emfyredarchived

[emfyredarchived]

🗡 @derangedr › one muse steps protectively in front of the other

the fires of avernus burn hot, setting veins ablaze with a loud war cry from lips that have tasted nothing but ash for years. there's pain and there is an uncontrollable rage. the creature before her is of the underdark, its claws striking a deep blow. blood starts to stain her armor while body tip-toes the line of becoming exhausted. with every move their little group takes, there is danger. she didn't mind as it kept things interesting and, if she were to die, better among friends than joining the rot down in the hells. the creature strikes again, this time landing a blow to her stomach. karlach folds in on herself and her free hand presses against her side. it too would become bloodied. ❝ this is a sticky situation i'm in! ❞ she shouts, not asking for help outright, but needing it all the same. the other comes to her rescue in just the nick of time. all karlach wanted was a quick heal and maybe a bandage, but her companion does more for her, they step forward and between karlach and the creature. anxiety flutters in her chest. she was supposed to be the one who stood down a monster's gaze before ending them. if in other circumstances, it was almost comical the way her large form hunched behind the other's small frame.

❝ i just need a heal, yeah? ❞ shadowheart answers the call this time, her healing word putting a pep back in karlach's step as she runs around the other and brings down her great axe before the monster could strike. ❝ you keep on doing things like that, love, you will get yourself into trouble. i can take the hits. ❞ she pauses, heavy breath heaving her chest. ❝ but, hey, thank you.. for trying to save me. i'm not usually the damsel in distress. nor do i really expect anyone to lay down their neck for me, so yeah, that was pretty bad ass what you did. i'd give you a hug, but the fire is still hot on my skin. so, we'll just have to have some wine later, yeah? after we've kicked as much ass as we can. ❞

[emfyredarchived]

🗡 @thenextchapterbegins › our muses share a night together believing it might be their last

the creche draws ever near with each stone they step on and with every turned corner. the anticipation of it makes her limbs restless. this is why sleep has not come to her yet. instead, she paces and holds onto the hilt of her great sword while muttering to herself . . . surely after having survived these strange tadpoles vlaakith would deem her worthy to ride upon a dragon's back. eyes close for a moment, heart thumping quicker as she pictures it. the wind in her hair, fire sprouting from her dragon's mouth, and ghaik blood stained upon her weapon and clothes. how she will delight in taking down these villains. each one of them should feel the fury of her blade. she will stop the infection. she will prove herself. a familiar scent drafts through the wind, destracting her for a moment. it is the smell of umbral. their musk far more recognizable than the others as she has studied them more than the others. eyes open to reveal the other.

❝ i am glad you have found me. ❞ there's a certain fire in her eyes that burns brighter than it ever had before. ❝ this night need not be wasted. come. follow me. ❞ the warrior beckons the other as she takes off towards a more secluded place. she finds a patch of grass and sits, patting the ground next to her. ❝ sit. ❞ it was a small command, one that warned them she will grow sour if they choose not to be obedient. ❝ come tomorrow we will be purified. freedom will be ours. i am eager to find myself among my people again, but all will be righted when the sun comes up. this could be our last night together. ❞ her attention turns towards them as a sharp gaze takes in every detail of the other's face. ❝ i know many pleasurable ways we can spend this night. i've wanted to taste the sweat on your brow from the moment i saw you take charge. you have handled this well. you kept hope, even when i did not. we could spend this night however we wish. what would you suggest? ❞

[emfyredarchived]

© Katherine Wranovich.

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[emfyredarchived]

@feytaken , continued.

the weight of mystra's absence and anger weigh heavily on his shoulders today. some were better than others. he had taught himself to reign in his depressed thoughts, usually participating in some sort of distraction, but reaching for a great tome did nothing to quell the heartbreak. it only added to the frustration. in between the lines, he could see how lonely he is. a page not yet written. he sighs and finds himself seeking anyone's company. though out of his companions, he is glad that he finds elina first. worries are spilled without hesitation. was he good enough? would he ever be forgiven? is dying and detonating this thing inside of him the only thing that makes him worthy? to be a sacrificial lamb.. it wasn't a future, or rather the end of it, that he pictured for himself. why would anyone want this?

her words bring up a tight feeling into his chest that went all the way up to his throat. unable to speak, gale looks to her with desperate eyes. he does not know what to ask for.. then, her arms wrap around him in a rather sweet hug. his body relaxes against her own and arms follow suit, wrapping around her frame. ❝ thank you.. ❞ the two words muttered against pink locks. he tries to swallow the sob that threatens to rip from his throat, but is unable to. ❝ i'm sorry.. ❞ he immediately tries to pull away. ❝ i did not mean to show you this side of me.. it is a weakness and it won't happen again. i promise you. ❞

[emfyredarchived]

the night is a place of horror for her. even when resting, her fists were curled and great axe was not far from her reach. in avernus she had to be aware of her surroundings at all times or else face the consequences of death. last night, she noticed that gale left his bedroll and began reading. she wondered what was so important that couldn't wait until the morning? though, nothing was said aloud. her eyes simply shut and she got as much rest as she could. karlach is almost always the first one up and ready to go. it seemed that their resident wizard beat her to it. ❝ you look like you're going to fall over any second now. i'd offer to throw you over my shoulder and let me carry you to wherever we're off to, but i don't think we need a crispy wizard on our hands. ❞ karlach would give almost anything to be able to actually carry someone and hold them close. there's an ache in her chest that isn't caused by the infernal engine, but due to yearning.

❝ what exactly caught your interest? must have been quite fascinating. ❞ she shrugs, before granting gale a wide smile. ❝ yeah, that sounds good to me. you need some help? i'm going to sit by you and bother you anyway. were you reading something about these squirmy little dudes we have in our heads? i hope you were reading something else, at least giving yourself a break from all this. i was dreaming of puppies. when i get my engine fixed and the worm gone, i'm gonna get myself a puppy. do you have any name suggestions? ❞

"jesus, have you been awake the entire night?" from karlach, to gale. from @emfyred

a startled gaze snaps up from the book he was reading, to look up at karlach. a small squint, before the gaze slides over to the warming light of dawn, the rising crest of the sun. ah. a pause, while gale deliberates upon the best answer he could in this moment. " well, that would slightly depend upon how exactly one would quantify the 'entire night'. going based off of the most common definition, i would say no, i was not awake the entire night, " a bookmark is plucked up by a mage hand woven with a flare of gale's fingers, and tucked away between the pages before he closes the tome.

he had dozed off a few times in the night - for a scarce few minutes here or there before snapping back awake with a burning hunger in his chest. " nothing quite like reading a good book to greet the dawn. all it's missing really is a lovely cup of tea. or coffee, if that's what you'd prefer. shall i make us both a mug? "

[emfyredarchived]

the world, dull grey and gloom, turned into a kaleidoscope of colors. blue and purple light surrounding them. he could feel the way her magic intertwines with his own. their minds, souls and hearts connected through the weave. it was more than just a whisper of it, but showed no threat of becoming a tempest. they were in control for as long as this moment lasted. it wouldn't last nearly as long as he was hoping it would. so, he watches her with a gentle smile on his expression, taking this opportunity to study her expression. so he stares probably longer than he should, but as a very well and studied wizard, he couldn't help himself.

❝ that would certainly be particularly useful for our current predicament. perhaps, when we have gotten rid of our unwanted guests, ❞ he points to his head, ❝ you can show me. i wish to do the same, to show you more of what i can accomplish. though, i do think there is a thing or two that i could also learn from you. if you are willing to teach me.. ❞ gale would never turn down an opportunity to learn, especially through another person's eyes. everyone looked at the world a different way. there could be spells that they both could perform but in different ways. this is why he was so passionate about the weave, not to mention that this was the only way he could feel mystra's embrace.

suddenly, loneliness tugs at his mind. it is an emotion that he was all too familiar with. years he spent locked in a tower trying to contain the destroyer inside. this was not his loneliness though, it had a different feel to it. then, fear. his expression softens as she looks at him. hoping she does not notice the flicker of gaze on her mouth and then back to her eyes. ❝ no need to thank me. you are welcome to ask me to teach you some more. another night perhaps? it would give me an excuse to find myself closer to you. ❞

@emfyred asked:

"that was . . . that was incredible." from gale

Beaming with pride, she looked towards the light that danced along her fingers. She always got excited when studying new magics, and this wasn't something her old teacher had taught her. " You should've seen me before the tadpole. " She mused, turning the blue light over in her hand.

" I created my own constructs. My own little gremlin's that I could control ... I could have any undead do what I told them too. " Reaching up, she cupped her palm around one of the bigger sparkles, half expecting it to burn her skin. Tail flicked idly behind her in thought; barely being aware of their linked connection through the weave.

She felt lonely. She missed her teacher. She felt ... scared, despite the smile she put on. " You're a good teacher, Gale. " She turned to face him, finally, pausing when she realized just how close they stood to each other. " I, um. Thank you. "

[emfyredarchived]

the temple, as broken and decayed as it was, still felt like a cage. to step on its grounds was a betrayal of her goddess. mistress of the night, forgive her. it did fill her with glee that the place was overrun by vermin and the lowest of beings. goblins had destroyed the place so it was fitting. still though, she felt something tugging at the back of her mind, something that was starting to make her feel sick. the wound on her hand glows and distracts her mind for a moment. pain took over the bones in her hand and then shot up her arm causing more bones to ache. when would she know relief? ❝ it hurts.. ❞ she proclaims quietly before turning her attention back to kaldar.

❝ i will explain it to the best of my ability. as long as you promise to keep an open mind. that curiosity of yours will be rewarded. ❞ she nods sharply and takes one last peek at the statue. shadowheart swiftly imagines herself in kaldar's shoes. his days were not filled with worship or the eagerness to do some act in order to impress the gods. perhaps that could be a blessing itself, one wouldn't think of themselves as a disappointment. ❝ have you no one to turn to when your faith slips, even faith in yourself? no voice speaks to you from beyond? i imagine that would feel.. lonely.❞

no matter how she suffered, at least it meant something. to feel sorrow or pain is wasteful without a reward. it sounds awful. ❝ we have strayed here long enough. we should keep moving. i do not want to be in here any longer than i have to be. ❞

"you look like you've got something to say."

Kaldar doesn't understand the gods. He's never prayed to them, never thought about them beyond the fact they exist, and that's all there's ever been to it. They weren't there for him, but nobody was, so there's no reason to be angry about what he can't control.

But that's only his experience. Shadowheart's, whatever it is, is different. He wonders up at the statue of Selûne, defaced and destroyed in her desecrated temple. There are things to be said about the whims of gods, about the way so many of them oppose one another and let their followers sort out their squabbles. He's too simple minded to have any sort of coherent thought about it, even if he thinks so hard it seems @emfyred even notices. He must have been glaring up at it for longer than he realizes; it must be time to move on.

Sharp blue eyes shift back to her, and, stoic as ever, Kaldar only shakes his head, a slight shrug of his shoulders. But even if his answer is no, he still speaks as he turns his back from the ruined idol, "Maybe one day you can explain it to me," he tries to temper his brusqueness, something he cannot help by product of never being afforded softness. "Because I don't get it."

[emfyredarchived]

due to brain rot, i will be here, here, & here for the time being.

[emfyredarchived]

the wilds were turning out to be surprisingly fruitful. animals and bandits alike were his for the taking. oh, how his mouth watered with anticipation. he's crouched down with sharp crimson eyes trained on the poor creature before him. the creature had no idea that he was near that he was going to tear it apart. as astarion lunges forward with fangs bared, the smell of someone approaching came to him before noting the noise of her footsteps.

❝ shit! ❞ the curse is said with a rather dramatic whine to it. hunger claws at the inside of his throat. he had been so close! ❝ perhaps next time i will announce it all to the camp so that you do not go stumbling stupidly where you shouldn't. ❞ it sounds as if he was angry at her, but truthfully, her presence was making it harder to concentrate. the beating of her pulse is a rhythm that could lure him in. usually, he will listen to it as he meditates for the night - normally the sound is soothing, but now it just drives him wild.

❝ now, darling, shooting it would take out all the fun of hunting. the creature thinks it has gotten away, but we will make it bleed. come! let us be after it quickly before my fangs wish to sink into your flesh. ❞ it was a little too late for that, but he likes to pretend that he is in control of himself.. when he had not been for many many years. the deer had not gotten too far yet, astarion chases it with glee upon his expression. it might be nice to have a partner, if only he didn't desire to drain her dry. ❝ i bet you i could kill it before you do. ❞

LARK OAKTHORN had been strolling through the outskirts of camp in the autumn lit trees she found peace in the chilly crisp air. Her parasite was silent in her skull; a small mercy if she knew one. Twilight was melting into dark VIOLET SKIES and yet sleep remained tauntingly out of reach.

The ambient sounds of the WILDERNESS brought a sense of peace as she strolled along, the flickering of fire bugs lighting her way. Her copper brown hair remained draped in bountiful waves long past her shoulders and down her back. Lost in her own thoughts; some meandered from the parasite in her head to FLEETING thoughts of her companions, many and vastly different from one another, Lark had come to know them all in due time. Just as she was about to take another step, out of the bustling bushes adjacent to her came a prancing deer leaping past her as if being pursued. Only then she did realized the animal was being chased by something. A blurred VISAGE of white curls caught her eye. Had she unknowingly stumbled onto a hunt? " Astarion." She spoke as a way of greeting. Slowly canting her head to the side she peered at her vampiric companion. A pang of guilt swelled in her chest. She must have accidentally interrupted what looked like would be a HEARTY meal for him. " Apologies, I didn't realize you were hunting." she watched him carefully, her face remaining ever taciturn. " Shall we pursue it? " she asked as she stepped forward. " I can shoot it down if it makes it easier? "

@emfyred liked for a starter.

[emfyredarchived]

isolation had become so easy to him, as he put his head in books and tara brought him magical items to consume. it would have been like that until he died of natural causes or the shard in his chest were to explode. he had not planned on meeting any of his current companions, and caring for them in the way that he does. the confession she gives startles him, creating an icy feeling to run down his spine. ❝ i did not know this. i am sorry. ❞ bastard.. how could he have left his unborn children and wife? if only gale were so lucky to have a family.. ❝ it seems as if you are better off without him.. if you don't mind me saying. ❞ the words left his mouth and he already wanted to shovel them back in. gods, will this awkward feeling ever fade?

a smile forms along his lips at the promise made. it was a pretty thought, to always have her by his side, but he refused to be the reason why she may die. a hand comes up to take hers, the one that is placed against his arm. he brings her hand up and turns it around gently, fingertips tracing the pattern at her palm. ❝ your death would be the end for me. i dare not speak it into existence. ❞ neither of them knew who was listening to this conversation or if anyone was. ❝ i thank you for your devotion. you must know, it is returned. you must. i would not allow anything to happen to you. ❞

@emfyred asked: "i'm scared of ending up alone." from gale ( LOST MEME )

⧼ ☾✦ ⸻ his voice echoed inside her mind when he said those words, a sigh from her nose was her reply, as she sat next to the wizard. a silence that wasn't awkward overcame the two of them. she had a lot to say to him, but so little at the same time. ❝ you know, my first love was murdered. ❞ she confessed. ❝ ⸻ he left behind me and our two unborn children who were still growing my womb at the time. that fear you have i understand it. ❞ she looked up to the stars that twinkled in the sky.

❝ you're stronger than you think you are. ❞ her eyes found his, staring into the soft brown eyes of the human, she gave him a caring smile as she placed her hand upon his bicep giving him a gentle squeeze. ❝ and i promise you this now gale, i'll be with you every step of your journey, the good, the bad and the ugly ... ⸻ i won't allow you to walk this world alone, even if it kills me. ❞ ⧽

[emfyredarchived]

❝ perhaps, you do not need one at all. ❞ he huffs, and states in a matter-of-fact tone, as if it were so plain to see. ❝ shar treated you like garbage and whose to say that the next one won't do the same? gods have little care for their worshippers and abandon them when it suits their agenda. ❞ it had not been his intention to delve too deep into this conversation, but here they were. his tone is bitter and upset as he continues, ❝ i know what good faith can do. it will amount to nothing.. ❞ all those years spent crying out, praying for someone to release him from cazador's hold. he would pray nightly before the sun rise and got nothing in return. not even a stirring response. ❝ the only one you can trust is yourself. oh, and me, of course. i have nothing but the best intentions for you. ❞

he pauses, words at the tip of his tongue, not sure he should speak any longer. the vampire's expression softens and he lowers his voice so only she could hear. ❝ you deserve better. you are so beautiful and passionately devoted. perhaps, give that loyalty to someone who appreciates it and awards you well, darling. ❞ there's a teasing in his tone as crooked grin flashes one of his fangs. ❝ how about we forget all this nonsense, hmm? talking around in circles will accomplish nothing. action will. when you act, i will be there. ❞

@emfyred sent: ❝ If your god is so delicate, maybe you should get a new one. ❞

Among the things she thinks might happen today, his walking intentionally into a discussion of faith ( or lack thereof ) isn't very high on the list. If the two of them had blundered into this some time ago - say, when they'd been scraping by in the wilds and scarcely had known a thing of one another, much less if they could be trusted with each other's lives - she wouldn't have had more than a sharp tongue for their resident vampire. Here, though, her silence is only her consideration, and the look she wields his way is only to gauge the sentiment, the gravity behind this.

"That was almost insightful. I'd say I was already in the market for a new one, but I don't know if that's entirely true, either." Her tone is light, the air of someone discussing the shape of a passing cloud; she feels anything but that when she lingers on it for too long. All that was taken, stolen, hidden, distorted. A lifetime of torment, of agony, distilled to the space of a heartbeat when she had tried to flee after the others. For all she has forgotten, never this. Ever. "Preaching to the choir, I suppose. You've made your stance on the divine known before, with good reason."

[emfyredarchived]

it was rare for anyone to raise a hand to her and not strike next. as karlach cups shadowheart's chin in her hand, it takes strong will not to pull away. not because she didn't like the touch.. in fact it was quite nice. still, her muscles tense and she audibly protests with sounds of sighing and huffing. shadowheart could pull away and tell the other to leave her alone. she could do that and possibly break off a bit of karlach's gentle heart. the woman before her was so complex, so surprising.. she wanted to know more about her current healer, but didn't know what to ask without bringing up memories she knows that karlach would rather forget. she was free now. well, except for the tadpoles in their heads, but karlach wouldn't go back to avernus. shadowheart would make sure of it.

the other calls her pretty, and something giddy rises in her chest. it was a sickening feeling and far too sweet. shadowheart's eyes wander over the other's expression, landing on her lips before looking back to her eyes. they were a beautiful color that reminded her of the flames that used to encompass karlach's entire form. ❝ someone has got to save your ass while you try to save everyone else. i will put my pretty face wherever i want to, especially if it means protecting you.. but, fine, i suppose if you are worried then i will be less enthusiastic to jump in the fray. ❞ she sighs once more. ❝ i don't have many friends.. but i'd like to think that you are becoming one of them? ❞

🗡 @torntruth › continued

[emfyredarchived]

BALDUR'S GATE III

[emfyredarchived]

the weight on her shoulders could be carried by thousands of strong men, and even they would not be enough to hold it back. some days she drowns in it in the memories of being an attack dog for zauriel and her experiment to do whatever she wished with. today is.. one of those days. it feels like she cannot come up for air. the muscles of her chest constricting and making it a little harder to breathe. dammon's words replaying in her head on a loop. her infernal engine heart runs too hot. he was merely able to pull back the flames, to give a moment of respite. touch, she could touch again! also, she's sitting near a bad ass warrior who she admires greatly. this should be cause for celebration, but damn these thoughts! when told to sit, karlach follows the order immediately, and notices that she does not have to sit too far away. next time she saw dammon, she was gonna kiss him!

❝ even if there were, i'd still take a cup if you offered it. hell, you could hand over a deadly poison and i might chug away at it. i trust you. ❞ as cup is offerred, she takes it and takes a big gulp. it does start to calm her nerves a bit as she sipped on it. ❝ the beginning.. oh gods, the beginning.. my life was in the hells, literally. i had no true friends that wouldn't stab me in the back if i turned around. ❞ she shook her head sadly, eyes falling onto the flames before them. ❝ i had nothing back then. now, i have everything i could want. i have something to lose and that.. that frightens me. if zauriel marched into this camp right now, i wouldn't go easy. i can't go back. i just can't. ❞ there's a lump in her throat as she swallows, taking a small glance at the woman beside her. ❝ i know we have bigger fish to fry, but i can't stop thinking about the ending. what if we do figure this out and cure ourselves? where would i go then? hells, if we lose.. i don't even want to think about it. all i know is i want to be more than i was.. more than zuriel hoped i would be. does that make any sense? ❞

@emfyred sent: ❝ I want to feel safe again. ❞

These are words spoken by someone with a burden to carry, a wretched tomb made for her by another's disregard. The Harper does not have to summon any great desire to share in the weight. Their resident hellion, so full promise and joy, is an infectious spark - and even were she not, she is still owed no less than her own life.

"Come. Sit. We drink. There are no extracts or essences hidden in the depths of these cups. You have my word."

Already, the older woman tips the kettle, twin servings of tea. Handpicked during calmer days, it is still more water than it is soothing herbs, the sort of arrangement that might keep longer on the road, where supplies have a tendency to stretch thin. With her other hand, she gestures to the chair across from hers, a further invitation if need be.

"The night is young, and my attention is undivided. Let us speak on what troubles you, hm?" Even should she have her ideas, it is always best told than assumed in her experience. "Perhaps it would be easiest if we start from the beginning."

[emfyredarchived]

once, death had its claws dug into him as he lay on blood-soaked floor. it tried to take him but a figure of shadow stole away death's prize and made him immortal. the topic of death is rather touchy with him, even if, technically, his heart no longer beats. he fears death as anyone would - especially since he had bridged to the other side and found nothing but blackness. there was no eternal peace. perhaps, because he was wicked and undeserving or because the religious cultists lie to the public. both were plausible.

❝ then, i suggest we find another way around, darling. one slip on these wet rocks and i will have to fish you out of the river. do be careful. ❞ he watches her movements, a look of subtle concern on his expression. ❝ are you able to keep going? this is not the best place to camp, but it certainly beats watching you succumb to exhaustion. karlach is the only one who can carry you and i do not believe you would like singed clothing. ❞

𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

@emfyred asked: "as long as you don't mind dying, sure." from astarion

"I do mind, actually." It did not seem that way sometimes, with the reckless things she got up to, but still; she did not want to die. That was why she fought so hard, why she tried to stay optimistic despite everything thrown at them so far. "I don't want you dying either... again...?" Seeing as, technically, she supposed, he was already dead.

[emfyredarchived]

scars used to be hideous to him.. well his scar was at least. on some others, it may even make them more attractive. though, if he thought about it for too long, astarion could still feel the blade that cazador used in order to carve into his skin. phantom pains run up his spine and causes his expression to contort for one moment. it is a flicker, and there is no telling if she saw it or not. hopefully, she was much too transfixed on his gentle fingertips. he applies no pressure as he follows the jagged edges of her skin. crimson curious eyes wondering what had happened. scars and markings they all told stories. his was that he was taken advantage of and made into a slave. not exactly the most compelling story. it was tragedy more than anything and made the taste in his mouth sour. oh, how the poets would delight over his suffering as they transformed it into song. if that were to happen, he hopes they would not leave out one of the hero of his story feyna.

there's a subtle quirk of his lips as he pulls back his hand, but does not move away from her. ❝ if you wished to get naked with me, darling, all you had to do was ask. ❞ the flirtatious tone comes easily from his lips as he has had decades of experience. ❝ though i am not opposed, i would like to know the story behind this one first. sate my curiosity, will you? ❞

Send me "&" for my muse's reaction to yours tracing one of their scars.

@emfyred & astarion

The moment his fingertips came into contact with the scar near her left eye, Feyna flinched but did not pull away. She froze up, furrowing her brow at Astarion beside her, trying to read his expression and failing. That scar so dangerously close to her eye was simply her only visible one whilst clothed. The rest of her scars were hidden, painted across each part of her body from various battles and misadventures. There was no shame in them and yet she could not help her bodily reaction to her scars being touched. It had been quite a long time since she had been subject to it and to be subject to such gentle touch. Too often touch was followed by pain.

Astarion graced his fingertips along the scar, from the tip that started at her temple and down to her cheekbone, following its path slowly.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Feyna asked, voice a little dry. "There are more, if you're curious, though I would need to undress first."

[emfyredarchived]

SUNWEAVES; marcella sunweaver. baldur's gate 3 cleric of lathander oc. open to other fandoms. 18+ / doc / ©