the world, available to you at any given time. I think this is very hard to deal with psychologically. So thinking about that in relation to this...it's a different balance but for the Eminians, war was both very real and close--it's constant, and people die all the time in huge numbers--but also very far away, because it's happening essentially hypothetically. So the dichotomy doesn’t line up in the same way but it still exists, imo.

And wow, that “we’re not going to kill today” speech. That was an interesting little wrinkle: that part of why the Eminians continued warring was because they felt like it was just inherently who they were. Their nature. Same philosophy espoused by all the grimdark showrunners of today. “I’m smart and brave and deep because I’m showing a mirror to humanity!! A MIRROR!”

And then here's Kirk, a Classic Hero, coming in and saying, "Yeah, wow, deep, you've determined that your species has a violent history. That's cool and all but have you considered that every single day you can consciously choose to make different, better choices?"

This was a good Kirk ep, a good Spock ep, and a good Scotty ep. It bums me out that he’s seen as comic relief now I guess... as my mom said, Scotty liked a joke but he was never comic relief.

I think it would be interesting to hear more of Spock’s thoughts in this ep, though. He’s the son of an ambassador and his people also had a warlike history that they dealt with in a way different to how humans do. But the method of problem solving of the Enterprise Captain and crew today was very martial, much more about brute force, and strategy as well, than peaceful talking--an overall plan I doubt many Vulcans would like. It would be interesting to hear how he thought of it all to himself.

Anyway, it’s getting late! Next up is a very decidedly good Spock ep, This Side of Paradise. Might be watching it on Wednesday so..not too long to wait!

#the year 2020 #2020: star trek #2020: fandom thoughts #star trek tos

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butweareafamily · 5 years ago

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about - please read the rules first

this is not mandatory to read, these are just details about the canon divergences I already talked about in my rules. Explanations/getting deeper into her backstory.

Please read the rules, those are what you need.

Now, details about canon divergences, first about Emma in general, then about her big issues with some characters. This is long, but, again, really not mandatory to read:

-After the curse broke she had, surprisingly, more friction with her mother due to their personalities despite having been closer to Mary Margaret, while David was able to understand her need for space better. Still, she loves them both dearly and even when not ready to admit just how much she needs them she’ll defend them ferociously. She may bring up more issues with her parents as a way to solve them in this blog (in universe, because she’s not as delicate and may accidentally hurt their feelings at times. Example: ‘if I don’t want to go to a date, maybe try to find out why and not assume it’s something to help me get over’ can be a theme of discussion). She’s aware of how much they have lost and how much they want to have her around, which initially is even more reason to want to run away while at the same time means she’d die for them.

The idea of her “regretting” giving Henry up beyond a ‘I wish I had the means to raise him’ is laughable since she was a teen in prison with no home, family, money, and Henry, who would not have been left in her care anyway, would have died soon after an attempt to raise him in a car. She doesn’t regret giving him a chance one bit, she just wishes she had been older and with a support-net that could allow her to keep him.

-Emma is not pushed to “change, grow to be a ‘better’, more open person and heal from her traumas and open up to the world more” as fast as she is in the tvshow, I’m not limited by their schedule and cast, so Emma will show more consequences of her past life (alone, unwanted, losing in violent ways everyone she comes close to, being betrayed and believing she had been just used by the one person she loved, having been in jail, homeless, hungry, and so on, and constantly being punished for trying to trust and hope until she found her family) and have more dysfunctional behaviors that eventually she’ll leave behind, and some that she’ll stay/regress back to every now and then for the rest of her life.

She didn’t even exactly had a good idea of what ‘healthy’ looks like for 99% of her life, so she can’t pretend for her family’s sake that she’s well-adjusted in every sense of the word. She can close off and run even in later seasons while still having the natural strong instinct to hope and the even stronger need to keep this family and believe that things will work. That also means bringing up past abuse without always realizing how bad it was or how shocking it might be.

-Seeing Neal again and what happened with Walsh was extremely re-traumatizing, as well as remembering Ingrid right in time for her to die. Also all the deaths and near deaths she witnessed didn’t help.

-Her memories of raising Henry did bring her to a ‘healthier’ lifestyle but the result of those memories and real ones existing in her head together left a bit of a mess of ‘responsibility’ + 'impulsiveness’ + 'stubbornness’ + 'walls’ + 'feeling in charge/feeling lost’. She may take a memory potion to erase her memories of being raised by her parents as a cowardly princess, which was a wish twisted by the evil queen anyway, because that together with fake memories of keeping Henry and fake memories of years in a hospital and real memories of her real life is just too much.

-That doesn’t mean she’s not going to start taking the roles of mother and Savior, and keep following her instinct, always present, to help people, but she also won’t always be sweet or pick the most socially acceptable responses. She also won’t let people treat her badly without fighting, and in times when she doesn’t fight it (for example Gold telling Milah that Emma had a torrid affair with their son and was now dating her ex) it will be because it hurts too much and she’s used to having to 'take’ pain and shut up about it, it’s not positive and will not written as such.

-Emma never became “friends” with Regina. She tries to be civilized/diplomatic with her for Henry’s sake and to keep her from turning into the Evil Queen again and lose more lives over it (and Emma knows that Regina was up until now a tyrant who killed entire villages, sent children to a cannibalistic witch, and kept a sex slave, among other things, so a jump into the old evil ways means she’d have to kill her, which Emma wants to avoid), but still, she never forgave Regina over Graham, she never moved past all the pain Regina caused her parents and the things she did up until Henry was kidnapped by Tamara and Greg, or the fact that she grew up alone because of her, and in this blog Emma doesn’t lose the ability to snap at her as time passes by, she just chooses her battles better to keep the peace. In this blog she also lets some canon comments pass when they are about her, still to avoid useless fights and of course because used to so much worse, but likely puts a stop to the ones directed to her parents and Killian because no matter how used she is to toxic relationships she also always felt the need to defend others. Regina’s reaction to Marian’s return cements these emotions and the fact that Emma doesn’t trust her change of heart to be that deep. The idea of finding the author is not something Emma can support: either it would change their entire lives and they’d stop existing as who they are, or Regina would simply be writing a line about finding a happy ending that would force her and another person to fall in love, and then what could the consequences of a happy ending by force be? Especially since nobody in the show can actually say they have a happy ending, they can just say that they went through incredible pain and now life got a bit better, but there are still constant problems and they are just working on being happy and together. Considering the Evil Queen a separate identity is also a no. Considering Regina queen of everything? No. So like I said there will be no threads with Regina rpers, and when I rp with others if they are close to Emma they will know her real opinion of her. She also doesn’t trust Henry alone with Regina, she may not know about his memory being wiped in season 2 but she knows Regina was willing to kill them all and kidnap Henry very recently (and even while Regina tries to be a hero instead, she shuts him out in every way when upset over Robin, which hurts Henry). OUAT happens in the span of a few years, depending on the thread it could be still a very recent, very fresh wound even just the fact that Regina helped her mother in her quest to become Dark One and was there when Johanna was killed.

-She was neutral about Gold in season 2 and season 3, but in season 4 he eventually takes Killian’s heart, and once again a man she’s romantically involved with is almost ripped from her, and uses him as a slave for weeks which alone would be traumatic enough to never trust Gold again, but adding up to that Gold did try to kill her too, as she finds out after these events from Killian, who had come to save her when he got his heart taken. Gold is temporarily sent away so Emma didn’t exactly get to express her feelings, but once he’s back? He’ll never be part of the family for her, and his alliance with the queens of darkness was just one more proof of it, as well as him taking back the dark curse once human and free and erasing Killian’s sacrifice which was for Emma a reason to want him to suffer, even if she didn’t go that far with her actions.

So there is no big birthday parties where she and Killian are comfortable and have fun while sitting at the table with Gold or Regina.

-After Neverland and experiencing a (fake) life in which she got to raise Henry and to tell Henry what Neal had really done to her (which we see in the show, in New York Henry only knows his father is a conman who let her take the fall for his crime and they are both cool with it, Emma had more time to process and got to keep the baby) she’s very aware that she did in fact stop loving Neal and just loved the idealized version of him and what he had promised her, she doesn’t know who he is now after an entire decade and he doesn’t know who she is. She will not get in the way of him spending time with Henry and she’ll be relatively nice especially knowing he wasn’t just using her but did mean to share a future with her, but she shuts him down even more firmly than in canon. She knew by the time he asked her out that she also had feelings for Killian (but then, she knew there was something special about Killian since long before) but the two things have nothing to do with each other, in fact in the fake reality she had moved on with Walsh too. She will fight with Mary Margaret if asked to give him a chance too. If she can’t defend herself in Manhattan it’s because his presence makes her feel smaller and submissive, that will take a while to go away.

-Walsh was a very traumatic experience she will vent about eventually, a man pretending to love her, sleeping with her, manipulating her into a relationship by acting in whatever way he needed to be in her life, only to turn around and try to kill her is no joke. So was watching Gold almost crushing Killian’s heart, and so was thinking back of Graham and realizing exactly what had happened. (and so was watching Henry’s almost dead body in the hospital and in Neverland, and experiencing too many realities in her head).

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