#EUGH I need a nap ;w; | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

vulpixisananimal · 1 month ago

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[A: 4 C: 84] - Event Horizon

(Siffrin) {Mal Du Pays} <Null> |Asterion| =Socks= +Rosmarinus+

[[Loop]] [(Saffron)] [<Kyros>] [{Nostalgié?}]

[{. . . Ha. . . Ow.}]

[{Oh so this is consciousness? STARS, just how wild did you get last night you rascal~ You move your arm and every part of your body complains. Oh hush, it’s not like you nearly DIED the other night. Eugh. You try again, and start to actually feel movement! Wonderful!}]

[(. . . . . . . .)]

[{Oh SAFFRON how WONDERFUL to see you! How’s my little stress toy pookie poo doing~}]

[(What?)]

[{Oh don’t you “what” me, Saffron~ You can see them, across the treetop, looking at you with such suspicion!!! Come now, Saffy~ No need for that! I missed you, you know~ there was something about scaring you half to death that was so invigorating- oh they left. A pity~}]

[<At least. They’re alive. . .>]

[{Awww feeling bad for them, bird brain~?}]

[<You had a high branch, most of your body impossible to look through, just a darkness of feathers and talons. Y-yes, yes a bit yes I am! W-with all they have gone through. . .>]

[{You’re no fun. You groan and lift a hand to your face. You can feel your whole body complaining at the act, but you ignore it. Ha. Ha. . . . . What a feeling. The final end. The true death with no hope of a second chance. The moment where the brain begins to die due to lack of oxygen, and the true finality of it all.}]

[{YOU NEVER WANT TO GO THROUGH DYING AGAIN!}]

[[Stars above, what is going on?]]

[{Oh my!!! Loop-de-loop, so WONDERFUL to see you again! Have a good nap? Enjoy missing the show~?}]

[[You- what?!?]]

[<. . . I’ll, leave.>]

[[WHO?!?! WHO ARE YOU!??!?!]]

[{You missed quite a lot!!! Ha!!! HA!!! You look over at the star, what a pathetic thing~ What, surprised I’m here~?}]

[[Yes?!?!?!? What, are you “tamed” now?!? You storm over to where the thing is. Why does our body ache?!? What HAPPENED?!?!?]]

[{Go ahead and take control and find out~}]

[[You rub your face, whole body aching. Stars, STARS. . . Your shoulders, back, head, neck, everything!!! You let out a groan of annoyance.]]

“Sif?” [[You hear Isabeaus' voice. You open your eye to see he’s looking over you!]]

[{Aww, he must be on guard duty~ He walks over.}] “Feeling better, buddy?”

“No idea~” [[You smile cheekily and try and move to an upright position. It takes a minute, and Isabeaus help.]] “Stars, what happened to us. . .”

“. . . A, a lot.” [[He almost mumbles the words.]] “Do you remember it?”

“Bits and pieces. . .” [[You rub your head and close your eye. . . The memories come to you, not like you’re remembering the events, but more like you’re being handed the answers to a test.]] “. . . We. . . We, met Perci, got tricked, fought, most of the others got mind crafted, Saffron almost died, didn’t die, new headmates, and, and, and. . . . .”

“. . . That all?” [[He asks, and this time you detect a bit of impatience on his words.]]

“Aww fighter~ Care to remind me what I’m missing?” [[You tease, leaning forward.]] “I’d hate to forget anything important.”

“You-” [[His eyes go wide and he balls his hands into fists! Is he, mad at you?]] “I’m not in the mood for this!”

[[You tilt your head, expression softening.]] “Oh? Well, what are you in the mood for?”

“Can you stop?!?” [[He’s raising his voice.]] “Siffrin, you drugged me!!!”

[[Your breath catches. Y-you, you drugged him?]] “I-I. . . I, did?”

“YES!!!” [[He yells, making you wince, which makes him wince. He grumbles, and crosses his arms.]] “. . . Yeah. You did.”

“I-Isa. . .” [[The memories were coming back in flashes. Little pictures of what you did; what Null did.]] “I-I, I didn’t. . .”

“Didn’t what. Didn’t want to hurt my fee fees? My ling lings?!?” [[He huffs.]] “I was worried sick about you guys, a, a-and. . .”

[[He stops, practically biting back the words. He’s, tyring, to give you a chance! S-speak!]] “B-bu. . .” [[The words are frozen on your tongue, b-but, you, y-you didn’t do that-]]

“Do you know how much that hurt, Siffrin?” [[He speaks through gritted teeth.]] You betrayed my trust, a-and nearly got yourself killed for it!”

[[Y-you-]] “I-it, w-wasn’t. . . I-I. . .” [[Y-you, can’t talk-]]

“Something like that’s a team effort, Sif!” [[He’s not looking at you.]] “No-one tried to stop it, including you. You’re to blame just as much!”

[[You’re panicking, you’re, y-you, you didn’t, n-no, no no no no!!!]]

[{. . .}]

“I thought I’d lost you.” [[He’s grinding his teeth and looking down.]] “I thought I’d never see you again. I thought you decided to run away! Or worse!”

[[Y-you didn’t do that. Y-you didn’t do, that, I-isa, f-f-ffighter, please y-you, you--]]

“So, what.” [[He’s biting his tongue, you can tell.]] “Just, nothing to say? After all that?”

[[You can’t, open, your mouth. C-can’t, form words--]]

“Fine.” [[He crosses his arms and looks away.]] “I thought you were working on communicating, but, I guess not-”

“SHUT. UP!” [{You reach forward and grab Isabeau by the shirt collar.}] “LOOP IS THE ONE PERSON WHO WASN’T EVEN AROUND WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WAS MAKING THAT DECISION! WHY ARE THEY SUFFERING THIS WRATH!!!”

[{That seemed to shock Isabeau into calming his fear-fueled frustration. He blinked a few times, and talked in a softer voice.}] “I, I was worried!”

“As all would be! But why yell at Loop!” [{You tug him closer.}] “Isabeau wouldn’t yell at Odile for something Bonnie did! So why does he yell at LOOP of all people!!! One of the most terrified of losing him!!!”

“. . . I. .” [{He blinks, eyes wide and thinking.}] “They’re. . .”

“Focus.” [{You shake him a little by the collar.}] “Does our fighter have an answer? Or no? Why would he yell at Loop!”

“. . . I. . .” [{He looks away.}] “I don’t know. I just, thought. . .”

“Oh but was he? No, of course not. He was angry!” [{You throw your head back and laugh.}] “As he should be! Angry at those that drugged him that is! But that’s not poor Loop, nor Kyros, nor the one talking to Isabeau now! Oh say it ain't so that after all this time the fighter forgot about his rogue's vibrant personality?”

“. . .” [{He looks down, shoulders slumped.}] “. . . I guess I did. . . Sorry.”

“Sorry, who.”

“. . . Sorry, Loop.” [{He takes a shaky breath.}] “I’ve. . . Everyones had a long day. I just. . . Snapped. Sorry.”

[[. . . You. . . You, accept, a-and, apologize too-]]

[{No you don’t~}] “The wonderful guide has accepted Isabeau’s apology! Oh and don’t worry, he’s going to get many chances to be angry at who really did it.”

“No it’s- it’s fine.” [{He sighs, not looking at you.}] “Just, forget it.”

“Oh? What’s this?” [{You smugly tilt his head to look back at you with a hand.}] “Is he not taking his own advice? What happened to communicating, Isabeau~?”

“I-!” [{He starts, before rubbing his face.}] “. . . Didn't mean it like that. . .”

“Then tell! Tell the void what it was he meant!” [{You lean in closer, smiling cheekily.}]

“. . . I don’t know.” [{He finally admits.}] “I was just. . . Just, angry. And I didn’t think before speaking.”

“Good boy.” [{You lean in and kiss his cheek.}] “Keep being a good boy and maybe the next one goes on your lips~”

“WH-” [{He blushes, before pushing a hand against your mouth.}] “S-slow down, buddy! We just met, right?”

“Oh and now he remembers they’re individuals?” [{You flop back onto the sleeping bag, a hand to your head.}] “Oh be still, poor heart~”

“Hey!” [{You can tell he’s pouting from the tone of voice.}] “I just. . . I’m still kinda high strung, okay?”

“High strung?” [{You grin at him.}] “Oh there’s a few ways to fix that, puppy~”

[{You watch as his face becomes such a deep shade you’ll see that color again! You cackle as he hides behind his hands.}] “C-change. . . A-at, least, give me a name?”

“Teehee, if you insist~” [{You reach up and grab his shirt, pulling him down so he’s on top of you.}] “If you must know the voids name, it’s. . .”

[{Nostalgié.}]

[{. . . . E U G H!!!!!!!! Just thinking about keeping that ugly name makes you want to slit your own throat!!! No, no that won’t do!!! HA!!! How about. . .}]

“Horizon!” [{You grin, moving your hand from his shirt to his cheek.}] “Devious, Unhelpful Horizon. Once a sadness, tormentor of Loops, and now a tormentor of fighters~. And no, it doesn’t know why it talks in the third person, it just does~”

“H-heh, good to meet you, Horizon.” [{He replies, awkwardly.}] “U-uh, you’re. . . A sadness?”

“Oh Yes! Do keep up, puppy.” [{Teehee! You lean up nice and close.}] “Do tell, did it ever occur to Isabeau that Loop had to sit under that Favor Tree? Staring at him~? Stars, for a star headed guide, they’re PATHETIC! The only person they ever saw apart from Siffrin, was him, so any of those naughty little thoughts they had to stuff down their throat, ended up in here.”

“. . . T-thoughts?” [{His voice cracks.}] “W-wha, what thoughts?”

“Oh the usual~” [{You kiss his cheek.}] “They wanted to cry into those big, strong, fighting arms. They wanted to be held tight and told it would be alright! They wanted to jump him and kiss him until him forgot about anything else! They wanted to talk about stars to him, they wanted to feel his touch in bed! They wanted that and so, so much more.”

“. . . I-I-”

“Like I said, pathetic~” [{You have a hand in his hair.}] “Parasocial, even! But oh so responsible, oh so determined to save Siffrin, so devoted to their role. Even with that second chance, it took so long for them to get the guts to confess.”

“Hey!” [{He pouts.}] “Be nice!”

“HA! Hypocrite.” [{You tease.}] “How about this. Since puppy’s been all cranky this morning and yelled at his favorite star, then maybe puppy should take a little nap~”

“U-uh. . .” [{He’s flushed again, and staring at you.}] “. . . A-am, am I-”

“Yes, puppy, Horizon’s talking about you~” [{You lean up and kiss him on the lips this time, holding him there for a bit longer than necessary.}] “So, will he be a good little puppy and come take a well deserved nap~”

[{The answer was obvious.}]

>>>

[(You sleepily and lazily take another spoonful of soup. So lazy, in fact, that it wasn’t you holding the spoon! You were sitting on Isabeaus' lap as he fed you spoonfuls of stew. The bright, midday sun warmed your campsite, giving you all a little reprieve from all the snow. An oddity, considering it was. . . February? January? Either way, you didn’t expect the sun, but it was very welcome nonetheless.)]

[(Altiare and Mirabelle were talking religion or tradition or something to one side, while Nille, back to you, was tending to the stew. Odile was inside the siblings tent, watching over the still very asleep Bonbon. Earlier, you had a ‘moment’ because you were worried they wouldn’t ever wake up. Luckily, Altiare was able to check and see that yes, there wasn’t anything wrong.)]

[(Isa paused with the stew to stroke and play with your hair. It was a silent agreement that you didn’t want to make small talk right now, and just being in his protective arms was more than enough. He was security. He was comfort. He was grounding. Stars. . . . .)]

+We should probably see a therapist about that.+

+Oh c’mon! You’ve always responded like that to the idea, at least give us a reason!+

<. . . I don’t know, but I know I won’t.>

[(Stop arguing. You grab Rosmarinus and hold her close to you.)]

+AH--+

<Ugh, fine. You turn from the tree, headed back to your room for now.>

[(Good~ You sigh happily, leaning back into Isabeau more, holding your little rose in your arms. You lift their hat to look at their lightless sparkling hair. Their starry eyes. . .)]

+ . . . . H-hey. You want to squirm, embarrassed, b-but. . .+

[(Don’t you dare. You kiss them. You turn your head, and make a kissy motion at Isa. He notices, of course, and leans down to kiss you on the lips.)]

[(Bliss. . . .)]

“Mmmm. . .” [(You close your eye, and put an ear to his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart. A heart that, if you had any say in it, would never, ever stop beating.)] “Love you. . .”

“Love you too, Saf.” [(He trails a hand up your back.)] “I’m, so glad you’re okay. . .”

“. . .” [(You turn your face to hide in his coat.)] “. . . I-I, I am too. . . I, I love you. . .”

“I love ya too, dummy.” [(He wraps you up in his arms and squeezes, and kisses the top of your head a dozen times or more.)]

“H-hheeeeelpp---” [(You squeak from from your prison.)]

“Do you hear something?” [(Altiare teased, and you could tell she didn’t even look up from what he was doing.)]

[(Mira giggled.)] “Nope! Not a peep.”

[(You grumble, and are about to talk back when you heard Odiles voice.)] “Boniface is up, although still quite exhausted.”

“O-oh thank Change.”

“Ah, took long enough.”

“Crab yeah!!!” [(Isabeau pat your head.)] “Do uh, you think you’ll be able to talk about stuff, Saf?”

“. . . Probably not.” [(You get off and shake your head, a lazy smile on your face.)] “Just give me a moment to switch.”

“Okay!

[(You close your eye. You’re done for now, someone switch out, please. . . Breathe in. . . And. . .)]

+In. . . And out. . . C’mon, let’s go cuddle, okay?+

[(. . . Yay.)]

[[You shake your head and rub your eye. Stars, that was a quick switch. You take a breath, then start looking through your pockets.]]

“Switcher-oo?” [[Isa asks, jokingly.]]

“Oh, was I that obvious?” [[You laugh, half-heartedly. You finally find your eye patch and swap it out.]] “That's better. . .”

[[You turn back to Isabeau, hesitant. But once you saw the regret on his face, your heart melted. He opened his arms, and you couldn't help but dive in.]] “Heh, I’m glad you’re alright, my guiding star- o-oh! M-morning Bonbon!!!”

[[Your head snaps up to see Boniface sleepily rubbing their eyes. They yawn, and lazily look over at you, and gives you a thumbs up. Then, they walked over to Nille, who hadn’t turned around, and hugged her. She jumps in surprise.]]

“. . . Mornnin' Sis.” [[They grumble.]]

“. . . M-morning, little sib.” [[She sheepishly turns to them, and hugs them back.]] “. . . Sleep okay?”

“Eh. . .” [[Bonnie holds onto the hug for a minute.]] “Really crabbing weird sleep, but that’s okay..”

“Lang--” [[Nille starts, but stops herself. She smiles and puts a hand on her hip.]] “Y’know what, nah. You’re old enough to curse, crab it.”

“Crab yeah!!!” [[That woke Bonbon up, and you couldn’t help but laugh at the antics. Nille hands them a bowl and they go to sit down.]]

[[Over the course of a few minutes, Bonnie ate their stew, and everyone gathered around the campfire. Isabeau offered his hand. You took it. Eventually, Bonnie finished their stew and put the bowl to the side.]]

“. . . . . .” [[Is no-one else going to say anything? Stars, fine!]] “So! When do we head out?”

“Not today.” [[Odile said flatly.]] “Both you, Pétronille, and Boniface need to rest. Once you’re all ready, there is a town a day or two away we can stay in.”

“Yes! We don’t want anyone pushing themselves, right?” [[Mira nods enthusiastically.]] “Once we’ve rested up we can continue on to Dormont!”

“W-what?” [[You sit up.]] “A-are, are you sure?”

“Yeah?” [[Isa tilts his head.]] “You guys gotta rest?”

“I’m fine.” [[Nille huffs.]] “We gotta stop the Monets, don’t we?”

“But you-”

“Sis!” [[Bonnie punches Nilles shoulder.]] “Stop that! You gotta rest!!!”

“But. . .” [[She starts, pauses, then rubs her shoulder.]]

“She does bring up a good point.” [[Altiare waves a hand idly.]] “What do we do about the Monets.”

“Hmm. . .” [[Odile taps her chin.]] “By the time we’re ready, they’ll be long gone from Dormont, and we’ll never find them.”

“S-so then, what, do we do???” [[Mira fiddles with her fingers.]] “Do we just have to. . .”

“Forget em.” [[Bonnie crosses their arms.]] “I don’t care ‘bout those blinding crabfaces anymore.”

“Bonbon. . .” [[Nille looks down at her little sibling.]] “Just, what. Let them go?”

“YEAH!” [[They hunch over and glare at nothing in particular.]] “I don’t wanna fight em again, I just wanna travel with you guys! Let someone ELSE deal with it for once!!!”

“And the people Perci might mind craft?” [[Altiare raised a hand.]]

“Might.” [[You rub your temple.]] “Stars I can’t believe I’m- Well, one thing Perci told us after tricking us was that we had a point about crafting others minds.”

“And?”

“And that he might truly take it to heart. Also. . .” [[You rub your shoulder.]] “‘May we never meet again’. I think he wants nothing to do with us anymore. Especially after what Mal did.”

“Alex and I want to test that, by the way.” [[Odile smirks.]] “How it was told, it sounded like Mal was able to pluck at his worst fears. It would be no wonder he doesn’t want to see us again.”

“. . . Yeah.” [[Isabeau nods.]] “Bonnie's right. Most of the stuff he’s done wrong was because of us, really.”

“. . . You have a point.” [[Altiare looks down, arms crossed.]] “He got rid of me and the others because Ramos asked him too. Even if they didn’t really realise it.”

“He did antagonise us at the inn. . .” [[Mirabelle thought for a moment.]] “Mind crafting Isa, Nille, Polaris, and Odile like that. . . B-but, he didn't harm anyone?”

“True. That was mostly Refoulement, yes?” [[Odile sighed, and leaned back.]] “Gems, even our encounter in Wolworth was just to gather information at first. Meeting my own sadness was more. . . A distraction.”

“. . . And this whole mess was my fault.” [[Nille looks to the ground.]] “If I didn’t mess up, then Siffrin wouldn’t have needed to find me, and then. . . Y’know.”

“Stop being a CRAB to yourself, Nille!” [[Another punch from Bonnie.]] “‘S not your fault. Plus they fed you and helped you.”

“And turned me into a sadness.”

“That’s, true. . .” [[Odile nods.]] “. . . But I doubt he would do that to an ordinary person.”

“What about Merlon?” [[Altiare asks.]] “Would they be a danger to anyone?”

“Well. . . Well, yes.” [[You sigh.]] “They’re like the King, in a way. She. . . She misses home.”

[[That made everyone silent again. With what the King wanted to do, what the King did, what the King didn’t do. . . It was a damning thing to say. Mirabelle sits up, eventually, and clears her throat.]]

“. . . O-okay, how about we wait until we see Dormont. Alex can check the people there and see if they’ve been mind crafted. If any are, then we should go after Perci and Merlon. If not, t-then, well. . .”

“Then we can all relax.” [[Altiare nods.]] “Sounds good to me.”

“I think that’s a wonderful Idea, Mirabelle.”

“Yup! Sounds like a plan!”

“. . . I can live with that.”

“You crabbing better.”

“Sounds good.” [[You laugh lightly, covering your mouth with a hand.]] “All we have to do is go back to the site of the worst mistake we’ve ever made- I’m joking!!!”

[[The partys concerned faces were replaced with equal parts frustration and relief. Bonnie grumbled and stuck their tongue out.]] “You’RE A craB FACe--”

“!!!” [[Voice crack!!!]]

“Voice crack!!!”

“N-nUh hUH!!!”

“Voice crack. . .”

“Aww man. . . My lil siblings all grown up. . . Sniffle. . .”

“MY VOICE ISN’T CRACKING!!!” [[They squeak, and pout.]] “Stupidfaces. . .”

“O-oh! Right! Have you started your period yet, Bonnie?” [[Mirabelle asks.]] “You’ll probably have a growth spurt soon too.”

“Oh boy. Bonbon, if you need anyone to teach you how to shave, I’m your guy!” [[Isa says confidently.]] “I just hope you don’t get acne.”

“. . . Whuh?” [[Bonnie squinted at them]] “Period? Shaving? Don’t I just get taller or something?”

“What.” [[Odile stares dumbfoundead at Mirabelle, then Bonnie, then puts her face in her hands.]] “Gems. . . One; Pétronille, you have had the talk with Bonnie, yes?”

[[Looking back over to Nille, her face was a mix of shame and horror. She opened her mouth, closed it, turned away, then tried talking again.]] “. . . No, I- no. Mirabelle could you. . . Please. . .”

“O-of course!!!” [[She was about to hop up, but paused.]] “O-oh! Madame, what was the second one?”

“Ah yes, second;” [[She had fingers on her temples.]] “How you are talking suggests Boniface is going to go through both estrogen and testosterone based puberties.”

“Yes?”

“. . . And, that doesn’t seem strange to you?”

“No???”

“OH!!!” [[Isa sits right up.]] “It’s a Vaugardian thing I think!!!”

“What?”

“O-oh! Yes! In Vaugarde at least, your puberty doesn’t happen depending on how you were born, but how you’re changing!” [[Mira tilts her head.]] “Is it not like that in Ka Bue?”

“. . . No. No it very much isn’t.” [[Odile sighs and pushes up her glasses.]] “In Ka Bue, puberty is like a blank canvas that you both mold and ‘deal with’ by focusing on your body. Massaging your own mussels or doing a form of acupuncture is common during it.”

“Huh.” [[Altiare crosses his arms.]] “In Poteria, puberty is actually synonymous with pupa and metamorphosis. For Soleanists, you spend three days and three nights in a dark cave fasting with nothing but water and a knife. You cut your hand once a day, and when you come out, you’re not a kid anymore.”

“Three days?!?”

“In the dark?!?”

“I heard it used to be different.” [[She shrugged, and continued.]] “With Flickerism, at night you cut your hand, mix your blood with sugar water, and lay a tray of it on a windowsill for moths to drink. You’re supposed to stay up all night just watching them and. . . Reflecting.”

“Woah.”

“That sounds really nice actually!”

“Huh, makes me curious what it’s like in other places.”

“I was supposed to make a wish.” (You say casually.) “Since kids aren’t usually allowed to and all.”

(The others were staring at you with shocked expressions. But before you could ask if you’d done something wrong, Isa pipes up.) “O-oh yeah?”

“Yeah!” (You turn to him and smile.) “Once you grow to a certain point, you can make a wish to the universe for the kind of body you want, and the universe will give you the kind of puberty you want!”

“Uh huh?” (He urges.)

“Y-yeah! I was supposed to do that, but extended family didn’t like how I was born, especially if I was going to be an astronomer so I. . . I. . . . .”

“. . . . . Youuuu. . . ?”

[[You blink a few times, and rub your eye.]] “. . . Sorry, what was I talking about again?”

“Blast!”

“Awwww.”

“Don’t worry about it, Sif.”

“D-did you get that Madame?”

“Every word.”

“How’dya get them to chat so long, Isa?” [[Nille asks.]]

“Oh!!!” [[He perks up.]] “The key’s to not ask questions! I noticed they can recall stuff for longer when I’m just listening, and I’m guessing that’s because if I ask a question, the brain starts looking for an answer, and then realizes it shouldn’t be able to remember an answer!”

“I’m getting a headache.” [[You rub your temple.]]

“R-Right!” [[Mirabelle stands up and starts walking to Boniface.]] “Let's go to our tent, Bonnie, there's quite a bit we should go over.”

“Uh, sure?” [[They shrug, and follow along.]]

[[The little meeting had, of course, come to a close. You leaned back against Isabeau, ready to rest again, but. . . Something nagged at you.]]“. . . Nille?”

“Huh?” [[She looked up.]] “Uh. . . Yeah?”

“. . Why didn't you have that talk with Bonnie?”

“. . . Oh.” [[She sounded downtrodden, so your hunch must have been right. It took a moment, but. . .]] “. . . My puberty talk was learning who I was being married off to. . .”

<<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<< <<<

[12 Years Ago.]

(Drake)

(You held the bundle in your arms close to your chest. The rain was, thankfully, light, and the moon was new. The waves rocked the ship as you made your way to the stern. Pausing for a moment to check the bundle was safe.)

(You part the cloth, and breathe a soft sigh of relief. The little bandit, your little sibling, was still sound asleep. Your heart may be beating as fast as a rabbit can run, but they’re okay. So, you’re okay, that’s all that matters.)

(You shuffle to the port-stern of the ship. The life boat is moored securely. It looks a little old for this ol’ boat, but as long as it works, you don’t care. You pulled the tarp away, and placed the bundle inside along with the meager belongings you had. Some money, a crude map, a few changes of clothes, all wrapped up in your blanket. And, of course, the pearl earring.)

(“I won’t blame you.” He said as he handed you the money and clothes. “I didn’t want this either.”)

(You took the gifts from him, your supposed “husband” for “now until eternity” or whatever it was. You already planned to run, and he already wanted you too. Before you left, he gave you one last thing, an earring. “Finely polished pearls,” he said. “Exchanging earrings is some Vaugardian thing. I mentioned that once to my father, and he bought these for me the next day for when I married. But. . .”)

(“They’re fake.” You had replied, looking at the earrings in the light. “Your dad cheaped out on you.”)

(You took a breath, and went over to the winch that would start moving the life raft over the water. You start cranking it, and hold your breath that you’re not caught.)

(. . . Are, you sure, you want to do this?)

(Yes. Yes of course you’re sure. The words from the other day echoed in your head. “This is Urbrow, and you’re going to marry him”. It made you shudder. The first you saw him was when you left port. He seemed. . . Fine. Just, fine. Not bad, or evil, just, fine. You were to marry him, and had no say in the matter.)

(And when you dared to ask why you had to? Your adoptive “parent” yelled at you, on deck, in front of everyone. The ship had left port at that point, and they were the captain. They told you how to care for Urbrow, what a lady is supposed to do for a man, what SHE was supposed to do.)

(“If you bleed, then that’s a sign of failure. That’s a sign that you have failed as a wife.”)

(You wanted to fight them, but you couldn’t. You’d be ripped away from the only family you ever had, your little sibling, and be stuck with someone you didn’t even know. In that moment, you might have punched your “parent”. You couldn’t, but another passenger did, at least. You didn’t find out who it was, but guessing from the accent he was from the Ichian Isles, maybe the Gaels area.)

(He got beaten up right back. You didn’t have a chance to thank him, but you did get a name; Zac. He was looking for a new crew to work with. You’re confident that once the ship was in port, he’d leave.)

(The lifeboat was ready to push, but you had to push it. It was heavy, and would take a bit to move, but-)

“-r that?” (Came a voice.)

“Yeah, I’ll check.” (Came a reply.)

(You froze on the spot, staring at the hatch leading below deck. There was a light coming up, what do you do?!? WHAT DO YOU DO!?!? You need to move, you need to move NOW!!! Think, think, think THINK!!!)

(The figure stepped on deck holding a lantern. They had a cloak on with the hood up, and you couldn’t make out any gender. They looked around, and spotted you.)

(The two of you stared at each other for six, long seconds.)

(They don’t say anything.)

“Ey! See anything?!?” (A voice came from down below.)

“. . . Nah!” (The person replied.) “I’ll have a look around though.”

(You relaxed instantly and mouthed a “thank you” to the stranger. You turned and hurried to the lifeboat, and started pushing it off the edge.)

“Wait, get in.” (The stranger says, following you along. They hooked the lantern to the bow of the lifeboat, which gave you a little bit of a better view of them. You couldn’t see a face, but you could see a pack over their shoulder, and an intricate sword on a belt.) “I’ll push.”

(You nod, and do so. You quickly scoop up your little sibling and check they’re okay. They are, but your heart was still racing. The rain was picking up as the stranger pushed the life boat off the edge of the ship, now hanging just by the ropes and a winch. The stranger slips off their pack and looks through it.)

“Here.” (They toss you a small coin purse. You catch it.) “I won’t need it.”

“But-” (You start.)

“You’ll need this, too.” (The stranger undoes their cloak, and tosses it to you. You could see who it was now. A person of ambiguous gender, with longer light-gray hair, with dark roots. They had a small chest, and strong looking limbs.)

“I-”

“Row towards &@#^$!*@! For about half an hour, then look for a constellation that makes a cross. Follow that, and you’ll make it to Vaugarde.” (They pull something out of their bag, and toss it to you. It’s. . . A rabbit's foot? You look up at them, confused.) “. . . It’s a good luck charm. I don’t need anymore.”

(You stare at them, dumbfounded, then, pocket the charm.) “. . . Why are you being so nice to us?”

“. . . Because. . .” (The stranger looks away, then steps to the winch. They start lowing you down into the water, into freedom. Their words echo in your head, and would echo in your head for a long, long time. It would echo until it was finally forgotten, replaced by all the other words that made up your life.)

“Because. . . There’s no excuse, not to be kind.”

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itzpristelle · 1 year ago

Text

Bird From the Window (ft. Pepper, Penny, and Zoe)

Yet another day in Downtown City. The sun was shining, the birds were singing…

And Pepper wishes she could make them shut up. They're making this headache and sickness of hers worse.

Maybe it was the medicine she was force-fed that made her a bit drowsy, and unable to think well enough. Or maybe she was just plain grumpy.

Either way, Pepper decided to voice her thoughts, "Birds. Noisy. Kill it. Kill them all.

"…Kill?" Penny's voice shook with concern as she closed Pepper's underarm, letting the thermometer do its work, "Pepper, I think that'd be a bit much… we can just shoo them away!"

Zoe tentatively placed a hand on Pepper's forehead. She immediately retracted her hand when she felt just how warm Pepper was, "Oh dear! Penny, get a towel from that drawer over there and soak it in cold water. Pepper needs it."

"On it, Zoe!" Penny did a little salute and went off to obey Zoe's orders.

The sharp beep of the thermometer started up, signaling that it was done taking Pepper's temperature.

Ugh, another high-pitched annoying sound.

Luckily, it was gone quickly. Zoe pulled the thermometer out of Pepper's underarm, taking a look at the temperature.

"…39 degrees?! If your hot forehead wasn't enough to convince me to make you stay here, then 39 degrees definitely is." Zoe said.

Pepper took a little while to process the information. When she did, all she had to say was; "W…wuh? Oh… a-aCHOO-!"

"Here's that cold, wet towel!" Penny came in carrying said item, handing it to Zoe. Zoe spread the towel out and placed it on Pepper's forehead.

"There we go. Now, your plan for today is to rest. You'll be staying in bed, and Penny and I will stay here to watch over you!"

"But I… I have a big show today… The-" Pepper coughed, "The people… must hear… my comedy…my jokes!!"

"The people will get to hear it at your next show. But you'll have to cancel this one. Sorry, Pepper," Penny shook her head.

"The great Pepper Clark does… not… cancel…!"

"Shhh…" Zoe stroked Pepper's hair, beads of sweat shining throughout. Gentle fingers scratched at just the right spot in her scalp, making Pepper sigh. The sensation was so relaxing, maybe she could just…

The fingers were gone before Pepper could ask for more.

"Eugh, sweat…" Zoe wiped the salty liquid off her hand.

The sound of a high-pitched pop song filled the room.

God, no. Please no. Not the high pitched noises…

"Oh, excuse me, I've got a call to answer…" Zoe said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

"…Your ringtone… is nightcore of one of your songs?" Penny asked.

"SHHH, don't mention it," Zoe hushed her friend as she pressed the answer button, "Hello? Yes? Oh, hello Russell dearie! You see, I'm a bit busy right now…”

Zoe's voice faded away into another room, leaving Pepper and Penny alone in this one.

"So, any special requests, Pepper?"

"Bird in the window, do something about it."

"Again with the bird in the window?"

"Y…yeah! Just make them quiet somehow. I want to sleep, but… noisy. Stupid birds. Hey, you've watched Adventure Time, right?"

"Um, a couple episodes, yeah?"

"Do the thing with like- the bird from the window. From the sandwich. Cook it. I'm not sure. Just make them shut up…"

"Oh wow, uh- okay, okay!"

"That is all… Now go forth. Complete your quest…"

That- and Penny's chuckle- is the last thing Pepper remembered before she fell into a state of nothingness.

The nap didn't do much to make Pepper feel better. In fact, she probably felt even worse.

She groaned, placing a hand to her head in an attempt to make the pounding stop.

Well... it was quiet now. The birds were gone. How long do they stay on windows anyway? What time was it?

"Oh, Pepper! You're awake!" Penny cheerfully said, opening the door to let herself into the bedroom. Pepper noticed the tray Penny had in hand.

"Whaddya wa… what is it?”

Penny took her place in the chair next to Pepper's bed. She set the tray on the bedside table, "So, thing is- Zoe had to go out. The boys and Minka need her for something. So I offered to stay here and look after you!"

"Wow, that's awesome, Penny," Pepper felt herself smile. Through this sickness, it was comforting to have at least one friend there.

Curious about the tray, Pepper said, "So, uh… Whatchu got over there?"

"Oh, yes! These. First, we got your medicine- you can take these later, just so long as it's within the day."

"Mmm... medicine..."

"And this big water bottle whenever you get thirsty!" Penny lifted the bottle up to show Pepper, "I'll place it right here. Remember, hydration is important, especially now that you're sick!"

"Uh, yeah, sure. Hydration." Penny's words only barely got through Pepper's mind.

"And, lastly, I have you some nice, warm noodle soup! With bird from the window, just as you requested!"

That got Pepper's mind into gear.

"Wait, what?" Pepper jolted up from her laying flat position. The (now very warm) towel from her forehead flopped onto her blanket, "I don't know what sleepy drugs I was on back there, but my lord I didn't think you'd take my request seriously-"

Penny giggled, "No, silly, of course I wouldn't! It's just normal chicken, don't worry about it."

"Oh. Phew. Okay." Pepper sighed. Feeling a bit better, she also started to giggle, "Hah, good one, Ling."

"Coming from a comedienne? Aww, I'm honored!" Penny smiled. She took the towel from its spot on the bed. The spot on the blanket where it had been was starting to get soggy.

"Now, I'll leave you alone to enjoy the soup. I'll be back in a bit with a newly soaked cold towel, okay? Call me if you need anything!"

"Yeah, aighty then. See ya…"

With that, Penny was up up and away.

"Hehe, bird from the window. I'll have to make do something with that later..." Pepper chuckled to herself as she stuck her fork into a meat chunk from the bowl, ready to eat it.

Huh. If the pieces are this tiny, that must have been a very small chicken…

===

Day 12: birdsong

I'm aware that Downtown City is most likely somewhere in the United States or something. That will not stop me from using Celsius.

Edit: My god the amount of errors I found and the amount edits i’ve made. Grrrr school makes me tired. I forgor proofreading

#lps 2012 #pepper clark #zoe trent #penny ling #fanfic

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mochiiwrites · 4 years ago

Text

Ace Trapolla wandered through the halls, intending to loiter or bother the prefect.

“Ahh, I’m so glad the day’s finally over. I get to procras-”

“OI!” A shout thrust Ace out of his thoughts. The voice belonged to Deuce Spade. Ace let out a started yelp.

“Agh! You dumbass! Why’re you shoutin like that out of nowhere!”

“You almost stepped on something, you imbecile!”

“Eh? What do you-”

Ace looked to where Deuce was pointing. Something small was left on the floor. It turned, revealing a beak. It chirped.

“AAAAA-!” The first-years screamed at the sudden sound until Deuce clamped his hands over his and Ace’s mouths.

“Eww, what are you doing sticking your fingers in my mouth like that?” Ace complained as soon as Deuce released his grip.

“We should be quiet, we wouldn’t want to startle it...or get in trouble for causing a ruckus...again.”

“What kinda bird is it?”

“I…I’m not sure.” Deuce cautiously scooped up the bird. Deuce moved his hands to show Ace… a chick.

“It’s a chick.”

“I know that, idiot.”

“So...what do we do with it?”

“Don’t ask me. Lets ask…the prefect, or something.”

——♠️🐣❤️——

The brain cell duo made their way to Ramshackle Dorm. Ace didn’t bother knocking, he just barged in.

“Hey Prefect!” No response.

“Yuuuuuuu?”He called but, no one responded, except for the chick’s chirping.

“...Weird.” He muttered to no one in particular.

Deuce suggested, “Maybe they had to help with something?”

“You have any idea how little that narrows it down? They’re always helping with something.”

“Well, at least you’re smart enough to know that they’re helpful.”

“What do you-”

A different voice broke them out of their bickering. “What are you two doing here? Have you come to see the Great Grim himself?”

“Ah, no. We came to see the Prefect. Do you know where they are, Grim?”

“Fgna! You mean, you don’t know? It's not my business, ya know?”

“What the- Yes it is?? You LIVE in the SAME BUILDING YOU-” Ace was going to get a headache.

“Shut up! You’re too loud!” Deuce suddenly interjected.

“So are you, you dunce!” Ace shot back.

Grim finally answered Ace’s question, “Well, I dunno where they are, so let's just go find ‘em! I could smell ‘em from a mile away! I am pretty great after all!”

The chick chirped at the implication of how the Prefect smelled, weird...

The trio, or quartet if you include the chick, started their search! They travelled far and wide…to the Heartslabyul lounge.

——😼♠️🐣♦️❤️——

“Ah! Adeuce combi! And Gri-chan! Back at it again! Whatcha doing? And where’s the Prefect?”

Deuce perked his head up at the sound of the third year’s voice.

“Ah, Cater-senpai. We were actually thinking of where we could find them. Do you have any ideas?”

“Eh...I think they were helping Epel with cleaning the entire ballroom. Sounds like it sucks, especially since he was supposed to do it by himself, originally.”

“Oh, well, thank you Cater-senpai. We appreciate the help.” Deuce got up and bowed respectfully, then got really confused when Cater took a picture.

“O-M-G! #Cute! Where’d you find your friend? #Chickadeuce_Combi!” Cater eagerly posted something to MagiCam.

“What…?” ‘Friend? What could Cater-senpai be…’ Deuce had a revelation. “Oh! The chick was just in the hallway, we were looking for the Prefect to see if they knew what to do with it.”

“Why not just babysit it? I’d love to see more of the #Chickadeuce_Combi! Ah, bet then again, Riddle probably wouldn’t be very happy… Well, good luck! I’ve gotta head to the Light Music Club!” Cater sent himself off with a wave and a final picture of the ‘Chickadeuce Combi’.

“Wait, where are we going?” Ace asked, seeming to have woken from a nap.

“When did you fall asleep?”

Ace made a shrugging noise and an ‘eugh?’ noise.

“Whatever, we’re heading to Pomefiore, Cater said the Prefect was there.”

“Oka-AAGH!” Ace was promptly stepped on by Grim, and pulled out of his chair by Deuce.

——😼♠️🐣🍎❤️——

Once the quartet made it to Pomefiore’s ballroom, they heard a soft voice...muttering complaints and curses. Along with quiet complaints and cursing, they heard a lot of splashing.

“Ugh, my wrists are going to fall off… Where’d the Prefect go… I need some fu-”

“Epel?” At the mention of his name, the Pomefiore first-year cut himself off and dropped his sponge.

Epel scrambled to pick up the sponge and find a good word that started with ‘Fu’ “Fu-fu...F-Fun! A fun break! Just a small one! I wasn’t going to…” Epel looked up to see some of his fellow first years… and a chick...on Deuce’s head. Epel thought to himself, ‘Well, at least it’s not Vil-sama.’

“Whatchu lot doin’- ah, I mean...What are you guys doing here?”

Ace explained their situation, “Looking for the Prefect, Cater told us they’d be here. So…where are they?”

“I… I don’t know...”

“Ah, well, thank you for your time, Epel! Good luck with your cleaning!” Deuce bowed again, and the chick almost fell off his head.

“Ah, Deuce be careful! Your friend could get hurt.”

Deuce immediately fixed his posture and lightly checked his hair for the chick. “Y-you’re right, Epel! How irresponsible of me…”

“Don’t mention it! Actually, don’t mention anything...I’m not really supposed to be talking to anyone ‘til I’m done with all this.” Epel stretched his arms and gestured to the entire room.

Ace pinched the bridge of his nose, “Great Seven, what did you even do? This has gotta be punishment for something, right?”

Epel cautiously looked around and lowered his voice, clearly watching for Vil, Rook or just anyone who had the ability to tell him off.

Gathering his confidence he admitted his crime.

“I… I said that Rook was an asshat.”

Deuce looked like he was going through a crisis and he covered the chick’s nonexistent ears. Ace haphazardly fought back a chuckle, Grim grinned and laughed,

“Nyahaha! That's great!”

“No, it’s not, Grim. Why don’t you help Epel with cleaning?” Deuce scolded Grim with a “bonk” to the head.

“Wha- No! The Great Grim can’t-”

But the Heartslabyul first years already left.

——♠️🐣🍎——

Another day, but still no Prefect. But on the other hand, the Heartslabyul Dorm gained another (temporary) resident. The problem is Riddle didn’t like them that much. So Deuce and Ace would have to take care of it in secret. Ace also wasn’t really willing to take care of the “stupid bird”, So it was only Deuce trying to care for it in secret. Currently, Ace had basketball and Deuce had been left alone. The first year set the chick down on a table, and was staring intently at it, wondering what to do. He stayed like that for who-knows-how-long until…

“Deuce?”

“Ah! Come in, the door should be open!”

Epel appeared in the doorway when Deuce turned his head.

“Did you manage to find the Prefect?”

“Actually...no. We still don’t know where they are.”

“That’s strange… Well, how’s the chick?”

“They’re good...I hope. I was thinking of giving it a name.”

“Really?” Epel asked, with an amused huff.

“Well, calling it ‘the chick’ seems...rude? The horses in the horseback riding club are named, so why not the chick?”

“Ehh, the chick is…” Epel trailed off, afraid to hurt the chick’s feelings, for some strange reason. “Nevermind, did you have a name in mind?”

“I was thinking...Enka?”

“Enka?” Epel echoed the Heartslabyul student, seeing if the name suited the chick. “That sounds nice.”

Deuce sprouted an idea, “Epel, you’re a farmer, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Do you have any experience with chickens?”

“Wha-no! I’m an apple farmer. Sure, my family has horses, but definitely not chickens.”

“Agh, I’m so sorry for assuming! Please forgive me!” Deuce bowed at inhuman speed, which may or may not be impressive.

Epel tried to hold in his laughter, but failed. “Snrk-Ehehe~! You’re fine, you’re fine. But I guess, I could help you take care of Enka.”

“Really?! Thank you, that would be wonderful!”

“It’s the least I can do, you did have Grim help me clean the ballroom, afterall.”

“Okay so...how do we take care of Enka?”

——😿♠️🐣🍎❤️——

Ace barged in the dorm with a depressed and tired Grim cradled in his arms. He was greeted by Deuce reading a book with the chick. A bowl of apples cut into small pieces in front of them.

“What the hell are you doing, dumbass?”

Deuce quickly dropped the book and maneuvered to cover the chick’s ‘ears’. “Language! I was trying to talk to Enka.”

“Who’s Enka?”

“The chick, Deuce thought it would be nice if we gave them a name.” Epel walked into view, with a list of places at Night Raven College.

“Hah, of course he would. Enka’s an alright name, I guess.” Ace snatched the paper out of the lavender haired boy’s hands. “What’s this for?”

“It’s for when we search for the Prefect, so we can cross off places we’ve already searched.”

“We gonna start searching now? Or what?”

“That works for me.”

“Nya-wah-haahhhh...I miss Yuu…” Grim sobbed, but no one knew if it was genuine tears.

Enka chirped sympathetically.

——😼♠️🐣🍎❤️🐩——

The now-quintet only got one step into NRC’s halls before they were stopped by faculty.

“My my, what are the puppies doing out of their litter?” Divus Crewel said, with a dissatisfied face.

“Ah, Crewel-sensei. We were going to look for Yuu.” Epel calmly responded, in contrast to Deuce’s panicked bowing. (Enka was safe, instead of being on Deuce’s head, they sat in Deuce’s cupped hands.)

“Ah, the Prefect puppy would be right...there.” Crewel pointed towards the small chick cradled in Deuce’s hands.

“EHHHHH?!?!”

“QUIET! DOWN BOYS, DOWN!” Crewel cracked his whip and cleared his throat, “Ahem, yes. Surprisingly, that birdie is the Prefect, at least, it should be. A student was staying after school to understand this transformation potion better. They accidentally spilled some and Yuu happened to be in the splash zone, and then they were nowhere to be found.”

“So… that would mean that Enka is Yuu.”

Enka chirped in approval, and in a tone that sounded like “Yes! Finally!”.

“Ya kiddin’ me?” Ace threw his hands up, very pissed, “So we had ‘em the whole time!”

“Nyagh...This is confusing…”

“If you puppies would stop yapping, I could transform them back.”

“Right! Of course, yes sir!” Deuce quickly gave his teacher Enka.

Crewel sent the group back while he got started on transforming Yuu. Grim, Epel and Deuce waited patiently in Ramshackle Dorm, Ace had detention for something he had done earlier in the day.

——😼♠️✨🍎——

Yuu looked down at their hands, thankful that they were no longer wings. They took their human hands and opened the door.

“I’m bACK-” They didn’t finish their sentence due to Grim tackling them.

“Yuu! You’re back! You can’t leave the Great Grim alone by himself!”

“Ahaha, I won’t, I won’t.”

“Glad you’re okay, Prefect!” Epel warmly smiled at them.

“Must’ve been interesting being a chick for a while, huh?” Deuce rested his hand on his chin, as if he were contemplating what the experience would’ve been like.

“Yeah, but at least you got to take care of me! I wouldn’t mind if you did it again!”

The Prefect’s statement caused Epel to hide his face and Deuce was left a stuttering mess.

#mochiifics!#twisted wonderland #twst mc #twst yuu #twst fic #twisted wonderland fic #twst deuce #twst ace #twst epel #twst grim #twst crewel #twst cater

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365daysofsasuhina · 6 years ago

Text

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Twenty-Six: ___ At Night ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina, stalking ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ]

There’s always a reason they say, “Don’t go out at night”.

An hour left in her shift, and already Hinata’s feet are starting to drag. A full morning of classes, and then a shift in the evening at a cafe just off campus waitressing leaves her exhausted. Thank goodness she only has to do this three nights a week.

Just one more hour, she tells herself. One more hour, and then it’s just a short walk home. Barely two blocks. So far, there’s been no hassle. It helps a fellow student happens to work the same shift, and even lives in the same dorm, different floor. They aren’t exactly friends, but there’s an unspoken promise to walk together.

Just in case.

But tonight happens to be different. The other woman’s down with a seasonal cold, and her stand-in is some middle-aged man that typically handles the mornings. Which not only leaves Hinata with a stranger, but...without her partner for her walk.

It’s been silently eating at her all evening despite her mental insistence that it’ll be fine. Hardly any distance to cover, she tells herself. You’ll be back in your dorm before anyone even notices you’re out and about!

It’s almost convinced her when a late-night customer shuffles in. Hood drawn over a cap and hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his long coat, he just has that look. But more than that...a feeling any woman knows.

Her coworker’s already busy with another table, so...she swallows down her trepidation, approaching with a smile. “Good evening! Table for one?”

“Yeah.”

“This way, please!” She leads him to a corner table, tucked away from most of the others. It’s quiet at this hour, only a few other people left in and eating, including a gaggle of teenagers who’ve been ruckusing for what feels like half the evening. But suddenly Hinata finds herself glad for the distraction. “Here you go - and here’s a menu. I’ll be back in a few to get your order.”

The way he eyeballs her, not even bothering to answer, sends up about twenty red flags.

Retreating to the back, Hinata hides in kitchen for a few moments, pretending to look for something. The portly cook, father of a friend, gives her a perked-brow look. “...Hinata…? Everything okay?”

There’s a pause, weighing her options. She hates to complain - it feels like she eats away at her employability when she does. “Um...yes, it’s fine.”

He doesn’t look like he believes her...but doesn’t pry. “Night’s almost over, you’ll be out of here soon. Just keep it up a little longer.”

“R-right.” After a few minutes, she brings the latest customer some water, asking if he’d like anything else. Still no answer. “Have you...decided what you’ll have?”

“Club sandwich. Steak fries.”

“All right, I’ll bring that out for you soon!”

From there, she tends to a few other tables, seeing a few guests out until it’s almost empty. Once the food’s done, she carries it over, ignoring the feeling of his eyes boring into her. “All right sir, here’s your order - anything else?”

“...no.”

“Please do keep in mind we close in about twenty minutes.”

Another bout of silence, ignoring her and taking a sloppy bite that almost makes her flinch. Eugh…

By closing time, he’s nearly finished. Already counting tips and doling them out, her coworker asks, “Should I make him go? Offer him a box?”

Hinata weighs that. “Um...I guess you can try…?”

And so he does...to no result. “Well...I’m gonna go ahead and start vacuuming, if you want to handle tables.”

“Got it.” Gearing herself with hot soapy water and a rag, Hinata makes practiced work of closing. And all the while, the hair on the back of her neck stands up as she feels that same gaze on her back, pointedly ignoring him.

So much for a safe walk home…

Part of her wonders if she should call someone, but...it’s ten o’clock. No one available is going to want to go out now...and anyone already out likely won’t be much help. So once closing is finished save for their lingering guest, she hovers near the back as the other waiter tries to get him to leave.

“Sir, it’s a quarter after closing. Staff would like to go home for the night. I can get you a to-go box…?”

“All right, fine.”

To her surprise, as he grabs said box, the man murmurs, “You’d best head out - I’ll keep him around for a few more minutes so you can get a head start.”

Hinata can’t help a jolt. “I...t-thanks.”

Hurrying and gathering up her bag and tips, Hinata makes her way out the back door. The light is a bit dim, but she scurries out toward the sidewalk and beelines for campus.

Unfortunately...he’s faster than either of them suspected.

“Hey.”

Not daring to stop, she tries walking faster...but a hand on her shoulder spins her around. An attempt to lift pepper spray from her pocket gets her wrist caught in a joint-crushing grip. “A-ahh…!”

“You always so cold when a man speaks to you?” he mutters, gross breath blooming against her face. “Look at me!”

“That’s enough.”

A smooth voice sounds behind them, and he dares to look over a shoulder. “The hell do you want? You a cop or somethin’...?”

“Interesting that that’s your first concern,” they go on. “Makes me wonder if this isn’t just a little confrontation that needs breaking up.”

“Ain’t none of your business. So scram, asshole.”

“It might have escaped your notice, but I can smell her fear. She wants nothing to do with you. I think it’s you who needs to scram.”

Eyes squint. “...t’hell you mean, smell fear? What, you a bloodhound and an asshole?”

Still unable to see whoever’s speaking, Hinata barely dares to breathe. It...sounds like someone’s trying to save her…? Is it a cop?

There’s a chuckle that sends a chill down her spine. “Bloodhound…? Hm...close, but not quite.”

Before she can blink, Hinata reflexively gasps as someone steps in front of her - where did they come from?! They grip her aggressor’s wrist in a way that releases his hold with a howl of pain. She scrambles back several paces before falling backward with a cry.

“Tch, you’re disgusting. Not even worth my time. You smell like rotten meat and onions...I can only imagine what you’d taste like…”

Breath catches in Hinata’s throat. T...taste…?

By now, still flailing in an unrelenting hold, the man following her is practically blubbering. “Look man, I’ll leave her alone - I was just messin’ around, I wasn’t -”

“I don’t give a damn what excuses you throw at me. Fear’s not the only thing I could smell...your intentions reek. Don’t bother trying to hide it. Now...what to do with you…”

“C’mon man, I -!”

“I could toss you in a dumpster with the rest of the garbage, but I doubt you’ll stay there where you belong. There’s a bridge nearby...maybe you’d like to go for a swim? Bathe off some of your grime…?”

“No! No no -!”

“Hm, you’re right...I don’t feel like dragging you all the way over there. I suppose for now...we’ll settle on letting you take a little nap…!” With a thrust of an elbow to a temple, the man goes limp, collapsing atop the sidewalk.

Hinata stares.

Her savior - if that’s what he really is - sighs with a slight bow of his head. “What a way to ruin the start of a nice night…” Turning, he gives her an appraising glance. “...are you all right…?”

“He...is he…?”

“He’s just unconscious. Nothing to really worry about. Besides...he needs a little reality check.”

Entirely confused, Hinata has far too many questions and no answers. “Who...w-who are you?”

“You can call me Sasuke. Most people do.” Eyes flicker to her chest, where her name tag is still pinned. “I suppose you can too, Hinata. Now, you should get up and head home. It’s dangerous to be out at night. You never know what kind of monsters you’ll run into.”

Staring for a moment, she shakily does as suggested. “You…?”

“Hm?”

“Y-you said something about…a-about smell, and...and taste…?”

A smile curls his lips. “Did I?”

“W-what was that supposed to mean?”

After a small pause, he takes several steps forward, not stopping until he’s half a pace from her. Leaning forward, Sasuke lets his smile widen. Within, gleaming in the dull lamplight, are long, shining teeth.

“...I’ll give you three guesses.”

Heart pounding, Hinata finds herself unable to move. What...but he can’t be...that’s not possible…!

“Your heart’s jumping like jackhammer. I think you need to get home and rest.”

“B-but -!”

“I’ve blazed a path for you. I suggest you take it before something else wanders onto it and causes trouble. And try not to walk alone...that was a foolish thing to do.”

She wants to rebuke - rebuke and question and argue, but he’s already turning around to leave. “W...wait!”

“Why?”

A scramble for an answer. “I...I didn’t get to thank you.”

He stops...and glances over his shoulder. “...I guess you do owe me...I’ll have to mull it over. For now...consider it an IOU. Now get going - I’ve got more important things to do than muck about with a little lost human.”

Officially perplexed and in a state of disbelief, she just...watches him go before glancing back to her route home. A few stumbled steps then lead her into a run. No one else interrupts her, and she makes her way into the dorm lobby. Her back crashes against the door, struggling to breathe.

...no one’s ever going to believe her.

Guh, another late night...been a bit busy today, but at least it's done! A classic little instance of something supernatural. Seems Hinata's managed to attract the attention of your friendly neighborhood vampire! And just in time, too! I don't write vampire crossover stuff too often, even though I enjoy it. It doesn't seem to do as well with audiences, lol - it's cliche, so I guess I can understand. But Uchivamps are just...too much fun NOT to indulge in every once in a while~ Anyway, that's all for tonight! I've got a few other projects to wrap up, so I'll call it here. Thanks for stopping by!

#uchiha sasuke #hyūga hinata #sasuhina #stalking //#of monsters and men [ au ]#365daysofsasuhina

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