#but the colored version is... eh? fine?

[grey-viridian]

Aaand a little bit of process

[salsasvault]

okay i know for a fact you have drafts your hiding something for us pretty please 🙏🏼

okay fine was debating posting this but

Babysitting

“Shh shh, okay, okay honey I got you.” You sway side to side rocking an almost 5-month-old in your arms. Trying to soothe her proved to be a harder task than you anticipated.

Your sister recently had a baby, and with the recovery and almost no alone time with her husband she all but begged for you to babysit.

You were somewhat reluctant, but with Simon on leave, and a soft spot for your niece, you thought it wouldn’t hurt to take care of her for a couple nights.

So here you were, at four in the morning, a lightly fussing baby in your arms as you heat a bottle in the kitchen. The city surrounding you provides just enough light to illuminate your apartment.

The gentle hum of the microwave proved to help both of you.

Busy with your task you didn’t hear the sound of the door clicking open, or the footsteps that followed.

All Simon saw upon entering was the sight of you with a tiny baby in your arms.

His heart stopped in his chest, he’d only been gone 3 months, sure longer than normal but not long enough to produce-this.

Flabbergasted he did the math, retried it, and thought of every possibility but it all came to a grinding halt at the sound of your voice cooing to an almost smaller version of you.

You looked so perfect, rocking her just right, grabbing the bottle, testing the warmth, so incredibly attentive to her needs.

With you busy it seemed the baby had noticed him.

Wide eyes, the same color as yours looking back at him. Her fussing stopped for a second, entirely enamored with the strange man standing almost in the shadows.

The lack of babbling or crying caught your attention, turning your head toward whatever had encapsulated her-

“Simon! You didn’t tell me you’d be home early.”

Setting the bottle down, baby still in your arms, you made your way over, half hugging him.

It took him a second before he was wrapping his alarms around you and the 5-month-old.

“Didn’t know myself-who…who’s this lovie?” Thumb going to touch her cheek, you turn, looking at him, realization coming to you.

“My sister Si, remember she had a baby a few months ago, this is her.” Your voice slightly goes up in pitch toward the end, directed toward the baby.

“Gave me a scare.” The baby grappled onto his finger.

“I bet.” You snort in laughter.

“Strong grip on this one.” He laughed lightly.

“Oh yeah, you're a strong girl aren’t you.” You redirect your attention, and Simon can’t help but stare.

“Yeah, you are.” You kiss her face and look back toward him. “You like Uncle Simon don’t you, yeah you do look at that smile.”

His heart warmed, he hadn’t been referred to as uncle in a long time. He couldn’t help but think, think about what this would be like. 

He’d never given it much thought, always assumed he’d be a shit father, but the way you were so in your element.

He’d give everything to see you happy, and your niece already resembled so much of you, what would your baby look like? A baby made from the two of you.

His mouth opened before his rational could catch up.

“You want one o’ these?” He almost facepalms right there.

“One of these?” You immediately burst into laughter.

“You know what I mean.”

“I know.” You look back down at the baby in your arms and smile wide.

“I-“ You pause, “I think so.” It sounds unsure, and as you hold her in your arms you can’t help but warm to the idea more.

“You know what, I think I want one of these.” You beam up at him.

“Then let’s go make one of these ‘eh.” 

“Simon! Not in front of the baby!” You jokingly cover her ears, both of you retreating toward the kitchen.

“Wha’ s’not like she knows what I mean.” You smack him, just for good measure, and your niece laughs in response.

[squidpedia]

My take on the 5 human soul designs except

these are literally my oc’s and I was shitposting to a friend at the time I made these a few months ago. I just tweaked their names and outfits a little bit and got a little too into the joke 🚶‍♂️

Cried when I realized how it fits their personalities and some of their colors schemes

Some fun facts I guess:

Everyone except scal and meadow were genderbent to be enby and had their names changed (scal and meadow were already enby though so they just remained the same)

Scal and Cho are twins that probably fell at the same time

Prawny is the twin’s older sibling that went looking for them

There was also an oc I turned into the justice soul at the time but 😀

Their name is Marz

eh its fine I like Clover’s design better anyways. And yeah I only went back and made the last 3 doodles after beating uty’s nuetral route I think. Sorry for stealing your fit clover

Incorporates headcannon a friend mentioned where all the kids had regular eye colors before falling down, and then when in the underground they gain whatever eyecolor reflects their soul trait

`Extra doodles:

(I FORGOT PRAWNY’S NATURAL EYECOLOR IS LIGHT BLUE RAAAAAA HOWD I MAKE IT BROWN EARLIER)

Au versions vs og counterparts names

Abriel - Abigail

Scal remains the same

Cho - Vie

Prawny - Prawn

Meadow remains the same

Marz - Marzi

Fun fact, if you want to see some old comics featuring some of these characters (mainly abi, scal, vie, and prawn), I made a webtoon a few years ago called An Unconscious Effort featuring them. Don’t expect anything good from the chapters though, they were primarily made to be a learning experience about making longer comic strips and suffer a lot in terms of quality. I do wish to officially start the comic one day, but for the time being I’m just working on trying to finalize the plot

[ariseur]

'Ello luv, it's been a while since I saw someone writing for DMC ugh, miss when dmc(5) was trending... What a good time!

I don't know if your requests are open or not, but catch up with me!! Our pretty girls and boys with a vampire!reader! Or or— A WITCH! BOTH

Like, you choose if it's a bunch of headcanons, blurbs, a full one shot with a character or not, I just really want to see it!

Well, obviously if you can do it honey, if you can't it's fine <3

dmc crew dating a vampire 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

devil may cry x reader

┊ ˚➶ notes ｡˚ 🎼

this was actually my first request on this blog!! i don’t know why i put it off for so long bc it’s literally so cool?? i ended up just doing a vampire instead of witch/vampire witch so i hope you guys enjoy considering my phone crashed trying to copy n paste this from my notes to tumblr 💋

┊ ˚➶ warnings ｡˚ 🎼

blood (but in the vampire way ykyk), fangs and mentions of sharp teeth, intended lowercase, kinda spoilers for dmc5 in v’s,

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ . ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ . ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ . ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓓ANTE — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ you are literally so hot in DANTE’s eyes, you could honestly do no wrong.

❥ i think you guys already know what i’m gonna say..

❥ if you feed on blood or need it for some sort of sustenance, dante will gladly volunteer. he thinks it’s the hottest thing ever.

❥ although, i’m not sure if vampires much like demon blood..

❥ eh, oh well. dante will still think it’s attractive, especially if you have fangs or some sort of sharper canines.

❥ only downside to being a vampire and dating dante is that you’ll occasionally hear a super bad transylvanian accent. like.. really bad.

❥ but!! if you’re also a demon hunter like him— and you have some cool freaky powers like draining blood or energy from empusas or really just any ability that’s useful, it’s heart eyes all around from him.

❥ you could be covered in blood or feasting on something and then you’ll spot dante in the corner wielding devil sword dante after defeating like seventy fuckin other demons and he’s just.. mesmerized.

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈ ｡ﾟ

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓥ERGIL — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ VERGIL’s much more curious about your species. do you have any weaknesses? are the fictionalized versions of your kind portrayed accurately? what are you exactly?

❥ luckily he’s a lot more quiet about his curiosity compared to, maybe— nico. his staring is intimidating, though. when he sits with you or near you, he’ll usually just study you. maybe it looks like he’s judging but he’s really just analyzing your appearance. especially if you have any distinctive features.

❥ if you have that dark ruddy aesthetic, he’ll likely admire from afar even if red isn’t exactly his favorite color.

❥ if you really needed it, he’d let you feed off of him although it’s definitely not his first choice. he’s not really a fan of being bitten, especially if you need to bite his neck or something like that.

❥ probably finds some esoteric artistic poem or painting with an underlying meaning of having to do with vampires and thinks of you every time he looks at it.

❥ his gothic poetic side is showing

❥ ugh i just wanna kiss his scowl so bad but i also wanna punch him.

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈ ｡ﾟ

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓝ERO — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ nero literally thinks it’s so cool.

❥ he might be a little wary once he first meets you? like are you gonna tackle him rn and sacrifice him with your own lil blood ritual?

❥ but once he finds out you’re docile or that you pick and choose on whom you feed on, he’s like, “oh okay that’s cool”

❥ probably like dante where the only version he knows of vampires are the hollywood adaptations of them. so like.. he’s confused if you can go into sunlight? or you can eat certain foods? or if you can go near churches??

❥ he, too, thinks you’re super hot. however!! very iffy about you drinking blood or feeding in front of him. not like it grosses him out but it’s kinda.. weird to watch for him?? idk.

❥ another thing is that he doesn’t want you biting him at all. he’s like vergil where he’ll be baffled if you even ask, except he’s super hesitant to offer himself unless you’re super injured and in dire need of it.

❥ just step on him to shut him up atp

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈ ｡ﾟ

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓥 — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ V’s goth ass won’t shut up about how divine your species is and how fascinating he finds you.

❥ curious on your feeding habits and what you essentially need to survive, tries to find any and every book that he can about vampires so he can learn about you even more.

❥ he’s like those people who romanticize the 1800s or the salem witch trials or greece or ethel cain or lana del rey while kicking their feet and posting about it. he will find a way to make the situation poetic, trust me.

❥ finds it amusing if you’re annoyed by griffon’s teasing and threaten to eat him first if you were to ever go rogue, you might even be able to get a close mouthed chuckle out of v.

❥ utterly fascinated by just your very being, even if it’s just mundane traits. especially loves to see your fangs, dunno why but they’re just aesthetically pleasing to him.

❥ considering he’s kinda like a deteriorating human that’s basically turning into a husk, i wouldn’t recommend feeding on him unless you plan to kill him—which who would wanna murder our emo bae right here? (capcom)

❥ the type of person to roll his eyes at false folklore and representation because he’s literally in love with an actual vampire?? how dare they portray you like this??

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈ ｡ﾟ

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓛ADY — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ LADY also finds you super hot!!

❥ also interested because she’s probably never seen a vampire outside of media— so it’s a nice change of pace rather than being face to face with demons all day.

❥ despite all this, after the initial introduction, i’m not sure she’d care too hard? like— sure, you’re considered a supernatural being and all that.

❥ and although she thinks it’s super dope, i feel like it wouldn’t matter as much to her. she’s seen and done a lot of things at such a young age, i feel as though she’s almost desensitized?

❥ she’s so badass she can’t even care. she’s literally respected by dante, whom is titled ‘the legendary devil hunter’. (dmc5 did her dirty with her lack of part in the storyline 💔)

❥ she’ll respect any of your needs, and ngl also thinks you biting into her neck is hot.

❥ kinda surprised that you’re able to go out into sunlight even if she’ll never tell you that 😭

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈ ｡ﾟ

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓣RISH — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ another one who doesn’t care that much. it’s not like TRISH is dismissive of your species and where you come from, but she’s literally a full on demon who’s probably seen everything.

❥ you guys r so hot though, like the ultimate power couple.

❥ oh, and if you’re a devil hunter, too? you guys r gonna kick sm ass together. she’ll invite you to roll around with her for a while rather than with dante, although if you’re associated with devil may cry then that’s fine too. she’ll put up with dante’s ass just to visit you more often.

❥ i don’t recommend feeding off of trish?

❥ idk how vampires take to drinking demon blood

❥ but shit, if you have that red aesthetic and are just a total femme fatale (or other gender equivalent to that), trish is in charge of your outfits now.

❥ don’t even fight it, you will end up in the outfit regardless.

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈ ｡ﾟ

. ˚◞♡ ⃗ *ೃ༄ 𝓝ICO — 𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

❥ oh boy

❥ if you’re lucky enough to survive the first meeting with NICO and you end up actually being in a relationship? you are def a trooper.

❥ when you’re first introduced, she bombards you with questions.

❥ where did you come from? do you have powers? are you like a demon and are there more of you? if so, can she harvest parts for a new bio-weapon? do vampires reproduce the same as humans? are you gonna suck her blood??

❥ she’s just a curious lady cut my girl some slack

❥ she thinks you’re so cool though!! wants you to tell her everything you know about vampires so she can log it. even if you’ve been in a long term relationship, she still can’t help but ask more questions.

❥ but!! as cool and hot as she thinks you are— like nero, she does not wanna see you feed and does not wanna be fed on!! (except.. maybe just one time to see how it feels.)

❥ ugh she just loves you sm please indulge her

[gravehags]

traduzione

Pairing: Cardinal Copia x f!Reader (Curator!Reader)

Rating: Teen

Tags: dinner "date", a little bit of comedy turns into a whole lot of angst, girl these bitches don't know how to process OR express their feelings, secondo is a real one, terzo's subtle matchmaking hard at work as always

Words: 2,862

Summary: You finally decide to cash in your favor.

a/n: inspired by my quest to find a book for my capstone and only being able to locate a copy in italian. copia, my heroic translator.

divider by @gothdaddyissues!

“Hey Copia, I–oh!”

You realize a moment too late that you’ve barged into Cardinal Copia’s office without knocking in your eagerness to get to the man in question. Papa Secondo is standing with his arms crossed in his green and black robes (no mitre in sight) looking at you with his brows pulled together in a frown. Copia, looking like a startled version of one of his own rats, stands up hastily.

“I’m so sorry,” you squeak, backing out of the room but Secondo is already moving towards you. Every time you see him in full regalia with his paints you have a hard time equating it to the man who casually made you the best bolognese of your life. When he descends upon you, you feel so small. Out of all the papas, he is easily the most intimidating. You look up into the signature Emeritus gaze and after a beat, his withering expression fades and he gives you a slow, very deliberate wink.

“Cardinale, I will discuss our matter with you later. Piccolina…” he intones ominously before snagging your hand and raising to his lips in a brief kiss, “arrivederci.”

And with that Secondo Emeritus dramatically sweeps from the room, shutting the door behind him. Copia is standing stock-still behind his desk, looking vaguely horrified.

“Copia I am so sorry I forgot to knock, I’ve just been in my head all day and was so anxious to tell you–”

“Tell me what, cara?” He resumes his seat and gestures for you to take the one opposite him.

“Well…I suppose not really tell you. I…er…I would like to cash in my favor.”

The cardinal’s interest is immediately grabbed and he scoots forward in his seat to lean his elbows on the desk and intertwine his fingers. There’s color high on his freckled cheeks and he seems breathless when he finally speaks.

“What–” Copia clears his throat when the word comes out embarrassingly high pitched, “what do you have in mind?”

You take a deep breath. “Okay so. Imperator gave me permission to use Ministry funds to purchase a very rare, very important book for collections research, right?”

Copia nods, unsure of where this is going.

“The thing is…it’s entirely in Italian. And there are quite literally no available translations anywhere so I was wondering if you…could assist.”

The cardinal deflates a little and you’re slightly perplexed.

“Are you…are you sure that’s what you want to use your favor on?”

Oh, you know exactly what you’d really like to use your favor on. Something involving those plump painted lips and gloved hands spreading you open and—

Anyway.

“Yeah well I figured it’s going to be quite an undertaking having you read me this book while I transcribe notes. Not something I’d bother you with under any other circumstances. And if you don’t want to do it that’s fine, I can always ask one of the Italian speaking siblings or–”

“Naturalmente, I’ll do it,” he says quickly, completely banishing the idea of seeking outside help from your mind, “eh…when would you like to begin?”

“Oh the book won’t be here for a couple of weeks still but maybe we could use our Friday game night? You can just read to me until you’re tired of it or we’re both tired of it.”

Copia nods slowly, and you still sense a level of disappointment from him. Odd.

“I’ll um,” you say, fidgeting with a pen on his desk, “I’ll cook for you.”

Your attempt to sweeten the deal earns a snort of laughter from Copia, which causes you to pout.

“What? I can cook!”

“You burned the bruschetta for the dinner we had with the Papas.”

Your cheeks light up as you frown deeply at him.

“Okay, now that you’re such a doubting Thomas about it,” you smirk, leaning back in your chair, “I’ll make you anything you say. Name it.”

Copia looks almost impressed as he considers your offer.

“Eh…alright. Cacio e pepe.”

You smack your palms flat against the worktop of his desk. “Done. Just you wait, you’ll show up and I’ll have dinner, maybe a little chianti…”

“Sounds awfully romantic, cara. Do you perhaps have other intentions?”

His eyes are glittering mischievously, clearly teasing you, but your cheeks heat up all the same. Okay, so maybe you did have other intentions. Yes, you need him to translate this book for you but also…it sounds nice. Just the two of you, sitting on your couch eating pasta and reading about the creation of infernal art in Baroque Rome. When you realize his mismatched gaze has been staring at you for several moments, you laugh nervously.

“Copia, I promise I don’t have any designs on your…uh…virtue.”

He chuckles at this, leaning back and folding his hands over his stomach.

“Cara, I would be a poor Satanic cardinal indeed if I had any virtue left.”

“I don’t know, you’ve been awfully patient with me during this conversation. And you’re so diligent about your work. And incredibly kind. I think you’re still redeemable.”

When he scoffs and waves his hand, cheeks red, you stand up and make for the door.

“I’ll keep you posted about when the book arrives okay?”

“Sì, sì,” he says, straightening in his chair and shuffling paperwork.

“Looking forward to our date,” you say with a smirk, making sure to catch a glimpse of his eyes going wide and face going red as you flounce out the door.

–

Eleven days pass when you delicately unwrap the book from its secure packaging in your office. Holding it in hand, you use your dark red fingernail to trace the embossed title. After a moment, you set it down and pick up your phone to text Copia.

Book’s here. Tomorrow night? 6:00?

Looking forward to it, mia cara.

C

The endearment still makes you warm and fuzzy inside and you take a moment to revel in the feeling before the weight of reality comes crashing down on you.

You have no fucking clue how to make cacio e pepe.

–

Catching Secondo away from his brothers or outside of Ministry duties is a difficult beast. You have one chance to time it right and snag him in his office before his confession duties start and he is waylaid by siblings wishing to share their sins and desires with him. Lurking around the corner, you watch as another cardinal you are unfamiliar with leaves Secondo’s office and once he is out of sight, you bolt for the door. It hasn’t even fully closed yet when you’re knocking rapidly on it, waiting in the threshold. Secondo whirls around behind his desk and when his eyes land on you, he smirks.

“You’ve learned to knock before entering rooms now, I see,” he says, placing his hands on his desk and leaning forward.

“Uh…yeah. Sorry about that. Great to see you and all but I have a big favor to ask of you. Huge.”

Secondo leans back and his face relaxes into a neutral expression.

“Don’t you usually ask il tuo cardinale for favors?”

Your Italian is shit but you pick that up loud and clear. Your cardinal.

“Haha yeah see the favor is sort of about him, you know?” 

When he gestures for you to continue your tale of woe the words spill out of your mouth at an alarming rate, “I promised him I would make him dinner and I can’t cook for shit and he requested cacio e pepe and I was wondering if you could teach me?”

He looks both stunned and impressed by the speed at which you relay your request, but after a moment his face schools into a soft smile.

“Piccolina,” he begins, walking over to you, “I’ll do you one better, I’ll make it for you. Our little secret, no? When is this engagement with the cardinal?”

You want to cry, you're so relieved and thankful and without thinking, you throw your arms around him, squeezing tight. He stumbles backwards a little from the force with which you have flung yourself at him, but he pats you on the back all the same.

“Secondo, I could kiss you right now,” you sigh into his vestments before pulling back. He’s looking at you with a peculiar little knowing half smile.

“Normally I would take you up on that offer but,” he pauses, bringing his hands together, “I am not who you are destined for, sì?”

You start to ask what exactly he means by that little cryptic comment when he’s ushering you out the door and into the hall.

“It’s at six, tomorrow night. Secondo thank you, thank you, thank you. You’re a reputation saver.” 

He steps out too and begins to walk into the direction of the chapel while you blow an abundance of air kisses at him, which he catches with the most stoic of faces.

—

As promised, Secondo delivers the still-hot pasta at 5:45, just in time for you to put the pot on the stove to make it look legitimate. You texted Copia earlier, telling him to dress casual. You’ve put on one of your nicer pairs of black leggings and a cut up shirt from the Ghost project, which you’ve recently acquired from Terzo. The book is resting on your hastily tidied coffee table, along with your laptop. You’ve got the chianti, as promised - a good bottle too - another gift from Terzo. Nervously you uncork the bottle and set it on the counter to let it breathe while you wait for his arrival. When his knocks sound on your door you nearly jump out of your skin before padding over to open it. You fling it open and there he is, il tuo cardinale, and you can’t help but smile at his outfit. You’ve never in all your months at the abbey seen him dress casual, and his version is perfectly delightful. He’s wearing a matching loose red tracksuit with a black t-shirt on underneath, gloves still on his hands and his pristine black dress shoes on his feet. You’re so incredibly charmed by his appearance you forget to move aside to let him in until he makes a nervous noise and gestures into your quarters.

“Hi! Sorry! Please come in!”

You pull away to go “check” on the pasta as he shuffles into your space and closes the door behind him.

“Smells good,” he comments as he moves towards your small kitchen space.

“Doesn’t it?” you preen, pouring a generous amount of wine into his glass before handing it off to him. He swirls it around and leans his perfect pointed nose into the glass to inhale, before pulling back looking impressed.

“Terzo gave it to me,” you comment, pouring yourself a glass, “You like it?”

“Very good,” he says, looking at the bottle, “how kind of Papa Terzo to give you one of my favorites.”

You halt your pouring and look over to him. Once again you are struck by Terzo’s preternatural ability to steer you in Copia’s direction in one way or another. Honestly, it’s getting to the point where you should write him a thank you note every time it happens.

“Please, go take a seat, I’ll dish you up some pasta,” you say, ushering him over to the small living room while he takes both glasses in his hands. Taking two plates from a cabinet you make sure to scoop the pasta and twirl it artfully on the white porcelain. A little sprinkle of pecorino romano, as per Secondo’s instruction, et voila. Perfection. You dish out your portion and grab a couple forks and walk over to the couch, presenting his plate with a flourish.

“Cacio e pepe, as promised,” you murmur, taking a seat on the other end of the sofa and sitting criss-cross. You don’t take a bite until Copia has, watching him slowly chew and contemplate the meal.

“Bellissima,” he finally says as he gathers another forkful, “I take back my unkind words about your cooking skills. Although, I do have to say there is something…familiar about this dish.”

You stop mid chew and look up at him silently with wide eyes before swallowing and laughing nervously.

“Old family recipe,” you comment, before hastily adding, “not my family recipe I mean, but…someone’s certainly. Right?”

You’re not lying to him, technically but you make sure to dodge eye contact with him throughout the rest of the meal. Some time later when the two of you finish and you gather your plates to put them in the sink, you miss Copia smiling to himself knowingly as he sips his wine. You return with the bottle, refilling both your glasses before situating yourself comfortably and pulling your laptop over.

“Ready?” you say, firing up your word processor.

He nods, and picks up the old book, handling it with great care before opening it and settling on the first page. Listening to him is…wonderful. He intersperses his English translation with bits of the original Italian, and the way his tongue wraps around the words and the extra flourish with which he rolls his r’s makes you sigh dreamily. At times, you get so caught up in simply listening to him speak that you forget to type out your notes and have to ask him to pause so you can recalibrate your brain to the task. The bottle of wine goes quickly, and the contents go straight to your head. You can feel your cheeks and chest flush and you know your filter is gone when you interrupt him to speak.

“I love listening to you talk,” you smile, leaning your head onto the back cushion of the couch.

Copia looks flabbergasted, face heating up to match yours and it takes all your willpower to not move your computer aside and climb into his lap. You can think of no one else who deserves to be kissed more than he. Always so patient with you, so kind. You know you’re looking at him funny because he nervously looks away as if he’s afraid of what could happen next.

“Eh…I think I should go,” he says, closing the book and rising from the couch as your smile slips. Now look at what you’ve done, you think bitterly, you’re scaring him off. The liquor is making your head spin and you want to cry at how stupid you’ve been. This is how it always is with the two of you, you always talk a big flirtatious game but when he comes down to it, neither of you will pull the trigger. Imagine how you would have looked trying to kiss him, the voice in your head laughs, your wine-stained lips clumsily searching for his. He’s a satanic Cardinal, get real. You have to dig your fingernails into the meat of your palm to keep yourself from crying as you stand up and follow him to the door.

“Thank you, cara,” he murmurs after you open it for him. “I am…I am very tired all of a sudden. The wine, you see. Very powerful stuff.”

You nod in agreement with a stiff smile, looking past him. He seems to pick up on your shift in mood, and gently takes your hands into his gloved ones.

“Dolcezza,” he begins, gazing at you earnestly, “ragazza meravigliosa. I…”

He falters, unsure of what to say or perhaps, how to say what he wants to tell you. Be brave, you think, be fucking brave and do something for once. Before he can stutter out anything more you place your hand softly on his cheek and hold it there for a moment, content to feel the warmth of his skin. He exhales deeply and shakily as you run your thumb over his freckled cheekbone. Before any other voices inside you can tell you to do otherwise, you lean in and press a sweet, lingering kiss to his cheek, right at the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t exactly what you wanted, you have after all done this exact thing before in a drunken state, but this time feels…different. When you finally pull away, your breath ghosts over his lips and he lets out a miniscule noise. 

“For being you, Copia,” you say, “thank you. For everything, always.”

He looks as if he could burst into tears at any moment and you look away, allowing him time to gather himself. When he clears his throat and claps his hands together, you look back at him with a bright smile. The moment is gone and you both return to playing pretend about your true emotions.

“We can…uh…finish this later, sì? I hope what we’ve done so far helps.”

“It does, thank you Cardinal. I’ll see you later, okay?”

He nods, still wearing the mask he so carefully puts on in moments like this.

“Bene. Goodnight, cara. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, Copia,” you say, heart sinking as you watch him walk down the corridor and you shut your door. Sighing, you lower yourself to the floor with your back against it, looking around the small apartment. 

Bravery does not come easily to either of you, it seems. 

But that doesn’t mean you’ll stop trying.

[apuckishwit]

See, it's a METAPHOR

A preview of Chapter 31 of Rolled a 1 on the Check, Rolled a 20 on the Save by APuckish_Wit on A03

The boys are acting weird.

Not bad weird or anything. He doesn’t think that anything’s wrong per se. They’re just super giggly and clearly are having private conversations in their Discord messages that they’re not letting him in on. Like…way more private conversations than they usually do during a gaming session.

It's their last gaming session before a two-week hiatus so he can attend Origins (and take a little side trip to Chicago to meet the man of his—increasingly explicit—dreams face to face for the first time and hopefully sweep him off his feet with his epic love confession), and he’s been planning an epic cliffhanger for the last month. He just needs to get Will or maybe Dustin to take the bait and convince the others to investigate the Upside Down version of the mysterious Apothecary Brenner’s estate. Ordinarily he wouldn’t care too much, besides being a little miffed that they aren’t giving his masterful storytelling its proper attention…but Steve’s acting weird, too.

He has been for the last couple weeks, honestly. Again, not so much a bad weird. He’s just been quieter than usual. Distracted, almost. Eddie kind of feels like Steve is only half paying attention to their conversations lately, but when he asks about it, Steve just says he’s fine. Has something on his mind that he’s trying to work out. Eddie tries not to be saddened that Steve hasn’t asked for his help or opinion…Steve’s his friend, not his significant other (no matter how much Eddie’s hoping, praying, and fantasizing that that might be different soon) and if Steve doesn’t want to talk about what’s bothering him, he doesn’t have to.

He tries not to let the weirdness get to him, and in the end it’s actually Lucas who takes the bait and convinces them to check out the apothecary in case there are any healing potions or herbs that could be useful. The boys howl in delighted outrage when Eddie springs his trap—dozens of the sentient vines that have been harrying the party bursting from the floor and walls of the apothecary as soon as they start searching the building and ensnaring Xerxes, Will the Wise, and Sir Stephen as loud, ominous footsteps descend from the building’s upper floor.

“And that, unfortunately, is where we’re going to have to leave it for the next two weeks,” Eddie announces gleefully, eliciting more howls and bright laughter from the boys. “I do thank everyone for joining us tonight, and don’t forget to check out my Twitch and YouTube channels for live streaming events from Origins next week! I’ve got a great panel planned and a few announcements about future projects!” For some reason, that sets off more laughter from Dustin before he quickly mutes his mic, and the boys all sign off much more quickly than usual, until it’s just him and Steve in the Discord.

“You excited for the convention?” Steve asks. In the background, Eddie can here pots and pans being moved, the clink of dishes and running water. He closes his eyes for just a moment, pretending that he’s right there with Steve, the two of them debriefing their day together over the remains of a nice dinner. God, what is his life that he’s fantasizing about clearing away dirty dishes?

It would be worth a fantasy if it was with Steve, though.

“So be honest—scale of one to ten, how fucked are we when whatever it is gets down those stairs?” Steve asks, and Eddie lets out a short bark of laughter.

“Eh, I’m not saying I’ll definitely get my first character kill in…but you might want to have a backup ready.”

“Already done.”

“Is it a human paladin named Stephano?”

“No,” Steve replies in mock-offense. “It’s a human barbarian named Stefan. Totally different.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Eddie says, so much fondness coloring his tone he was sure someone looking at him would be able to see cartoon hearts circling his head. “Dustin will hate it.”

“You say that like it’s not my main motivation.”

Eddie laughs again, gathering his laptop up and heading out into the living room. Gandalf is waiting at the door to his recording room, immediately winding around his ankles as he makes his way over to the couch. A copy of Men at Arms he’d gotten from the local library is lying on the arm of the couch, face-down and open to the page they’d left off on a couple days ago. “You up for more of Sam tonight? We’re getting to the thrilling finale.”

“It’s his wedding—how much more chaos can there be?”

“Oh, Stevie, Stevie, Stevie—haven’t you been paying attention? There’s always more chaos in Discworld.”

“Hah, true. But, um—he and Sybil get a happy ending, right?”

Eddie tilts his head, curious at the sudden shift in Steve’s tone. He sounds almost…tentative. “I mean—do you want spoilers?”

“Maybe? Shut up, I know it’s stupid. I’m just…rooting for them. They’re so different, but they really love each other.”

Eddie can feel the soft, goofy smile splitting his face. “That they do. And yeah, I promise, they get a happy ending. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not perfect. Sam gets caught up in his work…kind of a lot now that I’m thinking about it. But they always make it work. Sir Terry wasn’t real big on fairy-tale perfection. His storytelling is so real. Sam and Lady Sybil…they have problems and challenges, but they just keep, I dunno, choosing each other? No matter what. So the differences don’t matter in the end, and the mistakes can be forgiven.”

Steve is quiet for a moment. “Choosing each other. I really like that.”

Gandalf leaps up on Eddie’s lap, and he absently scratches behind the cat’s ears. “Yeah,” he says softly. “Yeah, me too.”

[terapsina]

Okay, it's been a while so here's an additional list of fantasy and sci-fi books with little to no romance in them that I've read recently and really loved.

---

First post with books not heavy on the romantic subplots HERE.

---

Once There Was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Kiyash Monsef.

An Iranian American girl discovers that her recently dead father was a veterinary for magical animals and that she - like him - has inherited the ability to help these animals because of a family line reaching back for hundreds of generations.

The story deals with grief, rage, neglect and how it all intersects.

But it's also an incredibly magical story that wakes up all the wonder and love for animals that most children have and some never lose.

Interspersed through the book are also short fables and legends that Marjan's father used to tell her when she was young and are now gaining new meaning as she understands that they were more than stories.

(totally also recommend the audiobook version for those who enjoy good narration. Nikki Massoud does a freaking excellent job)

(Marjan does develop subtly budding feelings for someone in the story but it's kept very, very background. On a scale from 0 to 10 the romance reaches barely a 2).

---

Vespertine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Margaret Rogerson.

A story about a girl named Artemisia who is training to become a Gray Sister. A nun who cleanses the bodies of the dead so that their souls would not return as ravenous spirits that would then threaten the lives of the living.

But then her convent gets attacked by possessed soldiers and she's forced to pick up a sword holding the spirit of a very powerful revenant - a malevolent spirit of mass destruction that could possess her and kill everyone around her indiscriminately - despite not having the training of a Vespertine. So the only one who can teach her what she needs to know is the Revenant itself.

(The main character is autistic, antisocial and extremely introverted. And as for the romance, there is someone who develops feelings for her and we as the reader kinda notice it, but Artemisia the character notices nothing (also, the someone in question is not the Revenant, just thought I should clarify that). Amounts of romance in the book, like 1/10)

---

A House With Good Bones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by T. Kingfisher.

A Southern Gothic light horror with a bit of humor thrown in.

Sam Montgomery is worried about her mother so when her Paleoentomology dig falls through after she's already sublet her apartment for the next few months, she temporarily moves back in with her mother.

The mother who seems to be very stressed out while saying she's fine, and also seems to have acquired a sudden personality transplant. More specifically, she seems to have changed the house from the bright and colorful place it's been for decades, into the cookie cutter, bland (and slightly racist) fifties commercial kinda place it once was under the iron thumb of Sam's dead grandmother.

Is this some kind of weird delayed grief? Early onset alzheimers?

And why isn't there a single bug or insect in the entirety of the back yard's rose garden? Or why does she wake up to thousand's of ladybugs crawling all over each other - and Sam - one night in her childhood bedroom? And what's up with all these vultures staring at their house 24/7?

(Sam's POV is hilarious, her relationship with her mother one of the most genuinely emotional aspects of the book, and the story creepy enough to be exciting without reaching the point that would have made me throw the book down a hole for my own peace of mind. The romance... eh, there's a very nice dude Sam wouldn't mind going out with but it's not all that relevant to anything so amounts of romance don't reach past 2 out of 10).

---

And finally some special shout outs to some other recently read books that I also enjoyed and that don't really have a lot of focus on the romance but that I don't feel like getting into rn.

Thornhedge ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by T. Kingfisher, Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Heather Fawcett (okay this one's a bit heavier on the amount of romance but it gets points for not being annoying and still doesn't reach past 4 out of 10 in its amount, would recommend this book for people who enjoyed The Memoirs of Lady Trent), Translation Slate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐by Ann Leckie, The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter ⭐⭐⭐⭐ by Theodora Goss (the daughters of classical book scientists like Frankenstein, Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde, Moreau and others come together to solve some White Chapel murders and maybe uncover a society that has been doing human experiments on women. 0.5 out of 10 on amounts of romance).

[croszukis]

Nick 38 🤲

38. Multiverse/meeting alternate version of self (send me a guy and a situation)

well, naturally it must be local boy nick right?

“You’re late,” Nick grumbled to Nanea when she finally breezed through the front doors as always, she never fucking used the staff entrance in the back side either. 

“Sorry, ah. My car is shit, wouldn’t start this morning and I had to call Kawika for one jump.” She was obviously lying—she grinning when she said this, twisting her hair up into a titah bun or whatever on her head. It was good thing they didn’t have a dress code or bosses (aka Nick’s parents) who cared because Nanea always showed up in cut off jean shorts, slippers on her feet, and Suzuki Shave Ice t-shirts with the neckline cut or the bottom twisted up with a hair tie on her back. 

“Whatever, it’s fine. You owe me though, I hate taking orders.” He’d much rather be working the machine, hands almost painfully cold from moving ice blocks and forming mounds of shaved ice into neat little spheres. He was good at it, after years of working in his parent’s shop, making perfect cones every time. “Some dumb fucken’ haoles spent an extra ten minutes bugging me for hiking recommendations because they wanna know where the real locals go. As if I’d tell ‘em. Like try stick to Koko Head, brah?”

Nick moved aside to let Nanea take over the cash register so he could shift over to the ice station, rows of bottles of syrups in every possible color imaginable lined up in front of him. She was better at dealing with customers than him, her fake smile to endless tourists more believable. She flirted, let sunburnt haole boys with crew cuts believe she might be into them or whatever party they try to invite her to. As if she didn’t have a hot surfer boyfriend with tons of family in Waialua that could beat them up. It got tips though, so Nick could only admire her. 

It was hours later, deep into the afternoon post-beach rush, when Nanea hissed at him, “Eh, Nick. Try look at this guy.” 

He was busy trying to remember all four flavors this little girl had ordered, a weird combination she’d definitely regret but Nick didn’t say anything and just pulled out all the bottles to set on the ledge in front of him. “What? Is it another guy trying to steal a t-shirt?”

“No. He looks just like you. Like, it’s freaky weird.”  

He wiped the sides of the plastic holder on the cone of spilled syrup and handed it to the mom before glancing to where Nanea was gesturing. “What are you talking about?” She nudged him in the direction of a group of guys—a bunch of haoles he’d guess were from the mainland, probably. But in the middle of them was an asian guy. 

“Woah.” 

“I told you! Totally looks like you. Shoots, we found your doppelgänger!” 

Nick had to admit that the guy did look like him, if he grew up on the mainland he guesses. If he were the type to cut his hair like that, or wear golf polo shirts and never see the sun. The group made it to the front of the line and Nanea was doing all of her normal routine, flirting a little, gesturing with her hands as she talked in a way that made the tahitian pearl bangles she wore jingle. 

She kept glancing back at the asian guy, Nick could see even from over at his station, and he watched them notice it too. The guy didn’t seem weirded out or like he thought she was interested in him and he was interested back. Actually he seemed to brace himself, like he was expecting something he wasn’t going to enjoy much. 

“Hockey fan?” He mumbled, Nick could barely make out the words over the buzzing of the shave ice machine. 

“No?” Nanea responded with a laugh. “I don’t think you’ll find anyone here who is.”

The guy looked embarrassed now, glancing at his friends, “We’re hockey players. I thought maybe you recognized us and didn’t know how to tell us.” 

“Oh, no.” She didn’t even seem at all fazed to have been caught staring at him. In fact she looked excited and Nick groaned internally. Nanea owed him much more than sweeping the floors at closing now, this was like, some of her mom’s homemade kulolo territory. “It’s just—you look like one of our workers. This is his family's shop actually.” She was pointing to Nick now, who was trying to start on their order actually. 

Nick didn’t move any closer, staying by the safety of the machine, but gave a close-lipped smile to the group who were all staring at him now. 

“Nick, isn’t it funny your doppelgänger plays hockey apparently? Do you even know how to ice skate?” 

“I do,” he grumbled, feeling insulted. He spent one summer in junior high with a group friends who were obsessed with Ice Palace and went almost every week. He used to be able to skate backwards, even. 

“Wait, your name is Nick too?” One of his friends popped up, he was the shortest of them all. Nick only noticed because the other guys were all pretty tall. 

“We came here because it’s named Suzuki’s. Like him.” He had an arm around well, Nick, apparently. “So you’re both Nick Suzuki. That’s crazy.” 

Nick thought the guy had way too much energy for someone who hadn’t even eaten a large shave ice yet. The tops of his cheeks were red and he was grinning like it didn’t hurt to do that when Nick knew it must’ve. 

He looked back at Other Nick to see him staring back at him intently, observing him or something. It was unnerving, they looked so alike but they were so different—the way he dressed, the way he talked with his vowels sounding all weird—there was almost nothing else similar about them.  

“Yeah, crazy.” 

[books-are-my-life-stuff]

Yesterday, there was a sudden release of Mashle Picture Drama Episode 1! It's basically about Mash and his friends' shenanigans! The fourth volume of the BD/DVD will include all the picture drama episodes.

I don't know if the official English twitter account plans to release a subtitled version of this, but as of this writing I haven't seen it yet, so I asked my friend to translate the Picture Drama under read more! Enjoy!

Mash Burnedead, His Friends, and Their School Life Episode 1: The Four Elements

[00:03]

Mash: Fire, water, earth, and uhhh… cream puff. Lance: Stop speaking nonsense. How come cream puff is a part of the four elements? Mash: Ababababababa一一

Lance: It's fire, water, earth, and air. Try again.

Mash: (Broken Mash noises)

Lance: I certainly didn't expect him to make no progress since last night. It's gonna be tough aiming to be a Divine Visionary with his academic skills.

Finn: Come on, Mash-kun! Let's tackle this together! If you don't finish the assignments, you'll get expell一Huh…? WAIT, IT'S MORNING ALREADY?! I NEED TO PREPARE FOR MY CLASS!!

Mash: (Broken Mash noises again)

[00:48]

Lemon: Good morning, Mash-kun! Let's sit side by side and study together during our lecture~! If you don't hurry, we're going to be late一hmm? Mash-kun, you don't look too good. Is everything okay?

Mash: (Broken Mash noises part III)

Finn: He didn't get to sleep a wink since he couldn't finish his assignments…

Dot: An all-nighter? Seriously? Should I pour some refreshing tea to clear your mind later?

Dot: Still though… Doesn't he look a little too abnormal?

Mash: (Whimpers)

Finn: N-now that you mention it……

Mash: (Noises of a broken Mash)

Dot: !!! Oi oi oi! This definitely looks bad!

Mash: (Dying noises)

Dot: MASH!! Eat this! It's cream puff!

Mash: Munch… munch… munch…

[01:49]

Mash: 'Sup.

Lemon: Thank goodness! Looks like you finally regained your colors~

Finn: Ohh! Maybe he said cream puff is one of the four elements because he was starving!

Lance: Okay. Let's do this again, Mash. Recite the four main elements.

Mash: Eh…?

Mash: Fire, water, earth… uhh… cream puff.

Finn: So it wasn't because he's hungry!

Dot: Wait, why don't we try seeing this from his perspective? To Mash, cream puff is as important as air.

Finn: But that's still not the proper and correct answer!

Lemon: Well, isn't it fine to just take it as the correct answer for Mash-kun? 

Lemon: That settles it~ Now everyone! It's time for our classes!

Lance: Hmph.

Dot: Yeah!

Finn: Ah! Wait for us! Let's go, Mash-kun!

Mash: 'Kay.

[lilith-little-world]

Sneak Peek of Chapter 3|| The Isekai’d Oracle

Sorry for disappearing, just been handling stuff and working on a project. I'll probably post something about it soon but eh. Also I'm doing fine!

Also since I barely got to writing it, this version may have stuff added, taken out or changed completely, in the final product. Hopefully it doesn't change too much.

MK lays on the ground breathing heavily. Staring up at the blue sky, his mind racing. He lost another practice battle to the Great Sage, like always. Even when he should be focusing on his mistakes he made or the battle. His mind just couldn’t stop thinking about what happened earlier this week. That earthquake, no, he know it wasn’t that simple. There was a blast, a powerful one that made his whole being shiver. It wasn’t supposed to be here. Yet it was.

Monkey King crouches down near MK’s head. He looks down at him worried but quickly pushes it aside, putting a smile on his face.

“You’re doing great bud! You almost had it, just a little more practice and you'll be getting the hang of this. Just…focus a bit more during battle. Your head was up in the clouds and not in the fight.” Monkey King helps MK up to his feet, and pats his back. To show off his encouragement to his student.

“A simple but deadly mistake in battle. You’re opponent will use it to their advantage. Luckily this was practice and you can try as many times, as you need… So what’s on your mind kid?” He asked, but he knew what he going to say. Though he doesn’t entirely know why he was so hung up over it.

“I know but I just got a bit distracted. I was thinking about... stuff.” MK brushes Monkey King aside. 

He frowns a bit, feeling a bit guilty. Monkey King sighs, frustrated not with his student but with himself. He knew, that he should have been more open than being vague with him. Especially when the kid went to him for answers.

 

MK tensed up, feeling he might have accidentally disappointed or upset his mentor.

“You’re still thinking about that earthquake from earlier this week-” Monkey King's tone was flat but quiet and soft. Trying to be firm and serious and at the same time being gentle and kind. Wanting to be reassuring to his student. 

“It was NOT an earthquake.” MK says cutting the ginger simian off. He quickly turns around and face Monkey King, both were shocked by his sudden outburst.

 

“I’m sorry, Monkey King, it’s just… I don’t know. It didn’t feel right, I know you told me it was nothing and best to leave it alone. For some reason, something in me, whatever caused it, isn’t suppose to be here. That it was-” 

“Look kid, you can trust me. You are right though, something did cause that earthquake, but it will bring no harm. She’s…pretty harmless… sometimes.” Monkey King focuses his gaze on the ground, not feeling confident enough to look at MK when saying it. Knowing he'll try to be even more vague if he sees his students panic state.

“She? Sometimes?!”

Monkey King got tense as he look at him. The color drained from MK’s face making him nervous. A bitter feeling formed in his stomach, knowing he messed up. He raises his hands up, in a defense stance. Then slowly outstretches them towards him. Defensive, yet slowly reaching out to calm the student down.

“Look kid, her and me go way back. She’s simply doing a task and will leave when she finishes it. There’s literally nothing to worry about. Just stay out of her way and leave her alone. It’s for the best, we’ll only get in the way and mess it up.”

 Monkey King states as he keeps his strained smile on his face. The smile falters slightly at last sentence. It was quick, but MK saw it. He only sees it a few times, when the two take breaks and just talk. It was similar when Monkey King talked about his past. As if something was burdening him.

MK never liked seeing him like that so he never push it. This time wasn’t any different either. MK took a deep breath and smiled. Brushing off the tense and serious mood.

“I guess you’re right, sorry about that. I was just stressed and overthinking things. So she’ll leave when she finishes whatever she needs to do?” 

Monkey King relaxes his stance and put down his hands. There was obviously a shift in his demeanor when he saw MK calm down. Though there was a slight hint of hesitation. 

“Yeah, and things will be back to normal. Like I said there’s nothing to worry about. Just…” He frowns and his gaze went to the ground. Lost in thought.

“Monkey King? Are you okay?” 

He shot his gaze up to his student. Tensing up, feeling a bit embarrassed of getting so lost in his head while talking.

“Oh yeah definitely, like I said, stay out of it and leave her be. She’s harmless and won’t cause too much trouble… I hope.” Monkey King clears his throat and straightens his posture. MK stares at him worried but doesn’t question his words.

“Anyways, you did well on training. You're getting a good hang of your powers, I'm proud of you kid!”

 

MK was quiet, trying to settle his thoughts. He wanted to ask more about who this person was but he didn’t want to upset his mentor any more than he has. He let out a sigh and smiles brightly.

“You think so Monkey King? I feel I gotten stronger too!” 

“Oh yeah, soon you’ll be changing your size, transforming into animals, you’re going to be a great, kid!” 

They laugh, as Monkey King puts his arm around MK's neck. Ruffling up his hair, as the student try to push his teacher off with a smile.

Maybe it’s for the best they let go of this topic. It was made very clear, that talking about it made them upset and tense. Anyways, Monkey King truly believes that the Oracle can handle anything by herself. It wasn’t right if he shows up and ruin everything. This time he’ll stay out of it for good.

‘The Oracle is strong and smart enough to figure everything by herself after all.’

________________

Your body felt numb, as the freezing cold winds surround you. The ground dark and dead. Trees twisted and dead from the cold harsh temperatures. It felt like the freezing cold was consuming you.

You continue to travel down the dark path. Stumbling on a sharp pillar of ice.

Where the hell are you at now?

You were in the motel room, going to bed. So how did you end up here?

The pillar of ice was thick and tall, your cloudy reflection stare back at you. The details smudge made it hard to see yourself. Though, it didn’t felt like you were. No, the colors of your clothes were different. You reach your hand to touch it. The closer it got, the more the reflection hanged and shift. Your hand turning blue, either from hypothermia or something else completely.

Low whispers filled the air.

Muttering.

“Are you really going to let it play out like this?”

The shock of painful coldness burns your hand, the moment you touch the ice. You pull away, looking around to see who was with you. 

No one.

You were alone.

However, the whispering didn’t stop. It kept getting louder and louder as your hand burns even more. Then it clicked.

You have seen this place before.

A groan escaped from you when you felt Almond lick your cheek. She was laying on top of you. The room felt oddly cold as you slid the small dog off of you.

You sat up from the bed and yawn. Brows furrowed, rubbing your hand. The same hand, that touched the frost on the window and that ice pillar in your dreams. It didn’t hurt, but you still felt a phantom pain to it.

That’s right, your dream…

Almond lays next to you and waits patiently.

“We are going to a different motel. I am not dealing with this or the Lady Bone Demon. Fuck this shit.” 

You got up from the bed and packed the little items you have in your backpack. As much as you love the show and the characters, which you would love to meet someday. Just not the Lady Bone Demon, and as much you can be naive and an airhead most of the time, at least you have some common sense and take that nightmare as a sign to go hide for a while.

You’re not risking anything when it comes to her. Maybe that nightmare was just simply a nightmare and just a by-product of the stress of yesterday. It would make perfect sense for your mind to use the area where the Lady Bone Demon had her mech at. As the perfect setting for a nightmare. A reasonable explanation if you were in a world where there are no such things as magic and demons.

Sadly, you’re currently are in a world where such things exist. Better safe than sorry, and hope you can hide out for a while.

You pause as you place the bag on your bed.

“Where can I even go?” 

Almond whines, as you mutter. You’re completely on your own, with no one to help. You have no powers and are basically homeless. If that dream was a sign, then for what? What can it be telling you?

You groan before putting on your backpack. Guess your only option currently is to go to a different motel and hope nothing dangerous happens.

“Come on, Almond we have a stressful day ahead of us.” 

Hopefully, you enjoyed it and this chapter should be filled more with the show cast. A little bit more of an adventure. You can say. Though I hope I did write the Mk’s and Wukong’s teacher-student relationship properly. Since this is before season 2, they aren't too close yet and setting up walls around one another. Especially Wukong, hopefully, it translated well, and could feel that they aren't exactly comfy with one another yet.

[japeneselunchtimerush]

How about 4,5,8,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 and 20 for Akashi and 8, 11, and 15 for Momoi

Aww you spoil me(≧◡≦)

This is going to be a very very long post so Ill continue under the cut

AKASHI

4.If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

Ok Ive been thinking about this for a while now but The disastrous life of Saiki K. Here me out

Saiki would take one look at Akashi and be like hell no. Appears to be perfect like teruhashi?No Has another person inside their head?Double No Wears his school jacket like a cape?Triple No

Akashi would be way to extraordinary for Saiki and hes friends with Kokomi. I also think it would be really funny if Saiki used telapathy and heard Bokushi and Oreshi conversing in his head. He would be flabbergasted imo

I also want to see the showdown between Kokomi "gods favourite" Teruhashi and Akashi "I am absolute" seijuro. Akashi would definitely be the perfect pretty boy of the school. He would have a version of the Kokomins as well lmao.

People(aka Nendo) would mistake Akashi for Saiki and Saiki would be pissed lmfao.

Ok Im invested now, Ill continue talking about this AU in another post.

5.What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

Literally every MARINA song. But If I had to pick Id say "Oh no!"

This line from the song Things to do resonates too though.

"You are just a boy, you are no man and nobody you know will understand"

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

I already made a post compiling everything I hated about fanon akashi but Ill say it again.

People make him out to be some psycho who is obsessed with kuroko and hates everybody else. They give him no other personality other than scissors, tetsuya and being absolute as if he isnt so so much more than that.

Oreshi doesnt even exist in the heads of people who do this. But it has gotten much better over the years and most of the fandom has finally gotten a good grasp of hos character so thats nice.

13. What's an emoji, an emoticon and/or any symbol that reminds you of this character or you think the character would use a lot?

This came at the perfect time cause Im actually working on a GoM as emoticons thingy(maybe a few other characters) so I might as well share my akashi emoticons. You can guess who is who.

𓈊 𓈊

∠🏀(●‿●)➃ ∠🏀(●_◉)➃

(They are supposed to be holding the basketball under their arms but its doesnt look like that but I spend 30 minutes on each of them so it doesnt even matter)(maybe I should have added a tea cup)(eh)

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character.

Either Dark Academia or Light Academia he fits both tbh. But I think he looks good in dark colors so dark academia.

15. What's your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn't matter if it's canon or not.)

I have a lot of akashi ships(by that I mean a lot) I have to go with MayuAka, NijiAka, MibuAka, and MidoAka(I cant pick one Im sorry it fluctuates)

16. What's your least favorite ship for this character?

AkaFuri tbh I see them more as best friends(Furi giving Akashi a taste of normalacy)

17. What's a ship for this character you don't hate but it's not your favorite that you're fine with?

Romantic AkaKuro. I just feel like their relationship is so much more than romance. You cant describe their relationship with the word romance. I see them more as queer platonic partners.

18. How about a relationship they have in canon with another character that you admire?

Again cant decide between Nijimura, Mayuzumi and Mibuchi so Ill explain my thoughts on all.

Nijimura was one of the only people who treated akashi as what he truly was, a child. He took him out for snacks, guided him actually cared for him you know all the reasons why niji is the best senpai. And Akashi really did look up to him and enjoyed being vice captain under him.

Reo is another person who treats Akashi(both of them) with so much kindness and love. Even If Mibuchi didnt(probably) like akashi romantically he would still care about him just as much. Like Akashi is his baby he loves him so much. And Akashi loves Reo just as much which is obvious given how he comforted him for the foul during the RakuSei match.

MayuAka is defo one of my favorite duos in series. They are the canon light and shadow duo for Rakuzan. Mayuzumi brings the much needed normalacy in Akashi's life like lending him his light novels(on multiple occasions might I add). But he also encouraged Akashi(in his own sarcastic way) even if he wasnt obligated to for how akashi treated him during the match. He forgives Akashi when he apologizes even though he could have rejected it. And Akashi likes Mayuzumi too. He frequently invites him to matches and outings(more like doesnt give him a chance to say no)(this was in cross colors btw) and quite literally tricked him into spending time with the other shadows(takao and kuroko). I think their relationship is very unexplored in the bigger sections of the fandom. Ok this got way too long Im sorry.

19. How about a relationship they have in canon that you don't like?

His relationship with his father leaves a lot to be desired. Now I dont think that masaomi is a bad person per say but he is a horrible father with or without meaning to. He blatantly neglets Akashi during his childhood and in his teenage years. He doesnt allow Akashi to mourn the death of his mother and only pushes him further. Akashi is forced to live up to his unreal expectations his entire life.

Now I dont think he doesnt love Akashi, I think that Masaomi is a man who loved his late wife but does not know how to give his son the love he needs and deserves partly because it was also how he was raised. Their relationship is overall pretty toxic and I can only hope that they talk through their issues when Akashi is older.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

Honestly? Either Momoi or Takao.

Momoi is an insanely intelligent girl and If this wasnt already said this enough they would overthrow the world. AkaMomo friendship wasnt shown in the show because they knew it would be too powerful.

Takao is a positive and funny person. He is optimistic and one of his greatest strenghts is being able to make any situation funny. I know this has been mentioned before but both Takao and Akashi want to improve on something the other has(being a point guard for takao and being approachable and funny for akashi)

I think they would bring out the best in eachother. They would also make Midorima's life miserable which is a bonus.

___________________________________________

MOMOI

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

There's nothing in the fandom that I particularly hate other than the people who hate her tbh. In all the fics Ive read she is pretty badass and cool.

But her haters istg. They either hate her cause they find her love for kuroko annoying or because she gets in the way of their gay ships or whatever(I absolutely despise when female characters are hated because they " get in the way of m/m ship")

They also dislike her because she body shamed riko but tbh her calling riko's boobs small is 100 times better than aomine kneeing his teammate in the gut dont you think🤨🤨

11. Would you date this character?

One word. Yes.

Momoi is such a sweet person overall, she is so nice and caring and kind. Yes her cooking sucks but I can cook well enough for the both of us. I know for a fact she would be a super affectionate girlfriend. Id be getting cuddles 24/7.

15. What's your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn't matter if it's canon or not.)

AoMomo no competition. The childhood best friends to lovers. Momoi literally being Aomine's ideal girl, Momoi not realising that she likes Aomine because she liked kuroko. Aomine always protecting her no matter what. The two of them being throught thick and thin with eachother.

I just love their relatioship whether or not it is platonic or romantic.

[randomshenaniganery]

TGCF Donghua

okay so I've been watching this shit since it was released and I'm fully enjoying waiting for the weekly episodes and I wanna rant about it because I love it so much but I do have some minor gripes

Bad chuchu out of the way first

I am not happy with how generic and unoriginal the designs for most of the supporting characters. Like yeah they still look somewhat different but when the pool of named characters will expand it will get harder and harder to tell people apart if they keep on going with this route. Almost everyone suffers from same face syndrome which I know is rampant in current anime I just wished they allowed for at least more dynamic silhouettes, hairstyles, and color palettes. It feels like a more toned down version of the character design in the manhua. Lang Qianqiu in the manhua is so easy to recognize because of his outfit and pei ming looks more like the bastard he is etc. Don't get me started on the design for Kemo, the manhua felt eh I feel like Kemo was too pretty and too slim but in the donghua its just he's a straight up orc idk, i feel like they could've done better. Pei Su looks very generic, I think out of everyone he's the most generic looking of them all. SQX, Ling Wen and Jun Wu are the best designs for the supporting cast and I think Banyue is also okay looking cause you can tell her apart from the rest so far.

I am super disappointed in Qi Rong's reveal because it doesn't feel as impactful in the book. In the book the reveal of him looking like Xie Lian was so dramatic to me I was like oh my god is that his brother? A twin? a doppelganger? And then Qi Rong just kinda looks like that, tbh his voice actor and his clothes are fine I think they fit. It's just weird how he suffers from same face syndrome. If they made everyone look less like each other making Qi Rong look like Xie Lian would have been so impactful and a really cool cliffhanger but they couldn't do that because even fucking Lang Qianqiu kinda looks like Xie Lian with lighter hair. Also the Fang xin design is alright on the clothes but the mask gives off a bit cheap however I get that it can't be super detailed and it still does its job so I can handwave that small pet peeve.

Also censorship we couldn't get Xie Lian falling on Hua Cheng's lap and so them trying to make up for that was super awkward LMAO, they could have solved this by making SQX fall right on Hua Cheng's chair so that they could justify why Xie Lian grabbed Hua Cheng and throws him but they didn't... and it's so awkward...

I think it was like Episode 2 of s2 that the animation feels weird, Mu Qing's face felt off to me idk what was going on it just felt like something went down but the next episode it was perfectly fine anyway.

Positives!!!

Something the manhua didn't have was Fu Yao and Nan Feng looking a bit like each other, that was so fucking funny and it's a great display of how much they hate each other and live rent free in each other's heads ong. I love that detail the donghua did I think that's smart.

The voice actors are so great in both dubs they're doing amazing (I haven't listened to the jp dub) I have no complaints I love their work

ONE of my favorite things about the donghua is being able to see Hua Cheng's expressions even when Xie Lian is doing something in the book so he wouldn't notice. I love seeing how pleased he is every time someone points out the intimacy with him and Xie Lian. Like in season 1 when Fu Yao is shocked/horrified that Xie Lian shared a bed with Hua Cheng, San Lang puts a hand on his chin and looks so fucking smug and happy. This happens a couple times in s2 as well someone will be like oh that's weird you're so like this with Hua Cheng and he becomes a smug cat it's great.

Another one I enjoy is during the beginning of the banyue arc when Xie Lian reveals to Fu Yao and Nan Feng that he's used to sleeping in squalor the camera goes to Nan Feng not revealing his face but clearly showing his guilt over what Xie Lian reveals. That's good shit.

Lan Chang picking a fight off screen, also cool, love seeing her. I like that she looks inconspicuous so for someone who doesn't know shit about tgcf they will not see *that* shit coming.

ALSO the men look kinda generic if they're not the mls but the girls are all gorgeous???? like the woman who was Hua Cheng's speaker, the girl who led Xie Lian further into the gambling den, XUAN JI, Banyue all the girls are unique without being so ostentatious and I love them. If you put them beside each other they all look like they're own thing but still on theme. From clothes, to hairstyle and colors it's easy to tell and that's good design. I also include SQX's female form cause she's gorgeous too.

The donghua I think adds to stuff I haven't read I'm not sure if this is because I have a bad memory but I don't recall reading a flashback of Lang Qianqiu and the failed robbery. But the message of that entire section was so fucking good. The way that what Lang Qianqiu said about 'maybe he shouldn't have intervened' and the sound effects UGh. It's so good, i love how the book tackles the morality of everything, breaking down Lang Qianqiu's firm positivity and believing in humanity but still promoting being kind and considerate through Xie Lian. This theme still carries on in the show and I think they're doing a great job.

GOD THE MUSIC in the donghua is so fucking good, I love it. The songs, the meanings, the beat it's all perfect I can't say anything more.

even though i'm disappointed in the character design choices the donghua is very solid, I love it a lot. It does come off as very expositiony sometimes but I think that's very prevalent in Chinese Wuxia and Xianxia. Probably weird for people who aren't used to the genre but to anyone who's seen something like it, it's not unbearable and it's kinda necessary because of how the book is written. Waiting for wednesday patiently whilst i draw huahua

There are so many fun details the Donghua adds that shows that they know the story and where it's going as well hinting at character stuff, it's so fun to spot those. Like Xie Lian's reaction to Hua Cheng biting the bun made me wanna claw my face that shit was good af.

[birlwrites]

What is your version of Hogwarts' uniform like? (The everyday one and the Quidditch one)

okay SO

i think of the everyday uniform as having a few layers, but the ESSENTIAL elements are the shirt, tie, and robe. shirt is just a white long-sleeved button-down, tie is striped tie with house colors, and the robe resembles a graduation gown (picture of one that's not black so you can see the seams better):

it's a workrobe, which means it's ankle-length (often a little longer for first and second years, as they'll grow, but they can't be too much longer or they'll be an inconvenient length, so it's common for people to have robes that are kind of short on them by the end of the year (which would be, like, hitting slightly above the ankle), sleeves hit at the wrist, and the fabric isn't at all tight but it's relatively closely fitted (despite the pleats) to minimize the chances of fabric swinging around and getting in the way/getting splashed with dangerous substances/attacked by plants/etc

shoes: no particular dress code there, although certain classes may require close-toed shoes/shoes you don't mind getting dirty. i think leather shoes are common for kids from magical families - dragonhide or something else Fancy if you're rich. canvas shoes are something creeping in from the muggle world so only really seen on people who live in non-magical neighborhoods (and actually go out into those neighborhoods lmao). i haven't thought very much about socks

people will often wear trousers (or sometimes a skirt) under their robe as well, for warmth and/or modesty, as even though the robes aren't super loose, they are still loose and something like wind can cause issues for both temperature and 'blowing your clothes all over the place' reasons. first-years need trousers for flying lessons, as attempting to fly in a robe will hamper your ability to move your legs unless it's only fastened over the chest (or not at all, but it would probably slide off your shoulders as you flew). they're also considered a basically-essential component of attending potions and astronomy, for temperature reasons

wearing your school robe open over the rest of your uniform would be kind of like... not unacceptable, but mcgonagall would tell you to button it up the second you set foot in your classroom. kind of like walking around in your workout clothes - it's not a question of modesty (provided you're wearing trousers/a long skirt), but rather of formality

quidditch: long-sleeved shirt and... hm how do i describe my mental image of this. ok so like, trousers that are fitted but also pretty thick. you need to be able to move your legs freely, but sitting on a broom isn't all that comfortable, and it's also a (very minimal) layer of protection in case you get hit by a bludger. it also has that strap to go under the arch of your foot to keep it in place

the real protection is over your torso, because that's where your vital organs are - leather armor w a front and back piece, going from your waist up to your neck. sides aren't really covered for freedom of movement, so you've got like... let's say a 4-inch-wide strip on either side that doesn't have armor. (limbs don't get this protection because eh, who hasn't broken a limb playing quidditch, it's totally fine)

players also need leather gloves - these are meant to protect your hands from the broom handle in case of long matches, but seekers Must have fingerless gloves bc of snitch flesh memories, and chasers and keepers usually have fingerless gloves as well so they can grip better. beaters often have their whole hands covered bc they have to wield a bat for the entire game

and then over all of that you have your team robe. shirt and trousers will generally be in your team's base color, and people don't always wear the robe for practice (except just to calibrate for flying with it). team robe has both your team's colors and a number and surname. numbers are always 01-07 at hogwarts, with any reserves (which are uncommon) starting at 08. chasers are typically 01-03, keeper is 04, beaters are 05 and 06, and seeker is 07. this pattern continues for the reserves. in the pro leagues, numbering is more like 'you pick Your Number and you Keep It', but at hogwarts they don't want to deal with that shit

it makes perfect sense for players to wear helmets but i simply cannot see it in my mind's eye so they don't. this is why concussions are so common in a sport that is not, strictly speaking, a contact sport. it also makes perfect sense for players to wear goggles but again i simply cannot see it so they do not. something something can't obstruct vision something something snitch

quidditch robes are fairly different from a normal robe: they cut away below the waist, and they hit at about the back of the knee, rendering them more like a jacket with a train (that begins to taper inward about mid-thigh and then ends in a point). they're very closely fitted, and made of a very flexible fabric so they don't impede movement.

last component is shoes - leather again, low-top, with a low block heel. this is so that you can brace against the broom - there's a small crosswise bar at the back, right before the... i don't know what that's called. the bristles? the sweepy part? you know, the end bit. ANYWAY there's a bar in front of that part where people can brace their feet, makes it a lot easier to steer and stay on your broom esp when you're going fast. this is why it's important to calibrate broom size to your height - if the broom is too big for you, then you can't comfortably brace your feet and keep a grip at the end of the handle, and that'll make your steering awkward since you'll be trying to steer from the middle of the broom

shoes, gloves, and armor generally don't vary from team to team, and they're normally brown. pro teams might sometimes have them made in team colors, but at hogwarts they are brown. and they're similar to the brooms in that hogwarts has them on hand and can issue them to you, but people will buy their own if they can so they can get new ones - gloves are by far the most common thing to buy yourself, followed by shoes, and then armor. it depends on a) how serious you are about quidditch or b) how much money you have for random shit like that

the newer the gloves and shoes are, the thinner the leather tends to be - the goal is always maximum protection with minimum bulk and also minimum break-in time. so some people do upgrade. in the pro leagues, they'll probably go through a pair of gloves a season - at hogwarts, the standard for 'functional quidditch gloves' is very much at 'functional' rather than 'high-performing,' and the practice and game schedules are also much less intense, so most people wouldn't have any reason to get new gloves more than every few years. (also, if your gloves are older, they're probably thicker and won't wear out as fast.) the main reason to get new ones would be 'i am a tween who is not done growing and my gloves/shoes don't fit me anymore' (shoes don't wear out as fast as gloves do since they're really just there to cover your feet and provide a heel to use to brace, plus they're low-top so they don't need to be as flexible as the gloves do since your ankles aren't covered by them)

[principessapeach]

the unreliability of history: storm's end

So George is a co-writer for the finale. So I'm presuming he knows about the catalyst to true war: Storm's End. I hate to say it but this messing with perceptions is right up George's alley. The F&B account of Lucerys' death is vague. Reading F&B, my own mind jumped from "Aemond wanted his eye or his life in front of people" to "Lucerys is now dead so Aemond meant to kill him" but we never saw the fight and we don't know what Aemond was thinking.

In his History of Westeros interview George mentioned that one of his goals for writing Fire & Blood as a history text was to explore the unreliability of history.

George: It’s the most famous building in the world at the time. And I can’t even find a reputable source as to how many floors it had and this is only like, 1880s, 1890s, 1900s, this is not 2000 years ago. That really impressed on me… that history… I love history, but it’s so unreliable to know what actually happened. History, what I love about history is it’s full of stories. It’s full of great stories and you can take them and change ’em around and use them. They’re all grist for the mill, but there’s a lot of doubt about some of the best stories.

They may have been invented later by singers or storytellers or some historian who wanted to make a point or, color it one way or the other. 

Aziz: Propaganda.

George: And the more you read about history, the more inconsistencies you had. So I thought it would be fun to do that in Fire and Blood. And so when I’m relating what happened here, and I’m thinking about what can happen.

Yeah, I… oh, this would be great. This would be really outrageous, it would be… and then, eh, it’s probably too outrageous. Here’s probably what… the more realistic version of it. And wait a minute, this version makes Fred the villain and Bill the hero. And this version makes Bill a villain and Fred the hero.

And then at some point it hit me. Why don’t I give all versions? Cause history is uncertain. I’ll give all versions and it’ll be fun for me. I can put in all the really outlandish scurilous things, the way Mushroom sees it, but I can also put in the things that are probably more… 

Aziz: They’re sources, yeah. 

George: And that worked fine for those who liked that thing, although some don’t. But if I was writing it as a novel, if I’d been writing this in the form of the books in A Song of Ice and Fire, like Winds of Winter, which I’m writing now. When I get to a chapter in The Winds of Winter and I know something’s gonna happen. How does it happen?

What are the things? I think I could do it this way. I could do it that way. I have to make up up my mind. In Fire and Blood, I didn’t have to have to make up my mind, but Ryan and Miguel, when they’re adapting it, they largely had to make up their mind. 

[thatonebirdwrites]

19, 39, 40 please! :D

19. Share a snippet from a wip without giving any context for it.

No context, eh? :D

“Flashlights?” Andrea asked. “Mine is busted.” She dug it out of her pack and held it up to the light. A crack down its side and its broken lightbulb made it useless.

Sam dug deeper into her pack. “Oh. Well, that would have been smart to pack, wouldn’t it?” She smiled sheepishly at Andrea.

“Chupame la concha,” Andrea said, probably her favorite curse, which Sam had determined translated to roughly ‘suck my pussy.’ Tempting but unlikely to get them out of this disaster. “Tienés una soga?”

Sam repeated the phrase quietly. “Oh, rope.” She dug through her pack and pulled out nylon rope. “If you’re hoping to lasso your way out, I don’t think that’ll work.”

“Shut up.” Andrea grabbed the rope, stood, and tied the end into a loop. She spent the next ten minutes tossing it upward only for it to catch on a bush or branch or random roots. Each time they broke off and fell into the pit with them.

Sam sighed and gathered up several larger branches that Andrea had pulled in with them. From her pack, she plucked out a cotton shirt and wrapped it around the end as tight as she could. The lighter she used to start their fires would work well for her makeshift torch.

“¿Qué hacés?” Andrea slung the rope over her shoulder and looked pointedly at Sam’s torch. “Do you truly think that will help?”

“It’ll give us light. And I did pack a lot of shirts.” Sam held up her lighter. “Our voices are echoing, so the room likely is larger than it seems. Why not explore? Maybe there’s another way out?”

“Or we're stuck in a pit to die. Qué pelotudo de mierda,” she muttered. “Fine.” She pulled a shirt from her bag and grabbed another branch. It took her two tries to tie it, but it was far too messy. Sam handed her the already made torch and redid it herself. The tighter the cotton shirt was, the better the flames.

Redonning her pack, Sam lit the torches and pocketed the lighter. The light flickered across the ground but the darkness stayed thick. Sam took a few cautious steps out of the circle of sunlight, but her torch still didn’t cast light onto a wall. Instead the ground held odd formations. She bent and ran her fingers over the floor. “Andrea, I think this is cut stone.”

39. Wildest AU scenario you have written?

I started writing a Supercorp version of Lovecraft's A Color Out of Space because of a tumblr post of a bug in a hunter's field cam that made a deer look like it had eight eyes and six legs.

I haven't posted it to AO3 yet, mostly because I'm still writing it and plotting it out, and I don't feel confident in it yet. I had to exorcise Lovecraft's racism and homophobia and well all the -isms from the original story. Basically, I kept the plot: weird meteor lands and strange things happen, and sliced it up to fit the Supercorp world.

The tale is a slow creep horror, where at first things just seem weird. Then you realize things are just the right amount of off that you start to get nervous, until you're in too deep and realize that everything is absolutely horrifying and it's almost too late to stop it.

It's very much a mixture of Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach Trilogy (The first book was made into the movie Annihilation) and Hammers on Bone by Cassandra Shaw.

So yes. Supercorp Horror.

40. Write a 9-word fic.

Lena discovered a love of flight in Kara's arms.

or...

Lena's panic ended when Kara flew to her side.

or....

Kara was lost in the green of Lena's eyes.

Gosh doing just nine words is hard but kind of fun. Anyway, thank you for asking! :D

[justtrashperson]

Possession - Fantasy Lads AU

.......

Just as he was about to retort back, he noticed something unusual about Brian, beside the electrified hair.

The veins on his neck were slightly more pronounced than usual, and the color seems a bit darker, but he can just blame that to the dim lights in the inn. Yet even if he tried to brush that off, he can’t seem to get the uneasy feeling out.

When he was about to point it out, Brian stood up and turned around, locking eyes with him.

.......

A fantasy lads fic woo. Here you go. It's not the best but yeah

AO3 version here

[WARNING: Slightly graphic descriptions of electrocutions, fighting and possession.]

[3650 words]

“Thank you for doing the commission! You can come back at any time, pleasure doing business with you!”

The bell on the door jingled as they went out of the tavern. Both of them let out a sigh that they had been holding.

“Feckin’ hell, we’re finally done with that commission,” Brian sighed as he pushed his messy hair back from his face. Daithi nodded as he put the bag of money from the commission work into his traveling bag. “That’s true, at least the pay is decent.” He patted the bag to prove his point as the coins inside made a slight jingle, muffled from the thick leather.

Brian stretched and let out a groan as he heard his back pop from the pressure. He shrugged as he walked along the roads of the town they’re visiting. “Eh, fair enough. I mean, that commission was fucking stupid as hell. Like, ‘oh go to the mountains and retrieve a sword’,” He ranted, with Daithi listening and following behind.

“The sword wasn’t even this important thing. It’s a fucking old as fuck slightly rusty sword! Who would still want that?” Daithi chuckled at this as they went to the borders of the town and into the forest path.

“Well, if I’m quite honest, the people here are weird as balls,” Daithi shrugged. Brian barked a laugh at that.

As they went deeper into the forest, Daithi suddenly remembered a quite important thing. “Oh by the way, the other lads were planning to meet up in that one floral village next week,” He reminded Brian, who turned around and looked at him. “We still have a couple of days to kill. We can either go take more commissions in the next village or town, or just relax and camp out here,” He mentioned back, looking around the peaceful and calm forest. 

Brian hums as he raises his arms behind his head. “That’s true…” He trails off, looking up.

The forest was warm, it was still in an afternoon breeze. All of the trees shield them for direct sunlight, but enough to give some light to the surrounding forest. This scene reminded Brian about their first adventures together.

They had been traveling together for years, both meeting up in the forest near their hometown. The community in the village was warm and welcoming, and they had been helping everyone and one another there. They left the village not because of the community itself, nor was it anyone’s fault, but simply innocent curiosity about what the world around them looks like. They promised to their family and friends that they would protect each other and help one another, even if they would have arguments and constantly bicker.

Brian snapped out of that thought, very much not wanting to reminisce for a long time. They can just go home at any time, but for now, he’s quite happy and content with the adventures he had with Daithi and the other lads they met during it.

“Yeah, let’s go to the next town and get more money, so we can brag to the other lads about it,” Brian finally replied, giving Daithi a mischievous smirk. Daithi snorted at that and slightly hit him over the head.

“Ow! Bitch!” “Watch it now, the lads will ask you to pay for their stuff if you do brag. Especially Kevin.” “Fine, fine, let’s just go before it’s night.” .......

The sun was high up in the clouds, the rays shining through the curtains of their room, when Daithi finally woke up, or attempted to wake up. He had quite remembered what had happened last night, and he had one too many drinks that has now left him extremely hungover. He only remembers going to an inn with Brian and immediately passing out as he hit the pillows.

He groaned as he tried to blink the sleepiness from his eyes, and attempted to sit up on the bed. 

He looked over to the other side of the room, where Brian was supposed to be, but his bed had been tidied up and there were no signs of him anywhere. All of Brian’s equipment were also gone, which Daithi didn’t panic over since it might mean he’s already out there doing god knows what.

Brian had always been a bit more of a morning type of guy compared to Daithi, and he’s not complaining. So every time Brian disappeared in the morning, he wasn’t as worried as he was back then.

Daithi stretched, feeling his bones pop, and left the bed to at least clean himself up a bit before Brian came back.

Hours went by, until it was lunch time, and Brian was still not back. Daithi is getting a bit worried now, as he prepared some of his equipment, ready to go out and find his friend, before that thought was interrupted by the door slamming open.

There he was, Brian, with all of his glory, or what’s left of it anyway. His hair was a mess, some static electricity still lingering on his head, usually due to too much use of his power. He was out of breath, but very much grinning ear to ear when he saw that Daithi was awake.

“Holy gods- dude! Learn to knock!” Daithi yelled, trying to soothe himself. Brian only chuckled maniacally, before throwing a heavy bag of coins to Daithi’s bed. It slams into it with a heavy thud, the coins inside can be heard clanking against one another.

Daithi’s eyes widened as he took the bag and opened it. And as he thought, it was filled to the brim with coins. His mouth was agape as he looked at Brian again, who at this point was just grinning so much it started to feel slightly uncomfortable.

“I managed to find a very easy and very much worth it commission while you were out cold,” he explained as he closed the door and sat down on the bed across the room from Daithi’s bed. 

Daithi was still shocked at the amount of money he managed to get, and started smiling deliriously.

“Holy shit- You’re Not fucking with me Right?” “Nope, this is 100% fucking real.”

Brian giggled as he lay down on top of the bed and sighed. “What commission did you take?” Daithi asked him, which made him sit again to look his friend in the eyes.

“It was some stupid fucking commission if I'm honest, just had to get an item that was lost in the forest,” Brian shrugged it off. Daithi can’t help but feel slightly uneasy at the lack of detail but he brushed it off. 

“But why is your hair a mess?” He questioned again, this time tying the bag closed and sitting next to Brian. Brian groans at that. “Oh it wasn’t hard to find it, but there was already a creature there guarding it, and holy fuck was that hard as balls,” he said, combing his hair with his hand.

“But who cares! We can buy as much shit as we want now! We’re fucking set for the next few days!” Brian said, patting his friend on the back. Daithi tried to be cheerful, but he couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable. 

Just as he was about to retort back, he noticed something unusual about Brian, beside the electrified hair.

The veins on his neck were slightly more pronounced than usual, and the color seems a bit darker, but he can just blame that to the dim lights in the inn. Yet even if he tried to brush that off, he can’t seem to get the uneasy feeling out.

When he was about to point it out, Brian stood up and turned around, locking eyes with him.

“We should go camping now, while also going to that village that the other lads decided. We’ll have time to also go to caves and such.” Brian immediately goes on a rant about it to convince Daithi to come along.

He only sighed at his friends' antics and stood up, swinging an arm around his shoulders. “Alright, we’ll go. No need to act like an excited puppy, jeez,” He mocked lightheartedly. Brian jokingly acts offended at that and hits his friend on the arm. 

“How dare you, you will not regret it I swear,” Brian retorts back, trying to sound offended but the smile on his face said otherwise. Daithi laughed at this again and let go of him.

“Alright, alright, let’s go Mr. Making-money-while-I’m-asleep,” he playfully insulted. Brian rolled his eyes and walked out the door with Daithi following close behind. 

They paid for the room they stayed in and left the inn quickly, trying to find some food and supplies for their camping trip to the floral village. 

They finished doing business in the town around the evening, when the sun was slowly but surely going down. They exited the borders and went back into the forest, continuing on based on the map they got from one of the shops there.

It was a fun trip, there was bickering during it, some fighting when a dangerous creature decided to try and maul them, and distracting that Daithi almost forgot about Brian’s weirdly dark veins.

.......

As a couple days went by and the time they were supposed to meet the lads was closer, they hadn't arrived in the village yet. They aren’t far from that, but Daithi can’t help but notice the changes his friend has gotten during their trip there.

Brian was a bit more aggressive than usual, his powers almost striking him once or twice, at one point it was only a couple of inches off him that he wasn’t sure if that was purely a mistake or not. He had also been more distant to him, always isolating himself at night inside the tent they set up way before it was time to rest.

And the veins have gotten much, much worse. It was now a sickly dark color, almost to the point of black, and it had spread into the veins on the right side of his face. When asked about this Brian would always avoid the question at all cost. Dodging it and never bringing it up.

Daithi was worried for his friend, yet he doesn’t know what to do in this situation. But it hasn’t gotten much worse than that.

Or so he thought.

“Fuck, I think we’re lost.”

When the day they were supposed to meet the lads came, they were still not there yet since they had gotten lost in one of the more foreign forests that they have never ever gone to. Daithi wasn’t even sure why Brian suggested this path, when he knows that Brian has also never gone there.

“Brian, are you even fucking sure you know the way to the village?” Daithi tried to ask, looking at Brian who has his back turned on him. 

Brian didn’t answer his question, which made him slightly annoyed. “Hey, hey Brian, are you fucking listening? We’re lost right now and I hope you know where we are,” Daithi asked again, slightly raising his voice. Yet Brian still won’t budge or notice him or give him any sort of confirmation that he heard him.

Daithi was beyond annoyed at this point, but also slightly unnerved. Brian had known that Daithi didn’t like it when he got ignored without reason, so seeing his friend do this is slightly hurting him, but he won’t show it.

He pinched the bridge of his nose while grumbling a few curses, before trying to grab Brian by the shoulder.

But as he tried to close the gap, Brian hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, and held it, hard. 

“Wh-What!? Brian! Hey!”

Daithi was alarmed instantly and tried to move away, but that grip had him locked and Brian didn’t even flinch nor move. Daithi was even more scared now. “B-Brian, hey, you can hear me, right!?” He tried asking, yet no response came from the other man.

As his guards were down and he was panicking, suddenly Brian moved. He pulls out the spear he had on his back and-

Turns around and thrust it to Daithi’s chest, electricity crackling at the tip.

“What the-!”

Daithi was quick enough to dodge it and use that momentum to free his hand, moving back to try and distance himself, while also trying to collect his thoughts.

“Brian! What the fuck are you doing!” He tried asking, looking at his friend.

Brian stood in front of him, spear on one hand while electricity and lighting crackled around him. The area around them suddenly turned dark, as dark clouds started to gather on top. His eyes were piercing Daithi through his soul.

But the thing that made him realize this is not Brian is the veins. His veins were pitch black, pulsing off beat, which made him more fearful of him.

Daithi pulls out his scythe, holding it behind him, stance ready to fight.

“Brian, snap out of it! What the hell is happening to you!” He stated, trying to see if Brian is actually there under this, wretched thing. But nothing but a blank piercing stare replied to him. Nothing in that face of someone he had the honor to be friends with.

He didn’t want to attack him nor fight him. Like sure, they had some sparing moments and were close to physically fighting one another during their bickering, but he has never gotten the intention to actually hurt him. But here he was, face to face with something using his friend’s body as a vessel.

He took a deep breath and grumbled. “Well, if you’re not gonna leave him alone, I’ll be forcing you to do it.” Daithi stretched his hand, using his energy to call upon the roots, vines and stems of the plants around him. He moved his arm forward and the plants followed his direction at a rapid speed, coming onto Brian.

Brian quickly jumps out of the way, using the momentum to fly up into the sky. Daithi tried to look up to see what he’s doing. He raises his spear, charging it with the lightning and electricity from the dark cloud on top of him, and shortly descending into Daithi’s direction, spear in front ready to strike.

“Shit!”

Daithi barely moves out of the way as Brian’s spear misses him by a mark, and uses this to hook his scythe onto the spear handle and spin Brian around. He threw him to the nearest tree, which created a loud thud as Brian rapidly made contact with it. Daithi winced at the sound, mentally promising to apologize later on for the injury, but he got more important things to focus on.

Brian quickly stood up, leaning one of his legs backwards and pushing himself forward, running at a rapid speed into Daithi with the spear behind him, charging it with more electricity. 

Just as he was about to stab it into Daithi, he panicked and created a flash of light which blinds him, making him lose momentum and trips forward. He almost fell flat onto his face, but instead stabs the spear onto the ground, giving him support and turning him around to meet face to face with Daithi. Daithi was caught off guard with this.

The stabbed spear created a shock wave of electricity, and as it was about to hit Daithi, he quickly summoned roots upwards and used it as a stepping stone. He launches upwards and falls down, moving his scythe into an attacking position, ready to crash onto Brian.

But instead of hitting flesh or the ground, a clunk sound was heard, which surprised him, as the spear Brian was holding held back Daithi’s attack. Daithi instantly fought back, striking him as much as he could, trying to make Brian overwhelmed. But it seems like this Brian has also gotten some new powers, as he matches with the beat of Daithi’s attack.

One stab meets one block. One strike meets one defense. So on and so forth.

This goes on for a while. During this, Daithi tried to calculate his moves and see the weak point of his enemy. He watches Brian with such intensity, making sure he didn’t miss a single beat of the dance of death they got going on. 

Before long, he noticed that Brian mostly attacks upwards, leaving his lower body completely undefended. Daithi quickly made a move and tried to attack it, sweeping his scythe below onto his feet. 

Unfortunately, he didn’t calculate that Brian would avoid it by jumping over it. As he was caught off guard, a leg made contact with his chest, kicking him forward with such force, it threw him into a tree, his scythe slipping from the intensity. “Ugh!” The wind was knocked out of him as he made hard contact onto the hardwood. He slid down onto the floor of the forest, as he tried to cough up the blood.

Brian strides forward in such menace, electricity and thunder can be heard with every step he takes. He looks down at Daithi, and with one swift move, stabs the spear into his leg.

“AAAAGHH!!!”

Daithi screamed with such agony, his body locked up as long as the spear was still in his skin. He tried to move the spear away, gripping it with his hand, which didn’t do anything. He looked up with blurry eyes, trying to see the face of his friend.

Brian looked down onto him, eyes as soulless as ever, not looking guilty in the slightest as he sent shock waves after shock waves of such power into him.

Daithi's consciousness was slowly slipping, his eyes threatening to close with such sting crawling up his body, yet with some strength left, he raised his right hand forward, into a choking motion.

The vines on the tree he’s leaning on moves towards Brian, going around his neck, and quickly choking him. Instantly, Daithi moved his hand backwards which sent Brian forward, the spear slipping from his hand, stopping the torture and his head immediately making contact into the tree with a hard thud. His body fell lifelessly on top of Daithi, who was at this point exhausted, tired, sore and in pain. He took in some ragged breaths, before passing out.

.......

Brian slowly came back to consciousness, blinking his eyes to fully make him awake, before realizing his head was massively hurting, and groaned at that. 

“What…The fuck happened?”

He tried to move, but his hand made contact with a soft fabric. He looks below him to see Daithi, his brows furrowed, cold sweat covering his face, and very much unconscious. This sent Brian into a panic as he tried waking up his friend.

“Hey, hey Daithi. Hey.” He tried shaking him slightly, which didn’t seem to stir him awake. He got even more terrified. He shook his friend more. “Hey Daithi, wake up. Don’t scare me. Hey, Hey!”

This seems to do the trick, as his friend whined in pain, slowly waking up. He blinks his eyes, before looking at Brian.

“B-Brian?” His voice was hoarse, as if he just used it all up.

“Daithi, what the fuck happened?” Brian said in worry, voice going very soft. Daithi stared at him for a while, mouth agape, before a loud sob tore through him. He pulls Brian down into a bear hug, which stunned him for a bit.

Brian was going to say something, before Daithi cut him off. “Shut up. Shut up, you son of a bitch and let me savor this.” He said, burying his head on Brian’s shoulder. He didn’t have the heart to say no and let his friend hug him.

They stayed like that for a while, before Brian finally broke it off. “Okay as much as I enjoy this, what the actual fuck happened?” He asked again. Daithi wipes his tears as he prepares to answer.

“I don’t fucking know, but you were- you were possessed or something. You tried to attack me, and it hurts like fucking hell,” he said in full truth. Brian was horrified to hear that.

“Oh, oh my god. I-I’m sorry, oh my god it must’ve been that commission I did,” he replied in panic as realization dawned on him. Daithi just gave him a grunt. 

“Daithi, I swear I would never hurt you, I am so so sorry, I didn’t- I didn’t mean any of that,” he apologized, feeling extremely guilty for his recklessness during that commission that resulted in him getting possessed and hurting his best friend. 

“Hey Brian, look at me.”

He whipped his head forward, where Daithi reaches for both of his cheeks and-

Slams their heads together. 

Brian immediately staggered back in pain, holding his forehead which was now double sore. “Ow! What the hell!” he groaned in pain.

“That,” Daithi replied. “That was my payback for how fucking stupid and idiotic you are, you moron,” he said, glaring.

“Okay, I might’ve deserved it.” “Might’ve??? You almost killed me!” “Hey it wasn’t me! I was possessed like you said!” “Still you are fucking stupid for not taking care of your own safety!”

Brian glared at him before sighing. “Fair, I guess….” He stood up and took the abandoned spear back, putting it behind him. He lends a hand and helps Daithi stand up, taking his scythe and giving it to him.

“Listen,” Daithi spoke, making Brian turn towards him. “If you ever, ever need anything, don’t be afraid to ask. We’ve been in this rodeo together for years,” he mentioned to Brian. Brian looked at him and nodded. “Noted.” “Good.”

Daithi slung an arm around Brian’s shoulder, leg limping a little from the injuries. 

“Now let’s get back on the road because today is when we were supposed to meet the other lads.”

“FUCK I FORGOT ABOUT THAT-”