#which turned into wanting to pull/force the scythe from imaginary

[sugurouge]

trying to write my own character profile for HSR while including elements of three jobs from ffxiv, my own self ship lore and a general background/companion story

[jadekitty777]

On Your Six, Chapter 4

Already at chapter 4 - we’re halfway there!

Day 4: Role Swap for @taiqrowweek

Rating: T for this chapter, M for overall

Words: 2.5k

Summary: Qrow was what most of society would call a small-town criminal. But to those oppressed, he hoped only to be a healer. In an effort to make a change in the world, he moves from kingdom to kingdom, searching for branded omegas in need. His goal? To turn the derogatory words the reformatories forced them to bear on their skin into works of art.

Then one day, his past catches up to him in the form of Taiyang, his former best friend, with a brand of his own stained onto his skin and a plea for help in his eyes. Qrow has no choice but to answer, even if it means he’d have to face his mistakes once and for all.

[An ABO-style universe in a modern-day style Remnant. No Grimm, because people are the real monsters in this one]

Ao3 Link: On Your Shoulder

When Qrow was ten, he was declared old enough to be able to spend a week away from home without his folks tagging along. Which meant he was allowed to join Tai’s family on their week-long vacation at their cabin in the woods they went to every summer.

On one condition: He had to bring Raven.

One grisly agreement to do all her chores for an entire month later found him leaping at imaginary foes in the backyard with Tai as they weaved around the maples trees forest of doom.

“Hi-yah!” Tai roundhouse kicked a beowulf into dust. “Harbinger, watch out! Three behind you!”

“You thought you could sneak up on me!” Qrow bellowed, swinging his scythe around him and sliced the three right in half.

Tai rushed past him. “Hurry! I see the exit!”

He followed him, his shorter legs struggling to keep up. But in this case it was a benefit, because he could see his friend’s path was leading him to a patch of dirt ahead. “Tatsu, watch out! Quicksand!”

“What? There’s no – oh noooo!” He wheeled his arms, flopping onto his stomach. He flailed about like a fish. “I can’t get out!”

Qrow frantically flittered at the edge. “Hold on, I’ll get you out!” He circled around to where Tai’s front half was, squatting down. After a moment’s consideration, he scooted off the grass so he was in reaching distance.

“You’re in the quicksand.” Tai whispered loudly.

“I’m not gonna pull you out by your butt.” He whispered back before going back to hero mode. “Reach! I got you!”

Silently agreeing to the no-butt policy, his friend carried on as normal. “No, it’s too late for me. Go, you have to save the kingdom without me!”

“I’d never leave you behind. It’s you and me against the world and we’re gonna stick it out to the bitter end.” Qrow vowed, hoping he sounded just as brave as the Rosette did when she was encouraging her team into the big battle during the finale of Silver Eyes. “Now take my hand!”

Tai stretched his arm out as far as it could go. Qrow scooted a bit more forward, grabbing on.

Just as he was about to pull out his friend and be the big hero, his sister ruined everything. “What are you guys doing?”

They both groaned loudly, pulling themselves off the ground.

“Raven!” Qrow whined. “You’re supposed to stay in the castle until we knock on the door!”

She gave a dismissive glance back at the shed she’d been in since they started their epic journey across the land. “You guys were taking too long. And I finished my book already.”

“Well go get another one and go back in there!” He stomped his foot angrily. Why did she always have to be the worst? They let her be the Last Boss and everything and she still couldn’t get that right.  

“Nah, I’m bored. Besides you’re not even playing it right.”

Tai looked up from the dirt he was trying to pat out of his shorts. “What do you mean?”

“You’re supposed to be the one saving him.” She explained, waving to Qrow. “Omegas aren’t strong enough to save people.”

He hunched down until his shoulders were practically touching his ears. He hated it when his sister was being a know-it-all. “Shut up. It’s our game.”

“Yeah. Besides, Harbinger is a hero. Heroes can do whatever they want.” Tai agreed, reminding Qrow why he was his best friend in the whole world.

Raven wrinkled her nose, making her face look ugly. “That’s dumb. You gotta do it right. Here, I’ll show you.” Then, with no warning at all, she strode over and shoved her hands into Qrow’s chest, knocking him down.

He yelped, trying to catch himself, his palms getting scrubbed raw on the dirt. He bit his lip, eyes starting to water.

“What are you doing?!” Tai cried as he hurried over, pushing Raven back.

Though she stumbled, she didn’t go down like Qrow had. “I said I was showing you! Look he’s already crying.”

The dam he was trying to hold back overflowed the second they were both looking at him. He scrambled to his feet, trying to hide his face as he ran away. Normally, he’d go hide up in his room but he didn’t want Tai’s parents to see him crying because then they might call his parents. Then he might have to go home. The idea only brought more sniveling.

Instead, he found himself clambering into the Secret Cave Tai had shared with him on the first day. It was a hole under the porch where the lattice had broken in. It wasn’t wide enough for an adult, but Tai and he had no problem squeezing through. The ground was littered with random odd and ends – leaves, rocks, a single black feather. They’d collected it all when they had been dragons and were gathering their hordes. He crawled around it all and made his way to the very back where the porch met the foundation of the house, sitting against it and burying his face into his knees.

He was mostly better by the time Tai crawled in beside him.

“I brought you something.” He offered him one of those prepackaged cupcakes with the little white swirls on top.

Qrow scrubbed the last of his tears away, and took the treat with a quiet, “Thanks.” The smell of chocolate hit his nose immediately as he tore into the plastic, taking a huge bite to get right to the frosting inside the middle.

Tai started picking up some of their rocks, throwing them at the lattice. The ones that didn’t slip in between the diamonds made a pleasant knocking noise as they bounced off the wood. When he’d run out of things to throw, he asked, “Wanna go and play some video games?”

The idea of leaving his hiding spot and running into his sister filled him with dread. Unsure how to say that, he just shook his head frantically.

“Okay.” Tai gathered more rocks, giving him a handful. It wasn’t a competition but Qrow started to keep count in his head as he tried to throw more of them through the holes. Though, it quickly became clear who was going to win when his friend was already up to three by the time he got his first one.

He felt like crying again and he didn’t know why.

“Tai?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Yeah.”

Qrow sat on his knees and grabbed his arm, very serious. “You can’t tell anyone else, okay? Not even if they threaten to scratch out your eyes. Not even then!”

“I won’t!” Tai motioned an X over his heart. “I swear.”

Satisfied, he settled back, though the franticness inside him only seemed to increase. Faced with the realty of saying the words aloud was more terrifying than he expected.

But if there was anyone he could trust, it was definitely Tai.

He took the biggest breath he could and let it all out in a rush, “I don’t want to be an omega.”

“Because of what Raven said?” His friend guessed.

“And everything else.” He threw a rock as hard as he could. It rebounded from the wood with enough force that it dropped back between his feet. He threw it again. “You know how we had to go get those tests done at the doctor’s so we’re ready for P.E. next year? I asked mom if I could get the special one like Raven so I could join wrestling too, but she said no, ‘cause it’s too rough for me. I hate it. I can’t do anything Raven does! They always treat her like she’s better.” He hugged his legs again, clutching onto his pants. “And you know what dad said to mom when I was begging to come here with you? He said to let me go because in a few years I won’t even want to be friends with you.”

Tai looked just about as distressed as he felt. “Wait, why wouldn’t you want to be friends with me anymore?”

“I don’t know!” He cried. “‘Cause I guess being an omega means I can’t have fun and I don’t like people and I’ll be sad all the time.”

“I don’t think that’s right.”

“Well, my mom cries almost every day and when I asked dad about it he just said it was an omega thing.”

Still frowning, Tai shook his head. “But my dad doesn’t do that. The only time I’ve seen him cry is during movies.”

“He’s probably hiding it.” Qrow claimed, because it was the only thing that made sense. His mom used to do the same thing. He only knew back then because he could hear it through the wall of his bedroom.

Tai was quiet a long moment, considering that. When he spoke again, it sounded like he was trying to work out the words as they came out of his mouth, “Maybe your dad’s wrong. Maybe it’s not an omega thing, but your mom’s thing.”

“My dad wouldn’t lie to me!” He shouted.

“Maybe he doesn’t know he is. Parents can be wrong.”

“No, they aren’t. That’s why they’re parents.” He claimed, the statement a universal truth.

But Tai had always been better at arguing than him as he pointed out, “Okay, if your dad’s right about everything, then that means he’s right about us not being friends when we grow up.”

Hearing that should have made everything better, but it just made things worse. If he couldn’t believe his mom and dad, then maybe everything was wrong. That was too much to think about.

Qrow turned his head away, curling up even tighter into a ball. He didn’t like this conversation anymore.

There was a bit of shuffling as Tai pressed in close, hugging him.

They didn’t talk again for a long time.

~

“I can’t believe you remember that.” Qrow remarked. His pen was buzzing out brown ink to shade the cave that had sparked the memory in the first place. With the onset of July, the room was sticky and hot, furthering the illusion of that long-forgotten summer day.

Tai peeked an eye open to give him a cursory glance, before burrowing his head further into his arms as a few sweeps came close to his spine. His voice was tight when he spoke, “Well, they say the mind is the first thing to go.”

“The next is motor functions.” He quipped right back as he pulled back to ink up, faking tremors in the hand still lying flat along Tai’s back. “Might just make a mistake here.”

“Don’t you dare!”

Chortling, he steadied before the needle met skin again. He continued the conversation almost absent-mindedly, “I really made a big deal out of nothing back then, huh?”

“Only seems like nothing in retrospect.” Tai contended mildly. “You know, the kids in my class are just like we were back then. Most of them are already worried about presenting – and they’re only eight! The worst of ‘em have parents like ours, who put so much emphasis on what they think their child is going to become and have already started raising them that way.”

“Yeah. It messes with their heads. As if growing up ain’t hard enough.” He scoffed. “Though even if I was raised alpha to begin with, pretty sure I was always destined to have a messy childhood.”

“Well… yeah.” The omega trailed off, unsure what to say.

What could anyone say? Between his mother’s depression that landed her in the reformatory and later death, and his dad’s developing alcoholism that resulted in Raven and he practically raising themselves from middle school onward, Qrow probably had enough issues to fill a lifetime drama series.

(Sometimes, he thought about seeking out his old man. Telling him it wasn’t his fault. That none of them knew how to help mom, least of all the suits who claimed it was just a common case of chronic hysteria.

Thought about it up until he looked in the mirror and saw the scar above his right eyebrow and reminded himself just why he had left home to begin with.)

“Still.” Tai cut through his thoughts, “I think you turned out pretty alright.”

As he pulled back to survey his work thus far, his reply was cheekily derisive, “I’m only a criminal constantly on the run from the law. So, yeah. Doing spectacular.”

But his friend had always been good at giving back what was dished out as he cupped a hand around his ear, “Oh sorry, what was that? Your newest customers are a trio of triplets? And you’re planning on spending the next several days making sure their tattoos match? Wow, you must be really dedicated to what you do to go through so much effort.”

“If you’re going to use my clients as ammo, I’m going to stop telling you about them.” Even to his ears, it sounded painfully childish. Tai grinned like he knew it too. “Come on, break time. I got to switch to the rounders for the yellow.”

Qrow undid his pen from the power cord, heading into the kitchen. His motions were practiced as he started undoing the screws that held the needle chamber in place before popping it open and taking out the needle itself, tossing it in the trash. He turned on the sink, and while he waited for the water to run hot, he heard footfalls beside him. Tai lent his hip against the counter, still modestly fascinated by the way the device came apart despite how many times he’d seen it by now.

Or maybe he just wanted to continue their conversation. “You know, I told myself early on I wouldn’t make the same mistakes my parents did.”

“Meaning?” He asked as he thrust the chamber under the steaming waterfall.

“I want to give my kids the opportunities we didn’t have. So if Yang wants to learn kickboxing and sewing, then damnit, she’s gonna learn kickboxing and sewing. And if I turn around one day and Ruby’s constructed a – a scythe, then I don’t want to tell her how alpha that was of her, I just want her to know I’m proud of her.”

“Bullshit.” Qrow laughed. “You would not be proud of her for making a scythe. You’d have a level five meltdown.”

He smacked his arm. “I was exaggerating! The point is, I want my kids to be able to explore who they are without worrying about upsetting me. Or give them lifelong doubts of whether they disappointed me by not turning out the way I expected them too.”

They weren’t talking about Ruby and Yang anymore.

The water was shut off. Qrow gave his friend a gentle glance. “Lucky for them, they’re being raised by you. You’ve never let stuff like that get in the way before, you won’t let it start with your kids.”

Tai blinked, then beamed bright as the sun. “Thanks Qrow.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now cut it out. You’re gonna make me melt.” Too late.

He already had.

[poltergeist-in-the-water-heater]

Falling Into Place

So this is the first chapter of an original novel that I’m working on that I decided to post.

I welcome comments and constructive critisism.

Like, seriously

Please tell me what you think of it.

Warnings for blood, death, and execution.

He couldn’t sit still.

Nikai sighed, foot tapping incessantly on the wood floor, and his fingers brushing through the pages of the book in his lap.

He tried to focus on the book, but his eyes kept drifting to the bright sky outside.

On any other day Nikai would have already been lost in the inky words covering the worn pages, but today something inside him screamed. Something important was going to happen today, and Nikai knew he wanted to be there for it.

Tearing his eyes away from the window Nikai looked at the water clock tucked into the corner, a little before one o’clock, close enough that it would be acceptable for him to practice before his lessons. He knew that he’d be distracted no matter what he did, but at least this way he’d be moving.

Nikai strode down the stairs and through the halls giving polite nods in response to the bows and curtsies of the servants as he passed. He emerged into the bright light shining on the courtyard and grabbed a dulled training sword. His instructor would bring all of his real weapons, which were locked away in the armory, so this would do for the time being. The dull strip of metal was no replacement for Nikai’s beautifully crafted twin blades, but Nikai found it mattered little as he fell into the familiar motions.

His vision manifested a ghostly figure clutching an indistinct blade in front of Nikai’s eyes. He crouched into a ready stance, and the figure charged forward. The screaming restlessness that had been plaguing him faded to the back of his mind as Nikai crossed blades with his imaginary opponent.

Nikai had bested a dozen false enemies by the time his instructor made his appearance.

At first Nikai didn’t even notice the grizzled soldier’s entrance. It took Malakai grabbing the young man’s wrist and snapping his fingers in Nikai’s face to get his attention.

Nikai turned wide-eyed to his teacher, “Ah, Malakai...didn’t see you there.”

Malakai narrowed his eyes in a clear message to the young noble, ‘Fix that.’

Malakai jerked his head toward the bench where he’d set Nikai’s weapons; a set of twin swords made from a gold-nickel alloy, twin knives made from the same metal, a mountain laurel longbow, and a quiver of aluminum arrows. Nikai dashed over to the bench and grabbed the long blades on the far left side. Malakai watched approvingly as his student inspected the blades for any irregularity and scratched at the skin under his beard.

The collarbone length beard was Malakai’s, rather paltry, attempt to hide the scars on his neck from when he’d been caught in a rockslide many years ago. Several rocks had managed to cut and crush parts of his throat, resulting in both the scars and the permanent loss of his voice.

The  order in which Malakai placed Nikai’s weapons on the bench was an important part of the system of communication the two had established; as Nikai only had the barest grasp of Alerian sign language. Malakai always placed the weapons on the bench in the order they’d work with them, left to right. It cut out some of the writing and awkward gesturing, though some was unavoidable.

Though the loss of his voice had made it difficult to continue as a soldier Malakai had still led a small, but effective, squadron for several more years until his retirement, and he remained one of the best warriors in the nation. Which was why Nikai’s father, Karal Anaka, had hired him.

Malakai had taught both of Nikai’s older brothers, Jayden and Zarak, but neither had been as dedicated of students as Nikai.

Nikai finished his inspection of the shimmering blades, and turned to face Malakai. Malakai readied his stance and pulled out his own twin swords.

Nikai struck first, darting forward to deliver an experimental slash to Malakai’s chest. The older man blocked the blade in a shower of sparks, and retaliated with a slash at Nikai’s leg. Nikai reversed his grip on his free blade to block the strike. Then pulled the blade up, scratching against the opposing guard, to jab the pommel into Malakai’s sternum. The soldier’s breath abandoned him in a gasp, and he half doubled-over the weapon. Malakai quickly stepped back to free his blades and catch his breath.

PHVOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sharp blast of a conch horn shattered the relative silence.

Nikai’s eyes darted in the direction of the sound, his grip on his weapons loosening.

Then Malakai moved.

He darted forward while Nikai was distracted and fell into a crouch, scything his leg toward Nikai he swept the young blond off his feet. Nikai’s blades slipped from his lax grasp as his back collided with the stone ground and forced the air from his lungs. Malakai swiftly rose from his crouch into a battle ready stance and leveled the tip of one of his swords at Nikai’s throat.

Nikai groaned and raised his head as much as he could, chest heaving. He wanted nothing more than to keep the spar going. His swords weren’t too far away, and if he moved quickly and quietly enough he could land a strike at the back of Malakai’s knee before the man could avoid it. The sword at his throat wasn’t so close as to render him immobile. He could do it, but…

Nikai’s eyes drifted back in the direction of the horn blast.

They both knew what that meant.

Malakai drew his sword away from Nikai’s throat and stepped back, jerking his head towards the front gate of the courtyard.

Nikai nodded and leapt to his feet. He fumbled to grab his fallen swords still trying to catch his breath. Once his blades were safely sheathed and placed on the bench Nikai ran for the gate, going only slightly slower than a full sprint.

Nikai wove his way through the crowd gathering around the stage in the center of the capitol just half a mile in front of the Queen’s castle. The crowd shuffled uncomfortably around him. No one would look directly at the stage, and many people had tears in their eyes.

The entire city balanced on a knife edge; waiting for The Death Goddess to decide how many would fall.

Nikai swallowed around a lump in his throat, his shoulders tensing. Thaneri would visit this city today.

Nikai bent over his knees gasping like he’d forgotten how to breathe as soon as he reached one of the boxes settled around the back and sides of the stage. As soon as his breathing evened Nikai straightened and wiped the sweat from his forehead and limp hair. Then stepped up the stairs to join his father and brothers; all of whom looked far better put together than he did.

Nikai took his place to Zarak’s left. He could practically feel the heat of his father’s disapproving glare at his state on his brother’s other side, but the full weight of Karal’s disapproval would come later. To speak now would be a grave mistake.

A second horn blast sounded through the city, and a gilded palanquin draped in rare, expensive red silk was carried through the gap in the boxes where other noble families stood, though many were empty, at the back of the stage.

The servants carrying the ornate structure set it down on the stage and two retreated back down the stairs while the remaining two stood to either side.

Behind the palanquin came six figures cloaked in distinctive gray and black hooded uniforms. Each wore a unique mask over their eyes; telling the people exactly who they were.

Lightning.

Dust.

Wind.

Fire.

Snow.

Ice.

Rain.

The Storm Riders.

The Queen’s elite personal soldiers and assassins.

Seven of the greatest minds and warriors in the country.

Seven.

One of them was missing. Dust was notably absent.

Nikai narrowed his eyes at the space between Wind and Lightning where Dust usually stood. What reason could there be for him not to be standing there.

Before he could consider it any further the two servants beside the palanquin stepped forward and pulled the two drapes of silk covering the front apart to reveal a woman seated in a simple throne.

The Alerian Queen, Kiera.

She stepped forward, the sun glinting off her dark hair and the gold band woven with diamond shards on her head that symbolised her power.

Kiera stepped gracefully and deliberately forward, and Wind and Rain moved forward to flank her.

The Queen and her guards stopped several feet from the edge of the stage, and Kiera opened her mouth to address the people.

“People of Aleria,” she began, voice strong and resonating, “fifteen years ago this country was wreathed in chaos and strife. Cities were divided, and families were torn apart. The mistakes of our former King led to the Alerian Civil War, ten long years of suffering. I had made it my goal to end that suffering, and five years ago succeeded. For five years we have rebuilt our proud nation, but our fight is not over! The people set to come before you now sought to usurp our hard-earned peace. The efforts of my Storm Riders ensured that this would be a futile goal, but though they were stopped there are others who share their aspirations. Those people must learn that we are no longer a nation to be trifled with!”

As she spoke three guards led a line of prisoners onto the stage. Five men and women in shackles and blindfolds marching with resigned, trembling steps. Most of them shook like branches in a hurricane, more than one had tears streaming from under their blindfolds, and as they passed Nikai heard one man reciting a prayer to Alarak under his breath over and over.

Prayers to the God of Justice will not save you now, Nikai thought scathingly, justice is what you are about to receive.

Only one in the line of prisoners stood strong. He was fifth and last in the line. He had the same dark hair and tawny skin as most natives to the island, but was far more toned and solidly muscled than the average citizen. He stared dead ahead as though he wasn’t blindfolded, and his jaw was as stiff and solid as a mountain.

The guards marched them to the front of the stage several meters to the Queen’s left.

“These people, will be their example.” Kiera stated.

The woman first in line was pulled forward and knocked to her knees. Her head was forced onto an aluminum chopping block leaving her neck exposed. One of the guards pulled a gold-nickel axe off his back and stepped up beside her. The other guard’s foot on her back ensured that she wouldn’t be able to avoid her fate.

The first guard raised his axe.

The tension in the air reached its apex.

People in the crowd looked away as subtly as they could. Many pulled their children to their sides, hiding their child’s face in the fabric of their clothes so they wouldn’t see.

The axe fell, cleanly severing the woman’s head from her body with a sharp ring as the axe hit the block. Blood spilled from her corpse and severed head pooling across the top of the block. The blood spread like a flood, staining the woman’s frozen face.

The guard’s partner didn’t even flinch. Instead she lifted the woman’s head by its hair releasing a deluge of blood sending the red life liquid drip, drip, dripping over the edge of the block.

The female guard dropped the head at the edge of the stage spattering blood across the panels, and sending the nearest spectators darting back to avoid the splash. A few weren’t quick enough, and their faces were speckled with drops of blood.

The other guard tossed the body carelessly to the side.

The girl walked back to the third guard and grabbed the next in line; the man who still muttered prayers as he was dragged forward and forced to kneel in his compatriot’s blood.

Again and again and again the axe fell, each time spilling a little more blood...each time stealing one more life.

Finally it was the last man’s turn. The Storm Riders seemed to become even more alert as he was dragged forward, their eyes following him almost sadly.

The guards pushed him to his knees and forced his head onto the block.

The man hadn’t flinched once throughout the execution, despite the sounds of heads being cleaved and the ringing of the axe striking the aluminum block, and he didn’t flinch now. Even through the blindfold he seemed to stare right at the Queen. Then he said something.

Nikai couldn’t make it out, but Kiera tensed and narrowed her eyes.

As though he could sense her response, the man gave a toothy smirk.

Then there was a spray of blood and a harsh ring as, one final time…

The axe fell.

[khymer-vulture]

Been a while since I posted a fic, I’m still compiling more short stories, I had a few ideas come to me. It’s gonna take me a little while to get them done, especially since I got a new project to work on too.

Anyways, set after Captivate. (I’ve been wanting to do a little more after confession fics, since I did alot of befores)

Now that their feelings had been recognized, the pair are learning the boundaries of their budding relationship.

It was awkward, it wasn’t unpleasant, but things felt a little more awkward than it used to be - also a strange sense of comfort. These feelings came to be after their moment of recognizing their affections for one another.

It felt good that they were more welcome with being close, but it still felt weird because of that. Zack was so used to being a loner, and not showing a softer side of himself so casually. Ray seemed to draw it out with ease, even when he’s not thinking about it, while she herself had rarely felt what it was like to be loved, mostly appreciation and support when she was around Zack. That’s why it felt awkward, it was the opposite of what they were accustomed to. However, the comfort they felt was from the warmth and security the two felt when their new affections did show.

Kissing was still a very new thing to do as well, most times Zack would do it on his usual impulses, but it was Ray who often lead him into a softer and mutual meeting. When that did happen, Isaac felt himself wanting to melt. It felt incredibly good to press his lips against hers, savor a strange and new taste that sent his mind in a spin, and lightly breathe in her scent when they both needed the air. Ray seemed to fall under the same spell as well, her eyes often gave away her haziness, to which Zack often teased her about by asking if she was seeing imaginary snakes.

Ray knew this was a loving relationship, but it seemed strange to say they were boyfriend and girlfriend, Zack would think such titles were mushy. She did notice Zack would use words of possession here and there like ‘my’ or ‘mine’ when describing her, like he acknowledges the new change in their bond, but the proper words felt like a foreign language to speak. She didn’t mind after all, this was still so new to them.

As the days passed, the weather began to show signs of turning sour, dark clouds covered the skies and thunder began to crack through the air, the two had to find some sort of cover and quick. They were stuck in the alley with no signs of an alcove or even an abandoned building to break into, and they had to race against time before the storm covered them. Hidden within the labyrinth of the alleys, was a car, all smothered in dust and leaves, and with the tires obviously stripped from it – seemed good enough to camp in once the storm clears.

“Wait up Zack, let me check it out first,” Ray said as she brushed away dust from the window.

“No time, Ray. It’ll pour down any fuckin’ second!”

“Just be patient,” Ray retorted.

Zack huffed as he watched Ray glance inside the automobile, then back away with a nod to let him continue. Isaac pulled and arm back and slammed his elbow into the front window, feeling it shatter from the force, and reached to pull up the knob to unlock the door. Ray helped herself into the back of the car, quickly brushing out all the dust that had accumulated into the vehicle and vented fresh air inside. Soon, another loud crack of thunder rolled through the air, actually making Zack jump from how loud it was, he dropped his scythe and nudged it under the car as quick as he could.

“Lemme the fuck in!” he shouts.

“Alright, hop in, quick!”

Zack wasted no time climbing into the car and slamming the door shut with a sigh of relief, and within seconds, the rain began to pour loudly.

“…Fucking rain…” Zack grumbled, then glanced to Rachel, “Why’d you need to check this thing anyway? It’s obviously a piece of shit…not like we’re gonna try to drive off with it.”

“I know, I wanted to make sure the alarm wouldn’t go off when we broke in.”

She had a point.

“Brainiac…” he mumbled.

Ray quietly laughed, “Don’t you like that about me?”

Zack grumbled again, before reaching to pull his hoodie over his face – Rachel had affectionately taken to calling it his “turtle mode” when he got flustered or wanted to retreat from new feelings. Some things never changed, it was for the better anyway. Sure, things were a little different, but why should they change completely from this new shift in their bond? They still acted like every day was the same, however, it was being more open to new actions that made their situation different.

“Alright, Zack…you can stop hiding in your shell now,” Ray teased.

“Ugh…that turtle bullshit again?” Zack huffed. “Come on, ya’ gotta stop callin’ me cute shit…I’m the exact opposite of cute.”

Ray was feeling that playful type of behavior with him, she seemed to enjoy their small moments of play, even if it was just a little bit of rough housing, it was when Zack showed genuine and pure emotions. So, she tried to get him to cut loose more often, it did help him vent out aggression, while letting out his free spirit – or his inner kid, as she would tease.

“Try and make me,” she prodded.

She had a sly grin on her face, a look that easily goaded Zack into trying to pinch her cheeks or ruffle her hair into poofiness. As soon as he raised his hands up, Ray was already on the defense, and grasped at his hands trying to grab at her, the two uttered amused laughs at their attempts to fight or fend each other off, as the car lightly rocked on its suspension.

“Wipe that smug ass grin off your face,” Zack growled.

“Wipe yours off,” she retorts.

Soon, he covered Ray’s mouth as his attempt to both quiet her and cover her smile, she uttered a slight annoyed growl and tried to retaliate. Her own inner kid had a solution and she acted on it, but it was a terrible idea. Zack felt Ray, smack his hand away for a second, he raised a brow and saw Ray trying to spit something out or get something off her tongue.

“…Did you seriously just try to lick my hand?” Zack stoically asked.

“I was trying to get it off my mouth!” she shouted with embarrassment. “I wasn’t thinking about the bandages!”

Zack tried so hard to hold back a snicker, but it quickly slipped out before he erupted into laughter. His laughter continued for a good while until a flash of lightning blinded them, followed by loud cracks of thunder, Rachel quickly got up and wrapped herself tightly around Zack.

Isaac held her close in response, always remembering to be her sense of security when she felt scared about something, and even ran his fingers through her hair.

“Hey…we’re fine…we got something covering our heads,” he spoke softly.

“I know…the storm sounds really harsh, and it’s so loud,” Ray replied, then pouted, “…and it kinda ruined our fun.”

Zack snickered, “Who said we had to stop?”

Rachel did feel like continuing their carefree moment, but for the time being, she was liking being close to Zack a little more. Zack felt Ray snuggle against his chest as she leaned to get comfortable, which made his heart race.

“This is nice…” Ray spoke.

She complimented their position like this before, his arms wrapped delicately around her as he offered his strong body as a wall to protect her with. The first night together after their reunion.

“…It is nice…” Zack mumbled, “it’s warm…well…warmer…since yer’ not a tiny fuckin’ brat anymore.”

She was a growing woman, and he treated her as such now, though with his usual bluntness. She could tell the difference of his words between a compliment and teases. What he said now was a compliment, he had more of her to hold. Ray leaned up to look at Zack staring at his odd-colored eyes for a while before inching close to capture his lips, she felt him freeze for a second, before finally relaxing to make the feeling mutual. It’s obvious he was still trying to accept her affections without retreating.

The two were in a soft lip-lock for a short moment, before pulling away for some air. Now, Zack felt like he wanted to take the lead, placing a hand on her cheek to bring her back to him, and brought her to another kiss.

It was a strange thrill he felt when kissing her, it made his heart race with more adrenaline than chasing down someone to slice, and filled him with a sense of ease.

Zack still struggled with instincts though, if they screamed at him to do something, he’d do it with little thought of consequences. Right now, they yelled at him to drive the kiss deeper, parting Ray’s lips so he’d steal her taste.

Rachel flinched slightly from surprise, it was rare for them to bring it to this caliber, and when they did, her mind went in an uncontrollable spiral. Zack seemed to sense this vulnerability as his instinct screamed at him some more, making the man push his weight on her so Ray was laying on the backseat, with him on top of her. Slowly, he pulled away once more for air, they both had a dazed look on their faces as they stared each other down - if he was in his right state of mind right now, he’d ponder how he could weaken so easily over something so simple.

The rain, Ray’s expression, and his predatory nature clouded his mind. Ray’s heart was pounding just from how they were, but it began to thump hard in her chest the moment she felt Zack’s lips of her neck. She had stopped him once before, but with the sound of both the rain and the thunder, he couldn’t hear her try and snap him out of it. Zack’s instincts screamed at him to kiss her and to keep doing it. Kissing her neck felt so nice, her skin was soft, her scent drew him in, and he could feel her heartbeat under his lips.

There was that strange sensation again. Like before, when Zack found her neck, it made the pit of her stomach flutter and her body heat up. She quietly whimpered from the feeling as she tried to beckon Zack’s name again, only to fall on deaf ears.

“Zack…we…we need to slow it down…” she tried to speak.

The only reply she got back as his lips moving to her throat, kissing at her skin fairly harder this time. It almost pinched, feeling his mouth give her skin a slightly hard suck from such a hungry kiss. She had to snap him out of it, one way or another.

There were two options, try and let him off lightly, or the other method to which she’ll feel terrible about later.

“Zack…seriously…listen,” she beckoned.

Her hands found his shoulders, then began to try to push him off, but his arms surrounding her were firm. It wasn’t working, she wanted one more method before resorting to something harsher. She quickly moved her hand up and shoved it right in his face, startling him and made him back off from her.

“R-Ray? What the fuck?” he shouts.

Now, he’s back to his senses.

“Finally…” Rachel sighed.

“What did you do that for?” Zack groaned.

Ray lightly rubbed at her neck, still feeling the slight sting Zack’s kiss left on her skin, when she removed her hand, that’s when Zack noticed it.

“Sh-shit…did I hurt you?” he asked.

“It’s nothing serious, Zack…it’s not an injury or anything just…” she paused, her face becoming flushed.

“Just what?”

“It’s…a hickey…” she mumbled. “Um…a love mark.”

Zack’s mind went blank for a second, then felt his face beneath his wrappings start to burn, he even pushed himself off after realizing the position they were in. Realization in general began to hit him hard, he remembered Rachel’s previous warning the last time he got that way, and felt he had gotten far more overboard than before.

“Shit…fuck…god dammit,” Isaac began to mutter to himself.

“Zack? Hey, I’m not angry,” Ray said as she tried to bring a hand up.

“Ya’ should be, Ray…” Zack grumbled, “…I’m a guy that can’t control his own damn impulses. Shit, I don’t know how this works…if I kiss you, it’s fine, but if I do it too much, it’s not fine. It’s…confusing as fuck. I’m obviously not meant for this crap.”

He felt Ray lean her head against his shoulder to cheer him up, “This is still a new situation for us, Zack…no matter how many days pass. It takes time for us to find those boundaries and learn to avoid them until the time is right. That’s what I feel, at least.”

“…I don’t even know what boundaries are, Ray,” Zack stoically replied.

“Don’t doubt yourself, Isaac,” Ray said. Hearing his full name got his full attention, “…before we…you know…found each other, you seemed to be aware of your actions when we were close.”

Zack lightly bit at his lip as he thought about it, he would hold Ray close, but whenever he felt his instincts nag at him, he fought so damn hard to hold back from acting on them. Sneaking a forehead kiss or a peck on the cheek was enough to satisfy it, but now it screamed at him for more. They were more open to affections, but he didn’t know how much was too much.

He sighed to himself, “…You’re gonna have to show me, Ray. Being okay to do this shit kinda…throws me in a loop, I wanna hold back…but since you’re fine with us doing this shit, my dumbass brain tells me to do more, because it still might be okay.”

“I guess that’s the beauty of learning to build this relationship,” Rachel replied, “you’re not alone to feel this. I’m here with you too, and I’m also trying to figure things out…I guess I just have a better way of trying to explain this confusion.”

“Yeah, ya’ do…otherwise I’ll probably be punching a hole through the window of this car,” Zack replied. “That’s how I deal with confusing shit.”

“You’ll need to save that for when the storm passes, I’m sure you don’t want to be soaked,” Ray spoke with a giggle.

“Oh fuck no,” Zack quickly replied. “Ugh…good call…”

Rachel giggled again, “See? Things haven’t changed too much. It’s all about working together, and learning together.”

“I guess ya’ got a point…” Zack mumbled, then leaned against the car door.

Ray assumed that Zack wanted to lay down and get comfortable, she picked herself up and motioned for him to scoot down to cozy up in what little room they had. Isaac offered himself to be an area for Ray to rest on, feeling her snuggle up against him again as he kept her secured.

They remained quiet for a moment, until someone had to speak up.

“Hey, Ray…what would you call this?” Zack asked, “…the whole…’you and me’ thing.”

“Well, there is a word for it, a few actually, but a man like you would never want to say them,” Ray spoke, “…I guess if you want to be neutral about it…I’d say it’s ‘Us’…”

“Us, huh?”

“Yeah, just you and me…in our own little world,” Ray mumbled.

“…I like it,” Zack said. “…a lot.”

Rachel faintly blushed and had a small grin draw across her lips, she could tell that Zack wanted to say more, but he just wasn’t someone to express their deepest thoughts. His body language always did it for him, be it from the tone of his voice, his facial expressions, to even how he acted. Right now, all of it was saying that he doesn’t regret taking the next step in strengthening the bond they shared, and that he enjoyed having Ray at his side. Their relationship was still budding, but it was something the two of them still needed to work on, one step at a time.

Soon, the rain had ceased, and it was only a matter of time until the sun began to shine again. The pair sat up and slowly exited the car as they looked to the skies. All of the dark and violent clouds had left, all that remained were smaller, gray clouds that trailed behind it.

“I’ll be damned, looks like we can move on,” Zack prattled. “…maybe find a better spot to camp in besides the back of a car.”

“Yeah, I don’t think sleeping in there would’ve been too comfortable,” Ray agreed.

“You’d sleep like a fucking baby,” Zack teased as he knelt down to retrieve his scythe.

He wasn’t wrong, sleeping so close to him did give her a good rest.

Isaac shook off the water off the blade of his weapon, then glanced to the car.

“Right, now that the rain’s gone…I can finally smash the fucking window,” Zack said, then he glanced at Ray, “actually…you give it a go.”

He handed her the weapon as he gave her a mischievous smirk, followed by a wink. Zack was letting her have a moment of destructive fun. Rachel took the weapon and held onto it the best she could, then reeled back before giving it a good swing.

SMASH!

The glass shattered into oblivion, not even giving a simple moment of resistance, and Zack let out a proud laugh.

“Fuck yeah, that’s my girl, smash the fuck out of it!”

Rachel blushed from his words of possession yet again, then walked around to the front of the window and gave that one a crack too. With another loud smash, the glass shattered and spilled all over the dashboard, then she heard the man applaud at her quick handiwork.

“Niiice, I should get you to break shit more often,” Zack laughed.

Ray handed Zack back his weapon, only to feel him mess up her hair in approval.

“You’re such a good influence, Zack,” she jested.

“You love it,” he retorts, before leading the way.

Isaac may be destructive and blunt a majority of the time, but he had this other side to share with Rachel too, and only her. She did love his wild nature, but she also loved him. They’ve gotten to know one another so much better through the passing years, and supported each other when they needed it most. Even though it was built on a promise, how could their bond not grow from it?

Ray caught up with Zack and quickly caught his hand in hers as they traveled through the alley ways to where ever they felt they wanted their next destination to be.

[turnian-fates-blog]

Muses

Yuko Flandre

Full Name: Yuko Familias Flandre.

Age: 40

Race: Demon (Wolf)

Gender: Male

Profession: Demonic Diplomat, 5th Pool of Sin (Wrath)

Magic:

River boat of the Styx: summons a small wooden raft, able to fit a maximum of 3 people inside of it. The boat is made completely out of wood, and has the full utilities of an amazing wooden boat.

Wisp Manifestation: Yuko is able to bring out the spirits around to aid him in his attacks, the type of utilities he has are dependent on color.

Blue: has water-like properties.

Red: increased force on impact.

black: causes feelings of dread.

White: increases slashing damage.

The wisps can be thrown and are around the size of golf balls.

scythe: 8 feet long, blade is quarter of an inch thick, and is one foot in length

Description: Yuko stand at 6 feet flat, his eyes changing color to various shades of red when, changing depending on his mood. His personality is generally laid back, finding enjoyment in almost all things. He smokes from a metallic pipe, and is extremely quick to anger due to his Sin being Wrath.

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Music Solvand Inaba

Age: 39

Race: Angel (Cat)

Gender: Male

Profession: Angelic Gunslinger

“Loony” Inaba: A personality split from Music, he’s a completely loose canon. He instead has white fur. When he fully witches places with Music, the black cat’s fur slowly melds away to a pure white coat. He’s proficient with shotguns and heavy assault rifles.

Magic:  

Summon Armory: Anything that Music puts into his imaginary world, both he and Loony can take from the world using a  small impulse of magic. Both of them need to either pull it out of their clothing or their own shadow.

Lunatic Blue Eyes: Allows “Loony Inaba” to manifest himself from Music, also allowing him to take weaponry in and out of their own private mirror world.

Description: Stands at a height of 5'8. Music has sapphire colored eyes, is never seen without his dark brown cap. Music normally wears a black overcoat and tends to wear two silver earrings in his right ear. His fur color is a pitch black. He has a slight obsession with smoking, one that was attempting to get cut, he instead smokes catnip, just don’t let anyone know it.

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Kamilia Gravel Black

Age: 12 years

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Profession: Musician

Magic:

Spiritual Band: A team of 3 spirits can be summoned along to aid Kamilia in caster both spells and guide her songwriting. There is 1 Drummer, 1 Guitarists, and 1 other vocalist.

Description: The little girl stands at a height of around 3'10, her favorite colors are light grey and black, normally being her colors of choice for her clothing. She generally wears long dresses and blouses, always keeping her hair long and neatly placed around her shoulders.

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Kouri Vel Iku

Age: DECEASED AT 24

Race: (Formerly Fox) Weather Spirit

Gender: Male

Profession: Assistant to Music, Angelic Sniper

Magic:

Temperament Weather: Whatever emotions Kouri feels can manipulate the surrounding area’s weather.

Cloudy equipment: Kouri’s sniper and various other tools can be formed from his cloud-like body.

Description: Kouri stands at a height of 5'9, Wearing a purple vest and always has a rifle on his back. His eyes are filled with clouds, the light blue causing clashing with his darker normal color of blue. His pelt is completely blue, small white patches on his stomach and chest. His body can dissipate into a more ethereal form of clouds.

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Sludge Ver Calavan

Age: 3,500 years

Race: Rat Oni

Gender: Male

Profession: Bartender of Seven Strings

Magic:

Drinking Chains: The locks and chains around Sludge’s neck are able to stretch out to a maximum of four feet, the chains can sap the energy of a person, leaving them with a feeling of wanting to drink alcoholic beverages.

Smallest horns, strongest strength: Sludge possess strength enough to lift and throw 30x his weight, the strength stemming from the horns on his head. As they grow longer, he gets stronger. They can be cut off, but can regrow to ‘full’ height within a month.

Description: Sludge is roughly around the height of 5'4, always seen wearing his bartender outfit or a sleeveless plaid shirt along with a purple kilt. He has horns just underneath his ears and wears a lock and key around his neck along with chains. his fur is a soot-like grey. The chains when stretched out can reach up to 4 ft.

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Rogar Elistaban-verdu Demitori

Age: 58

Race: Turnian (Goat)

Gender: Male

Profession: Mercenary, Dark Knight, Head Chef at Seven Strings

Magic:

Anti-mage Armor: A set of black armor that disrupts spells being cast on the wearer. It is a set of black steel plate mail, It can be summoned and donned on within five minutes.

Dark Ax: A two handed weapon with the ax head stretching roughly 1 foot, the blade half an inch thick.

The pole is about 5’4 from bottom to top.

Description: He’s a ram who stands at 6’ flat, wearing more ‘comfortable’ clothing such as jeans and long sleeve shirts. His fur is a light brown and he has a dark brown spot on his left eye. He tends to be extremely laid back and lazy, rumors of him falling asleep while cooking all in reality are true.

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Alivana (Ali)  Von Kalibrin

Age: 50

Race: Turnian (Lion)

Gender: Male

Profession: Servant of the West Angelic Building, Butler

Magic:

Time Manipulation: Using a piece of silver, along with intense training from his former master, Ali is able to stop time for up to an hour while doing harsh physical labor. He can interact with all inanimate objects and adjust them to react within normal time. (I.E. throw a knife, in stopped time, and it flies when time is resumed. If he touches a living being, the being can move freely within the stopped time as long as they remain within 15 feet of the butler.

Description: Ali is a white lion who is 6'2, always seen wearing a suit. He tends to walk everywhere with a silver platter, always smiling and being quite kind to anyone he comes across.

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Vivi Luminari L'Lavallant

Age: 25

Race: Shark

Profession: Dancer

Magic:

Spiritual Dance: using the emotions in his heart, Vivi's dance can manifest into beings of pure energy. These can range from small things such as bugs to even large 12 foot tall dragons. It's all up to how creative the user is. It's an art form easily picked up, but hard to master. It is taught in downtown Silver Turn at the Makantash Theater  

Description: Vivi stands at 5'6, his light yellow scales are his second most predominant feature, the most noticeable thing are his eyes which shine a glorious emerald bright and true. He is always wearing flowing clothing which seems at least two sizes big on him with the sleeves extending past the tips of his fingers. His speech patterns are fragmented, not making full sentences.

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Luc Vanti

Age: 40

Race: Demonic (Gryphon)

Profession: Servant to Yuko Flandre

Magic:

Fantasia's weaponry: inspired by writings of old, Luc has the ability to summon weaponry. They range from a long halberd to an ax to a thin and nimble rapier. All weapons seem to have a butterfly and floral pattern engraved and stylized after them.

Description: Luc is 5'9 in height, his feathers are a mix of blue and purple, the base of his feathers being primarily a deep blue. He tends to wear a dark colored suit. The gryphon wears a mask over his eyes, extending out past his face in the shape of a butterfly. The mask is completely metallic.

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Balthazar Kav’Davr

Age: 60

Race: Turnian (Spider)

Profession: Owner of Silver Turn

Magic:

Web Spinnin': allows Balthazar to spin threads of pure emotion, each color holding a different effect than the others.

Red: the color of Anger: increase the power behind strikes and are very suitable as a normal weapon.

Orange: the color of Greed: it increases the want and longing of a target, it can be used on charms or counter-charms to make them more powerful.

Yellow: the color of Fear: it causes a paralyzing effect when wrapped around a target at least once.

Green: the color of Growth: has an absorbing effect, as each attack hits it, the threads become thicker. Max is about 3 inches in diameter.

Blue: the color of Calm: Brings a calming effect to the heart, can be used to deepen the ability of previous strings or abilities, allow them to take an additional beating.

Black: the color of Murder: rises murderous intent in anyone,

White: the color of Purity: Increases pacifistic thoughts and feelings in a person.

Purple: the color of Pride: Increases the confidence of one person.

Description:  He stands at about 6'2, with arms out in his back. Balthazar is a jolly fellow, his short fur a pitch black with slight tinges of brown. He tends to wear button up  shirts, ones specially made by himself just to accommodate his arms.