#( everything changed when the birds came

[ellecdc]

pls tell me u will write a part 2 for not alone?🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

took me a while to get this to feel cohesive (also couldn't decide for the longest time what I wanted the outcome to be for a few people so that took a while to figure out) and I'm still not 100% sure it reads cohesively but I hope you all like it <3

poly!marauders x fem!reader who they are 'worried' about...whatever that means [2.2k words]

part 1 | part 2

CW: hostage situation, attempted overtaking of camp, brief and hardly noticeable implied suggestion of SA, death of minor and unnamed character, blood, injury, Sirius being an arrogant son of a bitch even when his life is at risk

You have quickly come to realise why the boys chose this location to set up camp since agreeing to stay with them.

It was in a rural, secluded area with a small population prior to the End Of The World As You Knew It which left it almost next to empty now, but it was still in walking distance of a small town with various shops that they could pilfer when they began running low on supplies.

There was a creek about half a kilometre behind the barn that they could use to collect drinking water and also to bathe and wash their clothes.

And need to bathe and wash your clothes did you ever. 

So, whilst “keeping an eye on the encampment” (which was really just a polite translation of none of the boys trusting you enough with their safety to bring you along on a run into town), you opted to head down to the creek to clean up. 

The water was freezing, but you breathed through the pain in your toes and fingers as you waded into the water, reminding yourself that feeling pain meant you were alive - that you were still here. 

You used to fear pain - before - but now you almost craved it; now you found comfort in the discomfort, knowing that it meant you had survived another day. 

Soon enough your body acclimated to the cool, running water and you submerged yourself into the deepest part to let the steady flow wash away the layers of grime, dirt, and sweat that you were likely covered in. 

There was a time in your life you probably would have felt rather horrified that three very attractive men had seen you in such a state - but it seemed that there was no room for vanity or ego in an apocalypse.

Once you were cold enough that you were sure you had squiggle lines surrounding your being like an old cartoon character, you used a rock to scrub at your clothes, feeling (though cold) quite peaceful as you listened to the trickling water and various birds singing around you. 

You laid your soaked clothes on a boulder in the sun to dry and pulled on a second set of clothes - or rather, your only other set of clothes. You wondered for a moment if you should have more - how many sets of clothes should one have in an apocalypse? You couldn’t bear the thought of having to carry around a third change of clothes, so came to the conclusion that you were fine with just the two.

You were interrupted in your musings when you heard your name being shouted. 

“James?” You called back, hastily finishing tying your shoes before grabbing your gun. 

But it was Sirius you saw first, sprinting through the bushes and staring at you with a mixture of dread and outrage. 

“Is everything okay?” You asked him as he stalked towards you. 

“Where the fuck were you?!” He barked instead of answering, looking like he was just itching to grab you roughly by your shoulders.

“I- what? I was here? What happened? Is everything okay?” You continued, not moving your eyes from the fuming man in front of you as you heard James and Remus step through the bushes Sirius had just come bursting through. 

“No, everything is not okay; the fuck were you thinking just taking off and not saying anything!?” He berated you.

“Pads.” Remus warned carefully; slightly breathless from chasing the long-haired man over to you. 

“You’re a fucking piece of work.” Sirius spat with finality before turning and shouldering his way past Remus and James, disappearing through the bushes on his way towards the barn.

“Was the trip not successful?” You asked quietly once you could no longer hear Sirius storming away. 

“No… it was.” James offered cautiously. 

“He was just… worried about you, dove.” Remus placated.

You shot him an unimpressed glare. “He was worried about me, not about me.” You muttered back, shoving your gun back into your bag and running your fingers through your wet hair that was leaving damp patches on your shirt. “If you guys don’t want me here, just say so, but if you’re going to keep me around you’re going to have to start trusting me.”

“We do trust you.” James argued, causing you to scoff derisively as you slung your bag over your shoulder.

“Not enough to join anyone on excursions! And not enough to take a night-watch shift alone; but sure, add taking a fucking bath to the list of things you definitely trust me to do.”

You didn’t wait for a response before you were stalking back to the barn, leaving your clothes behind to dry for the rest of the afternoon. 

You were just about to push through the slightly open door (none too gently, either, mind you) when you heard Sirius’ voice.

“There’s no one else; I’m alone.” 

Ice cold dread seeped into your bones as you held your breath in wait for a response.

“Are ya now?” A cocky voice taunted. “This seems like quite the setup for one bloke.”

You crept along the edge of the barn until you found a hole you could peek through.

Sirius was kneeling with his hands up in surrender whilst three men stood before him - one man loomed over him and the other two formed a blockade between him and the barn door as well as the stairs to the loft. 

“What can I say?” Sirius countered. “I’m quite the bloke.”

The man currently interrogating Sirius was apparently not interested in his haughty quips and slammed the butt of his rifle into Sirius’ jaw, causing him to fall over.

You quickly looked over your shoulder, ears straining to see if you could hear Remus or James following you back, and you prayed to a God that you weren’t even sure you believed in anymore that they had decided to stay at the creek to give the two of you a chance to cool down. 

You crept back along the side of the building slowly before pulling yourself up the ladder to the hay hood that Remus had put up as an emergency exit. 

You could kiss that brilliant, brilliant man right on the mouth for it now. 

You crouched low and snuck over to look beyond the edge of the loft; the man with the rifle was the only one with a firearm from what you could see, the other two men holding only a crowbar and machete. 

You silently opened your rucksack, pulled your gun out and put a knife between your teeth as you edged closer to the beams so you were effectively standing directly atop of the man currently looming over top of Sirius.

“I’m not gonna ask you again, where the fuck are the others?” He spat at him.

“We heard the lot of you arguing - we could just finish you off and go looking for them, if that’s what you prefer.” One of the cronies added tauntingly.

“You’d be looking for an awful long time.” Sirius grunted as he spat blood out from his mouth. “Seeing as I’m alone.” 

“Stop fucking lying.” The interrogator barked as he landed a kick to Sirius’ ribs. “Pretentious or not, one bloke doesn’t need four sleeping bags.” 

“How do you know I, hmph,  didn’t find it like this?” Sirius choked out as he rolled onto his back where he spotted you in the rafters. 

You brought your finger to your lips, and Sirius let his head roll back towards the guy so as to not alert him to your presence. 

You watched as one of the guys - the one with the machete - started poking around the makeshift kitchen area, and the other moved towards the door to keep watch.

Taking the split attention of the group to your advantage, you waited for Sirius to look back up at you before you jumped from the rafters.

Sirius rolled out of the way just before you landed on the interrogator, the two of you crashing to the ground - though you were the only one prepared for the impact - causing the rifle to slip out of his grasp which you kicked towards Sirius. 

You slipped the knife from between your teeth and held it against the interrogators throat and pointed your gun at the machete wielding man, firing a shot which hit him in the right shoulder. 

The man with the crowbar who had been stationed near the door made for you when Sirius shot the rifle, the bullet grazing the man's thigh and bringing him to his knees. 

Your ears rang when an elbow met your temple right before a fist connected with your mouth as the interrogator forced you off of him. 

“Is this why you were lying?” The man spat as he stood above you. “Trying to keep this thing all to yourse-”

Sirius shot the rifle again, silencing the interrogator for good as he fell to the ground with a thud. 

Apparently, the machete wielding man didn’t deign to wait around and see how things played out after you’d shot him in the shoulder and had fucked back off from whence he came, so you and Sirius pointed your firearms at the last man still standing (or… you know, breathing at least) who seemed to have the sense to raise his hands in surrender. 

Remus and James appeared at the barn door, then - both winded from clearly having run at the sound of shots being fired - to find the two of you holding the remaining captor captive.

“Nice of you to come by, boys.” Sirius joked as he lowered the rifle with a pained groan now that Remus and James each had a weapon pointed at the attempted usurper. 

“What the fuck just happened?” Remus barked as he took in the body on the ground and the state of each of you at the same time James murmured “we thought you were firing at each other”. 

“Oh, take a wild guess.” Sirius muttered bitterly, hissing in pain as he lowered himself into a chair. 

“How many were you?” Remus barked at the man, sounding so unlike himself that it actually made you flinch.

“Fo-four, four of us and a 12 year-old. Us…three and then a woman and the child stayed back.” He responded quickly. 

“From around here?” James continued.

“No…passing through.”

Remus looked up from him to share a look with Sirius; a well practiced silent conversation passing between the two of them.

“Keep fucking moving then.” Remus gruffed as he grabbed the bloke by the collar of his shirt and threw him out the door.

Your - for all intents and purposes - home fell eerily silent then, save the sound of your attempted assailant’s leg dragging along the gravel road as he stumbled away from the barn.

“You alright?” Remus asked finally as he let out a breath.

“Fine, moons. Never better.” Sirius muttered.

You were too busy watching the blood pooling around the interrogators body to realise your companions were waiting for your response. 

You looked up at the lingering silence to see all of their eyes on you.

“M’fine.” You offered.

James hummed in acknowledgement, though you could sense disbelief in his tone. “Rem and I will get rid of him, okay? Please try not to get into any more altercations whilst we’re gone?” He tried to joke, but there was a lingering anxiety in his voice as he and Remus began wrapping the body up in a blue tarp.

“Do not go to sleep until we’re back; either of you.” Remus added before muttering something under his breath about concussions and how someone not concussed ought to be on watch in case they come back, except “they” was replaced with “those” and then some Welsh word that you were sure was simply very unflattering. 

Once they had left, you and Sirius sat in silence as you both grappled with what had just happened, and alternatively, what had just almost happened. 

You weren’t sure what you might have looked like - though the metallic taste of your teeth let you know that you at the very least had a busted lip - but Sirius’ jaw where the rifle had hit him was already turning a purple colour, his chin was scraped and bleeding from hitting the concrete flooring, and he had a protective hand placed over the ribs that were kicked. 

You wordlessly placed a bowl of water in front of Sirius before moving to your seat with your own bowl to clean the blood from your persons.

You could feel his eyes trained on you as you wiped away blood that was staining your face; likely equal parts your own and someone else's. 

“Don’t go down to the river alone… please.” You heard him say quietly suddenly, feeling your eyes roll to the back of your head as you let your two arms fall from their tasks. 

“Are you still on this? Haven’t I proven my trustworthiness yet? Honestly, I-”

“It’s not safe.” Sirius interrupted; a strange look crossing his face as his brows furrowed at you. “It’s not safe.” He repeated, quieter this time. 

He stood abruptly then; abandoning his bowl of water and grabbing a pack of cigarettes before disappearing around the side of the barn for a smoke. 

Oh.

So apparently he had been worried about you, not about you.

And though you really wanted to feel embarrassed that they had picked anything like that out for you, you also couldn’t help but notice that a new jumper, trousers, and some knickers had been folded and placed on your sleeping bag for you.

[qiwoomi]

gender reveal

gojo x fem! pregnant reader

established relationship (married), fluff, comfort, pregnancy, overall just gojo being the best hubby, not proofread so it might be cringe, inspired from a video I came across

The weather was nice, a perfect day for a picnic.

And what's better is the fact that you can finally spend time alone with the love of your life, Gojo Satoru.

He does most of the work, setting up the mat, making sure to put another on them to make sure that you're comfortable as he knows how much you hate feeling the prickly grass under you.

"Do you want me to help?" You muttered softly, sitting on a foldable chair as you watch admire Satoru. He flashed a charming smile at you, finally done with everything as he approaches you. "My pretty baby shouldn't lift a hand at all, having you here is already enough." He kissed your ring finger, making you fall over him again.

You slightly pout, before he gently pull you up from the chair, his hand behind your back as he guides you to sit on the mat. "It's not a big deal though, I can do it still." I mumbled, as Satoru opened the basket to reveal various type of food.

"It's a big deal for me." He chuckled, carefully taking out the food out of the basket as he pressed a chaste kiss on your lips.

Comfortable silence lingered for a while, as you observed the nature around you. The birds singing, the winds breeze, the scent of nature around you, and most importantly your husband. Your hand caressed your stomach, as your eyes landed on the cake that Satoru just take out.

"Ohoho, I didn't know you brought us a cake." He mused, licking the cream from his finger as you lightly swatted his hand. "Well that, I haven't tell you for a reason." You muttered, as Satoru turned his attention to you.

"Hm, what is it about baby?" He cooed, noticing the slight change in your tone.

"Remember when I talked about doing a gender reveal?" You start, as Satoru hummed at your words. "Well, it's today." You blurt out, waiting for his reaction. It took a while for your words to click, as Satoru beamed at the announcement.

"Really?! Aww love, you could've tell me though I would want to help you." He kissed your cheek, as you brought out two glasses for the occasion. "Sorry, I just thought that it would be more intimate if we do gender reveal just between us..." You sniffled, hormones kicking in.

The sight of his wife crying makes him feel sorry, as he brings you closer to his chest while you sobbed. "No baby, it's fine. I was just surprised is all. I agree that it would be better if it's just for the two of us." He comforted, as he wiped away your tears.

He offered a smile at you, your tears calming down. "Now let's do it yeah? I can't wait to find out." He pressed another kiss on your forehead, making you smile at him.

"Okay... Here, we should scoop the glass on the cake and whatever color we got is going to be the gender." You explained, handing him the glass as you countdown from 3.

Satoru decided to close his eyes, scooping the cake and opened his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed at the color. "Yellow?" He muttered, looking at you as your eyes started tearing up again.

"No, it was supposed to be either pink or blue." You mumbled, tearing up at the fact that you messed up. This is a very important moment, and somehow you managed to mess up the coloring. It was supposed to be pink.

Satoru frowned at your distress, calming you down by caressing your hair as he hugs you. "Hey, it's okay baby. There's nothing wrong with it." He whispered in your ear, consoling you through your dissappointment. "I tried my best." You cried, as Satoru only wiped the tears from your beautiful face.

"There there, I know you did baby." He softly cooed, letting you cry your heart out. "We could do it another way you know? Maybe you can feed me either blueberries or strawberry while I close my eye, do you want it?" He suggested, calming you down as you nodded at him.

"Okay..." You mumbled through puffy eyes, it was a shame that your hormone got the best of you today, out of any other day. "Alright baby, I'm closing my eyes. Blueberry is boy and strawberry is going to be girl okay?" He reassured as he starts to close his eyes while you nod.

You start picking a strawberry from on top of the cake, feeding him as you smiled, waiting for his reaction. He munched on them for a good few, as he finally opened his eyes and hug you.

"We're having a girl?!" He exclaimed, pulling you into his embrace as he beamed at you, a wide smile on his face. You happily nodded at him, as he peppered kisses all over you face at the confirmation.

"My love, thank you so much! I love you so much." He chuckled, happy at the reveal. He knew it. He knew he was going to be a girl dad.

"I love you too... I feed you two strawberries you know.. " You added, hinting at something as it finally clicked on him.

"Oh. My. God! We're having twins as well?" He exclaimed, which makes you giddy as you smiled widely at him, nodding at him.

"My wife, I'm the luckiest man ever." He dramatically declared as he give you another kiss, long enough to render you speechless.

The picnic ended full of affections. It is the start of your journey in building life together with him, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

author's note: sorry if I'm not actively uploading stuffs, I figured that I shouldn't force myself to write when I don't want to and instead make it like a hobby of mine. :) i don't want to burn myself out again (because that had happened b4)

© @qiwoomi

est. 300524

do not copy, translate or repost my work.

[miranyx1337]

Alastor x Reader

,,FEATHER ’’

Tags: fluff (for now ) enemies to lovers, kissing, being protective, cuddles, sleeping problems, flirting, possesive reader is an angel, fem reader

so enjoy this angel y/n x Alastor fanfiction.

The portal was just about to shout when I decided to pull my wrist away from my mother's gentle hand. The rush of my wings echoed through the abyss as I plummeted into the darkness. I closed my eyes. The desperate scream of my name immediately faded into nothingness as I came to hell just after lucifer daughter.

Dizziness enveloped me as I opened my eyes to a realm of strangers, their curious, disgusted, and unsettlingly smiling gazes fixed upon me. Only two faces seemed familiar, and a sinking realization of the dire situation I was in gripped my soul.

~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

Alastor anticipated the return of two birds from heaven. Little did he expect that they would bring an unexpected guest. The thought of joking about a change in hotel profession crossed his mind. But the gravity of the moment silenced any trivial remarks.

As the clear blue eyes peered at him above shiny white hair, a sensation of swallowing saliva overcame him.

A true guest from heaven," he mused, his emotions were a complex blend of deep admiration and an unspoken desire to shatter this celestial beauty. The finest trophy he could ever possess.

He extended his hand towards the luminous figure

~☆~☆~☆~☆~☆~

Y/N POV

I ignored a demonic hand reaching out to me. With one swift movement of my wings, I found myself at the other end of the room. As I stood on my feet and the momentary adrenaline faded, sharp pain get through me. I landed on my knees, slightly dazed.

"My wing is broken."

Since childhood, I couldn't help but admire my six wings, always well-groomed and shining, my trademark. Now, the upper ones drooped, broken in half. Snowy-white feathers, wincing in pain as more of them fell off.

I won't lick my wounds quickly, which means I won't return home anytime soon.

The exiled daughter ran up to me, and I leaned on her shoulder. She and the white-haired one were probably the only ones I could trust.

"Listen, I don't know if they will come for me, but you need to know something."

I directed my gaze at the nearby onlookers, demons staring at me as if I were a freak, and creature of sin. Red, smiling eyes pierced through me, and I couldn't look away. The demon looked at his outstretched hand, then withdrew it behind him, seemingly surprised. Smiling nonchalantly, he spoke, "Don't worry. You can trust everyone in this room."

"No. Please, let's go to another room." I looked desperately at her, squeezing the forearm with my pale hands.

"Alright, then," she nodded, gripping my arm tighter. "And you guys, prepare a bandage, something to drink, and... call my father."

As soon as the door closed behind us, I began searching the room when I felt clawed fingers on my shoulders, instantly turning me around.

"Can you trust me, please?"

"Fine."

"Okay, FIRST, why did you do that? Did they make you spy?"

"Listen, Charlie," I said, now I'm the one holding her shoulders. "You're right. There is an evidence that souls can be redeemed."

Disbelief was painted at her angelic-demonic face. She analysed my words and sincerity. "Adam. He wasn't originally in heaven. I don't know how he got a pass, but I have undeniable evidence that he originally ended up here."

Suddenly, everything made sense, and the girl connected the dots. Still, with wide eyes, she stared at me.

"So, that's why," she stuttered.

"Yes, it would be a disaster if it turned out the first redeemed soul didn't deserve it. He'll try to hide the truth in every way, even if it means bringing hell down …. and killing me.

Tears welled up in my eyes. How did I get involved in this? I should never have ended up here, let alone conspiring against heaven. I was no longer safe there.

Tiny arms with the smell of sulfur and angelic musk embraced me. Exhausted, I let tears flow down my cheeks. It's a shame I didn't notice the nosy egg tucked under the bed and the radio demon standing right behind the door holding a sinful kiss on a small shiny feather

[angel-of-the-moons]

Ballet dancer reader x khonshu who tries to be his mysterious scary self and the reader just WHIPS her leg up to uppercut his head and crack his skull. Khonshu grabs her leg at the last second and he’s VERY surprised as she looks him DEAD in the eye, “I will FUCK you up. My ballet teacher has been a Russian matriarch since I was 5. You can’t scare me, bitch”. And khonshu’s just “Well mark me down as nervous AND horny!!”

I fucking cackled at this it's so fucking gorgeous

I changed it up a bit for comedic effect but asfghhkkll

Old Birds and New Tricks

Khonshu x Fem!Dancer!Reader

TW/CW: Attempted mugging, reader is a badass, Khonshu pops a boner for the first time in like ever, but nothing explicit happens :)

A/N: I figured you'd get a kick outta this one @drinkingwithkhonshu @juneknight because I'm on the floor with it lmao

🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑

You were walking home after a long practice session, your toes and legs ached from straining to stay on your tippy toes for so long, your arms cried for relief from the strain of holding the bar, performing so many sweeps and graceful flares alongside your troupe and mentor.

Your mentor, Katja Ivanov was a good teacher and a harsh mentor. She was a hulk of a woman, roped with muscles built over her long period of performing dance (you yourself thought she must have been in prison at some point, too but when you shot the question as a joke she merely laughed; but didn't deny it).

Katja was a woman who took no shit from rude people, and she instilled that in all of you, her dancers, her "baby birds" she called you. She made sure that all of you knew that just because you were dancers, people couldn't take you for granted.

So, after "official" dance practice had ended... Katja taught all of you how to use your strength and flexibility to defend yourselves as well as perform graceful maneuvers.

And it came in handy. Really, really handy.

London was dangerous after dark, the empty streets crawling with bad things in the shadows, like an infection beneath the skin.

That was how you found yourself in an alley, a large drunk man between you and freedom.

You were no quitter, no coward, and instantly, like a computer scanning a file, your brain recollected each one of Katja's lessons and put them into action.

Your body flushed with fresh adrenaline, your heart hammering within the confines of your chest as you whipped around on one foot, your other flying out to kick your assailant in his gut, knocking him back and making him dry heave with the strain.

"I told you, asshole." You hissed, bringing your fists up to guard your face.

"All I got in my bag is my gear. Now piss off before I break your jaw."

"Fuckin'... bitch." The man wheezed as he stumbled out of the alleyway, leaving you behind and feeling the high of victory.

You pick up your bag where you dropped it and slipped the strap back over your chest, the band squishing a bit between your breasts as you tightened it.

"Amusing." A deep, raspy voice mused.

You whipped around, trying in vain to locate the source of the voice. It came from nowhere, but at the same time... it came from everywhere.

"I was merely passing through when I thought to aid you, human." It spoke again, your very bones trembling as the voice bored into your very brain.

"But you seem to have been able to handle that threat on your own."

You pressed your ears hard beneath your hands, gritting your teeth at the invasive feeling the voice left as it crawled in and out of you.

"God! Just--get out of my head!" You say through your gnashed teeth.

You hear an exasperated sigh, and you feel the air shift around you as you lift your gaze, your eyes trailing the body of someone who just appeared in front of you.

He looked like a cliché monster from one of The Mummy movies, draped in linen and flowy robes and everything. The freakin' bird skull completed the freaky visage.

"The hell--" You sputter, dropping your hands from around your ears, taking a step back from the... the thing in front of you.

"Seeing you handle an opponent so large was amusing." He--and you were most certain that he was a he--chuckled grimly. "A tiny little waif like you."

Okay, you didn't care how big and imposing this otherworldly bastard was, the fact he was jabbing at your stature and visual "weaknesses" irked you. You could swear you heard Katja's voice from over your shoulder.

"Kick his ass, да, маленький?" She would jeer.

"You... think I'm... small?" You say slowly, your eyes narrowing to a dangerous glint as he leans in, the smell of the spices clinging to his body wafting into your nose, heat radiating from his lithe body as he bent to your level.

You were giving him a chance to walk it back, maybe apologize for being a judgmental prick, so you wouldn't have to prove once again that you were just the opposite.

He did not.

"You are not as weak as you appear... Little one." He huffed, his head moving in a slight jerking motion, indicating his amusement.

Yeah, no. You had enough of big assholes thinking you were easy pickin's tonight.

You smiled sweetly up at him, your expression completely devoid of any innocence behind the mask of charm. You could see his shoulders drop and head tilt in confusion, but he was given not another moment longer to ponder why you would be smiling.

He expected you to retort, to snap, to--his thoughts were immediately cut off, as you moved in a blur.

Because you effortlessly raised your leg with lightning speed brought on by years of practice, and curled your foot in the classic ballerina's stance and kicked him in his stupid ass beak.

When your shoe made contact, you swore you heard the dry bones crunch as he stumbled back, almost falling flat on his ass before he caught himself with his staff, a grunt coming away from him.

Your hands gripped your bag strap as you looked down at him indignantly, a sense of smug superiority washing over you.

"Not as weak as you thought, now, huh?" You huffed victoriously, before turning on your heels and storming out of the alley.

Khonshu, the god of the Moon, dispenser of Justice and protector of those in the night...

...was just kicked in the face by a tiny woman.

And she actually did manage to crack his bones. They healed almost instantly, of course, thanks to his divinity.

But what didn't heal was his pride as he kneeled in the dirty alley, leaning on his staff for support as he watched you leave.

The look in your eyes, the power behind your legs... It was like the sun came up early and rose with your kick, to wash out the cool light of his moon with the harsh burning rays of daylight.

And it left him stunned. Stunned in a way no mortal has ever been able to.

And, frankly, he found his body responding in... other ways, too. Ways he hadn't indulged in what felt like... eons.

He was a god, yes, but divinity doesn't automatically grant piousness; and he found himself imagining you using your legs in a different way.

Had Khonshu a human mouth, he would be smiling.

He needed to see you again.

🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑🌑

да (pronounced da) = Yes

маленький (pronounced malen'kiy) = Little One

(Forgive me if it's butchered, I used Google translate for it asdfghjkl)

[camille-lachenille]

Star-daughter 1/?

Part1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

* When Elwing jumps, she knows it isn’t only her own life she is taking, but what other choice is there? If it makes her a kinslayer she doesn’t care. Not really.

* Being changed hurts. It splits her bones, stretches her skin and reshapes her insides. But she lives, and so does the little spark in her.

* Eärendil cries when she tells him of the sack of Sirion; he weeps for their sons and she weeps along him. Then Elwing tells him of the life they can still save, and this time Eärendil’s tears are of happiness.

* The choice isn’t really a choice. It is a new beginning offered to her, a chance to once more rebuild a life for her and Eärendil, and maybe this time they will see their child grow up together.

* Elwing cries in her tower at the edge of the world, looking up at her husband’s ship sailing the skies. She cannot fly to him by now, her body too changed to risk another change. Each night, she climbs the stairs up to the top of her tower, a hand supporting her heavy belly, and looks at the Silmaril’s light until her eyes hurt.

* She is not fully alone for, one day, a golden-haired Elflord and a giant hound came to her door, arms full of presents and brimming with friendship. Elwing let them in and they made themselves at home.

* Huan hunts and Finrod cooks; dishes she has never heard of, dishes from Doriath and the folk of Bëor from lands that no longer exist.

* Elwing hurts, in body and soul, but her new friends soothe the pain and loneliness. She sleeps curled against Huan’s warm and furry side, his snout protectively resting on her belly. Her child won’t be alone.

* She gives birth the night after Eärendil left again after a too brief reprieve from his doom, and names her daughter Elrodel, star-princess.

* The babe is her father’s portrait, all golden locks, blue eyes and dimpled smile. Each night, Elwing climbs up the stairs and shows her daughter the course of Vingilot.

* Finrod is besotted with Elrodel, telling her a thousand stories and more, giving her more gifts Elwing knows what to do with. Elrodel is likely taken by Finrod and wails whenever he is gone for too long.

* Huan looks over Elrodel too, let her ride on his back and teaching her all there is to know about the local wildlife.

* Elrodel’s first word is mama, and Elwing smiles not to burst into tears. Then Elrodel turns to Finrod with her beaming, dimpled smile and says “Da!”

* Elwing flees the room. She runs up up up the stairs, to the last level of her tower. There she collapses amidst the birds and sobs until her eyes burn and her throat aches. A gull pecks at her hair.

* When she comes down, Elrodel is babbling in that language of hers, showing her toys to Huan. Finrod nods gently at Elwing; his eyes are red rimmed despite his smile. “She will learn to call me uncle, eventually,” he says. Elwing nods in return and picks her daughter up, retiring early for the day.

* Elrodel is one year old when Eärendil is granted another reprieve. Elwing waits for him on the pier leading to the edge of the world, their daughter securely held in her arms. Finrod went to stay with his family south, in Alqualondë, and Huan is roaming the wild hills.

* Eärendil is changed. He is thinner and almost shimmers in certain lights. Elrodel shies away from his calloused hands and prickly cheeks, and it takes Elwing everything she has not to think about how her sons would react in a similar manner when Eärendil returned to Sirion after one of his journeys.

* They make an odd family, the three of them in this lonely tower. The tired star-mariner, his sad wife who speaks with birds and their bright daughter who runs on the beach and plays with otters and seals. Elrodel never saw another child, never met someone else outside of her strange little family. Her best friend is a dog and her uncle once ripped a wolf’s throat with his bare teeth.

* It could be worse, Elwing muses as she watches her daughter warm up to Eärendil. She rides on his shoulders as they walk down the beach, pointing at seals swimming in the bay, at hidden puffin nests on the cliff and shiny shells half-buried in the sand.

* Eärendil has sand in his hair and a twinkle in his eyes that night, and Elwing is reminded with a pang of their walks on the shore with their boys. But this is lost forever, and she must focus on the present or fade from grief. For better or for worse, she is one of the Eldar, and she will fight every single day for this life she choose.

* Finrod returns with relatives in tow, a golden haired couple that can only be Eärendil’s parents, Idril and Tuor. There are many tears as they reunite, and much cooing at Elrodel.

* Elwing smiles and chats, serves tea and accepts the gifts from her inlaws, but her heart bleeds. She hates the part of herself who is jealous of her husband for having a family when she has none.

* Too soon, Eärendil has to leave again, and the tower feels colder and lonelier than ever. Even Elrodel’s laughter cannot warm Elwing fully.

* Time passes, and the news Finrod brings from the wide world are darker by the day. Eärendil doesn’t come ashore for many years as war rages back home, in Beleriand. Elrodel grows, wild and joyful, blissfully unaware of her parent’s grief.

* She has forgotten Eärendil, Elwing realises. Her daughter doesn’t know she has a father.

* It is her fault, for speaking of Eärendil is so painful she prefers to lock her memories of him away in her heart, with her two little boys. Elrodel never heard of them either, her brothers slain before she even came into the world.

* Idril and Tuor come to stay in the tower. They tell Elrodel stories of her family. Of Eärendil and Sirion, and Gondolin before that. Elwing takes refuge with her birds and listens to their chatter and gossips. She misses being a gull.

* The war is won, Beleriand is no more. Elwing weeps for the loss of her homeland.

* Eärendil docks down at last, wan and tired and the shadow of the man she loves. Her husband, the dragon-slayer, the Star of Hope. Elwing runs down the pier and throw herself at him with all her love and despair. His embrace is cold and unfamiliar and he weeps in her hair.

* Elrodel is taller than her father now, a grown woman with too bright eyes who walks barefoot on the sharp cliffs. She speaks to birds and sea beasts more often than to Elves.

* She looks at Eärendil and she is a little girl once again, shying away from him yet stealing glances at this stranger from behind her mother.

* They stay up long in the night, talking of this or that, Elrodel recounting her latest exploration of the hills with Huan. Elwing sits close to Eärendil, never let him out of her sight. She feels he will disappear of she closes her eyes even for a moment.

* It is much later, once they are alone in her - their - bed, that Eärendil speaks of what he saw. Not everything, Elwing can hear the untold horrors in the pauses of his speech, but enough for her to have an idea of what happened to her beloved homeland. At long least, he closes his eyes, red from crying and staring at the Silmaril for all these years, and he says: “They live, our boys. I saw them both from above, managed to send a letter to them.”

* Elwing grips Eärendil’s hand with all her strength, the air stolen from her lungs. Her boys live. Her two little stars. Elrond and Elros. She cries against his shoulder as Eärendil tells her of Elros’ valour and Elrond’s wisdom.

* The next day, Elwing takes Elrodel for a walk on the beach and, for the first time since that fateful day where she jumped to her supposed death, she speaks aloud of Elrond and Elros. She speaks until her voice gives out and tears stream down her cheeks, and then she sobs and wails for all the years she has lost, kneeling in the sand. When she comes to herself, Elrodel is nowhere to be seen.

* Elwing tries not to fret, for she knows learning she has two older brothers she will never meet must be a hard blow to her daughter. She recalls well enough her own reaction when she learned of the fate of Elúred and Elúrin. Still, Elwing paces her tower and the beach, listens to the birds and tries to find what comfort she can in the tales of their sons Eärendil tells her.

* It takes Elrodel two full weeks to come home, dirty and tired but with Huan walking in her steps. She hugs Elwing hard, then Eärendil, and wordlessly walks to her room. She doesn’t come down for supper but there is a letter for Elwing on the kitchen table the next morning.

* Mum, father, I will be staying with uncle Finrod for the foreseeable future. I hope I can forgive you in time for hiding my brothers from me, but I think I can start to see your reasons. I love you, Elrodel.

* Elwing is alone but for the warm mass of Huan beside her to see Eärendil away again. He spent nearly two months on land, and she knows not when she will see him next. His task now is of uttermost importance and she wishes she could go with him, to guide their son to his new homeland.

* Elrodel sends letters, news of Tol Eressëa, Alqualondë, then Tirion, Valimar and the Woods of Oromë. She never mentions her brothers nor when she plans to return home but each letter eases a little of Elwing’s grief. Her daughter is seeing the world, what she is allowed to see at any rate, she meets people and makes friends. Eleing feels a little guilty for keeping her secreted away in their tower at the edge of the world for so long.

* It takes Elrodel twenty years to come back home, and she is not alone. Finrod is with her, a familiar face, and a young Teler who looks at Elrodel like she hung the moon and sun in the sky.

* “Mum, meet Ciuran, my husband,“ is the first thing Elrodel says. Elwing can only smile and welcome her new son-in-law into her house as a tempest of feelings rages silently behind her smile.

* Elrodel is with child, and she wants to give birth and raise them in the place she spent the happiest years of her life. Ciuran is a good man for her, smoothing her sharp edges with his kindness but not taming her wild spirit. He is of the Teleri, after all, and knows that the sea cannot be tamed or contained.

* Elrodel is much like the sea indeed, Elwing muses as she reacquaint herself with her daughter. She is brash and loud and unstoppable, but also full of life and warmth. They are much more alike in temper than Elwing ever imagined, she realises after these long years of separation.

* Huan is as protective of Elrodel as he was of Elwing when she was pregnant, and it is an amusing image to see the tall woman walk on the beach, preceded by her large belly and trailed by the huge hound, Ciuran at her side.

* Elwing rips the seeds of jealousy from her heart and nurtures the joy to see her daughter so well loved and supported. At night she lays awake in her too large bed and curses at the stars above.

* Eärendil doesn’t come home for another three decades. When he finally sets foot on solid land Elwing nearly runs away from this ghost of her husband, but she puts on her brave smile and leads him to the tower by the hand. Eärendil is haggard and almost translucent around the edges. His voice is raspy and low from disuse and his eyes nearly burned by the light of the Silmaril.

* Elwing helps him bathe and into fresh clothes before hugging him firmly. “I missed you,” she says. Then, after a pause where she can count Eärendil’s heartbeat through his too this chest, she adds. “I love you.”

* Eärendil is changed but his warmth remains, and he laughs as loud as he is able now, which is not very, at his grandchildren’s antics. Elrodel introduced her sons, twins of course, and her young daughter to Eärendil without a moment of hesitation.

* Her children know everything there is to know about their grandfather, from his great deeds as a dragon slayer to his favourite sweet (honey cakes), and they are overjoyed to meet him at last. The boys try to act grown and impress Eärendil, but they quickly join their little sister, still a toddler, in listening to his tales. Huan curls around the children and listen as attentively as them, his tail wagging.

* Elwing sits with Elrodel and smiles at the picture before her. For the first time in what feels like forever, she can say she is truly happy.

[dailycass-cain]

It's time at long last to delve into a certain secondary story in Detective Comics #1083 by Alex Paknadel and Robbi Rodriguez and my thoughts on it.

I SO did not expect to see a secondary Cass story as Ram V closes out his Tec run (but maybe I should've given he's let others give EVERYONE their due of his run).

And here ironically, a month before the character's 25th anniversary we get Cass.

I must confess reading the story drawn by Rodriguez along with Cass's appearance in #1082. It's got me reminiscing on Batgirls again.

It does make me truly miss that series. Even with the rewards that have been this run, Birds of Prey, and Spirit World.

However, unlike the prior two series, this one does a DEEP dive into the mindset of Cass and where she's at during this point of the run.

Some truly meaty stuff we get here character-wise.

The story continues where we left Cass in #1082, still roaming Gotham freely and making sure the city remembers the symbol of the bat.

I do adore any time a criminal mistakes her for Batman. Just another notch to add that she'd make a great successor to Bruce as Batman.

Likewise, I do enjoy HOW she's introduced. Going to town on the criminal lot and us the reader seeing her viewpoint on subduing them.

Yet, unlike the prior story, not everything is hunky-dory with Cass. With a few words of choice in the narration boxes, you can tell something is off with Cass.

And it's fascinating she sees relief in reuniting with probably one of the beings who can "understand" her-- Lady Shiva.

Probably the only downside I have with the story is this recurring cycle of Cass instantly mistrusting her, when really the last two stories with Shiva, her mom has been trying.

Still, they "talk" in the only way daughter/mother truly knows: fighting. Instantly, Shiva picks up what been clued to us the reader in the beginning: Cass is not well.

Though unlike the reader, Shiva lays out thickly what it is.

Since the Orgham have taken over Gotham they've been trying to wipe away the memory of the Bat via the. Yes, we know given a few issues ago Cass was immune to the Reality Engine wiping away the memory of the Bat.

Here we find out another reason why: she's fighting as Bruce.

Of course, being that this is an Orgham-controlled Gotham and Shiva has her own subplot in the issue. Their exchange is cut short by the arrival of Azmer demons.

Something I've been hoping for Cass to encounter since they showed up.

I do muse how bluntly Shiva starts this team-up to again say she's not up to any insidious shenanigans. Again, it's Shiva being blunt which I guess she has to do given Cass just always seems to untrust her.

And we get the "juiciest" portion next. Still fighting as Bruce, Cass is getting her butt handed to her by the Azmer when we get this memory:

Seven years it has been since we last saw you in a canon DC comic (fifteen years if we count this incarnation): welcome back David Cain you freaking bastard.

Again this goes back to what Cass said in her last story. She was built like Bruce, but differently, and here is how that came to be.

Which again is the core of Cassandra's character. She's always terrified of becoming what her father made her: this weapon of death. How she continues to go with this answer of NO and down this path of the bat.

That goes deeply into WHY the bat symbol means so much for Cass. It's not just a layer of justice, but redemption. That is her coda: "You can change. You CAN change."

Ironically, it's due to the Reality Engine that probably WHY Cass has this relapse. She's good, but we know from the "Outlaws" arc even she was being affected by the Reality Engine at an EXTREMELY close range.

And it's fun that Shiva is again the one to help Cass through this time. Because other than Bruce and Oynx (man I miss that friendship), she's probably the only one who can help her daughter.

Where once more, we get the recurring theme of Cass/Shiva finding mutual ground between one another, but also Shiva letting her daughter be what she wants to be. Which given all their history does feel like a new layer going with them (hopefully).

Again, this story ties so wonderfully with what Ram V has been doing with Cass. Showing again, how much the bat symbol means to her, and again reminding the reader that she's built like Bruce in sheer determination.

This was a REALLY good story that was built on prior with Cassandra. It gives Cass a sense of poetry at the end for her character. Her appearances here all tie together for this subplot of showing the any new reader WHO SHE IS, and why so damn enthralling as a character.

In a way, this really felt like a good unofficial celebration of the character. Though DC never fully said it, this does celebrate just means A LOT to so many.

The tale meant A LOT, giving us ANOTHER banger Cass story to boot.

Though I can't help but wonder? Even if there were rats in the story. My mind kept going here instead and Cass's "little friend" and nickname from Shadow of the Batgirl. I know it was probably unintentional.

If this is truly all we get in celebrating the anniversary of the character this TRULY was a story worthy for it. For that, I thank the creative team behind this and Ram V too for giving us this. Like you, Kelly, Michael, and Alyssa are just giving us all these bangers.🙏

[taranida]

Schrödinger's Cabin or Who wrote the eruption

Continuing on answering the points I left out in the theory about what really happened in the 70s. Yet another long read.

the Bird Leg Cabin and the Diver’s Isle, that might or might not been retroactively removed by the eruption under the Cauldron Lake.

The question that bothered me with all this eruption: what did the cabin and isle do to deserve such treatment? Thomas was knowledgeable enough to understand, that it’s the lake that brought the nightmare, not the isle or the cabin, why take them down as well? The isle, even after he “wrote himself out of reality” still bears the name it got from his hobby, not like if it would stay where it was, anything would change. And not like there are no other places on the Cauldron Lake’s shores; the Cauldron Lake Lodge is one of them, but there are also the rental cabins. Removing the isle and cabin had only grim consequences: 32 miners died as a result of flooding and seismic activity. I doubt that Thomas didn’t know how close the mines and the lake are; and I’d love to believe he’s not the type of a person who will be a-okay with mass murdering people. What we hear of him throughout the game is that he was considerate and caring enough to leave shoeboxes and charge Cynthia with helping whomever will be the next victim of the Dark Presence. The situation, when he made a decision, was dire, of course, he could not think about all the links between eruptions, earthquakes and mines, but Thomas knew one thing for sure: the Dark Presence will twist everything to its evil needs. Better write nothing, then hope your work will not be used to cause harm. Also, in every source that gives us information on 18th July 1970 we have nothing about the eruption:

This House of Dreams: “And he took his girlfriend for one last dive. Together they sank down into the depths, far deeper than he had ever dived before.”

The Poet and The Muse: “And vowed them both to silence deep beneath the lake”

Manuscript page: “He put on the suit, untied the monster from the chair. The thing in his arms thrashed weakly, but he held fast. He stepped outside, off the pier, and into the dark water, a sinking pinprick of light, descending toward a bottom that never came.”

Cynthia Weaver: “He tried to undo it, wrote himself, her, everything he’d ever written out of the world.”

I don’t believe Thomas was the one to write the eruption. But we have one person, who could do it, was in a proper state of mind to not care about chain reactions and would love to solve the problem the easiest way.

As we hear in the Alice’s call with Heartman, Alan’s way to solve the problem is to pretend it doesn’t exist:

How to solve Alice’s death? Write the very place she drowned at out of existence. If there was no cabin, if there was no pier, there would be no way for her to drown, right?

Well, sort of.

This theory has a couple of evidence to support it: the radio and the coffee thermos that we can find in the cabin.

In the guide we even know the people who placed the radio there, and how the signal is not so good because of the caldera rim.

And here’s one of the beloved thermoses with a little note of someone in-universe.

They, of course, could be taken with a grain of salt. We do not know when Sam and David lived (or I might’ve missed them somewhere in games or other materials; there are hints that they are active KBF-FM engineers in 2010), yet it’s doubtful that the radios they left in various places were exactly there for 40 years, tuned to KBF-FM and look just as every other radio in 2010. The thermos… well, sadly the person, collecting them, meets a grim fate, probably being stuck in the Dark Place. Yet, the items are there, and the first time the eruption is mentioned is after Alan escapes from the Dark Presence. Let’s not forget also how he escapes: he just walks the bridge and gets into the car as if he was not in the Dark Place this whole time, there is no transition between worlds. And the moment he starts the car, the cabin just dissipates in a black smoke: is it the writing starting to shape reality?

There is a peculiar manuscript, that might hint on the cabin still existing at the time Alan and Alice arrived:

It’s talking about Cauldron Lake, surely; this is the place of power for the Dark Presence, we know this for a fact. So why would the weak and at the time hurt by this trip to the dinner Dark Presence even consider an effort of conjuring the Bird Leg Cabin? How would it even muster this trick with no art involved, with no artist to feed on? Unless the cabin was there at the time.

After all, the entire isle and the cabin are in tip-top shape. In the first game we see the Dark Presence launch multiple objects out from the lake, but all of them keep the damage, look old and rusty.

On the isle, however, even the vegetation is green and alive. And as far as I know the Dark Presence is not a good gardener: in Control the very presence of The Third Thing (formerly known as that arsehole Emil Hartman) was killing the plants, that we had to save with light. In the second game the manuscripts that were washed ashore even leave a dark goo on their place.

The cabin and the isle show no signs of Dark Presence’s touch.

Were there other options? For sure!

Here! Cabins for rent near Cauldron Lake. This is so much easier to pull off: take the key of one of them, make instructions how to get there and give them to the writer. No need to do the impossible and raise an entire isle in the middle of the lake.

Yet, instead, we have the Bird Leg Cabin on the Diver’s Isle, apparently collected from the bits and pieces they should’ve turned into in the eruption, with rejuvenated vegetation and no sign of any damage; all created by the Dark Presence so weak, it’s “not real enough to properly exist”:

That is… if this wasn’t the first loop Alan went through. As Tom the Filmmaker said in the second game:

Remember, the Dark Place works in loops and rituals. If the waves keep pushing you away, you just need to find another way in.

Or out — in this case.

But I will leave the loops of the first game for another time.

For now I also suggest to think about this little thing:

Time is a story, after all.

[moaihybitoyoidaics]

Ghastly. (Jurdan)

Okslay, so I published this on my wattpad bare time ago. It was originally published in chapters so I've put little stars where that was in the story. TW SMUT

Word count: 8014

Vivi slouched against my bedroom door and scoffed, I didn't bother to turn around, I would only get chastised yet again. The room was riddled with dirty cups and plates, the curtains hadn't been opened in days and it had started to smell. I probably smelled a bit too. "I know you're used to people waiting on you, you're highness," she said sarcastically. "But that shit won't fly around here for much longer." "Leave me to die, Vee." I mumbled, tucked away under my unwashed covers. "I have nothing to live for anyway." "You're right. You're absolutely right. You should kill yourself right now and be done with it." I looked up from under my cocoon, to see her face was more jovial than sinister. "Or you can shower, get dressed and come out with me and Heather." "Out where?" "Clubbing." "Should I hang myself or jump off the roof?" I burrowed back down into my duvet. Vivi knocked her hand against the door frame before disappearing out of my room. In the months since my exile, most days had been like this and I didn't see it improving. I found myself obsessing over what I would do to Cardan should I ever come to be in his presence again, I hated him and would never forgive him for subjecting me to the torture of the mortal world. And yet I still found myself musing over his wicked lips and all too clever hands, his kisses that bewitched me like faerie fruit. But still I thought of nothing more than my knife against his throat tied to that chair in the Court of Shadows. I turned over, tugging my duvet with me. There was a clattering of porcelain and metal against the floor. I sat up quickly to see what had made the noise, plates encrusted with hardened food had shattered against the carpeted floor, followed by silverware that had fallen and bounced across the room. Vivi was right, it was time to sort myself out. I pried myself away from the duvet and stood in front of my mirror. Ghastly. A two day old spaghetti hoop stain, matted hair and breath that could knock Maddoc on his back. I was undoubtedly a mess. I began by brushing my teeth, the mint stung my tongue, and then I dragged a brush through the tangled bird's nest on my head. I looked at myself in the mirror again, still not much better. So I showered, shaved my legs and changed my clothes. They were all minor changes but still, I felt marginally better for making them. Next came the challenge of tidying my room, it wasn't something I was particularly eager to begin but nonetheless I embarked on my mission. I began with the food encrusted plates, scrubby at them with everything Vivi held in her kitchen, before hoovering and changing my bed sheets.

When I had finished my self-prescribed chores, I called for my sister; knowing that as a faerie she could not lie about my accomplishments. I braced myself for the fanfare, as I guarded my door. When she approached, I dramatically unveiled my almost clean room. I anticipated her reaction as she inspected the space.

"Open a window." She said, hardly glancing at me. "It still stinks."

"Oh," I sighed, a little defeated.

"It's better than it was though." She turned herself to face me. "Do you feel any better?"

"I suppose. So, where are you guys going tonight?"

Vivi explained that they had planned to go bar hopping across town and hit a couple of clubs if they had time. "It's not exactly attending Court at the palace, but it's better than letting you wallow in your own self pity any longer."

I laughed hollowly, she was right. I needed to get out of the apartment soon or I would go crazy. "If I had anything to wear maybe I would go with you, but I look like the Queen of Mirth right now. Maybe I'll come with you next time."

"My God, could you be any more obvious? You can raid me and Heather's wardrobe." Vivi laughed, playfully nudging my arm. "Sort your face out, I know you have makeup."

That was true. I did have some makeup, however the method of which to use it eluded me. Never quite blended or bright enough, lines never straight, just splotchy clumps of black and beige. In Faerie I had Tatterfell to help me to ready myself, but here in the mortal world, I had to rely on my own clumsy hands. I looked back to Vivienne. "What time are we leaving?"

                                         ***

With my eyes smeared with shimmering black eyeshadow and my lips painted a similar shade, I wriggled into a crimson, latex minidress, raided from Vivi's extensive closet. I tried to recreate the horn-like braids that Tatterfell so skilfully created in my hair, however one ended up a little lopsided. Finally, I stuffed my feet into a pair of black, platform boots. For the first time since arriving back in the mortal world, I looked in the mirror and liked who I saw. I may not be the High Queen of Elfhame, but by god I was majestic. I strode out into our communal space, enveloped by a new sense of power. Vivi and Heather cheered for me, both standing up to embrace me. "You look incredible." Vivi grinned, at last telling me a truth I wanted to hear. "I know."

***

After glamouring a bouncer, Vivi lead us into a dimly lit bar. The walls were lined with what looked like red LED lights and varying graffiti style artworks. There was a bar on the back wall, proceeded by a sticky looking dance floor. Heather, who was apparently a regular, marched over to the bar and ordered a round of drinks. She handed me a tiny, triangular glass filled with a pinkish beverage.  I sniffed it and recoiled, feeling the alcohol in the backs of my eyes. 

"Christ, Heather! What's in this?" I laughed a little.

"I don't know, but they taste good." Fair enough, I thought sipping the drink. She was right. Vivi grabbed Heather's free hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. The DJ was playing something grungy, like our dad used to listen to. The song sounded familiar, like something from a distant, faded memory or a dream. Perhaps he'd played it for us on a long forgotten road trip. I watched them twist and twirl together with the music and smiled, Vivi had found a home in the mortal world, something I could only hope to accomplish. I swayed as they danced. It had none of the extravagance of the High Court revels, but at least they were happy here. I took a long sip of my drink and decided to join them, they welcomed me into their space as my clumsy feet tried to keep up with them. Heather grabbed my hand and spun me around. 

I thought of the way Cardan had danced with me at Prince Dain's disastrous coronation, the way his fingers had grazed against my waist and his eyes, black as night, had looked down on me in sickening contempt. The way he loved hating me and hated loving me, my cruel husband. I pulled away from Heather. 

"Where's the bathroom?" I shouted over the music. Vivi pointed past the bar, I nodded and started to walk away. 

I tried to push through a rowdy crowd of middle aged men, but gave up and went around them. The room seemed to get smaller, maybe I wasn't ready for this. Maybe I was still too angry. And then, a few feet away from me I saw two midnight eyes. Panic seeped into my blood, I closed my eyes and tried to breathe but my breath hitched in the back of my throat. I reopened my eyes and they were gone, I was so certain I had seen them. I rushed towards the bathroom, my heart hammering against my chest. I leaned over the basin and splashed some icy water against my face, sending mascara streaming down my cheeks. Surely it hadn't been him, surely I had hallucinated it. Cardan could not be here, Cardan couldn't know where I was. I must have seen what I wanted to see,  there was nothing more to it.  I took a deep breath and stepped away from the sink. Cardan wasn't there. 

I left the bathroom hesitantly. Despite assuring myself that I had hallucinated, I kept my eyes peeled. I saw Heather and Vivi propped up against the bar, nursing a blue drink. Heather was astounded when she squeezed a lemon into the drink, turning it magenta.

"It's like magic!" She giggle. Vivi and I shared a look between ourselves. "You were gone for ages, Jude! You good?"

"Yeah... I just needed a moment." I lied. I leaned against the bar and rested my head in my hands. I made eye contact with the bar tender and smiled, pointing at Heather's drink. "Can I have whatever this is?" 

                                                                                          ***

My head tingled as I drunkenly swayed to a what I assumed was an old rock ballad. The room had filled out even more, leaving little room to negotiate the dance floor. I tried my hardest to put the image of Cardan out of my mind, but it came to the forefront of my thoughts every now and then. I took a long swig from the bottle of beer I was holding and turned to look for my sister. Vivi and Heather had disappeared into the sea of people crowding the bar. I pushed my way to the side of the dance floor, hoping that distancing myself from the hoard would reveal them. To my disappointment, however, they were no where to be seen. 

I turned away from the dance floor to face the seating area, plush velvet couches and red tinted lights. There, across the room, slouching back against the far wall were two inky black eyes stared right at me. His dark hair was slicked back from his face and his eyes were rimmed with kohl. He wore a sheer black shirt and what looked like black jeans. I saw his coiled tail twitch as he looked at me. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, my attire was not at all what I would usually be seen in. 

Before I knew what I was doing, I was halfway across the floor. His head cocked to one side and he smirked as he began to approach me.  I felt Cardan's breath on my cheek as he leaned in to me.

"My darling, Jude." He whispered. I felt my fingers curl into a fist and I took a slight step back. My arm launched through the air, my fist colliding with his jaw. 

"Fuck you." I spat. I felt my arms get pinned against my sides as someone much taller and heavier than me seized me. The bouncer.  I was dragged from where I stood, away from Cardan's smug grin.

"I wish you would." He called after me, wiping a speck of blood from his wicked mouth. He watched as I was tossed out of the bar, a feeling that was reminiscent of one I had felt just a few months before upon my exile. 

***

Vivi and Heather came tumbling out of the bar, shouting atop of each other. Through their mumbling and bumbling I managed to pick out only snippets of what they were actually saying.

"You just punched a guy!" Heather said, panic in her voice.

"That wasn't who I think it was... was it?" Vivi's feline eyes bored into me, chilling me to my core. I nodded, curtly and turned away from her.

"Who was it?" Heather asked, her words slurring slightly.

I looked back to Vivi who looked back at me, with a panicked gaze at her inability to lie. "Ex boyfriend." I responded, unable to looked her straight on. Vivi's look of relief spurred me on. "You know, the one who dumped me before I started crashing with you guys?"

Heather nodded slowly before kneeling down and unbuckling her shoes. "He probably deserved it then."  She laughed and took both of her shoes off. "Shall we go somewhere else? I'm still in the party mood."

I thought about it for a moment, sobering up in the cool night air. "Fuck it. Why not?" Heather celebrated and stood back up.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Jude? I mean, aren't you kind of angry?" Vivi asked. She was absolutely right, I was furious with Cardan for showing up in my world but I refused to allow him to ruin my night any more than he already had.

"I want to go and get drunk and dance and forget about all of this. You were right earlier, Vivi. I need this night out."

"Well can you at least try not to deck anyone else, please?"

"I'll do my best."

We set off from the bar and headed further into the town centre. Clusters of girls in tight dresses and boys not dressed nearly well enough for the occasion sauntered through the cobbled streets, the air was filled with drunken laughter and flirting. The latter made me sick to my stomach. As I walked I felt  my latex dress dampening from the heat of the evening, sticking to my back and legs. I began to realise that Vivi and Heather we far more intoxicated than I was, which I assumed would be a problem later in the night.  Heather tripped on some invisible force, sending her careening into a conveniently placed Vivi. I turned to her, sending her a disapproving look. Since I had moved in with Heather and Vivi, I had noticed that my sister would sometimes glamour Heather into tripping or dropping things which Vivi would conveniently  catch. Although I could no longer be glamoured, I did remember the feeling. I didn't approve of my sisters manipulations, and it seemed that being a mortal wooed by the Fae had only downsides in my experience.  Vivi glanced back at me and shrugged, in her opinion she was doing nothing wrong; she was merely using her power to further her relationship with Heather. Regardless of what she thought, it was manipulation. She had power and Heather did not.

                                                                                         ***

The line outside the next club was disastrously long. I believed the sun would have risen before we made it inside. Heather looked at her girlfriend, with pining eyes. "But baby, you can get us in anywhere! You said we were always on the list!" Of course, Heather thought this, Vivi had obviously been glamouring half of the mortal world just to stay in Heather's good books. As much as I hated it, I wanted Vivi to get us into the club, the evening had turned cool and I wasn't used to wearing so little this late in the day. The hypocrisy was not lost on me.

Vivi sighed in faux relent. "I guess I'll see what I can do, just for you." Heather gleamed as we followed her up to the front of the queue. As Vivienne spoke to the bouncer, her voice was thick with glamour, "I think you'll find us on the list." She purred. The bouncer, poor man, became distant. His eyes glazed and he smiled. "Of course you are. Welcome." He pulled a smooth, velvet rope aside and ushered us into the building. As soon as we entered my ears we destroyed. The thudding base reverberated in my chest and a fog machine choked my lungs. It was rammed with bodies, moving and grinding against each other; I tried to force my way into a less densely packed area but was thrown to the dance floor. My thoughts harkened back to the High Court, a mortal would be entranced by the Faerie music and dance until their heart gave up. My tongue was dry and I couldn't see Heather or Vivi anywhere. Panic set in, this wasn't what I had intended when agreeing to the night out. Again I tried to push my way out but was knocked to the floor, I curled up my fingers trying to avoid them being trampled and pulled my knees to my chest. No one seemed to notice that I had fallen. No one cared. A foot came down on mine, hard, and I yelped out in pain. My cry was swallowed up by the cheering and the bass. Through my balled up fist I rubbed to top of my bitten off finger, seeking comfort in the most rudimental way. I was yanked up to my feet and dragged through the crowd. In my shock I fought back, pulled against the bejeweled hand. Bejewelled? No... no surely not- I looked up to the person dragging me. And pulled harder. His dark eyes scolded me as he turned to face me.  He pulled me towards him, making me collide with his chest. He placed his hand on my chin and forced me to look up at him. "You're weak."

***

I guzzled down a bottle of water, trying to regain control of my breathing. Cardan sat next to me, staring ahead dismissively. His finger ran around the edge of a plastic cup, something I had often seen him do in deep thought at the palace, although I was used to seeing him do this with fine glassware. Vivi and Heather were still in the club, but Cardan had dragged me over to a quiet dive bar a couple of streets away. My head swam with questions, although I was grateful to him for getting me out of that situation, I was furious at him for showing up unannounced. Why was he even here?

The jukebox played a whiney jazz song on what sounded like a scratched record, occasionally jumping and hissing like a startled cat.

"I didn't need your help." I said, more aggressively than I had intended. Cardan continued to stare ahead as if ignorant to the fact that I had spoken. "I'm serious, I was fine. I was about to get up."

Cardan laughed, sourly. "Oh yeah? Is that right?" He caught the eye of the bartender and held up two fingers. The barkeep approached us.

"Does she have ID?" He asked Cardan.

"You can ask her yourself." I started.

"You can serve her." Cardan's voice was heavy with glamour, seductive and rough. The barkeep nodded and brought us two rusty brown drinks. I took a sip and recoiled, having grown used to Heather's sweet and fruity beverages. This lingered in the back of my throat, clawing and hot. Cardan laughed.  "You never were a good drinker."

"You've always been too good." I retorted. He finally turned to face me, his dark eyes gazing into my chestnut brown ones.

"You're ghastly. You know that?" He grinned.

"God I hate you." I was the first to turn away.

"I love it when you say that." I felt the heat rising in my cheeks, boiling my blood.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I snapped. "Don't give me that 'I'm the King' horseshit, because I put you there. How dare you show up here! I'm moving on, I have a life here!" Most of that last bit were obvious lies. I hadn't moved on, not even a little bit. And I clearly didn't have a life in the mortal world.

Cardan took a moment to consider what I had said, chewing on his drink as he did. "I have visited you. Many nights, I have watched you. Some life you're living here. Living in that box, in your own squalor, tossing a turning at night, dreaming of me no doubt. Some life without me."

"You cast me out! I had nothing!" I spat.

"You had your supposed hate for me keeping you warm, my darling Jude." He smirked, his curly hair flopping into his eyes. "And it seems you had one hell of a punch to keep you safe. But I ask you this, why didn't you try to return? Why didn't you come home to me?"

He placed his hand on my thigh, too close to the hem of my dress, and slowly started moving it up. I plastered my face with a smear of disgust and whacked with hand away.

"Excuse me, I must use the facilities." I said, already regretting it.

"So human, my sweet villain."

                                                                                     *** After staring at my seething reflection in a cracked bathroom mirror, I returned to my seat at the bar. Cardan had obviously been nursing his drink in my presence and my absence had encouraged him to enjoy it at a quicker pace. It seemed that he had helped himself to some of mine as well. I slid in next to  him and looked intently at his features, wondering what his eyes, ears and tail looked like to the people he glamoured. Did he make his eyes appear brown, blue or green? Did he keep some kind of point to his ears? It was something I never had time to consider before.

"Would you stop looking at me?" Cardan asked, startling me out of my daze.

"Sorry."

"No you aren't. You've missed me."

"Missed you? Please. I've hardly thought of you." I lied. "Cardan, tell me. What are you doing here?"

"I've come to bring you home. Back to Elfhame, to the palace with me. You're miserable here and you belong to- with me." The bartender called for last orders. "I could make him let us stay, you know?"

"Leave him alone. He's already been glamoured once tonight, it's not fair." I sighed.

"Where was that compassion when you killed my brother?"

"Cardan I-" I was taken aback by this. Cardan had not shown any real disturbance at the time of his brothers demise. Of course I could blame that on the effects of the poison but I thought he hated Balekin.

"Perhaps I should take you home?" He said, almost sadly.

"No!" I said, before  I had considered what that would mean. "Maybe you could ask him for one more drink?"

Cardan's devilish eyes met mine as he smirked. He beckoned the barkeep over and told him in that sweet and sour voice that we would be staying until we felt like leaving, setting our night in motion.

***

"See, I knew you were missing me." I laughed, slopping some of my drink across the bar. Everybody else had been asked to leave, but Cardan had glamoured the bartender to allow us to stay and to continue bringing us drinks. 

"I've missed having someone tell me what to do." He grinned and looked away. "It's not been easy without you, having to make all these choices by myself. I'd rather have my senechal -"

"-Your Queen." I interjected. 

"Yes of course, I'd rather have my Queen beside me." He took a long sip of his drink. 

I sighed and followed suit. "Well, whose fault is that?"

"Mine, as so many things were when we were together." He moved his hand back to my leg. "Remember that time behind the throne room?"

I swatted at his hand again but he persisted. "The only time, Cardan. That was the only time that happened." I tired to conceal it, but a nervous shiver ran through my body. "And I would very much like to forget it. It was... embarrassing." 

He shook his head and looked at me, deep and intently. "For you, maybe." His fingers traced little spirals against my goose-bumped flesh. "For me it was an entirely different story."

"Tell me your version then." I pressed.

"I was furious. At you mostly. To suggest I seduce Nicassia? She wasn't the one I wanted, Jude." I felt my cheeks flush. "I yearned to feel you beneath me. I wanted to feel your mortal skin on mine. I think you wanted it too, I remember the way you moved against me. I was born into magic, my dear Jude, I always thought I knew what it felt like but... something about you in that moment... I hadn't really  felt it until then." 

The knowledge that he could only speak the truth chilled me to my core. I tried to find tricks and riddles in his words but every time I came up short. My breath caught in the back of my throat and I tried to pull away but his grip on me wouldn't allow it. "You're drunk, Cardan."

"And yet I feel sober as a monk. That feeling it lingers. Every time I touch you, I am scorned to know that Locke touched you first, that I ever laid my hands on you in malice. I have wanted you since I have known you and although I have dealt with those feelings poorly in the past, it is you I want. Only you. So yes, I have missed you." This time, Cardan pushed himself away from the bar, offering out his hand. "I beg you ignore me. I have felt so much for you since you have been gone. I have longed for you Jude. I have longed for you and I will long for you until you return to our home." 

My body twitched with anticipation, awaiting his next move. His vulnerability was startling and I wanted nothing more than for him to kiss me. Or kill me. The sensation was often tricky to pin down when it was brought about by Cardan. I felt myself move towards him, leaning in for the release of his lips on mine, but found that he did not meet them. "What's wrong?" I breathed. 

"I do not desire your pity. I do not wish to be kissed under the duress of my broken heart. I want you to want me too."  I finally took his hand and he pulled me away from the chair. He placed his free hand on my waist and swayed slowly with me. 

"Last time you held me like this, you said you hated me." I rested my head against his chest, listening to the rapid beating of his immortal heart. 

"Maybe I thought I did. But I know better than that now." 

                                                                                                ***

We swayed like that together for a while, Cardan's hand occasionally finding it's way to stroke my hair. My heart swam with so many unanswered questions, feelings I had left untouched for as long as I could. He rested his head against mine and breathed softly against my braided horns, at last he let go.

"Do you suppose we should relieve our man from his duties?" He asked, nodding towards the bartender. "I think he has served us long enough."  I nodded and he left me to remove the glamour. I imagined that next time  the man played the lottery, his numbers would come up or he would have a habit for finding money in the street. 

When Cardan approached me again, he had a certain spring in his step and a devilish gleam in his eyes. "What is it?" I asked nervously.

"Your sister is clubbing?" He said. 

"Yes..."

"What say you, we do the same? I should like to try it before I return to Elfhame." 

I pondered this for a moment, would anything in the mortal world live up to what High King Cardan was used to? Well... I suppose I did. 

***

It seemed as though I had abandoned my moral compass altogether by the time we arrived at the next club. My head was swimming and I had trouble remembering how it was I came to be in Cardan's presence. At the time however, that didn't seem to matter, I was just glad to be with him. He glamoured the bouncer to allow us into the club, we painted ourselves with UV paint and decked out our bodies with glow-sticks. Cardan took one look at me and began to howl, his laughter seemed to reverberate through the speakers, which sent me into a crumbling mess of giggles. I found myself feeling freer with him than I ever had done with anyone else. I took two glow-sticks from my wrists and dangled them over his pointed ears.

Further into the club I noticed podiums, with half naked girls dancing against glimmering poles. It didn't shock me to find Cardan practically licking the stage. I pulled him away and found a booth, the lights were dimmer but the music seemed louder. The seats were sticky with what I hoped was nothing more than a spilled drink, but my conscience told me otherwise.  I looked at Cardan, whose eyes were alight with intrigue. He leaned in to me, his lips against my ear and whispered, "I thought such debauchery was  of Faerie, not of the mortal realm."

"You'd be surprised what we get up to!" I laughed. He didn't move away and neither did I. His lips trailed against my skin, hot and wet. His hand founds its way back to my thigh and, against my better judgement, I allowed him to slide his hand further up.

"I changed my mind," He hissed.  "I don't care if you pity me, Jude Duarte. Because I pity you more." He turned my face to his and kissed me, forcefully. In my drunken stupor I didn't feel like pulling away, instead I insisted that he stayed by thrusting my hands in his hair. His hands explored my body, making me ache for him. His fingers clasped around my throat, instinctively I tried to pull away but when I eyes met his I saw... what was it? Not hate... no not exactly. It was something new. When I started to panic and pulled back, he looked at me hurt as if I had my hand around his throat. "I want to dance!" I lied over the music. He nodded and followed me into the crowd. Surrounded by jostling, sweaty bodies his hands found my waist. I turn away and danced against him, at first he seemed to recoil- unsettled by the intimacy, perhaps too used to the way we moved in Elfhame, but after a moment he settled into it and moved with me. He gripped my waist tightly, as if I was his only life jacket in this strange mortal sea. I turned to face him, to see his big black eyes staring down at me. I cocked my head to one side. He leaned down, so close that his lips brush my ear as he spoke, "You should come home." I dragged myself away and stared at him, face on. His liquid irises hardened. Slowly and methodically he said; "You. Should. Come. Back. Home" In a second my mind reeled. What? He sent me away? He didn't want me? He confessed that he missed me but didn't want to kiss me? Then he's all over me? Before I knew what I was doing I turned and fled, pushing my way through sweaty, sticky bodies. I had grown weary of his faerie mind games, his trickery had grown tiresome. Of course I had longed to return to Elfhame, to find a riddle in his banishment but how could I ever go home? With the threat of execution or worse hanging over my every step. No. I refused to believe there was any way to escape my plight. Before I knew it I was a block away, panting alone on a street I didn't recognise. My ears rang and from the distance I heard to rhythmic thumping of club music. I looked left and right, but couldn't quite remember the way I had come from... or the way home. I fumbled in my purse, searching for my phone. I could call a taxi or Vivi or Heather, anyone to take me home. I fought back the tears that stung behind my eyes. Cardan Greenbriar had always been an enigma but this... oh this was worse than anything he'd ever done before. "Jude!" His voice echoed through the empty streets, it's direction untraceable. "Jude! What did I do? Please, Jude!" He rounded the corner nearest to me. Startled as he saw me, he rushed over. I raised my hand and swung it towards his face, instead of hearing a sharp slap against his skin, my wrist was caught in his long, slender fingers. "If you strike me again tonight, I will lose it." He breathed. "Why won't you come home. I know you're smart enough to have figured it out. So what is it Jude Duarte? Is it that you truly hate me as much as you always said? If it is so, then I beg you tell me mortal lies and let me believe you love me." I clawed my hand away from him, I couldn't bare to look at him. A wounded little boy, abandoned and turned wicked, but wounded nonetheless. His deep black eyes were a golden blaze in the street light, I finally met his gaze. He was hurt and lonely and still so wicked and he could have had me killed or left me to rot in the mortal world and yet I wanted to hold him. "Why did-" He cut me off with a long, gentle kiss. I tasted no malice on his tongue, his lips were as sweet as the faerie fruit I so desired. "Please say you love me." He whispered as he pulled away.

***

Our foreheads resting against one another, I closed my eyes right away from his words. Truth. It was all he could speak. As desperate as I was to find treachery in his words, I could decipher none. "Cardan, I-" I began. "You need not speak now, Jude. You should tell me if you should ever return to our home." He whispered. "If you wish for me to leave you, you need only say once and I'll leave you alone." I hate him. Except I don't. I only want to keep hating him, I know that now. "Stay with me." My voice, soft and timid, was entirely foreign to me. "Don't leave me again." He took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips. His hands were soft against my calloused fingers. "Take me home with you."

***

The apartment was silent, undisturbed since we left several hours before. I flipped the switch and illuminated the open living space, socks and bras and unwashed jeans lay over the couch and coffee table. "I'm sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting to bring anyone back here tonight." I said, feeling my cheeks glow crimson red as I gathered up the dirty laundry. "We don't have maids or servants, it's hard to keep on top of." I turned to see Cardan, leaning against the washing machine, a smirk dancing on his lips. I glared at him and he laughed a short, curt laugh. "You are so very mortal, Jude. Has anybody ever told you that?" I scowled and he laughed a little harder. "I like watching you do things... normal things to you. I think tonight is the first time I've seen you without a blade." This made me laugh. Without saying a word, I hitched my skirt up slightly to show him the small silver dagger I had strapped to my thigh. "I'm surprised you didn't feel it." Cardan moved towards me slowly, I cocked my head to one side trying to work out his next move. His eyes narrowed as he examined my body. Phlegmatically, he lowered himself down to his knees before me as his hands crept up across the back of my dress. He leaned in and kissed my thigh, just above the hilt of the blade. His fingers trailed along my skin, before gently slipping the strap down my leg. He continued kissing my leg as he reached up my dress. With the same methodical movements he pulled down my underwear. My cheeks ran hot as the rest of my body shivered with anticipation. Cardan stood, towering over me. His black eyes were hungry, I looked up at him like a doe in the line of an arrow. He tipped his head towards the sofa, and obediently I went and sat down. The High King placed his fingers softly under my chin, tilting my head to look at him. "Open your legs for me." His voice was low and gruff and I obliged. "Good girl. Now tell me, did Locke do to you what I am going to do to you?" I shook my head and he smirked. I had always hated when he did that, but then in that moment I felt something with in me begin to boil. Passionate heat coursing through my blood in a way it had done only once before... the annex behind the throne. Cardan seemed to notice my squirming as he traced his keen fingers along my jawline. His hand lingered for a moment too long and I felt myself sink my cheek into his cupped hand.

In one swift motion Cardan was on top of me, pinning me against the couch. His cool breath tickled my neck, sending an icy shiver through me, as he expertly unzipped my dress and slid it from me leaving me naked and vulnerable to his next move. My fingers shook as I unbuttoned his shirt, fumbling with the intricate clasps.

When finally I rid him of his clothes I allowed my hands to wander across his back. He flinched away as my fingers ran over the crest of a particularly raised, long scar.  "Memories from a lifetime ago, my love." He whispered through gritted teeth. He inched closer, his knee pressing up against me. I let out a soft moan as a chill sprang up through my back, I wanted him more than I could scream. I wanted to push him off me and pull him into me in the same instant. Before I could form a full thought his head had migrated away from mine and had found it's way between my legs as he breathed a soft, cool gasp. His long fingers wrapped around my thighs and squeezed, his nails pinching at my flesh. I took a sharp breath as Cardan's tongue grazed my skin and laced my hands through the tangle of his dark hair. "Cardan.." I whispered breathlessly. "Cardan please..." He pressed his tongue harder and faster as I squirmed beneath his weight, pulling at his hair. I felt my eyes begin to roll as I climaxed, I arched my back and curled up my toes, it overtook me in tides of pleasure.  As he sat up and wiped his mouth, by body tingled and my legs were weak but I could feel only one thing. I was horrified. How had I allowed this to happen? 

"I'm sorry." He whispered. "This is only going to make things ever more complicated." 

I stared at him, aghast. "Yeah, no shit." I grabbed a cushion from the back of the couch and threw it over my body . 

"I'll ask you this only once, did you figure it out?" His voice was soft. "Did you see through my trickery and stay away only to make me suffer?" 

"Your trickery? What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice shaking. I had grown tired of his mind games, it seemed to me that the whole evening he had been leading me to some proverbial cliff only to keep threatening to push me over the edge. 

"Jude you are the High Queen of Elfhame. The High Queen. You are the crown." For a moment his words meant nothing to me. I knew I was the High Queen, of course I knew. But the crown? What did the crown have to do with anything. Until it dawned on me. "The mortal queen of Faerie who is oh so clever, my dear Jude. Pardon yourself. Better yet, I'll pardon you. Come home and be my wife, come home and be beautiful by my side." I could have strangled him. 

I stayed silent for a while, allowing his revelation to wash over me. "Make me forget." I whispered. "A gease. Or a glamour... I know you can do it. Make me forget tonight so I can go back to hating you."

"Jude-"

"I command you to make me forget." I had lost track of how long I had left controlling Cardan and just hoped with everything in me that he would follow through. "You will make Vivi swear to never tell me. 

"Your deal with my brother, Jude-" 

"You are High King Cardan of the Isles of Elfhame, do you mean to tell me a deal with a dead man is enough to sway your power? I have commanded you Cardan and you will do as I say."

Cardan nodded slowly and looked away from me. "Can I at least stay with you until morning?"

                                                                              ***

I climbed into bed closely followed by Cardan. He wrapped his arms around my waist and scooted his body into mine. His breath was hot against my neck as his chest rose and fell. 

"I'm going to figure it out. Your little trick." I whispered. "I'm going to figure it out for myself. My word isn't worth much but I'll give it to you."

"Your word means everything to me." 

***

The sun streamed through my windows, sending shocks of pain through my head. I grabbed the pillow next to me and smashed it over my face, trying to block out the light.  I breathed through the pillow, breathing in a nostalgic scent I couldn't quite put my finger on.  I heard Vivi bustling around the kitchen through my walls. I heard the hushing of words and the slamming of a door. 

My body groaned as I pushed myself up and I vowed to never drink again. I crept out of my room to see Heather in a slight daze on the couch and Vivi brewing coffee in the kitchen. She turned to look at me, seeming almost shocked that I was awake. 

"Look who it is!" She said, sarcastically. "How's the head?"

"Not great, Viv. Not great." I chuckled softly. "What happened last night?" 

Vivi took a moment, pouring out three black coffees before turning back to meet my gaze. "So you don't remember, huh?" I shook my head, of course I didn't remember. Why else would I have asked. "We lost you in a club, we looked for you but we couldn't find you. Then when we got back home you were asleep in bed."  

"I don't like this... not remembering I mean..." I muttered, taking a sip of my coffee. " Surely I can't have had that much to drink?"

"Like I said, we lost you. We didn't see what happened after that." It struck me that Vivi was choosing her words very carefully,  as if there was something she wasn't telling me. I turned my attention to Heather, who seemed just as confused as I was. 

"Heather. Do you remember what happened last night?" I pressed. "Anything you can tell me about what I was doing?" Her head snapped towards me as if she only just realised I was in the room with her. 

"I don't... I don't remember." She whispered. I crept further into the room as Vivi's cat eyes bored into me. "Why can't I remember?" The room reeked of residual magick, clinging to the air around Heather.  I narrowed my eyes towards Vivi.

"What aren't you telling me?" I demanded. 

"I can't tell you anymore. I didn't see what happened. You don't want to know." It sounded as though she was begging,  begging for a way out of this conversation. "I can't tell you anymore." I looked around the room, searching for clues as to what had happened.  Yes, something magickal had happen. That much was obvious. Thanks to my gease with the late Dain, I couldn't be glamoured but it was awfully convenient that neither Heather or myself could remember a thing.  I was struck with a deep feeling of betrayal, I knew that Heather's words were being cleverly strung together in order to deceive me without outright lying to me. It dawned on me all at once. 

"Who did you make your oath to?" The question seemed to take her by surprise, the shock clear in her flushed cheeks. 

"What?"

"The oath. Who did you swear to?"

"I cant..." She croaked.

I nodded slowly and backed away, trying desperately not to let the anguish show on my face. Heather still seemed dazed, obviously recovering from a glamour of some kind. Possibly binding her to the same secrecy my sister was obliged to. I returned to my room, shaking with rage. How could she swear to keep last night from me? How could she double-cross me like that? It made no sense, it wasn't in her character. I tried to breathe through my fury, to not let it consume me, I found myself laying back on my bed breathing in that distant memory, a smell that reminded me so much of home. 

A long time passed that way, until I heard a knock at my door. "What?" I demanded. The door swung open to reveal Vivi, standing solemn in the opening. 

"I didn't want to swear. I had no choice." She said. 

"We always have choices." I retorted. 

"Not this time." She lingered there, waiting for me to say something. I rolled over, not wanting to look at her for fear of saying something irreparable. "They said it was what you wanted, that you'll figure it out in your own time. We won't be bound any further from that point.  I just hope you can forgive me." 

I thought about it for a long moment. "I'm mad." I whispered, realising immediately how childish and immature I sounded. 

"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think it was in your best interest."  She slapped her hand against the wood of my doorframe.  "Heather asked if she can have her dress back, she really likes that one."

I sat up reluctantly, and hopped off my bed. I searched the floor and in my wardrobe but came up empty. I got down on my hands and knees to check under my bed but still, I could not find it. "That's weird..."

"Is it?" Vivi smirked.    

*******

Epilogue (I guess)

I kiss Cardan softly before climbing out of bed, my nightgown trailing on the floor behind me. I glance over my shoulder at him, sleeping soundly and looking as painfully handsome as ever. He hates how early I rise each day, wishing me to stay curled up next to him for as long as possible. But if he had it his way, Faerie would be left to fend for itself and we would descend into anarchy. 

I sink my feet into the plush, luxurious rug woven by Mother Marrow; it supposedly had a plethora of magickal qualities but Cardan decided it was too delectable to refuse, and make my over to the dressing room. I sigh as I begin rifling through the abundance of regal clothing, searching for something simple. The Court of Shadows requires no façade of grace. 

I hear Cardan stir behind me, turning to look at him I see he is grasping at the sheets trying to feel me out. I snort and stifle a laugh, looking at the ground. My hands continue to trace along the garments until I feel something entirely foreign. Cold and plastic, bright red in colour. I take the dress from it's place and hold it against my body. It's tiny, shiny and definitely not from Elfhame. 

"Oh my god." I shout. Cardan sits bolt upright, brandishing a dagger he must've found under my pillow. 

"Jude!" His voice is panicky. "Jude what's going on?" 

I turn to him, holding the dress at arms length. "What the fuck is this doing here?" 

"I will tell you everything... but you have to promise not to kill me... and maybe put the dress on?"

[giggly-squiggily]

Amazing, Showstopping, Glamorous Blue Lock Headcanons That Are Definitely True Ego Told Me So #3

I have no excuse for this I just wanna yell about the boys

-Barou watches Bluey. He claims it's because of his two sisters but really he finds it incredibly comforting. His favorite character is Muffin (His favorite quote is "Muffin, NO!") If you call him out on it he'll get all embarrassed and claim it's for babies. This doesn't really change even after Isagi told him he watches it too- but he's not nearly as flustered post that.

- Chigiri sleeps like the dead. He gets up fine in the morning, but any time between then and bedtime he’s unmovable. The world could be ending and every catastrophe ever could be going down and he’ll just roll over and carry on snoring.

- Rin won't ever admit it, but he has such a soft spot for Bachira. The little gremlin wormed his way into his heart without any warning and- if you pay close enough attention, it shows. "This is gross, you take it" He'd say as he trades a meal with Bachira knowing the smaller boy loves it. "I only picked him because he's useful" after reuniting him with Isagi. "You're embarrassing. I guess I can teach you." He'd say while tutoring Bachira in English even AFTER he said he wouldn't.

-Reo's amazing at doing hair. Sometimes he'll force Chigiri to sit down so he could do his braid for him (it always looks amazing) claiming "You take forever. I'm doing it." But really he just wants to talk with the redhead about whatever (50% He's venting about Nagi, 50% it's everything from K-Drama's he's into, Team V shenanigans to various other topics). Chigiri can't fight him on it- and even if he could, he rather enjoys Reo doing his hair for him- plus he's really entertaining the way he tells stories.

- For the longest time, Nagi thought Half-Baked ice cream meant it was baked halfway in the oven before frozen. One time he got a craving and wanted some, but only had vanilla. And a microwave. Chigiri and Barou came back to find a burnt mess of ice cream in the microwave and a shamed Nagi.

-Despite his last name meaning "Happy Bee", Bachira has a strong dislike for the buzzing insects. Some say he was stung a lot as a kid, others say he might be allergic. Really though- Bachira doesn't like them cause one day he had a slushy and they got into his drink. He's never recovered since. He doesn't mind it when Isagi calls him "Bumble Bee" though. (Credit to you friend- you know who you are :D)

-Aryu's terrified of seagulls. Not only are they "So not glam" but they insist on attacking him any time he goes to the beach. (When he poses, his hair somehow catches one). He's also terrified of birds period- if one gets too close you can expect to hear him squawk and run for safety.

-Niko and Isagi have movie nights. They aren't much of a set up- Niko gets his phone back, Isagi somewhat convinces Karasu to share some of his "Snack Stash", and the two get comfy around the small screen watching whatever anime they're addicted to at the moment. They also break into song alot whenever an opening slaps. (May or may not have been told to "SHUT THE F*CK UP" by their teammates a few times).

-Hiori smiled at Rin once. It was so effective on him Rin walked straight into the doorframe of one of the sliding doors. Unfortunately for him Bachira and Isagi witnessed it and will never let him live it down. (They become his little statue muses like in Hercules- "It's okay, your in lo-" "Finish that sentence and I'll strangle you with your own shoelaces.")

-Bachira is very cuddly; he'll walk up to whomever and just wrap his arms around them from behind. He especially does this to Isagi whenever the other boy is trying to explain his spacial awareness or whatever. It's a 50/50 shot on whether he'll simply hug him or he'll start tickling him mid conversation- forcing Isagi to laugh so hard he can't finish the sentence.

-Gagamaru tends to put his whole face into whatever he's looking at. If you show him something on your phone he'll lean in so he's inches from it. Some figured he's nearsighted and needs glasses, but really it's just one of Gagamaru's many quirks.

-Someone once told Tokimitsu he radiated "Kirby energy". He didn't know what that meant but when he told his teammates Rin kinda gave him a once over and said: "Accurate." To this day Tokimitsu still doesn't get what that means.

-Kunigami hates horror movies; Chigiri lives for them. 50% of their movie nights consist of the hero hiding behind him while Chigiri snickers at the antics going onscreen.

[your-dose-of-obidala]

Your dose of Obidala - The hut

I have no clue where this came from. It's a first part, I guess. Maybe there'll be more. Who knows with my muse? Not me, certainly. Tell me what you think...

tw: angst, post-partum depression, hurt/comfort

They live in a hut.

In the first year, the walls of the hut are brown. The walls are rough and she pulls a face whenever she touches them accidentally. The hut is made of some type of clay, Obi-Wan explains but she turns away, dismissing the information outwardly.

She still doesn't talk to him if she doesn't have to.

He endures it with soft features, not a hint of bitterness around his mouth.

Not like she who lives on bitterness likes its sustenance.

The hut is not only brown and ugly and dark, it's also small.

It's smaller than any housing she ever lived in. The whole thing might fit in her childhood bedroom. It's too small for two adults and two babies.

Every time the twins wake her, he wakes too.

And without fail, he takes one, while she takes the other. She doesn't ask, she doesn't have to. They don't talk in the middle of the night. (They also don't talk during the day.)

Dusk is cold and clammy here and she hates it more than the days.

Because at night they have never enough blankets and she is always cold. They always sleep near each other out of necessity, the babies between them.

She is never warm anymore. She misses her planet and the green lushness of it. She misses the luxury of Coruscant. She misses Anakin and his warmth.

*

He is good with the babies.

But she would be good with them too if she could sense what they need.

*

She is getting better.

The first half year was hard. She hated nursing them. Hated their demanding, scrunched-up faces and their wailing that could only be stopped when she fed them her nipples.

She knew she waited too long to feed them and by that time they were ravenous and thrashing their heads from left to right blindly searching, searching like baby birds. Her breasts were raw and bloody and she felt a deep-seated aversion to her own children that made her recoil when she tried to think about it.

She cries in the darkness when she nurses them, her back to him, so that he might not see. She knows that he knows. You cannot hide in a hut this small.

He can feel her sadness, she is sure. Just like he can smell the curdled milk and the salt of her tears.

Moisture always comes with a smell in the desert.

The midwife says her children are always hungry because her milk is not nutritious enough. She cries and nurses them, cries and nurses.

"We can feed them Bantha milk," he says, in the darkness behind her, like it's a secret.

And somehow she cries harder, as if by taking this one act of kindness she is admitting to one more failing.

"Padmé," he whispers. ", did you hear?"

She nods her head. Her hair is matted where she lays on it and it rubs against her wet cheek. One of the babies is still biting her nipple. It hurts. It always hurts. And she can only bear it by telling herself she deserves it.

She thinks of her sister feeding her niece, and imagines her tranquil face and kind smile. Not once, did she feel like this.

The tears flow.

If she could nurture her children on her tears they would be fat and happy.

*

The hut is ugly.

Its colors are brown and beige and grey and brown. Always brown. Everything is rough and dry. But the hut means comfort because it's cool inside during the day and holds warmth during the night.

Obi-Wan works outside during the day and his skin is chapped at all times.

During those first weeks, his skin is burnt from the sun to a worrying degree. He never complains even though she knows that it must hurt. He is too fair. But the sun changes him. His pearly white skin turns red and angry and then a ruddy unbecoming tan.

"Sit down," she says, but doesn't wait for him and starts putting ointment on his face. He winces. It must hurt. Her fingers aren't gentle.

"You have to put this on your skin before you go out."

He doesn't say anything.

"Did you hear?" she asks and grabs his chin, the bristles of his beard rough under her fingers. She meets his light eyes.

"Yes," he says, and because he can't pull away he closes his eyes. In defeat?

Strange how powerful that makes her feel. There is a sensation in her chest, hot and achy and new. She lets him go as if burned by his skin.

"See to it!" she snaps, unable to look at that face: The burnt skin, the rough, dry patches with the ointment settling into it.

Maybe, she thinks, he is doing it on purpose, so she will tend to him.

Just to feel something else.

*

He uses the ointment and she doesn't have to touch him anymore.

And why should they touch? They never did before.

But the smallness of the hut, the constant touching of the babies, makes her realize what is painstakingly obvious: They don't touch because they fear that they wouldn't be able to stop once they started.

*

After the first year, he whitenes the walls.

One morning she rises, bleary-eyed and in need of kaff and he is already at it in the living room. He is only wearing beige pants that hang loosely on his hips. How didn't she notice how much weight he lost? She can count his ribs, could touch them, and feel them moving under the skin.

But what is even more fascinating is that there are constellations of moles on his skin.

She is transfixed by how white this secret skin of his is. She never sees him like this.

She has the urge to put her brown hands on him.

She shakes her head, trying to put this thought to rest.

She fails.

And thinks of it. Again.

And again during the day.

*

The first time she rides him is in the pitch-black darkness. They are only bodies and he helps her to slake her desperate lust.

She couldn't possibly say what he thinks. She only feels that he is hard, just like she is wet. And she knows they fit and it makes her feel whole.

He could be anyone, during those nights. But strangely, he never is.

She never imagines him to be anyone else.

Come to think of it, she never even considered it.

Her hands curl into his chest hair, certainly hurting him, but he doesn't say anything. Let's her. And she imagines his face, not anyone else.

His face.

In the morning she wonders how this could've happened.

Like so many things in her life, she lets them be, ignored but not forgotten. Ready to be considered at a different time.

Just not today.

It doesn't take Obi-Wan long to whiten the walls.

Maybe, she thinks, fucking him was her way of saying thank you.

She considers it, then dismisses it.

She will think about it some other time.

The thing about Tatooine is, that you have all the time in the world.

[narrators-journal]

Hi! I am a huge fan of your work! (Especially winter is a lovely season for romance and funerals; you really know how to make a guy cry!)

I wish there was more ryomina content out there, so would it be possible to write a pinning Makoto that’s in denial about his feelings for Ryoji (first love sorta vibes?!?!)? (Crushing on the popular guy?!?). He could have internalised homophobia or he could just straight up just be in denial, but I’ll leave that up to you!

Thank you for reading this request and I hope you have a wonderful day!

I’m so happy you enjoy my fanfic! WISRF is my baby rn, and I hope you don’t mind the super slow updates, I’m doing my best with it. In the meantime, I hope this holds you over, because! Oh my god, if you want more Ryomina content?? You came to the right lady!! I love these two with such an aggressive love. For example! When I finished this one, I had to click off of Tumblr so I didn’t post it too early. I ITCHED to post it. I don’t care if this is super polished, it’s not the fanfic. I can be a bit more lenient. I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the change of pace.

So! It’s a bit vague, but I went ahead and implied Minato’s a bit of a yandere for Ryoji as well as in denial.

Winter was probably Minato’s favorite season. The way the sunlight made blankets of snow sparkle like a sea of diamonds, the crispness of the air, the excuse to wear comfier clothes and stay under warm blankets, how peacefully quiet everything was due to the birds and animals either hibernating, hiding from the ice, or south for the season. It was all a blissful reprieve from the torturous heat of summer or the pollen-choked air of the spring months. Not to mention, Ryoji mochizuki had transferred to gekkoukan in those colder months.

Ryoji Mochizuki. Tall, around 5’11, with dark brown hair that was brushed back from his round, cheerful face as if his styling routine included putting his face in front of a high power fan. Paired with gorgeous blue eyes like two pools of the world’s most refreshing water, and it wasn’t a surprise that the charming trasnfer student had become Gekkoukan’s most popular student in the few weeks he’d been there. Which, was a feat, with how beloved Akihiko was. Yet, even with the fighter’s adorable, oblivious charms, when Ryoji had come to school, he’d taken the hearts of the student body like an expert phantom thief.

Or, well, at least, 99% of the student body adored the man. Minato Arisato was no stranger to charming playboys and their faux innocent, lovey-dovey antics, so Ryoji’s sugary magnetism was useless against the deadpan emo. No matter how soft those lovely sapphire eyes got when the brunette looked at him.

Or...that’s what Minato told himself each day when he heard one of his classmates whisper about some new facet of sex appeal the boy had. Irritation was what he claimed as the cause for how much he hated when he saw Ryoji out on a date with a classmate. Jealousy? No. Minato Arisato hated other people, they grated on his nerves without fail, so there was no way in hell he had any warm feelings that would stem something like jealousy. Right?

But, if that’s so, why does the mention of Ryoji going out on dates make you so aggressive? Orpheus asked, the epitome of that little voice in the back of your head that you fought to ignore. Although, does a crush really explain your feelings? What about how possessive you are of him? “Aren’t you cold, Funeral lily?” The words all but ripped the blue-haired teen away from his persona’s musings and brought him back to reality. The reality where Ryoji Mochizuki waited beside him for the train. Close enough for the shaggy-haired teen to smell how the various scents of food that had permeated the white dress shirt and black vest of his work uniform mingled with Ryoji’s peppermint-and-oleander-scented cologne. Which, meant he was too damned close. “I’m fine.” Minato said flatly before he stepped away to put a bit of distance between them. Some distance between himself and the irrational urge to brand the brunette’s cute ass. Yet, Ryoji didn’t seem to get that memo, because in the time it took the persona user to flick through a few of his songs, he became aware of the pretty boy’s body heat once again breath-tak- annoyinglyclose. “Personal space, Mochizuki.” “Are you sure? I didn’t see you grab a jacket after work tonight, and, I mean, it’s winter.” Ryoji pointed out. As if the midnight-haired teen hadn’t even spoken, and had somehow also missed the delicate flakes that drifted down from the darkened sky outside. “Yes I’m sure, and I don’t see youwith a coat either, so get off of my ass about it.” He snapped, yet when he looked back to glare at the teen who had stumbled into the shaggy-haired emo’s part time job, and just so happened to choose to work there as well, Ryoji’s blue eyes met his evil look with nothing but a warm sense of concern. The fact that the most popular boy in school had the absolute gall to look at him like that made Minato’s stomach churn. Though, that may have been caused by the swarm of butterflies he ignoring whenever he saw that addictive, sweet look.

Regardless of whatever confused feelings he harbored though, Ryoji still looked at him with undeniable softness in his gaze. A softness that Minato recognized from their first encounter outside of the very train station that they now stood in. A softness that drew Minato in like a warm hug in the chilled air of the winter night and blurred the prickly, hostile thoughts into simple white noise on that near-empty, slightly smelly boarding platform.

In fact, Minato had plenty of time while they waited for their train to notice just how soft Ryoji himself was. From that round face and dark, fluffy hair that looked feather-soft even before the blue-haired teen reached up to gently touch a stray strand that dared to fall into Ryoji’s sapphire eyes, to the warm body that he’d heard from the many girls was great to hold. And, that spark of jealousy was the dose of ice water that pulled Minato out of the trance he’d fallen into. So, the proximity of Ryoji’s face to his crashed down like a precariously balanced box at a sharp gust of wind and hit Minato right in the impulses. "Ah! Mina! What the hell?!” Ryoji yelped, his hand on his cheek as he stared at the midnight-haired emo who’d let those jealous, vicious urges slip just a bit. “I-I-I…” Sadly, when he tried to speak, shame choked the persona user worse than the stale, dank air of the dark hour, but he pushed the words out regardless. “I-I told you, personal space, god damn it! Listen!” “Motherfucker, you’rethe one who leaned in! I just met you in the middle!” Ryoji pointed out, but what was Minato to do? Confess to the jealousy he harbored towards all of the girls he heard talk about the brunette?

No. If he tried to explain the intricacies of his ‘jealousy’, he’d be forced to explain why the mere memory of his classmates harmlessly gossiping about Ryoji had driven him to sucker punch the man. He’d have to confront whatever those disgusting, squishy feelings were that Ryoji’s presence always seemed to dig up. And, the violent possessiveness that followed.

So, instead of doing any of that, Minato snarled, “I did not! Get your mind out of whatever pipedreams you have rattling around in that shallow ass head of yours.” And, while the look of hurt in Ryoji’s eyes stung, it stung far less than the humiliation of explaining himself. Especially since the train came along to rescue him from marinating in the kicked-puppy aura the captivating man gave off.

So, he simply ended the conversation with a huff, and put his music back on to drown out any other chance to converse.

Minato hated people. That included Ryoji Mochizuki as well.

[silverjetsystm]

REPOST & LIST 6 SONGS THAT INSPIRE YOU TO WRITE YOUR MUSE .

This got long because I did some for each.

Cut.

The Killing Moon (All Night Version) - Echo & The Bunnymen (aka Marc's canonical ringtone).

Under blue moon, I saw you So soon you'll take me Up in your arms, too late to beg you Or cancel it, though I know it must be The killing time Unwillingly mine

V - Cyberpunk 2077, Marcin Przybyłowicz

Sheyn vi di levone - Gevolt

You are as beautiful a the moon, you are as bright as the stars, you have been sent to me from the heavens, you are a gift from above. I found my happiness when I saw you. You made my heart happy - you are as beautiful as a thousand suns.

Norra El Norra (Entering The Ark) - Orphaned Land

Nora El Nora, the lord of courage Return to me my lord, mend my wounds My soul is yearning, and in valor we wait Nora I sing to thee, hymn of praise To you I give my life and faith Through all time, mighty Nora Deliver us the progany of Abraham Offspring of greatness You are the living God Giver of Torah

Dead Don't Die - Shinedown

The dead don't die, the heart still beats Head held high, I haunt these streets Life's killed me a hundred thousand times You can try, you can try, but the dead don't die

Not Changing Pops, Seeking - Nightlab

I'm not changing pops, I'm seeking And I hear what you're preaching But this drowsy inanition can't stay I am screaming out this seance While a spectral love is playing with the lights It just ain't right

Everybody Knows - Leonard Cohen

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed Everybody knows the war is over Everybody knows the good guys lost Everybody knows the fight was fixed The poor stay poor, the rich get rich That's how it goes Everybody knows

Hymn For The Weekend - Coldplay

Oh, angel sent from up above You know you make my world light up When I was down, when I was hurt You came to lift me up Life is a drink and love's a drug Oh, now I think I must be miles up When I was a river dried up You came to rain a flood

Main Theme From Goncharov - Jordan Dean

My Love - Florence & The Machine

There is nothing to describe Except the moon still bright against the worrying sky I pray the trees will get their leaves soon So tell me where to put my love Do I wait for time to do what it does? I don't know where to put my love

Inner Emigration - Daniel Kahn, Painted Bird (there is a reason why I chose a very Jewish song without any Yiddish nor Hebrew for Mr. Grant)

So make a kind of inner emigration It's a kind of shift accomplished easily We all have made our disassociations Whether on the job or in our family And what could be more irrelevant than nations When everywhere you go, it's buy or sell? But if we all make only inner emigrations Then everything will only go to hell

11:11 - Ben Barnes

I wish for you to be happy I wish for you to be free I wish for you to be fearless That's wishes one, two, and three And I won't wish to be yours or for you to be mine But I'll wish them all for you every time

Dance the Night - Dua Lipa (while themes could be Grant, this wound up becoming a driving song. per the Wall Street/Main Street Treaty of 20XX, it's a Jake song)

Watch me dance, dance the night away My hеart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face Watch me dancе, dance the night away (Uh-huh) I'll still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place

March of the Jobless Corps - Daniel Kahn, Painted Bird (Jake speaks Yiddish. Jake is a union man TM. While I see and write Jake as the most observant of the system, he also loved stories of those Jewish secular socialists. Kahn and the Painted Bird represent Jake versus Grant's CEO materialism and Marc's violence.)

Well one, two, three, four Join the Marching Jobless Corps No work in the factories No more manufacturing All the tools are broke and rusted Every wheel and window busted Through the city streets we go Idle as a CEO Idle as a CEO

[Honestly, I listen to a lot of Daniel Kahn when I write Jake so just take a look at his albums and you'll get an idea]

tagged by @biitchcakes

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

||The useless laptop updates: A jujutsu kaisen parody||

Hi dears, Peahen mom here and me and a friend got this idea for a funny drabble involving a silly video on youtube she showed me. I can't stop laughing from watching it. But if you wanna know what, keep reading to find out. Now to let you know, this is part one so hope you like.

||Drabble summary||

Lets say thanks to some help, everything was calm and it seems Yuji and friends were getting used to showing the king of curses things. Even when it's showing Sukuna new things. So what would happen when Taz comes to ask for some help involving a angry king? Read to find out?

||Warning||

~A angry king of curses is present in this drabble

~Maybe some scary parts too

~Some funny hilarious things as well

((Guests in the drabble))

The DBT, Fosh, Taz Hellion, Kinie Ger, and Kisho belong to my amazing friend @demon-blood-youths

The curse vixens, Mouse belong to me. Sukuna Ryomen, yuji itadori, nobara kugisaki, megumi fushiguro come from the anime jujutsu kaisen but their also muses I rp with.

((Note: This drabble will have heavy grammar mistakes and errors but this was written for fun. I hope you understand but also enjoy please.))

It was another calm day for everyone here. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. It seems like it was going to be a nice day for once. That was till hearing a explosion and an angry yell from a certain king.

Nobara heard the angry shout but pokes her head out in the hallway. "What the hell was that!?" she saw Taz peek her head out as well wondering what that was.

"I would like to know where that explosion came from!" Kinie said sitting on Taz's head while being curious too. Both girls look to one another but as they step out to look outside the main window, another explosion went off causing Nobara and Taz to yelp and fall feeling the building shaking.

"Eek!"

"WHAT IS THAT!?" Nobara said sweating in a slight panic only to see the smoke coming from the other side. It seems to be coming from where the guys were.

"SUKUNA, STOP TRYING TO BLOW UP THE SCHOOL! IF YOU JUST LISTEN-" Kisho was shouting but he was there.

"YOU KNOW WHAT FUCK YOU! I AM GOING TO DESTROY THIS PIECE OF SHIT OF A LAPTOP! I HATE WHEN IT DOES THIS!" That sounded like Sukuna was angry about something. The two girls blink when hearing Megumi who was trying to calm a Sukuna down.

"BUT YOUR GOING TO KILL EVERYONE IF YOU DON'T CALM DOWN!!"

"NO I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!! NOT TILL YOU FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT STOP! I FUCKING HATE WHEN THIS PIECE OF SHIT DOES THIS SO FIX IT!!" the king roars sending another explosion that shook the school hearing the guys screaming again.

"O.O;"

"O.O;"

"Well...seems my poor king is very furious about something...." Kinie mutters but the two girls wonder the same. Just what is going on?

~~~~Later that Afternoon in New York~~~~

Fosh was drinking some hot cocoa with Mouse who the two hackers working on a new web site for hackers only. With this, they were able to get into it with no other trying to spy on them.

"You know, I think this works. Maybe if we add some more ram it could work a bit faster?" Mouse mutters tapping on her halo tablet with Fosh checking the main frame.

"That could work pretty well. Maybe if we do we can try getting something of a good theme for it." he said with Mouse nodding to agree. As the hackers worked, the others were hanging out again with no problem what so ever.

That changed when he noticed a video call coming to him. "Hmm?"

"What's wrong Fosh?" Mouse looks seeing a video call.

"I got a incoming video call..ah, it's Taz!" he said happy but taps accept to answer the call. He saw Taz there while she was waving to him.

"Umm Hi Fosh. Oh and Hi mouse!" she said as Mouse smiled waving to her.

"Hi Taz! It's so good to see you!" she said.

"Yeah, same to you too!" she said but their was Nobara beside her as well. She looked happy to see her friends in New York but the hackers blinks noticing something.

"Ummm is something wrong?" Mouse asked.

"Ummmm well, we were hoping Fosh can help us with something..if it's not too much trouble?" Taz mutters poking her fingers together. Fosh blinks to look at her.

"Of course I can help Taz. Why what's the problem?"

Before Taz could explain-

"SUKUNA, STOP BURNING THE DAMN ROOM! PLEASE WILL YOU JUST-KISHO GET THE WATER!!"

"AAAHHHHH!! I'M TRYING BUT HE WON'T LET ME GO!"

"ANGRY SQUAKING IN THE BACKGROUND*

"I'LL KILL THIS DAMN THING IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO! I HATE IT! I HATE IT ALL!! I WILL DESTORY-WILL YOU STOP PECKING ME YOU FUCKING DAMN TURKEY!?!"

"THEN LET KISHO GO!!"

"NEVER!!!"

Fosh's eyes widen hearing the familiar angry voice and Mouse blinks sweatdropping to hear it. Taz sweatdrops to laugh nervously.

"Ummm, Taz?"

"Yeah..that's the problem. Ummmm, we were hoping you can help us out with this. So can you?" Nobara said but Fosh was nervous to know very well who's voice that was.

"...........I..."

"Please Fosh! We will make it up to you if you can help us! Please!!" Nobara said having her hands together and head down bowing on the laptop screen. He blinks to see this sweatdropping but Mouse blinks to look at him.

"....."

Now it came to Fosh's answer; will he help or not? His answer......

~~~~Minutes later~~~~~

"I can't believe I'm doing this. T_T" Fosh shudders but Mouse was rubbing his back seeing him nervous.

"There there. I'm sure you can help but I'm here to help too." she said but Fosh looks to her but nods taking a slow breath and exhales.

"O..Okay....right. Ummm, so they said they were going to take us to Sukuna or call us back after Sukuna broke the connection so we hope to hear from them.." he said as he waits with the DBT and Cursed Vixens wondering what the heck was going on.

~~~In the living room~~~

"Do you think we should ask?" Shdwkyz said with the others looking at him then at him.

"Honestly, I'm not sure if we should know." Breezy mutters sitting by Rust as he was thinking.

"Who knows? Maybe it's nothing.." Rust said with Navarro eating some food and Echo sitting by him.

"We don't know but..from the shouting it had to be something but I'm sure it will be fine." she said.

~~~~With Fosh and Mouse~~~~

The hackers were waiting before the call came once more. Fosh was nervous knowing he and Mouse would be speaking to Sukuna. Sukuna of all people or maybe Yuji got control again? Even so, he stilled his nerves to answer it.

He saw the screen again showing Megumi, Kisho, Nobara, and Taz with Kinie on her head once more. Megumi and Kisho had smoke coming off from them putting out the fire Sukuna let loose.

"Uhhhh hi-"

"Oh thank god you answered! Fosh! Maybe you can help with whatever Sukuna is angry about! Please!!" Kisho was looking to the screen but Nobara sighed to move him.

"To say in short. We didn't know what was going on till Megumi explained it but...maybe you can talk to Sukuna about it." Nobara looks to Yuji who indeed was back but he was seeing a laptop that was showing something on the screen to say:

"Restarting in 12 minutes and 45 seconds"

Your PC needs to restart to finish installing important updates. If you already saved everything, you can restart now. Otherwise, you should take a moment to save your work.

((Restart)) ((Close))

"Uhhhhh....."

"Okay, it's just saying that the laptop is needing to restart..what's the problem?" Fosh asked.

"That's the thing, Sukuna well.." Taz was trying to explain but Sukuna shows a month on Yuji's cheek to say:

"The damn thing is annoying! Why do I have to have this damn thing showing on my laptop when I only want to watch videos!!!"

Fosh and Mouse jump from the angry voice to show it was indeed Sukuna.

"Ummm Sukuna? I think that is just telling you to restart the laptop. It's not that hard. If you just let it do that-"

"BULLSHIT!! This shit comes up on that damn computer every. single. DAY! Automatically! You have to restart your computer to install important updates every single day!!"

"O..Okay? But what's the-"

"But every single day, I just hit later! You wanna know why I hate later!?"

"Well-"

"Because their is no option to pick Never! I like to click never! I NEVER WANT TO INSTALL THIS USLESS STUPID UPDATES!? WHY THE HELL DO THIS SHIT HAVE TO INSTALL THINGS THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE!?" Sukuna was about to take over to blow it up!

"Sukuna don't! Stop and calm down!" Yuji said trying to stop Sukuna using his hand to burn the laptop into molten goo.

"I HATE EM!! I HATE THESE STUPID UPDATES!! WHY THE FUCK DO WE NEED THEM!? I JUST WANT TO WATCH VIDEOS WITHOUT SEEING THIS SHIT POP UP ON MY SCREEN EVERY FUCKING DAY!"

"...Jesus christ.." Mouse mutters in shock hearing the event unfold.

"....." Fosh was speechless.

"M..Mister sukuna please calm down!" Taz said trying to help with Kinie looking at the laptop with a hiss. "SO IT'S THIS THINGS FAULT FOR UPSETTING MY KING! HOW DARE YOU VILE MACHINE!"

"Not helping Kinie!" Nobara said.

"THAT'S IT! I'M BURNING THIS DAMN THING!"

"SUKUNA NOT AGAIN! STOP TRYING TO BURN EVERYTHING!" Megumi and Kisho was trying to stop him but now the boys were in a fight cloud with Yuji yelping.

"WHY AM I GETTING BEAT UP!?! IT'S SUKUNA'S FAULT NOT MINE!"

"FUCK YOU IDIOTS!! I BLAME THE MACHINE!! I BLAME IT!!"

~~~~In the living room again~~~~

The fractions heard the shouting from the room Fosh and Mouse was in with eyes wide.

"The heck is that!?" Breezy said.

"I don't know but geez they sound pissed." Rust said with a sweatdrop.

".....I..I think I know who but..I don't think I wanna know.." Melinda said with a sweatdrop with Jaron having the same feeling. Just what the heck is going on in there? Even Ink and Jinx blinks wondering that too.

"I'm sure it's nothing..you all know how things go from time to time." Vivi said to the group but they look at one another then at the door. Just what the heck is going on.

~~~~~Back with Fosh and Mouse~~~~~~~

".....GUYS ENOUGH!!" The group stops to see Mouse shout for them to stop as she sighed to pinch the bridge of her nose.

"I don't understand why your so upset about it. Just let the computer do the installments. Besides, it will help keep the laptop running smoothly with no problem." Fosh said or tried to explain.

"Clearly you don't get what I'm saying!!!! I HATE the damn updates! I never want to install them!" Sukuna said again.

"Then just look at something else while it's installing. I mean, you said you do this every day by hitting later? So that means it might take longer for it to download what you missed." he said.

".........."

"*Sighs* Just..hold on, maybe I can check. Do you have connection access?" Fosh asked.

"The fuck is that!?" Sukuna said but Fosh felt his eye twitching with Mouse rolling her eyes.

"It's an app on the laptop that will let us take control of it. So Fosh can take control of your computer and see what the problem is." Mouse explains.

"..........."

"Oh yeah, their is that." Kisho said but Sukuna bonks him on the head. "OW!"

"Get on with it then girly! You too hacker!" he said but Fosh tenses and started on that.

"Can one of you find this app and we can start?" Fosh asked seeing Nobara doing it since Sukuna was going to destroy the laptop if he got near it. She looks for the app that Fosh speaks about and clicked on it. Right away, she saw it and Fosh walked her through the steps so he can get access to it.

"Alright, and you just hit this number in 420284 and hit enter. It will show you right after "give this user premission for access" when you do hit yes." Fosh explains with Nobara doing as he said.

"Okay 420284 and hit enter." she said seeing it working then shows another screen that said what Fosh said. "And hit yes?" she said.

"Yes."

Nobara did that as the screen said 'One moment' the group looks to see the screen had a jellyfish icon to show Fosh had control of the laptop.

"Alright I got control. Now, lets see how bad this is." he said working to check the computer. The others watch with Sukuna grumbling annoyed. He didn't want to wait.

"Hurry up!"

"Will you give him a minute!? He's working on it." Mouse said.

"I watch your tone, girly!" Sukuna warns.

"It's mouse to you!" she said.

"Guys..please don't." Yuji said even if he was doing his best to keep Sukuna from cursing others. In a moment, Fosh checked the files on the laptop but he found what he was looking for.

"Ah, here we go. Updates. Now, lets click this and see what-" As he did, his eyes widen seeing a very very VERY long list of updates that needed to be installed. Some were back a few months ago!

"...THE HECK DID YOU DO!? You had this many updates that was not installed! Your crazy!"

"I said I didn't want to fucking update useless updates damn it! So I kept hitting later and ignored it!" Sukuna said.

"B..b..but you have so many updates you need to install. Without them, I'm shocked the laptop still is working!" Fosh said.

"Look, just tell me how long is it going to take for you to install those damn updates!?" Sukuna demands but Fosh checks again but he was nervous to give the answer.

"W..well, judging from the ones you ignored, some that was out of date, udated versions and so on ummm....I say it will take.."

~~~~~~~~~

The others were watching a movie until...

"5 DAYS!!! ARE YOU SHITTING ME YOU LITTLE FUCKING PUNK!? IT'S GOING TO TAKE FIVE FUCKING DAYS FOR ALL THAT WORTHLESS SHIT TO INSTALL!?"

A very loud shout was heard making the DBT jump in fright and the cursed vixens jump looking scared.

"The fuck was that!?" Echo and Navarro said at the same time.

"..I don't know..but it sounds like someone is not happy.." Hellmare said wondering the same.

"Also, watch your language you two." Vivi said seeing the bombers grumbling sorry.

"Yeah, it indeed sounded like someone is pissed." Rust sweatdrops with Breezy agreeing.

Now both fractions were slowly looking at the door where Fosh and Mouse were.

~~~~~~~~~~

Fosh was scared but he can see the anger coming off that Sukuna took over Yuji as the others were nervous.

"Oh damn it!" Megumi said.

"YOU MEAN TO FUCKING TELL ME...IT'S GOING TO TAKE FIVE DAYS FOR THAT DAMN LAPTOP TO UPDATE! I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG!!"

"Y..Y..You have to! Because you didn't udpate it as you were suppose to, it's going to take a while for it to be up to speed. That's why they said you have to keep it up to date or this happens." Fosh said trying to explain.

"GRRRRRRRRAAAAHHHHH!! WHAT FUCKING USELESS PIECE OF SHIT! I'LL NEVER WANT TO WAIT JUST FOR THIS TO UDPATE! THAT'S IT! I'M BLOWING IT UP RIGHT NOW!"

"Sukuna NO!" Fosh and Mouse saw Megumi and Kisho trying to calm Sukuna down but noticed the fire balls going all over that Nobara ducked Taz's head and Kinie hissing at the laptop.

"That's it! I'll destroy you for upsetting my king!"

"..What the heck is going on..." Mouse mutters.

"I..I don't know.." Fosh said too as both hackers sees the chaos right now, Taz heard something explode as the connection was lost from the computer he was controlling.

"Uhhhh, give us a moment Fosh! We need to calm Sukuna down! I'll call you back in a second!" Taz said worried but stood up. "Mister Sukuna please calm down! Your going to-" That's when the screen cuts off to show:

~~Connection Lost~~

"........."

"........"

"Okkkaaayyy..that was...disturbing."

"......."

Though, you okay Fosh?" she asked looking at him but Fosh didn't say a word.

"Uhhhh Fosh?" Mouse asked touching his shoulder that he falls back passing out to crash on the ground. "Fosh!?"

"@-@;" He had swirls in his eyes twitching, with a small soul like version of Fosh showing from him as he was twitching.

".........." Mouse sweatdrops to help him. Yeah, that didn't help. Though, she saw the door open showing Vivi and Shdwkyz come in to see.

"Mouse? What the heck happened!? Why is Fosh knocked out!?" Rust said seeing the others looking inside but Mouse sweatdrops to sigh.

"Lets just say....we...had a little issue but...we'll explain when Fosh wakes up." she said now fanning him to help him wake up. The DBT and cursed vixens blink with sweat drops showing on the side of their heads to wonder what the heck just happened.

However, they will after a while. And when Fosh wakes up.

[writingsofwesteros]

https://www.tumblr.com/writingsofwesteros/759791322556170240/httpswwwtumblrcomwritingsofwesteros759772742?source=share

Since that night in the attic, something had changed in the atmosphere of the house and it seemed that none of the sisters wanted to admit it.

Daella was walking home from her final ballet class of the day, when a car alarm went off, and she jumped, closing her eyes. When she opened, everything around her was frozen, every car on the road, every person on the sidewalk, even the birds in the sky- frozen. "Oh my god-" She gasped, looking around in horror. "Wh-I-" She stammered fearfully, shutting her eyes and whispering, "Please, gods- What the hell-" When she opened her eyes, all of a sudden everything was back to the way it was before. Similarly, that day Nora had a photoshoot for a famous swimwear brand, and as she stood in the newest little yellow bikini, posing as she always did- the photographer was really, really just getting on her nerves.

"Hand on your hip," He kept telling her, as if she wasn't already doing it. It was bad enough she didn't get any sleep after that night in the creepy attic, with that creepy stuff and Mom's name in that witchy book that made no freaking sense, and now- "Chin up!" The photographer shouted, and she snapped, "What do you think I'm doing!?" And as she did, the camera in his hands visibly came out of his hands and slammed against the wall. Her eyes widened- did she do that? That...that's no possible. Helaena sat restocking in her apothecary store, when she got a sudden image flash before her, and she gasped. "Hel!" Her sisters ran in at the same time. "You'll never believe what happened to me today!" The image was over as quickly as it happened. Not ten minutes later the door to her store opened, and Nora and Dae ran in at the same time.

"Hand on your hip," He kept telling her, as if she wasn't already doing it. It was bad enough she didn't get any sleep after that night in the creepy attic, with that creepy stuff and Mom's name in that witchy book that made no freaking sense, and now- "Chin up!" The photographer shouted, and she snapped, "What do you think I'm doing!?" And as she did, the camera in his hands visibly came out of his hands and slammed against the wall. Her eyes widened- did she do that? That...that's no possible. Helaena sat restocking in her apothecary store, when she got a sudden image flash before her, and she gasped. "Hel!" Her sisters ran in at the same time. "You'll never believe what happened to me today!" The image was over as quickly as it happened. Not ten minutes later the door to her store opened, and Nora and Dae ran in at the same time.

"Hel!" Her sisters ran in at the same time. "You'll never believe what happened to me today!"

Hel's eyes widened. What the hell? She just saw that in her head, and it just happened- she was so confused.

Meanwhile, as the trio exchanged the strange happenings in Hel's store, in a penthouse uptown, Aegon and Aemond sat looking at hours upon hours of footage from the house. "Look at this one," Aegon grinned wickedly, and Aemond looked over at the other screen, as Aegon showed him a clip of Nora walking around in a pair of underwear and a tank top, reaching up to grab something in the fridge. "Check this one," Aemond showed him his personal favourite- all three sisters in shorts and tank tops, asleep in Nora's big bed. "Sweet girls," Aemond mused. "It's getting harder and harder to wait."

!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Daella is on edge (which fits with the power). Poor thing is just trying to go about her day thank you.

Angry!Nora is hot! Thankfully, she got home early from that shoot because the camera could not be fixed yet.

Helaena listening to them as she fought back her own thoughts taking over.

Aegon still placed with the lace underwear of Helaena as he leaned into the chair; man spread as the footage continued to roll. A smirk came across his face at the sight of Daella showering with all those soapy cloths. "Fuck."

[littlemisssquiggles]

...So...about the TENTH episode of RWBY V9 a.k.a the season finale....

There is so much to unpack from this finale episode. Forgive me if my thoughts and musings are going to be all over the place since…that’s honestly how I felt walking away from this episode.

Where do I even begin?

Okay---first impressions only---I’m just gonna come out and say that I was a bit disappointed that Ruby didn’t change at all in the end. I mean, I figured she would keep some aspect of herself but the fact that she basically came back as the old her left me feeling…I dunno, baited?

I mean what was the point of having Ruby go through all of that if ultimately she was just going to remain her old self?

I mean, sure. Her experience in the Ever After probably changed her in some way from a psychological standpoint but…on the surface, Ruby just looked like the only thing she gained was her confidence in herself.

And when I look at it from that point of view, I guess it’s not so bad. But, on the other hand, I can’t help but feel like it almost cheapens everything that Ruby went through in the season.

All that angst just for her to come out the same way? Really? They couldn’t even have her change her weapon or change her outfit? Something to symbolize a difference?

I dunno. I mean, I’m glad Ruby didn’t change too much in terms of her design but I’m not gonna pretend that I’m not slightly soured by the fact that, after all of that development, nothing really changed about Ruby. She’s still the same. I could only assume her personality changed. I guess we’ll have to see how much the Ever After has affected Ruby moving forward into the next chapter of the story.

Another thing that bummed me about the conclusion to the Ever After story was that after all that, it still didn’t help solve how the heroes are going to stop Salem though? So in a sense, we’re back to square zero somewhat with our heroes returning to Remnant with no knowledge of how to stop Salem.

There is one interesting detail though. We now know that Raven is connected to the night that Summer Rose disappeared and presumably died. I find this little detail quite interesting and a bit strange cause, correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t there a RWBY DC comic that took place after Summer had died in terms of storyline where Ruby went around asking about her mother and then she met Raven, in bird form, who said a bunch of mean things about Summer, giving the impression that there was some animosity towards Summer from Raven.

Yet, here in V9 finale, it was revealed that Raven was there the night she disappeared/killed by Salem. So what happened? What really happened? Just when I figured the whole mystery behind Summer was resolved last season in V8, V9 just swooped in and completely obliterated that.

So there is more to the story and apparently whatever choice Summer made that night she took off on a mission will probably hold the true key to stopping Salem somehow.

Pushing aside the negatives I had with the episode, I thought this finale was epic. The final fight between RWBYJ and the Curious Cat was some of the best combat animation I’ve seen from the show in a long time.

I also loved the extra bit of lore we received from the Blacksmith. So basically, the Blacksmith is the personification of the Tree and in another surprising twist, it turns out that the Brother Gods are creations of the Tree.

Here I was thinking that the Ever After was another world that the Brothers created together when in actuality, the Ever After created the Brother Gods.

I also liked the tidbit from the Blacksmith about how when the brothers created the Jabberwalker, despite its destructive power, the Brothers---at least the God of Light, refused to kill their creation.

I found this interesting because it provided an explanation as the why the Brothers---at least the God of Light, never got rid of Salem. Technically, Salem got her immortality from the God of Light after she first fell into his pool. Although the God of Darkness was quick to eradicate all of humanity---highlighting that Darkness has no problem killing his own creations. Light on the other hand is strongly against this which would explain why Salem was just left to her devices.

I mean, it still doesn’t provide the best explanation for that little plot hole from the Lost Fable, but it’s still something that makes sense within the lore of the show so I’ll take it for now.

That being said, since the Brother Gods who made Remnant are the by product of the Tree of the Ever After then surely this will NOT be the last time we see of this mysterious world and the Blacksmith.

Our heroes will have to go back to the Ever After at some point since a) we’ll need to see what happened to Neo following her transformation, b) we’ll need to see what became of Little Somewhat and Juniper after RWBYJ left and most importantly of all, if the Ever After created the Gods then surely there must be a way to undo Salem’s immortality in the Ever After; specifically the Tree.

Unless it’ll be the case where Salem will learn about the Tree and set her sight on going their herself? Who knows. Will see how that goes in time, I suppose.

Glad Jaune was able to get some closure for what happened with Alyx. Also glad to see that they deaged him back to his younger self but not exactly?

Anyone else noticed that Jaune-y still kept his ole man streaks? So even though Jaune is back to his old self, his memories and experience from the Ever After still remain with him.

So for all the Jaune stans in the audience, Jaune is gonna probably be a badass next season combat-wise cause, he's still "mature" on the inside despite being young again. I kinda like that touch.

Also Weiss giggling at Jaune reacting to his old voice is giving me hope for White Knight next season. Just cause Jaune is young again doesn't mean he isn't mature on the inside so Weiss might like that a lot next season.

Then there is the ending where the Blacksmith dropped RWBYJ.

I find it interesting that the Blacksmith told RWBYJ that the door will take them when they are needed the most. Not where.

When meaning a specific point in time when they are needed. So…does this mean there’s a timeskip?

When RWBYJ walked through the portal, they were in front of Vacuo but…Amity Tower (or what looks like Amity Tower) is there and there are (what looks like) Altesian airships in the sky above the kingdom?

I could be deeply mistaken about the airships being Atlesian since Atlas fell but that is definitely Amity Tower??? Which means Maria and Pietro are alive?

All in all, it wouldn’t surprise me if there was a timeskip between the time RWBYJ disappeared into the Ever After. Whether that skip was in months or years, we’ll have to wait for a V10 to confirm.

Either way, I truly hope there was a timeskip.

All in all, that’s all I have to say for the season finale of V9 as a first impression.

Overall, not lying to say, I think V9 was really good season. Definitely BETTER than V8. Unlike V8, I’m leaving V9 with rejuvenated faith in the writing and story of RWBY. V9 was a solid season. Even though I had some issues with one or two things from the finale, I enjoyed pretty much every episode of this season. There wasn’t an episode where I felt bored or disconnected wit

Y’know what I just realized. Neo, in a sense, became both the Jabberwalker and the Curious Cat. Not only did she kill or absorb the Jabberwalker (somehow) but she also killed the Curious Cat. The last scene with her before she went to the tree is her summoning the Jabberwalkers to kill the cat.

The Cat was created to fix broken Afterans while the Walker was made to balance it out. But as of now, neither the Walker or the Cat exist anymore since Neo kind of killed them both. So, does this mean that Neo will become a sentient being meant to replace both the Cat and the Walker?

That’s what I wanna know. What will Neo become in the end? But that’s a potential story for another prospective season.

Overall, I enjoyed V9. For me, V9 is the best season to come out of the CRWBY Writer Quartet. Certainly their best work together coming off of the mess that was V8 which I thought was their worst work.

As to where V9 stands for me compared to previous seasons---while V9 will never top V2 (that still remains to be my personal favourite season of RWBY), I do think it deserves a spot in my top 3 picks for the best season of RWBY.

As it stands, I’m willing to put V9 as my second favourite season of RWBY. While I still love V3, I’d say V9 did well enough on the writing to be in second place for now. While this could change for me later after I’ve had more time to think about the season as a whole, for now, V9 is second. Like I said, definitely in the top 3 picks for RWBY’s best on this squiggle meister’s list.

Congratulations, CRWBY Writer Quartet, after several years, you have finally produced a post Monty era season with writing good enough to trump two of my favs from the Beacon Trilogy.

I hope moving forward, the showrunners maintain this level of quality in the writing in the event that V10 is greenlit.

For what it’s worth, I’d like for RWBY to at least get one more season to tie everything together. While I don’t need another trilogy of seasons (I feel like that will be asking for too much now), it’d be great if the show gets at least ONE MORE VOLUME to go out with a bang, y’know what I mean.

But only time will tell. As for now, I enjoyed the episode. I enjoyed the season and I honestly would like for there to be a V10. That’s all I’ll say for now.

~LMS (2023)

[wolfverse-stories]

Falling In Reverse

(Reverse robins)

Chapter 1

    Damian stared at the father he met only two days ago. He was currently wearing his batsuit.

     "So when do I get to go on patrol with you?" Damian asked blankly.

     "I work alone," Bruce said changing back into his civilian clothing, "I think your mom made a huge mistake I don't know how to raise kids"

     "Mother says she sent me to help you" Damian stated "and I'm not a kid"

     "How did you even find the Batcave?" Bruce asked curiously.

     "Oh please, I was raised by the League of Assassins" Damian pointed out as if that explained everything "Also I'm the grandson of the demon's head so there is no reason I can't come on patrol with you"

     "The answer is still no" Bruce groaned rolling his eyes 'are all kids as annoying as this one' 

After months of the Kid sneaking out

     "Fine,"  Bruce said pinching the bridge of his nose "but you need a costume"

     "Already taken care of" Damian nodded running upstairs seconds later he came back down wearing a red Keikogi with dark brown pants and a light brown cape. 

     "You look like a bird" Bruce mused "We should call you Robin"

     "Like the tiny bird not" Damian glared at him but the name was kept and eventually an R symbol was added to the costume.

Time skip a few years

     "I could have handled that myself" Damian snapped.

     "Damian You almost cost the mission because of your stupid pride" Bruce yelled behind him.

     "I wonder where he gets that from," Alfred said walking into the room carrying a tray of cookies.

     "You don't trust me enough" Damian glared "I could get more respect anywhere else"

     "No one is keeping you here" Bruce opened the door.

     "Fine" Damian snapped walking out. Bruce stared in shock, his only son was gone.

Days later

     Tim Drake pulled out his camera to take a quick picture of Batman standing on top of the police station. He noticed that a figure was missing. Where was Robin? Or Damian Wayne as Tim had figured out both Robin and Batman's identities. He decided to do some snooping.

5 hours later

     "Hello, Mr.Wayne," Tim said in a shaky voice he was standing in front of the Batman. Bruce stared in shock.

     "You know" Tim shook his head yes "Have you told anyone?"

     "No sir" Tim felt his chest tighten up.

     "Good" Bruce paused seeing that the boy wanted to ask something "Is there anything you want to know?"

     "Where is Robin?" Tim asked curiously.

     "I think you'd better get back to the party," Bruce said looking away. Tim hadn't set out to be Robin. He saw that Bruce was getting careless and taking way more injuries than he needed to, so he tried to get Bruce to make up with Damian. When that didn't work he started following Bruce.

     One night Bruce got shot pretty badly and Tim came to his rescue applying first aid and helping him get back to the cave. After Alfred to care of Bruce he immediately took the kid home and told him to stop. But Tim being Tim refused to listen and no matter how hard Bruce tried the kid always managed to sneak out.

     Eventually, Bruce gave in and told Tim if he was going to going to be out on the field he would have to train. Tim became Robin to help watch Bruce's back 

Now let's see Damian's reaction

     "You did what?!" Damian glared at his father "I'm the only son the one true Robin"

     "You left the role" Bruce reminded him "You were the one who quit"

     "I..."Damian felt his blood boil "So that gives you the right to replace me and with this idiot no less! I bet he dies before his first mission!!"

     "Damian" Bruce sent his son a glare. Tim couldn't believe it, his hero, the one he always looked up to had just said that.

     "I trained my whole life for this" Tim felt anger and sadness course through him.

     "He can handle it " Bruce yelled. As Tim stood there and watched

     "I'm sorry!" Tim closed his eyes "I never meant to take your place but Batman needs a Robin!!! I'm sorry..." Tim's voice got softer. Damian sent Bruce one last glare before walking off. Not too long later Tim's parents were killed and Bruce took him in. At first, Tim and Damian were always fighting. Bruce feared walking into his house to find that one had killed the other but after a long and I stress the word long time they finally started getting somewhat along. They still argued a lot but no major injuries. They even started patrolling together making a completion of who could take at the most criminals.

Time skip

     "I took down twice as many as you" Tim smirked.

     "I took out the guys with guns" Damian pointed out.

     "I'm the smarter son" Tim pointed to his head.

     "I'm the blood son" Damian smirked very happy with himself.

     "I'm the favorite son" Tim matched his tone. Bruce groaned.

     "Robin, Nightwing shut up" Bruce made a mental note to himself 'Don't have any more kids' "Stop fighting each other and fight the bad guys" Damian rolled his eyes as Tim lowered his head.

     "I'm sorry" Tim whispered apologizing over and over. Damian half laughed at his younger brother.

     "Kiss up"Tim stuck his tongue out at Damian. Bruce put his hand on his head, he gave up.

     "Boys I am at the point of handing you over to the Joker!" Damian smirked.

     "Let's give him Drake as a present" Tim's eyes got big and full of fear. Damian suddenly felt a stab of guilt.

     "No names on the field," Tim said in a shaky voice. Damian couldn't help but smile a little. Tim was always more worried about the job than his own well-being. He never admit out loud but he had grown attached to kids.

The last time Damian saw Tim

     "So how are things with you and Starfire going?" Tim smirked at his older brother.

     "What!?!"Damian glared at him. Tim pointed to a picture of him kissing Starfire"How did you get that, You little imbecile?!"

     "I have my ways" Tim smiled proudly "Who would have thought fire and Ice?"

     "Whatever" Damian jumped onto his bike "I hope the Joker beats the heck out of you" and with that, he zoomed off.

Tim's death

     "Let's make this quick okay sugar plum" What hurts more forehand or backhand" Tim's scream of pain made it impossible to hear the rest.

     "...mhm" Tim mumbled the Joker bent down next to him.

     "What's that Lamb Chop you're going to have to speak up I think you have a collapsed lung"

     "..." Tim spat blood in Joker's face causing Joker to immediately slam his head into the ground.

     "Well at least you have more manners than the first boy blunder maybe I should teach you a few things to keep you from following in his footsteps" He smirked "Nah I'm just going to keep hitting you with this crowbar"

     After a while the Joker stopped hitting him and started towards the door "Do your homework and be in bed by ten and say hello to the big man" Tim stiffened noticing the bomb in the corner. He struggled to his feet only to fall back against the wall. He could defuse it so easily if his body would just cooperate. 

     'Tim why don't you take a rest' Bruce's words rang in his mind 'I don't think your fit to be Robin right now"

    'He was right I'm not fit to be Robin' Tim sighed looking at the bomb, 70 seconds left 'Damian would have gotten free by now but I can't even lift my freaking arm, I failed how can I can I look them in the face after this'

     "Beep" the timer now read eleven. 

     'Maybe I won't' Tim realized with dread. He was going to die alone complete failure just like his parents said, just like Damian said.

     "Boom" Bruce searched the rubble finding Tim's limp body. He broke down right there, hugging the body of his youngest child 'How could this happen Tim was just a kid'

Damian learns of Tim's death

     "Yes, Father what is it?" Damian snapped. He couldn't believe Bruce was calling him during a team meeting.

     "It's Tim" Damian rolled his eyes Of course it was Tim that idiot always seemed to mess up.

     "What did that imbecile do this time" Damian huffed not having the time for this.

     "Tim's dead" Damian's eyes widened as the world around him went in slow motion. He tried to remember the last time he had a good time with Drake.

     "No how could he die he was just a kid" Tears ran down his face. "No, he's my brother"Guilt hit Damian like a wave."It's just a nightmare"

     "Damian I'm sorry" Bruce didn't know what to say. "He went after the Joker and-" Damian dropped the phone this was all his fault.

     "I killed him" Damian felt himself shake "No I never wanted this" For the first time in forever Damian felt alone in the world.

     "It's not your fault," Kori said hugging him tightly as he broke down.

Tim's grave

     "I'm so sorry" Damian placed a Batarang on Tim's grave "I was never a good brother I always hated your guts"

     "Damian?" Kori walked up next to him "He would have loved it, he always knew you cared for him"

     "Thanks, Beloved" Damian smiled sadly "I never called him by his name" Damian looked down.

     "I'm sure wherever he is he can hear you" Damian turned to Tim's grave.

     "Tim you were a great little brother I'm sorry... You were smart, kind, and a better Robin than me" Damian took a breath "I'm sorry this world was a nightmare you had to face alone"

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