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aurossaga · 15 days

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Doubts cloud my Judgement

Venti x gn!reader

Genre: hurt/comfort

Word count: ~ 1.5k

Warnings: Alcohol mention

Summary: Learning to be vulnerable is no small task, even if it's for the ones you love.

The winds whip to and fro in the night, the steady rustle of the leaves quietly dulling the city’s noise. It was almost as if the air itself was feeling agitated, restless, almost anxious, and knew no other way to handle it but to tug and pull at the branches of trees, to wear at the city walls.

You were surprised when you stepped out onto the tavern’s balcony yourself. The winds in the city were always gentle in the past... Though, that thought did not occupy your mind for very long. You only adjusted your clothing in place, bracing yourself against the moderate winds as you looked around yourself… You were sure you’d seen the life of the party back downstairs disappear though this door earlier, and his absence was feeding a growing unease within you. Of course, it wasn’t very surprising that he’d managed to slip through your grasp yet again, he seemed to have a talent for that.

You have known Venti for quite some time now. A chance meeting in the plaza quickly grew into a well-maintained friendship, and you had fallen for him hard somewhere along those months you’d spent drifting in and out of each other’s lives. You know so much about him, all the way from his preferences in drinks to mindless thoughts on meaningless matters that reveal themselves in casual conversations… And the more you learnt about him, the more sure you were that you didn’t know the bard at all.

Venti doesn’t strike anyone as the type of guy to keep anyone at a distance like that, and at first, you were willing to believe so too. But the better you got to know him, the more he withdrew. The better you got at finishing his sentences, the less he started them at all. He’d smile, nod, encourage you to talk instead, keeping his cards close to this chest and his heart tucked away for reasons you couldn’t comprehend. That ends tonight, you decided. Weeks of this unexplained distance was starting to bother you.

Your eyes traced the steady-looking vines climbing the walls of the tavern’s exterior. Your brows furrowed as the insanity of the idea crossed your mind. You didn’t exactly have any other means of ascending the building, and if you knew that bard even half as well as you think you do, he’s sure to be up there on the roof. Still, you could fall. And it would hurt.

…

Yeah, like that was actually going to stop you.

You braced yourself as you grabbed onto the vines with your hands, and slowly hosted yourself up just a few feet from the ground to test the waters. When you found that the vines held your weight remarkably well, you started pulling yourself up, grabbing hold and steadily climbing the building. With a huff you were able to pull yourself up onto the roof, the familiar sight of terracotta tiles filling your view… And sat in the middle of the slanted roof was Venti, with his back turned to you, uncharacteristically absentminded. The sound of your steps didn’t register until you’re right by his side, at which point he jumped slightly, the reaction so small you could see how anyone else might have missed it.

“O-oh, Hello, friend! In need of some fresh air too, I presume?”

There was something about his tone that felt so…unsure. Like even he wasn’t buying his own guise anymore. And yet, he tried foolishly to keep it up, knowing very well it wasn’t getting by either of you. Curious.

“...Yeah. Do you mind if I sit for a bit?”

You decided to entertain it for a moment in an attempt at disarming the suddenly tense atmosphere. Venti’s shoulders sank in resignation as he realized this night could end one of two ways… And he wasn’t quite sure which outcome he feared more. Letting you in or shutting you out for good.

“Not at all.”

You sat down next to him, giving him a bit of space just for comfort’s sake. Venti noted your distance with a curious hum, his gaze finally rising from the red roof tiles to look in your direction. He held your gaze for only a moment before he averted his eyes again, clearing his throat nervously. The winds tug at your clothes as gusts crash against you.

“...Venti-”

“I don’t-”

You both spoke at the same time, cutting each other off. In any other situation you would have had a laugh at that… But tonight, not as much as an amused snicker, even.

“How did things get so weird between us, Venti?”

Your unsteady voice was quiet, almost drowned out by the gales. You looked down at your trembling hands, unsure if it was the nerves or the cold that had gotten to you. You didn’t get much time to ponder it before the bard next to you let out a huff, scooted closer and placed his hand over your trembling ones.

“Everything’s fine, my friend. Everything’s alright.”

His tone wasn’t one bit convincing as he flashed you a smile you didn’t believe for a second.

“Please. Just… give me an actual answer.”

His grip on your hand tightened ever so slightly as he tensed up. You could feel the way his breath hitched on the winds, the way they shifted directions for a moment. His lips pressed into a thin line as he considered his next words very carefully, trying and failing several times over to find a way out of this confrontation. But, there was none.

“You know me so well it scares me.”

You weren’t expecting that. A part of you had worried he had figured out your feelings, and was looking for a way out of the friendship. Another was growing concerned he simply got bored of you. You… Did not expect to learn just how frightened he was by your shared bond.

“...Wait, what do you-”

His grip on your hand fastened ever so slightly, and caused you to hesitate. Your eyes drifted up to his figure, hunched over himself as he looked anywhere but right at you. A brief flash of panic crossed his pensive expression as you untangled your hand from his, but was quickly pacified as you reached up and brushed a strand of his hair out of his eyes. Finally, he looked at you properly.

“Venti, my dear… Can I ask you a question?”

You pleaded with a disarming smile.

“Y-yeah, of course.”

Venti stammered, his usual effortless confidence completely discarded. It was as if he realized trying to salvage that image was like fighting a losing battle.

“... What is it you’re scared of showing me?”

He went silent after that, his eyes narrowed as his nose scrunched up into a thoughtful expression. He had been mulling over that question many times the past few weeks, but he never found a satisfactory answer. He had spent many nights awake trying to determine what it was about you that he had suddenly grown so fearful of, enough to outweigh the joy he felt in your company. And only now as he stared into your endlessly patient eyes did he realize what it was. Venti didn’t give you a verbal answer, no… He did something you weren’t quite expecting. He pinched his eyes shut with a sigh, and dropped his head onto your shoulder.

You had never seen him be this vulnerable before. His boisterous persona and endless charm often gave people a very different idea of who he was, and you had long ago figured out the man beneath the surface was much softer, much more delicate than he’d ever intended to show you. Still, this was a shot in the dark for him. You could tell how tense he was, his shoulders rigid, his expression strained, his hands fidgeting with the frilly hems of his sleeves… He was so painfully uncomfortable with this expression of vulnerability, and yet he was trying.

You didn’t waste another second before you wrapped your arms around him and pulled him into a firm, loving hug. You heard him gasp slightly as his eyes blew wide, but he didn’t fight it. You huffed in relief, your hands slowly rubbing comforting patterns into the tense muscles on his back. The familiar scent of fresh breeze and cecilias that always seem to cling to him filled your nostrils as you embraced him tightly. It took him a few seconds to even register what was happening, almost in disbelief at the course of this wordless conversation.

Slowly, with an uncertainty that was utterly unfamiliar to him, Venti embraced you back. His grip was weak at first, but then he suddenly squeezed you close as if you’d disappear if he let go. His shallow breaths trembled as he fought to keep his composure.

“You deserve to be cared about, Venti. Please… let me. Don’t push me away.”

Your own voice quivered as emotions started running high. You weren’t exactly sure what it was that had you at the brink of tears, but holding back the sobs only got harder and harder… Until you heard Venti sigh. And you felt tears on your shoulder. So you gave in trying to hold back too.

The winds around you calmed as the dawn broke on the horizon, the two of you desperately clinging onto each other all the while. Things would be different from now on, but Venti’s heart already felt light with relief after that night.

Hey everyone! It's been a minute since my last post... oops!

My point is though I love this guy to death and don't plan to stop writing for him altogether, I'm taking a bit of a Genshin break! I've been running out of inspiration for Venti fics and mostly just rotate him around in my head for hours on end haha

So! You can expect some stuff from other fandoms going forward. I'll make a pinned post about that once I've gotten everything sorted. There will be more Venti fics again in the future though, so don't be discouraged!

Thank you for reading as always! :3

#venti x reader #venti #genshin venti x reader #venti x y/n #venti genshin impact #venti x gn!reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact venti

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amelee23 · 1 year

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I didn't accidentally love you | Hwang Hyunjin

Genre: Hopelessly romantic fluff, angst, poetry, a little comedy

Pairing: Hwang Hyunjin x gender neutral reader

Word Count: 3.1k

Warnings: reader is an insecure poet, heartbreak, bad self esteem, poetry clubs, Hyunjin is dripping charisma, shameless flirting, reader thinks hyun is a jerk for like a second, reader.exe stops working multiple times, reader gets shy, i just HAD to be funny at the end OKAY

Synopsys: Your friends forced you to become part of a poetry club, and when you receive a task to write a poem about sadness, you realize you accidentally write it about Hyunjin, the guy you had a crush on and tried to forget about. And he finds out.

A/N: I promised @astraystayyh to write this, here you go sugar <3

Artists have many moments of weakness.

Those moments when you start to question your craft, whether you're even worthy of being called an 'artist' or you're just a fleeting talent that is going to wash away with time, just like the hobby or interest of a preschooler. You inquire if you're worthy staining pages with ink, using the words of the dictionary just to feel the high of belonging - the high of doing show and tell with your emotions like it's a new toy your parents gifted you; or you should just remain a consumer, and observe the beauty that lies in others, the beauty others can create. Could your craft ever rise to all these expectations?

But what else is there to life, if not making art?

Perhaps you've always been clinically insane, but you've only truly felt alive when you felt the beauty of the world - dark and bright alike - conveyed through you in the form of poetry and words, sent by the angels above for a mere human to toy with. So you pick up the pencil again.

The paper before you is blank, and you're frankly uncomfortable in the position you are in, notebook on your thighs, back curved over the page as if you're shielding unwritten words from the sun itself to not read them. But you've always felt more at ease writing outside, under the natural light of the sky, with the clouds passing by carelessly, like they don't have doubts about their worth like a human would. But the stares of the students passing by are not exactly comfortable. You take a breath and urge yourself to focus; they don't care about what you're doing, they're just heading to their classes, living their lives (hopefully) with that same hunger you have for art, for their chosen subjects.

You face your paper again and remember the prompt you were given - writing a poem involving the feeling of sadness - that you're supposed to hand over to the club in a couple of days. Insecurities and procrastination led you to keep putting it off, but the dread of a deadline has always been a great motivation for humanity. Your friends urged you towards this, to join the poetry club of your university - it's a small, non-profit club put together by a bunch of random art and literature students. It's so non-profit in fact, that it barely has any funding at all. They had to fight tooth and nail to be allowed to host the club meetings every week in the sculpting room - and that, late in the day, when the cleaning staff unlocks the doors for their cleaning sweep. You sit on awkward, stained chairs, and make sure to raise your feet up one by one to not stand in the way of the mop and brooms. But the club members would withstand anything, and would pretty much commit homicide to keep the club running. One more reason why, when faced with the passion and fighting spirit your club mates have, you wonder if you even have a space with them. You had to be shoved - one could say even blackmailed - by your friends to take the step forward and join, so you could be able to share your craft with others. You were perfectly happy letting your poems stack up in endless notebooks on top of your dusty bookcase. You didn't feel the need to share them, per se - but everyone else insisted it would have been a crime to keep them to yourself selfishly like that.

Sadness, sadness. You need to embody sadness for this prompt. You look around for inspiration, but there is no sad sight to see. The sky is clear, in colors of baby blue and soft whites, the branches of the green, young trees are barely even swaying in the wind, and there's college students laughing all around. Has anything sad happened in your life lately? Not really, nothing to inspire poems at least. Not that you are bursting at the seams with happiness, but you believed no one really is. There's a lot going on behind the cover of every human passing by, and even if all you can feel is the slight shoulder brush of a stranger, you do know those shoulders carry as much, if not even more weight than yours.

That's it. You start writing, and word by word they flow, one line, two lines until you have seven of them - you even managed to rhyme! It's not much, but it's honest work. Since there is no one close by, you begin to read the poem out loud softly. Hearing what you wrote always helps you perfect the rhymes, the punctuation and change around words if they sound too awkward. After erasing, rewriting and erasing again just to end up redoing the whole last two lines, you finally thought it was good enough.

---

Here and now, I must take a vow:

You'll never hear me confess, that in the depths of my weary chest

Underneath the smile I wore, there's a sadness in my soul;

Nothing's wrong - it's my biggest lie, hiding a muffled cry

Just behind a giggle and a laugh, acting is my biggest craft;

I loved you - but heard the ticking of the clock and thought

No more. It's time I stopped and gave you up.

---

You smile, because for a split second you actually think your poem sounds really good. But then, the insecurities crash on top of you again. Your club mates are probably writing long, heart-wrenching poems that are going to make you cry when you read them. Your idea will surely seem shallow and rushed in comparison to theirs. With a sigh, you wish to be able to just give yourself this one. Tell yourself you did good enough by trying and move on - brush it off and think progressively, that your next poem is going to be even better than this one. But you don't truly feel that way, so you begin to beautify the first letter of every line with calligraphic letters to overcompensate for the lack of skill you feel you have. The capital H at the beginning of the first line, the capital Y at the beginning of the second line and so on; you turn them into beautiful, aesthetic calligraphy as much to your ability. In the end, you just think you've made a mess, and that there is simply too much ink on the page now.

---

Here and now, I must take a vow:

You'll never hear me confess, that in the depths of my weary chest

Underneath the smile I wore, there's a sadness in my soul;

Nothing's wrong - it's my biggest lie, hiding a muffled cry

Just behind a giggle and a laugh, acting is my biggest craft;

I loved you - but heard the ticking of the clock and thought

No more. It's time I stopped and gave you up.

---

Oh no.

Your eyes open wide and you can't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.

The first letter of every single line, from top to bottom, spell HYUNJIN. The name of the boy you swore to yourself you've moved on from.

Hyunjin, who spoke about life as if it was art itself and spoke about art as if it was life itself.

Hyunjin, with the calm and warm voice - quiet and observant and yet, from the ocean in his eyes, bathed in a soft moonlight, it always seemed like his mind was in faraway lands, dreaming, humming, sighing before a field of lilies in the middle of the night.

Hyunjin, who seemed like through every song he listened to and sang, every poem he read and wrote, every painting he saw and painted, he dicovered all the secrets the universe had. As if human life was a melancholic, nostalgic memory to him, life experiencing itself all over again - he seemed so kind, so unfazed, so utterly in love with existence.

Hyunjin, who read every single one of your poems and told you he'd never allow you to leave the club. He was always so warm, you could hardly believe he wasn't doing it out of habit, spreading his magical touch over the wounds in your heart just like he would with anyone else. But it wasn't his fault you always questioned your worth.

Hyunjin, with whom you've fallen in love with gravely. For every smile he showed around you, for every squeal-like laugh he gifted you, for every time he held your hand gently to calm your nerves, you added one more day to the delusion of hanging on to him.

Hyunjin, who was merely a pipe dream.

He is the co-leader of the poetry club you're in. That's why you've always considered his compliments and encouragements to be just him doing his job - and yet they continued to fuel that foolish fire of yours for far too long. You never confessed to him, of course. But there would be nothing wrong with you two dating, from an ethical point of view. This is just a poetry club ran by students, it's not like having a crush on your boss. But still, the title of co-leader put him above you in a way you couldn't describe. Maybe it's the fact that he has more experience in art. Maybe it's the fact that he's more skillful. Maybe it's the fact that he's taught you many techniques and actually became a figure to rely on. Therefore he was still above you in a way, and so was the leader.

The leader of the club, she resembled Hyunjin in an almost eerie way. People do say, someone who is beautiful on the inside will always radiate beauty on the outside, too. That was a clear description of both of them. She too, was a romantic and an artist, she had a feather light laugh, star like freckles dusting her face, and eyes that could hold galaxies. She was the end of Hyunjin's sentences and the beginning of his thoughts. They made an incredible pair and their teamwork was impeccable as leaders. They weren't dating, but your heart kept telling you, that one day they will. It would be simply impossible for two souls so perfectly woven for each other to simply separate and go their different ways. And yet, you still foolishly had fallen for Hyunjin and every single week, the pain in your chest grew.

Oh, it hurt. It shouldn't have, really. You were just a newcomer being silly and they were fit for a lifetime. You had no chance nor the courage to hope and dream a miracle would land you in Hyunjin's loving arms. She wasn't to blame, he wasn't to blame, your pain was fully your fault. You fell in love and you had to fix it. So you made an oath with yourself to let it go, get those heavy rocks off of your lungs and allow yourself to breathe. There will be other boys in your life. They will not be Hyunjin, but other boys will exist.

You thought you were done with the tears, with the heartache and the love-sick poems. But it seemed you did have one more poem left in you, and it bubbled to the surface.

If the sun wasn't that bright, you wouldn't even have noticed the shadow of someone looming over you. You heard a melodic hum above your head and when you looked up, your heart dropped.

"What do we have here?" He teased, snatching your notebook right out of your hands. You couldn't even react in time, he was already standing up before you, reading the contents of your poem. His lips hung slightly open and he let out a gasp, and you really thought poetry was perhaps the only way to describe the look on his face. You watched his eyes travel the page, his chest deflating very rarely as if he was holding his breath. He looked surprised, but it wasn't an anxious type of bewilderment, nor an excited one either. He was looking at your notebook as if it was some sort of mythical creature, something that shouldn't possibly exist-

And then his eyes found yours. They wrecked you from the inside out, a brown so blown out, so dark, unalike what you've seen before. There was no more serene skies and calm seas in his eyes, there was a storm, a hurricane - a complete blackout. He looked frightened. Maybe he was in fact, still shaken by the secrets of the universe. Maybe humans are not supposed to know what mythological creatures actually look like. Maybe denying their existence would be easier on the collective-

"I can explain!" You jump up from the bench you were seated on. "That was an accident - it's not what it looks like!" He's not listening to you. His mind has gone to those faraway lands again, and he's dreaming while he glances at the page. You move to take the notebook away from him, but he raises it above his head. He's too tall to reach, so you don't even try.

"Well." He speaks, softly, anxiously, awkwardly. He softly lowers the notebook, but he holds it tight to his chest. He won't let you take it back. "I think now it's only fair I dedicate my poetry to you as well." Now it's your turn to remain with your mouth agape. You're blinking at him, and you don't realize you're looking at him exactly the same way he looked at you a minute ago. You're both scared and yet in marvel, and he takes a step closer. You inhale sharply, but it gets stuck in your throat. You can't breathe, your stomach is tense, and a shiver is shaking the fingers of your hands. His eyes are transfixed on yours, and he moves even closer, he's too close - and he asks for permission. "If you'll allow me?"

He's asking you to become his muse.

But you couldn't answer him even if you wanted to. It's embarrassing, but the only thing you can muster is a whimper.

He continues to stare at your face, until slowly and gradually a smile tugs at the corner of his lips and he lets out a giggle. He waves a hand in front of your face and cocks an eyebrow, in an attempt to bring you out of your daze. You're so confused you could die.

Was the last few minutes just a joke? Was he just mocking you-? He must have been. Nothing is as good as it seems, and Hwang Hyunjin couldn't be any different. Maybe he was just a self centered jerk under the dreamy romantic aura he carried. It would be easier to start hating him than to continue helplessly liking him, right?

You barely register Hyunjin putting your spiral notebook down on the bench to gently rip out the page with the poem. He folds the page in two and then hands you your notebook back.

"As the co-leader of the club, I reject your entry. You must write another poem, I'm confiscating this one." You cock your head. What is he saying? Is this still, all part of the joke?

"What- what are you- what are you gonna do with it?" You manage to spew out a sentence, not that it was the most important question to ask. Hyunjin raises his shoulders.

"Put it on my wall? Tape it in my journal? I'll find a place." He answers nonchalantly. You see his eyebrows dance on his face as he thinks for a second, then his expression tells you he got an idea. "Or... I could give it back to you... If you visit the seashore with me."

You side eye him and furrow your brows. "To do what?" He raises his shoulders again.

"I need inspiration for all of the poems I'm gonna start writing about you." He's calm, almost too calm as he says it, and he begins to smile once more as he watches your mouth hang open again.

"Are you making fun of me?" You finally ask, and Hyunjin looks downright offended. He raises his eyebrows, and comically cranes his neck back, pointing a finger at himself and then at you.

"ME? Make fun of YOU? Why? I'm... asking you out on a date..." And you're somehow supposed to process that information without finding a million excuses why this shouldn't be happening and wouldn't be happening. But it is happening.

"So you're not joking?"

"No?" He replies shaking his head.

"You're being serious."

"Yeah.." He replies, this time nodding his head.

"Seriously?" He laughs, finding you adorable.

"Seriously." Suddenly, the situations is a little too real and too much to take. Your hopelessly romantic and yet heavily insecure brain almost ruined a moment you could have only dreamt about, and you almost thought Hyunjin was a jerk. You hide your face in your hands and let out a muffled whine. Hyunjin is extremely amused, and feeling a little playful, he comes closer and cocks his head close to your face. You can't see him, but you peek through your fingers when you hear him speak again. "So is that a yes?" You watch glimpses of his face between your fingers and nod back at him. "Great then!" His face is so bright, and you can't hide your eyes from his anymore. Today, you saw how his eyes looked with a storm in them, but now they look different once more - like a sunrise above a beach, it's all so golden and full of life, sweet like honey and rich like gold. Warmth spreads through your chest, and he places a hand gently on your arm. His thumb caresses your bicep for a few seconds. "I'll text you the details."

You feel drunk, as his touch leaves your body but still lingers. He walks away to his next class, but he turns around briefly to remind you of your task.

"And don't forget you have to write a new poem until Thursday!" He waives the page he stole from you between his fingers and laughs his ass off at the exasperated sigh you give in return and the angry squint and pout.

You're pretty sure he didn't believe you when you said that poem was an accident. And he never will, even when you try to explain it to him on your first date. And on the second date you swear it wasn't on purpose, and on the third date you tell him for just how long you've liked him and how you tried to let him go. And on the fourth date he tells you he knows your poem wasn't an accident no matter what you think or say. And on the fifth, you agree with him.

--------------------------------------------------------------

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bisexualiteaa · 8 months

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We’ll Meet Again

Alastor x GN! Reader

TW: Fluff! Alastor and Reader were lovers in life, soulmates, slight memory loss, brief mention of reader taking their life, a little OOC Alastor.

AN: I heard PARANOiD DJ’s take on Alastor singing We’ll Meet Again and just couldn’t help myself, it seemed far too perfect. While I know he says the song is “past his time” it felt too perfect. Please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors, otherwise! Enjoy! :)

You were delighted with the sound of someone playing the piano and humming as you left your room to start the day. You descended the stairs of the hotel to see the radio demon at the piano in the parlor, delighted to hear his skillful playing. It reminded you a lot of when you were alive. You moved closer to see him play and potentially talk and sing with him. You stood listening to him play for a while before he looked up to notice you had been lured in by his music.

“Ah! I didn’t see you there. Don’t be shy, make yourself comfortable” Alastor spoke as he played a little tune on the piano once again while speaking to you, his fingers dancing absentmindedly along the ivory keys. “You play?” You asked as you sat down next to him on the bench, making him chuckle at the rather obvious answer to your question, but he was delighted to see your recognition nonetheless. “Surprised? I’ve been known to tickle the ivories from time to time” he replied, a laugh track playing afterwards that you couldn’t help but giggle along with. “You make it look so effortlessly easy. I knew someone once who was extremely talented at playing and singing like you are” you responded, making him smile a little softer at the compliment and connection you had made. “Ahh there’s few things more entertaining than a good song, don’t you think?” He asked, making you hum and nod in agreement as you awaited to hear what he had in store to play for you. “I’m rather fond of this one! It’s a little after my time but it is such a…thoughtful melody” he added, emphasizing the word thoughtful as if the song had a more personal meaning to him. He cleared his throat before playing the soft melody, the crackling radio static filling the air for a moment before he continued and began to sing.

”We’ll meet again”

“Don’t know where”

”Don’t know when”

”But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day”

He began to sing, and your eyes widened a little at the lovely sound of his voice. For a demon you were shocked that he could have such an angelic voice, yet something about that song, something about that voice felt so…familiar. You couldn’t quite place it, perhaps you’d heard it in passing when you were alive?

“Keep smiling through”

“Just like you always do”

“Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away”

He continued to sing and you couldn’t help this festering feeling within you that you knew this song, that his voice sounded so familiar. Hearing him sing this brought you home, to back when you were alive. You closed your eyes for a moment as you reminisced on old times, a smile rising to your lips as you recounted the way you would lean over a piano with a loving smile and sing along to songs being played by your lover. He was a radio host back then, just like Alastor. You recounted the way his mother used to praise his skills and his voice and yours as you would sing together, the smell of her famous jambalaya filling the air. Strange how the face of your lover seemed to be a blur to you, it had been quite some time since you’d died, and unfortunately they had died before you did.

“And I will just say “Hello””

“To the folks that you know”

“Tell them you won’t be long”

“They’ll be happy to know”

“That as I saw you go”

“You were singing this song”

It was then that it clicked, the song he was singing was a song you used to sing quite often. You saw it, remembering the way you would visit your lover’s grave and sing to him as if he could hear you from beyond the mortal realm. It was the song you sang at his funeral as you comforted his loving mother who couldn’t bear the news that her son was gone and about to be lowered six feet below the cold dirt of the earth. You had visited his grave everyday, giving him life updates as you could, wishing, praying you could hear his voice again just one more time. You had hoped that perhaps in some way he could hear you until you could find one another again in the afterlife.

One day the sadness had just become far too much for your heart to bear, the depression and loneliness consuming you to the point you hardly could will yourself to leave the house unless it was to visit him. Hardly able to bring yourself to leave his tombstone in the cemetery once you had arrived, and in a flitting moment of pure heartbroken melancholy one evening, you took your own life. That was how you unfortunately got here, granted you didn’t live the purest life, your lover and you were partners in crime outside of your otherwise pure moments together at home. Then his face came to you, and in an instant the pieces all fell together in your mind. It was him. You had finally found your lover after so long spent apart and so long searching and yearning.

“We’ll meet again”

“Don’t know where”

“Don’t know when”

“But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day”

He began to hum the previous melody, tears coming to your eyes as you looked at him, finally understanding why that smile reminded you so much of someone. So much of home. He had been here before you for so long and it took just now to realize it. How you longed to cup his face and kiss him like you used to, or to simply hold him within your embrace after so long.

“We’ll meet again”

“Don’t know where”

”Don’t know when”

“But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day”

You finished the song with him as tears streamed down your face, the droplets landing along the ivory keys with a soft “plap” before looking to him. He smiled a little softer, his brows more relaxed as he heard you sing along, happy to see that you made the connections at last. Your singing was as angelic as he remembered. “Alastor…” you said in realization as he turned to you, seeing the tears in your eyes and the streams rolling down your soft cheeks, almost bringing tears to his own eyes. “Yes, Mon Cher?” He asked, making you smile at the usage of the nickname he would call you back when you were alive. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? That the one I’d been searching for all this time had been in front of me?” You asked, and truth be told, it was because he was scared you wouldn’t want to be with him anymore upon seeing what he had turned into, that perhaps you had no longer been in love with him, but he wouldn’t admit to that. “Because darling, I knew one day we’d meet again, and that one day it would all return to you in time” he said confidently, covering up the real answer as his arm came to circle around your waist and pull you to him. “Oh Alastor…how greatly I have missed you” you said, your hand coming up to cup his cheek tenderly, something that had it been anyone else, he would be disgusted. But this was you who was caressing his cheek with care, you who had been looking upon him so lovingly. For a moment he felt as if he had been alive again, back at his home in New Orleans with you by his side, singing with him as he played the piano. For a moment, it felt as if he had been granted a slice of heaven despite being in hell. You leaned forward to press your forehead against his, careful not to tangle your hair within his horns as he shut his eyes, a small tear lingering within his waterline.

For the first time in far too long, he finally felt at peace. At home.

#hazbin hotel #hazbin alastor #alastor x reader #alastor #alastor fluff #hazbin x reader #hazbin x you #hazbin x y/n #SoundCloud

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aha-chuu · 4 months

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Let's talk about the Xianzhou

Okay so obviously 2.4 we're returning to the xianzhou based on this image teased at the end of the 2.3 livestream:

We have also had drip marketing for three of these silhouettes:

Based on this it's pretty likely that all those silhouettes will be playable (eventually,,,, sorry Sunday </3). However, multiple of those characters are not listed as Luofu citizens - they are from other ships across the Xianzhou. In fact, all of the drip marketed characters are from different ships: Yunli from the Zhuming, Jiaoqiu from the Yaoqing, and March (apparently) designated to the Luofu. Presumably she's listed like this here because she will be competing in the "Luminary Combat Arts Ceremony" under the Luofu delegation.

The event as a whole is the Wardance - which I believe to be different from the "Stellar Martial Competition". That is the event which decides each ship's "Sword Champion" (Jingliu's former position). Honestly this is a bit confusing.

Not every new character will be participating in the Wardance in a combative way, I imagine. Jiaoqiu, for example, is a chef/doctor(?) so I find it unlikely that he's fighting anyone.

(As a note: I think March's new title being "Legendary New Swordmaster" is just a joke and she hasn't unlocked supreme, Jingliu rivalling sword abilities.

Though, March does show off the same sword style that Blade uses in her teaser clip. Less notably, one of the movements she performs is also similar to Yanqing's style. Blade was taught directly by Jingliu (in between bouts of torture) and Yanqing was taught swordsmanship by Jing Yuan who was taught by Jingliu. I imagine March's style is similar to theirs either because Jing Yuan or Yanqing directly gave her tips, or because most of the swordspeople she's seen have used this style.)

Anyway. This Wardance is being hosted on the Luofu so I don't necessarily expect any new areas immediately post Penacony, but I do expect we'll be getting multiple Xianzhou updates as the game continues. There are five more ships after all, with playable characters confirmed from two of those.

I don't know why we aren't getting participants in the Wardance from all the ships? And like. Is it a fight or a performance or...? It's "war" and "dance" so who knows.

Anyway let's look at some specific characters!

So Huaiyan is the master of the Xianzhou Zhuming, one of the seven Arbiter Generals (the same rank as Jing Yuan and - fellow teased character - Feixiao). These generals are comparable to Emanators and have been blessed by Lan. However, they are not necessarily emanators themselves: for example, Jing Yuan's Lightning Lord spirit is the thing actually gifted by Lan.

Huaiyan specifically intrigues me because he is apparently the oldest individual on the Xianzhou at this point. He might be our first playable gilf since Yunli is his granddaughter. Though, that fact alone makes me worry he might not be playable :((

In addition, the Zhuming is the primary home for the Xianzhou's artisans and craftsmen. Fittingly, then, Huaiyan's former disciple was Yingxing (Blade's previous identity as the master craftsman of the High Cloud Quintet). This connection is a bit suspicious to me, and does make me wonder if there will be a Blade reappearance as we return to the Xianzhou since he is associated with it.

(Do remember though, Blade is not from the Xianzhou - he was an outworlder. This makes Huaiyan personally taking him in even more interesting and indicative of his talent).

Anyway, Huaiyan almost definitely won't be competing with anyone since he should have a huge advantage over like. Poor March.

Next up:

So. Moze?

The first thing I want to immediately address is the theory that this is Sampo in disguise.

Like. I guess? He does wield knives and you can kind of make out a mask over his face, however his build doesn't like right for sampo imo and I can't really think of why Sampo would be showing up here. Obviously the Masked Fools are just a bit random so I don't think it's impossible, but I would be very surprised.

According to Owlbert, Moze is a "crow-feathered weirdo" and "cold and distant". So there is a bit of mystery here, whereas all the other teased characters have some pre existing lore pick at.

The mask is suspicious...

Final thing!

March's new form (new path and new element included) makes me very interested in possible other alternate character versions.

Like, we had Dan Heng IL before, but I think a lot of us assumed we'd just get him and then March's past version as five star upgrades and nothing else. Back then, those two did seem to be the fellow main characters after the trailblazer, but I think now that Dan Heng has been absent so long that Welt and Himeko share that protagonist spot.

I think this promises some other four star (or five star!) alternate versions, like a Sampo or Tingyun or Herta. I doubt they would "downgrade" any limited five stars but I could see a world where standard banner five stars get limited five star versions.

Also, the lore of HSR paths and elements already barely made sense before March swapped both on a whim. Like, Dan Heng I'm on board with because there was a lot of justification. But March appears to have grabbed a new outfit and picked up Imaginary along the way??.

What is imaginary? Quantum? All the other elements I can believe are more dependent on the character's chosen weapon than anything intrinsic. Like Asta uses a laser and she's fire, that make sense. Then I thought she was Harmony because she was choosing to follow that path (but pathstrider seems like something different? God).

Well, whatever! Those are my thoughts - I'm really looking forward to a return to the Xianzhou. I hope they can redeem themselves a bit from the main quest there, which I didn't really like. But I am a big fan of the characters so I'm hoping for good things!!

#honkai star rail #hsr #xianzhou alliance #version 2.4 #jing yuan #blade hsr #jingliu #dan Heng #jiaoqiu #Huaiyan #moze #sampo #Wardance #march 7th #discussion

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haystarlight · 25 days

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Once did a prodigy who shone like the sun

look out at his future and sigh.

He smiled and said "surely there is nobody as witty and as talented as I".

So great was his brain, so brilliant his glory that long was the shadow he cast

which fell dark upon the younger twin he loved and grew only darker as days and nights passed.

Soon did that young boy take notice that others did not give his brother his due

and neither had he loved him as he deserved, he watched as his brother's unhappiness grew.

But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly takes over the mind of its host

and that foolish young boy did nothing to stop the destruction of one who had needed him most.

(...)

Bear up my lullaby, winds of the Earth, through cloud and through sky and through space.

Carry the peace and the coolness of night and carry my sorrow in kind.

Stanley, you're loved so much more than you know, may troubles be far from your mind

and forgive me for being so blind.

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tixdixl · 2 months

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"Whatever you do, don't let go of your string!"

Groovy: [LOCKED]

Set Home: I'm heard there's magic on the breeze.

Home Transition 1: This wind is really strong! It could blow me away!

Home Transition 2: I wish Riv could have been able to join us. They would have had a blast.

Home Transition 3: So many people came out to play and fly kites! The hillside is jam packed!

Home, after Login: I see some clouds off on the horizon. It would be a real bummer if we got hit with a storm.

Home Transition, Groovification: [LOCKED]

Tap Home 1: It was incredibly kind of Al to invite us here. I hope he's having as much fun as I am.

Tap Home 2: Those two gals with the parasols have the right idea. The sun is almost glaring down on us today.

Tap Home 3: AH! That canon startled me!! What are they doing blasting actual canons in the middle of a city!?

Tap Home 4: Hopefully, I'll have time to go check out the other side of the island. I heard that there's a great diversity of merfolk hunkered down there, and I'd love to check out their ways of life - without being disruptive or weird, of course! Maybe they even speak a similar language to the ones near the shore at home.

Tap Home 5: That spade student nearly lost his kite. It'd be a shame if he did. I hope he can keep a firm grip on the string.

Tap Home, Groovification: [LOCKED]

---

I tried to challenge myself with this card. I wanted to go for an action shot that created some really dynamic lighting, and I think I actually pulled it off pretty well!

I don't have any design rough drafts to share this time around. Admittedly I actually designed this card on the spot as I was sketching, which isn't what I normally do. But it felt most appropriate to follow the lines of movement rather than create a pose based around a fit this time around.

This event is owned and hosted by the ever talented @the-trinket-witch and you can find a the event page here.

Thank you so so much for hosting, Trinket! I had a lot of fun coming up with an idea for this card, and if I have time, I'm hoping to submit a second one! I'm really excited to see what you have in store for Al's birthday, and I hope you've been having a lot of fun with this!

Tag list: @ramshacklerumble @elenauaurs @rainesol @inmateofthemind @thehollowwriter

@cyanide-latte @blithesharem @theleechyskrunkly @boopshoops @starry-night-rose

Lmk if you want added/removed!

#twst ocs #my ocs #my art #emil lehr #twstairborneafternoonevent #twst fan event #the trinket witch #sr card art

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redroomroaving · 2 months

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9 People You Want to Know Better Tag

Tagged by the lovely @adoenamedjane (go and read their fantastic Zevlor fic!) @kimberbohwrites (my beautiful server wife and a wonderful writer!) and the intensely talented @captainsigge (check out their amazing artwork please!)

(I was tagged in two slightly different games but I'm gonna combine em like my good friend @lizziemajestic, lets grow this game, baby.)

Three ships: I'm currently hosting a small navy of Baldurs Gate 3 ships, so I'm about to be entirely self indulgent and talk about my own current obsessions/WIP pairings.

Kar'niss x Klaus (aka Klaus'niss), Abdirak x Donnick (aka Soup), and Rugan x Zevlor (HELLZHENT)

First ship: Always Cloud x Tifa (FF7), but to mix things up a bit I'll also throw a shout out here for RIPLEY x HICKS (Aliens, a film I watched at an age I should not have.)

Last Song: I come with knives - IAMX (Soup is haunting me)

https://open.spotify.com/track/3smpkFLy21G6ZvKHbNXAIu?si=5b75cd919ddb4a3d

Last Movie: Mandy

Currently Reading: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka (still)

Currently Watching: The Bear and rewatching Penny Dreadful

Currently Eating: psssh, food? coffee no 3

Currently Craving: time and freedom, mostly.

Favourite colour: Mustard yellow

Favorite flavour: Lemon or pistachio.

Current obsession: Blorbos Gate, and specifically the endless spiral that has become Circus Husband (Klaus)

Last thing I googled: chain cilice

Favourite season: Autumn

Skill I’d like to learn: Animation. Appropriate task prioritisation. Discipline. Saying no to things, and people, including myself.

Best Advice: 'Why else do we write, if not to fill the world with the kinds of things we would like to read?'

No pressure tags for the lovely @dutifullylazybread @graysparrowao3 @russica @reverieblondie @savriea @my-favourite-zhent @cornflowersisblue @n1ghtmeri and @ankhegs-in-my-salad

#tag game #getting to know my mutuals

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vespaer77 · 3 months

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Fic: I'll Tell You in a Song

Read below or on AO3

Pairing: Gale x named f!Tav (College of Lore Bard / Zariel Tiefling Rating: M for eventual smut Word Count: ~4800 Possible CW for imagery dealing with su!cide/self harm

Shayla Moonsong was once a very typical bard, in every sense of the word. A student of the College of Lore, her mediocre skill with a sword was even worse than her athleticism. Fortunately the pretty pink tiefling had other talents that kept her out of trouble, usually by way of a bonny sonnet… or an occasional bedchamber. But then she became the host for an illithid tadpole and everything changed. She changed. The easy freedom of a light tryst with a man like Halsin should have been ideal, but she found her heart longing for someone else. Someone who was miles away in Waterdeep, forgetting about the bard who didn't understand him, or understand what it was that she needed until it was gone. What is a bard to do, then? When she falls in love… but it's too late?

Chapter One: The Wizard, The Real One

"Is there a loan shark in the audience or something?" Jory asked.

"Hmm?" Nelsyn replied, but she didn't look up from her lines. He supposed that was fair. She was busy letting Sara fix the adhesive on the curly teal wig that sat between her horns, and Jory knew as well as anyone on cast that nothing good came from troubling the crew. He let his heavy bear pelt slip from his shoulders as he sat down in the empty chair next to her.

"She's been there all night," he told his friend as he nodded toward the entryway to stage right. "Boss lady. We've been touring this show for months. We could all do it in our sleep, she knows that. Never seen her hover like this."

And there was no reason for it. "The Fall of the Absolute" was a roaring success. The production was Shayla Moonsong's crowning achievement, a media darling, and the current obsession of a whole continent. She'd catalogued volumes of stellar, five-star reviews thus far, and was selling out box offices everywhere she went. The show was the hottest new thing since "Volo's Guide to Sex in the Elemental Planes."

But it wasn't her biggest accomplishment. It wasn't what she was truly known for.

She was the Hero of Baldur's Gate.

She faced the illithid Netherbrain herself, and won.

And the tale they were telling in front of all those people was her story.

Heavens knew the winsome bard had faced far greater perils than watching a chapter of her life play out on a stage.

And yet there she stood, on this most unremarkable of nights, leaning just inside the door frame where she could observe without obstructing. Where she could scan the audience like a scrying eye, searching for... something. Normally she'd be flitting about like a cloud of gnats directing the cast and crew, answering questions, giving orders, helping the caterer, filling water jugs, finding toilet paper, running errands, meeting VIPs. Trying not to go crazy. But not tonight. Tonight she stood very still, chewing her thumbnail and unconsciously flicking the tip of her tail over and over, hard to the left.

And Jory remembered what Nelsyn had said about what it meant when tieflings flicked their tail to the left.

She was clearly nervous about something.

"Well, we're about to do the big emotional number," Nelsyn finally told him, closing the cover of her script while Sara gave her wig a good yank to test the glue. "It's the one all the teenage girls are sobbing over their sketch pads for right now."

She stopped to take a sip of water when Sara bent to pick up her cosmetics case. The girl made a gesture to Jory to give up his seat, and he tripped over his own feet unfolding himself to stand up. Once again he was reminded why he was cast as the big druid, Halsin. Shayla had told him once that while he wasn't quite as tall as the real thing... he was close. He wondered how easily the boss lady's former lover would have fit into that chair.

"This is our first time in Waterdeep," Nelsyn continued, trying her best not to move her lips while Sara applied a fresh coat of pink stain. "She probably just wants to see how it gets received. She doesn't really get to just sit out there and watch, you know?"

"Yeah."

"Could be it," Sara told them both, bunching her eyebrows and concentrating on keeping her hand steady. "Part of it, anyway. That is her favorite character out there, singing his heart out about the bomb in his chest."

"Her favorite character? The wizard?"

"Someone else got a bomb?"

"Please. Everyone knows I'm her favorite character."

"Listen," she replied as she wiped the applicator clean with a kerchief, "you're a good looking kid, and no one hates watching you take your clothes off out there." Nelsyn snorted, but they both ignored her. "A healthy percentage of ticket sales is probably yours, no one's arguing that. But that's not enough for you to game the win."

"Game the w- what?" Jory laughed, his oiled obliques glistening as he pulled the bear pelt back over his shoulders. "Look, I'm not trying to make it a competition or anything, okay? You brought it up. But I literally play an archdruid who carves ducks, sings to squirrels, and adopts orphans. Plus? He looks like this." He swept his hands grandly over his abdomen, flexing muscles most people had only seen in paintings or medical textbooks. "And did I mention he's also her boyfriend?"

"Her ex-boyfriend," Sara corrected him, pointing at Nelsyn as she spoke. "Have you even listened to the song she's getting ready to sing? You know. The one about love? And sacrifice?" She shifted her weight as an intern sidled past her to tidy the table, refill their drinks, and bag up the trash. "And don't tell me you haven't looked at Erik with both of your eyeballs. We've all seen him. The man has eyelashes as long as your forearm. And the biggest, saddest, wettest brown eyes on the face of this planet. He's like a baby cow, okay? I'm just saying." She stood to let the intern past her again, and bent to drag her cosmetics case out of the way. "This is the man she cast to play the lead in the big romantic climax of the whole show. When the main character realizes she's in love and it's too late. She's managed to capture," she pinched her fingers in front of her face, "the very essence of what it means to have sad children mooning over this show for years to come, okay? The baby cow is a cash cow. And he is clearly her favorite character."

"I think the vampire is her favorite character," the intern said, unprompted, as she reached to help Nelsyn out of her seat. "He's everyone's favorite character."

"You're all wrong," Nelsyn told them as she sloughed her way out of her robe with great theatrical flair. The intern caught it before it hit the floor, just as she'd done so many times before. Nelsyn stood with her hands on her hips and a gallant curve to her tail, casting her eyes toward the rafters and beaming a heavily pink-stained smile, resplendent in her artificially distressed leather armor blotted with thick fake blood.

"I'm her favorite character," she said, glowing with certainty. "And it should be obvious. I'm her! Now, stand back and watch while I go make a bunch of little girls cry!" And with that, she grinned devilishly and pranced toward the stage.

But once she was gone, the intern leaned forward and beckoned. Jory found himself instinctually drawn to listen.

"Well, you wanna know what I heard?" she whispered, and her eyes landed on Shayla for only just a moment. Jory nodded out of reflex. "I heard a rumor that someone in the orchestra pit overheard the boss lady telling someone in the box office that there was going to be a special guest tonight."

"What. Like, family?" Jory asked. "I thought she was an orphan."

"Could be anyone," Sara answered him from where she stood, combing through a wig hanging on the wall. "Philanthropist, politician. Who knows.

"Or," the intern hissed, leaning in even closer, "it could be one of them."

"One of who?"

"You know. Them. Thems what was with her, when all this went down."

"Like... like one of the actual...?"

"Don't you two have anything better to do than -"

"Wait. We're in Waterdeep," Jory breathed. He snatched up Nelsyn's script and started thumbing through it, fanning the pages and blowing a strand of hair across his nose. "Isn't... isn't the wizard...?"

Sara dropped her comb to her side and opened her mouth, but stopped and blinked at him instead. A thoughtful look crept across her face. She nodded her head in defeat.

"The wizard's from Waterdeep."

Then, as one, they all turned to look at Shayla where she stood at stage right, still as a statue.

And the music began to swell. The strings stirred the air with sounds as soft and sweet as sunset. The woodwinds sang a shrill crescendo as Erik began to make his famous climb.

And Nelsyn began to sing her famous song.

Before she disappeared beyond the narrow view from stage right, Jory watched her as she raised her arm to reach for him.

The wizard.

And her voice rang out so high and so clear, so heavy with every loss that Shayla Moonsong had ever suffered, with every plea that ever twisted her heart in bitter knots. With every word that ever fell from the mighty pen of their beloved playwright.

Who stood now with her hand at her throat. It bobbed once when she swallowed. Her lips parted and she drew a breath, and a hush fell over the crowd. She settled in to listen with the rest of them.

And her tail flicked once more to the left.

I know I've been unkind to you And I've pushed you way too far And I know in ignorance I forced you To reveal the man you are And I know I've left you with nothing to lose And even less to gain And though I know you owe me nothing Please don't give in to pain

Erik's silhouette was emblazoned across the long, velvet curtain hanging behind the hideously decorated staircase he was climbing. His movements were eery and real, despite their paltry attempts to pantomime a grisly memory that none of them had ever lived. Each step was measured and dreamlike and perfect, like a person caught in a trance or a dead man called home to his rest by a spectral light.

Or in this case, a massive papier mache facsimile of a netherbrain hung from a scaffold over the stage.

Please, Please don't do this I'm begging you not to go Please, Please don't do this There's something you need to know What can I do to make you wait Convince a goddess to change your fate Please tell me that it's not too late There's something I didn't say…

"It can't be him, though. Can it?" Jory asked. "Didn't he, like," he pointed a finger toward the stage, "explode?"

"Oh, no. It's just a story, mate," came a voice from behind them. It was Velanthyr, the elf who played Astarion. They rounded the table and perched themself on the corner, placing their white wig beside them as they took a bite from an apple. "She's embellished tons of stuff. For emotional impact. They all do it."

I should have loved you since I met you I should have loved you all along

"That bard she played? In the first act?"

"Yeah?"

"She ain't really dead either."

"Seriously?"

I should have told you that I love you Instead of hiding behind a song

"My cousin met her. Said he saw her play someplace they had dinner."

"No shit?"

"It's true. She teaches music in Baldur's Gate."

Is there nothing left that I can do But fall to my knees and pray

"So what's with her, anyway?" Velanthyr asked, pointing their apple at Shayla while they wiped the juice from their lips with their other hand.

The tip of her tail flicked again, and slowly she wrapped her arms around her middle.

To any god or any devil Who'd keep you from walking away

"She's been acting weird all night," they said.

"S'what we were just talking about."

Please, Please don't do this! Turn around! This isn't right!

"We think the wizard might be out there," the intern told them. "The real one."

"Oh no," the elf laughed.

Please, Please don't do this! Please, I'm begging you to fight!

"Hope he has a sense of humor. It's about to get weird!"

"Weird?!" Sara growled at them, flinging her comb about.

Forget your fickle god's desire I'd cross the oceans, I'd walk through fire I'd conquer all the Hells entire For you And yes, I know you're tired

"The man is getting ready to watch himself die! And I'm sure I don't need to remind you his death is self-inflicted! If there's a chance that any of this is real? That the trauma this man survived is on display? You all need to show a little respect." She shook her head and turned back to her wig. "Shut up and let her listen."

Sara's words may have stung him, but Jory knew she was right. So he obeyed her, and he listened. And for the first time he truly heard the fragile warble of desperate heartache that Nelsyn had worked so hard to craft through her voice.

Come back to me and take your rest Indulge one overdue caress I'll steal the sorrow from your chest And confess, I will confess

But he didn't just uncover a new appreciation for his friend and her level of skill. There was more to it than that. There was a depth to this scene that he'd been missing before now.

There was a meaning. One that wasn't meant for the whole world.

It was only meant for one man.

He could sense it in the vibrant tension bound between Shayla Moonsong's shoulder blades.

And then Nelsyn grew quiet. Everything got quiet. The music made a subtle shift to something low and dulcet, but tense, like a string pulled too tight without snapping. Jory found his feet had led him to stand at Shayla's shoulder. He could hear her breathing through her teeth and he felt compelled to reach out and take her hand.

She took hold of it like a lifeline.

You're everything to me and more You're all that I've been fighting for You're more than just an end to war…

Nelsyn paused after that last note. It was important to the narrative, it was the whole point behind the wizard's story. But her longing would go deliciously unrequited, and would inspire a veritable deluge of creativity from fandom communities everywhere.

Shayla squeezed Jory's hand, squeezed her eyelids firmly shut. She held her breath and Jory could see Erik had reached the top of the rise. There he stood, a straight, unyielding figure gazing off into the liminal distance, resolute.

And he would never turn around.

It wouldn't be long. Any moment.

Nelsyn sang her penultimate line.

And I would give my life for yours…

She held the word so long it nearly sank into Jory's skin. It sent a wave of goosebumps to crest over every inch of his body. The orchestra wove their way through their final, sweeping refrain, and the conductor brought them to a close on a plaintive harmony between a flute and an oboe.

And then the light collapsed.

It shrank to a small, pale circle that drew its stark and shining focus on a razor-slim shadow cast against the curtain.

In the shape of a dagger.

Erik lifted it high and turned its point toward his heart.

"Gods preserve me," Shayla mumbled to herself. It was the only sound Jory could hear aside from the sniffs and sniffles of the audience. Collectively they teetered at the edges of their seats, enthralled by a beautiful, mournful man who was counting the final seconds of his life with undaunted stoicism and courage.

Nelsyn could've whispered her final line if she wanted to, but instead it burst from her as a scream.

"Don't do this!!!"

Jory felt it thrum like a shockwave within his own chest, and beside him Shayla flinched. She squeezed his hand even harder.

"Just tell me when it's over," she said to him. And then suddenly there was a flurry of activity.

He took a step back and yanked her away from the door when a small flock of technicians flew in to crowd the space they left behind.

Up high, far in the corner, Jory saw the dagger move against the curtain. And all of the good people of Waterdeep gasped when they watched the blade meet its mark.

"Fire in the hole," a technician murmured beside him, and the spotlight on the curtain went black.

Then a pair of spells were cast that bathed the audience in a blinding aurora. It blazed with ribbons of vivid blues and purples and greens, speckled with myriad glittering white stars.

And an arrow of roaring thunder was launched far overhead. It detonated with such a resounding boom that it shook everything, even the floor boards beneath Jory's feet. It rattled seats and drinking vessels, it toppled music stands, and it made Erik's staircase sway alarmingly as it was wheeled backstage, with him still riding precariously at its top.

Shayla Moonsong's face fell into her hands.

"Go on," Erik sang as he danced his way down the stairs. "Tell me how devastating I was. Don't hold back. Tell me everything."

"You were spectacular, my love!" Velanthyr assured him as they ran to greet him, cradling his face in their hands and kissing him sweetly. "You always are."

"Were they weeping?" he asked his lover, nuzzling their face with his own. "The lights are so bright, I can never see."

"They were drowning in their tears, darling. Drowning."

"Is everything alright?" Sara asked as she approached on her tiptoes, reaching for Shayla's arm. Velanthyr's wig drooped at her side, forgotten. "What can I do?"

"I can't even look," Shayla whimpered through the palms that smothered her face.

"Oh honey," Sara cooed as she pulled the woman closer. And in a blessed act of mercy, she asked the question that no one wanted to ask, but someone needed to. Long before now, before this critical point had been breached.

"He's out there, isn't he?"

"I think I've made a huge mistake." Shayla slid her fingertips down to press against her lips, unable to form any other words. She could only shake her head, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.

"Do you want us to look? See if we can see him?"

"I don't think I wanna know."

"Where is he seated?"

"E6."

"Oh." Sara briefly grimaced at Jory, but didn't stop rubbing circles across Shayla's back. "Front and center. Of course."

"Yep." The way her lips popped at the end of the word only served to emphasize how mortified she was. "Wouldn't want him to miss anything."

"Well, of course not. He's your guest," Sara replied, jerking her chin in a way that suggested Jory had been volunteered for reconnaissance.

"Oh gods!" Shayla raked her claws past her horns to twist them into her hair. "I even told him he could invite his mother!"

"Well that's a perfectly reasonable thing to do, one would think."

Jory understood his assignment. He sauntered away but paused at the door frame. The show wasn't over yet. When the technicians finished collecting their gear, they scrambled off to safely stow their rockets and retrieve the set pieces for the final scenes. They were dragging the staircase away from the main thoroughfare when Corinne, the woman who played the narrator, whipped past them.

"Coming through," she chimed, racing out to center stage, taking her place before the curtains could rise once more. Her final soliloquy would lead them into the epilogue, and would give Jory the opportunity he needed to cast his eyes past the orchestra pit and across the section of seats that lie beyond.

Front and center.

He would only have a minute or two. Sara would need to replace Velanthyr's wig. Erik needed a drink and Nelsyn's makeup needed a touch up. Very soon they would be on stage, the lights burning holes through their retinas, leaving them blinded and oblivious to all but each other and the saga they would spin to its end. He reached up to buckle the clasp on the bear pelt that draped across his shoulders.

For now, it was the narrator's turn. But he was ready. And then the curtains rose.

He smashed his face against the door frame like a cat burglar. A shaft of light swung down upon the stage illuminating Corinne at its center, and Jory peered out into the darkness it left in its wake. He squinted until he found the end of the section behind the orchestra pit, and he started counting backwards from there.

But seat E6 was empty.

Certain he'd made a mistake, he counted back again to double check, to be extra sure.

But he was right the first time.

"It's empty," he muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

"What?" Shayla cried as she spun to face him.

"Yeah," he told her. "I counted twice to make sure I had the right seat, but no one's in it."

"Oh gods." She began to pace, wringing her hands. "What about the one next to it?"

"Which side?"

"Just tell me if you see an older woman."

"Umm, okay." At first he wasn't certain. There was a child on the right side, but on the left was a person who'd stood up, and was bent with their back toward him, like they were reaching for something. "I think... maybe. Yeah. I think so. It looks like she's getting up. She's picking up a bag or something. Is that a cat?"

"Tara?"

"Who brings a cat to a -"

"She's not a cat. She's a tressym."

"What the hell is a tress- holy shit, it's got wings! It just flew over - oh! Oh, I think I see him!"

"Where!"

The tressym sailed through the air to float beside a tall, slender man who was moving quickly up the aisle toward the exit. He wasn't running, out of proper respect for social decorum, but he had the energy of a man who wished he was. His shoulders were hitched up near his ears and he was stifling his mouth with the back of one hand.

And a shiver ran down Jory's spine.

This was the guy. The wizard. The real one.

Gale Dekarios, of Waterdeep.

In the flesh. Right there.

From what little Jory could see, the play had done him justice. He was a very handsome man, lithe and lean, long-legged with a powerful stride, and every bit as comely as Erik had depicted him to be.

Yet it was hard to imagine, through simple sight alone, that this was a man who had once been the Chosen of a god. Or that this was a man who had once vanquished the avatar of Death itself. A man who had put an end to the Cult of the Absolute.

A man who had once made his own decision about whether or not to plunge a dagger into his heart.

But it was easy to see why Shayla would want to stop him. This man clearly meant something to her.

He didn't know what providence deemed it necessary for him to ask. It certainly wasn't any of his business. But the question tumbled out of his mouth, unbidden. Perhaps the gods themselves just wanted to hear someone finally say it out loud.

"Does he know how you feel about him?"

Shayla slumped and let her hands fall limp to her sides. She pulled her lip into her mouth, and her eyes swam with visions of regret. "No," she whispered to him. "It was never the right time."

Oh, how irony could be so cruel.

"You should go after him, then," he told her. "Go quick. If you hurry, you can catch him before he gets to the front door."

"Shit!" she snarled and for a moment, Jory was afraid she'd scurry across the stage in the middle of Corinne's long and emotional speech. There was a wild streak in him that almost hoped she would. But instead, she bolted through the loading bay doors and flung herself outside, presumably to tear down the alley between the theater and the wine cellar to run around the building toward the front.

Nelsyn wandered over to them, sipping cold water from her mug and watching over her shoulder as the loading bay doors swung back and forth on their hinges.

"Jory," she stated flatly. "What did you do."

"What?!" he cried. Sara could only double over and laugh at him. "I didn't do anything!"

"Somebody did something," she said, eyeing the doors skeptically. "And it looks a lot like it was you."

"I'm serious! She asked if we could see him, and I told her yes. That's all."

"See who?"

"The wizard!"

"What wizard? You mean, like... Erik?"

"No!" He stuck out both hands and shook them. "The actual wizard! The real one, from Waterdeep! Yes, he's still alive! No, he didn't explode!"

"Well, everybody knows that..."

"She wanted to know where he was, so I told her, and then she ran out the door."

"Wait. So he was actually here tonight?"

"Jory," Sara accused him, still smiling pitifully at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "That's not all you said to her."

"But I didn't -"

"You asked her a pretty personal question."

"Where was he sitting?" Nelsyn leered at him over the rim over her mug as she took another drink.

"E6."

"Wow. Front and center."

"Yeah. She didn't want him to miss anything."

"So what did you ask her?"

Jory could only roll his eyes and sigh. None of them had time for this. He dropped his head and pinched his brow between his thumb and his forefinger but when he looked up, he found all eyes were on him. Even Erik and Velanthyr had paused their conversation long enough to turn around and stare. The technicians in the back tried to appear as if they weren't listening, but everyone knew they were. Suddenly, he could feel the heat that was trapped beneath the heavy mantle of his bear pelt.

"I asked her if he knew how she felt about him."

"What do you mean, how she felt..." And through the window of her eyes he could see her mentally calculating every single word she'd just sung. Right in front of the very man it was all intended for. Seated front and center, missing nothing. Her eyes flickered like golden flames.

"Holy shit," she breathed. "Like... feelings? Real ones? What did she say?"

He didn't get to answer. Just then, raucous applause erupted from behind them. The thunderous retort of clapping hands and cheers drowned all other sound, and signaled to them all that their time was up. Corinne came skipping backstage as the curtains fell behind her.

"And that's a wrap for me! Slam and a dunk! Go get 'em while they're - what's going on?"

"The wizard was here tonight," Nelsyn answered her without breaking her eye contact with Jory. "The real one. Shayla is in love with him. What did she sayyy?"

"No," he told her, holding very still while Sara dabbed a powder puff over his face. "She said no. He doesn't know."

"Are you serious?" Corinne gasped, pressing a hand to her heart.

"Well he does now," Sara chuckled, wriggling her eyebrows as she dropped the powder back into her cosmetics case. "I hope she caught him before he got away. He deserves an explanation."

And all around them, activity buzzed. Scenic backdrops rolled by, the intern fussed with Velanthyr's wig on her tiptoes, Sara dug frantically around searching for her lip stain, and the other actors began lining up to take their places. But in spite of the jubilant bustle of life happening all around them, Nelsyn could only stand with her mug in her hands, awestruck by the revelation they'd just been given.

"Sweet tapdancing Asmodeus," she laughed, shaking her head with her eyes transfixed on some far away place. "You mean to tell me that this whole time," she jostled the water in her mug when she bellowed, "THIS WHOLE TIME?! This whole play has been just a great big love letter to some... man?! For months?! And he only just heard it? Tonight? For the first time?"

"I think that about sums it up, yep," Sara told her, taking the mug from her hands.

"That's genius!" She shuffled to her place in line, utterly befuddled, her eyes glassy and glazed. "They're star-crossed, it's perfect! I wish this would've happened months ago! Just you wait, you'll see. When all the little fan fic authors out there find out about this? They are gonna go berserk! People everywhere will pay money for a vial of our sweat! The contents of our chamber pots - we'll be famous!

"Gods have mercy on us all. There might even be a sequel. We'll be touring this show til the day we die!"

Chapter Two coming soon!

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 gale #gale bg3 #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #gale romance #galemance #tav x gale #oc x gale #gale x tav #gale x oc #bg3 fic #bg3 gale fic #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 gale fanfiction

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lolotheparagon · 1 year

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Every MLP G3 Special In a Nutshell

A Charming Birthday: A bunch of ponies construct a 50 ft tall friendship bracelet for the village hermit's birthday cos she've never been surprised before. I think that would surprise anyone tbh.

Dancing in the Clouds: Two ponies ride a rollercoaster, immediately get inspired to do a dance routine and then GOD APPEARS to summon butterflies to make the ponies fly. Cos why dance in a routine when you can cheat?

Friends are Never Far Away: This is the first time I've seen in a kids cartoon where the main characters meet indigenous people with the offering of friendship and not colonisation and seizing their land. Funny how MLP G4 completely spat on that idea.

The Princess Promenade: A pony becomes princess because she was given a flower by a stinky old lizard...oh and she also has to organise a flower parade as well because a pixie couldnt do it....Nah, being a princess is boring, let's make everyone princesses!

A Very Minty Christmas: Minty's OCD caused her to break a magic candy cane and thinks she's ruined Christmas for everyone so she goes on a perilous journey to fix things when all her friends want is her to be home. Awww.

The Runaway Rainbow: A unicorn filly who's a part of The Rainbow Justice League is teleported to Ponyville, spends a day rolling around in mud and eating cake and then says im tired i wanna go home. Oh and this filly is apparently a vital element of nature because without her making rainbows, THE COLOURS OF THE WORLD ARE FADING THIS IS A SIGN OF THE END TIMES

The Ladybug Jamboree: Pinkie has a brain blast that makes all her band members play successfully for the first time...moments before they go on stage

Greetings from Unicornia: Rainbow Dash and Rarity fuck around in a castle for a few minutes

Come Back Lily Lightly: A unicorn is scared of being judged because her horn lights up when she giggles... I have no idea what kind of metaphor this is supposed to be.

Two for the Sky: A lesbian couple desperately want to fly. They get their wish but they quickly hate it cos they cant sleep together with those giant wings in the way.

Positively Pink: The ponies pink-ify the entire town for Pinkie Pie's birthday but realise they just wasted a whole day because her birthday's not until tomorrow.

Pinkie's Special Day: Oh so this is what they did for her birthday: they gave her a clipshow! Wow, that's cheap. That's like the giftcard equivalent of birthday surprises.

Rainbow Dash's Special Day: OH GOD DASH WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU WHY DO YOU SOUND SO WRONG?!

Star Song and the Magic Dance Shoes: Starsong and Pinkie try to do a dance routine without their shoes but realise its they cant dance without them. THE SHOES ARE A CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN DANCING WHERE'S THE SPARKLY PINK SHOES?!

Pinkie Pie's Party: Pinkie Pie has an anxiety attack during a trip about party and then goes to speedrun prepare for a party. Then her friends decide to make a party out of preparing for a party. Yknow Ponyville can make even paying taxes sound like a party.

Rainbow Dash's Party: Dash hosts a hat fashion show for all her friends where she likes everyones hats so much, she lets them all win. Even though one clearly should’ve won. I mean come on, Starsong’s has functioning piano notes on it. Do you know how much wiring goes into that? No, in fact Toola Roola's should win, its got the best motif and why arent easel-style berets a thing yet? Im way too into this. Lets carry on.

Cheerilee's Party: The ponies have a sleepover where they refuse to go to sleep. Hey, why dont we let Crane tell the scary stories. That'll help them stay awake.

Scootaloo's Party: Scootaloo hosts a sports day party for her friends and they decide to give her the trophy. Awww.

Starsong's Party: A pony gets stage fright about singing on stage but her friends encourage her to try anyway at a concert and whilst the pony is singing off stage, the curtains go up, revealing her talented voice to the world. And then G4 remade this plot into someone's nervous breakdown.

Toola-Roola's Party: Toola Roola spends a whole day waiting for her friends' painted plates to finish drying cos she doesnt know what a kiln is. Then she gets them mixed around cos the namecards are lost when its clearly obvious which is which. What a disaster horse.

Sweetie Belle's Party: The ponies put their own ideas for a cake into one batter, end up making something that even Buddy the Elf would have a heart attack and then Sweetie Belle suggests making them into a cake with separate layers….that’s still gonna taste like shit.

Twinkle Wish Adventure: A dragon steals a star Pokemon from the ponies because she thinks its a toy and by her logic, will help her get more friends. And then the ponies sing about how great their friendship is. Girls, she stole your property. Punch her.

Waiting for the Winter Wishes Festival: This is literally just a deleted scene from Twinkle Wish adventure. If you want to see Scootaloo fumble around doing a holiday tiktok dance, here it is.

Sweetie Belle's Gumball House Surprise: The core 7 ponies spend 5 minutes searching for Sweetie Belle in her house via scavenger hunt only to find she's just in the backyard. The little gremlin.

Pinkie Pie's Ferris Wheel Adventure: Pinkie creates/manages an entire theme park by herself just for her friends to visit. Pinkie, where did you get the money to create this theme park? Are you a rich kid? Do you have a trust fund?

So Many Different Ways To Play: Baby Scootaloo is just pure chaotic gremlin mode and drives her sister and her friend ragged. This is the content I want to see.

Over Two Rainbows: The baby ponies find out baby Sweetie Belle has god-like powers but just wants to have a dress up party. AND APPARENTLY BABIES ARE MADE WHEN TWO RAINBOWS FUCK

The World's Biggest Tea Party Live: It's weird to see me watch this without 3 ex-bronies screeching at the screen for how 'cringeworthy' it is and then go completely off the rails to talk about Tumblr memes and have nipple fights.

....Oh yeah, the plot of the show is that Pinkie and Minty have a miscommunication boo-boo and now their tea party's fucked cos they aint got a teapot. Then they ask the audience to summon a giant teapot with the Tea-necronomicon. There was much rejoicing

#mlp g3.5 #g3 mlp #mlp g3 #ramblings

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siren-serenity · 1 year

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🧡 summer 🧡

summary: summer reminds jamil viper of many things - it's overbearing heat, it's bright afternoon glow, but most importantly: you word count: 1.3k words author's note: here is my entry for @merotwst's competition! thank you for hosting it darlin'! and to my other fav judge: @cvlutos, hope both of you love judging mine! i really went all poetry-like during the "ahem" kiss scene ;) and happy birthday to you, mero! you're so unbelievably talented in both art and writing, you're so cute with your love for jamil, i can't wait to get to know you better! <3

For Jamil Viper, summer reminds him of endless things. It’s a force of nature to not be reckoned with, a force of nature that has no limits nor rules to its behavior. It storms through kingdoms without a pause and unflairs its fiery aura like a heavenly phoenix. Summer is the brightest shade of gold that blinds the eye and causing the indigo-blue dots to cloud one’s vision. It’s rays of light are harsh yet delicate, scorching yet soft - it’s a dance between the blurry lines. Summer rays can be simple dapples in the daylight but it could also be proud, carvers of light between the valleys between cracks in stones. Yet, summer is also the blissful warmth that Jamil’s oh-so-used to, enveloping him in a warm hug. It’s the feeling of blissful familiarity whenever he is home, back in the Scalding Sands, welcoming him like a loving mother would to a treasured child. Summer is the unique smell of spices and dusty sands, infamously found in every nook and corner.

Yet, summer reminds him of you too. Your emotions are unpredictable just like the summer’s heat - Jamil Viper can never read you as well as he could do to others. Nor could he fool you just the same. You never fail to read those hidden messages and his implicit emotions, providing him with a safe haven that he just wants to treasure forever. The blissful feelings of summer is even comparable to the blissful feelings that arise within Jamil whenever he dives into your arms after a tiring training with Ace and Floyd; the warmth that your arms give to his tired soul never fails to rest his fatigued, weary soul. He finds the happiness summer gives to people in the way you smile; he could never get tired of the way your smile could give him an instant boost to his mood nor could he ever get tired the way your smile could fill him with enough joy to match Kalim’s cheery personality. By the time he goes back to whatever he is doing, his cheeks ache with how long he’s been smiling and it makes him wonder - since when has he ever smiled as much as he does whenever he is with you?

Even now, Jamil Viper finds summer in your embrace. The sun sets in the pocket dimension that Scarabia could be found in, casting the sky in streaks of coral orange, pastel pink, and faint sparkles of violet. It creates a myriad of colors, painting the sky as vivid as your personality that Jamil finds solace in.

He doesn’t just lay on you, showing you just his exhausted body, but he also hugs you tight, showing a vulnerable side that he only ever shows you. His arms wrap around yours, pressing you tight against his chest. You fit him like a perfect puzzle piece; it was like every curve, every inch of your body was made to be with his. He feels a warmth in his heart, akin to a gentle summer’s light, whenever he feels your body pressed into his, your breathes tickling and raising the little hairs on his arms, and your form curled into his like a kittens’. Sometimes, he can feel your fingers tucking his rebellious baby hairs back into their righteous, neat ways but from the way you repeat the action, you must find it as therapeutic as he does. Jamil absent-mindedly plays with your fingers, tracing all the calleuses that you call “ugly” before pressing them to his lips. He kisses each finger, watching with a satisfied shimmer in his eyes as you let out squeaks of surprise and giggles from the ticklish feeling.

“Perfect,” he murmurs while you retort with the opposite. He frowns, eyebrows furrowing together and wrinkles adorning his forehead at his actions, before doing so again, firmly pressing his lips to the pads of your fingers. “You’re absolutely perfect.”

“I’m not!”

“Yes, yes you are,” Jamil firmly states. Although his tone was firm and steady, it was nothing like the way his hands gently guided your own to be placed above his chest, where his heart beats steadily like a pulsing drum. He meets your enchanting eyes and could feel the way his heart stuttered, the butterflies in his stomach erupting as always whenever he locks eyes with you. So an intimate moment, Jamil thinks. Even though it is just the seconds of eyes meeting, Jamil can feel your soul and his intertwining together. The quote “the eyes are the windows to the soul” have never rang truer in Jamil’s mind. “For as long as my heart beats, I will say you are perfect.Gorgeous. Beauty in the mortal form. ”

You are silent before murmuring: “How could you say that? Even when I’m grey and old?”

You breathe slowly and Jamil can hear shakiness in your words. Internally, he frowns at the implication - have you never been complimented? Have you never received such kind words? Impossible, how did the people of your old world think? Upon looking at you for the first time, Jamil Viper has already fallen for you, heart and soul willingly yours.

“Especially, if your grey and old,” Jamil hums, before cradling your chin. A lithe finger strokes your cheeks, tracing each and every inch before his fingers lead him to your eyes. Stunningly beautiful eyes that can make him willingly kneel with a single glance. Stunningly beautiful eyes that Jamil never wants to see wet with unshed tears. “Even then, I will always think of you as the loviest, the fairest, the most beautiful of them all, even surpassing the Fairest Queen.”

“Vil will have a stroke if you say that,” You joked and Jamil rolled his grey eyes fondly at the mention of the third-year senior.

“He can fight me for all that matters, I will return the favor.”

He traces the lines around your eyes before leading them down so he could place your face in the palm of his hands. “May I kiss you?”

It was like a subconscious power was drawing him in; a hazy layer over his logical brain that beckons him to do what he most desires. Jamil was only inches away from pressing his lips against yours; the same magnetic feeling ushering him closer and closer until-

“You may.”

Jamil tilted his head so he could capture your lips in his. Yes, your lips reminded him of summer’s warmth. His tongue darted out, tasting your lips; they tasted of the spices that remind him of the busy markets in the Scalding Sands, but he tastes the delectable taste that is so unique to you. It’s addicting, like summer’s warmth, to keep kissing you until the sun rises for the next day and the horizon breaks for dawn to arrive. He could feel your hands tangling in his, faintly registering the delicate jingles as his golden ornaments are being removed and his chocolate locks tumble forth. He feels your arms treading through his hair as he continues to kiss you, only pausing to take in the needed oxygen; if he didn’t need to do so, Jamil would have continued kissing you until the night fades into day, until the morning sun basks both of you in a warm angelic halo. Truly, it would have been a sight to behold.

A string of saliva connects his redden lips and yours, glimmering under the warm glow of Scarabia’s lounge lights before Jamil tilts you by the chin and pressing his lips against yours once more.

To Jamil Viper, summer reminds him most of you. The power of summer’s blinding heat is nothing compared to the love he feels for you.

#jamilssummercontest #jamil viper #twisted wonderland #jamil viper x reader #jamil x reader #twst jamil #twisted wonderland jamil #fluff #watch me do this instead of doing my maths hw asdfg #jamil's so pretty istg

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choicesfandomappreciation · 7 months

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Secret Admirer Event—February 2024

Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time and talents to make this event possible! Without all of you, none of this could happen! I know not everyone who wanted to participate was able to, due to time and real life responsibilities, but I hope that you can still help support those who did. I will try to host another secret pal event before long. Maybe something in the spring?

Alphabetical by user name of the giftee Please let me know if you see any errors or any links that are wrong

💖 To: @a-cloud-for-dreams 💛 From: @cowboy-eldritch

Bryce x MC Art

💖 To: @aallotarenunelma 💛 From: @abelflints

Abel x MC Edit

💖 To: @abelflints 💛 From: @hydn-jpg

Lincoln x MC Art

💖 To: @aria-ashryver 💛 From: @aallotarenunelma

Quote Edits #1 Quote Edit #2 + Drawing

💖 To: @cadybear420 💛 From: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

Lucas x MC Art

💖 To: @cowboy-eldritch 💛 From: @peonyblossom

Valax x MC Moodboard

💖 To: @gaiuskamilah

Marya Blades MC Art 💛 From: @storyofmychoices Nia Video Edit 💛 From: @a-cloud-for-dreams

💖 To: @hydn-jpg 💛 From: @cadybear420

Cas x MC Edits

💖 To: @inlocusmads 💛 From: @vampirkit

Trystan x MC Art

💖 To: @lilyoffandoms 💛 From: @gaiuskamilah

Kieran x MC Art

💖 To: @moominofthevalley 💛 From: @tveitertotwrites

COP MC Moodboards and Picrew

💖 To: @noesapphic 💛 From: @moominofthevalley

Desire & Decorum Moodboard and Playlist

💖 To: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd 💛 From: @storyofmychoices

Wind (LOA) Geometric Art Ernest x MC art and drabble

💖 To: @peonierose 💛 From: @totojo2

Gabe x MC Art

💖 To: @peonyblossom 💛 From: @inlocusmads

Kit Jackson x MC Art

💖 To: @storyofmychoices 💛 From: @peonierose (Art by @lilyoffandoms)

Mal x MC Drabble + Art

💖 To: @thosehallowedhalls 💛 From: @aria-ashryver

Woven Threads and Winding Roads (Pt 1&2): Five times Tyril attempts to braid Raine’s hair; and one time those threads begin to come together again as they should. Woven Threads and Winding Roads (Pt3&4) Tyril x MC Edits

💖 To: @totojo2 💛 From: @noesapphic

Come Back to Me, Detective: After Cameron Rose collapsed after saving Marguerite and the grand reveal of who was the killer all along, Trystan has some thinking to do before Cameron wakes up

💖 To: @tveitertotwrites 💛 From: @lilyoffandoms

Derek x MC (AME) Art

💖 To: @vampirkit 💛 From: @thosehallowedhalls

By Any Other Name (fic): Do Kamilah and Carmilla have anything in common besides some consonants and vowels?

#choicessecretadmirer2024 #choicessecretadmirer #choices secret admirer #choices #playchioces #choices game #playchoices game #choices fandom apprecitation #choices fandom

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outlanderanatomy · 2 months

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2024 SDCC A Conversation With Ron D. Moore

Greetings, anatomy students!

Long time – no see! 😜

As many of you know, I was at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con last weekend. Saw a huge forest fire on the flight down. 🔥 I could see the main plume from miles away and it looked a good deal like a nuclear mushroom cloud! You can just make it out at the front of the wing. 😳

Arrived Thursday after lunch. Grabbed a shuttle that dropped me off near the Convention Center. Scrambled to the press desk, checked in, and got my Press Pass plus an ADA sticker as my ankle is not yet fully functional. 🤕

Rushed to Suite 6DE barely making it into the event: “A Conversation With Ron D. Moore!”😅

The audience was surprised and delighted to discover the host was none other than Mary McDonnell of “Battlestar Galactica” and “Dances With Wolves” fame! You may recall, Mary played the part of President Laura Roslin on Galactica.

She greeted us with her melodious and resonant voice and soon invited the guest of honor to join her.

It was Ron D. Moore, himself! This is her brief introduction of Ron.

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Mary welcomed Ron and told him how much she enjoyed working with him on Battlestar. She then began a series of thoughtful questions which he answered with his usual frankness and candor.

She asked Ron if his ability to write strong women is an indication of feminism. He is not sure but he has empathy for women. I found the following part quite interesting as Mary queried Ron about writing parts for strong women in the face of power. She complimented him for being able to do this as few men show such talent and insight. She also praised him for writing equally strong men.

I wondered if he writes strong women intuitively, and not necessarily by plan. He said he enjoys writing parts for strong women. He talked about the process of getting a female captain (Captain Janeway) onto Star Trek: Voyager. He also said he puts himself in women’s shoes which is always a winning strategy, imo. 🤩

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Mary asked Ron about shutting off the creative process when he is not at work. He doesn’t really do that. He is able to leave work and concentrate on other things but running in the background is always something that his brain is working on. He warned about getting totally immersed as a show runner because there is no limit to the amount of involvement that can engulf one.

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In this last and final clip, Mary asked Ron about the great love between Jamie and Claire throughout their different lives and across time. Ron agrees that Diana Gabaldon wrote the perfect love story of two people who found their soul mates. although it is a wonderful concept, he is not sure true love is real and that there is only one soul mate for each of us. Mary loves the story of Jamie and Claire because it gives us hope. She is a solid fan of Outlander! 🥰

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She ended the session with a huge hug for Ron. Clearly, she carries a lot of affection for him and their time working together!

I hope you enjoyed this review of Ron’s conversation with Mary. It was enlightening for me, especially Ron explaining that Outlander time has come to end. We who disagree will continue to read the books! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

“So say we all!” 😉

The deeply grateful,

Outlander Anatomist

#sdcc #sdcc2024 #sdcc24 #Youtube

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thehalfbloodedwitch · 2 years

Note

I see you're doing some sort of an ordering event about draco!

can i ask a imagine of draco with fem!reader slytherin who is a figure skater (like yuzuru hanyu) super talented and she is going to participate in a competition on christmas day and draco makes a surprise for her going to watch the competition

(she wins the first place obviously, bc she is better than any other figure skater 😋)

english is not my first language, sorry 😭

Hello, anon! Yes indeed, I am doing an event for Draco because he deserves some more recognition here! Here's your request!

Imagine getting a Christmas Surprise from Draco

A/n- I absolutely adored this request so here you go!

A/u- Muggle

✧ : * ❆✧･ﾟ:*

Y/n Y/l/n, a well-known figure skater, had a grace to her skating that very few skaters possessed, which may have resulted in her widespread popularity.

On December 25, Y/n competed in an important competition for which she had been preparing for months. Draco Malfoy, her boyfriend, was there for her with warm beverages, constantly watched her perform, and always clapped for every flawless stance she performed.

Y/n couldn't have asked for a better boyfriend; he supported her through all of her highs and lows. But now that it was her turn to shine and demonstrate her skating skills, she was anxious.

This anxiety wasn't related to stage fright; rather, it was related to her ability to perform all of the postures correctly without falling. Y/n was a talented figure skater, yet this anxiety was always present in a very little part of her mind.

And so, the time came, the speakers in the stadium spoke, "And now, we have Y/n Y/l/n with her performance!"

Cheers and thunderous acclaim from the audience could be heard filling the stadium. When Y/n emerged from the doors, she looked across the stadium and noticed that hundreds of people were cheering her name from their seats, but her attention was fixed on just one person.

Her name was handwritten in a large banner by Draco Malfoy, who was sitting there. The charming sign her boyfriend had created for her couldn't help but make her smile. She began her exquisite performance with a well-known smirk on her face since she was determined to win this tournament at all costs.

"AND THE WINNER IS...." shouted the host and Y/n's heart was as if it stopped beating for a second, "NONE OTHER THAN Y/N Y/L/N!!" the host continued and a huge round of applause echoed through the stadium and Y/n was as if on cloud 9.

After receiving her prize, she dashed over to her boyfriend, who was waiting there holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Congratulations my love!" Draco said as he scooped her in his arms and Y/n held him tighter than ever and said, "Thank you, baby!"

While driving home, Draco said, "I have a surprise for you" " What surprise?" Draco chuckled in response to Y/n's question, " It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you about it" he replied to which Y/n said, "Yeah, but you know, I won the freaking competition so I deserve to know about this surprise of yours." As he parked the car in the garage, Draco continued, "You will know about it tonight.

And Y/n walked inside the mansion that they both owned wearing a stunning crimson dress that reached her knees. Several thousands of people were inside their mansion wearing elegant attire, and it was completely decked out in Christmas decorations.

"So, how did you like my surprise?" A voice asked from behind her, "I loved it Mr. Malfoy" said Y/n as she turned around to see Draco dressed in a black tux, he looked dashing in it.

Draco exclaimed, "You look, gorgeous sweetie," as his eyes swept over Y/n's outfit "Says the guy who looks so dashing in a tux," Y/n replied.

Everyone came and congratulated Y/n for her outstanding performance at the competition and Y/n smiled and thanked each and every one of them while Draco admired her.

After the party had ended and everyone had left, Y/n was sitting on the couch, exhausted after the incredible night Draco had prepared for her, when she heard footsteps coming toward her.

"Thank you so much baby for this-" "Y/n Y/l/n" interrupted Draco and Y/n sat straight on the couch with a confused expression on her face.

"We have been dating for a good year and we have made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, you mean a lot to me, you have been there for me when I was at my lowest, Y/n, your mere presence is enough for me to be happy, and I want us to be together forever, so Y/n Y/l/n, will you marry this idiot who is in love with you and cannot think of living a life without you?"

Y/n's eyes filled with tears, and with a smile on her face she jumped towards Draco and hugged him tightly, "So, should I take that as a yes?" Draco asked and Y/n chuckled and said, "What do you think? Of course yes, a million times yes!"

✧ : * ❆✧･ﾟ:*

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